29 Facts About Thomas Jamison

Thomas Jamison was surgeon at the Norfolk Island settlement, before returning to Sydney and becoming primary surgeon of colony.

Thomas Jamison was involved in mercantile dealings which led to the Rum Rebellion, and its overthrow of Governor William Bligh.

Thomas Jamison was a son of William Jamison and his wife Mary.

Young Thomas Jamison excelled as a pupil at his parish school.

Thomas Jamison married comparatively early, went to live in neighbouring County Antrim, fathered several legitimate children, and studied to be a surgeon.

Thomas Jamison decided to join the Royal Navy to advance himself in the world, receiving a naval surgeon's warrant in either 1777 or 1780.

Thomas Jamison would perform this role in an effective manner for the next decade despite being hindered in his work by a persistent lack of logistical support from Sydney.

Thomas Jamison was able to enrich himself by trading in pork, wheat and, later, Indian sandalwood and alcohol.

Thomas Jamison's lobbying paid off: in 1801, he was appointed Surgeon-General of New South Wales by the British Government, although no date for the start of his commission was specified by the minister responsible, Lord Hobart.

Indeed, the question of Thomas Jamison's seniority was not resolved satisfactorily until 1805, when he was appointed Principal Surgeon to the colony in place of William Balmain.

Thomas Jamison had returned to Sydney aboard the Hercules in June 1802 after an eventful voyage from London.

Once ensconced back in Sydney, Thomas Jamison proved to be a diligent and capable medical practitioner.

Thomas Jamison was hampered by a perpetual paucity of surgical supplies and assistants, about which he complained frequently to the authorities.

Thomas Jamison published Australia's first medical paper, General Observations on the Smallpox, as a result of this experience.

Thomas Jamison had been appointed a magistrate following his return to Sydney.

Thomas Jamison erected a house in central Sydney.

Thomas Jamison possessed a hawk-like visage, a shrewd brain, abundant reserves of energy and a peppery personality.

Thomas Jamison had a liking for money, which led to him participate in a series of maritime trading ventures whilst stationed in Sydney.

Thomas Jamison even acquired the half-share in a merchant ship and formed business partnerships with leading settlers John Macarthur and Garnham Blaxcell.

Thomas Jamison was determined to uphold the letter of the law and impose his authority on New South Wales by stamping out the kind of unsanctioned entrepreneurial behaviour exhibited by Jamison and other representatives of the British Crown, including certain military officers serving with the New South Wales Corps.

Not long after he took office, he angered Thomas Jamison by refusing him permission to return to England on leave so that he could bring his family to the colony.

Thomas Jamison was given back his seat on the magistrates' bench.

Thomas Jamison left Sydney for London in 1809, with some of the other mutineers, to safeguard his financial affairs and testify against Bligh at any legal proceedings that might arise as a consequence of the governor's overthrow.

Thomas Jamison leased a residence in London's fashionable Portman Square but fell ill during 1810.

Thomas Jamison's condition deteriorated and he died on Upper Berkeley Street, Portman Square on 25 January 1811.

Thomas Jamison's death denied him the opportunity to give evidence at the trial of Major George Johnston, of the New South Wales Corps, who had been a ring leader of the anti-Bligh plot.

Thomas Jamison was buried in the graveyard of the Anglican Church of St Mary, Paddington Green, London.

Thomas Jamison was awarded a government pension as a result of the efforts of her son, Sir John Jamison, who had vigorously pursued her case with the relevant authorities.

Thomas Jamison appears as a character in Evelyn Cheesman's 1950 novel Landfall the Unknown: Lord Howe Island 1788.