Date of Conviction: 23/03/1816

Age at Conviction: 40

Crime Convicted of: Uttering/Possession of Forged Notes

Court Convicted at: Lancaster Assizes (held at Lancaster Castle)

Sentence Length: 14 years

Ship Transported on: Lord Melville

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 29/08/1816

Arrival Date: 24/02/1817

Biography: Mary Ann, who was married to Josiah Allen, were tried together; him with forgery and her with possession of forged £1 bank notes at Liverpool. Josiah was transported on the ship ‘Fame’, the year after Mary Ann. Ann travelled with their four children as well as another daughter from an earlier relationship, leaving Lancaster Castle for the south on the 8th July.

Reunited in New South South Wales, the family grew with another two children born in 1818 and 1820 and Josiah became reasonably well known as a portrait and interior painter. Both Ann and Josiah received absolute pardons in November 1821 after submitting their joint plea for their exemplary behavior and large family, with Mary Ann being described as ‘virtuous and industrious’ and them both being in the employment of Mr Nicholson (HM Dockyard attendant). At this time, Mary Ann was described as 5ft 5, dark and ruddy skinned, black hair and dark eyes and has signed her own name.

She died in late June 1830, aged 55 within the parish of St Philips, Sydney.