The Convict's Daughter: The Scandal that Shocked a Colony

by Kiera Lindsey

One wet autumn evening in 1848, 15-year-old Mary Ann Gill stole out of a bedroom window in her father's Sydney hotel and took a coach to a local racecourse. There she was to elope with James Butler Kinchela, wayward son of the former Attorney-General. Her enraged father pursued them on horseback and fired two pistols at his daughter's suitor, narrowly avoiding killing him. What followed was Australia's most scandalous abduction trial of the era, as well as an extraordinary story of adventure and misadventure, both in Australia and abroad. Through humiliation, heartache, bankruptcy, and betrayal, Mary Ann hung on to James' promise to marry her. This is a compelling biography of a currency lass born when convicts were still working the streets of Sydney. Starting with just a newspaper clipping, historian Kiera Lindsey has uncovered the world of her feisty great, great, great aunt, who lived and loved during a period of dramatic social and political change.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Biography Memoir, Australia

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2016

Reviews

[DeB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Ann Gill had pluck. She was also defiant, which quizzically infuriated her parents.

They had been forced to use their wits to survive against horrendous circumstances, in Ireland, incarcerated and transported to Australia in the 1830’s as had thousands beset by desperation. Twenty years after arriving, the Gills had prospered and worked furiously to acquire a status of respectability in Sydney, as had their peers and held a certain contempt for the privileged gentry, settlers who owned large land parcels and held government positions.

One of those individuals was James Butler Kinchela, Mary Ann's sweetheart. Against the unruly political climate of a stratified colony and the rigid Victorian laws and mores of women as chattel, Mary Ann Gill was a young woman whose self-determination for love was framed by a new country making its own rules for its unique population. James would be tried and found guilty for abduction in a case that never should have seen court. Mary Ann would be forced to testify. But the constant change in an evolving country meant that barriers were breaking, opportunities always were emerging and a clever alternative for these lovers would be found.

The biographical history, The Convict's Daughter, was an unexpected and much-appreciated "find" for me. Australia's history has been vaguely in my consciousness, but nothing has ever been as relatable or interesting as the story of Mary Ann Gill and the new colony of New South Wales in the mid 1800’s. It is also a familiar story, with its parallels of British colonialism, political activism and the trials of uncomprehending settlers pioneering in unwelcoming circumstances throughout the world.

At times I forgot that I was reading a documented history; the people came alive, with the conversations, architecture and fashion picture-perfect to the era. The writing, too, was peppered with historical terminology unique to the times and place: shandygaff, bosky, honey-fall, darg, squireen and more - defined in the Glossary - which added to the sense of being somewhere exotic, time-shifted. (More unique words await - when you read the book!) At the back of the book, illustrations and photographs beckon to walk with their past.

The resilience and determination of Mary Ann, along with her inimitable lover and relatives, gave me added appreciation for the ancestors of those who settled Australia, some of whom are dear globe-trotting friends. Kiera Lindsey's book is a step back in time, a fetching portrait of unconventional love and a terrific, robust celebration of the pioneering Australian character. Highly recommended to history, biography and historical fiction lovers.

✪✪✪✪ Strong stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Trafalgar Publishing for the advance reviewer copy, for which I have provided an unbiased review.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Convict's Daughter" is a clever and appealing blend of fact and fiction. The story, meticulously researched, takes place in Sydney in the 1840s and focusses on young Mary Ann Gill's attempts to break from the constraints of her controlling father and follow her dreams of finding love and experiencing the world outside her family unit. This book provides a fascinating view of early Sydney during a time of political and social change, placing events within a global context. Written by an historian, this book makes good use of primary and secondary sources, styled in a very readable and novel-like fashion. Well worth reading.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this compelling biography of the the author's great, great, great aunt. Set in Sydney in 1848, it is the story of the most scandalous abduction trial of the era, as well as a story of adventure throughout Australia and abroad. The author shows that women were a vibrant part of the colonial world and often exercised strong influence and courage. It is a fascinating look at this period in history. Couldn't put it down.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Trafalgar Square Publishing and netgalley for this ARC.

History of Australia is woven into the book along with the travels of Mary Ann. So much control and social change happened in the short period in the book. It's interesting to see it thru a family member's view.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Ann Gill takes a fancy to a gentleman staying in her father's hotel in 19th century Australia. When he promises to marry her, she elopes with him by climbing out of her bedroom window. Her father pursues, shoots at her intended then has him imprisoned for abduction. This is a fascinating look at society in a burgeoning colony as Australia begins to move away from its penal connections.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One rainy evening, 15-year-old Mary Ann Gill climbs out her bedroom window and runs off to marry the man she loves. Her father follows, firing his pistols at her beau, James Butler Kinchela, and narrowly avoids killing him. Two trials follow, one for attempted murder and one for abduction.

The Convict's Daughter: The Scandal that Shocked a Colony is a reconstructed history of Mary Ann Gill, James Butler Kinchela and Martin Gill. Reconstruction has certain connotations in studies of history. It builds up a workable and (mostly) complete narrative or object, but how much it accurately represents original events, objects and individuals can never be known.

Kiera Lindsay is open about using fictionalised elements – what she calls "imaginative incursions" – to enhance the history she is retelling. There are chapter notes that briefly explain exactly what is fictionalised and what is sourced.

I don't really know how to feel about this book. Lindsay has created an absolute ripper of a yarn, engaging from the first page, and there's plenty of colour and interest. I really did enjoy reading. But as I devoured every page, I kept hearing a voice in the back of my head that kept saying things like, "how can this possibly be known", and pondering just what Lindsay's sources at for certain events before checking the back of the book and discovering these events and conversations had been completely invented.

It was enough to make me wonder whether a completely fictionalised version of Mary Ann's story would have worked better, or at least been more suited to my tastes.

That said, Lindsay has done prodigious research and I can imagine that a scarcity of detail made her turn to "imaginative incursions" to pad out the tale. As I said, the book is engaging and that is largely due to the narrative Lindsay reconstructed and constructed and her terrific skill with words.

In the end, the enjoyment I got out of The Convict's Daughter was far greater than that pesky voice worrying about historical accuracy. A vastly enjoyable read.

[Narelle Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book based on a historical character failed to deliver the promised story. While I found the early writing from Mary Anne's perspective engaging, the continual swapping to multiple other characters' perspectives was far from seamless and left me somewhat frustrated. This book could easily lose 200 pages. Finally, the swapping of the narrative from first to third person in the final chapters left me racing to the end so I could put this interesting but not engaging book away.

[Jean Nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are interested in what was going on in Sydney in the 1830-1850s then this book will interest you. It is the story of an emancipist's daughter who became the scandal of Sydney. mostly based on fact but with a lot of research well done. It is written mainly in the style of a family history story but in more depth. It tells of the early p[olitical life of Sir Henry Parkes

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fictionalized account of a true story is set in Sydney in the 1840s. The main character, Mary Ann Gill, was the daughter of a convict made good and is based on the author's ancestor. Mary Ann was seduced and abducted by James Kinchela, son of the former NSW Attorney-General. Her enraged father pursued them on horseback and fired at his daughter's suitor, narrowly avoiding killing him. These events lead to a famously salacious abduction trial which dominated media and gossip for weeks. The author's detailed research is evident in the broader story but also the finer details of things such as food and women's clothing. I read this as part of a U3A course in which we looked at fiction based on true stories and was fortunate to hear the author discuss issues raised by what she called ‘speculative biography’, in particular the author's obligation to the character's family, archival sources and the reader.

[Viti · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rich tapestry this writer has woven about life and times in Australia in the 1800s.

Based on actual people and around historical events, the reader is given a wonderful insight into Australian society post convict placements in the penal colony; the rise of Sydney, and the social hierarchy that made up the moral fabric of the day.

The book also encapsulates the fragility, expectations, strength and endurance of women in a harsh time.


The only downer for me was the length of time it took to complete reading the novel because "real life" intervened - I would most definitely read this book again.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The interesting account of a convict's daughter in Sydney and the way an attempted elopement changed her life. The book gives a good overview of life in nineteenth-century Australia. Although this story is presented as non-fiction, Lindsey admits that she took the liberty of creating many of the conversations and events, and I was disappointed to find out at the end just how much was fictionalized.

[Michael Werner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, but too much melodrama. I was expecting more of a historical account than a soap opera, with all the exaggerated conversations and physical displays that go along with it, nearly all of which had to be made up by the author.

[Ashwani Gaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice!!!

[Manda Da · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love historical stories

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read!

[Nancy Knudsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Caught between novel and biography... not quite either

[Tim Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story, but poorly written - the narrative jumps around a lot and is poorly edited. Here’s a hint to editors - it’s not hard to ensure words are spelled correctly.

[Marianne Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the amount of history that was found to write this true account of this girl in 1848 in Sydney. What an amazing journey she had and great that it is documented in one story.

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the history mingled with the Fiction. Explanation at the end explaining the story and truth.
So special especially the research for Kiera Lindsey and family.

[St Stephen's C C]

A dramatic and fast-paced biography of a currency lass born to convicts who gained their freedom and then their fortune in 1840s Sydney. At the age of 15 Mary Ann Gill slipped out her bedroom window to elope with a gentleman settler, but when her father discovered his daughter's disappearance he pursued the couple and fired two pistols at his daughter's suitor, unleashing a national scandal.

One wet autumn evening in 1848, fifteen-year-old Mary Ann Gill stole out of a bedroom window in her father's Sydney hotel and took a coach to a local racecourse. There she was to elope with James Butler Kinchela, wayward son of the former Attorney-General. Her enraged father pursued them on horseback and fired two pistols at his daughter's suitor, narrowly avoiding killing him.

What followed was Australia's most scandalous abduction trial of the era, as well as an extraordinary story of adventure and misadventure, both in Australia and abroad. Through humiliation, heartache, bankruptcy and betrayal, Mary Ann hung on to James' promise to marry her.

This is a compelling biography of a currency lass born when convicts were still working the streets of Sydney. Starting with just a newspaper clipping, historian Kiera Lindsey has uncovered the world of her feisty great, great, great aunt, who lived and loved during a period of dramatic social and political change.

[Marisa Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Kiera Lindsey. A really interesting take on an important period in Australia (particularly NSW) history. Focusing on a specific angle, especially a love story, grabs the reader's attention but allows you to weave through the history most cleverly. I enjoyed the 'in the moment' writing that has obviously been carefully researched. I am a debut author of Goodbye To Italia - a timid Italian girl; a young soldier; a love story. It's my mum and dad's story and I was delighted to find someone who enjoys writing in that style of telling the story as it happened. www.marisaparkerauthor.com

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Convict's Daughter. Kiera Lindsey did a great job of starting with one old family newspaper cutting to create a fully researched and engaging story. This is my chosen genre to write in, a combination of historical fact made readable by breathing life into the characters via creative interaction. That is, imaging what they might have said and done based on historical research and an empathy for the human condition.
I really enjoyed the central characters must must admit that I found the use of the more public figures (politicians/lawyers) to expand on what was happening in the colony slightly over done. I think it is dangerous to venture too far from the main plot for more than a couple of hundred words. Lindsey really pushed this to the limit a few times. That's my only criticism. All in all it was a very enjoyable read about an interesting time in Australian colonial history

[Kate Jessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kiera Lindsey has gathered the limited facts of the real life story of her ancestor, Mary Ann Gill, and weaved these into a beautifully written story that captures the political and cultural issues that a young woman, and the general public, faced in the young colony of New South Wales. If you want to know more about what life was like for colonists, especially for the children of convicts and for women, this is the book to read.

This isn’t just a list of facts, but a story that will immerse you and open your eyes to some of the details that are often overlooked in the recounting of early colonial Australia. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially as a descendant of two male and two female convicts. I have often wondered what life was like for them. This is a book I will read again.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rigorously researched account of a fascinating life. Starting with a brief newspaper clipping, the author has managed to add colour and detail to the life of a young woman in 19th century Australia, while also providing insights into key historical events.

I did find, however, that the fictionalised elements of the story were written in a rather sensational style which I didn't enjoy. I felt there were too many of what the author describes as 'imaginative incursions', and preferred the style of the last three chapters, which still includes interesting speculation but without presenting imagined encounters or emotions. I did appreciate the author's notes detailing the basis for each chapter, including which aspects were imagined.

[Ian Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful melding of historical fact with great story telling. By putting flesh on the bones of the past, the author’s brought people vividly back to life.

[Toni Kely-Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story of a 15 year old girl who tried to "elope" in Sydney in the 1840's and the sensational trial that followed when the girl's father took the man to court for kidnapping. It's a story of old Sydney Town trying to establish itself as a respectable place and distancing itself from its convict past. I found the history itself fascinating and whilst it was obviously well researched it was written in novel form. I find this crossover hard because its purporting to be factual but then includes "conversations" and thoughts or feelings which cannot be known by the author. I really enjoyed the last few chapters and wish the entire book had been written in that style, and then I would have loved it.

[Sal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Interesting to read about events in the early to mid-1800s in Sydney, via the story of Mary Ann and her family, with some fictional embellishments. I had not read any historical fiction regarding Australia during that time period - the immediate post-convict era, and the genesis of a political push towards self-government.