Mary Carpenter

53

Beth Taylor on 3rd February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1785 Sentenced: 01/12/1813 Middlesex [see trial record, also with Mary WHEELER] to transportation for 7 years Crime: Stealing but not privately Previous Occupation: Mantua-maker Age on Convict Indent: 29 1813 - MARY CARPENTER, MARY WHEELER, Theft > shoplifting, 1st December 1813. 7. MARY CARPENTER and MARY WHEELER were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 18th of November , seven yards of callico, value 10 s. 6 d. the property of Robert Hart , privately in his shop. JOHN DAWSON BLOMER. I am shopman to Mr. Hart, linen-draper, in Holborn. On the 18th of November, both the prisoners entered Mr. Hart's shop, they asked for some white calico; I shewed them three or four pieces. After a short time they pitched upon one; I cut them a yard and a half off. They then asked for some pink muslin; that being in the back, there is a partition that divides the two shops. I shewed them two pieces of two different shades of colour; there being a piece of the same colour in the front shop, they conceived it was the same colour; they both went into the front shop. After looking at it the second time, they said, they would prefer one of the two that I had been shewing them in the back shop. I then left them in the shop, ran for the two pieces which I had been shewing them in the back shop; they pitched upon the palest shade of the two; I cut them off a quarter of a yard, the quantity they wanted; they paid me for the two articles, and went out of the shop. In about an hour and a half, Lee, the officer, came into the shop, and brought the calico which they had taken; I owned it, that being Mr. Hart's property. WILLIAM LEE. I am an officer. About five o'clock on Thursday evening, the 18th of November, I was sent for, at Mr. James, a haberdasher, Holborn bridge; Mr. James desired me to take the two prisoners in custody. I proceeded to search the prisoners. Upon the person of Carpenter, I found this piece of calico. I then searched Wheeler, and in a small basket which she held in her hand, I found these two pieces of calico. In conveying the prisoners to the Compter, the prisoners particularly requested me to keep this piece of calico, and said it was at my service the piece found upon Carpenter, if I would keep it for my own use they would he much obliged to me. I made enquiry in the neighbourhood; I judged I should find the owner. I went to Mr. Hart's shop, and before I produced the yard and a half of white cotton, and the quarter of a yard of pink muslin, I had found in Wheeler's basket, the last witness told me he had sold them two articles. I then discovered the owner of the seven yards of calico found upon Carpenter. Blomer. The yard and a half of white calico, and quarter of a yard of pink cambric muslin, Carpenter purchased of me; this piece Lee, the officer, brought in is the piece stolen; it is seven yards of calico, value half a guinea; they stole, they did not pay for it. I am sure it is Mr. Hart's property; Mr. Hart's private mark is upon it; it cost half a guinea. I did not miss the calico before it was brought back by Lee. Q. How many shopmen does Mr. Hart employ - A. There are four sons constantly employed; two of them were in the shop while the prisoners were there. The prisoners said nothing in their defence; called one witness, (each,) who gave them a good character. CARPENTER, GUILTY, aged 28, WHEELER, GUILTY, aged 36, Of stealing, but not privately. Transported for Seven Years. London jury, before Mr. Recorder. Source: Old Bailey on-line http://www.oldbaileyonline.org TRANSPORTED PER SHIP BROXBOURNEBURY TO SYDNEY NSW Certificate of Freedom 2635 (indent) 1814 Muster: Mary CARPENTER, Brox, con, on stores, servant to J Harkspur, schoolmaster, Windsor (1785) 1814, 25 Nov. – Mary Ann Carpenter, prisoner per ship Brox, received permission to marry a free man James Chapman, from Gov Macquarie. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6004; 4/3493 p382) 1820, 23 Feb. – Mary Carpenter, per ship Brox., was admitted to Sydney Gaol for an unspecified offence and sentenced to “Newcastle” by D. Wentworth Esq. (Source: www.ancestry.com.au SRNSW Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2514; Item: 4/6360; Roll: 850) 1820, 4 March – Mary (as Chapman) is on a list of prisoners sent to Newcastle on the Lady Nelson. She had been sentenced by D’Arcy Wentworth on 23 Feb & given a 1year term. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6007; 4/3501 p280) 1820, Nov. – The Col. Sec. wrote to Major Morrisett (Commandant at Newcastle) about the length of Mary’s sentence in a letter, stating she had been tried in London on 1 December 1813 & had a 7 year term. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6007; 4/3502 p405) 1822 Muster: Mary CARPENTER, FBS, Brox, 7 years, employed by R Brookes, Liverpool (A03335) & also 1 child, 3 months, BC James CARPENTER, con, Isabella I, life, govt servant to R Brookes, Liverpool (A03331) [Richard Brookes was described as – CF, Atlas, merchant, Liverpool] 1823-1825 Muster: Mary CARPENTER, FS, Brox, 7 years, wife of J Carpenter, Minto (14971) & husband – James CARPENTER, con, Isabella 1818, life, govt servant to Mr Brooks (?), Minto (14966) & child – William James CARPENTER, 4, BC, son of J Carpenter (14972) 1828 Census: Mary Ann CARPENTER, 30 (?), Brox, FS, 7 years, prot, (C0417) & husband – James CARPENTER, 50, TL, Isabella 1818, life, prot, shoemaker, Liverpool & children – William James 6, John 4 & George 2, all BC NSW BDM: 1) Mary Ann Carpenter was married to James Chapman on 26 Dec 1814 at Windsor. (James Chapman, Abode: Windsor, Signed; & Mary Ann Carpenter, Abode: Windsor, Signed; married 26 Dec 1814, registered St Matthew's Church of England Windsor by Banns by Rev Cartwright; Witness: Willm. Gordon, Signed; Witness: Joseph Harpur, Signed. Source: St Matthew's Church of England, Windsor NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 53, published in St Matthews Church of England Windsor NSW: Parish Registers 1810 to 1856 'A Complete Transcription', by Lake Macquarie Family History Group Inc, 2003 & V1814-1712-3A) [This was the same year she arrived. What happened to Chapman after this time? She was alone in 1822 & with another husband, Carpenter, by 1828]. 2) No records of the children’s births found on NSW BDM, under either Chapman or Carpenter although details in Musters and Census. Children born to James and Mary CARPENTER: • William James CARPENTER born c1822 NSW, died ? • John CARPENTER born c1824 NSW, died ? • George CARPENTER born c1824 NSW, died ? 3) Mary Ann Carpenter, aged 46, died in 1831 at Liverpool. The service was held at St Lukes on the 7th of March. (V1831-1460-15) 4) James Carpenter, aged 59, came per ship Isabella, prisoner of the Crown, died at Liverpool & was buried on 9 March 1836. The service was held at St Lukes by Rev Robert Cartwright. He died of “a visitation from God”.(V1836-760-20 & www.ancestry.com.au SRNSW Registers of Coroners Inquests, Series: 2921; Item: 4/6611; Roll: 343) Jess’ Girls - SAG:  1814 – Muster  1818 – TL, Sydney  1822 – Muster  1825 – FS, wife of J Chapman, Minto & child William James aged 4  1828 – Census  4/3493 – banns to m James Chapman in 1814  Mutch – as Mary Ann, m James Chapman in 1814  Reel 1029 – as Chapman, tried in 1817 & sent for 1 year to Newcastle  Reel 1031 – as Carpenter, tried in 1820 Ships Indent: James Carpenter arr Sydney on the ship Isabella not found in convict records. Notes from the book “Journey to a New Life…” the story of the ships Emu & Broxbornebury by Elizabeth Hook (3rd ed. 2014). I am the author & can be contacted on tbeth3370@gmail.com for further info

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 25th April 2021

1814- Windsor Population Book. On stores. Servant to ? Schoolmaster 1819 - Census & Population Book - 1. Residence; J Chapman 1821 - Convict Lists. Dec 1813. 7 years. Expired; 1822 - Convict Muster; James Carpenter; Convict. Ship; Isabella 1. Life. G.S. R Brooks Liverpool Mary Carpenter; F by S. Broxbournebury 7 years. Empl. by R Brooks Liverpool 1823 - Molles Main Population, Land and Stock, 1823. F by S. Wife to James Carpenter 1828 - New South Wales Census. Householders Name; James Carpenter - Residence; Liverpool James C Carpenter. Ticket of Leave. Isabella 1. 1818. Life. Trade; Shoemaker. Age; 50. [1778] District; Liverpool. Protestant Mary Ann Carpenter. Age; 38. F. S. Broxbournebury 1814. 7 years. William James Carpenter. Age; 6. [1822] Born Colony Jn Carpenter. Age; 4. Born Colony George Carpenter. Age; 4. Born Colony

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 25th April 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Broxornebury - 1814 Indent No; Name; Mary Carpenter Age; 29. Native Place; Trade or calling; Mantra Maker Trial; London G. D. - 1 Dec 1813

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 25th April 2021

Old Bailey Proceedings Online Born; 1785 Imprisoned; 1813 Tried; 1 Dec 1813 Transported; Jan 1814. December 1813, trial of MARY CARPENTER MARY WHEELER (t18131201-7). MARY CARPENTER, MARY WHEELER, Theft > shoplifting, 1st December 1813. 7. MARY CARPENTER and MARY WHEELER were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 18th of November , seven yards of callico, value 10 s. 6 d. the property of Robert Hart , privately in his shop . JOHN DAWSON BLOMER . I am shopman to Mr. Hart, linen-draper , in Holborn . On the 18th of November, both the prisoners entered Mr. Hart's shop, they asked for some white calico; I shewed them three or four pieces. After a short time they pitched upon one; I cut them a yard and a half off. They then asked for some pink muslin; that being in the back, there is a partition that divides the two shops. I shewed them two pieces of two different shades of colour; there being a piece of the same colour in the front shop, they conceived it was the same colour; they both went into the front shop. After looking at it the second time, they said, they would prefer one of the two that I had been shewing them in the back shop. I then left them in the shop, ran for the two pieces which I had been shewing them in the back shop; they pitched upon the palest shade of the two; I cut them off a quarter of a yard, the quantity they wanted; they paid me for the two articles, and went out of the shop. In about an hour and a half, Lee, the officer, came into the shop, and brought the calico which they had taken; I owned it, that being Mr. Hart's property. WILLIAM LEE . I am an officer. About five o'clock on Thursday evening, the 18th of November, I was sent for, at Mr. James, a haberdasher, Holborn bridge; Mr. James desired me to take the two prisoners in custody. I proceeded to search the prisoners. Upon the person of Carpenter, I found this piece of calico. I then searched Wheeler, and in a small basket which she held in her hand, I found these two pieces of calico. In conveying the prisoners to the Compter, the prisoners particularly requested me to keep this piece of calico, and said it was at my service the piece found upon Carpenter, if I would keep it for my own use they would he much obliged to me. I made enquiry in the neighbourhood; I judged I should find the owner. I went to Mr. Hart's shop, and before I produced the yard and a half of white cotton, and the quarter of a yard of pink muslin, I had found in Wheeler's basket, the last witness told me he had sold them two articles. I then discovered the owner of the seven yards of calico found upon Carpenter. Blomer. The yard and a half of white calico, and quarter of a yard of pink cambric muslin, Carpenter purchased of me; this piece Lee, the officer, brought in is the piece stolen; it is seven yards of calico, value half a guinea; they stole, they did not pay for it. I am sure it is Mr. Hart's property; Mr. Hart's private mark is upon it; it cost half a guinea. I did not miss the calico before it was brought back by Lee. Q. How many shopmen does Mr. Hart employ - A. There are four sons constantly employed; two of them were in the shop while the prisoners were there. The prisoners said nothing in their defence; called one witness, (each,) who gave them a good character. CARPENTER, GUILTY , aged 28, WHEELER, GUILTY , aged 36, Of stealing, but not privately. Transported for Seven Years . London jury, before Mr. Recorder.

75

iain Frazier on 25th August 2019

Mary or Mary Ann (???) was born about 1785. As Mrs Mary (Carpenter) wife of John (Carpenter) she was a mantua-maker (dressmaker) when tried at London in 1813 for stealing 7yds calico w/Mary (Wheeler); sentenced 7years & transported to NSW on BROXBORNEBURY in 1814; she worked as servant to Mr (Harkspur) of Windsor (schoolteacher). In 1814 she received permission to marry James (Chapman) an emancipist, although she was already married-no record of cohabitation, which she did at St Matthews Windsor. James was born about 1778. In 1801 he was tried at Southampton Portsmouth Quarter Sessions; sentenced 7yrs & arrived NSW in 1803 on HMS GLATTON. On arrival in NSW he worked for Mr (Arndell). He is recorded in the 1811 muster. In 1817 Mary was sent to Newcastle for 1year punishment, & again in 1820. At 1822 census James is recorded as a labourerat Windsor & Mary as servant for Richard (Brookes) Liverpool. In 1823, 1824 & 1825 James is recorded as shoemaker at Wilberforce. In 1828 he was a shoemaker to Edward (Churchill) Portland Heads. In 1830 Mary was at Newcastle. She died in 1831, Free by Servitude age46 at Liverpool.