Ann Gordon (superintendent)

In October 1827, the Parramatta Female Factory was the site of women rioting as a response to a cut in rations and their poor conditions. The matron, Mrs Raine, had resigned and she had to be rescued from the factory. Gordon began her work as the factory's new matron and superintendent with her first task being to negotiate with the women who had escaped from the building. She was able to persuade them to return, but the disputed ration of bread and sugar remained. In less than an hour over 100 women escaped en masse and proceeded into the town where 40 soldiers and the threat of guns brought them back. They returned with a plunder of foodstuffs and when the ringleaders were confined, the mob released them.^[3]

Gordon had been appointed by the Governor of New South Wales, Ralph Darling. He had complained previously that there was no one available to take the role. Darling had offered the position to Gordon at £150 per annum (£50 less per year than her predecessor). Ann, her husband Robert, and their children, were given free fuel and quarters^[2] and she became one of the best paid women in the colony. Darling was supportive of Gordon as she endeavoured to introduce smooth management into the factory.^[1] There was another riot in 1831^[4] which was the year Darling stood down. Gordon had several assistant matrons and four other staff including a constable, but they were not always co-operative. Under the new governor Richard Bourke the number of women increased at the factory and conditions and behaviour suffered. 1833 saw another riot.^[4]

Gordon became well known in the locality. The factory was nicknamed Gordons’ Villa and even Gordon's Nunnery or Seminary.^[1]

By 1835 Gordon had supplemented the staff with trusted women convicts who served as midwife and overseers. Gossip grew, that immorality at the factory included her husband Robert Gordon, and that the governor's son, Richard Bourke, was the father of Gordon's grandchildren.^[2]

Robert was dismissed in 1835^[1] and in 1836 Ann Gordon was dismissed, although Bourke said she was not at fault and she received a years salary in compensation. Bourke told his superiors that he had introduced order at the factory.^[2] Gordon was replaced by Sarah and Thomas Bell who were the new matron and "the keeper".^[4]

Gordon tried to regain her position as a matron, but she was not successful. Robert became a licensee of the "Jolly Sailor" in Parramatta, but according to Ann he never worked for a decade and he spent all the money she gave him. She was a widow in 1863 and she died in 1868 in East Maitland.^[1]

• Biography at ADB