CONTENTS OF THE PRINTED WORK (Image titles are shown in italics) My Family - Descendants of Thomas Massey and Ann Simmons 13 PREFACE 15 My mother’s family helped build modern Australia 16 The value of history 17 A word on photography 17 Guide to additional information and references 17 My grandmother was a hoarder … 18 ff’s and ss! 19 Grammar and spelling 19 Grog - the changing meaning 20 Cover image of Thomas Massey 20 Story chronology 20 Illustrations painted by James Alfred Turner 20 Location map of this story 21 1. THE BEGINNING … CONVICTS TO A NEW LIFE 23 The First Arrivals: Thomas Massey & Ann Simmons 23 THOMAS MASSEY TRIAL & TRANSPORTATION TO AUSTRALIA 24 Transported HMS Gorgon 1791 24 “Better to be born lucky than rich!” 24 A Voyage Round the World, in the Gorgon Man of War 25 The heavens open - an unforgettable welcome to a new land 27 Thomas Massey arrived in Sydney September 1791 27 Reflections on the voyage and a new life 28 Early images of Sydney life c.1791-93 29 ANN SIMMONS TRIAL & TRANSPORTATION TO AUSTRALIA 31 Transported Surprise 1794. 31 Old Bailey courtroom c.1793 31 2. THOMAS MASSEY, ANN SIMMONS 1792-1804 LIFE IN SYDNEY 33 Convict Sydney - a new and different way of life  33 Millers Point & The Rocks, Sydney from Observatory Hill c. 1804. 34 1800 - Nine years on, Thomas earns a Conditional Pardon 34 1801 - Thomas and Ann recorded as living together 35 1802 - licenced to possess a firearm 36 Thomas’ membership of the Sydney Loyal Association 36 The Castle Hill Rebellion of 4 March 1804  36 Document image - “Thos. Massey (His X Mark)” 37 The puzzle of the signature Thos. x Massey (His Mark) 38 1804 - The French Threat forces a move South 38 Sydney Colony vulnerable - France could become gate-keeper 40 New Southern Settlements vital 40 Governor Philip Gidley King 41 The settlement of Port Dalrymple and later Launceston 42 3. 1804-1809 THOMAS APPOINTED CHIEF CONSTABLE OF PORT DALRYMPLE SETTLEMENT 43 1804 - Thomas and Ann sail to the founding of Port Dalrymple 43 Log of the stormy voyage from Port Jackson to Port Dalrymple 43 HM Armed Tender Lady Nelson 44 “Shipped a very heavy sea on the starboard quarter”. 46 Voyage of Lady Nelson from Port Jackson to Port Dalrymple 1804 47 1804 The first landing - Hoisting Colours at Outer Cove 48 Meeting the locals! 49 A foundation settlement “of 186 souls” 49 Colonel William Paterson - Portrait 1799. 50 Primary tasks: security, shelter, food and exploration 51 Outer Cove - (later to become George Town) takes root 51 Paterson explores up-river 52 Establishing York Town 53 1805 January - Settlement established - reporting to Sydney 53 York Town, Port Dalrymple, Van Diemen's Land 1808. 54 The first three months at Port Dalrymple 55 1805 Thomas Massey - duties as Chief Constable 55 Chief Constable of the County of Cornwall 55 Most early huts and homes were built of sawn or split timber. 56 1805 April - The Bengal Cattle Saga 57 Goats - the early settler’s friend 58 The Kangaroo Economy encouraged lawlessness 59 The best dogs could outrun a kangaroo.  Artist: J. A. Turner 60 1805 A traumatic first 12 months as Chief Constable 62 1806 The Foundation of Launceston 62 1806 - What Law & Order? 63 1806 August - A change of Governors - Bligh replaced King 64 1806 Sept - April 1807  Thomas in an impossible position 65 Governor William Bligh (1754-1817) 66 1807 - To Thomas and Ann - a son 67 4. 1808 THE RUM REBELLION BEGINS IN SYDNEY 69 1809-1810 Sydney - The Rum Rebellion - Massey dismissal  70 Thomas Massey Memorial to Macquarie of 1810 72 5. 1810 LACHLAN MACQUARIE QUELLS THE RUM REBELLION. 73    A new start for Thomas Massey 73 Governor Macquarie restores law & order after Rum Rebellion 73 Appeal to Macquarie - Massey re-instated as Chief Constable 73 Governor Lachlan Macquarie (1762-1824) 74 PROCLAMATION: Thomas Massey re-instated by Macquarie 76 Macquarie lays the foundations of a nation 77 Macquarie Goblet - said to be given to Thomas Massey 1810 78 6. 1810 - THOMAS MASSEY’S MARRIAGE, REINSTATEMENT AND RETURN TO PORT DALRYMPLE 79 A change of fortune - Thomas marries Ann in Sydney 1810 79 1810 (February) - The Massey Family return to Port Dalrymple 79 1810 (September) Juggling justice in a broken system 80 The Prosecution Project 81 7. 1810-1821 LIFE IN THE PORT DALRYMPLE DISTRICT 83    11 years under the rule of Governor Macquarie 83 52 years of life lived and nearly the same to go 83 Thomas appointed Superintendent of Government Stock 83 1811 - Thomas Massey - First land grant [See also Appendix 3] 84 Macquarie visited Hobart then rode overland to Launceston 85 The fate of Ann Massey nee Simmons 85 The overland track - Hobart Town to Launceston. 86 1812 - A memorable year indeed! 87 King Jonathan - his rule at Launceston 87 The aftermath of the ‘McHugo’ affair 90 Ritchie replaces Gordon as Commandant at Port Dalrymple 90 1812 - ‘Power corrupts’ - Major Andrew Geils 91 1813 - Lieutenant Governor Davey takes over 92 Thomas Davey (1758 – 1823) 92 1813 - Farming the first Massey landholding 93 Massey’s 2nd Grant (circled). Selected 1821 as site of Perth. 94 The Punt at Perth 95 The Military - power-base or problem 95 1814 - Caught between the self-seeking and the incompetent 96 1814 - Massey and The Peter Mills affair 96 Massey dismissed by Mackenzie 97 The core of the affair - the capture - escape - recapture of Mills 98 1815 - Bushrangers thrive - Davy declares Martial Law 100 Stewart replaces Mackenzie as Commandant 100 Macquarie offers Massey re-appointment as Chief Constable 101 Reinstated (with few changes) 101 1816 - the private side of Thomas Massey 102 1817 - Governor Sorell arrives - audit - promotion 103 Lieutenant Governor William Sorell (1775–1848) 104 Massey made Superintendent of Works at George Town 107 1817 - Also in the News 107 1817 Dec. Sorell suspends Massey for disrespect to Stewart 108 Stewart replaced as Commandant by Cimitière 109 Major Gilbert Cimitière 110 1818 - Thomas - 60 years old and afloat on a sea of frustration 111 1818 Thomas resigns as Superintendent of Crown Prisoners 111 Thomas still Chief Constable 112 In the new soil - fast grow the seeds of change! 112 New Checkpoint at Massey’s Farm 114 1819 - Thomas Massey - the farmer 114 First Home - a settler’s beginnings 115 Application for an additional Grazing Licence 116 The foundation cattle of Thomas Massey’s herd. 117 Another glimpse of the ‘Other Thomas’ 118 1820 - ‘Superintendant (sic) of Convicts’ at Launceston 118 Thomas a ‘Bounty Hunter’ ? 119 8. 1820 - THE INVESTIGATING EYE OF JOHN THOMAS BIGGE 121 Commissioner John Thomas Bigge 121 1820 Some home truths from the pen of Commissioner Bigge 122 General aspects and workings of the Office of Chief Constable 123 Grog and the community 124 Stolen Spades and the sinking of Sloop Fly 124 Launceston Summary - from Bigge’s Report - verbatim 127 1821 - A change of Governors - Brisbane replaces Macquarie 128 Sir Thomas Brisbane (1773 - 1860). 129 Clearing the land.   Artist: James Alfred Turner 130 9. 1823 RETIREMENT? - HARDLY! 131 1823 - or thereabouts - welcome retirement! 131 Delivering meat under Government Contract 131 1824 - Governor Arthur - replaces Sorell 132 1825 - the split from NSW. 133 1826 - Burnt-Out by Bushranger Matthew Brady 134 1826 - The dilemma of a parent! 135 The third and final move to the Ben Lomond district 136 10. 1822-1846 THE EVOLUTION OF MASSEY LANDHOLDINGS 137 1821 - Dispossessed! - Move to ‘Ellerslie’ near Ben Lomond, 137 MAP 10/1: Massey Land Grants - Overview Map 1824 138 MAP 10/2: Massey Land Grants - Enlarged Detail 1824 139 MAP 10/3: Massey Land Grants - Brisbane 1823 140 Mr Massey of Ben Lomond (also at the time - Benlomond) 141 The foundation of Ellerslie 141    Ellerslie: actual area 1028 acres 142 MAP 10/4: Massey 1823 Grants that became Ellerslie. 142 1887 Supreme Court case - long on rhetoric - short on fact. 143 Aerial 3D Image Massey Ellerslie Estate 144 The foundation of Mount Stewart 145    Mount Stewart area 2,659 acres 146 MAP 10/5: 1842  aggregation of Mount Stewart Estate 146 Aerial 3D Image Massey Mount Stewart Estate 147 Looking north across Massey’s Mount Stewart in 2012 149 MAP 10/6: Massey - Title purchases and exchanges mid 1830’s 150 Thomas expanded Mount Stewart - bought out his neighbours 151 The confusion of a hard to track title swap 151 For more information on Massey titles - see Appendix 3 151 To return to the story … 152 11. “CLOSE TO PARADISE” 153 1830 - A rare verbal snapshot of the Launceston district 153 For the best view - let your mind drift in time --- 153 “Using a Leader!”  Artist J. A. Turner 155 The Dray - universal farm vehicle.  Artist J. A. Turner 158 12. BLACK v WHITE - CLASH OF TWO CULTURES 159 The Flame that smouldered for 20 years 159 Arthur’s ‘Black Line’ drive to Eagle Hawk Neck 1830 160 Settlers demand action to “curb the Native Menace” 161 George Arthur’s ‘Black Line’ Drive of 1830 162 1831 - The slaughter continued 163 The Possum Hunt!  Artist J. A. Turner 164 13. THOMAS WILLIAM MASSEY - SON 165 Born Free … 165 The young Thomas William Massey 165 Early schooling 166 Early business life and his first Land Grant 167 Success brings marriage 167 A love for racing horses 167 Marriage of Thomas William Massey & Elizabeth Pinock Martin 168 1826 Founding of the Tasmanian Turf Club 169 Still unbroken at the end of a long day.  Artist J. A. Turner 170 A laudable interest in Higher Education and Science 171 Mr T Massey Jnr. elected to a place in ‘Society’! 171 The first meeting of the Turf Club - April 1827 172    THOMAS MASSEY’S GRANDCHILDREN 174 The four children of Thomas William and Elizabeth Massey 174 1828 - 21 years old - a parent and on the path to ruin 175 1829 - Snakes and Ladders - a long slippery snake 175 Turf Club Politics - another snake? 177 1830 - The profits (or losses) of Pugilism 178 They cry of a Cross 178 A Prize Fight under Broughton’s Rules 179 A Return Bout and a ‘Double Cross’? 181 Running with a Flash set after Fast money 181 1830 - Father and son drift apart 181 Short ladders and long snakes 182 1832 Standing at Stud - Clydesdale Ben 183 1833 The Passing of Jessie Whyte 185 1834 - Grog licence to Launceston Hotel licencee 185 Auction postponed - Lease morphs to Sale 187 1834 Thomas William Massey new lessee of British Hotel 188 Launceston’s first Theatre 189 Promotion - charity, with a twist of irony 189 Leasing the British Hotel - the road to financial ruin 190 The financial squeeze begins 191 To Let - the British Hotel 192 The Action for Debt Recovery grew 194 Thomas William Massey - imprisoned for debt 194 Asset sales - debt settlement - Insolvency 195 The passing of the British Hotel 196 Postscript re: Henry Davis 197 Life returns to normal - or does it? 197 Thomas William Massey died - 1 May 1838 198 14. OF LOVE, LUST OR LONELINESS? 199 1820 - A kind heart and a friend to be valued - or more? 199 The ‘diversion’!  Artist J. A. Turner 200 Thomas was C.F. Howard trustee for 21 years 203 1829 - The Peccadilloes of an Old Man - a game of ‘Tit for Tat’ 203 A string of incidents 205 15. 1833 - THOMAS - FATHER TO A NEW DAUGHTER 207 Who was Elizabeth’s mother, Mary Stuart? 208 Gilt mirror presented by Thomas Massey to daughter Elizabeth 209 A doting father to a spirited daughter 210 Location map - Brambletye House 211 The tragic death of Elizabeth Massey 212 16. JOHN BATMAN - MELBOURNE 213 Batman and Massey 213 John Batman by James Flett 213 The founding of Melbourne 216 John Batman’s agreement with Port Phillip native people 217 Batman’s Deed was not a Treaty 218 The legal fine print 218 John Batman and Thomas Massey part ways 219 17. THE RIVER OF LIFE … 221 1823 - A year of consolidation 221 The move to Ben Lomond District 222 Young Thomas marries 222 The Native Wars 222 Thomas becomes a grandfather 223 Moments in rural life familiar to those at Ellerslie. -  J. A. Turner 224 Wonder of wonders - a new daughter! 225 Autumn 1835 - three major moments! 225 1837 - Tragedy looms - the work load grows. 226 “TO BE LET …  valuable agricultural FARM.” Artist J. A. Turner 227 1838 Bushranger violence - again! 228 1 May 1838 Thomas William Massey died 229 1838 - The aftermath of his sons death 229 Jane Ann Simmons - her life and death 229 1839-42 Re-marriage of Elizabeth Massey 230 A daughter to love! 232 1842 The agility of the legal mind - Bryant v. Massey 232 1844 Thomas in Court again! - Corney v Massey 233 1845 A move off-farm - a town residence? 235 18. THE STUFF OF LEGENDS AT 85 YEARS OLD 237 1843 - Massey faces bushrangers Jeffs and Conway 237 The newspapers variously reported the same event 237 The Trial Record - Massey testifies 239 19. FOCUS ON FAMILY 243 From crops and livestock to gardening 243 Family celebrations and tragedies 244 1855 - In the end - questions about the beginning 245 Of the first 28 years of Thomas’ life - we know nothing 246 1856 - The closing days 247 Thomas and his relationship with his grandsons 247 20. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS MASSEY 249 The Last Will and Testament of Thomas Massey - 10 Feb 1855 249 A time for reflection 249 1856 - The old Order changes - Tasmania is born 250 Launceston around the time of Thomas Massey’s death. 252 Brisbane St. Launceston painted the year Thomas Massey died 253 Launceston Gorge & Punt from a water colour painted in 1860 253 A crossed letter from T. W. Massey, Mount Stewart 1858 254 21. EPILOGUE 255 Irony at its best - “From Convict to Chief Constable”. 256 From Prejudice to Pride! 257 END 257 A snowfall worth remembering - Ellerslie Homestead c1880 258 Appendix 1 - The Trial of Thomas Massey 259 Appendix 2 - The Trial of Ann Simmons 261 Appendix 3 - Massey Land Title Records 267 Thomas Massey and his son Thomas William Massey 267 Interpreting early land grant documentation 267 The evolution of Land Title recording 268 June 1823 - The introduction of printed Land Title Deeds 269 January 1831 - Grants ceased - replaced by purchase 269 1980 - Tasmanian General Law Title changed to Torrens Title 269 Governor Brisbane Grants of 1823 270 Details of individual Grants 271 LSD354-1-3 Page 33 Grant Thomas Massey 150 acs 271 LSD354-1-3 Page 115 Grant Thomas Massey 100 acs 273 LSD354-1-4 Page 171 Grant Thomas Massey Junior 100 acs 275 Land Grant 100 acres Van Diemen's Land. 275 LSD354-1-5 Page 137 Grant Thomas Massey Senior 500 acs 277 LSD354-1-7 Page 245 Grant Thomas William Massey 100 acs 281 LSD354-1-8 Page 185 Grant Thomas Massey 500acs 285 1839 - 700 acres - A question of ownership 289 Map A3/1: Landholdings of Massey, Batman, and C. F. Howard 290 Other Thomas Massey property holdings 291 Map A3/2: Survey Notes - Sheet 28  St .Aubyn - Massey 292 Map A3/3: Survey Notes - Sheet 38  Trefusis & St. Aubyn 293 Appendix 4: Transcripts - J.T.Bigge interviews Thomas Massey 295 C. No. 89. THOMAS MASSEY, Chief Constable at Launceston, 295 29 April 1820 295 Examination of T. Massey re: Case of W Stewart and sloop Fly. 298 C. No. 97. MR. THOS. MASSEY, Launceston, 25 Apl., 1820. 298 Appendix 5: The Will of Thomas Massey 301 Probate of the Will of Thomas Massey of Ellerslie 301 Probate of the Last Will and Testament of Thomas Massey 302 Last Will & Testament of Thomas Massey - Probate copy 303 See this Appendix for transcribed content 303 Appendix 6: The Whyte family and the suicide of Thomas Whyte 307 Appendix 7: John Batman’s Enfeoff Deed 309 REF01: TROVE SEARCH - THOMAS MASSEY 313 REF02: TROVE SEARCH THOMAS WILLIAM MASSEY 1807-1838 373 REF03: TROVE SEARCH T. W. MASSEY FAMILY - POST 1838 411 REF04: NSW Colonial Secretary's Papers1788-1856 417 IMAGE INDEX - Search Thomas Massey 417 IMAGE INDEX Search Ann Simmons (Simmonds) 419 SCANNED IMAGES OF SELECTED DOCUMENTS … 420 REF04:01 - 10 Apr 1802  Particulars of arms in possession of 420 REF04:02 - 7 Apr 1804  Sydney Loyal Association Rules. 421 REF04:04 - 1809 Lease record The Rocks, Sydney 422 REF04:05 - 22 Jan 1810 Letter to Macquarie re Rocks Lease 422 REF04:06 - 29 Jan 1810  Massey restored as Superintendent 423 REF04:07 Jan 1810 Gordon acknowledges Massey reinstatement 424 REF04:08 9 Oct 1810  To receive two cows and six ewes 425 REF04:09 Oct 1810 Sheep Stealing Trial instructions [Transcript] 425 REF04:09 1810 Sheep Stealing Trial instructions to Bent - Image 426 REF04:10 - 3 Nov 1810  Sheep Stealing Trial - Outcome 427 REF04:10 - 3 Nov 1810  Sheep Stealing Trial -  Consequences 428 REF04:11 Nov 1810 Appointed Superintendent of Govt. Stock 429 REF04:12 Superintendent of Government Stock - Gazettes 429 REF04:13-16 From Colonial Sec. Land Register Index 430 REF04:17 On list of names promised grants of land 1812 430 REF04:18 On list of persons holding civil/military employments 431 REF04:19 On list of persons who have had lands measured 432 REF04:20 &21 On list of persons owing quit rents 433 REF04:22 Chief Constable.,  Re whereabouts of C Rumley 434 REF04:23 On list of persons recommended for extra grants 435 REF04:30 Ann Simmons pardon 1810 (listed by ship) 436 REF04:31 Ann Simmons pardon 1810 (Derwent List) 437 Title Page HRA Series III Volume II 1921 438 ‘HISTORICAL RECORDS OF AUSTRALIA’ 439 Confused? - read this 439 Blog of Janine Rizzetti 439 Content On-line but hard to find 441 References 441 HRA Internet Download link as at 2 July 2017 441 Referencing PDF Page numbering 441 The power of PDF search 441 BIBLIOGRAPHY 443 For HRA references, it is useful to read the preceding Notes 443

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