Researchers who have claimed this convict
There are currently 7 researchers who have claimed Mary Stevens
- Researcher (Keith Bassett)
- Researcher (Steven Koszek)
- Researcher (8208)
- Researcher (Jan Downey)
- Researcher (8982)
- Researcher (Sarah Ranner)
- Researcher (Anne Gibson)
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Biographies
Mary Carter Stevens was born in Charlynch, Somerset, England on May 3 1778, to parents Richard Stevens and Mary (Shorney) Stevens.
Mary was aged 21 when she was charged with "Stealing Goods to the value of 30/- (thirty shillings) of Thomas Andrews". (17 yards of printed cotton). She was held at the Castle of Taunton Somerset, and sentenced at Ilchester Court during the Somerset Lent Circuit Hearings, "to be transported beyond the seas for the term of seven years" on March 28 1799.
She was transported from England to Australia on the ship "Earl Cornwallis" on November 18 1800, and landed at Port Jackson in New South Wales on June 12 1801.
Soon after her arrival, Mary was assigned to a soldier – Private John Lees, for household duties. A lifelong union ensued.
After John was discharged from the NSW Corps, he and Mary established themselves on a grant of land along the Nepean River. John had some literacy and could sign his name, but Mary signed her name by her "mark".
Over the course of the next 20 years, Mary gave birth to 10 children – Maria b:1802, Hanna b:1804, Richard b:1805, John Jnr b:1807, Mary b:1809, Esther b:1812, Samuel b:1813, Timothy b:1815, Sarah b:1818, Cornelius b:1821. Mary and John had married in 1809, after the birth of their 5th child.
Also during this time, Mary and John endured fires, floods, plagues, loss of crops and the devastating loss of 2 of their beloved children – Maria (17) and Samuel (5).
John became extremely spiritual, but Mary remained the practical side of their partnership. John subsequently built the first chapel onto their home and a new spiritual life invaded the family. Mary did not share John's zeal. Nevertheless she supported him over the years in the giving of subscriptions to the missionary cause.
In January 1827 John decided to let the farm and move to Sydney. He and Mary lived in Castlereagh Street Sydney where John became a lay preacher.
Paralysis struck John as a result of a stroke and they moved back to the farm at Castlereagh where he lay bedridden for years. Mary endured alongside him as his carer.
After John's death in 1836 Mary lived only a few years, passing away on July 26 1839 - and was buried the following day at the C of E Cemetery Castlereagh, aged 64 years. Her body was re-intered along with John's on October 15 & 16 1921 in the cemetery of the Castlereagh Methodist Church, built on the site of the first chapel John built.
Mary's story is of a convict girl who made a new life in the colony. She gave birth to 10 children, went through natural disasters on the land, suffered joy and grief as a mother and was always the loving and supporting wife. She was every inch a pioneer of our country, leaving a legacy of many descendants.
Immigration records show Mary Stevens:
Where listed: Manchester
When: March 1799
Sentence: Seven Years
Ship: Earl Cornwallis
Length of Voyage: 206 days
When Arrived: 1801
When Term Expired: March 1806
Date of Certificate 5th Jan 1811
Description: Hair black, eyes hazel
Mary received her Certificate of Freedom on 5 January, 1811.
Mary Carter (Stevens) Lees was - Mother to Cornelius Lees - Grandmother to Thomas Herbert Lees - Great Grandmother to Cecil Herbert George Lees - 2 x Great Grandmother to Shirley Joanne (Lees) Morrow - 3 x Great Grandmother to Anne (Morrow) Gibson, Scott Morrow and John Morrow.
Submitted by Researcher (Anne Gibson) on 20 February 2025
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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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