WILLIAM BRYANT First Fleet One of 108 Convicts Transported on “Charlotte” 1787 Sentenced to 7 years at Launceston-Cornwall Assizes Transported to New South Wales
(SEE ALSO MARY BRAND)
The First Fleet started the European colonisation of the Australian continent, with the first Colony – New South Wales – being proclaimed upon their arrival at Sydney Cove on 26th January 1788. The First Fleet consisted of six transport ships, two naval escorts, and three supply ships. The transports carried mainly convicts but also carried members of the Marine detachment sent as guards. In total, the First Fleet - made up of the Transports (Alexander, Charlotte, Friendship, Lady Penrhyn, Prince of Wales and Scarborough), together with their Escorts (Supply and Sirius), and Store ships (Borrowdale, Fishburn and Golden Grove) - carried 569 male convicts, 191 female convicts, detachments of Marines with their wives and families, Government officials and ships’ crews, a total in excess of 1,300 people to begin the First Settlement.
NAME: WILLIAM BRYANT AGE: About 30 years, born around 1757 at Cornwall DIED: October 1791, at Batavia following his capture at Timor (3 weeks after death of son Emanuel)
TRIED: 20 March 1784, Cornwall Assizes SENTENCE: Death, commuted to 7 Years transportation to America; his destination was changed, and he passed through Exeter gaol and the convict hulk “Dunkirk” prior to boarding the “Charlotte” for NSW; during which time he met his future wife, Mary Brand CRIME: Forgery – resisting revenue officers
SHIP: Charlotte – departed Portsmouth in England in May 1877, and arrived in NSW 26 January 1788, carrying 88 male convicts and 20 female convicts. Master Thomas Gilbert, Surgeon John White. William Bryant was employed during the voyage in issuing provisions to his fellow prisoners
FAMILY – Married: 10 February 1788 Spouse: Mary BRAND/BRAUND - Mary BRAND, a convict also from Cornwall but tried in Devon, was also on board the “Charlotte” with William BRYANT. It is unclear if he fathered her daughter, Charlotte Spence, who was born during the voyage and named after the convict ship that carried them to New South Wales.
Children: Charlotte Spence BRAND, born at sea aboard “Charlotte” 8 Sept 1787; baptised 28 Oct 1787 at Cape of Good Hope-Africa; died at sea 6 May 1792 aboard “Gorgon” on the voyage to England with her mother following their capture in Timor; buried at sea May 1792 Emanuel BRYANT – born 1790, baptised 4 April 1790, Botany Bay; died 1 Dec 1791, Batavia
DESCRIPTION – Trade: Fisherman Age: 31
NEW SOUTH WALES:
Offences and Sentences: 4 February 1789 – Received 100 lashes for selling fish caught on “Government time”
Port Jackson: Acquired the use of a hut and started a garden. Given the charge of the fishing boats, but in February 1789 was convicted of selling privately some of his catch and sentenced to receive 100 lashes. Consequently, he was deprived of the fishing control but being a skilled fisherman he continued in the boats.
ESCAPE FROM NEW SOUTH WALES: October 1790 – Obtained a chart, compass, quadrant, two muskets, together with ammunition and food, from Captain Detmer Smith of the Dutch ship “Waaksamheyd” – William was known to be planning an escape and was closely watched. 28 March 1791 – The “Supply” was sent to Norfolk Island six days earlier, and the “Waaksamheyd” sailed for England; with no ship at Port Jackson to overtake them, and no moon to betray them to the lookout at South Head, the Bryants and seven convicts escaped in the Governor’s stolen cutter with new masts, sails, oars, and a good supply of provisions. 29 March 1791 – William Bryant, with his wife Mary, and their two children, together with seven other male convicts, stole a boat and escaped from Sydney, eventually making it to Koepang in Timor after an epic 3,254-mile voyage. Despite one of the fugitives being a navigator and the others being familiar with boats, their voyage to Timor was hazardous. 5 June 1791 – Landed in Koepang-Timor after rowing 3,254 miles in 69 days. During their voyage north they found coal (at today’s Newcastle), discovered many of the islands of the Barrier Reef, and crossed the Arafura Sea. 17 September 1791 - They were arrested and taken to Batavia, where William and his son died.
NEWSPAPER REPORTS –
REFERENCES – http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010157b.htm?hilite=william%3Bbryant http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/BRAUND/2007-01/1168590803 http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A010157b.htm?hilite=mary%3Bbryant
Last Updated: 22 October 2010
Compiled by Trish Symonds