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 Day (c. 1758–?)

Mary Bolton was found guilty on 12 March 1785 at Shrewsbury, England, of stealing a large quantity of clothing late at night. Her death sentence was commuted to 7 years transportation. Sent to Southwark Gaol on 23 November 1786 she arrived in Sydney in January 1788 aboard the Lady Penrhyn as part of the First Fleet.

Bolton was sent to Norfolk Island on the Surprize in August 1790. In February she was given a pig under the plan to make convicts more self-sufficient. By June 1794 she was living with Samuel Day; there was no record of any children. In December 1810 Mary was publicly victualled as a hospital nurse. With Day and two children Bolton left for Port Dalrymple, Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), in January 1813. The two children seem to have been adopted; Mary (b.1797) and Catherine (b.1802) both had Sullivan as their surname. No record has been traced of Bolton's death.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 40

Citation details

'Day, Mary (c. 1758–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/day-mary-30367/text37664, accessed 20 April 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Bolton, Mary
Birth

c. 1758
England

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
Key Places
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years