Maria Locke

Maria Lock, also known as Maria Locke, (; c. 1805

Education In 1814, Lock was placed at the Native Institution at Parramatta for tuition by William and Elizabeth Shelley. Here she was given the name Maria Cook. The achievement of a black girl, aged 14, believed to be Maria Lock, winning first prize in a NSW examination ahead of approximately 120 other students was reported in the Sydney Gazette on 17 April 1819. Her teachers reported her to be well ahead of the other students, with an early grasp on the English language and above-average educational performance. Within weeks of their marriage Coke became ill and died.

On 26 January 1824 she married Robert Lock, also spelt Locke (1800–1854). He was an illiterate convict carpenter. This was the first legalised and recognised marriage between a European settler and an Aboriginal person in the colony, and he was assigned to her. This took place at St John's Church, Parramatta. Together Maria and Robert had 10 children, nine of which made it to adulthood.

Recognition A tunnel boring machine used in New South Wales is named after her.