John Irving becomes the first convict to be freed in the New South Wales colony.
John Irving, sometimes written as Irwin or Irvine, was born around 1760, exact date unknown. He came to the penal colony of New South Wales with the First Fleet, after being sentenced in 1784 to seven years for stealing a silver cup. Originally interred on the 'Scarborough', he was later transferred to the 'Lady Penrhyn' for transportation.
Irving proved an able surgeon's assistant, both on the voyage to New South Wales, and once the settlement was established. His hard work and "unremitting good conduct and meritorious behaviour" earned him an early reprieve from his sentence. Governor Phillip signed his Warrant of Emancipation on 28 February 1790, making Irving the first convict to be freed. He accompanied surgeon Dennis Considen to Norfolk Island, where he remained as surgeon's assistant for over a year before returning to Port Jackson in May 1791. He was then awarded 30 acres of land at Parramatta.
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