AUS-NSW-SE-L Archives

From: "T. Bryan & B. Garvey" <>
Subject: Wives of convicts aboard the Thomas Harrison.
Date: Mon, 29 May 2000 11:34:35 +1000

Good morning everyone,

I Hope this information may be of help to some of you researching
your convict ancestors and their families.

(This message is cross-posted to other lists that I'm subscribed to.
If you are a member of the same lists, you will receive duplicates).

My 4xg grandmother Nancy Ryan (nee Lucas) was the wife of
convict John Ryan who was transported in 1829. Nancy was one
of 11 free women (along with their children) who sailed from Dublin
on the Thomas Harrison to join their convict husbands in the Colony.
These women were granted free passage and the Thomas Harrison
arrived in Sydney on 9th June 1836.

Following is a list of names of some of these women who were
mentioned in Colonial Secretary's correspondence. I hope that
this may be of help to some of you. I don't have any further
details on these women other than Nancy Ryan but additional
information may be available at NSW State Records Office.
I should also mention that I have been in contact with Faye
Heany, the 3xg granddaughter of Margaret Williamson (nee
Henderson) whose name appears in the list.

10/6/1836. Women on board who have been asked for information
on their convict husbands.

This first list gives the maiden names of the women and where
I have inserted a ? indicates that the name is very difficult
to read.

HENDERSON Mary (Margaret) - wife of Alex WILLIAMSON.
Children = Janet and Mary.
MASON(?) Margaret - wife of Patrick MAHER.
Children = Mary and Patrick.
WILLIAMSON Eliza - wife of Thomas HOPKINS.
Children = Samuel and Eliza.
Mary (no maiden name given) - wife of Tom(?) MORRISON(?)
Children = Jane.
AHERN Margaret - daughter of Patrick AHERN.
DALY Mary - wife of Thomas STEWART.
Children = Mary and Catherine.
McLUNE(?) Catherine - wife of Martin REGAN.
Children = Mary.
BOURKE Ellen - wife of James(?) LEARY.
Children = Ellen.
WATSON Dorothy - wife of John GALVIN.
Children = Eliza, Neuria(?), John.
LUCAS Nancy - wife of John Ryan (my 4xg grandparents).
Children = Catherine, Margaret, Mary.
CONNNELLY Ellen - wife of William HIGGINS.
Children = Mary.
SMITH Lilly (Lydia) - wife of Patrick SMITH.
Children = Ann, Mary, Margaret, Lucy, (last name illegible).

29/6/1936. Women still on board the Thomas Harrison.

MAHER Margaret - wife of Patrick Maher per ship Cambridge,
now free and formerly in the service of D. Gibson. Police
Magistrate Goulburn written to on the 14th instant.

HOPKINS Eliza (gone) - wife of Thomas HOPKINS per James
Patterson, received his wife and family on the 27th instant.

AHERN Margaret - daughter of Patrick AHERN per ship Marquis
of Huntley, holding a ticket of leave for Morton/Merton(?), the bench
of Heath(?) District written to on 11th instant.

REGAN Catherine (gone) - wife of Martin REGAN, per ship Tyne,
holding ticket of leave for Maitland. Bench written to 14th instant.

GAVIN Dorothy - wife of John GAVIN per ship James Patterson,
now free, formerly held a ticket of leave for Morton(?). Bench of
that District written to.

RYAN Nancy - wife of John RYAN per ship Larkins (2), holding
ticket of leave for Brisbane Water. Police Magistrate there at,
written to on 16th instant.

SMITH Lydia - wife of Patrick SMITH, per Ferguson, now free
but formerly held a ticket of leave for Parramatta. Police
Magistrate there at written to and that gentleman's reply received
on the 14th instant that Smith had left that District and supposed
to be at Borg Borg(?) or Bory Bory(?) in the service of Mr.
Roberts of Sydney. Bench of Borg Borg(?) written to.

1/7/1836. These women were still on board the Thomas Harrison
waiting for news of their husbands and were then moved to Hyde
Park Barracks.

WILLIAMSON Margaret and 2 daughters.
SMITH Lydia, four daughters and one son.
MAHER Margaret, one daughter and one son.
GALVIN Dorothy, two daughters and one son.
RYAN Ann (Nancy) and three daughters.

Catherine REGAN and her daughter and Margaret AHERN, daughter
of Patrick AHERN staying together.

Best wishes,

Terri BRYAN

Merimbula NSW Australia.

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• Wives of convicts aboard the Thomas Harrison. by "T. Bryan & B. Garvey" <>