Biographical notes:
Surname also spelled 'Cruise'.
Addresses: At 1841 census - High Grove, Ardingly, SSX; At 1851 census - Avens Cottage, Ardingly, SSX.
Migrated to SA, AUS in 1858, following her husband's death. She sailed in The Utopia, which left Liverpool on 28 Mar 1858 (but may have called elsewhere), arriving Port Adelaide on 10 Jul 1858. The Register of 10 Jul 1858 describes the very slow voyage due to adverse weather. The passenger list shows Mrs Maria Downer (Cruise), 41, Domestic Servant; Emma , 21, Domestic Servant; Harriet, 16, Domestic Servant; Henry, 14, Labourer; Mary Ann, 7; Rhoda, 5; Alice, 2.
Her half brothers Jesse & William Ridley lived at Salisbury, SA, AUS at the time of her arrival. She was living at Margaret St. North Adelaide in 1863 & Jeffcott St. North Adelaide in 1863. She attended the Brougham Place Congregational Church.
Reference documents:
1817 baptism record.
1836 marriage certificate.
1841 census return (Henry Downer).
1851 census return (Henry Downer).
1858 passenger list Utopia.
1911 notice of 94th birthday.
1912 death registration index record.