Mary (Spencer) Palmer (bef. 1768 - bef. 1822)

Born before 19 Jun 1768 in Formby, Lancashire, England

Wife of James Squire — married about 1789 in No Marriage Event

Wife of John Palmer — married 10 Aug 1797 in St Philip's Church of England, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died before 1822 at about age 53 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia [uncertain]

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Biography

Mary (Spencer) Palmer was a convict on the First Fleet.

Mary Spencer was born before and christened on 19 June 1768 in Formby, Lancashire, England ^[1], the daughter of James Spencer and Elizabeth Hughes.

On 9 October 1786, she was tried at the Quarter Sessions at the Lancashire Assizes, Wigan, Lancashire, England ^[2][3].

Before leaving England, and obviously while imprisoned awaiting departure, Mary became pregnant. The First Fleet of 11 ships, six of which were convict ships, sailed from Portsmouth, England on 13 May 1787, with Mary travelling aboard the "Prince of Wales" when aged about 19 and about six months pregnant. On 19 August 1787, Mary gave birth to a little girl who she named after herself ^[4].

The "Prince of Wales" arrived at Port Jackson, New South Wales on 22 January 1788 ^[2] and so began Mary's life in a strange land, far from her family with a little baby, and daunting future. Sadly, her little girl passed away some time during 1788.

Travelling with the First Fleet was James Squire, also a Convict, who formed a relationship with Mary some time after arriving in New South Wales and together, they had a son, Francis Spencer ^[2].

Mary was pregnant when she was sent to and arrived on Norfolk Island aboard "Sirius" on 15 March 1790 and Francis was born and baptised on Norfolk Island on 1 August 1790. James enrolled young Francis in the British Army and was he enlisted into the New South Wales Corps as a drummer on 13 June 1797 ^[5], starting on the payroll when 7 years old which seems to be very young ^[2].

Mary married John Palmer on 10 August 1797 in the St Philip's Church of England, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ^[6][7] and they had three daughters, Ann Palmer, Elizabeth Palmer and Mary Palmer.

No death registration for Mary has yet been found, but is thought that she died before before 1822 ^[8].

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CN9Q-6VN2 : 20 March 2020), Mary Spencer, 1768. Citing: Name: Mary Spencer Event Type: Christening Event Date: 19 Jun 1768 Event Place: Formby, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom Event Place (Original): St. Peter's, Formby, Lancashire, England Sex: Female Father's Name: James Spencer
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Convict: Convict Records: Mary Spence/Spencer: Conviction & Transportation: Sentenced to 7 years Crime: Stealing clothes Convicted at: Lancashire Assizes Sentence term: 7 years Ship: Prince of Wales Departure date: April, 1787 Arrival date: 22nd January, 1788 Place of arrival New South Wales Passenger manifest Travelled with (at least) 56 other convicts
3. ↑ "Mary Spencer of Formby, stole handkerchiefs, petticoat, black silk coat, property of Charles Felton. She was sentenced to five years transportation and arrived in the colony aboard the ship 'Prince of Wales'" Source: The Crimes of the First Fleet convicts. compiled by Cobley, John, (Sydney Angus & Robertson: 1970)
4. ↑ Biographical Record: Biographical report for Mary SPENCE/R: Person ID: 10011065801 Birth: circa 1768 LAN ENG Arrival: 1788 NSW per Prince of Wales (Convict) Biog Item No. 300010008 Name: Mary Spencer, daughter of and Mary Spencer; Arrival status: Convict, NSW AUS; Baptised: 19 Aug 1787, Baptised at 'Prince of Wales' (at) SEA; Registered at St Philip's Church of England, Sydney, Cumberland,[NSW AUS
5. ↑ Biographical Record: Biographical report Mary SPENCER Person ID: T#20052561103: Biog Item No. 200529297 Name: Francis Spencer, Gender: M; Residence: Port Dalrymple [TAS AUS]; Departed Norfolk Island by ship Supply 6 Nov 1795; Arrived at TAS per ship Buffalo 10 Nov 1804; Jul 1808; Born: Aug 1790, Born at Norfolk Island [NSW AUS]; Father: James Squire, Mother: Mary Spencer; Rank: Drummer/Private, Enlisted in military: 1797/06/13; Military transfer: 1810/04/24; listed as Frances /Jackson; Army acc to Donohoe; son of James Squire acc to Donohoe, resettled 1820s This child is NOT marked as born. Source: Database focused on Tas & Norfolk created by researcher Garry Wilson (d 2013). It passed to BDA as a work in progress & contains some errors & persons never resident in Tasmania. It will be replaced in future by linked original sources;
6. ↑ Marriage: New South Wales, Australia Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages: Marriage: Registration number 250/1797 V1797250 4 Groom's Family Name PALMER Groom's Given Name(s) JOHN Bride's Family Name(s) SPENCER Bride's Given Name(s) MARY District CA
7. ↑ Marriage: New South Wales, Australia Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages: Marriage: Registration number 413/1797 V1797413 3A Groom's Family Name PALMER Groom's Given Name(s) JOHN Bride's Family Name(s) SPENCER Bride's Given Name(s) MARY District CA
8. ↑ A source for this information is needed.