© Copyright Mike Fernandes 2013
Henry Kable Married Susannah Holmes in the first European wedding ceremony in the new colony.
Susannah had been sentenced to death for theft however her sentenced was reprieved by the King.
Susannah and Henry formed a relationship in Norwich Castle Gaol where she gave birth to a son Henry
(1786-1852). Susannah was one of the women chosen to be transported to Australia.
Henry Kable won the first civil suit heard in New South Wales where he won damages against the ships
captain for the loss of a gift plundered on the voyage from England.
This case may have brought Kable to the attention of Governor Arthur Phillip who appointed him as an
overseer. Three years later he was made a constable and three years after that appointed as Chief
Constable.
In 1802 he was dismissed for misbehaviour for illegally importing pigs from a visiting ship.
After this he became a merchant and ship owner. He formed a partnership with boat builder James
Underwood and Simeon Lord in the expanding commerce of the colony.
Henry Kable’s achievements were remarkable for a man (apparently) who’s only claim to literacy was his
ability to add a column of figures.
In 1968 on the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet, more than a hundred of Henry and Susannah
Kable gathered in the first reunion to honour convict ancestry.
Henry Kable was born in Suffolk, England.
Kable was convicted of burglary in 1783 and
sentenced to death.
His sentence was commuted to
transportation for fourteen years to America.
Due to the American Revolution,
transportation to America was no longer
possible so he was held in Norwich Castle
Gaol until he was transported on HMS
Friendship in the First Fleet to New South
Wales.
Henry Kable and his wife
Susannah are laid to rest in
the cemetery attached to St
Matthews Church of England
in Windsor NSW
St Matthews Church of
England was designed by the
well known colonial architect
Francis Greenway
(1777-1837)
;void;){kind=link}
The foundation stone for St
Matthews Church was laid by
Governor Lachlan Macquarie
(1762-1824).
Lachlan Macquarie
succeeded William Bligh to
become the 5th Governor of
New South Wales and served
from 1810 to 1824.
Henry Kable (1763-1846)
Custom Search
