Maria married at London JOHN CAMERON in abt March 1839. He had been born abt 1818 in Birmingham. Their son William Cameron was born 1840.

1841 Census - Living at Pitt Street, Camberwell, Peckham, Lambeth - John CAMERON age 20, born 1821, occupation Coach Painter; wife Maria, age 20, born 1821; son William age 22m, born 1840.

In the 1851 census, Maria and John are living at 22 Lower Ann Street, Lambeth, both 33, both born 1818, he in Birmingham and she in Lambeth however no sign of son William b. 1840. John Cameron's death date is not known.

In 1858 Maria decided to immigrate and join her brother Thomas Charles Barnard at Christchurch, New Zealand. She travelled steerage class under her maiden name of  "Maria Barnard" aged 40 from Hertfordshire Domestic Servant, as a Government Assisted passenger.

The Maori  was a ship of 799 tons under command of Captain G C Petherbridge and departed Gravesend, London for this direct voyage to Lyttelton, New Zealand  on March 26 and arrived at Lyttelton 14 July 1858, a voyage of 110 days.
After starting she met with strong south-west gales, which continued for twenty one days, and this prevented her from passing the Madeira till her 26th day after departure. It arrived with about 130 emigrants on board. (This was the ships first voyage to Lyttelton and it took 110 days for this trip however it had previously made 4 voyages to New Zealand, her first being to Nelson in 1851 bringing over 50 passengers. The Maori went on to make a further 5 to New Zealand after this 1858 voyage to Lyttelton. The Maori was one of Willis, Gann and Co's ships, and several of her voyages to New Zealand where under this company's flag, however in the 1860's she was chartered by Shaw, Savill and Co to bring out immigrants.(Reference White Wings)

On May 15 the fore top mast and three top-gallant masts were carried away, which caused a further detention, and during the last ten days of the voyage she made very little headway from calms and light winds. The voyage was said to have been "fine and agreeable!"
Three births and seven deaths occurred - one having died of consumption and one having come on board in a state of debility from a previous illness. The following is a list of the deaths: - Second Cabin, James Wilson, single, Steerage James Barber, single: Henry Cousins, married - no children; Mrs Moss and infant; Lucy Rainbow, single; and Thomas Heslop, single.

When the immigrants per Maori landed they were temporarily housed at the immigration barracks, which had been improved and enlarged with additional rooms, and rendered more "commodious and comfortable than heretofore. The immigrants are, with few exceptions, a prime, healthy lot including several mechanics and nearly all of them have been already engaged."