Date of Conviction: 23/04/1817

Age at Conviction: 24

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: Ann was from Manchester and was an unmarried needlewoman. She had stolen cotton twist from Messrs Clogg (her employers). Along with her son James, aged around seven, Ann left Lancaster Castle on the 14th March 1818 and was put on board ship three days later. During the voyage, the ship’s surgeon recorded that she suffered from constipation and headaches. On arrival, now aged 25, she was almost immediately sent onboard the Elizabeth Henrietta to Hobart in Van Diemen’s Land where she was placed in the female factory upon arrival along with her son.

Ann was still in the factory, three years later during the 1821 muster by this time she had a second son (Samuel). By 1823, she was recorded as a servant to Richard Hardman (ship- Sir William Bensley), a fellow Lancastrian who she married at Launceston the following year on Christmas Day several months after she was free by servitude. In addition to her existing sons, the family grew with two sisters and two more brothers. During the 1827 children’s census, the father was described as an ‘indifferent character’. In October 1830 however, Ann’s husband Richard died as a result of alcoholism leaving her a widow. By 1831 she held a publicans license and she was fined for having two convicts remain in her premises ‘tippling’. In 1832, she was fined again for failing to keep up with her recognisance for the same. Also that year, her late husband’s will was proven with Ann receiving all his property and belongings.

In March 1835, Ann married again, to publican William Mason (ship- Sir William Bensley). They ran the Manchester Arms at Launceston, followed by the Angel Inn and acquired large amounts of property. They continued in the licensed trade until Ann’s death from old age, at their final pub, The Elephant & Castle, Wellington Street, 11th June 1862. She was recorded as aged 76 (though was possibly more like 69/70 if going off the original ship’s indent). She was buried at the Cypress St Anglican Cemetery within the Hardman family vault.