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Mary Watts (c. 1771–?)

Mary Watts was found guilty on 27 October 1790 at the Old Bailey, London, of stealing a silver watch, value 42 shillings; a box, inlaid with silver, value 3 shillings; a cotton handkerchief, value 6 pence; and seven shillings in monies. Sentenced to 7 years transportation, she arrived in Sydney in July 1791 aboard the Mary Ann as part of the Third Fleet.

In 1792 Watts had a son, John Matthew Hunter, with John Baxter, a convict who had joined the NSW Corps. She did not join Baxter when he left for Norfolk Island in February 1793. By 1806 Watts was living with George Johnson; she had two sons and a daughter. The couple were still together in 1825.

Citation details

'Watts, Mary (c. 1771–?)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/watts-mary-30206/text37486, accessed 28 September 2023.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

c. 1771
England

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Events
Convict Record

Crime: theft
Sentence: 7 years