Mary Ryder

On April 3, 1748, in Middlesex County (now considered outer London) Mary Ryder was convicted of stealing several items of clothing including four petticoats, an apron, and a shirt, from William Rump and Elizabeth Cole. She was sentenced to 7 years transportation and shipped on the Mary commanded by Capt. Lewis Brown, arriving in Annapolis in October 1748.

 

Trial transcript during which Mary Ryder was convicted of stealing some money and about ten articles of clothing.

Trial transcript during which Mary Ryder was convicted of stealing some money and about ten articles of clothing. Courtesy of Historical & Special Collections, Harvard Law School Library.

 

Dr. Charles Carroll likely purchased her indenture and put her to work as a seamstress, washer woman, or house servant in his Annapolis home. Only six months later, in April 1749, Dr. Carroll took out an advertisement saying she had run away. He described her appearance, the clothes she was wearing, and warned she “pretends to be a seamstress and is much given to Drunkeness and taking snuff.”

 

Mary Ryder sought her freedom from Dr. Carroll’s house in Annapolis about six months after arriving in Maryland. Dr. Carroll bought her indenture, expecting her to work for seven years.

Mary Ryder sought her freedom from Dr. Carroll’s house in Annapolis about six months after arriving in Maryland. Dr. Carroll bought her indenture, expecting her to work for seven years. Courtesy of the Maryland State Archives.

Sentences from Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court on May 26, 1748, including the sentence of transportation for Mary Ryder.

Sentences from Old Bailey, London’s Central Criminal Court on May 26, 1748, including the sentence of transportation for Mary Ryder. Courtesy of Historical & Special Collections, Harvard Law School Library.