On the 28th May 1839 the Neptune sailed from Gravesend, arriving in Sydney, New South Wales , Australia on 6th September 1839 with a compliment of Sussex emigrants from an area in Sussex which included the villages of Burwash, Salehurst, Hawkhurst, (Kent) Robertsbridge and others on the border of Sussex & Kent.

In that one ship alone ninety nine lost sheep were herded together by the Salehurst parish and sent to New South Wales.

Using the original documents (from the Salehurst Poor Law Union) in the East Sussex Records Office, the late Albert N.C. King was able to confirm the passenger list and that the Poor law Union had agreed to pay Adults 2 Pounds 10 Shillings each and children 1 Pound Ten shillings or 1 Pound 5 Shillings each for their expenses to emigrate to Sydney, New South Wales.

Albert had produced a book entitled Neptune 1839 detailing his research for a family reunion held in 1989. A second updated part was produced in 1991, and following further research a Supplement to Parts 1 and 2 was released in 2001.

I have identified over 30 of those immigrants who, by marriage, became part of my wider family, and they are listed below. Click on the name to explore personal information.

Neptune Immigrants
NameDate PlaceDate Place
Adams, Eliza22 Jul 1834Robertsbridge, East Sussex6 Jun 1896Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Adams, Fanny1816East Sussex11 Nov 1884South Australia
Adams, George T.about 1823Surrey1888Uralla, New South Wales
Adams, Harriett1824East Sussex1847
Adams, James1826East Sussex23 Jan 1895Ford Street, Muswellbrook, New South Wales
Adams, Maria1821East Sussex29 Sep 1855Hunter River District, New South Wales
Adams, Stephenabout 1789Salehurst, East Sussex13 Feb 1847Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Adams, Stephen1814East Sussex23 Apr 1898Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Adams, Thomasabout 1818Robertsbridge, East Sussex24 Feb 1892Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Ballard, Annabout 1832Northiam, East Sussex9 Aug 1867Maitland West, New South Wales
Ballard, Jane1834Northiam, East Sussex
Ballard, John10 Jan 1825Northiam, East Sussex21 Feb 1887West Maitland, New South Wales
Ballard, Robert8 Feb 1804Northiam, East Sussex9 Dec 1878East Maitland, New South Wales
Ballard, Sophiaabout 1826Northiam, East Sussex24 Mar 1856Maitland, New South Wales
Beeching, Mariaabout 1793Hawkhurst, Kent15 Sep 1872Raymond Terrace, New South Wales
Boots, James29 Jan 1805Robertsbridge (Salehurst), East Sussex22 Apr 188718 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales
Boots, John24 Dec 1811Salehurst, East Sussex1887Newtown, New South Wales
Boots, John1 Apr 1835Salehurst, East Sussex30 Aug 1901Sawyers Point, Karuah, New South Wales
Clapson, Sarah A.25 Nov 1811Salehurst, East Sussex26 Apr 1862Maitland, New South Wales
Hawkins, Hannahabout 1789Burwash, East Sussex21 Dec 1878Oakhampton Road, West Maitland, New South Wales
Hawkins, Sophia9 Dec 1803Burwash, East Sussex23 Jul 1883Pitnacree Road, East Maitland, New South Wales
Sheather, Jamesabout 1834Catsfield, East Sussex6 Aug 1913Winda Woppa, Tea Gardens, New South Wales
Sheather, Mary A.about 1836Eastdean, East Sussex24 Aug 1913High Street, Morpeth, New South Wales
Sheather, Stephenabout 1815Ninfield, East Sussex1 Dec 1855Bolwarra, New South Wales
Sivyer, Ellenabout 1831Hawkhurst, Kent15 Jul 1911Nundle, New South Wales
Sivyer, Jamesabout 1825Hawkhurst, Kent2 Jan 1896West Maitland, New South Wales
Sivyer, Josephabout 1825Hawkhurst, Kent2 Nov 1895Mann Street, Armidale, New South Wales
Sivyer, William S.12 Sep 1789Hawkhurst, Kent7 Dec 1881Oakhampton Road, West Maitland, New South Wales
Tester, Hannahabout 1816Eastdean, East Sussex30 Jun 1893Jones Island, New South Wales
Thurley, George27 Mar 1809Salehurst, East Sussex
Wyborn, Edwardabout 1831Sussex1901Brunkerville, New South Wales