Curr vs Cross: Indentured absconders and the Van Diemen's Land Company

Ratbags & Roustabouts

In 1832, when a group of indentured servants ran off from their jobs with the Van Diemen’s Land Company in northwest Tasmania, the ramifications would be severe — both for them and for their former master, Edward Curr.

At the fledgling settlement of Circular Head in March 1832, the Forth ship brought a group of indentured servants from England, ready to get to work for a set number of years in the service of the Van Diemen’s Land Company.

But when they set foot on land, the cold, leaky tents and ramshackle housing they were given for their accommodations, the sub-standard rations and the poor overall treatment made many regret their decision to uproot their families to move to the other side of the world.

So unhappy were they, that a large number of the workers decided to risk the wilds of Tassie’s untouched north and run away.

What happened next was a David and Goliath battle between the chief agent of the VDL Company’s Circular Head settlement and the disgruntled workers.

It would see some of the absconders jailed — but would also not end happily for their stubborn and belligerent boss.

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