The origin and character of the convicts transported to New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land 1787-1852
Date
1963
Authors
Robson, L. L.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This Thesis begins by outlining briefly the history
of transportation of convicts from Britain , and legal
procedures leading to transportation. Some historians '
views of the convict settlers of Australia are then
presented, the methodology of sampling described and a
summary view of the number of men and women transported
given.
Part A of the Thesis concerns the males , examines the
number of variables in the enquiry and presents them in
tabular form, with some explanation , as the basis of the
survey . Variations from this overall view are shown in
the cases of the English and Irish-tried men and London
felons. Reasons for any differences are suggested. In
Chapter III a number of grouped urban and rural counties
are analysed and it is explained how and why convicts from
certain parts of Britain differed from the overall pattern.
The offences for which the convicts were transported
are then analysed, and attention is drawn to the principal
forms of theft which accounted for so many convicts making
the voyage to Australia. In particular it is noted how
men transported for ''other larcenies" tended to be young
offenders from the cities of Britain. From the circumstances
of their apprehension and information gleaned from
reports of trials and statements made in Van Diemen's Land,
a picture is painted of the origin and character of the
convicts , and attention drawn to national differences
between English and Irish. Part Bis devoted to a description of the female
convicts, and from the circumstances of trials and other
particulars it is concluded that, particularly in the
early years of transportation to Australia , they were an
indifferent group of settlers o
Part C concerns the convicts in Australia. Records
of Van Diemen's Land prisoners permit a comprehensive
study of convicts' lives whilst they were in the hands of
the local Administration but data of a different nature
in New South Wales enables analysis and speculation of
what part the convicts played in society. Extent of
marriage of both male and female convicts is discussed.
It is concluded that few prisoners in the period able to
be reviewed can be said to have done materially well in
New South Wales .
The conclusion of the Thesis sums up the findings
of the enquiry by emphasising the age structure of the
sample , number of former offences and occupations . It
also emphasises the different character of the English
and Irish convicts and finally discusses the reasons for
the commission of crime leading to transportation .
Description
Keywords
Citation
Collections
Source
Type
Thesis (PhD)
Book Title
Entity type
Access Statement
License Rights
Restricted until
Downloads
File
Description