Andrew Thompson (convict, magistrate)

He rose to become a respected chief constable in the Hawkesbury district, a successful farmer and businessman, and eventually the wealthiest settler in early colonial Australia.

Over the next five years he proved to be a skilled, industrious and honest law-enforcement officer, and on 17 October 1797 he was granted an absolute pardon by Governor Hunter in recognition of his meritorious service.

[4] Maintaining his constable post, Thompson was particularly prominent in the rescue of settlers in the massive Hawkesbury floods during 1799-1801 period and was considered in the district to be something of a hero.

He also acted as a spokesman of the Hawkesbury settlers, coordinating the presentation of the loyalty address to Bligh that swore the allegiance of small farmers in the district to the governor.

[5] Following the overthrow of Governor Bligh on 26 January 1808 by John Macarthur and the NSW Corps officers, Thompson was interrogated by the rebels seeking evidence of governmental corruption and collusion.

But Thompson's health had been badly affected by the flood rescues, and on 22 October 1810 he died in Green Hills (Windsor) of respiratory failure, and was buried with great ceremony in the St Matthews Church cemetery.

Thompson had a vast estate, and his will bequeathed one half of this to his family in Britain and a quarter each to Governor Macquarie and his friend and business associate Simeon Lord.

Settlement of the will by executors Henry Antill and Thomas Moore proved extremely complex because of the large number of properties and businesses, but also due to extensive credits from outstanding debts and loans.