Love token
Maker & role
Evan Brindle, Attributed Artist/Maker
Production date
1836
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Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
H: 0.1 x Diam: 3.3cm (H: 1 x Diam: 33mm)
Subject person
Credit line
Purchase, 2018
Hyde Park Barracks Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Hyde Park Barracks Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Caption
Convict love token, 1836
Description
This love token was made by Evan Brindle, who arrived in Sydney on 7 Feb 1837 on board the 'John'. After arrival at Sydney Cove, Brindle was one of the 258 convicts on the ship who were landed, and marched through the Domain to Hyde Park Barracks, where they were inspected at 10am, before being assigned to private or government service (Colonial Secretary In Letters - Convicts 1, 1837, SRNSW 4/2351).
Evan Brindle, a 28 year old printer at the Oakenshaw Calico Printworks in Clayton-le-Moors, was convicted with Rowland Heald and Thomas Rushton in 1836. During an attempt to poach game, a gun was fired, killing the property game keeper. The three men were caught, tried and convicted for murder at Lancaster Assizes, and sentenced to life transportation. Transferred to the 'Fortitude' hulk at Chatham on 20 May 1836, the three men awaited their transportation, and it may have been there on the hulk that Brindle made this token (or had it made by an engraver). During this time, Brindle's wife Ellen (nee Moulding) gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth, who is named on the love token, along with the couple's three sons James, Adam and George. Presumably made by Evan Brindle to give to his children as a parting memento, this love token is unusual since love tokens were more commonly made to give to spouses and partners.
Evan Brindle, a 28 year old printer at the Oakenshaw Calico Printworks in Clayton-le-Moors, was convicted with Rowland Heald and Thomas Rushton in 1836. During an attempt to poach game, a gun was fired, killing the property game keeper. The three men were caught, tried and convicted for murder at Lancaster Assizes, and sentenced to life transportation. Transferred to the 'Fortitude' hulk at Chatham on 20 May 1836, the three men awaited their transportation, and it may have been there on the hulk that Brindle made this token (or had it made by an engraver). During this time, Brindle's wife Ellen (nee Moulding) gave birth to their daughter Elizabeth, who is named on the love token, along with the couple's three sons James, Adam and George. Presumably made by Evan Brindle to give to his children as a parting memento, this love token is unusual since love tokens were more commonly made to give to spouses and partners.
Accession number
HPB2018/4
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