HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT | Page 10

cal lo fe li Hawkesbury History with Michelle Nichols & Jonathan Auld Stroll through St. Peters, Richmond If you travel down Richmond’s Windsor Street, heading towards Pughs Lagoon you will arrive at the historic precinct of St Peter’s Anglican Church, a little slice of history which has changed little over the years. On the left is the church with its adjoining rectory and coach house whereas the burial ground and hall are located across the road is. Seated on a small ridge, with its view to the mountains and rural setting, it is not difficult to imagine what it looked like 150 years ago. Governor Arthur Phillip explored the area around Richmond Hill in 1789. Five years later, settlers were granted land and given permission to reside in the Hawkesbury. The first services were conducted in Richmond in 1808 by Brother Youl but regular services were not customary until after the appointment of the resident chaplain, Reverend Robert Cartwright to the Church of England in the Hawkesbury in 1810. He served both Windsor and Richmond until 1814 when the parishes separated. Governor Lachlan Macquarie travelled F