James McCarthy was tried at Antrim, Ireland in August 1792 – the nature of his crime unknown – and sentenced to 7 years transportation.  He arrived in Australia onboard the ship ‘Boddingtons’ in August 1793.  By 1802 he is listed in the musters as farming in the Hawkesbury District and in August 1804 he received a land grant of 100 acres from Governor King. He named his property Crane Brook Farm, probably after the number of cranes frequenting the numerous lagoons in the area. Unlike many farmers of the time, McCarthy was very successful with wheat, corn, vineyards, cattle and horses. His home became the centre for Catholic services and a small room was set aside for the Priest when he stayed. McCarthy set aside a small parcel of land for a cemetery for Catholics in the area and is now recognised as the oldest Catholic Cemetery in Australia. In the twentieth century his property became a productive dairy farm. The house was extended several times but remained in the family until 1960. It was destroyed by fire in 1971. The site is now part of the Penrith Lakes Development. The district was originally part of Castlereagh, but in September 1886, a Post office was established in Mt. Pleasant School which had begun in 1883. Both school and Post Office now took the name of Cranebrook, as did the surrounding area.