In the Anglican Section of the Old Sydney (Devonshire/Sandhills) Burial Ground, was a very small headstone that marked the grave of Thomas Prior. The stone was embellished with several Masonic emblems and inscribed with the wording: Sacred to the memory of THOMAS PRIOR, who departed this Life, July 24th, 1836, Aged 88 Years, who Arrived in the first fleet 1788. Freemasonry has been associated with the British discovery and settlement of New South Wales from the beginning.Thomas Prior Continue Reading »
Jane Dundas
The Sydney Gazette 11 March 1806 listed Wearing Apparel and other property of the late Mrs J Dundas, to be sold at Auction by Mr David Bevan on 2 April. Jane Dundas had accumulated considerable personal effects in her 15 years as servant to the King household.From her trial at the Old Bailey, Jane Dundas at the end of her life, was given a public funeral at which His Excellency Governor King and family attended.Jane Dundas was in service as laundry maid to the Hon Sir John Skinner when Continue Reading »
Chapman Family
Robert Ross was Major of a detachment of four companies of marines that sailed on the First Fleet ships. Marines aboard the Prince of Wales were 2 lieutenants, 3 sergeants, 2 corporals, 1 drummer, 24 privates, some accompanied with wives and children.Private Marine Thomas Chapman was attached to the 60th (Plymouth Company). On 17 August 1787, Sergeant of Marines James Scott also on Prince of Wales wrote, Private Thomas Chapman was promoted to Corporal to stand in for one who had lost his Continue Reading »
Mary Fowles
Ann Fowles was indicated for feloniously stealing clothing on the 11 March 1785. Tried at the Old Bailey on 6 April, and found guilty, Ann received a sentence of seven years transportation. From the Old Bailey, Ann was held over in Newgate Prison for nearly two years, and it is presumed, her 2 year old daughter Mary Fowles stayed with her.9 January 1787, Captain Campbell on board Lady Penrhyn wrote, received from Newgate 6 women & 3 children Convicts for Botany Bay. Listed amongst Continue Reading »
Elizabeth Clark
and Ann Beardsley were the only two female convicts tried at the Derby Assizes. Elizabeth being 19 at the time of her time trial, was possibly the daughter of Humphrey and Mary Clark whose baptism was registered at Scopton, Derbyshire, in August 1766.On 11 January 1785, at the Derby Epiphany Sessions, Elizabeth Clark, late of the parish of Ashbourne in this County, Spinster, in the custody of Blyth Simpson, keeper of his Majesty's Gaol for this County and being brought before this Court and Continue Reading »
Alexander John Ross
Before Major Robert Ross sailed aboard Scarborough, he left written instructions for the care of his wife and children in the event of his death, but he took with him his 8 year-old son Alexander John Ross, known as Little John. Arthur Bowes Smyth surgeon on Lady Penrhyn, wrote in his journal on 3 May 1787, Little John Ross, Capt. Campbell’s Nephew & Servt, came on board. Little John Ross, a Volunteer Marine, and James Duncan Campbell, became constant companions being of similar Continue Reading »
Ann Mather
Was a young offender, possibly no more than 14 years old at the time of her trial at the Old Bailey on 18 April 1787, for feloniously stealing, on 10 April, one pair of velvet breeches value 4s, two cloth waist-coats value 1s, being the property of John Carter.At the trial, John Carter swore, I lodged, the 10th instant at No.11 in Fleet-lane; I lost a pair of velveret breeches, and two cloth waistcoats; they were taken out of the room where I lodge; I saw them there on the 9th at night; in Continue Reading »
Walter Batley : Martha Baker
Convict Walter Batley whose aliases were Walton Batley or John Rowse, Rouse or Rous, was aged 28 when he was discharged into Friendship. Ralph Clark noted that he was a bricklayer born in Norfolk.At the Old Bailey Sessions which began on Wednesday 29 October 1783, Walter Batley was indicted for feloniously stealing on the 24 September 1783, seven woollen sailor’s jackets value 20s, two woollen sailor’s jackets value 10s, seven white flannel jackets value 3s, six pair of breeches value 12s, Continue Reading »
Susannah Blanchet
Monday 24 March 1788, a day described as foggy until 9 a.m., then clear, easterly winds with the temperature reaching 72°. One this day, four weddings took place, and Susannah Blanchard (sic), a convict, was buried.At the Surrey Lent Assizes 1787, which commenced on Monday 2 April 1787 at Kingston upon Thames before Sir Henry Gould Kent, Susannah Blanchet was tried for burglary on 29 December 1786. Her occupation was given as servant, with an age of either 23 or 25 years.The crime “… Continue Reading »
John Baughan : Mary Cleaver
John Bingham or Baughan, alias Innis Baffin, cabin maker, was convicted at Oxford England, in 1783 for having stolen five woollen blankets being the goods of John Shorter. Sentenced to seven years transportation to America, he was delivered aboard the ship Mercury on 22 March 1784 with 21 other convicts. The ship was seized by the convicts off Torbay Cornwall; he was one of 66 recaptured and held on Dunkirk Hulk until being transferred to the First Fleet transport Friendship. The Reverend Continue Reading »