The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress

 The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       February 26, 2025

 

Author  Sue Williams

Distributor:      Allen and Unwin
ISBN:                 9781761471049
Publisher:         Allen and Unwin
Release Date:   January 2025  

   Website:   https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Sue-Williams-Governor,-His-Wife-and-His-Mistress-9781761471049

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Sue Williams has researched the story The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress meticulously; her knowledge and understanding of early Australian History make it a compelling reading. Using accurate facts and real characters, the story takes us on a journey into the lives of these people. Ann Inett and her story can be read on the internet.

Less well known is the settlement which began on Norfolk Island just a few weeks after the First Fleet arrived. Ann was a convict who had been chosen to go with this party and became the housekeeper of Phillip Gidley King. He was in command of the convicts there. They eventually began to produce food because of better soil and weather, which was then taken to Sydney Cove.

Ann’s story though, shows a different time and approach to women. The attitudes held towards convicts and the poor were also unforgiving. King was a good man who ran the settlement with wisdom, resulting in a compliant community.

Once his house was completed, King looked to Ann, a lovely young woman, to become his housekeeper. She also became his bed partner and produced two sons for him. He was deeply committed to Ann and his sons. She became his confident and advisor.

However, when King returned home to England he couldn’t tell his parents about his convict family, so he married a lady of their choosing and took her back to Sydney Cove where Ann and his sons were now living. These were terrible times for Ann, however, she was protected because of her previous liaison.

The weaving of Ann’s ‘story into the historic events of early Australia makes fascinating reading. The complications of Napoleon, and the French threat also affect decisions made by the British Government. This is a marvellous story to bring history to life

Fiction, Historical