Titled Toil and Trouble from Maitland to Moreton Bay and ­written by Brian Walsh, the book reveals the story of those men and women who worked for Hunter Valley settler John Eales during their sentences.

“Eales employed many convicts in the process of becoming one of the wealthiest men in NSW through his shipping interests and his squatting enterprises on the Liverpool Plains and in what is now Queensland,” Dr Walsh said.

“The book also hints that he was a man of many parts – a tough employer, ruthless in business but supportive of loyal, hard-working convicts and prepared to negotiate with government on their behalf.”

Paterson Historical Society ­president Cameron Archer said Dr Walsh’s book was groundbreaking and represents far more than local history.

“It also brings to light important aspects of Australia’s convict history that have not been previously well understood or explored,” Dr Archer said.

These include the operation of the little-known Newcastle Female Factory that operated as a depot for assignment of convict women in the Hunter Valley and doubled as a punishment centre when they rebelled against the system.

“Toil and Trouble also shows how the convict system changed to meet the need for convict labour to work the squatters’ runs in the interior, far away from the usual system of law and order.”

q Heritage Minister Robyn Parker will launch the book ­tomorrow at McDonald’s Bros Bookstore, High Street, at 4pm. For more information visit www.patersonhistory.org.au