Ann Gordon (superintendent)
Ann Gordon born Ann King (1795 – June 6, 1868) was a British born Australian female factory superintendent at the Parramatta Female Factory in the Colony of New South Wales. She ran the factory, nicknamed "Gordons’ Villa", for women convicts, from a riot in 1827, until she was dismissed in 1836.
Ann Gordon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Ann King c. 1795 |
| Died | 6 June 1868 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | de facto Prison governor |
| Employer | Colony of New South Wales |
| Known for | running the Parramatta Female Factory |
| Spouse | Robert Gordon |
| Children | 5 |
Life
Gordon was born in Portsmouth in about 1795. Her parents were Ann (born Ovey) and her husband James King - who was a courier employed by the government.[1] She and her sister both married in 1812. She married an Irish soldier, Robert Gordon, at the local parish church on Portsea Island St Mary's Church.[2]
Parramatta Female Factory
Gordon had been appointed by the Governor of New South Wales, Ralph Darling. He had complained previously that there was no one available to take the role. Darling had offered the position to Gordon at £150 per annum (£50 less per year than her predecessor). Ann, her husband Robert, and their children, were given free fuel and quarters[2] and she became one of the best paid women in the colony. Darling was supportive of Gordon as she endeavoured to introduce smooth management into the factory.[1] There was another riot in 1831[3] which was the year Darling stood down. Gordon had several assistant matrons and four other staff including a constable, but they were not always co-operative. Under the new governor Richard Bourke the number of women increased at the factory and conditions and behaviour suffered. 1833 saw another riot.[3]
Gordon became well known in the locality. The factory was nicknamed Gordons’ Villa and even Gordon's Nunnery or Seminary.[1]
By 1835 Gordon had supplemented the staff with trusted women convicts who served as midwife and overseers. Gossip grew, that immorality at the factory included her husband Robert Gordon, and that the governor's son, Richard Bourke, was the father of Gordon's grandchildren.[2]
Robert was dismissed in 1835[1] and in 1836 Ann Gordon was dismissed, although Bourke said she was not at fault and she received a years salary in compensation. Bourke told his superiors that he had introduced order at the factory.[2] Gordon was replaced by Sarah and Thomas Bell who were the new matron and "the keeper".[3]
Gordon tried to regain her position as a matron, but she was not successful. Robert became a licensee of the "Jolly Sailor" in Parramatta, but according to Ann he never worked for a decade and he spent all the money she gave him. She was a widow in 1863 and she died in 1868 in East Maitland.[1]
References
- "Matron Ann Gordon | Parramatta History and Heritage". historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
- Weatherburn, Hilary, "Ann Gordon (1795–1868)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 2023-10-20
- "Parramatta Female Factory". Parragirls. Retrieved 2023-10-20.