Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Newcastle Female Factory 1828 - 1848




1828

The Monitor reported in March 1828 of plans to establish a female factory in a section of Newcastle Gaol.

Among the fashionable arrivals last week, was the Chief Engineer, Capt. Dumaresq, who inspected all the public buildings works, etc. Among the changes and improvements which may be expected to result therefrom, the following is the most conspicuous. -

Newcastle Gaol is the best in the Colony, whether size, beauty, or situation be considered. Of late years, i.e. since the prison establishment in the service of the Crown has become reduced, the number of offenders has been also reduced, and this fine building has been in a manner lost to the public. The
Female Factory at Parramatta is crowded, and among its inmates, are a number of women, encumbered with children, and therefore not available for the purposes of assignment, while valuable room is permanently occupied by them, to the inconvenience of the establishment generally. It is now determined that a portion of the Newcastle gaol shall be prepared for the reception of one hundred and fifty women, to be employed as usefully as may be practicable. Estimates of expense, etc being made and approved, walls, lodges, gates, and partitions will be built, and the plan be put into execution as soon as possible. [1]

1831

The following women were admitted to Newcastle Gaol in January and February 1831. At this time the gaol seems to have been used mostly as a holding facility until the women were sent either to the Parramatta Female Factory or to private assignment..

6 January 1831

Ann Davis, Forth. Place illegible


11 January 1831

Mary Blackmore, Roslin Castle 1830. Sent to 3rd Class female factory at Parramatta for 3 months for insolence


19 January 1831

Ellen Wicks, Sovereign 1829. Sent to 3rd Class female factory at Parramatta for 3 months being pregnant and absconding


25 January 1831

Winifred Stewart, Roslin Castle 1830. Sent to 3rd Class female factory at Parramatta for 1 month


29 January 1831

Ann Storrett, Princess Royal 1829 Admitted to the gaol on her way to private assignment


29 January 1831

Eleanor Norton, Lady Rowena 1826 3 months 2nd Class female factory at Parramatta


2 February 1831

Mary Montague, Midas 1825 7months in female factory at Parramatta for insolence and abusive language


5 February 1831

Ann Canny Born in the colony 3 months for prostitution. Sent to the female factory at Parramatta


18 February 1831

Margaret Williams per Princess Royal 1829 Sent to the female factory at Parramatta

Riot at Parramatta Female Factory

There was a riot at the Parramatta Factory in February 1831. Many of the participants were sent to Newcastle (28 women were sent on 5th March and others following in the next two weeks). They had been sentenced to three years transportation to a penal settlement however under orders of George Brooks most had been assigned to private service in Newcastle and Maitland by September of that year.

The women who participated in the riot arrived on the convicts ships Lucy Davidson, Competitor, Edward, Roslin Castle, Princess Charlotte, Forth, Asia, Elizabeth and Brothers.

Select here to find out more about these women who were sent to Newcastle on 5th March 1831.


More women who had been involved in rioting were sent to Newcastle along with other delinquents in the weeks following 5 March 1831 -

10 March 1831

Eliza Sullivan per Edward 1829 1 month 2nd Class female factory at Parramatta for being pregnant


10 March 1831

Eliza Livingstone per Louisa 1827 14 days solitary confinement for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders


14 March 1831

Susan Stephens per Roslin Castle 1830 Sent to private service of Mr. Bloomfield


14 March 1831

Ann Gregg per Lucy Davidson 1829 Sent to private service of E.C. Close


14 March 1831

Catherine Gorman per Sovereign 1829 Sent to private service of Walter Rotton


14 March 1831

Eliza Green per Lucy Davidson 1829 Sent to private service of Jonathan Warner


14 March 1831

Letitia Sullivan per Mariner 1825 Sent to private service of Emanuel Hungerford


14 March 1831

Mary Campbell per Brothers 1827 Sent to private service of Emanuel Hungerford


14 March 1831

Ann Newman per Roslin Castle 1830 3 years in a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Mary Connolly per Edward 1829 3years to a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Ann Wright per Edward 1829 3 yrs to a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Mary Callaghan per Sovereign 1829 Sentenced to 3 years in a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Jane Ferguson per Sovereign 1829 3 years in a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Sarah Mills per Harmony 1827 3 years in a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


14 March 1831

Bridget Meany per Forth 1830 3 yrs to a penal settlement for mutinous and outrageous conduct


18 March 1831

Ann Delaney per Brothers 1827 Sentenced to 10 days solitary confinement for disorderly conduct


19 March 1831

Mary Wilkinson per Sovereign 1829 Sent to Newcastle gaol from Sydney 19 March. For private service to Mrs. Allman


25 March 1831

Bridget Carnes per Brothers 1827 3 months in 3rd Class female factory at Parramatta


25 March 1831

Elizabeth Hughes per Competitor 1828 Admitted to Newcastle gaol and forwarded to George Wyndham for private service 1st April


22 March 1831

Ann Jackson per Glatton 1803 Committed to Newcastle gaol by Newcastle Bench. Allowed bail 8 April


23 March 1831

Charlotte Tethers per Princess Royal 1829 3mths in 3rd class factory for insubordination and insolence. Forwarded to Sydney 25 March.


23 March 1831

Hannah Murphy per Princess Charlotte 1827 Sentenced to 7 days solitary confinement by Newcastle Bench


30 March 1831

Ann Ferguson per Asia 1830 Sentenced to 4 days in solitary and then sent to Parramatta female factory


30 March 1831

Ann Storrett per Sovereign 1829 Sentenced by Maitland Bench to 1mth 3rd class female factory Parramatta


1 April 1831

Margaret Handlen per Kains 1831 Sent from the female factory via Newcastle gaol to private service of William Harper


1 April 1831

Elizabeth Reed per Kains 1831 Sent from the female factory via Newcastle gaol for the private service of Capt. Sullivan


1 April 1831

Johanna Quin per Kains 1831 Sentenced to 21 days solitary confinement then to the Female Factory Parramatta 1st Class


4 April 1831

Ann Delaney per Brothers 1827 Forwarded to the 3rd Class factory Parramatta by order of the Newcastle Bench. Sent 9 May


8 April 1831

Catherine Gill per Lucy Davidson 1829 Sentenced to 14 days solitary confinement for insolence and disobedience of orders


9 April 1831

Margaret McNamara per Elizabeth 1828 7 days solitary confinement


23 April 1831

Letitia Pickers per Midas 1825 Sentenced to 7 days solitary confinement for disorderly conduct


27 April 1831

Mary Ann Greigh per Lucy Davidson 1829 Sentenced to 3mths in the female factory at Parramatta. 3rd Class


27 April 1831

Jane King per Roslin Castle 1830 Sentenced to 1mth confined in the cells. Discharged to her master


29 May 1831

Rose McGarry per Edward 1829 Sentenced to 3 yrs in a penal settlement for riot at the female factory


28 April 1831

Catherine McGilvray per Earl of Liverpool 1831 Admitted to Sydney gaol en route to Newcastle for private assignment


28 April 1831

Sarah Pepperall per Earl of Liverpool 1831 Admitted to Sydney gaol en route to Newcastle for private assignment


28 April 1831

Mary Kelly per Earl of Liverpool 1831 Admitted to Sydney gaol en route to Newcastle for private assignment


28 April 1831

Frances Matthews per Earl of Liverpool 1831 Admitted to Sydney gaol en route to Newcastle for private assignment


29 April 1831

Alice Green per Kains 1831 10 days solitary confinement.

Sarah Morris

Sarah Morris was sent to Newcastle in May 1831 as Monitor of the female factory. She returned to Parramatta female factory in November 1831(2) Select here to read the Biography of convict Sarah Morris written by her descendant Janelle Collins. Select here to go to Janelle's Family Tree Addiction Blog

1835

Eliza Jane Field

John Field was appointed gaoler at Newcastle gaol on 4th July 1835. His wife Eliza Jane was appointed Matron on the same day. This seems to be the first mention of a permanent Matron and by this time the female section of the gaol was being used as a place of confinement or punishment as well as the temporary holding facility of previous years.

In September 1835 twenty-nine women who had been disembarked from the Mary convict ship in Sydney were sent the same day on the Sophia Jane steamer to Newcastle to be held there until assigned.

1836

In December 1836 thirty-one women who had been disembarked from the Pyramus convict ship in Sydney were sent to Newcastle gaol to await assignment and in January 1838 fifteen women from the Sir Charles Forbes were admitted to Newcastle gaol the next day after landing in Sydney.

1840

The following women were admitted to Newcastle gaol in 1840 during John and Eliza Field's time as gaolers. They came from Scone, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Paterson, Maitland, Brisbane Water and Newcastle. Similar to their sisters of a decade before, some were sent repeatedly to the gaol, others were just passing through on the way to assignment. They were mostly sent for petty offences, however there were also those who had committed no crime but who were admitted to seek medical aid from the colonial surgeon (George Brooks) or who were no longer required in private service and were returned to government.

The number of female prisoners held in Newcastle gaol more than doubled compared to a decade before. Details of their incarceration can be found in the Newcastle Gaol Entrance Books. Curiously, some of the names in the Gaol Entrance Books (for females only) have been recorded and then erased.

To establish the identity of women admitted to the gaol and whose names were destroyed, Gaol Description Books, Convict Indents, and Emigrant Records have been used in conjunction with the Gaol Entrance Books......


3 January 1840

Susan Flinn (Flynn) per Andromeda 1834 Husband in Gaol. Returned to government


5 January 1840

Martha Siffrage per Earl of Liverpool 1831 Confined 1 month for misdemeanour


10 January 1840

Catherine Cray per Buffalo 1833 Charged with drunkenness.


10 January 1840

Johanna Dunn per Margaret 1839 Larceny. Remanded


10 January 1840

Rebecca Palmer per Sarah and Elizabeth 1837 Useless as a cook. Returned to government


13 January 1840

Ann Flood per Pyramus 1836 10 days in the cells for drunkenness


14 January 1840

Eliza Storey per Diana 1833 14 days in the cells for indecent conduct


14 January 1840

Johanna Dunn per Margaret 1839 Charged with larceny. Sent for trial


19 January 1840

Julia Connell per Caroline 1833 No offence recorded. Returned to government


21 January 1840

Margaret Brady per Hooghley 1831 3 days in the cells for drunkenness


21 January 1840

Maria Boyle per Sir Charles Forbes 1837 14 days in the cells -- absent without leave


22 January 1840

Margaret Barry per Surry 1833 No offence recorded. Returned to government


25 January 1840

Mary Brien or Murphy per Thomas Harrison 1836 No offence recorded. Return to govt


27 January 1840

Ellen Martin per Sarah and Elizabeth 1837 7 days in the cells for drunkenness


27 January 1840

Elizabeth Frost per Lord Sidmouth 1823 No offence recorded. Return to govt.


28 January 1840

Mary Connelly per Lucy Davidson 1829 Vagrant. 3 months confinement


28 January 1840

Johanna Rielly per Margaret 14 days in the cells for being quarrelsome


28 January 1840

Ann McKay (Mackay) per Mary Ann 1839 Illness. To seek medical aid


1 February 1840

Ann Cheeseman per Princess Royal 1829 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


4 February 1840

Ann Phillips per Numa 1834 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


4 February 1840

Bridget Ryan per Sir Charles Forbes 1837 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


7 February 1840

Ann Boyd or Burrows per Margaret 1837 1 month confinement for drunkenness


7 February 1840

Mary Hinds per Mary Ann 1839 Insolence. Returned to government


8 February 1840

Alice Trigg per Planter 1839 2 months in the 3rd Class Factory for absconding


8 February 1840

Elizabeth Rowe per Numa 1834 Illness. Admitted to seek medical aid


14 February 1840

Mary Corcoran per Margaret 1837 2 months 3rd Class Factory for misdemeanour.


14 February 1840

Eliza Hutchinson per Mary 1835 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


14 February 1840

Maria Steele per Numa 1834 6 months 3rd Class Factory for robbery


18 February 1840

Janet Bell per Mary Ann 1839 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


18 February 1840

Mary Cuddy per Whitby 1839 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


18 February 1840

Mary Hayes per Elizabeth 1836 6 months hard labour for robbery


21 February 1840

Mary Gallagher per Margaret 1840 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct


21 February 1840

Mary Cuddy per Whitby 1839 14 days in the cells for petty larceny


22 February 1840

Elizabeth Tilbury per Thomas Harrison 1836 Insolence. Remanded


24 February 1840

Margaret Clements per Sir Charles Forbes 1837 2 months 3rd Class Factory for petty larceny


28 February 1840

Harriett Atkinson per Mary 1835 7 days solitary confinement for insolence


29 February 1840

Margaret Blackwood per Mary Ann 1839 14 days solitary confinement for absconding


29 February 1840

Sarah Smith per Henry Wellesley 1837 14 days solitary confinement for absconding


29 February 1840

Judith Condon per Margaret 1839 14 days confinement for neglect of duty and insolence


29 February 1840

Mary Ann Williams per Henry Wellesley 1837 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


2 March 1840

Mary Barnes per Mary Ann 1839 Charged with disorderly conduct. Remanded


2 March 1840

Mary Robson per John Renwick 1838 Charged with being absent without leave.


4 March 1840

Sarah Peters alias Smith per Buffalo 1833 14 days in the cells for absconding


6 March 1840

Margaret White per Caroline 1833 2 months hard labour for absconding


7 March 1840

Eliza Smith per George Hibbert Charged with robbery. Sent for trial


9 March 1840

Bridget Cunningham per Margaret 1839 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


11 March 1840

Margaret Barry per Surry 1833 7 days in the cells - absent without leave


14 March 1840

Sarah Riley per Diamond 1838 Charged with absconding. Remanded


14 March 1840

Catherine Rielly per Caroline 1833 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


14 March 1840

Margaret Collins per Whitby 2 months 3rd Class factory for drunkenness and absconding


14 March 1840

Mary Williams per Mary 7 days in the cells for disorderly conduct


15 March 1840

Sarah Cooney per Henry Wellesley 1837 Admitted because of illness.


17 March 1840

Sarah Riley per Diamond 1838 14 days in the cells for absconding


18 March 1840

Bertha Hutchinson per Mary Ann 1839 Admitted because of illness. To receive medical advice


24 March 1840

Catherine Ryan per Buffalo 1833 Returned to govt. for absenting herself


24 March 1840

Charlotte Skarr per Henry Wellesley 1837 No offence recorded. Returned to govt. service


24 March 1840

Catherine Bolton per Charles Kerr 1 month hard labour for being a common prostitute


31 March 1840

Emma Capenhurst per Mary Ann 1839 No offence recorded. Returned to govt. service


1 April 1840

Grace Draper per Mary No offence recorded. Returned to govt. service


1 April 1840

Eliza Herring per George Hibbert 1834 Sent to the Bench at Newcastle after absconding


2 April 1840

Jane Beecher alias Craig/Craggs per Kains 1831 Remanded on a charge of possessing stolen property


2 April 1840

Eliza Herring per George Hibbert 1834 14 days in the cells for absconding


5 April 1840

Ann Mullens per Forth 1830 Charged with felony. Sent for trial


5 April 1840

Sarah Peters per Buffalo 1833 14 days in the cells for absconding. To be returned to her husband


6 April 1840

Ann Floyd per Pyramus 1836 Charged with disorderly conduct. Remanded


6 April 1840

Jane Gamble per Mary 1835 No offence recorded. Returned to govt. service


7 April 1840

Mary Walsh per Pyramus 1836 2 months 3rd Class Factory for insolence and refusing to work


7 April 1840

Eliza Spencer per Numa 1834 14 days in the cells and return to govt. service


7 April 1840

Mary Keating per Mangles (came free) Mary and John Keating sentenced to 3 months confinement for breach of agreement


8 April 1840

Ann Floid/Floyd per Pyramus 1836 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


8 April 1840

Elizabeth Lloyd per Margaret 1837 No offence recorded. Returned to govt. service


9 April 1840

Margaret Jones per Buffalo 1833 No offence recorded. Sent to Maitland


9 April 1840

Mary Corcoran per Margaret 1837 Charged with disorderly conduct. Remanded


10 April 1840

Catherine Cain/Kean per Whitby 1839 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


10 April 1840

Agnes McLean per Mary Ann 1839 Charged with robbery. Remanded


10 April 1840

Mary Corcoran per Margaret 1837 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct.


13 April 1840

Catherine Ryan per Surry 1833 14 days in the cells for absence without leave


15 April 1840

Ellen Aaron per Henry Wellesley 1837 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


15 April 1840

Elizabeth Starkey Planter 1839 1 month in the cells for concealing pregnancy


15 April 1840

Maria Swift per Roslin Castle 1830 1 month in the cells for absconding


18 April 1840

Janet Bell per Mary Ann 1839 14 days in the cells absence without leave


18 April 1840

Elizabeth Kennell per Mary Ann 1839 Charged with refusing to work. Remanded


21 April 1840

Sarah Cooney per Henry Wellesley 1837 7 days in the cells for drunkenness


21 April 1840

Elizabeth Kennell per Mary Ann 1839 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct


21 April 1840

Margaret McHugh per Margaret 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct


21 April 1840

Mary A. Cain per Sir Charles Forbes 1837 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


21 April 1840

Mary Mercy per Sarah and Elizabeth 1837 14 days in the cells for drunkenness


24 April 1840

Jane Atkinson per Mary Ann 1839 14 days in the cells for absence without leave


27 April 1840

Jane Burns per Margaret 14 days in the cells for disorderly conduct


28 April 1840

Catherine Wapshot per Asia 1830 Sent for trial for causing the death of Catherine Phillips by maliciously throwing her on the fire


28 April 1840

Mary Carmody per Diamond 1838 14 days in the cells for disobedience of orders


28 April 1840

Margaret Toole Diamond 1838 14 days in the cells for disobedience of orders


28 April 1840

Margaret James John Renwick 1838 No offence recorded. Returned to govt.


28 April 1840

Sarah Brown per Pyramus 1832 Sentenced to 2 months in 3rd Class Factory for drunkenness. To be returned to her husband

Eliza Field

The following correspondence written in 1840 gives a little more information about Matron Eliza Field at the Newcastle Female Factory......

'The Attorney General called the attention of the Council to the fact that there was no provision on the Estates for a Matron to the Sydney Gaol, although the sum of 25 pounds was allowed for that purpose at Newcastle. He was sure that every person would readily allow that a female of that description was much more wanted at the former place than at the latter, although equally necessary at every prison where free females were kept in confinement. The Governor acquiesced in the justice of the Attorney General's remark, and said that, as the expense would be but trifling, the matter could be very easily remedied.

We perfectly agree with the Attorney General, that there ought to be a Matron in every Gaol to which Free Females are in the habit of being committed; but we confess we are somewhat astonished at his saying that a Matron is more requisite in the Sydney Gaol than in the Gaol at Newcastle, for the following reasons: the Gaol at Newcastle is a Female Factory, and contains the only Hospital for Convict Women in the whole of the northern district of the Colony; Free, as well as Convict Women are confined in this Gaol, both before and after sentence.

The average number of females, of all descriptions, confined in Newcastle Gaol is about sixty ; the average number of women in hospital eight. We have before described the miserable want of accommodation and the consequent impossibility of classifying the prisoners. All that we can add upon this part of the subject is; that all circumstances considered the order and cleanliness of this compartment of the gaol, reflects the highest credit on its Matron, and justly entitles her to a much higher Salary, than that which she receives. We believe, we are fully warranted in saying, that such is the unanimous opinion of the Magistrates and Government Officers who have inspected the Gaol. A Salary of 25 pounds is all that the Matron receives, and perhaps that sum is quite as much as the Colony ought to pay ; but as the female's side of the prison, is to all intents and purposes, as much a Penal Factory, as that of Parramatta, we cannot see, why the Home Government should not give a Salary to the Matron of the Newcastle Factory, as well as to the Matron of the Parramatta Penal Factory. A Salary of 50 pounds per annum from the Home Government and 25 pounds from the Colonial would be a reason able compensation for the disgusting, and truly arduous duties performed by the Matron. We perceive that His Excellency has expressed his intention of introducing a Bill for the adoption of certain portions of the English Prison Act which will empower Magistrates to visit and Report on the state of the Gaols in their respective District. Justice, wisdom, and mercy call equally for this long needed improvement.

We trust that among other instructions to be given to the visitors, will be one directing a full and circumstantial return of the contents of the Gaol every six weeks; which report should be published in the Government Gazette. The public have a right to know when, and why their fellow subjects are incarcerated.

As respects the female department, no language of which we are master, can depict the unavoidable pernicious consequences, which flow from the indiscriminate associations of girls of their own sex. And as respects the immigrant population, we say it is monstrous to think, that a girl of unblemished moral character, should for a comparatively light offence be compelled to herd for weeks or months with convict prostitutes -yet there is no alternative, the gaol is so limited in its accommodation, that it is utterly impossible to separate them. Most sincerely do we hope, that these remarks may lead to some salutary changes in our prison regulations. Our comments upon the subject are not offensively intended, neither are we actuated by any sinister motive in making them. We dwell upon the subject because we feel persuaded, that His Excellency and the Council cannot reconcile the facts we have stated, with their sense of justice and morality. Matters connected with the interior of Newcastle gaol, may not possess that degree of interest which other, and less painful subjects do but the claims of humanity, religion, and morality call loudly to those without the walls, for reform'.[8]

Classification of prisoners was again raised in December 1840 -

We regret that His Excellency's Bill makes no provision for the proper classification of the confines. This we conceive to be a vital error. Immigrant boys of from sixteen to eighteen years of age are indiscriminately herded with old and notorious convicts, and too often leave the gaol with minds prepared to do anything rather than return to the paths of honest industry. The same is to be said of the female division of the gaol. *A child of twelve years of age is now lying in Newcastle Gaol (an emigrant we regret to say, and a native of Scotland); she is obliged to herd with the most degraded of her sex, and to learn from them the vices that have caused their own degradation. The unfortunate child is committed for theft; she was sent from Patrick's Plains about a fortnight before the last Maitland Quarter Sessions - too late to be included among those who were tried at that session, she must therefore remain in the society we have described until February; her four months primary imprisonment will do much to confirm her in the evil propensities which have already but too clearly manifested themselves. Imprisonment is a punishment intended as much for the correction of the delinquent as for, his punishment ; but how -is it possible to hope to effect any amendment in the morals and habits of young, and comparatively slight offenders, if these are compelled to eat, drink, sleep, converse, and associate with hoary veterans in the paths of iniquity ? [9]

(*This child was Jane Finlay who arrived on the William Rodger in 1838)

1841

In 1841 after regular Reports by a visiting Justice were established, some improvement was made to the living arrangements when the cells were made a little lighter -

A measure that marked a more humane treatment of female prisoners was the Act 5 Victoria, No. 3, passed in 1841. The Colonial Secretary drew the attention of the visiting justice to it in a communication dated 8th July, 1841:
Sir,
I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to draw your attention to the Act of Council recently passed, prohibiting the imprisonment of females in dark cells and to request that you will report whether there are in your gaol any light cells or cells which can he made light
.

Major Crummer made a report on the matter, and the Colonial Secretary replied as follows:- Sir, In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant, proposing a plan by which sufficient light can he admitted into the dark cells in Newcastle Gaol, I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that he approves of the alterations being made, and of your charging the expense, not exceeding twenty pounds, in your contingent account. You are also authorised to claim assistance from the stockade if you require it. [7]

The Gaol came to the notice of the Governor in 1842. An article published in the Newcastle Morning Herald many years later, reveals some of the correspondence of the Colonial Department regarding the women incarcerated in Newcastle gaol and their rations and clothing. Magistrate Major Crummer was afterwards reprimanded by the Governor for his lack of involvement with the workings of the gaol.....

1842

In January 1842 a requisition was sent to the Colonial Storekeeper for the supply of clothing for 80 women and 10 children, at that time confined in the female factory at Newcastle. The outfit for each woman comprised - cap, jacket, petticoat, shift, apron, handkerchief, a pair of stockings and a pair of shoes. The Governor, Sir George Gipps, when the requisition was submitted to him wrote the following memorandum on the back: I doubt the necessity of this requisition, and further information must be afforded. The number of women in the factory or rather gaol at Newcastle rarely exceeds 35, and they are not permanently there. Women who cannot be assigned in the district should be removed to Parramatta. The Sheriff accordingly wrote to the visiting justice Major Crummer asking for further information. The Colonial Secretary Mr. E. Deas Thomson took the matter up for he wrote as follows to the visiting justice on 25th April 1842 - Sir, With reference to your letter of the 11th instant, relative to the slop clothing required for the female prisoners in the Newcastle Gaol, I am directed by the Governor to return to you the several requisitions which you have furnished, and to request that you will substitute others for them, calculated for sixty women instead of eighty - sixty being in fact ten more than the number of women actually in Newcastle Gaol and far more than the number that ever ought to be there.[4]

The Hunter River Gazette reported in February 1842 - Newcastle - There are a number of women assignable in the factory here at present, and among them many laundresses. Should any servants of this description be required by families, the present is a good time to apply for them. Free or ticket of leave men, desirous of entering into the matrimonial tie, will also have a full house to choose from. From the crowded state of the wards we have no doubt many of the inmates would gladly avail themselves of an opportunity to exchange their present state of single blessedness, for the chance of contributing to the happiness of any member of the masculine sex, who will take the necessary steps to gain their affections Many of them we have no doubt judging from their age and appearance, possess the sentiments of Milton's Eve......

They would be woo'd and not unsought be won,'......although we have reason to believe in their case equally as in that of the 'Mother of mankind' the courtship would neither be a protracted nor a difficult process.[3]

Included in the series of articles concerning the early history of Newcastle published in the Newcastle Morning Herald in 1911 was the following correspondence -

The following letter to the visiting justice of the female factory at Newcastle, is eloquent concerning the indifference of some men towards their wives :

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sydney, 20th August, 1842.

Sir,--

I have the honor our to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, reporting that the husbands of the female prisoners named in the margin have failed to withdraw them from the factory at Newcastle, within the period prescribed by the Act of the Governor and Council, 10 George IV., No. 5; and requesting to be informed if the women are to be forwarded to the female factory at Parramatta, in order that their husbands may be compelled to defray the expense of their maintenance. - I am directed by his Excellency the Governor to inform you that the factory at Parramatta is so full that the women must remain where they are. The Government has never yet, his Excellency believes, been able to enforce payment from the husband of any convict woman in such case. I have, etc, W. Lugard, junr., For the Colonial Secretary.
[5]

1845

Mary Tristram

When John Field died in April 1845, William Tristram took over the position as gaoler and his wife Mary Tristram was employed as Matron.

There were apparently few women available for assignment at the factory towards the end of 1845 and as the demand for female servants was great. Major Crummer the Magistrate at Newcastle wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 26th December 1845 with a proposal -

numerous applications have been made to me for assignment of female convicts, which could not be attended to there being none at the factory of this place to meet the continual demand for them. I am, therefore of opinion that about twenty might be readily disposed of to private service, should his Excellency the Governor be pleased to direct the transfer of that number from the factory at Parramatta to this gaol for the purpose pointed out, there being a very great scarcity of female servants in this and the neighbouring districts. I may here add that should his Excellency be pleased to accede to this measure, he will be conferring a boon upon many respectable families who cannot procure female servants of any character; the value of which will be greatly enhanced should the women be carefully selected for general good conduct. [6]

1848

Newcastle gaol was closed and prisoners were transferred to the new gaol at Maitland in December 1848.

1831 Riot

The following women were sent to Newcastle after rioting at the Parramatta Female Factory in 1831

1). Ann Chapman was employed as a servant girl in Yorkshire. She had a ruddy complexion, brown hair and was married with no children. Ann was 22 years old when she was convicted of stealing money on 4th May 1829. She had two prior convictions and was sentenced to 7 years transportation. Ann was one of 99 female convicts who arrived on the convict ship Lucy Davidson in December 1829. The Lucy Davidson had departed from London on 20 July under Captain Wiseman and surgeon superintendent Mr. Osborne. Whooping cough broke out on the voyage and there were several fatalities. On arrival the Lucy Davidson was put into quarantine and the prisoners were not landed until the 9th of December when they were distributed to various applicants as servants. By January 1830 the women of the Lucy Davidson were being described as 'incorrigibles' by the Sydney Gazette, many having been returned to Government service by their masters. Perhaps Ann was one of these as she was sentenced to 3 years in a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory at Parramatta in February 1831. She was sent to Newcastle and assigned to the private service of John Smith of Newcastle on the orders of George Brooks on 6 September. John 'Gentleman' Smith was well known in the district and owned an Inn in Newcastle and a farm at Maitland. In 1832 Ann married John Broadbent who arrived on convict ship Neptune in 1820. Previously John Broadbent had been employed as a constable at Newcastle and turnkey at the gaol. In 1832 when John and Ann married he was employed at Bonogo, the estate of John Hooke at the Williams River

2) Eliza Norman was born in Dublin. In 1828 She was 22 years old and employed as a servant in London. On 21st February 1828, she was sentenced to 7 years transportation for house robbery and was transported on the Competitor departing England 13th June 1828. On arrival in the colony she was assigned to Margaret Delaney and two years later to Jonathon Hassell. By March 1831 she was in inmate at the Parramatta Female Factory and took part in the riot there in March. As punishment she was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5 March 1831 under a sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement - the charge mutinous conduct and riot at the Factory. She was sent to the private service of William Morley of Newcastle in March 1831 by order of George Brooks and punished for drunkenness in September of that year. Eliza was 27 when she married Samuel Smith in 1832. Samuel Smith arrived on the Hercules convict ship in 1825 and established a successful coach and carriage business in Maitland. Eventually he employed other drivers but also continued to drive the coaches himself between Newcastle and Maitland.

3). Isabella Turner was from Belfast. Arrived on the Edward in 1829. Sent to Newcastle gaol 5th March 1831 under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot at the Female Factory at Parramatta. Sent to the private service of William Brown at Maitland 3 September

4). Eliza Davis was employed as a servant of all work and needlewoman. A native of Southwark, she was tried at the Old Bailey on 9th April 1829 for robbery from the person and sentenced to Transportation for life. Her description is recorded on the convict indent - 4ft 11in with a ruddy freckled complexion, red hair and grey eyes. She arrived on the convict ship Lucy Davidson in December 1829. The Lucy Davidson departed from London on 20 July under Captain Wiseman and surgeon superintendent Mr. Osborne. Whooping cough broke out on the voyage and there were several fatalities. On arrival the Lucy Davidson was put into quarantine and the prisoners were not landed until the 9th of December when they were distributed to various applicants as servants. Eliza was assigned to Richard Humphries in Pitt Street Sydney. She was at the Factory when the riot broke out in 1831 and sent to Newcastle gaol in March under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot. On 8th September she was sent to the private service of Simon Kemp at Newcastle. Simon Kemp was a free settler who arrived on the Elizabeth in 1827 and was initially employed as a carpenter by the Australian Agricultural company and later owned various allotments of land at Newcastle. In 1832 Eliza married John Dyson who arrived on Lord Sidmouth in 1819 and was employed in the Williams River district. In 1835 she was sent from Maitland to Newcastle gaol for one month and to be returned to government service, when she was re assigned to Mrs. Ward at Paterson. Eliza was granted a Ticket of Leave in 1845, fifteen years after arriving in the colony

5). Susan Scarborough was employed as a servant in London. She was sentenced to 7 years transportation in 1829 and was one of 128 female prisoners who arrived in Port Jackson on the Roslin Castle on 29th June 1830. The Roslin Castle suffered serious damage in a sudden squall on the voyage, however the women all arrived safely. Two months later in August Susannah was sentenced to six weeks at the Parramatta Female Factory for threatening her mistress after she was chastised for being absent without leave and intoxicated. Six months later Susannah took part in the riot at the Parramatta Factory and was sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years in a penal settlement. She was assigned to the private service of Henry Incledon Pilcher of Maitland on the orders of George Brooks 8 October. Susannah married James Stilsby of Maitland in 1832. Stilsby established a successful coaching business in the Maitland district and charged a fare of 6s to travel on his coach between Maitland and Singleton in 1843. James and Susannah's marriage doesn't appear to have been a happy one. In February 1835 Susannah was admitted to Newcastle from Maitland under sentence of 28 days in the cells and then to be returned to her husband and in addition to be confined for 2 months afterwards. In March she was again admitted to the gaol under a sentence of 12 months confinement in the cells. When she was released in May 1836 she absconded again and her description was posted - she was 31 and a poplar needlewoman. 5ft 2in with a ruddy complexion, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. She had tattoos on her upper arms. Susannah received a Certificate of Freedom in 1837

6) Ellen Chambers Servant from London. Arrived on the Princess Charlotte in 1827. Sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot at the Female Factory. On 14 June by the orders of the Governor, to be sent in charge of the Master of the Caledonia to be conveyed to her husband in Sydney

7). Johanna Spillane was sentenced to 7 years transportation in Cork in 1829. She was one of 120 female prisoners who departed Ireland on the convict ship Forth on 3rd June 1830. She was already pregnant with her daughter Katherine when she took part in the riot at the Parramatta Female Factory in 1831. She was sent to Newcastle for three years for her part in the riot and her daughter Katherine was born in the gaol there in mid-September. Katherine died aged only 9 days. By the beginning of October Johanna had been assigned to the private service of John Larnach at Castle Forbes, Patrick Plains and it was probably here that she met Daniel McFarlane, a convict who arrived on the Boyne in 1826 and who had been employed as a constable in the district. Johanna and Daniel married in 1832 at Newcastle. Johanna absconded from Daniel in 1839, a brave decision as there was no community support in such situations. A notice was placed in the newspaper by Daniel cautioning against giving his wife credit. Johanna returned to her husband. She died age 47 on 13th January 1852 at Johnston's Woolshed on the Namoi River

8). Anne Moore arrived on the convict ship Asia in 1830. She was sent to Newcastle gaol 5 March under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for her part in the riot at the Female Factory at Parramatta. By August she had been assigned to the private service of George Wyndham. One month later Wyndham returned her to the gaol and in October she was married to William Campbell of Maitland. William Campbell arrived on the convict ship Dorothy in 1820. Anne spent some months back in Newcastle gaol awaiting trial for an unknown crime in 1835. She received a Certificate of Freedom in 1837

9) Catherine Hoare was from Co. Kerry. She was one of 194 female convicts who arrived on the convict ship Elizabeth in 1828, having been sentenced to 7 years transportation. Catherine was sent to Newcastle on 5th March 1831 under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement as punishment for her part in the riot at the Female Factory. She was assigned to private service of William Morley at Newcastle by order of George Brooks on 8 September 1831. Catherine married millwright William Salisbury at Newcastle in 1832 and daughter Mary Ann was born in 1832 followed by Betsy in 1834. William Salisbury arrived on the Tottenham in 1818 and was sent to Newcastle penal settlement as early as 1821. He was still there in the 1850's however by then Catherine seems to have moved to Maitland

10) Ellen Byron arrived on the convict ship Sovereign in 1829 under sentence of 7 years transportation. She was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5 March 1831 for 3 years for her part in the riot at the Female Factory at Parramatta. She was discharged by order of George Brooks for the purpose of being married to William Kelsoe, Mr. Glennie's overseer on 14 October. William Kelsoe was one of 139 prisoners who arrived on the convict ship Castle Forbes in 1824. He had been employed as a constable and spent time in a road gang. At the time of his marriage to Ellen he was employed at Dulwich Estate.

11) Ann Thew was employed as a servant by schoolteacher William Martin in London. She was tried at the Old Bailey on 9th April 1829 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing clothing and shoes belonging to Martin. (Indent states a sentence of transportation for Life) Ann was 15 years old and was one of 99 female prisoners who arrived on the Lucy Davidson in 1829. After being detained in quarantine the women were landed on 9th December and assigned to various applicants. Anne was assigned to George Gurner in Sydney. She was returned to the Parramatta Female Factory and for her part in the riot in March 1831, sent to Newcastle gaol for 3 years. With consent of the Governor Ann married Thomas Light in November 1831. Ann was 17 and Thomas 25 years old. At this time Ann witnessed the marriage of Ellen Byron and William Kelsoe in Newcastle. Ellen was another young woman who took part in the riot at the Factory and was a similar age to Ann. Both young women were destined to accompany their husbands into the far reaches of the Hunter River Valley and beyond. Anne's husband Thomas Light arrived as a prisoner on the Midas in 1827 and was assigned to James Bowman at Patrick Plains. Thomas received a Ticket of Leave in 1834 and the couple appear to have moved to the Liverpool Plains area after this

12) Bridget Sweeney was 21 years old when she arrived on 20th June 1829, one of 177 women on the convict ship Edward, three of whom died on the voyage out. Bridget was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5 March under sentence of 3 years as punishment for her part in the riot at the Female Factory. The gaol records show that she was discharged to the private service of Benjamin Cox of Maitland on 31 August 1831. Benjamin Cox held the license for the Rose Inn at Maitland and in 1831 when Bridget arrived, he was already enlarging the premises. Barely a month later, Bridget was returned to Newcastle gaol. She had absconded from service and was to be confined at the gaol for a month before resuming her original sentence of three years in a penal settlement.

13) Johanna Corcoran was tried in Cork in 1829 and sentenced to 7 years transportation. She departed Ireland on convict ship Asia on 14th September 1829 and arrived in Port Jackson on 13th January 1830. Eighty one women were sent to Female Factory at Parramatta and the rest were sent to private assignment. Johanna was sent to the penal settlement at Newcastle under a sentence of 3 years for her part in the riot at the female factory. On 26 August, Johanna was discharged to the private service of William Harper of Oswald, however by October she was back in the gaol having feigned illness. She was returned to Mr. Harper at Oswald but again, the following week was returned to the gaol for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders. In 1832 Johanna married Patrick Keelan a convict who arrived in 1820 per ship Almorah.

14) Lydia Matthews - From Devonshire. Arrived on the Sovereign in 1829. Sent to Newcastle 5th March under a sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory, Parramatta. To be discharged to William Sparke by order of George Brooks

15) Ena Armstrong Servant from Cheshire. Arrived on the Lucy Davidson in 1829. Sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory at Parramatta. To be discharged to private service of Captain Allman by order of George Brooks on 30 August

16) Alicia O'Brien Servant from Limerick. Arrived on the Brothers in 1827. Sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory at Parramatta. To be sent to private service of John Cobb on 25 August

17) Elizabeth James was employed as a servant in Glamorganshire and arrived on the convict ship Roslin Castle in 1830. She was sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory at Parramatta. Elizabeth was assigned to the private service of Alexander Phelp of Newcastle on 24 August. Alexander Phelp resided in Pacific Street Newcastle where he conducted a Bakery and provided accommodation for visitors to the town. On 30th September Elizabeth was returned to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 10 days in the cells and afterwards to return to her original sentence of 3 years. In 1832 Elizabeth married Alexander Clayton who arrived as a convict per ship Princess Royal in 1823

18) Maria Priestley was tried in London. She arrived on the convict ship Roslin Castle in 1830 and for her part in the riot was sent to Newcastle sentence of 3 years in a penal settlement. She was sent to the private service of Colonel Dumaresq per I. Divine (Mr. Cobb's man) on 24 August

19) Mary Sears arrived on the Roslin Castle in 1830 having been sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. She was twenty-two when she was tried at the Old Bailey in London on 10th September 1829. She was at the Female Factory at Parramatta when the riot broke out and for her part was sent to Newcastle in March 1831 under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement. On the 21st August Mary and another Factory rioter Maria Priestly who also arrived on the Roslin Castle, were sent to the private service of Colonel Dumaresq at his estate St. Heliers, Invermein (Scone). Here Mary met Samuel Ellis a convict of the 'Hindostan' who had recently received a Ticket of Leave for the district. Mary and Samuel Ellis were married in 1832 and Mary received a Ticket of Leave for the district of Invermein in 1836. Mary and Samuel probably remained in the Scone/Murrurundi district.

20) Mary Read departed England on 3rd March 1830 on the convict ship Roslin Castle. She was only 19 but would never return, having been sentenced to transportation for Life for stealing a watch and other articles on 25th September 1829. For her part in the riot at the Female Factory Mary was sent to Newcastle gaol in March 1831 under sentence of 3 years to a penal settlement. On 23rd August, she was sent to the private service of Francis Beattie. Francis Beattie at this time was gaol keeper in Newcastle. Both Francis Beattie and Mary were witnesses at several marriages in Newcastle around this time. Francis Beattie also ran an Inn called the 'Crooked Billet'. Francis Beattie died in 1835. Mary received a Ticket of Leave for the district of Maitland in 1842 and applied to marry George Matthews in 1844, however there is no record of a marriage in the NSW Births Deaths and Marriages index. Mary received a Conditional Pardon in 1852, twenty-two years after she arrived.

21). Hannah Quigley was one of 194 prisoners who arrived on the Elizabeth from Cork in January 1828. The Newcastle Bench Books indicate she was born in County Derry where she had been employed as a servant. For her part in the riot at the Female Factory, she was sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years. In August 1831, she was sent to the private service of John Eales near Maitland. In 1832 Hannah married thirty-nine year old William Johnson of Nelson's Plains.

22) Bridget Ryan arrived on the convict ship Edward in 1829. She was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5th March for mutinous conduct, riot and breaking windows and machinery in the work shop of the Female Factory under sentence of three years. She was sent to the private service of James Cox in Maitland by order of George Brooks on 31 August

23). Catherine Duffy arrived on the convict ship Edward in 1829. For her part in the riot at the Female Factory ie mutinous conduct, riot and breaking windows and machinery, she was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5th March and to remain there for 3 years. She was sent to private service of Johnston Mcdonough on 30 August, however was returned to the gaol two months later when Mcdonough was caught harboring bushrangers and therefore no longer considered a suitable person to have convicts assigned to him. Soon afterwards Catherine married 40 year old Alexander Welsh who arrived as a convict on Earl St. Vincent in 1823.

24) Helen Madden was one of 99 female prisoners who arrived from England on the 'Competitor' in 1828. For her part in the riot at the Factory she was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5th March under sentence of 3 years in a penal settlement. She was sent to private service of Mary Ann Cooper in Maitland on 15 September.

25) Jane Waters was born in Bristol. She was one of 128 female prisoners who departed London on 3rd March 1830 in the convict ship Roslin Castle. For her part in the riot, Jane was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5th March and to remain there for 3 years. Sent to private service of George Muir of Maitland 6th December. George Muir had been Chief Constable in Newcastle, however resigned from this position and when Jane was assigned to him he was residing in Maitland with his wife Elizabeth. Jane married James Hely of Darlington in 1832.

26). Bridget Neil was born in Limerick. She arrived on the City of Edinburgh in 1828. For her part in the riot at the Factory she was sent to Newcastle gaol under sentence of 3 years in a penal settlement. She was sent to private service of Rev. Threlkeld 23 August 1831 and later married Joseph Flemming.

27) Catherine Butler was born in Kilkenny. She arrived on the convict ship Elizabeth in 1828. Catherine was sent to Newcastle gaol on 5th March for mutinous conduct and riot at the Female Factory Parramatta. She was sent to the private service of P. Collins of Maitland on 3 September

28). Rebecca Markham was tried in London. She arrived on the Roslin Castle in 1830 and was sent Newcastle gaol in March 1831 for mutinous conduct and riot in the Female Factory at Parramatta. Rebecca was assigned to the private service of Edward Priest of Newcastle on 20 September. She married Henry Dyer who resided at Puen Buen in 1832.

References

[1] The Monitor 22 March 1828
[2] Newcastle Gaol Entrance Books.
[3] The Hunter River Gazette 12 February 1842.
[4] Newcastle Morning Herald 5 July 1911
[5] Newcastle Morning Herald 31 May 1911
[6] Newcastle Morning Herald 14 March 1911
[7] Newcastle Morning Herald 10 May 1911
[8] Sydney Gazette 8 September 1840
[9] Sydney Gazette 10 December 1840