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Mary Hambly (c. 1765–1796)

Mary Springham (c.1765-1796), a hawker, was found guilty on 25 October 1786 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing 30s.2d. and a snuff box from a woman. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, she arrived at Sydney aboard the Lady Penrhyn in January 1787 as part of the First Fleet.

Springham had a son, William (baptised 1790) with Michael Hambly. The couple and their baby went to Norfolk Island on the Sirius in March 1790; they were married in the mass wedding ceremony on the island in November 1791. By mid November 1794 three children were living on Hambly's farm on the island.

Mary Hambly died on 15 June 1796 on Norfolk Island.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 341

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Hambly, Mary (c. 1765–1796)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hambly-mary-30990/text38359, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Springham, Mary
  • Hambley, Mary
Birth

c. 1765
London, Middlesex, England

Death

15 May, 1796 (aged ~ 31)
Norfolk Island, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

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
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years