Caroline Kensett

1810 to 1865-69

Birth: 1810 in Southwark or Suffolk UK.

ARREST IN LONDON

Caroline Kensett was arrested in the Barbican in Playhouse Yard, off Golden Lane, with Thomas Daniels for stealing 5 handkerchiefs valued at 8s. and 9d. on the 5th March 1829. She was only 19 and was put in Newgate Prison. Their trial was held on the 9th April 1829 at the Old Bailey, and they were both found guilty and sentenced to 7 years to be transported. Caroline was sent back to Newgate Prison to await transportation.

TRANSPORTATION

Caroline was taken to Woolwich Docks in London and put on the barque Lucy Davidson, a small vessel of 363 tons, built in 1818. The ship left England on the 10^th July 1829, under the command of William Wiseman, with 101 female convicts on board. The Lucy Davidson arrived at Sydney Cove on the 29^th November 1829 with only 2 fatalities reported for the voyage and was put in quarantine for a short period due to an outbreak of whooping cough which occurred not long after leaving London. The convicts were sent to Hyde Park Barracks before being assigned to various masters. A report dated 9^th January 1830 stated:

The female prisoners of the “Lucy Davidson” have turned out to be a profitless shipment. Most of the Magdalenes were assigned to service and by far the greater portion of those we are told have been returned by their masters to the government as incorrigibly bad characters.

LIFE IN SYDNEY

Caroline Kensett was assigned to Henry Miller of 60 Castlereagh Street Sydney, an upholsterer. On first arrival in Sydney all convict’s details were recorded and Caroline was entered as:

Age 19, native of Suffolk

Protestant

Single

Occupation needlewoman

Arrested in London, 7-year sentence

TB back of left hand

5’1/4” tall

Pale and pock-pitted

Brown hair and light hazel eyes

The population of NSW at the 1828 census was 27,953 males and 8,334 females, though First Nations people were not included in this count. Sometime during 1830 or early 1831, she met William Parker and formed a relationship with him. He was also a convict, arriving in Sydney on the 7^th May 1830 on board the Mermaid. He was 24, could read and write, was a native of Suffolk (maybe they knew each other from there), and was sentenced for 14 years.

He and another man, James Turner were arrested on the 16^th August 1829 for stealing 15 bottles of wine, worth 3s.9p. and 2 ½ gallons of wine, value 21s.₃ William Parker’s occupation was listed as cook and publican, and he was assigned to Thomas Petty, who at the time owned the Pulteney Hotel in Bent Street, about 200 metres from 60 Castlereagh Street.

On the 12^th December 1831 a son was born and named after his father, William James Parker. Caroline received her Ticket of Leave (32/229) on the 24^th March 1832, which allowed her to work for herself but had to remain in a specified area and attend church on Sunday.

On the 24^th September 1834 a daughter was born, named Margaret Eliza Parker, but she died the following year. Another daughter was born on the 30^th November 1835 named Jane Elizabeth Parker.

Caroline received her Certificate of Freedom (36/229) on the 11^th April 1836, which ended all restrictions on travel and proved that her sentence had been served.

In late 1836 William Parker was reassigned to James Adair at “Cardoness” Vacy on the Paterson River. James Adair arrived in Australia in 1827 and received a land grant of 1,600 acres near Vacy. Caroline was pregnant with their 4^th child at this time. She obtained permission from James Adair to travel to Vacy, and left her oldest son, William James Parker, age 5 with Thomas Magners of Commonform Agents in Margaret Street, Sydney. Caroline with her daughter, Jane Elizabeth, age 2 left Sydney and travelled on one of the paddle steamers to Morpeth. She then travelled to Vacy in June by coach, where she was met by James Adair. “Cardoness” homestead was about 1 and a half kilometres from Vacy, and on the journey she was told that William Parker, her husband had died several days previously.

Caroline was now destitute with one child and another left in Sydney and pregnant. James Adair allowed her to stay at “Cardoness”. Whilst there she wrote 2 letters to the Colonial Secretary asking permission for her eldest son in Sydney to be admitted to the orphan school in Liverpool. On the 14^th July, 1837 her son, Thomas William, was born. In late 1837, matters got even worse for Caroline and her children. James Adair’s brother, Reverend John Adair was arrested for forgery, he was found to be insane and put in the Liverpool Asylum. James was in financial difficulties from the court case of his brother and the farm was not making money.

In January 1838, Caroline was again homeless and travelled to Dungog with a man named Barnett. She lived with various people in Dungog, until she was arrested for vagrancy on the 1^st June, she was camped out in the bush with her 2 children. She was sent to Newcastle Goal with her 2 children and stayed there till released on the 28^th September.

Caroline, with help from Reverend Leydell Wilton, was employed as a housemaid to Alexander Park of “Lewinsbrook”, Gresford after being released from Newcastle Gaol. In 1839, Caroline married William Corrie, who was also a convict. He was a cooper by trade, arrived in Australia in 1834 on the Surrey, and was assigned to Alexander Park. William Corrie received his Ticket of Leave in 1838, but it was cancelled in 1839 for having stolen goods, a saddle, in his possession. He was sent to Carter’s Barracks (House of Corrections) for several months. On the 17^th September 1839, Caroline had a daughter, Sarah Anne Corry. She was baptised together with Jane Elizabeth Parker at St. Phillips in Sydney on the 29^th September 1839. In 1841 William Corry received his Certificate of Freedom, but died two years later at Maitland on the 27^th March, 1843.

Caroline may have married William Berry in 1843, but there is no proof that it was her. She continued to use the name Caroline Parker after the death of William Corry. In 1851 her daughter Jane Elizabeth Parker was married at “Campsie” to James Davis Smith, an emancipist still living at “Lewinsbrook”. In 1857 her daughter Sarah Ann Corry married William Lawrence at Maitland. Caroline was still alive in 1865 as a letter from William J Parker to Thomas W Parker mentions his mother. She appears to have been living in the Gresford area up until her death in about 1869 and was buried at St. Annes in Gresford.

BARBICAN LONDON 1830

CONVICTED AT THE OLD BAILEY – Trial of Caroline Kensett and Thomas Daniels

LETTERS TO COLONIAL SECRETARY FROM CAROLINE

5 / 5470
“Cardoness”, Paterson,
12^th June 1837.

Sir,
I beg most respectfully to state to you for the information of His Excellency the Governor that about (8) eight months ago I was left perfectly helpless.

My husband William Parker having been assigned to Mr. Adair, Paterson, leaving me destitute in Sydney with three children, one of them an infant at my breast.

I obtained Mr. Adair’s permission to go to my husband on his farm With my children but unfortunately on my arrival at his place I found that my husband had died a few days previous.

However through Mr. Adair’s kindness to me I have been allowed To remain on his farm ever since, and my object in thus addressing you is humbly to solicit His Excellency the Governor, to grant permission for my eldest son, William James Parker, to be placed in the Orphan School under the regulations of the Liverpool Institution.

He is six years of age and I am perfectly unable to support and to give him any education.
I shall request Mr. Adair to certify this my statement.

I have the honour to be Sir,

Your Most Obedient Servant,
Caroline Parker

A second sheet of paper was attached to this letter that contained a statement of confirmation from James Adair of “Cardoness” . It is as follows;

“I hereby certify that the written statement made by Carline Parker is correct and that she was the object of Charity – and has been supported by me ever since her husband died.
James Adair
“Cardoness”, Paterson
13th.June 1837

On the 15th.of July, Caroline received confirmation that her son William James Parker would be admitted into the Orphan School. It was however necessary that Caroline furnish the Colonial Secretary of some pertinent details. The following letter is in answer to the Colonial Secretary.

5 / 7141 – 16th July, 1837
C. Parker particulars of Patersons River
Her sons admission to Orphan School 15th .July 1837
I have the honour to receive your letter of the 20th. June – informing me that my son would be admitted into the orphan school under annexed conditions – which I beg humbly and respectfully to state as follows;
Childs name – William Parker
Age – 5 years
When born – 12th. December 1831
Where born, in Sydney
Parents Names – William Parker & Caroline Parker
The Boy is at Mr. Thomas Magners – Commonplace Agents Market Street Sydney – to whom, you will please send the order for the Boys admission into the School.
I have the honour to be your most humble servant,
Caroline Parker
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary,
Sydney.

ARREST IN DUNGOG

On the 9th. of June 1838 a Court Deposition was issued in respect to Caroline.
38 / 5850 9th. June 1838.
Deposition respecting C. McKenzie
Or Mrs. Parker.
Police Office,
Dungog, 6th . June 1838
Caroline McKenzie or Mrs.Parker
Free by servitude.
Sir,
I do myself the honour to enclose Deposition taken before me in the case of the person named in the margin that His Excellency the Governor may be pleased to point out what is best to be done for a woman in her destitute situation. She and her two children have been forwarded to Newcastle Goal To await His Excellency’s plea regarding them.

I have the honour to be,
Your Most Obedient Servant
Mr. Yoon J.P.

Upon receiving all information at the Sheriff’s Office in Sydney regarding Caroline and the two children a Mr. J. Maynard of the Sheriff’s Office wrote a letter to the Colonial Secretary seeking advice and a decision from the Governor. The contents of this letter is as follows;

38 / 6390 23rd. June 1838
For disposal of Prisoners forwarded
from Newcastle Goal.
No. 38 / 414 Sheriffs’ Office
Sydney 22nd .June 1838.
Caroline McKenzie
Alias Parker, per
“Lucy Davidson”, free.
Catherine Caffree
Sir,
I have the honour to transmit the enclosed Copies of Warrants received from the Gaoler at Newcastle, which accompanied the two female prisoners named in the margin who are committed to his custody until the pleasure of His Excellency the Governor is known, and request you will be pleased to obtain His instructions as to their disposal.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your Most Obedient Servant,
J. Maynard
Sheriff.

There is if I mistake not a Former letter from Mr. Cook Respecting Caroline MacKenzie.
Let this be looked into immediately. June 26.
The Honourable The Colonial Secretary
Entd.

Following this letter the following letter was received in answer to a request by Mr. Maynard from the Governor and is as follows;

It is usual in these cases when the parents are known not to be able to support the children, to send them to the Orphan Schools, but nothing is stated herein respecting the father of the two children.
The woman would be best appear to be deserving of any consideration and I’am not aware of therefore having at any time interfered in such a case.
I can do nothing.
G.G. June 25th.
Crown Solicitor’s opinion requested for Col. Sec., T.B.H. (To Be Held )
June 27 / 1838
W. Cook informed, June 27 / 1838. 38 / 6380.

Caroline and her two children remained imprisoned within the Newcastle Gaol until September of 1838. It was whilst imprisoned there that the Chaplain of the Gaol the Rev. Leydell L. Wilton observing her plight, sought to assist her in the full knowledge of the circumstances that brought her there in the first place. As a result Rev. Wilton forwarded the following letter to the Colonial Secretary.
38 / 9320 6th.September 1838.

Caroline Parker or Kensett
Free and a widow.
Newcastle, September 5th., 1838.
( Rev. G.P.L. Wilton respecting Caroline Parker’s discharge from Gaol.)
See 38 / 9523
Sir,
The female named in the margin, who has been confined, just at this time with her two children in the last two months under the Warrant from the Bench of Dungog, waiting for His Excellency’s
decision respecting the charge against her of occupying land belonging to the precinct, has requested her to apply that her case may be decided as she has now received.
So why a confinement within the walls of the Prison?
I have the honour to be His
Excellency’s obedient servant.
G.P. Leydell L. Wilton
Chaplain of the Gaol.

Rev. Wilton then received the following reply;
Caroline Mc.Kenzie being a free woman, I can do nothing in her case until I receive the opinion of the Law Office of the Crown which has been asked for.
Catherine Caffree being a prisoner of the Crown must be dealt with in the usual manner.
G.G.

It was not until the 10th. of September that the Crown Solicitors Office in Sydney was able to furnish a decision regarding Caroline Parker and her two children. On receiving this information His Excellency the Governor ordered that she must be discharged from Newcastle Gaol. The contents of the letter as furnished by the Crown Solicitors
Office dated the 10th.of September 1838 is as follows;

38 / 9323 11th . September 1838.
Opinion on the case of Caroline McKenzie alias Parker.
No. 38 / 109.
Crown Solicitors Office
Sydney, 10th. September
1838
Caroline McKenzie
Must be discharged.
G.G.
Sept. 8th.
Sir,
With reference to the case of Caroline McKenzie alias Parker, who with her two children are under committal to Newcastle Gaol by the Police Magistrate at Dungog for being found at large in the Township
without means of support under Sec. WIV., 4#. No.6, – referred by your minute of 27 June last.
I have the honour to inform you for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that under the direction of the Attorney General I submitted the case to Dr. Kincheld who is of the opinion that in this case the female and her children were taken up upon a charge that would have subjected the mother if regularly convicted to an imprisonment in the House of Correction for three calendar months,-the examination of the Constable took place on the 1st. of June but it does not appear that any regular conviction was drawn up in the case. The time however for which she could have been sentenced has now expired and therefore the woman must be discharged.
As to the children, there is no law in this Colony to compel a parent to Provide for his illegitimate children so it is useless to apply to the woman to swear to the father unless ( if a free man ) to compel him to provide for his illegitimate children by a threat to withdraw his convict servants from him ( if he has any ) but which would be a dangerous precedent as in many cases it would subject a master to the revengeful feelings of his servants on evidence at best to be relied on, – or if a Convict to punish him for immorality.
The children therefore must depend for their support upon charity unless the mother should be able to provide for them which it appears she is not.
I have the honour to return all the original papers.
I have the honour to be Sir,
Your Obedient Servant,
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary. Francis Fisher
Crown Solicitor.
Note: I should hold this to be very improper, unless indeed the mother was a convict in his assigned service, and then it would be for having improper connection with her, – not for having illegitimate children.
G.G.

On the 28th. day of September 1838, Caroline together with her two children, Jane Elizabeth and Thomas William left Newcastle Gaol and walked into an uncertain future.

The Newcastle Gaol records of the period record the following details;
PRISONER NO. 574
Caroline Mc Kenzie alias Parker and two children.
Ship ‘Lucy Davidson’ , 1829, on bond, free from Suffolk.
Religion : Protestant
Trade or Calling : Laundress
Gaoled Newcastle on 16th. June 1838.
Tried at Dungog.
Purpose : To be confirmed with His Excellency and Pleasure.
Released 28th. September 1838.