Ann Fowles was indicated for feloniously stealing clothing on the 11 March 1785. Tried at the Old Bailey on 6 April, and found guilty, Ann received a sentence of seven years transportation. From the Old Bailey, Ann was held over in Newgate Prison for nearly two years, and it is presumed, her 2 year old daughter Mary Fowles stayed with her.
9 January 1787, Captain Campbell on board Lady Penrhyn wrote, received from Newgate 6 women & 3 children Convicts for Botany Bay. Listed amongst the Female Convicts on board Lady Penrhyn 1787 are Ann Fowles 22, Hawker and under Children, Mary Fowles 4 years. On Sunday morning 13 May 1787 Lady Penrhyn set sail, as did all the Fleet, attended by the Hyena Frigate.
Sydney Cove then Norfolk Island
During the first twelve months in Sydney Cove Ann became what David Collins called a woman of abandoned character. Governor Phillip stepped in, separating Mary from her mother’s bad influence and sent her to Norfolk Island.
David Collins wrote on the sailing when Lieutenant Ball departed Sydney Cove aboard Supply on 7 February 1789. He sailed with the vessel under his command on the 17th, having on board twenty-one male and six female convicts, and three children; of the latter two were to be placed under Mr King’s care as children of the public. They were of different sexes; the boy, Edward Parkinson, who was about three years of age, had lost his mother on the passage to this country, the girl, who was a year older, had a mother in the colony; but as she was a woman of abandoned charter, the child was taken from her to save it from the ruin which otherwise have been its inevitable lot. These children were to be instructed in reading and writing, and in husbandry. The commandant of the island was directed to cause five acres of ground to be allotted and cultivated for their benefit, by such person as he should think fit to entrust with the charge of bringing them up according to the spirit of this intention, in promoting the success of which every friend of humanity seemed to feel an interest.
Artist impression of The Governor and the Child (Phillip Lock)
Mary was not recorded again until five years later, when she was discharged from the list of convict children to the women’s list.
Assistant Surgeon, Thomas Jamison went to Norfolk Island with the first group to settle the Island, returning to Port Jackson in 1799, then taking a year’s leave in England in 1801.
In mid-June 1794, when Mary was around 12 years old, it is recorded that Mary Fowles, was at service with Mr Jamaison. This being the last known entry for Mary Fowles.
References
Cobley, John, Sydney Cove 1788
Cobley, John, The Crimes of The First Fleet
Fidlon, Paul and Ryan RJ, (edited by), The Journal of Arthur Bowes Smyth: Surgeon, Lady
Penrhyn 1787-1789
Fletcher, Brian (edited by) An Account of The English Colony in New South Wales, by David Collins (Volume1)
Gillen, Mollie, The Founders of Australia
Holden, Robert, Orphans of History, The Forgotten Children of The First Fleet