Major George Druitt (1775 - 1842)
George Druitt was born in 1775 and became a professional solider in 1794. In 1817, he sailed to Australia on the Matilda with 440 officers and men, some with their families. The soldiers were needed to manage the population in Australia, which was mainly convicts.
While on his journey to New South Wales, George met and formed a relationship with Margaret Lynch (his future wife) who had stowed away on the ship to be with one of the other soldiers. Once they arrived in Australia, George and Margaret lived together and had a daughter Judith in 1819, who died as a baby, and two sons, George Joseph in 1820 and Edward in 1821. George and Margaret were married in 1825, eight years after they met. After they were married, they had four more children, Joseph in 1825, Margaret Jane in 1828, Jane Euphemia in 1829 and James Cottingham in 1837.
Druitt oversaw the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges by convict labour around Sydney. He was granted land around the area that was named Mount Druitt in his honor.
Margaret died in 1842 and George died four months later in the same year.
Sources and more information:
Magann, H. (1997). They left their mark. Blacktown, NSW.
Nicolaidis, G. (1990). The Druitts of Mount Druitt. Blacktown City Council: Blacktown, NSW.
Blacktown City Council Library Service - Local History Section - Vertical File: Biography - Druitt, Major George.