Joseph Wild

Joseph Wild (1759–1837) held a number of titles throughout his life, namely a convict, explorer, shepherd, constable and conveyor.

Chester's traditional economy was breaking down as manufacturing industries began to move out of the area due to lacking competitive efficiency.

[1] This left many struggling to find employment in the lead up to the turn of the century, with crime rates also accelerating.

Further, no information regarding his family and childhood could be collated other than the name of his brother George Wild who also travelled to Australia as a convict.

The Ganges is the boat that Joseph Wild and 202 other convicts were transported to Port Jackson on, captained by Thomas Patrickson.

[4] Despite Sir James Fitzpatricks request to have ventilators and water purifiers installed on the ship for improved health facilities, it is noted that 13 convicts still died on the voyage.

[4] The convicts departing on this ship came from all throughout England, and before departure, many spent an extended period of time in prison at Portsmouth, including Joseph Wild.

[2] In the period after his release of the confinements of his criminal charge, Wild become the superintendent of George Crossley's farm, where he managed a 423-acre plot of land at the Hawkesbury.

[7] It was not until 1813 when Joseph Wild received his official pardon from Governor Macquarie, initially filing the request in 1810 but having it denied at first.

[16] The Mongolo River is located in regions of New South Wales and the Australian Capital territory[16] and was likely given its initial name by the Moolinggolah people in the area.

[11] Their "discoveries" in the Limestone Plains is recognised to be one of the first European colonised areas of Canberra that consisted of farming properties and a small village.

[17] Charles Throsby Smith wrote on the same expedition about "the beautiful forest country, gentle hills and valleys, well watered by streams, and a fine rich Black Soil.

[19] Wild's last expedition to the district was with Captains Mark Currie and John Ovens in May–June 1823 which explored as far south as the Monaro.

[11] The meadow is located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales in the Wingecarribee Shire, and under the federal electorate of Throsby.

It is thus know whether Wild was a 'resident' constable or not, possibly holding the title but having true jurisdiction due to geographical constraints.

[7] There is mention of this place of residence in Cunningham's journal, where "Wild...cut [a] road from Little Mountain to Cow Run.

Reverend S. A. Howard, one of the area's honorary historians, supported and sponsored the bronze memorial plaque over Wild's gravestone.

[25] He was mentioned countless times in Backhouse and Walkers journals of 1836, where details of his value on expeditions was made clear.