Frederick Meredith fathered nine children, all of whom were born in the new colony.
Like Frederick, many of his children led interesting and adventuresome lives, while the inhabitants of a new country were busy with exploration and development. Many of them witnessed the growth of new settlements from birth to fruition. Frederick had a long involvement with the Police force in the new colony. Firstly, he was one of the volunteer law officers of the Royal Sydney Association and then one of the first Constables of the established Police force. His illustrious career and courageous stories of chasing bushrangers must have impressed his young sons, as both Frederick Junior and William followed in their father’s footsteps into the Police force.
While Frederick’s sons followed their father’s career path, his daughters inherited his spirit for travel and adventure. Several of his daughters moved to regions of colony development and helped to shape the communities they lived within.
Sophia and Ann went to live in Hobart Town in Tasmania, while it was still developing as a city and farming district. Sophia and her husband were involved in the building industry while Ann moved to the farming district of Sandy Bay.
Frederick’s eldest daughter surviving Charlotte (2) overcame the tragedy of losing her partner and her means of support, and later moved to Port Macquarie in its earliest days of settlement. Not only did she assist her husband with his business, she lived in an area that is still considered today to be difficult to access on foot.
Eleanor, the youngest, had connections with the Police force through her first husband, but like Frederick, her spirit for adventure took over and she ran away twice, the second taking her north to a new husband and new life.
Frederick Meredith’s Children
Charlotte bap. 9 May 1790 d. 15 May 1792 Sydney Mother Mary Allen Convict Lady Penrhyn 1788
Amelia b. 10 May 1793 d. 27 February 1794 Sydney Mother Ann Case Convict Bellona 1793
Charlotte b. 26 April 1794 d. 3 March 1851 Mother Mary Kirk Convict Royal Admiral 1792
Children of Frederick Meredith and Sarah nee Mason
Frederick b. 17 March 1801 d. 10 February 1861
Sophia b. 8 June l803 d. 3 April 1890
Elizabeth b. 8 July 1805 d. an infant
William b. 1 March 1807 d. 4 April 1861
Ann b. 21 June 1811 d. 16 August 1880
Eleanor b. 17 Nov 1813 d. 20 February 1893
Image: View of Sydney Port Jackson, New South Wales, taken from the Rocks on the western side of Sydney Cove, c. 1803 drawn by John William Lancashire