Mary Cash (1823–1891)
Mary Bennett, a farm servant, was sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing potatoes. It was her third conviction for this same offence (she had previously been sentenced to one month's gaol for each conviction). She arrived in Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in 1852 aboard the John William Dare. She was described as a widow, and was 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cms) tall, with a fresh complexion, brown hair and blue eyes. The ship's surgeon described her behaviour during the voyage as 'well conducted'. She could read but not write.
Bennett was sent to work at the Hobart Brickfields. In July she was assigned to Dr Huxstable on Norfolk Island. She met Martin Cash there; they were married on 14 May 1854 at St Joseph's Church, Norfolk Island. Mary had been granted a ticket of leave on 29 August 1853 but it was revoked on 11 April 1854 for being absent from muster. She was granted a conditional pardon on 11 September 1854.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- death notice, Mercury (Hobart), 17 July 1891, p 1
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Cash, Martin (husband)
- Cash, Martin (son)
Citation details
'Cash, Mary (1823–1891)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/cash-mary-15344/text36761, accessed 14 March 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Bennett, Mary
- Benness, Mary
Birth
Death
16 July,
1891
(aged ~ 68)
Hobart,
Tasmania,
Australia
Cause of Death
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.