People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Mary Brunton (1797–1832)

Mary Anson arrived with her parents, John, a flax dresser, her mother, Mary, and two siblings John (6) and Henry (3) aboard the Buffalo in 1799. Mary's age was given as one.

Her father was granted 100 acres of land at Toongabbie and by 1800 had six acres of wheat sown, three acres of maize ready to be sown and owned three pigs. In 1801 he had 14 acres under cultivation and owned nine sheep and six pigs and was no longer relying on government stores. His occupation was given as carpenter in 1806 and he was described as self-employed. In 1812 he received payment for building a new residence for the judge advocate.

The family moved to Tasmania in 1815.

Mary married William Underwood in Tasmania in 1817. They then moved to Sydney. Following William's death in 1817 she continued to run their inn. In 1829 she received a legacy of four properties from Sam Hulbert, an emancipist publican. Within two years she had lost most of the money. She married Thomas Brunton that same year.

*information from Liz Parkinson, The Underwoods: Lock, Stock and Barrel (1989)
 

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Brunton, Mary (1797–1832)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/brunton-mary-25208/text33662, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Anson, Mary
  • Underwood, Mary
Birth

1797
Yorkshire, England

Death

22 May, 1832 (aged ~ 35)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation