At nine years old, John Hudson a sometimes chimney sweeper, and the youngest First Fleet convict at the time of sentencing, was tried at the Old Bailey London on 10 December 1783, to seven years transportation for felony, but not for burglary.
Who was the average convict on the First Fleet?
Most of the First Fleet convicts were citizens of London. On later fleets many Irish people were transported. The average age of a convict was around twenty-seven years .
Who were the first convicts?
The convicts of the First Fleet included both men and women . Most were British, but a few were American, French, and even African. Their crimes ranged from theft to assault. Most convicts were sentenced to seven years’ “transportation” (the term for the sending of prisoners to a usually far-off penal colony).
Who was the most famous convict on the First Fleet?
John Hudson , described as ‘sometimes a chimney sweeper’, was the youngest known convict to sail with the First Fleet. Voyaging on board the Friendship to NSW, the boy thief was 13 years old on arrival at Sydney Cove.
Who were the first convicts on the First Fleet?
- Alexander.
- Charlotte.
- Friendship.
- Lady Penrhyn.
- Prince of Wales.
- Scarborough.
How many died on the First Fleet?
The eleven ships which arrived on 26 January 1788 are known as the First Fleet. They carried around 1400 convicts, soldiers and free people. The journey from England to Australia took 252 days and there were around 48 deaths on the voyage.
How many babies were born on the first fleet?
Convict transport
It is estimated there were about 50 children on the First Fleet when it arrived at Botany Bay. Over 20 children were born at sea during the eight-month voyage.
What crimes did convicts commit?
- Petty theft. By far the most common crime that led to transportation was petty theft or larceny. ...
- Burglary or housebreaking. ...
- Highway robbery. ...
- Stealing clothing. ...
- Stealing animals. ...
- Military offences. ...
- Prostitution. ...
- Crimes of deception.
Did any convicts escape on the first fleet?
Some convicts actually did get away. For example, in December 1820, William Russell and William Atkins escaped from the Barracks , and left the colony in a boat. Also in December 1820, George Napier ran away from his government work gang without permission. He was still on the run in January the following year.
What punishments did convicts get?
Throughout the convict era, ‘flogging’ (whipping) convicts with a cat-o’-nine-tails was a common punishment for convicts who broke the rules. In Australia today, flogging a prisoner with a whip or keeping them locked in a dark cell for a long period of time is not an acceptable form of punishment.
Who was the most famous convict?
- Francis Greenway. Francis Greenway arrived in Sydney in 1814. ...
- Mary Wade. The youngest ever convict to be transported to Australia at the age of 11. ...
- John ‘Red’ Kelly. John Kelly was sent to Tasmania for seven years for stealing two pigs, apparently. ...
- Mary Bryant. ...
- Frank the Poet.
Did New Zealand have convicts?
BETWEEN 1843 and 1853, an eclectic mix of more than 110 soldiers, sailors, Māori, civilians and convict absconders from the Australian penal colonies were transported from New Zealand to Van Diemen’s Land. ...
What did the convicts eat?
Aboriginal food sources
Convicts called their midday meal ‘dinner’, and they often returned from their worksites to eat it at 1pm. It was usually 450 grams of salted meat (either mutton or beef), cooked again into a stew, and some bread .
How did the convicts survive on the First Fleet?
As a result, they were kept below deck in the foul, cramped holds . Some convicts on the Scarborough planned a mutiny but were caught, but most convicts were well behaved. On 3 June 1787, the fleet arrived at Santa Cruz at Tenerife. Fresh water, vegetables and meat were brought on board.
How long was the first fleet?
The First Fleet arrived at Botany Bay on 20 January 1788. Leaving Portsmouth, England, on 13 May, the First Fleet was at sea for more than 252 days .
Who was the youngest girl convict on the First Fleet?
Beth – The Story of a Child Convict, is an incredibly moving tale inspired by the experiences of Elizabeth Hayward , the youngest female convict on the First Fleet and the journals of naval officer William Bradley and Arthur Bowes Smyth, the surgeon and artist also onboard.
