Esther Abrahams
Esther was born in 1771 in London. At the
age of 18, she was found guilty of stealing black lace however the
evidence for this was not very reliable. Esther was a hat maker and although
many friends signed a petition for her royal mercy and told of her good nature,
she unfortunately received a sentence for seven years.
In 1787, Esther was shipped to Australia with the First Fleet along with her daughter Roseanna she had while in prison. They reached Sydney in 1788. On board the First Fleet, Esther took a liking to George Johnston, the 1st Lieutenant of Marines and the future head of the New South Wales Corps. For a brief moment in 1808, George became the Lieutenant-Governor of NSW and Esther the colony's unofficial First Lady.
Given George's rank, he received numerous land grants. Land belonging to George was taken care of by Esther in his absence. In 1809, she was issued a land grant on becoming a successful farmer. The two married in 1814 and had 7 children. In 1846, Esther was buried on their Annandale property.
In 1787, Esther was shipped to Australia with the First Fleet along with her daughter Roseanna she had while in prison. They reached Sydney in 1788. On board the First Fleet, Esther took a liking to George Johnston, the 1st Lieutenant of Marines and the future head of the New South Wales Corps. For a brief moment in 1808, George became the Lieutenant-Governor of NSW and Esther the colony's unofficial First Lady.
Given George's rank, he received numerous land grants. Land belonging to George was taken care of by Esther in his absence. In 1809, she was issued a land grant on becoming a successful farmer. The two married in 1814 and had 7 children. In 1846, Esther was buried on their Annandale property.
For more information please visit the following websites:
http://womenofhistory.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/esther-abrahams.html
http://zeroatthebone.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/the-extraordinary-story-of-esther-abrahams/
http://womenofhistory.blogspot.com.au/2010/09/esther-abrahams.html
http://zeroatthebone.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/the-extraordinary-story-of-esther-abrahams/