Black founders : the unknown story of Australia's first Black settlers

Black Founders changes the way we think about the foundation of Australia. In an evocative and compelling narrative, distinguished historian and prize-winning author Cassandra Pybus reveals how the settlement of Australia was a multi-racial process from the outset. Pybus has uncovered that our black founders were originally slaves from America who sought freedom with the British during the American Revolution, only to find themselves abandoned and unemployed in England once the war was over. Enthralling stories of ‘Black Caesar’, who was Australia’s first bushranger, and Billy Blue, the first ferryman on Sydney Harbour, provide a vivid window into early Sydney life. They also show that race relations in the early colony were never a simple matter of white settlers versus black Aborigines. CONTENTS......Page 5 Acknowledgments......Page 6 Abbreviations......Page 7 Note on sources......Page 8 Prologue......Page 10 1 Liberty or death......Page 20 2 Fleeing the founding fathers......Page 35 3 Starving in the streets of London......Page 49 4 Back to Africa......Page 65 5 Bound for the fatal shore......Page 83 6 Recalcitrant convicts at Sydney Cove......Page 96 7 The dread of perishing by famine......Page 115 8 An incorrigibly stubborn black......Page 129 9 Sportsman to General Grose......Page 145 10 Tugging at the oars; playing in the band......Page 157 11 The Old Commodore......Page 173 Afterword......Page 188 Appendix: Biographies of the black founders......Page 192 Notes......Page 197 Bibliography......Page 210 Index......Page 220

in This Compelling New Book, Distinguished Historian And Writer Cassandra Pybus Reveals That Black Convicts Were Among Our First Fleet Settlers—a Fact Which Profoundly Complicates Our Understanding Of Race Relations In Early Colonial Australia. Most Of These Black Founders Were Originally Slaves From America Who Had Sought Freedom With The British During The American Revolution Only To Find Themselves Abandoned And Unemployed In England When The War Was Over. Pybus' Stories Include The Notorious Runaway 'black Caesar', Who Became Our First Bushranger, And The Wonderfully Subversive Billie Blue, Who Was The First Ferryman On Sydney Harbour, After Whom Blues Point Is Named.

In this compelling new book, distinguished historian and writer Cassandra Pybus reveals that black convicts were among our first fleet settlers - a fact which profoundly complicates our understanding of race relations in early colonial Australia. Most of these black founders were originally slaves from America who had sought freedom with the British during the American Revolution only to find themselves abandoned and unemployed in England when the war was over. Pybus' stories include the notorious runaway 'Black Caesar', who became our first bushranger, and the wonderfully subversive Billie Bl "Black Founders changes the way we think about the foundation of Australia. In an evocative and compelling narrative, distinguished historian and prize-winning author Cassandra Pybus reveals how the settlement of Australia was a multi-racial process from the outset. Pybus has uncovered that our black founders were originally slaves from America who sought freedom with the British during the American Revolution, only to find themselves abandoned and unemployed in England once the war was over."--Jacket Reveals that black convicts were among our first fleet settlers - a fact which complicates our understanding of race relations in early colonial Australia. This work includes the runaway ""Black Caesar"", who became our first bushranger, and the subversive Billie Blue, who was the first ferryman on Sydney Harbour, after whom Blues Point is named.