John Cross born 1757 - East Knoyle, Wiltshire, England. Died 1824 - Wiseman's Ferry, NSW, Australia. John was convicted at New Sarum, Wiltshire in 1785, of stealing a sheep, worth 20 shillings. He received a death sentence which was commuted to seven years transportation. After being kept on a hulk for two years he boarded the Alexander bound for Australia. John married Mary Ann Davidson (Davison) in 1793. Mary was sentenced at Northumberland in 1788 for stealing ten handkerchiefs and sixteen yards of silk. She arrived in Australia on the Lady Juliana.
John worked on the farm of Lieutenant James Furzer, then rented a farm at Field of Mars, from Thomas Cottrell. He received a land grant of 100 acres at Sussex Reach in 1808. By the time of his death, John had sold most of his land owing to financial problems, flood damage and problems with hostile natives.