Thomas Watson (surveyor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Watson was a surveyor
and early settler of the Swan River Colony
in what is now Western Australia
.
Little is known of his early life, but he was trained as a surveyor before arriving at the Swan River Colony as part of Thomas Peel
's settlement scheme, on board the Gilmore in 1830. He brought surveying instruments with him, but at first he did not seek surveying work, preferring to establish himself as a farmer upon his grant. However most of his possessions were destroyed by a bushfire, and within a year he was forced to take other work in order to survive. He worked primarily as a contract surveyor for the government, and also did some saw-milling.
In 1834, Watson moved to the town of Mandurah, in order to participate in the extensive surveys scheduled for the Leschenault
district. He was involved in several large surveys, including the original survey of the Bunbury
town site, along with work in York
and Mandurah itself. Evidence suggests that at least some of Watson's work was inferior in quality. Some of his surveys had to be re-done by others, and his Bunbury plans were discarded.
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and early settler of the Swan River Colony
Swan River Colony
The Swan River Colony was a British settlement established in 1829 on the Swan River, in Western Australia. The name was a pars pro toto for Western Australia. In 1832, the colony was officially renamed Western Australia, when the colony's founding Lieutenant-Governor, Captain James Stirling,...
in what is now Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
.
Little is known of his early life, but he was trained as a surveyor before arriving at the Swan River Colony as part of Thomas Peel
Thomas Peel
Mr. Peel, he moans, took him from England to Swan River, West Australia, means of subsistence and of production to the amount of £50,000. Mr. Peel had the foresight to bring with him, besides, 300 persons of the working-class, men, women, and children. Once arrived at his destination, "Mr. Peel was...
's settlement scheme, on board the Gilmore in 1830. He brought surveying instruments with him, but at first he did not seek surveying work, preferring to establish himself as a farmer upon his grant. However most of his possessions were destroyed by a bushfire, and within a year he was forced to take other work in order to survive. He worked primarily as a contract surveyor for the government, and also did some saw-milling.
In 1834, Watson moved to the town of Mandurah, in order to participate in the extensive surveys scheduled for the Leschenault
Leschenault, Western Australia
Leschenault is an outer suburb of Bunbury, Western Australia, and is located 16 km to the north-east. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Harvey.-History:...
district. He was involved in several large surveys, including the original survey of the Bunbury
Bunbury, Western Australia
The port city of Bunbury is the third largest city in Western Australia after the State Capital Perth and Mandurah. It is situated south of Perth's central business district...
town site, along with work in York
York, Western Australia
York is the oldest inland town in Western Australia, situated 97 km east of Perth in the Avon Valley near Northam, and is the seat of the Shire of York...
and Mandurah itself. Evidence suggests that at least some of Watson's work was inferior in quality. Some of his surveys had to be re-done by others, and his Bunbury plans were discarded.