Analysis: Did Mary Ann Bugg help Fred Ward
escape from Cockatoo Island?
Most Thunderbolt books repeat the claim made by Inspector William Langworthy, as reported in MacLeod’s The Transformation of Menellai (1949), that Mary Ann Bugg helped bushranger Frederick Ward escape from Cockatoo Island (see below):[1]
The Transformation of Manellae [1]
A simple rule of thumb in historical research is to determine the likely accuracy of unknown information by determining the accuracy of verifiable information in the same source. The only prisoners on Cockatoo Island who wore irons at that time were those sentenced to do so – like Fred’s escapee partner, Frederick Britten (not mentioned, it must be noted, in MacLeod’s account). Fred Ward was not sentenced to wear irons, nor was he wearing them at the time of his escape (see Timeline: 1835-1863). Therefore MacLeod’s account of Mary Ann’s involvement in Fred’s escape is clearly untrue.
Was Mary Ann even in Sydney in 1863? Stroud Magistrate Thomas Nicholls reported to the Attorney-General in 1866 that he had known Mary Ann’s father for 30 years, that Mary Ann found employment in Dungog after "Ward came to grief" and that she remained so employed [in Dungog] ... till Ward joined her after his escape from Cockatoo Island" (see below):[2]
Was Mary Ann even in Sydney in 1863? Stroud Magistrate Thomas Nicholls reported to the Attorney-General in 1866 that he had known Mary Ann’s father for 30 years, that Mary Ann found employment in Dungog after "Ward came to grief" and that she remained so employed [in Dungog] ... till Ward joined her after his escape from Cockatoo Island" (see below):[2]
Magistrate Thomas Nicholls, 11 April 1866 [2]
Was Nicholls telling the truth about having such knowledge of the Bugg family? Using the same rule of thumb mentioned above, we look into Nicholls' background and discover that he was born around 1804, just a few years after Mary Ann's father, and arrived with his wife and daughter as free passengers per the Waterloo in 1828. He was listed as a servant to the Australian Agricultural Company at Port Stephens when the Census was taken later that year (James Bugg was also employed by the A.A.Co in that district at that time). A respected man in the local community, Nicholls became a magistrate in 1858 and died at Stroud in 1878.[2a] Clearly, Nicholls did indeed have the personal knowledge of the Bugg family to provide this information.
Nicholls’ report had been requested because concerns about Mary Ann’s vagrancy conviction had been raised in Parliament. The report itself is a primary-source document from an independent and reliable source produced shortly after the events mentioned. By contrast, MacLeod’s account is not only secondary-source (which in itself makes it less reliable), it is self-evidently third-hand information published nearly a century after the event.
Nicholls’ statement about Mary Ann’s residence in Dungog between 1861 and 1863 is supported by contemporary newspaper accounts. A Dungog correspondent wrote in January 1864 that Fred Ward was in the district, and "he being previously married or living with a half-caste native-born in this district, it was but natural to suppose that he would make back to her" (see below):[3]
Nicholls’ report had been requested because concerns about Mary Ann’s vagrancy conviction had been raised in Parliament. The report itself is a primary-source document from an independent and reliable source produced shortly after the events mentioned. By contrast, MacLeod’s account is not only secondary-source (which in itself makes it less reliable), it is self-evidently third-hand information published nearly a century after the event.
Nicholls’ statement about Mary Ann’s residence in Dungog between 1861 and 1863 is supported by contemporary newspaper accounts. A Dungog correspondent wrote in January 1864 that Fred Ward was in the district, and "he being previously married or living with a half-caste native-born in this district, it was but natural to suppose that he would make back to her" (see below):[3]
Maitland Mercury 21 Jan 1864 [3]
A correspondent from Bandon Grove, not far from Dungog, wrote similarly:[4]
Maitland Mercury 26 Jan 1864 [4]
It is worth noting that Mary Ann's sister Eliza and her family were living at Main Creek at that time, and her father along the above-mentioned route.[5]
Clearly, Mary Ann was not living in Sydney in 1863. Rather she was living and working in the Dungog district, as shown by these three primary-source references. Therefore Mary Ann could not have helped Ward and Britten escape from Cockatoo Island.
So how did this claim arise? Interestingly, it is possible that MacLeod was indeed repeating a story Mary Ann told him. Mary Ann seems to have liked intruding into the Thunderbolt narrative and, in particular, duping the police. The secret to a successful "tall tale" is to make it as accurate as possible, but Mary Ann's story – if she was indeed the source – contains too many errors to be believable.
Despite the evidence showing that Mary Ann could not possibly have helped Fred escape from Cockatoo Island, these claims continue to be made. The latest is shown on the website of Thunderbolt aficionado, Barry Sinclair, who writes:[6]
Clearly, Mary Ann was not living in Sydney in 1863. Rather she was living and working in the Dungog district, as shown by these three primary-source references. Therefore Mary Ann could not have helped Ward and Britten escape from Cockatoo Island.
So how did this claim arise? Interestingly, it is possible that MacLeod was indeed repeating a story Mary Ann told him. Mary Ann seems to have liked intruding into the Thunderbolt narrative and, in particular, duping the police. The secret to a successful "tall tale" is to make it as accurate as possible, but Mary Ann's story – if she was indeed the source – contains too many errors to be believable.
Despite the evidence showing that Mary Ann could not possibly have helped Fred escape from Cockatoo Island, these claims continue to be made. The latest is shown on the website of Thunderbolt aficionado, Barry Sinclair, who writes:[6]
After providing some links to other websites, he continues:
No evidence is provided here – or elsewhere – to show that Mary Ann worked in the Balmain district, or called herself Louisa Mason, or assisted the two prisoners to escape from Cockatoo Island. Nor was Louisa Street named as Sinclair claims. The Conservation Plan for Birchgrove Park provides the following information for "Louisa Road, Rose Street and Ferdinand Street", that "Joubert’s 1860 subdivision of the Birchgrove Estate created these roads. Louisa Street was laid out along the ridgeline of Long Nose Point to create the maximum number of allotments with deep water access, whilst not impinging on the grounds of Birch Grove House ... Today’s street pattern in Birchgrove was largely generated from what was proposed in this 1860 plan, with the streets named after members of the Joubert family."[7]
Not only is there no evidence whatsoever to support the claim that Mary Ann helped Fred Ward escape from Cockatoo Island, there is evidence from three independent and reliable sources showing that she was living north of the Hunter River during that period.
For an analysis of the actual evidence regarding Fred's escape, see How did Fred Ward escape from Cockatoo Island?
Not only is there no evidence whatsoever to support the claim that Mary Ann helped Fred Ward escape from Cockatoo Island, there is evidence from three independent and reliable sources showing that she was living north of the Hunter River during that period.
For an analysis of the actual evidence regarding Fred's escape, see How did Fred Ward escape from Cockatoo Island?
Sources:
[1] Macleod, Alton Richmond The Transformation of Manellae: A History of Manilla, A.R. Macleod, Manilla, 1949, p.23,
[2] Colonial Secretary In-Letters: Magistrate Thomas Nicholls to Attorney General, 11 Apr 1866 [SRNSW 4/573 No.66/1844]
[2a] Sainty & Johnson, Census of NSW Nov 1828 Nos.N0301-4; Maitland Mercury 20 Apr 1858 p.2, 26 Jun 1873 p.1, 25 Jul 1878 p.1
[3] Maitland Mercury 21 Jan 1864 p.2
[4] Maitland Mercury 26 Jan 1864 p.2
[5] See the birth certificates of Eliza's children (James and Charlotte Bugg) and Timeline: James and Charlotte Bugg
[6] Captain Thunderbolt and his Lady - sighted 30 Sep 2011
[http://users.tpg.com.au/users/barrymor/Carol%20Baxter's%20Book.html]
[7] Conservation Plan for Birchgrove Park [http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Birchgrove%20Park%20Conservation%20Management%20Plan%20-%20Part%201.pdf pp.9 & 27]
[1] Macleod, Alton Richmond The Transformation of Manellae: A History of Manilla, A.R. Macleod, Manilla, 1949, p.23,
[2] Colonial Secretary In-Letters: Magistrate Thomas Nicholls to Attorney General, 11 Apr 1866 [SRNSW 4/573 No.66/1844]
[2a] Sainty & Johnson, Census of NSW Nov 1828 Nos.N0301-4; Maitland Mercury 20 Apr 1858 p.2, 26 Jun 1873 p.1, 25 Jul 1878 p.1
[3] Maitland Mercury 21 Jan 1864 p.2
[4] Maitland Mercury 26 Jan 1864 p.2
[5] See the birth certificates of Eliza's children (James and Charlotte Bugg) and Timeline: James and Charlotte Bugg
[6] Captain Thunderbolt and his Lady - sighted 30 Sep 2011
[http://users.tpg.com.au/users/barrymor/Carol%20Baxter's%20Book.html]
[7] Conservation Plan for Birchgrove Park [http://www.leichhardt.nsw.gov.au/IgnitionSuite/uploads/docs/Birchgrove%20Park%20Conservation%20Management%20Plan%20-%20Part%201.pdf pp.9 & 27]