16.2.09
Robert Gilderdale
Robert Gilderdale was born in 1743 at Thorne in Yorkshire. He married Ann Howard in 1770 at Thorne and they had 9 children. His wife died in 1788 at Thorne. He was a master mariner who drowned. His son Joseph was sole executor in his will dated December 1794, but he died in 1798 and a committee was appointed to manage his sons affairs. It looks like Robert may have remarried to Mary Townrow in 1790.
Mary Goodwin
Mary Goodwin was the daughter of Joseph Goodwin, a merchant in Scawby, Lincolnshire. She was probably born around 1770. She married Joseph Gilderdale, a shipowner from Thorne in nearby Yorkshire, in 1797. They had a daughter Catherine, born the following year, however Joseph died in York that year.
In 1804, Mary remarried John Smith at Wrawby. Her daughter married William Foster Sergeant at Wrawby in 1824, then emigrated to South Australia with the 7 grandchildren in December 1837.
In 1804, Mary remarried John Smith at Wrawby. Her daughter married William Foster Sergeant at Wrawby in 1824, then emigrated to South Australia with the 7 grandchildren in December 1837.
Turtle Vail 1770
Between 1799 and 1804, Turtle and Elizabeth Vail baptised five children at St Nicholas Rochester in Kent. Elizabeth was the daughter of James and Amy Knight of Hartlip in Kent. Four more children were baptised at St Margaret's in Rochester from 1807 to 1813.
Turtle was described as a veterinary surgeon by his grandson, so he may have been a farrier.
As nearly 30 years had elapsed, I have assumed that this is the son born in Sussex in 1770 to Turtel Vail and Elizabeth Bedford.
I have been told that he died in August 1846 at Chatham in Kent.
Turtle was described as a veterinary surgeon by his grandson, so he may have been a farrier.
As nearly 30 years had elapsed, I have assumed that this is the son born in Sussex in 1770 to Turtel Vail and Elizabeth Bedford.
I have been told that he died in August 1846 at Chatham in Kent.
Turtel Vail
Turtel [sic] Vail and Elizabeth Bedford were married at Ferring in Sussex in March 1869. The vicar noted that they were both travellers and had only published banns in the church three several Sundays. Turtel was able to sign his name on the register. The witnesses were John Caplin and James Bougan.
Their son Turtle was christened in Ferring in June 1770.
Their son Turtle was christened in Ferring in June 1770.
James Knight
James Knight was apprenticed to James Apps, blacksmith of Tonbridge in Kent in 1766. He married Sarah Tunbridge and we know of three children, born in 1778, 1779 and 1784.
Tonbridge is north of Tunbridge Wells and 15-20 miles south east of London.
Tonbridge is north of Tunbridge Wells and 15-20 miles south east of London.
Sarah Knight
Sarah Knight was born in February 1778 and christened at Tonbridge Independent Church in Kent. Her parents were James Knight and Sarah Tunbridge.
She married William Neal at Tonbridge in 1799 and had seven children that we know of.
She married William Neal at Tonbridge in 1799 and had seven children that we know of.
William Neal
William Neal married Sarah Knight at Tonbridge in Kent in May 1799. He was a carrier and they had seven children that we know of.
Luke Knight Vail 1800
Luke Knight Vail was born in 1800 and baptised at St Nicholas, Rochester in Kent. He became a tailor, a trade which continued in the family. He married Miriam Knight Neal in London in 1824 and they had eight children that we know of, two daughters dying in infancy. It is interesting that they each had the same second name, suggesting that they may have been related. Luke's mother was the daughter of James Knight, a blacksmith in Hartlip, Kent. Miriam's grandfather was James Knight, a blacksmith in Tonbridge, Kent.
They emigrated to Melbourne in late 1854 on Goldfinder with their four younger sons, the eldest son Edward having arrived there with his wife and child in 1852. Their daughter Ellen had married in London in 1852.
Luke died of tuberculosis three days after arriving in Melbourne. He may have taken the voyage to relieve his illness although his death certificate says he was only ill for 6 weeks.
They emigrated to Melbourne in late 1854 on Goldfinder with their four younger sons, the eldest son Edward having arrived there with his wife and child in 1852. Their daughter Ellen had married in London in 1852.
Luke died of tuberculosis three days after arriving in Melbourne. He may have taken the voyage to relieve his illness although his death certificate says he was only ill for 6 weeks.
Miriam Knight Neal
Miriam Knight Neal was born in 1800 at Rochester in Kent, England. Her father was a carrier. She was the first of seven children that we know of, and was christened at Mount Ephraim-Lady Huntingdon's, at Tunbridge Wells in Kent.
She married Luke Knight Vail in 1824, possibly at St Marylebone in London [from her death certificate].
She had eight children that we know of, with two daughters possibly dying in infancy. In 1852, her eldest son Edward migrated to Melbourne with his wife and child. Her eldest daughter Ellen had also married.
Miriam, Luke and their four younger sons arrived in Melbourne on Goldfinder in February 1855.
Miriam's husband died three days after they arrived in Melbourne. Her youngest was only 11 years old.
Miriam died at her son Charles' home in Chapel Street, Prahran in 1873, and was buried at St Kilda cemetery.
She married Luke Knight Vail in 1824, possibly at St Marylebone in London [from her death certificate].
She had eight children that we know of, with two daughters possibly dying in infancy. In 1852, her eldest son Edward migrated to Melbourne with his wife and child. Her eldest daughter Ellen had also married.
Miriam, Luke and their four younger sons arrived in Melbourne on Goldfinder in February 1855.
Miriam's husband died three days after they arrived in Melbourne. Her youngest was only 11 years old.
Miriam died at her son Charles' home in Chapel Street, Prahran in 1873, and was buried at St Kilda cemetery.
Elizabeth Ramsay
Elizabeth Ramsay was born in Glasgow circa 1837, the daughter of a blacksmith, Lucis Ramsay, and Susan Williams. In 1854, as a domestic servant age 17, she left Dublin and embarked on Marion at Liverpool, arriving in Adelaide in December that year. Also on board were Margaret Ramsay, domestic servant age 19, Thomas Ramsay, a carpenter from Fife and his wife Janet age 18. We do not know if they were related, but Margaret may have been her sister.
Elizabeth spent two years in South Australia before coming to Melbourne where she lived for a while in a tent on the banks of the Yarra.
She married Charles William Vail in 1857 when he was working as a tailor in Collingwood. They had two sons, the second one dying when he was only eleven months old.
Elizabeth was widowed in 1888. By this time her son had married and had a growing family. She is listed in 1895 Trades directory as a greengrocer at Glenferry road in Malvern, where the family had their tailoring business.
In 1898 Elizabeth remarried. Her second husband William Knight Vail, was also a tailor and probably a cousin of Charles. His father, also WKV and a tailor, died in 1826 in Kent, soon after he was born. His wife had died three years earlier and his three children had also predeceased him. It may have been a marriage of convenience if they were living in the same house. William died three years later and was buried with Elizabeth's family at St Kilda cemetery.
When her daughter-in-law died in childbirth in 1899, her son Luke disappeared and Elizabeth raised the children with the help of her eldest granddaughter Elizabeth, who married in 1912. In later years of her life she lived in Caulfield with her other granddaughter Amy who married in 1918.
There was no record of the second marriage on her death certificate or tombstone when she died in 1921.
This unlabelled photo may be of Elizabeth, with granddaughter Amy Vail [just guessing at this stage]
Elizabeth spent two years in South Australia before coming to Melbourne where she lived for a while in a tent on the banks of the Yarra.
She married Charles William Vail in 1857 when he was working as a tailor in Collingwood. They had two sons, the second one dying when he was only eleven months old.
Elizabeth was widowed in 1888. By this time her son had married and had a growing family. She is listed in 1895 Trades directory as a greengrocer at Glenferry road in Malvern, where the family had their tailoring business.
In 1898 Elizabeth remarried. Her second husband William Knight Vail, was also a tailor and probably a cousin of Charles. His father, also WKV and a tailor, died in 1826 in Kent, soon after he was born. His wife had died three years earlier and his three children had also predeceased him. It may have been a marriage of convenience if they were living in the same house. William died three years later and was buried with Elizabeth's family at St Kilda cemetery.
When her daughter-in-law died in childbirth in 1899, her son Luke disappeared and Elizabeth raised the children with the help of her eldest granddaughter Elizabeth, who married in 1912. In later years of her life she lived in Caulfield with her other granddaughter Amy who married in 1918.
There was no record of the second marriage on her death certificate or tombstone when she died in 1921.
This unlabelled photo may be of Elizabeth, with granddaughter Amy Vail [just guessing at this stage]
Charles William Vail
Charles William Vail was the second son and fifth child of Luke and Miriam Vail. He was born in London in 1833 and emigrated to Melbourne with his parents and three younger brothers in 1854. He was working as a tailor in Collingwood when he married Elizabeth Ramsay in 1857.
Two years later he was listed as a Tailor at Commercial Road Prahran, then in 1865 at York Street in Emerald Hill. His mother was living with him at Chapel Street Prahran when she died in 1873 and when his son Luke married in 1881.
They had moved to Glenferrie Road in Malvern by the time he died of epileptic fits and exhaustion in 1888. The family continued to live in this shop until perhaps the end of WW1.
Two years later he was listed as a Tailor at Commercial Road Prahran, then in 1865 at York Street in Emerald Hill. His mother was living with him at Chapel Street Prahran when she died in 1873 and when his son Luke married in 1881.
They had moved to Glenferrie Road in Malvern by the time he died of epileptic fits and exhaustion in 1888. The family continued to live in this shop until perhaps the end of WW1.
John Sergeant
John Sergeant was born about 1770 at Melton Ross in Lincolnshire. It is possible that his father's name was William and his mother's Frances, if they named their children commencing in that order. Other names of John's children coincide with those of William and Frances of Melton Ross.
John married Jane Foster at Wrawby in Lincolnshire in 1799. They had about 11 children, the eldest being William Foster Sergeant. The eldest daughter was Frances Starman Sergeant who was born at Hendon, but died in 1821 and was buried at Melton Ross. So the family moved about, returning to Brigg
John Sergeant died at Barrow in Lincolnshire and is buried at Melton Ross.
A History of 19th Century Brigg by Frank Heathorne says his son Antonie, who was born in Surrey, came to Brigg from Melton Ross in 1834 and started the brewing business.
The maltings in Brigg.
His wife died in 1838 at Brigg, 9 months after her eldest son left for South Australia with his family.
John married Jane Foster at Wrawby in Lincolnshire in 1799. They had about 11 children, the eldest being William Foster Sergeant. The eldest daughter was Frances Starman Sergeant who was born at Hendon, but died in 1821 and was buried at Melton Ross. So the family moved about, returning to Brigg
John Sergeant died at Barrow in Lincolnshire and is buried at Melton Ross.
A History of 19th Century Brigg by Frank Heathorne says his son Antonie, who was born in Surrey, came to Brigg from Melton Ross in 1834 and started the brewing business.
The maltings in Brigg.
His wife died in 1838 at Brigg, 9 months after her eldest son left for South Australia with his family.
Joseph Gilderdale
Joseph Gilderdale was born in 1770. His parents were Robert Gilderdale and Ann Howard of Thorne in Yorkshire. He married Mary Goodwin at Scawby, near Brigg, in Lincolnshire in 1797, but he died the following year leaving an infant daughter, Catherine.
His father had given him a £400 interest in his ship the Walker before he died in 1794, leaving Joseph as sole executor.
It appears that Joseph may have suffered a mental illness before he died.
His father had given him a £400 interest in his ship the Walker before he died in 1794, leaving Joseph as sole executor.
It appears that Joseph may have suffered a mental illness before he died.
Catherine Gilderdale
Catherine Gilderdale was christened at Thorne in Yorkshire in 1798. Her father Joseph died in York that year and was buried at Thorne. In 1804, her mother remarried John Smith at Wrawby. This explains the surname Smyth given on her son William's death certificate in 1902.
Catherine married William Foster Sergeant at Wrawby, near Brigg, in Lincolnshire in 1824. They named their first son, Joseph Gilderdale Sergeant and their eldest daughter Mary Goodwin Sergeant after her mother. They had 7 children when they emigrated to Adelaide from Gravesend in 1838, the youngest son dying after they had been at sea for 3 months, and the next youngest son also died 6 weeks after they arrived. By then, Catherine also had a second daughter Jane, who was born 9 days after they arrived.
They farmed on the Sturt River at Marion, not far from Adelaide, but in 1858, William died when he fell from his horse in South Terrace. Her eldest son, Joseph had died in 1851 and the next son, William had gone to Victoria.
Catherine died in 1884 and was buried with her husband at West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide.
Catherine married William Foster Sergeant at Wrawby, near Brigg, in Lincolnshire in 1824. They named their first son, Joseph Gilderdale Sergeant and their eldest daughter Mary Goodwin Sergeant after her mother. They had 7 children when they emigrated to Adelaide from Gravesend in 1838, the youngest son dying after they had been at sea for 3 months, and the next youngest son also died 6 weeks after they arrived. By then, Catherine also had a second daughter Jane, who was born 9 days after they arrived.
They farmed on the Sturt River at Marion, not far from Adelaide, but in 1858, William died when he fell from his horse in South Terrace. Her eldest son, Joseph had died in 1851 and the next son, William had gone to Victoria.
Catherine died in 1884 and was buried with her husband at West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide.
William Foster Sergeant 1800
William Foster Sergeant was born in 1801 at Brigg in Lincolnshire, the eldest son of John Sergeant and Jane Foster. He married Catherine Gilderdale in 1824 at Wrawby, near Brigg. Pigots Directory for Brigg in 1828-9 shows him as a Maltster at Scawby Brook. He is also listed as a tanner and fellmonger at that address.
Maltkiln House - photos taken in 1995
They had 7 children when they applied for a free passage to South Australia as an emigrant labourer in November 1837. The following month, they embarked on Canton, from Gravesend, arriving in Adelaide in May 1838. Their youngest son died after they had been at sea for 3 months and a second daughter was born 9 days after they arrived. Six weeks later, Henry, aged 4 died.
In 1840 William was listed as a cultivator in a log house on the Sturt River. He had a well and 12 acres, which had increased to 30 by 1843.
In 1851, their eldest son, Joseph died. The next son, William, went to Victoria and married there in 1858.
William died in October 1858 when he fell from his horse in South Terrace. He was buried at West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide. The farm gradually reduced in size and was sold in 1902.
Maltkiln House - photos taken in 1995
They had 7 children when they applied for a free passage to South Australia as an emigrant labourer in November 1837. The following month, they embarked on Canton, from Gravesend, arriving in Adelaide in May 1838. Their youngest son died after they had been at sea for 3 months and a second daughter was born 9 days after they arrived. Six weeks later, Henry, aged 4 died.
In 1840 William was listed as a cultivator in a log house on the Sturt River. He had a well and 12 acres, which had increased to 30 by 1843.
In 1851, their eldest son, Joseph died. The next son, William, went to Victoria and married there in 1858.
William died in October 1858 when he fell from his horse in South Terrace. He was buried at West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide. The farm gradually reduced in size and was sold in 1902.
Bridget McGuire
Bridget McGuire married William Foster Sergeant at St Mary's Catholic Church in Geelong in 1858. The marriage certificate could interpret the surname as McGune, but it is given as McGuire on her husband's death certificate and her daughter Catherine's marriage and death certificates. Her marriage certificate also gave her parents names as Anthony McGuire and Ann O'Brien and that she was born in County Clare, Ireland about 1833. She did not sign her name.
It is probable that she arrived in Victoria on James Brown which sailed from Liverpool in September 1852, arriving in Geelong in January 1853. She was engaged to work for Mr Ryan of Mooroobool Street for £20 for 3 months with rations.
Three daughters and a son were born at The Leigh (Shelford) then they moved to Rokewood where three more sons were born, but the eldest son and a daughter died aged 9 and 6 years old. They were farming there when their eldest daughter, Catherine, married in Melbourne in 1881. In 1889, their daughter Alice married at Shelford, but she also lived in Melbourne.
Bridget Mary Sergeant died at the Alfred Hospital in Prahran in 1894 aged 59 and was buried at St Kilda cemetery.
It is probable that she arrived in Victoria on James Brown which sailed from Liverpool in September 1852, arriving in Geelong in January 1853. She was engaged to work for Mr Ryan of Mooroobool Street for £20 for 3 months with rations.
Three daughters and a son were born at The Leigh (Shelford) then they moved to Rokewood where three more sons were born, but the eldest son and a daughter died aged 9 and 6 years old. They were farming there when their eldest daughter, Catherine, married in Melbourne in 1881. In 1889, their daughter Alice married at Shelford, but she also lived in Melbourne.
Bridget Mary Sergeant died at the Alfred Hospital in Prahran in 1894 aged 59 and was buried at St Kilda cemetery.
William Foster Sergeant 1826
William Foster Sergeant was born in Lincolnshire in 1826. His father, also William Foster Sergeant, emigrated with his wife and 7 children to Adelaide in 1838, where he established a successful farm on the Sturt river at Marion. The gold rush in Victoria may have attracted young William as he married Bridget McGuire at Geelong in 1858 when he was 33. Their first four children were born at The Leigh (Shelford), then three sons were born at Rokewood from 1868-1873. Two children died around that time. William was a farmer at Rokewood when his eldest daughter Catherine married in 1881. In 1889 his remaining daughter married at Shelford. Both daughters lived in Melbourne and his wife died in Prahran in 1894. William was living with his daughter Alice when he died in 1902 and was buried at St Kilda cemetery. His occupation was given as an old age pensioner and labourer.
Catherine Jane Sergeant
Catherine Jane Sergeant was born at The Leigh, near Geelong, in 1859. She was the eldest child of William Foster Sergeant, a labourer, and Bridget McGuire.
She was perhaps working as a servant in Melbourne when she married Luke Knight Vail in 1881.
They had eight children, with one son dying in infancy and the last one dying soon after her in 1899. Her mother-in-law who lived with them and continued to care for the children wrote on the family portrait - "she died to enable another child to be born" - although the death certificate says that she died of pneumonia and heart failure.
She was perhaps working as a servant in Melbourne when she married Luke Knight Vail in 1881.
They had eight children, with one son dying in infancy and the last one dying soon after her in 1899. Her mother-in-law who lived with them and continued to care for the children wrote on the family portrait - "she died to enable another child to be born" - although the death certificate says that she died of pneumonia and heart failure.
Luke Knight Vail 1858
Luke Knight Vail was born at Chapel Street, Prahran in 1858. A younger brother was born two years later, but died within the year, so Luke grew up as an only child. His father was a tailor who had come from London with his parents and four brothers. His mother had emigrated from Scotland or Ireland.
Luke married Catherine Jane Sergeant at his parents home in Chapel Street, according to the rites of the Baptist Church, in 1881. He was a tailor like his father, uncles and grandfather.
His father died in 1888 and ten years later his wife died after giving birth to their eighth child. After this Luke apparently left his family in the care of his ageing mother. We do not know if any of the family knew where he went but he died in Bathurst, New South Wales, in 1919. He had been working as a groom at the Sawmills Hotel there and had died of mitral stenosis and chronic nephritis.
One of his sons went to New South Wales. Malvern enlisted at Moore Park in Sydney in 1916 and married at Casino in 1917. However we do not know if he was in touch with his father.
Luke married Catherine Jane Sergeant at his parents home in Chapel Street, according to the rites of the Baptist Church, in 1881. He was a tailor like his father, uncles and grandfather.
His father died in 1888 and ten years later his wife died after giving birth to their eighth child. After this Luke apparently left his family in the care of his ageing mother. We do not know if any of the family knew where he went but he died in Bathurst, New South Wales, in 1919. He had been working as a groom at the Sawmills Hotel there and had died of mitral stenosis and chronic nephritis.
One of his sons went to New South Wales. Malvern enlisted at Moore Park in Sydney in 1916 and married at Casino in 1917. However we do not know if he was in touch with his father.
Robert Alexander Brede
Robert Alexander Brede was born in the City of London in 1797. He was baptised soon after at St Botolph, Aldersgate. His parents were George and Mary.
He married Cecelia Matthews at St Anne Soho, Westminster in London in 1819. They had about 5 children including one daughter. When she married in 1849, his address was Carthusian Street, where he is recorded in Kelly's Directory 1851 as publican of Sutton Arms PH. Robert was a vintner and died in 1850, aged nearly 63.
He married Cecelia Matthews at St Anne Soho, Westminster in London in 1819. They had about 5 children including one daughter. When she married in 1849, his address was Carthusian Street, where he is recorded in Kelly's Directory 1851 as publican of Sutton Arms PH. Robert was a vintner and died in 1850, aged nearly 63.
Cecilia Ann Brede
Cecelia Ann Brede was the eldest child and only daughter of a London vintner. She was named after her mother Cecilia Matthews, who came from Surrey. In 1849, she married Samuel Bouts at St Botolph Without, Aldersgate, London. They had six children, but in 1863, between February and June, the family was devastated by the deaths of Samuel, her older son, aged 9, and then Cecelia. They are buried in Abney Park cemetery. Her baby boy was only a year old and the children were perhaps cared for by her widowed mother, Cecelia, who died in 1880 at Mile End and is also buried at Abney Park.
The three surviving daughters were educated at Pinner, a school for orphans of travellers. Alice and Jessie emigrated to Melbourne in 1884, then Cecelia followed in about 1895. A cousin, Arthur Bouts emigrated to Adelaide in 1881 but we do not know if they kept in touch.
The three surviving daughters were educated at Pinner, a school for orphans of travellers. Alice and Jessie emigrated to Melbourne in 1884, then Cecelia followed in about 1895. A cousin, Arthur Bouts emigrated to Adelaide in 1881 but we do not know if they kept in touch.
Benjamin Benjamin
It is thought that Benjamin BENJAMIN, who died in 1837 aged 62 in Hobart Town, was the father of Henry Samuel BENJAMIN, whose tombstone reads -
There were other Benjamins in the small Jewish community in colonial Hobart Town but it is not known if or how they may have been related.
Here Reposeth Henry Samuel Benjamin
Who died on his passage to Melbourne on the
19th March and was interred amongst
his people 23rd July 5612 -1852
also Eve relict of Benjamin Benjamin
who departed to eternal life on Sunday
14th July age 68 years 5612 - 1852
also Montefiore Benjamin 1875-1938
also his wife Myra 1875-1953
It is not known when he and his wife Eve arrived in Van Diemen's Land, but Henry arrived from London with his wife and children in 1832. Passengers Mr and Mrs Benjamin arrived from London on the barque Derwent in February 1837.Who died on his passage to Melbourne on the
19th March and was interred amongst
his people 23rd July 5612 -1852
also Eve relict of Benjamin Benjamin
who departed to eternal life on Sunday
14th July age 68 years 5612 - 1852
also Montefiore Benjamin 1875-1938
also his wife Myra 1875-1953
There were other Benjamins in the small Jewish community in colonial Hobart Town but it is not known if or how they may have been related.
Judah Solomon
Judah SOLOMON was the son of Isaac SOLOMON, a London merchant, and his wife Rebecca. Judah was born about 1778 and married a widow, Esther ABRAHAMS, in January 1805 at Sheerness in Kent. They each brought about £100 to their marriage as dowry.
They had about ten children, with one expected, when Judah was convicted at the Kent Assizes in 1819, with his younger brother Joseph, for hiring burglers to repossess unpaid for goods at Sheerness. The prosecutor at the trial was Esther's former father-in-law, Abraham ABRAHAMS.
Judah was 49 years old when he was transported to Sydney on Prince Regent with his brother. They arrived in Hobart Town in March 1820 on Castle Forbes, and had started a shop at their residence in Argyle street by January 1821.
In 1822 Henry Davis, the colony's first free Jewish immigrant, brought a subscription from the Sheerness merchants to the Solomon brothers which accelerated their business successes and enabled the building of Temple House, which still stands today.
In 1823 they were among the 200 foundation subscribers to the Bank of VDL and becoming quite wealthy, although still convicts. Judah gained his Ticket-of-leave in 1823 and later claimed that he should have been pardoned by Colonel Sorell as far back as 1823-4, but for a debt which a Public Officer owed me.
It is strange that convicts could arrive and set up in business so quickly. My hypothesis is that Lt-Gov. Sorell did not get on with existing merchants such as Anthony Fenn Kemp and Richard Barker and encouraged the competition which the Jews provided under his control. It was a period of increasing economic development in the colony as free immigrants started to arrive, lured by free land grants and convict labour.
Judah had a son, Joseph, with his housekeeper, Elizabeth HOWELL, in 1826. Her sister had married Henry Davis [qv] in 1823.
In 1828, Judah's son Isacc arrived, and in 1829, his son Michael arrived with Henry SOLOMON.
In February 1832 Judah gained a conditional pardon and in December that year, his wife and three of his daughters arrived on Palamban.
Judah's brother, Joseph, had divorced his wife before leaving England and remarried in 1833, renouncing his Jewish faith, but Judah was unable to return to England to obtain a divorce from Esther unless he obtained a full pardon. Thus began a long correspondence as he sought it and she sought to deny it.
Judah and Joseph went separate ways with the latter in the north of Tasmania, while Judah continued his business at Temple House and donated land and money to build a synagogue which was completed in 1845.
Judah died from heart disease in 1856, Esther in 1861 aged 90 and Elizabeth Howell in 1864, aged 64.
His son Joseph was his sole executor, major beneficiary and trustee for his daughters, Sarah and Lydia. Joseph had married his cousin, daughter of Henry Davis and Hannah Howell, but they had no surviving children and Temple House was left for the use of his nephew Samuel Benjamin, youngest son of Lydia.
Temple House circa 1880
They had about ten children, with one expected, when Judah was convicted at the Kent Assizes in 1819, with his younger brother Joseph, for hiring burglers to repossess unpaid for goods at Sheerness. The prosecutor at the trial was Esther's former father-in-law, Abraham ABRAHAMS.
Judah was 49 years old when he was transported to Sydney on Prince Regent with his brother. They arrived in Hobart Town in March 1820 on Castle Forbes, and had started a shop at their residence in Argyle street by January 1821.
In 1822 Henry Davis, the colony's first free Jewish immigrant, brought a subscription from the Sheerness merchants to the Solomon brothers which accelerated their business successes and enabled the building of Temple House, which still stands today.
In 1823 they were among the 200 foundation subscribers to the Bank of VDL and becoming quite wealthy, although still convicts. Judah gained his Ticket-of-leave in 1823 and later claimed that he should have been pardoned by Colonel Sorell as far back as 1823-4, but for a debt which a Public Officer owed me.
It is strange that convicts could arrive and set up in business so quickly. My hypothesis is that Lt-Gov. Sorell did not get on with existing merchants such as Anthony Fenn Kemp and Richard Barker and encouraged the competition which the Jews provided under his control. It was a period of increasing economic development in the colony as free immigrants started to arrive, lured by free land grants and convict labour.
Judah had a son, Joseph, with his housekeeper, Elizabeth HOWELL, in 1826. Her sister had married Henry Davis [qv] in 1823.
In 1828, Judah's son Isacc arrived, and in 1829, his son Michael arrived with Henry SOLOMON.
In February 1832 Judah gained a conditional pardon and in December that year, his wife and three of his daughters arrived on Palamban.
Judah's brother, Joseph, had divorced his wife before leaving England and remarried in 1833, renouncing his Jewish faith, but Judah was unable to return to England to obtain a divorce from Esther unless he obtained a full pardon. Thus began a long correspondence as he sought it and she sought to deny it.
Judah and Joseph went separate ways with the latter in the north of Tasmania, while Judah continued his business at Temple House and donated land and money to build a synagogue which was completed in 1845.
Judah died from heart disease in 1856, Esther in 1861 aged 90 and Elizabeth Howell in 1864, aged 64.
His son Joseph was his sole executor, major beneficiary and trustee for his daughters, Sarah and Lydia. Joseph had married his cousin, daughter of Henry Davis and Hannah Howell, but they had no surviving children and Temple House was left for the use of his nephew Samuel Benjamin, youngest son of Lydia.
Temple House circa 1880
Esther Benjamin
Esther BENJAMIN was born in London in about May 1832. Her parents emigrated to Van Diemen's Land on Palamban in August that year with her brother Benjamin, grandmother Esther and two unmarried aunts. She had three more brothers born in the 1830s then a sister born in Hobart in 1843. Her father died in 1852.
In 1854 she married Abraham MYERS in Hobart. A Court case that the marriage was illegal was dismissed and may have related to the fact that he had been married with one child when convicted in London in 1844. They sailed for Sydney on Emma in April 1853.
Their first child, an un-named male, must have died at birth, but was noted on their daughter Fanny's birth certificate in 1864. They had four more sons, Joshua born in Sydney 1855, Henry in West Maitland [where her brother Morris settled] 1858, Benjamin in Melbourne 1862, and Abraham in Sydney in 1866.
They had returned to Hobart when they were married again in a Jewish ceremony at the house of Abraham Myers in October 1860. She registered as a single woman living with her mother.
Before 1861, her eldest son Joshua was taken to London by relatives and brought up by his uncle and aunt Michael Gabriel and Frances nee Myers, sister of Abraham. It would be interesting to know their circumstances at this time, as there is also a gap between the births of Henry in April 1858 and Ben in October 1862.
While living in Melbourne in 1864, Abraham was sentenced to 9 months in prison for fraudulent insolvency.
Her husband died in Sydney in 1866 not long after the last baby was born and Esther was listed in the Sydney Post Office Directories for 1867 and 1868 as a pawnbroker at South Head Road, then Riley Street.
In July 1869, Esther remarried in Melbourne to William Walter BERESFORD in a Registry Office. By 1871 the family was in London, living in Newington. William's name had changed to William Beresford WELLINGTON and he was working as a draper. Esther also had a 5 month old son, born in Walworth, Surrey. Her eldest son Joshua did not appear in the census.
By 1881, her husband was a commercial traveller and they were living in Camberwell, Surrey. The children had also changed their name to Wellington.
Her mother, step-father and older brother were also living in London, although her mother died there in 1880.
At least two of her sons returned to Australia to live in Melbourne and Sydney, and her youngest brother returned to Hobart.
Joshua was living in London in 1881 and 1891 but married in 1895 and was living in Jersey in 1901. He and his family went to Canada in 1906, then to the USA.
Her daughter Fanny married Emil Deutgen in London in 1895 but we have no further information on them.
Her son Abraham, later known as Alfred, married in London in 1891.
Esther died in London in 1913 and was buried in the family grave at Edmonton cemetery.
In 1854 she married Abraham MYERS in Hobart. A Court case that the marriage was illegal was dismissed and may have related to the fact that he had been married with one child when convicted in London in 1844. They sailed for Sydney on Emma in April 1853.
Their first child, an un-named male, must have died at birth, but was noted on their daughter Fanny's birth certificate in 1864. They had four more sons, Joshua born in Sydney 1855, Henry in West Maitland [where her brother Morris settled] 1858, Benjamin in Melbourne 1862, and Abraham in Sydney in 1866.
They had returned to Hobart when they were married again in a Jewish ceremony at the house of Abraham Myers in October 1860. She registered as a single woman living with her mother.
Before 1861, her eldest son Joshua was taken to London by relatives and brought up by his uncle and aunt Michael Gabriel and Frances nee Myers, sister of Abraham. It would be interesting to know their circumstances at this time, as there is also a gap between the births of Henry in April 1858 and Ben in October 1862.
While living in Melbourne in 1864, Abraham was sentenced to 9 months in prison for fraudulent insolvency.
Her husband died in Sydney in 1866 not long after the last baby was born and Esther was listed in the Sydney Post Office Directories for 1867 and 1868 as a pawnbroker at South Head Road, then Riley Street.
In July 1869, Esther remarried in Melbourne to William Walter BERESFORD in a Registry Office. By 1871 the family was in London, living in Newington. William's name had changed to William Beresford WELLINGTON and he was working as a draper. Esther also had a 5 month old son, born in Walworth, Surrey. Her eldest son Joshua did not appear in the census.
By 1881, her husband was a commercial traveller and they were living in Camberwell, Surrey. The children had also changed their name to Wellington.
Her mother, step-father and older brother were also living in London, although her mother died there in 1880.
At least two of her sons returned to Australia to live in Melbourne and Sydney, and her youngest brother returned to Hobart.
Joshua was living in London in 1881 and 1891 but married in 1895 and was living in Jersey in 1901. He and his family went to Canada in 1906, then to the USA.
Her daughter Fanny married Emil Deutgen in London in 1895 but we have no further information on them.
Her son Abraham, later known as Alfred, married in London in 1891.
Esther died in London in 1913 and was buried in the family grave at Edmonton cemetery.
Henry Samuel Benjamin
Henry Samuel BENJAMIN was born about 1809 in England. We are not sure who his parents were, but a Benjamin BENJAMIN aged 62 years died in Hobart Town in September 1837. I have him noted as Shmuel bar Binyamin [Samuel son of Benjamin?] but need to check the source of this.
Eve BENJAMIN relict of Benjamin BENJAMIN is included on Henry's tombstone so it is possible that they were his father and mother. It seems likely that this couple emigrated in the 1830's to join their son.
Henry's first son was named Benjamin and his second daughter Eve, the first daughter being named Esther after her maternal grandmother.
Henry was licensee of the York and Albany Inn at Oatlands in 1833 and 1834, but had problems with antisemitic sentiments there. In November 1834, the family sailed to Sydney on Gulnare but returned after about a year to be licensee of the Old Hamilton Inn from 1835 to 1839, before moving to Hobart.
They had three more sons by then and a second daughter was born in 1843.
Henry died in 1852 from rheumatism when he was 42, while travelling to Melbourne, aboard the Swordfish. He was buried on Swan Island off the north-eastern tip of Tasmania but was re-interred later that year in the Jewish cemetery in Hobart with Eve, relict of Benjamin.
He may have been known as Samuel rather than Henry as this name appears in some places.
Montefiore Benjamin was a grandson of Henry.
Eve BENJAMIN relict of Benjamin BENJAMIN is included on Henry's tombstone so it is possible that they were his father and mother. It seems likely that this couple emigrated in the 1830's to join their son.
Henry's first son was named Benjamin and his second daughter Eve, the first daughter being named Esther after her maternal grandmother.
Here Reposeth Henry Samuel Benjamin
Who died on his passage to Melbourne on the
19th March and was interred amongst
his people 23rd July 5612 -1852
also Eve relict of Benjamin Benjamin
who departed to eternal life on Sunday
14th July age 68 years 5612 - 1852
also Montefiore Benjamin 1875-1938
also his wife Myra 1875-1953
Henry married Lydia SOLOMON in England about 1829. They emigrated to Van Diemen's land with their two small children and Lydia's mother and two younger sisters in 1832 on Palamban.Who died on his passage to Melbourne on the
19th March and was interred amongst
his people 23rd July 5612 -1852
also Eve relict of Benjamin Benjamin
who departed to eternal life on Sunday
14th July age 68 years 5612 - 1852
also Montefiore Benjamin 1875-1938
also his wife Myra 1875-1953
Henry was licensee of the York and Albany Inn at Oatlands in 1833 and 1834, but had problems with antisemitic sentiments there. In November 1834, the family sailed to Sydney on Gulnare but returned after about a year to be licensee of the Old Hamilton Inn from 1835 to 1839, before moving to Hobart.
They had three more sons by then and a second daughter was born in 1843.
Henry died in 1852 from rheumatism when he was 42, while travelling to Melbourne, aboard the Swordfish. He was buried on Swan Island off the north-eastern tip of Tasmania but was re-interred later that year in the Jewish cemetery in Hobart with Eve, relict of Benjamin.
He may have been known as Samuel rather than Henry as this name appears in some places.
Montefiore Benjamin was a grandson of Henry.
Abraham Myers
Abraham MYERS was born in London about 1814-16. According to his death certificate, his father was Joshua MYERS, a glass cutter, and his mother was Fanny MOSES. He had a brother and two sisters.
In February 1842 and March 1843, Abraham Myers, Lodging housekeeper, was in the Debtors' Prison for London and Middlesex. He had been at various addresses, also as keeper of a wine room and part Proprietor of a Clubhouse.
Abraham MYERS, a literate glass cutter age 30, was married with one child when he was convicted for stabbing with intent Robert Clazard after quarrelling in a public house in London in 1844. It was a first offence [although another report says "" The prisoner is not unknown to this court. He was charged a short time ago with having broken into the wine-rooms in Windmill Street on the plea that he was the rightful proprietor, & with also having threatened the life of the person in possession of the premises."].
He was sentenced to fifteen years and transported to Norfolk Island on David Malcolm in 1845. In 1847 he was transferred to Van Diemen's Land and received a Ticket of Leave in March 1852. His conditional Pardon was approved in February 1854.
The Colonial Times of 11 April 1854 reported a Court Case relating to the Marriage Act Offences by Moses King for celebrating a marriage between Abraham MYERS and Esther BENJAMIN at her mother's house. The case was dismissed and Mr and Mrs Myers were among the passengers who sailed for Sydney on Emma on the 11th April.
Their first son, an un-named male, must have died at birth. He is noted on their daughter's birth certificate in 1864. The next son, Joshua, was born in Sydney in November 1855. They had moved to Maitland in New South Wales when the next son, Henry, was born in April 1858, then to Melbourne where a daughter and son were born in 1862 and 1864.
Abraham ran into trouble in Melbourne and was sentenced to 9 months in prison for fraudulent insolvency. He was in poor health at the time, walking with the aid of sticks.
They were back in Sydney by 1866 when their last son was born shortly before Abraham died at his home in South Head Road in November. He was buried in the Jewish burial ground in Devonshire Street which is now the site of Central Railway.
Why did Abraham allow his eldest son to be taken to England by 1861? Perhaps his sister and her wealthy husband offered to take him in exchange for financial assistance? Abraham seems to have struggled as a businessman.
Abraham's convict record described him as 5'2" tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair, medium nose and mouth and small chin, and freckled.
In February 1842 and March 1843, Abraham Myers, Lodging housekeeper, was in the Debtors' Prison for London and Middlesex. He had been at various addresses, also as keeper of a wine room and part Proprietor of a Clubhouse.
Abraham MYERS, a literate glass cutter age 30, was married with one child when he was convicted for stabbing with intent Robert Clazard after quarrelling in a public house in London in 1844. It was a first offence [although another report says "" The prisoner is not unknown to this court. He was charged a short time ago with having broken into the wine-rooms in Windmill Street on the plea that he was the rightful proprietor, & with also having threatened the life of the person in possession of the premises."].
He was sentenced to fifteen years and transported to Norfolk Island on David Malcolm in 1845. In 1847 he was transferred to Van Diemen's Land and received a Ticket of Leave in March 1852. His conditional Pardon was approved in February 1854.
The Colonial Times of 11 April 1854 reported a Court Case relating to the Marriage Act Offences by Moses King for celebrating a marriage between Abraham MYERS and Esther BENJAMIN at her mother's house. The case was dismissed and Mr and Mrs Myers were among the passengers who sailed for Sydney on Emma on the 11th April.
Their first son, an un-named male, must have died at birth. He is noted on their daughter's birth certificate in 1864. The next son, Joshua, was born in Sydney in November 1855. They had moved to Maitland in New South Wales when the next son, Henry, was born in April 1858, then to Melbourne where a daughter and son were born in 1862 and 1864.
Abraham ran into trouble in Melbourne and was sentenced to 9 months in prison for fraudulent insolvency. He was in poor health at the time, walking with the aid of sticks.
They were back in Sydney by 1866 when their last son was born shortly before Abraham died at his home in South Head Road in November. He was buried in the Jewish burial ground in Devonshire Street which is now the site of Central Railway.
Why did Abraham allow his eldest son to be taken to England by 1861? Perhaps his sister and her wealthy husband offered to take him in exchange for financial assistance? Abraham seems to have struggled as a businessman.
Abraham's convict record described him as 5'2" tall, with fair complexion, grey eyes and brown hair, medium nose and mouth and small chin, and freckled.
Henry Samuel Wellington
My mother's grandfather, Henry Samuel WELLINGTON, was a bit of a mystery for many years. His marriage certificate and eldest son's birth certificate said he was born in 1858 at West Maitland in New South Wales but his grand-daughters thought he was English. We could not find a birth registration for him in Australia. Then we were contacted with the fascinating news that he had indeed been born at West Maitland, had moved to London, changed his surname and religion, then returned to Melbourne as a young adult.
His parents were Abraham MYERS and Esther BENJAMIN and he was their second surviving son. He had a sister, three brothers and a step-brother. His father in Sydney died when he was 8 years old and his mother remarried in Melbourne in 1869, shortly before they left for England on Swiftsure.In the 1871 census, Henry was a Solicitor's Clerk, living with his family in Newington. His step-father was a draper. His older brother was not present. Henry was not found in the 1881 census. His younger brother Ben appears as Beresford WELLINGTON age 20 working as a draper's assistant in Sheffield.
There is a Henry Wellington listed among the passengers arriving in Melbourne aboard Lusitania in 1883. His death certificate in April 1947 states that he was born in England and had been in Victoria for 63 years.
Henry married Jessie Rose Bouts on Christmas Day 1884 at the Registry Office in South Yarra. She had arrived in Melbourne in three months earlier with her sister. We do not know whether they had known each other in London, but they all worked in the drapery business. They were both living at the same boarding house in Toorak when they married.
Henry was a warehouseman at Paterson, Laing and Bruce in Flinders Lane.
They had five sons who all attended Caulfield Grammar School and they attended the Anglican Church.
Henry maintained contact with his brother Ben who lived in Sydney.
He retired around 1933 and Jessie died in 1941 age 83. Henry was living at 31 Kooyong Road, Armadale, when he died at 90 years of age in 1947.
His parents were Abraham MYERS and Esther BENJAMIN and he was their second surviving son. He had a sister, three brothers and a step-brother. His father in Sydney died when he was 8 years old and his mother remarried in Melbourne in 1869, shortly before they left for England on Swiftsure.In the 1871 census, Henry was a Solicitor's Clerk, living with his family in Newington. His step-father was a draper. His older brother was not present. Henry was not found in the 1881 census. His younger brother Ben appears as Beresford WELLINGTON age 20 working as a draper's assistant in Sheffield.
There is a Henry Wellington listed among the passengers arriving in Melbourne aboard Lusitania in 1883. His death certificate in April 1947 states that he was born in England and had been in Victoria for 63 years.
Henry married Jessie Rose Bouts on Christmas Day 1884 at the Registry Office in South Yarra. She had arrived in Melbourne in three months earlier with her sister. We do not know whether they had known each other in London, but they all worked in the drapery business. They were both living at the same boarding house in Toorak when they married.
Henry was a warehouseman at Paterson, Laing and Bruce in Flinders Lane.
They had five sons who all attended Caulfield Grammar School and they attended the Anglican Church.
He retired around 1933 and Jessie died in 1941 age 83. Henry was living at 31 Kooyong Road, Armadale, when he died at 90 years of age in 1947.
Elizabeth Alice Knight Vail
Elizabeth Alice Knight Vail was the eldest child of Luke Knight Vail, a tailor, and Catherine Jane Sergeant. She was born in 1882 at 127 Chapel Street, South Yarra. The family later lived above their tailor shop in Glenferrie road, Malvern. In 1899, her mother died and her father disappeared, leaving Elizabeth and her grandmother to care for the family.
Elizabeth trained to be a teacher and was engaged for 5 years before she married Frank Wellington at St Georges in Glenferrie Road in June 1912. By this time her younger sister, Amy was 21.Elizabeth and Frank lived in Armadale, raising four children. They were closely associated with the Holy Advent Church in Armadale, the girls going to Lauriston school in Malvern and the boys to Caulfield Grammar.
Elizabeth was on the Lauriston School council and also supported Invergowrie where her younger daughter later studied. In 1940 they moved to Camberwell and became active in St John's church on Burke road. For the next 15 years, Elizabeth was the Commonwealth Literature Secretary of the Mothers Union, an Anglican church group.
They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1962 and had a trip to New Zealand to visit their son, Keith and his family. Frank died in 1963.Elizabeth moved into a small semidetached unit in Malvern and died in 1968.
Frank Wellington
Frank Wellington was born in Melbourne in 1885. He was the eldest of five sons of Henry and Jessie Wellington, who married at South Yarra ten months earlier. Frank and his brothers attended Caulfield Grammar School where they did very well. He joined the AMP Insurance Company where he worked for 46 years. In 1912, after an engagement lasting 5 years and having saved £50, he married Elizabeth Alice Knight Vail at St Georges Church Malvern. They lived at 3 Alleyne Avenue in Armadale where their first daughter was born in 1913. Two sons and another daughter followed by 1919. Frank was very involved with the Holy Advent Church of England in Armadale where he was on the vestry for 20 years and secretary and treasurer of the church. He also helped form the first Parent's Association at Caulfield Grammar, supported Invergowrie, the Retired Officer's Association of the AMP and the Caulfield Grammarians Lodge.In 1940 they moved to 10 Marlborough Avenue in Camberwell where they continued to be active in St John's Church in Burke Road, Frank being their auditor.
Like his father, Frank was a good handyman, making furniture with some wood carving.
Frank and Elizabeth celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1962 and also had a trip to New Zealand to visit their son Keith and his family in Auckland. Frank died suddenly at home in March 1963 and was cremated at Springvale. "A life of service cheerfully given."
Rev. Andrew Mitchell
Reverend Andrew Mitchell and his wife Janet Alice ? [born 1743] were married in Beith Ayrshire in February 1766.
He was trained by the Reverend Alexander Moncrieff in the Divinity Hall at Abernethy in Perthshire. Andrew Mitchell was appointed in 1793 as the Anti Burgher Minister at Beith in Ayrshire and Alexander Moncrieff was one of four Seceders who broke away from the Church of Scotland and formed the Anti Burgher Church. His youngest daughter Jean, [of seven children that we know of] was born in 1786 at Beith.
He was trained by the Reverend Alexander Moncrieff in the Divinity Hall at Abernethy in Perthshire. Andrew Mitchell was appointed in 1793 as the Anti Burgher Minister at Beith in Ayrshire and Alexander Moncrieff was one of four Seceders who broke away from the Church of Scotland and formed the Anti Burgher Church. His youngest daughter Jean, [of seven children that we know of] was born in 1786 at Beith.
Jean Mitchell
Jean Mitchell was born in April 1786 at Beith in Ayrshire. She was the youngest of perhaps seven children. Her father Andrew Mitchell was an anti-burgher minister in Beith. She married Thomas Millar in Glasgow in 1809. She had five daughters and two sons. She was called Jane on her daughter's death certificate in 1881.
Thomas Millar
Thomas Millar was born in 1783, the son of William Millar, a grain merchant, and Margaret Hart. He was a flour miller at Garscube Mills at New Kilpatrick near Glasgow when he married Jean Mitchell in 1809. They had five daughters and two sons. Thomas died in 1849.
Thomas Hart
Thomas Hart was born in 1774, the eldest son of Thomas Hart, merchant of Leith, and Isobel Nimmo.
He married Janet Johnston Kirkwood in Greenock in 1798.
They had about 12 children, our ancestor Robert being the seventh and third son.
At the time of his death (1832) he was described as manager and treasurer of the Cranstonhill Water Company Glasgow, thereafter residing in Glasgow. In an inventory of his moveable estate, his son Robert Hart was a paper manufacturer near Denny.
He married Janet Johnston Kirkwood in Greenock in 1798.
They had about 12 children, our ancestor Robert being the seventh and third son.
At the time of his death (1832) he was described as manager and treasurer of the Cranstonhill Water Company Glasgow, thereafter residing in Glasgow. In an inventory of his moveable estate, his son Robert Hart was a paper manufacturer near Denny.
Robert Hart
Robert Hart was born in 1809 at Leith in Scotland, a son of Thomas Hart, a grain merchant, and Janet Johnston Kirkwood.
At the time of his father's death in 1832, he was a paper manufacturer near Denny.
Pigot's Directory lists Robert Hart, paper maker of Glasgow at South Woodside Mill in 1837.
He was a papermaker at Crossbank in Glasgow when he married Janet Alice Millar, whose father was a flour miller, in 1838.
They had nine children; four daughters and five sons, three of whom, born 1844-1847 were not baptised until 1853. This may have been related to the split in the Presbyterian Church around this time. The Harts appear to have been keen followers of the Free Church. Robert was a papermaker living in Parkburn when they were baptised at Kilsyth in 1853. Their second child, Jessie, died in 1849, aged 8 years.
Robert, a retired ironfounder aged 66, was living at 4 Cecil Street, Paisley Road, Govan when he died in 1876.
His career appears to be an interesting example of the progress of the industrial revolution in machinery from milling to ship building.
At the time of his father's death in 1832, he was a paper manufacturer near Denny.
Pigot's Directory lists Robert Hart, paper maker of Glasgow at South Woodside Mill in 1837.
He was a papermaker at Crossbank in Glasgow when he married Janet Alice Millar, whose father was a flour miller, in 1838.
They had nine children; four daughters and five sons, three of whom, born 1844-1847 were not baptised until 1853. This may have been related to the split in the Presbyterian Church around this time. The Harts appear to have been keen followers of the Free Church. Robert was a papermaker living in Parkburn when they were baptised at Kilsyth in 1853. Their second child, Jessie, died in 1849, aged 8 years.
Robert, a retired ironfounder aged 66, was living at 4 Cecil Street, Paisley Road, Govan when he died in 1876.
His career appears to be an interesting example of the progress of the industrial revolution in machinery from milling to ship building.
Janet Laurie
Janet Laurie was the eldest daughter of William Laurie and Mary Steele of Greenock. She was born in 1779 and had three brothers and three sisters that we know of. Janet married John Heron, a watchmaker in Greenock, in 1795 and they had eleven or twelve children. Her husband died at Greenock in 1837 and Janet died in Glasgow in 1844. [Greenock Advertiser 3.12.1844]
John Heron
John Heron was the second son of James Heron and Mary Ninian. He was christened at Ayr in Scotland in 1772. He had four brothers and three sisters. He became a watchmaker in Greenock, where his older brother had been christened in 1768 and married Janet Laurie there in 1795. His eldest daughter Mary was our ancestor. We saw an exhibition of John Heron's silverware in the gallery in Greenock in 2004, but unfortunately we have not yet found any surviving among family members. I have also heard from the owner of a marine chronometer made by him.
John Heron died at Greenock in 1837, age 64 [Greenock Advertiser 2.1.1837]
Mary Smith
According to her son, Mary Smith was born in Kerry in Argylshire, Scotland around 1766. We know nothing of her father or mother, but her brother John commanded merchant ships out of London and died when his ship, a privateer called Swift caught fire in Kingston, Jamaica. He was unmarried. Her sister Janet married a skipper, Andrew McFarlane in May 1786 at Greenock.
Two years later, in December 1788, Mary married John Steel in Greenock.
They had two sons, John and James, both born in Greenock. John was born in 1789 but died of the pox when he was 20 months old. James was born in 1792.
Mary also brought up her dead sister's son John McFarlane, who was 3-4 years older than James. She may have done this on her own as her husband was press-ganged into the navy from a merchant vessel in the West Indies in 1793-4 and was away for nine years.
When he returned he was master of a sloop in the coastal trade and herring fishing for ten years before becoming ill. He died at Greenock in 1817.
Meanwhile Mary had educated her son and John McFarlane and they both went to work in the Customs House at Greenock.
We do not know if Mary remained in Greenock when her son James married and moved to Glasgow in 1825. She died in 1836 and was buried with her husband in the Inverkip Street cemetery in Greenock.
Two years later, in December 1788, Mary married John Steel in Greenock.
They had two sons, John and James, both born in Greenock. John was born in 1789 but died of the pox when he was 20 months old. James was born in 1792.
Mary also brought up her dead sister's son John McFarlane, who was 3-4 years older than James. She may have done this on her own as her husband was press-ganged into the navy from a merchant vessel in the West Indies in 1793-4 and was away for nine years.
When he returned he was master of a sloop in the coastal trade and herring fishing for ten years before becoming ill. He died at Greenock in 1817.
Meanwhile Mary had educated her son and John McFarlane and they both went to work in the Customs House at Greenock.
We do not know if Mary remained in Greenock when her son James married and moved to Glasgow in 1825. She died in 1836 and was buried with her husband in the Inverkip Street cemetery in Greenock.
Mary Heron
Mary Heron was the eldest daughter of John Heron, a watchmaker and silversmith in Greenock and Janet Laurie. She was born in 1798 and had 7 brothers and 4 sisters. She married James Steel, who had also grown up in Greenock, in 1825, when he moved to Glasgow with the Clyde Shipping Company. They lived in York Street near the Broomielaw docks and raised 8 sons, although one died in 1854 aged 21. Two sons joined their father in a lighterage and towage company, while three went to India and two to Australia. Mary's husband died in 1858 and she died of heart disease in 1871, soon after her son Thomas returned to Glasgow to marry. They are buried at the Necropolis in Glasgow.
 |
| Mary with sons, John, Octavius, Thomas and Robert - Jan 1871 |
John Steel
According to his son, John Steel was born in South Uist in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland around 1766. We do not know anything of his parents but one of his brothers, Donald Steel, went to Prince Edward Island in the Gulf of St Lawrence around 1805.
He became a cooper/mariner and married Mary Smith at Greenock on the Firth of Clyde, in 1788. They had two sons, the first dying of the pox when he was 20 months old, then James, born in 1792.
A year or two later, John Steel was impressed into Nelson's navy from a merchant vessel in the West Indies. He served in the Culloden and was at many naval actions including the Battle of the Nile, The Battle of Cape St Vincent and the landing at Teneriffe, where Nelson lost his arm. It seems likely that he was also in Naples when Nelson was wooing Lady Hamilton.
After nine years, he came home after the Peace and was employed as Master of a sloop in the coasting trade and herring fishing for ten years with a share in the sloop. But he became ill for about 4 years and died in Greenock in 1817. He was buried in Inverkip Street cemetery where his monument Lair No. 71 can be found on the north wall. Ivy is threatening to cover it these days, so please take some time to remove it if you are visiting.
He became a cooper/mariner and married Mary Smith at Greenock on the Firth of Clyde, in 1788. They had two sons, the first dying of the pox when he was 20 months old, then James, born in 1792.
A year or two later, John Steel was impressed into Nelson's navy from a merchant vessel in the West Indies. He served in the Culloden and was at many naval actions including the Battle of the Nile, The Battle of Cape St Vincent and the landing at Teneriffe, where Nelson lost his arm. It seems likely that he was also in Naples when Nelson was wooing Lady Hamilton.
After nine years, he came home after the Peace and was employed as Master of a sloop in the coasting trade and herring fishing for ten years with a share in the sloop. But he became ill for about 4 years and died in Greenock in 1817. He was buried in Inverkip Street cemetery where his monument Lair No. 71 can be found on the north wall. Ivy is threatening to cover it these days, so please take some time to remove it if you are visiting.
James Steel
James Steel was the second son of John Steel and Mary Smith. He was born in 1792 at Greenock, a year or two after his infant brother had died of the pox. When he was only one or two years old, his father was press-ganged into the navy from a merchant vessel in Jamaica. He did not return for nine years. Meanwhile, James was educated at Mr Martin and Mr Buchanan's schools.
He grew up with his cousin John McFarlane, whose mother had died, and was sent to work with him at the Customs House in Greenock when he was 13 years old. After a year there, he was with Duncan Ferguson and Co for 8 years, Robert Macfie & sons for a year, then 4 years with John Rankin before joining The Clyde Shipping Company as their agent at Greenock.
In 1825 he was promoted to Lighter Manager at Glasgow with a salary of £200 a year and he married Mary Heron, the eldest daughter of John Heron, a watchmaker and jeweller in Greenock. They lived at 46 York Street, just up from the Broomielaw wharf in Glasgow and had eight sons.
James left the Clyde Shipping Company in 1851, buying their lighters and forming the Glasgow and Greenock Shipping Company. In 1856 he took his eldest and third sons, John and Robert, into partnership, trading under the name of James Steel and Sons in the lighterage trade between Glasgow and Greenock.
James died in 1858 from cancer of the stomach. The firm moved into tugs and became Steel and Bennie in 1877. It was eventually sold in 1970.
He grew up with his cousin John McFarlane, whose mother had died, and was sent to work with him at the Customs House in Greenock when he was 13 years old. After a year there, he was with Duncan Ferguson and Co for 8 years, Robert Macfie & sons for a year, then 4 years with John Rankin before joining The Clyde Shipping Company as their agent at Greenock.
In 1825 he was promoted to Lighter Manager at Glasgow with a salary of £200 a year and he married Mary Heron, the eldest daughter of John Heron, a watchmaker and jeweller in Greenock. They lived at 46 York Street, just up from the Broomielaw wharf in Glasgow and had eight sons.
James left the Clyde Shipping Company in 1851, buying their lighters and forming the Glasgow and Greenock Shipping Company. In 1856 he took his eldest and third sons, John and Robert, into partnership, trading under the name of James Steel and Sons in the lighterage trade between Glasgow and Greenock.
James died in 1858 from cancer of the stomach. The firm moved into tugs and became Steel and Bennie in 1877. It was eventually sold in 1970.
John Davies
John Davies was born in 1769 in Caermarthenshire, Wales. His father was a respectable farmer. He joined the Church of the Calvinistic Methodists in 1786 and studied at Trevecca College in Wales. In 1792, the ministers from Trevecca moved to Cheshunt in Essex, where he continued until 1795.
Soon after he finished his studies, John married Dorothy Anna Maria Schoen. They had six children, the eldest being born at Handsworth in Staffordshire.
After a period at Tetbury in Gloucestershire, where their youngest child Ebenezer was born in 1808, John became minister at Whitstable in Kent, then later he moved to Reading. He became minister of Bracknell congregational Church in Berkshire iuntil 1844. In the 1841 census hw was living in Warfield with his wife and eldest daughter. His younger son and his wife were also present. He was still living at Warfield in 1851 with his daughter, his wife having died in 1846.
Rev. John Davies died at Bracknell in 1861 aged 91.
Soon after he finished his studies, John married Dorothy Anna Maria Schoen. They had six children, the eldest being born at Handsworth in Staffordshire.
After a period at Tetbury in Gloucestershire, where their youngest child Ebenezer was born in 1808, John became minister at Whitstable in Kent, then later he moved to Reading. He became minister of Bracknell congregational Church in Berkshire iuntil 1844. In the 1841 census hw was living in Warfield with his wife and eldest daughter. His younger son and his wife were also present. He was still living at Warfield in 1851 with his daughter, his wife having died in 1846.
Rev. John Davies died at Bracknell in 1861 aged 91.
Ruth Bartlett
Ruth Bartlett was born in 1812 at St Andrew, Holborn, in London, the youngest daughter of Mark and Elizabeth Bartlett. She married Ebenezer Davies at St Clement Danes, Westminster, in 1831. They had 11 children, the youngest daughter dying at 5 weeks of age in 1849 shortly before they migrated to Victoria in a group of selected Presbyterians. The Travancore arrived in Geelong in November of that year. She had two more sons born in Geelong but she and her youngest died following the final birth. She was 41 years old. She was buried at Eastern cemetery in Geelong.
-->
-->
Emily Frances Scales
Emily Frances Scales was the second daughter of Rev. Alfred Scales and Sarah Angus Dickinson. She was born at Alston in Cumbria in 1846. Her parents emigrated to Victoria in 1853 with five children. After her baby brother and her elder sister died, her mother left the ship in Cape Town with the remaining children. They arrived in Melbourne the following year, another brother having died in South Africa. Settling in Geelong, she became older sister, by 12 years, to four more girls.
Emily married John Mark Davies in 1865 and moved to Melbourne where they lived through the boom years of Marvellous Melbourne, into the crash of the 90s. She had fifteen children, the first four dying soon after birth, then a daughter drowned and a son lost, and another killed in France in WW1.
She became Lady Davies when her husband was knighted in 1918. He died in 1919. Emily died at her home Valentines in Wattletree Road in 1932, aged 86 years.
Emily married John Mark Davies in 1865 and moved to Melbourne where they lived through the boom years of Marvellous Melbourne, into the crash of the 90s. She had fifteen children, the first four dying soon after birth, then a daughter drowned and a son lost, and another killed in France in WW1.
She became Lady Davies when her husband was knighted in 1918. He died in 1919. Emily died at her home Valentines in Wattletree Road in 1932, aged 86 years.
Ebenezer Davies
Ebenezer Davies was born in 1808 at Tetbury Gloucestershire, England. He had little education and left home at an early age because his parents could not support him. He was employed in general trading in London when he married Ruth Bartlett in 1831 and later acquired a straw hat manufactory at Halstead, in Essex. In 1849 he emigrated with his wife and nine children to Geelong in Victoria where he owned a tannery.
His wife died in childbirth in 1853.
He remarried in 1857 to Jane Vines and had five more children, however only 2 of them survived infancy.
Ebenezer moved to Melbourne in old age and is buried at St Kilda cemetery.
John Mark Davies
John Mark Davies was born at Halstead in Essex in 1840, the second son and fifth child of Ebenezer Davies and Ruth Bartlett. The family, with nine surviving children emigrated to Victoria where they settled in Geelong.
John joined a solicitor's office in 1852 and was articled for six years. He was admitted to the Supreme Court as a solicitor and proctor in 1863 and moved to Melbourne as representative of his firm. He became engaged to Emily Frances Scales from Geelong a year later and they married in December 1865.
Initially they lived in a 5 room brick house near the railway station in Toorak Road, buying 11 acres of land in 1872 and building a 17 room house.
In 1873 he went into partnership with James Maitland Campbell, son of Rev. AJ Campbell of Geelong. At this time the Toorak Presbyterian Church was also built and he was part of the Board of Management for 20 years until after they moved to East Malvern where he built his Italian Renaissance style mansion on 25 acres.
He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1889 serving in various senior roles.
The family, with 5 children still living at home, moved to a smaller house on Wattletree Road in 1912. and Valentines mansion was subdivided and sold.
He was appointed KCMG in January 1918 and resigned from the Legislative Council in June 1919, following a stroke. He died three months later and was given a State funeral. Although buried at St Kilda cemetery, there is no headstone.
Australian Dictionary of Biography
John joined a solicitor's office in 1852 and was articled for six years. He was admitted to the Supreme Court as a solicitor and proctor in 1863 and moved to Melbourne as representative of his firm. He became engaged to Emily Frances Scales from Geelong a year later and they married in December 1865.
Initially they lived in a 5 room brick house near the railway station in Toorak Road, buying 11 acres of land in 1872 and building a 17 room house.
In 1873 he went into partnership with James Maitland Campbell, son of Rev. AJ Campbell of Geelong. At this time the Toorak Presbyterian Church was also built and he was part of the Board of Management for 20 years until after they moved to East Malvern where he built his Italian Renaissance style mansion on 25 acres.
He was elected to the Legislative Council in 1889 serving in various senior roles.
The family, with 5 children still living at home, moved to a smaller house on Wattletree Road in 1912. and Valentines mansion was subdivided and sold.
He was appointed KCMG in January 1918 and resigned from the Legislative Council in June 1919, following a stroke. He died three months later and was given a State funeral. Although buried at St Kilda cemetery, there is no headstone.
Australian Dictionary of Biography
Marion Ethel Davies
Marion Ethel Davies was born at Irving Road, Toorak [Melbourne] in 1875. She was the fourth child and second daughter of eleven children born to John Mark Davies and Emily Frances Scales. She attended Cornelia Ladies College along with her sister Lil. From about 1880 the family lived in a new 16 room house in Kooyong Road, which was sold in 1891, when they moved to their recently completed mansion in East Malvern. This was the end of the Land Boom and the family had been heavily involved. With most of the mansion locked up, they lived in part of it and the sisters worked to maintain it.
In 1911, Marion married David Steel whose family had also attended the Toorak Presbyterian Church, and the Steel and Davies boys had been at Toorak College together. The following year, she gave birth to twin boys, then three more sons and a daughter arrived by 1919.
During the first World War, they lived at Brunswick, moving to 88 Stanhope Street in Malvern until 1923 when they moved to a larger house at 121 Stanhope Street until 1935. They then moved to 6 Nott Street, Malvern, a few doors from his brother Will, and always not far from the Davies sisters.
Five of Marion's six children served overseas in the second World War and she wrote regularly to all of them. Her eldest, John, who had gone farming with his brother David, was part of the ill-fated 8th Division which was sent to Java in February 1942 and were sent to the Burma railway. Marion was probably one of the mothers, wives and girlfriends who met each week to provide mutual support in the absence of news. Although John survived the worst of the railway construction in 1943, he succumbed to the deprivations in Thailand in October 1944 although his family did not learn of this until the end of the war a year later.
In the 1950s, Marion became blind following unsuccessful operations for cataracts. She wrote regularly to her daughter Mary in England using a hat elastic writing aid to keep her lines on track and taught herself Braille to continue her love of reading. Her husband died in 1961 and she continued in her home with a live-in companion until about a year before she died, when she moved to a nursing home nearby. She died in 1966, just short of her 91st birthday, survived by four sons, a daughter, and ten grandchildren.
In 1911, Marion married David Steel whose family had also attended the Toorak Presbyterian Church, and the Steel and Davies boys had been at Toorak College together. The following year, she gave birth to twin boys, then three more sons and a daughter arrived by 1919.
During the first World War, they lived at Brunswick, moving to 88 Stanhope Street in Malvern until 1923 when they moved to a larger house at 121 Stanhope Street until 1935. They then moved to 6 Nott Street, Malvern, a few doors from his brother Will, and always not far from the Davies sisters.
Five of Marion's six children served overseas in the second World War and she wrote regularly to all of them. Her eldest, John, who had gone farming with his brother David, was part of the ill-fated 8th Division which was sent to Java in February 1942 and were sent to the Burma railway. Marion was probably one of the mothers, wives and girlfriends who met each week to provide mutual support in the absence of news. Although John survived the worst of the railway construction in 1943, he succumbed to the deprivations in Thailand in October 1944 although his family did not learn of this until the end of the war a year later.
In the 1950s, Marion became blind following unsuccessful operations for cataracts. She wrote regularly to her daughter Mary in England using a hat elastic writing aid to keep her lines on track and taught herself Braille to continue her love of reading. Her husband died in 1961 and she continued in her home with a live-in companion until about a year before she died, when she moved to a nursing home nearby. She died in 1966, just short of her 91st birthday, survived by four sons, a daughter, and ten grandchildren.
David Steel
David Steel was born in Horsham, Victoria, in 1876. His father was a doctor from Glasgow. He was the third son, and fourth of nine children. The family moved to Melbourne around 1880 and he attended Toorak College. In 1893, his father died suddenly and he was sent to India to his uncle's company to learn the tea trade. He and his younger brother Tyke traded as Steel Brothers Tea merchants in Melbourne although Tyke then left to go farming.
In 1911 David married Marion Davies, whose family had long been associated through school and church. They had five sons; two of whom became doctors and three went farming, and a daughter.
David was a dedicated elder of the Armadale Presbyterian Church. He died in 1961 in his 85th year.
In 1911 David married Marion Davies, whose family had long been associated through school and church. They had five sons; two of whom became doctors and three went farming, and a daughter.
David was a dedicated elder of the Armadale Presbyterian Church. He died in 1961 in his 85th year.
Dorothy Nancy Wellington
Dorothy Nancy WELLINGTON was born in Melbourne in 1913. She was the eldest child of Frank WELLINGTON and Elizabeth VAIL. Married Thomas Heron Steel. They had one son and two daughters. Dorothy Steel (Wellington) 1913-2003
Dorothy Steel passed away two days before Christmas after a long and fruitful life, at the age of 90 years. She attended Lauriston for all of her schooling, matriculating and going on to complete a Science degree at Melbourne University. As well as being an academic achiever at school, she was a keen hockey player, continuing this sport through her University days. A proud Lauristonian, Dorothy was the first captain of Mitchell House in 1930.
Although Physics was not taught at Lauriston at the time, Dorothy, ever determined, took up this subject at University and graduated in 1935 with a Physics major. She went on to work at Royal Melbourne Hospital with Dr. Kaye Scott in the new field of radiotherapy. Her job involved designing the dose rates and placement of radiation treatment in what were then pioneering days of X-ray technology. By all accounts she was the first full-time physicist employed in a hospital in Australia.
In 1942 Dorothy married Tom Steel, a medico and first cousin of Gladys Davies. She continued with her radiotherapy work while Tom was away at the war; then after a year living in London where Tom was studying on a Nuffield Scholarship, they settled back in Melbourne and family life became the focus. Their two daughters Elizabeth Taverner (1965) and Margaret Coventry (1967) both attended Lauriston as did their niece Margaret Henderson (1969).
Throughout the years of raising a family Dorothy was very involved in various community and charity works. She spent many years committed to the management and development of the Berry Street Babies’ Home, being president of the Building Committee during a time of major change. She served on the Lauriston School Council and was always active in the Old Lauristonians’ Association, hosting many ‘Old Girls’ meetings at her home. She loved this school and maintained contact with her old school friends throughout her life. Alongside these activities she expressed her creativity in her fine pottery and her beautiful garden.
Farewell Dorothy, you were a loyal ‘Old Girl’ through and through and “high in our hearts we hold thee.”
Lauriston Life 2004
Thomas Heron Steel 1912
Thomas Heron Steel
Doctor
7-3-1912- 13-12-2000
Tom Steel was a dedicated physician whose life was built around service to his patients and the medical profession. To Tom, the patient was sacrosanct and nothing was too much trouble. His was the generation of home visits, a practice he maintained well into his 80s. A subsequent glass of whisky was often appreciated on such occasions.
Tom was proud of his family heritage and ancestors who had been prominent early Melbourne citizens. He grew up in Malvern, a twin and the eldest of six children to David and Marion Steel. Educated at Scotch College and Melbourne University, he graduated in medicine in 1935 and took up a residency at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He then completed his Doctor of Medicine in 1938.
A year as a resident medical officer at the Royal Children's Hospital was followed by a period as medical officer at the Austin Hospital. During the war Tom served in the 4th AGH in Australia and the Middle East. He specialised in the treatment of chemical warfare injuries, and survived a shipwreck in the Mediterranean en route to Tobruk. He was discharged in 1946 after serving in New Guinea However, his twin brother did not survive the war; he had died in a PoW camp in Thailand.
Tom married his university colleague Dorothy Wellington while on leave in 1942. Shortly after the war he was awarded a Nuffield Fellowship to study in London towards membership of the Royal College of Physicians. On his return from England, Tom specialised in diseases of the chest. As consultant to both Heidelberg Repatriation and Heatherton Sanatorium, he made a major contribution to the virtual eradication of TB in Victoria in the 1950s.
Tom Steel joined the Alfred Hospital as an honorary physician in 1946 and provided dedicated service for more than 36 years. Here he made an outstanding contribution to both the teaching and practice of medicine. In 1962 he was appointed to the board of management and in 1975 was made vice-president of the board of directors. He retired from the Alfred in 1983, but practiced into the mid-1990s.
A committed family man, he followed in the footsteps of his father, serving as an elder in the Armadale Presbyterian Church and later the Uniting Church. Here he could combine his love of music (and opportunity to sing) with the duty of worship. He loved to visit relatives and friends at Portarlington, Portsea and various rural areas around Victoria. He placed great importance on education and took great pride in the accomplishments of his immediate and extended family.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy, his three children, seven grandchildren and one great- grandchild.
This obituary was prepared by Tom Steel’s three children, Elizabeth, Richard and Margaret.
As published in "The Age", Tuesday February 27, 2001 – Today p. 7
See also:
Encyclopedia of Australian Science
Richard John Heron Steel
I was born in East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
My father; my mother
I started school at Spring Road Primary School in 1954.
I went to Scotch College 1956-1966.
University of Melbourne B. Agr. Sc 1967-70
Married Sally PATTERSON in 1971 and moved to Brisbane to study Tropical Agronomy.
Denpasar, Bali 1971-2
UQ St Lucia, Brisbane 1971-74 Dip. Tropical Agronomy converted to M. Agr. Sc.
Honiara, Solomon Islands 1975-9
Brisbane 1979
DPI Extension Officer for the wet tropical coast based at Innisfail North Queensland 1979-1992
Manager Field Crops Program Mareeba NQ 1992-2003
Biloela Central Qld 2003-4
DPI Policy Toowoomba SQ 2004-2010
retired
My father; my mother
I started school at Spring Road Primary School in 1954.
I went to Scotch College 1956-1966.
University of Melbourne B. Agr. Sc 1967-70
Married Sally PATTERSON in 1971 and moved to Brisbane to study Tropical Agronomy.
Denpasar, Bali 1971-2
UQ St Lucia, Brisbane 1971-74 Dip. Tropical Agronomy converted to M. Agr. Sc.
Honiara, Solomon Islands 1975-9
Brisbane 1979
DPI Extension Officer for the wet tropical coast based at Innisfail North Queensland 1979-1992
Manager Field Crops Program Mareeba NQ 1992-2003
Biloela Central Qld 2003-4
DPI Policy Toowoomba SQ 2004-2010
retired
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)