George Barker

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Dianne Jones on 20th August 2022

From his Fremantle jail record: BARKER, George; inmate #39, arrived 1 Jun 1850 per Scindian Date of Birth: 1827 Date of Death: c27 Jul 1869 Marital Status: Unmarried Occupation: Labourer Literacy: Literate Sentence Date: 6 Mar 1847 Sentence Place: York, York, England Crime: Larceny from the person -- Pickpocket [Note: This record incorrectly says "Stealing 100 pounds coal", the offence committed by another George Barker who was transported in 1850 also, per Hashemy, and sentenced to 14 years.] Sentence Period: 15 years [incorrectly listed as 14 years] Previous Convictions: Yes [at the York Summer Assizes, 1846] Ticket Leave Date: 24 Nov 1851 Certificate of Freedom Date: 8 Jul 1863 (https://fremantleprison.com.au/). --00-- —00—

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Dianne Jones on 20th August 2022

NEWSPAPER REPORT OF THE SHIP’S ARRIVAL: 7 June, 1850: “Arrival of the ‘Scindian’ with Convicts. The arrival of the Scindian with the first batch of convicts and the staff of officers for the formation of the Penal Establishment, took place on Saturday last, the 22nd anniversary of the foundation of the colony-a curious coincidence and a very fit day for the commencement of the new order of things. She has had a quick passage of 88 days from Portsmouth, which she left on the 4th March. The number of passengers is 277, of which seven are cabin, including Dr. Gibson, R.N., Surgeon Superintendent, Capt. Henderson, R.E., Superintendent of the Convict Establishment, lady and child, Mr. and Mrs. Dickson and two children. Mr. and Mrs. Manning and two children; steerage, 75 convicts, 54 pensioners with wives and families and 14 emigrant young women. The Scindian is the first of four vessels taken up by the Home Government for the conveyance of convicts hither, one to sail each month during the three following months… On Tuesday His Excellency proceeded to Fremantle, for the purpose of arranging, in concert with Capt. Henderson [Superintendent of the Convict Establishment], for locating the prisoners, and an agreement was made with Capt. Scott to take his premises upon lease for five years, at a rental of £250 per annum, to expend £1,000 in improvements for which interest at the rate of 4 per cent is to be allowed out of the rent. We understand, that after the erection of their own buildings, the first public work proceeded with will, in all probability, be the erection of a Pier to run out from Arthur’s Head, for the protection of Gage’s Roads. We also hear that the Scindian has on board 400 tons of Government stores, including tools, iron-work, and everything the establishment is likely to require for the erection of gaols, carrying on works, &c.” (The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News, p2 at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3171648). —00—

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Dianne Jones on 20th August 2022

PER SCINDIAN — THE FIRST CONVICTS TO WA: 1 June, 1850: “On this day in 1850, the first convict transport ship Scindian arrived in Fremantle to great surprise, as she had managed to overtake the ship carrying news of her arrival. There was no prison capable of holding the convicts, so a local warehouse was rented and quickly converted into a temporary prison. Convicts remained there for five years, whilst building their new home, The Convict Establishment, later renamed Fremantle Prison.” (https://www.facebook.com/fremantleprison) —0—