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Hannah Morley (c. 1779–1853)

Hannah Railton (1808-1853) was found guilty on 29 October 1806 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing five handkerchiefs worth 20 shillings from a shop. Her death sentence was commuted to 7 years transportation. She arrived at Sydney in November 1808 aboard the Speke and was living with Joseph Morley the next next year. The couple's daughter was born either late 1809 or early 1810; they had at least six more children.

Railton was granted a conditional pardon on 31 January 1818. She married Joseph Morley on 22 June 1818.

Hannah Morley died at Sydney on 27 July 1853; her age was given as 61. She was interred with her husband in the Elizabeth St Burial Ground (the site of the modern Central Railway Station). Their headstone was transferred to the Woronora cemetery.

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Citation details

'Morley, Hannah (c. 1779–1853)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/morley-hannah-30731/text38075, accessed 10 November 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Railton, Hannah
  • Elton, Hannah
  • Relton, Hannah
Birth

c. 1779

Death

27 July, 1853 (aged ~ 74)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

Passenger Ship
Occupation or Descriptor
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: life