Date of Conviction: 09/05/1810

Age at Conviction: 15

Crime Convicted of: Theft

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

Sentence Length: 7 Years

Ship Transported on: Minstrel

Where Arrived: Port Jackson, New South Wales

Departure Date: 04/06/1812

Arrival Date: 25/10/1812

Biography: Elizabeth (also Witherington/Wethington) was from Worsley, Manchester and single. She had stolen a gold watch at Manchester from a William Woolley along with Catherine Clarke who she was transported with. She had been acquitted of theft (as Betty Withington) the year before.

In April 1813, Elizabeth married John Swain(e) (ship- Anne) at St Johns, Parramatta and was recorded as the wife of John Swaine in 1816 and 1819. Elizabeth got her certificate of freedom in 1817. Her husband John, who had petitioned against his incorrect life sentence which should have been for seven years was successful in his petition and suddenly free in 1820, abandoned Elizabeth and left the colony, sailing home on the brig- Lynx.

Elizabeth then married shoemaker convict Matthew Wild (ship- Mangles) at St Peters, Campbelltown in 1823. She further petitioned that her husband Matthew be assigned to her, as his master had no further use of him which was granted.

In 1825, the couple were recorded as living still at Campbelltown and also this year, Elizabeth swore an affidavit to get a new certificate of freedom issued as she lost it in an accidental fire in 1819. It is not then clear what happens to Elizabeth. During 1825, Matthew was in Sydney and was jailed for an assault. By 1828 he was employed at Hyde Park Barracks and by 1832 was at Parramatta, later re-marrying and moving far from Sydney.

A death record, commonly cited for Elizabeth states she died at Campbelltown in 1838, aged 84 but with conflicting suggestions that this may be another Elizabeth Wild, at this time, I think it possible she either died, took up another name or left the colony at some stage between late 1825 and 1828.