During the
early 1600s in England, crime was a matter taken very seriously. This act
was taken so seriously that Queen Elizabeth I felt that criminals should be
punished to the fullest. She felt that there was no reason to keep these convicts
in her country so the Queen made a decision to rid her country of such vile
by sending convicts away as far as possible. Convicts were taken away on ships
to places such as New South Wales.
(Picture
taken from http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an6153054)
Women found guilty of any crime from things such as pickpocketing to murder were sent away to the Female Factory. There they would live and work in these factories. Young women, old women, married women, and women with children were all included as workers at the Female Factory. Some women found domestic work and many were married soon after arrival. Men would apply for the marriage of one of these women. Marriage between convicts was encouraged by the Government so that rehabilitation could begin.
By Jennifer Mason updated on June 18, 2003.
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