Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers TownAssociation (1804) FirstInc. Settlers Association Inc. NEWSLETTER Quarterly March 2018

Lt.-Governor David Collins

Patron: The Rt. Hon The Earl of Buckinghamshire (Lord Miles Hobart)

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Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association Inc. CONTENTS email: [email protected]

Postal Address: PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT 3 P.O. Box 300, MOONAH, TAS, 7009

Website: www.htfs.org.au THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR 5

Hon. President: AT OUR ANNUAL FLORAL TRIBUTE 6 Gwen Hardstaff

Ph. 6273 7356 OUT AND ABOUT 8 Mob. 0427 620 264

Email: [email protected] THE FIRST DAY OF HOBART TOWN 10 Hon. Vice-President: TBA ST. DAVID’S CATHEDRAL 12

Hon. Secretary: Stephany Fehre CHILDREN ON BOARD 14 Ph. 6247 6956

Hon. Treasurer: NEW BOOKS 15 Margaret Lewis Ph. 62282229 NEW MEMBERS 15

Hon. Historian: Kath Lonergan MEETINGS are held the first Tuesday of each Ph. 03 6228 7479 month, February to December at the Moonah [email protected] Community Centre, 7 Gormanston Road, Moonah, commencing at 10.00am. Hon. Public Officer:

Michael Seabrook

Hon. Auditor: MEMBERSHIP PAYMENT David Baulch Annual Subscriptions of $30.00 due 1st January.

Hon. Webmaster: May be paid by direct credit to our Association’s Alastair Douglas, OAM Commonwealth Bank Account.

Committee Members: BSB 067-006 Account No. 2800-1110 Jane Wilson - Please ensure you quote your Member - Number/Surname. Charles Hunt The reference number information is essential for 6286 7058 the Treasurer to identify your payment. Guy McDougall No fees or charges. 0448 816 305 Alternately, members may post a cheque for $30.00 Carol-Ann Hooper direct to the Treasurer at: 6273 1529 P.O. Box 300, MOONAH, TAS 7009. Newsletter:

Editor: Stephany Fehre All articles and information contained in our

Compiler: Guy McDougall Newsletter are accepted in good faith and opinions set down therein are of the authors and correspondents and are not necessarily the policy or views of HTFS Assn. Inc. FRONT COVER: David Collins, Lt.-Col. Royal Marines and Lieut. Governor of Port Philip (From a miniature by “Barber”) http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks13/1304081h.html#Image2

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PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT December 31, 2017

With much pleasure I present the Annual Report of the Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association Inc. The past year has presented some difficulties for the Committee but with co-operation and teamwork, we have again completed a successful year.

Members and friends were saddened by the sudden death of Margaret Long. Margaret contributed much to the HTFSA over many years and was also involved in numerous other Historical groups in . Meticulous research and attention to detail was always a priority for Margaret; her friendship and input was highly valued and will be greatly missed by many people. ‘Vale Margaret’.

An important event for the year was the launch, in late 2017, of member Reg Watson’s book ‘Parramatta-Tasmania Colonial Connections’. The launch, by MHA, was held at Parliament House in Hobart: the two Forewords for this publication were written by the President of Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association Inc. and the President of Parramatta and District Historical Society – thus highlighting the links between these two early settlements. Congratulations and thanks to Reg for his valuable research and for his acknowledgement of our Association. A copy of this book is now in HTFSAssn. Library.

Some of the highlights of the past year are: • Annual Floral Tribute 2017: Well attended with representatives of Tasmanian Parliament, Local Government, Police Dept., ADF – Army, Navy & Air-Force, Mission to Seafarers, Anglican Church, local History Groups and representatives of early families. Guest Speaker Mrs Judy Travers (Dept. Ed – Southern Schools Support) spoke of the way school children participate, learn and appreciate the , and of the many relevant activities in which students are involved. MILCOLT ‘Royal Marines’ and Hobart Veterans’ Band were all welcome features of the Ceremony. The rousing music drew visitors to the site and favourable comments were received about the atmosphere provided by the Band. This occasion is a highlight in our Calendar and we must continue working to ensure that the Association and the Annual Floral Tribute is viewed by the wider community as providing an important event in the . • Meetings and Membership: Monthly meetings were held on the first Tuesday of each month at the new meeting rooms at Moonah Community Centre. The new site is very convenient, with ample parking (including designated ‘disability parking spaces’) close to the entrance, storage facilities on-site, ease of access and plenty of room for meetings. New members have been welcomed during the past year and attendance numbers have been maintained at our meetings. It is essential that new members be encouraged to join the Association – we need to have a membership with a wide range of ages and interests to ensure we maintain the interest and activities that have been enjoyed over many years. The Committee has decided that an increase in membership subscriptions is now necessary: The Annual Subscription will increase from $25 to $30 for the 2018 Financial Year – this decision will be ratified at the AGM. Currently, we have many unpaid subs. – could you please check if your membership is current; this will assist us greatly to maintain our finances. • Guest Speakers at Monthly Meetings were arranged by Stephany, ably assisted by Maree Ring. A wide range of topics has been covered and we have all increased our knowledge of the history of the state. • Outings and Events: Some interesting and informative excursions have been arranged and all well attended. Please pass on to the incoming committee any suggestions for excursions and outings you would like to assist with organising.

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• Newsletters: Guy McDougall continues to work with the layout and production of the quarterly Newsletter. Guy also contributes and oversees content on the Assn. Facebook page. Stephany and others assist with content and editing of Newsletter – congratulations and thanks to all. With the high cost of postage, it has become essential that we look to increase the number that can be sent electronically – please advise if this is an option for you.

Alastair Douglas OAM continues to maintain HTFS website and to provide valuable advice on compliance issues. Public Officer Michael Seabrook attends to legal compliance and has assisted with financial matters prior to Audit. Again, we are very grateful for the work of Hon. Auditor, David Baulch. David has made himself available to the committee to discuss and suggest methods of valuation and improved presentation of asset documentation. Thank you very much Marilla for your work as Treasurer in the early part of the year and to Margaret Lewis, who spends much time with checking names, membership lists and ensuring that all is in order. Much work goes on between meetings with many busy people, like Margaret, working quietly in the background.

Secretary, Stephany Fehre has continued to organize much of the detail for all that keeps our Association running smoothly and that things ‘happen’ as and when required. Stephany also became acting Treasurer when Marilla was not able to continue. Thank you, Stephany, I do appreciate your valuable input, organisation and assistance. David Fehre is always quietly at hand to assist Stephany with arrangements – many thanks to David also.

Due to health concerns Stephany is unable to continue in this role for the coming year, but I am sure that the Assn. has capable members who will step-up and assist. I know that Stephany will maintain her interest and help-out wherever possible.

It is imperative that we elect members to the 2018 Committee who can ably assist the Executive with much of the work – willing helpers are always in demand and ‘many hands make light work’!

Historian, Kath Lonergan spends many hours collating information received for the Historians Report for monthly meetings, answering queries, checking membership application eligibility and ensuring all records are up-to-date and in order. To commemorate the main exodus from Island in 1807, Kath has prepared details of each ship that left bringing those settlers to VDL. ‘Remembering 210 years Later’ articles have been presented at meetings and for the Newsletter – thank you Kath; this is interesting reading and much appreciated.

Di Vertigan & Sally Morrisby bring along our delicious morning teas to the meetings and to the willing assistants in the kitchen – ably organized by Kath & Carol Ann. Thank you to Di & Sally for this contribution – the ‘cuppa–and-chat’ after meetings is an important part of the morning and to have the ‘spread’ wonderful that you provide is a very special-extra that we all appreciate.

Members have been supportive and helpful to me personally during my term as President, as well as providing help & encouragement in the many ways that assist us to achieve our aims and objectives as a successful organisation. Thank you one and all – I greatly value your help and co-operation.

Gwen Hardstaff – President

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THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR 214th Anniversary of Settlement by Christine O’Halloran

As the Hobart GPO clock chimed eleven o’clock and the last musical notes from the Hobart Veterans Brass Band wafted across Hunter Street, Hobart, the President of the Hobart Town (1804) First Settlers Association. Inc., Mrs Gwen Hardstaff commenced the ceremony by welcoming all assembled and proclaiming the Welcome to Country.

Local historian, Mr Reg Watson, delivered the Annual Address. He focussed on the development of Hobart since 1804. In particular, he attributed much of that growth to the dedication and ingenuity of Colonel David Collins and all who sailed into Hobarton on the 20th Founder of Hobart February 1804. Mr Watson also noted that Collins did not receive Lt.-Governor David Collins support from his superiors. Quoting from 1954, Mr Watson stated “all the years of his administration received not one reply to the countless despatches he sent home to England pleading for some sign in the direction of which he was to travel.”

Following the Address, Political, Civic, Military and Religious leaders were invited to lay Floral Tributes at the Hunter Street Monument. Local history group representatives and descendants of the 1804 cohort added to the colourful display. Standing guard were members of the SSAA Militaria Collectors Tasmania Inc. (Milcolt).

The Ceremony concluded with the Australian National Anthem, supported by the Hobart Veterans Brass Band. The Band continued to play sea shanties and naval music, as those assembled conversed and viewed the floral display.

Among those in attendance were Kay Williamson (nee Allender) and her daughter Rebecca who had travelled from Melbourne, Victoria for the occasion. As annual attendees, Kay and Rebecca remarked, “The Ceremony is the highlight of our year. It is good that descendants of the First Settlers are still coming to commemorate this event in history.” Kay and Rebecca, together with Secretary Stephany Fehre and member, Christine O’Halloran, are descended from convict Uriah Allender. Uriah Allender went on to become the first licenced ferryman at Clarence Plains.

Others who shared their thoughts included Rev. Canon John Langlois, a Member of St David’s Cathedral Chapter and Mr Paul Dobber, who represented the Derwent Chapter of the Fellowship. Having served at St George’s Church, Battery Point, Rev Canon Langlois saw the occasion as “keeping history fresh before our eyes and to learn from the past.” Mr Dobber noted that “today, there are so many links in so many interesting ways with the past history of Hobart. We are indeed a connected community.”

In conclusion, we return to Mr Reg Watson’s Address. “I often wonder whether they (Collins, convicts, military, administrators and free settlers) are given the recognition they deserve or just casually taken for granted that they came and settled. Each succeeding generation survives on the preceding generation’s efforts, being it good, bad or in between. The first settlement made up of all those names listed here laid the important foundation of this city.” Warwick Risby placing a wreath, on behalf of our Patron, Lord Miles Hobart in England

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OUR ANNUAL FLORAL TRIBUTE Reg Watson’s Address

We are at a very historic spot. Not only are we located at a memorial listing those who came with David Collins 214 years ago – a long time now – but when on this day February 20th 1954, 150 years after the settlement, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by her husband Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, arriving from the Royal Yacht, Gothic, unveiled this monument to Col David Collins and those who came with him. Before thousands who were then present, she stated, “It is fitting at this moment to allow our minds to dwell upon the enterprise and endurance of those early pioneers who founded the settlement in these beautiful surroundings. Under God’s guidance may this city and its people continue to prosper in the years to come.”

Later, Her Majesty and the Duke went to the war memorial for further observances. Well, that was 64 years ago, history in its own right, and the city has continued to prosper. Some years ago, I flew over Hobart in a helicopter and looking down upon the city and its geographical features, it has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Queen Elizabeth II unveiling the Monument in 1954 When one reflects how rapidly it progressed from that brutal penal settlement of 1804 beset by all sorts of difficult challenges, one has to admire. By 1842 Hobart Town was proclaimed a city, just thirty-eight years after settlement. Over the next ten to fifteen years it progressed further and by 1856, the population was about 24,000 making it the third largest city in . That year, 1856, was a momentous year, not only had convict transportation ceased three years before, but two major developments occurred; one the changing of the name of the colony from Van Diemen’s Land ridding itself of its convict past to Tasmania and the adoption of a bi cameral system of government with the coming of Responsible Government. All this in just a little over fifty years of settlement.

And what of David Collins, a man once said of, “An Englishman whom England had forgotten.” To highlight that last point may I quote from a Mercury Publication of 1954. “all the years of his administration received not one reply to the countless despatches he sent home to England pleading for some sign in the direction of which he was to travel”

Collins was left alone, abandoned if you like. His weight of responsibility was enormous and with the coming of the Norfolk Islanders produced even greater problems with London or Sydney having little understanding of the local situation. It is believed that Collins died because of the stresses of the office and is buried in what we know as St David’s Park, named after him. He is not buried in the impressive memorial which is found there, but under the footpath. The most interesting inscription on the memorial is wrong in that his death date is actually that of his burial date.

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Collin’s Cap and Collins Street in Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney are named after him as is St David’s Cathedral as said, which is unusual that a cathedral is named after a contemporary man. It has been asserted it was named after St David of Wales, but this is not so.

In the year 1979 when not long after joining the HT(1804)FSA I attended a talk at the spot given by Mr John Reynolds who was present in April 1925 when the burial site of Collins had to be re-opened because of re-development of the area. Present were also the Governor Sir James O’Grady, the Anglican Bishop Hay and the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Alderman Valentine.

The coffin was brought to the surface by workmen which according to Reynolds “would have been Huon Pine and then it was completely encased in a lead covering.” He went on to describe Collins. “He was a man of over six feet, very broad shoulders, fair complexion, fair hair, not turned grey, very fine features. A handsome man he must have been. He was in his uniform as if he was going to take a salute. Even the buttons weren’t tarnished, and his sword was alongside of him as was then customary. “A small beard had grown, very small, that was all. His eyes had been closed, his hair had grown a little. I noticed it had kept growing for a short period, but otherwise he might have been buried that day before.”

“He had medals and decorations on and we saw how really a Governor was dressed in that period. How different he looked from the photographs and engravings we’ve got.”

What an amazing experience that must have been. Fortunately, a transcript of this was also kept by the ABC. Even then, 1925 is 93 years ago. Several years ago, I was involved with others from the Association to have erected a bust or statue to David Collins, but it was fraught with obstacles and sadly, it has gone nowhere.

Yet it is not only Collins whom we are honouring today, . . .convicts, military, administrators and free settlers – all. And of course, the colourful Rev Robert (Bobby) Knopwood whose diary is an invaluable record of the city’s early settlement.

I often wonder whether they are given the recognition they deserve or just casually taken for granted that they came and settled. Each succeeding generation survives on the preceding generation’s efforts, be it good, bad or in between. The first settlement made up of those names listed here laid the important foundation of this city. It was a very hard, difficult time for all, but with fortitude and just plain “guts” they not only survived but succeeded. They had no help, other than their own initiative and talents. It was a “sink or swim” society and you either “made it” or you didn’t. I wonder sometimes whether our modern generation could do what they did. I am not convinced. For this reason, we should be proud of those names listed on this memorial. Not “proud” in the sense of vanity, but proud because of their endurance and the ability to stay with it. If they had not come, many of us would not be here today.

We can look around here and see the wonderful buildings, restaurants, beautiful port, well dressed people, etc., but it just did not happen. A magic wand was not thrust into the air to produce it all. No, we only inherit from what went before us. It is those names on this memorial that made it all possible. We seem to live in an age of negativity and cynicism. With that attitude would those settlers be able to overcome and create a new society? I doubt it very much.

On February 20th, 1804, it all began. Of course, Collins named the settlement after Lord Hobart, the principle secretary of state. And what an adventure it was. All the struggles, all the colourful characters, all the cads and scoundrels, all the pioneers battling against the odds, all the military and bushrangers, all the shop owners and administrators, the clergymen, the orphans all those and many others.

I salute you all!

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OUT AND ABOUT

The Annual Floral Tribute on February 20.

Elise Archer MHA, on behalf of Premier Will Hodgman with the MILCOT in 1800’s military uniform

The 150th Memorial Monument on Hunter Street.

The Monument is a permanent record of the historical event which led to the foundation of Hobart, Tasmania. Built entirely of Tasmanian stone and in keeping with its surroundings, the solid and somewhat austere lines exemplify the hardships of early settlement and the solidarity and permanence of its foundation. The rectangular and circular base is built of dolerite of the Tasmanian mountains, the superstructure is of granite from the East Coast. The inscription reads: "This Memorial erected to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Foundation of Hobart, was unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Second on 20th February 1954.” Reg Watson, long-standing member, with Kelvin Daley in 1800’s military uniform.

The audience numbered around fifty and caused an interest from others walking past.

Ron Christie, Deputy Lord Mayor with the MILCOT in 1800’s military uniform Photos by Janice Daley 8

Tour of the Jewish Synagogue on December 11.

Kath Lonergan, Kevin Hawke, Margaret Lewis, The unique façade of the Jewish Synagogue. David Fehre and Barry Lewis By 1842, it had become obvious there was a need for a Jewish place of worship. Prior to the synagogue, the Hebrew residents of Hobart had worshipped at the home of Judah Solomon. The synagogue was designed in the briefly fashionable Egyptian Revival style by James Alexander Thomson, a Scot who had been transported in 1825 at the age of 20 for attempted jewel robbery. The unique appearance of the Hobart Synagogue is truly remarkable and known to be the oldest synagogue in Australia. http://www.hobartsynagogue.org/history

Barbara Hamilton-Arnold commenting on the menorah

The bimah and worship area from the gallery

The echal, enclosure for the Ark containing the scrolls. Photos by Stephany Fehre

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THE FIRST DAY OF HOBART TOWN The Belief of a Nice Day Ahead by Guy McDougall

At first dawn, those on deck saw a pale sun rising over the hills on the other side of a wide river. It was a heavy sky with some blue trying to show through. Fresh winds, with squalls of rain were still approaching from the mountain but looked more promising for the afternoon. A shower suddenly decided to bury the mountain just to dampen the belief of a nice day ahead. It was February 20, 1804.

After a slight delay, Lt.-Governor David Collins was able to send several longboats ashore with soldiers and convicts from the supply ship, . Some boats were crammed with tents, marquees, shovels, saws and axes – anything that’ll do the job. The convicts were under the supervision of Lt. Edward Lord and looked a little concerned on the way to the shore not knowing exactly what was ahead of them. Some had seen columns of smoke nearby - that could only mean natives.

There was Hunter Island near the centre of Sullivan’s Cove making it harder finding a place to land. It looked too shallow and muddy on the northern side of the island, but someone pointed to a beach near a sandbar stretching out to the island. That island was going to be ideal for stores, away from hungry convicts. There was no decision as to who was going to be first to set foot on this new land, but the first group jumped ashore and pulled the heavy-laden boat up as far as they could. With some awe, they looked up and noticed large eucalyptus trees looming over them. They stretched up straight straining for light while the undergrowth was quite happy squatting below them. Ahead of them was a steep bank to climb before they got too far. The odd-smelling gum leaves were making a rattling noise with a few birds laughing in the background, but no one could see them. There was a rustle under the growth ahead – no one knew what that could be.

They found the creek. The creek had already been surveyed by James Meehan just a fortnight ago – but they weren’t to know that. Lord may have done. It was a good-size creek with plenty of water but tasted a little salty. There had to be fresh water further up. The rivulet was almost impenetrable due to the denseness of the undergrowth and the rocks in the stream were covered in moss. A compilation of fallen trees and dead timber had been washed down by flooding. Rushes were seen on their right standing in sheltered muddy waters. Black swans were enjoying themselves there until some European startled them and took flight. There was one particularly large tree that had fallen across the rivulet with its roots still attached - it looked like a bridge to some. It was also noticed that the soil was a little too poor for farming and being obstructed by many rocky outcrops. They knew there would be difficulties for making streets suitable for horse traffic in the future. In the distance on the right behind them, they also noticed another smaller stream on the other side of the swampy marshes - it wasn’t enough to be curious about just yet.

Lt.-Governor Collins arrived in his own boat with his officers at about four o'clock in the afternoon and wandered into the bush for a short while and simply contemplated. He returned to where the work was being done to check the landing operations.

1804 - Hunter Island with the Ocean anchored behind in Sullivan’s Cove. 10

While the convicts where trying to fell the trees, you could hear one cursing with useless blunt axes in his hands. The trees were harder than the convicts were used to back home. Every now and then you could hear a tree come down with an echo through the once quiet forest. By now, some workers had gone a fair distance clearing the stubborn undergrowth. With the scrub removed in some places, it was now time to get the ground ready for tents. After looking over the site Collins drew up a sketch in A picture of the possible vegetation that Hobart was built on. his mind of what line the tents should take. The tents were new but stained with mould due to dampness during the long voyage out from England.

George Prideaux Harris, the surveyor, used a tree that James Meehan had earlier marked only two weeks ago, sighted along the ridge marked it further up. Collins had no name for this new ‘street’ just yet, there was too many other things to worry about. Collins found a ‘good bit of real estate’ overlooking the bay at the top of the ridge and ordered his prefabricated hut to be erected there, while the other civil officers, like Rev. , agreed that it was in a very suitable spot for them as well.

Convicts were to be kept together in one area toward the rivulet and were told to pitch their tents to the west, while the Royal Marines set up nearby. The free settlers had fewer restrictions for the time being, but found a suitable position along the rivulet, but most were setting up farms of some sort at Stainsforth Bay, further north. An open space was also quickly cleared as much as possible between the tall gums for future public meetings, parades, etc. An official flagpole was soon erected there.

The sun started to drop behind ‘Table Mountain’ with grandeur to the amazement of those who had completed their task for the day. The convicts had worked from daylight with an hour for breakfast and a half an hour for tea. There were no after-dinner mints. The Marines were only too happy to rest around a primitive fire with a drink taken from the stores. It was the Lay-out of early Hobart Town in 1804 Marines and convicts who were the first to sleep at the new camp. The soldiers on guard had it relatively easy, since the convicts weren’t going anywhere in all this ‘unknownness’. In-coming threats were probably more the reason.

Collins finished the day back on the Ocean and reported the day to his journal. He knew very well a lot more was to be done. That same night, Harris wrote a letter home: ‘We have pitched on a small bay farther down the river where there is a run of capital water and every other convenience and where we shall shortly lay out the foundation of Hobart Town’.

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ST. DAVID’S CATHEDRAL A Rousing Drum Roll by Stephany Fehre

The Very Reverend Richard Humphrey, Dean of St David’s Cathedral was our speaker for November 2017 and spoke about the history of St David’s Cathedral and its connections with the early settlement of Hobart. He reminded us of his connections with our Association having attended seven of the last eight Annual Floral Tributes. The only one he missed was because of his son’s wedding, an admirable reason for not attending!

Rev Humphrey told us of the silver chalice given to Rev Robert Knopwood by King George and inscribed for the settlement at . They are held at St David’s Cathedral and brought out for very special occasions as they are worth a great deal.

The first service in Hobart Town was held on the second Sunday after the arrival on February 20, 1804 as on the first Sunday was spent exploring. There is a plaque in the Hobart Town Hall’s portico commemorating that service held on the site of the first Government House, now the Town Hall. Rev Robert Knopwood took the service which began with a rousing drum roll to awaken all in attendance! The sermon was based on a psalm thanking God for all he has done for us. The evening Service that day was not quite as joyful as it addressed the convicts about the dangers of breaking the Sabbath, despite the fact the previous Sunday’s activities had indeed broken the Sabbath.

There was no early church building with services being conducted in Government House once it was built. In March 1810 Lt.Gov. David Collins died and was buried in the Hobart Cemetery, now St David’s Park. There was a huge funeral which was reported in the Hobart Gazette, but the site of the grave remains unclear. A wooden structure was built over the gravesite to serve as a church, but it was never completed, never consecrated, never called St David’s and blew down in a tempest in 1812. When Gov. of NSW visited in November 1811, he encouraged the completion of the building, and yet no details were ever recorded at an official level. In 1922, Collins’ grave was opened but again no details were recorded of its exact location.

In 1817, the foundation stone of St David’s Church was laid to much fanfare and again recorded in detail in the Hobart Gazette, attended by dignitaries who moved to Government House afterwards for a “cold collation”. In 1819 the building started to be used and in 1823 it was consecrated. The church was specifically named after Lt.Gov. David Collins. There is no connection with St David’s of Wales, or even to King David of the Old Testament. Collins could not be described as a saint judging by what we know of his private life. It is interesting to conjecture how life in Van Diemen’s Land may have been, considering his policies towards the indigenous population so different to those of Governors Davey and Sorell who followed Collins.

Reverend Humphrey conducted a church service in February 2017 in recognition of the laying of the foundation stone. He used the Book The Foundation Stone of St David’s Cathedral of Common Prayer (1662) and (www.saintdavids.org.au)

12 preached Knopwood’s sermon and used the silver vessels. The sermon is intact with burns on some pages and one illegible word needing to be identified but otherwise no changes had to be made. The message was about Jesus being the foundation of the church. There were a couple of references to tempests and as all would have arrived by ship, this would have particular relevance. Rev Humphrey wore the black cassock and white surplice with a black preaching scarf for the occasion.

The first church building was not the greatest architectural construction, with a spire proving to be dangerous and later removed, replaced with one of a pepper-pot design. Two of the clocks in the tower were removed, one going to St Luke’s in Richmond and one to the current Government House. During this period Hobart was considered the ‘cash cow’ of the colony with its sheep and wheat farming. In the 1820s Hobart was a bustling place with 1 in 4 buildings being a drinking establishment. Knopwood had two pubs named after him.

On August 21, 1842, Queen Victoria signed letters patent making St David’s Church a cathedral and therefore Hobart a city. The Diocese of Tasmania was formed. In August 2017, it was the 175th anniversary but was not commemorated. The transcript of the letter can be found on Trove as the original is difficult to read. The copy held by St David’s is very frail and suffers from being folded and stored in a container for many years. From 1804 to 1836, Hobart was part of the Diocese of Calcutta, “the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit”. Tasmania is the oldest continuous Diocese in Australia. Senior Chaplain, Samuel Marsden, came to Van Diemen’s Land in 1822-23 and consecrated much of the island. Bishop Nixon was appointed first bishop in 1842. He was horrified by the state of the clergy, many of whom had been appointed by the Military. Many of the clergy did not like Nixon who was described as an urbane minister, from Chelsea in London, who enjoyed art and music and mixing with high society. When he arrived in Hobart he brought his ‘cathedra’ with him and the chair remains in the cathedral. It is an exact copy of Queen Victoria’s throne and it is not to be sat on by anyone except the Bishop!

In 1851 work started on building the present cathedral which would be more fitting to Hobart’s city status. Plans by Bodley for a Gothic Revival building were sent out from England and were preferred to the Georgian style which reflected current politics. It was consecrated on January 8, 1868 and plans for the 150th anniversary will take place in March 2018. The cathedral was finished in 1872 when the old building was taken down. One of our members knew of the two statues on the bell tower which are in honour of two ladies who donated money to the bell tower. These face Macquarie Street.

More information on the history of St David’s Cathedral is available on the website. www.saintdavids.org.au

The interior of St David’s Cathedral 13 (on the convicttrail.com.au)

CHILDREN ON BOARD Transported with their Convict Mothers. by Stephany Fehre

Dr Dianne Snowden was our speaker for October 2017 and her topic was the very well researched one of the children of convicts who accompanied their parents on board ship. The information for this report came directly from Dr Snowden’s presentation as she very kindly gave us her notes.

Children have always been part of the convict story, but very little work has been done on children of convicts and even less on the children who accompanied their parents. Throughout the period of transportation, free children were transported with their convict mothers. Nearly 20 children came on the First Fleet. A tragic early voyage with children on board was that of the female convict ship Neva. In January the ship left Cork for Sydney, with 150 female prisoners and 33 of their children, as well as nine free women and 22 children. The ship was wrecked off King Island near mainland Tasmania in May 1835. Only 22 survived, clinging to the fragments of the ship. Seven of those were so exhausted that they died shortly after: of the 214 on board, only 15 were saved – 9 crew and six prisoners. None of the children survived.

Some of the early voyages brought free women and their children, and convict women and their children on the same ship. The voyage of the Mellish was one example with 61 children; 45 of free settlers and 16 of convict women. From 1836 in Ireland, convict women were brought to Grangegorman Female Convict Depot in Dublin to wait embarkation on a convict ship. Many were accompanied into the institution by their children; other children were brought in from country workhouses shortly before embarkation. In 1851, John Moody, Surgeon-Superintendent of the Blackfriar commented on the lack of cleanliness of the children coming from provincial workhouses and the difficulty of persuading the women that ‘fine air or cleanliness was conducive to their health and comfort’.

In 1841, Sir , Lieutenant-, complained that there were 30 very young Irish children who arrived on the convict ship Mary Anne. This was the first female convict ship to arrive in Van Diemen’s Land directly from Ireland, a result of changes to transportation to New South Wales. Children who were weaned were taken from their mothers on arrival in the . Thirteen children from this ship, aged between 2½ and 14, were admitted to the Queen’s Orphan School shortly after their arrival. This was another cold, bleak, prison-like place. Almost 20 children from this ship, mostly infants, have not been identified, a process complicated by the absence of an indent for the ship. It is probable they went with their mothers to the convict nursery located in Liverpool Street in Hobart, where the infant mortality rate was extremely high.

The largest number of children in a single ship sailed on the Earl Grey in 1849 when it left Kingstown Harbour, Ireland, with 240 female convicts and 81 children. Four women and five children died on board. Records relating to free children transported with convict parents are fragmented and incomplete. Children on board were not routinely recorded or named and where they have been, there is a great deal of inconsistency and inaccuracy. It has been estimated that about 2,000 free children came on board with Grangegorman Female Convict Depot in Dublin, 1831 http://archiseek.com/2012/richmond-general-penitentiary 14 their convict mothers. Another 46 Irish boys came with their convict fathers between 1841 and 1843. Convict administration was tightly governed, with numerous regulations so it is surprising there was no policy regarding the transportation of free children of convicts. In the final years of transportation to Van Diemen’s Land this changed, with the introduction of strict regulations, mostly relating to the age of the children. Many of the women desperately fought to keep their children with them. Ironically, many of the children were removed once they arrived in the colony. Did the mothers know this would happen?

NEW MEMBERS

Steven Thompson Early Settler Member 846 of Tasmania. Ancestor: George Thompson, who arrived on the Medway in 1821 and Thomas Fogerty, who arrived on the Mistrell in 1812.

Mandy Thompson Associate Member 847 (wife of Steven Thompson).

Sally Ann Snowden First Settler Member 848 of Victoria. Ancestor: Private Jeremiah Smith, who arrived with John Bowen in 1803.

Suzanne Cox Early Settler 849 of Tasmania. Ancestor: Jane Hadden (Baird), who arrived on the Garland Grove in 1841.

Marilyn Barnewall First Settler Member 850 of Tasmania. Ancestor: Robert Hay and George Smith, who arrived with Lt.-Governor Collins in 1804.

Barbara Edwards First Settler Member 851 of Tasmania. Ancestor: David Gibson, who arrived with Lt.-Governor Collins in 1804.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY March 2018 to June 2018

April 3, Tues: Speaker: Dr Alison Alexander with “The O’Connors of Connorville”.

May 1, Tues: Speaker: Dr Pru Francis – Senior Curator at the Catholic Archives.

June 5, Tues: Speaker: Donald Howatson with “The Pubs of Glenorchy”.

July 3, Tues: Speaker: Dr Christina Henri with “Roses from Heart” – Her Project’s Progress Report.

The speakers listed are correct at the time of printing.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

We received a payment of $30.00 on January 5, 2018, by EFT with the member Number 34. We have been unable to identify the member's name from our current records. If you believe it to be your payment, could you please email the Association, so a receipt can be written?

There are still many payments for 2018 membership outstanding and we would ask you to let us know if you wish to continue to enjoy the benefits of being part of our Association. Payments were due by January 1, 2018, and from the AGM last Tuesday the fees are now officially $30.00 per year.

Due to certain circumstances at the time, the financial report will be published in the next issue.

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