In a book named ' The Fettered and the Free' Early Newcastle this covers the first settlement in Newcastle after many years of hard work by members of Newcastle Family History society inc; There are quite a few John Smiths John Smith "Fame 1717' states Was to be sent to Newcastle but may not have arrived Information gained from Index to Colonial Secretary papers [these are readily available at most Family History Societies] especially Society of Australian Genealogy Sydney John Smith "Pilot"1817 was a lime burner husband of Margaret Hartigan Newcastle, Pt Macquarie, Index to Col0nial Secretary Papers, Convict Index, Pioneer association ;Pioneer Register Index 1788-1820; Hunter River Parish Register Index I hope this helps Best of luck Nita Fraser Newcastle