Henrietta Gregory

53

Beth Taylor on 4th February 2026

• GREGORY, Henrietta (c1775-1819) (Mrs, nee Benfleet) Tried - 15 Sept 1813 Middlesex (Old Bailey) Henrietta was the child of George and Hannah Benfleet, born about 1775 at St Martins-in-the-Fields, Westminster, London. Aged about 25, Henrietta married Edward Gregory (1770-?) about 1800. Edward was probably the son of Edward and Hannah Gregory, born at Convent Gardens about 1770. Children of Edward and Henrietta GREGORY: • Richard GREGORY born 17/07/1803 …Road, Hackney, London, died ? • Ann Hannah GREGORY bc1803 England, marr Sydney 24/06/1823 to Joshua Bushell, died 05/03/1873 Parramatta • Edward William born 14/12/1805 Crown Street, Hackney, London, marr Sydney1835 to Mary Anne Smith, died c1879 Paddington • Charles GREGORY born 30/08/1807 Hard Street, Hackney, London, marr Sydney 24/09/1827 to Bridget Byrne, died 14/01/1866 near Cloncurry Qld. • George GREGORY born 28/02/1811 Hoxton Market, Hackney, London, died c1876 Windsor In 1792 Gregory was a glass cutter, aged about 22, when he was charged at the Old Bailey Court with stealing various pieces of clothing. Edward was acquitted of the accusation and was freed. He appeared before the same court in September 1813, indicted for stealing a pocket book and money belonging to Thomas Slate, Edward was also acquitted on this occasion as Mr Slate did not appear at the trial. His wife Henrietta, a servant, also took her place on the same day, at the same court, charged with forging a £1 note and also with having the note in her possession. The story passed down in the family, was that her husband had done the forging, however was never caught. This may be true, as Henrietta was found not guilty of the first charge although she pleaded guilty to having the note and was given a term of 14 years transportation to NSW. Aged 38, Henrietta was placed on the Broxbornebury which sailed for Sydney in 1814. Her children were also allowed travel with her on the trip. There is no record of the eldest son, Richard Gregory, after his baptism in 1803 and he may have died as a baby in London. Her husband Edward received permission to follow his wife and sailed as a free passenger on the Surrey (1) which left England on the same day. From the journal of passenger JH Bent, the story is told that one of the young Gregory boys entertained the ship doing tumbling tricks on deck and also that the same lad had been whipped for stealing water. It was said that the father Edward Gregory was an acrobat working at fairs etc. and would also do trick riding on the backs of horses. The two ships did not travel together but met up a few miles outside Sydney, in July 1814. Edward Gregory set up house with his wife and family. Henrietta, although still a convict, would have received permission to enter into her husband’s protection. This would have saved the Government money as her husband would have had to provide food and clothing for her and the children. In July 1819, Edward decided to leave his family behind in Sydney and return to England. Co-incidentally, he travelled back to England on the Surrey, the same ship he had arrived on. As far as can be ascertained, he never returned to the Colony or saw his children again. Unfortunately, two months later, on the 27th of August 1819, Henrietta Gregory (nee Benfleet) died at Parramatta, aged only 44 years-old, still legally a convict. This left her daughter Ann, only 17, Edward Jnr. aged 14, Charles 11 and George only 7 years-old. Ann was left to fend for herself and the young boys were put into the Male Orphan Institution. The children somehow survived without their parents support; the boys all received apprenticeships in trades and Ann married in 1823. The Government sold any effects that Edward had left behind, raising £60. The money was divided between the four children as they came of age and Ann received her share after her marriage. Where or when Edward Gregory died is not known. 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

75

iain Frazier on 31st July 2025

Family connections for Henrietta (Gregory) are: GREGORY Henrietta (Benfleet/Gregory) was born on 2 4 1775 & became a servant. She married Edward William (Gregory) about 1800 in London. She spent some effort in unsuccessfully seeking sufficient assistance from a Bank. She was tried for coining (forging) banknotes, on 20 8 1813, at probably Old Bailey on 15 9 1813, & acquitted; then tried for holding counterfeit money, on 20 8 1813, at Old Bailey on 27 8 1813 (quick justice), sentenced to 14years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW as a convict with her children on 26 7 1814 after a voyage of 6months on BROXBOURNBURY. She died on 26/7 8 1819 age 44/5 & was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta. [Some details taken from this Website] Edward William (Gregory) became an acrobat in fairground. He was held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & tried for pickpocketting probably at Old Bailey on 15 9 1813 for which he was acquitted. He nevertheless arrived in NSW as a free settler following his wife on (28 7) 1814 after a voyage of 7months on SURREY. He returned to UK on SURREY in 1816, leaving his family. Henrietta (Benfleet) & Edward William (Gregory) produced 4children: mostly boys 1.Ann Hannah (Gregory) was born about 1803. She arrived in NSW with her mother on 26 7 1814 after a voyage of 6months on BROXBOURNBURY. After her mothers death in 1819 she cared for her siblings by running a home laundry business. She married Joshua (Bushell) a teacher on 24 6 1823 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced 3children. She was recorded in 1828 with her family as laundress Liverpool St Sydney. ..Joshua (Bushell) was born about 1796. He was arrested for stealing money of Thomas (Hancorn), on 29 4 1814, & attempted to escape to Russia, reaching only Calais. He was tried at Old Bailey on 17 9 1818, sentenced to 7years, held at Middlesex Gaol Delivery & arrived in NSW on 7 11 1818 after a voyage of 4months on MORLEY. He was a teacher in 1823. He was recorded in 1829 as a farmer. He apparantly became a sealer. He died on 19 5 1871 age75. ..[Some details taken from this Website] .. 2.Edward (Gregory) was born in London in 1805. He arrived in NSW with his mother on 26 7 1814 after a voyage of 6months on BROXBOURNBURY. He was recorded in 1828 as shoemaker Castlereagh St Sydney. 3.Charles (Gregory) was born in London in 1808. He arrived in NSW with his mother on 26 7 1814 after a voyage of 6months on BROXBOURNBURY. He may have married firstly Bridget (Byrne) of Sydney on 25 9 1827 at St Marys RC Sydney. He was recorded in 1828 as tailor Castlereagh St Sydney. ..Bridget (Byrne) was born in 1811. She married secondly Samuel Mr (Bowler) of Sydney on 28 7 1829 at St Marys RC Sydney & produced at least 1child. She died on 22 4 1875 age about63 mother of 1known child. ..Details of Bridget (Byrne)s family are given ABOVE. ..Charles (Gregory) & Bridget (Byrne) produced 1child: ..1.Edward (Gregory) was born on 11 7 1828 in Sydney & baptised on 4 8 1828 at St Marys RC Sydney. .. 4.George (Gregory) was born in London in 1812. He arrived in NSW with his mother on 26 7 1814 after a voyage of 6months on BROXBOURNBURY. He was recorded in 1828 as shoemaker Castlereagh St Sydney. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

71

Robin Sharkey on 24th May 2017

HENRIETTA's FOUR LETTERS TO THE BANK OF ENGLAND SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: 115. [F25/2/12] Henrietta Gregory, Newgate, 26 September 1813 Honrd Sir I hope you will pardon my troubling you with this a Liberty I truly hope will be overlookd in My Unfortunate Situation (and in My truly Distressd case for which I Sincerely Repent for having Committed an Error I am now Suffering for with my Poor Dear Six helpless Children who is all Unable to do any thing towards a Liveing and My Husband of a Bad State of health. I humbly Solicits your kind Benevolence and hope that My long Confindment of 14 Years Imprisonment will be taken into consideration and that During My Confindment in this Dismale Asylum you will be so Kind as to Contribute a Some thing towards Sirport of my family as My Presant Imbarestmint and Desparing is very Great. I do Earnestly hope in a little time I May be able to be of some Service to the Company – if Possiable I can with a Just foundation I will I Acknowledge the Unjustness of My crime and hope I Shall obtain Pardon from you and the Almighty I hope will Pardon me also having offended against the Laws of My country. Bleive me I never was Before ever Arraingd at the Bar of Justice and never did an Action to Disgrace My self or family But so Much to the Contrary my Greatest Ambission was to gain a Livelyhood for self and family By Honest Industry till this unforseen trouble Befell me – I thus State to you my Great Distress and hope you will not forget me in My Wretched and Unhappy confindment it will not be till after Christmass that the Ship will go to the Bay. If I am to partake of your kind Benevolence to Sirport My Dear Children I shall be ever Bound to pray And am Honrd Sir with Dew contrision Yr Unfortunate Prisoner Henrietta Gregory 116. [F25/2/13] Henrietta Gregory, Newgate, 8 October 1813 Honble Gentlemen You will Both I hope pardon me troubling you with this – having wrote to Mr Manning the Governor Stating to the Gentleman my distress Situation, with my family of Children having Six of them to sirport in my trouble Not having received any Answer to my Application I would Esteem it a very Particular favour if you will Be so Kind as to remind Mr Manning as possiable The Multiplicity of Business May have occurd to prevent the favour of an Answer which I truly hope will prove a favourable one in Consideration of My Great distress. I have related in My letter the Particulars of my Situation. Gentlemen I Beg leave to Apologise troubling You knowing that you are the Gentlemen who pays the Money which I sinserly hope my case will be duly considered that before I was in trouble and Sentenced for 14 Years was very Great – But being Deprived of Liberty I am no Able to Announce my trouble in Addishon to the former. When Mr Manning will do me the favour of an Answer which I hope will be a favourable in Complyance to My Humble and Submissive Regrets I shall ever be in duty bound to pray for the party conserned I am Gentlemen With the Greatest Respect Yr truly Unhappy Prisoner Henrietta Gregory. 117. [F25/2/14] Henrietta Gregory, Newgate, 22 December 1813 Honrd Gentlemen Your goodness will I hope pardon My Informing you that we have Yesterday had the overhall for the Ship and do expect to leave heer within to morrow or on Friday Morning and we are all Disire By Mr Newman that what Applications we have to Make to loose no time therefor hope Gentlemen that in consideration of My Large and truly Unfortunate family that you will consider My Distressd Situation Before I go away as I have many little Articles in Pledge at the Pawn Brokers which I should Be Glad to Embrace the opportunity of getting them to Day or to Morrow Christmas Day no Business will Be Done. I am Permitted to take 5 Children with me out of 6 Children which I have. I am Gentlemen with the Most gratefull thanks to you for all Past favours – and Sinserly wish you will not forget me in my Situation I am Hond Gentlemen with every dew respect Yrs Grateull & Obt Humle Sert Henrietta Gregory [Annotated: 23 Decr Five Pounds G. D.] 118. [F25/2/15–16] Henrietta Gregory, Broxbournbury transport ship, Deptford, 5 January 1814 Most Hond Gentlemen I Most Humbly beg your pardon troubling you with my Distress being truly thankfull for the favours already conferred on me I senserly hope I am not tho intruding on Your Indulgence By asking the favour if you will Be so Kind as to Contribute to the Distressd family some thing More what you may think proper to Enable me to a few Necessery Articles for My five Small Children I am so Unfortunately as to be Oblige to take with me however My Unpleasant Situation is take them so Many thousand Miles and they are already very Sickly which require many little things not allowed By the Ship I hope I May be pardoned stating My case to You and hope You gentlemen will duly consider My Situation at the same time I hope not to offend I remain most Hond Gentlemen with Dew Respect Yrs very Oblige Humle Sert Henrietta Gregory Annotated: Mr Dorrien, Mr Smith 7th Jany 1814 Ordered £5 more to be given her. Attached: copy memo from BECLS secretary: Mr Smith begs leave to acquaint Mr Kaye that he has shewn Henrietta Gregory's letter to Mr Dorrien and Mr Smith and they have agreed to give her Five Pounds in addition to the like sum ordered by the Comee for Law Suits on the 29th Ultimo – making it up Ten Pounds – Bank: 7th Jany 1814

105

Denis Pember on 21st April 2017

When Henrietta died in August 1819, she left her children Ann 16, Edward 14 (almost), Charles 12 and George 5, completely unsupported, her husband having abandoned them and gone back to England. Young Ann did a wonderful job of supporting and assisting her three younger brothers - she did this by setting up a home laundry business. The 1828 Census records all the children. ## Ann was now married to Joshua Bushell (Convict, 1818, "Morley'). Joshua himself, does not appear in the listing for the 1828 Census. (It is possible he was away ‘sealing’ at the time. However, Ann and young Joshua do: Page 74…. [Ref B3486] Bushell, Ann, 38???, CF, Broxbornebury, 1814, Laundress, at Liverpool Street, Sydney. (She was actually 25 not 38!!!) [Ref B3487] Bushell, Joshua, 5, born in the colony. Also Page 170... [Ref G1196] Gregory, Charles, 20, CF, Broxbornbury, 1814, Tailor, Castlereagh St Sydney. [Ref G1197] Gregory, Edward, 23, CF, Broxbornbury, 1814, Shoemaker, Castlereagh St Sydney. [Ref G1198] Gregory, George, 16, CF, Broxbornbury, 1814, Shoemaker, Castlereagh St Sydney. So the young abandoned family had done very well for themselves.

221

D Wong on 1st August 2015

Old Bailey: HENRIETTA GREGORY, Royal Offences > coining offences, 15th September 1813. Reference Number: t18130915-49 Offence: Royal Offences > coining offences Verdict: Not Guilty > no evidence HENRIETTA GREGORY was indicted for feloniously forging, on the 27th of August , a bank note for the payment of 1 l. with intention to defraud the Governor and Company of the Bank of England. Mr. Knapp, counsel for the prosecution, declining to offer any evidence, the prisoner, of this charge, was ACQUITTED. HENRIETTA GREGORY, Royal Offences > coining offences, 15th September 1813. Reference Number: t18130915-48 Offence: Royal Offences > coining offences Verdict: Guilty > pleaded guilty Punishment: Transportation HENRIETTA GREGORY was indicted for that she, on the 28th of August , had in her custody and possession, divers forged bank notes for the payment of 1 l. To this indictment the prisoner pleaded GUILTY . Transported for Fourteen Years. C1800: Married Edward William Gregory a fairground entertainer who performed acrobatic tricks,and had 4 children. The children accompanied her on the Broxbournebury. In 1814 her husband Edward, who had been acquitted of pocketpicking on 15/9/1813 arrived in NSW per “Surrey” as a free settler – he returned to England also per “Surrey” about 1816. 26/8/1819: Henrietta died aged 44 at Parramatta.