Ellen Wainwright Our First Fleeter Convict Ancestor

We - as in my large and extended family - come from a somewhat intrepid group of original European immigrants to this - our beautiful country. We are known as "First Fleeter's" in Australia - and as such are seventh generation Australians as our direct ancestor arrived here, albeit in chains ,on the "The Prince of Wales", one of the first European ships to put down anchor in these colonies. Obviously Ellen didn't leave hearth, home and family by choice but indeed - happy to stay!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Ellen Wainwright - The First Australian Lady in Our Family - A First Fleeter & Convict!

Names: WAINWRIGHT/ECCLES/MAINWRIGHT
First Names: Ellen/Esther
Age Leaving England:18 years of age
Gender: Female
Date of Death:8 November 1839
Date of Death: 1839
Place of Trial:Preston, Lancashire
Date of Trial:6 January 1787
Crime:stealing clothing
Value of theft (in shillings): -1
Sentence:transportation
No.of Years:7
Trade:No trade recorded
Transport Ship:Prince of Wales

For those who are unfamiliar with the term "First Fleet" it actually applies to the first ships that sailed from the UK to Australia and I quote from :
"The First Fleet is the name given to the 11 ships which sailed from Great Britain on May 13, 1787 to establish the first European colony in New South Wales. It was a convict settlement, marking the beginnings of transportation to Australia. The fleet was led by Captain (later Admiral) Arthur Phillip...... Admiral Arthur Phillip RN (11 October 1738 to 31 August 1814) was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. ..."