People Australia

Mary Cooper (c.1750-1814) and Susannah Huffnell were found guilty on 19 July 1785 at the Worcester Quarter Sessions of stealing apparel. Sentenced to 7 years transportation the women were sent to the Dunkirk hulk, where they remained until they embarked for New South Wales on the Friendship in March 1787. Cooper was transferred to the Lady Penrhyn on 5 April 1787 and arrived in Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Cooper was sent to Norfolk Island on the Supply in November 1789. Her daughter, Elizabeth, was born on 12 April 1790 (d.1792). Mary was employed on the island by Robert Ruth and had returned to Port Jackson by 1802.

In 1806 Cooper was mustered as living with Joseph Craddock, a soldier. Mary Craddock whose burial was registered at St Philip's Church, Sydney, in July 1814 is probably the First Fleeter. Another possibility is Mary Cooper who died at Hobart on 22 September 1816. The age at death 0f both women was given as 64. 

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), pp 82-83