Book cover of A Cargo of Women: Susannah Watson and the Convicts of the Princess Royal

Book description

Intrigued to discover a convict ancestor in her family tree, Babette Smith decided to investigate her life and the lives of the 99 women who were transported with her on the ship Princess Royal in 1829.Piece by piece she reveals the story of her ancestor the indomitable Susannah Watson who,…

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Why read it?

1 author picked A Cargo of Women as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about the various fates of a shipload full of convict women who at the time were barely more than chattels of men. Susannah Watson was one of many women who stole in England to feed her starving children and found herself transported for 14 years (which in reality became a lifetime). These survivor women were inspiring and resilient in a pioneering time.

From Samantha's list on Australian women in history.

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