Mary (Drew) McCloud, Convict “Mary Ann” 1791

Mary received a conviction in Exeter, Devon, 13th Jan., 1790, resulting in transportation for 7 years. She departed in 1791 on the Mary Ann, part of the third fleet Mary spent part of her sentence in Parramatta, then she was sent to Norfolk Island, which at that early stage was being opened up for vegetable growing, supplying Norfolk pine and flax for ships' masts, and to keep the French from laying claim. Mary became a common-law wife to John McCloud-sent also to Norfolk Is.The convicts were given an acre of land as their own. Mary purchased a further 4 acres from a Richard Fryer in 1803, from a parcel of 14 acres sold to Richards by Georhge Guest. The remaining 10 acres was sold to Charles Fryer (from Colonial Secretary File ) She had several children born on the island. The government, decided to wind down the settlement in 1803. They left the island in the first embarkation on the Lady Nelson to be among the very first settlers in Van Diemans Land.The settlers were given 2 acres of land and the services of 2 convicts. Mary had further children in Tasmania,, the youngest being Susannah, John Banks GGGrandmother. Mary married John McCloud legally in 1812 in Hobart Town Although buried at St. David's Park there is a memorial to her and other family members in Queensborough Cemetery, Sandy Bay. The original profile picture was a memorial to first settlers in St. Davids Park. Mary, husband John and the first 5 of her children are listed. PROFILE PHOTO Icon of the 3rd fleet-to be only used in association with research on profiles of 1st, 2nd and 3rd fleet

“Lady Nelson” from Norfolk Island to Van Diemen’s Land, 9 November 1807