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Mary Horwood (c. 1794–1864)

Mary Clare (c.1794-1864) was found guilty on 14 January 1824 at the Stafford Quarter Sessions, Staffordsire, of stealing two pieces of cotton prints from a shop. Sentenced to 7 years transportation she arrived at Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) aboard the Henry in 1825. According to her gaol report she was 'a very bad character has been convicted before of felony Family connexions notorious characters one brother executed another sister and mother transported Stated this offence Shoplifting once before for a similar offence 12 months in Stafford Gaol'.

Mary Clare married fellow convict William Osborne on 7 August 1826 at Hobart.

Described as a free widow, 35-year-old Mary Osborne (she was actually 53) married Christopher Horwood on 30 March 1847 at Hobart according to the rites of the Church of England; John and Eliza Mason (her brother-in-law and niece) were witnesses.

Mary Harwood died at Murray St, Hobart, on 26 October 1864; her age was given as 65, her place of birth as England, her occupation as publican's wife, and her cause of death as 'old age and general debility'.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Horwood, Mary (c. 1794–1864)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/horwood-mary-31773/text39236, accessed 7 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Osborne, Mary
  • Osborn, Mary
  • Clare, Mary
  • Harwood, Mary
  • Orwood, Mary
Birth

c. 1794
Staffordshire, England

Death

26 October, 1864 (aged ~ 70)
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Cause of Death

general debility

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: theft (shop)
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Staffordshire
Trial Date: 14 January 1824
(1824)