Mary Ann Bugg facts for kids

Mary Ann Bugg (born May 7, 1834 – died April 22, 1905) was a brave and skilled Worimi woman from Australia. She became known as a "bushranger," which was a term for people who lived outside the law in the Australian bush during the 1800s. Mary Ann was an amazing horse rider and knew her way around the wilderness very well. She traveled with her partner, Frederick Ward, who was also a famous bushranger known as Captain Thunderbolt.

Growing Up in the Australian Bush

Mary Ann Bugg was born on May 7, 1834, at a place called Berrico outstation. This was near Gloucester, New South Wales, in Australia. Her father, James Bugg, came from England. He was sent to Australia in 1826 to work for the Australian Agricultural Company.

James Bugg started as a shepherd, looking after sheep. He was good at his job and became an overseer, managing other workers. In 1834, he received a special permission called a "ticket-of-leave." This allowed him to work for himself, but he chose to stay with the Company.

Mary Ann's mother was a Worimi woman named Charlotte. Together, James and Charlotte had many children, including Mary Ann. Mary Ann and her brother John were baptized in 1839. Soon after, their father took them to Sydney for their education.

Their parents wanted them to have a good education. Mary Ann went to school in Sydney, where she learned to read, write, and do math. She also learned important home skills. She returned to Berrico when she was about ten years old.

In 1848, just after her fourteenth birthday, Mary Ann married Edmund Baker in Stroud. They may have had a daughter named Helena. Their marriage did not last long, ending within a couple of years.

Mary Ann later moved to the Bathurst area with her partner, John Burrows. They were there when gold was found at the Turon River in 1851. They had two sons, James and John. Later, they settled in the Mudgee area.

By 1855, Mary Ann was living with James McNally, a former soldier. They had three children: Mary Jane, Patrick Christopher, and Ellen. James McNally was a farmer. In 1860, while living in Cooyal, Mary Ann met Frederick Ward. Frederick Ward would later become the famous bushranger, Captain Thunderbolt.

Meeting Captain Thunderbolt

Mary Ann and Frederick Ward soon had a daughter named Marina Emily, born in 1861. Frederick took Mary Ann to her father's farm near Dungog for the birth. However, this trip broke the rules of Frederick's "ticket-of-leave." He was supposed to stay in the Mudgee area and report regularly.

Frederick was late returning for his report. He also rode into town on a horse that someone claimed was stolen. Because of these actions, his special permission was taken away. He was sent to a prison island called Cockatoo Island. He had to serve the rest of his original sentence, plus extra time.

Many stories say that Mary Ann helped Frederick escape from Cockatoo Island. This island was a tough prison, and escapes were very rare. The legend says she swam through shark-filled waters to bring him a tool to break free. She then supposedly guided him to safety with a lamp.

However, it is more likely that Mary Ann stayed in the Dungog area, working to care for her children. She probably did not meet Frederick again until after he escaped from Cockatoo Island in September 1863.

Life on the Run with Captain Thunderbolt

After Frederick Ward became known as "Captain Thunderbolt," he went back to Dungog. He picked up Mary Ann and her two youngest daughters, Ellen and Marina. In 1864, they traveled through mountains during a big flood. They eventually reached the Culgoa River, where Frederick's brother worked.

They lived quietly for a while. But in 1865, Frederick and some companions started robbing travelers and farms in the northwestern plains. As a bushranger, Frederick traveled widely for over six years. He committed robberies from Newcastle all the way to Queensland. He also went from Narrabri almost to Bourke in the west.

In 1865, Mary Ann had another daughter, Elizabeth Ann Ward. She often left her children with friends or family so she could stay with Frederick. Mary Ann was more than just Frederick's partner; she was his trusted helper. She kept him safe from the police, known as "troopers."

Mary Ann was a scout, visiting towns to check for troopers. While people thought she joined the robberies, there is no proof of this. Her main role was to manage their camps in the bush. She would find food for Frederick and his group.

Mary Ann often dressed like a young man. She wore tall boots, trousers, a shirt, a jacket, and a cabbage tree hat. This was the style of skilled stockmen at the time. Women usually rode sidesaddle, but Mary Ann rode astride, like a man. She was proud to be with Frederick and called herself the "Captain's Lady."

Mary Ann was arrested by the police three times because of her connection to Frederick. In 1866, she was sent to prison for six months. However, people spoke up in Parliament about her case. The Attorney General reviewed her charges and recommended her release. The charges against her were not properly written.

In 1867, she was arrested again for having items that were thought to be stolen. But a judge looked into her case. He found that a shop worker remembered Mary Ann buying some of those items. So, this charge was also dropped, and she was released.

Later Life and Passing

Many books about Captain Thunderbolt incorrectly state that Mary Ann died in 1867. However, that was another woman. Mary Ann became pregnant again shortly after that time. She and Frederick Ward separated a short time later. Their son, Frederick Wordsworth Ward, was born in August 1868.

After separating from Frederick, Mary Ann settled down again with John Burrows. They had four more children who survived: Ada Gertrude, Ida Margaret, and George Herbert. John Burrows passed away before 1900. Mary Ann then worked as a nurse to support herself. She passed away on April 22, 1905, in Mudgee. Her son, Frederick, became a horse groom and trainer, much like his birth father. He passed away in 1937.

See also

• List of Indigenous Australian historical figures