Branches of the Tree
Book Review: article for Association journal ‘Genie-ologist’
In February 2019, I had an opportunity to tour Port Arthur
Tasmania and it was there that I purchased a booklet called ‘Caught in the Act:
Unusual Offenses of Port Arthur Convicts’. The booklet was first printed in
1996 and reprinted another three times, the last being 2017. The 49 page booklet
was compiled by Phillip Hilton and Susan Hood, and published by Port Arthur
Historic Site Management Authority.
The booklet began life in a project (the Port Arthur
Research Project) to count the number of convicts who were at Port Arthur
between 1830 to 1877 (Lt Governor Arthur 1824 started a records system), and to
list the unusual offenses and consequences detailed in conduct records.
81 convict names are listed alphabetically – ages, where
given, ranging from 12 to 60 years; majority of ages, where given, were in the
19 to 26 years age group. Most of the detail stated that the convicts were
given 7 years transportation (or multiples thereof) for their crimes tried and
convicted in the United Kingdom (England / Ireland / Scotland). The oldest
convict named was 60 years old and lived to 84 years – an uncommon occurrence.
Several names indicate the person described had several misconduct items and
consequences ascribed to them – this time period indicated that solitary
confinement and bread and water, or the application of the Cat-of-Nine tails
(saw a replica – nasty piece of work), and / or wearing of chains during hard
labour were common punishments. I was able to hold a pair of shackles and they
were heavy.
From the booklet, 54 ships transported the 81 listed convicts
to Van Diemen’s Land, between 1815 to 1853. The majority of the listed convicts
were transported in the period 1830 to 1852 (55 / 81). The most prolific time
periods were 1830, 1842*, 1844 **, and 1852. 16 listed convicts were
transported in 1844 on seven ships (Sir Robert Peel, Equestrian, Lord Auckland,
Barossa, Lady Franklin, Emily, William Jardine). 9 listed convicts were
transported in 1842 on four ships (Candahar, Somersetshire, Susan, Eden).
Within the detail attributed to each listed convict is such
things as marriage status, occupation / skills, previous crimes /
misdemeanours, physical appearance, character, receipt of Certificate of Freedom.
There were many convicts sent to Port Arthur over the years
of its time as a convict settlement and the 81 convicts listed is only a small
sample. I found the booklet to be interesting, informative, sad, and a
representation of the social activities of the time. There were a number of
books available for purchase onsite – no online shop.
The website: portarthur.org.au is good – lots of information