Elizabeth Darke (nee Hastie) England c 1783 - convict woman
My ggg-grandmother was Elizabeth Darke (nee Hastie, born circa 1783 in Barnstaple, Devon, England) who was transported to Sydney on the convict ship Mary on 18 October 1823, along with her illegitimate daughter, also named Elizabeth. Elizabeth senior had apparently been married to a James Baker Darke, born c. 1784 in England, but had left her husband and their children in a workhouse, presumably in London. One of these children was my gg-grandmother, Helen Hastie Darke, born 1806 in London, married to Frederick John Plumridge, and died August 11, 1862 in Australia.
The entry for Elizabeth Darke on the ship's passenger listis barely legible, however her native place is shown as Barnstaple. From what I can make out she was convicted somewhere in Devon on 29 July 1822 and sentenced for 14 years. The record shows her as aged 40,5 ft 1&3/4 inches tall, fresh complexion with brown eyes (couldn'tread the colour of her hair) and occupation given as 'cook' with another word after it that I can't decipher.
I am interested in finding out more about Elizabeth Darke snr's life story, how she came to be convicted, what her fate was after she arrived in Australia, and also that of the illegitimate daughter who accompanied her.I would also be interested in any information on James Baker Darke and where he originated from.
Does anybody know where the nameDark(e) itself originated from? Could it have been given to those of swarthy complexion?
Barbara Clay
Melbourne, Australia