Maria Lock facts for kids

Maria Lock (born around 1808 – died 1878) was an important Aboriginal Australian woman. She lived in the Darug area of Western Sydney. Maria was special because she achieved a lot in her life. She was very well educated for her time. She also had the first marriage between an Aboriginal person and a European settler that was officially recognized by the law. Later, she became a landowner, which was very unusual for an Aboriginal woman in early colonial Australia. She is also known as Maria Locke.

Early Life and Family

Maria Lock was born near the Hawkesbury River in a place called Richmond Bottoms. Her father was Yarramundi, who was a leader of the local Aboriginal tribes. Maria's family belonged to the Boorooberongal clan, which is a group within the Darug people.

Maria's Education

In 1814, Maria went to the Native Institution in Parramatta. This was a school for Aboriginal children. There, she was taught by William and Elizabeth Shelley and was given the name Maria Cook.

Maria was a very bright student. In 1819, when she was about 14 years old, she won first prize in a school exam in New South Wales. She beat about 120 other students! The Sydney Gazette newspaper wrote about her amazing achievement. Her teachers said she was much better than the other students. She learned English very quickly and did very well in her studies.

Work and Marriages

Around 1822, Maria might have worked as a helper in the home of Reverend Thomas Hassall and his wife Anne in Parramatta. That same year, she married Dicky, who was a son of Bennelong. Dicky had also been a student at the Native Institution. Sadly, Dicky became ill and died just a few weeks after they were married.

However, some records suggest Maria stayed at the Native Institution school until she married her second husband.

On January 26, 1824, Maria married Robert Lock (also spelled Locke). He was a carpenter who had come to Australia as a convict. This marriage was very important because it was the first time a European settler and an Aboriginal person had their marriage officially recognized by law in the colony. Robert was assigned to work for Maria. Their wedding took place at St John's Church in Parramatta.

Maria and Robert had 10 children together, and nine of them grew up to be adults.

Becoming a Landowner

Maria and Robert first lived on a small farm that belonged to the Native Institution. Later, they worked for Reverend Robert Cartwright in Liverpool.

In 1831, Maria asked the governor, Ralph Darling, for land that had been promised to her deceased brother, Colebee, in Blacktown. This land was across from the Native Institution. At first, 40 acres were given to Robert on Maria's behalf. However, Reverend Cartwright caused problems because he felt it would harm his nearby property.

Maria did not give up. In 1833, she was granted another 40 acres of land in Liverpool, again in Robert's name. Then, in 1843, she finally received her brother's 30-acre land grant. In 1844, Maria and Robert moved back to Blacktown, where they were given another 30 acres.

Later Life and Legacy

Maria Lock passed away on June 6, 1878. She was buried next to her husband, Robert, at St Bartholomew's Church of England in Prospect. Her burial record incorrectly stated her birth year as 1794 and said she was "Last of the Aboriginals from Blacktown."

Maria's land was divided equally among her children. Her descendants lived on this land until 1920. At that time, the land was taken by the Aboriginal Protection Board and made into an Aboriginal reserve.

Today, many families can trace their family history back through Maria, her father Yarramundi, and her grandfather Gomebeeree, going back to the 1740s.