ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War, 100 years ago. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as ANZACS. Australia is commemorating this most important centenary period 2014 to 2018. The ANZAC centenary is a time for all present First Fleet descendants from Andrew Goodwin and Lydia Munro to honour their past descendants Continue Reading »
Mary Phillips
Was tried at the Somerset Lent Assizes, held at Taunton Castle on 30 March 1786, for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Nathaniel Shorney at the parish of Over Stowey on the 24 September 1785 and stealing two linen aprons and other goods valued at 18 shillings, being the property of Jane Shorney. Sentenced to be hanged, but later reprieved to 7 years transportation, Mary was ordered to the Dunkirk hulk aged 32, on 13 April 1786. When the fleet sailed, Mary was amongst Continue Reading »
Joseph Wright
was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 6 May 1784, two-hundred and eighteen pounds weight of lead, value 40s belonging to William Rothwell. Tried in the Old Bailey on 26 May 1784, he was found guilty and sentenced to seven years transportation. Joseph spent the next three years on the Censor Hulk before embarkation aboard Scarborough; he was then aged around 20. The next recorded entry on Joseph was when he married Eleanor (Ellen) Gott (Neptune 1790) at St Phillip Church Sydney on 13 Continue Reading »
Owen Cavanough : Margaret Darnell
Owen Cavenaugh (Cavanough) aged 25, arrived into Sydney Cove as an Able Seaman, aboard Sirius. After Sirius was wrecked on Norfolk Island in 1790, he was discharged to become a settler obtaining land at Cascade Stream, Phillipsburg. By 1794 Owen was living with Margaret Darnell who was indicated for stealing, on 30 March 1787, one dozen desert knives and forks, value 6s, being the property of James White. Sentenced at the Old Bailey on 18 April 1787, to seven years transportation, Margaret Continue Reading »
Elizabeth Bruce : John Anderson
John Anderson, a former seaman, was committed to gaol at Exeter Devon, on 24 July 1785 for breaking into a house and stealing a linen handkerchief, other goods and money. Sentenced to seven years transportation, he spent time in the Dunkirk hulk before embarkation aboard the Charlotte. At Sydney Cove he married Elizabeth Bruce on 16 March 1788, signing with a mark. On 4 October, both were sent to Norfolk Island on the Golden Grove. On the Island he was employed to help John Altree and Thomas Continue Reading »
John Nicols
was indicated as John Nicholls at the Old Bailey on Wednesday 21 April 1784 for feloniously stealing a large quantity of goods from a hair merchant and perfumer in London, where he worked as a servant and porter’s assistant. Sentenced to seven years transportation he spent time on the Censor Hulk before embarkation on the Scarborough. Following his arrival in Port Jackson, John who was recorded as a Gardner, became a very successful landholder of various properties by grant and purchase up Continue Reading »
Thomas Eddington
was sentenced to transportation for 7 years on 5 or 6 July 1785 at the Berkshire, Summer Assizes. Tried as Thomas Heddington (sic) late of the parish of Bray in the county of Berkshire Labourer on the 23rd day of March, with force and arms in the parish aforesaid, 2 silver Tablespoons of the value of 12s. One Wooden Dish of the value of one penny four copper farthings of the value of one penny 20 copper halfpence of the value of 10d and six pounds in monies numbered of the goods and monies of Continue Reading »
James Morrisby
was sentenced to seven years transportation at the Old Bailey on 7 July 1784 for theft of a ten pound iron bar, value 10d, and for wrenching it from the house. He was a blacksmith and said to have served for ten years in the guards. On 6 September 1784 he was received on the Censor hulk and three years later sent by wagon for embarkation on the Scarborough. Following the Fleets arrival James was sent by Sirius to Norfolk Island and took up farming. In June 1794 he was living with Ann Brooks Continue Reading »
Thomas Lucas
was a private marine 23rd (Portsmouth) Company arriving at Port Jackson aboard Scarborough and there served in the company of Captain John Shea. Thomas also worked in the colony as a glazier, being his former profession. On 29 December 1791 a son by Ann Howard (Lady Juliana) was born and in December 1792 he enlisted in the NSW Corps and left for Norfolk Island. In April 1797 he was discharged from the corps and received a grant of 60 acres. On the Island he worked as a glazier and painter. Continue Reading »
Nathaniel Lucas : Olivia Gascoigne
Amongst the many descendants of convicts Nathaniel Lucas (Scarborough) and Olivia Gascoigne (Lady Penrhyn), were men who were born into this large extended family. Brothers and cousins became of age when WW1 was declared. They joined the various contingents to leave Australia for overseas. These men saw action in France and Turkey, were wounded and hospitalised. Those that did not return home, are buried in Commonwealth War Graves or honoured on Memorial Walls. You can follow their lives by Continue Reading »