Mary Lawrence

75

iain Frazier on 20th May 2026

Family connections for Mary Ann (Lawrence) are: LAWRENCE/BUTT Mary Ann (Butt) daughter John (Butt) & Elizabeth (???) was born on 22 7 1786 at Blandford Forum Dorset Dorsetshire & baptised on 8 8 1786; she became a maid midwife & brewer. She married firstly ??? (Lawrence) in Dorst. She was a widow & servant when tried, as Mary (Lawrence) of Sutton Pointz/Poyntz, for housebreaking & stealing gold watch etc of Thomas (Coortin), about 14 4 1813, of Weymouth at Dorset Assizes, sentenced to death reprieved to 7years, held at Dorchester Castle & arrived in NSW on 28 7 1814 after a journey of 7 months on BROXBOURNEBURY. She was recorded in 1814 off stores working for Mrs (Reiby) in Sydney. She was issued her Ticket of Leave no.977 on 7 2 1816 & later a Certificate of Freedom no.461. Hhe had a second relationship with & married George Cooper (Davis) on 3 2 1818 at St Phillips CofE Sydney & produced at least 6children. She was Free by Servitude by 1821. She was recorded (presumably-as Mary (Lyons)) in 1822 Free by Servitude in Sydney with her family. She was recorded in 1823-5 at Bathurst with her family & again in 1825 at John (Piper)s property 'Alloway Bank' Bathurst with his family. She was recorded in 1828 with her family at Goulburn Plains. She opened Sawyers Arms Inn on the side of the creek at Gouyan. In 1872 she had a narrow escape from drowning at Gounyan near Yass at age over80 when having gone to the creek for water she slipped in & was rescued by an old servant & removed from the water by members of her family. Noted in this Website describe her as very gypsy looking in later life. She died on 29 8 1889 age about75 or113 at Yass & buried on her property with gravestone at Gouryan cemetery [Some details taken from this Website] George Cooper (Davis) was born about 1790 & became a sailor/mariner. He was tried w/4others for smuggling (aiding French prisoners of war to escape) near Weymouth & Christchurch Dorsetshire at Winchester Assizes Hampshire on 8 3 1813, sentenced to 7years, held on hulk YORK, LAUREL or HARDY on 12 4 1813 for 11days & arrived in NSW as a convict on 9 10 1813 after a voyage of 5months on EARL SPENCER; he was Protestant. He was assigned to boat crew of the Naval Officer John (Piper). He was recorded in 1814 on stores boatman in Sydney. He is recorded in January 1818 as working for a Naval Officer (John (Piper) & was issued his Conditional Pardon on 31 1 1818; he was 5’10” dark ruddy complexion dark brown hair dark eyes. In late 1820 he was tried at Court of Criminal Jurisdiction for illegally having an axe; he was sent to solitary confinement for 14days. He was Free by Servitude by 1821 & was recorded as a boatman on 1½ rations. He was overseer of John (Piper)s estate. In 1821 he applied for a grant of land. He was recorded in 1822 as Free by Servitude householder Sydney with his family. In 1822 he also applied to be Overseer of small craft (Coxswain at Government Boat Yard). He was recorded in 1823-5 as employed by Captain (Piper) at Bathurst with his family & again in 1825 at John (Piper)s property 'Alloway Bank' Bathurst with his family. He then worked for Samuel (Terry) near South Creek & moved to Yass as Overseer for Samuel (Terry). He was recorded in 1828 as Superintendent for Mr Terry (Murrumbateman) with his family at Goulburn Plains. He received deeds, dated 8 2 1836 for a 60acres grant of land in the district of Murray & commenced work aon the 60acre land on Murrumbateman Cree, now Gounyan. He was issued a punliicans licence on 12 5 1842 for 'Sawyers Arms' hotel at Gowyan near Yass. He died on 15 12 1867 age about77 at Yass & was buried at Gouryan cemetery; the property remained with the family until 1900s. [Some details taken from this Website; where 2xGoerge (Davis) are found & some information could be attributed to the wrong person & sometimes to both. UNSURE information is stated belo] 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.

53

Beth Taylor on 4th February 2026

TIMELINE NOTES: BC: 1790 (Indent) [born 22 July 1786 Blandford Forum, Dorset, Eng to John & Elizabeth Butt – from Beryl Pittman] Previously Married: Mr Lawrence in Dorset England Sentenced: 04/08/1813 Dorset Assize to death, commuted to 7 years transportation 1813 - Mary Lawrence, aged 22, widow, servant. Date of commitment – 14/04/1813. When brought to prison – 15/04/1813. Place of origin – Sutton Pointz [Poyntz]. By whom committed – Wm. Weston Esq. Mayor of Weymouth. Stealing a watch, watch chain and watch keys. Death reprieved and to be transported for 7 years. Behaviour – Orderly. Discharged – 21/12/1813 “Put on board the Broxbornebury for New South Wales at Deptford.” (Source: www.ancestry.com.au Dorset, England, Dorchester Prison Admission and Discharge Registers, 1782-1901, Ref. # NG PR1 D2 1) Crime: Larceny in a dwelling house Previous Occupation: Servant Age on Convict Indent: 24 Ticket of Leave 977; Certificate of Freedom 461 (indent) 1814 Muster: Mary LAWRENCE, con, Brox, off stores, to Mrs Reiby, Sydney (7073) [George DAVIS, con., Earl Spencer, on stores, boatman, Sydney (5798) Future husband of Mary] 1818, 5 Jan. – George Davis sent a petition for mitigation of his life sentence. He stated that he had been employed by the Naval Officer. CP written. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Petition Fiche 3183; 4/1854 p393) [Future husband of Mary] 1818, 31 Jan. – George DAVIS received a Conditional Pardon. He was a seaman, arr Earl Spencer 1813, native of Weymouth, tried at Southampton Assize 1813, 7 (?) year term, 5’10” tall, dark ruddy complexion, dark brown hair, and dark eyes. (Source: SRNSW Convict Pardons, 4/4430; Reel 774, p112) 1820, 22 Nov. to 14 Dec. – George appeared before the Court of Criminal Jurisdiction after he was found at Windsor, “having an axe in his possession, the property of the King”. He was sent to solitary confinement for 14 days. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Special Bundle Reel 6023; X820 p23) 1821, 8 Sep. – George, a boatman, is on a list to be victualled [fed] from HM Magazines on 1½ rations. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6016; 4/5781 p83) 1822 Muster: Mary LYONS (?), FBS, Brox, 7 years, wife of George Davis, Sydney (A13260) & spouse – George DAVIS, TL, Earl Spencer, life, labourer, Sydney (A0504) & children – Hannah 7, George 5, James 3 & Elizabeth 1 – all BC 1822, 24 April – George applied to be Overseer of small craft (Coxswain to the Government Boat Yard). Since his arrival in 1813, he was employed for a long time as one of Captain Piper’s boat crew & then overseer of his estate. He had been a seafaring man in England & was being recommended by Captain Piper. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Received Reel 6055; 4/1760 p40) 1823-1825 Muster: Mary DAVIS, FS, Brox, 7 years, wife of George Davis, Bathurst (18311) & spouse – George DAVIS, FS, Earl Spencer 1813, 7 years, employed by Captain Piper, Bathurst (18225) & child – Elizabeth DAVIS, 4, BC, daughter of George Davis (18226) 1825, 6 April – George, of Bathurst, had his memorial returned to him & was told that he needed a letter from a Clergyman, for him to receive a land grant. (SRNSW Col Sec Papers, Letters Sent Reel 6015; 4/3515 p73) 1828 Census: Mary DAVIES (?), 36, FS, 7 years, prot, *(D0328), wife to – George DAVIES (?), 35, FS, E. Spencer 1813, 7 years (?), prot, superintendent to Mr Terry [Samuel Terry, merchant, Sydney, owned 21,500 acres, 189 horses, 3,700 cattle & 7,400 sheep], Murrumbateman, Goulburn Plains (D0327) & children – Hannah 14, George 12, James 10, Elizabeth 7 & William 2 – all BC 1836, 19 March – George Davis received a 60 acres grant of land in the district of Murray, & the deeds were dated 08/02/1836. The newspaper published the list of grants from the NSW Government Gazette. [Note: This was probably the land George asked for in 1825] (Source: Sydney Monitor, 219/03/1836, p2S) 1842 – George Davis snr. received a publicans licence on 12/05/1842 for the hotel “Sawyers Arms” at “Gowyan, district of Yass”. Cost ₤30 for 1 year. (Source: SRNSW Publican Licenses) 1872 - “Mrs Davis, of Gounyan, near Yass, had a narrow escape from drowning on one day recently. She had gone to the creek for water, and being over eighty years of age, and infirm, she slipped in. Fortunately, she was rescued by an old man, a servant, who heard her moans, and ultimately removed from the water by members of her family.” (Source: Maitland Mercury, 22/10/1872, p4) NSW BDM: 2) Mary Lawrence, spinster (?) marr George Davies (mariner, bachelor) at St Philips, Sydney, on 3 Feb 1818 by Rev Cowper. George & Mary X their names. Amelia Major was a witness. Also George Davis, aged 30, Bachelor, Abode: Sydney , Mariner, Signed X; & Mary Lawrence, aged 28, Spinster, Abode: Sydney, Signed X; married 03 Feb 1818, registered St Philips Church of England Sydney by Banns by William Cowper, Assistant Chaplain; Witness: John Teral, Signed X; Witness: Amelia Major, Signed X . (V1818-2135-3A & St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Marriages; ML ref: Reel SAG 90) Children (6) born to Mary and George DAVIS: • Hannah DAVIS born c1815, died ? • George DAVIS born 10/08/1817 Sydney (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Baptisms; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 703), marr 1839 Yass to Mary Ann Bird, died c1895 Yass • James DAVIS born 10/08/1819 Sydney (Source: St Philip's Church of England, Sydney NSW: Church Register - Baptisms; ML ref: Reel SAG 90; Vol Entry# 574), marr 1839 Yass to Mary Ann Larkham, died c1899 Yass • Elizabeth DAVIS born c1821 Sydney, died ? • William DAVIS born c1826 Berrima district, died ? • Thomas DAVIS born c1829 Berrima district, marr 1847 Yass to Elizabeth Barrett, died c1871 Yass 3) George DAVIS died 1867 & the death was registered at Yass #1867/8624. Headstone inscription at Gounyan Cemetery: George Davis died 15.12.1867 aged 89, leaving an aged widow and 130 children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (Source: http://www.gundaroo.info/genealogy/cemeteries/gounyan/gounyan.htm ) [Note: Davis family state George died 06/12/1867] 4) Mary DAVIS died in 1889 & the death was registered at Yass #1889/1462. Headstone inscription at Gounyan Cemetery: Mary Davis died 29.8.1889 aged 113. (Source: http://www.gundaroo.info/genealogy/cemeteries/gounyan/gounyan.txt ) Jess’ Girls – SAG:  Occupation – servant  1814 – Muster  1825, as Davis, wife of George Davis, Bathurst  1828 – Census  Mutch – aged 28, marr George Davis, 13 Feb 1818, St Philips, Sydney  Mutch – son James bapt 10 Aug 1819 Convict Indent: George Davis came to Sydney as a convict on the ship Earl Spencer on 9 Oct 1813. He had been convicted at Kent Assize on 5 Aug 1812 & received a life term. George was a native of Yorkshire, a sailor, aged 28, 5’4” tall, pock-marked with black hair & hazel eyes. [Crime – larceny in a navigable river – PRO. “Aiding Prisoners of War to escape” with 4 other people & received a 7 year term of transportation – www.ancestry.com.au England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892, Class: HO 27; Piece: 9; Page: 201] Notes from Beryl Pittman: • Mary Butt was baptised on 8 Aug 1786 • Mary Lawrence was arrested in April 1813 & convicted of stealing a gold watch, chain & key, the property of Mr Courtin of Dorset. She was originally sentenced to be hanged. She spent time at Dorchester Gaol between April & December 1813. • Mary received a TOL 07/02/1816 (mention in Bigge Report) • Abode: 1822 to1825, Alloway Bank, Bathurst. 1828-1889, Gounyan, Yass, NSW. • Occupations – maid, midwife, brewer • She was the 1st white mother in Yass, when her youngest child Thomas was born. • Reference to Mary as an old lady has been found by her family in Sydney’s Mitchell Library, which reads: “I remember Mrs Davis driving in a gig behind her wool team. She used to camp with the men when they brought in the wool. She was very gypsy looking.” (Source: Mary E. J. Yeo papers, ca. 1898-1939, Mitchell Library, Sydney, MLMSS 183 / Boxes 1-8) • Mary died on 28 Aug 1889 at Gounyan, Yass, NSW & was buried on the property. • Beryl published a book in 1989 called “From a Little Acorn”, detailing the life of Mary Lawrence (nee Butt). 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

342

Maureen Withey on 16th July 2022

Mary Lawrence, charged stealing gold watch, watch chain, and watch key, the property of Thomas Coortin Esq. of Weymouth; ... are committed to the Castle at Dorchester. Taunton Courier, 29 Apr 1813. -------------------------------------------------- At the late Dorchester assize five prisoners were capitally convicted, upon whom sentence of death was passed, but all of them have since been reprieved, viz. Mary Lawrence, for stealing a watch, the property of T. Coortin, Esq.; Taunton Courier, 12 Aug 1813.

105

Denis Pember on 25th May 2021

George and Mary had 6 children: Hannah 1815, George 1817, James 1819, Elizabeth 1822, William 1826, Thomas 1829. Mary is located in 1828 Census. (with her family of 5 children at that time) Davies, Mary, 36, FS, Broxbornebury, 1814, 7 years. - Entry D0328 - page 116. Her husband George is recorded: Davies, George, 35, FS, Earl Spencer, 1813, 7, Superintendant to Mr Terry at Murrumbateman, Goulbourn Plains - Entry D0327 - page 116.

6

Susan Lupton on 24th March 2015

Went on to Marry George Cooper Davis moved to Yass , opened an INN called Sawyers Arms on the side of the creek at Gouyan. Her decendents now number 23,000 at a rough guess