Anthony ROPE

Anthony was baptised on 1st August 1755, at St Marys , Norton Subcourse, Norfolk, England .

He was illiterate and a labourer.

Tried at Chelmsford on 10 March 1785 he was found guilty of stealing clothing and coin to the value of 35 shillings from Robert Gosling and Robert Bradley; he was sentenced to transportation for 7 years. Anthony came to Australia in the First Fleet, he was on the Alexander.

 

Elizabeth PULLEY

Elizabeth was born in Norfolk, England about 1761.

Elizabeth was charged several times for theft during her teenage years. In March 1783 she was tried at Thetford Assizes and convicted of stealing a large quantity of food and material (worsted) from the shop of Mrs Elizabeth Minns of Hethersett; she was sentenced to death by hanging. This was reprieved and Elizabeth was later transported.

Elizabeth came to Australia in the First Fleet, she was on the Friendship along with many other female convicts. When the Fleet reached Cape Town (South Africa), she was transferred to the Prince of Wales ship with other female convicts, to make way for animals and other supplies.

 

ROPE and PULLEY - Farmers

The First Fleet set sail on 13th May 1787, it took approximately 8 months to reach the east coast of Australia.

Anthony and Elizabeth met on the first night that the women of the Fleet set down at Sydney Cove on 6th February 1788.

They were married on 19th May 1788. Their son Robert is reported to be the first child conceived and born in the settlement.

Anthony was given a grant of land in what is now part of Dundas, this had to be sold to repay debt. The family then moved to Tumbledown Barn at what is now Riverstone, then to a farm called Jordan Hill in what is now Llandilo, on the left bank of South Creek. The new suburb "Ropes Crossing" has been named after him as it lies near where the family farmed at Jordan Hill.

Together they had 8 children. The stories of these children have been included on the pages of this site. Click on a name on the 2nd line of the navigation bar at the top, and you will be taken to the page showing that child's family tree and contact names for the database co-ordinators. Note that Elizabeth and William did not produce any children.

Anthony and Elizabeth are buried with family members and friends in Castlereagh Anglican Cemetery.