John Caesar, [Convict "Alexander" 1788] [Bushranger - Black Caesar”]

John Black CAESAR was born c1763 in probably Madagascar and was of African parentage.

He was convicted on theft and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He arrived in Sydney Cove on 26/1/1788 on "Alexander". He was one of the first people of African descent to arrive in Australia.

He became popularly know as "Black Caesar"

On 4/3/1790 he was sent to Norfolk Island on "Supply".

He had a relationship with Ann POWER that resulted in a daughter born 4/3/1792

He returned to Sydney n "Kitty" in 1793, leaving Ann and his daughter behind.

In December 1795 he escaped from custody and became Australia's First Bushranger.

He died 15/2/1796 at Liberty Plains (Strathfield) of a gunshot wound.

The first bushranger in the colony was the convict John Caesar. ‘Black’ Caesar was a large man of African descent whose appetite was described as ravenous. He was a conscientious and hard worker but when convict rations were insufficient to satisfy his hunger, he was compelled to steal food from others. He was convicted on several occasions for stealing and taking to the bush with firearms. Despite the seriousness of stealing food in a time of severe food shortage, Caesar’s life was initially spared and he was sent to Norfolk Island. On returning to Sydney he was again punished for stealing and, after one last escape, was shot and killed in February 1796

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/caesar-john-black-12829
http://adb.anu.edu.au/essay/12
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Caesar

• Reference: WikiTree Genealogy - SmartCopy: Feb 7 2017, 5:08:16 UTC
• Reference: [undefined Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981] - SmartCopy: Feb 7 2017, 5:10:39 UTC