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Martha Jones (c. 1762–1817)

Martha Eaton (c.1762-1817), a domestic servant, was sentenced to 7 years transportation for an unknown crime — her trial has not been traced. She arrived at Sydney aboard the Lady Penrhyn in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Eaton married (as Martha Beddingfield) Edward Jones at Sydney Cove on 23 March 1788; they had at least three children. The couple lived on a farm at Toongabbie from 1794 and later moved to Sydney where Edward worked as a baker.

Martha Jones died in Sydney on 1 September 1817 'after a lingering consumption'.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 115

Citation details

'Jones, Martha (c. 1762–1817)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/jones-martha-30911/text38274, accessed 19 April 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Eaton, Martha
  • Beddingfield, Martha
Birth

c. 1762

Death

1 September, 1817 (aged ~ 55)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

tuberculosis

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: unknown
Sentence: 7 years