Marine John McCarty and convict Ann Beardsley - by the record The story of First Fleet Marine John McCarty and partner Ann Beardsley (aka Beazley) is one that to this day conceals many unknowns. Whilst we know their general story and general dates of events, there are many specifics that remain unknown. Many have tried to detail their lives, much of this poorly researched and overstated. Some have claimed John McCarty to be some type of super-soldier, serving on special assignments well into his 80's and being moved all over the colony as a type of trouble shooter. Whilst we'd all love our ancestor to be someone outstanding the truth is almost always far less exciting (but far more realistic) John McCarty was a simple Marine who only ever served at the rank of Private. He was part of the First Fleet to which is outstanding enough, and perhaps the most noteworthy thing about him is that he served in the early era at each of the four major new settlements in – at as a Marine of Capt Campbell's Company 1788-91, as a Settler and soldier of the NSW Corps 1792-1808, at Hobart Town as a Soldier and later a settler 1808-1839, and finally in Port Phillip as a retired veteran Soldier 1839-1846. John McCarty's year of birth is uncertain due to conflicts with several primary sources but is implied to be c.1758 in the Description Book of the 102nd Regiment compiled in NSW 1 Sep 1808(1). His 1846 obituary in the Melbourne Argus, cites an age likely exaggerated, but does indicate he was born in December. Volunteers to the NSW Marines in 1787 were required to have some years of good service record in the Marines, to be at least 5ft 4in tall, and under 40 years old. Hence McCarty could not have been born prior to abt1746 and therefore not aged over 100 at the time of his death in July 1846. On the other hand, ages given in the regimental records were often 'adjusted' to suit the requirements and circumstances of the man. His surname is usually mistakenly rendered in 2nd sources in the English form 'McCarthy' due to so much of his personal record being occuring in English military records. However it's almost certain that he and his family understood their name to be spelled the Irish 'McCarty' by virtue of the fact that virtually every non military record of he and his daughters from the era where the informant was a family member has it rendered 'McCarty' John McCarty enlisted as a Private in the Marines around age 16, c.1775. As a career Marine, he served in several assignments prior to enlisting in the NSW Marine Corps for service in the colony at Botany Bay. In later years he claimed to have been present at the Battle of Bunker Hill in the American War of Independence in June 1775 although despite a thorough search of records of Marines present there in 1775 not a single piece of evidence to support this has been found. He also claimed to have been a shipmate of William IV, later King of England aboard Boreas frigate, and to have seen action under Nelson. Once more, detailed research could not find one instance of any McCarty serving as a Marine aboard Boreas or any other ship in the years William did his time as Naval Midshipman, nor board any ship under Nelson. McCarty did serve two tours of duty, likely aboard ship as a Marine of the compliment, the first from Sep 1782 - Jun 1784 and secondly from Sep 1784 - May 1787, reportedly in the (per Sep 1808 Periods of Service, WO25/643). At the time of writing the names of the ships McCarty served aboard are not known. It is hoped that these might surface in time as more records are digitised and indexed at the National Archives in Britain where all the naval shipping musters of the era do exist in non-digital form. By 1787 McCarty was serving in the 21st Plymouth Division and from here enlisted the NSW Marines in May 1787, to sail with the First Fleet as a guard aboard 'Friendship'. Ann Beardsley's background is likewise hard to be dogmatic about. She was the daughter of either William Beardsley(1726-1770) and Judith Scattergood(1728-1812) of Kirk Hallam, bapt 1 Mar 1767, or John Beardsley(1731-1788) and Ann Keeling(1741-1786), also of Kirk Hallam, bapt 8 Feb 1766. Both Ann's satisfying the known details of origin of the NSW convict Ann Beardsley. It's worth noting that William and John Beardsley mentioned above trace back to a common great-grandfather, Mark Beardsley b.1638 Nottingham. Ann was sentenced at the Derby Assizes 5 Aug 1786, age 20, to 5 years transportation, for having in her possession, a black satin cloak and other goods, stolen from the house of Elizabeth Woodhead in Apr 1786. Ann appears to have been the only convict on the fleet to receive this minimal sentence of 5 years.

Ann Beardsley convicted 5 Aug 1786, Derbyshire – Friendship, recorded in a later alphabetical index to convicts. HO10/7, B Ann was initially confined at Derby gaol and on 18 Oct removed to Southwark gaol. On 24 Nov 1786 she was sent to the Port of Plymouth, recorded to be well clothed, in good spirits and not dismayed at the length of the voyage ahead of her(7). Ann was confined on Dunkirk hulk 26 Dec 1786 with a stated age of 20. She was discharged from Dunkirk hulk 11 Mar 1787 for transportation to NSW aboard Friendship, sailing from , 13 May 1787.

Ann Beardsley, age 20 at trial, in a group of female convicts discharged from Dunkirk Hulk to Friendship transport - 11 Mar 1787, TNA T1/644 At Rio de Janeiro, 11 Aug 1787 Ann was transferred to Charlotte with 5 other female convicts. “Sent on Bd. the Charlotte the 11 of Augt. 1787 Women to the Charlott Viz Susanah Gought, Hannah Green, Francis Hart, Eliz Harvy, Mary Watkings and Ann Baighly (sic) the Six Very best Women we have in the Ship” - The journal of Ralph Clark, Marine Lieut(8). John McCarty established a relationship with Ann Beardsley, a first fleet convict of the Transports 'Friendship' and 'Charlotte', possibly even prior to arrival in the colony if he happened to be a Marine guard on Dunkirk hulk, although there is no proof of this. Both John McCarty and Ann Beardsley were correctly recorded in the midvoyage Victualling list taken at Teneriffe, Rio and Cape of Good Hope, and the list recorded at Port Jackson Feb-Nov 1788. At Port Jackson McCarty was assigned to Capt Campbell's Company, Jul-Sep 1788 (TNA Adm1/3824, 3). In November 1788 John McCarty was a witness in the first murder trial in the colony, that of Marines James Baker, Luke Haines, Richard Askew, and Richard Dukes for the murder of Marine Pte Thomas Bulmore "John McCarthy, private soldier, being sworn deposes that he messed with Thomas Bulmore, the deceased. That he attended him during his illness except when he was on guard. That on Friday morning the 7th instant on going into his hut he asked his shipmate (Coward) where Bulmore was. Who answered that he had been called on and by the Superintendent to carry some baggage down to the water side. That he had been out all night and had been fighting. That he had asked him to lend him a pair of trousers, his own were so blooded. That before he returned for the supervision he met Baker, and went out, and he was informed, to fight. That very shortly after, he returned (about 7) very much beat, and desired him to get another man to mount guard for him, being very much bruised. That when he saw him, his trousers and the frill of his shirt. That he asked him who he had been fighting with. He answered, it was no matter, it was all over. That he went to bed and lay there for a considerable part of the day. That on his return from carrying his shipmate's dinner, the deceased told him Baker had been with him, asking him to go with him to Captain Campbell and tell him he had not been fighting with him. That he refused to do so, as he would not say a person had been fighting him that had not. That in the evening Bulmore told Haines that he would bear him company to the hospital. That he never had any more conversation with him. That he attended him during his illness, and never heard him lay his death on any one. That on Thursday evening the deceased left him, and was then very much in liquor. That he complained very much of his side or ribs, saying he feared some of them were started. He was called in again and further deposed that on the Saturday morning following, on asking the prisoner Haines some questions about the fight, Haines said, he was glad it happened as it did, for if Baker had not fought him, he should have done so. That he said to Haines, he supposed as Baker had no blemish on his body, that Bulmore did not get any blows at him. Haines replied, "yes several, he did, and would have several times given out, if he (Haines) had not prevented him". That on Monday following, when he was giving the deceased some sago, Haines was there with some men who remarked, that the people present at the fight, were to blame to suffer him to be beat so. Haines replied, that if they killed one another on the spot, he would never have parted them until one or the other gave out." (3)

On 1 March 1789 a daughter, Harriet, was baptised at having been born sometime in the previous months. The baptism was written in the St Phillips register as “Harriot Beadsley (sic), daughter of John McCarty Marine, & Ann Beadsley (sic), convict”. Certain publications cite a second child, Rebecca born at Port Jackson, 17th October 1789, only living to 1st February 1790. This reference is an error by a researcher who somehow mixed up the child of Marine John Browne and convict Susannah Allen, and has nothing to do with John McCarty or Ann Beardsley.

The Baptism of Harriet Beadsley (sic) 1 Mar 1789, Sydney Cove. St Phillips Baptisms Because of worsening food shortages in NSW the colony was to be divided between the NSW mainland and Norfolk Island, with approx 500 persons at each settlement. The next record we have of Ann is her being transferred to the Norfolk Island settlement, departing 6th Mar 1790 aboard HMS Sirius, along with infant daughter Harriet. Indications are that a good number of the convicts came from working produce gardens, likely at Rose Hill. “The advantages I expected by sending away such a number of people was from the little garden ground they would leave, and which would assist those who remained, and the fish which might be caught in the winter would go the further. At the same time those sent to Norfolk Island would have resources in the great abundance of vegetables raised there, and in fish and birds” (Phillip to Lord Sydney - 11 Apr 1790, HRA SerI, Vol 1, p166). This was to be the final voyage of the ill fated ship, which was wrecked on a reef off Kingston after offloading most of the persons, 19th Mar 1790.

Ann Beardsley recorded under the surname 'Bazely' entry to Victualling Book 13 Mar 1790, arrived per Sirius. She was off stores after 98days into 1794 on abt 8 Apr(4) Later that year a second daughter, Diana, conceived prior to Ann's departure from Sydney, was born on Norfolk Island c.Nov 1790. The abbreviation Dian was misread as Fran (Frances) in Raymond Nobbs' publication on Norfolk Island first settlement and has subsequently found its way into other lists. Also note that dates given in the Victualling book on the island for this time period were usually dates of a child going on store, not birth dates.

Diana Bazeley - on store 29 Jun 1791. The 'DD' in her entry confirms she was deceased, and lack of any victualling suggests she died as an infant prior to weaning.(4) Ann managed to live as a single mother until November 1791 when partner John McCarty was able to join her, having taken his agreed discharge from the Marines to become a Settler. He arrived on Atlantic transport with a contingent of Marine settlers, many of whom also had partners waiting on the island. John and Ann were married on Norfolk Island in November 1791 along with many other couples very shortly after his arrival. He was allocated a grant of 60acres on the left Queensboro Path near Creswell Bay (later known as Lot 71) effective 29 Nov 1791. He employed three convicts as labourers and there are various records of him producing and selling produce and livestock to Government stores on the island in the following years.

John McCarty paid £33 for 132 bushells of maize at 5s/ea delivered to stores on Norfolk Island - 15 Jul 1794, TNA CO201/10, 255

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Another daughter, Mary Ann was placed on stores 4 Jun 1793, estimated birth c.Nov 1792 (4)

The final child - a son, Charles, was placed on stores Jul 1795, estimated birth c.Dec 1794 (4)

The only surviving record of Charles Beazely is this single line entry in the The Norfolk Island Victualling Book (4)

All 4 children were recorded with variations of the Beardsley surname, rendered on the island as Beazley, Beazely, Bazeley or Beazly. This was due to the law that all children of convicts were to be recorded under the convict mother's surname, whether the parents were married or not. The correct spelling of the surname 'Beardsley' does not appear to have ever been used on Norfolk Island. John lost his wife Ann and also infant son Charles between Oct 1796 and Jun 1801. The last record of Ann is in the "Free Women, Living Off Stores" listing of Jun 1794, where she appears as a free married woman with 2 children (Harriet & Mary Ann), supported by John McCarty, Settler. This also confirming that their daughter Diana had died prior to 1794. The last indirect reference to Ann occurred in Oct 1796 when John McCarty was recorded on the List of Proprietors of Land on Norfolk Island as a married man with 3 children living on 60acres being Lot 71. The children by this time being Harriet, Mary Ann and Charles

John McCarty, married with 3 children per list of Proprietors Norfolk Island Oct 1796, TNA CO201/18, 151a There were many deaths from dysentry and fever due to the failure of grain crops on the island in these years. No specific records of deaths have survived but Ann and Charles certainly disappear in this period on Norfolk Island where few records have survived, and are no longer present by Jun 1801 by which time Rev Fulton has arrived on the island and began recording baptisms burials and marriages. It may be related to the loss of his wife and son that John McCarty enlisted in the NSW Corps in Dec 1801. He was the last of the former Marines to enlist and also retained his land grant, which was not such a common arrangement.

John McCarty Private of NSW Corps per Victualling Book Jan-Dec 1802, TNA CO201/29, 213 McCarty served as a Private in the island detachment until May 1806 when he was transferred with a company of six aboard colonial transport Lady Nelson to Port Jackson. He remained on duty with the Corps in Sydney with paylists showing him back on the island Jun-Sep 1808. It's likely returned to the island to wind up his affairs per American brig Eliza, arriving 19 May 1808 just in time to be part of the last major group of settlers who were to be embarked to the Derwent River in September 1808 aboard City of Edinburgh. John McCarty left behind a two story house (shingled and boarded), a barn (23 ft x 14 ft), two log houses and his produce, for which he was reimbursed a mere thirty pounds. John's eldest daughter Harriet also embarked to the Derwent, but younger daughter, Mary Ann, remained on the island a while longer, then travelled to Sydney per colonial schooner arriving in Sydney 22 Apr 1809, and was reimbursed £4 /10 for her own stock of 3 sheep. A James McCarty appears on the same manifest, a sailor formerly of the whaler Mary South, and was no relation whatsoever. Mary settled in Sydney with friends from Norfolk Island and by 1811 had formed a relationship with Lieut Thomas Skottowe of the 73rd Regiment, and later Commandant of the Newcastle Penal Colony. Documents found many years later indicate she purchased an allotment of land in Sydney from Edward Haven of the 102nd Regiment in Feb 1814. Haven served many years as Serjeant in the detachment on Norfolk Island with her father and was presumably known to her from these years. John Devereux was born c.1775 at Shielbaggan, Co.Wexford Ireland to a family of wealthy Landowners. As a Captain in a Yeoman Battalion he was charged with High Treason, and implicated in the late Rebellion against English rule, at Vinegar Hill in Wexford. In particular he was accused of involvement with the burning of English Loyalists at the barn of Scullabogue, a very serious charge, from which few escaped execution. After a much publicised and protracted trial at Cork 27 Nov 1799 to 9 Jan 1800, he was found guilty of treason and sentenced to hang. It was only the fact that he came from a family with some means that he was able to afford to mount a defence, but sent himself broke in doing so. He did however, manage to have his sentence commuted to transportation to NSW for life. Departing from Cork on 30 May 1802, Devereux arrived in Sydney on 30 Oct 1802, aboard the Atlas II. He was recorded in the convict indentures as Jno Devneaun, aged 27.

John Devereux remained in NSW until a sudden transfer to Norfolk Island, possibly due to the Irish uprising of early March 1804 at Castle Hill. Not that he is recorded as one of those involved, but being an educated Irish man with a charge of aiding in the rebellion in Ireland he might have been considered a potential risk, and moved out of harms way. He is recorded arriving at Norfolk Island on 23 June 1804 with other convicts aboard Lady Nelson

John Devereux (misspelt Davireux) one of 4 male convicts arrived on Norfolk Island 23 Jun 1804 per Lady Nelson – 1804 Victualling Book, TNA CO201_30, 219 Devereux is recorded in the following years in Norfolk Island victualling records as a convict, and is noted off stores in Feb 1806, likely as a convict worker supported by John McCarty. It would be likely that Devereux met his future wife, Harriet McCarty at this time, and by 1807 had begun a relationship with her. On breakup of the settlement, Harriet now pregnant, departed the island, on 25 Dec 1807 aboard HMS Porpoise bound for the Derwent River, arriving 17 Jan 1808. John followed on Estramina, departing 15 May 1808 and arriving at the Derwent 5 June 1808. He was listed as an individual not holding land, but a commendation “his conduct merits my perfect approbation “ by Capt John Piper was noted in the manifest (CSO1/1/177/4306 p224) . Eight days later, on the 13 June 1808 the couple was married by the Rev. Robert Knopwood at St Davids Church of England in Hobart Town. A daughter, Harriet Jr, was born in August. Seven more children were born to the couple, in Hobart Town and later at Bridgewater

Marriage certificate of John Devereux & Harriet McCarty, Linctas RGD36/1/1 no 19 John Devereux is said to have arrived in VDL as a free man, presumably having been granted a conditional pardon, although the document has never been found. In later musters he falsely claimed to have arrived free in the colony. He was granted 65 acres of land at Herdsman's Cove near Bridgewater (later Green Point) on the Derwent River although the family didn't take up full time residence there until abt Aug 1819. In the years following arrival in VDL were born to John and Harriet – Harriet Jr.at Hobart in 1808, Alexander at Hobart in 1811, Charles at Hobart in 1813, Mary Ann at Hobart in 1815, Ann at Hobart in 1818, Phillip at Bridgewater in 1822, John William at Bridgewater 1823 and finally Peter at Bridgewater in 1825. In Oct 1818 Harriet Devereux was recorded with 3 children off stores, one (pres. Charles) having died - (Oct 1818 muster of Hobart Town, 4/1235.2, 485). When a survey of children at Black Brush was taken in 1822, three Devereux children aged 13, 10 and 5 (Harriet Jr, Alexander. & Mary Ann) were reported as being too far from school to attend and John could not afford to pay more than £20 for board and education for even one child (CSO 1/240/5809, AOT). Of the eight children, 5 survived in VDL into adulthood. Charles was deceased as an infant prior to the muster of Oct 1818, Alexander died unrecorded between 1822 and 1839 as his name is shown struck off a will written in 1839 (see below). Ann Devereux married Wm H Budd and departed for Port Phillip Oct 1838, dying at Melbourne Nov 1840 aged 21 with one son Wm Increase Budd died 1 Mar 1840, age 2mnths. Nothing is known concerning the death of John Devereux. The last record of him is in 1828, when finances and his relationship with Harriet had taken a very poor turn. The land at Bridgewater had so much debt on it that Harriet took out her own Dowry claim (caveat) over it. Devereux's cattle had all been impounded and were to be sold to recover debts, and by June of that year the 60 acres had been sold resulting in the family moving to Black Brush. No more is heard of John Devereux, but with all the debt and associated problems he may have been the J Devereux who departed VDL for Port Phillip, 21 Oct 1838 per Francis schooner with Wm H Budd and Ann Budd (23 Oct 1838, The Austral-Asiatic Review). By 1844 his wife Harriet was living as housekeeper with William Campbell whom she later married. Under British law remarriage was allowed after estrangment of 7 years, so the remarriage is no proof of John's death by 1844 In Van Dieman's Land John McCarty was stationed in Hobart Town, still a Private of the NSW Corps (now called 102nd Regt), and probably messing with the Marines who had been on duty there alone since 1803. Being an old former Marine he would probably have been acceptable, and possibly even known to some of them. Their commander Lieut-Gov David Collins was previously one of his superior officers, having also arrived with the First Fleet. At this time the NSW Corps were not well received by the Marines in Hobart Town, and in fact, extensive research indicates McCarty served as a lone Private of the 102nd Regt from Nov 1808 to Apr 1810. John McCarty remained in Hobart Town on duty until Apr 1810 when the 102nd Regiment was scheduled for relief from the colony. He was required to travel to Sydney to receive his final discharge and it appears he did so per Cyclops transport. On 24 April 1810 he was discharged, being mentioned by name in a dispatch from Gov Macquarie to Capt Murray of the 73rd newly appointed as commander at Hobart Town, confirming that McCarty was to return to Hobart per King George whaler (arriving at the Derwent 6 Jul 1810) and that he was to have a grant marked out for him.

Historic Records of Australia, Ser 3, Vol.1 p.823 On 20 Sep 1813 John McCarty was officially granted 80 acres of land at Herdsman's Cove (aka Bridgewater) in Melville district, a few lots away from son- in-law John Devereux's land. Little is recorded of him for the following years however in 1815 he signed a deposition against the activities of Bushrangers and in support of Martial Law in VDL and in October 1819 was recorded in the muster at Herdsman's Cove. The section of the 1818 muster covering outlying regions including Herdsman's Cove have not survived, but no doubt we would have seen him there. A later affidavit indicates that by 1830 McCarty was living with his daughter Harriet's family at Bridgewater, perhaps having sold or lost his land. McCarty, along with several other City of Edinburgh arrivals was witness in the inquest into the death of John street who died at Abbott's farm, Glenorchy in July 1824 (HRA Ser III, Vol IV, p190-1) It has been claimed by some that John McCarty travelled to Parramatta to serve as Constable on the Windsor Road, as reported in the Sydney Gazette from Apr 1820 to May 1823. In a memorial of John McCarthy, Constable, he states that he arrived in the colony as a convict per Providence 1811 - 28 Jun 1820, (Colonial Secretary NRS899 540, p139). The idea of a man approaching 70 years of age travelling from Bridgewater VDL to serve several years in Parramatta is irrational, as are the claims that after final discharge from the 102nd regiment as a Private aged over 50 in April 1810 McCarty was somehow returned as Lance Serjeant J McCarthy of the 46th Regiment in 1817 to chase bushrangers around VDL. A quick search of 46th Regt records revealed this man was Serj Justin McCarthy. We do well to keep chronological context close in mind and use common sense when considering records such as these. Some also have confused John McCarty with John McCafferty, an English veteran brought to VDL in the late 1820's and buried 26 May 1832, Brighton Tasmania. McCafferty was mis-named in one instance - McCarty, discharged Veteran, in an Inquest notice - 26 May 1832, The Tasmanian. John McCarty & John Devereux were recorded with quit-rents due on their grants - Sat 11 Apr 1829, Hobart Town Courier. By 1830 John was living with his daughter Harriet's family at Bridgewater.(per affidavit in later probate papers of Mary Ann Critchley) 1st November 1839 found McCarty again on the move. At an advanced age he sailed for the new settlement of Port Phillip (later called Melbourne), likely per Industry schooner, where he lived with one of Harriet's daughters - Ann Devereux and her husband W H Budd. Reasons for this move are unknown but it is to be noted that by this time McCarty had sold or lost his land at Bridgewater in Mellville VDL and was apparently reduced to the state of a virtual pauper. It was around this time that McCarty was featured in a news item at Port Phillip were he appears to have been seeking sympathy and recognition. He was for reasons unknown alienated from both his daughters, despite one of the them, Mary Ann Critchley, quite well off living in Sydney.

John McCarty - A Veteran in Port Phillip - 16 Oct 1841, Port Phillip Gazette The above previously unknown article is from a section of newspapers in Trove that have not yet been indexed, and was found by the author in browsing Domestic Intelligence reports for the period McCarty resided in Melbourne. Unfortunately very little of it is true. One gets the impression of a pitiable old man, who hasn't perhaps lived the wisest life in financial terms, now spending his days seeking sympathy or attention telling tale tails of past exploits and like many of the era, exaggerating his age. We wonder if he was deeply affected by the loss of his wife and only son back abt.1801. There is certainly no record of him ever re-partnering, which is hardly the normal of the day when remarriage was so very common. The little information was have of his years in Van Dieman's Land and Port Phillip paint the picture of a declining man, who by the end was only living due to the kindness of his former grandson-in law William H Budd. In January 1842 The Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser reported "The Government has ordered a pension of one shilling per diem(day) to be paid to the survivors of those who came by the first vessels into the Colony. The number of these really 'old hands' is now reduced to three, of whom, two are now in the Benevolent Asylum, and the other is a fine hale old fellow, who can do a day's work with more spirit than many of the young fellows lately arrived in the Colony. The names of the three recipients were not given, and it is academic as the notice turned out to be a tall tale, and not authorised by the Governor. There were at least 25 persons still living who had arrived with the First Fleet, including several children born on the voyage. A number of these surviving persons contacted the authorities to arrange their pension, one of these being John McCarty. He received the following reply from the Colonial Secretary's office "I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to inform you, that the paragraph which appeared in the Sydney Gazette relative to an allowance to the persons of the first expedition to New South Wales was not authorised by His Excellency nor has he any knowledge of such an allowance as that alluded to". McCarty lived with the Budd family for almost 8 years, despite his grand-daughter Ann having passed away in 1840. In 1842 the Budd family was recorded living in Elizabeth St. Melbourne. John moved with W H Budd to Kinlochewe in 1844, which is where he died, at the Kinlochewe Inn, some 25km north of Melbourne. "died on Friday last (calculates to 24th July) at the residence of Mr. W.H. Budd" - Tue 28 Jul 1846, The Melbourne Argus.

Burial certificate from Victorian BDM records. Note that this document predates the formation of the state of Victoria and hence is on NSW Letterhead (5). A burial was conducted by Rev Patrick B Geoghegan of St Francis diocese and as this predated any established cemetery in the region it's thought John McCarty was simply buried on land in the Kalkallo district near Kinlochewe. The obituary reported that McCarty died on Friday the 24th, and the burial certificate confirms he was also buried on the 24th, which was not uncommon in an era with little ability to safely store a deceased person. Contemporary records confirm that Geoghegan served St Francis and its surrounding districts in these early years by travelling on horseback where required. Given the short time frame it's virtually impossible that McCarty was buried anywhere else but closeby Kinlochewe after Geoghegan had been quickly summoned to officiate.

The Melbourne Argus - Tues 28th February 1846. “A First Fleeter -- We have today to record the now unusual occurrence of the death of a "First Fleeter", an old man named John McCarthy upwards of 100 years of age who arrived in the Colony in the capacity of a Sargent of Marines with the first detachments sent out from England for the purpose of establishing a settlement at Botany Bay. McCarthy removed from Sydney to Norfolk Island on the formation of a settlement there. And on it's being broken up he accompanied the other settlers to Van Diemans Land and had consequently the rare distinction of being among the first settlers of both Colonies. The old man passed his one hundredth year at Christmas last, but up to the time of his death had betrayed few of the failings of age, being able to read the finest print without the use of and retaining full possession of his facilities until within ten minutes of his death - which did not take him by surprise - for he remarked on going to his bed, a short time before, that he was going down to die. McCarthy died on Friday last at the residence of Mr. W.H. Budd , Kinlochewe, who married his grand-daughter, and with whom he has been living for nearly eight years.” errors in the above Obituary 1. His rank on the Friendship and in later service - he was a Private, never a Sergeant 2. He did not enlist into the 102nd at the time of its formation in 1789 , he enlisted in Dec 1801 3. His age - he was more likely abt 88, not 100 at the time of his death 4. Spelling of his name is the English form, not as used in virtually every existing non military sources This indicates the informant or the newspaper editor was not particularly well informed or more likely was due to McCarty's exaggerations over the years Mary Ann McCarty was recorded in a relationship with Lieut. Thomas Skottowe of the 73rd Regiment and Commandant of Newcastle by 1811, however they never married and the relationship ended at his departure from the colony with the Regiment to Ceylon in 1815. A son Augustus John Skottowe was born 28 Aug 1811 in Newcastle. A second son, George Thomas Skottowe was born 1814 also likely at Newcastle. Mary Ann was recorded in the 1814 muster of NSW - Mary Ann McCarty, born in the colony, off stores, 2 children, lives with Lieut Skottowe (73rd) At the departure of Thomas Skottowe in April 1815, along with her eldest son Mary Ann's life was likely thrown into turmoil and hardly surprising that she decided to travel to Hobart be with her only surviving sibling, Harriet Devereux. Mary never saw her eldest son Augustus (John) again. She arrived at Hobart Town in August 1816 probably aboard the brig Kangaroo with her younger son George and spent a year or more there. By April 1818 she was back in Sydney and allowed her son George to travel to Ceylon aboard Laurel' aged 3 yrs. He is thought to have been in the care of Lieut William Hicks of the for the voyage. Unknown to Mary Ann, Thomas Skottowe had departed Ceylon in December 1817 with eldest son Augustus, returning to his parents in Tynemouth Northumberland on extended leave due to illness. He died there at Tynemouth 11 Nov 1820 and was buried at St Bartholomews Churchyard, Tweedmouth.

Mary Ann followed to Ceylon on the ship Mary departing Sydney 14 Jul 1819. Finding her circumstances completely altered she decided to set up her life in Calcutta, later marrying East India Co. Ships Pilot Henry Critchley 5 Nov 1823 at St Johns Church, Calcutta recorded as 'Marian McCarthey' in Bengal records(9).

Henry only lived till 9 Oct 1826, and was buried at Fort William Burial Ground, Calcutta, According to home accounts of the East India Company 1840, Mrs. Mary Ann Critchley was allowed to receive a yearly pension in India of 32 pounds, 10 shillings, as a widow of an East India employee. Her son George is thought to have departed Calcutta when he was of age, possibly like many British subjects in India, enlisting in the Military.

By 1827 Mary Ann was Matron of Nursing at the Military Training School in Calcutta. In 1837 she took a leave of absence to England, intending to return to India. After a stay in England she departed London per Eweretta barque Jul 1837. Onboard she met and befriended barrister Alfred Cheeke. They arrived in Sydney Oct 1837. Cheeke rented a house in Elizabeth Street, and several weeks later asked Mary Ann to move in and work as his housekeeper. She remained as housekeeper and close friend for the rest of his life. There is nothing to suggest they were anything more than friends. Mary Ann likely accompanied Cheeke on another visit to England in 1875. Throughout the years, until his death, Cheeke constantly borrowed money from Mary Ann, who had proven herself a financially capable woman having funds in pensions and investments. Cheeke had been appointed judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and according to numerous documents that were found at the time of his death, allowing for interest it was calculated that he owed Mary Ann in excess of £10,000. Unknown to Mary Ann, her eldest son Augustus John had ended up in Ontario Canada, married Paulina Izard and lived a long life under the name John McCarthy. He died 9 Oct 1898 in Stratford Ontario, aged 87 and had 3 children. Mary Ann's other son George Thomas visited her in Sydney 1847 then departed for New Zealand which is the last known of him.

Justice Alfred Cheeke never married and at his death 14 Mar 1876, willed Mary Ann his house and property at Darling Point and £10,000. This caused a stir at the time but it turned out that his bequest was completely in order and she received her entitlement becoming one of the wealthiest women in Sydney. She resided at the former Cheeke residence at 57 Darling Point Rd until her own passing on 18 May. Mary Ann was said to be aged 89, and intestate, as no will could be located.

Extract of The Will of Mary Ann Critchley (nee McCarty) 1792-1879, concerning the Devereux family of Hobart Town - 1839 (6)

The original Will of Mary Ann Critchley was written 13 Nov 1839. It named her two sons - Augustus and George, Alfred Cheeke, and her nieces and nephews of the Devereux family in Hobart as beneficiaries. "I give leave and bequeath unto each of my nieces and nephews Harrietta McCabe, Mary Ann Willott, Ann Devereux, Alexander Devereux (struck out), John Devereux, Peter Devereux and Philip Devereux, sons and daughters of my sister Harriet Devereux, said heirs residing at Hobart Town the sum of Ten Pounds each and I give and bequeath unto my said three nieces, my wearing Apparel to be equally divided between them" (note no mention of Charles Devereux, who was deceased prior to 1818). By the time of her death in 1879 so much time had passed, Alfred Cheeke was deceased, her two sons were no longer in the colony, and the 1939 Will was not found until very late in the probate proceedings. Due to her two sons being uncontactable, advertisements were run in Sydney and VDL newspapers for family to contact the solicitors handling the estate. It took some time but eventually it came to the attention of Phillip and Peter Devereux in Hobart. As Peter was ill and unfit to travel, Phillip made the journey to Sydney c1883 and was declared executor. Despite being the youngest members of the Devereux family Phillip and Pater somehow ended up inheriting the bulk of the Critchley Estate By 1844 Harriet Devereux was living as housekeeper to William Campbell whom she later married. Under British law remarriage was allowed after estrangement of 7 years, so the remarriage is no proof of John Devereux's death. Whilst Harriet was housekeeper of William Campbell at Black Brush. She was attacked by robbers on 14 Feb 1844, tied up, and burnt on the legs with a shovel that had been placed in the fire, so severely to raise blisters (24 April 1844, Cornwall Chronicle). Harriet's daughter Harriet Jr married firstly Patrick McCabe in Jun 1830 at New Norfolk, and 2ndly George Morton Jan 1849 at Hobart. Harriet Morton died 19 Mar 1870 at Hobart, aged 61. Mary Ann Devereux married firstly Thomas Willets in 1832, and had 4 children with him. Thomas is presumed to have died prior to her remarriage to Daniel O'Rourke, widower of Nichols Rivulet, Cygnet in Oct 1844. Mary Ann had 4 more sons to Daniel prior to her death, 28 Mar 1857 at Patrick St Hospital, Hobart, aged 41. Phillip Devereux married Mary Ann's stepdaughter Christina O'Rourke, a daughter of Daniel's 1st marriage, in Jan 1855. They had 15 children and adopted one daughter. Phillip died 4 Jun 1910 at Hobart, aged 88. John William Devereux moved to Digby, Port Phillip in 1836, and married Mary Osbourne in 1851. They had 12 children and John William passed 14 Jan 1870 at Branxholme Victoria, aged 46. Peter Devereux married Mary Ann Lowe at Richmond VDL 1847, and they had 12 children. Peter died 14 Jul 1886 at Pontville, Tasmania, aged 60. Harriet Devereux (nee McCarty) remarried in 1847 at St Josephs RC, Hobart to William Campbell formerly of Co Armagh Ireland. William died only 2 years later in May 1849 at Brighton. Harriet married a 3rd and final time to newly arrived William Mulligan formerly of Co Down, at St Marks Church of England Pontville on 7 Oct 1850. She lived a further ten years as Harriet Mulligan at North Bridgewater, passing away on 21 June 1860 aged 69. She was likely buried locally at St Marys Anglican Cemetery Bridgewater, where a Mulligan headstone exists but is too worn to read any detail

The very old and weathered headstone in St Marys Churchyard at Bridgwater with the name Mulligan barely visible

Sources not fully cited in article 1. The 102nd Reg't Description book and Periods of service TNA WO25/642 & 643 2. The Paylists of the NSW Corps and 102nd Reg't 1801-1810 TNA WO12/9900-9905 3. The Trial of R.V Baker & Others 1788 - Court of Criminal Jurisdiction, Minutes of Proceedings, NSW State Archives 1147A- 65 4. The Norfolk Island Victualling Book 1792-1796, NSW State Library SAFE/A 1958(Safe 1/266) 5. VIC BDM burial of John McCarty. Reg 1846/40382 6. The Probate documents of Mary Ann Critchley 1883, NSW State Archives 7. The Founders of Australia: A Biographical Dictionary of the First Fleet, Mollie Gillen 8. The Journal of Ralph Clark, Lieut of Marines. NSW State Library Safe 1 / 27a 9. Henry Critchley ~ Mary Ann McCarty marriage St John's Calcutta, Bengal Records

Glen W. Lambert, January 2020