John Ovens

John Ovens
Born1788 (1788)
Died7 December 1825(1825-12-07) (aged 36–37)
Burial placeDevonshire Street Cemetery
Garden Island
St Thomas Rest Park

John Ovens (1788 – 7 December 1825) was a soldier, civil engineer, and explorer from Ireland who worked in Australia. He was an assistant to Sir Thomas Brisbane, the governor of New South Wales, and explored areas like the Murrumbidgee River and the Monaro district with Captain Mark Currie.

Life and work

Ovens was born in St Catherine, Fermanagh, Ireland. In 1808, he joined the British Army's 73rd (Perthshire) Regiment of Foot. In 1810, he went with his regiment to New South Wales, Australia. He returned to England in 1811 and then joined the 74th Regiment of Foot, led by Thomas Brisbane.

When Brisbane became governor of New South Wales, Ovens went back with him and became the acting chief engineer. Brisbane also made Ovens his private secretary and promoted him to major. In October 1825, Ovens helped John Oxley survey Twofold Bay in New South Wales.

Ovens died at his home and was given a grand funeral with military honors.

Legacy

The Ovens River, the town of Ovens in Victoria, and the submarine HMAS Ovens were named after him. Also, a plant called Ovens wattle (Acacia pravissima) carries his name.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dunlop, E. W. "Ovens, John (1788–1825)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 31 July 2012 – via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
  2. ↑ "Family Notices". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. XXIII, no. 1161. New South Wales, Australia. 8 December 1825. p. 3 – via National Library of Australia.
    "The Late Major Ovens". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. XXIII, no. 1162. New South Wales, Australia. 12 December 1825. p. 3.
    "An Old Burial Ground". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 26, 491. New South Wales, Australia. 30 November 1922. p. 11.
    "Funeral of Captain Logan". The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Vol. XXVIII, no. 1897. New South Wales, Australia. 25 November 1830. p. 2.

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