Thanks for all this. I agree Jim, a question on Mudcat nearly always gets you the answer you want, but also lots and lots of very interesting information.

In both the songs I am thinking of, immediately does fit.

The first song is "Van Dieman's Land" - where the man holding the "contract" for a girl that has been transported marries her "out of hand". In this one, I was wondering whether, as the status of the girl would be almost that of a slave, and certainly as a convict, how much choice would she have in the matter. Might there be something that allowed him to take one of the female convicts whose contract he held as a "wife" during the time of her transportation? Did he have to buy her freedom in order to marry her? Would it be a normal marriage contract, i.e. one that did not allow him to end the marriage easily?

The second one is "Cathy Shaw", words by Roger Watson. Here is a girl with no fortune and he is a mine owner's son. Immediately certainly fits and so does him marrying her with no regard to a dowry.

Again, thank you. It's been fascinating reading all your contributions.

Cheers

Sylvia