Ferdinand Meurant (1765 - 1844)
Ferdinand Meurant was born in Frontignac, France in 1765. He was a jeweler by trade and escaped from France to Ireland during the French Revolution. Meurant was convicted for forging bank notes and transported to Australia on the Minerva.
He arrived in New South Wales in 1800 and was given a pardon in 1803 in return for jewelry he designed for the wife of Governor King. Ferdinand married his first wife Mary Pritchard and together they had two children, William Edward and Elvira.
Meurant was granted land at Seven Hills (now Parklea) which he named Frontignac after his birthplace in France. In 1811, he married his second wife, Rosetta Martin. Ferdinand and Rosetta had twelve children together. Ferdinand died in 1844 aged 79 years and is buried on the family property at Meurants Lane, Parklea.
Sources and more information:
Magann, H. (1997). They left their mark. Blacktown, NSW.
Blacktown City Council Library Service - Local History Section - Vertical File: Biography - Meurant