Convicts

A history of Maria Island's recent past structured around four key touchstones: the two phases of convict occupation during the Penal Period 1825-32 and the Probation Period 1842-52; the optimistic tenure of the Bernacchi Period 1884-96; and the resource exploitation of the Industrial Period 1920-30.

This is the biography and family history of convict William Rose Watts, born in Essex in 1811 and transported to Van Diemen's Land for 14-years for stealing six ceramic mugs from his employer.

This is perhaps the only extant diary ever written during the Australian penal era whilst its convict writer was imprisoned. John Ward, writing whilst incarcerated on Norfolk Island but formerly a groom to an officer gentleman, tells a story of thwarted love that he claims led him to a life of crime including theft, sexual assault and more. In telling the candid story of his downfall he exposes his own ruthlessness and lack of empathy. This is an out-of-print book in USED condition.

Crooks, craftsmen and founding citizens - stories of convict clock and watchmakers in Van Diemen's Land.