Sarah Griggs Convict in Australia
I wanted to share the story of Sarah Griggs an ancestor of mine who went through many trials and who I look up to for strength and courage as I go through my own difficulties.
Sarah Griggs was born on the 18th December 1772 and christened 24th January 1773 in Dover Kent. It is said that she was arrested for stealing a speckled apron from her employer and convicted in the Sandwich Kent magistrates on 13th October 1778.
Convict On The Neptune Ship
Sarah departed England onboard the Neptune on 19th January 1790 arriving in Botany Bay, Sydney Australia on 27th June 1790. She was then sent directly to Norfolk Island along with a number of other convicts.
Sarah’s Parents were John Griggs and Sarah Bailey. John was born on the 24th January 1739 in Dover Kent and Christened 24th June 1739. He died when Sarah was only 10 years old on 4th May 1783. Sarah Bailey was born in Shadowhirst Kent on the 4th March 1743. Sarah had 4 Sisters who were all born in Dover Kent. The eldest two Catherine and Elizabeth were both christened in 1765. The other two sisters were Anne Griggs born 1770 and Susanna Griggs 1773.
Sarah Griggs Grandparents were John Griggs and Mary Scoates, they both died before Sarah was ever born. John Griggs was born in Dover Kent 1739-1783. Mary Scoates of Dover Kent 1706-1760 Sarah’s Great Grandparents were John Griggs 1676-5 Dec 1761, wife Elizabeth Hixon 1688- 8 Sep 1747. Both from Dover Kent. Also, William Scoates born 1675 st Johns Kent and Elizabeth Newton born 1675 Thanet, Kent.
Sarah had an illegitimate daughter named Sarah Griggs to Lieutenant John Townson on Norfolk Island. This daughter Sarah married a Joseph Wright, son of Joseph Wright, a convict who travelled on the same voyage as Sarah Griggs Senior for stealing a basket of lead.
James Hunt Lucas
Sarah Griggs had two more children to a man named Lieutenant James Hunt Lucas. Her only son was named James Hunt Lucas after his father.The daughter, Mary Anne Griggs born in Australia married a Charles Flutey or Fluerty. Charles was said to be a conman, a drunk, a wife basher amongst other things. Charles was a native of France and had been court marshalled and placed on the Hulk before being transported to Australia with a life sentence.
They had four children in Australia. Charles, Mary, Elizabeth and John Flutey.
John Flutey
John Flutey married Mutu Merehana Puha, from the Ngai Tahu tribe. She was laid to rest in a cave in Greymouth New Zealand after passing away giving birth to her youngest child. Merehana’s parents were Tutemakahu and Hine Te Wai of Ngai Tahu. (I will be writing about Merehana Puha and her family separately in the future).
I am a descendent of Sarah Griggs, whose daughter was Mary Anne Griggs, whose son was John Flutey, Whose son was George Flutey, Whose son was Alfred Flutey, Whose daughter was Doreen Flutey, Whose daughter was Eileen Rae Barlow, Whose daughter was Sharon Bottoms, Whose daughter is me, Angela Milnes.
About Angela Milnes
Angela Milnes is a Qualified Early Years Teacher who has specialised in Preschool and Kindergarten teaching. She has a wealth of experience teaching young children and is passionate about kids crafts and having fun as a family. Angela has also taught cooking skills and loves to share both family recipes and easy instant pot recipes here on The Inspiration Edit. Follow her on Pinterest!
Hi, somehow we are related, I havent got my tree on me, but i am descendant of John and Merehana flutey as well!
Very cool! What Country do you live in? Yes We are related!
Hi half 6th cous, I am a direct descendant of Sarah Griggs/John Townson-Sarah Griggs/Nathaniel Collins-Anne Jane Griggs/Thomas Fleming-George Fleming/Mary Ann Clarke-Frederick Charles Fleming/Sarah Ann Fanny Bird-Leslie Cyril Frederick Fleming/Mabel Jane Clarke-Alan Bonnitcha/Edna June Fleming=me Andrew Bonnitcha.
Great to meet you! Long distant COusin!
Hey there, just came across this post some 5 years later. I am a descendent of Sarah Briggs too….Sarah Griggs and John Townson/Sarah Griggs and Nathanial Collins/Anne-Jane Griggs Collins and Thomas Fleming/Elizabeth Fleming and James Ryan/Ethel Margaret Ryan and William McLennan/Hector McLennan/Ian McLennan/ Me -Nicole
“Griggs, not Briggs
awesome.. 🙂
I am a descendant of john flutey, he had a son George who had a son George Henry who had a son George Frederick who had a daughter Bernice who had a daughter Diane/Me.
Oh thats fabulous. It’s good to hear of family members out there. 🙂 Lovely to hear from you 🙂
Hello Angela we met at the family reunion in Christchurch, I organised the trip to banks peninsular. I am the great grand daughter of George fluerty, grand daughter of his daughter evangeline Ellen fluerty who never married Hugh George Hammond (Ross …. changed to Hammond) and their daughter Florence Evelyn fluerty was my grand mother, and her daughter Barbara was my mother. I have treasured memories & would enjoy a catch up, I live in Aussie now.
Regards from your cousin Lorraine
Lovely to meet you 🙂
Hi, I just finished my Ancestry DNA Test and I was able to track back through my fathers line back to John Flutey and Mutu Merahana. Ancestry.com says unknown father and mother for John Joseph Flutey and I was wondering if anyone could help me. I am from New Zealand
I fit into the line as follows
Mutu Merehana > Mary Ann Flutey > Emma Louise Wright > Louisa Harris > Eileen May Ford > Edna Elizabeth Louise Gwatkin > Darryl Jones > Francine Jones (Me)
John Flutey’s parents were Charles Flutey and Mary Ann Griggs.
Hi Angela, nice work here and I believe we’re related. My name is Marshall Heald and I live in Sydney. My father is Barry Heald, his mother was Mavis Fluerty > Philip Fluerty > William Fluerty > John Fluerty > Mary Lucas > Sarah Griggs. I’m interested in any info you have on Merehana Puha and her family. FYI – I work for SBS TV and commission a range of shows including WDYTYA 🙂
lovely to hear from you. 🙂
It’s amazing to read all this. My daughter descends from John and Merehana Flutey. I have been enjoying the fascinating journey of looking into her family tree
Hi there
This was a great read. I descend from Sarah Griggs and James Hunt Lucas. So good to see so many relatives out there. Last month i finally got to Okains Bay, Banks Peninsula where my 4th great grandparents (John Joseph Fluerty and Merehana Puha) lived. Found a memorial to John and the old house they lived in. I often think of what Sarah Griggs went through as well and was always told the story of her stealing an apron growing up as a kid.
Oh how awesome. Nice to meet you!