Ebook: A cargo of women: Susannah Watson and the convicts of the Princess Royal
Author: Watson Susannah, Smith Babette
- Tags: Penal transportation--Great Britain--History--19th century, Women prisoners--Australia--History--19th century, Women prisoners, Penal transportation, History, Watson Susannah, Princess Royal (Ship), Women prisoners -- Australia -- History -- 19th century, Penal transportation -- Great Britain -- History -- 19th century, Australia, Great Britain
- Year: 2009
- Publisher: Allen & Unwin
- City: Crows Nest;N.S.W;Hove;Australia;Great Britain
- Language: English
- epub
New edition of the bestselling history that traces the chequered story of 100 women transported together in 1829 to Sydney. Includes new information on the women and treatment of convicts, and new illustrations.
Intrigued to discover a convict ancestor in her family tree, Babette Smith decided to investigate her life and the lives of the 99 women who were transported with her on the ship Princess Royal in 1829.
Piece by piece she reveals the story of her ancestor the indomitable Susannah Watson who, trapped in the crowded filthy slums of Nottingham, stole because she could not bear to see her children starving'. Separated forever from her husband and four children, she was transported to Australia for 14 years. She endured the convict system at its worst, yet emerged triumphant to die in her bed aged 83 singing Rock of Ages'.
Babette Smith reconstructs the lives of the women from the Princess Royal from fragments of information in shipping lists, official...