The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress

In The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress, Sue Williams has written another work of historical fiction set in the early days of the new Colony of New South Wales. Philip Gidley King initially sailed with the First Fleet to the new colony at Sydney Harbour but was then sent with a small party of convicts to establish another settlement at Norfolk Island.

This novel deals with his relationship with Ann Inett, one of the female convicts also sent to Norfolk Island. Ann becomes Gidley King's housekeeper and eventually his mistress. They have two sons. Then Gidley King returns to England to provide a report about the new colony to officials. Before returning to New South Wales, with a promotion, he marries Anna Josepha Coombe who returns to the colony with him. 

The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress describes the relationship that develops between the two women and their families and their life in the colony. It is an account of the early years of colonial life in New South Wales, especially the tensions developing between the Governor and his supporters and the Military. 

Of Angles and Eagles

In Of Angels and Eagles L F McDermott has written a historical fiction novel about the possible lives of four of her ancestors who arrived as convicts in the early days of the first settlement at Norfolk Island. From 1788 to 1807 a settlement of convicts and farmers was established on the island until the decision was made to close the settlement and relocate those living on the island back to Port Jackson or to Van Diemens Land.

As I have 4 x great grandparents who lived on Norfolk Island from 1790-1805 before resettling at Hobart Town, I was interested to read the author's imagining of the lives of her ancestors in a similar situation.

This novel is the first book in the Garth Trilogy.