Summary
Personal Information
Voyage
Transportation
Mary Watkins was transported on the Friendship, departing 13th May 1787 and arriving 21st Jan 1788 with 107 passengers.
This convict ship, being 274 tons and 75 feet long was one of the light weight ships in the fllet and was skippered by Master Francis Walton. Built in Scarborough in 1784, she carried 76 male and 21 female convicts. During her return voyage to England her crew came down with scurvy and with insufficient crew to man her, she was scuttled in the straights of Macassar. The survivors were transferred to the Alexander.
FriendshipReferences
| Primary Source | http://www.firstlanding.com.au |
Claims
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Photos
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Convict Notes
Family connections for Mary (Watkins) are: Replacing my contribution of 2023. WATKINS Mary (Watkins) was born about 1766. She was tried for a robbery at Cowbridge Glamorgan Wales on 25 4 1786, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 21 1 1788 after a voyage of 8months on First Fleet ship FRIENDSHIP. She was sent to Norfolk Island. She had a relationship with Isaac (Tarr his first relationship) with whom she returned to Sydney on DAEDALUS in 1794. She died on DAEDALUS or shortly after age about28 & was buried at St Johns CofE Parramatta. [Some details taken from this Website where she is found as Mary (Skinner). Isaac (Tar/r) was born about 1862. He arrived in NSW as a private marine of 26th Portsmouth company on 26 1 1788 on First Fleet ship HMS SIRIUS. [Noted an Isaac (Farr) is recorded as discharged as a marine in Sydney in October 1791 & sailed to Norfolk Island in January 1792; also as a tailor on Norfolk Island in 1794.] He was sent to Norfolk Island. He lived at a farm which he named 'Watkins Farm'. He married secondly Elizabeth/Betty Mathilda (Crooke/s her second marriage) on 10 4 1797 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He became quadriplegic about 1814. He was a limeburner at Field of Mars in 1819 employing his son in law William (Monks). He died on 17 6 1828 age66 at Parramatta father of 1known child & was buried, as Isac (Farr) former marine at St Johns CofE Parramatta.] Elizabeth/Betty (Crooke/s) was born sometime between 1753-63. She was tried with her brother John (no record of him), a labourer, for stealing flour etc of John (Wormald) of Kelbrook in April 1795 & again for receiving flour at York Assizes in August 1795, sentenced to 14years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 30 4 1796 after a journey of 6months on INDISPENSABLE. She had a first relationship with Thomas (Farr) alias Thomas (Field his second relationship) & produced a child. An Elizabeth (Clark-she changed her name?) is recorded on Norfolk Island as off stores in February 1805. In 1822 she petitioned the Governor for food assistance for her quadriplegic husband. In 1828 she is recorded as Free by Servitude & living with daughter Elizabeth (Monks)s family. She died on 23 2 1829 age76? (therefore born about 1762) at Parramatta mother of perhaps 2children & was buried, as (Betty (Torr), at St Johns CofE Parramatta. [Some details are taken from this Website] References: 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. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land'
Mary Watkins may have died either onboard the 'Daedalus' or shortly after reaching NSW as Isaac Tarr named his new farm "Watkins Farm" at Parramatta, obviously to commemorate her.
Mary Watkins lived with Isaac Tarr, my husband's ancestor, on Norfolk Island and returned to NSW aboard the 'Daedalus' in 1794. Her fate is unknown. Any help or suggestions welcome. Tarr then married Elizabeth Crook in 1797 and had one daughter, Elizabeth Matilda Tarr while living at Parramatta.
Mary Watkins had a relationship with Issac Tarr on Norfolk Island. He was a member of the first fleet and came out to Australia with Captain Arthur Phillip on the ship Sirius. He cam back to Australia and he married Elizabeth Mathilda Crooks - also a convict. Watkins had no children so I understand. She is buried at St John's Parramatta. This grave has probably been relocated
Mary Watkins was tried at Cowbridge, Glamorgan, Wales on 25 April 1786 for robbery with a value if 1 shilling. She was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and left England on the Friendship aged about 21 at that time (May 1787).