Post by Governor Adams on Aug 15, 2014 18:33:00 GMT
The Franklin Islands were first settled in 1894 by mutineers from the Nova English trade ship Venture. Captain Elizabeth Franklin had fallen ill during the final day of the journey to Franciscania, so was taken ashore to receive treatment. First Mate James Conran took the helm, but he was unpopular with the rest of the crew. Thomas Adams, George Anderson, Florence Hughes, Alexander Richardson and Lawrence Morgan led a mutiny, throwing Conran overboard with a makeshift raft. The mutineers stopped over at the largest of the islands overnight during stormy weather, but returned in the morning to find the ship wrecked in the bay. Adams led efforts to build a small community on the island, using the wood from the ship to build a town hall where the mutineers could take shelter. This building still stands to this day in the centre of Adamstown.
The original 12, seven men and five women, that had landed on the island had swelled to a population of 19 by the turn of the century. Adams built a school for the children, and was a much-respected leader of the community, until his death in 1911, at the age of 52. The community held its first election, and George Anderson became the new leader. He led the community in the same spirit as his predecessor, until his death at the age of 57. The community had its first female leader in Florence Hughes, who was elected unanimously. Lawrence Morgan was the last surviving mutineer after Hughes' death in 1922, and he took over as leader, surviving to the age of 65.
List of leaders of the Franklin Islands (1894-1937)
1894-1911 - Thomas Adams (not elected, died)
1911-1919 - George Anderson (died)
1919-1922 - Florence Hughes (died)
1922-1937 - Lawrence Morgan (died)
The original 12, seven men and five women, that had landed on the island had swelled to a population of 19 by the turn of the century. Adams built a school for the children, and was a much-respected leader of the community, until his death in 1911, at the age of 52. The community held its first election, and George Anderson became the new leader. He led the community in the same spirit as his predecessor, until his death at the age of 57. The community had its first female leader in Florence Hughes, who was elected unanimously. Lawrence Morgan was the last surviving mutineer after Hughes' death in 1922, and he took over as leader, surviving to the age of 65.
List of leaders of the Franklin Islands (1894-1937)
1894-1911 - Thomas Adams (not elected, died)
1911-1919 - George Anderson (died)
1919-1922 - Florence Hughes (died)
1922-1937 - Lawrence Morgan (died)