Owles, Mary (c. 1740–1816)
Mary Wilson (c.1740-1816) and Mary Newman were found guilty on 21 February 1787 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing underwear from a house. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, Wilson arrived at Sydney aboard the Prince of Wales in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.
Wilson married John Owles on 27 September 1789. The couple were sent to Norfolk Island on the Sirius in March 1790. Following her husband's death in 1806 Mary Owles lived with James Sheers. The couple returned to Port Jackson in 1814 on the Kangaroo.
Mary died (as Mary Sheers) on 15 August 1816 at Sydney; her age was given as 85.
* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), pp 388- 389
Additional Resources
- proceedings of trial, Old Bailey, London, 21 February 1787 (pdf)
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Owles, John (husband)
- Sheers, James (partner)
Citation details
'Owles, Mary (c. 1740–1816)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/owles-mary-30988/text38357, accessed 30 March 2023.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Sheers, Mary
- Willson, Mary
- Wilson, Mary
Birth
c. 1740
Death
15 August,
1816
(aged ~ 76)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Cause of Death
Religious Influence
Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Convict Record
Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years
Court: Old Bailey, London
Trial Date: 27 March 1787
(1787)