Maria Lock

Maria Lock (c.1808 - 1878) was an Australian aboriginal landowner. She was a known figure in the Australian colonial legends.

Maria Lock was born at Richmond Bottoms by Hawkesbury River to Yarramundi, 'Chief of the Richmond Tribes'. The family belonged to the Boorooberongal clan of the Darug people.

In 1814, she was placed at the Native Institution for tuition by William and Elizabeth Shelley. Here she was given the name Maria Cook. She was an extremely gifted child and in 1819 she won first prize in a NSW examination, ahead of approx. 120 other students. Her teachers reported her to be well ahead of the other students, with an early grasp on the English language and above-average educational performances

By the end of 1822 Maria was living at the household of Rev. Thomas Hassall and his wife Anne in Parramatta where she worked as a domestic. That same year she married Dicky, a son of Bennelong, who had also been in the Native Institution, however within weeks of their marriage he became ill and died.

Nn January 26, 1824 Maria married Robert Lock (1800-1854). Robert was an illiterate convict carpenter. This was the first legalized and recognized marriage between a European settler and an Aboriginal person in the colony, and Robert was assigned to her. This took place at St John's Church, Parramatta.

They initially settled on a small farm belonging to Native Institution, but later moved to the employ of Rev. Robert Cartwright at Liverpool. In March of 1831, Maria petitioned Ralph Darling for her deceased brother Colebee's grant at Blacktown, opposite the Native Institution. 40 acres were granted to Robert on Maria's behalf, but Cartwright frustrated this claim as he felt it was injurious to the established buildings on his adjoining allotment. However, Maria persisted and in 1833 was granted forty more acres at Liverpool, again in Robert's name. She then received her brother's 30 acre grant in 1843. In 1844, Maria and her husband returned to Blacktown where they were granted another 30 acres.

Together they had 10 children, nine of which made it to adulthood, and sometimes the Lock surname was also known as Locke.

Maria died on June 6, 1878 and was buried beside her husband Robert at St Bartholomew's Church of England, Prospect. Her burial registration reads "Last of the Aboriginals from Blacktown", and wrongly gives her birth date as 1794. Her land was divided equally among her children and was occupied by her descendants until 1920, when the freehold land was considered to be an Aboriginal reserve (Plumpton) and was revoked by the Aboriginal Protection Board. Now, many of her descendants continue to live on Darug land.