Mary Stedling

54

Phil Hands on 21st August 2017

Mary was tried and convicted at the Old Bailey on 20th February 1805 for stealing 1 pair of sheets, 2 blankets, 1 rug, 1 feather bolster, and 1 candlestick, the property of Anthony Stroud, sentenced to transportation for 7 years. Left England on 31st August 1805. Ship:- the 'William Pitt' sailed with 1 male and 120 femle convicts on board of which 4 females died during the voyage. Arrived on 11th April 1806. Mary married convict Richard Broadbear ('Glatton' 1803) in 1822 at Parramatta, they had 4 children between 1808-1817. Richard and Mary were employed as servants at the Female Orphan School at Parramatta. In 1825 the Orphan Schools came under the control of the Clergy and School Lands Corporation. The Rev. Walker approached the Colonial Secretary Major Goulburn for permission to hire staff. He claimed that there was no domestic staff at the School, and his wife was unable to provide care for over 100 children without assistance. Walker proposed that a married couple of ex-convicts named Richard and Mary Broadbear, be appointed to the School. Goulburn was agreeable to provide rations for the Broadbears, but no order was made for wages. The couple agreed to accept £25 per annum when Walker explained that he could only afford to pay that amount out of his 'own pocket'. Richard worked as a labourer, and 'he was employed in cutting wood, drawing water, in the Gardens, looking after cows and horses and other work necessary to such an Institution', whilst Mrs Broadbear assisted in the School as housekeeper and nurse. According to the Rev. Walker some of the girls who had suffered with 'sore heads' had been cured. Mrs Broadbear had made clothes for the children, and these improvements had been noted by Goulburn. As a result of this visit it was decided that Walker should not have to pay the Broadbears' wages out of his own pocket. The government initially paid the first quarter of the agreed salary of £25 per annum, and the couple were to receive later payments at the rate of £30 per annum. Mary died in 1828 at Parramatta aged 48. Richard died in 1858 at Liverpool aged 93. Old Bailey Trial Transcription. Reference Number: t18050220-60 184. MARY STEDWELL was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 7th of February , a pair of sheets, value 10 s. two blankets, value 5 s. a rug, value 5 s. a feather bolster, value 5 s. and a candlestick, value 6 d. the property of Anthony Stroud . JANE STROUD sworn. - Q. Does your husband keep a lodging-house ? - A. Yes, in Rose-street, Soho ; the prisoner lodged in our front garret; it was furnished at 4 s. a week; she staid but a few days; she absconded on the 6th of February, we let her the room on the 2d of February; after she was gone, I entered the room, and saw she had left me nothing but the naked bed; she had taken a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets, a bolster, a rug, and a brass candlestick. Q. Were all these things in the room when you let the lodging to her? - A. Yes. WILLIAM FEARN sworn. - I am a pawnbroker, I produce a blanket pledged for one shilling, in the name of Mary Stedwell , I cannot identify the person. MICHAEL LEE sworn. - I am an officer; I apprehended the prisoner, I searched her, and I found several duplicates; she gave us all the account in writing where she pawned these things. Prisoner's defence. I leave it to the mercy of the Court. GUILTY , aged 25. Transported for seven years . Second Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Baron Sutton.