MARY TURNER / WILKES A Life of Struggle and Survival
Early Grave Sydney Mary Turner: A Life of Struggle and Survival In 1785, Mary Turner, a young servant to the Collins family in Pershore, Worcestershire, was caught stealing a few humble articles of clothing from their daughter, Nancy. Attempting to flee down the High Street, she was swiftly apprehended and arrested. Born to William Turner, a farm laborer, and his wife Betty Ferrett, Mary was convicted on March 5, 1785, in Worcester and sentenced to seven years of transportation. After enduring time on the prison hulks, she was sent to Australia aboard the Lady Penrhyn . A lingering mystery surrounds Mary due to her use of the alias "Wilkes" "Wilks" (sometimes spelled without the "e"). The ship's officers, lacking proper records of the prisoners’ details, contributed to the confusion. Some speculate she adopted the name in a moment of panic, while others wonder if she had a connection to Richard Wilkes, a fellow convict tried in the same court session...