The First Water Supply The site of Sydney was chosen by Governor Phillip in 1788, because of all the bays of Port Jackson where ship could anchor Sydney Cove had the best fresh water supply. This was provided by a fine run of fresh water stealing silently through a thick wood, later to become known as The Tank Stream. The stream which flowed into the cove, had its rise in marshy ground between Park and Market Streets, fed by springs in the sandstone ridges of Hyde Park. It then took Continue Reading »
George Raper
Abel Seaman George Raper took his paint box with him, containing a larger set of paints than that of his captain John Hunter, who was also an artist, when he transferred on 22 December 1786 to HMS Sirius. His paintings of ports such as Teneriffe and Rio de Janeiro, were part of his evidence of competence for his later promotion to midshipman on 13 September 1787. When in boarded HMS Sirius, George Raper was seventeen years old, having been born on 19 September 1769, to Henry and Catherine Continue Reading »
The Second Fleet
The Second Fleet Arrives at Sydney Cove Horrifying Conditions says Chaplain Richard Johnson Long awaited ships from England have arrived bringing with them a load of problems far outweighing their aid to the Colony. Lady Juliana arrived June 3, 1790, was found to carry not food but female convicts, mainly elderly and infirm. Justinian, arrived June 20, brought food and news that the principal store ship, Guardian, had founded off the Cape of Good Hope. The ships carried the 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 »
John Arscott : Catherine Prior
John Arscott was a carpenter and a native of Truro, Cornwall, England, being baptised on 22 March 1767, as the probable son of Samuel Arscott and Mary Barnes. John was sentenced at Bodmin Assizes Cornwall, on 18 August 1783 to seven years’ transportation to America, for three crimes: (a) For burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Philip Polkinghorne about 1 in the night and stealing 2 silver watches value 40s. (b) For burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Continue Reading »
John Hudson
At nine years old, John Hudson a sometimes chimney sweeper, and the youngest First Fleet convict at the time of sentencing, was tried at the Old Bailey London on 10 December 1783, to seven years transportation for felony, but not for burglary. John’s crime was breaking and entering the dwelling house of William Holdsworth in East Smithfield, and stealing one linen shirt, value 10 shillings, five silk stockings, value 5 shillings, one pistol, value 5 shillings, and two aprons, value 2 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 »
John Martin
Our Caribbean Negro convict John Martin, was born circa 1755 and died with is family around him as his time came to an end in 1837. Nothing is known about him prior to his conviction, nor is it likely we will ever find more. By following history, the African Negro, 'Caribbean' at that time, with his parents or grandparents, would have been slaves sent to the American colonies. In those days and later many Negroes joined ships as sailors or as stowaways, during the American War. This Continue Reading »
John Randall
John Randall, a 6 foot high, well-made black American Negro labourer, came to Australia aboard the transport ship Alexander with the First Fleet on 26 January 1788. John was sentenced to seven years transportation on 14 April 1785 at Manchester Quarter Sessions for stealing a steel watch chain, the property of Joseph Wardle. Sent to the Ceres Hulk early in 1786, aged 21, he was delivered to the transport Alexander on 6 January 1787, mustered on board by Major Robert Ross in March as Reynolds, Continue Reading »
