Two men separated by class, one an Officer, the other a Convict, arrived into Sydney Cove as part of the First Fleet in 1788. Both men, left the colony and returned to England, in the 1790s. Both returned in 1803, the Officer in-change of forming a settlement at Port Phillip (Sullivan Bay, near modern day Sorrento), Victoria and the Convict, as a free man, and settler. In 1804 they left Sullivan Bay, leading to its’ abandonment, for the Derwent (Hobart), Van Diemens’ Land Continue Reading »
PHILLIP ISLAND HIBISCUS (HIBISCUS INSULARIS)
The Geelong Botanic Gardens, in the city of Geelong, Victoria, Australia, is set on 200 acres, and were established in 1850. They are the fourth oldest botanic gardens in Australia. The garden contain singular trees listed under the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Register of Significant Trees. Since development, the gardens have grown and transformed to include a variety of gardens and lawns, including the modern and innovative 21st century garden. Over at Continue Reading »
PHEBE/PHOEBE FLARTY
By Ann Gibson ADVENTURES OF A FIRST FLEET LASS Saturday, 7th June 1788Phebe Flarty was charged on the suspicion of making away with 2 pairs of stockings, I pair of shoes, 1 waistcoat, 1 new shirt, 1 pair of trousers, and 1 silk handkerchief, the property of John Romain. Ann Smith and Phebe Flarty gave evidence. Romain said that he had given the articles to Ann Smith to take care of for him. On Wednesday the 4th Phebe Flarty was very much in liquor and had to be put to bed by Continue Reading »
THE ORIGINS OF GROG and the NAVY RUM RATION
By Anne Gibson. Grog had its beginning in the Royal Navy, perhaps specifically on 21 August 1740. Water carried onboard Navy vessels became stagnant during long voyages, beer was added to overcome the taste and make the water more palatable. After the conquest of Jamaica in 1655 rum became popular and replaced beer as the sailors’ daily ration. Their ration was twice daily, and the men were often times drunk due to stockpiling their rations. Admiral Edward Vernon, Continue Reading »
THE FEMALE ORPHAN SCHOOL
By Anne Gibson. The need for a female orphanage and education of the children of the colony had become apparent in Sydney. When Philip Gidley King returned to New South Wales as Governor, he and Mrs. King perceived the need to establish a class for girls similar to the one he had founded on Norfolk Island. After discussion with the Reverend Richard Johnson, King wrote to the Duke of Portland setting out his plans for an Orphan School. A committee was formed consisting of Rev. Johnson, Continue Reading »
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP
By Patricia Deering (Descendant of Mathew Everingham, William Roberts, Elizabeth Rhymes and Kezie Brown). During the early days of settlement in NSW self-sufficiency was the mark of success. But it was not achieved without commitment – a good sold partner/wife/husband. I have been ‘gob smacked’ by the challenges that my first and second fleet ancestors faced – particularly the women. They fulfilled multiple roles – as agricultural worker, homemaker, partner, mother, Continue Reading »
The Shoemaker (Cordwainer)
By Anne Gibson. At one time every large town and village was sure to have at least one shoemaker. They rarely made a lot of money, even though a pair of shoes often cost a weeks’ wages. History commenced with the early shoemakers guilds of Rome, quickly moving into the middle ages, when supple cordwain leathers were used (hence the term cordwainers). Heels started to be made in the 1520s, although separate left and right shoes were not to appear for another 250 years. By Continue Reading »
Sullivan Bay to Port Dalrymple
Article written by member Geoffrey Humphries.Ref; ‘Narrative of a Voyage to Port Phillip and Van Diemen’s Land with Lieutenant Governor Collins.’ by AW Humphrey (1984) In late 1803 Lt. Governor David Collins decided to abandon the camp at Sullivan Bay (near present day Sorrento) and proceed to Van Diemen’s Land. Before leaving he dispatched a party under William Collins to explore and report back on the Port Dalrymple area of Northern Van Diemen’s Land. The only ship available Continue Reading »
1788 EARTHQUAKE, SYDNEY COVE
The shock of an earthquake on Sunday 22 June 1788 was mentioned by several diarists. The day was recorded as Clear with south-west winds. Temperature 54° David Blackburn, Master of HMAT Supplyat 20 minutes after 4 in the afternoon, a shock of an earthquake was felt through the camp. The surgeon of ‘Supply’ and myself were then in the woods about a mile and a half from the camp & were both at the time standing still and silent examining some gum issuing from a large Continue Reading »
John Small and Mary Parker
The Reverend Richard Johnson, Chaplain to the colony married convicts John Small and Mary Parker on 12 October 1788. The witnesses were convict Thomas Akers and servant to the Reverend Johnson, Samuel Barnes. As chaplain’s clerk, his name appears numerous times as witness to Port Jackson weddings. Mary Parker’s sentence did not expire until April 1792. John Small was not alone when he committed the crime that original carried the sentence Guilty. To be hanged. A Royal Continue Reading »
