White Rag Burning: Irish Women Committing Arson to be Transported

by Dianne Snowden

Between 1841 and 1853, nearly 250 women were transported from Ireland to Van Diemen’s Land for committing arson. During the Great Famine, the number of Irish women transported for arson increased dramatically. In comparison, only small numbers of other convicts were transported for arson. Many of these Irish women committed arson in order to be transported. Why did these women commit arson and not some other crime? What led to the increase in numbers? Why didn’t the women simply emigrate if they wanted a better life? White Rag Burning reveals the answers to these questions and in doing so, tells the individual stories of the convict women. The arsonists were poor and actively sought to change their circumstances and improve their conditions. This book looks at the Irish experience of the arsonists, when and where they were tried and their motivation in committing arson. The book follows them to Van Diemen’s Land and explores their colonial experience, when they were under sentence and when they were free. The story of the Irish arsonists is a remarkable one, challenging the idea that Irish convict women were passive victims, particularly during the years of the Great Famine. Using original records, this study reveals the reality of convict life together with the legacy left by these women in Tasmania and beyond. Published by Forty South Publishing.

George Town and District Historical Society invites you to:

The 11th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

of the George Town & District Historical Society Inc.

“COLONY TO COLONY - The Influence of Tasmanians on the Settlement of Victoria”

SATURDAY, 10 NOVEMBER  (8.45 am for 9.15 am start to 4.15 pm)
York Cove Centre, 4 Sorell Street, George Town (George Town Senior Citizens Clubrooms)
Cost: $35 (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea)

Speakers and Topics:

Judy Walsh The David Collins Settlement at Sorrento
Rick Smith The First Inter-colonial Cricket Match, 1851
Anne Green William Dutton and the Whaling Industry on the South Coast of New Holland
Margaret Fletcher The Manifolds – from Kelso to Camperdown
Ian McFarlane George Augustus Robinson and the Aborigines
James Parker The Port Phillip Company and the Settlement of Melbourne & Batman's Treaty
Peter Cox The Shipping Trade Between Launceston and the Port Phillip Settlements
Thomas Gunn The “Vandemonians” impact on criminal activity in Melbourne and the Goldfields
Brian Gunst John Batman impersonated - the Batman Festivals

For bookings and further information: 
Contact: Chlo Martin for more information & registration (due Mon 29th October)
Post: PO Box 68, George Town
Phone: 03 63 82 1336
Email: us@thegrovetas.com

Website: www.gtdhs.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/George-Town-and-District-Historical-Society-1375090549395357/

From the Shadows Inc.

Following on from the hugely successful Footsteps towards Freedom project, a new not-for-profit project, known as From the Shadows, has been established to raise funds for three statues by renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie. Rowan created the Footsteps towards Freedom statues on Hobart’s waterfront, receiving global media attention. The newly commissioned statues will include two statues of children for the Orphan Schools in New Town and a female convict statue for the Cascades Female Factory. Three community organisations have been acknowledged as Foundation Supporters: the Female Convicts Research Centre, the Friends of the Orphan Schools and South Hobart Progress Association. The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) is committed to the project as a Foundation Sponsor.  

Visit the From the Shadows website at https://fromtheshadows.org.au

Contact email address: info@fromtheshadows.org.au

You can follow From the Shadows on Facebook.

Spring Seminar, 28th October 2018  - Bookings full.

Topic: A Great Blessing? Convict Women and Orphan School Children

Lieutenant-Governor Arthur believed it would be ‘a great blessing’ for the children of convicts to be removed  from their parents. Our next seminar explores the relationship between the Orphan School, the orphans and convict women. In 1828, women convicts transferred from the old Hobart Town Female Factory to the new Factory at the Cascades. In 1828, the King’s Orphan Schools opened. To mark the 190th anniversary of both institutions, our next seminar will be run jointly by the Female Convicts Research Centre and the Friends of the Orphan Schools and it will be held at the Orphan School, St John’s Avenue, New Town (http://www.orphanschool.org.au).

Source: Archives Office of Tasmania