From Sue McCarthy (March 2006)

The site of the "convict" hut occupied by Ann & Antoine in Parramatta has been identified and the site preserved

for future investigation. It is one of only two (the other adjacent) which has this high quarantine status. The site

abuts Parramatta Hospital (which has recently been excavated) and is opposite the entrance to Parramatta Park in

George Street.

Notes for Antoine L'Andre:

Extract from Australian Encyclopadeia Vol 4 p215 & Vol 9 P 330B "In 1800 two Frenchmen,

prisoners of war, F de Riveau and a Landrien (L'Andre) were permitted to come to Australia from

england on condition that they spent three years working in the vineyards and giving

instructions on winemaking. Most of the vines died, but Governor King (in spite of the failure of

the Frenchmen to accomplish anything) continued to have cuttings planted. He had 12000

planted by October 1802.

(Ann Poulden's father, 1st Lt John Poulden, assisted in the capture of the French vessel "Conte

D'Artois." I believe Antoine L'Andre could have been  captured from this vessel and made a

prisoner of war.)

Extracts from THE LANDERS VINE by Peter G Christian.

"Two Frenchmen.

On 23 May 1800 the royal Admiral sailed from Portsmouth, England bound for NSW. Some, like

Ann Cook (formerly Ann Bellchambers, nee Poulden, were the wives of convicts and they were

also on the ship. Others included missionaries, enroute to Tahiti, and two Frenchmen, previously

prisoners from the napoleonic wars. Governor King received the following from the Duke of

Portland that ..."as it appears the soil and climate of New south Wales are favourable to the

culture of the grape, there will go out by the royal Admiral, two Frenchmen who were prisoners

of war here, and who appear to have a perfect knowledge of the cultivation of the vineyard and

the whole process of making wine..." (Ref. Historical Records of Australia).

Governor King replied to the Duke on 10 March 1801. "The two Frenchmen arrived by the Royal

Admiral, who, I observe by your Grace's letter, are sent to cultivate the vine, and making wine,

not only for the Crown, but also promoting it on the part of individuals... I have directed the

Commissary to pay them Sixty Pounds per year each, for a term of three years.)

The two Frenchmen were Antoine L'Andre and his cousin Francois de Revieau, natives of Nantes.

This picturesque village at the mouth of the Loire River had been the home of the de Riveau

family for many generations, While languishing as prisoners in Portsmouth Castle, the two

Frenchmen had somehow convinced those in authority of their supposed skill as "vignerons

extrordinaires", thus gaining their freedom, a trip to new South wales, and Sixty pounds per year each..."

Ann Cook, at the time of her arrival, was a widow, and this left Ann and her young son , William

to an uncertain future in a harsh, new land.

At some time during the voyage a romance may have developed between the Widow Cook and

Antoine, for they were married on 7 February, 1801 by the Rev Samual Marsden at Parramatta.

Francois de Riveau, or Durinault, as he appears in the register, and Ann Holness were witnesses.

It is interesting to note that Francois appears, variously as Girault, Durinault and de Riveau

during his short,eventful stay in the colony.

For three years Antoine and Francois tended the vines, and during that time several letters

about the Frenchmen and their work, were written by King to the Duke of Portland and others.

The first letter on 1 March 1802 said in part,"Referring your Grace to my former communications,

respecting the two Frenchmen...they have planted one vineyard in as favourable a positiona as

can be found - the plants are doing very well, but unfortunately those vines, that have been

sometimemplanted, have been entirely blighted."

On 30 October 1802, Governor King wrote to Lord Hogart: "As one of the Frenchmen is

sufficient to manage the vines until enough grapes are produced to make wine, which cannot be

for two or three years to come (if they succeed), I have employed the other (L'Andre, who is a

good cooper) making casks... upwards of 12000 vine cuttings are planted on the side of a hill at

Parramatta, formed like a crescent, facing the north which is the best exposition."

In 1804 Governor King wrote to London: The two Frenchmen, natives of Nantz, who came out in

1800 to manage this object (making wine form grapes) knew very little of the business. They

attempted last year to make wine from some of the best grapes that could be collected, but it

turned out so bad, that I shall not trouble Your Lordship with the sample I entended sending;

and as the Frenchmen had a promise of settling, or having a passage to England, altho' their

conduct has not merited that indulgence, I have given one of them (Francois) his choice, the

other with his own consent, I shall retain a year longer to see if his progress when left to

himself, is better, as he last year made some very good cyder, from peaches, which are now getting very plentiful".

According to the Sydney Gazette of 18 March 1804, Francois had indeed blotted his copybook

by implicating himself in the Castle Hill Rebellion, and was ordered to leave the Colony on the

Calcutta forthwith. This he did, leaving his wife, Winifred Dowling, whom he had married in 1802

and a son of the marriage. Antoine had no intention of leaving his wife Ann and daughter Mary,

and the promise of a land grant was further incentive to remain in the Colony. He received this

grant in the District of Prospect Hill on 11 August 1804 and sold it in 1807 and during the same

year received another grant, this time at Parramatta. This grant was confirmed by Governor

Macquarie in 1810. ( State Archives of NSW microfilm Reel AO2754)

The Sydney Gazette of 8th October 1809 says" On Tuesday last Mr Landrin (Antoine) of

Parramatta was stung on one of the fingers of his right hand by a centipede." This was followed

by a list of cures for centipede bites.

Antoine died at the age of 40 years on 11 July 1811, and after a service at St Phillips, Sydney,

was interred in the Old Burial Ground. There is no record of a headstone. A month to the day

after he died, his fourth child, Jane, was born.

"Unlike Antoine's first efforts, this family vine has flourished and brought forth a multitude of

fruit. He has earned for himself in his adopted country, a niche, small though it may be, in the

history of this our native land" (Peter Christian)

Ann remained a widow for nearly two years, then on 3rd June 1813 she married John Harris of

Castlereagh, by banns at St Phillips. Two children were born of this union, John and Thomas,

who later married into the Ikin and Morson families rspectively. In her later years, Ann

purchased the Mince Farm on the Nepean River at Castlereigh. This later became part of Hadley

Park. She died at Castlereagh on 5 Feburary 1835, at the age of 61 years. Ann is buried with her

infant grand daughter, Jane Ann Harris, in the Old Castlereach Cemetery. In 150 years her

headstone has remained intact, a silent witness to the memory of this Australian matriarch.

Antoine L'Andre (Anthony Landren) was granted 60 acres in the district of Prospect Hill Aug 11

1804 No. 1250 Rent was two shillings per year commencing after five years. (Grants by governor

King 1788-1809 Book 3C)

Antoine's petition for this read,

The humble Petition of Anthony Landriem Respectfully showeth

That he came in the Colony under an engagement to Government for three years on ...60 pounds

per annum to cultivate the vineyards --immediately---. His Excellency the Governor King

emplyed the Petitioner as Government Cooper at Parramatta and for various...to His Majesty in

which... he continued as well during the Term of his three years on Salary as for ... additional... without Salary.

That from petitioners general conditions, he having a family of five children and a wife who has

latterly.. lost her hearing entirely (??) he...Deputy Surveyor.. the attachment...at parramatta for

a ///which was..granted by the Last Lieut Governor paterson.

Petitioner therefore supplicates Your Excellency to approve and confirm the farm... by his wife

and grateful family, with as in duty bound we ever pray.

With becoming respect humbly pray

Anthony Landrien.

(Grants by William paterson Book 4D Dec 30 1809. Anthony Landren).

Leased 62 rods inthe Main Stteet Town of Parramatta. Rent five shillings per year for 14 years

commencing from date.

Further information on Anthony Landrin Parramatta.

Extracts from Sydney Gazette:

22 Feb 1897 page 2 column 2

To Be Sold By Private Contract.

A valuable 60 acre farm, 20 clear, second from its immediately adjoining an extensive common in

all respects favourable to the rearing of stock of allkinds, as the ground is known to produce the

finest grain. for particulars, application is to be made to Anthony Landrin, Parramatta. Note. this

farm is the Grant which he received from Governor King on 11 Aug 1804 in the District of

Prospect Hill. Land Register book 3C page 159.

....

8 Oct 1809 page 1 column 2

On Tuesday last Mr landrin of Parramatta was stung on one of the fingers of the right hand by a

centipede. In about an hour the wound festered and inflamed; the finger began to swell. In the

course of the following day several other festers made their appearances; the hand and arm

swelled prodigiously; the inflammation hourly increased; the whole hand is now covered with

an open would and the patient is in a most agonizing condition. (Then followed a list of

pallatives for cenitpede bites>5 Nov 1809 page 1 column 1

Strayed from the Nepean river, a bay mare, 3 years old without shoes with a small star on her

forehead and a scar on her flank, the property of Martin Mentz. Any person bringing the said

mare to Mr Landrin of Parramatta, Mr Marr, Sydney or Mr Martin Mentz at the Nepean River will

receive a reward of five pounds from either of the above persons if retained after this public

notice the parties so detaining her will be prosecuted.

More About Antoine L'Andre:

Burial: 11 Aug 1811, St Phillips, New South Wales, Australia (Source: Kay Gassan. )

More About Ann Poulden:

Burial: Old Castlereagh Cemetery, Sydney, New South Wales

Immigration: 1790, Lady Juliana with her father - "Free"

Immigration-1: 20 Nov 1800, "Royal Admiral" with her husband Benjamin Cook

More About Antoine L'Andre and Ann Poulden:

Marriage: 07 Feb 1801, Parramatta, New South Wales (Source: Kay Gassan. )

Children of Antoine L'Andre and Ann Poulden are:

+      2                 i.    Mary² L'Andre, born 01 Feb 1803 in Parramatta, New South Wales; died 09 Apr 1888

                                  in Crookwell, New South Wales.

+      3                ii.    James Landers, born 1806 in Prospect Hill, New South Wales; died 25 Oct 1884 in 

                                 Penrith, New South Wales.

+      4               iii.    Samuel Landran, born 1807 in Prospect Hill, New South Wales; died 23 Nov 1882 in

                                 Crookwell, New South Wales.

+      5               iv.    Jane (Annie) L'Andre, born 11 Aug 1811 in Parramatta, New South Wales; died 28 Mar

                                 1856 in Sydney, New South Wales. 

 Generation No. 2