This is a lithograph of Rachael Rafferty, daughter of Elizabeth of Old Sydney Town. It seems that it was done on her wedding day in 1816, as the outfit matches the times and the goods sold by Robert Bostock her husband in 1816.

In 1795 during the revolutionary times in Ireland, Elizabeth Rafferty was in Dublin Town. Her native place is not known but she was tried in 1795 for treason (speaking against the government) Her sister Margaret was with her apparently and both were sent to Cork Harbour, where they were placed in an old rotting hulk.

The unseaworthy vessels were placed in Cobh Harbour to house all the prisoners of that day, until a place of imprisonment was found for them. Both girls had received a seven year sentence to some place across the seas. After 18 months or so, bobbing up and down in Cobh (Cork) Harbour. they embarked on the Brittania 2 for Sydney.

Elizabeth was beautiful, it seems, as she accepted a liason with Captain Thomas Dennett during the voyage, which was to save her from the dreadful cruelty suffered by other female convicts. After arriving at Sydney in 1797, Elizabeth gave birth to a son Thomas Dennett Jnr. The captain was sent back to England and tried for the despicable dealings with the convicts and he died in 1800. (His will is in hand). However Elizabeth formed another liason with Captain Robert Rhodes of the whaler 'Alexander" that had travelled much through the south seas, charting coastlines as he sailed. Elizabeth was granted a pardon and by 1800 she gave birth to a daughter Rachael. Elizabeth had possession of the Sydney property 'Vaucluse' through her child born to Dennett. The young Thomas Dennett became a mariner and he sadly died on a visit to his sister Rachael 1822. So young Rachael would have played in the grounds of Vaucluse being 100 acres at that time. This property was held by many after 1812 when it was surrendered by Elizabeth. Wentwoth came into possession c.1826.

Now Elizabeth had become well known to many mariners and she operated as a merchant, selling all kinds of wares, in Old Sydney Town. Her shop was in the Cumberland Street and Gloucester Street region of the Rocks. A replica of her shop at 2 Rocks Row can been seen at Old Sydney Town, Somersby, Gosford.

Robert Bostock RN b.1784 arrived in Sydney c.1814 and his story is on anotherpage. He married Rachael in 1816 and together they lived at 14 Hunter Street Sydney, where he advertised his wares. He was a master mariner, with a deal of experience, so they boarded the vessel 'Harriet' with a young daughter Elizabeth to return to his family (siblings) in Liverpool. Robert & Rachael returned to Hobart with 3 children in 1821. They eventually settled at "Vaucluse" at South Esk River, Epping Forest, Tasmania and had 11 children. Sadly Rachael was to die at the birth of James in 1837. The property "Vaucluse" was about 8,000 acres and remained so until late in 1990's. There is great history in this story, which I am willing to share with anyone interested in this family or the places.

"All things begin with a dream. Gather your dreams and let their spirit guide you"