Extracts from Excursions around Tasmania 1991 1996
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 05/12/2010, 11:29

Extracts from Excursions around Tasmania 1991-1996.

Stories in Excursion books:  (see book list)


Sorell 1991

Pittwater & Sorell 1800s
History of Sorell
Land & Stock Land Musters Pittwater 1819
Sorell, Journal of Commissioners of Land VDL 1826
Maps
Hambley/Duncombe Land Sorell
John Duncombe Land
Cornhill - Sorell

                    **********************************

Bothwell. 1991

Bothwell Township
Dennistoun
Nant
Clifton Priory
Wentworth House
Town Sketch
Maps
Gantham farm
John Vincent - Norwood Inn Bothwell. Mill Oatlands
St Lukes Presbyterian Church
St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church
Coffee Palace
Sherwin Family
Andrew Mackie
Trap Hut 1890 

                    *************************************

Hamilton 1991

Township
Historical Houses
Maps
Watson's Marsh
St. Peters Church of England
Murder at Pelham

                  **************************************

Bridges and Early Buildings. Hobart to Broadmarsh. 1992

Hobart Bridges
Hobart Rivulet
New Town Rivulet
Pitt Farm
Humphrey's Rivulet - O'Brien's Bridge
Houghten Bowden House
Maps
Chigwell House
John Faulkner
South Bridgewater Cemetery - Granton
Braeside Home Black Brush
Roseneath
Austin's Ferry
William Coventry
Cox home  - Black Brush
William Davis, Sheep stealer
The Bridge Inn
The Crown Inn
Pontville Barracks

                        *****************************
Hobart. 1992

Hobart Town
Hunter Island - Hunter Street
New Market - City Hall
Hope and Anchor
James Mitchell - Hobart Hotel (Maloney's)
Ingel Hall
Secretaries Office
David Lord - Post Office
old Barracks Macquarie Street
Government House - Franklin Square
St. Davids Church
Maps
Thomas Birch - Macquarie house
William Mitchell Royal Oak
Duke of Wellington Hotel
St Davids Cemetery
George Guest - Barrack Hill
Thomas Priest - Davey Street
John Blundell's Jolly Hatter (Melville Street)
Temple House 

                        ******************************
Longford, Evandale. 1992

Longford
The Parth of History
Wooden Bridge Longford
Longford Township
Land Grants Norfolk Plains (Longford)
James Jordan - Second Fleeter
Thomas Jordan
Piermount Chapel
Maps
Jordan Bridge
Saltmarsh Farm
Christ Church
Floods at Longford 1929
Bowthorpe
Jessiefield
Shipping list for Lady Nelson & Minstrel 1813
Racecourse Hotel
Brickendon
Woolmers

Evandale
Evandale Tourism and Historical Centre
Maps
Kennedy Murray
Police Office
John Ward Gleadow
Charendon
Strathmore
              
                 ***********************************


Pontville, Kempton, Jericho, Colebrook, Richmond. 1993

Early Pontville
Oakwood
Flexmore - Kempton
Children of William Henry and Harriet Ellis - Kempton
James Kennedy - Kempton
William Walker - Kempton
Maps
Strethbarton - Black Marsh
Lovely Banks 
Jones Family Jericho
Bowsden
Jerusalem Probation Station - Colebrook
Tunnack
John Petchey - Cambridge

                      ********************************

Jericho, Oatlands,Somercotes, Ross. 1993

William Henry Ellis. Kempton
Peter Harrisson. Jericho
Noah Mortimer. Lake Tiberias
Oatlands
Steam and Wind power mill. Oatlands
St. Peters Pass. Jellett's hut
James Pillinger
Maps
Tunbridge 
Thomas Flemming. Tunbridge 
Ballochyle
Samuel Horton Sumercotes
Horton College
Phillip Devine
Ross
                **************************
 
Theatre Royal and Criminal Courts Campbell Street.  1993

Theatre Royal
Criminal Courts
Penitentiary Chapel
Mark Jeffreys Solitary Cell
Maps
Solomon Blay Executioner
Campbell Street Goal Executions
Re-Enactment - The Port Arthur Case
Hotels in Campbell Street

                      **********************************

Forcett, Tasman Peninsula. 1994

John Rowling - Rosy Vanyan
Haughton Forrest - Artist
Contantini - Convict Artist
Early Times in Forcett
Census in Richmond 1842
Dunalley Hotel & Denison Canal
Maps
Cascades - Tasman Peninsula
Cascades and Quarantine Station 
Cascade - Military Station
Convicts at WedgeBay
Edmund Harrold - Coach painter to Coal Miner
Salt Water Creek 1842
Convict Coal Mine
James Thomas Palmer - Palmer's Lookout
The Point Puer Boys
Port Arthur
Semaphore Telegraph System
Tell Tales by Semaphore - from code book
Goasts at Port Arthur
Women and Children headstones on Isle of the Dead
Boys headstones on Isle of the Dead
Shipbuilding in Tasmania
Ships built at Port Arthur, Pittwater, Ralph's Bay, Risdon and Kangaroo Point.

                        ******************************


Sandy Bay, Channel, Geeveston, Huon Road - 1994


Norfolk Islanders at Sandy Bay
Land Marks Sandy Bay
Chaffey's Point
Land Grants
Maps
Shot Tower
Brown's River Probation Station
Acton
Red House Kingston
Convicts who died at Browns River
St Clement's Church Kingston
Franklin
Cambridge Geeveston
Geeveston
Fairy Inn Huon River
Inlet Farm Huon River
Clifton and Amesbury Ranelagh
Valleyfield Ranelagh
Tom Brown High Peak
Wellington Falls
Neika Look-outs on Watchorne Hill
Neika School
Springs Hotel
Mt. Wellington
Davey Street Houses

                         ****************************

Rokeby, Cambridge, Sanford. 1995

Early Transports Routes
Inns & Hotels
Bellerive
Bellerive to Sorell railway
Clarence Plains - Rokeby
Maps
Independent Church Rokeby
Elizabeth Thomas - First Fleeter
Edward Kimberley - First Fleeter
Clarence Vale
Clarence House
Cambridge
Township of Cambridge
Horseshoe Inn
Acton Road
Acton
Cremorne
Pipe Clay Lagoon
Sandford School
Rifle Range Road
Other Land Grants
St Matthews Church - Rokeby

                       ******************************

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William Hambley & Mary Springham
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 25/10/2009, 10:47

 

William Hambley

 

                                                                                    © Kathy Duncombe 2009

 

 

William HAMBLEY was baptised 18^th May 1760 St. Clements, Truro, the son of Richard HAMBLY (sic) and Elizabeth TRISTREAL. Bishop's Transcript, a contemporary copy has her name as TRESTRILL.

 

1787 -William joined the Sirius (photo below) 23^rd January 1787 as a carpenter's mate from Long Reach, born Truro, Cornwall, aged 23. (He would actually have been 27)

 

This ship had a complement of 160 men victualled at Deptford, England 25^th October 1786.

 

1788 - He arrived on the First Fleet - a free man

 

1789 - On 24^th October 1789 the Court of Magistrates sat, with Captain Collins and Captain Hunter on the Bench. William Hambly (sic)  carpenter's mate on the Sirius was accused of giving a bottle of liquor to a convict. David Kilpac gave evidence. He said that he had received a silk handkerchief and a bottle of liquor from Hamly (sic) for a young pig. Hamly said that he didn't know that giving liquor away was an offence. He said that it was so often done. He thought it might be done by him without being wrong. The verdict was: “It being his first offence, he is to remain on board the Sirius without coming on shore in the Cove while she remains in Port.” Signed by Collins

 

1790 - A son William HAMBLEY Jnr. by Mary SPRINGHAM (see Springham) was baptised at Port Jackson 15^th January 1790, and both mother and child went to Norfolk Island by Sirius 4^th March 1790. Hambley had worked as a carpenter at Port Jackson from the end of January 1788 and continued his work in the community at Norfolk Island, after Sirius was wrecked receiving payment for his work. After unloading all her passengers, including Mary Springham and her baby, the Sirius sank off shore of Norfolk Island after hitting a reef 19^th March 1790. No lives were lost and most of the provisions were saved.  9^th July 1790 it is stated that a Thomas Jones stole some clothing from William.

 

1791 - Deciding to become a settler at Norfolk Island, Hambly was discharged from Sirius 7^th March 1791 and by 5th April held a lease of 60 acres. He was recorded as unmarried at this date, and listed alternatively as carpenter and gardener in the community.  James Hugh Donohoe's book 'Norfolk Island 1788 - 1813 The People and Their Families' refers to Hambley and Springham page 45 (married 5^th November 1791 - Johnson) Hambley's original grant No. 12 on the south side of the cascade run was cancelled ['The grant given by Governor Philip to be cancelled', torn up on the 5^th October 1821] and a new one issued 29^th November 1794 for Lot No. 45. Settlers were given 2 breeding sows and 6 hens and 1 cock, and were assigned 2 convicts for 9 weeks to clear an acre of the land, and to erect a hut for shelter. They were given supplies of clothing from the stores and entitled to receive rations for 18 months.

 

21^st March 1791 Captain Collins and Mr. Johnson sat as magistrates. John White was brought before the court, being suspected of having 'stolen a carpenter's tools'. William Hamly and the prisoner gave evidence, and White was discharged.

 

8^th September 1791 - William was returned to Port Jackson aboard Mary Ann as a witness for the trial of Thomas Jones for robbery. On 15^th September William Hambley gave evidence, and Thomas Jones was acquitted for want of evidence. He said he had received various articles from Hambley for clearing 80 roods of his land.

 

1792 - 3^rd January 1792 - 60 acres  - Rent 1/- a year commencing after 5 years.  An attempt was made by the Governor to make female convicts independent of the stores by giving them and some of their children, a number of hogs to breed. Mary and her son William received theirs in July 1792.  William received 2 sows from the government for which he paid £5/10/-.

 

1793 - Hambley was elected a member of the Norfolk Island Settlers Society at the end of 1793, and of his 60 acres (50 of them plough-able, the other 10 hilly) 17 were cultivated, and he was selling grain to government.

 

1794 - By May 1794 Hambley rented 22 acres in small lots to three settlers and received another grant of 60 acres. (Lot 45)  By June he was recorded with Mary Springham and three children including a daughter Elizabeth born 30^th January 1794, not baptised until 3^rd May 1802.  During this time Hambley, who had up to now behaved in a very orderly manner, was involved in distilling spirits, which at that time was proving to be a very lucrative business on the island. The surgeon was concerned, as he believed it was contributing to the poor state of health amongst the inhabitants, since they were drinking it hot from the stills. John Chapman Morris was recorded as renting 5 acres from the settler William Hambley in May 1794. 

 

1795 - Their daughter Mary died 15^th July 1795

 

1796 - By 1796 he was supplying the government with pork. Hambley lost his wife Mary 18^th June 1796, leaving him with two of his four children (William and Elizabeth). Mary had given birth their fourth child on the 11^th June 1796 and this child died the following month 15^th July 1796. Presumably Mary died from complications of childbirth.

 

1797 - 1^st May 1797 he was granted 60 acres as No. 614 (later 652)

 

1798 - 12^th October 1798 it was sold by the grantee to Arthur Robinson. William Mitchell ex fellow marine on the Sirius, sold the land again in several parcels 1st November 1802 viz.

 

1800 - In August Samuel King sold ten acres to Hambley.

 

1802 - Their daughter Elizabeth Hambley was baptised 3^rd May 1802

 

1805 - Various land transactions found him classified as a 2^nd class settler, with 21 acres cultivated and 16 hogs.

 

1807 - 2^nd August 1807 - 13 of his acres were in grain, 7 in pasture for 16 hogs, 1 acre fallow, and he had 150 bushels of maize in hand. With the children William and Elizabeth, he left Norfolk Island for VDL per Porpoise as a 1^st class settler 26^th December 1807. His vacated property consisted of a boarded and floored house (18'X12') a log barn, thatched (12'X12') and one log outhouse.

 

1810 - In Van Diemen's Land Hambley took up 65 acres at Gloucester [Sorell] and in April 1809, 30 acres at Risdon, Clarence Plains. 21^st December 1810 he married Jane MOULTON (q.v.) widow of William MOULTON of Hobart.  Jane and William had arrived on the 1^st Fleet per Charlotte. Maiden name Jane MEECH. No doubt William would have known Jane's husband William Moulton, both being members of the Norfolk Island Settlers Society.

 

1810 - On 3^rd December 1810 an agreement for the erection of a mill in Hobart Town was executed between Robert Nash one part, and William Hambley and John Duncombe, co-partners and carpenters on the other part. The carpenters agreed to erect a mill house and shingle the same ... to be erected on the rivulet 200 years above Molle Street. It still stands today [2009] nearly 200 years later.

 

1815 - William and his son William signed the 1815 petition for a Court of Criminal Judicature at VDL.

 

1817 -  William Hambley Jnr died 23^rd April 1817 aged 27 years. William Snr. supplied 700 lbs. of fresh meat and 45 bushels of wheat to the Government Stores.

 

1818 - He made further contributions of 500 lbs of meat

Lot 45 - 60 acres William Hambley owned on Norfolk Island

 

1835 - William Hambley Snr. died at Sorell and was buried 22^nd October 1835, at St. Lukes Cemetery, Richmond. His age given was 73. There is no headstone visible today [2008] He had lost his second wife Jane, whose burial was registered at St. David's Hobart 25^th November 1812. 

 

 

1^st Fleeter Mary SPRINGHAM [1768 - 1796] a hawker, was tried at the Old Bailey in 1786 for stealing, sentenced to seven years transportation and arrived on the Lady Penrhyn.

 

Mary was returning by boat from Gravesend to her home where she lived with her mother in Baker's Row, Whitechapel. A woman passenger was taken ill on the boat, and Mary took her home, where she fainted. Mary brought her water and washed her face. Settling her on her mother's bed, she locked the door and put the key in her pocket “for safety”. The victim said that on awaking she found Mary searching her pockets, and “she ran away” and away she went.

 

Mary's story was different. Coming along Limehouse, the woman had said “Poll, I want to call for something to drink, and she went home with Mary, sending for gin and saying not to leave her. Five weeks later Mary was charged with theft of 30/2^d in coins and an iron japanned snuff box (value 1d) She was sentenced at the Old Bailey 25^th October 1786 to 7 years transportation and delivered to Lady Penrhyn 6^th January 1787, (1^st fleet) aged 21. Bowes said she had been a hawker. She is believed to have been the daughter of Robert & Mary Springham baptised 20^th March 1768 at St. Leonards, Shoreditch. 

 

MARY SPRINGHAM, theft: pick pocketing, 25^th October 1786.

The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17861025-73        Trial Summary:

Crime(s): theft: pick pocketing,

Punishment Type: transportation, _(Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)

Verdict: Part Guilty: convicted of a lesser offence,

Other trials 25 Oct 1786

Crime Location: Baker's-row, Whitechapel

 

Original Text:

830. MARY SPRINGHAM was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 5^th day of March last, two guineas, value 2 l. 2 s. and nine shillings in monies numbered, and an iron japanned snuff box, value 1 d. the property of William Reynolds , privily from the person of Mary Reynolds .

 

MARY REYNOLDS sworn. - My husband's name is William Reynolds; I live at No. 4, George-street, Spital-fields; the prisoner robbed me on the 5^th of March; I never saw her before; I was coming home from Gravesend on the sabbath-day, about eight in the morning; the prisoner came with me in a Gravesend boat; her mother lives in Baker's-row, Whitechapel; I was taken very ill going up the New-road; she asked me to go into her mother's; I went in there, and I fainted away; she brought a little water and washed my face, and brought me too; and asked me to lay down on her mother's bed, in a little back room; I said, I would be glad; and she led me into the room; and I laid down on the bed; she said, nothing should hurt me, till she came to me again, and she would lock the door, and take the key in her pocket; the prisoner locked me in; I had a silk handkerchief about my neck;

I awoke and found the prisoner searching my pockets; she ran away, and away she went; there were two guineas in gold, three silver half crowns, one shilling, and a sixpence; the gold was tied up in my black silk handkerchief, and round my neck in a double knot; the silver was in a japanned iron snuff box in my pocket; the snuff box was taken with the money in it; when she went out of the room, I could not go so quick after her, and there were three turnings; I could not tell which of the turnings she went down.

 

            Prisoner. She asked me in the lock-up room to make it up with her, she said, she was very poor? - I did not.

 

THOMAS FORECAST sworn. - I am a weaver by trade; I follow the deal portering now; I am come from the Streights; I went in pursuit of Mary Springham; I met her coming home and three more; it was about five weeks ago; I followed her, and told the prosecutrix to take her into custody.

Court to Mary Reynolds: You knew where this woman lived? - No:   I knew where her mother lived.

            You knew her name also? - I knew the name she went by.

How came it then you did not go before a Justice of the Peace? - I did the next day, and took the mother into custody; I made enquiries after her, but could not find her.

 

PRISONER'S DEFENCE. -We came from Gravesend together; the prosecutrix borrowed three-pence of me, because she had no money; coming through Limehouse, she says to me Poll, I want to call for something to drink; I went to my brother's and had some breakfast; says I, now Mrs. Forecast, I wish you a good by; she went home with me; she was taken very ill, and sent for a quartern and half of gin, and changed sixpence; my mother asked her to lay down; says she, do not leave me; says I, I am sleepy, I must go home to bed; I left this gentlewoman at my mother's, and saw no more of her till five weeks ago she charged me with this.

 

GUILTY Of stealing -Transported for seven years. Tried by the first Middlesex Jury before Mr. Justice HEATH .

 

To see the original go to http://www.oldbaileyonline.org and type in name.

 

After receiving sentence Mary would either have been kept in gaol or sent to the hulks, old ships at the wharves until she could be put on board the ship to transport her to Australia. The hulks were known to be damp, smelly, and vermin ridden, life would not have been pleasant.

 

Lady Penrhyn sailed from England 13^th May 1787 and arrived in Sydney 20^th January 1788. They lost only 32 people on board the ship, during its passage out. It anchored in Sydney Cove until 26^th January 1788.

 

On 15^th January 1790 a son William, by William HAMBLEY (ships Carpenter) was baptised at Sydney. Two months later the family went to Norfolk Island, where Hambley, stranded after the Sirius was wrecked, decided to become a settler.

 

 

 

By mid June 1794, William and Mary Hambley had three children living on William's farm. Mary died on 18^th June two years later, her son William and daughter Elizabeth surviving. The father took them to VDL in 1807 and married Jane MOULTON widow of William MOULTON. He survived until 1835.

 

1792 - An attempt was made y the Governor to make female convicts independent of the stores by giving them, and some of their children, a number of hogs to breed. Mary and her son William received theirs in July 1792.

 

1794 - In May 1794 Hambley rented 22 acres in small lots to three settlers and received another grant of 60 acres. (Lot 45)  By June he was recorded with Mary Springham and three children including a daughter Elizabeth born 30^th January 1794, not baptised until 3^rd  May 1802

.

1795 - Their daughter Mary died 15^th  July 1795

 

1796 - By 1796 Mary's husband William was supplying the government with pork.

Mary gave birth to a child 11^th June 1796 and this child died the following month 15^th July 1796. Mary died 18^th June 1796, a week after the birth, leaving William with two of his four children (William & Elizabeth) Presumably Mary died from complications of childbirth.

 

The search for Mary SPRINGHAM/HAMBLEY'S tombstone:

 

1970's - The Norfolk Island first cemetery was cleared and tombstones numbered. There is no record of a stone marked M. S. in the book published at the time.

 

There does appear to be a tombstone M. H. which is possibly Mary Hambley's burial site. They may have been married in 1791 [as assumed by J. H. Donahoe] but there appears to be no surviving record of a marriage between them. Miller stated that in Sydney Cove “ The convicts who are married here, I never alter their names. There would be no end to it. The name they were convicted by in England are the names they should go by here.”

 

1989 - When the book “Convict and the Carpenter” was written the photo (right) was thought to be possibly that of Mary Hambley.

 

2003 - After visiting Norfolk Island it would appear that Mary would have been buried in the 1^st cemetery, now a grassy area near the foreshore. Maybe this is her headstone and it was moved to the newer cemetery? Photo of the tombstone in question (right) the answer (below)

 

2008 - The headstone of Mary SPRIEGHAM is located in the flooring of the Surgeon's Kitchen within Kingston - it is part of a headstone or cript lid shifted from the first settlement burial ground at Emily Bay. It is a memorial of Mary SPREIGHAM who died June 1796 and also of her daughter Mary who died July 1796. It is thought that perhaps daughter Mary may have died first in June 1796. The first settlement burial ground has recently been identified and is awaiting development of interpretation signage. Also attached is a photo of the headstone of the two Mary's in its current location.

John DUNCOMBE was born 19^th July 1772 in Cripplegate, England; baptised 19^th July 1772 in St. Giles Cripplegate, London England. When he was only 15 years of age:

 

“He was indicted for stealing, 26^th September last, 210 yards of everlasting, [cloth] value 10/- the property of Archibald Bryson, a dyer. At the Justice Hall, Old Bailey, Middlesex. 24^th October 1787, the watchman, who, on suspecting him, confessed the robbery, took the prisoner; no promises were made to him. He was found guilty and transported for 7 years.”   (Old Bailey original below)

 

The Arbermarle departed Portsmouth 27^th March 1791 with 282 males on board, and arrived at Port Jackson 13^th October 1791, after a journey of 200 days. It arrived with 250 males and 6 females on board. There were 32 male deaths, including 2 executions. The Master was George Bowen.

 

A month after he arrived in Sydney on the Albermarle which was part of the 3^rd Fleet in 1791, he was transferred to Norfolk Island on the Atlantic and remained there as a carpenter after his sentence expired. He was victualled from the Government stores until 1805, when his house or hut on the island was valued at £20.  Yet when he left for VDL 26^th December 1807 on the Porpoise with the Hambleys', he is listed among those individuals not holding land. John married Elizabeth HAMBLEY 27^th June 1808.

 

“This is to certify that John Duncombe Single man and Elizabeth Hambley Single woman, both of this Town married by Banns at Hobart Town, River Derwent Van Diemen's Land this Twenty Seventh-day of Jun in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Eight

                                                                       

                                                                                    By me           Robert Knopwood

 

            This marriage was solemnised between                             John Duncombe

                                                                                                            her

                                                                                    Elizabeth           X          Hambley

                                                                                                            Mark

 

N. B. Elizabeth was unable to read or write at this time, whereas John appears to be literate.

 

John & Elizabeth had three daughters together Sophia [1811], Mary [1813] and Jane [1815]. See the book “The Convict and the Carpenter” to follow their lives further.

 

John Duncombe was a carpenter and worked in Hobart Town during his early years in the Colony. He purchased six acres of land from William Mitchell for £100 in 1811. Three and a half years later the family went to Pittwater to live, where they farmed a 60-acre grant of land.

 

John Duncombe does not appear on the General Muster in 1818, of all the free men in the Derwent settlement. Possibly he was being held in custody. Elizabeth wrote that 'shortly after the sale of the Hobart Town property her husband became deranged' and in the month of September 1819 was sent to a place called Castle Hill in NSW.  He departed VDL per Prince Leopold 12^th August 1819 .

 

Lucy [1817] baptised in 1819, the daughter of Elizabeth Hambley; and George Hambley Duncombe [1819] baptised as Hambley also, appear to be the children of William Steer with whom Elizabeth was living at the time. Elizabeth had two other children Charlotte [1830] and Emmanuel [1834] to Steer before finally marrying him in 1838. (for more information see The Convict & The Carpenter Book)

 

 John Duncombe became deranged and was sent to an asylum in Sydney in September 1819. He was admitted to the Benevolent Society 24^th September 1827 and listed in the 1828 Census aged 57 years.

 

N. B. Duncombe Bay on Norfolk Island - Named after the member for Yorkshire, not our ancestor.

 

Castle Hill Lunatic Asylum

The Asylum, in Sydney, where it is assumed Duncombe was sent, was, at the time, situated at Castle Hill, some 6 miles from Parramatta, and within clear sight of he Blue Mountains. This first psychiatric hospital in Australia was located on the site of a former Government Farm, the main building, the stone farm barn of two stories, built about 1804 but fallen into dilapidation since that time. There was also an acre for gardens both for the pleasure and the therapeutic labour of inmates - potatoes and turnips were grown among other vegetables.

 

Governor Macquarie who, probably influenced by English reformers, had “a surprisingly sympathetic recognition of the problems of insanity” had set up the Lunatic Asylum. He looked for “the cleanliness and comfort of the lunatics” and desired that they be “properly dressed and regularly served” (including a constant supply of vegetables) and that “no unnecessary severity” should be shown toward them. He wanted a garden for therapeutic activity for the inmates.

 

Weekly food allowances comprised 7 pounds of meat (at one stage even 10 pounds - the so-called 'stockman's allowance'), 10 pounds of flour or bread and fresh vegetables. Tea was provided morning and night and inmates were allowed a quantity of tobacco. The fresh meat was delivered from the Government stores at Parramatta weekly and, especially in summer, would not keep so needed salting for preservation. The bread, too, became stale before the week was up. As a result there was an attempt to bake the bread at Castle Hill but the product was considered to be inedible!

 

Details about treatments are uncertain but it is known that head shaving, cupping and bleeding; emetics; “Blisters to the Temples”; wine and bark (quinine); and even flogging (with a cat with a sugar bag) were among them.

 

Unfortunately, the reality appears to have been far from this ideal. Superintendents and medical officers appear to have had a continual struggle to obtain other carers and the most basic of supplies, for example soap and clothing. There were innumerable problems, many of which were revealed when Commissioner Bigge conducted his inquiries into the state of matters in New South Wales.

 

Even after the Bigge Report, “In contrast to many other recommendations made by Bigge concerning the needs of the Colony, those relating to the asylum failed to bring early action from those in authority, except for the completion of some urgent minor repairs.”

 

The building had apparently been “makeshift from the beginning” and “dilapidated both internally and externally.” The roof let the rain in and driving rain came in through the windows. There were only 2 rooms, one for males and one for females. There seems to have been a complaint to Commissioner Bigge that when somebody died, their body was laid out in the space between the two rooms, at least until it was prepared for burial. As late as 1817, some inmates still had to sleep in the “hot kitchen.”  Even the Superintendent's quarters appear to have been very unsatisfactory.

The walls of the building were “very dirty, without plaster and abound[ing] in vermin,” but “the infestation of the bedding with vermin was an even greater problem.”  Even as late as 1824, “Some of the men, to avoid being tormented by bed vermin and otherwise distressed, preferr[ed] to sleep in their day clothes on the bare boards rather than alongside 'their Filthy House Mates'.”

 

The Superintendent pleaded for whitewash so that the walls could be cleaned before new bedding was introduced. For the state of bedding was one of the most serious problems. Quite early on, one superintendent had had to supply the straw for bedding out of his own pocket. By 1820, there were only 60 worn out blankets for the 27 male and 6 female inmates. Moreover, bedding frequently seems to have been destroyed or removed by absconding inmates.

 

Similarly, inmates often shredded both the bedding and their clothes. So serious was this problem that one superintendent was asking for canvas clothes with tar-dipped seams to discourage shredding. On the other hand, merely having any clothes at all, seems to have been a major problem at times. 

 

On 3^rd March 1819 when Superintendent Bennett took over, and there were 35 male and 10 female inmates, Bennett complained that “Several [of the newcomers] arrived with their clothing and bedding in a filthy state.” The “inadequate and irregular supply of clothing” was “a constant concern.” In September 1821, he pleaded: “I have been necessitated to cause old bags and Petticoats to be wrapped round about several of the men's bodies tom prevent indecent exposure, they being almost in a state of nudity. Every old article of dress about the place has been cut up and made use of in mending their clothing.” He asked to be supplied with “strong and dark-coloured stuff” for men's jackets and trousers and strong check shirts”.

 

In his submission to Bigge, Bennett had continued: “Their shoes are worn out long ago…” This was no trivial matter when many of the occupants had to go considerable distances into the Bush collecting firewood for fires (presumably for cooking, washing and heating).

The result was that “some poor feet” were “lacerated” and there was “blood marking their steps for want of shoes.”  In December 1821, finally, 40 frocks and trousers were received from Parramatta. There was thought that the reception of an inmate who had been a shoemaker would have relieved the shoe situation but supplies of the leather and tools he would need never seem to have arrived.

 

Another problem was the violence of some of the inmates. “From March 1819, accounts of violent behaviour increased…Throughout 1821, the violence displayed by some of the inmates created great anxiety for Bennett and his small staff of attendants…This difficult and worrying period continued into 1822.”

 

It is little wonder that there seem to have been many absconders from Castle Hill, 10 between October 1819 and December 1820, alone. In this latter month, 2 men, “both considered sane by Doctor West, absconded. One was wearing irons but still managed to take off with him his bed tick and blanket.” The “isolation of the locality and the small number of supervisory staff”, the lack of security, the fact that “unsupervised working parties” could “move about and away from the immediate environment” as well as the misery of the conditions in the Asylum must have driven these people away.

 

Others were officially discharged, Bigge reporting 8 between October 1819 and December 1820; and 25 between 1821 and 1823. This was at a time when Dr Douglas was the visiting surgeon, with “probably stricter and more searching tests to determine whether the degree of mental disturbance shown by some patients justified their retention in an asylum for the insane.”

 

"Given the tribulations that he had to face (including the possibility that his wife was already involved with another man), it is hardly surprising that he could no longer cope."(Wood) Sad to say, the man who seemed to have worked so hard to put behind him the suffering and ignominy of his young days, was again subjected to forced transportation, incarceration in jail and asylum, and court room appearances.

 

When the Prince Leopold arrived in Sydney, it carried a dozen convicts  “for trial and sentenced to Newcastle” who had been “transmitted from Van Diemen's Land by His Honour, Lieutenant Governor Sorell” as well as another eleven individuals who, until it was decided what to do with them, were to be held in Sydney Gaol.  Duncombe was the only “Insane” man among them. This was 3rd September 1819.

 

The Asylum, in Sydney, where it is assumed Duncombe was sent, was, at the time, at Castle Hill. We have no further record of him until towards the end of 1826. But his confinement cannot have been permanent. On 27th September 1826, he was brought before the court in Sydney because he had been found:

 

asleep in the Government windmill by the Government Domain between 12 and 1 this morning; the prisoner declared he had no place of residence, and being deemed a rogue and a vagabond was sentenced to the jail at the house of correction for one month.

Sleeping out, rough, may account for the fact that Duncombe was not recorded in the censuses of 1823/24/25. A year later, on 22^nd September 1827, there was a concerned letter, from the Superintendent of Police to the Colonial Secretary pleading on behalf of John Duncombe and John Brown, both free:

 

I have the honour to acquaint you that the two unfortunate Men named in the margin were this day brought before the Bench, having been found concealed in Caverns at Wooloomooloo, their intellects are deranged and as they have no settled place of residence and appear objects of compassion, I beg to interest your concern for their miserable condition and pray that they may be admitted into the Benevolent Asylum or some other place of refuge for their calamitous situation.

 

The two men were admitted to the Asylum that very day. Only a month before, John Duncombe's daughter, Mary, had married Charles Moore, back in Sorell, Tasmania. Had her prayers for her father brought him to a measure of comfort in his last years?

 

In the following year, the 1828 Census shows Duncombe aged 57, a pensioner at the Benevolent Asylum.

 

 

The Asylum “for the aged, infirm, blind and destitute” was “to provide sustenance and shelter for those…who were mentally and socially indigent and pauperised”.

 

Opened in 1821, it had been erected “at a suitable distance from the town…just outside the tollgate at the south of the city, the building…designed by Frank Lawless, the former bricklayer of the colony's gangs”. The building was brick, pseudo-classical and of two stories with “brick pilasters extending for the whole height and with a gable which projected from the main roof with nothing below to support it”.

 

It was 97 feet long by 27 feet, 6 inches wide. “Internally the design was simple with women's and men's quarters on separate floors, separated from dining areas by a central corridor with a staircase”.

There was, also, the usual detached kitchen and outhouse. By 1825, there were even water closets installed, with a bath and shower for both the males and the females.

 

The Asylum was variously funded - from vigorous campaigns for donations in cash or kind, from church collections, from fines associated with drunkenness, from the “King's stores” for former convicts - and from the Police - for the Master and Matron. Mr and Mrs Dalston occupied these positions, respectively between 1820 and 1855!

 

The inmates were governed by a series of rules laid down to safeguard order, hygiene and morals within the institution. It was anticipated that the Asylum be a House of Industry as well as Asylum…and those fit enough were employed in a variety of labours…increasingly the Asylum strove towards self sufficiency and the able bodied were occupied making clothes and shoes, or growing vegetables and baking bread…Small indulgences were to be allowed for work performed…

 

o          Early rising and early to bed as well as assembly for divine worship, both           morning and evening were obligatory.       

o          The lodging apartments were to be kept clean and well-aired.  Bedding was to be inspected and folded every morning and taken out into the sun once a week.

o          No one was to lie in bed during the day and there was to be no smoking in the   bedrooms, EVER.

o          If anyone was ill, they were to be put in a separate room.

o          Clothing was to be provided on admission “for the health and comfort of the      residents” and kept clean and repaired. Other necessities were also to be        supplied.

o          Body linen was to be well washed and changed twice a week, and sheets once a fortnight.

o          The  'eating' room was to be kept clean and aired, residents were to assemble   before breakfast, 'dinner' and 'supper' and meals were to be preceded and     followed by grace.

o          All furniture and utensils were to be “rightly used and duly preserved”.

o          Residents who were well conducted might be allowed to attend public worship on the Sabbath, otherwise the relevant permission had to be obtained for going            outside the Asylum.

o          Rations were to consist of 7 pounds of bread, 3_ pounds of meat, 14 ounces of             sugar, 1_ounces of tea, and 3_ pounds of vegetables.

o          Bad behaviour was recorded and penalised by the withdrawal of tea, sugar and             tobacco rations or of rights to go outside the Asylum, even for some months.

 

The population was largely of former convicts. Many of the residents were quite aged - in 1830, there was one person aged 105 (!), 6 who were over 90, 15 over 80, 35 over 70, 41 over 60, 17 over 50, 14 over 40, 9 who were over 30 and one 24 year-old, making an average age of 65..

 

There had originally been only 19 pensioners but even by the end of 1821 there were 48 men and 9 women sheltered there, and in June 1825, there were 96 inmates. By this time, the Asylum was “overcrowded and inadequate for providing more than a minimum of medical care …(“The Society's gratuitous Medical Officer, Dr. William Bland, was indefatigable in this work, providing care and free medicines to the needy.” And a Dispensary was added to the building, in 1825.)

Finally, a north wing, intended for hospital facilities, was added to the building in 1831-2 and a south wing, for additional accommodation, was completed in 1839.

 

After Duncombe was admitted, in 1827, his name does not feature in records of the Benevolent Asylum. It is as if his friend and he quietly disappeared into the shadows of the building. They do not seem to have asked for permission to go outside the refuge that had been provided for them. Perhaps the comfort and certainties of clean clothes, regular meals and cleanliness and order might have been a lovely relief after what they had suffered.

 

Perhaps the two men were left alone and not unduly hassled by what must sometimes have been the turbulent life around them with an ever-changing population of the destitute. Sometimes there were sudden intakes that stretched the Society to the fullest - when “the eating room and the passage way” were “unavoidably used as sleeping rooms.” Often there were the dramas of disturbed and angry personalities erupting. There were frequent cases of absconding from the institution. And there were the inevitable deaths of inmates. In the next few years, several residents were discharged to “the Lunatic Asylum” but Duncombe was not among them, so one can only presume that over these years, he presented absolutely no threat to his fellow residents in the Asylum.

 

John Duncombe died, aged 66, 23rd November 1835 (the death being reported in the Minutes of the House Committee in the week ending 27th November 1835).  A note in one of the Asylum's records around these times indicates that the Asylum paid for coffins for those who died in the Asylum. 

 

 

The above story follows on from the book “The convict and the Carpenter” by Trish Woods and written by Kathy Duncombe.

 

                                   

For the full story of John & Elizabeth Duncombe's family, read `The Convict & The Carpenter' by Trish Woods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Norfolk Islanders Land Grants at Glenorchy
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 26/09/2009, 06:54

Norfolk Islanders  

Land Grants Glenorchy District 1807-1832

 

George Porter:    Convict {2^nd Fleet}     City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Sarah Manning: Convict {2^nd Fleet}     Lady Nelson 1808

 

James Dodding:   Convict {1^st Fleet}      Porpoise 1808

 

John Berrisford: Marine {1^st Fleet}      City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Joseph Berrisford: Son of John born on Norfolk Island

 

Thomas O’Brien:  Marine {1^st Fleet}    City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Henry Coan:        Convict {2^nd Fleet}     City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Samuel Pyers:       Convict {3^rd Fleet}     City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Edward Risby:      Convict {1^st Fleet}      City of Edinburgh 1808

 

Henry Hathaway: Convict {1^st Fleet}     Lady Nelson 1808

 

Thomas Martin Hunt: Convict { 3^rd Fleet} Estramina 1808

 

Robert Jillett: Convict   Hillsborough      Lady Nelson 1808

 

Thomas Priest:     Convict { 2^nd Fleet}    Porpoise

 

Noah Mortimer:   Convict {1^st Fleet}      Lady Nelson 1808

 

Zachariah Sponsford: Convict { 1^st Fleet}  Lady Nelson 1807

********************************************

The earliest settlers in the Glenorchy district, or what was then called New Town, were mostly free settlers with a sprinkling of convicts who had arrived with Lt. Colonel Collins in 1804 on the Lady Nelson and the Ocean. Well known names like: Faulkner, Blinkworth, Bowden, Dacres, Hayes, Littlejohn, Littlefield, Mansfield, Miller, Nichols, and Peters. Most of these men went on to their land in 1806 and were still there in 1832, and even later.

The second group to settle between New Town Rivulet and Austin’s Ferry was the Norfolk Islanders. They arrived on the Lady Nelson in 1807, the Porpoise, then the Lady Nelson, Estramina, and the City of Edinburgh in 1808.  Many of their descendants can still be found in Tasmania today.

 

Those aboard these ships were the Berrisford, Coan, Hatherway, Jillett, Hunt, Hathaway, Manning, Mortimer, O’Brien, Oakley, Porter, Priest, Pyers, Risby, Spondsford, were amongst those that were granted land in this district.

 

 

 

The City of Edinburgh carried 242 men, women and children. The voyage from Norfolk Island to the River Derwent was a treacherous one, taking almost a month. (The Lady Nelson took 16 days for the same journey a year before) the passengers arriving with their clothes in tatters and hardly any food left on board.  Most of them, both men and women were ex-convicts, who had arrived on the first, second and third fleet to Port Jackson. They later lived on Norfolk Island during and after their sentences expired. Berrisford and O’Brien being the exception, as they had arrived as soldiers. Like the 1804 families many were still on their land up to and well after 1819.

 

The largest group to settle at New Town arrived on the City of Edinburgh on the 2^nd of October 1808 numbered ten men, plus their families (6 wives and 20 children)

 

George Porter

 

George Porter was tried in London in 1789 and was transported on the Second Fleet to NSW. He departed NI on the City of Edinburgh in 1808.  George married Susannah O’Brien (daughter of Thomas O’Brien) in 1808 at Hobart Town. His 30 acre grant was along the Roseneath Rivulet, and although he did not report having any crops or beasts on his land he did have by 1819 he had increased his land to 60 acres, and 15 acres of wheat, 1 acre of beans and 3 acres in potatoes,  41 acres in pasture and 25 bushels in hand..  He also had 5 cattle, 151 sheep. He and his wife and 2 of his 4 children as well as his servant were victualled.  George died in 1828 aged 60, leaving a wife and 8 children, the youngest 10 months old.

 

 

 Sarah Manning

 

Sarah Manning was the only woman convict to receive a land grant at this location. Sarah had arrived on the notorious Lady Juliana (Second Fleet) in 1790. Later on NI she married James Paynter but he did not come with her to VDL on the Lady Nelson in 1808. She was granted 30 acres on what is now known as Beedham’s Bay (south of Austin’s Ferry) She does not appear to have stayed on her land and is recorded as dying at Bagdad aged 78 in 1829.

 

    

James Dodding

 

 

James Dodding and Thomas Priest arrived on the Porpoise in 1808.[1] Dodding land was situated NW of Faulkner’s Rivulet (in the Claremont district) A First fleeter convict who had arrived in NSW on the Friendship in 1788. He later went to NI where he was with Elizabeth Thackery (also a First Fleeter) His land comprised of 100 acres but he did not settle on this land and later moved to Tea Tree where he settled on 30 acres of land. He died in 1834 aged 75 and was buried in St. David’s Cemetery. Elizabeth Thackery later married Samuel King and moved to New Norfolk. She died there in 1856 (as Betty King) aged 75. She was the last woman from the First Fleet to die and was buried at Back River.

 

  

 John Berrisford

 

 

John Berrisford a Private Marine in His Majesty’s Service arrived on the First Fleet in 1788. He was accompanied by his wife Hannah. Two children were born in NSW before they went to NI, where they had another 3 children.  Departing for VDL on the City of Edinburgh in 1808. Both John and his son Joseph were granted 140 acres each of land in the Glenorchy district (now known as Berriedale Bay) In 1809 John’s land was recorded as 121 acres with 3 acres of wheat, 2 sheep and 4 swine.  All the family were victualled by the government.

 

Joseph Berrisford still resided on his 140 acres in 1809 having 1 acre of wheat and a ½ of barley, along with 1 sheep, 1 goat and 2 swine. Both he and his wife were on stores. By 1819 John was still on his 100 acres with 15 under wheat, 1 barley, 1 beans, and 1 in potatoes. 25 sheep and 15 bushels of grain in hand. He and his wife were off the stores. Joseph was doing very well he had 151 acres, 8 in wheat, ½ in beans and potatoes. His stock had grown to 30 sheep and 150 sheep and 20 bushels in grain, both had one government servant each. [2]  John died in September 1821 aged 68. Hannah died in December 1842.[3]

 

 

Thomas O’Brien

 Thomas O’Brien came out on the First Fleet in 1788 as a private marine and served at Port Jackson. Deciding to stay in the colony he later went to Norfolk Island on the Atlantic in 1791, where he became a farmer.

 

Susannah Mortimer who was later to become Thomas’s wife was convicted for stealing two sheep and sentenced to death. She was later reprieved and transported to NSW for 7 years.  Susannah was one of women that have been referred to as coming on the Floating Brothel. That was the name given to the Second Fleet ship the Lady Juliana, that arrived in 1791. These unfortunate women were on the high seas for nearly twelve months. They were subjected to having men come on board at every port.

 

Susannah gave birth to a daughter while on the Lady Julian, who was also called Susannah.  With her daughter she was sent to Norfolk Island a few months after her arrival in Sydney.

 

By the time Susannah arrived on Norfolk Island Thomas had a sixty acre farm at Phillipsburg and here, he and Susannah set up house in 1794.

 

In 1808 when they departed on the City of Edinburgh they had 8 children. They had to leave behind a buildings valued at $60, a two story house and two log outhouses. This of course was not what he found himself with on arriving in Hobart Town.

 

Thomas was granted 100 acres of land on Humphrey’s Rivulet, and in 1809 he had 3 acres under wheat and 1 in barley. By 1819 his land was reduced to 60 acres and he had 10 acres of wheat, 1 of beans and 3 in potatoes, and 46 in pastures. He also had 4 cattle and was regarded as a charity case. He and his wife and 2 children were on government stores.[4]

 

The land that Thomas O’Brien owned was between the bridge and the chapel and continuing back in a north west direction. The rivulet would have been a lot wider and holding much more water than it does today.

 

It is hard to imagine what this part of the country (then called New Town) would have been like when the O’Brien’s and the others arrived in 1808.  There were about 14 families already settled there that had arrived with Lt. Colonial Collins in 1804, Even so it would still have been very primitive.  Thomas’s son James was only 8 years old and would not been much help with building their house, or with planting the crops. His daughters were older so its possible they did their share.

 

No decent roads or bridges from Hobart Town, making it a days journey to Humphrey’s Rivulet.

 

The original bridge was built in 1818 by Dennis McCarthy but was subjected to flooding and was replaces in 1844.

 

The rivulet appears to have been a meeting place for all sorts of activities, it was used by escaped convicts, bushrangers and cattle thieves. The Hobart papers told of many murders being committee along its banks.

 

The O’Brien children would have spent their leisure time roaming along the part their father owned, and in 1820 Catherine and Agnes on one of their walks found a slaughtered calf. Someone having slaughtered it had left it hanging in a tree, intending to return later and cut it up. The girls decided to go back that night and see if it was still there, and maybe get some meat to take home. Unfortunately word had got out about it and when they arrived at the place where the calf was, they found Alfred Luttrell, waiting for them. Both girls were charged and appeared in the Lower Court in Hobart and committed for trial.[5]

 

Their arrest would have upset Susannah as she had been transported all those years ago for stealing sheep, and now here were her daughters up on a very serious charge of stealing a calf and slaughtering it as well.

 

 

 

 Thomas died sometime before 1833 there is no record of his death or burial. Susannah survived until 1846, and was buried at St Matthew’s where her headstone is now kept at the church.

      

 

 

Susannah O’Brien’s headstone. St Matthew’s

Church Glenorchy 2006

Sacred

To the Memory of

Mrs Susannah O’Brien

Who departed this life

December 31  1846

Aged 86 years

Also

James O’Brien

Died December 1863 aged 63

Also

*************[6]

References to Thomas O’Brien’s land at Humphrey’s Rivulet

 

Abstract of Title

Gamaliel Butler to twelve acres of land at

            O’Brien’s Bridge District of Glenorchy

 

 

30 September 1813     The late Governor in Chief Macquarie by this date gave to Thomas O’Brien and his heirs and the afore said 60 acres of land in the District of Glenorchy.

                                    Thomas O’Brien died intestate leaving James O’Brien his eldest son and heir of land.

 

16 & 17 January 1833 By indenture of Lease and Release the release being made between the said James O’Brien first part, Susannah O’Brien of the second part and William Reason and wife of the third part the 12 acres of land described in the application herewith enclosed were conveyed by the said Gamaliel Butler. [7]

 

 

 

Sale of part of Thomas O’Brien’s land after his death.                               1836

 

A grant by the late Governor Macquarie dated 30 September 1813 to Thomas O’Brien of 60 acres of land being situated in the District of Glenorchy Van Diemen’s Land. Bounded on the north-east side by Littlejohns Farm Montrose Estate. Bearing west 25 degrees north 31 chains. On the north-west side by a line south 25 degrees west 20 chains. On the south-west side by Bellingers Farm bearing east 25 degrees south 30 chains 50 links to Humphreys Rivulet. And on the southeast side by the Rivulet.

 

 

Henry Coan

 

 

 Another man who arrived on the City of Edinburgh was Henry Coan who had arrived on the Second Fleet in 1790. He sailed to Hobart Town in 1808 with his wife Mary Ann and his son Henry and was granted 30 acres of land along the River Derwent north of Prince of Wales Bay.  In 1809 he was recorded as having 2 swine and he and his wife and 2 children were on stores.

 

  

 

Samuel Pyers

 

 

Samuel Pyers and Edward Risby arrived on the City of Edinburgh. Samuel was transported on the Active in 1791 on the Third Fleet. He married Sarah Johnson on NI in 1801. Granted 43 acres along the southern side of Humphrey’s Rivulet, where in 1809 he had 8 goats. His lot had improved by 1819 and he increased his land to 45 acres, with 5 acres in wheat, 1 in beans and potatoes and 58 acres in pastures. He also had 1 cow and 40 sheep. He and his wife and 6 children were able to keep themselves and was not on stores from the government.  Sarah died in May 1840 and Samuel in 1850. They were both buried at St. Peters in Hamilton.

 

 

Edward Risby

 

 

Edward Risby was a First Fleet convict arriving on the Alexander in 1788. On NI he married Ann Gibson (Lady Juliana) They left on the City of Edinburgh for Hobart Town in 1808. with his wife and 5 children.  His grant of 30 acres was situated along side Samuel Pyers on Humphrey’s Rivulet, where in 1809n he had 1 ½ acres in wheat and ½ in barley. By 1819 he managed to improve his farm and had 7 acres in wheat, ½ in beans and 2 ½ in potatoes. He also had 4 cattle and 65 sheep. Along with his wife and 4 children he was able to support them all and was not on stores.[8]

 

  

Henry Hathaway

 

 

Henry Hathaway another First Fleeter convict went to NI where he was with Eleanor Watson (Lady Juliana) Henry and Eleanor departed for VDL on the Lady Nelson in 1808. He received 30 acres along the Humphrey’s Rivulet where in 1809 he was recorded having 5 acres in wheat and 2 acres in barley. By 1819 he had increased his crops to 9 acres of wheat, 1 barley, ½ beans, and 1 of potatoes, and 30 sheep.[9] Henry died in September 1820 and Eleanor nine days later. Both were recorded as being 78 years old.

 

 

  

Thomas Martin Hunt

 

 

Thomas Martin Hunt was a convict who had arrived on the Third Fleet in 1791. He married Ann Rock (Lady Juliana) on NI. They sailed on the Estramina for VDL in 1808. Thomas was granted 30 acres of land on the eastern side of the main road ( later the race course was placed along the west side of this land) Thomas died in 1816 and Ann in 1817, both were buried at St. David’s Cemetery. There were no children to the marriage.

 

   

Robert Jillett

 

 

Robert Jillett arrived in NSW as a convict on the Hillsborough in 1799 and departed from Norfolk Island on the Lady Nelson in 1808 He married Elizabeth Bradshaw in Hobart Town in 1812.  His 140 acres land grant was situated along the River Derwent and continuing into Prince of Wales Bay. (later known as the Zinc Works) He prospered and as early as 1809 had 10 acres of wheat under cultivation as well as 2 acres of barley. He also had 1 cow, 2 sheep, 3 goats and 8 swine on this now reduced 100 acres. He was also recorded as having a wife and 5 children.

 

By 1819 he had sold his land on the River Derwent and purchased 120 acres at Elizabeth Town (New Norfolk) where he was recorded as having 20 acres under wheat, 2 acres of barley, 1 acre of peas, and 3 acres in potatoes with the remaining 94 acres in pasture. He also had 30 cattle and 500 sheep. He and his wife and 6 children and 4 government servants were not on government stores[10] 

Robert died at Back River in 1832 aged 70. Elizabeth died in 1842 aged 67.

 

Thomas Priest

 

 

Thomas Priest was the other person to arrive on the Porpoise.[11] He arrived on the Second Fleet and a convict he lived with Catherine Rockford on NI, where they had 3 children.

 

Thomas settled on 42 acres on the New Town Rivulet, where in 1819 he had 5 acres in wheat, ½ in barley, 1 in potatoes, and the remaining 35 ½ in pasture. He also had 20 sheep. His family had grown to 8 and he was a constable. The family later moved to Queenborough where he had 40 acres on what is now part of the University. Thomas died in 1851 aged 96 and was buried at St David’s Cemetery. Catherine died in 1857 aged 78 and was also buried at St Davids. 

 

 
Noah Mortimer

 

 

Noah Mortimer was the forth person who arrived on the Lady Nelson in 1808. with his father John Mortimer he had arrived on the First Fleet ship the Charlotte in 1788.

Noah married Mary Cottle (Lady Juliana) on NI in 1805. They sailed with a child on the Lady Nelson in 1808. [12] Noah with his wife and the child farmed his 183½ acres of land SW of what is now known as St John’s Park. He had 5½ acres of wheat, 3½ acres of barley and 37 sheep. [13]

 

His father died in November 1812 and soon afterwards Noah’s wife Mary died in 1816. In 1819 he is recorded as having 500 sheep on open plains near the Great Lagoon.  Noah went on to become a well known sheep stealer and was known along with his stepson as men of bad characters.[14]

 

Noah died at Glenorchy in 1846 aged 88.  His father John died in 1812 aged 88.

 

   

  

Zachariah Sponsford

 

 

Zachariah Sponsford a convict and a Third Fleeter was the first of the Norfolk Islanders to settle in the area.  He took up his 30 acres SW of what is now known as St. John’s Park. Zachariah arrived on the Lady Nelson in November 1807.[15] He had married Catherine Lewis on NI in 1804, there were no children. By 1809 he was recorded as having 1½ acres of wheat and ¼ acre of barley on this land. He later moved to the Coal River where they both died.

 

 

 

  

For a complete study of this article with photos see my book Norfolk Islander's Land Grants Glenorchy 1807-1832. 

---

[1] Schaffer. I, & McKay. T, Exiled Three Times Over

[2] Schaffer. I, Land Musters and Stock Lists 1803-1822 p 131.

[3] Schaffer. I, Historical Homes and Inns in the Nineteenth Century Tasmania.

[4] Schaffer. Land  Musters p142.

[5] LC 247/1 pp 98-103

[6] Missing, a search is being carried out for this name, thought to be James O’Brien’s wife Ann.

[7] SC285/1 No 8. AOT

[8] Schaffer. I., Musters p 133

[9] Schaffer. I, Land Musters and Stock Lists 1803-1822.

[10] Ibid p55, 138

[11] Exiled Three Times Over p64

[12] Schaffer. I, Jericho – Oatlands Excursion pp 8-10.

[13] Schaffer. I, Land Musters and Stock Lists 1803-1822. p 56

[14] Schaffer Jericho Excursion

[15] Schaffer. I, & McKay. T, Exiled Three Times Over p 23.

Part of 1832 map  New Town to Bridgewater

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The End of a Long Journey NI to VDL
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 22/09/2009, 12:29

 

 

 

The End of a Long Journey

 
(C) Irene Schaffer

In June 1803 Lord Hobart in London advised Governor King in NSW, that, because of the expense entailed in the upkeep of Norfolk Island, its distance from Sydney and the lack of a safe anchorage, the British Government had decided to remove part of settlement of convicts and military personal to Port Dalrymple in Van Diemen’s Land.

 

[1]

 

 This was to be the beginning of the end for those on Norfolk Island who had called the island their home for over twenty years.

 

Norfolk Island was occupied three weeks after the First Fleet sailed into Port  Jackson in 1788, in an endeavor to prevent the French from landing there.

 

De La Perouse’s vessels, La Boussole and L’Astrolabe sailed to Norfolk Island on 13 January 1788 en route to Sydney. La Perouse tried to get ashore at about the same spot that Captain Cook did in 1774, but conditions prevented him from doing so and he described the island as ‘only a place fit for angels and eagles to reside in’. [2]

    

 

The eleven ships of the first fleet had over 1,500 men and women convicts on board when they arrived at Port Jackson in 1788, forty having died on the voyage.[3]

 

A large amount of the convicts were tried in London at the Old Bailey for transportation to the Colonies for upward of 5 to 15 years and life. Most of them would never see their homeland or their families ever again.

 

       

 On arriving at Port Jackson twenty-five men and women were selected by Lt. King to accompany him to Norfolk Island, and it was hoped that this would not only keep the French from occupying the island, but would also attempt to harvest the flax and the timber on the island.

 

Of those twenty-three selected to accompany Lt. King to Norfolk Island, (8 officials, 9 male convicts and 6 female convicts) [4] Six of these convicts were later to play a big part on Norfolk Island and in Van Diemen’s Land. They were Edward Garth, John Mortimer, Noah Mortimer, Olive Gascoigue and Susan Gough (Garth).[5]

 

Norfolk Island was to become a haven away from Sydney Town as Governor Phillip sent more of the First Fleet convicts there, and it was not long before nearly half of those who arrived in 1788 as convicts were living on the island. [6]

 

When the Sirius was wrecked at Norfolk Island in March 1790 the population on the island escalated from 498 to 718[7] and it was sometime before another ship called at the island and returned the sailors and soldiers from the Sirius back to Sydney. It was from this time that Norfolk Island became the second settlement of NSW. 

 

As more convicts arrived from England some were sent to Norfolk Island, from both the Second and Third Fleet.  Over the next twenty years many married and had families. Land was granted to them and on receiving their freedom they settled on their land as free men and women, some doing very well.

 

These pioneers of the settlement were most reluctant when it was known that they were to move and start again in Van Diemen’s Land and leave the island that was now their home.[8]

 

Governor King in Sydney was also reluctant to close Norfolk Island and he continued to delay the evacuation and to propose measures, which would reduce the numbers on the island slowly rather than remove all the population at once.

 

Lt. Governor Foveaux commandant of Norfolk Island in 1803, produced a list of those Norfolk Islanders willing to go to Port Dalrymple on the 19 July 1804. Of the 41 free men that put their names forward only 5 were to leave and go to Port Dalrymple, the rest having withdrawn their names. It was not until 1807 that some of the settlers were persuaded to leave Norfolk Island and go to Hobart Town in Van Diemen’s Land.[9]

 

Although the departing Norfolk Islanders were allowed the option of choosing other locations in NSW they did not avail themselves of this offer mainly because of the lack of available ships, and were finally obliged to sail to VDL until the island was completely cleared of people and stock by 1814. All houses were burnt and the island was left once again, void of all human life.

              

 

Finally the time came when the first of the families had to leave their homes and with all their worldly possessions trudge down to the longboats that would carry them out to the Lady Nelson. It would have been sad to farewell their friends and neighbours, not knowing when next they would see them.

 

It was a small party of 34 persons, 15 men, 6 women and 13 children that were heaved up over the side of the Lady Nelson on the 9 November 1807.[10]

 

The Lady Nelson would have been known to those who were about to sail on her from Norfolk Island to Hobart Town, as they would have seen her regularly on her visits from Sydney since her arrived from England in 1800. She must have seen small to them and along with their luggage and a few animals that they were   allowed to take, very crowded.

 

Being only 60 tons and with her flat bottom and three center-boards the Lady Nelson was a very different type of ship that most of them arrived on from England. The center-boards took up a lot of room on the deck and with the crew handling the sails, the passengers would not have had much room to move around. 

 

Below deck would not have been much better, making their sleeping quarters very sparse. Cooking would have had to be done on the deck, making mealtime a nightmare for the women.

 

The Lady Nelson left Norfolk Island on the 9 November 1807. She took 20 days to sail the 1,400 miles to the River Derwent and anchor at Hobart Town, arriving there on the 29 November 1807.[11]

 

It was later recorded that two of the men who came on the Lady Nelson committed suicide after their arrival, Samuel Hussey on the 17 April 1808 and Humphrey Lynch on 28 December 1816. Samuel was regarded as a very industrious man and the reason why he took his own life is not known. The reason why Humphrey Lynch took his own life may have been that his wife had died ten months before, leaving him completely on his own.[12]

 

It is hard to imagine what the passengers would have been thinking as they sighted the small scattered settlement of Hobart Town.  Only three years old, Hobart Town was still virtually a frontier town with only a few thatched cottages that had been hastily built for the government officials, the settlers and a few convicts and their families, when they arrived in 1804. Houses with a skillions on the back, were built mostly of lath and plaster and could cost up to £150.

 

The new settlers had been promised two acres of land in return for one acre that they had on Norfolk Island, a house, 2 convicts, plus grain, and free stores.  Not many of these promises were forth coming and though they were given land the soil was not always fertile. Some went to what is now New Town, Sandy Bay, while others later went to, New Norfolk, Clarence Plains, Sorell and later Norfolk Plains (Longford) in 1813.[13]

 

One month later on the 26 December 1807 the second batch of settlers embarked on board the Porpoise ready to sail to Hobart Town, arriving there on the 17 January 1808.

 

The Porpoise was a much larger ship than the Lady Nelson, she was owned as most of the ships were at that time, by the Government. A ship of 399 tons she was able to carry 182 passengers. She took 19 days to sail to Hobart Town.

 

The weather was mostly calm for the duration of the trip for those on the Porpoise.  Even so it was not easy for those on board.  Because of her larger size, many more animals were allowed to accompany the settlers than had come on the Lady Nelson. Cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry, which was in abundance, plus some grain from the last harvest. Unfortunately many of the animals perished. Water was the main problem and rationed to 1 pint a day for the passengers and the small animals. The cattle were allotted 1 gallon each per day.

 

This information along with other snippets is the only insight on what the conditions were like on any of the ships that made these voyages during 1807-1808. Thankfully it survived in a letter sent to Robert Nash on Norfolk Island from William Maum in Hobart Town.

 

William Maum was an Irish political prisoner who arrived in NSW in 1800. He made his presence known in NSW by criticizing Governor King. He was sent to Norfolk Island where he continued to write about the problems in the Colony and was kept under the watchful eye of the Commandant.

 

Maum was sent on board the Porpoise when she left Norfolk Island, but his name was not recorded on the passenger list.[14]  In his letter to Robert Nash he reveals what conditions had been like on board the Porpoise. He also gave instructions on what Nash should take with him on the City of Edinburgh, and who to look for if he needed help.

 

Robert Nash was a miller on Norfolk Island and Maum advised him to bring his mill stones and mill works with him and he would attempt to assist him in finding sufficient water for him to set up his mill.

 

  

Keeping the animals under control on board would have been difficult and must have caused the crew a great deal of trouble. One of the longboats was used to hold 75 sheep. Grain belonging to the passengers was stowed below deck.[15]

Maum writes about the early arrivals on those who came on the Lady Nelson in 1807.

 

 

`We found some of the Lady Nelson passengers settled, they have taken

 their farms about two and three miles from the town,[16] and many of those

that came with us (Porpoise) have settled in this vicinity likewise – but the

greatest  portion and those that arrived next, are to settle in the same place

the fertility of which is highly spoken of named Herdsman’s Cove,[17] about 15 miles from hence where there are most extensive plains, on the road direct to Port Dalrymple’.

 

Some other advise, given to Robert Nash by Maum was.

 

`Your plough if you settle there (Herdsman’s Cove) will perform much excursion – the last crop here (Hobart Town district) has been most favourable and I declare to you, I never in my life saw such charming wheat as what was produced here – the ear is at least one half longer than those on Norfolk Island wheat, and amazingly full’.

 

 

The Lady Nelson sailed again from Norfolk Island, this time with 43 passengers on the 14 February 1808, arriving in Hobart Town on the 1 March 1808. This time taking only 18 days.

 

Only one person from the Lady Nelson was granted land within Hobart Town, she was Catherine Kearney and her land grant was for 1,677 feet on the Hobart Rivulet, near the hospital. She received this grant even though she was recorded as a seditious character.[18]

 

 

The Government Schooner Estramina, 102 tons, was the fourth vessel to evacuate another 62 passengers. She left Norfolk Island about the 15 May 1808, arriving at Hobart Town on the 5 June 1808.

 

The last group to leave for this period was those who came on the City of Edinburgh, leaving Norfolk Island on the 3 September 1808 and arriving at Hobart Town on 5 October.

 

The City of Edinburgh was a ship of 500 tons. She carried 226 passengers. This voyage from Norfolk Island took the longest of all the ships, taking 32 days. She sailed after a delay of three months at Norfolk Island. The delay seems to be put down to the passengers being reluctant to leave. Many took to the bush and had to be rounded up by the ship’s crew. The weather was bad and she was driven well out into the Pacific Ocean. When the ship arrived at Hobart Town most of the passengers were in a wretched state, some almost naked. [19]

 

This brought the number who sailed from Norfolk Island to VDL to between 554-578 men women and children. Governor Collins had been told to expect 100. No wonder he was anxious when he received over five times that amount.  He was short of food, clothes and stores, and had very few convicts in his party who knew anything about building or farming.

 

As it was on Norfolk Island, when the first of those who arrived in the early years, had faced starvation, the mutton birds had saved them on Norfolk Island and the kangaroos were to do the same in Hobart Town.

 

After the removal of those who left on the City of Edinburgh, Captain Piper continued as Commandant of Norfolk Island. There were still 250 persons reported on the island in 30 September 1808 as well as 3,000 sheep and a herd of cattle.

 

Those remaining on Norfolk Island were well supplied with provisions. They   remained there until they were ordered off by instructions from Secretary of State Earl Liverpool, to Governor Macquarie in July 1811.

 

Finally the remainder of the Norfolk Islanders left in 1813 on the Government brig the Lady Nelson on the 31 January 1813, arriving at Port Dalrymple on the 1 March 1813 with 45 passengers, and the transport ship Minstrel, 351 tons, from Sydney via Norfolk Island on 14 January 1813 with 63 passengers, arriving at Port Dalrymple on the 4 March 1813. These two ships sailed into Port Dalrymple where they received their promised land grants, along the South Esk River.

 

Piper’s successor as Commandant on Norfolk Island was Lt. Crane, who was a member of Governor Macquarie’s regiment. His role was that of caretaker and it was left to him to complete the evacuation of the remaining settlers.

 

In February 1814 the principal buildings were demolished and the settlers, convicts, officials and soldiers were removed to Sydney[20] Norfolk Island was to remain uninhabited until reopened as a penal settlement in 1824.

 

Life in Van Diemen’s Land for the ex Norfolk Islanders would have been very difficult, most of the men were past their prime and they found they had to establish their new homes and grow their wheat and maize in virgin soil as well as fence in their stock.

 

These families were granted land in various parts of the island. None of these places were of a high quality, as the best of the land was being taken by the officials who came with Collins in 1804 and others that had arrived during the next few years.

 

New Town saw 17 Norfolk Islanders settled but only a few remained there in the following years. Sandy Bay proved unsuitable for farming and most of the settlers moved to other districts such as Clarence Plains and Sorell.  New Norfolk was better situated and these farms became well established in later years. Norfolk Plains (Longford) was also unfavourably selected. The farms along the river were flooded over the first years and the road and farms moved to higher ground.

 

Life had been difficult enough for those who had arrived with Lt. Col. Collins only three years earlier, without having to now share what they had with the expected Norfolk Islanders. Kangaroos were the main food supply as their own stocks dwindled, and had become difficult to obtain. The aborigines were making it harder for the white men to hunt the kangaroos as they were pushed further back into the interior and one hunter had been killed.

 

The settlers bought or begged food from the passing whalers, but it did nor stem their hunger. Meat was 3/6 pound, very small fish was 2/- a dozen. Wheat was not to be had but when it was it was 6 pound a bushel. Barley was 5 pound a bushel, salt pork 2/6 pound, potatoes 1/6 pound, and very coarse sugar 1 pound a pound for those who could afford it.

 

This was the conditions that the Norfolk Islanders found when they began to arrive in November 1807 at Sullivan’s Cove.

 

Late in 1807 Governor Bligh had sent 12, 500 pounds of beef, 83,000 pounds of pork and other items a month after he took office in NSW.[21] This certainly relieved some of the food shortage, but not for long.

 

We know almost nothing about the lives of the women or the children for this period.  The day-to-day living must have been hard indeed. The women having to cope with their large families, there were no schools so the children, who by then would have numbered over 300 would have spent their days roaming around the town, that was mainly full of convicts.

 

Many of the women who made up this group had arrived on the Lady Juliana in 1790 and who have been the subject of many books and a documentary. The 60 women from the Lady Juliana who came from Norfolk Island between 1807 and 1813 were amongst those who came to VDL. They had survived a very harsh life since leaving England, but they were now wives, mothers and in some cases grandmothers who pioneered this island and are thought very highly of by those who have read about their lives.[22]

 

By 1809 many of the new settlers were reported in the general muster as having in the short space of two years, growing wheat and barley on their land. Some even had cattle, sheep, goats and pigs by this time.[23]  With the little amount of farm tools they had, they toiled on their land to keep their families from going hungry, some had even come off Government stores and were keeping themselves.

 

 

These families were to set the foundations for the future of Van Diemen’s Land. Unlike those who had arrived with Lt. Col. Collins in 1804 they brought with them a large number of children of all ages. In Collin’s party there were 36 families (both free and convicts) with a total of 39 children. The Norfolk Islanders arrived between 1807-8 with 62 women and 219 children. 

 

With an abundance of young people, many of the marrying age it was not long before the population rapidly increased. This would not have happened as quickly at it did if it was not for the arrival of the Norfolk Islanders.

 

Early historians covered this period of the history of the arrivals of the Norfolk Islands to VDL with almost indifference, very little was written until the 1980s. Lloyd Robson in his book A History of Tasmania refers to the Norfolk Islanders that settled at Longford ‘as being mainly convicts transported in the first place for theft, many he described as being of a less respectful origins’.  

 

It was however these people that became the forefathers and mothers of the island we now know as Tasmania and the need for them to be acknowledged is very important and long overdue.

 

 The Forgotten Generation written by Reg Wright in 1986 revived interest in the early days on Norfolk Island. His research helped so many descendants in their quest in learning more about their ancestors.

                                                                                               

The passenger’s list only recorded women if they came on their own (sometimes with children) otherwise it was the males that were named on the passenger lists with reference to a wife and if any children. [24]

 

The following list has attempted to name the wives who left Norfolk Island on the seven ships or who were married after arriving in VDL.

 

  

Passengers on the Lady Nelson from Norfolk Island to VDL 1807.

 

Name                                 Wife                                    Children on Board   (13)

Briggs  Ben ***                     (Ann McCloud)                   

Buckall  Anthony                                 -

Crips  John ***                                     -

Hand   William **                                (Ann Jones)

Hussey  Samuel *                   Ann Hughes *

Kidner Thomas *                  (Jane Whitting) * 1 child

Linton  Hopton  ***              (Mary Thorpe)

Lynch  Humphrey *              Ann Stokes **

McCloud  John  ***               Mary Potter ***                                  5 children

Mince  William ***                              -

Mitchell  Henry ***                             -

Newhouse  Michael ***                       -

Ronay  Hannah **                                -                                            2 children

Wife of the late Bartholomew Reardon *

Sponsford  Zachariah***       (Cath. Lewis) **

Sultan                                                    ?

Walford Barnard ***              Jane Molloy **                                   5 children

 

*First Fleet  ** Second Fleet  *** Third Fleet   (   ) Married in VDL

 

 

 

Passengers on the Porpoise  from Norfolk Island to VDL 1808

 

Name                           Wife                                         Children on board  (76)

 

Able  William                        Mary Ann Morey                                  3 children

Barnes  John  ***                 Martha Edwards                                    2 children                             

Barry  John  ***                   Abigail Cummings

Browne  Richard *                Mary Pindar *

Burn  Susan                                          -

Chaffey Thomas   **             Maria Israel **                                       6 children

Chambers  Robert  ***                        -

Clark William  *                                  -              

Clark  Charles  *                  (Mary Lemanon)  **

Collins  William                   (Ann Stockwell )

Columbine  Samuel             Servant

Conn  Ram John                  (Christina Cameron)

Cox Robert  ***                    (Susannah Bullock)                             1 child

Crahan  Thomas                   Mary Monks                                        5 children

Cropper  John *                    (Frances William)

Crowder  Thomas *              Mary Christmas **                              2 children

Cullen  Bryan *                    Elizabeth Bartlett                                 3 children

Davis  James                         Rose Dale

Dempsey  William  *            Jane Tyler  **

Dodding  James    *              Elizabeth Thackery *

Duncombe  John  ***           (Elizabeth Hambley)

Fisher  Edward ***               Elizabeth Gregory  **                          5 children

Fletcher  Anthony                 Mary ?                                                2 children

Folly John  *                         Catherine Hyland  **                          2 children

Fowles  Thomas    ***          Ann Coombes  *

Foyle  William  *                  Jane ?

Francis  Thomas                                   ?

Free Samuel ***                   Elizabeth Smith  **                                 5 children

Garth  Edward *                    Susannah Gough  *                               6 children

Goodwin  Andrew *              Lydia Munro *                                      7 children

Hall  John  *                          Elizabeth Farrell **

Hall  Joseph  ***                  Mary Johnson  **

Hambley  William  *            (Mary Springham)                                  2 children

Hawkins  William  ***                        -

Herbert  John                        (Elizabeth Smith)

Hibbins Thomas                   Ann Clark                                              5 children

Kenton  Thomas                   Servant

Levy  Andrew                                         -

Lockley  John  *                                    -

Longford  William                                -

McCarty Harriet                   (John Devereux)

McDonald  William                              -

Mitchell  William  *             Susannah Hunt  **                                 3 children

Morrisby  James  *               Ann Brooks  **                                     5 children

Murphy  Thomas  **            Mary Craig  **

Newby  Thomas    **           (Sarah Jones)  **

Nairn  James                                         -

Peek  Joshua *                      Mary Frost  **                                       6 children

Phillimore  Richard  *         Mary Marshall  *

Priest  Thomas  **               Catherine Rochford                                4 children

Redding  Andrew  ***                          -                                              1 child

Robley  John  **                   Jemina Wasker  ***                               1 child

Warwick  James      ***        Ann Smith  ***

Whittaker Hannah               (Thomas Hopkins)

Windows  Richard                 -

 

* First Fleet  ** Second Fleet   *** Third Fleet    (   ) Married in VDL

 

*****************************

 

Passengers on the Lady Nelson  from Norfolk Island to VDL 1808.

Name                                      Wife                                            Children on board (11)

 

Bane  Ben                                              -

Bastian                                                   -

Blondell  John                     (Elizabeth Anderson)

Boswell  James                                     -

Bradshaw  Elizabeth            (Robert Jillett)                                      5 children

Clark  Thomas                                      -

Cockran  Samuel                 -

Coventry  William                                Mary? Martin

Cox  Massey                                          -

Cross  William  *                  Elizabeth Stewart

Gavin  Roger                         (with Catherine Kearney)

Hatherway  Henry *             Eleanor Watson  **

Heath  William                                     -

Jillett  Robert                       (Elizabeth Bradshaw)

Kearney  Catherine             (with Roger Gavin)                               2 children

Knight  John                                         ?

Lowe  James                          Mary Stanley

Manning  Sarah                   (James Paynter)

Messias  Jacob  *                 -

Morrison  Patrick                 -

Mortimes  John *                 (Elizabeth Cotterell)

Mortimes  Noah *                 Mary Cottle                                           1 child

Moulton  William  *             Jane Meech  *                                         1 child

Rock  William                                       -

Repeat  Charles    *              Lucinda Woods  *

Shuttleworth  Ann  **          Joseph Wilcox                                          1 child

Silletto  Joseph                                     -

Simpson  George                  -

Standley  William                 Mary Anster                                            1 child

Vickery  William  *                              -                              

Woodcock  Peter  

 

* First Fleet  ** Second Fleet  *** Third Fleet  (   ) Married in VDL

 

Passengers on the Estramina   from Norfolk Island to VDL 1808

 

Name                           Wife                                         Children on board (22)

 

Atkins  William                    (Mary Allen Procter)                           

Bedell  Joseph                                       -

Bentley  John                                        -

Boyle  John  *                       Catherine Henry  *

Broughton  John                   (Deborah Davis)

Davis  Deborah                     (John Broughton)

Devereux  John                     (Harriett McCarthy)

Dutton  Henry                       (Catherine Sullivan)

Dyer  Timothy                                      -                                              

Gregary  Thomas                  ?                                                              1 child

Hall  John                                              -

Hamilton  Thomas                               -

Hunt  Thomas Martin          Ann Rock

Jones William                   -

Lee  Michael                                         -

McGinnis  Hugh ***            Charlotte Simpson                               6 children

Martin  Stephen                   (Hannah Peeling)                                 1 child

Mayberry  James                                  -

Mordacai  Jonas                                    -

Proctor  Mary  *                    (William Atkins)                                  3 children

Redfern  William  (Sarah McHenry)

Seals  Thomas                                      -                              

Shirley  James                      Mary ?                                                   

Slater  William                     Mary Smith                                           3 children

Steel  John                                            -                                                                                              

Sullivan  Catherine             (Henry Dutton)                                     3 children

Thomas  Elizabeth *            (James Waterson)                                 5 children

Waterson  James                 (Elizabeth Thomas)

Wood  Matthew                   (Catherine Sponsford)

   

 

* First Fleet   ** Second Fleet   ***  Third Fleet   (   ) Married in VDL

 

************************************

 

 

 

Passengers on the City of Edinburgh  from Norfolk Island to VDL 1808

 

Name                           Wife                                         Children on board  (97)

 

Bately  John                          (Mary Ann Martin)

Belbin  James                       Ann Meredith                                       5 children

Bellet  Jacob *                       Ann Harper  **                                     8 children

Berrisford  John  *               Hannah Berrisford  *                           2 children

Berrisford Joseph                 Mary Ann Leviston

Berrisford  Mary                   (Michael Purdon)

Broughton  Mr Wm *           Elizabeth Heathorn ***                       4 children

Brown  George                                          -

Burn  Mary                            (William Roach)                                   2 children

Burrows  Richard                  Elizabeth Cole *                                   4 children

Buzeau  Abraham                 -

Byron  Henry                                        -

Carter  M                                               -

Cassaways                                             -                   

Cham  James                        Margaret Hamilton                              1 child

Chandler  Anthony              Mary Healy                                           1 child

Chipman  Joseph                  Catherine Burn                                                                                   

Clapson  John                                         -

Colly  John                            Elizabeth Chaffey

Cone  Henry                          Mary Ann ?                                           1 child

Conolly  Mary                                         -

Cooper  John                                           -

Cooper  Robert                                        -

Cox  Francis                          Sarah Edge                                            2 children

Douglas  Peter                      Ann ?

Dyers  James                                         -

Edmonds William                 -

Elder  John                                            -

Flexmore  Francis                  (Elizabeth Bruce)    *                              5 children

Fisk  Thomas                                        -

Francis  John                                        -

Gay  Thomas                         Ester Wainwright                                    3 children

Geary  Dennis                       (Ann Carroll)

Genders  Joseph                   Elizabeth Stokes                                       1 child

Gibson  John                                         ?

Gordan  Jano                         (William Scattergood)                             2 children

Haley  William                                       -

Haley  James                         Margaret ?

Hands  Abraham *                                -

Hannaway  James                 -

Harrington  John                  -

Harris  William                                      ?

Hazelwood  John                  (Elizabeth Hopper)                                 1 child

Hoddy  Rachael                     (Isaac Williams)                                    6 children

Holland  Henry                                       -

Hopwood  George                  Ann Sherburd

Howard  John  *                      -

Jenders  William                  Mary Garth                                           2 children

Jenks  John                                           -

Johnson  John                                       -

Kimberley  Edward  *           Maria Cavanough  **                           3 children

Kingston  Robert                  Esther Berrisford

Knight  John                                         -

Knight  William                                    -

King  Samuel *                     (Elizabeth Thatckery) *

King  William                                         -

Lancaster  Robert                   -

Larm  James  *                                        -

Lucas  Thomas  *                  Ann Howard  **                                    4 children

McCarthy  John    *             (Ann Beasley)

McCarthy  Dan                     Jane Bailey ?                                       

McCoy  John                         (Mary Thomas)

Marritt  Thomas                   -

Massey  John                                        -

Maul  John                                            -

Morris  John                                         -

Nash  Robert  ***                 Ann Hannaway **                                  4 children             

Nash  Mary                                            -

Norman  Thomas                  ?                            

 (alias Simmons)

Normington  Luke                                -

O’Brien  Thomas  *             Susannah Mortimer  **                            8 children

Oakley  George                    (Dorothy Berrisford)

Orman  James                                        -

Palmer  Thomas                                     -

Parsons  William                  Ann Doyle                                                3 children

Paul  John                                             ?                                             3 children

Phillips  Richard *                                -

Pillenger  James                   Elizabeth Wood                                        2 children

Plyer  George  *                   

Porter  George                      (Susannah O’Brien)

Presnell  William                 Ann Fowler *                                            3 children

Purden  Michael                   (Mary Berrisford)

Pyers  Samuel                       Sarah Johnson                                        3 children

Quinton  Barnard                 (Rebecca Vallerday)

Risby  Edward  *                    Ann Gibson  **                                     5 children

Rogers  John                                         -

Rougas  John  *                                     -

Scattergood  William           (Jano Gordan)

Scott  John                                            -

Selvy  William                                      -

Shurburd  William               Esther Thornton                                   6 children

Smith  William                                       -

Stanfield  Dan (Sen) *         Alice Warmsworth *                              4 children

Stanfield  Dan (Jnr)             Maria Kimberley

Templeman  James                              -

Thompson  William  *         (Maria Hamilton) *

Tolhurst  Richard                 -

Triffitt  James                       Mary Higgins                                        2 children

Westlake Edward *               Ann Wood  **                                       6 children

Whitehouse  John                                -

Williams  John                                     -

Woods  John  *                    Mary McDonald                                    1 child

 

   

 

* First Fleet    **  Second Fleet   ***  Third Fleet   (   ) Married in VDL

 

*******************************

 

 

Passengers on the Lady Nelson  from Norfolk Island to Port Dalrymple VDL 1813

 

Name                                      Wife                                       Children on board (17)

 

Blackhall  William *            Ann Yeoman  **

Clayton  William                  -                              

Cox John                               Ann Brooks                                           7 children

Davie  James                         (Catherine Jordan)

Day  Samuel  *                     Mary Bolton  *                                        2 children

Eady  John                                             -

Eggleston  George  *                            -

Fisher  William    *              Mary Randall *                                        2 children

Hassan  John                                         -

Lock  Thomas                                        -

Lowe  Joseph                         Elizabeth Hayward *                              2 children

Moore  John                          (Catherine Wells)

Poare  Anne                                           -

Sparks  Thomas    *                              -

Sydes  Richard                      Ann White  **                                         5 children

Taylor  John                                          -

Trinby James                        Mary Eagan                                          

Trinby  Joseph (Snr)  *        (Elizabeth Scaney)

Trimby Joseph                                      -

Walsh  John                                          -

Wriam  Zimram                                    -

 

*  First Fleet    **  Second Fleet   ***  Third Fleet   (   ) Married in VDL

 

*************************************

 

 

Passengers on the Minstrel from Norfolk Island to Port Dalrymple VDL 1813

 

Name                           Wife                             Children on board (9)

 

Baker  Samuel                      (Elizabeth Lewis)

Blow  James                                          -                              

Carter  Samuel                                     -

Clayton  Henry                     Mary ?

Clayton  Sarah                     (Dicky White)                                       2 children

Davies  John                                          -

Dawson  James                                     -

Delany  John                                         -

Edge  Fane                                             -

Edwards  James                                     -

Harrigan  Neal                                      -

Harrison  Joseph  *                              -

Higgins  Richard                   -

Hilton  Thomas                     Prisoner

Hurbart  John                       (Hannah Bolton)                                 2 children             

Jones  William                      prisoner

Jorden  James                       Mary Butler (died NI)                          4 children

Jorden  Richard                    (Sarah Wright)

Knight  William                                   -

Knowland  John  *                (Catherine Murphy)

Mackey  George                    Prisoner

Mahon  Patrick                                     -

Mason  Thomas                    Prisoner

Matthews  Hannah               (Robert Matthews)

Mullins  Henry                     Prisoner

Mosquetto                                      -

Nicholls  Elizabeth               (David Gibson)                                      1 child

Roche  William                     (Mary Burn)

Saltmarsh  William             (Elizabeth Stevens)

Sellick  Thomas                                   -

Sheatch  Thomas   *                             -

Skeene  Patrick                                    -

Smith  John                                          -

Smith  John                                          -

Stevens  John                        (Mary Phillips)  *                                  3 children

Townsand  John                    (Mary Clary)

Tyre  John                                             -

White  John                                           -

Windsor  William[25]              (Mary Ann O’Neil)

 

*  First Fleet    **  Second Fleet    ***  Third Fleet    (   ) Married in VDL  

 

Additional reading:

The Norfolk Island Story – Frank Clunes.

Norfolk Island. An Outline of its History 1774-1968 – Merval Hoare.

Norfolk Island – the First Settlement 1788-1814 – R.N. Dalkin.

A History of Tasmania – Lloyd Robson.

The Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & VDL – Reg Wright.

The Norfolk Settlers of Norfolk Island & VDL – Peter C Sims.

Exiled Three Times Over  -  I. Schaffer & T. MCKay.

Land Musters and Stock Lists in VDL 1803 -1822 – I. Schaffer.

The Founders of Australia – Mollie Gillen

The Second Fleet – Michael Flynn

Norfolk Island and its first settlement 1788 – 1814 Raymond Nobbs.

The Convict and the Carpenter – Trish Wood.

Sandy Bay A Social History – Nicola Goc.

David Collins A Colonial Life – John Currey.

 

Booklets.

Index to Early Land Grants VDL 1804-1823 – Thelma McKay

Register of Land Grants VDL 1824-1832 – Thelma McKay

List of NI who sailed from NI to VDL 1807-1813 – I. Schaffer.

The Link between Port Jackson, NI and VDL 1788-1814 – I. Schaffer.

The Norfolk Islanders and their new life in VDL. – I. Schaffer.

Norfolk Islanders who settled in the Glenorchy District 1807-1832 –I. Schaffer

 

Excursion Books 1990 – 1996.  I Schaffer                           

Sorell

Sandy Bay – Geeveston

Rokeby – Sandford

Bridges & Early Buildings Hobart – Broadmash

Longford – Evandale

Forcett – Tasman Peninsula

 

 The story behind the story.

 

 

 

From the moment I first became aware of the history of the Norfolk Islanders I wanted to know more about them. Twenty-five years on I am still captivated by its history and will properly be so as long as I live.

 

Discovering that my stepfather was a descendant of James Jordan, Irish convict on the Queen in 1792, sent to Norfolk Island and later came to VDL on the Minstrel in 1813. I found I could not stop looking for more information about those who were on Norfolk Island even after I had written his story. Looking for it was one thing finding it was another.

 

Up to the early 1980s very little had been written about the first settlement on Norfolk Island 1788-1814 and those that had been written were hard to find.  In 1985 I decided to copy out the passenger list of those who came on the seven ships to VDL between 1807-1814. This was to take over six months because of the difficulty in reading the names of the passengers. When this was completed I had it printed and this became the basis of my future writings about the Norfolk Islanders.

 

This list only gave the name of the head of the household and in doing this the names of the wives and children was not recorded. Finding this I decided to do profiles of each family starting with those who came on the Lady Nelson in 1807.  This was achieved with the help of my then co-worker Thelma McKay. We began by researching in the Archives and the Lands Department.  The first book Profiles of the Norfolk Islanders to Van Diemen’s Land, Lady Nelson 1807 was printed in 1986, followed by Profiles of Norfolk Islanders to Van Diemen’s Land, Porpoise 1808. Vol. 1 & 11., printed 1989-1990.

 

In 1991 the three volumes were published into one book and renames Exiled Three Times Over by the Government Printers along with Land Musters & Stock Lists in Van Diemen’s Land 1803-1822.

 

During this time Reg Wright published his The Forgotten Generations of Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s Land 1788-1814. This book opened the door for many descendants to discover their Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s Land family history.

 

It was my intention to continue on with the profiles of the other ships but soon realized that this would take many years and both Thelma and I were beginning to be involved with other projects.  I became interested in the building of the replica of the Lady Nelson and continuing to search for more records relating to the Norfolk Islanders who settled and became a very large part of Tasmanian history, and Thelma in writing her books.

 

During those first ten years many Norfolk Island descendants became known to me and I formed the VDL & NI Interest Group, having monthly meetings and taking them on excursions throughout Tasmania and writing a book and making it available on the day, showing the districts where their ancestors first settled. This was great fun and everyone was disappointed when I closed the group after ten years to become the purser on the Lady Nelson.

 

Being part of the Lady Nelson did not prevent me from continuing with my interest in the Norfolk Islanders and 20 years later I am still receiving mail and requests for help from descendants. 

 

It gave me great pleasure to watch the replica of the original Lady Nelson being built, if a little disappointing seeing her go to the mainland on completion and not return until 1996.  From then on I became completely involved in her for the next eleven years.

 

During this time I sailed as the purser and crew member to Stanley, Sydney, Strahan, around Tasmania and Portland, as well as taking part in weekend sails and historical excursions on the River Derwent.

 

While I sailed on the Lady I was also busy researching and writing books about the original Lady Nelson.

 

It was surprising to find that very little had been written about her and the other ships involvement in the evacuation of the Norfolk Islands to VDL from 1807-1813 and why over 700 people were sent to VDL. I have spent years trying to discover why this happened the way it did. 

 

At last I discovered that those on Norfolk Island had been told they could choose where they wanted to go, other than VDL, but I could fine very little written evidence about this.  They were finally herded onto the ships and sent to VDL.[26]

 

The other question I keep asking myself is why these 700 people were not written about during the past 200 years.  Early historians just left it out of their publications when they wrote about Norfolk Island or Tasmania. When I did find a mention or an episode dealing with these two islands, it left out the period from 1807 to 1814, except to mention that Norfolk Island had been cleared of all human life in 1814.

 

These pioneer settlers from Norfolk Island were all but forgotten by those in Sydney and seemed of no consequence to our history in VDL.

 

Three early authors I did find who took an interest was Frank Clune The Norfolk Island Story, published in 1967, and  Merval Hoare in her book  Norfolk Island An Outline of Its History 1774-1967, published in 1969. Frank Clune’s book does not have an index and this was to make it hard to use as a research tool, but it did prove actuate in most of what he wrote.  R. N. Dalkin followed in 1971 with a paper in the Royal Australian Historical Society “Norfolk Island The First Settlement 1788-1814, again a very good account but not much on the subject I have discussed here. None of them wrote in any dept about the departures in 1807-14 or about the ships that brought them to VDL or the hardships they faced in their new surroundings.

 

Recording the history of these forgotten pioneers had not been completely lost, thanks to many descendants who have for many years painstakingly worked on their family history. I would like to thank them all for their interest in continuing to do this over the years.

I hope what I have written over the past 20 years will at least bring this remarkable part of history out into the open and give those who helped build Tasmania, a place in history.

                                                                                               

(c) Irene Schaffer   2007 

 

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Index for Profiles of Norfolk Islanders who came to VDL on Lady Nelson and the Porpoise 1807-8
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 22/09/2009, 11:53

Names of those who came on the Lady Nelson and the Porpoise 1807-1808 and their profiles in "Exiled Three Times Over"


I still receive a lot of inquiries asking for help with Norfolk Islanders and would like to assist new reserchers looking for these people, in the hope it will assist them getting off to a good start.



Lady Nelson 1807

Bernard Walford 
John McCloud
Thomas Kidner
Michael Newhouse
William Mince
Sultan
Humphrey Lynch
Henry Mitchell
Benjamin Brigs
Hannah Ronay
Samuel Hussey
John Crisp
Zachariah Sponsford
Hopton Linton
Antonio Buckall
William Hand

Porpoise 1808

Edward Fisher
John Cropper
Bryan Cullen
Edward Garth
Thomas Chaffey
John Hall
Thomas R Crowder
Samuel Free
William McDonald
James Nairn
Thomas Priest
William Able
Andrew Goodwin
Joshua Peck
Thomas Murphy
Richard Browne
Thomas Francis 
James Morrisby
John Robley
Charles Clark
John Barry
Thomas Hibbins
William Hambley
John Barnes
William Hawkins
Thomas Newby
Ram John Conn
Anthony Fletcher
William Mitchell
 Antoni
William Foyle
William Dempsey
Thomas Crahan
Robert Cox
Andrew Redding
James Dodding
Thomas Fowles
Joseph Hall
John Folly
Samuel Columbine
Thomas Kenton
James Warwick
Robert Chambers
John Lockley
Richard Phillimore
William Clark
Susan Burn
James Davis
Richard Windows
Andrew Levy
John Duncome
John Herbert
Williams Collins
Hannah Whittaker
Harriett McCarthy
William Longford

A large amount of these men were accompanied by their wives and family. 

It was Thelma's and my intention to cover all those who came from NI in 1808 but the task proved far too much and we had to be content with the first two ships.  




  

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Thomas Restell Crowder & Mary Christmas Porpoise 1808
posted in Norfolk Islanders on-going interests - 21/09/2009, 19:05

Thomas Restell and Mary Christmas Crowder

                                         (c) Ann Belmont

 

1. Thomas Restell Crowder, b. 26 Dec 1757 in Bromley, Kent (now part of London), England, (son of Nathaniel Crowder and Susannnah Ward) baptized 20 Jan 1758 in Parish of St Martin in the Field, Westminster, London, England, d. 28 Nov 1824 in Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tasmania, buried 2 Dec 1824 in St David's, Hobart, Tasmania.  Thomas Restell Crowder was born 26 December,1757 the fourth child of Nathaniel Crowder and Susannah Ward.  He was baptised in the Parish of St Martin's in the Fields, Westminster on 20th January 1758.

   

    Thomas was first tried on 4th December 1782 in London for breaking into a house with intent to steal; he had claimed he was a grocer and wax chandler in Great Earl Street, Seven Dials, London.  He received the death sentence, this was commuted to transportation for life to America in January 1783.

   

    On 12 September 1783 Thomas was recorded as being transported for life to America.  It is believed that Thomas was aboard the "Mercury" going to the West Indies when the prisoners mutinied in some twelve leagues beyond  the Scilly Islands, but had had to put back because of bad weather.  Somehow, he escaped punishment for this deed, although some others paid the price.

   

    Thomas was again tried this time in Bristol on 29 March 1785, along with his friend Aaron Davis.  Once again, this was for burglary.  Davis was sentenced to seven years transportation but Thomas' sentencing was held over because he was being tried for another burglary.  On 22 April 1785 Judge Richard Burke wrote expressing doubts about the evidence given by the accomplice, but recommended transportation for life in view of the earlier robberies.  Thomas was still facing charges of escape from the "Mercury".  On 25th April 1785 Crowder was reprieved and sentenced to life transportation, during that year he was placed on board the "Justitia" Prison Hulk.

   

    On 6th January, 1786 Thomas was delivered to the convict transport "Alexander".  He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on the "Alexander"  as part of the First Fleet in January, 1788.

   

    Thomas married Sarah Davis in Port Jackson, Sydney on 7 June 1788.  This marriage service was performed by the Rev. Richard Johnson - probably under a tree or in a hut - the first church was St Philips, but it was some time before it was built.  Thomas and Sarah sailed to Norfolk Island on "Supply" on 2 March 1789.

   

    In "The Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island and Van Diemen’s Land" written by Reg Wright  - TRC's occupation was recorded in 1894 as Sailor.  In "Occupations in Norfolk Island 1805"  - he said that TRC was a Settler/Landowner.

   

    On Norfolk Island Thomas and Sarah began farming and by December 1789 they are listed as settling on 14 acres of land, eight of which were cultivated.  They also had a thriving piggery.

   

    He received a conditional pardon 7 Nov 1792 provided he did not return to England, and on 7th September he was sworn in as a constable for "Grenville Vale".  Thomas purchased 60 acres for 60 pounds on 24th October and by the end of the year he was elected a member of the Norfolk Island Settlers Society.

   

    Thomas was part of a group who were concerned with the first theatre on Norfolk Island.  He was asked to save some seats for some dignitaries, and Sgt Whittle of the N.S.W. Corps countermanded these orders for his soldiers to attend the performance.  They were intoxicated and a brawl broke out.  This was one of the difficulties of a former convict having authority.  Consequently, Crowder was sent to Sydney for the trial for the altercation with Sgt Whittle.  He asked not to go, as he felt Sarah would not survive and his farm be unattended whilst away.  He did have to go, and received one hundred lashes as punishment, and was sent back to the Island.  When he arrived back on Norfolk Island he found that Sarah had died on the 26th June 1794, and his farm in disarray.

   

    Thomas settled down to farming his land, and buying and selling as a sideline.  He started a relationship with Mary Christmas

   

    Thomas held 100 acres in 1796.  Lieutenant-Governor King had quite some say in allocation of land, and TRC was one of the largest.  He had Lots 26 (12 acres), 27 (14 acres), 28 (14 acres) and lots 49 (60 acres).

   

    Thomas and Mary's first child, Susannah, was born 11th June 1796.  Her fate is unknown except that she died on Norfolk Island.  Their second child Mary Crowder seems to have been born on the day they married 22nd December, 1799.

   

    Thomas sold some of his acres for 35 pounds in March, 1799 and in April 1800 purchased another 60 acres for 30 pounds.

   

    27 April 1800 on Norfolk Island one half of an acre of land at the east of the Town at Sydney Bay which was originally leased to William Sherwin on 15 October 1795 for a period of fourteen years (at an annual rental of sixpence) was made over by power of attorney by the lessee to Aaron Davis, and then sold by him for 55 pounds and 12 shillings to Thomas Crowder and the Masonic Lodge of St John, No. 1 on 27 April 1800.  This Lodge was holding meetings without a Warrant and seems to have been situated at Norfolk Island from 1800 to 1807, perhaps even until 1814.    (Information from the Grand Lodge of Antient, Free and Accepted Masons of South Australia and Northern Territory.)

   

    By 1805 Thomas had fourteen acres of land cleared with seven sown in grain, two acres of barley, six pigs and 150 bushels of maize stored.   When Thomas and Mary departed Norfolk Island on 26 Dec 1807, they left behind a two storey house, 44 feet by 12 feet, boarded and shingled, a barn 12 feet by 12 feet thatched, boarded and floored and two log outhouses.

   

   

    In total the land Thomas held was (supplied by Joan Nichols )

   

          1796  Book 1A   Grants by Governor Hunter.

          No 538  Sept. 15.  Thomas Restil (sic) Crowder  (also apparently referred to as Thomas Bastil Crowden)

          Granted 14 acres on Norfolk Island.  Rent (blank) per year for 7 years commencing from 11 July 1796.

          "Entered in No. 2 Register of grants and leases given by Governor Hunter in this Register".

   

             1796  Book 2B  Grants by Governor Hunter

          No 605  Sept. 15.  Thomas Restil (sic) Crowder

          Leased 12 acres at Norfolk Island.  Rent:  (blank) for 7 years commencing after 11 July 1796.

          - "Transferred 29th March, 1799 from James White to Martha Burkett and sold on the same day by her to Dennis Geary.

          - Half of the farm again sold on 22nd May 1799 by John Cullen to Edward Bisbey.

          - Another transfer on 8th July 1799 from Joseph Saunders to James Ormond.

          - Another on the 6th January 1804 from Thomas Murphy to William Able and

          - Another - without any date - from Joseph Mabery to Samuel Pyers.

          - Torn up 4th October, 1821  (Signed) F.  Goulburn

   

          1796/1797   Book 2B    Grants by Governor Hunter

          No 626     May 1, 1797   Peter Hibbs   (keep reading).

          Granted 60 acres on Norfolk Island.  Rent 1/- per year commencing after 5 years.

          - Sold by Aaron Davis for £30 to Thomas Restil Crowder on 27 April, 1800.

          - Sold by him for £40 on 1 December 1807 to 5 persons viz:

          12½ acres to Robert Chambers;   22 to F. Flaxmore;  12½ to William Clark;  5 to Matthew  Wood and 8 to George

            Woodhead.

          Also endorsed on this grant is:  This grant given by Governor Phillip (??) to be cancelled".   Torn up this 5th day of October, 1821.  Signed  F. Goulburn.

   

   

          1796/97  Book 2B    Grants by Governor Hunter

          No 632    May 1, 1797    Charles Herritage  (keep reading).

          Granted 60 acres on Norfok Island.  Rent 1/- per year commencing from 16 May 1791.

          - Sold by the grantee to Thomas Restil Crowder on 24th October in the 33rd year of George III

          - Sold by him on 1st March, 1799 one half to John Bentley for the sum of £35

          - who sells it with the stock upon it for £80 to Elizabeth Bradshaw on 26 July, 1803

          - she sells 14½ acres of it to William Deppsey on 4 January, 1804..

          This grant also endorsed with a memorandum "the grant given by Governor Phillip (???) to be cancelled.  Torn up this 5th day of October, 1821.  (Signed)  F.           Goulburn

 

 

   

    They arrived in Van Diemen's Land with Mary's daughter Elizabeth and their daughter Mary on the Porpoise on 17 Jan 1808.  They were granted 120 acres of land at Sussex.  Thomas became a successful farmer, and a productive member of his community.

   

    On 21st May, 1809 when Governor Bligh was deposed Crowder, Belbin and others wrote a supporting document to Bligh.  (James Belbin arrived on Norfolk Island in 1791.  When the N.I. folk were moved to Van Diemen’s Land they were all supposed to have received land.  Belbin did not receive his land and he fought with Lieut. Lord over a petition written asking for justice.)    Governor Collins was furious about the letter to Bligh and had Belbin arrested on a false charge of insolence and ordered 500 lashes.   When Belbin was flogged on the 12th October for sending the letter to Lieutenant Governor Collins, Collins observed that he would rather that the punishment have been administered not to James Belbin but Thomas Restell Crowder.  (In 1811, after various disturbances and lashes, Belbin eventually had to return to England to seek justice and the land he had been promised and Collins had not delivered.  With Bligh's assistance he got his land.  Belbin was Chief Stock Inspector and overseer of all slaughter houses and in 1843 had a pension.)

   

    Thomas Restell Crowder Junior, the last child of Thomas and Mary, was born on 28 October, 1810.

   

    Thomas (Senior) was listed in the Blue Book 1822 as Superintendent of carpenters (retired).  He died in Hobart on 28 Nov 1824 in his 67th year.  His death notice stated that he had been 36 years in the colonies, and had been Principal Superintendent of Convicts for several years.

   

    Thomas Crowder was a respected member of the community, he had held the position of Superintendent of Carpenters before he retired in 1822.  Thomas had also acted as a constable against bushrangers.  After retirement he was made Verger of St David's.

   

    Further information in the book The Founders (of Australia - Mollie Gillen - page 88 and 89)

   

   

  

       An. Address of Settlers to Governor Bligh

   

        To His Excellency W. Bligh, Esqre., Govr.-in-Chief, &c.,

   

   

    May it Please Your Excellency,

   

    We, a part of the unfortunate Settlers late of Norfolk Island, Imprest with a due sense of our Duty and earnest to step forward at this momentous period, big with Danger and Difficulty, whilst the wavering Mind fluctuates between hope and fear, we most humbly beg leave to express those Sentiments of Loyalty which are Inherent in our Bosoms by firmly declaring our adherence to your Excell'y as the true and only Representative of our August Sovereign in these his Colonies, and our determined abhorrence of those measures which have been taken by a set of Disloyal and Unprincipled Men, who in the most daring manner have subverted your Government, Prevented those Salutary effects which we are convinced would have resulted there from, Involving the Innocent with the Guilty, and by Specious illegal Acts, drawing aside the Ignorant and Unwary, and, that the enormity of their crimes may be obscur'd, introducing anarchy and confusion.

   

    These disloyal, base, and unwarrantable proceedings we most solemly deprecate, sincerely lamenting from our hearts that Men whom His Majesty had so highly honour'd should so far forget their Duty in overturning that Government they were bound to support, and so we beg leave to assure your Excell'y of our resolution to adhere to our Loyalty and Duty (in any and every pretext to mislead us whatever) to Our most Gracios Sovereign, and to your Excell'y as his worthy Representative, not doubting that you will ultimately Triumph over all your Enemies of Every description, and be received on your return to your Native Land with that Honour and Distinction with which His Majesty is always pleased to reward the Brave and the Meritorious.  May Your Excellency enjoy ever Blessing that the Almighty is pleased to bestow, and may your Amiable Daughter find that consolation in her present Afflictions which must evidently result from Parental Kindness and filial duty,- Which is the Sincere and Earnest Wish of Your Obedient and Devoted Servants to Command.

   

       

 

 

                  The Derwent, 21st May, 1809.

 

 

   

                  THOS RESTELL CROWDER                 JOHN HALL

   

                  JAMES BELBIN                                         GEORGE BROWN

   

                  JAMES DODDING                                          Wm. SHARDLEY

   

                  JOHN BERESFORD                                  RICHD.PHILLIMORE

   

                  THOS. O'BRIEN                                             THOMAS PRIEST

   

                  Wm.HALEY                                                Wm.BELLAMY

   

                  THOMAS FRANCIS                                        JNO.MAUL

   

                  JOSEPH HALL                                          THOS.GUY

   

                  WILLIAM MITCHELL                                 MICH.LEE

   

     ----------------

   

    Information from the Edgar Society Newsletter No. 9.

   

    ""FIRST FLEET DESCENT: THE CROWDER FAMILY

   

   

   

    THOMAS RESTELL [RISDALE] CROWDER, of Bristol, Somerset, England, joined the ship “Alexander” which sailed for New South Wales from the Mother Bank, England, on 13 May 1787. This vessel, one of the ships of the First Fleet, reached Port Jackson, 19 January 1788, and T R Crowder was thus among the original pioneers of this country who came ashore at Sydney Cove.

   

    On 23 October 1793, he received a grant of fourteen acres of land [lot 28] at Norfolk Island, and he subsequently added considerably to his holding by purchase. On 10 March 1794, he addressed a letter to Governor King [PRO, CO 20/1 – 201/10]. He and his family were among the settlers transferred from the Island to the Derwent on the HMS “Porpoise”, 26 December 1807. His was the first of eighteen signatures appended by the former settlers of Norfolk Island to a letter dated 21 May 1809, addressed from the Derwent to the Governor [Bligh] in which the signatories expressed their loyalty and confidence in him. Before 1810 T R Crowder had acquired property in Hobart Town.

   

    In August 1812, he was appointed Principal Superintendent of the Convict Settlement at Hobart Town, and he held that post until Lieut. Governor William Sorell placed him on a retired superannuated allowance late in 1820. At that time he and his wife and child, and two convict servants, were provided for out of the Government Rations. In his retirement, T R Crowder became responsible for the materials used in the construction of St David’s Old Church at Hobart Town.

      

    Thomas Restell Crowder died on 28 November 1824, aged 67 years, at Hobart Town. His widow, Mary [nee Christmas?], died there in 1830. It is believed that she was his second wife, and that the Edward Crowder who, in 1820, had a grant of 30 acres of land in the Kingsborough district, was, a son of the first marriage. T R Crowder had issue, two sons and a daughter.

   

    He married (1) Sarah Davis, married 7 Jun 1788 in St Phillips, Sydney, N.S.W., (see witness 1, 2) b. 1761 in U K, d. 26 Jun 1794 in Norfolk Island.  Sarah: Sarah Davis was tried in Worcester on 2 Aug 1783 and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment.  She was convicted for stealing lace handkerchiefs.  She arrived in the First Fleet ship "Lady Penryhn" at Sydney.  She married TRC I at Port Jackson (St Philip's C of E, Sydney) by Chaplain Richard Johnson on 1 June 1788, and went with him to Norfolk Island on the ship "Supply" on 2 March 1789.

 

   

    He married (2) Mary Christmas, married 22 Dec 1799 in Norfolk Island, b. 1768 (c) in London, England, (daughter of Mr Christmas and Sarah Christmas/Chismas) d. May 1830 in Hobart, Tasmania, buried 28 May 1830 in St David's Church of England, Hobart, Tasmania.  Mary: Mary Christmas was born circa 1768 to a Mr and Sarah Christmas (also written Chismas).  In 1785 Sarah married George Cowcher in St Mildred'sChurch, Bread Street, London, U.K.

   

    Mary Christmas (also known as Cowcher/Crowcher) was tried in London on 24 Oct 1787 for trying to pawn a silver spoon claiming it was her fathers.  Her father was a plasterer who lived in Shoe Lane.  (This is probably her step-father George Cowcher.)

   

    The pawnbroker had insisted on proof of ownership and refused to let her leave the shop.  Her screams had caused a crowd of onlookers to gather outside the shop, and she eventually confessed to stealing it from her former employer Mr John Hooper.  Mr Hooper, who lived in Fetter Lane, Holborn was told that Mary's mother had found her a better job and that she was leaving the next day - she left with the silver spoon.

   

    Mary was aged 20 and was tried before Mr Rose at Justice Hall in the Old Bailey at the court sessions.  After calling for a character witness and a defence council Mary was found guilty and sentenced to seven years transportation.   Mary was held at Newgate Gaol until 14th March 1789 when she embarked  on the "Lady Juliana" (Second Fleet) convict transport.

   

    The "Lady Juliana" was a Whitby built 410 ton ship.  She held her contingent of 230 women and five children on the Thames, some for up to six months before leaving Portsmouth on 29th July, 1789.  Most of the women on the ship had been hand picked for various reason, including being good looking, good seamstresses, good cooks  or even just well educated.  The voyage lasted for 309 days before arriving on 3rd June, 1790.  Five women died on the voyage.  The "Lady Juliana"  was the first ship to arrive in New South Wales after the First Fleet, having made the voyage alone.  "Lady Juliana" was known as a free ship - when she entered a port it was open to all men, which is why it was known as "The Floating Brothel".  The women had no choice.

   

    Mary Christmas was among a group of convicts which included Charles Smith, who had arrived in Port Jackson with the Second Fleet on the convict transport "Scarborough" on the 28th June, 1790, who were sent to Norfolk Island on the "Surprise" and arrived there on 7 Aug 1790.

   

    On reading "The Floating Brothel" written by Sian Rees I have concluded the following:

   

    .  In June 1788 Mary and other Newgate prisoners would have been able to hear the hanging of two male forgers and then the burning at the stake of a female forger named Margaret Sullivan.

    .  by December 1788, 151 female convicts were living in three female cells in Newgate which had been built to house 70 women.

    .  the rations allotted to the prisoners were insufficient and they were all in poor health.

    .  Mary probably became pregnant whilst she was in Cape Town between 28 Feb and 31 March, 1990 when the Lady Juliana sailed for Sydney.

   

    Soon after arrival on Norfolk Island Mary Christmas moved in with Charles Smith.  By July 1791 Charles Smith was living on a small farm in "Charlotte Fields" Norfolk Island, with 40 rods cleared and supporting two other persons.  This would have been Mary Christmas and her first born son Charles who was born 9th January 1791.

   

    The Reverend Richard Johnson married Mary and Charles on Norfolk Island in November 1791.  Their second child Sarah was born on 16 February 1793.  She also died on Norfolk Island.  Their third child Elizabeth was born 16 January 1794.

   

    Charles died on Norfolk Island on 2nd February 1795 aged 53.

   

    Mary moved in with the widower Thomas Restell Crowder whose wife Sarah had died in 1794.  Thomas had become a prosperous farmer and landowner on the Island.

   

    *Most of this information is widely available but was presented to me by Liz McCoy of Norfolk Island in a written essay.

 

 

                   Children:

 

               i.   Susannah Christmas Crowder, b. 11 June 1796 in Norfolk Island, d. in Norfolk Island (?).

 

               ii.  Mary Christmas Crowder, b. 22 Dec 1799 in Norfolk Island, d. 15 (20) Mar 1827 in Hobart, Tasmania, buried 20 Mar 1827 in St Davids, Hobart, Tasmania.  Mary Christmas Crowder came to Hobart upon the "Porpoise" with her half sister Elizabeth Smith, her mother Mary and her father Thomas Restall Crowder I.

 

                   She married (1) Theophilus Mitchell, married 5 Sep 1815 in St Davids, Hobart, Tasmania, b. 1789 (?).  Theophilus: Theophilus was a convict who arrived in  Sydney "General Hewitt" in 1814.  Theophilus absconded and abandoned Mary.

                   She married (2) William Cook, married 21 Aug 1819 in St Davids, Hobart, Tasmania, b. 1793, d. 19 Mar 1832, buried in St David's Hobart, Tasmania.  William: William Cook was an Auctioneer when he died, and was a guardian to Mary's niece Emma Herbert.

 

 

       2.    iii. Thomas b. Oct 1810.

 

 

 

 

Generation Two

 

2. Thomas Restell Crowder II, b. Oct 1810 in Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tasmania, baptized 28 Oct 1810 in St Davids, Parish of Campbelltown, Hobart, Tasmania, d. 14 Oct 1851 in Hollyrood House, Murray Street, Hobart, Tasmania.  Thomas Restall Crowder II was said to be a farmer in Yeoman Farm Pittwater.  He died on 14 Oct 1851 at Holyrood House, Murray Street, Hobart Town.

   

    Information from the Edgar Society Newsletter No. 9:

   

    THOMAS RESTELL CROWDER, junior, was born in 1810, at his parents’ Elizabeth Street house, He was a licensed victualler, with premises in Liverpool St., Hobart Town, in 1836. He died on 14 October 1851, at Hollyrood House, Murray St., Hobart Town.

There is an earlier profile for Thomas and Mary in my book Exiled Three Times pages 55-57.      

                                                                                                                                                         

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