 Families of Dunn & Aspery 1792 - 1913 Compiled by Cecily Ryan 7th October 1984
The history of the Aspery family in Australia begins with the transportation to NSW of Eleanor Dunn's parents, James Dunn and Catherine Barry. Nothing is known of their lives prior to their arrival in the colony, nor the reasons for their convictions. A study of the sentences given by the courts at the time, suggests that a term of seven years was given for theft or larceny of a minor nature. As was the case with most female convicts, Catherine Barry's name appeared on the ships indent and early musters only. Although she lived until 1846, and died in the Hawkesbury district, she was not known or remembered by her grandchildren, for when the information for her daughters death certificate was furnished, Eleanor's father was stated to have been James Dunn, but the name of her mother was 'not known'. Yet it was this couple who together farmed the original grant, whose dwelling was tragically destroyed, and who rebuilt a house that was still standing in 1935. The incidents concerning the lives of Thomas and Eleanor have been presented from the facts which have emerged from documents, without change or apology, at the same time acknowledging the fact that being convict, and child of convicts, they lived in a penal colony, whose existing laws would not have been framed for their wellbeing. They survived as had the previous generation, with little respect for convention or the law, and in so doing, they laid the foundations of an established family unit. The name Aspery (variations) have been written as spelt on the appropriate documents. 14 May 1792 The arrival at Port Jackson of Irishman James Dunn on the 'Royal Admiral'. He was 20 years old, and had been sentenced to 'Capital Respite', commuted to seven years, at the Surrey Assises. He was kept at the 'Stanislaus Hulk' at Woolwich awaiting transportation. 17th September 1793 Catherine Barry was one of the 50 women convicts transported on the 'Sugar Cane' from Cork, Ireland. She was aged 30, and had been sentenced to seven years. 25th September 1795 The baptism of Catherine Dunn, child of James Dunn and Catherine Barry, was recorded in the register of St. Phillips Church. Circa 1799 Birth of a son. His name and baptism were not recorded. (See 1806) Circa 1801 As Eleanor was stated to be 27 years old in the Census of 1828, this would have been her year of birth. However there is no official record of this event. 27th April 1803 A grant of land of 60 acres was given to James Dunn, by Governor King, at Mulgrave Place, now shown on the Parish Map as Portion 48, Parish of Cornelia, Sackville of Portland Head. The annual rent was 2/6 after five years. 12th May 1803 Patrick Byrne, who later married Eleanor Dunn, arrived in the colony by the ship 'Rolla', from Cork, having been transported for seven years. 28th January 1805 James Dunn's name appeared in the Sydney Gazette among 36 settlers who were in financial difficulties. The Provost Marshall gave notice of a sale of effects, if payment was not made before this date. 7th July 1805 A further notice appeared, regarding a sale by the Provost Marshall, of James Dunn's effects, which included a quantity of grain, pigs, and goats, the payment for which would only be accepted in 'true coins or bills'. 14th September 1806 The 'Sydney Gazette' published an account of the death of a girl aged 10, and a boy aged 7, the children of James Dunn of Portland Head. The cause of the trgedy was the felling of a tree on their hut. James accused his convict servant, Richard Morgan, of deliberately causing the accident in which his wife was also severely maimed. A bench of Magistrates found Morgan guilty, and sentenced him to 500 lashes. Circa 1806 According to the 1828 census, this would have been the year of the birth of Frances Dunn, Eleanor's sister. Circa 1807 James Dunn's name appeared among 244 people who signed an address of allegiance to Governor Bligh. "We subscribe to this address, the loyal people, settlers, landholders, cultivators, and other principle inhabitants of Hawkesbury and parts adjacent". April 1809 According to the Hawkesbury District Storekeepers Return, James Dunn paid wheat into His Majesty's stores. 8th October 1810 James Dunn was listed on this day as having been granted a free pardon. Circa 1810 This was the approximate year of the rebuilding of James Dunn's house. The house consisted of two rooms, (sandstone blocks at least one foot thick), the kitchen separated from the house by a space at least 2.5 meters, it was of slab timber construction, consisting of one main room, with two small divisions at one end to serve as store rooms, it was lined with loose hession and calico hanging down, to limit the wind blowing through the gaps in the timber. (Description and photograph taken in 1935, courtesy of Wal and Madeline Aspery. 1811 James Dunn and Catherine were listed in the Muster of 1811. 19th July 1814 The 'Sydney Gazette' stated' The undermentioned persons, having made application to supply fresh meat to His Majesty's Stores... James Dunn, of Portland Head, 200 lbs by 3rd September, 1814. 19th August 1815 James Dunn again tendered to supply meat to His Majesty's Stores. 24th June1815 A notice appeared in the paper advising that a letter per the ship 'Northampton' for James Dunn was awaiting collection in Sydney. 5th August 1816 Eleanor Dunn aged 15 married Patrick Byrne aged 33 at Wilberforce. The witnesses were Humphrey Taylor, James Dunn and Robert Mashita. 16th November 1816 As a result of the 1816 muster, James Dunn and Patrick Byrne were given notice to obtain official certificates of freedom within 6 months of this date. November 1816 The name of James Dunn appeared on a subscription list for the 'Waterloo Widows Appeal', showing a donation of 9/-. 1817 The 1828 Census lists the name of James Byrne age 11 in a family grouping with Eleanor Byrne of Portland Head. James was the child of Patrick and Eleanor, and would have been born in 1817. 27 August 1817 Thomas Astbury was convicted at the Lancaster Assises for larceny, and was sentenced to seven years transportation. He was described as a boatman, age 19, 5 feet four inches tall, with fair complexion, brown hair, and hazel eyes. 13th June 1818 The following notice appeared in the 'Sydney Gazette' "I hereby caution the public, not to credit my wife Eleanor Byrne, otherwise Dun as I am determined not to pay any debts she may contract. Pat Byrne" 14th September 1818 The arrival in NSW of the convict ship 'Glory'. The ships indent list Thomas Astbury and Michael Naphthali. 22nd September 1818 A letter was forwarded to the Windsor Magistrate assigning prisoners to settlers in the area. Michael Naphthali and Thomas Astbury were numbered 103 and 104 on the list taken from convict ships 'Glory' and 'Isabella'. 21st September 1821 The records of St Phillips Church register show this is the birthday of Henry Dunn. He was baptised 2nd March 1822, and his parents were recorded as Thomas Astbury and Eleanor Byrne. 17th December 1821 Frances Dunn, daughter of James and Catherine , married Michael Naphthali. 1822 According to 'Valerie Ross' in 'A Hawkesbury Story', James Dunn sold 30 acres of Smiths Farm to Michael Naphthali. 1st May 1822 Thomas Astbury was arrested on charges of pig stealing. He was sentenced to serve the remainder of his seven years at Port Macquarie, and was transported there under the name of Thomas Astberry on the 'Lady Nelson' on the 15th May. 1822 Birth of Mary Anne Asperry, daughter of Eleanor and Thomas. 22nd October 1824 Certificate of freedom was granted to Thomas Astbury. The certificate number was 52/2877. 1825 Two soldiers, Sudds and Thompson were arrested for stealing from the store owned by Michael Naphthali in Sydney. As this was a common practice carried out by troops in order to gain a discharge from the Army, Governor Darling decided to make an example of them. The death of one of them caused a furore in the colony, and led to representations for the recall of the Governor. 1826 Birth of Thomas Aspery, son of Thomas and Eleanor. 16th January 1828 Eleanor was charged with stealing turkeys from Thomas Chasling. The Magistrate ruled in favour of Eleanor, on the evidence of her assigned servant, Patrick Geary, that he had not counted the turkeys in her yard. The Sydney Gazette reporter stated that Turkey was not a popular dish at Portland Head, except for a Christening. 1828 Birth of Frances Aspery, daughter of Thomas and Eleanor. 5th October 1828 The following account is not quite history, as the surname was not given... A report appeared in the paper regarding the proceedings at the Windsor Court, concerning Thomas and Ellen, man and wife, who were charged with drinking to excess. The Magistrate gave them a warning. But on leaving, Ellen was heard to utter 'something contemptuous'. On being recalled, she made an acceptable excuse. Now her husband could speak in safety, for the wife dared not to retaliate, and he muttered something inaudible, but which had a powerful effect on the temper of the female, and showed that he had gained a victory for once without a blow. 'Go mind your house'. A very lenient punishment indeed! 1828 unfinished...
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