This book traces the life of one of the great early Australians - Sir John Jamison. He was a man of high intellectual and practical endeavour. Over his lifetime, he was the friend of governors and convicts, be the latter servants or emancipists. He was a far-sighted visionary who had a profound influence on Australian politics, economics, exploration, sports, agriculture, education, and justice. The majority of this story takes place across the period 1800-1850 during which the original colony slowly transformed from a penal settlement to a broad-based society with its own particular culture. Men like Sir John were pioneers in creating that culture. It was a time when leaders emerged from various walks of life. Sir John gave up his medical and nautical careers to become a businessman and statesman of unique talent and individuality. He was an incredibly wealthy, unmarried entrepreneur who often mocked traditional mores with audacious behavior, siring many children with convict-related mistresses, and marrying only shortly before his death. Sir John amazed his contemporaries by building a magnificent abode thirty-five miles west of Sydney on the banks of the Nepean River. The vast estate encompassed over 11,000 acres and ran cattle, sheep, and pigs alongside major grain fields, and irrigated orchards and vineyards. The ornate fifteen room mansion with indoor plumbing, stables, separate kitchen and laundry, and housing for servants, was named Regentville. Over one hundred convicts were employed there, and it became an elegant retreat for governors, other high ranking officials, clergymen, ship captains, and explorers of note. Lavish, hedonistic, all-night balls with multiple bands and sumptuous feasts attracted varied representatives of the cream of Sydney and Parramatta society. Sir John established the first bank in the country, the first university, and trial by jury. Not always respected due to his disregard of polite society’s rules, he was a champion of freedom for all men, and gave convicts a chance at a life they would never have had back home. He understood the shams of the British justice system and was determined to see they weren’t emulated in his adopted land. Acting for the country and its peoples, in some ways he had more influence than some governors on civilized progress.. The great man died on the estate leaving a remarkable legacy unmatched by any other citizen at the time.
