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Mary Ann Lucas (1828–1868)

Mary Ann Benneworth, a nursemaid aged 14, was sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing a flat iron from her employer. She arrived in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) aboard the Garland Grove in 1843. According to the ship's record she was 4 feet 9 inches (144.8 cms) tall. She had a small head, fair complexion, light brown hair, light hazel eyes and a freckled face. The ship's surgeon reported her character as 'indifferent'.

In 1844 she worked as a government servant for William Murray in Hobart. The next year she worked in the Superintendent's Office, Launceston, and in 1846 was working in Campbelltown. She married Samuel Barnard, a fellow convict, on 7 January 1846 at St Luke's Church, Campbelltown. They had at least nine children before splitting up. Mary Anne then lived with John Lucas. They moved to New Zealand about 1863.

Mary Ann's only recorded colonial offence was 7 days of solitary confinement in Hobart in August 1844 for being 'insolent and neglect of duty'. Her master at the time was William Murray. She was granted a ticket of leave on 18 November 1845 and a conditional pardon on 1 July 1848. Her certificate of freedom was issued on 31 August 1849.

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Lucas, Mary Ann (1828–1868)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/lucas-mary-ann-26258/text34166, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Benneworth, Mary Ann
  • Samuel, Mary Ann
  • Benniworth, Mary Ann
  • Barnard, Mary Ann
  • Bennyworth, Mary Ann
  • Pennyworth, Mary Ann
  • Bennworth, Mary Ann
Birth

1828
Ipswich, Suffolk, England

Death

15 September, 1868 (aged ~ 40)
Invercargill, New Zealand

Cause of Death

tuberculosis

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.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Convict Record

Crime: unknown
Sentence: 7 years