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.

Jane Hambly (c. 1757–1812)

Jane Meech (c.1757-1812), a married woman, was found guilty on 30 March 1786 at Exeter, England, of stealing, with the help of a male companion, four iron chains weighing 60 pounds. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, she was sent to the Dunkirk hulk, where she remained until she was discharged to the Charlotte in March 1787, arriving in Sydney in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet. (Meech's name does not appear on the list of convicts, aboard the Charlotte, made up by Major Ross but there is a Jane Alcock on his list who appears nowhere else so that is probably her.)

Meech was sent to Norfolk Island on the Atlantic in November 1791. By June 1794 she was living with William Moulton, a former marine; they had one child.  The family moved to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) in December 1808 on the Lady Nelson. Following Moulton's death in January 1810, Meech married William Hambly on 21 December 1810 at Hobart.

Jane Meech was buried at Hobart on 25 November 1812; her age was given as 57.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 243

Citation details

'Hambly, Jane (c. 1757–1812)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hambly-jane-30992/text38361, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Meech, Jane
  • Moulton, Jane
  • Meach, Jane
  • Hambley, Jane
  • Molton, Jane
  • Alcock, Jane
Birth

c. 1757
England

Death

1812 (aged ~ 55)

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