The Convict Trail Project - Caring for the Great North Road
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      • 1. Five Dock to Epping
      • 2. Epping To Wisemans Ferry
      • 3. Wisemans Ferry to Clares Bridge
      • 4. Bucketty to Mt Manning
      • 5. Bucketty through Wollombi to Broke
      • 6. Bucketty through Wollombi to Newcastle
    • Walking and Cycle Tours >
      • 1. Circuit Flat Bridge and Sampsons Pass
      • 2. Devines Hill
      • 3. Finchs Line
      • 4. Shepherds Gully
      • 5. Ten Mile Hollow
      • 6. Simpsons Track
      • 7. Old Great North Road
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      • Sir Thomas Mitchell
      • Heneage Finch
      • Lieutenant Simpson
      • Ben Singleton
      • John Howe
      • John Blaxland
      • John MacDonald
      • William Parr
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      • Lieutenant Warner
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  • Convict Life
    • Conditions
    • In The Hills
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    • Freedom Earned
    • Medical Care
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    • Gangs Time Line
  • Construction
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    • British Ordnance Survey
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Living and Working Conditions

​Living conditions for convicts varied considerably, essentially according to the luck of the draw. A convict who was assigned to a good master might have a comfortable life and be well treated. There were some masters, however, who treated their convicts as no better than slaves.

Good masters would make sure that the convict not only received all the food and clothing that was due, but ensured that good wages were paid for any work done in their spare time. On the other hand, bad masters were known to cheat their convicts, giving them poor food and clothing. They would charge the convict more to buy essentials of life from their own stores than they paid the convict in wages for after-hours work. Frequently the convicts ended up working for nothing.

Regulations set down what convicts were to be provided with when on assignment relating to the work they would be expected to undertake.
  • Home
  • Visiting
    • Trail Itinerary >
      • 1. Five Dock to Epping
      • 2. Epping To Wisemans Ferry
      • 3. Wisemans Ferry to Clares Bridge
      • 4. Bucketty to Mt Manning
      • 5. Bucketty through Wollombi to Broke
      • 6. Bucketty through Wollombi to Newcastle
    • Walking and Cycle Tours >
      • 1. Circuit Flat Bridge and Sampsons Pass
      • 2. Devines Hill
      • 3. Finchs Line
      • 4. Shepherds Gully
      • 5. Ten Mile Hollow
      • 6. Simpsons Track
      • 7. Old Great North Road
    • Other Attractions
    • Visitor Information Services
    • Useful Links
    • Location Details
  • History
    • The Grand Vision
    • The Road Begins
    • Which Way North?
    • Which Route North?
    • Usage and Decline
    • Time Lines
    • Key People >
      • Sir Thomas Mitchell
      • Heneage Finch
      • Lieutenant Simpson
      • Ben Singleton
      • John Howe
      • John Blaxland
      • John MacDonald
      • William Parr
      • Solomon Wiseman
      • Lieutenant Warner
      • Journal Entries
  • Convict Life
    • Conditions
    • In The Hills
    • Hunter Valley
    • Freedom Earned
    • Medical Care
    • Road Gangs
    • Gangs Time Line
  • Construction
    • Clear, Blaze and Survey
    • British Ordnance Survey
    • Formation
    • Quarrying, Walls and Fills
    • Drains, Culverts and Races
  • Media
    • Videos >
      • Extras
    • The Pick
    • Convict Database
  • Updates
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Australian Heritage Festival
    • CTP >
      • Annual Report
      • Membership
      • Supporters
  • FAQ
  • Store
  • Contact