Port Arthur, Point Puer and the Wesleyans

From 1824 the Calvinistic Lt Gov George Arthur attempted to reform the  convict-centred culture, introducing a nine tiered system of graduated reformation. Architect /engineer John Lee Archer over-saw a wide ranging building  program , with churches and schools established  in rural Van Diemen’s Land. Arthur introduced a system of nine police districts to control the  unruly community, which became the  basis for later municipal government. In conjunction with these he established a convict record system to manage his charges – which has become a boon to historians and genealogists.

The  British HO was persuaded by George Arthur that the task work system was abolished; in fact it was alive  and well at pre-Port Arthur sawing stations.

Government Sawing Establishments of Van Diemen’s Land, 1817-1832

In 1830, Port Arthur Penal Settlement established  on Tasman Peninsula replaced the two remote stations- and abolished finally the  task work system – only to see a drop in production.

Religion at Port Arthur

As frontier clergy, the Wesleyans attempted to ameliorate the  violence of the  prison stations. From working class backgrounds like many  of the  prisoners , the  Wesleyans were resented by the  established Anglican church which from 1840 began evicting the Wesleyans’ from their “domain” on the Tasman Peninsula. By the end of 1843, the last of the Wesleyans were gone.

The Wesleyans of Port Arthur 

Creative Port Arthur

Henry Laing, Convict architect

* Colonial Gardens of Port Arthur

Convict Artists

Convict Musicians and Entertainers

* A Fiddler & a Juggler & Mrs Champ (playscript)

Port Arthur

* A Schoolboy Tourist at Port Arthur

An Historical Survey of the Port Arthur Garrison and Military Barracks

Eagle Hawk Neck – Prison or Pleasure?

Port Arthur Visitors Centre Interpretation, Carnarvon Era Proposal:

* Convict Health & Diet at Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula

Excursion to the Coal Mines on Tasman Peninsula 1985

Point Puer

* The Point Puer lads: a reappraisal with the aid of a computer.

** The Point Puer lads database

** The Point Puer Lads: Tried and Transported

** The Empire’s first stolen generation: the first intake at Point Puer 1834-39:

Point Puer. Series of two parts-: Part 1: Teenage convict ancestors, tracking down a Point Puer ancestor from Tasmania. Part 2: Point Puer ‘ new’ historical document discovered:

** ‘Fruits of an Evil System’ – Some Notable Failures of the Pt Puer Juvenile Prison, Port Arthur, Tasmania.

Branded – A Point Puer Story (a play)

Pt Puer Conservation Study: Peter MacFie Background Notes

** Convict Health & Diet at Port Arthur & Tasman Peninsula

** Point Puer Bench Books

Tasman Peninsula post-convict era

**  Changes and continuations: the post-penal settlement of Tasman Peninsula 1877-1914

Before and After Sunday Afternoon – Reflections on the Port Arthur Massacre