Rose Sparrow: Third Fleet Convict and Landowner

A Third Fleet Convict, Rosamond Sparrow, One of the Few Women Sent to Norfolk Island, A commercial document prepared on behalf of 'Rosmond Sparrow', in anticipation of the sale of 'seven acres and half of Land' for Forty Pounds, to James Paget. The land is described as having been granted 'unto James Kirby, by Gov'r Hunter, Octo'r 18th, 1799. Rosamond (Rose) Sparrow had been sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing, with her mother, sundry articles of linen and drapery goods. Both women arrived in Sydney in 1791 aboard the Mary Ann, as part of the Third Fleet. In 1792 Rose married Joseph Hatton. They separated in 1795 after she stabbed him, apparently in a fit of rage. In October 1799 she was sent to Norfolk Island for stealing clothing from John Archer and she appears to have been there until 1806. In the 1814, 1822, 1825, 1828 musters she was shown as living in the household of James Oliver at Windsor. She was still alive in 1834 as, in that year, she contested Joseph Hatton's right to inherit her former husband's property. James Kirby, a Private with the 5th Plymouth Company, served some time in Sydney after arriving on the 'Alexander' with the First Fleet, before being sent on active duty to Norfolk Island, where he met Rose Sparrow.