THE PARRAMATTA MARKETS

The site of the city’s Town Hall in Church Street, was once the Market Place, chosen as such by Governor Macquarie in 1812.  A store was to be built to hold produce, and the market was to open at 6 a.m. on Thursdays by the sound of a “ring of bells”.  It was scheduled to close at noon.  The first market day was opened on January 12, 1813, and Francis Oakes, the well-known Parramatta identity, was appointed Market Clerk.  At least one of the original bells rung to open, close the old market is still in existence.  It was originally the bell of the wrecked ship Clonmel, paddle wheeler of 298 tons, the biggest steamship in Australian waters of the time.  The bell was lent to the market trustees and used until the markets closed and the Town Hall was built on the site.

1790:   40 acres under cultivation in the colony growing pumpkins, potatoes, maize and cabbage.

1791:   Governor Arthur Phillip orders planting of first vineyard in Parramatta.

Dr. Thomas Arndell allotted 60 acres for the use of growing crops at Parramatta.

Governor Phillip allots 30 acres to Cornish farmer, James Ruse, Land Grant N^o.1.

“New ground” at Toongabbie, suitable for growing crops.

Lieutenant William Cummings receives “land grant” East of Clay Cliff Creek for the use of growing crops for the colony.

Phillip Schaffer commences farming grapes and other crops on North side of Parramatta river.

1793:   Elizabeth farm is built by John Macarthur.

            James Ruse sells Experiment Farm to Colonial Surgeon John Harris.

1804:   With crops grown in the Parramatta area, the first brewery in the colony.

1807:   Oranges are grown at Baulkham Hills by George Suttor.

1809:   “Smut” disease devastates local wheat crops.

1811:   Abundant Parramatta crops allow grain to be exported to India.

1812:   Establishment of “Public Markets” in Parramatta, corner of Macquarie and Church Streets.

1813:   First “Public Fair” held in colony, on land now occupied by the Old Kings School.

1816:   John Macarthur’s farm at Parramatta now covers 850 acres.

            Gregory Blaxland plants vineyard at Brush Farm.

1822:   Gregory Blaxland exports Parramatta grown Red Wine to England.

1831:   Drought devastates local Parramatta crops, with many farmers leaving farms.

1841:   James Byrnes Flour Mill erected on the banks of the Parramatta River.

1868:   Maria Ann Smith “Granny Smith” attempts to grow variation of Tasmanian apples.

1870:   “Granny Smith” dies and is buried at Ryde.