Mary Hennessy/Fogarty, Bonnet made by Margaret Morrissey, Ruth Murray's Hearts Creations Group.
Mary Hennessy/Fogarty, Convict No.179 from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, born 31st December 1799.
Mary was tried in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary in March 1829 for larceny (stealing clothes). She was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years transportation. Mary was 29 years old and single. She was transported with her 14-year-old sister, Catherine Fogarty, who also received a sentence of 7 years transportation for larceny.
Mary departed on Asia 1 on 9th September 1829 from Cork, arriving in Sydney Cove on the 9th of January 1830. Mary received her Certificate of Freedom on the 17th January 1840, age 40.
Mary was described as being 5 foot and 1/4 inches tall, with a ruddy freckled complexion, brown hair and grey eyes.
Mary was assigned to James Atkinson and there she met English ex-convict William Henry Jeffery. William applied to marry Mary in October 1830 and permission was granted on 29th October 1830. They had to wait until 28th March 1831 to marry at Sutton Forest. The status of convict women who married Ticket of Leave men is a little unclear. Mary was released from her assignment to James Atkinson, but she did not receive a Ticket of Leave. Legally she was still under the jurisdiction of the Principal Superintendent of Convicts and had to serve out the remainder of her sentence. However, she was released from the onus requirement of reporting for musters. Neither was she assigned to William; he had no legal jurisdiction over Mary, apart from the marriage vows.
Mary and William lived their lives in County Argyle (William was compelled to say within a restricted area). They had 10 children, 5 of whom died before their parents. Mary died at Norwood near Goulburn on 12th February 1878. Her burial was held on 15th February at St Saviours Cemetery, Goulburn. Her headstone reads: Sacred to the Memory of Mary the true and faithfully wife of W H Jeffery for 47 years died 12 Feb 1878 aged 67 years.
Research: Eleanor Murphy Roses from the Heart, Waterford 2023.
References:
Convict Records (no date). available: https://convictrecords.com.au/convicts/hennessy/mary/146158 [accessed 1 December 2023]
From above website - Contributed by Jill Davy on 1st June 2012