Mary Reibey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Reibey
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Portrait of Reibey, miniature watercolour on ivory, dated around 1835
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| Born |
Molly Haydock
12 May 1777 Bury, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 30 May 1855 (aged 78) Newtown, New South Wales, Australia
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| Resting place | Sandhills Cemetery, then La Perouse Cemetery |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Spouse(s) |
Thomas Reibey
(m. 1794; died 1811) |
Mary Reibey (born May 12, 1777 – died May 30, 1855) was an amazing businesswoman from England. She was sent to Australia as a young person. After she became free, she grew into a very successful trader and shipowner. People in the colony looked up to her as a great example. She became famous for her smart business skills.
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Mary Reibey's Early Life
Mary Reibey was born Molly Haydock on May 12, 1777. She was born in a town called Bury in England. After her parents passed away, her grandmother took care of her.
When she was young, she was sent to work as a servant. She later ran away. In 1791, she was sent to Australia. She arrived in Sydney in October 1792 on a ship called the Royal Admiral.
Life and Business in Australia
On September 7, 1794, Mary, who was 17, married Thomas Reibey. He was a junior officer on a supply ship. The family later decided to spell their last name "Reibey."
Thomas Reibey received land near the Hawkesbury River. Mary and Thomas lived and farmed there after they got married. They built a farmhouse called Reibycroft. This house is now a special historical site.
Growing the Family Business
Thomas Reibey started a business moving goods along the Hawkesbury River to Sydney. Later, they moved to Sydney. Thomas's businesses did very well. In 1804, he built a large stone house in Sydney.
He bought several farms and traded in things like coal, wood, and animal furs. He also partnered with Edward Wills. Their trading grew to include places like the Pacific Islands, China, and India.
Mary Takes Over the Business
Thomas Reibey passed away on April 5, 1811. Mary then became fully responsible for their seven children. She also took charge of all their many businesses. She was already good at this, as she often managed things when her husband was away.
Mary was now a very wealthy woman. She continued to make her businesses even bigger. In 1812, she opened a new warehouse in George Street. In 1817, she bought more ships to expand her shipping business. The same year, the Bank of New South Wales was started in her house.
Retirement and Community Work
By 1828, Mary slowly started to retire from her active business life. She had bought many properties in the city. In March 1820, she visited her home village in England with her daughters. She returned to Sydney the next year.
Mary Reibey was respected for her charity work. She also cared a lot about the church and education. In 1825, she was chosen as one of the leaders for the Free Grammar School.
Around 1836, Mary built a small house in Hunters Hill, New South Wales. She lived there for some time. This house is now known as Fig Tree House.
Mary built another house in Newtown, New South Wales when she retired. She lived there until she passed away on May 30, 1855. She was 78 years old. She was buried in the Sandhills Cemetery. Later, her grave was moved to the cemetery at La Perouse, New South Wales. There is a memorial for her in the Pioneer Memorial Park in Botany Cemetery.
Mary Reibey was a strong and determined person. She was known as a very smart and successful businesswoman in New South Wales. You can see her picture on the Australian twenty-dollar notes printed since 1994.
One of Mary and Thomas Reibey's grandchildren was Thomas Reibey (1821–1912). He became the leader of Tasmania from 1876 to 1877.
See also
- List of convicts transported to Australia
- Sydney Cove West Archaeological Precinct
