Guide to the Papers of Archbishop John Moore (as filmed by the AJCP)

Memoirs of Rev. Richard Johnson (29 pp), 16 April 1794 (File 1)

Booklet containing a narrative by Johnson of his life since 1786, when it was first suggested that he go as the chaplain to the proposed colony at New South Wales or New Zealand and dealing in particular with his difficulties following the departure of Governor Phillip in 1792. It refers to the approval given to his appointment by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Johnson's belief in the reformation of the convicts, the small number of convicts attending church services in recent times, the changing venues for services, a meeting with the Lieutenant-Governor, Major Francis Grose, about the erection of a church, the failure of the colonial government to support Johnson by providing labour or materials, his correspondence with Henry Dundas, the Secretary of State, Grose's description of Johnson as 'a Methodist and a discontented troublesome character', criticisms of Johnson's estimate of the cost of building a church, his need for a clerk and a sexton, other differences between Johnson and Grose, Johnson's requests for assistance in clearing the land granted to the Church, and his responsibilities to his family.

Documents referred to in the memoirs of Rev. Richard Johnson (60pp), September 1793 - 25 November 1793 (File 2)

Booklet containing copies of letters to and from Johnson, September – November 1793. They consist of a letter from Johnson to Henry Dundas (3 Sept. 1793), correspondence between Johnson and Major Grose, and correspondence between Johnson and David Collins, the Judge-Advocate of New South Wales. The final document is a vindication by Johnson of his conduct in the dispute with Grose (25 Nov. 1793).

Further memoirs of Rev. Richard Johnson (44pp), 6 August 1794 (File 3)

Booklet containing a further narrative by Johnson of events since the arrival of Rev. Samuel Marsden in the colony in May 1794. It refers to the arrival of Marsden from England and Rev. James Bain from Norfolk Island, Johnson's poor health, correspondence with Major Grose about the observance of the Sabbath, a robbery at Johnson's home, his letters to Grose about the robbery, the trial of three convicts for house-breaking, a letter (15 July 1794) to David Collins about Grose's refusal to allow Johnson or Marsden to see the prisoners under sentence of death, a letter (18 July 1794) from Johnson to one of the condemned prisoners, alleged instructions to constables and their wives, and also convicts, not to attend services at Johnson's church, and Johnson's claim that much of his time was spent labouring like a convict rather than appearing as a gentleman or attending to his studies.

Rev. Samuel Marsden (Sydney) to William Wilberforce (?) (4pp), 4 May 1794 (File 4)

The letter deals with his voyage from England, the obstructive behaviour of the ship's captain, the need for directions on accommodation provided to clergymen on ships, Marsden's inability to proceed to Norfolk Island and his move to Parramatta, differences between Richard Johnson and Major Grose, and the development of crops and stock in the colony.

[Rev. Richard Johnson] to William Wilberforce (1p, incomplete), n.d. (File 5)

The letter refers to the erection of the first church in Sydney and Johnson's difficulties.

Rev. Richard Johnson (Port Jackson) to Archbishop John Moore (12pp), 8 May 1793 (File 6)

The letter laments that after five years no church had been erected in the colony, poor attendances at services, the approval of paid labour on Sundays, the imposition of a limit of one service a day, widespread adultery and drunkenness in the colony, the reformation of convicts, and the lack of concern for the moral welfare of the convicts.

Plan and elevation of the first church in Sydney built by Rev. Richard Johnson in 1793 (ink and grey wash) (File 7)