Mak Sai Ying
Mak Sai Ying (麥世英; Cantonese: Mak6 Sai3 Ying1; b. ca. 1796, Canton, China; d. 18 June 1880, Sydney, Australia) was the first known Chinese-born settler to Australia, arriving in 1818. He was known by many names, including John Pong Shying, Mak Sai Pang, Mai Shi Ying, Mark Opong, and (possibly) John Sheen.
He worked as a carpenter, living with John Blaxland on his Newington Estate. After three years, he worked at Elizabeth Farm for Elizabeth Macarthur, the pastoralist.
He married Sarah Jane Thompson (b: abt 1802, United Kingdom d: 27 March 1836, Parramatta) on 3 February 1823, at Saint John's Church of England, Parramatta.
It is believed a linen press, made for Elizabeth MacArthur (in 1824), still exists, and is on display at Milton House museum. The item may have been made without nails. The bookkeepers entry of payment still exists.
In 1831 Mak Sai Ying returned to China for five years. He may have worked as a port liaison. He returned to Sydney following the death of his first wife. The first opium war began two years later. During this time, land he negotiated for from the New South Wales Colony had been allocated elsewhere. Sarah had a letter from the Attorney General of NSW explaining why the land had been re allocated.
He married Bridget Gillorley 10 October 1842, but she died some six months later.
It is known he negotiated a sale of the Peacock Inn in Parramatta, New South Wales (a western suburb of Sydney) in 1844. He had been the builder.
