Mary Reibey, former convict, had a maiden name of Haydock. She married the young Irish officer Thomas Reibey either during the voyage while she was being transported to Australia, or soon after her arrival.
Mary Reibey had only a very limited education. She was only 13 when she was convicted of horse-stealing, and she certainly had no opportunities to undertake further education after she was transported. However, despite her lack of education, she proved to be a very intelligent and astute businesswoman.
At 13 years of age, after being orphaned as a young girl, Mary Reibey (sometimes spelled Reiby) stole a horse as a childish prank. She was arrested and sentenced to transportation for seven years, arriving in New South Wales in October 1792. In 1794 she married Thomas Reibey, a man who had worked with the British East India Company in Asia. They were granted a small piece of land north of Sydney, on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Mary worked on the farm and helped in her husband's wine and spirits business in Macquarie Place in Sydney. Thomas and his business partner Edward Wills owned three merchant ships by 1807 and were doing well importing merchandise into Sydney. In 1811 Thomas died and Mary was left alone with seven children. Within weeks Edward Wills also died, leaving Mary in charge of a large business. Soon after, Mary was granted another 80 hectares of land near Sydney. She went on to buy more land in Tasmania as well as in and near Sydney town itself. Mary Reibey is recognized as one of Australia's founders of organizations that continue to this day. For example she was one of the governors of the Free Grammar School, a precursor to Sydney Grammar. Currently, she is remembered on the $20 note.
Mary Reibey, early Australian convict who became a successful convict, was originally transported for the crime of stealing a horse Because she was running away from home. her parents had died, and it is said that she was living with her hpgrandmother. Why she chose to run away is not known, but the fact that she "borrowed" a horse for the purpose was regarded as a very serious crime.
Mary Reibey was convicted of horse-stealing in England. This is the crime for which she was transported. Chances are high that, because her parents had died, she was running away from home (she was believed to be living with her grandmother at the time), and so she just "borrowed" the horse to get away. However, because horses were such a valuable commodity, the crime was considered serious.
Mary Reibey was a convict from England. She was born in Bury, England in 1777.
Mary Reibey was not on the First Fleet. She arrived in Australia aboard the 'Royal Admiral' in 1792.
Mary Reibey arrived in New South Wales, Australia in October 1792, aboard the convict ship "Royal Admiral".
English convict Mary Reibey, who found new opportunities and became a successful businesswoman in Australia, died on 30 May 1855.
Royal admiral
John Flynn and Mary Reibey
Prior to marrying Thomas Reibey, Mary Reibey was Mary Haydock.
Mary Reibey had 7 children and married Thomas Reibey.
Mary Reibey, former convict, had a maiden name of Haydock. She married the young Irish officer Thomas Reibey either during the voyage while she was being transported to Australia, or soon after her arrival.
Mary Reibey met her future husband, Thomas Reibey, aboard the ship that was carrying her to Australia to serve time for the criminal offense of horse theft. He was a young East India junior officer on one of the company's store ships. After several proposals, she finally agreed to marry him. She was Australia's first, successful business woman.
Mary Reibey was 78 when she died. She was born in 1777 and died in 1855.
Mary Reibey was not on the First Fleet. The First Fleet arrived in New South Wales in 1788, but Mary Reibey arrived aboard the 'Royal Admiral' in 1792.