Maria leaves the Native Institution and marries the Koori man, Dicky

Maria leaves the Native Institution and marries the Koori man, Dicky, a son of Bennelong. Dicky dies in 1823. Among the carpenters employed in constructing the new buildings is Robert Lock (Locke), a convict. He marries Maria in 1824 at St Johns Church Parramatta or St Bartholomews at Prospect. Their marriage is the first officially sanctioned marriage in the colony between a Koori woman and European convict. Because he is still a convict Robert is assigned to Maria and placed under her supervision. After their marriage they farm on the Colebee grant near the new Blacktown Native Institute. Maria’s direct descendants include Viney Everingham, Martha Docker, Ellen Alderton, and Val Aurisch. (For videos on Aunty Val Aurish, see The Gully. See also, ‘Why isn’t there any mention of an Aboriginal woman being married in this church?’

  • St Johns Anglican Cathedral in Hunter St, Parramatta, where blankets were distributed in 1824