On the ship Elizabeth 1828, there were a number of women who shared the same name with either a fellow ship mate or another convict woman.

Two of these women were Mary Gibbon aged 20 years from Westmeath and Mary Anne Gibbons aged 17 years from Mayo. The Mayo Mary and her mother Bridget, were convicted of stealing money and each sentenced to seven year's transportation.

Even though the two Mary's names at first appear to be quite distinct, their names were mixed up by the authorities and in a short period of time, Mary of Westmeath was referred to as Mary Ann(e) in the Colonial Secretary's correspondence and Darlinghurst Gaol records.

Unfortunately, my original assessment of the information was incorrect mainly due to the gaol records showing the name Mary Anne and there was no record of a marriage between Mary Anne Gibbons and John Brennan. However, with the help of family historian, Judy Ganley, the situation is becoming clearer, even if it is not the result that the family originally believed. The family historians were of the opinion that John Lawless had married Mary from Mayo.

Aged 20 years, from Westmeath.

Mary's convict indent details are correct.

In August 1828, Richard Day per Dromedary 1820 applied for permission to marry her. Her name was recorded as Mary Ann Gibbons. Richard was free by servitude¹. When the first of the banns were announced at St James CE, Sydney, a Peter Fitzgerald, constable of Sydney, declared that Mary Ann had been married to John McDermott at Mullingar, Ireland. He claimed they were married by the Reverend John McCormick, the year was 1822 and other people would verify this². However, within the week he retracted his statement. He addressed a letter to the Reverend Robert Hill, saying that;-

I humbly beg pardon for having on Sunday last forbid the Banns of matrimony between Richard Day and Mary Ann Gibbons - as I did the same from a knowledge of her having lived at home with a man and cannot say for a truth whether she were married or not.

This letter from Peter Fitzgerald was sent with a covering letter from Richard Day, where he describes Peter Fitzgerald with a weakness and blackness of mind. And also how Peter, wished every success to our marriage.

The Reverend Richard Hill forwarded both letters to the Colonial Secretary on the 14^th August 1828. The Reverend questioned Mary Ann and she positively denied having ever been married. She explained that Peter Fitzgerald had previously asked her to marry him. She refused because he was a prisoner under a long sentence. Also the Reverend Hill raised some doubt as to whether Peter Fitzgerald actually signed the letter.

As a result of this situation Mary Ann's master Mr Jackson, declined to retain her and she was sent to the 1^st class of the Female Factory³. She was then charged with telling a lie on the 18^th August⁴.

There was no record of a marriage between Richard Day and Mary Ann Gibbon and she was still at the Female Factory during the 1828 Census. On the 25^th November 1828, she was sentenced to three months in the 3^rd class of the Female Factory for disobedience, drunkenness and incorrigible in service, then on 29^th January 1829 another month in the 3^rd class factory for absconding⁵.

Between January and March 1830, Thomas Smith per Baring, aged 32 years and a widower, applied for permission to marry her. Her master, J Cooper gave his consent, however there is no record of the marriage⁶.

During 1830 Mary was confined in the 3^rd class of the Female Factory on a number of occasions. On 2^nd February 1830 for one month for being absent from her service; on the 15^th April she was charged with being absent from her service and confined for one month⁷ and then on the 19^th May, was returned for two months for refusing to work ⁸.

Then on 25^th May 1831 she was returned to the 1^st class Female Factory, as there was no further use for her service⁹, and almost immediately she was assigned to the service of Mrs B Wilson¹⁰.

In September 1831 John Lawless per Prince Regent, aged 32 years applied for permission to marry Mary. He was free by servitude and considered an industrious and sober character by John Robertson who provided a personal reference. Mary's mistress, Mrs Wilson stated that she was a well conducted character and gave her permission¹¹. They were married at St Phillips, Sydney.

Mary received a Certificate of Freedom no. 34/327 with the notation that she was the wife of John Lawliss (sic).

Mary Lawless' death has not been verified, however John remarried, as a widower, on 27^th September 1847, to Margaret Allums at St Andrews Presbyterian Church, Sydney¹².

Mary and John Lawless' daughter Mary, married William Riely (sic) on the 6^th November 1848 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Sydney¹³. They died in Perth, Western Australia and are buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery.

Husband
John Lawless 5^th October 1831, CE St Phillips, Sydney¹⁴.

Children

Aged 17 years, from Mayo.

Mary Anne's convict details are correct.

During the voyage Mary Anne was a well conducted woman. Mary and her mother Bridget had been convicted of the same crime and each sentenced to seven years transportation.

On the 1^st August 1828 she was transferred to the service of Mr and Mrs Foster of Pitt St, Sydney¹.

On the 29^th April 1829, John Brennan, aged 26 years and free by servitude applied to marry Mary. The notations on the application stated that John was a tailor by trade, able to support a wife and was employed by Mr Pamingtons at 99 Pitt St, Sydney².

The banns were declared in the St Mary's Roman Catholic Chapel but there is no record of the marriage taking place.

Mary's mother Bridget was assigned to her husband John, on the 15^th April 1831³.

However, on the 16^th April 1836, Mary Brennan was buried in the Roman Catholic Cemetery in Maitland. The entry in the church register reads,

Mary Brennan, aged 25 years old, per the ship Elizabeth and she was the wife of Jno Brennan, a tailor⁴.

There are no recorded births for children of John and Mary Brennan.