Was Wilberforce named after a true patriot and friend of mankind? Yes it was. Let’s explore this historic town. Wilberforce is one of the original Macquarie Towns. Governor Lachlan Macquarie established it. He served as the colonial governor of New South Wales from 1810 to 1821. These towns circle the Sydney metropolitan area. Macquarie established them on December 6, 1810.
Wilberforce got its name from William Wilberforce. He lived from 1759 to 1833. William Wilberforce was a British politician. He was also a philanthropist. He led the movement to abolish the slave trade.
Wilberforce sits on the western bank of the Hawkesbury River. This is just beyond Sydney’s outer north-western suburbs.
Wilberforce has several heritage-listed sites. These include the Wilberforce Cemetery on Clergy Road. You can also find Wilberforce Park at 47 George Road. St John’s Anglican Church and Macquarie Schoolhouse are at 43–43a Macquarie Road. Rose Street is home to Australiana Pioneer Village and Rose Cottage. Finally, Stannix Park House is on Stannix Park Road.
Let’s focus on a few key sites. The Macquarie Schoolhouse was built in 1819. St John’s Church followed in 1859. Edmund Thomas Blacket designed St John’s Anglican Church. J. Atkinson of Windsor built it. Construction began in 1856. It cost £1500 to complete in 1859. Before the church was built, the schoolhouse served many purposes. It was a school, a church, and the schoolmaster’s residence. In 1880, a public school replaced the schoolhouse. However, the original church building still hosts the 8 am service. The modern education center is used for later services.
You can also find the Howorth Grave here. It dates back to 1804. It was moved to its current location in front of the schoolhouse. The grave marks the death of a child. A snake bit the child on a nearby property. The Hawkesbury Historical Society moved the grave on December 5, 1960.
Wilberforce Park is the original town square. Macquarie proclaimed it. It still maintains its original relationship with the schoolhouse and cemetery. The War Memorial is located in the park. Local residents erected it in 1918. It was relocated within the park in 1966. New plaques were added then.
The Australiana Pioneer Village opened around 1970. It features buildings from the surrounding area. These buildings were physically moved to the site. Among them is Rose Cottage. It is the oldest timber slab cottage in Australia still on its original site.
The Wilberforce Cemetery dates back to 1815. It sits on Old Sackville Road. It is near the intersection with Singleton Road. You will find the graves of the area’s pioneers here. The Table Slab Grave is a somewhat unusual sight.
Did you know that bushranger Captain Thunderbolt was born in Wilberforce? This adds another layer to the town’s rich history.
Wilberforce offers a glimpse into Australia’s past. Its well-preserved sites and stories connect us to the early days of the colony. Take a moment to appreciate the vision of Governor Macquarie. Remember William Wilberforce, the man who inspired the town’s name.