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James Webb
James Webb was the first settler of Brisbane Water, NSW, Australia.

James Webb arrived as a free man on the convict transport 'Scarborough' in 1790, a soldier in the New South Wales Corps. He served until 1794. After his discharge, Webb was granted land in the district of Mulgrave Place on the Hawkesbury River. In 1808, Webb launched a small vessel, the 'Unity', at Green Hills. Later, he lived in Sydney, where he built boats and became active in trade. In 1822 Webb launched the sloop 'James' at Macdonald River.

In October 1823, Webb received permission to temporarily occupy 300 acres on the eastern side of the north-east arm of Broken Bay, for the purposes of a cattle run. Late in 1824, Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane received a request for a grant of land in the same area. Webb's request was granted, and in September 1824 he received 100 acres on the western side of The Rip. This area was named 'Mulbong Farm'. The census of 1828 recorded that Webb had 540 acres in total, of which 75 were cleared, 70 were cultivated. He had 11 horses, and 120 head of cattle. Sophy Webb, an aboriginal woman of the Guringai tribe, lived with Webb and gave birth to a daughter Charlotte around 1828. Charlotte (later Smith, then Ashby) lived until 1913, and was buried at Brady’s Gully Cemetery. Michael Kirk, an ex-convict, worked on the Webb property as a labourer. Webb later purchased a further 150 acres in 1834, followed in 1838 by another 50 acres. This 200 acres was known as “Webb’s Flat”, and most of present day Woy Woy stands on this property. James Webb died at Brisbane Water in June 1848. His age was given as 90, but this is believed to have been an estimate.