David Kilpack - First Fleeter
David Kilpack (Killpack, Kilpat) was born in about 1757, possibly in London. He was tried at the Old Bailey on 26 February 1783. His crime: stealing poulty (”one live turkey, one live rooster, two live hens, two live ducks and one live gander”). His defence: he supposed they had been dropped from some cart or waggon. He was sentenced to 7 years transportation to America.
On his way to America, a group of prisoners took over the ship - so he found himself back in England, only to be recognised and apprehended. This time (10 September 1783) the sentence was death by hanging! However, luck was on his side and he was pardoned on condition of transportation for life.
Unfortunately, his life was not to be a long one. The Scarborough, one of the vessels of the First Fleet, sailed from Portsmouth on 13 May 1787 and arrived in Sydney on 21 January 1788. David married Eleanor McDonald (a convict who arrive on the Lady Juliana on 3 June 1790) on 15 June 1791. They had 4 children, Martha b.1792, Elizabeth b.1793, Eleanor b.1795 and David (jnr.) b.1796 (but died 1798).
David died on 30 November 1797, at the age of 40, and is buried in Sydney.
May 15th, 2007 at 2:43 am
We are traced back to Andrew Reynolds, son of James and Martha Kilpack, WHO WAS HIS 3RD WIFE.
February 2nd, 2008 at 7:43 am
My family (the Boyds from Brisbane) are also decendants of David Kilpack. It was interesting to read your information above as I have been trying to find out what happened to him once he had served his time ie what work did he do and where did they live. You have filled in some gaps for me and I would love to hear any other information that you may have re this.
cheers
Margaret
February 12th, 2008 at 10:20 pm
does mary a reynolds who married john cochrane (1845) with this reynolds family?
May 27th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Commemorating David Kilpack and the First Land Grant
David Kilpack (1757-1797) received the first land grant within the Hornsby Shire boundaries in 1794. Kilpack was a convict who was transported on the First Fleet. He received his freedom in 1794 and was granted 30 acres in the Field of Mars. The following year he was granted another 50 acres. After his death, his widow, Eleanor McDonald, married Thomas Higgins, and their son Thomas Edward Higgins was the first white settler in the vicinity of Hornsby, settling in Old Man’s Valley in the 1820s.
A plaque honoring David Kilpack is located in Kilpack Park, Epping.
Margaret, please contact me at Jannali, Sydney.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
hi I am also a descendant of david kilpack . He was my great great great grandfather he had a daughter eleanor who was my 3 greats grandmother. we live in new zealand . my daughter was given a family name eleanor and now i know why .
June 19th, 2010 at 1:15 am
hi my family is a descendant of david kilpack via his daughter eleanor my daughters middle name is eleanor and i never knew where the family name came from we live in canterbury new zealand