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Mary Ann James (c. 1810–?)

Mary Ann Wheeler was placed in the Female Orphan School in 1822 following the death of her father and the remarriage of her stepmother. She was still residing at the school in 1824 when an application for her release was made by Mary Hayes.

In 1828 Mary Ann was working as a servant for Thomas Harley. She married James O'Hara on 19 September 1830. A year later she was sentenced to 14 years transportation — along with her husband, and Michael and Mary O'Brien, and John and Mary O'Hara — for receiving stolen property and harbouring bushrangers. Mary Ann was described in the gaol entrance book as being 4 feet 11 inches (149.9 cms) tall, with a slight build, ruddy complexion, light hair and grey eyes.

By about 1840 Mary Ann had left James O'Hara and was living with William James, a farmer on Windsor Road; their first daughter Mary Ann James was baptised in 1843.

* Mary Hayes' application to the Female Orphan School in 1824 stated that Mary Ann's father was Thomas Wheeler; a baptism certificate has not been found.

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Citation details

'James, Mary Ann (c. 1810–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/james-mary-ann-30139/text37402, accessed 8 September 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • O'Hara, Mary Ann
  • Wheeler, Mary Ann
  • Whelan, Mary Ann
Birth

c. 1810
Richmond, New South Wales, Australia

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.

Occupation
Key Places