Date of Conviction: 17/10/1822

Age at Conviction: 17

Crime Convicted of: Theft

Court Convicted at: Lancaster Quarter Sessions (held at the Old Courthouse, Preston)

Sentence Length: 7 Years

Ship Transported on: Mary (1)

Where Arrived: Hobart, Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)

Departure Date: 03/06/1823

Arrival Date: 05/10/1823

Biography: Mary had stolen a watch from a Betty Woodruff. She was described, whilst in jail at Lancaster as saying that she was born at Preston and was 5ft 1 with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, light brown hair and had a large red mark on the back of her right leg. She was a piecer at Mr Catteralls mill in Preston.

In February 1826, Mary married Cumbrian cabinet maker James Johnston (ship- Claudine) at Launceston (she had been in the female factory at Georgetown). Mary was recorded as having been ‘on the town’ (a prostitute) and had four past convictions. She had many misdemeanours between 1826 and 1830- running away from her new husband on a number of occasions and being drunk and disorderly. She was sent to the female factory, the house of correction, put in the stocks and had periods of being confined only on bread and water. In July 1828 she was found up on the roof of the female factory with a bundle of prohibited articles that had been thrown in. The following month she was caught trying to get out of the factory by getting over the wall. In the end they locked her up until she had served her seven years.

Even after this time, Mary was charged with stealing £7 in promissary bank notes but this case was dismissed and she had a final charge for being drunk and disorderly in 1830.