Samuel Terry

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Samuel Terry (c. 1776–February 22, 1838) was transported to Australia as a criminal where he became a wealthy landowner, merchant and philanthropist.

The year and circumstances of his birth are unknown. While working as a laborer in Manchester, England, on January 22, 1800 he was sentenced to transportation to the colony of Australia for the crime of theft. He was taken to Sydney, Australia where he served as a stone cutter. After working several jobs, he earned a farm in 1808. In 1810 he became an innkeeper in Sydney and married a widower with three children. He continued to prosper, becoming a trader and became a supplier of food to the government.

By 1820 he possessed significant amounts of property and was a large shareholder in the Bank of New South Wales. There is some controversy about the means he used to acquire his wealth, and he became accused of extorsion by his enemies. It was alleged that he brought land owners to his home, who would become intoxicate and sign away their property in payment of debts. By 1821 he also brought 28 actions to the Supreme Court.

In the 1820s he was wealthy and a public figure. He was also a philanthropist, contributing to local societies and schools. He also worked for the emancipists and, in 1826, became president of the Masonic Lodge.

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