Who Was Mary Broad/Bryant – a Q&A with Dr Charlotte MacKenzie

On Thursday 10 October, in our latest lecture in the Autumn Series, Dr Charlotte MacKenzie tells Mary Broad/Bryant’s remarkable story, a story that has been the subject of biographies, drama, fiction, and film. The talk will explore who Mary was and what really happened, when and why Mary’s story was embellished and fictionalised and why it is only in recent decades that she has became a Cornish legend.

Ahead of Dr MacKenzie’s talk next month, we wanted to find out a little more about Mary Broad/Bryant’s incredible story.

Can you provide a brief overview of Mary Broad’s life?

By the age of 26 she had been half way round the world and back again. The extraordinary ten week voyage from Port Jackson to Timor is what everyone knows about. I discovered her family life growing up in Cornwall was very different to what had been thought. We know most about her experience as a convict and when she was transported. The last information we have she was aged 28, so there could be much more about her life after that which may be rediscovered one day.

What led to her transportation to Australia as a convict?

After the American War of Independence Britain could no longer transport convicts to colonial America. The First Fleet sailed to ‘Botany Bay’ four years later.

Why is Mary referred to as Broad/Bryant?

She appears in official records as Mary Broad and news reports as Mary Bryant which was her married name.

What were the conditions like for convicts in the early Australian penal colony?

It was more of a camp than a settlement. Mary Broad was physically strong and resilient. Her life growing up in Cornwall equipped her to survive adverse circumstances and exceptional experiences.

What were some of the key factors that contributed to Mary Broad’s successful escape and subsequent evasion of authorities?

The night watchman said he thought it was the fishing boat going out as usual. Somehow those on board had managed to gather and load provisions and equipment for a longer time at sea. At least three of the men on board were experienced mariners who knew how to navigate, and had probably talked to a Dutch sea captain about the route they took. They landed in Dutch territory. Before the Governor at Port Jackson wrote a letter home reporting transportees had left the colony, they had been detained by the Dutch and handed over to the next British ship.

Mary Broad’s story has been the subject of various books, films, and other media. How have portrayals of her life evolved over time, and what aspects of her story continue to resonate with audiences?

Each generation discovers something new and relatable in the extraordinary experiences of Mary Broad / Bryant. Come to the talk to find out more.

About Dr Charlotte MacKenzie

Dr Charlotte MacKenzie was previously a senior lecturer in history at Bath Spa university. Author of 10 books, joint author or contributor to others. Her recent publications focus on Georgian Cornwall, including women’s history.

Tickets

Book Tickets – Live Lecture

£8 per person, £5 students, 10% off for NMMC Members.

Book Tickets – Online Lecture

£6 per person for the online webinar.

Lecture Series

Women and the Navy in the Age of Sail is part of National Maritime Museum Cornwall’s 2024 lecture series. Other lectures in this series include:

• Women and the Navy in the Age of Sail with Dr Elaine Murphy, Thursday 19 September.
• Forgotten Women of the Cornish Coast with Elizabeth Dale, Thursday 7 November.
• Risk, Reward, Shipwrecks & Secrets with Clare Howdle and Sharon Austin, Thursday 14 November.