Mary Ann Hunt was born in Hampshire New England[1] and arrived in Van Diemens Land in the August of 1850 after months at sea on board the convict transport ship Baretto Junior. [2]She was one of 186 female convicts destined to serve time for their convictions across the seas. Many of the women travelled with their young children and young two-year-old son George accompanied his mother.[3] Mary left behind her brothers George and James and sisters Eliza and Jane. [4]
This is a story like many others of the trials and tribulations of the stories of those convicted to transportation in the colonies. But 34 year old Mary Ann Hunt very nearly did not board the ship to sail to Van Diemen’s Land, albeit she had been convicted of a heinous crime.
[1] England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892
[2] TAHO, CON41/1/27, Mary Ann Hunt Conduct Report
[3] ADM 101-007-06, Baretto Junior Ship’s Surgeon Report
[4] TAHO, CON41/1/27, Mary Ann Hunt Conduct Report
