Convict Ship Earl Cornwallis - 1801
Embarked: 193 male prisoners; 95 female
Voyage: 206 days
Deaths 25
Surgeon's Journal: no
Tons: 794
Previous vessel: Anne arrived 21 February
Next vessel: Canada arrived 14 December 1801
Master James Tennant.
Surgeon John Dight
Mr. Jefferies was employed as purser
Follow the Female Convict Ship Trail
Earl Cornwallis Convicts and Passengers identified in the Hunter Valley region
In 1798 the Earl Cornwallis was employed by the East India Company and made a voyage to Bengal returning to England by June 1800. Below are the particulars of those who sailed on her on that voyage (1798).
The Earl Cornwallis was sheathed in copper in the year 1800.
One hundred and ninety-three male convicts and 95 female convicts were embarked on the Earl Cornwallis. They came from counties throughout England - Derby, Leicester, Middlesex, Berkshire, Northumberland, Devon, Lincoln, Essex, Lancaster, Somerset, Gloucester, Worcester, Southampton, London, Kent, Nottingham, Hereford, Chester, Stafford, York, Cambridge, Surrey, Hertford, Warwick, Sussex, Norfolk, Dorset, Salop and Wiltshire. One woman, Helen (Nell) Robinson came from Stirling, Scotland. At least one prisoner was embarked at the Cape of Good Hope.
Deal
The London Times reported in the shipping news dated 4th September 1800 - the ship Earl Cornwallis, bound for Botany Bay with convicts came down to Deal the previous night, and remained there with his Majesty's ships Overyssel, La Prevoyante, and Nemesis, Arrow sloop of war, Terrier armed brig and Ann armed cutter.Portsmouth
The Earl Cornwallis arrived in Portsmouth on 14th September 1800 and departed there on 18 November 1800 [1]Earl Cornwallis was the next convict ship to leave England after the departure of the Royal Admiral in May 1800.
Military Guard
The Guard consisted of soldiers from the New South Wales Corp. Lieut. Henry Crawford, of the New South Wales Corps, was drowned at Rio de JaneiroCabin Passengers
Free passengers included David Brown, John and Hannah Dight and their twelve children; William Eckford; William Spears of the New South Wales Corp.Lieutenant James Marshall of the Navy came as Agent of Transports. A passage home was arranged for him by the Albion South Sea whaler at a cost of 84 pounds according to correspondence by Gov. King to the Transport Board, however Lieut. Marshall involved himself in a disagreeable situation.....In July he was sentenced to pay a fine of £50 to the King and a Year's Imprisonment in the Jail for an assault and battery on Captain Abbott of the New South Wales Corps and also of assaulting Captain John McArthur of the same Corps. This was after it had been found that Lieut. Marshall had taken for his own use, items (a gun and bedding) that had belonged the Lieutenant Crawford on the voyage out. In August because of some legal irregularities the sentence was partially remitted on the condition that Lieutenant Marshall depart the colony on the Albion whaler [2]
Crew
Robert Scott was fifth Mate on the Earl Cornwallis.....The National Library holds ten letters written by Robert Scott. Some describe the voyage from Cowes to Port Jackson on board the Cornwallis between Nov. 1800 - June 1801, while others were written before setting sail.Fumigating Lamp
Sir Jerome Fitzpatrick was Inspector of Health to the British Army. The Jackson's Oxford Journal reported on the 8th November 1800..... Sir Jerome Fitzpatrick has, for the first time introduced his fumigating lamps into the Earl Cornwallis convict ship, which dropped down from Portsmouth to Cowes some days ago, with 294 male and female convicts on board, for New South Wales. These lamps are of the greatest importance to the prisoners, as they are calculated to prevent that destruction caused by candles and other lights, of the oxygen or vital principle of the air, which is so essential to animation.Port Jackson
The Earl Cornwallis arrived in Port Jackson on 12 June 1801 with one hundred and sixty-six male convicts and 87 female convicts.The colony had experienced uncommonly bad weather and there had been a partial failure of crops previous to the Earl Cornwallis' arrival. By June Governor King was obliged to reduce the consumption of grain and salt meat to two thirds of the full ration.[3]
He wrote to the Transport Commissioners of the arrival of the Earl Cornwallis:
Sydney N.S.Wales,
21st August 1801,
Gentlemen,
By the way of India I had the honor of writing you, a duplicate copy of which accompanies this. The Earl Cornwallis arrived here the 10th June. By that ship I received your letters and their several enclosures, together with the store, provisions, and passengers, the Commissary's receipt for all which I enclose. The difference between the number of prisoners sent on board and landed here the master accounts for by their having died of the dysentery during the voyage. Many of those landed are extremely weak and feeble. No complaint has been made of improper treatment during the voyage, and what is very extraordinary no complaint has been made by the agent or master of any very bad behaviour of any of the prisoners during the voyage. On the contrary they both speak to their advantage. I am sorry to observe that Lieut. Henry Crawford, of the New South Wales Corps, was drowned at Rio de Janeiro. The ship was cleared within the time allowed; therefore no demurrage has taken place. [4]
Description of Sydney - The expedition of Nicholas Baudin on Geographe and Le Naturaliste also reached Port Jackson in June 1801. A young naturalist by the name of François Péron was on this expedition and he kept a record of his impressions of Sydney at this time. His descriptions of the entrance and other features were just as the prisoners of the Earl Cornwallis would also have observed .........
Towards the middle of this magnificent port, and on its southern bank, in one of the principal creeks, rises Sydney Town, the capital of the country of Cumberland, and of all the English colonies in this part of the world; seated at the base of two hills, that are contiguous to each other and having the advantage of a rivulet, which runs completely through it; this infant town affords a view, at once agreeable and picturesque. To the right, and at the north point of Sydney Cove, you perceive the signal battery, which is built upon a rock, difficult of access; six pieces of cannon, protected by a turf entrenchment, cross their fire with that of another battery, which I shall presently mention; and thus defend, in the most effectual manner the approach to the harbour and the town. Further on, appear the large buildings that form the hospital, and which are capable of containing two or three hundred sick.
Amongst these buildings, there is one particularly worthy of notice, as all the parts of it were prepared in Europe, and brought out in Commodore Phillip's squadron; so that in a few days after its arrival, there was an hospital ready to receive such of the crews as were sick. On the same side of the town, at the sea shore, you observe a very fine magazine, to which the largest ships can come up, and discharge their cargoes. In the same direction are several private docks, in which are built brigs and cutters, of different sizes, for the purpose of trading either inland or beyond the colony. These vessels which are from fifty to three hundred tons burthen, are built entirely with the native wood; even their masts are obtained from the forests of the colony.
It is at the spot called Hospital Creek, that the ships of individuals unload their cargoes. Beyond the hospital in the same line is the prison, which has several dungeons capable of holding from an hundred and fifty to two hundred prisoners; it is surrounded by a high and strong wall, and has a numerous guard on duty, both by day and night. A short distance from the prison is the storehouse, for the reception of wines, spirituous liquors, salt provisions etc. In the front of it is the armoury where the garrison is drawn up every morning; accompanied by a numerous and well composed band, belonging to the New south Wales regiment.
The whole western part of this spot, is occupied by the house of the lieutenant governor general; behind which is vast garden which is worth the attention both of the philosopher and the naturalists on account of the great number of useful vegetables which are cultivated in it; and which have been procured from every part of the world by its present respectable possessor, Mr. Paterson, a distinguished traveller, and member of the Royal Society of London. Behind the house and the magazine just mentioned is the public school; here are educated in the principles or religion morals and virtue, those young females who are the hope of the rising colony; but whose parents are either too degenerate too poor to give them proper instruction. In the public school however, under respectable matrons, they are taught from their earliest years, all the duties of a good mother or a family.
Behind the house of the lieutenant governor in a large magazine , are deposited all the dried pulse and corn, belonging to the state. It is a sort of public granary intended for the support of the troops and the people who receive their subsistence from the government.
The barracks occupy a considerable square, and have in front several field pieces; the edifices for the accommodation of the officers, form the lateral parts or ends of the building; and the powder magazine is in the middle. Near this, in a small private house, the principal civil and military officers assemble. It is a sort of coffee house, maintained by subscription, in which there are several amusements but particularly billiards, at which any person may play, free of expense. Behind the armoury is a large square tower, which serves for an observatory to those English officers who study astronomy
Departure
Cornwallis departed Port Jackson bound for India on 4th October 1801 taking with her a small cargo (150 tons) of Newcastle coals.The Master James Tennant, offered Governor King a large quantity of iron for making grates and tools, which offer was accepted.
Governor King .....'The first cargo of coal brought from the Coal River in a Government vessel (the Francis) I exchanged wi) I exchanged with the Master of the Earl Cornwallis who goes for Bengal from hence, for iron which he gave 30 per cent profit for our coals at two pounds five shillings per chaldron.' [5]
Prisoners of the Earl Cornwallis identified in the Hunter region
Brearley, JohnLancaster Gaol Delivery 25 March 1800. Sentenced to transportation for life. He was first sent to Newcastle penal settlement in April 1804 for suspicion of being a burglar. This was just one month after the outpost was re-established under Lieut. Charles Menzies to provide Sydney with coal, cedar and lime. John Brearley was employed in the coal mine. He absconded in August 1810 with another prisoner John Burgess. They were apprehended the week afterwards and returned to the settlement with the instruction of Gov. Macquarie that they were to receive no punishment.(probably because the colony was in desperate need of experiences coal miners) In 1819 he petitioned to be granted an indulgence - Your Memorialist arrived in this colony in the ship Cornwallis in the year 1801 and during this long period he has always conducted himself to the entire satisfaction of those whoever he has been under, and Your Memorialist therefore begs leave to remind Your Excellency that he was thirteen years employed as an Overseer at Newcastle, over the coal miners. After so long and painful a duty I have had to perform as a prisoner, I do humbly beg your Excellency's kind consideration to grant me such indulgence your goodness may think proper to confer. William Cowper certified that he considered Brearley to be an industrious, honest and sobre man.
Foley, Bartholomew
Middlesex Gaol Delivery 4 December 1799. Sentenced to transportation for life. In 1806 Foley and his accomplice John Fitzgerald were convicted of bushranging having escaped from Newcastle. They were sentenced to 300 lashes and sentenced to work in the gaol gang till further orders. In February 1810 Bartholomew Foley petitioned for his freedom - Your Petitioner had the misfortune to be convicted at the early age of thirteen years for his Natural Life. About two years ago I was ordered to the service of Col. Foveaux in which service I uniformly conducted myself. Together with the length of time I had been in the colony and my good conduct Col. Foveaux recommended to Lieut. Gov. Paterson from whose hands I received a Conditional pardon. Bartholomew Foley had been nine years in the colony and had left behind aged parents to lament his loss. His freedom was not granted and he absconded in August 1810 and again in July 1812 when together with John Fitzgerald he absconded after plundering the Lady Nelson while on the way to Port Dalrymple. He was afterwards sent to VDL where in 1814 he was executed for sheep stealing
Frost, John
Alias Johnson. Leicester Gaol Delivery March 1800. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. He held a Ticket of Leave for the district of Newcastle in 1824
Horrell, Mary
Tried at Devon Easter Quarter Sessions on 17 March 1798. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. Mary married William Eckford who arrived free on the Marquis Cornwallis and resided at Newcastle where William was employed as a pilot. Together they raised a large family
Hunt, Thomas
Warwick Gaol Deliver 20 July 1799. Sentenced to 14 years beyond the seas. Sent to Newcastle penal settlement in April 1813. His term of punishment had expired by December 1814 and he was permitted to return to Sydney to obtain his Certificate of Freedom
Ingram, John
Leicester Gaol Delivery March 1800. Sentenced to 14 years transportation. John Ingram and Thomas Spencer were found guilty of killing a cow and a heifer in June 1818. They were both sent to Newcastle penal settlement in October 1818
Miles, Henry
Alias Deeper. London Gaol Delivery 2 April 1800. Sentenced to 7 years beyond the seas. Sentenced to 14 years at Newcastle penal settlement in 1816 for stealing in March 1816 various articles of bedding, the property of Henry Bateman. He absconded from Newcastle in 1818.
Phillips, Elizabeth
Alias Harris. Tried 13 March 1799 at Gloucester. Sentenced to 7 years transportation. In the 1825 Muster Elizabeth is married to James Harris, a soldier, and they reside at Newcastle
Notes and Links
1). Of the 95 women who were transported on the Earl Cornwallis, fourteen had been tried in Lancaster - Elizabeth Barrett, Mary Biddle, Maria Davis, Mary Denton, Ann Fogg, Elizabeth Howard, Alice Johnson, Mary Katesby, Sarah Leadbeater, Esther Reynolds, Mary Shepley, Ellen Walker and Elizabeth Whiteside.2). Sarah Leadbeater later married William Lawson of the NSW Corps having met on Norfolk Island.
3). In 1810 the following people who had arrived on the Earl Cornwallis received their Certificates of Freedom being restored to all the Rights of Free Subjects in consequence of their terms of transportation being expired... Elizabeth Stowe, Anne Fogg, Susannah Ashman, Elizabeth Seallock, Elizabeth Phillips, Mary Williams alias Jones, James Taylor, Lidia Parker and Nathaniel Lloyd.
4). The infamous Ralph Malkin who was tried in Derby 16 July 1799 was among the prisoners on the Earl Cornwallis; as was the man who became known as the Botany Bay Rothschild, Samuel Terry (see It Doesn't End There, Great Australian Stories with a Twist, John Laws and Christopher Stewart)
5). Convict Thomas Rudd from London is of interest in that his descendant would one day become Prime Minister of Australia.
6). Read the story of Charlotte Badger who was tried in Worcester in 1796 and sentenced to 7 years transportation in Come on Shore and we will Kill and Eat you All by Christina Thompson
7). Information from the UK National Archives - The Earl Cornwallis was built by Wells and launched in 1783. - 3 decks, 4in bottom, length 145ft 6in, keel 118ft 7in, hold 14ft, wing transom 23ft 8in, port cell 26ft 7½in, waist 1ft 4in, between decks 6ft and 6ft 2in, roundhouse 6ft 3in, ports 13 middle and upper, 26 guns, 774 tons. Principal Managing Owners: 1-3 James Farquharson, 4 Robert Farquharson, 5-6 James Farquharson, 7 William Urquhart. Voyages: . (7) 1798/9 Madras and Bengal. Capt James Tennant. Portsmouth 4 Oct 1798 - 20 Jan 1799 Cape - 12 Apr Madras - 11 May Ceylon - 18 May Madras - 30 May Diamond Harbour - 25 Aug Saugor - 27 Jan 1800 St Helena - 30 May Downs.
8). Aaron Graham was appointed Inspector of Convicts Establishments in England in 1801. - Copy of Letter from Mr. Aaron Graham praying pecuniary Relief in 1815 - Journal of the House of Commons
9). John Connell (c. 1759–1849), free settler, merchant and landowner, came to New South Wales aboard the Earl Cornwallis, which arrived in Sydney in June 1801. Records show that also aboard the Earl Cornwallis was a Catherine Connell, a convict under sentence of fourteen years transportation and described on the ship’s convict indents as ‘Ux. John Connell’: i.e., his wife. Read John Connell's biography at the National Portrait Gallery
References
[1] Historical Records NSW, Vol. IV, p.787[2] HRA Series 1.,Vol. 3. p.265
[3] HRA Series 1, Vol.3, p. 109
[4] HRA Series 1.,Vol. 3. p.264
[5] Historical Records NSW, Vol. IV, p. 359, Governor King to Sir Joseph Banks (Banks Papers.)
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