Beside it is the grave of his friend and fellow missionary William Shelley, and behind them are the remains of another of the Duff missionaries, Francis Oakes.
Rowland Hassall died at Parramatta on 28 August 1820 and was buried in St John’s Cemetery. He was described at the time as “a gentleman universally beloved as a pious, benevolent and valuable member of society”.
His will was written on the day he died of catarrhal fever, an epidemic which within days carried away two of his grandchildren as well, when he was “weak in body but of sound disposing mind and memory thanks be unto almighty God”.
Rowland left in his will:
- To his son, Thomas, Stoke Farm of 400 acres, Arkill’s Farm of 100 acres and Hearne’s Farm of 65 acres, all situated in the District of Cook (the Camden area), and Rossiter Farm of 36 acres and McGlade’s Farm of 30 acres on the Hawkesbury River at Mulgrave Place.
- To his second son, Samuel Otoo, Rowland left the most mature property, Macquarie Grove of 400 acres in the District of Cook.
- To his third son, Jonathan, he left Cubbady of 500 acres in the District of Cook.
- To his youngest son, James, he left Ward’s Farm of 300 acres and Apseys Farm of 100 acres, James Blackman’s Farm of 40 acres and George Carr’s Farm of 60 acres all in the District of Cook.
- To his eldest daughter Mary Cover Lawry he left Kirby Corner of 100 acres and Horne Farm of 100 acres, both in the District of Dundas.
- To his second daughter Eliza, he left Coventry Farm of 200 acres and Dowdell’s Farm of 40 acres both in the District of Bringelly.
- To his daughter, Susannah, he left the house and premises on the south side of George Street, Parramatta, which was used as a place of divine worship and occupied by Edward Hore.
- To his daughter, Ann, Rowland left Brown’s Farm of 50 acres at the foot of Prospect Hill. To Samuel and Jonathan he left town allotments in Liverpool. To his daughter, Mary Cover Lawry, he left a house and premises on the north side of George Street, Parramatta which were occupied by John Pitchers.
- To his wife, Elizabeth, he left their house at Parramatta with the garden, orchard, premises and paddocks attached to it for her to occupy for the rest of her life and after her death he said it should go to Thomas. Also he left to his wife, Burder Park of 120 acres, Hassall’s Farm of 70 acres, Bolger’s Farm of 95 acres and Davis Farm of 80 acres, all situated in the District of Parramatta, and after her death these lands should be divided between their children in the proportions decreed by her.
- He left all his considerable numbers of stock to be equally divided between his wife and eight children. All his plate and household furniture were left to his wife. All the rest of his estate was to be shared equally between his wife and his children. He also made provision for his wife by declaring that an annuity of £100 be obtained from the Macquarie Grove estate which he had willed to his Samuel Otoo, because it was the most valuable of all his lands. He also left a sum of money to his son, Jonathan, for the development of his farms.
He appointed as executrix and executors, Elizabeth Hassall, Thomas and Samuel Hassall and his friend, Edward Eagar. He directed that his wife should be guardian of their children who were minors at the time of his death and that they should live with her, being provided for from income from his estate. The will was witnessed by Major West, J. Harris and F. Oakes, a long-time friend and fellow missionary.
Whatever else he did, Rowland Hassall certainly prospered in the new colony!
A notice in the Sydney Almanack referred to Rowland’s death:
“… Mr Roland Hassall, a gentleman universally beloved as a pious, benevolent and valuable member of society, and who has been a resident in the colony for over twenty years, died August 28th, 1820. Two lovely babes, from the same cause, quickly followed their honoured and lamented Grandsire, having just looked at this lower world to bid it an eternal farewell.”