Date of Conviction: 24/07/1816

Age at Conviction: 19

Crime Convicted of: Theft

Court Convicted at: Lancaster Quarter Sessions (held at the New Bailey, Salford)

Sentence Length: 7 Years

Ship Transported on: Friendship (2)

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 03/07/1817

Arrival Date: 14/01/1818

Biography: Sarah had stolen a number of items including a bedgown and petticoat, stockings, caps and a sheet, the property of a John Oldham at Manchester. She was described by the ship’s surgeon as a “prostitute. … insolent…” (terms widely used without accuracy after an investigation into the ‘moral failures’ between crew and convicts aboard ship).

In New South Wales, Sarah was in the female factory during the 1818 muster, with her soon after arrival beginning a relationship with John Simpson (ship- Ocean) and having a daughter. Perhaps because of John possibly already being married, there was no marriage between them but they were referred to as husband and wife and went on to have a large family with another seven children. In 1820, Sarah was in the female factory. By 1823, Sarah was now free by servitude and in 1825 and 1828 lived with John and the family at Evan.

Sadly, in December 1838, Sarah caught flu and died at her home, aged 42. She was buried the following day at Castlereagh Cemetery with a poetic memorial still well tended to by her descendants.