People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Parsley, Ann (c. 1772–?)

Ann Parsley (c.1772- ) and Phoebe Flarty were found guilty on 21 February 1787 at the Old Bailey, London, of shoplifting: they stole three muslin shawls from a shop. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, the women arrived at Sydney aboard the Prince of Wales in January 1788 as part of the First Fleet.

Parsley had a son with marine 1st Lieutenant James Furzer, who was baptised on 24 October 1791. Furzer took his son back to England with him when he returned home on the Gorgon in December 1791. Although her sentence had not yet expired it is possible that Parsley received a pardon so that she could return to England with her son. Several marine officers took their children home and sometimes their mothers as well. No further colonial records have been located for Parsley.

* information from Mollie Gillen, The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet (1989), p 277

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Parsley, Ann (c. 1772–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/parsley-ann-31027/text38396, accessed 6 June 2023.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1772

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years