James Scott, Sergeant of Marines, travelled to NSW on the First Fleet aboard ‘Prince of Wales’, accompanied by his wife Jane Boxell. His daughter Elizabeth was born on the voyage out and his son William Boxell was born in Sydney in 1790. James Scott married Jane in 1796 at Portsea.
During the voyage, and intermittently during their stay in New South Wales,
James kept a diary. This journal is now in the Dixon Library in Sydney as part
of the Sir William Dixon Bequest. It is believed to have come from the estate
of a Miss Russell, a granddaughter of John Russell, a First Fleet marine.
Nothing is known of the connection between John Russell and James Scott.
The journal is written in a tall notebook measuring 32 cm. by 20.5 cm, the soft
cardboard covers are much worn and rubbed, but it is now protected in the
library by a chamois lined morocco folder in a dark morocco case, tooled in
gold. The handwriting is large and looks clear and Scott expresses himself
simply. However his bad spelling and many alterations have made it difficult to
transcribe some parts. Each page has a heading and there is a wide ruled margin
in which are written the dates of entry.
It is marvellous to have this record and also the diary of Private Easty of the
Marines as it highlights what interested ‘the men’ as distinct from the
officers. Like soldiers at all times they were interested in their own daily
lives, in promotions and punishments, in food and grog and women.
Not very much is known about Scott. The baptisms of the two children are
recorded in the Registers of St. Phillips Church and James Scott is mentioned as
a witness to several civil court cases in the Minutes and Proceedings etc. of
the Bench of Magistrates of the County of Cumberland.
One case involved Scott and his wife Jane when a soldier’s wife, Martha Davis is charged with ‘scandalously abusing James Scott, a Serjt. of Marines, & Jane Scott his wife, on Friday night the instant.’ The case was heard on 23rd April 1791, in her defence Martha Davis accused Jane Scott of having ‘thrown out Suspicions and Surmises of her conduct’, suggesting that she had been gossiping, with or without foundation we do not know.
The Scott family boarded the ‘Gorgon’ transport on 31st October 1791 to return to England and all were discharged at Spithead on 21st June 1792. James Scott died at Portsmouth early in 1796 after serving as a squad sergeant.
A FIRST FLEET JOURNAL By JAMES SCOTT
Sergeant of Marines
May l4
"The Hyena Frigate Towed the Charlotte Transport into the Fleet. As she was a
great way to Stern.
All the Fleet in sight with Little Wind. But Fare down Channel."
Sunday 20th
"Fare Weather With a fresh Brees At West Same Day at PM the Hyena Friget parted
The Fleet & returned to England, & our Capt.
Was Ord.rd. to Send One Mrs. Holt. A Midshipman Wife belonging to the Sirius On
Board the Hyena for a passage to England —
The Commodore Ord.d. 2 Male Convicts from the Scarbro, Transpt. On Bd. The Price
of Wales as the was the Ring leaders of a Number that intended to Rise and take
the Ship."
August 29th (At Rio Janierio)
"Wednesday My wife was delivered of a Daughter at one Oclock PM. After being ill
27 hours."
Sept. 3rd Monday
"At Two Oclock PM. The Commadore Made the Signel for No Boats to Go on Shore, And
to Onn Moore Ship."
December 1St
"The Reverend Mr Johnston Came On Board & Chrisned, My Child."
December,1st
"Saturday A marine's wife (Harmsworth) Was delivered of a boy. At Half past 3
O'Clock. A.M."
Tuesday 25th
"Being Christmas Day, Latd. 42 deg 16’ Longd. 105 deg 00’ East, Wind Fair,
Weather Heasey, dinned off a pice of pork & apple Sauce a pice of Beef & plum
pudding, and Crowned the Day With 4 Bottels of Rum, Which Was the Best. Wee
Vitr’ens Could Afford."
January
Saturday 26th
"At, AM. The fleet. Got on their way. Came to Ankor at half past 6 Oclock
In Port Jackson Close to the New town Which was Crisned this Day & 4 Vollies Of
Small Arms. Fired."
September
Monday 25th
"Recv’d a Letter from Friend Mooney. & a Box Containing 1 Loaf of Sugr. 2 lb. Tea
2 pr. Shoes for Self, 2 pr. For. Wife 2 Quires paper half Hundrd. Quills 1 paper
of Ink powder. & a Frock for Betsy."
November
Sunday 18th
"The Gorgon Saild. With a fair Wind."
March
17th to 19th
"Wee also recd. On Bd. Capt. Edwards. Of the R. Navy, & Two Mateshipmen, who was
cast Away in His M. Ship Pandora Who was in quest of the Bounty A pirates ship
........ Was also Aprehended.
The Convicts. That made. Their Escape In an open Boat, from New So. Wales, on
the 29th Mar. 1791. —four, men Convicts, one Woman & child. We have. Know on Bd.
Prisoners, Cox Made his escape from A Duch Ship At timor, Bryan, Bird, Morton, &
one child. Died before The. Arrived \at the. Cape of Good Hope."
Sunday
6th May
"Departed. This life. Charlotte Bryan Daughter. Of Mary Bryan. Convict. —
Sick list 56."