26 January 1788

"... God that we have got Save to ane Anchor in one of the finest harbours in the world — I never Saw any like it — the River Thames is not to be mentioned to it all though I thought was the finest in the world — this Said Port Jackson is the most beautiful place —  here we make the Ships fast to the Trees on Shore both sides of Governors Cove...

27 Jan... Sent the men belonging to Capt. Tench Company on board the Charlotte to be landed from ther — dinned by myself all the rest dinned out — I am Quite charmed with the place — oh that if you was only here and our dear Boy my Alicia I Should not wish to come home if the place agreed with our health ... The Tents look a prety amonst the Trees — I hope to be on Shore to morrow if Please good

28 Jan... Got up early this morning and Sent all the Convicts on Shore except them that were Sick — thank God that the[y] are all out of the Ship one in God that I will have nothing to doe with them any more — at 10 Debarkt with all the [other?] Marines and there Baggage Except my own — I never Saw So much confusion in all the course of my life as there was in the three compys. disembark — after I had Pitchd it twice but thank God I Slept very well but rather cold — and Tom davry in a Markee — we let Lieut Timming lay his cott down and Sleep with use as he had not his got up

29 Jan... got early this morning and had nothing for Breakfast Except a Pice of Biscuit and a drink of cool water — remarkably hott —

30 Jan... Employd in getting my things on shore gott all but my Box of Shot — remarkably hott here — I am my Beloved Alicia with all my farm Stock consisting of 2 hens and one Pigs hope that it will multiply fast with the Assistance of God — I hope that I will doe very well — I am for Guard to morrow

31 Jan... what a Terrible night was last of thunder lighting and Rain — was obliged to get out of my tent with nothing one but my shirt to Slacking the tent Poles — remarkably hott have nothing to Sleep but a Poor Tent and a little grass to Sleep on — Several of the convicts have Run away — one or two of them have Come back having been to Botany Bay to See if the French Ships which we left there would take them but the[y] would [not] — I hope the Governor will make an Example of Some of them — Meridith came over and Staid with me and then Sent me my dinner — the[y] are getting up the Governors House as fast as the[y] can —

FEB 1788

Feby. Friday 1st.
Capt. Meridith and Davey came over last night and Staid Supper with me — Meridith Sent me some fish which had boild — in all the course of my life I never Slept worse my dear wife than I did [last] night — what with the hard cold ground Spiders ants and every vermin that you can think of was crawling over me I was glad when the morning came — my poor Poutch was my Pillow

Saturday 2d.
got up at day light and order the men of the company to Strick there tents and pitch them about 20 Yards from the ground where the[y] first Stoode which was done in a Quarter of an hour — Davey and Meridith and I went to dine at the hospital and had a good dinner of fish

Sunday 3
Wm. Collings Breakfast with me to day — had a very Good Sermon — Prayed for You and our dr. Boy my beloved Alicia god Send you your health is your affectioned Ralphies Wish —

Monday 4 — the convicts employed in clearing the Ground of the Trees —

Tuesday 5 Nothing Extraordinary my dr. wife — the[y] are clearing the ground as fast as they can —

Wednesday 6 went out a Shooting with J Johnstone and I kild a duck, a few Small birds which with the duck I Sent to M Ross where I went to Supper 

Thursday 7... my God how it did thunder and Lighting — was very much frightened for the Centinell before Majr. Ross markee while we were at Supper was knock down with it —  by the very hard clap of Thunder the lighting Struck one of the Trees near where we were at Supper and Kild Six Sheep 2 Lambs and one Pig belonging to Major Ross — my 2 two Piggs were not above Two Yards from the place — above all the Places in the world this is the most terrible for thunder and lightening —  got up very early to dress as the Governours Commissions and the other officers were read to day — all the Battalion were under arms and all the convicts attended — Iall the officers dinned with him on a cold collation but the Mutten which had been kill yesterday morning was full of maggots nothing will keep 24 hours in this country I find —

Friday 8 Capt. Shea Kild to day one of the Kankeroos it is the most curioust of animals that I ever Saw — confined one of the convicts for Striking John West one of the drummers and abusing the Drum Major — the Same weather thunder and lightening —

Saturday 9 - as one of Members of the court Martial to try Prisoners when Brimage was Sentanced to Receive 200 lashes on his bare back for striking one of the convict women because She would not goe up in the woods with him and to x — also Sentanced Green both marines one hunder lashes for been drunk on Guard but recommend him to the commanding officer [for mercy?]

Sunday 10
mounted the Governours Guard to day by which I could not attend prayers — was very much frightened by the Lightening as it brock very near my as I was Sitting in my tent on Guard — it is nothing else but Lightening that has burnt all the trees but it —  I could not Stay longer than the three Years for the world — I wish that I could get home now I should goe mad for you would be so frightened with the thunder and Lightening —

Monday 11
Several of the convicts were married Yesterday and amongst them that were have left wives and familes at home — a good God what a Seen of Whordome is going on there in the womans camp — no Sooner has one man gone in with a woman but another goes in with her — I hope the Almighty will keep me free from them as he has heather to done but I need not be affraid as I promised you my Betsey I will keep my word with you — I never will have any thing [to do with] any woman what ever except your Self — was Summonds to attend the criminal court to day as being an Evidence against the Man whom I confined on the 8 inst for Stricking the drumr. — to day was the first time that I ever took ane Oath — the court was composed of Capt. Colling a Judge Advocate Capt. Hunter Lieuts. Ball and Bradly Navy Capts Shea and Meridith and Lieut Creswell marines — the Same weather as before fine Morning but terrible Evening —

Tuesday 12
went to here the Sentence read over the Prisoner — the man that I confined was found Guilty of the whole charge and Sentance to Receive 150 lashes on his bare back — the other for Stealing (Hill that came out in our Ship) a little Bread to be send to a Small Island at the mouth of the harbour in Irons for Eight days on bread and water — the other for Given — the man Received his punishment accordent to his centance — the marines were punished last Evening According to theres but Green was forgiven — the Patroles caught 3 Seamen and a Boy in the womans camp and the[y] were drumd out of our the male convicts and woman camps — the Boy was the handsomest that I ever Saw  — the Mair. Sent for one of the womens picoats and put it on the Boy who cut the drolles appearents that I ever Saw — I hope this will be a warning to them from coming into the whore camp — I would call it by the Name of Sodem for ther is more Sin committed in it than in any other part of the world —

Wednesday 13
Capt. Tench Spoke to the Govr. by the disire of all the Officers concerning the different duties that has been put on use and hope that he would Back our representation to the King of being payd for the Extra duties that in which he said he would with all his intrust after which Poulton and Collins and Self went out a Shooting — I did not burn powder although I Saw a great manny Kankeroos — Return'd and William Collins and Self Satt down to dinner 

Thursday 14
— this morning Early Said His Majs. Brigg Supply with Several Male and female convicts to Norfolk Island Under Lieut King of the Navy to Settle there — Lieut King is appointd Govenour of the Same Island — there are no Inhabitants on the Island — 

Friday 15
very much fatigud was up late and again at three oClock to goe the Rounds — Supped with Majr. Ross — the Governor is gone father up the Harbour and a party of men with him with two days provisions — Capt. Shea Shot a nother Kankeroos which had a Young one which he has also brought in — the[y] are the most Exstradionary animal that I ever Saw for the[y] have a Pocket after the bottom of ther Belly where the[y] carry ther Young in case of danger  — the first I Kill I will have it Stufft and Sent home to You my dr. Beloved Alicia — one of the convict women was flogd at the cats Tail for Stealing from a nother convict woman — also Bennet that came out on our Ship was flogd for the Same crime — Poulton Servant who went out a Shooting with Creswell yesterday Morning and lost himself he is not Yet come in — You cannot conceive my dear woman what a woody country this is and all the Trees are burn — Everybody Supposes it is from the Lightening which now begin to think my Self —

Saturday 16
went out a Shooting Soon after Breakfast and Took Copl. Goff with me — I only Shot one Cocka Too — the[y] are most beautiful bird — I hope to God to be able to get Some alive to carry home with me for you my dear wife — after dinner went in the boat with Meridith up the harbour and Shot a few Parrokits —

Sunday 17
Major Ross Send down to ask me I would be so good as to let the Governour have our Markee to Take Saccerment in which I could not refuse and I am happy that it is to be in my Markee — 

Monday 18
was very ill with the Tooth aeck all last night — got up early and went to the Hospital and had it pold out Buy Mr. Consident — oh my God what pain it was it was So fast in and the Jaw bone very fast to one of the prongs the Tooth would not come out without breacking the Jaw bone which he did — I thought that half of my head would have come off — there is a piece of the Jaw bone remaining to the Tooth — the Pain was So great that I fainted away and was very ill the remainder of the day — my gum Keep Bleeding all the day —

Tuesday 19
having the Picket lay with my cloaths on and had but little Sleep as my Jaw paind me very much but in the course of the little I did Sleep  — my face very much Sweld and the Pain at times very great — the Govr. told me that the indians had gone to the number of 20 over to the Island wher the Sirius Gardian and where there is only 3 men and the half had come up and were very Kind to the three men while the others Stole what the[y] could lay there hands on but one of the men Seeing them carrying of an Axe and Spade he fired at the man that had the Spade with small Shot and struck him about the legs when the[y] dropt the spade but the[y] carried of the other things — they are the Greatest thefs that ever lived — I think that we are in a fine state we brought nothing but thefs out with use to find nothing but thefs

Wednesday 20
got but little Sleep on Guard my Jaw paind and does now very much and Bleeds every now and then afresh — the Governor askd Me to Breakfast but my face is so much Sweld that I would not goe — three of our Men were Punished about going to these d… B… of convict women they will bring our men into manny Such Troubles — Green was forgiven the other day was one of them who Received a 100 Lashes and McDonald and Godfray 50 each — the two last came out with me — one Male and one Female Convict died at the hospital —

Friday 22
the French Men went to Botany this morning  — Remarkably warm to day and hardly any wind — 

Sunday 24
— Sleep in my cloaths all night as having the Picket and have mounted the Qr. Guard this morning So that I shall be obliged to Sleep in my cloaths to night again — 

Monday 25
— I never Saw a Sky look So revengful as it does now — Several of the convicts wair Punished and two Seamen belonging to the Transport for given Rum to the convicts —

Tuesday 26
— there was a most daring Robbery comitted by taking away 18 Bottles of wine out of a Tent belonging to the Contractor — this day the comisary commences to Serve his Provisions which as follows Rations for 7 days for each Marine and Male Convict Seven Pounds of Bread or in lieu of 7 Pounds of Flour — Seven Pounds of Beef or in Lieu ther of 4 lb of Pork — three Pounds of Pease — Six Ounces of Butter — one Pound of flour or in Lieu ther of half a Pound of Rice — 2/3 of the above for the women but no Spirits —

Wednesday 27
a Criminal court Sits to day for the Trayer of Such Prisoners as may be brought befor them — amons the Number to be tryd is two that came out of the Ship with me Henly. Lovell and one Ryan — at 1 oClock there Centance was read the charge being clearly Proven of their Stealing Butter Pease and Pork — Thomas Barrit Heny. Lovell Josh. hall and Ryan the three former Received Centance of death and the Latter to Receive 300 Lashes — at 5 oClock PM the Battalion was orderd under arms for the centance of the Land to be put into Excuction and soon after we mach to the place of Execution which was a Tree between the male and female convicts Camp — at a Quarter after 5 the Unhappy man was brought to the place of Where he[y] were to Suffer when after the Parson had done prayers with them — the Provos Martial put the halter a bout the neck Thos. Barret and he mounted the Ladder — when the Provos Martial put a handkerchief a bout his head he turned as white as a sheet — when Soon after the Ladder was puld from under him and he Lanched into the other world without a groan — from every Account he was a great Rascal — after Barret had hung the usuall time he was cut down and put into a Grave near the Tree by Some of the convicts — am to Mount the Picket to night and to Morrow for Guard —

Thursday 28
my God what a Terrible day this has been of Rain — I never Saw that I Recollect it Rain harder — at three oClock the Battalion as Under Arms for to put the Centance of the Law into Execution of Hall and Lovell who wair Respited by the Governor Yesterday Untill to day — at 4 oClock I brought them with the Gd. to the place where the[y] wair to Suffer the Same wher ther companion did Yesterday — after the Prayers the Judg. Advocate brought a pardon from the Governor to the Majr. for them on Conditions of their Being Banished Which they Accepted of and the other that was to Received the 300 Lashes was also forgiven — the whole of the Convicts Sent a petition to the Governor begins that the[y] might be forgive and not to Suffer death — the[y] also promised that not one amongst them he would have reason to find falt with — the Governor on which he Pardond them — all the time it rained if heaven and earth was coming together — Ryan his Irons was taking of and dismissed to his work again but Lovell and Hall wair taking with me to the Guard — have not had my cloaths of Since last Saterday have eather had the Gd. or the Picket

Friday 29
the Criminal Court Still Sitting Since Wednesday and trying the 3 three men for Stealing the wine Munday and two others for Stealing 15 allowances of flouer — Geo. Wittiker, Danl. Gordon and Jno. Williams two black men — the former wair aquited of the charge about the wine but the two later Received Sentence of death and to Suffer at four oClock this Evening — one Shearman and one Freeman wair found Guilty the former in part and to Receive corporal Punishment but the latter found Guilty of the whole for which he is to Suffer death at the Same time — the Battalion was order under Arms at a Quarter befor four oClock and we Marchd to the place of Execution — Soon after the four Unhappy men brought down by the Guard and with halters about their Neck when the Parson had done with them Majr. Ross told them from the Petition of Yesterday that the Governor had also Pardond Gordon on his Condition of being Banished which you may think Accepted and the other Black who was concerned with Gordon was also Pardond on the Same Conditions and Freeman was also Pardond on Condition of his becoming the common hangman which he accepted — Shearman who was concern’d with freeman was also forgiven his corporal punishment but the whole of the convicts wair told that the Governor would never Pardon or Receive any more Petitions from them —

MARCH 1788

Saturday March 1st.
I Supped with Mr. White the Surgeon and Capt. Collins who is very kind to your Clark Betsey — White made me drink Several Glasses of good old Port after Supper

Saturday 8
Capt. Shea Returnd late last night — Said that the french Ships are ready to Sail and will to Morrow or Next day — the french Men Say that the[y] have often been obliged to fire on the Natives for that the[y] are become Most daring and troublesome — I have not my dr. Alicia Seen one Yet —

Monday 10
— Sat as a Member of the C M to Tray Davey and other Marine for bringing each a Convict woman in to ther tents in the camp and are Sentenced to receive Each 150 Lashes — the Governor Returnd late last night and all the party in good health which I am very Glad of — 2 Convicts died at the Hospital

18 FEBRUARY 1790

Cloudy Weather — after I was Releved from Guard I went down to my Island to look at my Garden and found that Some Boat had landed Since I had been there last and taken away the Greatest part of a fine Bed of Onions — it is impossible for any body to raise any Gardin Stuff for before it comes to perfection the[y] will Steal it — I thought that having a Garden on an island it would be more Secure but I find that they even get at it — my corn comes on as well as corn can doe —