Convict Guide - published 2006 - Manual / Resource - Page 175
Guide to New South Wales State archives relating to convicts and convict administration
Chapter 14: Moreton Bay
14.1
Background to the records
Establishment of
Moreton Bay penal
settlement
In 1823 Governor Brisbane decided that another penal establishment
was needed and, after receiving a favourable report from John Oxley, he
gave orders to establish a penal settlement at Moreton Bay. (Hughes,
Fatal Shore, p.441).
By 1829 the number of convicts at Moreton Bay had reached 700 (HRA
vol. 14, p.700) and 'at its peak in 1830, 952 prisoners were there'.
(Shaw, Convicts and the Colonies, p.204).
Appointment of
Commandants
Henry Miller was appointed Commandant, and in September 1824 he
sailed north with 50 settlers including 30 convicts. The first site on the
Redcliffe peninsula was abandoned after three months in favour of a site
where Brisbane now stands. Miller was replaced in 1825 by Captain
Peter Bishop. In March 1826 Captain Patrick Logan who had a
reputation for harsh discipline took charge. (Shaw, Convicts and the
Colonies, pp.203-5). He 'habitually worked prisoners in irons' and was 'a
relentless flogger'. (Hughes, Fatal Shore, p.446).
In October 1830 Captain Logan was killed while completing a survey
around Moreton Bay. (HRA vol. 16, p.57). Logan was replaced by
Captain James Clunie, under whom Moreton Bay 'took shape as a town'.
(Hughes, Fatal Shore, p.450).
In 1832 Governor Bourke advocated closing the penal establishment
because of its expense and the fact that the troops were becoming too
dispersed. (HRA vol. 16, p.832). At the end of 1835 Clunie was replaced
by Captain Foster Fyans, and simultaneously there was a further
recommendation, which was supported by the Colonial Office, for
abolishing the penal establishment and introducing free settlers into the
area. (HRA vol. 18, p.204).
Closure of Moreton
Bay penal settlement
By 1837 the number of convicts had been reduced to 300, and by 1839
all of the female convicts had been removed leaving only 94 male
convicts. Moreton Bay ceased to be a penal settlement in 1839 and on
February 1842 was declared open for free settlement. (HRA vol. 19,
p.150, & vol. 20, p.209, NSW Government Gazette 1842, vol. 1, p.249).
See Shipping lists of convicts sent to and from Moreton Bay, 1824–39,
1849–50 pp.175-177.
14.2
Indexes to the records
172
Index to the Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788–1825 *ARK and is
available on State Records' website
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to convicts and others,
1826–77 and ongoing. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent re
convicts, 1826–May 1855. Compiled by Joan Reese
Colonial Secretary's Correspondence: Index to letters sent to the
Sheriff, 1828-50. Compiled by Convict Connections
Contemporary Colonial Secretary's Indexes and Registers, 1826–
1900, NRS 922 available in State Records' reading rooms
Index to Colonial Convict Movements, 1827-53. Compiled by the
Descendants of Convicts Group Inc.
State Records Authority of New South Wales