Mary Reibey
Mary was born in 1777 in Lancashire, England. After the unfortunate passing of her parents, Mary was raised by her grandmother and was sent into service as a child servant. Mary hated her life and decided at age 14 in 1791 to run away. She stole a horse and disguised herself as a man, going under the name “James Burrow”.
Sadly for Mary she was arrested and sentenced to transportation to Australia on an 11-month voyage across the ocean, arriving in October 1792. When she arrived, Mary was assigned a nursemaid. In 1794, Mary married Thomas Reibey with whom she had 7 children.
Given Thomas' death in 1811, Mary was left control over several business concerns and operations. Doing considerably well financially, Mary continued to expand her interest in business until retiring in 1828, at the age of 51.
After retirement, Mary gained respect for her charitable works and her interest in the church and education. She was appointed one of the Governors of the Free Grammar School in 1825. A determined person of strong personality, Mary earned a reputation as the most successful businesswoman in the colony of New South Wales. On retirement, she built a house at Newtown, Sydney, where she lived until her death on 30 May 1855.
Sadly for Mary she was arrested and sentenced to transportation to Australia on an 11-month voyage across the ocean, arriving in October 1792. When she arrived, Mary was assigned a nursemaid. In 1794, Mary married Thomas Reibey with whom she had 7 children.
Given Thomas' death in 1811, Mary was left control over several business concerns and operations. Doing considerably well financially, Mary continued to expand her interest in business until retiring in 1828, at the age of 51.
After retirement, Mary gained respect for her charitable works and her interest in the church and education. She was appointed one of the Governors of the Free Grammar School in 1825. A determined person of strong personality, Mary earned a reputation as the most successful businesswoman in the colony of New South Wales. On retirement, she built a house at Newtown, Sydney, where she lived until her death on 30 May 1855.
For more information please visit the following websites:
http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/biography-mary-reibey.html
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reibey-mary-2583
http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/biography-mary-reibey.html
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/reibey-mary-2583