A summary picture in 1805–6

The best, if incomplete, contemporary picture of the first settlement is given in the muster records of 1805–6 (1989). Subsequent musters, particularly that in 1811, give a less informative account. Development certainly continued beyond 1806, so this early muster probably understates the success attained in the first bridgehead efforts. After 1806, with the succession of Governor Bligh and subsequent conflict, information and truth go underground. The 1805–6 muster does not include all the important information and even within its own terms it has several important deficiencies. But it is the one occasion before the 1828 census when it is likely that the mass of individuals were able to report their colonial activity or occupation, whether in current or predominant terms. Let us in any event deal first with this muster, which included a head count of much, though not all, of the Botany Bay settlement and also encompassed land holdings and farming activity.

Table 7 (opposite) is a summary of occupations/industries reputed to be carried on by males according to civil status as estimated from the muster. The muster omitted officials and their activities and some free immigrants were also excluded. In all, just short of half the population is reported in the table, the greater part of the balance being women, children, officials and free immigrants.