1768-1842
Father
James Murray
Mother
Ann Neagle
Siblings
Nil known
Married
William York
Children
Harriet, Henry, Elizabeth (Eliza), Henry, Thomas, Charles
Married
William Cosgrove (common law)
Children
William, John, Mary Ann
Married
George Crooks
Mary’s Life
Mary Murray is thought to be the daughter of James Murray and Ann Neagle. She was born in Bath, Somerset in January 1768. Mary’s father died when she was ten years old.
Mary married William York in Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1786, they had seven children. William cited his trade as boxmaker/carpenter.
Mary was convicted of stealing 2 cotton bags, gold coins, silver coins, bills and notes at the Bristol Quarter Sessions in July 1804. She was sentenced to 7 years and transportation. Mary’s son Charles was born during her incarceration in Bristol and was transported with her to the colony of New South Wales.
Mary and her son arrived in Sydney on the ‘William Pitt’ in April 1806 after embarking in July 1805. Incidentally, Gregory Blaxland (of Blue Mountains fame) and family arrived as free settlers on the same ship.
Mary was first assigned to the ‘First’ Female Factory at Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta – The female factory was a wool and linen factory where women worked by day and it served as their refuge by night. From its inception the factory was intended to be a place where women who had not been immediately assigned to masters upon arrival in New South Wales were employed in tasks that were beneficial to the colony, and where corrupting influences could be kept at bay. Parramatta Female Factory – The Female Factory Online
Mary was eventually assigned to Gregory Blaxland.
Mary’s husband, William York died in England in 1807.
In 1808 Mary had a son, William, with William Cosgrove, an Irish rebel who was transported along with his brother, Thomas. They both arrived on the ‘Rolla’ in 1803. William was also assigned to Gregory Blaxland. The child, William died at three months of age. William and Mary had two more children John and Mary Ann. Their children were baptized by Reverand Samuel Marsden.
William and Mary started accumulating land around the Bringelly and Liverpool districts. Mary continued to do so throughout her life.
In 1817, Henry York, on his second attempt to be with his mother was convicted of Larceny and was transported on the ‘Fame’ arriving in Sydney in 1817. Henry was assigned to Thomas Cosgrove, William’s brother.
After Willaim Cosgrove attained his Certificate of Freedom, he became a Police Constable in the Penrith area and was shot and killed by Bushrangers in 1819. Henry and Charles York aided in the apprehension of the bushrangers.
It appears that William and Mary’s marriage was not formalised – in 1819 when she was applying for Letters of Administration for William Cosgrove’s estate and effects, she applied as Mary Yorke.
Mary was assigned a convict, George Crooks who had been convicted at the Stafford Assizes in 1813 for a term of 14 years and transportation to Australia, arriving on the ‘Surrey’ in July 1814.
Mary married George in 1821, Mary was 53 and George 38. Reverand Samuel Marsden performed the ceremony. They did not have children. George died at Maneroo, the family’s holdings at Adaminaby in 1841.
Mary died at South Creek in 1842 at the age of 74. She is buried at St John’s Cemetery, Parramatta beside William Cosgrove.
A simply amazing women who sought opportunity in her new country and saw her children prosper. Mary, an extraordinary pioneer.
Written by Leah Burnheim in collaboration with Dianne Pells
Mary Murray was my/our 4x Great Grandmother, she was an enduring character who prospered in the colony of New South Wales. She has many descendants in Australia. I have pieced together this story in collaboration with other descendants, (Thank you Dianne Pells – we are so lucky to be descended from such a remarkable woman). If you would like to discuss Mary’s story, I would certainly welcome a conversation with you.