An annotation on some later correspondence[1] indicates that the Ship’s Surgeon, John Inches, who was responsible for the well-being of the prisoners while they were aboard ship, may have been encouraged by the family to keep a particular eye on Henry’s well-being during the journey.
During the three months following Henry’s conviction—while he was in custody awaiting transportation—the family would have been busy disposing of their real assets so that they too could remove to New South Wales. It must have been a particularly trying time for Henry’s wife Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and the ten children arrived at Sydney aboard The Brothers[2] on 21 December 1833—three days after Henry had arrived. The Brothers was a ship of 356 tons, with Robert Towns,[3] Master, and sailed from London, 28 August 1833, and from Lands End, 3 September 1833.
Among the 28 passengers listed in “cabin” class were: “Mr Joseph Simmons, Merchant; Mrs [Nancy] Simmons [née Cohen]; Mrs Elizabeth Cohen; Miss Sophia Cohen; Miss Ann [sic—Hannah?] Cohen; Miss Caroline Cohen; Master Edward Cohen; Master Samuel Cohen; Master Phillip [sic] Cohen; Master Joseph Cohen; Master Lewis Cohen.” The sixth male and youngest child, William, is not listed. Possibly an about-two-year-old babe-in-arms was not counted. And, if the later recorded birth date is correct,[4] Elizabeth was, at the time of arrival, about six months pregnant with their fifth daughter, Frances.
Among the seven passengers in “steerage” were Martha Lawler and Elizabeth Solomons, both “servants”. Servants to whom? [///check for movement of family to Port Macquarie]
[///“a petition to have him assigned to his son-in-law Joseph Simmons failed about this time”—documentation not yet found!]
Henry’s papers mistakenly indicated that by trade he was a “tailor”, and as such he was initially assigned to the Mounted Police. This information was promptly found to be incorrect and he was returned to the Convict Barracks. On his return he was interviewed by the Principal Superintendent of Convicts, Frederick Augustus Hely, who advised the Colonial Secretary on 8 January 1834:[5]
The
Convict Henry Cohen, Lloyds, who was named in the muster list of the ship as a
Tailor, and as such applicated [sic] to
the mounted police, turns out to have been a Merchant Tailor, and knows nothing
of the trade, and he has been accordingly returned by Capt. Williams to the
Convict B[arracks].
On seeing
this man this morning, and learning somewhat of his history, I find he is one
of that class of convicts called “special” but as my impression on
this subject may be erroneous I forward him herewith for your inspecture [sic] and for the Commands of His Excellency the
Governor, as to his disposal.
This man is
a Jew, and was tried for having stolen Bank notes, and I am informed his family
have brought a large sum to the colony by the Brothers.
The convict type “special”, encompassed those convicts who were considered not to be a threat to, and had skills useful to, the community. This letter is annotated “To be sent to Port Macquarie / 10th January 1834.”
The Colonial Secretary’s Office, under the signature of T. C. Harington,[6] advised the Principal Superintendent of Convicts on 10 January:[7]
