Ann Rumsby

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][4]

As Marsden was anti-emancipist, it is said this contributed to the emergence of democracy in New South Wales.^[2][5][6][7]

Popular culture

Rumsby's story was dramatised in an episode of the television series Behind the Legend.^{[citation needed]}