Time Line

Female convicts began arriving in Van Diemen's Land in 1803 with Bowen's party. However, the first transport to female convicts directly from the United Kingdom, the Morley (3), did not arrive in Hobart until 29 August 1820. The last female convicts transported to Australia arrived at Hobart on the Duchess of Northumberland on 21 April 1853.

1803	Two female convicts arrive in VDL with Lieutenant Bowen's party to Risdon Cove — Mary Hayes, Mary Lawler
1804	Female convicts arrive in VDL with Lieutenant-Colonel Patterson's party to Port Dalrymple — including Ann Simmonds
1805	Female convicts transported to Sydney per Experiment arrive in VDL per Sophia
1810	Twenty-three female convicts in VDL (population 1321)
1813	200 female convicts arrive from Sydney per Kangaroo
1814	Nearly 60 female Irish convicts transported to Sydney per Catherine arrive in VDL per Kangaroo
1818	Lieutenant-Governor Sorell proposes building a female factory at Pittwater — Governor Macquarie refuses — recalcitrant female convicts to be sent to Parramatta Female Factory (when built)
1820	The first female convict transport, the Morley (3), arrives directly from the United Kingdom. Lieutenant-Governor Sorell again proposes building a female factory at Hobart Commissioner Bigge investigates the state of the colonies
pre-1821	Refractory female convicts held in a single room at Hobart Town Gaol on the corner of Murray & Macquarie Streets
1821	Female Factory built in Hobart Town Gaol precinct, separated from the Gaol by a brick wall Parramatta Female Factory completed
1822	George Town Female Factory begins operation
1823	Elizabeth Fry proposes a new Female Factory be built in Hobart
1824	Lowes Rum Distillery built at Cascades
1826	Investigation into conditions at Hobart Town Female Factory
1827	Colonial Government purchases Cascades site from Lowes Rum Distillery for Ł2760
1828	Conversions to Lowes Rum Distillery completed and female convicts transferred to Cascades Female Factory (December)
1829	Last of the 100 female convicts transferred from the Hobart Town Female Factory to Cascades Female Factory (January) Rules and Regulations for the Management of the House of Correction for Female at the Factory promulgated by Governor Arthur (January) Riot at the Cascades Female Factory (February) Hobart Town Female Factory converted to a bond store (February)
1834	George Town Female Factory closes Launceston Female Factory opens
1837	Molesworth Committee of Enquiry set up
1838	Cascades Nursery relocated to small house in Liverpool St, Hobart — Mrs Slee matron
1840	The Flash Mob gains notoriety in the press
1841	Board appointed to inquire into and make suggestions about female convict discipline
1842	Brickfields Hiring Depot in New Town opens for assignable female convicts Riot at Cascades Female Factory Liverpool St Nursery relocated to Dynnyrne House
1843	House in Liverpool St, Hobart used as a Hiring Depot Report of the Committee of Enquiry into Female Convict Discipline received Contagious fever epidemic at Liverpool St Hiring Depot — female convicts removed to Colonial Hospital Probation System for female convicts instituted — Bowdens appointed
1844	Probation System begins — Anson Probation Station begins operation — Bowdens in charge
1847	New regulations regarding hiring of male and female pass-holders
1848	Ross Female Factory opens
1849	Lord Grey gives instructions for the Anson to be broken up (January) Anson brought down from Prince of Wales Bay to Hobart Town with female convicts on board (July)
1850	New Town Farm opens as temporary Probation Station for receiving female convicts on arrival Nursery returns to Cascades Female Factory (Yard 4)
1851	Anson dismantled New regulations for Cascades Female Factory issued
1852	Female convicts with children removed from Cascades Female Factory to New Town Farm Nursery relocated to Brickfields Brickfields Hiring Depot closes — female convicts to be hired from Cascades Female Factory
1853	The last female convict transport to Australia, the Duchess of Northumberland, arrives at Hobart
1854	Nursery returns to Cascades Female Factory
1855	Ross Female Factory closes (January) Nursery relocated to Infirmary in Liverpool St, Hobart Launceston Female Factory proclaimed a gaol and transferred to local authorities (Sheriff's Department)
1856	Van Diemen's Land becomes officially known as Tasmania Cascades Female Factory proclaimed a gaol and transferred to local authorities (Sheriff's Department)