Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 8 researchers who have claimed Margaret Southern
- Researcher (212)
- Researcher (Jo Acton)
- Researcher (5469)
- Researcher (Jay Hely)
- Researcher (2518)
- Researcher (Alex Daw)
- Researcher (Sandie McKoy)
- Researcher (Anne Gibson)
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Biographies
Margaret Southern was born in 1783 at Abram, Lancashire to parents Thomas Southern Snr (32) and Margaret Peggy Orme (30).
She grew up at Aspull with at least 7 siblings.
Her father Thomas worked as a cotton weaver. Many men during this time worked in agriculture during the day and weaved cotton at night. Often the wife and children assisted by doing the spinning.
At a later date, Margaret moved to Manchester - most likely moved there for employment opportunities, and worked as a servant for a family between the ages of 14 - 16.
In 1803 she was apprehended for stealing a linen shift worth 1d ( one penny), a shift worth 1d. and a linen apron worth 1d. which were the goods and chattels of Jane Eastwood. She was detained at Lancaster Castle Gaol, and sentenced at the Lancaster Quarter Sessions to seven years transportation to Australia.
The convict ships Experiment & Coromandel sailed together on 4 December 1803, The Experiment transported mainly female convicts, and The Coromandel transported male convicts only. The Experiment arrived in Australia on 12 June 1804. Margaret was one of 136 female convicts (6 of whom died on the journey), on board The Experiment, far outnumbering the 2 male convicts. The Coromandel (transporting male only convicts) had a shorter journey, arriving on 7 May 1804.
On arrival in Sydney, Margaret was sent to work as a servant for a family who lived in the Rocks area. During this time she met John Parkes, also a convict, working on the dockyards.
Margaret and John entered a long lasting de facto relationship around 1806. The first of their 12 children was born in 1807, the 12th child born 20 years later.
As the children grew and married most of them settled on plots of John’s grant of land, (see John Parke's biography) establishing a small community.
John passed away in 1839. Just two years later, Parkes’ Camp had become Parkestown.
After John died, Margaret continued to be close to her children. By 1858, she had moved to Salt Pan Creek, Riverwood to live with her daughter Ann and her de facto partner James Chard and her grandchildren. This was an unhappy living arrangement beset by constant arguments, violence and police involvement. In 13 July 1843, Margaret was charged with selling a pint of rum to Abraham Marcus without a license - fined 5 pounds.
By 1859 Margaret had moved back to Parkes Camp. She lived on her youngest son's (Thomas) property, in a separate home to him with a 5-year-old grandchild.
On 11 March 1859 Margaret’s clothing accidently caught fire while she was attempting to light her pipe. Thomas was able to put out the flames, but she suffered burns that required medical attention. Unfortunately before she could recover from her injuries she developed influenza and died from the combined effects.
Her death certificate provides few details, stating that she was from Manchester and listing her parents as unknown. The details were supplied by her son William who was unable to sign his name, which supports the theory that (like so many families at that time) the Parkes family members were illiterate.
On 24th March 1859 - Margaret (Southern) Parkes, the “Girl from Manchester” passed away. She was 76 years old. Her funeral service and burial, took place on the following day at St. Peter's Church of England, Cook's River Road (now the Prince's Highway) in St. Peter's. The funeral service was one of the most heavily attended services ever to be conducted at St. Peter's Church.
John Parkes's village was still called Parkestown as late as 1895. The name Forest Hill came into use in about 1905, and the suburb adopted the name of Earlwood about 1918.
Margaret (Southern) Parkes was – Mother to John Parkes Jnr – Grandmother to George Parkes – Great Grandmother to Elicia (Parkes) Timms – 2 x Great Grandmother to Cecil Herbert George Lees – 3 x Great Grandmother to Shirley Joanne (Lees) Morrow - 4 x Great Grandmother to Anne (Morrow) Gibson, Scott Morrow and John Morrow.
Submitted by Researcher (Anne Gibson) on 1 January 2026
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Disclaimer: The information has not been verified by Claim a Convict. As this information is contributed, it is the responsibility of those who use the data to verify its accuracy. Research notes
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