[2] Fifteen months later the Hassall family with Thomas and younger brother Samuel, sailed to the newly founded settlement of New South Wales, arriving in Sydney on 14 May 1798 aboard Nautilus.

[3][4] The Hassall family settled in Parramatta during which time the missionary's eldest son, Thomas, came to the attention of the Reverend Samuel Marsden.

[1] However, Thomas Hassall gained success in establishing the first Sunday school in Australia for children in his father's house at Parramatta, and Marsden recommended the young man enter the ministry.

[2][4] Thomas Hassall opened up the family home on the corner of George and Charles Street Parramatta to Sunday school classes in May 1813, initially to a small group, including convict children.

[1][2] Receiving his appointment as Colonial Chaplain, Hassall returned to NSW arriving in Sydney aboard the convict ship Mary in January 1822.

Living on his property Lampeter farm at O’Connell Plains he rode every Sunday to the town of Bathurst to hold Church services, returning in the evening to preach at ‘Salem Chapel’ which he built in close proximity to his residence.