Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Arthur Savage R. N.,

Convict Ship Surgeon-Superintendent


Date of Seniority Royal Navy 22 July 1826

Naval Career

Arthur Savage was appointed Assistant Surgeon in the Royal Navy in March 1820[1]. He was promoted to Surgeon, Royal Navy in July 1826.[2]. He was appointed to the Winchester in 1832.[3]

Surgeon Superintendent

He was employed as surgeon superintendent on three convict ship voyages to Australia:

John to VDL in 1833

Norfolk to VDL in 1835

Captain Cook to NSW in 1836

He returned to England on the Captain Cook, departing in April 1837.

Emigrant Ship Magistrate

He was appointed by New South Wales government as an emigration agent in the United Kingdom. In 1837 in England he selected the Irish emigrants for the William Jardine.

He was appointed Surgeon Superintendent on the emigrant ship Magistrate to Australia in 1838.[4] His wife and two daughters emigrated with him on the Magistrate. He was paid 200 pounds for his services on the voyage.

Health Officer Sydney

In 1839, he was appointed Health Officer at Sydney taking over from John Dobie who retired from the position. Arthur Savage held the position until his death.

Charlotte Savage gave birth to a son at Sydney on 1 July 1840. [5]

Death

His death was reported in England in The Standard in 1853 -

Surgeon Arthur Savage (1826) health officer at Port Jackson, New South Wales, is dead. The appointment is in the gift of the Colonial Office, and the salary is 300 pounds a year, exclusive of other allowances. [6]

1861 Census

It may by Arthur's widow Charlotte who was listed as lodging at Portsea in the 1861 Census. Her occupation was given as Fund holder and place of birth Worthing, Sussex.

1871 Census

In the 1871 Census taken in August Charlotte Savage is recorded as head of the household, age 65 and an annuitant. Her unmarried daughter, twenty-eight year old Mary who was born in Worthing resided with her, as do other daughters Ellen age twenty five and Alicia age twenty two (both born in New South Wales). All gave their occupation as annuitants.

Charlotte Savage died in 1871 - Widow of the late Arthur Savage, Surgeon R.N., and second daughter of the late Michael Morrah, Esq., of Worting, at 3 Clarence terrace, Southsea, to the inexpressible grief of her sorrowing family, died on August 3, in her 68th year. [7]

Notes and Links

1). Legacies of British Slave Ownership

References

[1] Blackwood's Magazine

[2] The New Navy List

[3] Nautical Magazine

[4] NSW Correspondence.

[5] Asiatic Journal

[6] The Standard 14 March 1853

[7] Medical Times Gazette