
Tag Archives: Convict History







Ann Rumsby 1802-1850
The story of Ann Rumsby – All through a convict girl – A leading Navy doctor was censured. Rev. Samuel Marsden was fined, and five members of the Parramatta Bench were dismissed. Indirectly she was also responsible, to a large extent, for radical changes in the system of government. She was the keystone of one of Parramatta’s greatest feasts of scandal and rumour. The happenings caused a sensation throughout the country, and Parramatta, where the scene was laid, was the centre of a maelstrom of indictment and recrimination. Continue Reading →

Loss of the Neva Convict Ship 14 May 1835
The story of the Loss of the Neva Convict Ship, 14 May 1835, in the Bass Straits. Continue Reading →

“The Hell Ship” — The Tragic Story of the “Chapman” Convict Ship 1817
The tragic voyage of the “Chapman” convict ship resulted in 12 convicts being killed, 30 wounded, and the others starved and ill-treated for the remainder of the voyage. Includes transcripts of the Court Proceedings January 11 and 12, 1819, for the willful murder of John M’Ardle (Clements and Drake) and Daniel M’Cormick (Drake, Dewar, Bustead). Continue Reading →

A Visit to the Cascades Lunatic Asylum in 1882 (The Former Cascades Female Factory)
Scenes in a Lunatic Asylum was written by in 1882 by Mr. J. H. Glenny, upon his visit to the Cascades Lunatic Asylum in Tasmania. Continue Reading →

Eagle-Hawk Neck Peninsula – The Bulldogs Platform – Port Arthur
Contemporary account of the Bulldogs Platform Port Arthur in 1866 along with a picture of Eagle-Hawk Neck Peninsula – The Bulldogs Platform – Port Arthur in 1891 Continue Reading →

Deadman’s Island – Port Arthur
Picture of Deadman’s Island, taken in 1891, where 1,600 prisoners and soldiers lie buried. Continue Reading →

The Parramatta Female Factory Riot and Governance in 1827
Details of the riot that took place at the Female Factory in 1827 – followed by an editorial about the Female Factory, which gives an insight to the views at the time. Of interest the editorial details the “classes” of the women and gives a Scale of Rations for the different Classes. Continue Reading →

A Visit to Queen’s Orphans School New Town (Tasmania) 1853 – In Four Letters
An unabridged look at the Queen’s Orphan School in New Town (Tasmania) in 1853 – Picture of the Queen’s Orphan School in 1873 Continue Reading →

Notice from the Committee of Management of the Female Factory – Parramatta – Assigned Female Servants – May 1832
Detailing change of terms for engaging Female Servants (Convicts) due to the high number of Servants being returned to the Government for minor infringements. Continue Reading →