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Mary Ann & Captain Piper
The fascinating story of the daughter of First Fleet convicts who managed to overcome her humble origins to become the mistress of the grandest home in colonial Sydney.
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
360 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
24 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Jessica North
2 books13 followersJessica has worked at the Australian Research Institute for Environment & Sustainability at Macquarie University, for the past fifteen years, including five years as its Director.
As well as the books listed here, she has written four business guides and two lifestyle books, plus articles for the Australian Association for Environmental Education, 'Vogue Entertaining' and 'Vogue Children'. And she co-wrote a chapter for the United Nations publication 'Tomorrow Today'.
Jessica is fascinated by the remarkable women of colonial Australia and is delighted to be bringing them out from the shadows.
As well as the books listed here, she has written four business guides and two lifestyle books, plus articles for the Australian Association for Environmental Education, 'Vogue Entertaining' and 'Vogue Children'. And she co-wrote a chapter for the United Nations publication 'Tomorrow Today'.
Jessica is fascinated by the remarkable women of colonial Australia and is delighted to be bringing them out from the shadows.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 14, 2022
Mary Ann Sheers was born to convict parents on Norfolk Island in 1791. She was fourteen years of age when Captain John Piper, Commandant of Norfolk Island, first noticed her. Captain Piper was known for his love of young women, and his flirtatious manner, however, Mary Ann’s father warned her against him. But it wasn’t long and Mary Ann was pregnant to the captain. When the convicts and free settlers were ordered to leave Norfolk Island, with some heading to Sydney and others to Tasmania, Mary Ann was delighted when Captain Piper took her along as well. Her future was set…
Captain Piper was a well loved and generous official, and with Mary Ann at his side, they made many friends, hosted balls and parties, among other things. When a ship was in port, it was occasion for a party. When a visiting dignitary arrived in Sydney, lavish dinners were hosted. Of course, Captain Piper was living way beyond his means, and it wasn’t long before trouble struck the family.
Mary Ann was a remarkable woman, capable, intelligent and a big support to her husband in the early days of Australia’s history. She faced much tragedy throughout her life, but great happiness as well. She died in 1872 after a long and exceptional life.
Mary Ann & Captain Piper is an interesting and fascinating biography by Aussie author Jessica North which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Piper family tree at the beginning of the book was wonderful, as I kept flipping back to it time and again to check births, deaths and who came in what order. For anyone interested in Australia’s early history, I would highly recommend Mary Ann & Captain Piper.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Captain Piper was a well loved and generous official, and with Mary Ann at his side, they made many friends, hosted balls and parties, among other things. When a ship was in port, it was occasion for a party. When a visiting dignitary arrived in Sydney, lavish dinners were hosted. Of course, Captain Piper was living way beyond his means, and it wasn’t long before trouble struck the family.
Mary Ann was a remarkable woman, capable, intelligent and a big support to her husband in the early days of Australia’s history. She faced much tragedy throughout her life, but great happiness as well. She died in 1872 after a long and exceptional life.
Mary Ann & Captain Piper is an interesting and fascinating biography by Aussie author Jessica North which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Piper family tree at the beginning of the book was wonderful, as I kept flipping back to it time and again to check births, deaths and who came in what order. For anyone interested in Australia’s early history, I would highly recommend Mary Ann & Captain Piper.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2022
Mary Ann & Captain Piper by Jessica North
Synopsis /
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
My Thoughts /
I jumped on this one at my local library when it became available. Mary Ann & Captain Piper is a story which is set in Australia; about a point in time in Australian history; and written by Australian author, Jessica North. I don’t think you could get more Aussie! I’ve always been interested in history. The earlier the better; but most definitely, the key words are ‘in the past’. This was an ideal opportunity to learn more about Australian history. What the times were like in ‘colonial’ Australia; and, more specifically; in ‘colonial’ Sydney, New South Wales. A time of slaves, convicts and free settlers. What was life for these people during this time?
This is the story of Mary Ann Shears and Captain John Piper. Captain John Piper was born in Scotland on 20th April 1773. At the age of 18, Piper was commissioned as an ensign in the New South Wales Corps and embarked on a journey to sail a convict ship (called the Pitt) to Sydney, where he arrived safely in 1792. The new settlement in Sydney was still in its infancy, and Piper, who became close friends with John Macarthur, soon became something of a success within its social circles. Easy going and charming, he made friends easily; adventurous and audacious, his exploits brought both fame and notoriety during his lifetime. Ensign Piper had been in Australia for a short while, when he volunteered for duty in the convict settlement on Norfolk Island. The island was probably the most isolated and desolated outpost under British rule. It is here where he met Mary Ann.
Mary Ann Shears was born in Sydney on 4 August 1789. Her parents, James Shears and Mary Smith were both ‘First Fleet’ convicts and had settled on Norfolk Island. It has been reported that Piper and Mary Ann most likely first met on Norfolk Island. She was 15. He was 37. He was attracted to her, of that there was no doubt. But Piper had a wandering eye. He managed to father nine illegitimate children with five different mothers. If Mary Ann wanted any sort of long-term relationship with this man, she had her work cut out for her. The pair finally married in 1816, when Mary Ann was 26 years old. By that time Mary Ann had already given Piper six sons. Altogether, Mary Ann and Piper had a total of 14 children. Hard to imagine in the current day!
North wrote this novel with exquisite attention to detail and paints us a fascinating picture of the early days of the colony. With rich descriptions of life in colonial Sydney and then back in the United Kingdom.
The Prince of Wales had been a handsome and exuberant young man who led a wildly extravagant life, regularly spending more than his annual allowance of fifty thousand pounds. He was rumoured to have collected public hair from each of his sexual conquests, enough to stuff a mattress. Ummmm, excuse me…ick, TMI !!
I loved the ‘properness’ of the language during this time. There were no emoji’s; initialisms or slang. Just pure ‘Queen’s English’. Plus, why use 2 or 3 words when you could use 12? Just take a look at the titles of these literature items:
To keep up with the latest fashions and topics of conversation, Mary-Ann subscribed to the monthly magazine published in London by Rudolph Ackermann. It was titled Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions, Manufactures, Etc. and was a practical guide for women of culture.
In May, William [Charles Wentworth] became the first Australia born author to publish a book. Its title was A Statistical, Historical, and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales, and its Dependent Settlements in Van Diemen's Land: with a Particular Enumeration of the Advantages which these Colonies offer for Emigration, and their Superiority in many respects over those Possessed by the United States of America. I kid you not!!!!
Mary Ann was a remarkable woman. Like a chameleon, she had to change and adapt on a regular basis. She responded well to the challenge of her changed social position and soon the convict's daughter was a highly respected hostess. Although young, she was an extremely intelligent and very capable woman who provided a huge support base for her husband. She grew in both confidence and sophistication as she aged; and was thought of as graceful and elegant by those that knew her. She had outgrown her convict heritage and had evolved into quite the lady.
I can highly recommend Mary Ann & Captain Piper if you are interested in Australia, its authors or its history.
Synopsis /
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
My Thoughts /
I jumped on this one at my local library when it became available. Mary Ann & Captain Piper is a story which is set in Australia; about a point in time in Australian history; and written by Australian author, Jessica North. I don’t think you could get more Aussie! I’ve always been interested in history. The earlier the better; but most definitely, the key words are ‘in the past’. This was an ideal opportunity to learn more about Australian history. What the times were like in ‘colonial’ Australia; and, more specifically; in ‘colonial’ Sydney, New South Wales. A time of slaves, convicts and free settlers. What was life for these people during this time?
This is the story of Mary Ann Shears and Captain John Piper. Captain John Piper was born in Scotland on 20th April 1773. At the age of 18, Piper was commissioned as an ensign in the New South Wales Corps and embarked on a journey to sail a convict ship (called the Pitt) to Sydney, where he arrived safely in 1792. The new settlement in Sydney was still in its infancy, and Piper, who became close friends with John Macarthur, soon became something of a success within its social circles. Easy going and charming, he made friends easily; adventurous and audacious, his exploits brought both fame and notoriety during his lifetime. Ensign Piper had been in Australia for a short while, when he volunteered for duty in the convict settlement on Norfolk Island. The island was probably the most isolated and desolated outpost under British rule. It is here where he met Mary Ann.
Mary Ann Shears was born in Sydney on 4 August 1789. Her parents, James Shears and Mary Smith were both ‘First Fleet’ convicts and had settled on Norfolk Island. It has been reported that Piper and Mary Ann most likely first met on Norfolk Island. She was 15. He was 37. He was attracted to her, of that there was no doubt. But Piper had a wandering eye. He managed to father nine illegitimate children with five different mothers. If Mary Ann wanted any sort of long-term relationship with this man, she had her work cut out for her. The pair finally married in 1816, when Mary Ann was 26 years old. By that time Mary Ann had already given Piper six sons. Altogether, Mary Ann and Piper had a total of 14 children. Hard to imagine in the current day!
North wrote this novel with exquisite attention to detail and paints us a fascinating picture of the early days of the colony. With rich descriptions of life in colonial Sydney and then back in the United Kingdom.
The Prince of Wales had been a handsome and exuberant young man who led a wildly extravagant life, regularly spending more than his annual allowance of fifty thousand pounds. He was rumoured to have collected public hair from each of his sexual conquests, enough to stuff a mattress. Ummmm, excuse me…ick, TMI !!
I loved the ‘properness’ of the language during this time. There were no emoji’s; initialisms or slang. Just pure ‘Queen’s English’. Plus, why use 2 or 3 words when you could use 12? Just take a look at the titles of these literature items:
To keep up with the latest fashions and topics of conversation, Mary-Ann subscribed to the monthly magazine published in London by Rudolph Ackermann. It was titled Repository of Arts, Literature, Fashions, Manufactures, Etc. and was a practical guide for women of culture.
In May, William [Charles Wentworth] became the first Australia born author to publish a book. Its title was A Statistical, Historical, and Political Description of the Colony of New South Wales, and its Dependent Settlements in Van Diemen's Land: with a Particular Enumeration of the Advantages which these Colonies offer for Emigration, and their Superiority in many respects over those Possessed by the United States of America. I kid you not!!!!
Mary Ann was a remarkable woman. Like a chameleon, she had to change and adapt on a regular basis. She responded well to the challenge of her changed social position and soon the convict's daughter was a highly respected hostess. Although young, she was an extremely intelligent and very capable woman who provided a huge support base for her husband. She grew in both confidence and sophistication as she aged; and was thought of as graceful and elegant by those that knew her. She had outgrown her convict heritage and had evolved into quite the lady.
I can highly recommend Mary Ann & Captain Piper if you are interested in Australia, its authors or its history.
July 2, 2022
This book gives a wonderful insight, is descriptive and an entertaining account of the fledgling colony of New South Wales. The white settlers with the assistance of their convict workers have started to push further west and south. Once the mountain terrain of the newly named Blue Mountains was conquered and with the discovery of great pastoral land beyond this mountain range, the momentum increased. However, the white settlers failed to recognise that the Aborigines were in fact the real owners who found themselves moving further to the fringes. Some adapted well to the newcomers but these were in the minority and when rebellion occurred, spears were no match against muskets.
Captain John Piper was a peacock there is no doubt about that, he strutted himself around, loved by all and adored by the ladies. He is reported to have had nine illegitimate as well as the fourteen children Mary Ann had to him. Mary Ann for a very long time felt inadequate as a result of her poor upbringing on Norfolk Island by convict parents. A plain peahen. She was just a young teenager when she set her sights on Captain Piper. The risk for her was in becoming pregnant he may well have abandoned her like so many men did during this time, wives still in England and men left unleashed in the colony took on mistresses or simply went about impregnating servant girls and then abandoning them to a life of poverty.
Captain Piper, Mary Ann and the family return to England where he was offered a lucrative civilian position but this meant that he would have to sell his army commission. To the relief of Mary Ann his decision to take up the civilian appointment meant that they could return to the colony. However, dismay! He no longer could strut around in a uniform, Mary Ann suggested he design his own uniform for which he took up the idea of designing it to be more lavish than that of the army.
She gave birth to their 14th child in the same year as her husband turned 60. Their first few children were born before they were secretly married for which Captain Piper was unperturbed about but Mary Ann knew that they would be ostracized had it become widely known. However fortunately for her she did not suffer at any time as a social outcast but was treated as an "exclusive" unlike many in similar predicaments or being a child of convict parents, rather, her husband's standing in the community and their constant parties, lavish dinners and balls and with him throwing his money around one could say he bought respectability for Mary Ann.
From her portrait painted at about the time of the fabulous (even by today's standards) mansion of Henrietta Villa, Mary Ann is beautifully dressed and demonstrating that she has gained sophistication and confidence required for her husband's position and able to entertain at dinner parties, balls etc with great flair to all dignitaries. However she was always alerted to her husband's over attention to any new females and would intervene to reclaim him as her dance partner etc.
Henrietta Villa was the couple's "pièce de résistance", a magnificent mansion with long driveways and views of the sea. (Sadly this magnificent building no longer exists). It was the envy of many. .
Captain Peacock was a gambler of a manner regarding land, commodities and horses. He appears to have never thought about having a "budget" and spent money hand over fist and in time he had to sell a lot of property and his grand Villa in order to cover his ever accumulating debts. The family had to move several times, heading ever further into the wilds of Australia to develop more farming. Their final home was Bathurst some 204 kms (126 miles) from the sea and the bustling development of Sydney Town.
The author introduces the Balcombes to give some insight into the ever present problem of Captain Piper's ever roaming eye and in this case the daughter of the Balcombes, Betsy, married but abandoned by her husband. A beautiful young woman for which Mary Ann was kept on her toes to put a stop to any wanderings by her husband. The author gives a brief history of the Balcombes' involvement with Napoleon on St Helena* (Betsy was Napoleon's favourite) where he died a tragic death caused by neglect by William Balcombes successor. William Balcombe suffered as a result of his friendship with Napoleon, suspicion held by the English government that he had tried to assist in an escape for him. After being shunned in England he was eventually offered the post of Colonel Treasurer of NSW Australia. The sixth child of William and Jane Balcome, Alexander moved to "The Briars" Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, a house he built after creating much wealth. This house is so named after their home on St Helena where today there is memorabilia from Napoleon. The Briars in Australia is set on a high and beautiful property in a conservation park.
*"Napoleon's Last Island'' by Tom Keneally gives a wonderful account of the Balcombes encounter and love for Napoleon.
Captain John Piper was a peacock there is no doubt about that, he strutted himself around, loved by all and adored by the ladies. He is reported to have had nine illegitimate as well as the fourteen children Mary Ann had to him. Mary Ann for a very long time felt inadequate as a result of her poor upbringing on Norfolk Island by convict parents. A plain peahen. She was just a young teenager when she set her sights on Captain Piper. The risk for her was in becoming pregnant he may well have abandoned her like so many men did during this time, wives still in England and men left unleashed in the colony took on mistresses or simply went about impregnating servant girls and then abandoning them to a life of poverty.
Captain Piper, Mary Ann and the family return to England where he was offered a lucrative civilian position but this meant that he would have to sell his army commission. To the relief of Mary Ann his decision to take up the civilian appointment meant that they could return to the colony. However, dismay! He no longer could strut around in a uniform, Mary Ann suggested he design his own uniform for which he took up the idea of designing it to be more lavish than that of the army.
She gave birth to their 14th child in the same year as her husband turned 60. Their first few children were born before they were secretly married for which Captain Piper was unperturbed about but Mary Ann knew that they would be ostracized had it become widely known. However fortunately for her she did not suffer at any time as a social outcast but was treated as an "exclusive" unlike many in similar predicaments or being a child of convict parents, rather, her husband's standing in the community and their constant parties, lavish dinners and balls and with him throwing his money around one could say he bought respectability for Mary Ann.
From her portrait painted at about the time of the fabulous (even by today's standards) mansion of Henrietta Villa, Mary Ann is beautifully dressed and demonstrating that she has gained sophistication and confidence required for her husband's position and able to entertain at dinner parties, balls etc with great flair to all dignitaries. However she was always alerted to her husband's over attention to any new females and would intervene to reclaim him as her dance partner etc.
Henrietta Villa was the couple's "pièce de résistance", a magnificent mansion with long driveways and views of the sea. (Sadly this magnificent building no longer exists). It was the envy of many. .
Captain Peacock was a gambler of a manner regarding land, commodities and horses. He appears to have never thought about having a "budget" and spent money hand over fist and in time he had to sell a lot of property and his grand Villa in order to cover his ever accumulating debts. The family had to move several times, heading ever further into the wilds of Australia to develop more farming. Their final home was Bathurst some 204 kms (126 miles) from the sea and the bustling development of Sydney Town.
The author introduces the Balcombes to give some insight into the ever present problem of Captain Piper's ever roaming eye and in this case the daughter of the Balcombes, Betsy, married but abandoned by her husband. A beautiful young woman for which Mary Ann was kept on her toes to put a stop to any wanderings by her husband. The author gives a brief history of the Balcombes' involvement with Napoleon on St Helena* (Betsy was Napoleon's favourite) where he died a tragic death caused by neglect by William Balcombes successor. William Balcombe suffered as a result of his friendship with Napoleon, suspicion held by the English government that he had tried to assist in an escape for him. After being shunned in England he was eventually offered the post of Colonel Treasurer of NSW Australia. The sixth child of William and Jane Balcome, Alexander moved to "The Briars" Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, a house he built after creating much wealth. This house is so named after their home on St Helena where today there is memorabilia from Napoleon. The Briars in Australia is set on a high and beautiful property in a conservation park.
*"Napoleon's Last Island'' by Tom Keneally gives a wonderful account of the Balcombes encounter and love for Napoleon.
June 6, 2022
This is a biography of Mary Ann Piper, who was born to convict parents on Norfolk Island in 1791. At the age of 14, she caught the eye of Captain John Piper who was the Commandant of the island. She gave birth to a son whom she named John Piper. She must have been a singular person because, despite the Captain's propensity for affairs, she held on to him and moved with him to Sydney when his term was up.
She later moved with him to London for a while before they returned to Sydney when he was appointed the Naval Officer. This position gave him a good salary and the ability to earn considerable money on the side. They became the leaders of Sydney society, building a magnificent house, Henrietta Villa, on a land grant on Point Piper. The high life eventually caught up with the finances and bankruptcy forced them to move to a farm near Bathurst.
The book is well researched and a fascinating picture of the early days of the colony of New South Wales. Despite the fact that the book is classified as non-fiction, I felt that the book sometimes strayed into the realm of historical fiction when conversations are relayed although extensive chapter notes do explain where the author has extrapolated from primary sources into what was common practice of the time.
She later moved with him to London for a while before they returned to Sydney when he was appointed the Naval Officer. This position gave him a good salary and the ability to earn considerable money on the side. They became the leaders of Sydney society, building a magnificent house, Henrietta Villa, on a land grant on Point Piper. The high life eventually caught up with the finances and bankruptcy forced them to move to a farm near Bathurst.
The book is well researched and a fascinating picture of the early days of the colony of New South Wales. Despite the fact that the book is classified as non-fiction, I felt that the book sometimes strayed into the realm of historical fiction when conversations are relayed although extensive chapter notes do explain where the author has extrapolated from primary sources into what was common practice of the time.
December 21, 2022
What a fantastic, interesting and easy to follow book on the early colonial Australians. Loved learning more about Mary Ann and Captain Piper. Loved the style of the book and way different people came to the foreground and leaders I have learnt about got to become real people living alongside the Pipers. Love Jessica North’s books and commitment to showcasing people who have fallen through the cracks. Just loved this book
September 19, 2022
I have mixed views about this book. It was fascinating to read about the early formation of Australian society and the early days of the fledgling colony. However I got bored about the perpetual round of visits and balls that Mary Ann and Captain Piper indulged in.
The book is about Captain Piper, a popular society figure who must have had an engaging and charismatic personality. Very few people disliked him. He was very extravagant with his hospitality and friends with everyone. He had a dubious income from the Naval Stores and built an extravagant house which was later demolished and found any excuse to host an event for the people. His extravagant and indulgent lifestyle caught up with him and sent him bankrupt, but even that didn't stop him. Point Piper in Sydney is named after him.
Mary Ann was much younger than him and Captain Piper's roving eye soon found her and she was pregnant at 15. She had 5 children before they married and ended up with 14 kids in total. Mary Ann comes across as a very intelligent woman and as a child of convicts from Norfolk Island, she carefully watched how women conducted themselves in genteel society. They never knew that Captain Piper and herself weren't married as they had a private wedding.
There was brief commentary on the life of convicts, but the book is mainly about high society and well known figures at the time. Mary Ann had to live with Piper's infidelity as he had children by 4 other women. He just couldn't resist women! She had to stay with him because women had no rights at the time but she enjoyed the lifestyle that she was in and loved Piper.
I just thank God for Governor Macquarie who was very inclusive for his time. Certain elements of genteel society didn't want to associate with emancipists (former convicts who were now settlers). They called themselves the exclusives. If they had their way, our society would have been just like UK. Good old Macquarie fought for the emancipists to the end and was instrumental in much of the early building of Sydney.
Sadly, Macquarie tried to integrate First Nation people into society, but it wasn't a good fit. He did it with good intentions at first, but when the land grab started, the First Nations people were cut off from their food source and naturally rioted.
An interesting book in parts, but the indulgent lifestyle when others were scratching for a living was hard to swallow.
The book is about Captain Piper, a popular society figure who must have had an engaging and charismatic personality. Very few people disliked him. He was very extravagant with his hospitality and friends with everyone. He had a dubious income from the Naval Stores and built an extravagant house which was later demolished and found any excuse to host an event for the people. His extravagant and indulgent lifestyle caught up with him and sent him bankrupt, but even that didn't stop him. Point Piper in Sydney is named after him.
Mary Ann was much younger than him and Captain Piper's roving eye soon found her and she was pregnant at 15. She had 5 children before they married and ended up with 14 kids in total. Mary Ann comes across as a very intelligent woman and as a child of convicts from Norfolk Island, she carefully watched how women conducted themselves in genteel society. They never knew that Captain Piper and herself weren't married as they had a private wedding.
There was brief commentary on the life of convicts, but the book is mainly about high society and well known figures at the time. Mary Ann had to live with Piper's infidelity as he had children by 4 other women. He just couldn't resist women! She had to stay with him because women had no rights at the time but she enjoyed the lifestyle that she was in and loved Piper.
I just thank God for Governor Macquarie who was very inclusive for his time. Certain elements of genteel society didn't want to associate with emancipists (former convicts who were now settlers). They called themselves the exclusives. If they had their way, our society would have been just like UK. Good old Macquarie fought for the emancipists to the end and was instrumental in much of the early building of Sydney.
Sadly, Macquarie tried to integrate First Nation people into society, but it wasn't a good fit. He did it with good intentions at first, but when the land grab started, the First Nations people were cut off from their food source and naturally rioted.
An interesting book in parts, but the indulgent lifestyle when others were scratching for a living was hard to swallow.
November 11, 2022
Thank you to @allenandunwin for sending me a copy of this book to review!
This book tells the true story of Mary Ann Sheers who was born to convict parents on Norfolk Island in 1791. She was just 14 years old when she caught the eye of Captain John Piper, who was the Commandant of Norfolk Island.
Beginning a relationship with Piper at 14, she was soon pregnant and eventually moved with him to the young colony of Sydney. For a young woman who was more accustomed to running around barefoot, she had to learn how to behave as a lady and overcome the stigma of her origins to become mistress of one of the grandest homes in Sydney. Here she and Piper entertained on a large and lavish scale, becoming one of the most well liked couples in Sydney - and living well beyond their means.
This was a meticulously researched book that read more like a novel and it was particularly interesting to learn about all of the people who now have Sydney streets and suburbs named after them and the role they played in the early years of the colony.
Although I found it quite interesting, it also made me quite furious to read about all the swanning around, parties, balls and frivolous activities that the “exclusives” got up to, when other people were dirt poor and lived in squalor - and there were many amongst the exclusives who wished to keep it that way - even wanting to deny emancipated convicts being land holders or having any decent jobs. And don’t even get me started on their displacement of the Indigenous people, driving them off their land and ruining their crops with their livestock….and that’s just for starters of course.
However none of the above is the author’s fault obviously 😆 and I really did find the book quite fascinating - even if it did make me angry! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
This book tells the true story of Mary Ann Sheers who was born to convict parents on Norfolk Island in 1791. She was just 14 years old when she caught the eye of Captain John Piper, who was the Commandant of Norfolk Island.
Beginning a relationship with Piper at 14, she was soon pregnant and eventually moved with him to the young colony of Sydney. For a young woman who was more accustomed to running around barefoot, she had to learn how to behave as a lady and overcome the stigma of her origins to become mistress of one of the grandest homes in Sydney. Here she and Piper entertained on a large and lavish scale, becoming one of the most well liked couples in Sydney - and living well beyond their means.
This was a meticulously researched book that read more like a novel and it was particularly interesting to learn about all of the people who now have Sydney streets and suburbs named after them and the role they played in the early years of the colony.
Although I found it quite interesting, it also made me quite furious to read about all the swanning around, parties, balls and frivolous activities that the “exclusives” got up to, when other people were dirt poor and lived in squalor - and there were many amongst the exclusives who wished to keep it that way - even wanting to deny emancipated convicts being land holders or having any decent jobs. And don’t even get me started on their displacement of the Indigenous people, driving them off their land and ruining their crops with their livestock….and that’s just for starters of course.
However none of the above is the author’s fault obviously 😆 and I really did find the book quite fascinating - even if it did make me angry! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.
August 29, 2022
This book reads as though it could be fiction, but is not. It is thoroughly researched giving details of not only Mary Ann's life, but of the many people who were her contemporaries. We learn a lot about the customs, food, clothing and housing of the time.
Mary Ann was an amazing lady, a survivor, a heroine, although largely unknown to most Australians
The fascinating story of the daughter of First Fleet convicts who managed to overcome her humble origins to become the mistress of the grandest home in colonial Sydney.
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
Mary Ann was an amazing lady, a survivor, a heroine, although largely unknown to most Australians
The fascinating story of the daughter of First Fleet convicts who managed to overcome her humble origins to become the mistress of the grandest home in colonial Sydney.
Born on Norfolk Island to First Fleet convicts, Mary Ann was destined to become a farmer's wife. Instead, at the age of fourteen she entranced the island's Commandant, the charming and flirtatious Captain Piper.
Learning how to behave as a lady, and overcoming the stigma of her origins, Mary Ann became mistress of the colony's grandest home when Sydney was just becoming a party town. With scores of servants, she and Captain Piper entertained on a scale that had never been seen in the colonies, hosting magnificent garden parties, dinners and balls for hundreds of guests, including governors of New South Wales. But the Pipers were living beyond their means, and trouble was around the corner.
Mary Ann's life journey from barefoot child to Sydney's fashionable society encompasses triumphs, tragedies and travels around the globe. For the first time, Jessica North's biography reveals Mary Ann Piper to be one of the most remarkable women in Australia's early history.
October 13, 2022
I read Jessica North’s book “Esther” about two years ago so when I saw this book I was instantly curious about it. As much as I loved learning a lot the history and all the factual information that this author is so cleverly is able to include in her story telling, I could help but compare it to Esther and o felt that I didn’t warm to the character of Mary Ann as much as I did to Esther. I also felt quite triggered at the lives of so many women both young and older who we taken such advantage of by men. It seemed that the whole culture was immersed and accepting of continual infidelity, relationships with young girls (as with Mary Ann Sheers herself too who had only just turned 14 when she began her physical relationship with captain John Piper)
Times were different I guess and I’m grateful things have changed in our society since then obviously due to environmental, relational, legal and moral factors, etc.
This is however another very insightful book into the early decades of Australia and the enormous efforts and events that were part of building this nation. The women once again are pivotal to so much of this and I’m grateful that Jessica North has done such justice to so carefully researching and executing this novel. Definitely another one to add to the collection for all Australian history enthusiasts.
Times were different I guess and I’m grateful things have changed in our society since then obviously due to environmental, relational, legal and moral factors, etc.
This is however another very insightful book into the early decades of Australia and the enormous efforts and events that were part of building this nation. The women once again are pivotal to so much of this and I’m grateful that Jessica North has done such justice to so carefully researching and executing this novel. Definitely another one to add to the collection for all Australian history enthusiasts.
October 3, 2022
An excellent and refreshing view of a small part of Australian history 1800-1850 ish. I've read heaps of books on this same period, but all by men, about men and how wonderful we are. This book is so different, being told through the eyes of a woman. It just puts such a refreshing slant on the story's we've been told over and over, I love it.
My only criticism is that it has used what I call the shopping list device a number of times. This is where the auto lists every single item that Mary Ann bout or every single item that the children have or whatever. To me its just not necessary, name a few thing, no more than three, otherwise not just gets boring and doesnt add to the story one bit.
Otherwise excellent, well done, I shall have to go and find the authors other book "Esther" and have a read of that as well.
My only criticism is that it has used what I call the shopping list device a number of times. This is where the auto lists every single item that Mary Ann bout or every single item that the children have or whatever. To me its just not necessary, name a few thing, no more than three, otherwise not just gets boring and doesnt add to the story one bit.
Otherwise excellent, well done, I shall have to go and find the authors other book "Esther" and have a read of that as well.
February 22, 2024
This true story of Mary Ann a free born daughter of a convict of Norfolk Island.
At 14 she becomes the mistress of Commander Piper & the mother of the first of 14 children that she bears him. Her life is truely one of early colonial Australia’s most interesting & amazing women. Not only did she stand by her man but she earned the respect of Sydney’s social set entertaining on a grand & lavish scale. She & her husband travelled to many a foreign land & her life ‘s journey from barefoot child to fashionable Sydney encompasses triumphs, tragedies & travels.
It chronicles the governors of New South Wales, the social etiquettes of the day & the curtailed acceptance of women owning property.
As a biography the content was interesting especially knowing some of Sydney’s suburbs & places of interest all named after the real life characters of colonial Australia.
At 14 she becomes the mistress of Commander Piper & the mother of the first of 14 children that she bears him. Her life is truely one of early colonial Australia’s most interesting & amazing women. Not only did she stand by her man but she earned the respect of Sydney’s social set entertaining on a grand & lavish scale. She & her husband travelled to many a foreign land & her life ‘s journey from barefoot child to fashionable Sydney encompasses triumphs, tragedies & travels.
It chronicles the governors of New South Wales, the social etiquettes of the day & the curtailed acceptance of women owning property.
As a biography the content was interesting especially knowing some of Sydney’s suburbs & places of interest all named after the real life characters of colonial Australia.
June 13, 2022
Mary Anne & Captain Piper was an interesting story. A lot of detail of Australian history.
Mary Anne was born from convict parents on Norfolk Island. She meets Captain Piper the Island Commandant. Mary Anne became his mistress and had to learn how to become a lady.
They were a very social couple and entertained many dignitaries. The likes of Macquarie, Macarthur and Bligh.
I enjoyed learning about these men and their wives whom we have heard in history lessons.
They became a popular couple with everyone and held very lavish balls and parties. Captain Piper lived beyond his means even though he became wealthy.
Mary Anne had many tragedies with the loss of some of her children. She ended up having 12 pregnancies. I was very impressed with Jessica North's novel.
Mary Anne was born from convict parents on Norfolk Island. She meets Captain Piper the Island Commandant. Mary Anne became his mistress and had to learn how to become a lady.
They were a very social couple and entertained many dignitaries. The likes of Macquarie, Macarthur and Bligh.
I enjoyed learning about these men and their wives whom we have heard in history lessons.
They became a popular couple with everyone and held very lavish balls and parties. Captain Piper lived beyond his means even though he became wealthy.
Mary Anne had many tragedies with the loss of some of her children. She ended up having 12 pregnancies. I was very impressed with Jessica North's novel.
November 9, 2022
A riveting historical book about the beginnings of Sydney society and the Norfolk Island transfer of convicts. So beautifully written and factually correct with great chapter notes. This exposes the monster powerful governors in charge and the changes that occurred due to people like Mary Ann Piper and her famous husband to make Sydney an Australian place not a British one. You learn so much from this book including who was on our first bank notes, when we were allowed to have them! early exploration and the judicial system.
July 9, 2023
This was a well researched book which told the story of the very young Mary Ann Sheers who was a daughter of a convict on Norfolk Island and how her life turned around when she meets Captain John Piper.
The book deals with issues which would shock people today but that was life in the 1800s. I also enjoyed all the history of Sydney & the people living there from colonial times. I was also happy that the author in her Epilogue explained what happened to the many people mentioned in her book.
The book deals with issues which would shock people today but that was life in the 1800s. I also enjoyed all the history of Sydney & the people living there from colonial times. I was also happy that the author in her Epilogue explained what happened to the many people mentioned in her book.
December 22, 2025
I’ve had this book sitting on my bookshelf for a little while, but after a few days staying at two historic colonial properties in Bathurst, I wanted to immerse myself in a good colonial story. And this one was perfect.
It’s the story of Mary Ann, who was born on Norfolk Island in the early years of the colony, to convict parents. When just a teenage girl (problematic by today’s standards!) Mary Ann catches the eye of Captain Piper. Over the years, they move to Sydney and ultimately have several children together despite not marrying for many years.
Mary Ann becomes the toast of Sydney society and the mistress of Henrietta Villa overlooking Sydney harbour at Point Piper, which is referred to as the grandest home in the colony.
While this fictional retelling focuses on Mary Ann and Captain Piper, it is the story of the colony in the early years. North explains simple things like what they ate, what they wore and what their homes were like in a way that brought the era to vivid life. And she melds in real life people into the narrative, like convict entrepreneur Mary Reibey, surgeon D’arcy Wentworth and Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
A great deep dive into a forgotten woman of colonial Sydney, told from a fictional perspective, but shrouded in thoroughly researched fact.
It’s the story of Mary Ann, who was born on Norfolk Island in the early years of the colony, to convict parents. When just a teenage girl (problematic by today’s standards!) Mary Ann catches the eye of Captain Piper. Over the years, they move to Sydney and ultimately have several children together despite not marrying for many years.
Mary Ann becomes the toast of Sydney society and the mistress of Henrietta Villa overlooking Sydney harbour at Point Piper, which is referred to as the grandest home in the colony.
While this fictional retelling focuses on Mary Ann and Captain Piper, it is the story of the colony in the early years. North explains simple things like what they ate, what they wore and what their homes were like in a way that brought the era to vivid life. And she melds in real life people into the narrative, like convict entrepreneur Mary Reibey, surgeon D’arcy Wentworth and Governor Lachlan Macquarie.
A great deep dive into a forgotten woman of colonial Sydney, told from a fictional perspective, but shrouded in thoroughly researched fact.
April 30, 2022
Mary Ann & Captain Piper is an interesting and fascinating biography by Aussie author Jessica North which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Piper family tree at the beginning of the book was wonderful, as I kept flipping back to it time and again to check births, deaths and who came in what order. For anyone interested in Australia’s early history, I would highly recommend Mary Ann & Captain Piper.
November 25, 2022
I enjoyed the the author’s approach that wraps a story around primary sources of the early Sydney colony. Early settlers certainly had a challenge to survive let alone keep up social standards. It was a bit like reading the Sydney newspaper social pages. With so many (illegitimate) children it’s a wonder how accurate family trees are.
February 18, 2023
This was recommended for its links to Norfolk Island, the story of Mary- Anne Piper, the daughter of an early convict. I tried to persist with the reading but it was name after name after name and no real story or engaging writing. It is a NF book but reads as a fiction. The illustrations in the middle were interesting. Skipped to the end.
June 25, 2023
Having read Esther by the same author I was looking forward to reading this book. It was interesting reading about the First Fleet and the establishing of Sydney & surrounding areas I did feel it hard to follow with so many different other people being introduced. For me the story did not flow & connect.
January 25, 2025
Absolutely love it. You can tell Jessica North did her due diligence of research into the history of these peoples lives.
This is someone’s family history, and I’m sure that they would be fascinated by the trials and tribulations their family ancestors went through.
The story time line was well written and easy to follow through.
This is someone’s family history, and I’m sure that they would be fascinated by the trials and tribulations their family ancestors went through.
The story time line was well written and easy to follow through.
October 22, 2022
I read Esther by the same author and it was brilliant but this bonk while well researched became tedious. It does explain why different places (some now Sydney suburbs) are so named.It was more interesting in the beginning when it was set on Norfolk Island.
April 28, 2023
Whilst an interesting insight into first settlers and the inequities involved with such a privileged life, this was just too much information in short unrelated paragraphs for me to feel like I could get into it.
July 3, 2025
I thought this was fiction when i borrowed it. I hated the strange mix of fiction and non fiction at the start but once i got used to it it was easier to read than some dry histories.
After being quite long it seemed to have an abrupt ending.
After being quite long it seemed to have an abrupt ending.
September 20, 2025
DNF. Sorry but it didn’t work for me - the language seems too deliberate and self conscious, maybe cliched? Anyway, after reading masters like Kate Grenville and Helen Garner, I just couldn’t read this. A shame, as it looks like others thought it was good.
December 22, 2022
Excellent but a little too much detail.
Read
February 4, 2023I was disappointed with the story structure. I was expecting to read a historical fiction book but it felt more like a factual text with no warmth or feeling for any of the characters.
August 4, 2024
Interesting early Australian history
August 14, 2025
A thoroughly researched book about a prominent figure in Sydney Australia in the 1790’s through to 1830’s. A good read.
August 25, 2022
I read this to learn more about the early history of Norfolk Island, but it was a very small part. I did learn more about the early Sydney society.
I found this book a little bit too much like a history book - I think it tries to stay too true to the history at the expense of the story.
I found this book a little bit too much like a history book - I think it tries to stay too true to the history at the expense of the story.
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