Richard Dry Senior
Richard Dry Snr was born in 1771 near Wexford, Ireland. He was the son of a gentleman farmer and became a wollen draper. A Protestant, he was convicted in Dublin in September 1797 on the political charge of being a united Irishman and sentenced to transportation to New South Wales for life. He arrived at Port Jackson on 11 January 1800 aboard the Minerva. He was later transferred to Norfolk Island, then returned to Port Jackson in 1805. From there he went to Port Dalrymple and being well educated, Governor Paterson appointed him to the position of storekeeper to the Northern settlements in 1807. He married Ann Maughan, a free woman of Irish parentage, whom he had met in Sydney. Ann was the daughter of a Sydney merchant. On 11 April, 1809 Richard Dry received a free pardon.
In addition to the land that Richard already owned, Governor Macquarie granted him 500 acres in 1811 and also supplied rations and three convict servants for twelve months. The grant, part of Quamby's Plains, near Westbury, was called Belle Vue and later became Quamby. By 1827 Richard owned about 12,000 acres, farming cattle and sheep.

Richard was a respected citizen of Launceston. In 1822 he became assistant secretary to the Port Dalrymple branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In 1828 he was one of the founders of the Cornwall Bank and in 1832 of the Tamar Steam Navigation Co. Richard and Ann had five daughters and two sons. The eldest Harriett, born in 1811, married Dr. Thomas Landale and lived at Elphin. Eliza married Dr. James Richardson and their only daughter, Ellen Richardson, was later adopted by Sir Richard Dry. In 1814 Maria was born, but died at the age of 18. Ellen born in 1823, married Major Rodham Cath Davison Horne. Jane was born in October 1829, but died the same year. Of his two sons, Richard (born 15/6/1815) became a distinguished politician and William (born 1820) was the first Tasmanian born to receive holy orders.
Richard Dry senior lived from 1830 until his death in 1843 at his farm, Elphin, near
Launceston.


Sir Richard Dry
Richard was born in 1815 at Elphin Farm near Launceston. He was educated at Kirklands, the boys school conducted by Rev. John Mackersey at Campbell Town. Richard was "a good six feet tall, well built with wavy, chestnut hair and blue eyes". At 21 he made a voyage to Mauritius and British Indian ports, and on his return devoted himself to farming Quamby which had been left to him by his father in 1843. He was placed on the Commission of the Peace in 1837 by Sir John Franklin, who was impressed with Richard's personality and steady character. On 8 February 1844, Lieut-Governor Eardley-Wilmot nominated him a non-official member of the Legislative Council.

On 27 April 1853 Richard married Clara, fifth daughter of George Meredith of Cambria. George Meredith had arrived in Hobart on 13 March 1821, with his wife, two young sons, and three daughters, the children of his first wife, and a young cousin, John Meredith, on the ship Emerald.

Richard and Clara had no children, but adopted the daughter of Richard's sister, Eliza. They lived at Quamby until 1856 where their hospitality made the colonial period house a notable centre. A fall from his horse in 1854 seriously affected his health, and forced his retirement. Richard and Clara then went for an extended visit to England and Europe. While abroad he was knighted by Queen Victoria, the first Tasmanian-born citizen to be so honoured, and one of the first Australians.

In 1866 Richard, although still in poor health, was persuaded to become Premier. Towards the middle of 1869 his health deteriorated and he died on 1 August 1869 at his Hobart house. He was a devout member of the Church of England and at his own request was buried at St Mary's, Hagley, Tasmania, which he had built and endowed.

Lady Clara Dry