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.

Elizabeth Riley (c. 1763–?)

Elizabeth Riley, Catherine Clark, Mary Barnes, and Ann Bryant were found guilty in March 1789 at the Kent Assizes of stealing ten yards of muslin from a shop and four yards of linen from another shop. Sentenced to 7 years transportation the women arrived at Sydney aboard the Lady Juliana in June 1790 as part of the Second Fleet. Riley was allowed to bring her young daughter Catherine, who was about three years old, with her.

Riley and her daughter were sent to Norfolk Island on the Surprize, arriving in August 1790. They returned to Sydney in March 1794 to give evidence against James Robbs who was charged with sexually assaulting Catherine (Robbs was acquitted).

Elizabeth was recorded as living with her daughter in the 1825 Muster at Pitt St, Sydney. She was not listed in the 1828 Census. It is likely she had died by then.

* information from Michael Flynn, The Second Fleet: Britain’s Grim Convict Armada of 1790 (1993), pp 500-501

Citation details

'Riley, Elizabeth (c. 1763–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/riley-elizabeth-30642/text37975, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1763

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years