Transported in Time Convict information We have provided indents, or muster lists, of the convict transport ships the Louisa and the Florentia. As part of your preparation for this excursion you may like to allocate each student a convict identity chosen from the muster lists supplied. Please see pre-visit activities for suggestions on how to use these. The female convicts arrived in the colony on 3 December 1827, on the Louisa which sailed from Woolwich on the 24 August 1827. The journey took 101 days. There were 90 Scottish and English women and 21 children on the ship. While all survived the journey, some were treated in hospital on arrival. The male convicts arrived in the colony on 3 January 1828 on the Florentia which sailed from England via Cork (Ireland) on the 15 September 1827. The journey took 110 days. On board were 165 male convicts, 4 women, 6 children and the Captain’s wife. Staff roles Members of staff who are in costume and character as house servants will meet students and outline the range of tasks to be completed. As servants were traditionally hired to perform specific areas of work (i.e. as house, garden or kitchen servants), students are assigned to similar working groups. Past experience has shown that a pre-visit classroom discussion about convict life and the early colonial environment assists in the achievement of educational goals and ensures a more engaging, enjoyable experience. 1 NB Participants in Transported in Time : With Scones Please note as part of these working groups some students are allocated to kitchen and some to house chores so only some students will cook the scones, but all students will be able to eat the scones. Historical background Elizabeth Farm was built in 1793 and was the home of John and Elizabeth Macarthur. It is Australia’s oldest surviving homestead. It was a half-day journey by water from Sydney and a few minutes’ walk or ride from Parramatta, and was located in close proximity to John’s regiment. Surrounded by water on three sides, it supported some of the finest land in the colony, suitable for the cultivation of wheat, corn, fruit trees and raising livestock. As the colony increased in prosperity, so did the Macarthurs, who had access to an ample supply of convict labour from 1791 onwards. Unlike other settlers they did not experience extreme hardship and shortage and in later years employed up to 30 to 40 people, including stock-keepers, gardeners, cooks, labourers and servants. Preparing for your visit: 1. There are two source studies included in this document that you could do with your students prior to you visit. One is about the Macarthurs and the other is about Convicts (using the muster lists and other sources). 2. You could also use the muster lists to allocate a convict identity to each student. Students can dress up as their convict on the day of the excursion to Elizabeth Farm. 2 Transported in Time – Pre-visit activity The Macarthurs: Source study Source A: Elizabeth Macarthur ca. 1850. Oil Source B: John Macarthur ca. 1850. Oil on canvas. on canvas. Unknown artist Unknown artist Source C Joseph Lycett, The Residence of John McArthur Esqre. near Parramatta, New South Wales. 1825. tate Library of Victoria Collection. 3 Source D: Letter from Elizabeth Macarthur to her friend Miss Bridgit Kingdon, 1 September [1798]. Our Farm, which contains from four to five hundred Acres, is bounded on three sides by water. This is particularly convenient. We have at this time, about one hundred and twenty acres in Wheat, all in a promising state. Our Gardens, with Fruit and Vegetables are extensive and produce abundantly. It is now Spring and the Eye is delighted with a most beautiful variegated Landscape. Almonds, Apricots, Pear and Apple Trees are in full bloom. Mr Macarthur has frequently in his employment thirty or forty people whom we pay weekly for their labour. Eight are employed as Stock-Keepers, in the Garden, Stables and House & five more, besides women servants; these we both feed & clothe, or at least we furnish them with the means of providing clothes for themselves. Vocabulary: Acre – about one football field Abundantly – in large quantities Variegated – showing different colours Source E: Letter from Elizabeth Macarthur to Miss Kingdon, 7 March [1791]. Historical Records of New South Wales, vol 2, p 504 Daringa (c1770–1795) was the wife of Colebee, a Gadigal warrior. She brought a new born baby girl to Elizabeth Farm. Elizabeth says she ordered something for the poor Woman to Eat, and had her taken proper care of for some little while … The Child thrives remarkably well and I discover a softness and gentleness of Manners in Daringa truly interesting. Thomas Watling, Da-ring-ha, Colebee's Wife, 1792 and 1797, Natural History Museum (London). Questions for discussion: 1. [Sources A and B]: Describe the clothes John and Elizabeth Macarthur are wearing in their painted portraits. How can you tell they are wealthy free settlers? Provide a reason for your answer from the source. 2. [Source C]: What can you see about the landscape at Parramatta that would have made it a desirable place for the Macarthurs to build their farm? 3. [Source D]: a. What does Elizabeth mention in her letter to Miss Kingdon about the advantages of the farm being where it is? b. What does she say is growing at Elizabeth Farm? c. How many convicts do the Macarthur’s have and what do they do? 4. [Source E]: a. How did Elizabeth Macarthur help Daringa? What does this tell us about Elizabeth? b. What can we learn about Daringa from Elizabeth’s letter? 4 Transported in Time – Pre-visit activity Convicts: Source study What do we know about the convicts who came to the colony? 1. Using the muster sheets from the Louisa and the Florentia, your teacher will allocate a convict identity to you. Using the indents, answer the following questions: a. Where were you born? b. What is your skill or trade? c. What crime did you commit? d. What was your sentence? 2. Draw and illustrate your convict character, including details such as tattoos, scars and hair and eye colour. Source A: Drawing of convicts in New Holland, 1793, Felipe Bauza, State Library of New South Wales. 5 Source B GOVERNMENT NOTICE COLONIAL SECRETARY’S OFFICE, SYDNEY, DECEMBER 3, 1827. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that Families, who are in Want of Female Servants, may be supplied from the English and Scotch Prisoners arrived in the Ship Louisa, from London, provided they apply, according to the established Form, to the Principal Superintendent of Convicts, before Thursday, the 13th Instant. Printed Forms, for this Purpose, may be gained by applying at this Office or at the Office of the Principal Superintendent of Convicts. By Command of his Excellency the Governor, ALEXANDER MCLEAY. Questions for discussion: 3. [Source A]: Describe the clothes that the convicts are wearing in the drawing. How are they different from the clothes worn by the Macarthurs? 4. [Source B]: What does the advertisement tell us about how the Macarthurs got their convict servants? 6 Florentia Muster Roll of 172 English Male Convicts arrived in Sydney Cove on the 3rd January 1828 on Board the Florentia J.T. Billett: commander from England. James Dickson Surgeon Superintendent, Muster held on board the said Ship the 5th January 1828 by Alexander Mc. Leay Esq’r Colonial Secretary; Mustered No. 165 Died 1 Disembarked at Cork 6 __________ 172 Total __________ No Name Age Education Religion Single or Family Native Place Trade or Offence Where Tried When Sentence Former Height Complexion Colour Eyes Remarks Married Calling Tried (years) conviction of Hair 137 Joseph 16 None Protestant S No Wolverhampt Errand Stealing Stafford 15 7 3 4’5 ¾” Ruddy Brown Dark Right arm disabled. ACTON on Boy Money March pockpitted Hazel Small scar over left 1827 eye 78 Richard 18 Reads Catholic S No Suffolk House Picking London 24 Oct 7 No 5’ 3 ¼” Ruddy Dark Hazel Small scar on right BARRETT Writes servant pockets 1825 brown eyelid. Woman, Shoemaker MAK, crucifixion & RBJBDBAB on right arm. Anchor, MA and heart on left arm. Mole over left eye. 20 John 30 Reads Protestant S No Gloucester Farmers Sheep Gloucester 9 Apr Life No 5’5 ½” Ruddy Dark Hazel Much pockpitted and BAYLIN man & stealing 1827 brown several cuts on right miner side of head. 123 Benjamin 23 Reads Protestant S No Salop Miner Cow Shrewsbury 23 Life No 5’5 ½” Ruddy Black Light Weak eyes CARTWRIGHT stealing March brown 56 John BOND 41 Reads Protestant M 4 Glastonbury Stationer Stolen London 5 April 14 No 5’5” Dark ruddy Black to Brown Pockpitted shot Writes children stationery grey through ….& through right arm underneath joint; right thumb joint sti-- - wounded upper joint left forehand. 164 Thomas 20 Reads Protestant S No Lanark Stone Rioting Glasgow 7 May 14 2 5’7” Ruddy Brown Blue Cut over corner of Cunningham Writes cutter 1827 right eye. 4 Thomas 22 Reads Protestant S No Buckingham Farmers Highway Aylesbury 6 March Life 2 5’5 ¼” Ruddy fair Brown Grey Small mark corner BULL shire man robbery left eye 13 Nathan 24 Reads Protestant M No Derby Potter Stealing Derby 19 July 7 2 5’7” Ruddy Red to Hazel No marks BURROWS Writes cheese freckled sandy 7 Florentia No Name Age Education Religion Single or Family Native Place Trade or Offence Where Tried When Sentence Former Height Complexion Colour Eyes Remarks Married Calling Tried (years) conviction of Hair 5 Joshua 23 Reads Protestant M 1 child Buckingham Farmers Firing Aylesbury 6 March Life No 5’5 ½” Dark ruddy Brown Light WBAB & woman BOWLER shire man haystack hazel tattooed on left arm: JB on left hand & s on 3rd finger.