Date of Conviction: 27/08/1817

Age at Conviction: 36

Crime Convicted of: Uttering Forged Notes

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

Sentence Length: 14 Years

Ship Transported on: Maria

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 15/05/1818

Arrival Date: 17/09/1818

Biography: Alice had uttered (used) a forged bank note to Hannah Hamsworth at Manchester. She also had others in her possession and had disposed of 40 shillings of forgeries to Hannah Hamsworth for payment. Along with Betty Healey, Catherine Hardacre and Elizabeth Stott, the women petitioned the Bank of England for financial help, writing the following letter:

“Alice Willcoch, Betty Healey, Catherine Hardacre, and Elizabeth Stott, Lancaster castle gaol, 30 January 1818, to Mr Glover, Bank investigator- Honoured Sir, I hope you Will Excuse the Liberty We unfortunate Wemen take in addressing you Relating to a little Subsistory Money We understand the Governers of the Bank alows to us unfortunate Wemen Which if you will have the goodness to Intercede with the Governers of the Bank of England We unfortunate Wemen Will for Ever be Bound to Pray for you by so Doing the undersighned Will for Ever Pray for you Alice Willcock, Betty Healey, Catherine Hardacre, Elizabeth Stott“

Alice travelled with her young son, aged around six months and was put on board the ship on the 18th March. Whilst at sea, Alice suffered from gripes and was given opium and peppermint. Like most women with children, Alice was sent to the female factory on arrival but soon after was assigned to be a servant. By 1822 she was described as a householder and held a ticket of leave.

By 1825, Alice was recorded as the wife of P. Bailey at Sydney and a shopkeeper. She received her certificate of freedom in 1831 when she was 50. At this time, she was described as 5ft 3, a fair to ruddy complexion, sandy brown hair, blue eyes and had lost all her front teeth.