Lot 3913

Description

Great Britain, halfpenny (?), both sides shaved, on one side is engraved, 'Ann/Wright/1786', and on the other side is engraved a female with hat walking left holding a posy and with flowers in front and behind. Good very fine.

Ann Wright, a servant, was tried at the Old Bailey in London on 26 May 1784 for stealing clothing, medals and coins. The court was told, 'the devil was very busy in her, she was in liquor'. She was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years transportation to America. Due to the American Revolutionary War, Ann's destination for transportation was altered at the February Sessions of Middlesex in 1785 to Africa. However, this destination was decided to be not satisfactory so it was decided to send her to Botany Bay with the first fleet due to depart from Portsmouth, England on the Lady Penrhyn on 13 May 1787.

Many of the female convicts from Newgate, the main London prison, were sent to the Lady Penrhyn in January 1787 with Ann being transferred on 6 January. The ship then sailed to Motherbank, Isle of Wight arriving on 10 February. Heavy weather delayed the fleet assembling and it was a further two months before the fleet was ready to depart. During this waiting period there was fever on board the Lady Penrhyn and its only victim was Ann Wright at age 33. The Captain's log recorded as follows, 'Wednesday 4th April 1787 Winds variable. Departed this life Ann Wright, convict. Committed the body to the deep with the usual Ceremony.' Subsequently the first fleet departed on 13 May 1787.

There is no provenance accompanying this token other than one of the coins that she was accused of stealing was an engraved halfpenny. During her time in Newgate Prison, which includes time in the year 1786, it is quite feasible that she could have had a similar piece produced and given to a loved one prior to her transfer in early January 1787.

See article in The Australiana Society, Australiana magazine, Vol 28 No 1, February 2006, 'Ann Wright 1786' - a love token? by Les Carlisle.