Thomas MARKWELL

  General Notes:

Thomas MARKWELL arrived aboard the "Scarborough" in the 2nd fleet in 1790, tried at Essex in 1787 to 14 years.


A second fleet of six ships left England - Guardian, Justinian, Lady Juliana, Surprize, Neptune, Scarborough. The Guardian struck ice, and was unable to complete the voyage. She was stocked with provisions. Only 48 people died in the first group of ships, but this time 278 died during the voyage. This time transporting the convicts was in the hands of private contractors.

From the "SYDNEY COVE CHRONICLE", 30th June, 1790.

At last the transports are here
DIABOLICAL CONDITION OF THE CONVICTS THEREON
278 died on the fearsome journey to Sydney Cove

". . . The landing of those who remained alive despite their misuse upon the recent voyage, could not fail to horrify those who watched.

As they came on shore, these wretched people were hardly able to move hand or foot. Such as could not carry themselves upon their legs, crawled upon all fours. Those, who, through their afflictions, were not able to move, were thrown over the side of the ships; as sacks of flour would be thrown, into the small boats.

Some expired in the boats; others as they reached the shore. Some fainted and were carried by those who fared better. More had not the opportunity even to leave their ocean prisons for as they came upon the decks, the fresh air only hastened their demise.

A sight most outrageous to our eyes were the marks of leg irons upon the convicts, some so deep that one could nigh on see the bones . . . . . . We learn that several children have been borne to women upon the Lady Juliana, the cause for which were the crews aboard African slave ships which met up with the transport at Santa Cruz. . . . . . So the Guardian is lost and with it our provisions. What, in the name of Heaven, is to become of us ? . . . "

  Research Notes:

Thomas and Maria's children
V18072102 1A/1807 Sophia MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)
V18102101 1A/1810 Elizabeth MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)
LDS b 22 Apr 1810 Windsor D 25 Jun 1853 Richmond m George Pitt WOOD 26 Sep 1826 at Richmond

V18247067 1B/1824 Ellem M MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)
V1826390 11/1826 George T MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)
V182873 157/1828 John MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)
V1830134 157/1830 Mary A MARKWELL born to THOMAS and MARIA (no place)

Acknowledgement: Newspaper article transcribed in 1992 by Barbara Turner.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Immigration: "Scarborough", 1790.

Thomas married Maria Ann CHESHIRE, daughter of Thomas CHESHIRE and Ann TEASDALE, on 5 Oct 1807 in St Phillip's Church, Sydney, , New South Wales, Australia.⁹⁰ (Maria Ann CHESHIRE was born on 1 Aug 1792 in Sydney, Nsw, Australia ⁹², christened on 11 Sep 1792 in Sydney, Nsw, Australia, died on 18 Jul 1830 in Richmond, Nsw, Australia ⁹³ and was buried in Jul 1830 in Richmond, Nsw, Australia.)