Summary
Personal Information
Crime
Transportation
Mary Shea was transported on the Brothers, departing 3rd Oct 1826 and arriving 4th Feb 1827 with 159 passengers.
Brothers (generic)References
| Primary Source | Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
Colonial Secretary's Office. Sydney, 24th December, 1829. THE undermentioned Female Prisoners have obtained Tickets of Leave, in Pursuance of the Regulations of 17th March, 1829, for good Conduct in the Situations respectively stated against their Names: PARRAMATTA. Shea Mary, Brothers, (2), in service; Shea Catherine, ditto, in service. Sydney Gazette, 26 Dec 1829.
Principal Superintendent Convicts' Office, 10th September, 1839. THE undermentioned Persons have obtained their Certificates of Freedom since the last day of publication, viz : Shea Mary, Brothers 2. NSW Govt Gazette, 11 Sept 1839.
CITY ASSIZES — SATURDAY APRIL 1. Denis Shea, Michael Connor, Judy Shea, Catherine Shea, and Mary Shea, were indicted for stealing several articles of wearing apparel, the property of Jeremiah Walsh. Several witnesses were examined, from whose testimony it appeared, that in the month of August last, the window of the prosecutor’s house, opposite the New Gaol, the Glasheen-road, was broken into, and the articles in question were stolen thereout, which were afterwards discovered in the pawn-offices in Mallow-lane, The goods were identified, but from the number the prisoners, there was some difficulty in establishing the participation of each of the parties in the robbery, and Michael Connor was the only one that could be convicted. His Lordship, after a few words to the prisoner, said he would not doing justice to the country if he did not rid it of such characters, and sentenced the prisoner to be transported for Seven years. On hearing the sentence the prisoner, a hardened fellow about 19 years of age, with the utmost indifference replied “Thank you, my Lord, seven years won’t last for ever” and was about to leave the bar, when he was ordered by the Court to be put again. Mr. Justice Torrens then said that he thought it was necessary to say few words on the case of the individuals who were then at the bar,— In the course of the Assizes there was a brother of the unfortunate women at the bar convicted and sentenced to transportation. Since that some person had the audacity write two letters him (Justice Torrens) representing Shea of decent orderly habits, and never before charged with offence. He When he received the letters felt bound in justice to the convicted party to institute an enquiry, and gave the letters to the worthy High Sheriff of the City, (Mr. Spearing) and what was his surprise and astonishment to find that the criminal formed part and parcel of that gang which now presented such a sad picture (all the prisoners except Connor being brothers and sisters) and that the letters were an audacious effort to impose on the Court. He would therefore take that opportunity to state, that whenever efforts of this kind are endeavoured to be practised, they will most certainly be defeated ; for it could not be expected, that a Judge coming into the country a stranger, could know the different characters of the parties brought before him for trial—therefore information can only be had from the civil authorities, and to them would he (Justice Torrens) always apply. There was one fact very visible, that was, the extent to which robberies had gone on in this city, and the merciful construction put on the cases by the individuals prosecuting. This was lenity that could not go much further; something must be done to stop such a career of infamy, and it was his determination to make an example the first opportunity he had of doing—This salutary lecture had good effect on the hardened culprit, who left the bar evidently with altered feelings. Published: Tuesday 04 April 1826. Newspaper: Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier. Although the above report says only Michael Connor was convicted, sisters Judy, Catherine and Mary were all transported on Brothers (2). It is very likely that the Dennis Shea, transported on Mariner (3) in 1827 was their brother. He was also tried at Cork in 1826 and his native place was Bantry Cork Co.
Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Mary Shea, age on arrival 16, catholic, Brothers (2) (1827), tried at Cork, 1826, 7 years, for stealing counterpane. Single. Brother in colony. Trade – nurse girl. DOB, 1811. Native place, Bantry Cork Co. ------------------------------------------------- 1828 Census NSW. Index. Mary Shea, age 16, G.S. Brothers 1827, 7 years, Nurserymaid, in household of G. Palmer Pemberton Grange, at Parramatta.