What a wonderful story has come from a disastrous beginning. In October 1795 Elizabeth Rafferty was tried for treason at Dublin and given a seven year sentence. She was sent to Cobh Harbour, Co.Cork, where she survived about 18months in the old and rotting timber, prison hulks that littered the beautiful harbour we see today. By 1797 she sailed in "Brittania 2" for the new colony of New South Wales, arriving 27th May 1797. What a bustling little colony she had arrived at and within a few months on 19th August her son Thomas Dennett (2) was born.
SEE following pages of Capt.Robert Rhodes & Capt. Robert S.Walker.
CRUELTY and PRISON HULKS
The voyage of "Brittania 2" with Captain Thomas Dennett at the helm, is recognised by prominent historians as one of the worst. On board were 144 male prisoners and 44 women. This diastrous voyage, on which 10 people died and the degradation was absolutely apalling, compelled author Charles Bateson to call it the "Hell Ship". Robert Hughes in his historical novel "Fatal Shore" relates the story of this 'Hell Ship'. Women were so degraded, which allowed Elizabeth Rafferty to take the clever option and 'please the master'. For this reason she survived better than most. Margaret Rafferty who was also a passenger, must have been her sister, but without any knowledge of their parents, their homeland, birth or death dates, it is hard to determine.
Mr.W.Branch Johnson wrote, regarding the British system, that many for political and religious reasons, as well as criminals had been shipped, over generations, to America and West Indies, thereby saving the country from a degree of turbulence. Reformists in Britain and the American Colonies revolted in 1775 when jails were full with persons who had been given a seven, fourteen or twenty one year sentence, with no place to send them.
Thinking that this convict labour would be useful to Britain they set about to clean up the River Thames. The convicts were chained together around the ankles, sometimes the waist or with neckchains. Their habitat after a hard days work, was the old prison hulks. This operation was in full swing during Elizabeth Rafferty's imprisonment at Cork, which was a part of the British Empire at that time.With the public learning about these hulks, particularly 'Justita' and 'Census', steps were taken to hide them from prying eyes, but people could still read about them in publications. The slaves barely spoke, as their industry, behaviour and manners determined their time of release.
W.Branch Johnson wrote "The place where the convicts are now at work, is enclosed on the land side by a brick wall, so that spectators will soon (if not already) be barred by the sight of these miserable wretches, on the land side, except at a distance." In 1801, a reformer who had been agitating for years for the removal of the slave's rigid leg bolts, achieved his objective for the prisoners on 'Hercules' and 'Atlas' waiting in Ireland's Cork Harbour for transportation. The prisoners, strong, weak, or ill were placed in lighter chain fetters. This occurred about three years after Elizabeth had sailed for Australia, confirming her suffering under the restrictive heavier leg-bolts and inhumane conditions as described by Robert Hughes.
Capt.THOMAS DENNETT and Dr.Augustus Beyer were ordered back to England to face trial for the dreadful ill-treatment of prisoners. Beyer was an accessory, as he allowed the floggings and sadistic punishments of men and women to take place on board the vessel. The Military Tribunal charged that the severity of punishments ordered by Dennett caused the death of six convicts. Patrick Garnley received 400 lashes and was found dead next morning. James Brannon received 300 lashes one day and 500 the next. They were tied to the ship's mast.
I am quoting these instances to help us all understand just how degraded the system was at that time. Think a moment about this !!!! - These were the actions of the white race to it's own kind. Is there a comparison with the slave trade ? The same kind of treatment was metered out in Tasmania, to many hundreds of male and female, British convicts.
The Death in England in 1800, of Thomas Dennett, allowed his will to be determined. Before his decease Thomas (1) made a will leaving his Sydney property to the unborn child of Elizabeth Rafferty. His wife Ellen had remained in England. As noted earlier that child was Thomas Dennett(2) and story follows later in this page.
EXCITING and ENTERPRISING YEARS.
After all those years of uncertainty, Elizabeth got on with her new life in a new country. She commenced in business at The Rocks, as soon as she received her pardon - for good behavoiur !!!! I have some great stories and artist's impressions of her life and her shop in Old Sydney Town, where she sold all manner of merchandise, by way of the Captains she was obviously familiar with. She lived mostly in the vicinity of Gloucester Street and was also noted as living at Prince Street and Cumberland Street, where she owned property.
ELIZABETH RAFFERTY advertised thus:- Sydney Gazette 3.8.1806..."To be sold by private contract a very capital and commodius dwelling house delightfully situated on The Rocks and commencing at once an uninterrupted prospect to South Head, the Parramatta River, and the whole picturesque diversity of ....the garden is handsomely laid out and capable of much improvement, the whole highly deserving the attention of purchasers. The premises were formerly the property of J.Kenny, but now of Mrs. Rafferty, of whom particulars may be had."
Sydney Gazette 21.6.1807:- General orders - To be sold by private contract...........A GOOD FARM on the Sydney Road, near to Parramatta comprising 100 acres, 50 of which are inclosed (sic) with an acre and a half laid out in gardens. A very commodius and substantial dwelling house in front of the road. A good 3 acre orchard, cattle shed, coach house, usable well and duck pond....For particulars enquire of Mrs.Rafferty.
Sydney Gazette 15.3.1807:- "STOLEN PROPERTY OF ELIZABETEH "Lately stolen from the farm house of E.Rafferty of Parramatta the following property, viz. 1 work'd quilt, blue ground and very remarkable; 1 white do. (ditto ?) flowered border; 4 pair of stockings; 2 table and 2 teaspoons; 2 tablecloths, 1 dimity petticoat; 1 longcloth bedgown and sundry children's cloaths (sic) - also stolen from thence several months since, 4 pieces of fine Madras chintz, cambric, the pattern of the cocoa nut tree, 2 ditto of Bengal ditto, 2 sofa covers, 1 pair of Irish sheets. Also stolen from the Green Hills (Windsor), 3 petticoats, 3 pair of stockings, 3 shifts, 3 tuckers, one of which trimmed with Valenciennes Lace, and one yellow muslin ditto, 1 pair of green leather shoes, 1 shawl, 2 long cloth gowns, and one yellow muslin ditto. Any person having purchased either of the above articles is requested to give information thereof to Elizabeth Rafferty; and any part thereof that may hreafter be offered for sale is requested to be stopped and the parties detained."
Elizabeth Rafferty is mentioned regularly in the Sydney Gazette with advertisements for a range of things, including property. At "Old Sydney Town", Somersby near Gosford, a replica of her shop can be seen. Although so much has been written about her and I could fill a book, she never took her place with prominent pioneer women. While still conducting her shop, she had another child by her seafaring friend Capt.Robert Rhodes. That relationship must have been short lived, as Robert had to return to England with his vessel, the whaler 'Alexander' in 1806.
See Robert Rhodes - Robert Walker Pages.
RACHAEL RAFFERTY was born 6th April 1800 at Old Sydney Town to Elizabeth and Captain Robert Rhodes.
See previous Bostock pages.
At this early time from 1800 onwards, Elizabeth Rafferty had inherited, in the name of her young son Thomas, the 'Vaucluse' property, bought by Capt.Thomas Dennett (1) while he was in Australia. The story of this property, bought in 1827 by W.C.Wentworth and reported to be owned by Henry Brown Hayes, remains a mystery even until today. The property was the inheritance of Thomas Dennett (2) with his mother as guardian. Robert Rhodes was also linked to Elizabeth's land acquisitions. Simeon Lord(1) had purchased 'Vaucluse' by arrangement for £100 without the deed being sighted and put Hayes on the property. 'Vaucluse' House is in the hands of the Historic Trust of N.S.W. in 2001 and is a beautiful venue for tourists and citizens to spend a day.
By 1807 Elizabeth Rafferty has all her possessions for sale in the Sydney Gazettte and prepared herself to sail for England with her new companion, Captain Robert Stewart Walker. He was constantly on the ocean, which accounts for Elizabeth being missing for long periods during her life, while her death has never been determined. The N.S.Wales Muster has her listed as being married to Robert S.Walker (obviously in England) with her daughter Rachael now being Rachael Walker (by adoption ?). They arrived in the colony on 'General Graham' in 1812.
Thomas Dennett (2) it appears, remained in England and joined the Royal Navy in due time. Of course lads were able to join the navy at a young age, as in the case of Gov.David Collins, who joined the Royal Navy at age 9. In 1821 young Thomas Dennett (2) arrived in Sydney, with the legal deed for 'Vaucluse'. THOMAS DENNETT 1797/1822 as quoted in Hobart Town Gazette 29th June 1822 "Deaths, on Sunday last, on board the ship "Castle Forbes", by which vessel he came passenger from Sydney, Mr.Thomas Dennett, brother in law of Mr.Robert Bostock, merchant of Hobart Town. The deceased was born in the Territory, from which he had been several years in England, and only returned here a few months ago in the "Countess of Harcourt", as one of the Officers on that vessel".
His Mother ELIZABETH (Rafferty) WALKER as noted in Sydney Gazette 19.7.1822 "Ships News - Mrs.Elizabeth Walker leaving the colony for Hobart Town, by an early opportunity, requests claims to be presented." All persons leaving the colony during those years had to have a clearance before boarding any vessel. This was very soon after the reported death of her son, denying them all that wonderful time of reunion with her daughter, son and grandchildren in Tasmania. What a disappointment indeed. So little is known about Elizabeth (Rafferty) Walker between those years and nothing is known after 1822. The quest for knowledge of this amazing lady will remain. From where did she come and where did she die ?
Rachael (Rafferty) Bostock was my gr. gr.grandmother, while their son George Bostock and his wife Ann Cox became my great grandparents, the details of which I discovered in 1987. This brought joy and delight to many of the descendant families, throughout the eastern states of Australia.
Elizabeth Rafferty, my 3 x gr.grandmother was a very enterprising woman and her story is exciting, despite the things she may have done unlawfully. Indeed many, if not all of us could be charged for speaking against the government. I can sometimes picture the scene in Dublin in 1795, where the protesters gathered to complain the injustices, to womenfolk especially. Just enjoy.
