Chapter 2

A Tale of Two Convicts: Hannah Brown (1795 - 1835) & Thomas Marslin (1787-1854)

The early 19th century brought immense change to the colony of New South Wales. What began as a penal colony in 1788 gradually transformed into a more sophisticated society. As the colony expanded, so did the challenges for its inhabitants—convicts, their children born in the colony, emancipists, free settlers, and the Indigenous population. The lives of Hannah Brown and Thomas Marslin, my great-great-great-grandparents, offer us a window into this transformative era, revealing the hardships, social dynamics, and personal struggles that defined life in early Australia.

Macquarie’s Sydney

When Hannah Brown arrived in New South Wales in July 1814, the colony was under Governor Lachlan Macquarie, a leader with an ambitious vision to reshape the colony from a penal outpost into a thriving society. Often hailed as the “Father of Australia,” Macquarie was determined to create a structured, self-sufficient community, and his administration undertook ambitious public works projects to achieve it. Under his leadership, roads, bridges, hospitals, and marketplaces sprang up in Sydney, laying the foundation for a more organized colony.

Macquarie’s building projects were central to this transformation and provided convicts with both labour and a potential path to redemption. From government buildings to churches such as Hyde Park Barracks and St. James Church, Macquarie relied on convict labour for nearly all aspects of construction. Historian Grace Karskens, in The Colony, described how convicts were seen “not as individuals but as a labour force to be exploited and controlled,” a perception that limited their freedoms despite their essential role in the colony’s growth. This dual approach—offering convicts the chance to contribute to society and enforcing strict control—characterized much of Macquarie’s vision. Historian Manning Clark observed that Macquarie’s desire for progress was “tempered by a deep authoritarian streak.”

For convicts like Hannah Brown and Thomas Marslin, life in Macquarie’s colony was both an opportunity and a challenge. While they were given chances to rebuild their lives, the system’s rigidity and harsh penalties bore down on those who stepped out of line. Hannah and Thomas experienced this firsthand, each running afoul of colonial law and receiving three-year sentences of secondary punishment at the Coal River and Port Macquarie penal settlements, respectively.

Blaxland, Wentworth, and Lawson crossing the rugged Blue Mountains in 1813, paving the way for inland settlement. Notably, Lawson, impressed by Thomas Maslin’s skills as a horse handler, later hired him for subsequent expeditions, relying on his expertise to manage the horses essential to their journeys.

To the Coal River Penal Settlement

Colonial laws designed to maintain compliance were especially severe for female convicts like Hannah. Upon arrival, women were often assigned to gruelling domestic labour in the Female Factory, where long hours and harsh conditions were the norm. Historian Kay Daniels, in Convict Women, notes that female convicts were frequently viewed as “undesirables,” exploited by a system with little compassion or opportunity for redemption. Beyond the demands of physical labour, these women faced constant threats to their autonomy and safety in a male-dominated convict population. Survival often required resilience and resourcefulness; some women found companionship among fellow prisoners, while others formed alliances with guards or settlers to access better treatment or scarce goods. Yet, despite these strategies, many women, like Hannah, struggled under the relentless weight of their circumstances, and some reverted to familiar acts like theft as a means of survival or temporary escape.

Details of Hannah’s early years in Sydney are scarce, but eventually, she was sent to the Coal River Penal Settlement near Newcastle for a three-year sentence, most likely for theft—a crime considered serious, particularly if it involved stealing from the government. Even minor theft, if committed while already serving punishment, would have been regarded as a significant breach of trust, justifying the severe secondary punishment of three years at Coal River.

From June 1817 until June 1820, Hannah endured the isolation and relentless discipline that defined life in remote penal outposts. The Coal River Penal Settlement was notorious for its brutal regime, a place where convicts were seen as needing to be “broken in body and spirit,” as Babette Smith describes in Defiant Voices. For Hannah, the emotional toll of these three years must have been profound, shaping her life in the unforgiving environment of early colonial Australia.

Following her release from the Coal River Settlement, Hannah Brown, often recorded as Ann Brown in colonial records, resumed her life in New South Wales. By 1820, she was listed in the colonial muster as single and residing in the colony, although it is unclear whether she was still at Newcastle then. By 1821, Hannah was noted as single and working domestically in Sydney, holding a Ticket of Leave (No. 3-937), although the exact date it was granted remains unknown. Her name appears in subsequent colonial musters in 1822 and 1825, the latter recording her employment as a housekeeper in Sydney. During this period, there is no mention of her son, Thomas Maslin, in the records—a likely omission, as illegitimate children were often excluded from official documentation. Moreover, Thomas, born in 1819, was still an infant.

Hannah’s good conduct earned her another Ticket of Leave on February 15, 1827, which allowed her a measure of independence. This ticket remained in her possession until October 20, 1828, marking a period of relative stability before further challenges arose.

Bound for the Blue Mountains

Meanwhile, the colony was pushing westward, marking a new era in New South Wales and shaping the course of Thomas Marslin’s early years there. The initial attempts to cross the Blue Mountains had ended in frustration, as explorers struggled to navigate the steep cliffs and dense bushland that confined the colony to a narrow coastal strip. In 1813, however, Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson, and William Charles Wentworth succeeded in navigating a pass that opened up fertile lands beyond the mountains. This achievement aligned with Governor Macquarie’s vision of expansion, setting the stage for further exploration and the eventual settlement of the interior.

Arriving in New South Wales in 1818 at age 26, Thomas Marslin, like other convicts, was assigned work to “serve his time.” With his background in horse care, he was placed in the government stables, where his skills in handling and caring for horses made him an essential asset. Thomas’s abilities soon caught the attention of William Lawson, now commandant of the Bathurst settlement. Lawson, responsible for exploring the grazing lands around Bathurst, needed reliable, skilled handlers for his expeditions, and Thomas, with his strong record in the stables, became a natural choice. Macquarie highly valued these missions, and the success of his vision for westward expansion depended on men like Lawson who, in turn, relied on trusted, skilled convicts like Thomas.

Lawson’s expeditions proved to be a turning point for Thomas. Joining Lawson’s team on several journeys, he likely demonstrated resilience and skill under challenging conditions. His participation on these journeys earned him recognition, and Lawson later advocated for him to receive a ticket of leave—a document granting convicts the freedom to live and work independently. In 1819, only a year after his arrival,

Receiving his ticket of leave must have been a profoundly moving moment for Thomas, marking a complete turnaround from the life sentence that had once condemned him to convict servitude in New South Wales. In just a short time, he had shifted from the despair he must have felt upon arrival in Sydney to a position of respect and independence. Through his skill as a horseman, he earned the trust and regard of influential men in the colony, a hard-won recognition that brought hope and a newfound sense of belonging. This freedom allowed Thomas to step beyond the confines of convict labour and build a future of his own making. During this period of liberty, he met Hannah Brown, still serving her sentence at the Coal River Penal Settlement—a connection that would ultimately lead to the birth of my great-great-grandfather, Thomas Mazlin.

A ticket of leave similar to those issued to Thomas and Hannah, both of whom lost and regained their tickets of leave at various periods during their lives in New South Wales.

John Hospodaryk’s Convict Maid, performed by Battlers Ballad (Chloe and Jason Roweth, Bill Browne) at Humph Hall, Sydney, Spring 2012, tells the story of women sentenced to secondary punishment in the Parramatta Female Factory. A history teacher and songwriter, Hospodaryk’s passion for Australia’s convict past inspired him to craft songs that give voice to the struggles of those often overlooked in history.

A New Life for Hannah and Isaac Gadman

By early 1829, Hannah’s circumstances improved. The Female Factory, notorious as a “marriage market,” became the unlikely setting for a significant change in her life. Governor Ralph Darling encouraged convict marriages by offering married men an additional day of self-employment per week. In this context, Hannah met Isaac Gadman (also recorded as Gladman), a stonemason transported to the colony in 1815. Isaac was 55 years old, and Hannah was 35. On February 2, 1829, Hannah and Isaac were married by the Reverend Samuel Marsden at St. John’s Church of England. This union offered Hannah companionship and a measure of stability, as Isaac became both her husband and a stepfather to young Thomas.

As Hannah walked down the aisle of St John’s Church, a mix of emotions must have filled her heart. Was this the turn for the better she had hoped for after years of hardship and uncertainty? She had endured so much, and now, with her young son’s future on her mind, she must have wondered if this union would bring the security they both desperately needed. Isaac offered her a way out of the struggles of convict life, but he was still a relative stranger. Would he be a good husband and father for her young child? Perhaps hope mingled with doubt as she neared the altar, but the promise of a new beginning carried her forward.

Hannah’s husband, Isaac, was a stonemason who likely provided economic stability for Hannah and her son, Thomas Mazlin. The next years were the most secure and settled period in their lives. As Sydney grew, the work of stonemasons like Isaac helped build the physical city and the foundations of their family’s future.

From 1829 to 1835, Hannah and Thomas lived with Gadman in Kent Street, Sydney, where he continued his trade. Hannah gave birth to her second son, Issave Gadman in 1829. Their life together would have been one of modest means, but building a stable home life would have been a significant achievement for both of them. Being a convict, or even an emancipated one, meant that Gadman’s social standing was still limited, and he and Hannah would have likely faced ongoing prejudice. Convicts who had earned their freedom, such as through a Ticket of Leave or complete emancipation, were still viewed as outsiders by many free settlers. Nevertheless, skilled tradespeople like stonemasons were essential to the colony’s development, and this demand likely afforded Gadman some level of stability and respect within the convict community and a safe environment for Hannah and Thomas Mazlin.

Unfortunately, Hannah suffered from a series of illnesses throughout the 1830s. As she lay battling these ailments in her final days, her thoughts must have wandered back to her early life in England, where she had laboured as a child worker.. Hannah likely wondered how her family in England was faring, imagining the faces of those she hadn’t seen in so many years. The memory of her journey to New South Wales may have stirred mixed emotions—resentment for the hardships she had endured, but perhaps also a sense of acceptance for the life she had been forced to make in this distant land. Reflecting on her brushes with the law in Sydney, Hannah may have felt moments of shame, but perhaps also defiance, knowing she had done what she could to survive. Thoughts of Thomas Marslin, the father of her child, may have surfaced. Amidst these swirling emotions, she must have felt deep gratitude toward Isaac Gadman, the man who rescued her from the Female Factory and gave her and her sons a chance at stability.

Tragically, Hannah’s life came to an abrupt end on March 9, 1835, just six years after she married Isaac. A coroner’s inquest was held, as was customary for sudden deaths during that period. On 11 April alone, there were 13 such inquests. Hannah’s inquest was conducted at the Prentice Arms, Kent Street, where the jury reviewed the circumstances of her passing. They concluded that she had “died by the visitation of God”—a verdict that recognised her death as being from natural causes beyond human control. Hannah was laid to rest on March 11, 1835, in the parish of St James in Cumberland, Sydney, Australia.

There are few records of Thomas’s life after the 1828 census when he was listed as a labourer assigned to T.W. M. Windermere. By 1834, he had once again obtained his ticket of leave and was residing in the Maitland area. At the age of 54, Thomas Maslin’s Ticket of Leave was cancelled due to ill health, as he was unable to support himself. In line with colonial practices, his inability to sustain himself led to his return to government service, where he was supported by government provisions, often referred to as government stores. These stores supplied essentials such as food and clothing, ensuring that convicts who could no longer work were cared for by the colonial administration. Thomas spent his final years as an invalid and passed away on 29 May 1854 in Parramatta at the age of 62.

Lachlan Macquarie, often called the ‘Father of Australia,’ granted Thomas Marslin a Ticket of Leave in 1819.

An early painting by Walter Preston of Newcastle which was established as a penal settlement in 1804 for reoffending convicts. Known for coal mining and cedar cutting, it ceased as a site of secondary punishment in 1823, marking its shift to free settlement

Punishment and Parenthood

The timeline of Thomas Marslin’s early years in New South Wales reflects both moments of opportunity and significant setbacks. After arriving in the colony in 1818, Thomas’s skills as a horse handler quickly earned him recognition, leading to a Ticket of Leave in 1819. This milestone granted him conditional freedom and the ability to seek paid work. Records show he worked for William Cox, a prominent road builder and pioneer whose projects included constructing roads from Prospect to Richmond. This employment gave Thomas a sense of stability and independence as he began building a life in the colony.

However, disaster struck in 1824 when Thomas was sentenced to three years of secondary punishment at Port Macquarie Penal Settlement. The exact crime remains undocumented, though breaches of Ticket of Leave conditions—such as unauthorised travel, theft, or failing to report to authorities—were common reasons for such sentences. Port Macquarie, established in 1821, was one of the harshest penal settlements, housing over 1,300 convicts by Thomas’s arrival. His imprisonment marked a stark disruption in his life, separating him from his son and any connection to Hannah. On April 27, 1824, Thomas was transported to Port Macquarie aboard the ship Sally, where he served his sentence until his release in 1827. In the census of 1828, he is listed as residing in Windermere, Luckintyre, as a labourer under the employment of T.W.M Winder.

With Thomas imprisoned, the care of their young son, Thomas, fell to Hannah. The 1824 muster records list Hannah living in Melville, New South Wales, as a housekeeper for Thomas Summers. The household includes “Thomas Brown, age five, born in the colony,” almost certainly referring to her son with Thomas Maslin. By 1825, Hannah had moved to Sydney, where she continued working as a housekeeper with her son still under her care. In 1827, she secured her own Ticket of Leave, providing her a degree of independence within the colony.

However, shortly after Thomas’s release in 1827, tragedy struck Hannah. In October 1828, her Ticket of Leave was revoked due to a charge of drunkenness, and she was sentenced to secondary punishment at the Female Factory in Parramatta. The accusation of being “Drunk in a disorderly House at a Late Night” reflects the precariousness of convict life, where even minor infractions could result in harsh consequences. Unlike her earlier confinement in Newcastle, where she could keep her son, Hannah was now separated from nine-year-old Thomas, as older children were not permitted to stay with their mothers in the Female Factory. Records suggest that Thomas Jr. was cared for by the McIntosh family in Lane Cove during this time, though details remain scarce.

For Hannah, this second imprisonment must have been devastating. Losing her hard-won independence, combined with the forced separation from her son, compounded her hardship. Alcohol may have provided her with a temporary escape from the relentless pressures of convict life, but it ultimately led to her punishment.

Following her release from the Coal River Settlement, Hannah Brown, often recorded as Ann Brown in colonial records, resumed her life in New South Wales. By 1820, she was listed in the colonial muster as single and residing in the colony, although it is unclear whether she was still at Newcastle at that time. By 1821, Hannah was noted as single and working domestically in Sydney, holding a Ticket of Leave (No. 3-937), although the exact date it was granted remains unknown. Her name appears in subsequent colonial musters in 1822 and 1825, the latter recording her employment as a housekeeper in Sydney. During this period, there is no mention of her son, Thomas Maslin, in the records—a likely omission, as illegitimate children were often excluded from official documentation. Moreover, Thomas was still an infant, born in 1819, and would have been just one or two years old at the time. Hannah’s good conduct earned her another Ticket of Leave on February 15, 1827, which allowed her a measure of independence. This ticket remained in her possession until October 20, 1828, marking a period of relative stability before further challenges arose.

The Sydney Herald NSW Thursday 12 March 1835

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