Sarah (The Elder) Shurwell

Level 349

Maureen Withey on 24th August 2026

Convict Sarah Shurwell died about two weeks before the ship arrived. Joseph Arnold recorded: “this old woman came on board in a bad state of health being of a broken constitution on our way to Rio suffered much with a dropsical complaint which disappeared to be replaced with a chronic case of dysentery with proved fatal. She had two fine daughters on board, one of whom was in keeping of Mr. Weir the ship's surgeon. Her husband and son were also transported all for the same offence.” From the Journal of Joseph Arnold, the Ship’s Surgeon, who was appointed to look after the convicts.

Level 76

iain Frazier on 19th July 2024

Family connections for Sarah (Shurwell) are: SHURWELL Sarah (???) was born about 1765. She married ??? (Shurwell). She was tried w/other members of her family at borough of Reading Berkshire Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years, transported to NSW as a convict with her family on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON &, as Sarah (Thurwel/l), is recorded as suffering bad state of health & dropsicle (dropsy) complaint & died on 4 6 1815 age about50 from chronic dysentery on board ship. [Some details taken from this Website] ??? (Shurwell) was a farmer at Reading Berkshire. He was apparantly tried w/other members of his family at borough of Reading Berkshire Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict, presumably with his family, on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON. ??? (Shurwell) does not have an entry on this Website as yet. .. Sarah (???) & ??? (Shurwell) produced perhaps 3children: 1.Sarah (Shurwell) was born about 1795. She was tried w/other members of her family at borough of Reading Berkshire Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict with her parents on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON; she may have sufferred illness on board the ship. ..[These details taken from this Website] 2.Elizabeth (Shurwell/Shovell/Sherwell/Shirwill) was born about 1797. She was tried w/other members of her family at borough of Reading Berkshire Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict with her parents on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON; she may have sufferred illness on board the ship. She was Free by Servitude when she married James (Underwood his fifth marriage) on 26 11 1825 at St Johns CofE Parramatta & produced 1child. ..[Some details taken from this Website] ..James (Underwood) was born at Paddington House Tulse Hill Brixton Bermondsey Surrey/London on 4 9 1771. He was tried at Surrey Assizes/Maidstone Kent, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 7 1791 after a voyage of 6months on Fleet ship ADMIRAL BARRINGTON. He married firstly (1of5) Mary (Kendall her first relationship) on 20 1 1793 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He would have been Free by Servitude by 1798. He trained as a boatbuilder & helped build 34ton sloop DIANA in 1798/9. He later became involved in the sealing trade & with partners Henry (Kable FRIENDSHIP 1788) & Simeon (Lord ATLANTIC 1791) bought the DIANA. He traded in George St Sydney. He had a second relationship (2of5) from about 1801 with Philadelphia (Pounds). He is recorded in 1806 as John (Underwood) with his family. He seems to have travelled to UK on his ship SYDNEY COVE, departing in October 1807 & described by the Governor as a trader with a bad character-after which he left the partnership in 1808 with much ongoing litigation. He had a third relationship (3of5) with Laetitia (Reynolds). On 26 2 1811 he had to explain consignment of wine landed from UNION (owned by his brother) without his knowledge at Hobart. On 21 8 1811 he was joint owner of King George (Inn?). He had been issued his Conditional Pardon by June 1812 when he opened the St George Coffee (perhaps dispensing liquor) Lounge. He was Pardoned before 1812. He held a spirit licence & may have run a hotel in 1813. He had land at Petersham in 1822. In 1823&5 he established the Sydney distillery between Old South Head Road and Rushcutters Bay with Robert (Cooper) and F E (Forbe). He married fifthly Elizabeth (Shu/e/irwell/Sovell) emancipist on 26 11 1825 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. In 1828 he possessed 100acres & his property in Sydney. He returned to England in March 1840 & died on 10/19 2 1844 age72 at his home, Paddington House, Tulse Hill, Brixton, Surrey father of 11known children. ..[Some details taken from this Website, in which there is much more information of his business activity] 3.male (Shurwell) was apparantly tried w/other members of his family at borough of Reading Berkshire Quarter Sessions, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict, presumably with his parents, on 18 6 1815 after a voyage of 6months on NORTHAMPTON; he may have sufferred illness on board the ship. ..male (Shurwell) does not have an entry on this Website as yet. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

Level 349

Maureen Withey on 24th December 2019

Journal of Dr Joseph Arnold, Ship's Surgeon aboard the Northampton Dr. Joseph Arnold's Log: Sunday June 4th. Departed this life Sarah Thurwel, aged about 50. This old woman came on board in a bad state of health, being of a broken constitution; on our way to Rio Janeiro she suffered with a dropsical complaint which disappeared entirely. Soon after leaving Rio Janeiro she was attacked with chronic Dysentery wh resisted all means of cure. This woman has two fine daughters on board, one of whom is in keeping [?] of Mr Theim [?] surgeon of the ship, her husband and son are also transported, all for the same offence. They were farmers residing near Reading [?] and have some relations there in good circumstances. 39o50S 139o42E (The numbers indicate the position of the ship at the time - probably added afterwards, from information from the Captain).