Author Jessica North will discuss the remarkable but true story behind her new book Esther, based on the little-known rags to riches love story of a convict girl, at the Hawkesbury Family History Group at 10am on Wednesday, 12 June 2019. It will be held at Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street, Windsor.
Sixteen year old Esther arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788 after narrowly
escaping the hangman in London for stealing 24 yards of black lace. Following her arrival, she became a servant and, in time, the lover of the dashing young first lieutenant George Johnston, one of the leaders of the Rum Rebellion. Esther was one of the first Jewish women to arrive in the new land and she became a significant figure in colonial society.
Jessica North, a program director at Macquarie University, has been researching Esther’s story for over a decade. Anyone interested in family history is welcome to attend the presentation. There is no need to book and attendance is free.
