Ann Rumsby Explained

Ann Rumsby (1803–1850) was a female convict involved in a scandal in 1820s New South Wales.

Biography

She was transported to Australia on the convict ship Mary Ann. She was assigned to a Dr Douglass. Samuel Marsden used this to discredit Dr Douglass, who was accused of seducing Ann.^[1] Ann denied it, was convicted of perjury, and sent to Port Macquarie. The case was reviewed and overruled and Ann was pardoned. It was a major defeat for Marsden.^{[2] [3]}

As Marsden was anti-emancipist, it is said this contributed to the emergeny of democracy in New South Wales.^{[2] [4] [5] [6]}

Popular culture

Rumsby's story was dramatised in an episode of the television series Behind the Legend.

Notes and References

1. News: Marsden a target . . 47 . 13,242 . Australian Capital Territory, Australia . 30 September 1972 . 21 June 2023 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
2. News: Convict belle started a legal brawl . . 2342 . New South Wales, Australia . 29 February 1948 . 21 June 2023 . 6 (Color Magazine) . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Conclusion of the Rev. Mr. Marsden's Pamphlet From the Gazette of Monday Last. . . XXVI . 1507 . New South Wales, Australia . 23 May 1828 . 21 June 2023 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: What Convict Girl Did . . 4447 . New South Wales, Australia . 26 October 1938 . 21 June 2023 . 45 . National Library of Australia.
5. Book: Hungerford, Brian. The Trials of Ann Rumsby. 2022. Ginninderra Press.
6. News: Ladies in Revolt . . 42 . 2,120 . South Australia . 24 January 1953 . 21 June 2023 . 2 (Sunday Magazine) . National Library of Australia.