16 May... the Seamen refused to doe there duty on Account of there Provisions — the agent came on board by the Commd. orders to enquire in to the complaint which was that the[y] would have two pounds of Beef a day in the room of having 1½ pound which is at present half a pound a day more than we are allowd — the[y] all agreed to goe to work again ... — I never met with a parcel of more discontented fellows in my life the[y] only want more Provisions to give it to the damed whores the Convict Women of whom the[y] are very fond Since they brock th[e] Bulk head and had connection with them — I never could have thought that there wair So many abandond wretches in England, the[y] are ten thousand times worse than the Convicts; and I am afraid that we will have a great dele more trouble with them...

19-20 May... Exceedingly sea sick...

20 May... Commodore... gave the signal to put the convicts out of irons.

21 May... Very sea sick this day

12-17 June... (Six days) Extremely ill

3 July... was calld up by the Capt of the Ship last night informing us that his men had brock thro the Womens Convicts Bulk head again and that he had caught four of the women in the mens place — four of the Number that had gone throu while we lay at the Mother Bank & two of them that I had put in Irons while we lay at Teneriff for fighten...

8 July... thank God for the fish as it is a very good fresh meal and made into chowder eats most Exellence — I wish we may get Some fish Every day which will Save our Stock as it begines to grow low having now only 5 fouls and one Small pig belonging to the Mess...

16 July... Read the remainder of The Tragedy of Douglas ... it is a sweet play

21 July ... got another pair of my Trouser done have only on pair more to doe — gave a pair of old Stocking to be cutt up to make me Socks being in great Want of them —  the Convict finished my Gloves this afternoon the[y] fitt very well — Shall give him thread to make me another pair for I am in great Want of them — had Some chowder for dinner to day thank God for it as I have had not a fresh dinner this week before — hope we shall be able to get Some fish to morrow...

22 July... Faddy has had no sleep he having a great number bugges in the Small place wher he Sleeps has kild above a hunder this morning with oil of Tar — thank God that I have not one in my bed and hope I shall have none — the Ship is Swarming with them every body complains of them Except Capt. Meredith and Self who Sleep in cotts — Capt Meredith put Margt. Hall one of the Woman in irons for Sh... between decks he handcuff her with Elizh. Barbar that abandon wretch and took her leg irons off — I thought as I have Said once before that Marget Hall would Not be long out of these orniments that I put on her at Teneriff for her bad behavour ther...

23 July... Gave Mrs Hart one of the convict women some thread to make me nother pair trousers...

24 July... put Mrs. McNamara both legs in Irons for being very impertinent to the Convict cook put also again Elizh. Barbor in Irons who was let out when Margt. Hall was Yesterday She being hand cuff with her hand cuft with Elizh. Tackny and put leg Irons on Eliz Pully who was hand cuft with Eliz Tackny before

26 July... Got very little sleep from the rolling of the ship... Doctor desired that Eliz Pully might be put out of irons, she being very ill having a blister on her

27 July... Gave the wood to the cabinet maker to make my beloved Betsey a writing desk.

29 July... The convict woman finished the pair of trousers I gave her to make and they fit very well.

1 August... Capt Meridith put Elizh. Barbor and Elizh. Thackny in irons together and Elizh. Dudgeon and Elizh. Pully together — the doctor having reported them well again Except Sarah McCormick — the moment that the[y] got below fel a fighting amongst one a nother and Capt Meridith order the Sergt. not to part them but to let them fight it out which I think he is very wrong in letting them doe so.

2 Aug... lost my dog Efford overboard I am apt to think that he was thrown over board by the first mate if I was certain I would make some of the men give him a good thrashing — I am sorry that I lost him poor dog for he begane to be very fond of me

3 Aug... Got my beloved Alicia's desk done all to the lock and hinges and green cloath which I hope to be able to get at Rio.

...Sarah Mccormick taking very ill this after noon — the doctor has been oblige to Bleed her twice to day and Says that She will not live the night out — She is now quit Speachless I am apt to think (God forgive) if it is not So, that She is eating up with the P… She is one of them that went throu the Bulk head to the Seamen — I hope She has given them some thing to remember her — never was ther a Set of greater rascals together than the[y] are — the[y] are ten thousand times wors than the convicts and if the convicts had any thought to make ther escap[t] the[y] would assist them

4 Aug... the convict woman Still very ill — the doctor has been oblige to bleed her three times Since Yesterday which makes it 5 times

5 Aug ... Sarah Mccormick Still very ill — the doctor has been up almost all night with her and has Bleed her now Eight times Since She first taking with the Stoppages of her breath

7 Aug... Lieut Long & Fuzer and the commodors Sectary came on board ... Long ask me if I wish to goe a Shore to morrow to be introduced to the Viz King as the[y] term him — I told him I had no particular desire and Seeing Faddy anxious I declined going So Capt. Meridith and Faddy gave in ther names that the[y] would goe

.... after dinner the doctor (Arundell) and I went on board the Scarborough to see the lads ther wher we Staid to Tea and Supper — Sarah McCormick Still very ill

8 Aug... Fresh beef and greens came on board for the marines and convicts

10 Aug... Kellow and Mr. Tolman and cald on me to goe on Shore with them which I did — landed at the Pallice and walk throu the Town and then a little way in the country — I did not See but one white woman all the time that I was on Shore and She was only peping throu the window gratings for the portagues will not permitt ther women to be Seen but the[y] behave very Polit to use — about two miles in the country we Stept in to a grove of oranges when the Gentleman ask use if we would walk in and offerd use knives and goe and eat oranges in the grove, he Sent his Servant with use to pull them of the Trees for use wher we eat as meney as we could and Stuff our pockets full and he would take nothing for them — his wife who is a true Native is very dark like a Mollotu presented me with a Nose Gay for which I thank her very much — Soon after returnd on board...

11 Aug... (after another day on shore) on our Return on board found that Lieut Long had been on board with an order to discharge the following Women to the Charlott Viz Susanah Gought, Hannah Green, Francis Hart, Eliz Harvy, Mary Watkings and Ann Baighly the Six Very best Women we have in the Ship and to receive Six of the Worst from the Charlott which I dont think is right and I dont know what I shall doe now as well as the rest of use for the[y] are the only Women that can wash amonst them — Received the following Women from the Charlott Viz Margt. Stuart, Fanny Anderson, Mary Phillips, Hanah Smith, Elizh. Cool, Ann Combs — the doctor and I went on board the Alxd. to See Sharp and Balmain and John Johnson wher we staid Tea and Supper — found them all well but they have been ill Since the[y] left Teneriff

12 Aug... The Commodor and Majr. Ross came on board and gave orders to Capt Meridith (that from the bad behavour of the women on board of use and in all the Ships) that Since putting them in irons the[y] thought no punishment — order capt. Meridith to flog them the Same as the Men when the[y] behaved ill which will not be long before Some of them are — Soon after the comd. went Capt. M: order Elizh. Barbor, Elizh. Dudgeon, Elizh. Pully and Elizh. Thackery four convict women out of irons and also Wm. McNamara one of the convict Men — the comd. ask Capt M and Self to dine with him to day — drest and went at half after one with Capt. Meridith on board the Comd. to dinner — Satt down to dinner with the Comd. Majr. Ross, Capt. Hunter, Capt. Collings, Capt. Meridith, Lieut King, Lieut Maxwell, Mr. Miller the comd. Sectary and Self and had a very good dinner — we Staid Tea then Capt. M: and Self Went on board the Scarsborough to the See the Lads ther Wher Soon after Arundell came also on board — there we Staid late and Arundell got tipsey which thank god I have not been...

16 Aug... Soon after breakfast went a Shore with Capt. M: and the doctor and Staid all the day — we walk up in the country and cald at Several houses but the[y] could not understand use — we took Some bread and cheese with use which eat under a orange tree and afterward drunk Some lemonade — the doctor and Capt. Meridith got tipsey after Supper — Faddy and Self went to bed directly after Supper wher we left them making a great Noise —

17 Aug...  Jo. Johnston from the Alexander came on board to See me and lent him two Vol: of Magazines — I wanted him to Stay dinner but he would not — gave yesterday to one of the convict women all my dirty Linnen to wash — Lieut Long came on board with orders to release Tho. Catherall one of the Corps, whom I confined for neglect of duty and disobedience of order

18 Aug... this is very bad weather for my linnens — I hope it will clear up and let them get dry

3 Sept... went on Shore early in the morning with T Davey, Creswell and Consident wher we Staid all day wher I bought two Bunches of Bananas for my Self and 16 cabages for the mess — Brought on board Several Young orange Trees coffy and Bananas to carry to botany bay — caught a few Butterflys for my Betsey — dined on board the Scarsborough then Returned on board wher I found the doctor and faddy in bed who is much the Same — Capt. M went on Shore after dinner wher he Staid late

27 Sept... it blowd very hard all night and ... a great dele of water went between decks and washt the marines out of ther beds and the Convict Women all the thing rouling about

29 Sept... the doctor was cald up to see one of the Convict womens children which was very ill and has been almost ever Since it has been on board — it depart this life at 2 oClock this morning poor thing it is much better out of this World than in it... at ½ after 9 committed the Body of Thomas Mason (1786-1787, son of convict Betty Mason) to the deep — Henry Lovall one of the convicts read prayers over it...

30 Sept... Capt. Meridith lost his dog Shot over board last night — This is now the 5th dog that has been lost over board Since we left England — Capt. M 3 Mr. Faddy one and my Self one — we have been very unlucky with our dogs

1 Oct... went to bed last night at 9 oClock but could not get any Sleep for Capt. M: and the doctor Sat up untill past 1 oClock in the morning drinking and was Exceedingly hurt for the[y] keep Singing although it was the Lords day which was very wrong of them

3 Oct... two of the convict Women that went throu the Bulk head to the Seamen on the 3 of July last have inform the doctor that they are with child (Sarah McCormick and Elizh. Pully) I hope the comr. will make the two Seamen that are the Fathers of the children marrie them and make them stay at Botany Bay

18 Oct... Sat down to a very good dinner with the comr. Capt. Meridith, Mr. Arundell, Mr. Miller the comr. Sectary Mr. Palmer the old lady of the house with three of her daughters and one Son — had Green Pease Young Potatoes and Straw Berrys — we also Staid tea — the People dress much after the English heer the Women in particular

6 Nov... went on board the Danish Eastindiaman with Capt. M. and Arundell from that I went on Shore with them... 30 Sheep came on board this day and wair put in the Place where the women convicts Were — I think we will find much more Agreeable Ship mates than they were

9 Nov... William my Servant went on Shore and it came on to Blow

10 Nov... Mr. F: went on Shore in the Beef Boat — the doctor and Self went on Shore with my letters which I gave to Capt. Davies  — return to dinner — one of the Government Sheep brought forth two Lams this Morning... Return on board wher Capt. M. and the doctor got to very hight words about nonsence — Capt. M was in the wrong and not a little gave — how disagreeable it is for two friends to fall out when the[y] are in Liquor & when the[y] are Sober the[y] are very sorry for it...

11 Nov... Arndell and Mr. F. went on board the Alexander Soon after Breakfast — the[y] Soon after Return and Mr. Consident with them who came on board to draw Several mens teeth which he did with the greatest ease and with very little pain to the men

15 Nov... was disturb out of my sleep by the Sergt. of the Guard coming down to Acquaint Capt. M: that the[y] had found Bennet one of the convicts a Sleep in the Long Boat wher he had gone and stole all the convicts Provision that have the liberty of walking the deck wher the[y] put it for Safty — this Young Rascal had come on deck about 10 oClock to make water and had while the centinell back was turnd Slipt into the long boat wher he had eat So much that he could not Stir and feld a Sleep untill about 2 oClock in the morning when he was found ther — had a salt Beef dinner to day will have maney of them befor I get to Botany — put Jno. Bennet both legs in Irons for Sealing the Bread in the Long boat last night — mark my words that we will not have been at Botany above Six months befor this Young Vilian Bennet comes to the Gallows

17 Nov... Lieut Ball of the Supply came on board with orders from the comr. and Majr. Ross for which See the orderly Book and took away two convicts Thos. Yardsley a Gardner and Will Haynes a Cabinet Maker for which I am very Sorry for as I am affraid that I shall not be able to get my Tea Caddy done which I intended to have made — Ball informs use that the comr. Majr. Ross Lieuts. King and Daw are going he believes in his Brigg and leave the fleet to follow them to Botany — the comr. means to take Scarborough and Alexander with [him] also — that is the reason that he is taking all the carpenters and Gardeners that are in the fleet on board the Supply to have Some houses and Some Ground turned over agains the arrivall at Botany

25 Nov... today for the first time in my life drinked my tea without sugar which I intend to do all the voyage as my sugar tends to grou short

14 December... put Robt. Sidaway in a pair of Leg irons for being impertinent to Mr. Faddy — this is the fellow that the doctor of the Mercury Shot through the arm when the[y] rose and took the Ship — he is a darring Valinous fellow I should have flogg him if I had being Commanding officer for his behavour — drew this day 3 Pints of Rum from the Stuart of the Ship being part of my allowance — latt in to day 41–40 South — Capt. M inform Majr. Ross that he could not goe on with the mens cloathing as the Tayler had lost his sheers overboard — Majr. Ross inform Capt. M to goe to the Alexr. and Mr. Fuzer would give use a Pair

23 December... I went down in the Fore Prisen and found the Beef and 29 large Billits of wood — on Examing we found that Heny. Lovell and Heny. Cable two of the Prisoner who have the liberty of going abt the Ship had Stole the Beef and wood out of the Fore when they had gone down to pump water — ther never were Such D… Rascal[s] collected together as ther is on board this Ship — I will keep a sharp look after them at Botany otherwise the[y] will take the teeth out of my head 

24 December... Capt. Walton Sent of a leg of Mutton — if it had not been for that I doe not know what I Should have gave them for dinner to Morrow Except Salt Beef or Pork which is all that I have to give them otherwise for dinner
25 December... this been Chrismas day kist your dr Image as usual on Sundays — God I wish You Betsey my dr. Beloved wife and Sweet Boy both a Merry Chrismas & happy New Year and many many of them — O God Grant that I was at home with you to eat of your Goose and Apple Piy for I shall have only a Poor dinner here

13 January... I wish that a fair wind would come for I long much to get ashore my beloved Betsey to have Some fish or anything fresh for I cannot eat the Salt Beef and Pork I am Quite Sick of them

​14 Jan... I wish that I had a piece of a goose I would much rather Sitt down to it than the dinner which I am going to partake of today Pease Soup and Pork and Rice puddon — I am Quite tired of them all — a great number of fish Seen about the Ship amongst the number a very Ugly one which the Sailors call devil fish

15 Jan... 10 oClock the agent made the Signal for Seeing the land — Saw it Soon after from the deck right a head — it appears very high land — 12 oClock close in with the land by the charts it is Cape Dromedary about 138 miles to the Southward from Botany Bay — can See the Trees very plain on the Shore — I wish it was Botany ... gave one of the Marines a Glass of Grog for Eight half pennys to make me Son hinges for my Tea caddy — two of Seamen Sick being the only that may be call Sick and they are not very bad thank God we have been Remarkably lucky having been So healthy he has been very good to use — at 6 PM the Agent made the Signal for the Ships to keep near him — a great many Porpoises

18 Jan... one of the Sheep poor thing is So Weak that She could not bring forth her lamb So that they were oblige to take them away by force and the[y] were both dead — I am Surprize that any of the Sheep are alive for the[y] have had nothing for these Several days past but water and flour — I hope we will get in to morrow as much for my own as there Sakes poor things

19 Jan... Got up very Early to See the Land which was very near use — 9 oClock Saw the Supply Brigg in Botany Bay at Anchor — Saw at 10 oClock a great manney of Natives of Point Solander .., the Supplys Boat came on board with Some hay for the Sheep which I am very Glad of for the Poor Sheep that had her Lambs taking from her died in the night — the Supply Boat has been on Shore often had intercource with the Natives who the[y] Say are very friendly but I will not trust them ... Lieut J Johnstone came on board to See me and Staid to Tea — caught a great manny fish

Sunday 20 Sent a Copl. and four men on shore on duty and Capt. M and the doctor return long after I was in bed and Capt. M a little gone 

21 Jan... Capt M and Mr. F went fishing at day light and Staid all day — Lieut J Johnstone came on board with order for me to goe on Shore with a Party of Men consisting of ten and Sergt. and brought with him four tents which I am to pitch by day light and to See the orders put in force for which See the orderly Book — caught but very little fish — it is remarkably hott what must it be on Shore if it is So here

22 Jan...Lieut Long come on board with orders from Majr. Ross to countermand the orders of my going on Shore this morning According to the orders of Yesterday — a very hott day — Mr. F went on Shore with Lieut King of the Sirius to Show him the place wher Capt M and him Yesterday — Capt. M. went out of the Ship Early this morning and dined out — orders came on board for to hold the men belonging to Capts. Campbells and Tenchs companies to hold themselves in readyness to Land to Morrow Morning Early — the Commodor went out Yesterday to Brooking Bay about 6 Leagues to the northward to See if there is a better place for use to Settle and more water than there is here

23 Jan... 23 went on board the Scarborough with Arendell to Breakfast there — from that went on Shore with him and Davey to the South Shore where the[y] intend to make the Settlement where we Saw Majr. Ross — Walk a great way in the country use three and Willm.[?] but did not See any of the Natives — after walking a great way Sat down to dinner with what we had brought with use when Arundell by Accident run the Knife thro his hand — I bound it up & Stopd the Blood ... the Comr. is Returnd as the Boats are comming in — returned on board the Scarborough where we Staid Supper then Returned on board — thank God that we are to Remove to port Jackson and not Stay here at Botany Bay....

​