Esther : the extraordinary true story of the First Fleet girl who became first lady of the colony
North, Jessica, 1956-2019
eMagazine
The little-known rags to riches love story of a convict girl who arrived in Australia on the First Fleet. Esther only just escaped the hangman in London. Aged 16, she stood trial at the Old Bailey for stealing 24 yards of black silk lace. Her sentence was transportation to the other side of the world. She embarked on the perilous journey on the First Fleet as a convict, with no idea of what lay ahead. Once on shore, she became the servant and, in time, the lover of the dashing young first lieutenant George Johnston. But life in the fledgling colony could be gruelling, with starvation looming and lashings for convicts who stepped out of line. Esther was one of the first Jewish women to arrive in the new land. Through her we meet some of the key people who helped shape the nation. Her life is an extraordinary rags-to-riches story. As leader of the Rum Rebellion against Governor Bligh, George Johnston became Lieutenant-Governor of NSW, making Esther First Lady of the colony, a remarkable rise in society for a former convict.
Main title:
Author:
North, Jessica, 1956-, author
Work:
Imprint:
Crows Nest, N.S.W. : Allen & Unwin, 2019.©2019
Collation:
x, 277 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), maps, portraits ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN:
9781760527372 (paperback)
Dewey class:
994.402
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
351425