Compiled by Brother James Cronly OFM Cap
ELIZABETH WOOD
Elizabeth Wood nee Adams was born in the Parish of St Olave, Hart St, probably the daughter of James Adams and Mary (nee Quackly) 14th March 1753. She married John Wood [thought to be the son of Cornelius and Ann Wood] - born in the Parish of St Botolph, Bishopsgate on 16 May 1749]. About 31 October 1787, their daughter Elizabeth was christened. The Wood Family had been in that Parish at least since the latter half of the 1600's. In 1998, I visited St Botolph’s and was pleased to spend some time there. I had the distinct feeling of belonging. I saw and touched the Christening Font where Elizabeth was christened, the same Font in which John Keats was christened.
BISHOPSGATE
Originally Roman, the Bishop's Gate was rebuilt by the Hansa merchants in 1471 in exchange for the steelyard privileges. Its final form was erected in 1735 by the City authorities and demolished in 1760. This gate often displayed the heads of criminals on spikes. London Wall (which is no longer extant in this sector) divided the ward into an intramural portion called Bishopsgate Within and an extramural portion called Bishopsgate Without. The Bishopsgate thoroughfare forms part of the A10 and the section to north of the site of the original Gate is the start of Roman Ermine Street, also known as the 'Old North Road'.
The parish church for the area of Bishopsgate Without is Saint Botolph's. This is situated just to the north of the original Gate on the west side of the road.
Bishopsgate Within was originally divided into many parishes and many parish churches: St Andrew Undershaft, St Ethelburga Bishopsgate, St Martin Outwich, St Mary Axe and St Helen's Bishopsgate, now all amalgamated under the jurisdiction of the latter. St Helen's is a very historic medieval church and former monastic establishment with many ancient funerary monuments and a stained glass window depicting Shakespeare - commemorating a very famous former parishioner who lived in the area in the early to mid 1590's (Wood 2003: 124).
Bishopsgate was originally the location of many coaching inns which accommodated passengers setting out on the Old North Road. These, though they survived the Great Fire of London, have now all been demolished, though the modern White Hart pub, to the north of St Botolph's, is the successor of an inn of the same name. Others included the Dolphin, the Green Dragon, the Wrestlers, the Angel and the Black Bull. This latter was a venue for the Queen's Men theatrical troupe in the 16th century (Wood 2003: 124-8). The name of an inn called the Catherine Wheel (demolished 1911) is commemorated by Catherine Wheel Alley which leads off Bishopsgate to the east (Weinreb and Hibbert 1983: 127). The 17th century facade of Sir Paul Pindar's House, demolished to make may for Liverpool Street Station in 1890, on Bishopsgate was also preserved and can now be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum. In the 18th century this grand residence became a tavern called Sir Paul Pindar's Head (Weinreb and Hibbert 1983: 586). Also demolished (but then re-erected in Chelsea) was the old Crosby Hall, at one time the residence of Richard III of England and Thomas More. Bishopsgate is the site of Liverpool Street station, the notable public house Dirty Dick's, the Bishopsgate Institute, and many offices.On 24 April 1993 it was the site of the Bishopsgate bombing, a Provisional Irish Republican Army truck bombing, which killed journalist Ed Henty, injured over 40 people and caused £1 billion worth of damage, including the destruction of St Ethelburga's church, and serious damage to Liverpool St. Tube Station. Police had received a coded warning, but were still evacuating the area at the time of the explosion. The insurance payments required were so enormous, that Lloyd's of London almost went bankrupt under the strain, and there was a crisis in the London insurance market. The area had already suffered damage from the Baltic Exchange bombing the year before.
St Botolph Bishopsgate.
The first known reference was in 1212 when it was called Sci Botulfi exa Bissopeg but there was a church in the location before the Battle of Hastings. In 1247 land to the north of the church was used for the building of the Priory of St Mary of Bethlehem, which later became the Bethlehem Hospital for Lunatics, better known as Bedlam.
The church escaped the Great Fire but in 1724 it was demolished after becoming unsafe. A new church, designed by James Gold was completed in 1729. Keats was baptised in the church in December 1795.
This church had a close relationship with the Central Foundation Grammar School for Girls in Spitalfields. Indeed it was the school's church and during the year the foundation ceremony or Christmas Carol service took place at St. Botolphs. One of the "houses" of this school was Rogers House named after a clergyman of St. Botolphs.
William Rogers (1819-1896) was one of the most prominent Clergymen of the Church. He was an educational reformer and was born in London on the 24th of November 1819, the son of a barrister. Educated at Eton and at Balliol College, Oxford, he entered Durham University in 1842, to study theology, and was ordained in 1843. In 1845 he was appointed to St Thomas Charterhouse, where he remained for eighteen years, throwing himself passionately into the work of education of his poor, degraded and often criminal parishioners.
The Worshipful Company of Fan makers, one of the livery companies of London, are also connected to this church and their records can be found in the church hall.
In the 18 century this was a convenient place for a quick wedding
Elizabeth Wood, senior, and her Daughter, Elizabeth boarded the "Neptune" in 1789. Elizabeth senior was tried at the Old Bailey and convicted on a charge of shoplifting on 9 September 1789.
The indictment read:
Sarah Conduit, and Elizabeth, wife of John Wood, were indicted for feloniously stealing a pair of silk stockings, value 7s. a pair of cotton ditto, value 3s.6d. the property of Isaac Garner, privily in his shop.
The following is the reported text of the Trial:
Tried by the Second Middlesex Jury before Mr Justice Wilson
ISAAC GARNER sworn.
I live near Shoreditch turnpike; I am a hosier; I was not at home at the time the robbery happened; I only speak to the property.
EELZABETH GARNER sworn.
On the 19th of August the two prisoners came into our shop; I never saw them before; I was in the shop; the prisoner Wood asked for men’s ribbed cotton stockings; I shewed them some at three shillings and six-pence a pair; they did not like the rib; I shewed them another, but they were not fine enough; then the prisoner Conjuit said there is a pair in the corner of the window, of dark stockings with clocks, which we wish to look at; while I was getting them, I saw the tall prisoner take a pair of the cotton; I did not see her take the pair of silk; I asked her four shillings for the dark stockings; she bid me 3 shillings; I told her that we did not deal in that manner; then she bid me six-pence more; I saw the cotton stockings under her arm; I did not see the silk stockings till I came round the counter; she had put the cotton stockings under her cloak; under her right arm but covered them quite; I took them from her; she gave me bad language; they were both in liquor, she swore, but I can not recollect the words; the prisoner Wood dropped the silk stockings from her left side, when I shook her; and the little prisoner took them up and said are these yours? I said yes; and sent for an officer; he told me to take them into the parlour and search them; I found nothing but duplicates of four pair of stockings pawned that day; I never saw the prisoners before; I saw the silk stockings ten minutes before they came in; they hung on a line at the door and the cotton next to them; the prisoners were twenty minutes in the shop after I began to suspect them; I looked sharp and saw the prisoner Wood take the cotton stockings.
COURT. What distance from the line was the prisoner? - About two yards. Was possible these stockings could be shook off the line? - I was on the opposite side of the shop, towards the top, and the line was at the door; I gave the stockings to the officer, and he gave them to me again; I have kept till this morning.
(The stockings were produced and deposed to.)
JAMES SHAKESHAFT sworn.
I returned the same stockings to Mrs Garner.
PRISONER WOOD’S defence.
I went to buy my husband a pair of stockings; I asked for a pair with clocks; she shewed me one pair I told her, they were too good; she said she missed a pair of stockings; she ran from behind the counter, and shook me in such a manner, whether they fell down or not, I cannot say; I sell things in the streets.
PRISONER CONJUIT’S defence.
I went with Mrs Wood to buy a pair of stockings; I had the child in my arms, (this was the three-year-old Elizabeth Wood) I saw a pair of silk stockings laying, the child took them up, and gave them to the prosecutrix, the prosecutrix bid me go; she said she had nothing against me, I would not go out, the officer came and took us both.
PROSECUTRIX.
I stopped her, and would not let her go. I locked her in; she said she had left half a guinea over the way.
ELIZABETH GILL sworn.
I know Sarah Conjuit from a baby; and her father and mother are very honest industrious, good people and her poor mother lays almost dead in the yard now; I cannot say I ever knew any thing against her till now she has been a girl on the town, misfortunate, but nothing else.
Both Guilty
of stealing, but not privately.
The Prosecutrix recommended the prisoners to the mercy of the Court.
Nothing more was heard of Sarah Conjuit.
The Old Bailey Court Room
Both Mother and little daughter arrived in Port Jackson on 28 June 1790, aboard the "Neptune".
The arrival of the "Neptune" and the condition of the convicts shocked the settlement. Rev Richard Johnson, the Chaplain was appalled by the sight.
The landing of the these people was truly affecting and shocking, great numbers were not able to walk, nor to move hand or foot; such were slung over the ship's side in the same manner as they would sling a cask, a box or anything of that nature. Upon being brought up to the open air some fainted, some died upon the deck, and others in the boat before they reached the shore.
The “Neptune” was part of the Second Fleet; the other vessels were the “Surprise” and “Scarborough. The Neptune was built in the Thames in 1779 and was the largest vessel used to that date in transporting convicts. All aboard these ships, especially the “Neptune” were treated brutally; they were starved and kept in chains for lengthy periods. One thing is clear that the women were not used as prostitutes. The evidence of some of the sailors at Donald Trial’s, the Master of the “Neptune”, trial bears out. It was one of their complaints.
(see Bateson, Charles The Convict Ships 1787 - 1868, Sydney, Library of Australian History 1983)
The Master was found not guilty of mistreating the convicts.
From The Women Transported on the 1790 “Neptune”, Anne Needham 1988.
The only child mentioned in any of the court hearings was a child carried by Sarah Conduit who was convicted with Elizabeth Wood for stealing two pairs of stockings and said in their defence that the child had picked up the stockings, and had offered them back to the prosecutrix. Sarah Conduit was described as being younger than Mrs Wood and it appeared as if she was carrying a Wood child.
Later I got a letter from Ms Needham “with the dreadful conditions aboard luck must have played a part, but the children who survived had exceptional mothers. All of them raised other children in the colony and had lifelong relationships with the father of the new brood, with the English child incorporated into the family.”
Elizabeth and her daughter were sent on to Norfolk Island; arriving there on 7 August 1790, on the "Surprise". She met there Edward Westlake and on 5 November 1791 they were married by the Rev Richard Johnson. Edward "adopted" the young Elizabeth.
The Westlake's had seven other children, which according to records were: Samuel born 10 March 1791, Mary born 3 November 1794, Ann 1796, Richard, Charles, Susannah born about 1799 and George born 22 May 1802. (See Wright, Reg Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island and Van Diemens’ Land, Sydney, Library of Australian History, 1986)
EDWARD WESTLAKE
Edward Westlake was born c 1752 in Stamford Courtney in Devon His parents were Edward Westlake and Mary Reddawing. He married Elizabeth Mortimer on 30 December 1779 and had four children. He was tried and found guilty of stealing 40 lbs. of mutton, in company with John and Noah Mortimer, who were likely his in-laws. He was sentenced to 7 years transportation to Port Jackson. He arrived on the "Charlotte" in the first Fleet and within a few months he was chosen to be in the first settlement party on Norfolk Island.
JAMES AND ELIZABETH PILLINGER
Elizabeth Wood junior was born c 1785. She married James Pillinger on Norfolk Island in 1806. They had nine Children (James 19 May 1806, William, Mary - 20 January 1809, Elizabeth - 21 March 1812, George - 8 May 1814, Richard - 9 May 1817, Susannah - 5 June 1821, Sarah - 1823 (and possibly Edward).
James Pillinger was transported on the "Pitt", in 1792, having been convicted in Bristol and sentenced to 7 years transportation. He was born about 1770. He was sent to Norfolk Island and was industrious enough to procure land, even after the announcement that they were to be moved. The Indent of the "City of Edinburgh" indicate that he had 5 acres of cleared land and a half acre uncleared; he was not entitled to any indulgences having became a land owner by purchase after the order for evacuation. He was listed as having a wife and 2 children.
All the Families came to Hobart Town in Van Diemen's Land, leaving Norfolk Island on 3 August 1808 on the "City of Edinburgh", and arriving in the Derwent 2 - 5 October 1808. But Elizabeth Westlake died on 19 November 1808, within weeks of her arrival in Hobart Town.
Edward Westlake died at New Norfolk on 11 November 1828.
(see Schaffer, Irene Norfolk Island Embarkations to Van Diemen’s Land 1807 - 1813, Hobart, 1986).
Stock and Landholders Muster 1819
James Pillinger of Clarence Plains
6 acres sown with wheat
1 acre sown with beans
1 acre sown with potatoes
68 acres of pasture
2 cows
79 sheep
wife and 7 children.
Muster of Free-Persons in V.D.L. 1822
William Pillinger colony born male
James Pillinger colony born male
James Pillinger (free by servitude), 6 children, 3 female, 3 male.
Application for children to enter orphanage
sent by Rev H.R. Robinson, Chaplain, New Norfolk, 31st January 1826.
|
Name |
Abode |
Birth place |
Age |
Parents |
|
George |
New Norfolk |
New Norfolk |
11 |
Js & Eliz |
|
Richard |
Risdon |
“ |
9 |
Pillinger |
|
Susan |
Ralph’s Bay |
“ |
8 |
|
|
Sarah |
Ralph’s Bay |
“ |
4 |
|
|
James |
Ralph’s Bay |
“ |
18m |
|
Under the heading ‘remarks’ were: Mother is dead, and father is unable and very unfit to take proper care of the children.
This application was apparently unsuccessful as their names were not listed in the book “Children in Queen’s Orphanage Hobart Town 1828 -1863”. There is no mention of the elder children, James born 1807, Mary born 1809 and Elizabeth born 1812. Perhaps they looked after the younger ones, being aged between 19 and 14 years. In 1830 Elizabeth married James Mathews in New Norfolk.
Elizabeth Pillinger died on 8 August 1824, aged 39.
James Pillinger died 12 July 1843, aged 80 years and is buried on the Meriton Estate near Tunbridge.
Court Hearing
Bray v Milledge - 9th September 1786
... The information of James Sieney of Temple Street or Pilo Street in Bristol ... taken on oath ... before me Jon Crofts Esq. Mayor ... saith that on Friday night the first of September he was with the woman now in custody commonly called by the name of Shuke but whose name this informant hath heard is Susanna Milledge and one Bett. other. Elizabeth Watkins at the apartment of Jane Elworthy on St James’ Back in the City of Bristol and that the boys now present John Atwood and James Pillinger were also there and all were in a room upstairs with two farmers John Bray and John Roberts who came up to such Room to Drink with sd. two women but don't know the exact time in the evening. they came up. Saith two farmers continued there drinking there with said Milledge and Watkins for several hours. That the said farmers at length were a little in liquor and sat on a bench in the Room, that the said Susanna Milledge sat on his right hand side close to the Farmer (Bray) and her left hand around his neck and his head was in her bosom that Roberts sat on the other or left sd. of Bray that this informant while they were in that situation saw the said Milledge pull her hand from the farmer John Bray’s right breeches pocket with a bag and heard at the same time money jingle that immediately said Milledge rose up and left the Farmer sitting and went out of the room saying to Watkins come along saith that when she got down stairs she Milledge said “Send” that said Milledge with Watkins Atwood and Pillinger and this informant went to said Milledge’s Lodgings at Countership near Temple Cross where she called up to Tom Davis saying Come up make haste for I have got some money and if you don’t make haste somebody will be after us that Thomas Price was in bed with Davis said Davis and Price got up together and came down and with said Milledge the two boys Atwood and Pillinger went up Temple Back to Beer Lane where sd Atwood and Pillinger said to Milledge come if you'll give up an thing do it. Whereupon said Milledge took some money out of the bag she had in her Pockett and gave them some Guineas but how many this informant don’t know that in so doing she gave Pillinger the crooked farthings now produced which she said was half a Guinea - Pillinger said ‘'twas a sixpence and afterwards a farthing and returned it to her whereupon the sd Milledge said here take it some of ye and dropt it out of her hand on the ground that this Informt then picked it up and put such farthings in his pockett saith Milledge gave this Inft nothing and when he was taken he had but half a crown and some few half pence in his Pockett saith in that time sd Milledge would have given the boys more money but Davis would not let her - saith it was about three o’clock when they parted in Beer Lane and that said Milledge Davis and Price with Watkins went up Temple Street towards the Gate. Saith that when said Pillinger and Atwood were taken into custody the next morning (Saturday) sd Pillenger had four Guineas in Gold and sd Atwood Two Guineas which monies this Inft believes were the money given them by said Milledge in Beer Lane the same morning as I here before set forth ...
Examination of Susanna Milledge 9th Sept. 1786
... Last Thursday week the Thirty first of August I spent the day at home at my lodgings at Temple Cross, in Bristol. The next day I spent at home where I continued until the afternoon then I went to Saint James’s fair. About Seven in the Evening I meet the man who was here Yesterday complaining he was robbed on Saint James Back. There was another Man or two with him I believe he asked me to go and drink. We went into one of the back houses where they sell beer for the Fair. We continued there until twelve o’clock the Man was drunk and believe I was. He drinked until he went to sleep. I did not sit in his lap nor had I my hand round his Neck. We were sitting all together on the Bench, some times we all danced. I left the man and his Companion there and immediately went home to my lodgings at Temple Cross. The Young Woman that is taken up went downstairs with me and I wished her goodnight. That night I slept at home the next morning at Ten o’clock I set out for Bath I went there to see the Boy flogged. I know him at Bristol Nobody went from Bristol with me I brought no clothes or anything else at Bath. At Bath I went into the Prison and gave the boy that was to be flogged half a Guinea. I had these Guineas given to me by several Gentlemen at great many times. I arrived at Bath before the boy was flogged. I met with Thomas Davis in the gaol at Bath and also a man who goes by the Name of Shockhall afterwards I met with the other Woman who is now in Custody who was with me on Saint James’s Back in Bristol with the Farmer but after I left her on Saint James’s Back on Friday night I did not see her until I met her at Bath on the Saturday. In the Evening of Saturday that young woman and I left Bath to go to Warminster afterwards Davis followed us to Warminster to know what we going there for - we bought at Warminster some linen to make shifts. The silver buckles I had were given to me a Warminster by a Gentlemen I had them marked with my Name at Salisbury. I lodged at a house Saturday night between Bath and Warminster. I don't know that Davis and the other young Woman were at the same house that night.
The Pillinger name is found in North Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Hereford. It is particularly strong in North Wiltshire around the town of Box.
BOX, a parish, township, and large village in the hundred and union of Chippenham, in the county of Wilts, 5 miles to the N. E. of Bath, and 102 miles from London. It is a station on the Great Western railway, which here passes through a tunnel, called the Box Tunnel, nearly 2 miles long, and which has a fall of 50 feet in a mile. The parish is situated in a fine valley, on the great road from Bath to London, and contains the hamlet of Bog Quarries and several others. Here are valuable quarries of freestone, called Bath stone, from being extensively used in that city. It is exported in large quantities to all parts of the kingdom. The existence of some mineral springs near the village led to the establishment of Middle Hill Spa; but the experiment failed, and the buildings are converted into private dwellings. There, are some brewing and malting establishments. The church, dedicated to St. Thomas a Becket, is an ancient structure with spire, and contains a monument to Mrs. Bowdler. There is also a chapel of ease at Kingsdown, and a Wesleyan chapel. There is a free school, endowed by several persons with an income of £80 per annum, a large, private, girls' school, and a National school. A Roman villa is supposed to have stood at Cherry Court, in this parish, many Roman relics having been discovered there.
THE WESTLAKE CHILDREN
The Westlake children that we have traced are:
Mary - who married at John Broardhurst Boothman on 8 October 1810, and had this union produced six daughters, Emma Maria 1853, who married Alfred Thomas Salier, (From Part V From Camp to Colony we read:
His father was probably George Salier who received the grant of land "The Hermitage", a unique homestead with the hop kilns attached (the only one of its kind in Tasmania). Near the turn of the Century the Eiszele Family purchased the property. But the Bradshaw Family have had the property for about seventy years.)
Amy Elizabeth 1857, Julia Annie 1859, Alice Maud 1863, Charlotte Amelia 1863, seven children. John Boothman died 11 November 1829. Mary remarried to a man named Samuel Cash. She died and was buried in the Spring Bay Municipality on 20 January 1879.
One of her sisters was the mistress of Denis McCarthy of New Norfolk, a hotelier, and former Norfolk Islander. He built the road to New Norfolk.
Mary Westlake's Daughter Mary Ann born 22 November 1824 married Edward Terry at St Matthew's Church, New Norfolk, on 23 March 1844. Another Daughter Sarah born 29 January 1815, married Arthur Ryder Hartnett, while a third daughter Maria born 8 November 1825, married Frederick Peter Fowler. These were of the Boothman Family. There were three other Children Eliza born 27 September 1817; John Broadhurst Boothman junior and Edward Westlake Boothman born 22 August 1821.
From Part V From Camp to Colony we read:
Thomas Peters suffered at the time of the Black War when three natives plundered his house at Bagdad in November 1830 and attacked two of his youngest daughters. Ann aged fourteen and Sophia aged sixteen. One of the natives was about six feet in height and resembled the local chieftain, Montpeleter. To them he was a frightening sight with his face and hair ornamented with red ochre. Peters arrived with a musket in time to ward them off, but he was afraid to fire in case they speared him. They had already penetrated Ann's stays with a spear which had lodged in her chest, and Doctor T.F. Gorringe, the Surgeon could not save her life. She died soon afterwards.... George Robinson believed that the two girls had been slain, but Sophia was wounded in the palm of the hand and recovered later to marry James Pillinger of Antill Ponds.
This was James Pillinger junior.
THE PILLINGER CHILDREN
Of the Pillinger children,
[1] James married a Sophia Maria Peters, 6 the daughter of Thomas Peters. One of their sons, Alfred Thomas, was a Member of the Tasmanian Government for many years and a Minister for Lands and Works for 9 years. The road to Mount Wellington is named for him.
[2] Mary married James Wood, a sawyer of Clarence Plains on 2 August 1830.
[3] George A. Pillinger married Mary Hadden on 10 May 1864 at Cadgon Cottage, Green Park. They lived at Millbrook, Blackman's Point in the Midlands.
On 20 September 1845, the Governor's thanks was gazetted for Richard's part in the capture of Jacky Jacky (Mr Westwood) the Bushranger.
[4] Susannah married Reubin Luckman on 24 December 1835.
[5] Sarah married Emanuel Benjamin at New Norfolk on 28 June 1837.
Sarah died 20 February 1853, and is buried in the Mathews Family Vault in the Back River Cemetery, New Norfolk.
JAMES AND ELIZABETH MATHEWS
The Mathews family came from France with William the Conqueror in the Eleventh Century. The spelling of the name then was Matthieu or Matheu, Mathaeus. The Family spread through Southern England, Wales and in Ireland. The current spelling of the name is either given as Mathews or Matthews.
Elizabeth married James Mathews on the 4 May 1830.
Chapman (1)
|
First voyage | |||
|
Departure Port: |
Portsmouth / England |
Departure Date: |
22 Mar / 06 Apr 1824 |
|
Arrival Port: |
Hobart |
Arrival Date: |
22 / 27 Jul 1824 |
Convicts landed: 180
James Mathews was convicted at Tiverton in Devon. He worked as a weaver for a Mr Nash. He was convicted of stealing some 50 yards of cloth, and transported for 7 years. At the age of 17 he boarded the "Chapman" and left England on 6 April 1824. He arrived in Hobart on the 27 July of the same year. According to the Convict Records (CON 31/29) on 10 March 1825, he was absent from muster on Sunday 6 March 1825, and again on 25 August 1828, he was absent from his master's house during the night. He had been assigned to a Mr Bastian, who had been relocated from Norfolk Island, and lived in the New Norfolk area. He also worked for Doctor Officer in the New Norfolk area. In 1828, Elizabeth Pillinger gave birth to a son, William. This son later appears in the Baptismal Register as William Mathews. Altogether they had eight children (William 1828, James 1830, Mary Ann 1833, Elizabeth 1835, Eliza 1837, Charles Edward James 1840, Walter George 1841, Emily 1843).
Elizabeth died soon after the birth of Emily - 24 July 1843. James died 4 May 1879.
They are buried in the Family Vault at the Back River Cemetery.
According to a local Historian (Rita Cox) the land for the Wesleyan Cemetery was given by the Mathews Family who had the “Blue Anchor Inn” and Estate down the road at Lowitta.
The inscriptions on the Mathews Vault are:
Elizabeth Mathews - died 23.7.1843 - aged 32 years.
Iliza Mathews - died 22.4.1852 - aged 14 years.
James Mathews - died 5.5.1879 - aged 72 years.
Walter George Mathews - died 18.10.1879 - age 42 years.
Charles J Mathews - 20.3.1858 - aged 18 months.
Sara Benjamin - died 20.2.1853 - aged 30 years.
Sara was Elizabeth (Pillinger) Mathew’s sister. Also buried there is Walter Mathews junior and Walter George Mathew’s widow - Jane Burke died 1933(?)
James' Parents were David (born 18 February 1759 in Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire) and Betty (nee Barrett) Mathews. They were married in Rodbrough a small town near Minchinhampton, on 24 December 1786. They had six children - Betty (1791), Sarah (1794), Mary Ann (1796), William (1799), Priscilla (1802) and James (1805). The Mathews Family can be traced back to the 1600’s through the Taunty Family which was James’ Grandmother’s maiden name. This Family can be traced back to 1670 through a series of James’s.
MINCHINHAMPTON - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868
[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]
"MINCHINHAMPTON, a parish, post and market town, in the hundred of Longtree, county Gloucester, 1 mile S. of the Brimscombe railway station, and 4 miles S.E. of Stroud. The parish, which is large, is situated on the road from Cirencester to Gloucester. It comprises the chapelries of Amberley, Brimscombe, and Rodborough, with Nailsworth and 12 other townships. Amberley and Brimscombe were constituted separate ecclesiastical districts by an order in council in 1840.
Minchinhampton was given by William the Conqueror to a nunnery of Caen, in Normandy, and came through the Windsors to the Sheppards. The origin of its present name is derived from the word Monachina, a diminutive of monacha, a "nun". The Thames and Severn canal passes through the parish. The woollen cloth trade is carried on very extensively, there being many clothing mills on the banks of the several streams, employing a large number of the inhabitants. There are also some maltings and a brewery at the hamlet of Forwood.
The town is situated on the summit and southern declivity of a hill overlooking the vale of the Severn. It consists of one long, irregularly built street, intersected by another partially paved, and is well supplied with water from springs. It is a polling-place for the eastern division of the county of Gloucester. The tithes were commuted in 1839.
The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, value £433. The parish church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a stone cruciform structure, with an octagonal tower containing a clock and six bells. It was built in the reign of Henry III. by the nuns, and contains a fine W. window and several antique brasses bearing date 1519 and 1556, and one to Dr. James Bradley, the astronomer, which has been removed from his tomb in the churchyard. In addition to the parish church there are three district churches at Amberley, Brimscombe, and Rodborough, the first two livings of which are perpetual curacies*, and the last a rectory*, value £300 each.
The parochial charities produce about £200 per annum, part of which is distributed to the poor in warm clothing; also almshouses for eight aged females. There are National and British schools for both sexes, with a small endowment. There are places of worship for the Baptists, Wesleyans, and Independents. David Ricardo, Esq., is lord of the manor.
On Minchinhampton Common is a very extensive entrenchment, called Amberley Camp, the site of which belongs to the poor, to whom it was granted by Mrs. Alice Hampton in Henry VIII’s time, when the allotment was 1,000 acres; but, from the encroachments which have occasionally taken place, it has been reduced to nearly half that amount. The entrenchment stretches to the length of 3 miles from the hamlet of Littleworth to a valley on the opposite side of the town, called Woeful Danes Bottom - an appellation supposed to be derived from the sanguinary overthrow suffered by the Danes from Alfred the Great in 879.
Folklore has attributed similar healing properties to the Long Stone in the Parish of Minchinhampton in Gloucestershire. Known locally as the "holey stone", this slab of oolitic limestone stands nearly 8 feet high with a thickness of about 18 inches. Believed to be the last surviving fragment of a long barrow chamber, the stone has two holes in it through the larger of which mothers would pass their children to cure them of whooping cough or rickets. Folklore also tells that the Long Stone runs around the field it is in when it hears the town clock in nearby Minchinhampton strike midnight.
THE CHILDREN of JAMES AND ELIZABETH
[1] William married Elizabeth Burrows on 27 July 1854. She was the daughter of Richard and Charlotte Burrows. Richard was born on Norfolk Island. Elizabeth was born on 17 December 1831 in New Norfolk. This union produced six daughters, Emma Maria 1853, who married Alfred Thomas Salier, Amy Elizabeth 1857, Julia Annie 1859, Charlotte Amelia 1859, Alice Maud 1863 and one un-named daughter. Alfred‘s father was probably George Salier who received the grant of land “The Hermitage” a unique homestead with hop kilns attached (the only one of it kind in Tasmania). Near the turn of the century the Eiszele Family purchased the property. But the Bradshaw Family have had the property for seventy yeas. William had the lease on the Bridge Hotel, Ouse, and was the only licensed House in Ouse in the 1870's.
[2] James married Sarah Rousell, the Daughter of Keziah (1803 - 1885) and William Rousell (1802 - 1891), on 10 March 1855. This union produced five daughters and seven sons - Elizabeth Jane 1856, who married William R Cawthorn, 8 on 21 July 1883, Charles James 1857, Amelia Keziah 1858, Selina Kate 1859, who married James F Young on 18 March 1882, Robert Walter 1861, William Arthur 1862, who married his housekeeper, Sarah East (aged 60 years) on the 27 June 1888, Alice Maud 1865, who married William Winter Lamb on 18 November 1891, Francis Seamour 1866, Henric Augustus Stewart 1867, Amy Constance Edith 1870, Montford Percy 1871, and Louis Cecil 1874. It is interesting to note that Martin Cash robbed the premises of a Mr Cawthorn, at Macquarie Plains in January 1843.
James was the Landlord of the Gretna Green Hotel. It was noted in the newspaper of 2 March 1874, that he (James) had 7 acres of hops under cultivation and employed 25 hands in the picking of the hops. He irrigated the hops by means of a centrifugal pump with water from the Derwent River.
James died at his residence "Tower Cottage", New Town on the 30 June 1917, aged 87 years. His wife Sarah had died on 20 November 1901.
[3] Mary Anne Mathews married Thomas Allwright on 16 September 1853. Thomas was born 4 December 1831, the son of Thomas, talked about in the Family. She died on 17 May 1909 at the Charitable Institute in New Town. a baker of New Norfolk and Suzannah Elizabeth. The marriage produced three daughters and four sons - John Martin 1854, William Fox 1856, and Thomas Edwin 1858, who married Margreat Rita, Emily Selina Suzannah 1861, who married a storekeeper, William Henry Ellis, on 24 April 1883, Alfred James 1862, Sophia Letitia 1865, and Lily Blanche 1875.
Mary Ann died on 20 January 1880 aged 47; and Thomas died 20 December 1883, aged 51. Alfred James died 16 October 1880 aged 27. Thomas Edwin died 25 September 1934 and his wife a year later.
[4] Elizabeth Mathews married Thomas Jarvis 9 on 15 an 1853. They produced seven sons - William Henry 1854, Thomas Alfred 1855 (killed in a mining accident at Campania on 2 August 1882)10, Charles Arthur 1857, James Edwin 1861, Walter John 1863 (died 1887), Roland 1865, who married Rose Adelaide Lynch on 31 August 1910, and Frederick 1867.
Thomas died 29 December 1910, and Elizabeth on the 1 June 1916, aged 81 years.
William Jarvis was the Father of Thomas Jarvis. He died 25 April 1870, aged 71 years.
From the Newspaper:
FATAL ACCIDENT AT CAMPANIA. - A sad accident happened yesterday at the Campania Gold Nine, by which Mr Thomas A. Jarvis, son of Mr T.J. Jarvis, of the Campania Hotel, lost his life. It appears that the unfortunate young man was working in a drive not far from the entrance, when a quantity of quartz fell on him, crushing him severely, and it was some minutes before he could be brought out into the open. Doctor Turner, of Richmond, was in attendance, and advised the removal of the sufferer to Hobart by ordinary train, but he died on the way, being sensible to the end. The wife and father of Mr Jarvis were with him in the train when he breathed his last .... Mr Jarvis was a young man about 23 years of age, and had been married but a few weeks ....
[5] Charles Edward James married Sarah Jarvis at St Peter's Church, Hamilton on 7 December 1859. They had at least one child, Elizabeth, who married William Tennant on 12 July 1879 at St David's Cathedral, Hobart.
[6] Walter George Mathews married Jane Potter on 1 September 1877.
THE POTTER FAMILY
Jane Potter was the daughter of John and Mary Ann (nee Toy - probably a corruption of Toohey) Potter. She was born in 1855. Thomas John Potter was born in Bromley, Kent in about 1816. Mary Ann was born about 1820, in Tipperary, Ireland. They married in the Catholic Chapel in New Norfolk on 16 January, 1853. Mary Ann, known as Granny Potter died in New Town on 17 May, 1909 at the ripe old age of 89.
My great grandmother, maiden name McGrath, arrived in Tasmania when 17 years of age and my great grandfather, John Potter, came from Northern Ireland.
They married and had two children John and Jane. John was accidentally killed in his teens....
The Potters built a small stone cottage, after marriage, on New Norfolk township and called it "Cotswold"....
My great grandmother died at Zeehan in 1910, aged 98. She smoked a pipe and chewed plug tobacco. It is said this is what hastened her death.
Jack Mathews, A Piece of Derwent Valley History, Derwent Valley Gazette.
As you can see this oral history was wrong in most aspects. So much so that I doubt all until verified. So I checked with the archives and found that they had both been convicts. Mary Ann received 15 years for Highway Robbery. She was tried and convicted at the County Court on 21 September 1846. She left London on the 465 ton barque "Cadet" on 9 September 1847, and arrived in Tasmania on 2 January 1848. Mary Ann was described in the records as being 5' 2" tall with sallow complexion, brown hair, blue eyes and a wide mouth, and slightly flat footed. Her trade was listed as laundress. She was assigned to W. Barnes of New Norfolk. Mary Ann was evidently a lively lass and was often in trouble. However she obtained a Ticket of Leave on 25 April 1854 and a Conditional Pardon was approved on 7 June 1856. It is no wonder that her background was not talked about in the Family. She died on 17th May 1909 at the Charitable Institute in New Town.
From Henry Buckler, Minutes of Evidence of the Eleventh Session, held September 21st, 1846, at the Central Criminal Court; Johnson, Mayor.
James Adams, Mary Anne Toy, William Brown and William Murden were indicted for feloniously assaulting George Dean and stealing from his person, a watch, seal, a watch key and handkerchief, also beating striking and using other personal violence to him. Dean had been drinking at the Three Elms, and about 7pm was in the company of three or four other persons including a couple of women were walking down St Anne’s Street, Westminster. They had stopped and were arguing and making a great noise outside the house where Mary Anne Toy resided. She called out to them to stop the noise. She went outside and Dean knocked her to the ground; William Brown, a Friend of Mary Anne went to her defence. He was joined by Adams and Murden (it is not clear if they were friends of Mary Anne and William Brown). During the ensuing melee the property of Dean was stolen, probably by Adams. Mary Ann said that she was going out to meet Brown when a noisy argument started and her Landlady asked then to stop the noise. Mary Anne said that she was beaten by Dean and others had bruises for two weeks. She maintained both hers and Brown’s innocence.
George Dean was a former soldier (Grenadier Guards). It was alleged by the Defence that at least one of the women in his company (Mrs Goldsmith) was a prostitute, and was living with Dean.
All four were found guilty and were sentenced to transportation for fifteen years.
The Three Elms was at 32 St Ann Street, St John, Westminster, shown in the map below and to the left of the Abbey
Cadet (2)
|
Second voyage | |||
|
Departure Port: |
London / Downs |
Departure Date: |
09 Sep 1847 |
|
Arrival Port: |
Hobart |
Arrival Date: |
02 Jan 1848 |
Convicts landed: 163 / 150, 30 children
Thomas Potter
Thomas was quite a colourful figure too. He was tried and convicted at the Kent Quarter Sessions and sentenced to 7 years in N.S.W. He left England on 4 September 1834 on the 485 ton barque "Henry Porcher" and arrived in Sydney on 1 January. He was assigned to A. Pearce on the Hunter River. He absconded from there on 2 August 1839 and took up with bushrangers. He was apprehended in August 1840, tried at Maitland and sentenced to Life on Norfolk Island, and transported there on 19 September 1840. He was described as 5' 5" tall of shallow complexion, brown hair and grey eyes. After minor infringements on Norfolk Island, he was sent to Tasmania. Thomas was granted a Ticket of Leave on 19 September 1848 and a Conditional Pardon was approved on 25 July 1854. He was found drowned in the Derwent on 3 October 1879.
Their son also Thomas John was born 18 April 1857. He died on 16 January 1879 as a result of an industrial accident "shock following extensive lacerated wound of the knee joint from stone crushing machine".
WALTER GEORGE AND JANE MATHEWS
Walter George and Jane had six children -
[1] Walter Thomas James 1872, who married Annie Maria Brasington on 14 July 1897, Walter and Annie had at least seven children including Eric Walter Henry and Hector Thomas James, twins, born 24 March 1898, Walter George Potter born 2 November 1899, Jack Edward born 16 May 1901, Annie Jane (Thorpe) born 31 July 1903, Grace Mercy Evelyn born 24 June 1906, Cora Winifred, born 26 August 1910.
[2] Love Mary Rebecca Georgie 1876,
[3] James George 1879 and married Sarah Brasington on 20 January 1917. Their only Child, Jane Elizabeth was born 12 March 1917 and died from bronchial pneumonia on 22 November 1917. James had died on 16 September that same year of rheumatic endo-carditis.
[4] Irene Jane 1882, who married Charlie Brown on 22 November 1899,
[5] Thomas Everard 1884, who married Ellen Mary Brampton in 1905, and
[6] Mary Ann 1886, who married Frank Graham in Zeehan on 31 May 1906.
Mary Anne and Frank had three daughters, Jane Hester, born April 1905, Hazel Jean born 24 April 1908 and Valda Love born 6 July 1913.
Walter George died 18 October 1887. Jane Mathews married John Edgar Livingstone Hay, on 16 December 1891 and who died on 24 May 1895. She remarried John Burke on 18 April 1898. She has always been known in the Family as Granny Burke.
There is a record of a Michael Mathews being born to Jane Mathews on 21 November 1888, the Father was Michael Hogan. We are not sure if she married Michael Hogan. It is thought that she married five times and was widowed four times. Her last husband John Burke died in 1929.
Walter as once the owner of Atherfield House originally known as "Help Me On " Inn, and later as the "Ark Inn". It was situated at the Falls on the south bank of the Derwent two miles from the town of New Norfolk. By this time is had ceased to be an inn.
The Family moved to Zeehan in 1898, where Granny ran a boarding house in Emma Street, which later became the Home of Thomas and Ellen Mathews and their 11 Children. The house is now gone but Mum remembered the area and the big pine tree "where they used to swing as children” when she visited the West Coast for the last time in 1992.
THOMAS AND ELLEN PROUSE
Both Thomas and Ellen Prouse were convicts.
Thomas was born in Devon, and was transported for 7 years for stealing a watch. He was only 13 at the time. The Gaol Report as him as "an idle dishonest youth", but the Surgeon’s report states that he was "very well behaved". He left England, from Sheerness, Thames estuary, on 8 November 1835 on the "Asia" and arrived in Tasmania on 21 February 1836, after a voyage of 105 days. He worked in the Spring Hill chain gang. He was on the Perth Bridge chain gang on 28 September 1839, and it was recorded that he was punished for disobedience, with 25 lashes. He later worked in the Launceston area. He received his free certificate (PV 721) in 1842.
Asia (4)
|
Fourth voyage | |||
|
Departure Port: |
Sheerness |
Departure Date: |
08 Nov 1835 |
|
Arrival Port: |
Hobart |
Arrival Date: |
20 / 21 Feb 1836 |
Convicts landed: 283 / 288
Garland Grove (2)
|
Second voyage | |||
|
Departure Port: |
Woolwich |
Departure Date: |
02 Oct 1842 |
|
Arrival Port: |
Hobart |
Arrival Date: |
20 Jan 1843 |
Convicts landed: 182
The Prouse Family can be traced back to at least 1563 in Devon. The name has various spellings including Prouse, Prous, Prowse, and Price. Thomas was born on 4 July 1813 and his parents were William and Johanna (nee White) Prouse, who married on 31 May 1801. Thomas and Ellen would not have had an easy life. But their life in Tasmania would have been better than what they had left. Records with their descriptions are now not existent and we can only guess that they would not have been tall people. One of their descendants was a famous Tasmania jockey.
Ellen Reason or Ellen Gwynne (an alias), was convicted of uttering counterfeit coin and was sentenced to 10 years at the Quarter Sessions Before Mr Baron Rolfe. (a search for name Reason has led to the probable spelling Riesin - a German word meaning Traveller.) But I found it very difficult to find any further details on Ellen Reason. I then went to look at her alias. I took the proposition that her alias was her true name. The results were surprising - I found an Ellen Mary Gwynne born to John and Catharine Gwynne in 1823 in Cradley, Herefordshire. Now she had called two of her children John and Katharine. Katharine called one of her children Ellen Mary who was my Grandmother. Add to this, another child was called Mary Ann, which was the name of her grandmother, and James the name of her grandfather. Furthermore, as she and her husband called one of their children Johanna (after his Mother) William (after his Father) it would seem logical to accept that this was her true ancestry.
So it would appear that Ellen Mary was the daughter of John and Catharine (nee Hartland) born in 1813. The dates fit well. Catherine was the daughter of James Hartland and Mary. Catherine was the daughter of James and Mary (Stone) and James’ parents were John and Elizabeth (Lowe) and his Grand parents John and Grace (Bright). John Gwynn was the son of Benjamin and Jemima (Bough), his Grand parents were Benjamin and Susanne (Brimwell) and his great Grand parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Mayvilld). Thomas’ parents were Benjamin and Sarah). Jemima’s parents were John Bough and Sarah (Baylis) whose parents were Simon and Sarah (Apperley). All these were from Herefordshire of Worcestershire. Mayvilld was spelt in other records as Mayfield. All these Families are traced back to the early 1600’s. Maybe it was social change in the agricultural villages, lure of work in factories or the death of her parents or a combination of these that drove her to London and her destiny.
The biggest social change in English history is the transfer, between 1750 and 1850, of large masses of the population from the countryside to the towns; the basic social classes were transformed from small farmers and rural craftsmen into an urban proletariat and a lower middle class of industrial employers. The movement was hastened by two forces (i) the agricultural revolution carried out by the landowners drove the peasants off the land, and (ii) they were drawn to the towns by the demand for labour in the factories and the mills, operated by machines driven by steam-power. It affected the north of England and parts of the Midlands far more than the south, and this, too, was a big transformation; hitherto it had been the south that had been advanced and relatively populous while the north had remained relatively empty, backward and conservative, but now the north was pushing against the conservatism of the south.
The new industrial towns were places of great distress for the workers. The poor were indeed having the worst period of suffering since serfdom had been practically extinguished in the 14th century. The prosperous peasant farmer, the yeoman, who had won battles for the Plantagenet kings in the Hundred Years´ War, had long been considered the solid base of English society, but by the 19th century he had largely disappeared. If he had not sunk to the level of a labourer on the land of a bigger farmer or become a factory-worker and little better than a serf, he had turned into an industrial employer. The employers themselves often struggled very hard to get their heads above the level of wretchedness, and they commonly achieved it by a narrow range of human virtues - thrift, industriousness, sobriety- and were apt to conclude that these were the only estimable virtues, because they were the only ones that had proved useful to themselves.
SOME CHURCHES WHERE FAMILY WERE WED
CRADLEY, a parish in the hundred of Radlow, in the county of Hereford, 6½ miles S.E. of Bromyard, and 7 N.E. of Ledbury. It contains the tithings of East and West Cradley. Part of the land is in hops. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Hereford; value £957, in the patronage of the bishop.
The parish church, dedicated to St. James, is partly in the Norman and partly in the early English styles. There is also a district church, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist, the living of which is a perpetual curacy, value £100, in the patronage of the Rector of Cradley. The charities amount to £76 per annum, £20 of which goes to Turner's school. There are an endowed free school, a Sunday school, and a girls' school. G. E. Wall, Esq., and the Rev. W. H. Wall, M.A., are lords of the manor."
Leominster Church is a remarkable building made enormously wide by its two naves! Benedictine monks from Reading Abbey refounded a deserted Saxon Priory here in 1123. They erected a huge Norman church, the nave of which still stands today running eastwards from the early 14th century tower. In 1239, a second Early English nave was added on its southern edge for use as a parish church. A further southern aisle (also sometimes called a nave) was later added in decorated gothic style.
When the Priory was dissolved by Henry VIII's commissioners in 1539, though the choir and rounded chancel were demolished, the naves and aisles survived in parochial use. The effect today is quite extraordinary, yet appealing. You can step from complete Norman austerity to flourishing Gothicism in a matter of seconds. Note the rood stairs, the Lady Chapel's sedilia and one of the few ducking stools remaining in the country. Also the superbly carved Norman capitals over the West Door (including a Green Man). These continue externally.
Here the whole building gives the impression of a complete decorated gothic church with huge soaring windows and ball-flower adornment in abundance, no doubt influenced by Hereford Cathedral. Other monastic remains are few. There is a small associated chapel in Church Lane and the so-called 'Old Priory' which may have been part of the reredorter.
Bosbury
Holy Trinity Church
A fine transitional church, neither Norman nor Early English, built around 1180 adjoining the Bishop's Palace of Bosbury, of which only an arch of the gatehouse now remains. The massive detached tower was clearly built for defence some forty years later. Such separate towers are usually thought to acted as strongholds during Welsh raids and that at Bosbury certainly backs up the theory. The walls are six feet thick! Presumably it was largely for the protection of the Bishop rather than the villagers. Its spire was lost after being struck by lightning in 1638.
The church interior has a good 15th century rood screen, but is most notable for its memorials to past residents of the leased-out Bishop's Palace. Sir Rowland Morton built the fan-vaulted 'Morton Chantry' in 1528, copying his uncle, Cardinal John Morton's work at Canterbury Cathedral. There is an interesting family rebus with the decoration. The Harfords followed. They have two vast renaissance style effigial monuments flanking the high altar. John's has the earliest known signed sculptural monument in the country: "John Guldo of Hereford" (1573). Richard's is somewhat later but, though cruder, has a rustic charm about it. The naked caryatids may be Adam and Eve. There is a nice 14th century preaching cross in the churchyard.
Hereford
St. Peter's Church is the older of the two remaining medieval parish churches in the City of Hereford. The bespired tower is late 13th century and was christened, soon after its erection, with a fall from the top of Walter de Lacy. The building sits in the square of the same name, now picturesquely adjoining the 'Old House' Museum.
Internally, there is a carved Royal Arms of William & Mary, but the church's main feature are the 15th century 'quire stalls', brought from St. Guthlac's Priory (on Castle Green) at the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The misericords show carved roses. St. Peter's also has its own cowled ghost which can walk through solid doors. It is thought to be a medieval monk who was killed by the marauding Welsh.
Ledbury
St. Michael & All Angels' Church
Ledbury is the finest non-monastic church in Herefordshire. Despite its enormous detached 18th century spire (on a 13th century tower), it is not easily seen from the town's main street. Follow the delightful Church Lane and it quickly springs into view.
Ledbury Church is vast. It is mostly 13th & 14th century, and consists of a large arcaded nave with side aisles, chancel, sanctuary and chapels of St. Anne and Our Lady. The so called 'chapter house,' built around 1330, was supposedly erected by monks from St. Guthlac's in Hereford. They certainly, at one time, proposed to turn the church into an ecclesiastical college; but it may have been intended to house the shrine of 'Saint' Katherine Audley. It is a beautiful little chapel covered on all sides by huge ball-flower decorated gothic windows. A little old glass remains including a tiny portrait of King Canute. There are also Civil War relics and a fine monastic effigial monument.
The chancel has rare port-hole windows, once the clerestory of the 12th century church. The sanctuary is filled with an interesting collection of monuments: Mrs. Skynner, her family and her marvellous hat, a moving memorial to a small baby, a 15th century brass knight and others. There are Burne-Jones windows and a lovely modern work by John K. Clark in the North Aisle. It sits above the Biddulph family pew. This family have some good 18th century effigies above their vault in the south aisle. In the Lady Chapel is a fine late 14th century monument similar to that at Much Marcle, possibly to a Lady Carew, sister of Grimbald Pauncefot. She adjoins the grave of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's parents.
HER COURT HEARING
Ellen Reason or Helen Gwynn (an alias), was convicted of uttering counterfeit coin and was sentenced to 10 years at the Quarter Sessions Before Mr Baron Rolfe.
2345. ELLEN REASON, alias Ellen Gwynn, was indicted for uttering counterfeit coin, she having been before convicted of a like offence.
Messrs. Bodkin and Espinasse conducted the Prosecution.
CALEB EDWARD POWELL. I am assistant-solicitor to her Majesty's Mint. I produce an examined copy of the record of the conviction of Ellen Reason at this Court in the November Sessions, 1841 - I have myself compared it with the original record - (read.)
ROBERT HORNE (police-sergeant S 14.) I know the prisoner - she is the person who is mentioned in this certificate - I was present at her trial.
GEORGE THORNE. I am nephew to Thomas Thorp, a linen-draper, in Clapham-road. On Saturday, the 16th of July, the prisoner came into my uncle's shop, between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning - she purchased half a yard of linen, which came to 9d., and she gave me a five-shilling piece - I saw it was bad. I showed it to my uncle - she after went and spoke to my uncle, and went away - I followed her to the Devonshire-road, and gave her in custody to Biggs.
THOMAS THORP. I saw the prisoner in my shop on the 16th of July - my nephew brought me a bad crown-piece - I was at the opposite side of the shop - the prisoner came over to me, and said she was not aware that it was bad - I asked her name - she would not tell me - she said that she lived five minutes' walk from our house, but she did not know where - I asked her where she got the crown - she said she did not know - my nephew had given it to me - I kept in my hand - I afterwards marked it, and gave it to the policeman.
PRISONER. The gentleman punished me five days for the five-shilling piece, I was remanded five days for it, and was turned up by the Magistrate. WITNESS. She went up on Monday, and was remanded five days, and then discharged.
JOSEPH BIGG (police-sergeant V 8.) I was on duty in Devonshire-road on the 16th of July - the prisoner was given in charge to me by George Thorne - I received from Thorp this crown-piece - the prisoner was taken before the Magistrate on Monday, the 18th, remanded till the Friday following, and discharged.
THOMAS WOOTTEN. My father keeps the Queen's Head, Little Pulteney-street. On the 23rd of July the prisoner came there for half-a-pint of beer, between eleven and twelve o'clock in the forenoon - it came to 1d. - she gave me a bad shilling in payment - I bit it, and told her it was bad - she said she did not know it, and did not know where she got it - I then called in the policeman, and gave her into custody, with the shilling.
PRISONER. You put it in the till with more silver, then took it out, bit it, and gave me the change.
WITNESS. I put it in the till, but there was no other shilling there, only sixpences - I afterwards bit it.
JOHN M'LOCKLIN (police-constable C 152.) I took the prisoner, and received this shilling from Wootten - I afterwards cut it with a knife.
MR JOHN FIELD. I am inspector of coin to the Mint - this crown-piece and shilling are both counterfeit.
GUILTY. Aged 18. - Transported Ten Years.
Henry Buckler, The Whole Proceedings of the Central Criminal Court, held on Monday August 22nd 1842, George Herbert, London, Cheapside, 1842.
NOTE: In the 1840s I believe there was a Little Pulteney Street, forming the centre section of Brewer Street and Old Compton Street in Soho region.
According to Collins of 1854 - Lt Pulteney Street ran from Princes Street to Great Windmill Street. Old Compton Street was practically opposite it, on
the other side of Princes Street, the latter running into Wardour Street. On the A-Z of Regency London (Horwood maps ca 1799-1819)
Queens Head, 13 Little Pulteney Street, St James, Westminster
The Queens Head in Little Pulteney Street just above the circled 8.
The Prouse Family can be traced back to at least 1563 in Devon. The name has various spellings including Prouse, Prous, Prowse, and Price. Thomas was born on 4 July 1813 and his parents were William and Johanna (nee White) Prouse, who married on 31 May 1801. Thomas and Ellen would not have had an easy life. But their life in Tasmania would have been better than what they had left. Records with their descriptions are now not existent and we can only guess that they would not have been tall people. One of their descendants was a famous Tasmania jockey.
Mary Ann left Woolwich on the Garland Grove, and arrived in Tasmania on 20 January 1843, after a voyage which lasted 110 days. She worked in Launceston area. She was punished with 6 months hard labour for disobeying her master. She received her free certificate on 11 September 1852. Ellen died in New Norfolk, the death certificate giving a ruptured liver as the cause of death. It was the 4 September 1878. Her age was given as 59. Thomas died in Ulverstone on the 20 January 1892. His age was given as 82. These ages are not consistent, but this is not unusual.
THE PROUSE CHILDREN
Katharine Mary Prouse was the daughter of Thomas Prouse and Ellen nee Reason and they were married at Holy Trinity Church, Launceston, Tasmania on 3 March 1845. Thomas was' occupation was given as "Servant" and they were both 23 year of age. There first child a boy died at birth; they had William Henry on 5 December 1849 and twin girls, Johannah and Mary Ann in 1852 and James B in 1861. Katharine Mary was born in 1853, as far as we know at present. Another child was born about 1846, John, who was accidentally drowned at the age of 12, in Georgetown, on 1 February 1858.
Katherine married a William Brampton, who migrated from England to Adelaide on the "Clara" on 1 May 1865t. He was born on the 4th October 1849, in Middlesex.
They had five children -
[1] Ellen Mary was born at Forth in Tasmania on 13 May 1886 and died 29 October 1928.
[2] Eliza May born in 1880, in Victoria, she married Frank Bradshaw; they had two sons.
[3] Ethel born 9 December 1890, who married Frank James Courts; they had three daughters - Ethel Maud (Sarah Ethel in Zeehan Records) born 24 November 1910; Violet May born 2 October 1913 (Mrs Don McDonald) and Phyllis Gertrude (Phyllis Mary in Zeehan Records) born 14 April 1919.
Ethel died on 20 October 1922 in her 12th year, and Phyllis died as a baby.
[4] William Alfred born 1884 and died in Zeehan 12 January 1955;
[5] Thomas Tasman born 31 July 1893, married a Lady called Queenie and had two children William and Dawn. He died 30 November 1979.
THOMAS EVERARD AND ELLEN MARY MATHEWS
Thomas Everard Mathews married Ellen Mary Brampton on 20 September 1905 and had eleven children. Ellen Mary Brampton was the Daughter of William Alfred Brampton, who was born in England in about 1850, and Katharine Mary nee Prouse, who was born in Tasmania, in about 1853.
Grandmother Brampton was very small and frail I can remember when she was coming home from getting her pension, and a puff of wind blew her over. So you can see she was very tiny. I only saw a photo of Grandfather Brampton, he was a big man with whiskers.
Another memory of her Granny Brampton:
One day, when I was quite little I followed my Mother as she went to see Granny Brampton. I followed from some distance and saw my Mother kill a snake, and go on to Granny's. I went up to the door and knocked. Granny said "well look here where did you come from?".
Another time, I was to go and stay with granny, but as I got to the front door, I saw a large blue tongue lizard on the doorstep. So I went all the way home. Granny came to see where I was. She used to feed the blue tongue to keep him there to keep away the snakes.
I was only 9 when my Mother died. I can remember that she used to cover all the mirrors in the house when there was any lightning. She was very afraid of storms. Just before she died, we were all allowed into her room to sing "Abide with me" to her. She was only 42 years old.
THOMAS WILLIAM JAMES ALFRED MATHEWS
Married Molly Holman, then Iris Masterman and had a daughter Ellen; finally married Beryl ---. For some reason he assumed the name of Brampton. He died on 30 January 1959, and is buried in the Box Hill Cemetery under the name of Brampton.
KATE EILEEN IRENE ETHEL
Married Thomas Parker and had eight children - Billy, Rose, Harry, Kenny, Jacky, Polly, Joan and Robert. She lived in Zeehan all her life. Her daughter Polly married Kas Salihovic and has two sons Mark and Marco.
JANE ELLEN MAY
28 April 1907 - 7 February 1908
NELLIE (ELLEN) MAY
Was born on 2 September 1909 and married Albert Joseph Turley on the 18 April 1928.
They had five children -
[1] Leonard Geoffery, born 4 June 1929, married Audry Joy Calder 19 April 1952 in Launceston. They had two daughters Margaret Kathryn, born 13 March 1953, who married Graeme Young on 31 march 1974 (St Joseph's Church, Queenstown) and had two children, Megan Jayne, born 31 January 1976 and Craig, born 19 October 1978; and Helene Louise, born 21 February 1957, who married William Reid on 3 June 1978 (St Joseph's Church, Queenstown) and had two children, Allison Louise, born 17 August 1979 and Michael James, born 26 October 1981.
[2] Betty Jean, born 24 October 1930, married Harry Alex Anderson 21 October 1949 at St Martin's Church, Queenstown and had a daughter, Elizabeth May who married Ralph William Chintock on 14 March 1970 (St John's Church, New Town) and had two children Douglas Ian, born 19 April 1973 and Maree Elizabeth, born 5 August 1976.
[3] Dorothy Ellen, born 4 July 1933, married (1) Frederick Owen Tonks on 19 September 1952 and had two children Graeme Owen born 3 August 1953; and Ann Michelle, born 10 February 1955, who married Barry Dike on 22 January 1977 and had two children Heath Michael born 19 December 1978 and Shellee born 30 April 1980. Dorothy married (2) Robert Henry McCord on 15 November 1976.
[4] Dudley Albert, born 7 September 1935, married (1) Eileen Bird on 10 December 1958 and had three children, Ricky Mark who married Lee Steele in July 1982 (Ricky died 17 October 1986); Marlene who married Gregory Reegan on 4 March 1989 in Queenstown, and David. Dudley married (2) Pamela May O'Donnell and had two sons Shane Dudley and Anthony.
[5] Garry James, born 23 September 1944, married Christine Margaret Riley on 10 August 1963 (Corpus Christi Church, Bellerive) and had four children Gregory John born 26 October 1963 and married Debra Tonks and had three sons, Garry James, Jade, Jarryod; Timothy Paul, born 18 June 1965; Colleen Margaret who married Darren Godfrey and Michael James, born 16 January 1969.
MADGE RITA
Married George Samuel Maskell and had a son Douglas. Douglas married Patricia (Patsy) Kelley and had three children -
[1] Leigh who married Peter Klein and had two children, Ilsa and Alexander;
[2] Dale who has a son, Benjamin Zeus;
[3] Philip.
Madge died 4 December 1982.
ETHEL FRANCES
Married George Ebdon and had two Daughters, Clare and Marjorie.
[1] Clare married Les Hughes and had Susan who married Max Casey and had a son Ryan; Diane who married Bill Stephen and had two children, Robert and Jessica; Meryll who married John Withington and had two daughters Katharine and Leah; and Jamie who married Christine and had two sons, Brett and Alan.
[2] Marjorie married Ray Nelson and had four daughters.
Ethel died 17 October 1970.
WILLIAM THOMAS EVERARD
Married Beryl Dorothy Peart and had five children - Jennifer (Mrs Joseph), Lynette, who died in 1944 (6 weeks old), Pam (Mrs Stokoe), Ray and Terry.
Bill died 1 January 1974.
When he was about 14 he became lost during a picnic at Ocean Beach. He was found four days later scratched all over, he only had his bathers on. He had survived by drinking the moisture collected on the leaves.
TASMAN JAMES
Married Alma Noone in 1970, but he died a year later - 29 January 1971. Alma later married George Maskell, widower of Madge Rita Mathews.
PHYLLIS MAUD
Married Patrick Clarence Cronly on 4 February 1938 in the Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Burnie.
They had four sons -
[1] James Patrick born 17 May 1939, and who is a Capuchin Franciscan friar,
[2] Peter John who married Sheree Fyfe in 1982 and had two children, Sarah Claire and Matthew Patrick;
[3] Michael Paul who moved to Perth (WA)
[4] Gerard Thomas who married Maureen Kelly on 31 August 1985.
Patrick Cronly died 27 September 1987.
Phyllis died on 22 March 1993.
THERESA ISABELLA
Married Reginald Duncanson and had four children - Leslie, Reggie, Yvonne and Maureen.
ALFRED GEORGE
Married Brenda Meaghan in Holy Trinity Church, Hobart in 1942 and had four children.
[1] Barry born 15 November 1943, married Jenny Drake and had one son Steven, remarried Ann --, and have a daughter Andrea Bianca;
[2] Anthony Phillip born 22 February 1946, married Debbie McIntosh and had two daughters;
[3] David Alan, born 29 April 1953, married Juliet Hudson in Gisborne (NZ) and has three sons - Leigh David born 9 December 1980, Mark Alan born 10 December 1981 and Scott Jason born 22 march 1985;
[4] Susan Joy born 3 September 1957 married Gary Harwood and had a daughter Melissa, born 17 December 1984.
Alf died in 1996, the last of the Children of Tom and Ellen Mathews.
