Women

Female Factory

Female convicts on arrival in Port Jackson were sent directly to the Female Factory. Instead of Iron Gangs, troublesome and hardened female prisoners were sent to the Female Factory. Children of convict women either stayed with their mothers or were moved to an orphanage. Young convict girls were also employed in the Female Factory.

Many female convicts did not live in the Factory but were housed nearby and worked there during the day. If a convict was assigned to a settler they resided with the settler, so insome cases female convicts only remained a day or so at the factory.

First Female Factory was built in 1804 at Parramatta. This was initially a single long room with a fireplace at one end for the women to cook on. The womena and girls made rope as well as carding and spinning wool. The accommodation was very basic.

In 1821 a three story barracks and female factory was built. This complex wasmainly used to house women who had committed local offences, convict women with children and convict girls who were unsuitable for work with the settlers. In time, the work done in the female factory became less difficult and needlework and laundry became the main duties.

Marriage

Since the colony wanted to increase in size convicts were encouraged to marry. The Government encouraged marriage between convicts as it was seen as a means of rehabilitation and more desirable than a de facto relationship. Many women were married soon after arrival. While some women had been classified as depraved and prostitues many of the females had been in domestice service who had been transported for stealing. After arrival some of the women had to take up prostitution to survive and the system of selection of servants often meant that the gentry and officers would choose the pretty young convicts.

Selection of a wife.

Any male wanting to marry could apply. Women were linded up at the factory and the man would select his wife by dropping a scarf or handkerchief in front of the woman of choice. If she was agreeable she woul pick it up, the marriage was virtually immediate.

Already Married Women

Quite a few married women were transported with their children and some shipping entries record their husbands' names as well. Divorce was not available to the common person until the late 1800s and was expensive and scandalous. Previously married convicts were permitted to remarry after seven years' separation as long as their spouse was abroad, even if they were still living.