William Cape
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William Cape (1773–1847) was a schoolmaster in Sydney and an early settler in the Wyong region.
Cape was born in Ireby, Cumbria. He was a banker in London until 1816. He migrated to Australia in 1822 with his wife and seven children.[1]
In April 1823, he was appointed Master of Sydney Academy, following the death of its founder Isaac Wood.[1] In April 1824, he was appointed Master of the new Sydney Public School.[1][2] Assisted by his son William Timothy Cape, he organized the school on the Madras System. He was the school's Master until 1827.[1]
Cape and his family were granted land in the Wyong region. In 1825, he had 45 head of cattle on his property. He planted wheat, corn and potatoes.[3]: 76
Cape was hostile to the local Aboriginal people. In 1828 it was reported that Aboriginal people had been taking Cape's corn, and Cape responded by shooting them. Violence escalated, and a group of 200 Aboriginal people assembled and confronted Cape. The local magistrate Willoughby Bean blamed Cape for provoking them.[3]: 20
In 1828, an accident left him with limited mobility. He retired to Sydney where he remained until his death on 19 November 1847.[1]