Sarah DORSET
| Town/City | Marayong 2148 |
|---|---|
| First name | Sarah |
| Last name | DORSET |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | c1766 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1789 |
| Submitted by | Leslie de Belin |
Story
No records of Robert WATSON’s wife can be found, nor any information as to the mother of his children. However, there is some speculation indicating that Sarah DORSET may have been the mother of his children. The following are the facts about Sarah DORSET, and the possible scenarios involving her children, and the connection with Robert WATSON.
Sarah DORSET was born in England about 1766. In 1787 she was with Mary DORSET (sister? cousin?) in a London public house enjoying dinner and a beer. A male customer, Andrew DAVIDSON, came into the inn, left his great coat by the door and then when out again for about half an hour. The publican stopped the girls as they were leaving, and accused them of the theft of the coat which was found to be on Sarah’s arm, under her cloak. Both were arrested and tried at the Old Bailey on 24/10/1787 with the theft of the coat, valued at 2 shillings. Mary was found not guilty, while Sarah was convicted and sentenced to be transported for 7 years. She lodged a petition for mitigation of the sentence, with the trial judge writing “she appears to be a very proper subject for the colony at Botany Bay”.
Sarah was held in Newgate Gaol until 12/3/1789, before boarding the “Lady Juliana” which left for Australia with the Second Fleet on 29/7/1789. This ship was the subject of the ABC documentary “The Floating Brothel”. During the 11 month voyage she came in contact with a seaman from the ship, Edward POWELL (b.1762 d.1814). A child was conceived, and then born on board. The child, Edward Jnr was baptised on 13/6/1790, a few days after arriving in Sydney. The child stayed with Sarah, while Edward Snr moved on and later married Elizabeth FISH in 1793.
Eight weeks after landing at Sydney Cove, Sarah DORSET and baby Edward were among 194 convicts (mostly female) sent to Norfolk Island, arriving 7/8/1790. In December 1792 Sarah gave birth to a another child, Rebecca. It is not known who the father was, however, it was at this time that Robert WATSON was living on Norfolk Island (1790 – 1793). Sarah and her two children remained on the island until their return to Sydney in February 1794.
It is unknown what happend to the children, Edward and Rebecca. Did they go with Robert WATSON, for in 1806 Sarah DORSET was described as a housekeeper to John WOODWARD, a butcher (convict, transported 1798 “Barwell”) Sarah DORSET d.11/3/1838 at Kincumber, Brisbane Water, and buried 2 days later.
So as previoulsy indicated what did happen to the children, Edward and Rebecca? We know records indicated Robert WATSON had a son Edward and a daughter Rebecca (their birth dates coincide with Sarah DORSET’s Edward and Rebecca), but there is nothing mentioned as to the mother. Are these the Edward and Rebecca that were the children of Sarah DORSET? Then, we know too, that Robert WATSON also had another son, John, b.1797. Was his mother Sarah DORSET too?
Extract from E.J. Lea – Scarlett ” There appears to be no record of identity of WATSON’s wife, but two sons and a daughter live with him in Sydney”.
As it is known that Robert WATSON had three children, but the mother has never been confirmed, I will still record their mother as Sarah DORSET at this stage until proven otherwise, if ever.
1: Edward WATSON (DORSET?) is confirmed as a son (adodpted?) in a deposition of Robert WATSON 3/8/1813 ie: “the Estramina being commanded by his own son, Edward WATSON” and also that Robert and Edward are buried together at Bunnerong Cemetery. Edward was b.1790 aboard “Lady Julianna” enroute to Sydney. He married Elizabeth PAWLEY at St.Phillips on 29/6/1811, she being born in the Colony 24/3/1795, and dying in 1836. WATSON was to die on 19/2/1820.
2: Rebecca WATSON (DORSET?) confirmed as daughter in a number of letters to Colonial Secretary, also Robert WATSON a witness to her marriage in 1811. Rebecca b. abt 1792. She married Robert MURRAY. She d.28/9/1826.
3: John WATSON (DORSET?): Rebecca a witness at his wedding. . Reference can be found of him in a petition to the Colonial Secretary on 26/10/1821 indicating “humble petitioners (John WATSON & Rebecca MURRAY nee WATSON) are the only children now living of Robert WATSON”. A transcription of this petition can be found with Rebecca’s details. John was born abt 1797 in Sydney. He lived in Tasmania at one stage, a letter written by him in 1830 from Hobart Town confirms it.