Issue 5: January 2010
Spotlight on: Mr Knaresbro, seducer of heiresses
To celebrate the re-printing of A Nimble Fingered Tribe we thought we'd feature one of the more adventurous from the book: a gentleman convict who would've dearly loved to have avoided the spotlight that was put on him in the 1790s.
Spring of 1793 brought Mr James Fitzpatrick Knaresbro, seducer of heiresses and prisoner for life, to the colony. He devoutly protested that of the first description he certainly was not; he defended this by asserting that of the two women he seduced in Ireland, the first was only a milliner, and the second was “a girl in a Low Sphere”. In early 1791 he was charged in Ireland with the rape of a Miss B——n. Knaresbro, a man of property, maintained his innocence during his trial at Carlow Assizes. He was sentenced to transportation for life, but Sydney was no substitute for the life of a womanising dandy in Ireland. He was desperate to leave, and convinced the authorities to let him do so...
To read more of Knaresbro's biography, please click here
News and Events
Event The Irish Vanguard: Researching the first Irish transported to Sydney
Presented by Barbara Hall and Cassie Mercer
Barbara Hall has spent the past 15 years researching the lives of the 912 Irish convicts transported in the 1790s. Barbara and Cassie will talk about the research process, challenges they've encountered along the way, and some of the fascinating stories they've uncovered.
When 20 February 2010, 2-3pm with refreshments afterwards
Where Vonnie Young Auditorium, Level One Bowen Library, 669 Anzac Parade, Maroubra Sydney 2035
Contact the Randwick & District Historical Society for more information.
Event The Bicentenary of Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Presented by Macquarie 2010
The 200th anniversary of Lachlan Macquarie's swearing in as Governor of New South Wales will be commemorated this year with a statewide celebration program. Events include re-enactments, lectures, open houses and art exhibitions.
When Throughout 2010
Contact Macquarie 2010 for event information.
Event Irish Orphan Girls
Presented by Historic Houses Trust, New South Wales
Irish Orphan Girls is a new display examining the role of the Female Immigration Depot at the Hyde Park Barracks between 1848 and 1850, to house and process shiploads of workhouse orphans sent from Ireland, struggling in the grip of famine.
When Until September 18, 2011
Where Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Sydney
Contact the Historic Houses Trust for more information
Event Brick Walls in Irish Research
Presented by Marie Dallman
Brick Walls in Irish Research is part of the Thursday Talks series run by the Genealogical Society of Victoria (GSV)
When 12.30-1.30pm, February 18 2010
Where GSV Meting Room, Level B1 257 Collins St Melbourne
Contact the Genealogical Society of Victoria for more information
Spread the word If you'd like to know if anyone else is researching your ancestor transported from Ireland between 1791 and 1806, please contact us and we'll include your details in our next issue so people can contact you.
Similarly, if you have an event coming up related to convict history, or a recent publication you would like to let people know about, please contact us with the details so we can include it in our February newsletter. |
