Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Convict Ship Mary - 1833


Embarked: 170 men
Voyage: 123 days
Deaths: 2
Surgeon's Journal: yes
Tons: 370 Crew: 27 men
Previous vessel: Parmelia arrived 16 November 1832
Next vessel: Fanny arrived 2 February 1833
Captain Alexander Jamieson
Surgeon William Conborough Watt
Prisoners and passengers of the Mary identified in the Hunter Valley


The Mary departed London 4th September 1832 with one hundred and seventy convicts bound for New South Wales.

Surgeon William Conborough Watt

This was William Conborough Watt's fourth and last voyage as Surgeon-Superintendent on a convict ship. He kept a Medical Journal from 1st August 1832 to 23rd January 1833. He had previously been employed as surgeon on the convict ships Edward in 1829, Roslin Castle in 1830and the Exmouth in 1831.

His journal entries on this voyage are interesting reading for the descriptions he gives each patient -

The first entry in his journal is the case of George Barry age 25, one of the soldiers of the 21st regt., who had embarked with his detachment on 6th August from Chatham. He was healthy on arrival at the ship however deteriorated rapidly and was found to be suffering cholera. He remained in a serious condition for a fortnight.

The next case was Henry Bellamy A young man of a fair, scrophulous complexion and plethric habit of body; got wet a few days and thoughtlessly lay down in his clothes.

Benjamin Millwood, convict, age 21 was described as a London blackguard of the lowest description whose constitution had been destroyed by the commission of every species of vice and a consumptive scrophulous habit of body.

Thomas Tomlins convict, was a robust plethoric man with a particularly large head and short thick neck.

John Knowells, convict, was an athletic country man and a shoe maker by trade who had led a very irregular life and had been in the habit of using a great quantity of ardent spirits supplied him by the ships company for doing jobs for them.

Henry Bernard - A young man superiorly connected whose constitution has been ruined by a long series of debaucheries

John Marshall - a stout athletic man of an indolent temperament. -Scurvy. Departed this life 22 December 1833 at 8am.

Others treated by the surgeon included Charles Griffiths, James Lonsdale, Gabriel Moss, Henry Taylor, George Barlow, Matthew Elliott, Thomas Blucher, Richard Mason, William Henry Barnard, William Appleby, David Cameron, Jonathan Leach, George Anty, Thomas Stevens, William Clay, William Aughie, William Flanner, Edward Baldwin (sent to Sydney Hospital on arrival)

William Conborough Watt's opinion as to the beneficial effects of the acetous solution of nitre in the cure of scurvy as outlined by Charles Cameron which was used successfully on the voyage of the Exmouth in 1831, brought Dr. Watt into conflict with the Master of the Mary Alexander Jamieson who disapproved of Watts' reluctance to administer lime juice to the convicts and later made a formal complaint against him.

William Watt detailed every difficult circumstance caused by Captain Jamieson for the information of the Commissioners of the Admiralty - He received every specie of annoyance from Captain Jamieson throughout the voyage who adopted every means to render the convicts discontented and uncomfortable.

The prisoners were short changed on their rations and the decks were lumbered with goods so that there was little room for exercise.

Cabin Passengers

Passengers included Richard Cunningham, colonial botanist (brother of Allan Cunningham), Capt. Daniels, Lieut. J.R. Stewart and soldiers of 21st Regt. or Royal Scotch Fusiliers.

Port Jackson

The Mary came direct, and arrived in Port Jackson on 5 January 1833.

Prisoners of the Mary identified in the Hunter region :

Autey, George
Weaver and carter age 21 from Yorkshire. Tried 17 March at York Assizes and sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in July 1843. Cousin Benjamin Bedford came 11 years previously.


Appleby, William
Gun finisher age 17 from Staffordshire. Tried 24 March 1832 at Warwick and sentenced to 14 years transportation for poaching. Served a sentence in irons at Maitland Stockade which expired in April 1844


Barnard, William Henry
Clerk in King's household. Age 28. Married with 1 child. Tried Middlesex Gaol Delivery 17 May 1832 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing plate. Granted Ticket of Leave for Newcastle February 1847


Bates, Henry
Mail coachman and groom age 49 from Manchester. Widower. Tried at Lancaster 9 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. Two prior convictions. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Singleton on a charge of stealing in August 1842. Sent for trial.


Bellamy, Henry
Plumber, glazier, painter, hospital cook from Worcestershire. Tried 2 January 1832 at Worcester and sentenced to transportation for life for stealing money. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland in October 1843


Blucher, Thomas
Labourer from Baltimore age 20. Tried at Lancaster 9 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing butter. Assigned to James Marshall (shipbuilder) at Raymond Terrace in 1837. Granted Ticket of Leave for Williams River district in June 1837


Brown, George
Bootcloser 19 from London. Tried at Surry Quarter Sessions 3 January 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for stealing a time piece. Assigned to William Dangar at Neotsfield in February 1833. Assigned to James Chilcott at Singleton. Charged by overseer Jonathan Young with neglect and sentenced to 25 lashes in October 1833. Absconded from James Chilcott in October 1836


Caines, Samuel
Coal miner assigned to the A.A. Company at Port Stephens in February 1833 - 1837


Carter, William
Pastry cook's apprentice age 18 from London. Tried Middlesex Gaol Delivery 5 April 1832 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for picking pockets. Punished at Maitland in September 1833. - Return of Corporal Punishment inflicted by Sentence of the Bench in the presence of P.N. Anley, Magistrate. 50 lashes for general bad conduct. Back appeared much lacerated. Assigned to Henry Hewitt at Patrick Plains in 1837. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in April 1839. Cousin Eliza Roberts arrived in the colony one year previously.


Clay, William
Brick tile maker age 24 from Nottinghamshire. Tried 4 April 1832 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing a hat. Assigned to Lieut. John Wood at Maitland in February 1833. Killed by a native black near Maitland in April 1837.Buried in St. Peter's burial ground at Maitland 14 April 1837


Dakin, John
Farm servant age 23 from Derbyshire. Tried 9 April 1832 at Lancaster and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing waistcoating. Lost his right ear. Assigned to Helenus Scott at Glendon in February 1833 Sent to Newcastle gaol for trial at the Quarter Sessions in December 1834. Sentenced to transportation to a penal settlement for 7 years.


Day, James
Tailor age 22 from London. Married. Tried Middlesex Gaol Delivery 5 July 1832 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing handkerchiefs. Previous sentence of 7 years served at Woolwich. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland in October 1842. Ticket cancelled in May 1845 for being absent from his district.


Graham, William
Born 1810 at Portsmouth. Blacksmith assigned to T.W.M. Winder in February 1833 and to William Wentworth in 1837. Application to marry Mary Hanley at West Maitland in June 1843.


Haddock, John
Farm servant age 32 from Staffordshire. Married with 5 children. Tried 4 January 1832 and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing cheese. Assigned to Frederick A. Hely at Brisbane Water in 1837. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Brisbane Water in June 1839


Harris, John
House painter age 35 from London. Tried Kent Quarter Sessions 5 July 1832. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for passing base coin. Served 3 1/2 years at Milbank previously Granted a Ticket of Leave for Maitland November 1843


Hilton, John
Collier assigned to William Dangar at Neotsfield in February 1833 - 1837. Absconded in September 1838. Granted Ticket of Leave for Scone October 1842. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in November 1843. Ticket of leave for the district of Tamworth cancelled for being absent in May 1849


Jones, John (1)
Publican age 32 from Yorkshire. Married with 3 children. Tried in London 5 January 1832. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing a purse. Description nearly bald, nose large, fourth finger of left hand had been broken. Granted a Ticket of Leave 6 January 1843 for the district of Maitland. Ticket altered to Moreton Bay 20 March 1843 T/L 43/172


Jones, John (2)
Letter press printer age 19 from London. Tried in London 5 January 8132. Sentenced to 14 years transportation for robbing a cart. Description five blue dots back of right thumb. Sent to Sydney Gaol in September 1836 under sentence of 12 months to an ironed gang. Sent to the Barracks Stockade. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Muswellbrook in 1842. To be sent to Hyde Park Barracks for absconding


Lonsdale, John
Cloth dresser age 22 from Leeds. Tried 10 March 1832 at Nottingham and sentenced to 14 years transportation for house breaking. Assigned to Robert Pringle at Maitland in February 1833. Assigned to Alexander Livingstone at Hunter River in 1837.


Loundes, Mark
Farmer's boy age 20 from Cheshire. Tried at Lancaster 9 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing hay. Assigned to Richard Yeomans at Maitland in February 1833. Assigned to William Spears at Brisbane Water in April 1833. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Brisbane Water in April 1837. Died at Brisbane Water November 1839. Inquest held at the Crooked Billet at Brisbane Water touching on the sudden death of Mark Lownds, labourer, free by servitude. Witnesses included William Spears, landlord of the Crooked Billet and employer of Mark Lownds; Sarah Spears, wife of William Spears; James Mallen; John Moore, sawyer, free by servitude; John Smith, assigned servant of William Ward


Lyall, George
Farm servant from Yorkshire age 24. Married with 1 child.. Tried 10 July 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing grain. Described as a stout able bodied man. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Patrick Plains under sentence of 14 days in the cells and then to be sent to Newcastle bench to be dealt with in April 1835. Sent to No. 3 Stockade (Nobbys) in May 1835. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Port Stephens in June 1839.


Mason, Richard
Ladies shoemaker age 18 from North Shields. Tried at Surrey Assizes 26 March 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for stealing shoes. Granted Ticket of Leave for Maitland in December 1845. Application to marry Sarah Ann Elizabeth Bryant at Maitland in July 1849. Granted a Conditional Pardon in September 1850.


McGuire, James
Cabin boy age 18 . Tried Middlesex Gaol Delivery 16 February 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a jacket. Assigned to Helenus Scott at Glendon in February 1833. Returned to government service in May 1836 and re-assigned to William Cromarty, Newcastle boat pilot and afterwards re-assigned to John Brown at Maison Dieu, Patrick Plains. Assigned to J.M. Davis at Liverpool Plains in 1837 and absconded from service in January 1837. Apprehended in April. Absconded from service of Robert Park at Paterson in September 1838. Admitted to Newcastle gaol from Maitland on a charge of theft in November 1841


Oakford, George
Labourer from London age 18. Tried Middlesex Gaol 16 February 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. Assigned to John Thomas at Newcastle in February 1833. Found guilty of neglect of duty in June 1833 after losing cattle and sentenced to 14 days on bread and water. Worked at the hospital at Newcastle in December 1837. Charged with neglect and insolence when he refused to move a spade quickly enough in December 1837.In defence Oakford said he had been working all day and was tired. Discharged from Court. Sentenced to 25 lashes in January 1838 when he refused to clean the ward


Parker, David
Shoemaker age 24 from Yorkshire. Tried 4 April 1832 at Lancaster and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing leather. Assigned to Samuel Wright at Merton in 1837. Sent to Newcastle gaol and then Hyde Park Barracks in February 1837


Pickles, James
Wool sorter age 25 from Yorkshire. Tried 5 July 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for man robbery. Assigned to Timothy Nowlan in February 1833 - 1836. Granted ticket of Leave for Paterson in March 1837. Sent for trial for cattle stealing in July 1844. Found not guilty however in April 1845 was sentenced to 7 years transportation having been found guilty of stealing wheat


Randall, John
Tanner and Plasterer's labourer age 25 from London. Tried Surrey Quarter Sessions 9 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing lead. Crippled in left arm and hand; brother Edmund Randall came 16 years previously. Assigned to Richard Yeomans in February 1833. Granted Ticket of Leave for Paterson in March 1839


Robinson, William
Upholsterer and mattress maker age 21 from York. Tried at York 6 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for street robbery. Application to marry Rachael Shannon at Maitland in October 1841. Sent to Newcastle gaol from Maitland in April 1842 on a charge of assaulting a constable. Fined 5 pounds or be confined 2 months.


Robertson, Samuel
Drummer and officer's servant age 20 from Plymouth. Tried Kent Quarter Session 3 July 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for robbing his master. Ticket of Leave cancelled for being absent from his district Muswellbrook in June 1851.


Slater, William
Cloth dresser and groom age 25 from Yorkshire. Tried at York 2 January 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a watch. Assigned to George Yeomans in February 1833


Smith, James
Carter age 27 from Yorkshire. Married with two children. Tried York Assizes 17 Mrach 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for highway robbery. Brother John Smith arrived 4 years previously. Granted Ticket of Leave of Singleton in April 1841


Spokes, William
Carpenter, wheelwright and bargeman. Tried at Gloucester 25 March 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for rioting. Assigned to James Glennie at Hunter River in February 1833. Granted Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in February 1841


Stevenson, John
Razor blade maker from Sheffield age 19. Tried 11 July and sentenced to 14 years transportation for stealing poultry. In October 1835 sent to Newcastle gaol from Parick Plains as he was committed for trial at the next Quarter Sessions. Assigned to the iron gang at Newcatle in 1837


Swaine, Samuel
Plasterer and butcher age 26 from Gloucester. Tried 28 March 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing. Assigned to Patrick Plains disstrict in 1837. Granted at Ticket of Leave in February 1841


Swindalls, Charles
Cotton weaver age 20 from Cheshire. Tried at Chester 2 January 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing a cloak. Assigned to George Yeomans at Maitland in February 1833


Wake, Anthony
Groom age 22 from York. Tried 6 April 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for housebreaking. In September 1833 he was punished with 50 lashes for insolence and absconding without leave. This man was never flogged before; the skin was lacerated at the 38th lash; the blood appeared slightly at the 48th lash; he neither cried nor spoke. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Patrick Plains in August 1838. He married Jane Crutcher of Branxton at West Maitland in February 1841. In 1846 he was a tenant farmer at Oswald, the estate of William Harper


West, William
Shepherd age 23 from Buckinghamshire. Tried 28 February 1832 and sentenced to transportation for life for sheep stealing. Assigned to Robert Pringle at Patrick Plains in 1837. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Singleton in March 1841.


Wilkes, George
Labourer age 19 from Wolverhampton. Tried 4 January 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing money. Assigned to John Gaggin at Segenhoe in February 1833


Williams, John
Alias Evan Ballard - Brassfounder age 23 from London. Sentenced to transportation for life for picking pockets. Absconded from J. Campbell at Maitland in June 1836.


Woodward, Joseph
Farm servant; milks. Age 19, native place Nottingham. Tried 10 Mrach 1832 at Nottingham and sentenced to transportation for life for incendiarism. Assigned to James Marshall at Raymond Terrace in 1837. Granted a Ticket of Leave for Williams River in March 1841. Application to marry Mary Kilday at Maitland in May 1846.

Wynne, Thomas Walley
Shoemaker age 23 from Staffordshire. Married with 1 child. Tried 4 January 1832 and sentenced to 7 years transportation for highway robbery. Assigned to William Dangar at Neotsfield in 1837. Absconded in August 1838, apprehended in September 1838. Sent to the Tarban Creek Lunatic Asylum in June 1845.

Notes and Links

1). James Crady or John Jones, 31, Native place Devonshire, shipwright. Originally transported on the Mary in 1833. Escaped from the colony and re-transported on the Roslin Castle in 1834. Escaped from the colony again and returned by the Eden in 1840.

2). Convicts of the Mary identified in the Hunter Valley -

3). Convict ships bringing detachments of the 21st regiment (Royal Scotch Fusiliers) and Officer in command of the Guard....

Mary departed London 4 September 1832 - Captain Daniels 21st regt.,

Roslin Castle departed Cork 8 October 1832 - Lieuts. Bayley and Pieter L. Campbell. 21st

Andromeda departed Portsmouth 17 November 1832 - Lieuts. Lonsdale and Armstrong 21st regt.,

Mangles departed London 14 December 1832 London

Asia departed the Downs 21 February 1833 - Lieuts. Kelly and Wilson of 6th regt.,

Lord Lyndoch departed Sheerness June 1833 - Lieut-Col. Leahy. Headquarters of 21st

Royal Admiral departed Dublin 4 June 1833 - Lieut. Ainslie 21st regt.,

Aurora departed Portsmouth 4 July 1833 Major Delisle 4th regt.,

Java departed Cork 24 July 1833 - Lieut. Wrixon, 21st regt.,

Neva departed Plymouth 29 July 1833 - Lieut. McEdwin 1st or Queens Own regt.,

Lloyds departed the Downs 25 August 1833 - Lieut. McKnight 21st regt.,

Fairlie departed England 27 October 1833

Bengal Merchant departed 28 March 1838 - Lieut. Dear of 21st regt.,

References

1. Journal of William Conborough Watt on the voyage of the Mary in 1833. Ancestry.com. UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857. The National Archives. Kew, Richmond, Surrey.