Sarah Marshall

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Naomi Parsons on 3rd February 2025

Sarah was described by the ship's surgeon as a "prostitute. ... insolent..." (terms widely used without accuracy after an investigation into the 'moral failures' between crew and convicts aboard ship). In New South Wales, Sarah was in the female factory during the 1818 muster, with her soon after arrival beginning a relationship with John Simpson (ship- Ocean) and having a daughter. Perhaps John was already being married, there was no marriage between them but they were referred to as husband and wife and went on to have a large family with a further seven children. In 1820, Sarah was in the female factory. By 1823, Sarah was now free by servitude and in 1825 and 1828 lived with John and the family at Evan. Sadly, in December 1838, Sarah caught flu and died at her home, aged 42. She was buried the following day at Castlereagh Cemetery with a poetic memorial still well tended to by her descendants. An Inquest reported in the newspaper provides details- [Commercial Journal and Advertiser (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840)Wednesday 26 December 1838 - Page 4]

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Maureen Withey on 31st July 2020

NSW 1828 Census Index. John Simpson, age 48, F.S. per Ocean 1818, 7 years, protestant. Tailor in Evan district. Holds 5 acres, which are all cleared and cultivated. Sarah Simpson, age 31, F.S., per Friendship, 1818, 7 years. Lucy Simpson, age 10, born in Colony. John Simpson, age 9, B.C. George Simpson, age 7, B.C. Elizabeth, age 6,B.C. Mary, age 4, B.C. William, age 2, B.C.

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Phil Hands on 9th April 2017

Tried & convicted at Lancaster Assizes on 24th July 1816 of stealing a petticoat, a bed gown, two caps, a pair of silk stockings and a sheet, belonging to John Oldham, sentenced to seven years transportation. She was held in custody at Lancaster Castle until she was transfered to a transportation vessel. Left England on 3rd July 1817. Ship:- the 'Friendship' sailed with 101 female convicts on board of which 4 died during the voyage. Arrived on 14th January 1818. She met and befriended convict John Simpson ('Ocean II' 1818), a tailor by trade. Together they would have eight children out of wedlock. However, this was frowned upon at the time. On her way home one night, Sarah was set upon by a group of men who had been following her in the shadows. Sarah was brutally murdered in a fit of lust, Her remains were left near her home in Castlereagh NSW, and the cowardly men raced off into the darkness. It was a sad and sorry way to die. When her battered and scarred body was found, John Simpson was utterly devastated. He was now alone to search for answers to this horrendous crime, and to care for their eight precious children. Sarah Marshall was buried as Sarah Simpson, and it is said that John married her at her graveside to allow her to pass without sin into the next life.

Sarah Marshall married John Simpson (7 years, Ocean II, arr NSW 1818), a tailor. Their first child, Lucy, was born in November 1818. She died in Castlereagh on December 10, 1834, aged 42. Lucy Simpson married Thomas Delaney, son of Nicholas Delaney (United Irishman, 7 years, Atlas II, 1802) and Elizabeth Bayly (free, Brothers, 1807). They had thirteen children. (I can supply more information)

I meant to add my contact details - arebelhand@gmail.com rebelhand.weebly.com if you want more info about Sarah Marshall and her family