Convicts are a fascinating part of Australia's history, but has their role been over-dramatised and distorted? This book brings to life the day to day working lives of convicts in private assignment. In particular, life and work on Belgenny Farm at Camden Park near Sydney, and the Tocal estate in the lower Hunter Valley where large numbers of convicts were assigned.
Contents
Chapter 1
- Convict assignment and convict tools
- Working with timber
- Clearing and stumping
- Building huts, sheds and other structures
- Fencing
- Working with stone and brick
- Stonemasons' tools
- Working with bricks
- Working with iron
- Working the soil
- Ploughing and weeding
- Trenching, draining, road building
- Harvesting the crops
- Working with animals
- Sheep and convict shepherds
- Cattle, pigs, milk, butter and cheese
- Meat for the table
- Leather for harness, boots and shoes
- Hauling, carting and moving things
- Wheels for wagons, drays and other vehicles
- Barrels, casks and buckets
- Living
Author: Brian Walsh and Ralp Hawkins
ISBN: 9780987418425 | 92 pages | 250mm x 185mm
Catalogue number: B748
Publisher: NSW Department of Primary Industries | 2013