Was tried at the Somerset Lent Assizes, held at Taunton Castle on 30 March 1786, for feloniously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Nathaniel Shorney at the parish of Over Stowey on the 24 September 1785 and stealing two linen aprons and other goods valued at 18 shillings, being the property of Jane Shorney. Sentenced to be hanged, but later reprieved to 7 years transportation, Mary was ordered to the Dunkirk hulk aged 32, on 13 April 1786.
When the fleet sailed, Mary was amongst other convict women aboard the Charlotte. At Rio on 11 August 1787 she was one of six women to be transferred to Friendship in an exchange; Ralph Clark felt they had received six of the worst women from Charlotte. At the Cape of Good Hope, Mary was moved to the Prince of Wales, when Friendship was cleared to make room for the purchased live stock.
At Port Jackson Mary allowed Private James Baker to spend the night with her, but later refused a similar request from Private Thomas Bullmore which led to a fight with Baker and Bullmore’s ultimate death in November 1788. Mary was ordered 25 lashes on 4 February 1789 for baking her flour on an iron spade over a fire. On 5 September 1789 Mary had a son to Private Alexander McDonald, but he did not go with her and the child when they left for Norfolk Island on 4 March 1790. On the Island, Mary was recorded with Thomas Spencer and Marine James Riley, whom she may have remained with, until his death in 1801. Mary departed the Island for VDL, by Minstrel in February 1813, with three unnamed children, and as the wife of Thomas (John) Stephens (Stevens).
Mary Phillips Stevens died at Norfolk Plains on 22 January 1850, age given as 89 (85 on civil death register). Thomas Stevens had predeceased her in August 1831.
Honouring her WW1 descendants
274 Leslie Joseph John Griffiths
Private 37th Battalion, A Company
Born 18 October 1898 Towong, Victoria to William James and Mary Anne (Sheather) Griffiths
Occupation Labourer
Enlisted 3 February 1916, Tallangatta Victoria, aged 18
Next of Kin Mother Mary Griffiths, Towong Victoria
Embarked 3 June 1916 Melbourne, aboard HMAS Persic A34
Returned to Australia 21 July 1917 Euripides A14 per
Discharged 8 March 1918
2662 Sydney James Valentine Griffiths
Private 58th Battalion, 6th Reinforcement
Transferred to 15th Light Trench Mortar Battery
Born 13 February 1896 Corryong, Victoria to William James and Mary Anne (Sheather) Griffiths
Occupation Labourer
Enlisted 3 July 1916 Melbourne Victoria, aged 20
Next of Kin Mother Mrs Mary Ann Griffiths, Towong, PO, Upper Murray, Victoria
Embarked 2 October 1916 aboard HMAT Nestor A71
Service in France
Disembarked Australia 8 October 1919 per HT Anchises
Discharged 22 November 1919
