Name: Cooper Henley
Ship: Friendship
Reason:
I made my living as a weaver. At the age of 33 I was found guilty of assault and highway robbery to the value of 20 shillings and was sentenced to death by the court in Salisbury. This was commuted to seven years transportation, and I sailed to Australia on the first fleet.
Before I left England I was held in a hulk at Dunkirk, and at one point I managed to escape during an uprising, but was recaptured. My report says that I behaved “remarkably well” otherwise.
Fugitive sighting:
An officer of the law are ya? I'm not telling you nothing! If there is an escaped convict I will do everything I can to help him and you best not come to me for help again or you'll be swimming back to England.
Ship Experience:
Living conditions for us convicts on the First Fleet were quite harsh. We spent most of our time below decks, with a bucket for water and a bucket for waste, although we were also permitted up on the deck to dispose of waste. We shared the ship space with many rats. We were given small rations of basic flour and salted meat to eat. Occasionally we were permitted to walk around the decks for exercise if we behaved.
The Future of Cooper Henley:
Not long after his arrival in Australia, Cooper was killed by Aborigines while gathering greens.
Ship: Friendship
Reason:
I made my living as a weaver. At the age of 33 I was found guilty of assault and highway robbery to the value of 20 shillings and was sentenced to death by the court in Salisbury. This was commuted to seven years transportation, and I sailed to Australia on the first fleet.
Before I left England I was held in a hulk at Dunkirk, and at one point I managed to escape during an uprising, but was recaptured. My report says that I behaved “remarkably well” otherwise.
Fugitive sighting:
An officer of the law are ya? I'm not telling you nothing! If there is an escaped convict I will do everything I can to help him and you best not come to me for help again or you'll be swimming back to England.
Ship Experience:
Living conditions for us convicts on the First Fleet were quite harsh. We spent most of our time below decks, with a bucket for water and a bucket for waste, although we were also permitted up on the deck to dispose of waste. We shared the ship space with many rats. We were given small rations of basic flour and salted meat to eat. Occasionally we were permitted to walk around the decks for exercise if we behaved.
The Future of Cooper Henley:
Not long after his arrival in Australia, Cooper was killed by Aborigines while gathering greens.