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Portrait of Sarah Cobcroft 1856

Portrait of Sarah Cobcroft 1856

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From the collections of the

State Library of New South Wales

[a928715 / ML 169]

(Mitchell Library)

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Neptune

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Cobcroft, Sarah

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Backler, Joseph

State Library of New South Wales

Neptune

Neptune, one of three ships known as the 'death fleet,' was the largest ship of the Second Fleet. Chartered by slave traders, Neptune had the highest mortality rate of all the ships, with over 160 deaths. Many of those who survived the ordeal went on to prosper in the new colony including William Baker, George Salter and Molly Morgan.

Women

Cobcroft, Sarah

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Midwife and farmer who emigrated from England to Sydney as one of Australia's first free settlers after her spouse had been sentenced to transportation for assault and highway robbery. She was part of a small group of women who accepted a government offer of a free passage. The couple had 10 children and married in 1842 when Sarah was aged 70. She worked as a midwife in the Wilberforce district. Her death notice notes she left 'a large family to lament their loss, having lived to see the fifth generation'.