Maryann Bradney

341

Maureen Withey on 8th September 2021

Our police officers having obtained information of a large party of negociators of forged notes of the Bank of England, resident in this town and its vicinity, and suspected of carrying on this nefarious traffic to a great extent, they proceeded on Monday se'ennight to search for them, and with much difficulty succeeded in taking eight persons into custody; the capture was effected between the hours eleven at night and three in the morning. We regret to say that a serjeant of the 52d regiment, well known in the recruiting service of this place for the last twelve years, was found one of the offenders. The cases were so numerous that the examination lasted from Wednesday morning, by adjournment, until Monday noon, when they were committed to Warwick. Our Headborough and Mr. Payn went on the Tuesday following to the house of the mother of the greater part of the offenders, and after searching some time, found, secreted on the stairs, nearly 1800 counterfeit sixpences and 600 shillings, all papered and packed up for sale; and on the Thursday following the same premises were again searched, and several valuable French shawls and some lace were found, which had been taken in part payment for forged notes. The notes are the best executed of any yet discovered. The names of the parties are Ann Bamford, Benjamin Bamford, Elizabeth Bamford, Rebecca Bamford, Joseph Bradney, Mary Ann Bradney, William Sandeland, and William Andrews; and what is remarkable, six of them have relatives on board a convict ship, now preparing to sail for New South Wales, for the same offence. Manchester Mercury, 13 Jan 1818. LENT ASSIZES. Warwick. J. Bradney charged with uttering forged Bank note, to which pleaded Guilty. The Judge humanely advised him to put himself upon his trial; but upon his persisting in the determination to plead Guilty, that plea was recorded, and sentence of Death passed upon him. Mary Bradney (wife to the last-mentioned prisoner), Rebecca and Elizabeth Bamford, Amelia and Benjamin Hirons, were also capitally indicted for uttering forged Bank Notes. They all pleaded Guilty, and his Lordship immediately passed sentence of Death upon them. Public Ledger, 9 April 1818.

221

D Wong on 7th May 2016

Mary Ann Bradney (nee HILL) was sentenced to death along with six others, for uttering forged £ notes. Mary Ann was then 21 years old. She was the wife of John Bradney who was transported per (Nepturne 1818) for the same crime. 20/6/1815: Married John Bradney and had a daughter, Emily in 1816 in Birmingham. They had 2 more children in Sydney in 1821 and 1822. 1820: Assigned to Mrs Hazards, John Bradney was there also. C1822: John was implicated in more forged notes and was sent to Port Macquarie for the remainder of his sentence. 12/8/1824: Sydney Gazette: edited— Saturday.—Mary Ann Bradney was indicted for feloniously, maliciously, and traitorously poisoning her husband, John Bradney, between the 21st of March, and the 18th of April, at the Settlement of Port Macquarie. The deceased John Bradney was well known in the town of Sydney, about two years since, as a brazier and tinman. Having unfortunately been implicated in the forgery of dollar-notes, he was sentenced to serve the remainder of his original term of transportation at our penal settlement of Port Macquarie. Found Not Guilty. John died 18/4/1824. 1825: Servant for Major Antill at Cawdor nr Camden. 1828: Living Female Factory Parramatta with son William Bradney B1828 Father’s name listed as William on the NSW BDM. 1829: Married Thomas Allen – Mary separated from Thomas in 1833 – there is a death listed for Thomas Allen in 1834 aged 72. 1836: Working for James North with William Ryan. 1836: Married William Ryan. 1838 Ticket of Leave 26/5/1860: Mary died at Kingsgrove, Hurstville, Sydney,

106

Carol Axton-Thompson on 9th November 2014

Mary Bradney transported to New South Wales, Australia per the 'Lord Wellington' 1819. 16/05/1838: Ticket of Leave granted. Maitland, NSW district.