Date of Conviction: 22/07/1817

Age at Conviction: 35

Crime Convicted of: Theft

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

Sentence Length: 7 Years

Ship Transported on: Maria

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 15/05/1818

Arrival Date: 17/09/1818

Biography: Margaret, a single woman, had stolen money at Horwich near Bolton where she lived. She was part of the group of 35 female prisoners who left Lancaster in March. The group was divided into three and Margaret left Lancaster in the first group on the 14th March and was put on board ship on the 17th. During the voyage, the surgeon noted- Complains of pains all over her more particularly about the chest. Slight dry cough. Bowels regular. Tongue white. Pulse quick. Given ipecac, magnesium sulphate and senna then cinchona. Skin hot with thirst. Margaret later caught scabies. She also suffered from a throat infection with an abscess, probably quinsy which spread to her neck; for this she was given linseed and antimony.

Upon arrival, Margaret was immediately sent to Port Dalrymple, Van Diemen’s Land on board the Elizabeth Henrietta. Soon after arrival, in 1819, Margaret married convict Thomas Rogers (ship- Shipley) at St Johns Launceston. in 1822 she was placed in solitary confinement for two weeks for absconding. She goes quiet after this for a few more years and was free by servitude by 1824 but from 1827 until 1832 Margaret has continual charges for being drunk and disorderly with increasing fines, short term sentences in the house of correction and even being put in the stocks. During this time, in February 1829, her husband was executed for stealing. In November 1838, Margaret married fellow widower Thomas Robjent (ship- Hayeston), but their time was short-lived; just over three years later on Christmas Day 1841, Margaret died after suffocating whilst drunk.