The Convict Ellen Harper

By Denise Hutchinson

Ellen had been brought up by a strict father and followed the faith of the Anglican Church. When she found a little freedom, she became slightly rebellious, being caught up in petty crime. She defied her father and married James Evans and ended up on a boat to Van Diemen’s Land with their young son Jimmie.
Throughout her life, she had been conflicted between her religious beliefs and the “new rules” of colonial Van Diemen’s Land. When things went wrong for her, she believed God was punishing her, and made decisions which caused further misfortune.
When Ellen arrived in Van Diemen’s Land, she had her son taken from her and placed in the Queens’s Orphan School in Hobart and she was assigned to an abusive property owner who lived in the Northern Midlands, one hundred and twenty miles from her son. To cope with her life, Ellen discovered and became addicted to alcohol with which she struggled for the rest of her life.
The story is set predominantly in Campbell Town in the midlands of Tasmania.
There is a location in Campbell Town on the southern side of the Elizabeth River which the locals have named Tragedy Hill, where one of her sons and her five-year-old granddaughter were murdered with rat poison.
Even though Ellen turned to alcohol to get her through life, she did have a lot of inner strength which she was able to draw on when needed.
The book delves into the politics of the 1850's with anti-transportation activists trying to stop convicts arriving in the colony, as well as the life and deprivations suffered by the convicts, whether still serving or having received their pardon.
During her life, Ellen grieved the loss of four husbands, and buried four of her eight children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Hutchinson
• Release date: Sep 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9780646868035

Denise Hutchinson

Denise was born in Launceston, Tasmania, and has lived in New South Wales and Queensland. On retirement, she returned to Tasmania and is now living in the north west coastal town of Wynyard.Denise’s love for Australian colonial history was triggered by a primary school teacher who made convict history come alive. As well as her father’s appreciation of the bush poets Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson and C.J. Dennis.Denise’s father would have liked to have had convicts in his family, but had not heard of any, which was surprising considering he was Tasmanian. Her mother did not say. It was when her sister sent her information on Lydia Astell and the Janus that Denise decided it was time to discover her heritage. She did not want to find she was related to someone famous who lived in the fourteenth century, she wanted to know why her ancestors immigrated to Australia, and she found gold.Denise discovered that her father had two convict ancestors who had been transported to Van Diemen’s Land, and her mother had four who had been transported to Port Jackson, including Lydia and Thomas Barnes.Now that she is back in Tasmania, Denise is enjoying her family and friends, and being part of her community. Her family research continues, and now she is on a quest to bring her convict family history to life in the form of historic novels, the first being The Convict Thomas Barnes.

Book preview

Prologue

The screams were not as loud as they had been.

The pleas for help had long ceased.

Eleanor Harper had now been in labour for twenty-six hours and the midwife knew she would not survive the birthing.

Word had been sent for Dr Mathews when Eleanor had gone into labour, but he was at the Hamstead Colliery where a mine shaft had collapsed trapping several miners.

As soon as he arrived home and received word that Eleanor was in labour, he immediately repacked his medical supplies and went to her home in Church Street.

Dr Mathews had not spared the time to change his clothes or bother with his appearance, arriving at the Harper residence covered in black coal dust.

He thought John Harper, Eleanor’s husband of eighteen years, would have something scathing to say about his appearance, but was told on his arrival by Mrs Wykes the housekeeper, that Mr Harper was at his ‘club’ until he was advised to come home.

The doctor was angry but not surprised at the condition he found Eleanor in. It was obvious she would not live much longer.

She had almost died giving birth to her last child 14 years previously, and her strength had never recovered since then. He had highly recommended the termination of the pregnancy when Eleanor first discovered she was with child, but Harper had adamantly refused.

Mathews had told her husband that he was endangering his wife’s life by allowing the pregnancy to continue, and as a consequence, was refused permission to treat the woman again.

He was soon invited back though. The pregnancy was a difficult one which would not end well, and other physicians who were approached, claimed they were far too busy to take on new patients. They did not want to get on the wrong side of John Harper if they could help it, and pitied the physician who was treating the woman when she died.

Mrs Keane, the midwife, looked exhausted and worried about what lay ahead, both with Eleanor’s death and Mr Harpers response.

Finally, the child was born. It laid very still and was unresponsive to efforts made to arouse it.

Mrs Keane wrapped the small body in a towel and placed it in a basket in the corner of the room to be dealt with, after they had attended to Eleanor. She had died almost immediately after the baby was born.

It was then that Mrs Keane had heard a small choking sound coming from the basket in the corner. She rushed to pick up the baby by the ankles and slap it on its back to try and free up its airways.

It’s a girl, she announced to those in the room.

Dr Mathews looked at the small infant who was struggling to breathe. He said to himself, today, one good soul has left this world and another taken her place. Mrs Wykes, could you notify Mr Harper that he can come home now, and send a message to Vicar Graham that we need his services as soon as possible.

Mr Graham, the minister from St Bartholomew Church had said prayers commending Eleanor’s soul to heaven, as well as baptising the baby as he thought that she would not survive. She was named Eleanor in honour of her mother.

John Harper had arrived thirty minutes later and became enraged that his wife was allowed to die, and angrier still that the cause of her death had been baptised in her name.

She is the child of Satan and if she survives, I will refuse to call her Eleanor he ranted. How dare you baptise this creature without my permission. Why did you not leave her to die?

1 The Assembly Hall

Hamish McKittrick grew up in Wigtown, which is within the Dumfries and Galloway region in Scotland.

His branch of the McKittrick clan gave spiritual guidance to other clan members. He was a lay preacher, as was his father, and his father before him, back through the centuries.

His father, Dougal, was the teaching elder at Wigtown Parish Church of Scotland and Hamish was his assistant, where he was licensed to preach, but not allowed to perform sacraments of Baptism and Communion.

Dougal had tried to encourage his son to attend university, preferably St Andrews, to become an ordained minister, but Hamish enjoyed working at the grass roots level of his father’s congregation, and he believed being ordained would restrict him to church matters, taking up most of his time and keeping him from more important issues in their community.

Also, if he were ordained, he would be expected to take up a position in a kirk in another part of Scotland.

Wigtown, a coastal village, served surrounding agricultural land and a fishing fleet. It had large flocks of sheep, a woolen and cotton mill which exported products to England. The wealth in the town was restricted to large land owners who employed farm workers on their estates, which had been happening for centuries in Britain. The wages for the workers were less than adequate to support their families, but they were not as impoverished as many other towns throughout Scotland.

For a town with less than 2,000 people, per head of population, it had a high proportion of its citizens banished from their homeland and transported to the southern colonies for criminal offences. Mostly for receiving smuggled goods, particularly tea from the Isle of Man. With Wigtown situated on the coast, there were many little hidden coves where goods could be brought ashore without the knowledge of the authorities.

By 1835, almost 25,000 Scots had either been transported or had migrated as free settlers from all parts of Scotland to the southern continent, making up 23% of the total population. A high proportion of those convicts had been sent to Van Diemen’s Land

* * *

In the early colonial days of New South Wales, the Anglican Church had total religious control.

Scottish colonists sought help from the Church of Scotland to have their spiritual needs catered for in their new homeland.

The Church Act 1837 of New South Wales (including Van Diemen’s Land) was passed allowing for Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian churches to apply for land grants and subsidies to build churches and pay clerical salaries. The denominations were later extended to the Jewish, Wesleyan and Baptist faiths.

In Van Diemen’s Land the Anglican Church had a tight political grip on all things pertaining to religion. The serving governor was seen to be observing The Act by giving land grants to the religious groups who applied. But after giving out funds for the building of several other Anglican Churches: two Free Church of Scotland kirks; two Presbyterian kirks and hardly any other churches, the governor declared that the colony had run out of money and those wanting to build a church on their land had to fund the project themselves. Also, the applicants were expected to pay the cleric expenses as well.

The land grant was treated like any other land grant, which was that improvements on the land had to be made within five years, or be forfeited back to the government.

* * *

Which was why Senior Elder Fraser from the High Kirk in Edinburgh was sitting in the manse of the Wigtown Parish Church talking to Hamish and Dougal in January, 1840, trying to make the concept of migrating to Van Diemen’s Land as appealing as possible to Hamish.

"We have been given four land grants to build churches in Van Diemen’s Land, but no money with which to do so. One kirk has been started in Bothwell and should be finished in six months. A local Scottish land owner has paid for the materials and is using his assigned convicts to assist with the building.

That is why I am sitting here, asking you Hamish to consider taking up an appointment with the Church of Scotland in an area in desperate need of spiritual guidance.

We have heard some very good things about you and the way you spread the word of God. You appear to have the ability to work with the poor, in a way that teaches them to improve their situation, rather than just provide handouts.

Admittedly, we were disappointed that you chose not to be ordained, but each to his own.

There are thousands of Scots in chains in the southern colonies, and more than half in Van Diemen’s Land. But instead of being scattered all over the island, the English have imprisoned them together in four or five different places, as if they want to keep them away from others.

We have a land grant in Deloraine. The population there are all free settlers, with few convicts, and are not in as much need as other areas. As well, most have wealth and can contribute to the building of their kirk, as was done in Bothwell.

There is a grant of land in Brighton. That area is a mixture of free settlers and convicts who are mainly assigned to land owners, and while they are in need of spiritual guidance, they are not experiencing the poverty of other areas.

Campbell Town, in the Norfolk Plains in the midlands also has a grant. From what I hear, Campbell Town’s folk are in most need of a kirk. The town has a large population of Scots, mostly convicts, and a great deal of those are women. They are desperate for someone who understands their beliefs to care for their souls. A lot of those are what are called emancipists, and since receiving their pardon, have not been able to get employment, have no housing and have families to feed. I think the Lord had you in mind to take on the challenge of such a god forsaken place.

I have come to ask you to migrate to Van Diemen’s Land and build us a kirk in Campbell Town."

This request was totally unexpected, and Hamish thought he had misheard, and perhaps the Elder had meant to be asking his father.

"We can make an exception, and have you ordained in three months and then you will be able to perform sacraments; but once the kirk is built, a properly ordained minister will be allocated to the position.

To start with you would be required to build an Assembly Hall in which to hold your meetings, as well as a manse for yourself. Usually, we pay our clerics a percentage of donations to the kirk, but because of the poverty in this case, you will receive a stipend to support you and your family. I understand that most land owners on the Norfolk Plains are from England, so you should not expect any wealthy benefactors to help you with your building fund.

Are you married Hamish?"

No Sir.

"It would be to your advantage if you had a wife to accompany you. Otherwise, it may be a lonely existence until you get settled.

The Church of Scotland will organise your passage on a convict ship in return for your spiritual services to the convicts and crew on board.

Do you have any questions? I will expect your answer at the end of next week, and I have great confidence in you, young man."

* * *

Dougal walked Elder Fraser to the door of the manse.

I know you are proud of your boy Dougal. I believe he has the right nature to work amongst the poor wretches on that island. To be given such an honour to serve God in this way does not come to many men. I know you will miss him, but Dougal, his services are wasted here. In God we trust.

* * *

Hamish’s thoughts went to Catriona McCrae. Six months ago, he was ready to ask her to marry him. They had been friends for years, and it was always thought that they would wed, but six months ago, her three brothers had been transported to Van Diemen’s Land, and she had not spoken a word to him since.

He did not know why she had cut him out of her life, and his life had been miserable since. Perhaps relocating to Van Diemen’s Land was the challenge he needed to refocus on his life.

Dougal walked back into the room and caught his son in a reflective mood. He knew where his thoughts were.

Have you spoken to Catriona recently?

No, she won’t open the door to me. I have written to her several times but my letters are ignored.

"It certainly was a strange occurrence with her brothers. I don’t believe they were stealing those cattle; the family are well off, but I cannot think of another explanation. They were lucky they were not hung, if the animals had been sheep, they would have been. Maybe you should try once more, she is all on her own out there now.

What did you think about Elder Frasers request? I suppose it was too much information to make an immediate decision."

I would like to think on it for a day or two, then perhaps we can discuss it then. Replied Hamish

"Your mother will be so proud to hear that the kirk has approached you to be their missionary, as am I.

I must go out for an hour, when I arrive home, I should have some news for you."

* * *

Catriona had been, and still was, the love of his life.

She had grown up on a two-hundred-acre farm five miles north of Wigtown. Her parents, Iain and Una, and her three brothers, Duncan, Neil and Douglas had worked the family farm, where they grew sheep for their wool. Iain McCrae also ran a small distillery.

The property, although small compared to those around it, produced a good income and the family were comfortable.

Dougal McKittrick and Iain McCrae were good friends, and the family had attended the Wigtown Parish Church for many years.

Hamish and Catriona had initially planned to marry two years ago, when she was seventeen and he twenty-one. Their families had given their blessings and preparations were already being planned for their wedding day.

The shearing had just finished on the property and Iain was taking a load of wool to be sold at the mills. The mills always paid a high price for his fleece because it was of a high quality. As usual, after dropping the fleeces off, Iain and Una would drive into Wigtown to shop and buy special treats for their children to celebrate another successful shearing season.

For some unknown reason, after leaving the woolen mill and crossing the River Bladnoch, the wagon veered off the bridge and plunged into the river below. Una was thrown into the river and was washed down stream to her death; Iain was pinned under the wagon beneath the water and drowned. There were no witnesses to the accident.

The impact on the family and community was immense, and for a short period of time, the siblings lived at the manse with the McKittrick’s while they came to terms with their grief and their futures.

Graeme Murray was a family friend as well as the town solicitor. He offered his assistance with any legal matters they may have ahead of them.

He explained that usually an estate went to the eldest son in the family, however, because the three boys were under the age of 18, they could not give proper receipt, meaning that if they did inherit before they were eighteen, they could then, when reaching eighteen, demand the same money again and would be legally entitled to it.

Iain McCrae’s younger brother Roger, had indicated to Murray that he would be available to manage the farm until Duncan became of age in eighteen months’ time.

The McCrae children believed that they had the ability to continue to run the property without any perceived difficulties for the next year and a half.

The first twelve months had been tough for the teenagers. They had no difficulty running the farm to the standard set by their father, but the loss of their parents impacted greatly.

The plans that Hamish and Catriona had for their wedding were put on hold because she needed to be there for her brothers. Hamish fully understood and supported her decision, and when the time came that they could marry, he would have moved to the farm to keep the family together.

Six months ago, the Wigtown Fair was in full swing.

People came from miles around for fun and entertainment, but to also take the opportunity to purchase livestock and catch up on gossip.

While Catriona and her brothers were not looking for fun and entertainment, they decided that they should make the effort to attend the fair. It was on the way to the fair that they came across a small herd of eight black cattle grazing on the side of the road. The family had never seen black cattle in this area before and assumed that they had escaped from the fair holding grounds.

Concerned for their safety, the lads herded the cattle off the road and into a nearby paddock. It was then they heard a voice yelling there they are, arrest them.

Riding toward them were six English soldiers and a civilian who was doing all the yelling.

The soldiers immediately dismounted and detained the brothers, roughly shoving them toward some trees where they were secured with rope to prevent them from escaping.

Catriona ran toward the group, demanding that her brothers be released, yelling that there had been some sort of mistake. She was shoved to the ground, but quickly got up and attacked the person who had pushed her.

Another of the soldiers had grabbed her, and before she realised what was happening, five of them were dragging her to a clearing on the opposite side of the road, while the sixth soldier guarded her brothers. The civilian had disappeared.

The young men could hear Catriona’s pleas for help and cries of pain as the five soldiers took their turns in raping her. They left her unconscious, bruised and bleeding, and led her brothers into Wigtown to be charged with cattle stealing.

When Catriona regained consciousness, she was in the clearing alone. She was confused and frightened. Her first thought was to return home and find her brothers.

Duncan, Neil and Douglas McCrae appeared before the Magistrate on the Wednesday following the fair, charged with Cattle Stealing and were sentenced to fourteen years transportation to Van Diemen’s Land.

The townsfolk were astounded. There were those who would not believe that the McCrae boys were capable of such a deed, and there were those who agreed but also thought that grief could make people do strange things. All thought the problem could have been resolved without the boys being exiled from their native place.

Catriona had visited her brothers in the cells before they went before the magistrate, and had retained Graeme Murray to represent them in court. She was present in court during the hearing and cried silent tears when the sentence was read out, but she spoke to no-one including Hamish and left immediately after the sentence was given.

The family home became her refuge, she did not answer the door when there was a knock; nor did she respond to the many letters Hamish had sent her.

* * *

Dougal McKittrick entered Graeme Murray’s office, anxious to hear what information his friend had to give him. Graeme was always looking for ulterior motives in people’s behaviour, which was probably why he was such a good solicitor. He thought there were too many co-incidents concerning the McCrae family over the past few months.

Thanks for coming Dougal, would you like a wee dram before we begin?

That I would, Graeme, I need one after the meeting I have just had. Tell me your news and then I will share mine.

"Roger McCrae has claimed the inheritance of his brother’s property, on the grounds that the McCrae boys have been exiled from Scotland and cannot inherit property from their father, and Catriona is ruled out because she is female. Which means that he is next in line to inherit. The court has ruled in his favour.

He is magnanimous in allowing Catriona to remain on the property in service to his wife. Roger moved onto the property a week ago.

He is the black sheep of Iain’s family. Rumour has it, that he is quite involved in the smuggling trade, but has friends in high places who turn a blind eye to his nefarious activities.

I have no proof, but I believe he may have been responsible for Iain and Una’s deaths and had their boys set up on cattle raiding charges in order to get his hands on their property. Its location lends itself to be a perfect place for a smuggling base being only three miles from the coast.

If that is the case, I certainly do not feel comfortable with Catriona living in that household."

"I must agree with you Graeme. You have always had a great imagination, but I think there might be some truth in what you say. The problem is that Catriona has kept to herself since the boys were arrested, she won’t even speak to young Hamish, so I am not sure what we are to do.

Hamish had a visit today from Elderman Fraser from Edinburgh. The Church of Scotland wants Hamish to migrate to Van Diemen’s Land where the Scottish folk are in dire need of God’s guiding hand. He suggested to my boy that he marry before he leaves Scotland, but that is not likely, his thoughts are still with Catriona."

What are Hamish’s feelings on leaving Scotland?

We have not discussed that yet. I think he is still trying to digest hat has been said to him. I would not be at all surprised if he does decide to go. He has been like a ship without a rudder without Catriona in his life. The move might give him a purpose in life again. His mother will be horrified when she learns about the proposal.

Do you think you should have a word with the girl, Dougal, I am feared for her safety?

I won’t talk to her without discussing it with Hamish first. I don’t want to be seen to be interfering.

* * *

Mary had not arrived home when Iain got back to the manse, which allowed him to update his son on what had been told to him by Graeme. Hamish was horrified that Catriona was now a servant in the house where she grew up, and possibly, her life may be in great risk.

I can’t think about going to the colonies and leaving Catriona in such a predicament. There must be something I can do to help her, if she would only speak to me.

You understand that if you don’t go to do your missionary work in the southern continent as requested, you will displease the church and it may end your career?

I can’t make that decision until I speak to Catriona. I must understand what I have done that she does not want to see me again. Then I will be able to decide what to do.

Would you be agreeable for me to speak to her as her minister, and ask her to meet with you?

Yes father, I would like that. I don’t expect you to be successful, but at least you can let her know that nothing has changed for me in regards to her, and I just want to do what is right for both of us.

I might slip away now, before your mother gets home, then I will not be interrogated twice. I should be home by dark. We will sort this out somehow.

* * *

As Dougal approached the door of the McCrae house, he was met by Roger demanding that he leave the property.

I am the Minister of Wigtown Parish Church and I am here to give spiritual support to Catriona who is one of my parishioners. Are you denying me access to one of my worshippers?

I will ask the girl if she wishes to see you.

Catriona appeared at the door. Iain was shocked by her appearance. She had lost weight, her hair and appearance were disheveled, not the neat and tidy young lady he remembered.

She ushered him out into the yard where there was a seat under a large maple tree. She sat with her eyes cast down to the ground.

It is good to see you again lass, are you being treated well? She nodded her head, although there were tears trickling down her cheeks.

Hamish has been beside himself with worry over you.

Hamish needs to forget about me, he will be dishonored by being associated with me.

He just wants to understand what has happened between you both.

I can’t speak to him. I love him as I always have, but I cannot see him again.

As your minister, whatever you tell me is in total confidence. Forget that Hamish is my son, just tell me why you are so distressed. We will try and find a way to work through your fears.

She looked at the man sitting beside her. She had always trusted him and knew that if anyone could give her good guidance it would be the minister. It was so difficult as she was so embarrassed as to what had happened, and she did not trust how he may react. To free up her soul, she needed to confide in someone. She told Dougal McKittrick about the events of the day when her brothers were arrested, and how she thought she had dishonored Hamish and her family.

The minister was thoughtful for some time. He held her hand while she wept. He talked to her about blaming herself for something that was totally out of her control. He spoke about the love his son had for her and how he would continue to support and love her if she would let him.

Finally, he told her of the Church wanting Hamish to set up a kirk in Van Diemen’s Land which would give them both the opportunity to start a new life, and give her the prospect of finding her brothers.

I can’t marry Hamish after what has happened to me.

Would you at least meet him and tell him what you have told me. Your news will not stop him from wanting to marry you.

* * *

Catriona agreed to meet Hamish on the banks of the burn which bordered the property. Hamish was able to access this area without being seen from the house.

They sat quietly not talking for at least fifteen minutes. His father had warned Hamish not to embrace or have any contact with Catriona unless she made the first move.

Finally, she spoke. Your father tells me you are heading to the southern colonies.?

I have been asked to, but I have yet to decide what I will do.

I would think it an honour to be asked to serve the church in such a way.

I am honoured to have been asked. But I am not intending to accept the offer while you are being treated as a servant in your own home. I want to know that you will be safe and away from here. I was hoping that you would agree to come with me.

This isn’t my home any more, and I am fortunate that my uncle has given me a roof over my head and food to eat.

Catriona, I am offering you marriage and a new life, with the possibility of finding your brothers and knowing that they are well.

I cannot marry you Hamish.

Why not. What have I done to have you change your mind?

You have not done anything; I am to blame. I was not able to protect my brothers, who were innocent of the charges, from being sent from our shores; as well, I did not prevent our family land being taken, after all the years of hard work our parents and grandparents had put into it. I will bring dishonour to your family if we were to marry and I don’t think the church would consider me a suitable minister’s wife.

Then at least come with me to the southern colony where you will be safe. Once there, you can decide what you want to do.

And how would that work Hamish?

"I must go to Edinburgh for three months at the end of the week. Father could marry us before I leave, and you can live at the manse while I am gone. Once we arrive in Hobart, we can consider ourselves unmarried and go our separate ways.

I will not make any demands on you Catriona, and the townsfolk of Wigtown will not judge you; If you come with me, then I will know that I have done as much as I can to protect you.

* * *

Their marriage took place on January 10th, 1840, much to the delight of Dougal and Mary McKittrick. Catriona moved her head when Hamish bent to kiss her on the cheek, and his heart plummeted down into his chest. He knew then that they would separate when they arrived in Van Diemen’s Land.

On Monday, 13th, Hamish presented himself to Elder Fraser at the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh for three months of theology study.

While he was away, Catriona had time to think about her current circumstances. She loved Hamish, and would have happily spent the rest of her life with him. Being realistic, she knew that if he found out about her assault, a chasm would grow between them.

Because Hamish had helped her escape her uncle, Catriona intended to stay and help him get his Assembly Hall built. After that, she would try and find her brothers. She had enough money to support herself for a year or more, and then she would look for work.

On April 25th, they were on board the convict ship Asia and were sailing out of the port of Sheerness, along with 276 male convicts.

Elder Fraser had promised them a female convict ship, and when one was not sailing in the short time available, the kirk paid the captain a bonus to ensure that Mrs McKittrick had privacy and protection from those on board.

Hamish spent a good deal of his day with the convicts, more than was required for his and Catriona’s passage. He was contracted to provide morning prayers at the start of the day, as well for an hour of an afternoon, usually at the end of the time set aside for education. As well he was expected to carry out the rites of the church in times of death, and provide spiritual support for the troubled and dying.

His method of spreading the word of God was made interesting by telling instead of reading the stories which could be found in the bible, giving his own translation of them. He was not a fire and brimstone preacher, but rather one who portrayed God as one to turn to when life was on the downturn.

Captain Beatie, who was Edinburgh born, attended the services provided by this Presbyterian minister, and was often surprised by the laughter he generated from his congregation. This was Beatie’s 15th voyage to the southern colonies as captain of the Asia and the ninth to Van Diemen’s Land since 1820, with each sailing carrying at least two hundred convicts, and he had never known the convicts to enjoy a religious service as much as the men on this voyage were.

Hamish also assisted Surgeon Superintendent Bartholomew in the infirmary, assisting with minor first aid, and keeping convict records up to date.

He tried to avoid his cabin and Catriona as much as possible during the day. Of a night it was impossible to do so.

The berth was one of the smallest on the Asia, but it offered privacy from the rest of the ship for his wife. Of an evening, and at breakfast, they dined in the captain’s cabin with the ship’s senior officers, the officers of the military guard and Mrs Bartholomew.

When the couple retired to their cabin for the night, Catriona would sleep in the bunk and Hamish would make up a bed on the floor. The voyage took three and a half months. It had been more stressful than he had imagined, living in a small berth with Catriona, but it was something he would do again in a heartbeat if he had half a chance.

The night before they disembarked in Hobart, Catriona informed Hamish that she intended to help him build his Assembly Hall before looking for her family.

* * *

Hamish had been directed to call on the Reverend James Bell at St John’s Presbyterian Church in Macquarie Street on his arrival in Hobart. He had been given documents, including the land grant in Campbell Town, a building plan showing where the eventual church would be built as well as its design, and where the temporary Assembly Hall and manse were to be located. The design of these two buildings were being left up to Hamish, although it was stipulated that the manse was to be solidly build, preferably with stone.

The land grant was a triangle piece of land situated on the northern entrance of the town and surrounded by High Street, Pedder Street and Bridge Street. The building plans displayed the church directly facing travelers as they entered the town. Well done, thought Hamish.

It took them six days to arrive in Campbell Town. The Reverend suggested that they should pick up supplies in Hobart as the prices were much more affordable.

Hamish was at a loss as to what was needed until he set eyes on the town and what he had to work with. He did, however, buy a small wagon, food and some canvas for a lean too should they need protection from the weather during their journey.

Catriona was showing a great interest in the countryside as they made their way north, pointing out interesting aspects of the landscape as they passed by. So different from Dumfries and Galloway she commented.

The terrain was brown, and very hilly, but then opened into flat plains. There were large droves of sheep everywhere they looked, but the land did not look as if it attracted much rain.

The road on which they were travelling connected Hobart in the south to Launceston in the north, and it was well used by red coated soldiers and convicts in chains. They also passed a few civilians, some dressed in fine clothing and riding in sulkies and wagons; and others, dressed in rags, trudging along.

They had been told that Campbell Town was just over half way between the two major towns in Van Diemen’s Land, and when they got to Ross, they just had a little further to go.

Campbell Town came into view in the late afternoon. It was the busiest town they had seen since leaving Hobart, but also the most perilous place they had encountered since leaving Scotland. Hamish could sense Catriona’s discomfort, especially when they passed the soldiers in red, and thought that it had something to do with the arrest of her brothers.

There was no accommodation to be had in the town. Hamish had not taken into consideration they would have trouble finding a bed for the night. He continued to drive the wagon north through the town until he came to the land which had been granted to the kirk. He drove up Bridge Street, then turned left into Pedder Street which served as the back boundary of the church land. The land had not been cleared, and there were stands of trees which would give them privacy and protection for the night.

He knew that Catriona did not want to make camp there, but there were no other options available to them until they could make enquiries the following day.

We will sleep under the wagon, and if I attach the canvas to the side of the wagon, it will give us a degree of privacy and protection. Before we set up camp though, I think we should go back to a tavern and buy a meal already prepared. You will feel better after you have eaten, I promise you.

The following morning, they looked for accommodation with no luck.

Perhaps if we talk to some locals; they may be able to advise us, said Hamish. "Sunday is three days away, and I would like to hold a meeting on this land then, if possible, just to let the locals know that the Presbyterians have arrived.

I thought if I bought some timber to make a sign, someone there might know where we can ask for a room. Did you want to come with me, or do you want to discover the town?"

I will come with you until I feel more comfortable being on my own.

The timber yard was owned by Graham Henshaw. Hamish introduced himself, and ordered timber for his sign. Henshaw did not know of any accommodation available, but said he would let them know if he did. He then gave the young couple directions to the blacksmith shop where they could get iron posts on which to hang their sign.

* * *

Catriona sat under the shade of a peppercorn tree while she waited for Hamish to complete his business with the blacksmith. It was almost September, and while the air outside was cool, the sun still had a sting to it when it touched her skin. She was tired and feeling quite despondent, and just wanted to sit quietly for a time.

I saw you sitting by yourself under the tree, and I thought you might like a cool drink. I can make you tea if you prefer. I am Jenny MacSween, wife of the blacksmith.

The woman had surprised her. I am sorry if I am not meant to be here, my husband is talking with the blacksmith. I am Catriona McKittrick, my husband is the new Presbyterian minister. She stopped talking. It was the first time she had called herself Catriona McKittrick and called Hamish her husband. She regained her composure.

We arrived in town yesterday afternoon, and Hamish is wanting to hold his first church meeting on Sunday.

Very eager is your husband. Where is he intending to hold his meeting?

"It will be an open-air