The wreck of a supply ship and the discovery of an island
Last weekend I watched the reinternment of Matthews Flinders in the church in Donnington, Lincolnshire, England, his hometown, over 200 years after his death and original burial in north London. How could there be a connection with Rookwood you may ask, well that is the subject of this week's blog; it begins with this man.... CAPTAIN GAVIN (GUY) HAMILTON Gavin or Guy as he was colloquially known was born on the 5th of October 1760 in Kilbride, Lanark, Scotland to John Hamilton and Elizabeth (nee Anderson). He was the second son of their union. His early details are a little sketchy but we know he married Betsey prior to 1794 and was in India as his son, John Guy, was born in Calcutta. I am surmising that Gavin was in the Navy at the time posted to that continent. The fledgling colony was having great difficulty from the time of the First Fleet in 1788 to provide food and provisions for all. Most of the time, those in charge anxiously awaited the next fleet of convict ship...