Ann Stephenson

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Summary

Born
Jan 1796
Conviction
Theft - larceny
Departure
Jun 1815
Arrival
Jan 1816
Death
Jan 1854
Step 0 of 0

Personal Information

Name: Ann Stephenson
Gender: Female
Born: 1st Jan 1796
Death: 5th Jan 1854
Age at death: 58
Occupation: Servant

Crime

Convicted at: Lancaster Quarter Sessions
Sentence term: 7 years

Voyage

Departed: 30th Jun 1815
Ship: Mary Anne
Arrival: 19th Jan 1816
Place of Arrival: New South Wales

Transportation

Ann Stephenson was transported on the Mary Anne, departing 30th Jun 1815 and arriving 19th Jan 1816 with 101 passengers.

Built in France 1772 of 298 Tons first sailed as a British convict ship from Portsmouth 16/02/1791.

Mary AnneMary Anne (generic)

References

Primary SourceAustralian Joint Copying Project. Microfilm Roll 87, Class and Piece Number HO11/2, Page Number 214
Source DescriptionThis record is one of the entries in the British convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database compiled by State Library of Queensland from British Home Office (HO) records which are available on microfilm as part of the Australian Joint Copying Pro
Original SourceGreat Britain. Home Office
Compiled ByState Library of Queensland
Database SourceBritish convict transportation registers 1787-1867 database

Claims

"Ann Stephenson is my paternal grandmother 6 generations ago."

Marilyn Wood avatar
3
Marilyn Wood

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Convict Notes

Naomi Parsons avatar
48
on 18th January 2026

In 1815, whilst working at Beaumont Hall, Green Lane, on the outskirts of Lancaster which was the home of Mr Edward Foster Buckley Esq (a local gentleman, who regularly sat on the Grand Jury at the Assizes, 17 year old Ann from nearby Skerton stole from Jane Lewis (perhaps a fellow servant), a workbag, silk bonnet and other items. Ann was convicted of the thefts at the Epiphany (January) Quarter Sessions at Lancaster Castle and was handed a seven year sentence of transportation. After being held in the castle’s dungeon tower cells for six months, Ann and eight other women were taken to Woolwich where they boarded the convict ship, the Mary Anne. Her description from the convict indent was a follows- ‘5ft 2, slender, a sallow complexion, brown hair and blue eyes, originally from Kendal (Cumbria)’. A gruelling six month voyage brought Ann to Sydney in 1816 where she was placed in the female factory on arrival. Shortly after in March 1817, she married convict William Birkenshaw (ship- General Hewitt) at St Johns, Parramatta. The couple had four children, with their son dying in infancy. After living a quiet life in Australia, Ann returned to crime in her later years; she received several sentences of imprisonment in Sydney, one of which, in 1845, was alongside her husband for theft (her) and receiving stolen goods (him). Ann received a further one year sentence, partially in solitary confinement in Parramatta’s Female Factory. Ann died aged 56 in early January 1854 and is buried in St John’s Cemetery, Parramatta, Sydney.

Maureen Withey avatar
343
on 4th August 2024

LANCASTER GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS, January 10. Ann Stephenson, convicted of having feloniously stolen, in the dwelling-house of Edward Buckley, Esq. of; Beaumont Hall, a silk bonnet,  a work-bag, and other articles, the property of Jane Lewis -— To be transported beyond the seas during seven years .   Lancaster Gazette, 14 Jan 1815.

Marilyn Wood avatar
3
on 4th August 2024

Married William Birkenshaw on 3 March 1817 at St. John's, Parramatta. Convicted of larceny at Parramatta Q.S. 3 June 1845. Sentenced to 12 months at Parramatta Female Factory.

Penny-Lyn Beale avatar
338
on 10th May 2020

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents, 1788-1842 - Bound Indentures 1814-1818 Native Place; Calling; Servant Age; 19