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. Could he have been a sweetheart, and her theft an attempt to gather a trousseau? Or was "Wilkes" the name of a close friend in Pershore?

Though transported as "Mary Turner alias Wilkes," she was buried on January 21, 1808, under the name Mary Wilkes, aged 41. It is believed she may have altered her age to secure more compassionate treatment. Historical records suggest that while she initially used the alias, she eventually reverted to her true name.

A New Life in Sydney

In Sydney, Mary found companionship with David Batty, a convict from the Third Fleet. In a brutal and lawless settlement where women were scarce, many found themselves at the mercy of men seeking wives, bedfellows, or domestic help. For Mary, forming a union with David—a man of some education—may have been a stroke of good fortune. Though never formally married, possibly due to David's prior ties in England, they built a life together.

Mary may have found work as a milliner, possibly learning the craft from fellow convict women skilled in hat-making. Evidence supports this theory: she was later documented as having made hats for Sydney’s orphan school, receiving a payment of £20—a substantial sum at the time. Cabbage tree hats, a popular and respectable headwear, were in high demand, further supporting the idea that Mary made a living through this trade.

Between 1794 and 1802, Mary and David had four children—David, Richard, Ann, and Thomas—all baptized at St. Philip’s Church in Sydney. By 1806, records list her as "Mary Turner, Lady Penrhyn, free by servitude," living with David and their children.

Hardships and Legal Troubles

Mary's life in the new colony was not without difficulties. In 1789, she and another young convict woman were caught stealing cabbages from William Parr’s garden—a severe crime during times of food shortages. She was sentenced to 50 lashes, delivered in two painful installments.

Later that year, she appeared as a witness in a trial against six soldiers accused of robbing a storehouse. Her testimony raised suspicions, and some doubted whether she had told the truth. While the magistrate gave her the benefit of the doubt, Captain Collins was so outraged that he refused to sit on another case with the same magistrate again. This incident is documented in Australia’s historical records.

A Legacy in the Colony

Despite the hardships, Mary and David worked diligently to provide stability for their children. Over time, they moved from poverty-stricken lodging to their own rented cottages. Unfortunately, Mary passed away a year before David was granted 60 acres of land at Salt Pan Creek (now Riverwood)—a significant achievement for the family.

Mary was buried in the "Old Burial Ground" which was located where Sydney Town Hall is in George Street Sydney, under the name Mary Wilks 1908. 

Though her life was brief, Mary Turner left a lasting legacy. From her and David’s union, eight generations have descended, their stories woven into the fabric of Australia’s history.

Descendant of Mary Turner and David Batty