HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY TO LESLEY & LIST. My first Fleeter was Edward Pugh who was convicted at the Gloucester Quarter Sessions on October 5th 1784 for stealing a greatcoat from William Barnard. He was sentenced to 7 years and was to be transported to America but because of the War of Independence was kept in gaol in England until he sailed with the fleet. He remained in gaol for nearly 3 years before being ordered to Portsmouth to board the Prince of Wales on the 23rd March 1787 along with Betty Mason and Elizabeth Parker. During his time in gaol Edward probably fathered a child born to Elizabeth Parker in Castle Gaol Gloucester. The baby girl was named Ann (Nancy) Parker and she sailed with them on the First Fleet. Elizabeth Parker was tried at Gloucester on the 23rd March 1785 For burglary with a value of 6 shillings. She was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and was aged about 23 when they sailed from England. Edward was transferred to the Friendship on the 17th April 1787 and his occupation given by 2nd Lieutenant of Marines Ralph Clark, was House Carpenter. Elizabeth Parker and her baby daughter Ann were also transferred to the Friendship. Elizabeth's age was about 23 years. During the voyage out Elizabeth spent time in irons for what Lt. Clark called quarrelling and dirtiness. About a week later the ship's doctor ordered that she be released due to ill health. After arriving in Port Jackson Elizabeth Parker died and was buried at Sydney Cove on the 19th February 1788 just 3 1/2 weeks after they arrived. Edward was left alone with his baby daughter. Edward then married Hannah Smith another First Fleet Convict on the 15th June 1788. Hannah Smith was tried at Winchester Hampshire for stealing clothing to the value of 7 shillings from a shop with an accomplice Daniel Gordon. Hannah also had a child, Edward born about September 1786, father unknown and they had arrived on the Lady Penrhyn but during the voyage out had been transferred twice before that. She had left on the Charlotte and then transferred to the Friendship before her last transfer to the Lady Penrhyn. Sadly the child Edward/William Smith died and was buried at Sydney Cove on the 6th June 1788, just nine days before Hannah and Edward's wedding on the15th June 1788. Tragedy struck once again and Edward Pugh's daughter, Ann died at the tender age of 18 months and was buried at Sydney Cove on the 30th June 1788. Her death was registered as Ann Pugh. Edward & Hannah Pugh went on to have 5 children together. David Pugh born at Sydney Cove on the 8th March 1789. Simon Pugh born on the 29th May 1791 at Parramatta Edward Pugh born 12th September 1794 at Prospect Hill Harriet born 1st October 1796 at Prospect Hill Charlotte Pugh born 1st October at Prospect Hill Their last child Charlotte was my direct ancestor and she had a child, a son to Samuel Brown in 1822. I can find no marriage for Charlotte and Samuel Brown. Their son was also named Samuel. Aged 25 years Edward's sentence expired on Monday 18th July 1791 and he was granted 70 acres at the Foot of Prospect Hill four miles westward of Parramatta. On a visit from Captain Watkin Tench on 5th December 1791 he noted that Edward had 2 1/2 acres under cultivation and that he was a carpenter. He noted that the soil was "But indifferent" and water was very scarce. In 1802 on the 15th September in the District of Mulgrave a second land grant of 100 acres was given to Edward at Richmond as the first grant was cancelled due to an error in the number of acres. On the 20th April 1800 Edward aged 34 joined the NSW corps and was discharged in 1810. He was described in September 1808 as aged 50 years seven months, as being 5ft. 6ins. tall, of dark complexion with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He was a landholder in the Parramatta area in 1814 but by 1825 he was a labourer in Richmond and a year later in1826, as Edward Pew, was still in the Richmond area working still as a labourer for Henry Seymour. Hannah Pugh, Edward's wife died in Sydney on the 17th October 1826 and was buried at the Devonshire Street Cemetery, where Central Railway now stands. Edward Pugh, my GGGGG grandfather ,sadly died a pauper in Windsor District Hospital on the 30th November 1837 aged 71 years and was buried at St. Matthews cemetery Windsor. Valerie Williams Mollymook