Date of Conviction: 10/10/1798

Age at Conviction: 22

Crime Convicted of: Theft

Court Convicted at: Lancaster Quarter Sessions (held at the New Bailey, Salford )

Sentence Length: 7 Years

Ship Transported on: Earl Cornwallis

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 01/08/1800

Arrival Date: 12/06/1801

Biography: Mary, who was also known as Mary Scarsbrick, stole two pieces of printed calico and one of lace belonging to John Sattersfield. She was employed as a winder in jail whilst awaiting transportation which earned her some money. In October 1800 the removal order was received at Lancaster Castle for Mary and twelve other female prisoners to be sent with clothes to Gravesend to board the ship.

In New South Wales, in July the year after arrival, Mary married John Johnson who was also transported on the Earl Cornwallis. Sadly this relationship did not last as John died the following year after accidentally being shot whilst Mary was pregnant with their daughter. Mary soon after married Thomas Bates (ship- Hillsborough) at St John’s Parramatta and they went on to have five children together.By 1805, Mary was free by servitude.

In 1820, the muster shows her married at Sydney and her husband had become district constable. In 1822 he attacked Lancastrian convict Maria Davis who Mary had been imprisoned and sailed with on the Earl Cornwallis resulting in his dismissal. By 1826, Mary was widowed and in 1828 was living in her son- in law’s house at Parramatta along with her eldest daughter Mary and her grandchildren. Mary died at their home 22 December that same year and was buried with a headstone at Devonshire Street Cemetery, later re-interred at La Perouse/ Bunnerong Cemetery in the Catholic section and now the East Suburbs Memorial Park.