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Archiver > AUS-NSW-SE > 2003-07 > 1057215159


From: "Ray" <>
Subject: Re: Stewart & "clearing party"
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 16:52:39 +1000
References: <03e701c34041$03b2fea0$010aa8c0@wade>


Hello Wade.
You asked below, what a clearing party did.

A clearing party was comprised of "government servants" -- i.e.: convicts,
who at certain times of the year, were taken from their normal government
duties (such as working in Road Gangs etc), and placed for a short period of
time with a large landowner, to do certain work for that owner -- such as
harvesting, etc.

The work required of clearing parties was to clear the land of the native
growth of timber etc., to make it suitable to cultivate the land for the
production of imported plants to feed or otherwise use for white humans'
purposes, or that of their imported animals etc. By this I mean to clear the
land to grow food, wheat, barley, etc.; or as grazing land for sheep,
cattle, horses, etc.

I was just going to refer you to Manning Clark's "History of Australia" for
more information -- but on checking the index there -- guess what? ---
there was not any reference to "convict" !! What a flaw!

Nor can I find details in the index to the Australian Encyclopaedia.

You will probably find details in an information leaflet from the NSW State
Records people, about convicts or convict assignments etc. -- they are
available on-line at State Records' web-site.

Also check out the indexes to some of the books which specialised in
convicts, such as those by: A.G.L. SHAW, Lloyd L. ROBSON, John HIRST (I hope
that this is the correct spelling), ?? NICHOLSON. I don't have their exact
book titles in my head, but I am sure that your local friendly librarian can
search under those surnames, and for titles which include "convict" or
"convicts" in their names; and you should have a minefield of information.
University libraries should also have copies available for you to read and
photocopy immediately. (Some guesses are: "Convicts and the Colonies",
"Convict Society and its Enemies"). Even try a Google search with just one
of the above author surnames, plus "convict", and you will probably find the
full details.

If you are anywhere near the Mitchell Library in Sydney, I am sure that
their card index would have references to clearing parties. Similarly,
check whatever indexes they currently have available to the Sydney Gazette,
for mention of clearing parties.

My suspicion is that your fellow will have been in a Road Gang, so if you
check at most local libraries in the Genealogical Record Kit (GRK), there
might be an index on the "Assignment of Convicts" microfilm reel. (Just
guessing here of course).

I feel confident that if you check the publications of the AGCI -- I know
that the genealogy section of the NSW State Library here in Sydney holds
them -- looking under the names separately of your convict, and also of Dr
WELLS -- you will probably find some good leads.

Additionally, the Society of Genealogists in NSW last year published the
various early Convict Musters. There is one for around 1821 which might show
your guy (as long as he had arrived here before the Muster was taken). I
cannot recall off-hand the subsequent Muster years -- but check for them.
And of course the 1828 Census should show him, his family, etc.; and you
could also check up in that on Dr WELLS.

Apologies to all that this has rambled on for so long, as well as for the
fact that it is so vague; but I do hope that it helps you in your research.
Regards: ray in sydney


----- Original Message -----
From: "Wade Cox" <>

> Was this Alexander Stewart once in Braidwood?

> James Pender came out in 1821. He was on Dr West's Clearing party in
1822. Does anyone know of the tasks of the clearing party from 1822? (He was
16 when he stole 6 pence worth of bread, beef and mutton for food and got
seven years transportation. He never did that again.) ........ Any ideas
anyone? Who were the relatives?

> Wade Cox



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