Date of Conviction: 04/04/1811

Age at Conviction: 33

Crime Convicted of: Highway Robbery

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

Sentence Length: Life

Ship Transported on: Remained In England

Where Arrived: N/A

Departure Date: N/A

Arrival Date: N/A

Biography: Mary stole £40 worth of bank notes from George Ward at Liverpool along with Sarah Roberts and Elizabeth Harrop and an Edward Morgan. George had asked Elizabeth and Sarah if they knew where a public house could be found. They took him from Scotland Road, up a nearby passageway to Mary Harling’s house where they were joined by Edward Morgan and the four robbed him. Mary was married and had a child. A crowd gathered and both George’s son and a constable were sent for, proving their guilt. Sarah had been caught hiding under the bed and the money had been hidden around the house. Mary had tried to claim that the affray had simply stumbled into her house and she and her child were just having their tea at the time and were onlookers. They each had death sentences reprieved.

Sarah passed away in jail soon after in 1811 and Edward and Elizabeth were transported but Mary remained in jail. Mr Higgin, the castle governor, reported in late August 1815 that Mary was growing weaker every day, she died in the castle hospital the 8th October 1815. An inquest was taken the following day and she was buried in St Mary’s churchyard next door on the 10th.