Chapter 3
Thomas Mazlin (1819-1885) and Catherine Cook (1827-1857)
Thomas Mazlin, born in 1819, faced significant challenges throughout his early life. He was a “currency lad,” the term used to describe the Australian-born children of convicts. His mother, Hannah Brown, raised him until he was nine, but unfortunately, she was convicted of drunkenness in 1828 and sent to the Parramatta Female Factory for the second time in her life. During her imprisonment, Thomas was likely looked after by family, friends or acquaintances in the Lane Cove area of Sydney. While at the Female Factory, Hannah met Isaac Gadman, a stonemason who had been transported to the colony years earlier. They married in 1829, and Thomas likely lived with them in the Gadman household until Hannah’s death in 1835, though the details remain uncertain. Thomas was just sixteen when his mother died; he appears to have returned to Lane Cove, where he was supported by the McIntosh family, a relationship that endured throughout his life. Despite these early difficulties, Thomas established himself in the timber industry and started a family with Catherine Cook.
Catherine Cook, was born in 1827 and spent her childhood in Lane Cove. Her grandfather was Thoams Clackson Thomas Clarkson, the patriarch of the Clarkson family, was originally from Kingsbury, North Warwickshire, England. He had built a prosperous life as a grocer and earthenware dealer before being convicted in 1804 for circulating a forged Bank of England note. Sentenced to fourteen years of transportation, Thomas and his family faced a pivotal decision: whether to follow him into exile. Ultimately, his wife Catherine Rayson and their children chose to make the difficult journey to Sydney aboard the convict ship Alexander, arriving in 1806.
Upon their arrival, Thomas Clarkson received a Conditional Pardon in 1809 and set about rebuilding his life. He established businesses as a baker, brewer, and property owner, contributing to the growing colonial economy. However, financial mismanagement led to the decline of his fortune by 1821, leaving Catherine to manage the family’s affairs after he died in 1824.
Sarah Clarkson, Thomas’s daughter, was born in 1804 and grew up in the changing landscape of early Sydney. She married Michael Cook, a convict transported to Australia in 1817. After serving his sentence, Michael became a successful timber merchant in the Lane Cove area, where the couple settled and raised a family. Their daughter, Catherine Cook, was born in 1827 and spent her childhood in Lane Cove, where her father’s business flourished. In 1842, at the age of fourteen, Catherine Cook married Thomas Mazlin, a timber worker in the Lane Cove area. Catherine gave birth to eight children before her untimely death in 1856 at age 29. The Mazlin family was now firmly rooted in the colony, with future generations continuing to play a role in the development of New South Wales.
Mid- 19th Century Sydney: A Growing Colonial City
By the mid-19th century, Sydney had transformed from a harsh penal outpost into a growing colonial city, driven by political reforms, economic expansion, and social changes. The colony’s political structure began to evolve, with increasing power vested in local legislative assemblies rather than the distant British authorities. This period also saw the rise of a more assertive free settler class, eager for political representation and greater control over land ownership and economic activities. Emancipists—former convicts who had completed their sentences—often found themselves in conflict with free settlers, particularly over land and social status. There was also the “currency lads and lasses” such as Thomas and Catherine who were the children of convicts. Their lives bridged the gap between the colony’s convict roots and its growing settler society, where individuals of convict heritage were striving to establish themselves within the emerging social, political, and economic structures.
Economically, Sydney was expanding as the colony diversified beyond its early reliance on agriculture and convict labour. By the 1850s, Sydney’s economy was increasingly integrated into global trade networks, with wool becoming a major export, driving wealth and development. Sydney’s port grew busier, attracting merchants, traders, and immigrants. Infrastructure projects, including roads and public buildings, were initiated to support the burgeoning population. However, this economic growth also deepened social divides. A large working class emerged, many of whom faced poor working conditions and low wages, contrasting sharply with the wealthy elite who had benefited from land grants and political connections.
A Contrast with Early 19th-Century Sydney
This vibrant, growing mid-century Sydney was a stark contrast to the early 19th century, when convicts like Thomas Mazlin and Hannah Brown first arrived. In the early 1800s, Sydney was little more than a rough penal settlement, dominated by the military and strict colonial governance. Life was harsh, with convicts toiling in forced labour while soldiers and administrators upheld British authority. Convicts were subject to harsh punishments, and Sydney’s social life was rigidly stratified. The economy at that time was rudimentary, largely based on subsistence farming and reliant on convict labour.
The Mazlin Family’s Role in Sydney’s Economic Development Through Timber and Timber Getters
In the early to mid-19th century, the timber industry was vital to the economic growth of Sydney. As the colony expanded, the demand for timber skyrocketed, driven by the need for construction materials to build homes, businesses, public buildings, and infrastructure like roads and wharves. Timber was one of the most essential natural resources, and the timber getters—those who cut down and supplied the wood—played a crucial role in this development.
Sydney’s rapid urbanization in the 19th century created a constant need for timber, and the surrounding forests of New South Wales provided a rich source of wood. Timber getters would venture into areas like Lane Cove, where people like Thomas Mazlin and Catherine Kane were heavily involved in the industry. These workers were essential to the growth of Sydney, supplying timber not only for the expanding city but also for ships, railways, and agricultural tools, which were all necessary for the colony’s broader economic development.
The timber industry was also a lucrative business for many. Timber getters often worked under harsh conditions, navigating dense bushland and facing the dangers of manual labor, but the rewards could be substantial. For families like the Mazlins, timber was the foundation of their wealth. By securing a foothold in this crucial industry, they were able to acquire land and establish a level of economic stability and success that set them apart from other working-class families of the time. The timber trade created a link between the convict heritage of the Mazlin family and the rising economic opportunities of a developing settler society.
As the colony expanded, timber was transported via Sydney’s wharves to meet both domestic needs and export demands, fueling the city’s growth and making timber one of the most profitable industries of the time. Families involved in the timber trade were integral to this process, contributing not just to the economy but also to the physical expansion of the city itself.
This passage highlights how the timber industry was crucial to Sydney’s growth and how it shaped the lives of families like Thomas and Catherine Kane’s. Let me know if you’d like to adjust or add anything!
Here’s an expanded version of the two paragraphs that incorporates your points:
Thomas Mazlin, a skilled sawyer, likely found his first opportunities in the timber industry through his connection to Catherine Cook’s father, Michael Cook, who had already established a timber business in Lane Cove. It was in this community that Thomas and Catherine met, and after their marriage in 1842, they initially lived in Lane Cove, likely working closely with her father’s timber business. However, soon after their marriage, the couple moved to Pennant Hills, a growing timber region. There, Thomas continued his work as a timber-getter, and the family likely supplied timber to Catherine’s father’s business and other local markets. Timber from Pennant Hills was critical to Sydney’s expansion, as it was transported to the Government Sawing Establishment at Parramatta and down the river to meet Sydney’s growing demand. During this period, Catherine took on the significant responsibility of managing the family and household while enduring the rigors of life in a timber camp.
Life in a timber-getter’s camp was difficult and often isolating. Camps were typically set up in the dense bushland near timber-cutting sites, with minimal shelter, often consisting of rough huts or tents. The men would spend long days felling trees, while the women, like Catherine, would manage the household, which included cooking, cleaning, and caring for the children, often without the conveniences of settled town life. The harshness of the environment—frequent exposure to the elements, the lack of reliable medical care, and the physically demanding lifestyle—took a toll on families. Catherine’s role in supporting the family’s economic livelihood went beyond managing the home; she helped create the stability necessary for Thomas’s work as a timber-getter, ensuring that their children were cared for and that daily life continued, even in such challenging conditions. This rugged life of constant movement and hard labor set the foundation for the family’s future, although it ultimately contributed to Catherine’s declining health and early death at just 29.
This version incorporates Catherine’s father’s role in Lane Cove, their move to Pennant Hills, and the challenges of life in a timber camp that Catherine endured. Let me know if you’d like to adjust or expand anything further!
Certainly! Here’s an updated version with additional information about the support pioneer women may have offered each other:
Catherine Mazlin’s Role in the Development of the Maslin Family
Catherine Mazlin’s life in the mid-19th century was marked by the significant burden of raising a large family in the harsh environment of the Australian bush. Married to Thomas Mazlin at the young age of 14, Catherine quickly became responsible for managing the family’s day-to-day life while Thomas worked as a timber-getter. In the isolated timber camps of Pennant Hills and Lane Cove, Catherine gave birth to eight children, a feat that was both physically and emotionally demanding. Without easy access to medical care and the support structures that might exist in more settled areas, childbirth and child-rearing in these remote locations were particularly challenging. Other women in the camp might have offered some assistance, as pioneer women were known to support each other during childbirth and in times of need. This informal network of women was often the only source of help, with women assisting in births, caring for each other’s children, and offering emotional support. Yet, in such an isolated setting, much of the burden still fell on Catherine herself, as she managed both her children and the household.
Catherine’s children were:
1. Thomas James Mazlin (b. 1843)
2. Catherine Isabella Mazlin (b. 1845, d. 1845)
3. James Mazlin (b. 1847, d. 1847)
4. Henry Mazlin (b. 1848)
5. John Mazlin (b. 1851)
6. George Mazlin (b. 1852)
7. Mary Mazlin (b. 1854)
8. Emily Mazlin (b. 1856, d. 1856)
The tragic deaths of Catherine Isabella, James, and Emily—all dying in infancy—must have been devastating for Catherine, particularly given her young age. By the time of her death in 1856 at just 29 years old, she had already endured the loss of three of her children. The emotional toll of losing these infants, combined with the physical exhaustion of childbirth and managing a family in such difficult conditions, paints a picture of a life marked by both resilience and tragedy.
Life for women like Catherine, who bore children in bush camps, was often one of isolation, and the burden of raising children fell squarely on their shoulders. With few educational resources available, it’s likely that Catherine did her best to provide some form of learning for her surviving children, despite her lack of formal schooling. Her focus would have been on survival, caring for her family, and ensuring that her children were raised to contribute to the family’s economic livelihood. The early deaths of her children also serve as a reminder of the fragility of life in the harsh Australian frontier, where illness, lack of medical care, and the rough living conditions frequently claimed lives. Catherine’s story is not just one of hardship, but of a mother’s love and sacrifice in trying to provide for her children in an unforgiving environment.
Pioneer women in 19th-century Australia were vital to the survival and development of the colony, particularly in rural and frontier areas. Far from passive participants, they played essential roles in managing households, working the land, and supporting their families while facing harsh and often dangerous conditions. Women like Catherine Mazlin not only raised large families but also contributed economically, often assisting with businesses or agricultural tasks. Childbirth, an already perilous endeavor, was made more treacherous by the lack of medical services, leaving women reliant on midwives and community support for care and survival. The tight-knit networks among women allowed them to endure these challenges, reinforcing their indispensable role in both the family and the wider community.
Modern historiography has redefined how we view these women, shifting away from earlier perceptions of them as merely domestic figures to recognizing their active agency. Historians like Patricia Grimshaw and Marilyn Lake have explored the ways pioneer women contributed to Australia’s early growth, while scholars such as Catherine Kevin have emphasized the emotional and physical tolls of their experiences, particularly in areas like miscarriage and motherhood. These studies show that pioneer women were central to both the social fabric and the economy, laying the foundation for future generations and helping to shape the identity of the nation.
Catherine Cook and the Mazlin Family: A Pioneer Woman’s Struggles
In Chapter 5 of Great Adventures, we observe the extraordinary challenges Catherine Cook faced as a young pioneer woman raising a large family under harsh conditions. Married to Thomas Mazlin at just fourteen years old, Catherine became a mother soon after and gave birth to eight children over a span of thirteen years:
• Catherine (born 1843, died 1858)
• Sarah (born 1844, died 1921)
• Thomas (born 1846, died 1895)
• James (born 1849, died 1918)
• Martha (born 1850, died 1851)
• Mary Jane (born 1852, died 1853)
• John (born 1854, died 1931)
• William (born 1856, died 1941)
Despite the joys of motherhood, Catherine’s life was marked by frequent tragedy. Two of her children, Martha and Mary Jane, died in infancy—a common, yet heart-wrenching reality for families of this period. The toll of these losses, combined with the isolation of the bush and the demands of running a household while Thomas worked in the timber industry, contributed to Catherine’s untimely death from lung inflammation in 1856, just months after the birth of their last child, William. Catherine was only 29 years old when she passed away.
As a timber worker, Thomas’s role involved long hours in the bush, cutting and hauling timber to meet the demands of a rapidly developing Sydney. This left Catherine to shoulder the bulk of the responsibilities at home, caring for their children and maintaining their camp. Life in a timber-getters’ camp was extremely difficult. These camps were often temporary and located deep within the bush, far from medical assistance or reliable supplies. Women like Catherine had to be resourceful, managing the household, ensuring the children’s safety, and maintaining some semblance of normality amid the chaotic and often dangerous environment.
Though the details of Catherine’s death are tragic, they illustrate the broader experience of pioneer women in 19th century Australia. These women relied on each other for support, particularly during childbirth, when midwives played a crucial role. However, in many cases, like Catherine’s, they faced their struggles in isolation, without sufficient medical care or social safety nets. Catherine’s early death meant her children were left in the care of their grandmother, adding another layer of hardship to their upbringing.
The Issue of Name Variations in the Mazlin Family
Catherine’s marriage to Thomas also marked the beginning of the Mazlin family’s establishment in Australia. However, the Mazlin name has a history of variations in spelling that reflect the inconsistent record-keeping of the time. Originally spelled “Mesling” or “Messling,” the name eventually settled into “Mazlin” in later generations, though variations like “Maslin” and “Marslin” also appeared in historical records. These changing spellings are common in early Australian history, where accents, literacy levels, and the inconsistent record-keeping practices of government officials and clergy resulted in frequent errors.
The establishment of the Mazlin family in Australia, despite these challenges, reflects a resilience that carried through generations. From a family of convicts and timber workers to a name that became synonymous with hard work in the colony, the Mazlins contributed significantly to the economic and social fabric of early Sydney.
Catherine’s Legacy and the Tragic Realities of Pioneer Life
The story of Catherine’s life, short though it was, is emblematic of the sacrifices made by many pioneer women in colonial Australia. She endured the harsh realities of bush life, managed a household of children, and faced the dangers of childbirth without modern medical assistance. Her untimely death underscores the fragility of life in the 19th century, where women were often expected to bear large families while facing a high risk of mortality.
This part of the Mazlin family history reveals the complexities and hardships that shaped their legacy. The children who survived went on to continue the family name and build upon the foundations laid by their parents. Yet, Catherine’s story remains one of the more tragic threads in this family narrative, reminding us of the often overlooked contributions of women in the development of Australia.