People Australia

Mary Ann Benneworth, a nursemaid aged 14, was sentenced to seven years transportation for stealing a flat iron from her employer. She arrived in Van Diemen's Land (now Tasmania) aboard the Garland Grove in 1843. According to the ship's record she was 4 feet 9 inches (144.8 cms) tall. She had a small head, fair complexion, light brown hair, light hazel eyes and a freckled face. The ship's surgeon reported her character as 'indifferent'.

In 1844 she worked as a government servant for William Murray in Hobart. The next year she worked in the Superintendent's Office, Launceston, and in 1846 was working in Campbelltown. She married Samuel Barnard, a fellow convict, on 7 January 1846 at St Luke's Church, Campbelltown. They had at least nine children before splitting up. Mary Anne then lived with John Lucas. They moved to New Zealand about 1863.

Mary Ann's only recorded colonial offence was 7 days of solitary confinement in Hobart in August 1844 for being 'insolent and neglect of duty'. Her master at the time was William Murray. She was granted a ticket of leave on 18 November 1845 and a conditional pardon on 1 July 1848. Her certificate of freedom was issued on 31 August 1849.