1835
Although previously there has been the occasional quiet period in Hannah’s life, this one seems to point to a more sustainable and productive future. Perhaps with Henry on the scene and 3 young kids to keep her occupied, life settles down and 46(?) Sussex Street becomes Hannah’s centre of gravity.
Finally, on the 21st June, the three year old Hannah Samuels is Baptised in St Philips Church(75).
Henry’s occupation: Dealer
Henry was clearly Hannah’s father. At the Baptism of Hannah Jr, Hannah (Benton) (not unreasonably) called herself Samuels!
1836
H & H decide to get married. Henry is free to pursue his life in whatever manner he sees fit, Hannah, still a convict in the eyes of the law, requires the approval of the government(75a).
To get the ball rolling, on 25th May, Henry and his friend Samuel Miller, one time convict and current publican of the The Blue Bell Hotel, stroll around the corner to St Philips Church. Reverend Cowper (with the very distinctive handwriting) drafts the character reference, signed by Miller(76).
8th June H & H apply to have their marriage Banns published(77). Hannah age 31 tries to pass herself off as 23 !!
29th June. Henry Samuels - Hannah Hutchins. Application to marry GRANTED(78).
Early August Hannah is pregnant with Louisa.
12th September 1836 - Henry and Hannah are married by William Cowper in St Philips Church, Sydney(79). Henry no longer a Dealer, rolls up his sleeves and takes work as a Labourer. The marriage is witnessed by William and Celia Peckham.
21st October The Sydney Monitor published a list of unclaimed letters(80):
Hutchins ber Brothers Hannah
If only the letter still existed!! I wonder if congratulated her on her recent marriage?
About now Henry changes his occupation and becomes a Carter, probably a step up in the income and stability stakes, and possibly the beginnings of the “family” business.
1837
2nd May Louisa Samuels born
21stMay Louisa Baptized(81) Saint Philips Church.
Henry’s occupation; Carter
Hannah, still a convict, is required to attend the Muster of 1837(82), and she lies handsomely:
Hannah Samuels aged 24!!!
1838 Hannah is granted a Conditional Pardon
The Conditional Pardon rigmarole
Imagine:
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Aged 16 and sentenced to Death
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Locked up in Newgate Prison – probably in irons (even that thought is hideous enough) waiting to die
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Six days before feeling the noose around your neck (maybe Hannah didn’t know she was about to hang), death is exchanged for penal servitude on the other side of the world for the rest of your life. (I can’t imagine what Hannah thought that meant!!)
A miserable ocean journey seams sedate by comparison to events so far.
Arrival on the other side of the world:
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I wonder what Hannah’s first impressions of the 36 year old colony were?
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Taken off the Brothers and put on to a smaller boat for the journey up river to the Factory. (The rumour mill must have had a field day!)
Arrival at the Factory.
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What a contrast to life in Newgate!
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No longer locked up behind bars.
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Life as a servant (however unpleasant that might be), with the possibility of marriage (and the implied freedom), all unimaginable a year earlier.
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And, to top it all off, the remote possibility of a Pardon, albeit a conditional one (never to return to England and certain death).
Whatever Hannah made of the above difficulties, by the age of 31-33 she had survived them all.
Someone must have set the Conditional Pardon ball rolling (did Hannah present a Petition ?).
The first hurdle was to have the “application” recommended, and not by anybody, but members of the judiciary, upstanding Persons of Reputation in the colony, persons beyond reproach.
The recommendation winds it’s way to the Colonial Secretary’s IN tray, who in turn writes to the Governor, who in turn writes to the Queen, who in turn agrees with the Governor’s recommendations, who notifies the Col. Sec. etc. All very tedious and slow, but necessary. One gets the impression that Colonial Administrative “matters” at the time were a little bit “pressured” and it was common practice to take a few short cuts.
What appears to have happened:
The CP was ordered on the 20 Feb 1838 (83)
Conditional Pardon Register:
No. Name Ship When Remarks
Ordered
37/1340 45 Hannah Hutchings Brothers 20 Feb 1838 21 Feb 1838
Hannah did indeed receive a Conditional Pardon (Approved by the Secretary of State {for the Governor} on 23 Feb 1838 (I’ll bet she thought it was official from that date!)
However the official despatch requesting Royal approval was not formally written until 11 August 1838. Given the long boat trips to and from England, it’s probable she continued using her ToL until she received the proper Certificate of Conditional Pardon on the 15 April 1839, hence the reference written on the butt of her renewed ToL
Hannah was 1 of only 7 women (compared to 175 males) who received a Conditional Pardon in 1838
The CP was recommended 23 Feb 1838 and approved by the Secretary of State Despatch No. 178 11 August 1838
Written up in the Register of Conditional Pardons.
Overwritten on the butt of Hannah’s renewed Ticket of Leave 31/921
24 November 1831(84) is:
Torn up 15 April 1839
on xxxxxxxxxx xx
Cond. Pardon No. 39/235
Date 23 Feb 1838
1839 Hannah drives the business, Henry drives the cart.
10th September - Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser
If ever proof was needed that Hannah was the driving force in the family, this insertion in the Sydney Gazette is it!
Surely the CAUTION is not intended for an illiterate Henry, but his “potential” customers. Does it imply friction within the family – possibly, but not of any great consequence. Four months later Hannah delivers Henry William into a growing family.
