First Fleet Locationless, Locationless, Locationless
By
Swampgecko adopted by Cached on 13-Jan-04. Waypoint GA0056
Cache Details
Difficulty: | |
Terrain: | |
Type: | Locationless |
Container: | Other |
Proximity: | 161m |
Description
Who knows the names of all the First Fleet ships? Maybe you are a descendent from a First Fleeter? If so please don’t hide the fact. Tell us about your link to the First Fleet.
I would like to see how much of the First Fleet is remaining. I know that around my district there are many graves of the First Fleet.
The Ships
- The Alexander
- The Borrowdale
- The Charlott
- The Fishburn
- The Friendshi
- The Golden Grove
- The Lady Penrhyn
- The Prince of Wales
- The Scarborough
- H.M.S. Sirius
- H.M.S. Supply
This is a locationless cache that actually does have a location, multi locations. Anything associated with the first fleet qualifies, as long as it has a Marker or Plaque by a Recognized Body, i.e. National Trust, stating that it is First Fleet Associated.
To legally log this cache you must include a photo of the marker,with your GPS against the marker, and include the exact co-ords of that marker in your log. If you cannot reach the marker to place your GPS against it you cannot log the cache.
Please only submit photos taken since the date of this cache report. Once a First Fleet Item has been logged it can't be logged again, and only one log per geocacher.
Logs
Edward Kimberley, 1st Fleeter, arrived 26/1/1788
Logging for the Cacheopoly Game.
There are also toilets and showers here for day visitors or campers by the river nearby ($10/night donation)
The plaque commemorates those who arrived in Australia with Governor Phillip on the First Fleet in 1788.
You will find this plaque at this address:- Cypress Street, Site of Former Cemetery, Launceston , 7250
In the state of Tasmania, Australia.
The GPS coordinates are:- S41°25.940' - E147°09.391'
Olivia Lucas (Ne Gascoigne my First Fleet ancestor was buried in St John's Church of England Cemetery. The cemetery is now the sports grounds of a Launceston Private School. This is recognized by the Fellowship of First Fleeters sign on the gate post.
Olivia Gascoigne is thought to have been born in 1760 in Droitwiche, Worcestershire, and her name appears with a variety of spellings in different records, including Olive or Holiffe, and her surname sometimes appears as Gaskins.
Olivia was arrested in August 1784 and tried at the Worcester Lent Assizes on 5 March 1785 for Stealing by the Force of Arms thirteen pieces of silver. On 10 August 1784, Olivia allegedly forced her way into the home of Edward Griffith and robbed him at gunpoint of gold guineas to the value of £13 and 13 shillings, and a foreign silver dollar valued at 4 shillings and sixpence.
The mandatory sentence for armed robbery was death. Fortunately for Olivia the growing calls for penal reform saw many capital crimes commuted, and Olivia was saved from the gallows.
With her sentence for armed robbery commuted to 14 years transportation, Olivia spent the first two years of her sentence at the Gloucester Newgate gaol. Around March or April of 1787, she was transferred to the Lady Penrhyn, and travelled with the First Fleet to Sydney Cove. The ship arrived on 20 January 1788.
Olivia was one of 16 convicts selected to accompany Lieutenant-Governor King to Norfolk Island, to establish a settlement there. Olivia spent only three weeks in the Port Jackson camp, before departing on the Supply on 14 February 1788, and arriving on the island on 6 March.
Soon after arriving on Norfolk Island, Olivia formed a relationship with fellow convict, Nathaniel Lucas, although their marriage was not solemnised until the Reverend Richard Johnson visited the island in November 1791.
Olivia Lucas died on 10 June 1830, and was buried at St John's Church of England in Launceston. No headstone remains.
I've been meaning to log this cache ever since I discovered locationless caching, back when the COVID-19 crisis started keeping us at home.
All the street names in the residential park where I live on the NSW Central Coast are First Fleet related ... all the ships are covered, as are most of the officers who accompanied the fleet. Here are photos of a few of the street signs ...
Thanks Cached ... it's great after logging 1000+ locationless finds over the past 4 months or so, to be able to go back and log the oldest one on the GA books.
TO THE MEMORY OF
THOMAS STEVENS
DIED AUG 18 1831
AGED 88 YEARS
ALSO
MARY STEVENS
DIED JAN 22 1850
AGED 84 YEARS
Plaque inscription:
MARY (PHILLIPS) STEVENS
ARRIVED FIRST FLEET
26.1.1788
DIED 22.1.1850
FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS
1988
Footstone inscription:
T.S
1831
M.S
ANN HUXLEY
[NEE FORBES]
ARRIVED FIRST FLEET
26.1.1788
DIED 29.11.1851
FELLOWSHIP OF FIRST FLEETERS
1985
First Fleeter graves of Owen Cavanough and Margaret Cavanough
Information available on an English square piano brought by George Worgan, the surgeon on board the Sirius.
http://museum.wa.gov.au/museums/wa-maritime-museum/first-fleet-piano-on-display-wa-maritime-museum
Plus young Captain Charles Howe Fremantle of HMS Challenger
http://www.wanowandthen.com/First-Fleet.html
My phone is my GPS but here are the plaque and some of the First Fleet Graves.
The inscription reads in part: Strangers, friends as here you see the sad truth of mortality. Let each one ask himself am I prepared should I be called to die.
There is also a brass plaque placed by the Fellowship of First Fleeters.
Did a little research and found the following which made for interesting reading:
"ELEANOR WAINWRIGHT
Ester Eckels – ½ Doz. For theft.
*
Just a scribble, barely legible after 200 years, added as an afterthought at the top of the torn back cover of James Scott’s journal.
The date is partly worn away but on September 16th, 1787 Ellen Eccles was dragged up to the main deck of the Prince of Wales and flogged – six of the best delivered to a bare breasted Lancashire lass, not long turned eighteen.
Four months and three days after they set sail from Portsmouth, Scott wrote;
‘One of the Female Convicts Was Floged for Theft; (6 Lashes) the first that Wee had flogd on Board… ‘
This miscreant is not named in the body of the text, her identity relegated to an aside on the back flap of a battered journal, but Ellen Eccles gained a certain brief notoriety when she became the first of her breed to be caught and punished on board. As the salt water splashed on her back after the lash it washed away her youth, her past and her name; the humiliation was complete.
Ellen Eccles never stole again.
Actually, poor Ellen never did anything much at all ever again, except have children; she led a desperately ordinary convict life. Of course, what was desperately ordinary in 1788 is kinda strange now. She’s an accidental hero, dutifully sitting at home raising children, seemingly content to live passively in her husband’s shadow. They lie buried side by side in the Back River cemetery, one called Guy and one called Gay.
Was she a Gay or a Guy? Even her ‘affectionate daughter’ didn’t seem to know. So consumed was Ann Bush with getting HER name on the tombstone, she seems not have noticed that the stone mason made a mistake. Dad is a Guy, Mum is a Gay. Ann Bush gets second billing – but only just. Her name is as big as her parents on the headstone – which maybe says more about Ann than filial devotion.
In 1988, Australia’s Bicentennial year, the Fellowship of First Fleeters slapped a brass plaque on Ellen’s tombstone. She’s the real deal – a genuine pioneer. Like all those women, she’s forgotten; now just bones in the New Norfolk earth. I’ve been to her grave. It’s at the bottom of the cemetary, down a slight hill. Her stone has been restored, badly repainted and left abandoned.
This story will probably do the same for her reputation."
One in the same person, the grave depicted in the photographs is that of the woman described above.
TFTC and cheers OldSaint.
HMS Sirius was the flagship of the First Fleet, which set out from Portsmouth, England, in 1787 to establish the first European colony in New South Wales, Australia. Sirius was wrecked off the coast of Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean in 1790.
Elizabeth (Thackery) King
Arrived First Fleet
26.1.1788
Died 7.8.1856
Fellowship of First Fleeters
1988
Elizabeth Thackery lived in Manchester, Lancashire. She was tried on 4 May 1786 for the theft of 5 handkerchiefs and was sentenced to 7 years transportation. She left England on the Fellowship but was transferred to the Charlotte at the Cape of Good Hope as a punishment for inappropriate behaviour with soldiers and male convicts. She is asserted as the first white woman to set foot in Australia. In 1790 she was sent to Norfolk Island on the Sirius. She came to Van Diemens Land (later Tasmania) in 1807 and sometime later married Samuel King and settled near New Norfolk. Both Betty and Samuel had land grants in the area which they combined into a very productive farm.
There is no historical evidence to prove this assertion that she was the first white woman to set foot in Australia. More reliable is the statement that she was the last known female survivor of the First Fleet.
The photos added to the gallery are of Betty King's headstone (with gPS at the base) and a closer photo of the brass plaque linking Betty King to the First Fleet.
Interesting fountain for sure - when I saw who was on top I thought of this Locationless. Having checked to see if its been logged before (it hasn't) I'm grabbing it know ! Captain Arthur Phillip was in charge of the First Fleet and of course he became the first Governor of NSW. The Fountain/Statue is located in the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney.
TFTC !!
The cannon was retrieved from Norfolk Island after the Sirius was wrecked there in 1790 and used as a signal gun at North Head before ending up in the square in 1907. Assume the anchor came the same way.
TFTV
#357
Below is taken from our family history website:
Joseph was born in London area in September 1767, we believe his parents were Joseph and Elizabeth, although at this stage we have been unable to prove this. On 26th May 1784 he was tried and found guilty of stealing lead.
Clipped....
Joseph Wright appeared before the court in the Old Bailey, 26th May 1784, charged with stealing 218lb of lead which he was seen carrying in Sloane Square, Chelsea. The trial was in Justice Hall, Old Bailey.
The lead had been cut from the roof, gutter and dormer windows of a house in
Sloane Street. He stated that he had seen a man throw down a basket containing the lead and had picked it up to take home 'with an intent to advertise it'. He was sentenced to seven years transportation to Africa.
Joseph, aged 19, was received on the "Censor" hulk on 6th September 1784. Three years later, on 24th February 1787, he was dispatched to by wagon to Portsmouth and embarked on the "Scarborough" on 27th February 1787.
His sentence was 7 years transportation. He departed from Portsmouth on 13th May 1787 aboard the convict ship "Scarborough" and landed at Sydney Cove on 26th January 1788.
The "Scarborough" was one of the eleven ships of the "First Fleet". The ships carrying 250 marines, a handful of civil officers, some with wives and children, and 759 convicts left Portsmouth on 17th May 1787 under the command of Captain Arthur Philip. They called at Tenerife, Rio de Janiero, and the Cape of Good Hope beforereaching Botany Bay mid-January 1788.
Joseph appears to have behaved well in the new Colony and was granted his freedom in 1794. Joseph married Ellen Gott (a second fleet convict) on 13th December 1790 at St Phillips Church Sydney (Ref Vol 4 No.111) Witnesses Edward Field a Private with NSW Corps and Martha Proud a convict on the Lady Juliana . Governor Arthur Phillip gave permission for the marriage. Chaplain Richard Johnson conducted the service. Joseph signed the Register with "X" indicating he was unable to write, however Ellen was able to sign her name. On 3/11/1794, Joseph was one of the first settlers to be granted a Land Grant (No.260) of 30 acres at Mulgrave Place on the Hawkesbury River. Joseph is buried in the Old Sydney Burial Ground (Vol.5 No.256) which is now the site of the Sydney Town Hall. In 1988 the First Fleeters Association erected a plaque on the south side of the Town Hall Building to commemorate those who were interred there.
While awaiting transportation, Joseph was placed on the hulk "Censor", which was anchored in the Thames. He was selected for a place on the "Scarborough" to sail with the First Fleet and was delivered for transportation to Botany Bay on the 27th February 1787.
From the Navy Office 5 September 1786, Ships to be ready in 6 weeks. Joseph Wright No. 96 from 12/7/1786 to 12/10/1786. Estimate of Clothing to Serve a Male Convict for One Year:
2 jackets
4 Woollen Drawers
1 Hat
3 Shirts
4 pair Worsted Stockings
3 Frocks
3 Trousers
3 Pairs Shoes
(A Proportion for 2 years to be provided)
The First Fleet, comprising 11 ships in all, sailed from Portsmouth on 13th May 1787. Joseph was aboard the "Scarborough" a two decked, three masted vessel that was built in Scarborough in 1782. She was chartered by the Admiralty to carry convicts to Botany Bay, returning via China to collect a lucrative tea cargo. The venture was successful for the ship and she made the voyage twice, sailing again with the Second Fleet. On both voyages the convicts made an unsuccessful attempt to seize the ship. The "Scarborough" was broken up in 1798 following her return from the second voyage. Apart from the "Sirius" and "Supply" she was the only other ship from the First Fleet to return to England. She was skippered by Master John Marshall.
The "Scarborough" was the second largest of the transport ships at 430 tons, carrying 208 all male convicts. She was the first of the transport fleet to arrive at the assembly point at Portsmouth, having left the Thames in December 1786. At Portsmouth she was unable to take on more convicts because the security hatches were faulty and carpenters had to be called on 12th January 1787, to make necessary repairs to the faulty security hatches. More convicts arrived in open wagons on 2nd March 1787, but they could not be loaded because of heavy gales. On the 6th March 1787, a further 186 male convicts were taken on board the "Scarborough". Finally after many delays, the First Fleet slipped quietly out of Portsmouth at 5 o'clock on the morning of May 13th, 1787, and began the long voyage to their new land. Some convicts having already been confined below decks for several weeks.
On 18th May, two of the tougher convicts sensed the advantage of being in international waters and sent word around to their fellow prisoners that this was the time to escape. Having sneaked tools and weapons into their cells, they slipped out and began to unlock others in preparation for the breakout. Once free, they expected to seize the ship and sail to freedom. However, a traitor amongst the other convicts gave advance warning to the guards and the mutineers were nabbed. They were taken on board the "Sirius" and punished with two dozen lashes and double irons. Joseph's name does not appear in the lists of the disorderly and mutinous convicts on board.
The voyage took 8 months and 1 week, with stops being made in Tenerife, Rio de Janeiro and Capetown, taking on food and supplies. After Botany Bay proved unsuitable for the new colony, Captain Phillip explored Port Jackson and decided to move the Fleet north. The flag was raised at Sydney Cove on 26th January 1788. On the morning of 27th, a long boat full of convicts from the "Scarborough" was set ashore to assist in the cutting down of trees and clearing ground. The temperature was 74 degrees, the heat being felt by all. Tents were pitched on shore that day and the new colony was founded. Some convicts had not set foot on land for over 12 months. Joseph was 21 years old when he stepped ashore at Sydney Cove. The success of the venture was due to the leadership and dedication of Arthur Phillip.
Governor Arthur Phillip gave permission for Joseph and Eleanor Gott to marry, Eleanor having arrived with the Second Fleet, aboard the "Neptune". Joseph and Ellen (Eleanor) were married on 13th December 1790, at St Phillips, Sydney. The original certificate shows a large signature by Ellen Gott and Joseph placed his mark, a cross. The witnesses were Edward Field and Matilda Proud both of whom signed the certificate with a cross. (Certificate No 111 Vol: 4)
Joseph and Ellen's first child, Joseph, was born at Port Jackson on 11th February 1792.
Joseph and Ellen's second child, Robert, was born on 15th June 1794. He was baptized at St Johns Parramatta on 6th July 1794.
In 1794, now free by servitude, Joseph was given a grant of 30 acres of land at Mulgrave Place on the Hawkesbury River. He is listed among the first 22 settlers to receive land grants. Records show his land as being 30 acres, 12 1/2 acres under wheat and maize and running 6 hogs. The early settlers suffered great hardship, battling floods, river transport, natives, no roads etc. The rent was 1/- per year commencing after 10 years.
Joseph came under suspicion when his neighbour, John Fenlow shot his servant, using a bullet thought to be an old 1oz lead weight. Did Joseph make the bullet?
Book 1A. Grants by Francis Grose: Wright's farm lay between Douglas and Fenlow's. William and Mary Douglas made congenial neighbours, good family people like themselves. Later intermarriage of their families, and also with the nearby Butlers, would cement this early association on the river. Fenlow however was different, a wild young bachelor. If Wright as metalworker did make the bullet with which Fenlow used to shoot his servant dead - and this is certainly speculation - there was unlikely to be much social contact. (Early Hawksbury Settlers - Robbie Hardy)
In July 1796, John Malloy who was our first General Practitioner was called upon to give medical evidence in a murder case at the settlement on the banks of the Hawkesbury, John Fenlow had shot his servant John Lane, using a bullet thought to be an old 1oz lead weight. According to the writer, "this raises another interesting point. Fenlow's neighbour Joseph Wright came to the Colony for removing 218lbs of lead from a roof - against the statute. Old habits die-hard: was he still in the unofficial scrap metal business". (The Medical Journal of Australia - 12th April 1975, Page 475).
When Gilberthorpe took over Fenlow's grant, his wife shared Eleanor's Catholic faith and they were friends. When Joseph Wright happened to find out that Gilberthorpe was harboring the runaway George Bruce he felt it incumbent on him to report the matter, Eleanor slipped across to warn them what her Joe was up to.
Joseph and Eleanor's third child, Mary, was born, circa 1797.
Joseph and Eleanor's fourth child, John, was born circa 1800.
Joseph and Eleanor's fifth child, Sarah was born on the 12th March 1802. She was baptized on the 9th February 1812, at St Matthews, Windsor.
On 10 April 1803 Joseph went to court to request more money for his wheat. He lost the case.
Joseph and Eleanor's sixth child, Samuel was born at Windsor on 25th December 1805. He was baptized on the 9th February 1812, at St Matthews, Windsor.
In 1806 Joseph was convicted of employing an escapee and was fined 20 pound by the Bench, the money to be paid to the Orphan's Home. However, a lenient Judge halved the fine to 10 pound. The following was reported in the Sydney Gazette dated 6th February 1806:
"The Court Jurisdiction assembles tomorrow for dispatch of business.
At a bench of Magistrates convened on Wednesday the 5th instant several settlers were brought forward to answer to a charge of giving employment to Thomas Desmond, a prisoner absconded from public labor and repeatedly advertised. Three were fined in the sum of 5 pound each to the Orphans and Joseph Wright in the sum of 20 pound, but the lenient motives the Bench were pleased to remit the one half the latter penalty. It is needless to remark on the consequences of an indiscretion to which the magistrates have on all occasions testified just aversion. The plea in such cases set up in extenuation by the defaulter can not possibly obtain for although it may be supposed natural that the fugitive should attempt by imposture to obtain assistance and employment, yet no evasion whatever can surmount the act of disobedience to a salutary regulation, which requires that no person shall be employed until he has produced his certificate or pass, if a freeman, or his ticket permission if a prisoner off the stores"
By 1806 Joseph had purchased 15 acres on the Hawkesbury from Mr. Boston. Joseph was not very successful in his farming ventures and suffered the loss of his wheat crop in 1803. It was ruined when the boat carrying his produce was swamped in transit. He was denied compensation (see copy of Gazette article 10th April, 1803). He also probably suffered flood losses in 1806 and 1809, which would have contributed, to his failure and finally he lost his farm just before he died. In 1810 Joseph requested the help of a man of the stores to assist him in cultivating his land and getting in his harvest. Perhaps Joseph was ill at this stage.
Wheat - 6 acres
Barley - 2 acres
Orchard - 3/4 acre
Pasture - 1 acre
6 acres fallowed
Hogs - 2 Boars, 5 Sows
1 Bushel Maize in hand
Joseph & Ellen's seventh child, Thomas, was born on the 12th March 1809.
June 1809, saw big floods in the Hawkesbury and Robert and John are supported by Government Stores. Joseph Jn. must have been working elsewhere at this time.
In 1810 Joseph wrote to the Governor requesting help on his land, he was probably ill, however his request was denied. The following is a copy of the letter written by Joseph to Governor Macquarie:
(NSW Colonial Sec. in Letters 1810. PP 360-61, CS-6)
"Esquire Capt; General and
Governor in Chief in and over his
Majesty's Territory of N.S.W.
and its Dependencies G.G.G.
Petition of Joseph Wright
Most Humbly Sheweth
That your Excellency's Petitioner came into this Colony in the ship "Scarborough" January in the year 1788, holds a farm situate in the Nelson's District on the Hawksbury River - have fifteen acres under cultivation - have got a wife and five children to support - have no assistance but such as he can procure at an exorbitant price.
In consideration of which he is emboldened to trespass on your Excellencies goodniffs for petitioner to have a man of the stores wherby he may be enable to retrench considerably the heavy expense which attends in cultivating his land and getting in his Harvest if this spate meet your Excellencies approbation it will greatly serve.
Your Excellency's
Most Humble Petitioner
Who wil be duty bound to every prayeth
Snd. Joseph Wright"
Joseph died on 30th August, 1811, at Pitt Town. He was 44 years old. A service was held at St Phillips, Sydney and he was buried at Town Hall Cemetery, Sydney, which was the burial ground for St Phillips. (Burial Certificate No 256 Vol: 5)
On 31st March 1812, Eleanor married Daniel Buckridge at St Matthews, Windsor. Daniel Buckridge was in fair circumstances and perhaps he should be given some credit for the Wright children's good start in life. The sons had trades as Wheelwright, Blacksmith, Cooper and Shoemaker. Some of the family migrated to the Hunter Valley and Joseph Jn. helped pioneer the interior of Van Diemans Land. (Early Hawkesbury Settlers by Robbie Hardy).
Thanks for ther cache anyway, top concept, just shows how much and how many places all over Australia these ships are remembered. Well done.
Back in 1970, the WODEN area of the Southern Canberra suburbs was opened for development. The WODEN valley (Between Canberra central & Tuggeranong Valley) comprises several suburbs and a major town centre. The town centre now houses many Federal government departments.
In the period 1970 to 1980 or so, the office buildings built there were all named after only the ships of the first fleet. So, the whole office complex of WODEN was a first fleet town centre of buildings. In 1997, a pseudo "first fleeter" new building was constructed, called Discovery House - housing would you believe, the Patent Office. It was called this as all ships of the first fleet were already built, and in keeping with the theme of the buildings and Patents, Discovery was born.
About 2007, the original Sirius building, built circa 1971, was demolished. A new Sirius arose from the rubble, and in the patio region of this new Sirius building is some very nice glass balustrades featuring, once again, all the ships of the first fleet in Woden.
The pics show all the names (& my GPS too). Have shown the first few and the rest are attached.
HMS Sirius - the flagship
HMS Supply
Friendship - 76 Male and 21 female convicts
Rest of the first fleet ships in attached pics and a pic of the SIRIUS building too.
Nice work, Next time I am passing I'll be sure to stop.
Hibbs travelled with Capt Cook on the Endeavour's voyage to Australia in 1770. He was a Master Mariner on the Sirius with the First Fleet. He was also aboard the Sirius when the ship ran aground off Norfolk Island in 1790.
After previous photo disasters, there is no link. The photos are at GCA Gallery / Locationless Caches / First Fleet (GA0056) / The Plaque and also
GCA Gallery / Locationless Caches / First Fleet (GA0056) / The Gravesite
http://gallery.geocaching.com.au/FirstFleetGA0056
I was in Tasmania recently and snapped endless photographs for this cache in a park in Hobart which has a lot of first fleet headstones and a plaque with reference to my "own" FF'r, Thomas Kidner, location of grave unknown and unmarked by a FF plaque (not for lack of looking by other obsessed rellies).
Did I put the GPS in a single photo?
Nope.
When I first saw this cache I remembered that Campbelltown is the final resting place of James Ruse. Not to mention that the GammaPiSigma clan live in the Campbelltown suburb named after him. But in researching James Ruse I discovered another first fleet grave that is of a lesser known person but I feel her story is a very interesting one as well. I chose her and here is the condensed version of her story.
Henrietta Fletcher was born on the 22nd of October, 1787 off the Cape of Good Hope (yes, she was born on a first fleet ship) on the Lady Penrhyn to Jane Langley and either Phillip Shewing/Scriven (Lady Penhryn) or Thomas Gilbert (Charlotte), most probably Shewing/Scriven. Jane Langley married Thomas Chipp on Norfolk Island after being relocated there due to the food crisis of 1790 and they returned to Port Jackson in 1794. Henrietta attended the orphan school at Parramatta, she married Edward Fletcher in 1807 and they had seven children. Fletcher's farm was located at Spring Farm, it backed onto the Nepean River and was just across the river from Camden Park (John Macarthur). Henrietta died on the 11th of August 1828 (not quite 41 years old) and was buried in the graveyard of St Peters Church, Campbelltown. Some of her descendents still live in the area.
Thanks Swampgecko, discovering Henrietta's story was an enjoyable experience,
GammaPiSigma.
The plaque says it all...
What an old historic cemetery, loved the Cherubs and the other ornate stonework. Chances are we could have a distant relative buried here.
We should remember the people on the First Fleet.
Captain Augustus Theodore Henry Alt of the Royal Engineers immigrated per Prince of Wales, a ship of 350 tons built in 1786.
He was the first Surveyor-General and was tasked with laying out the town of Sydney. He also signed the first land grants, these were to James Ruse, William Reid, Robert Webb and Phillip Schaff and located along Parramatta Creek. He retired due to ill health in 1802 and lived on his land grant in Ashfield until 1815.
In memory of my convict ancestors Isabella Shelbourne, George Perks, Samuel Pearsall and James Holgate. Not part of the First Fleet, but an important part of our history.
[last edit: 3/16/2003 11:04:31 PM PST]
It is a memorial for a person who was lost overboard on the First Fleet reenactment journey during the bicentennary celerations. It is an official plaque and does mention the First Fleet.
Regards from
The Odlids