From H. E. Wells autobiography, son of James Wells and Mary Murray
When about six years of age. I have a vivid recollection of my first “home” built by my father for his family’s reception. It consisted of a double row of long saplings forming the wall, and joggled at the ends and laid at direct angles some six to eight inches apart, and the centre filled with clay “pug”, with a large doorway at one end and oil lamps and open fire at the other, with openings at each side and with calico for windows.
Later we moved to the more commodious residence in the nearby village of “Barry’s Reef” . One of our favourite games in those days was to play at “Kelly Gang”.
At the early age of 12 years, I worked with my father prospecting alluvial in the numerous creeks in the locality. I was apprenticed to a boot maker in the village and learned the rudiments of bootmaking.
A few years in the city at various jobs brings one to the disastrous Victorian depression of the early nineties when the noted land boom burst, banks failed industry lagged, all leaving in their trail unemployment, poverty, and misery through the state. I became unemployed. With a view to obtaining better condition, my father borrowed the bus fare and decided to go to Queensland.
After spending twelve months in Gympie, I returned to Melbourne. The Coolgardie goldfields were then booming, 1894. I was now 22 years of age I was penniless, and it was too far to swim. I borrowed £2/10/- from a “friend. bought a two guinea steerage passage and a four and ninepenny portmanteau and still had a cash balance of 3/3, and the prospects looked rather gloomy. I was stowed away in a bunk, the top one of three, above and alongside of the dining table which ran along the centre of the open dormitory. During our brief stay in port I visited the “City of Churches” from my still intact 33/3, I in my extravagance, drew 3/3 which I spent on oranges and a few lemons to tone up my appetite
On reaching the open seas we were immediately caught in a terrific storm and the old ship rolled, pitched and tossed, now on top of huge breakers and then down in the vortex of the howling tempestuous sea. The old vessel creaked, vibrated and groaned as if a plunge into the mighty deep would have been a welcome release. The second day out, the decks were battered down. Much deck cargo was washed overboard. And so we plodded along for eight days against heavy seas and boisterous winds across the Great Bight before reaching Albany. There, anchored ion that serene harbour, a tired crew, sick and weary passengers, all relaxed in warm, delightful sunshine.
On sitting down to breakfast I was delighted to see an old school pal and workmate who had preceded me to the West by some 6 months. He had just come down from Coolgardie with glowing stories of gold and adventure. He entreated me to return with him. He had started a boot shop and repairs ( in a tent ) in Bayley Street, where big money and prosperity was assured. The dreaded typhoid fever was then rampant on the Goldfields but nevertheless, but for a promise made to my mother on leaving home I would have returned with him.
Seeking experience and adventure ( and a little more money ) I was offered a job as a warden in the Fremantle prison and thus became a servant of His Majesty’s Government.
One year had now passed since I trod up the gang way of the old ship “Buninyong”! I had saved enough to bring my parents and brothers and sisters to this land of promise, had jobs for all who could work and saw them comfortable.
Then to the Goldfields, having a cousin working on a “show”, on the Murchison I decided to make this my destination. Boarding the old Midland train to Mingenew, I took passage on a rough buckboard coach drawn by a pair of weedy brumbies, but their stamina was wonderful;
After a tedious train journey down the Midlands, I arrived at Fremantle, spent a few days with my people, and then entrained for Coolgardie, My friend whom I spoke of earlier had asked me to undertake the management of his new Boot Shop, and I was proceeding thereto.
An attack of the dreaded typhoid fever put me out of action, and for six weeks I lay in the first iron roofed Hessian side walls, with a temperature usually over 100 in the shade. I lay helpless for days, and while I saw big strong men of 12 and 14 stone carried out, I felt confident of recovery. Robust men gave the fever something to live on, but I was a lean 10 stone, 6 ft and lived it out. It was here I met the young lady who was to be my wife a little later. This was 1898. Seeking a place to open business in the cool southern part of the state, I visited Donnybrook some 140 miles south of Perth, where a gold find was reported, then on to the coalfields of Collie.
At the time, most of the meagre population lived in tents or huts on the mining leases. All town lots were held under a ninety nine years’ lease. The town consisted of 2 hotels, 3 stores, a boarding house, post office, and a police station. This was in 1898. The Police quarters were a weatherboard hut with a tree in the yard to which culprits were then chained. A “Roads Board” was then instituted and I nominated for election. After addressing the electors, I was selected as one of its members, being the first to address a meeting of Ratepayers in the district.
During my occupancy of the Mayor Chair, I record a very pleasing and interesting incident. I related how the youth on the bakers cart in Queensland saw an engine driver elected to the State Parliament. Years later in Collie at an auspicious function, the Baker’s boy, now Mayor of the town, had the pleasure of proposing the toast of the once engine driver, now the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. Andrew Fisher.
I now felt that many public duties and my own business were getting too much for me. I sent my resignation as a Justice of the Peace to the Premier of the State, Sir Newton Moore, and received the following reply:
Compulsory military training was then in operation and a ½ company of the W.A. 16th Infantry Regiment was raised in the town. I was persuaded to apply to Headquarters for a commission, I having served previously in 1895 at Fremantle with the then volunteer West Aust. ( Imperial ) Infantry Regiment. I heard nothing of my application until the declaration of War. I received a telegram:
“Your commission gazetted, report at Blackboy camp tomorrow.”
Here was a nice position, wired reply:
“Impossible to leave business such short notice, what alternative”
Came the prompt reply:
“Report next day”
And so my soldiering days commenced
Due to a earlier leg injury Lieutenant Wells served as a quartermaster with the 44th Battalion. With them, he went to England, where he served as quartermaster with the Third Division under General Monash. Lt. Wells was promoted to Captain, and sent to Weymouth. From there, he was placed in charge of a party of 80 invalided Western Australian being sent home on a hospital ship.
Returning to Collie, I found my pre-war business had been usurped by others, so decided to try my fortune in the city of Perth. It was in this period I lost my eldest son, a bright lad of 16 years, who died of peritonitis
I joined the Victoria Park branch of the Returned Soldiers League, and was for 3 years its President. Again the “urge” for public life. I nominated and was elected a member of “Perth City Council”
I was successful and defeated a strong Labor man by 94 votes and so fulfilled the prophecy of my Sunday School address. During my three year term a disastrous depression befell Australia as well as other countries. The people clamoured for a change of government and as a result 14 government members lost their seats, including the Premier Sir James Mitchell, 2 other ministers and I was among the remainder. I had other attempts to gain lost laurels, but Labor was too strong having now held the reins of government for 9 years.
I now nominated for election for a seat on the South Perth Roads Board, and after serving several in that capacity, I resigned at the age of 75 years.
¶ 6:54 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Robert1 Wells, b. - -1600, d. - -1670
+Mary1 (--?--)
|-- Dorothy2 Wells
|-- Hannah2 Wells
|-- Elizabeth2 Wells
|-- Mary2 Wells
| +Nathaniel2 Jenkinson, m. 29-12-1720
|-- Robert2 Wells
| +Hannah2 (--?--)
|-- Dorothy2 Wells
|-- John2 Wells
|-- Deborah2 Wells
\-- John2 Wells, b. - -1714
+Sarah2 Taylor, b. - -1718, m. 29-6-1735
|-- Martha3 Wells
|-- William3 Wells, b. 31-5-1736 in Nottingham, England
|-- Mary3 Wells, b. - -1737
|-- John3 Wells, b. - -1739
|-- Elizabeth3 Wells, b. - -1741
\-- John3 Wells, b. 25-8-1742 in Nottingham
+Elizabeth3 Tomlinson, m. 17-8-1767
|-- Elizabeth4 Wells
|-- Samuel4 Wells
| +Alice4 Scattergood, m. 11-11-1823
|-- Thomas4 Wells, b. - -1767
| +Fanny4 Moore, m. 5-6-1791
|-- John4 Wells, b. - -1769
| +Mary4 Newton, m. 19-9-1794
|-- William4 Wells, b. - -1774 in Nottingham
| +Sarah Ann4 Flower, b. - -1773 in Nottingham, m. 21-8-1796
| |-- Samuel5 Wells, b. in Nottingham, England
| | +Sarah5 Dodson, m. 10-9-1817
| | \-- Samuel6 Wells, b. - -1836
| |-- William5 Wells, b. 4-9-1797 in Nottingham, England
| |-- Thomas5 Wells, b. 13-9-1799 in Nottingham, d. 30-9-1894 in Essendon, Australia, bur. 2-10-1894 in Melbourne Cemetery, Australia-Wesleyan Compartment
| | +Sarah5 Creswell, b. - -1813 in Nottingham, m. - -1829, d. 29-3-1876 in Ballarat, Australia, bur. 31-3-1876 in Ballarat, Australia
| | |-- Richard6 Wells,1,2 b. 29-3-1829 in Caen, France, d. 24-4-1880 in Bunyinyong, Australia,3 bur. 27-4-1880 in
| | | +Ann Elizabeth6 Cope, b. circa - -1832 in Nottingham, England, m. - -1853
| | | |-- Richard Loscoe7 Wells, b. - -1855 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | \-- William Henry7 Wells, b. - -1856 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | +Alice6 Dutton, b. - -1843, m. - -1868, d. - -1915 in Durham Lead, Australia
| | | |-- Alfred7 Wells,4,5 b. 17-9-1869 in Durham Lead, Australia,6 d. 14-6-1943
| | | |-- Henry7 Wells, b. 31-7-1871, d. 10-11-1964
| | | | +Mary Ellen7 Baile, b. 23-8-1890, d. 24-2-1971
| | | |-- Alice7 Wells, b. 14-6-1874 in Durham Lead, Australia, d. - -1932 in Sebastopol, Australia
| | | | +Duncan7 McCrimmon, b. - -1856, d. - -1975
| | | \-- Arthur7 Wells, b. 14-4-1876 in Durham Lead, Australia, d. -11-1954 in Napolean, Australia
| | | +Louisa7 Coad, b. - -1883, d. - -1975
| | |-- Thomas6 Wells, b. - -1830 in Normandy, France, d. 26-8-1900 in Brunswick, Australia, bur. 29-8-1900 in Melbourne, Australia
| | | +Catherine6 McIntyre, b. - -1836 in Ellinsborough, Scotland, m. circa - -1855, d. circa - -1913 in Armidale, Australia
| | | |-- Sarah7 Wells, b. - -1856 in Magpie, Australia
| | | |-- John7 Wells, b. - -1858 in Magpie, Australia, d. - -1858
| | | |-- Frank7 Wells, b. - -1859 in Magpie, Australia, d. - -1859
| | | |-- William7 Wells, b. circa - -1860 in Buninyong, Australia, d. circa - -1951 in Bentleigh, Australia
| | | | +Priscilla7 Woods, b. - -1862 in Castlemaine, Australia, d. - -1945 in Bentleigh, Australia
| | | \-- Mary Agnes7 Wells, b. - -1862 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1908
| | | +Arthur7 Morrison, m. - -1885, d. - -1908
| | |-- Rebecca6 Wells, b. 25-11-1832 in Caen, France, d. 14-9-1877 in Wentworth, Australia, bur. in Wentworth, Australia
| | | +William Burrows6 Bradshaw, b. 24-7-1826 in Ely, England, m. 15-2-1849, d. 26-5-1915 in Ballarat, Australia, bur. 28-5-1915 in Ballarat
| | | |-- Charles Robertson7 Bradshaw, b. 27-1-1850 in Morphett Vale, Australia, d. -2-1880 in Gol Gol, Australia
| | | |-- George7 Bradshaw, b. 7-11-1851 in Port Elliott, Australia, d. - -1851
| | | |-- William7 Bradshaw, b. 18-5-1853 in Ballarat, Australia, d. 19-1-1933 in Hawthorn, Australia
| | | | +Millie Alexandria7 Holmes, b. 13-6-1864 in Inglewood, Australia, m. - -1888, d. 7-9-1963 in Sydney, Australia
| | | |-- Marion Emma7 Bradshaw, b. 14-3-1855 in Ballarat, Australia, d. 30-8-1944 in Tambelup, Australia
| | | | +William7 Hillier, b. - -1854, d. - -1912 in Mildura, Australia
| | | |-- Alfred Edward7 Bradshaw, b. 15-11-1856 in Black Lead, Australia, d. 30-8-1944 in Tambelup, Australia
| | | | +Mary Ellen7 Birt, b. 18-10-1864 in Euston, Australia, m. 21-4-1886, d. - -1949 in Albany, Australia
| | | |-- Eugenie Matilda7 Bradshaw, b. 15-2-1858 in Beckwith, Australia
| | | | +Frederic John7 Lambert, b. 14-7-1852 in Sydney, Australia, m. - -1882
| | | |-- Frederick Thomas7 Bradshaw, b. 20-6-1860 in Carisbrook, Australia, d. 7-6-1933 in Albany, Australia
| | | | +Frances Edith7 Birt, m. - -1898, d. 20-3-1944 in Albany, Australia
| | | |-- Kathleen Rebecca7 Bradshaw, b. 22-4-1862 in Carisbrook, Australia, d. 20-2-1945 in Albert Park, Australia
| | | | +Frederick Arthur7 Glenie, b. 5-4-1861 in Magill, Australia, d. - -1916
| | | |-- Alice Alexandria7 Bradshaw, b. 3-12-1864 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | | +Thomas7 Eldridge
| | | |-- Adelaide Theresa7 Bradshaw, b. 10-5-1866 in Ballarat, Australia, d. -2-1867 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | |-- Ernest Albert7 Bradshaw, b. 20-4-1867 in Ballarat, Australia, d. 1-5-1951 in Perth, Australia
| | | | +Amy7 Aparrow
| | | |-- Edwin Burrows7 Bradshaw, b. - -1869, d. - -1869
| | | |-- Edwin Burrows7 Bradshaw, b. - -1870, d. - -1871
| | | |-- Adelaide Charlotte7 Bradshaw, b. 6-11-1872 in Bungaree, Australia, d. 1-4-1960
| | | | +Richard Ross7 Theobald, b. 6-8-1867 in England, m. 23-11-1912, d. 30-11-1950 in Mont Albert, Australia
| | | |-- Oswald Buller7 Bradshaw, b. 18-10-1873 in Ballarat, Australia, d. - -1873 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | \-- Oswald7 Bradshaw, b. - -1874 in Bungaree, Australia, d. - -1877
| | |-- James6 Wells, b. 15-2-1833 in Calais, France, d. 2-5-1924
| | | +Mary6 Murray, b. in Glasgow, Scotland, m. circa - -1869
| | | |-- Clara7 Wells, b. - -1871
| | | |-- Herbert Edward7 Wells, b. - -1872
| | | |-- Robert7 Wells, b. - -1874, d. - -1949
| | | |-- James7 Wells, b. - -1877
| | | |-- Minnie7 Wells, b. - -1878
| | | |-- Ann7 Wells, b. - -1882
| | | |-- Mary7 Wells, b. - -1883
| | | |-- Albert7 Wells, b. - -1885
| | | \-- Frederick7 Wells, b. - -1889
| | |-- Sarah6 Wells, b. 24-4-1834 in Le Havre, France, d. 13-5-1910 in Essendon, Australia
| | | +Mathew6 Hutchinson, b. - -1826 in Leeds, England, m. 19-2-1859 in Bradford, England, d. 14-6-1908 in Stawell, Australia
| | | |-- Harry7 Hutchinson, b. 25-3-1857 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1913 in Melbourne, Australia
| | | | +Mary7 George, b. - -1865 in Bunyinyong, Australia, m. 14-12-1887, d. - -1918 in Traralgon, Australia
| | | |-- Emma7 Hutchinson, b. 15-1-1860 in Buninyong, Australia, d. 9-8-1943 in Kalgoorlie, Australia
| | | | +Henry7 Griffiths, b. - -1858
| | | | |-- Harry8 Griffiths, b. - -1881
| | | | |-- Emma8 Griffiths, b. - -1882 in Creswick, Australia
| | | | |-- Almond8 Griffiths, b. - -1883 in Bunyinyong, Australia
| | | | |-- Violet8 Griffiths, b. - -1884
| | | | |-- Daisy8 Griffiths, b. - -1886
| | | | |-- Mignonette8 Griffiths, b. - -1888
| | | | \-- Myrtle8 Griffiths, b. - -1888
| | | |-- William7 Hutchinson, b. 3-3-1861 in Buninyong, Australia, d. 3-2-1862 in Bunyinyong, Australia
| | | |-- Albert7 Hutchinson, b. 13-7-1862 in Buninyong, Australia, d. 15-8-1929 in Healesville, Australia
| | | | +May7 McKenzie, b. 13-10-1869 in Malvern, Australia, m. - -1890
| | | |-- Mathew7 Hutchinson, b. 16-4-1864 in Hiscocks, Australia
| | | |-- Alice7 Hutchinson, b. 31-10-1866 in Hiscocks, Australia, d. 1-11-1902 in Kalgoorlie, Australia
| | | | +Henry7 Dodd, b. - -1858 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | | |-- Agnes8 Dodd, b. - -1891 in Essendon, Australia
| | | | |-- Henry Albert8 Dodd, b. - -1899 in Kalgoorlie, Australia
| | | | \-- Lewis8 Dodd, b. - -1902 in Kalgoorlie, Australia
| | | |-- Thomas7 Hutchinson, b. 3-6-1868 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1928
| | | |-- Alfred7 Hutchinson, b. - -1870 in Buninyong, Australia
| | | |-- William7 Hutchinson, b. 21-6-1872 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1961 in Bundoora, Australia
| | | \-- May7 Hutchinson, b. 11-11-1877 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1959 in Essendon, Australia
| | |-- Emma6 Wells,7,8 b. - -1836 in France,9 d. circa - -1919 in Box Hill, Australia
| | | +Isidor Louis Francis6 Yde,10,11,12,13 b. - -1820 in Belgium,14 m. circa - -1860, d. circa
| | | |-- Ernest Augustus7 Yde,16,17 b. - -1861 in Scotman Lead,18 d. - -1906 in Perth, Australia
| | | | +Helen7 Green, b. - -1861 in Ballarat, Australia, m. - -1887, d. - -1941
| | | | |-- Dora Emma Annie8 Yde, b. - -1888 in Richmond, Australia
| | | | |-- Ernestina Ellie May8 Yde,19,20 b. - -1890 in Richmond, Australia21
| | | | |-- Evelyn Muriel8 Yde,22,23 b. - -1892 in Richmond, Australia,24 d. 6-3-1953 in Springvale, Australia
| | | | |-- Ernest Allan John8 Yde,25,26 b. - -1893 in Williamstown, Australia,27 d. - -1921 in Germany
| | | | |-- Ivy Stella8 Yde,28,29 b. - -1895 in Lilydale, Australia,30 d. 10-6-1984 in Melbourne, Australia
| | | | |-- Victor Frederick8 Yde,31,32 b. - -1896 in Lilydale, Australia,33 d. - -1897 in Lilydale, Australia
| | | | |-- Una Beatrice8 Yde,34,35 b. - -1898 in Lilydale, Australia,36 d. - -1977 in Mt Lawley, Australia
| | | | |-- Eunice Beryl8 Yde,37,38 b. - -1901 in Lilydale, Australia,39 d. - -1979 in Mt Lawley, Australia
| | | | \-- Oscar George8 Yde,40,41 b. - -1902 in Lilydale, Australia,42 d. - -1928
| | | |-- Isidor Clemence7 Yde,43,44 b. - -1865 in Bunyinong, Australia45
| | | |-- Dora7 Yde,46,47 b. - -1871 in Bunyinong, Australia,48 d. - -1946 in Perth, Australia
| | | | +Paul7 Reichardt, b. - -1870, d. - -1956 in Subiaco
| | | | |-- Gertrude8 Reichardt,49,50 b. - -1890 in Swansea, Australia51
| | | | |-- Vinetta8 Reichardt,52,53 b. - -1892 in Geraldton, Australia54
| | | | |-- Herman8 Reichardt,55,56 b. - -1895 in Geraldton, Australia57
| | | | |-- Karl8 Reichardt,58,59 b. - -1895 in Geraldton, Australia60
| | | | |-- Paul Ferdinand8 Reichardt, b. - -1899 in Geraldton, Australia, d. - -1983 in Manning, Australia
| | | | \-- Ernest Isodore8 Reichardt, b. - -1902 in Geraldton, Australia, d. - -1949 in East Perth, Australia
| | | |-- Renee Armand7 Yde,61,62 b. - -1872 in Napo, Australia,63 d. - -1940 in Perth, Australia
| | | | +Alice Beatrice Linda7 Tawkins, b. - -1876, d. - -1957 in Perth, Australia
| | | | |-- Alice8 Yde, b. - -1901
| | | | |-- Dora8 Yde, b. - -1903
| | | | |-- Elsie8 Yde, b. - -1908
| | | | |-- Eileen8 Yde, b. - -1914
| | | | \-- Ernest Walter8 Yde,64,65 b. - -1916, d. 22-7-1937 in Williamstown, Australia66
| | | \-- Gustave Fidelle7 Yde,67,68,69,70 b. - -1875 in Bunyinong, Australia,71 d. - -1950 in Cr
| | | +Florence Lillian7 Wilson, b. - -1874,73 d. - -1964 in Croydon, Australia74
| | |-- William6 Wells, b. - -1838 in France, d. - -1925 in Gol Gol, Australia
| | | +Kate6 Bland, b. circa - -1849, m. circa - -1864, d. circa - -1935 in Merbein, Australia
| | | |-- Thomas Alfred7 Wells, b. - -1865
| | | |-- Amy Alice7 Wells, b. - -1867
| | | |-- Gabriel Bland7 Wells, b. - -1871
| | | |-- Clarence George7 Wells, b. 1-4-1873, d. -9-1925 in Gol Gol, Australia
| | | | +(--?--)7 Charlotte, d. 13-1-1958 in Gol Gol, Australia
| | | |-- Ernest John7 Wells, b. - -1875
| | | |-- Harriet Blanch7 Wells, b. - -1877
| | | |-- May Rheeba7 Wells, b. - -1881
| | | |-- William Ernest7 Wells, b. - -1884, d. - -1899
| | | \-- Herbert R7 Wells, b. - -1887
| | |-- John6 Wells,75,76 b. 7-11-1841 in Calais, France,77 d. 14-1-1925 in Woodstock, NZ, bur. 16-1-1925 in Hokiti
| | | +Nora Letitia6 Furness,78,79,80 b. 4-9-1854 in Castlemaine, Australia,81 m. 26-9-1871,82 d. 16-5-1
| | | |-- Alice7 Wells,83,84 b. 12-1-1872 in Woodstock, NZ,85 d. 5-2-1945 in Westport, NZ, bur. 8-2-1945 in Westp
| | | | +James7 Webster, b. 23-11-1868 in Harihari, NZ, m. 30-12-1896, d. - -1948 in Westport, NZ
| | | | |-- Richard John8 Webster, b. 6-9-1897, d. 9-9-1994
| | | | |-- James Leslie8 Webster, b. 4-6-1899 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 8-3-1971 in Christchurch, NZ
| | | | |-- Alexander Robert8 Webster, b. 17-10-1900
| | | | |-- Henry Edward8 Webster, b. 17-9-1902
| | | | |-- George Thomas8 Webster, b. 5-1-1905, d. 9-6-1984 in Christchurch, NZ
| | | | |-- Charles Harold8 Webster, b. 16-12-1906, d. 7-7-1988 in Christchurch, NZ
| | | | \-- Nora Margaret8 Webster, b. 9-2-1909
| | | |-- Robert7 Wells,86,87 b. 9-6-1874 in Woodstock, NZ,88 d. 3-10-1952 in Greymouth, NZ, bur. 6-10-1952 in Gr
| | | | +Annie7 Staines, b. 3-4-1873 in Hokitika, NZ, m. 3-9-1902, d. 19-6-1924 in Greymouth, NZ, bur. 23-6-1924 in Greymouth, NZ
| | | | |-- Charles Henry Westlake8 Wells
| | | | |-- Margaret8 Wells, d. 19-8-1872
| | | | |-- Robert Bromby8 Wells,89,90 b. 22-4-1904 in Kaniere, NZ91
| | | | \-- Frances May8 Wells, b. 23-11-1912 in Hokitika, NZ, d. 21-4-1994 in Palmerston North, NZ, bur. 23-4-1994 in Palmerston North, NZ
| | | |-- Richard7 Wells, b. 24-11-1875 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 13-1-1878 in Woodstock, NZ, bur. 15-1-1878 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | |-- John7 Wells, b. 5-10-1876 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 11-6-1917 in Hazebrook, France, bur. - -1917 in Hazebrook, FRA
| | | |-- Nora7 Wells,92,93 b. 8-1-1879 in Woodstock, NZ94
| | | | +Jack7 Symes
| | | | |-- Jack8 Symes
| | | | |-- James8 Symes
| | | | |-- Thomas8 Symes
| | | | |-- Richard8 Symes
| | | | \-- Herbert8 Symes, b. - -1918
| | | |-- Thomas7 Wells,95,96,97,98 b. 12-4-1881 in Woodstock, NZ,99 d. 23-4-1955 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | | +Victoria Grace7 McMillan,101,102,103 b. 22-6-1897 in Hokitika, NZ,104 m. 17-3-1919, d. 29-3-1966 in
| | | | |-- Nora Margaret8 Wells, b. 12-8-1919 in Hokitika, NZ, d. 7-10-1998 in Auckland, NZ, bur. 10-10-1998 in Mt Wesley Servicemans, Dargaville,
| | | | |-- Jack Stewart8 Wells, b. 15-10-1920 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | | |-- Patricia Mary8 Wells, b. 21-7-1922 in Hokitika, NZ, d. 8-10-1995 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | | \-- Grace8 Wells, b. 19-8-1926 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | |-- Sarah Eliza7 Wells,105,106 b. 15-10-1883 in Woodstock, NZ107
| | | | +Herbert7 Bennett
| | | |-- James Edmund7 Wells,108,109 b. 3-5-1886 in Woodstock, NZ,110 d. 10-8-1960 in Greymouth, NZ, bur. 12-8-1960 in
| | | |-- William Creswell7 Wells,111,112 b. 23-12-1889 in Woodstock, NZ,113 d. 4-2-1964 in Woodstock, NZ, bur. 8-2-1964
| | | \-- Richard Charles7 Wells,114,115 b. 19-3-1893 in Woodstock, NZ,116 d. 23-8-1980 in Woodstock, NZ, bur. 26-8-1980
| | | +Olga7 Huston, b. 19-6-1897 in Lyttelton, NZ, d. 21-1-1976 in Hokitika, NZ, bur. 24-1-1976 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | |-- Gladys Letitia8 Wells, b. 11-7-1920 in Woodstock, NZ
| | | |-- Richard James8 Wells, b. 3-8-1921 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 14-3-1944 in Hokitika, NZ, bur. 17-3-1944 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | |-- Kenneth Huston8 Wells, b. 18-5-1923 in Woodstock, NZ
| | | |-- Olga Margaret8 Wells, b. 1-9-1925 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 22-9-1989 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | |-- Calvin Ford8 Wells, b. 9-1-1935 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | \-- Russell Furness8 Wells, b. 8-5-1944 in Woodstock, NZ, d. 27-5-1992 in Hokitika, NZ, bur. 30-5-1992 in Hokitika, NZ
| | | +unknown spouse
| | |-- Anne6 Wells, b. 8-2-1846 in Calais, France, d. circa - -1874 in Bunyinyong, Australia
| | | +Dionysius6 Wallis, b. in England, m. circa - -1868
| | | |-- Alice7 Wallis, b. - -1869, d. - -1872
| | | |-- Ida7 Wallis, b. - -1870
| | | |-- Arlene7 Wallis, b. - -1872
| | | \-- John7 Wallis, b. - -1874
| | |-- Elizabeth6 Wells, b. 31-1-1848 in Calais, France
| | | +William Henry6 Waters, b. 9-7-1844, m. 10-4-1868
| | | |-- Philadelphia7 Waters, b. 10-1-1869 in Bunyinong, Australia, d. 25-11-1928 in Waratah, Australia
| | | | +William John7 Godwin, b. 22-11-1864 in Ballarat, Australia, m. 9-3-1887, d. 28-6-1948 in Wynyard, Australia
| | | | |-- Thomas Andrew8 Godwin, b. 19-8-1887 in Emu Bay, Australia
| | | | |-- Elizabeth Ann8 Godwin, b. 13-4-1889
| | | | |-- William John8 Godwin, b. 19-10-1891 in Waratah, Australia
| | | | |-- Albert Edward8 Godwin, b. 13-1-1895 in Waratah, Australia, d. 24-8-1983 in Sydney, Australia
| | | | |-- Pauline Victoria8 Godwin, b. 10-3-1896 in Waratah, Australia, d. 24-9-1985 in Melbourne, Australia
| | | | |-- Herbert Philip8 Godwin, b. 26-1-1899 in Goulds Country, Australia
| | | | |-- Eva Delphie8 Godwin, b. 16-12-1900
| | | | \-- Bertha Alice8 Godwin, b. 22-9-1902
| | | |-- Edward7 Waters, b. - -1870 in Bunyinong, Australia
| | | |-- Thomas7 Waters, b. - -1872, d. - -1873
| | | |-- Annie7 Waters, b. - -1874
| | | |-- William7 Waters, b. - -1876 in Barrys Reef, Australia
| | | |-- Margaret7 Waters, b. 13-11-1880 in Emu Bay, Australia
| | | |-- Alice7 Waters, b. 10-10-1883 in Emu Bay, Australia
| | | |-- John7 Waters, b. 31-8-1885 in Waratah, Australia
| | | \-- Henry7 Waters, b. 30-3-1889
| | |-- Eliza6 Wells, b. 25-7-1850 in Adelaide, Australia, d. circa - -1936 in Fitzroy, Australia
| | | +James William6 Geddes, m. - -1868
| | | |-- Inez7 Geddes, b. - -1869, d. - -1929
| | | |-- Eliza Mary7 Geddes, b. - -1871, d. - -1939
| | | |-- Henry Edmund7 Geddes, b. - -1873, d. - -1876
| | | |-- Thomas7 Geddes, b. - -1876
| | | |-- William7 Geddes, b. - -1878
| | | |-- Francis7 Geddes, b. - -1883
| | | \-- Clara Mary7 Geddes, b. - -1885
| | |-- Alice6 Wells, b. - -1852 in Adelaide, Australia, d. - -1896 in Ballarat, Australia
| | | +William6 Perry, m. - -1873, d. - -1902
| | | |-- Francis John7 Perry, b. - -1875, d. - -1881
| | | |-- Alice May7 Perry, b. - -1877, d. - -1919
| | | | +Francis John7 Johnston, d. - -1922
| | | | |-- John8 Johnstone, b. - -1903, d. - -1970
| | | | |-- Norma8 Johnstone, b. - -1904, d. - -1965
| | | | |-- Kathleen8 Johnstone, b. - -1906, d. - -1951
| | | | |-- Adeline Muriel8 Johnstone, b. - -1911
| | | | |-- Sheila8 Johnstone, b. - -1914, d. - -1963
| | | | \-- Francis Perry8 Johnstone, b. - -1917, d. - -1990
| | | |-- Adeline Emily7 Perry, b. - -1883
| | | \-- William Reynolds7 Perry, b. - -1888, d. - -1890
| | |-- Fanny6 Wells, b. 21-6-1854 in Adelaide, Australia, d. - -1889 in Prahran, Australia
| | \-- Frederick6 Wells, b. - -1857 in Buninyong, Australia, d. - -1942 in Ballarat, Australia
| | +Sarah Louisa6 Lloyd, b. - -1857 in Bunyinyong, Australia, m. - -1878, d. - -1897 in Durham Lead, Australia
| | |-- Sarah Jane7 Wells, b. - -1878
| | |-- Frederick John7 Wells, b. - -1882, d. - -1894
| | |-- Emma7 Wells, b. - -1884, d. - -1961
| | |-- Ralph7 Wells, b. - -1886
| | |-- Louisa Eveleigh7 Wells, b. - -1889
| | |-- John Robert7 Wells, b. - -1891
| | \-- George William7 Wells, b. - -1893
| | +unknown spouse
| |-- Richard5 Wells, b. - -1801 in Nottingham, England
| | +Ann5 Wardley, m. 5-12-1825
| |-- Elizabeth5 Wells, b. 22-4-1809 in Nottingham, England
| \-- Mary Ann5 Wells, b. 18-12-1812 in Nottingham, England
| +Richard5 Allcott, m. 23-6-1830
| +unknown spouse
|-- Samuel4 Wells, b. - -1780 in Nottingham, England
|-- Richard4 Wells, b. - -1782
|-- Elizabeth4 Wells, b. - -1786
\-- Ann4 Wells, b. - -1789
+Charles4 Leavers, m. 20-6-1815
Printed on: 1 Apr 2009
Prepared by:
hugh winters
2/112 kolmar rd
papatoetoe
[email protected]
09 2782557
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hughw ¶ 9:39 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
also the Wells family of Nottingham Lace.
If you would like to make contact with me, you can email me at
[email protected]
hugh ¶ 4:07 PM 2 Comments Links to this post
Given Name Thomas
Category Nominal Roll Vol. 1
Regimental Number 6/2333
Rank Private
Body or Draft Fifth
Unit or Regiment Canterbury Infantry Batln
Marital Status S
Last NZ Address Woodstock
Next of Kin Title John
Next of Kin Surname WELLS
Next of Kin Relationship Father
Next of Kin Address Woodstock Westland
West Coast Times Thursday 11 November 1865
The Sydney Morning Herald of the 2nd.
There is clearly a fresh rush to Hokitika. From our gold fields and from the
coal mining districts of the Hunter, there is an exdous going on to the new
Eldorado. Private letters giving accounts of great success have had there
natural effect, and with that faith in his own good luck which every man
seems more or less to possess, many are preparing themselves for a venture.
The accounts published in the newspapers, however, do not warrant any hasty
movement. They speak of the new diggings as already overcrowded and rather
warn than invite fresh arrivals. The editor or reporter on the spot comes
across the unlucky as well as the lucky; and sometimes finds the former far
the more communicative. That the west coast of New Zealand is a goldfield
has already been proved. Although there may be plenty of gold, mining must
be carried on to a great disadvantage, owing to the climate, the cost of
living, and the abscene of good harbors. Both capitalist and laborers are in
such a case the sanguino pioneers, often at ruinous cost to themselves,
young countries are peopled and developed. Others reaped where they sowed.
Such sanguine pioneers seen essential to the rapid progress of any country.
Where everybody is too prudent to run any risk, everything is very stagnant,
and possible fountains of wealth remain unsealed. The gold-diggers are the
enterprising laborers of our community and do a work corresponding to that
of enterprising capitalists, and their apparent freshness has done wonders.
Hundreds have failed and lost all, yet on the whole the gold-diggers have
achieved marvellous success - a success that would not have been possible if
they had always been as prudent and cautious as virtue requires. The
"Herald" takes a sensible view of the exodus of miners from NSW "We are
sorry to see so many able-bodied men leaving our colony, but if they can
better themselves by doing we are not entitled to discountenance their
departure. We draw men from the old country to better their fortunes, and if
they can secure that betterment in one part of Australasia more than
another, it is for them to go where they can best realise the purpose of
their emigration. Anything like jealousy on the part of one colony at the
temporary prosperity of another is out of place, and it is as narrow minded
as it is ingenerous. The prosperity of any one is sure to prove in the long
run the prosperity of all, and the adversity of one the adversity of all.
Yet while we do not grudge New Zealand its golden treasures, we cannot but
think that if a little of the energy that is expanded by some of our people
in running away to the other countries were expended in developing our own
resources, the temptation to run away would be considerably diminished. But
there is a charm in distance, in novelty, and in the chance of great
prizes."
A man may be justified in running the risk of loss, of peril, and of
hardships, in hope of making better provision for himself and family. But he
is not justified in leaving his wife and children to the risk of starvation.
The digger pursuing his fortunes has too often forgotten those who ought to
be his constant thought. On no principle of morality is a man justified in
leaving his wife and children to public or private charity while he goes off
to make his pile. Yet it is a thing that is done at every rush. Those who
have the management of our charitable institutions know the vast amount of
want and misery that has been caused by the wholesale desertion of families.
Out of sight, out of mind.
West Coast Times Saturday 18 November 1865
Article. Travelling along the Beach from Hokitika to the Grey.
The dull everlasting roar of the surf, varied only by the scream of the
seagull, giving rise to anything but a cheerful train of thought, and
causing the first view of a human habitation to be a positive relief. There
was no lack of company, the beach lined with pedestrians, heavily laden with
digger's paraphernalia, nearly all of whom had their faces turned
Grey-wards. The forest is smooth and unbroken in appearance. This could be
caused only by a wonderful uniformity in the length of the timber, from the
top of which spreads that dense mass of foliage.... Five miles from town,
and the Arahura River is reached. There being plenty of boats plying to
convey travellers across. The ordinary charge is 6d, but when the river is
swollen by a freshet, double fare is demanded as compensation for the extra
trouble and risk. Here there are three public-houses and a store. The
establishment wherein I obtained my noonday meal was presided over by a
bustling landlady, a good-tempered and communicative, who confessed to more
years of colonial than the generality of ladies care about acknowledging.
She showed herself perfectly conversant with the wants of the hungrey souls
who chose to patronise her establishment, serving us a good substantial
meal, which she seasoned with some of her past experiences in Victoria and
elsewhere. There is no mistaking the thorough colonial women when you meet
them. Hardened by rough usage, they at first sight appear obtrusive, which,
however, is more than made up by heartiness of demeanor, sterling
hospitality, and a desire to oblige.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/hokitika.htm
Taken from Mal Williams on "Gencircles"
Individual:
Melbourne General Cemetery, Wesleyan Compartment F Grave 1015(no
headstone)TAKEN FROM "THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGISTER": Adelaide: Wed
nesday, September 6, 1848 and later reprinted in A HOBART NEWSPAPER,
TASMANIA: Wednesday Evening, Sept. 20, 1848 under the heading COLONIAL
INTELLIGENCE
THE EMIGRANT SHIP "HARPLEY"
(Supplied by Miss D Smith, 21 Corella Ave, Glenalta SA 50 52)
This fine colonial-built ship took her departure from Deptf ord on the
12th May, and sighted Kangaroo Island on Tuesday the 20th August, at
four in the morning. Remarkably inauspicious weather retarded the
arrival within our harbour precincts, and eventually obliged Captain
Buckland to trust to his cables and anchors in Holdfast Bay. During
the terrific gale on Friday night, the twice parting of the small
bower cable obliged the captain to have recourse to a chain cable on
board, on freight, which by the help of the emigrants was got up and
happily rendered conducive to the safety of the ship, the best bower
holding on in the meantime, and confirming the good repute of the
"holding ground" at the anchorage.
The circumstancial history of the bulk of the migrants pe r "Harpley"
is worthy of a particular notice. With the exception of six. families,
those on board the "Harpley" had been employed in French lace
manufactories in or near Calais, some of them having been there eight
years since they left their native place, Nottingham. At the outbreak
of the French revolution the popular fury soon extended to the
hitherto peaceful abodes of the refugees, and the cry of "a has les
Anglais"(down with the English) would possibly have been followed by
actual and violent expulsion but for the timely interference of the
Consul, who besought the insurgents at least to respect the persons of
the English workmen. At that time, the number of English working for,
or dependent upon, manufacturing employers in Calais and its environs
was nothing short of a thousand souls; of whom some have gone to
Sydney, a few more are coming hither, and a ship-load were to embark
at Calais for Port Philip, a fortnight after the "Harpley" left.
In their extremity the English work people in Calais not wi lling to
return to their native town of Nottingham, or any other part of the
over-stocked English labour-market, sent a memorial to Lord
Palmerston, dated April 12, desiring to obtain passages to one of the
English colonies, and a large number wishing to make choice of South
Australia, of which they professed to have heard through our "Voice".
In three days, an answer was returned by his Lordship, and a
government Commissioner arrived to make the requisite enquiries. He
was immediately succeeded by Mr. Cooper, a gentleman from the Office
of Her Majesty's Land and Emigration Commissioners, who instituted
diligent scrutiny into the characters and circumstances of the
memorialists, and then arranged for their passage to England,
preparatory to emigration for these colonies. On their arrival in
London they learned that a benevolent committee was sitting daily at
the Mansion House, under the auspicies of that genuine specimen of
nobility the distinguished Lord Ashley, and eagerly engaged in getting
up a generous subscription to which the town of Nottingham contributed
300 to 400 pounds for the relief of those who were hourly compelled to
return to England from the French territory. The objections of the
Commissioners to send lace makers and their families to a young colony
like South Australia were compromised by an allowance of 5 pounds per
head from the subscription fund, and an engagement to provide a good
outfit.
The details were then arranged, and the "Harpley" appointed , the
emigrants embarked, and soon the poop of the ship, to use our
informant's words, was "transformed into a haberdasher's shop", from
which every thing necessary was gratuitously and unsparingly supplied
to those who were in need, Mr. Cooper being charged with Lord Ashley's
princely commands to let the unfortunates want for nothing. Mr
Commissioner Wood visited them at Gravesend previous to their
departure, addressed to them an admirable speech full of kindness and
encouragement, assuring them they were proceeding to a land where
honesty and industry seldom failed to have their proper reward.
The only instance of death among the adults was an aged an d ailing
man (in his 67th year) who was unwilling to be separated from his
family, and to whom the Commissioner humanely granted a free passage.
He died in traversing the Bay of Biscay, the only instance of
mortality besides, being a delicate infant of three months old. A sea
apprentice and a young sailor named Bateman fell overboard during the
passage, but both were saved by a well-directed life-buoy until they
could be picked up. During the passage the ship only sighted the Cape
Verd Islands and St. Pauls. The passengers, who were scarcely becalmed
on the line, suffered little from heat in the Tropics, and as little
from cold in the southern hemisphere, 39.5 S being the most southerly
latitude attained. There was no case of serious illness during the
greater part of the passage, and 236 souls have arrived in excellent
health, in a remarkably clean and well-commanded ship, manned by a
fine crew. During the passage Mr. Spencer the Surgeon-Superintendent
read prayers every Sabbath when the weather permitted.
We have seen in the hands of the refugee Emigrants, some o f the
certificates granted by employers and municipal officers in France,
and they speak well for the character of the people, who we hope will
find they have exchanged the inhospitable treatment of the French for
a hearty welcome in a British colony. Their's is an instance calling
for especial sympathy and spirited exertion on behalf of the
colonists, and we shall much mistake if the newly-arrived do not in
their case confirm the assurance, that any honest men and women who
venture to South Australia with their off-spring will be likely to
find the right hand of fellowship extended towards them in a land of
peace and plenty.
We have elsewhere published the names and shall be exceedin gly glad
to assist, through our office, in facilitating engagements between
employers and those who assure us they are anxious to make themselves
useful in any capacity.
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE:
ARRIVED.... Saturday, September 2nd - The ship "Harpley" 5 7 ?tons,
Buckland, master, from London.
Passengers:
Dr John Spencer, surgeon superintendent, and John Spencer , in the
cabin; and the following refugee emigrants from France - John Barnet,
wife and six children, John Brown, wife and four children, Wm Burgess,
wife and four children, Joseph Clarke, wife and child, John Clarke,
wife and three children, Wm Cobb, wife and two children, Henry Cope,
wife and seven children, Joseph Cope, Ann Cope, Henry Cope jnr, ?Fanny
Cope, Wm Cope, Cornelius Crowder and wife, Hannah Crowder, Emma
Crowder, Mary Crowder, George Dennisthorpe, John Davis, wife and four
children (one born on the passage), Mary Ann Dennisthorpe, Richard
Dixon, wife and two children, Sarah Dixon, Richard Dixon jun, David
Dixon, Joseph Dixon, George Dormer, wife and six children, Thomas
Dormer, Ellen Dormer, Thomas Dunk, wife and five children, John
Freestone, wife and five children, Richard Goldmark, wife and four
children, Jas. Hall, wife and child, John Hemmingway, wife and two
children, Wm Hirold and wife, John Hibbert and wife, Humphrey Hopkins,
wife and adult daughter Mary, Philip Hickey, wife and two children,
James Henslie, Caroline Henslie, John Henslie, Benjamin Holmes, wife
and three children, Hariet Holmes, John Irons, wife and child, Joseph
James, wife and two children, Edward Lander, wife and six children
(one born at sea) and Mary Ann (adult), Henry Lee, wife and child,
Hiram Langmore, wife and five children, Matthew Matthew, wife and
three children, John Mountaney, wife and three children, Thomas and
George (adults), Emma Needham, Wm Paul and wife, Wm Parsons, wife and
seven children, Sarah, John and Ellen, adults (the youngest, three
months old died at sea), Louisa Peat, Emily Peat, George Pike, wife
and child, John Revel, wife and three adult daughters (Elizabeth, Anne
and ?Mel...sen), Wm Henry Sanson and wife, John Sanson, wife and four
children, William Sanson, Jane Sanson, Thomas Sibley and wife, John
Shaw, John Smith, wife and four children (one Mary Ann, adult), Thomas
Street, wife and four children, Wm Stubbs, wife and three adult
children (Francis, Robert, Henry and Edward), George Saunders, wife
and three children, Elizabeth (adult), John Sweeney, Theresa Sweeney,
Mary Ann Sweeney, Robert Taylor, Walter Wells wife and seven children,
Henry and John (adults), Thomas Wells, wife and ten children, Sarah,
Richard, Thomas and Rebecca (adults), Thomas Widderson, wife and six
children, Henry Watts, Charles Richmond, wife and eight children,
Henry and Eliza (adults), Esther Samuels.
THE SHIP - THE HARPLEY
The information is taken from "Blue Gum Clippers and Whal e Ships of
Tasmania", a book by Will Lawson and The Shiplovers' Society of
Tasmania, published by Georgian House, Melbourne in 1949... and
borrowed from my ship loving neighbour Vic Brownlie who has a whole
library of ship books! Thanks to Vic.
THE HARPLEY (page 151)
Fired no doubt by the spirit of competition and not wishin g to see
the bulk of the London trade handled by Hobart ships, the people of
Launceston became possessed in 1847 of a fine ship, only 15 tons
smaller than the Tasman and, moreover, built on the Tamar.
This was the Harpley, 545 tons, owned by James Raven and bu ilt by
Patterson Brothers. She left Launceston early in 1847, with a full
cargo of wheat and wool, and reached Hobart, where she had to pick up
as passengers 50 soldier pensioners, 26 women and 40 children, on
March 26. She sailed again on March 29, under the command of Captain
Buckley, and made a good passage. It was a shock to the owners and
builders when their ship, on arrival at London, was condemned by
Lloyd's surveyors as unfit to carry emigrants, some of her beams being
declared to be rotten. In a new ship this was inexplicable, and seemed
to point to some prejudice against colonial-built vessels.
Hobart Town master builders and merchants were very jealou s of the
good name that their blue gum vessels had earned in all parts of the
world, and they talked of loading one of the oldest vessels and
sending her to London for Lloyds to take her to pieces and satisfy the
English authorities that blue gum built ships were second to none,
including English oak and teak. One of the shipbuilders went to
Launceston to make enquiries and found that the Harpley had been built
of swamp gum, which southern builders considered totally unfit for
ship building.
JOHN PATTERSON OF PATTERSON BROTHERS (page 139)
This builder turned out the largest vessel to be built on t he Tamar
and the second largest in Tasmania - the barque Harpley, of 545 tons.
She was launched to the order of James Raven, a merchant of
Launceston, on Feb 5, 1847. Her length on keel was 133 feet.
The firm's yards were at Blackwell where, in 1848, they bui lt a
schooner of 130 tons, and in 1851 launched the schooner Pearl, 200
tons, for Charles Weedon and John Griffiths....!DEATH:Victoria
Australia 6100\1808
Extract from a letter to Mignon Preston [descendent from Sarah (nee
Wells) Hutchinson, the fifth child of Thomas and Sarah (nee Cresswell)
WELLS], written by Elizabeth Simpson FSG, "Peapkin's End", 2 Stella
Grove, Tollerton, Nottingham NG12 4EY England... dated 30 Sept
1986....(includes references to John Boyland, 3 Eggeling St, Esperance
WA 6450, also descendent from Sarah).
...the colony of South Australia - celebrating their 150 years this
year, had hoped to hold a big meeting of descendants of all those who
had arrived per the Harpley in 1848. A letter was published in the
newspaper THE ADVERTISER on 20 Sept 1983 written by a Mr John
Donisthorpe, 26 Adelaide St, Magill SA 5072 asking folk so descended
to get into touch with him. I also gave him the address of the
secretary of the Lacemakers Association which was formed in Sydney
several years ago, Mrs Gillian Kelly, 10 Sorrell Place, Queanbeyan,
NSW 2620. I would urge you to get into touch with Gillian ... she is
at present doing a BA in Applied History and using the arrival of the
Nottingham/Calais Lacemakers to her thesis. She is intensely
interested in what happened to them all after their arrival and I know
she would like to hear from you with the story of the WELLS family.
Their search for the right place and occupation to follow tells such a
lot about their plight. The lot who landed at Adelaide came to a
colony only 10 years old - they were sophisticated folk who had led a
very good life in Calais - they were used to travelling, but in a
superior way - they were fairly affluent - their work in France paid
off - they were better off than their families left at home in
Nottingham - they grasped at the straw and hope of 'going to
Australia' because they feared that revolution was about to break out
in France again in real earnest - trade was very bad at home - they
would have had to go onto the Poor Law and seek relief - no jobs - no
where to live save possibly back at home (very cramped) with any
relatives still there - they appealed to be sent to Australia - at
this time all she wanted was labourers - farmers in particular -
domestic servants, menial posts - they DID not want lacemakers... who
was wearing lace?
It was a minor miracle that they were allowed to go - their arrival
must have shattered them! What had they come to? It has always been my
belief that the coming of the gold rush so soon after their arrival
was the salvation of a lot of them - a boom was created and through
this they could learn how to survive. I am thus delighted to see that
this is exactly what helped the WELLS family.
.... Walter Wells I have not linked to Thomas - but it is very likely
that they ARE related. The lacemakers who went to France went as
family units - extended family units - and they recruited more of
their own kin all the time. The names are too close to be ignored -
and the coincidence of both being on the Harpley helps too to
strengthen the idea that they belong to each other - I suspect that
they are probably brothers - or at the very least first cousins. Work
needs to be done on the background of the Wells in Nottingham. Up to
now I only do this kind of work if asked to by Australian descendants
- I don't have the time to spare just to potter about on my own too
much! I used to work a lot on these Lacemakers - but I have had two
whole years off ill.... which brought my activities to a total
halt..... I am pleased to find that the descendants of these
lacemakers have not lost all hope and are still actively interested in
their incredible story.
I shall be in Sydney for the bi-centenary in 1988 and it is possible
that I will deliver a paper on these lacemakers. It is a story which
has to be told - a unique migration of a very particular group of
people. Nothing like it has occurred anywhere else in the world - I am
delighted and proud that I was the one to bring it to the notice of
the Australian people in the first place.
.. extra info...(from Elizabeth Simpson)
Walter & Sophia WELLS baptised a bunch of their kids all together at
the 'English' church in Calais: Robert, Elizabeth Maria, Edward
Howell, Walter & Winifred on 16th November 1847... no ages given for
the kids but the name HOWELL might be a help..
The CRESWELLS were also in Calais: There was a Charles Bilston
CRESSWELL born France c1828 (details per 1851 census of Wednesbury,
Staffs. He was living in the home of his Mother Ann who was then 59
and a widow. He was a 'fitter of steam engines' - had a wife called
Harriet who was born Birmingham c1830.
A David CRESSWELL born c1792 was buried in Calais 3rd January 1842 aged 50.
A Rebecca CRESSWELL, the daughter of a DAVID, married a Levi TURNER on
22 Nov 1842 in Dover.
A Rebecca CRESSWELL daughter of David married Thomas TODD 19 Nov 1838 in Dover.
Ann WELLS daughter of Thomas & Sarah (Cresswell) - birth registered in
civil records Calais 8 Feb 1846 - father then aged 42, mother 30.
Residence rue Lafayette, section G No 470. Witnesses Charles GIRUAD 37
lacemaker, Reuben Jennings 37 lacemaker.
Lucy WELLS bapt Calais 27 Feb 1826 daughter of William and Charlotte.
James WELLS son of Thomas & Sarah (Cresswell) birth reg 15 Feb 1833
Calais, residence as above. Witnesses John Webster 35 and Henry Hill
25.
John WELLS son of Walter & Sopies (Basford) birth registered 15 Feb
1833 Calais, residence: rue Lafayette Section G No 364. Witnesses John
BASFORD 38 and John Vicary 36.
Sophia WELLS daughter of Walter & Sopiea buried 1 Oct 1841 Calais died
29 Sept 1841 aged 6 months.
William Henry WELLS son of Walter & Sophia (Basford) birth reg 3 Nov
1830 Calais. Witnesses Robert William Pechell 39 and James Trees.
SNIPPETT (taken from Tulle magazine, November 1998 pg26)
In 1841, according to the census of Calais, Rachael Basford, nee
Stevens, and the widowed mother of Sophie Wells, was living with her
youngest son George, in the home of Thomas Goldfinch and his first
wife, Anne Farley.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - -
Sources
Title: Sourced from Bronwyn Thomas
Title: VIC BDM Register
Author: Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages Victoria
Publication: A database of births, deaths and marriages recorded by th
e Registry of Births,Deaths and Marriages, Victoria.
Page: 1894/13059
Quality: 3
Title: Of All The Mad Pursuits
Author: Mignon Preston
Publication: T & M Preston
--
hugh
papatoetoe, new zealand
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hughw
researching Winters, Wells, Benger, Le Blond, Hayes, Davern and Furness
Given Name Thomas
Category Nominal Roll Vol. 1
Regimental Number 6/2333
Rank Private
Body or Draft Fifth
Unit or Regiment Canterbury Infantry Batln
Marital Status S
Last NZ Address Woodstock
Next of Kin Title John
Next of Kin Surname WELLS
Next of Kin Relationship Father
Next of Kin Address Woodstock Westland
The above is whats on the CD, all I can add is he Left New Zealand 13th
June 1915.
From the Main Body through to the 8th Reinforcements a pretty much on the CD
except the embarkation dates.
¶ 6:40 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
WILLIAM GEORGE WELLS (aka GEORGE ROBERT WELLS)
Birth is registered as William George Wells, 1920, Brunswick East, Victoria.
Vic #28259, son of George William Wells and Doris Vera McCallum/Maccallum
From George Robert Wells' WWII record et al we know his father's name was George. We also know that his mother was "Scottish." There was no listing of a George Wells, parent father George, born between 1914 and 1920. The above was the only result with any "George" listing, with the middle name "George"
Married Cornelia Alice Maud Rowe, 1944, Goulburn, NSW #2755
Enlisted during WWII under the name of George Robert Wells
Service No. NX160424 (N108077)
Rank: Sapper
Posting at Discharge: 9th Australian Army Transport Co.
Born: 27 December 1918, Cranbourne, Victoria
Enlisted: 17 December 1942 at Larrimah, Northern Territory
Next of Kin George Wells
Discharged: 22 December 1945
Source: WWII Nominal Roll
GEORGE WILLIAM WELLS/DORIS VERA McCALLUM
Born 1893, Durham Lead, Vic #31044, s/o Frederick Wells and Sarah Louise Lloyd
Married Doris Vera McCallum/Maccallum, 1918, Vic #3737/3737R
Note Details on the McCallum family are in separate chapter
Children born to George and Doris:
* William George (aka George Robert) - as above
* Norman (aka Brian) - post 1920
* Allan - post 1920
* Lindsay - post 1920
* Donald - post 1920
* Geoffrey Neil Wells, born circa 1923. Died 1928, aged 5, Carlton. Vic #855, son of George William & Doris Vera Wells.
FREDERICK FLOWERS WELLS/SARAH LOUISE LLOYD
From information on his marriage and death certificate, Frederick Flowers Wells was born circa 1855/6. His marriage certificate indicates he was born in Mapgie, Victoria, son of Thomas Wells and Sarah Creswell. His death certificate indicates he was born in Hichcocks and spent his life in Victoria. However, no registration of his birth could be found in the VIC BDM, NSW BDM, or in South Australian Births.
It would appear that the Wells family, or the majority of the family, moved from South Australia to the Ballarat area of Victoria during the gold rush era of the 1850s. Although farmers by trade in SA, the lure of the goldfields found people from all occupations and walks of life looking to make their fortune in the rich goldfields around Ballarat. With little or no success in gold prospecting many speculators returned to their original occupations (farming).
The Wells family may have even been part of, or witness to, the famous Eureka Rebellion in 1854 - Australia's only armed uprising and a crucial stepping-stone towards democracy for the country. Conditions were tough, finding gold was long, hard work, families were sometimes left behind, and the weather was hot. In addition, troopers harassed gold miners wanting to check miner's licences.
Frederick Flowers Wells, aged 22, farmer, born Magpie, Vic, or Durham Lead, son of Thomas Wells and Sarah Creswell married 20 February 1878, Holy Trinity Church. Burringong (registered at Magpie #35) to Sarah Louisa Lloyd, aged 22, servant, of Durham Lead, daughter of John Robert Lloyd and Sarah Louisa Evely (aka Berdoe). Witnesses: William Wells, Kate Wells
Sarah Louisa Lloyd was born 1856, Magpie, Vic #8290, d/o John Robert Lloyd and Sarah Louise Berdoe. Sarah also used the name Sarah Louisa Eveleigh Lloyd. Eveleigh was her grandmother's maiden name, and was also used on occasion Sarah's mother.
Note: Details on Sarah Louisa Lloyd's family in separate chapter.
Children born to Frederick and Sarah:
Sarah Jane b. 1878, Durham Lead Vic #15331
Died prior to 1942.
Frederick John b. 1882, Durham Lead Vic #2066
d. 1894, Durham Lead, Vic #1509, aged 12 years
Emma b. 1884, Durham Lead Vic #8922
d. 1961 (78 years) Glen. Vic #10446
d/o Frederick Fl(owers) Wells and Louisa Eveleigh Lloyd
Ralph b. 1886, Durham Lead Vic #17773
Louisa Eveleigh b. 1889, Durham Lead Vic #2840
d. 1970 (81 years) Ballarat Vic #19158
m. Hy Robert Huggins, 1913, no locale noted, Vic #4650
John Robert b. 1891, Durham Lead Vic #2694
George William b. 1893, Durham Lead Vic #31044
Sarah Wells (nee Lloyd) died 1897, Durham Lead, aged 40, d/o John Robert Wells and Sarah Louisa Eveleigh, Vic #1300. Frederick never remarried.
Frederick Flowers Wells, farmer, died 2 August 1942, aged 86, Ballarat, Vic #26527, of hypostatic pneumonia and myocarditis, s/o William (Thomas) Wells and Sarah Creswell. The name William Wells has been listed incorrectly. At the time of his death Frederick was living at Eyre Street, Ballarat. He is buried at Buninyong Cemetery.
Record No: 10079
Family Name: WELLS Age: 84 years
Given Names: CHARLES HENRY WESTLAKE Date Deceased: 7/06/1995
Address: SEAVIEW HOSPITAL Interment Date: 9/06/1995
HOKITIKA Gender: M
Occupation: RETIRED CLERK Warrant No: K1809
Birth Place: HOKITIKA
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 3
Block: AA
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Roman Catholic
Funeral Director: H A Thompson Ltd
Record No: 21043
Family Name: WELLS Age: 76 years
Given Names: ANNIE Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 22/10/1921
Gender: F
Warrant No: E425
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 2213
Block: 140
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Church of England
Record No: 20169
Family Name: WELLS Age: 84 years
Given Names: JOHN Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 16/01/1925
Gender: M
Warrant No: E658
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 6043
Block: 273
Denomination: Church of England
Record No: 20805
Family Name: WELLS Age: 76 years
Given Names: NORA LETITIA Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 18/05/1930
Gender: F
Warrant No: F31
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 6044
Block: 273
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Church of England
Record No: 15370
Family Name: WELLS Age: 79 years
Given Names: OLGA VICTORIA Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 21/10/1976
Gender: F
Warrant No: J417
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 36
Block: I
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
Record No: 13300
Family Name: WELLS Age: 87 years
Given Names: RICHARD CHARLES Date Deceased: 23/08/1980
Address: WOODSTOCK Interment Date: 25/08/1980
HOKITIKA Gender: M
Occupation: RETIRED BOILERMAN Warrant No: J672
Birth Place: WOODSTOCK
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 36
Block: I
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
Funeral Director: H A Thompson Ltd
Record No: 19508
Family Name: WELLS Age: 22 years
Given Names: RICHARD JOHN Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 16/03/1944
Gender: M
Warrant No: F986
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 4347B
Block: 183
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
Record No: 10812
Family Name: WELLS Age: 79 years
Given Names: ROBERT Date Deceased: 6/01/1978
Address: WESTLAND HOSPITAL Interment Date: 4/10/1952
HOKITIKA Gender: M
Occupation: WIDOW Warrant No: G663
Birth Place: HOKITIKA
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 6030
Block: 273
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
Funeral Director: H A Thompson Ltd
Record No: 10238
Family Name: WELLS Age: 48 years
Given Names: RUSSELL FURNESS Date Deceased: 27/05/1992
Address: POUNAMU HOSTEL Interment Date: 29/05/1992
HOKITIKA Gender: M
Occupation: BENEFICIARY Warrant No: J1447
Birth Place: HOKITIKA
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 36
Block: I
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
Funeral Director: H A Thompson Ltd
Record No: 18502
Family Name: WELLS Age: 74 years
Given Names: THOMAS Date Deceased:
Address: Interment Date: 19/19/55
Gender: M
Warrant No: G848
Cemetery: Hokitika
Plot 136
Block: RSA NO 1
Grave/Ashes: Grave Depth:
Denomination: Anglican
title years
WELLS Thomas - Kaniere - Labourer 1955 - 1955
agency series accession box / item record part alternative no.
CAIF CH300 GM1936/1955
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Martin Elliget <[email protected]>
Date: 20-Aug-2005 13:11
Subject: Article: Immigrant experience arriving in Melbourne, 1850s
To: [email protected]
I came across the following article in The Times and thought it might
be of interest, particularly to those whose ancestors arrived in
Melbourne in the 1850s. It gives an insight into what they may have
experienced upon arrival.
There was discussion a few months back on possible reasons why some
newly arrived immigrants may have left Melbourne and moved to regional
towns. Some of the conditions and problems described in the article
could have played some part.
I hope the length is not a problem - thought it worth quoting in full.
regards,
Martin Elliget
Fig Tree Pocket QLD Australia
The Times, Monday, 22 Aug 1853
AUSTRALIA
"The tide of immigration continues to pour into
Melbourne at a rate almost alarming. Up to the
end of 1852 the population of the province of
Victoria had more than doubled what it was
in 1851; what it will be at the close of 1853 it
would be difficult to predict. The arrivals in the
month of April have exceeded the maximum of any
month in 1852; and on the 27th ult. more than
2,400 immigrants arrived in the bay in the course
of the 24 hours. To meet this daily increasing
mass of life there is in Melbourne little or no pre-
paration; the place is fed, like a besieged city, by
supplies thrown in by distant speculation, and pro-
visions are, indeed, nearly at siege and famine
prices. As to house-room, every nook is filled;
the places of those who leave for the goldfields
are instantly occupied by new comers. Only
the more provident and better circumstanced
arrive furnished with tents, which they can pitch at
"Canvas town," or portable houses, to put up on
any patch of ground that can be obtained. The
first few days after his arrival must try the courage
of an intending settler severely; his first impres-
sions on landing can hardly be other than unfavour-
able. In this respect Melbourne differs, and greatly
to its disadvantage, from Sydney. The immigrant
arriving at the latter place sails up a beautiful bay,
locked in by well wooded hills and headlands, dotted
with handsome villas. After the monotony of the
long sea voyage, the landscape, with its evidences of
wealth and cultivation, is quite exhilarating. The
ship anchors close off the city, and in a few minutes
a boat lands him on a clean and well-built quay, and
he may find a lodging to put his head in, and get his
baggage conveyed to it for something less than
financial ruin. If his destiny is Port Phillip,
after a long passage up the bay, which,
however good as a harbour, cannot be compared
with Port Jackson for beauty, the ship anchors,
probably, off a cluster of wooden houses and
low stores, the beach in front of them strewn
with decaying bones and refuse, called Williams-
town. The boatmen of the place ply only for
extortionate and fancy prices, calculated on the
anxiety of the passenger to get ashore and the
means of transport. As nine persons out of ten
cannot pay the demand, or will not submit to what
appears to their as yet happy inexperience to be
robbery, they wait on board, for two or three hours
perhaps, till one of the Melbourne steamers makes
its circuit of the bay and brings up alongside
the ship for fares. With a full freight she starts
for the mouth of the muddy Yarra, and
glides up between flat and scrubby banks, passing
the wreck of an iron steamboat, rusting to pieces in
the show water, a few vessels taking in ballast,
and an official in uniform lying on his back by a
gum tree, watching the process, ready to pounce on
the evasive skippers, who at times abstract portions
of the Australian continent without paying for a
license. Higher up, the Yarra, not very wide any-
where, narrows in rapidly, and becomes evidently
too small for the traffic that, as yet, has no other
channel; here and there the rotting carcase of an
ox or horse on the water's edge poisons the air
for a considerable distance, and as the new
comer begins to sight the city of Melbourne,
at the very narrowest part of the river,
there is a succession of wooden slaughter-houses,
melting-houses, and other similar establishments,
surrounded by indescribable filth, of a most patched,
rickety, and makeshift construction, and yet in full
activity. In the yards of the slaughter-houses pigs
are revelling among the garbage, dragging about
large lengths of entrails, or devouring them in a
manner that makes the stranger inwardly vow to
abstain from "dairy-fed" pork during his entire
sojourn in the colony. Through this part of the
river he had better shut his eyes, and nose, too, if
possible, and reserve himself for the landing-place,
where his real troubles will begin, especially if he has
unsuspectingly brought any luggage with him on his
first journey up. There are two landing-places, and
the steamers stop at the worst, called Cole's Wharf. An
enormous amount of traffic has certainly been thrown
suddenly upon this spot; but, considering the re-
venue derived from it by the proprietors, something
might have been done to redeem it from being, as it
is, a disgrace and scandal to the city. Goods are
tumbled on to the bank, and the drays back up to
them to be loaded through pools of black mud, in
which they stand nearly axle-deep. Boxes, cases,
and bags (no matter what their contents) may roll
into the slush, and stay there soaking till called for.
Expensive as horseflesh is, half the power of the
animals is wasted in getting out of these pits and
the deep ruts of the roadway, which a few loads of
stones would fill and level. There is no shed to
protect goods liable to be damaged by rain. Reckless
indifference to everything but collecting the enor-
mously high freights up the river, and the still
higher rate of carriage to the city, seems to be the
rule. Combined, these charges have frequently
amounted to more, for a distance of six or seven
miles, than the freight of the goods from England.
The other landing-place, the Queen's Wharf, is a
little higher up the river, and here the accommoda-
tion is much superior, a proof that improving is
not so impossible as represented. How the mer-
cantile men of Melbourne can quietly bear the da-
mage and expense such utter neglect must entail
on them, without strong remonstrance, is a marvel
Once clear of Cole's Wharf, things being to
mend; you ascend into the city, and in the course
of a walk of an hour or two a better impression is
produced. The main streets of Melbourne are well
planned, wide, and regular. The houses are, of
course, very dissimilar - a good stone or brick build-
ing often having a mean little wooden shed for
its neighbour. There are many vacant plots
of ground for building, and in good situations
they command fabulous prices, far more that would
be given for ground in the heart of London; it is
difficult to believe that these prices represent the
real values. Many lots have been bought over and
over again, not to build on - the only thing that
could make them profitable - but to sell as a specu-
lation. The original owners, or the first purchasers,
of them have netted enormous sums, but those
who bought late, calculating that such sites must
continually rise in price, may find themselves
disappointed. The most rapid progress will
not for some generations make Melbourne a
London or Paris, and the most valuable business
sites in the most populous and wealthy capitals of
the world can be purchased for less than has been
given for the same surface in Melbourne. Yet, in
Europe, labour is at hand to convert such barren
spots at once into sources of income; here they must
long remain what they are at present, mere city
wastes, deposits of rubbish, or pools of stagnant
water. The prices of land are symptomatic of a
touch of mania in this branch of speculation, and a
reaction would surprise no one but the speculators.
Of public enterprise, even to guard against im-
pending social perils, there is none; the rains of
heaven are the only scavengers of the city, and, out
of the main streets, the filth of the alleys and back
premises is excessive, there being no drains of any
kind. Much alarm, indeed, begins to be felt for the
health of the place, and with good reason, when
4,000 souls are being added to the population
weekly. But in this, as in everything else, gold
paralyzes effective exertion on a large scale, and the
very wealth of the land seems to be condemning its
capital to disease and pestilence.
The great error in the plan of Melbourne is the
disproportion between the main streets and the
lateral communications. The last have been made
much too narrow, little better than alleys. The
inconvenience is already apparent, and will be felt
more and more every year. Land has become so
valuable that it is feared the evil is now
beyond remedy. For all defects of drainage, for
the bad supply of water, the peril of a fire of
Californian magnitude without an engine in the
place, the Government, the corporation, the police,
and the authorities generally are abused; but the
people themselves, who might do so much in all
these matters, have attempted nothing. All are too
busy in the one pursuit - money-making; nor can any
improvement be expected till the place becomes less
of a camp and more of a community. The feeling of
citizenship has yet to grow up; the merchants and
shopkeepers are rather suttlers to an immense army,
suddenly thrown into the province, then patriotic
burghers. The mass of the people are strangers
to the place and to each other; the "diggings"
are not a home to any one, and the spirit that takes
men there is almost as visible at Melbourne. No
common action for a future and general benefit can
yet be organized; and it is useless to complain of
an evil that lies in the very structure of society;
time only, and the subsiding of the present feverish
excitement of the search for gold into a steady and
regular trade, can remove it. There are already in-
dications that such a change is approaching.
Some few months ago the city was far less safe
than now; but those who have resided there any
length of time do now, even at present, trust wholly
to the police. Many of them always carry arms, if
they have to be out after dark, avoid certain locali-
ties, keep the centre of the street, and answer any
inquirer of the hour, or applicant for a light
to a cigar, by the click of a pistol, and an in-
junction to the parties to keep their distance.
I cannot say I have found any precautions of
the kind necessary; but the experience of others
may as well be cited. The fact is, so completely
are the relations of society reversed here, that the
garb of a gentleman (or "swell" in the colonial
vernacular) is in itself a protection, being the badge
of poverty; he is not worth robbing; he either has
no money, or, being sober and discreet, leaves what
he may have at home. But the drunken digger,
just down from the mines with his golddust in his
belt, reeling from pothouse to pothouse, is a rich and
easy prey. He is marked out, followed, and robbed
in a systematic manner. Many a better "pocket"
of gold is picked out of a kennel in the city than
could be got by weeks of delving at Ballarat. Ex-
cept to this class, I should say the place is safe
enough, and quieter than could be expected.
The true gold mines are the publichouses at
Melbourne and the several diggings; the publicans
make large and rapid fortunes, and thousands of
pounds are freely given for the goodwill of a house
of the lowest class, the lower indeed the better, for in
them greater profits are made than in the respect-
able hotels. The diggers frequently give their gold
to the landlord, drink it out, and go back to the fields
as poor as they came. If they deposit it in a bank
the simplest forms of business are a puzzle to them;
in some case, the proffered passbook has been
indignantly refused, under an impression that it is
something equivalent to a convict's ticket-of-
leave. It is calculated that a large amount of
gold in the Melbourne banks will never be claimed,
the depositors having drunk themselves to death, or
died by accident or disease at the mines, where
casualties are by no means rare. Those who save
their earnings, to invest in land or business here-
after, are the minority, the prudent or educated;
but fortune is capricious, and the luckiest are not
always the most deserving.
The Victoria goldfields continue to produce the
greatest quantity of the metal, and have drawn
away most of the diggers from the northern province.
There is a sameness in the accounts from all the
fields; reports of the greater productiveness of
certain spots, and the invariable rush to them from
others, complaints of the enormous prices of provi-
sions and forage, and the non-arrival of the post,
form the staple of news. The roads are in a
terrible state, and will be worse as the winter
comes on; in the same season last year 100 l.
per tone was paid for the carriage of goods from
Melbourne to the goldfields, and even the diggers
regard with apprehension the prices provisions are
likely to be there within the next few months. The
Government escort brought down to Melbourne for
the week ending the 30th of April 31,830 ounces
of gold; the average produce of what may be
called the Sydney goldfields is scarcely a fourth of
this quantity. It is alleged that the regulations of the
Sydney Government are more restrictive than
those in force in Victoria, and that they have tended
to drive people to the diggings of the latter province.
It is not certainly ascertained that the fields of New
South Wales are less rich, but fewer hands are at
work on them. The regulations in question are to
be modified in the present session of the Council,
in consequence of the representations made against
them. In his last official report to the Government
Mr. Hargreaves states his belief, that "the whole of
New South Wales is auriferous, or nearly so," and that
"the question in the colony is rather where is gold
not to be found, than where it is." He admits that
the Victoria fields are more productive, but thinks
those of New South Wales are the most extensive.
He, too, complains that the gold "has unhinged
every industrial pursuit," and that at the diggings
money has almost lost its value. At the date of his
report the Government was paying, at Bendigo, 10 1/2 d.
for every pound of hay for the horses of the escort
and police; oats were 3l.5s. a-bushel; bran, 16s.
the 20 lb.; 40s. was the cost of shoeing a horse, and
35s. a-night was charged for livery.
In the last week of April 4,000 immigrants landed
at Port Phillip, and before that the influx for the
month had reached the maximum of any previous
month; 2,400 were landed in one day. Melbourne,
already crowded, has no adequate house accommo-
dation for these multitudes, and the last accounts
describe the condition of those who land without
means as most distressing; a low fever has made
its appearance, and alarm is felt for the health of
the city. Those who arrive later in the season
will suffer still more. Those who have but
a small stock of cash will find it absorbed in a
very short time indeed. If determined to try
their chance at the diggings, they had better leave
the city as soon as possible. When they arrive at
the mines, if they can work very hard and have
good luck, they may have a bare subsistence. Mr.
Hardy, the late chief gold commissioner, states,
from his own experience, and that of many others
conversant with the whole system, that the average
earnings of the diggers do not exceed one ounce of
gold a-week; in proportion to the thousands
engaged in the pursuit those who make
large sums are few; those who succeed are
men who have had some knowledge of mining
or been used to the roughest labour. To do any-
thing, more experience is necessary than most new
comers possess. The holes are now sunk to greater
depths than when the workings began, and are
rather mines in miniature than mere excava-
tions. A hole, 70 or 80 feet deep, or even 100,
may be called a shaft; when the vein is found,
side galleries are driven under it, and the bed con-
taining the gold is removed by working from be-
neath it. These veins are followed, if rich in metal,
as far as it can be done with safety, without regard to
the limits of the claim on the surface. It is often a keen
competition between the parties in two neighbour-
ing holes which can sink to the gold vein first, so as
to undermine the other completely. and clear out
the precious deposit before his rival gets down to it.
It may be imagined what chance a party of London
shopmen or clerks have against neighbours of the
hard-handed sort to whom the work is familiar. In
works of this depth some rough kind of machinery
is also required, - boarding for the shaft and sup-
ports for the side galleries. For anything but
surface work some skill and a little capital
are necessary; the best organized parties now
generally include a carpenter and blacksmith;
and those who come out thinking that mere
digging, as the term is generally understood, will
do, will be grievously disappointed. But when
a great "find" is made, the brilliancy of the result
blinds those at a distance to the laborious nature of
the process, and the rush to the goldfields con-
tinues. A little experience cools the ardour of the
new comers considerably, and both in Melbourne
and Sydney numbers of persons are to be found who
have returned in despair to do what they had better
have done at first, - resort to ordinary labour for a
living. Those who know a trade, the skilled work-
man or mechanic, will make high wages, and un-
less he takes to drinking - the great peril - will
do well. But the condition of the many edu-
cated men, the weak gentilities, clerks, accountants,
shopmen, and those of half or no professions, who,
having no other resources, have failed at the dig-
gings, is pitiable in the extreme. There are Uni-
versity graduates in the colony breaking stones on
the road, and dashing "men upon town" driving
drays. If extremely lucky, they may get appointed
to the police; but, if they cannot descend to actual
work, they are in danger of starvation.
The following may be regarded as a sufficient
approximation to the influx and efflux of shipping
and population since the 2d of April :- Influx, -
total ships from all extra-colonial ports, 100 ships;
of tonnage, about 35,154; with passengers, about
3,472. Efflux, - total ships to all ports out of the
colony, about 96 ships; of tonnage, about 27,799;
with about 2,263 passengers. The balance of pas-
sengers has thus been more than 1,200 in favour of
New South Wales. But between this and Victoria
the balance has been in favour of the latter colony
since the beginning of April by 600 or 700, the pro-
bability being that with the whole of the difference
Sydney was, intentionally, merely a port of passage.
The above is to be understood as only an approxi-
mation, as some of the data are wanting in authen-
ticity. It may, however, aid in forming a general
estimate. In the meantime the internal transitions
from colony to colony are incessantly going on."
¶ 1:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kristy Jorgensen <[email protected]>
Date: 07-Aug-2005 00:09
Subject: Creswell site thingy
To: [email protected]
Hi Hugh,
Kristy Jorgensen Webster here, you are going to get sick of me and my
sister correcting you! LOL.
Our (first) last name is spelt wrong. Not a big deal - just a minor
technicality...
Hows things going anyway? How exactly are we related? I found the
family tree a wee bit confusing! Although i haven't spent too much
time delving into it. As you would know - my nan died the other day
and we had a family reunion up in Bundaberg QLD Aus and my cousins
(Madgwicks) told us about your site - Darrell said he had punched his
name into GOOGLE and came up with your site -
When i first wrote on the site - i thought i was going to end up
dealing with some old dude who had nothing to do with our family - was
just into genealogy or something - so i might have sounded a bit nasty
- sorry if you got that impression...
We never got the chance to know our dad - so we kinda feel a strong
connection to the rest of the family cause they tell us juicy stories
about our old man - jeez he was rough...LOL
Anyway, better let you get back to it - Thanks for taking the time and
effort to put us on there - it means a lot!
Your relative in some form
Kristy Jorgensen-Webster
Queensland, Australia
________________________________
Your opinion counts..for your chance to win a BMW click here
--
hugh
listowner
papatoetoe, new zealand
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~hughw
-------Original Message-------
From: Gillian Kelly
Date: 12/02/04 16:15:28
To: Hugh
Subject: Re: {not a subscriber} Calais Lacemakers and the trade in England
Good Afternoon Hugh,
Wells family - yes and because they were one of the larger families, their
file is quite big. Over the years I've shared with many Wells descendants
and have quite a few stories as well as lines, but I am wondering if you don
t have them already?
There was a Wells reunion here a couple of years ago and it was written up
in our journal - I can send you a copy if you would like, and Mignon Preston
included a large part of the Wells story in her book on her four families.
I literally stumbled onto the headstone of Rebecca, born Caen 1832 in a tiny
far Western NSW cemetery - and am intrigued by the movements of the family
-marriage in le Havre de Grace in 1829, Caen 1829 - 1832, back to le Havre
1834, in Calais by 1841, then Australia in 1848 and in your case, eventualy
New Zealand...did Sarah and Thomas run away to marry?
Gillian Kelly
¶ 7:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Piece No. 2131 - Folio 303
Schedule 194, Butcher Street, Nottm St Mary
John WELLS, Hd, Md, 41, Cordwainer, b. Nottingham
Eliza WELLS, Wf, Md, 41, Shoe Binder, b. Nottingham
Ann WELLS, Dau, U, 18, Cotton Spinner, b. Nottinghamshire
John WELLS, Son, U, 16, Labourer, b. Nottingham
Eliza WELLS, Dau, U, 14, Cotton Spinner, b. Nottingham
Maryann WELLS, Dau, 11, Errand Girl, b. Nottingham
William WELLS, Son, 9, Errand Boy, b. Nottingham
Henry WELLS, Son, 7, Cotton Winder, b.Nottingham
Maria WELLS, Dau, ?7, at home, b. Nottingham
Charles SHAW, Visitor, U, 20, ?Needlemaker, b. Leicestershire
Piece No. 2131 - Folio 322/3
Schedule 47, 32 [?Island] Street, Nottm St Mary
Henry WELLS, Hd, Md, 28, [?Carriers Agent], b.Nottingham
[ ] WELLS, Wf, Md, 28, at home, b. Nottingham
Eliz. A WELLS, Dau, U, 3, at home, b. Nottingham
Piece No. 2131 - Folio 403
Schedule 128, 7 Plumtree Place, Nottm St Mary
Joseph WELLS, Hd, Md, 40, Frame Work Knitter, b. St Marys Nottm
Hannah WELLS, Wf, Md, 49, Lace Drawer, b. St Marys Nottm
Mary WELLS, Dau, 7, Lace Drawer, b. St Marys Nottm
Joseph WELLS, Son, 5, Lace Drawer, b. St Marys Nottm
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 83
Schedule 33, 6 Mt. East Street, Nottm St Mary
Thomas WELLS, Hd, Md, 47, Lace Maker
Harriet WELLS, Wf, Md, 45, Lace Mender
Ann WELLS, Dau, U, 21, Lace Mender
Harriet WELLS, U, 16, Lace Mender
?Sarah WELLS, 12, Lace [ .er]
William WELLS, 9, Scholar
Henry WELLS, 6, Scholar
(all born in Nottingham)
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 141
Schedule 84, 7 Bear Court, Nottm St Mary
William REVELL, Hd, U, 36, Labourer & Bricklayer, b. Nottingham
Ann WELLS, Lodger, -, 38, Laundress, b. Notts, [looks like Bridgford or Hucknall)
George WELLS, Son, 8, at school, b. Nottm
+ 4 other lodgers, all different surnames
Also, at Folio 144, Schedule 108, 1 Salmon Yard =
Frederick WELLS, 10, b. Nottm, working as chimney sweep with several others in household of Elizabeth COOK, 56 year old widow.
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 306
Schedule 67, Villa Street, Nottm St Mary
Charles WELLS, Hd, Md, 49, Certfd Schoolmaster, Proprietor of [?Houses] & Annuitant of Land
Eliza WELLS, Wf, Md, 40, -, b. Nottingham
Marian WELLS, Dau, 13, Scholar, b. Nottingham
Ann BUXTON, Ser, 19, House Servant, b. Leics, Walton
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 386
Workhouse - Nottm St Mary
George WELLS, Pauper, U, ?17, General Labourer, b. Nottingham
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 448/9
Schedule 92, 2 Court [?Count] Street, Nottm St Mary
Joseph WELLS, Hd, W, 70, [?Linker] Maker, b. Notts, Bulwell
George HAZARD, Son in Law, Md, 37, Lace Maker, b. Nottm St Mary
John HAZARD, Son in Law, Md, 28, Lace Maker, b. Calais, British Subj.
Joseph WHITCHURCH, Son in Law, Md, 37, Lace Maker, b. St Mary Nottm
Harriet HAZARD, Dau, Md, 37, Lace Maker, b. St Mary Nottm
Alice WHITCHURCH, Dau, Md, 26, Lace Maker, b. St Mary Nottm
Ann WELLS, Dau, ?U/?W, 25, Dress Maker, b. St Mary Nottm
Jane HAZARD, Grddau, U, 16, Dress Maker, b. St Mary Nottm
Anne HAZARD, Grddau, U, 11, Lace Mender, b. St Mary Nottm
William HAZARD, Grdson, U, 6, b. Calais, British subj.
Mary Ann HAZARD, Grddau, U, 2, b. St Mary Nottm
Ellen WHITCHURCH, Grddau, U, 6, b. St Mary Nottm
Eliza WHITCHURCH, Grddau, U, 2, b. St Mary Nottm
Piece No. 2132 - Folio 578
Schedule ?, St Johns Street, Nottm St Mary
Ann WELLS, Hd, W, 68, Silk Hose Chevener, Alms House known as Bkilbies Hospital, b. Nottingham
Pice No. 2132 - Folio 631
Schedule 23, 3 Cherry Place, Nottm St Mary
William WELLS, Hd, Md, 58, Framework Knitter, b. Nottingham
Ann WELLS, Wf, Md, 52, -, b. Notts, Bulwell
William WELLS, Son, U, 17, Card Maker, b. Nottingham
Oliver [sic] WELLS, Dau, U, 15, Laundress, b. Nottingham
Charles WELLS, Son, 13, Card Maker, b. Nottingham
Ann UNDERWOOD, Visitor, U, 23, House Servant, b. Lancashire, Preston
¶ 3:17 PM 0 Comments
Links to this post
Date: 08/13/04 17:01:18
To: [email protected]
Subject: wells family
Hi stumbled across your site. My husband is descended from Elizabeth Wells and William waters and I found your site interesting, especially the bit about the decline in Lace trade etc. Any way I have Elizabeth in my records as being the child of Walter Wells( I assume he is Thomas’ brother) and Sophie Basford not Thomas and Sarah. My information is second hand from another rellie so would like to clear it up for all our sakes. Elizabeth is mentioned as their child on the LDS site also.. I find it odd if she is Thomas’ daughter as to why their next child was called Eliza (a short version of Elizabeth)?
Hope you can shed some light – delighted to find their trade was something different!
Lisa Devlyn
¶ 8:34 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Hugh
¶ 8:41 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
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The residence of Thomas and Grace Wells, Kaniere, New Zealand
¶ 4:28 PM 0 Comments
Links to this post
by Gillian Kelly
Most people think of the lacemakers of old as little old ladies sitting in sun-filled doorways with a pillow on their knees and their hands flying across a myriad of thread-filled bobbins, and looking as if they had just stepped out of a Dutch interior painting. They have a look that defies time with their lace caps and Rembrandt faces as they ply their intricate and fascinating art.
It often comes as a surprise then that the Lacemakers of Calais were none of these things. They didn't originate from Calais and, in fact, were not even French. They were blacksmiths, white smiths, engineers and inventors extraordinaire. They were male. They designed and built machines of uncountable complexities that, in the long run, produced true lace in an infinite variety of patterns and of such fineness that it floated like gossamer. And, with the addition of electricity, these machines can still be used 160 years later.
The story of machine-made lace began in Nottingham towards the end of the 18th century. The first machines produced a knitted fabric that ran if cut or holed. The demand for lace was great, and while romantic visions of hand-made bobbin lace abound, it was a dirty trade of sweat shops and pathetic wages, and totally unable to keep up with demand. The time for machine lace was ripe, and the first machines that produced tulle were invented in the early 1800s in Nottingham. The tulle base was embroidered by hand, to produce a fine fabric.
England was fiercely protective of her world lead in textiles. She made it illegal to take the machines, or even the men who made and ran them, out of the country. There were even suggestions that such a crime be punishable by death!
To protect her own industry, France placed high tariffs on English lace and fine English cotton, making the product outrageously expensive. With very low profits and high wages in England, around 1816 one Robert Webster with accomplice, Samuel Clark, ran the risks and smuggled a machine into Calais. The machine was dismantled and shipped on numerous boats in packets labelled "old iron," and then reassembled in a shop on Quai du Commerce in the village of Saint-Pierre, outside the walls of Calais itself.
Trade boomed and in the following years no fewer than eleven machines were set up. The operatives were English and their motive was profit. The machines were owned by Englishmen and operated by Englislimen, lest the secrets of the trade got out!
In 1822 a man called Austin either gave or sold a machine to a French engineer who was able to copy it and teach his fellow countrymen how to use it. From this time on, the French and the English worked side by side in Calais et Saint-Pierre, in a blossoming business. Eventually the British trade embargoes were lifted and, while the industry had catastrophic rises and falls, it was marked by two spectacular improvements.
The first was the application of steam to the machines. This enhanced production and led to the necessity of machines being accumulated in factories - marking the commencement of the factory system. The second was the belated application to the lace machine of an invention of a man called Jacquard. This system allowed the movement in and out of play of individual threads. This system had been applied to other textile machines many years earlier, but wasn't until the 1830s that Fergusson was able to successfully attach it to a lace machine. For the first time, it was possible to produce true lace in its entirety on a machine.
By this time there were some three thousand English living and working in Calais and Saint-Pierre. Their lifestyle was simple but comfortable and seemingly better than life in the Midland counties of England.
Then France revolted! The Revolution of 1848 was not particularly bloody by other standards but it brought France to a complete standstill. Banks were frozen and all work stopped. In some areas of France, British workers were actively menaced, but in Calais and Saint-Pierre the atmosphere was simply one of despair. The lace factories were closed and their English owners returned to England to wait for better times. In France there was no money to be had and seemingly no way of survival except to return to England and to the Poorhouses of the various parishes.
Nottingham and its surrounding counties were gripped by the same depression as Europe and her Poorhouses were bursting at the seams. One group of Calais Lacemakers saw returning to the Poorhouses as untenable and in March of 1848 they gathered in a church in Saint-Pierre to discuss their plight. One hundred and fourteen fainilies signed a memorial beseeching the English Governinent to support them in their desires to emigrate to the Australian colonies, especially South Australia.
Their initial pleas were disregarded. Many of the men were over forty, they were highly skilled in a trade not wanted in Australia and many of them had large families with numerous children under the age of ten. The Colonial Office was not convinced that it would be getting immigrants of quality.
However, with statements of support from English Consul Bonham of Calais, and the sure knowledge that the British parishes would be hard pressed to support such an influx, a compromise was reached. Appeals to raise half the assistance money were launched in London and in Nottingliam, and kits were found to outfit the emigrants.
The first to leave Calais were shipped by steamer to the Thames, where they boarded the Fairlie and sailed on 30 April 1848. There were 56 Lacemakers on this voyage - chosen as those who seemed to be the least destitute. They were disembarked at Port Jackson.
The next was the Harpley, an Australian built merchant, which departed 12 May 1848 and did go to Adelaide. Her complement was intended to be entirely Lacemakers, but at the last moment six families were redirected to other ships. The heads of family of these six, it would seem, were unable to produce their marriage certificate - an ordinary requirement for couples emigrating as married! Finally the Agincourt left Gravesend 6 June 1848.
For the Harpley and the Agincourt, the voyages were arduous, but made under the ideal circumstances of all the passengers knowing each other, coming from similar backgrounds and going forward with similar intent. Those on the Fairlie were entertained and shocked by the behaviour of a particularly difficult group of women and a Superintendent Surgeon who behaved quite unfairly towards some of the men!
The arrival of the Harpley in Adelaide marked the beginning of yet another trying period in the Lacemakers' lives. There was no Immigrants' Agent to assist them find work and they were, with few exceptions, destitute. However, with the determination already exhibited, they were settled into work within the first few months. Many of the single females married with alarming alacrity.
Those who reached Sydney stepped into a political climate where the country areas were complaining loudly about not receiving a sufficient supply of labourers and who could blame anyone for wanting to settle in beautiful Sydney after over tliree months at sea! To overcome this tendency, the Lacemaker's were not allowed to disembark at Sydney. Most of the Fairlie lacemakers were despatched to Bathurst and the Agincourt passengers were split in half. The first half, within days of their arrival, sailed by steamer to Morpeth, from where they walked to the East Maitland barracks and were assisted into employment all over the district by the local authorities.
The second half were transported up the River to Parramatta where they were established in the Immigrants' barracks for several days while arrangements were finalised to transport them over the Blue Mountains to Bathurst - a journey of ten days. On reaching Bathurst, they too were settled into Immigrants' barracks with the overflow being accommodated in a converted store. They were quickly absorbed into the fabric of Bathurst society. They were initially mainly employed as servants of the domestic and farm varieties. A few of the lads were offered apprenticeships and their lives, while very different from anything they could ever have imagined, settled down to a pleasant routine.
We can feel for Eliza Lowe's husband and young family - she got wet crossing the mountains, and died of pneumonia within weeks of reaching Bathurst. Jane Crofts got as far as O'Connell, almost to Bathurst, when the arrival of her baby became iniminent and slie had to request the dray stop to allow her to give birth.
We recognise the work of Thomas Saywell in the development of coal mines at Bulli and his real estate ventures at Brighton-le-Sands - a name one would have to assume was a reflection on his younger years.
In the years to come, Mary Anne Whewell was to marry coach builder, James Holden, in South Australia and their name is legendary in thee annals of the Australian motor industry.
Brickie Foster, the son of Frederick, of Forbes, married one Kate Kelly who bore three children. Kate died in the saddest of circumstances and her brother, James, overlanded it from Victoria to take the children back to their grandmother, Ellen. Kate Kelly was Ned's sister.
Part of the original agreement with the Colonial Secretary was that the Lacemakers of Calais would not bring tlieir trade with them and, while this seems sad from the point of view 150 years later, it is becoming increasingly apparent that they were only too happy to leave it all behind.
Australia WAS the land of opportunity. There was sunshine and food, and their children did not have to work long hours from early childhood. It was the time of the goldrushes and Land Acts that put land within the reach of those who wanted it.
Almost seven hundred men, women and children came on those three ships, with the families relocated off the Harpley following in the next months.
WIule many followed in the years to come, these original immigrants with all their knowledge and skills, and their special deals with the Colonial Secretary and the British Foreign Office, were the original Lacemakers of Calais.
¶ 1:48 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
I don't believe you can take events out of people's lives and call it history - this is why we all know that MacArthur raised merinos, someone hid under a bed and Adelaide was Light's vision - but we often don't know much more about these events.
Fifteen years ago a number of people began to realise there was more to the arrival of the Agincourt and Harpley in 1848 than met the eye. Bert Archer, Bill Brownlow, Lenore Keyes, with the assistance of Elizabeth Simpson in Nottingham and Margaret Audin in Paris all began to make connections.
In 1982 the first scholarly piece on the story appeared in print - Doug Webster wrote a very accurate record of the arrival of William Branson, and the motivation behind his immigration - it appeared in Descent, the journal of the Society of Australian Genealogists.
Somewhere here I became interested, and then addicted. A society was formed and I remember quite clearly someone saying that in 1998 it would be 150 years since they arrived - and I think I can credit that to the late Theo Saywell.
The discovery of gold altered forever the close knit community of the lacemakers of Calais. The lives of the Lacemakers were like the bobbins of their trade. From the beginning of the machine made lace industry their lives had swung closely alongside each other, twisting and transversing, stopping and moving on, weaving a complex web of life just as the bobbins moved to weave the complex web of lace.
The major changes of moving from Calais to Australia had not altered the movement. Their lives continued to twist and transverse. The pattern of the fabric was changed, not the threads weaving it. The discovery of gold altered all that. The bobbins of the Lacemakers' lives swung out and away from each other, twisting and transversing the colonies. The close knit community of the Lacemakers of Calais had disappeared into the fabric of the developing Australian Society. The last rack had been made, and it was made with golden thread.
We are a unique group of people who share a bond that is 150 years old. Not many people know who their families were friends with 150 years ago - it intrigues me that that bond still exists. Today we have with us quite a few of the next generation - may those bonds continue.
Extracted from Gillian Kelly's address at the launch of "Well Suited to the Colony"
21st February 1998
¶ 1:44 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Date: 07/11/04 22:28:25
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [NZ] Hokitika, New Zealand
Judy,
No headstone or burial record on NZSG Cemetery Transcriptions, microfiche.
Hokitika as a town was only in its infancy in 1865, although there were
about 246 buildings along Revell Street, among them sixty-seven hotels!!!!
Ships bringing gold diggers were frequently wrecked, and passengers were
often brought ashore from the roadstead by whale boats, the first funeral
recorded is that on August 1865, when six of thirteen people drowned when
boat capsized crossing the bar.
Rev. G.S. Harper records in his diary a burial at the cemetery dated 10 Oct.
1865, but the first council burial listed is not until 17th Dec. 1866.
I have just been looking through West Coast Times on paperspast site, but
can find no mention of death.
¶ 10:49 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Hugh, apologies for the tardiness of my reply......
Some info for your "Winter collection"
Clara Mary GEDDES, should be Clara MAY Geddes. (My grandmother)
m. 1906. James Henry MITCHELL. (I have Mitchell pedigree if you want ) d.
11.6.1967.Bentleigh, Victoria, Aust.
Children: Eliza Mae
James Henry Mitchell
b. 1882
d. c. 1924
Occupation. Pastry Cook
Eliza Mae Mitchell
b. 13.6.1907. (birth cert. shows 1/6 incorrectly)
m. 23.4.1938 (George Andrew Manson, Carpenter & Joiner) (I have Manson pedigree
if you want )
d. 22.1.2000 Tuncurry, NSW
Children: Clive Andrew Manson b.6.3.44 (ME)
ALSO: your dates for ROBERT WELLS b. 1600, & son JOHN WELLS, b. 1714 ? don't
jell.
Thanks for making your knowledge available. I was really amazed at the depth of
your Creswell and Wells info.
Regards
Clive Manson
¶ 11:14 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
New Zealand Post office Directory.1893.
WELLS:
Elisha. miner. Woodstock.
George R. sawyer. Reefton.
John. miner. Woodstock.
W.E. porter. Greymouth.
Hokitika Savings Bank Ledgers. 1866>
WELLS:
1878. Nora.L. Woodstock.
1880. Annie. Kanieri.
1877. Mary.
1911. Elisha John. Woodstock. baker.
1918. John Christian. Woodstock. miner.
1913. Robert. Solicitor.
Harnett's Goldfield Directory. 1866/67.
WELLS. W.C. newsagent.(W.C.Times) Beach St. Hokitika.
¶ 11:01 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
John Wells
Private
6/2322
2nd Bn., Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
who died on
Monday, 11th June 1917.
Additional Information: Son of Mrs. N. L. Wells, of Woodstock, Hokitika, Westland, New Zealand.
Commemorative Information
Cemetery: HAZEBROUCK COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Grave Reference/
Panel Number: I. G. 5.
Location: Hazebrouck is a town lying about 56 kilometres south-east of Calais and is easily reached from Calais or Boulogne. The Communal Cemetery is on the south-western outskirts of the town.
From the Grand Place in Hazebrouck follow the D916 Bethune road. Traverse the first set of traffic lights and the Communal Cemetery will be found 200 metres further along on the right hand side of the road, as indicated by a signpost. The War Graves Plot lies immediately inside the entrance to the cemetery.
Historical Information: From October, 1914, to September, 1917, Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Hazebrouck. From September, 1917, to September, 1918, enemy shelling and bombing rendered the town unsafe for hospitals; but in September and October, 1918, No.9 British Red Cross Hospital was in the town. The British burials began in October, 1914, and continued until July, 1918. They were made at first among the civilian graves in the old Plots I and II, but after the Armistice these earlier burials were concentrated into the main British enclosure and the Plots were renumbered.
During the 1939-45 War Hazebrouck was on the western flank of the area occupied by the British Expedionary Force until May 1940, and was garrisoned.
There are now over 950, 1914-18 and nearly 100, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, nearly 30 from the 1914-18 War are unidentified. Of those from the 1939-45 War, the majority were killed in late May 1940 during the fighting which covered the retreat of the British Expedionary Force to the Dunkirk-Nieuport perimeter, and 20 are unidentified.
The British plots cover an area of 2,356 square metres.
The sum of 20,000 francs was contributed by the town of Hazebrouck to the construction of the British plots.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
¶ 11:10 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Attracted to gold in New Zealand, John decided to go prospecting in the
South Island, leaving Melbourne for NZ on the steamer "Gothenberg" arriving
in Hokitika in 1865.
John settled in Woodstock on the West Coast, and built the family home at a
town called Woodstock just out of Hokitika. While at the Woodstock Hotel he
met a barmaid by the name of Nora Letitia Furness, eldest child of Robert
and Eliza Furness.
The Furnesses had come to NZ via South Africa and Australia, arriving in NZ
in 1867.
John and Nora married in St Andrews Church, Kanieri on 26 Sep 1871, he was 30
and she 17.
According to records he journeyed a lot of moving around Westland after he was
married, mining. There is a account that he had one of his rifles snatched by
outlaws. He had 10 children, including Thomas, my grandfather, one, Robert,
was killed by pigs at 4, and John jnr died with honour on the battlefields
of France in 1917.
He died in January 1925, and was buried in the Wells family plot in Hokitika
Cemetery.
¶ 10:29 AM 0 Comments Links to this post
Sex: M
Birth: 13 SEP 1799 in Nottingham
Death: 30 SEP 1894 in Essendon, Australia
Burial: 2 OCT 1894 Melbourne Cemetery, Australia-Wesleyan Compartment F Grave 1015(no headstone)
Immigration: 2 SEP 1848 Adelaide, Australia
Event: Ship and Arrival 1848 Harpley
Event: Christened 22 SEP 1803 St Marys, Nottingham
Occupation: Laceworker, Farmer
Religion: Anglican
Event: Born (2) 13 SEP 1803 Nottingham, England
Event: Married 1829 Havre de Grace, France
Note:
!DEATH:Victoria Australia 6100\1808
AUSTRALIAN DESCENDANTS OF THE NOTTINGHAM LACE MAKERS
Harpley 254 Dep 12 May 1848 Arr 2 Sep 1848
Fairlie 296 Dep 30 Apr 1848 Arr 7 Aug 1848
Agincourt 263 Dep 16 Jan 1848 Arr 6 Oct 1848
Originally they are British, mostly from the Nottingham
area,but a few can be traced to other areas of the British
Isles.At some time in their lives all of them went to
live and work in France, mostly in Calais, but a few
can be found in other areas of France.
In the first half of the 19th century expert machine makers
had cleverly devised machines capable of making lace,
formerly only slowly produced by hand. A booming industry
grew up in Nottingham. Traditional hand making
lace areas began to suffer. Northern France was one of these.
To survive they needed to make their lace also by machinery.
Not unnaturally the British were anxious to preserve their
monopoly of the trade and made it as difficult as
possible for their ideas and par\tents to be copied.
But in any walk of life, at any time in history, a form of
espionage can apply. Parts of machines were transported
from England to France by all manner of means. Once there,
they needed experts to reassemble them.Then some
more experts either to train the French operatives, or move to live
and work in France carrying on an industry learnt in England.
Many thousands moved. Calais became known as the Nottingham
of France.
In the year of the revolution in France in 1848, life was
disrupted for everyone, but especially for the British Foreigners.
The closing factories threw many hundreds of people out of work.
All suffered, from the top owners to the lowest operatives-those
in the bottom being nearest to desolation the fastest!
In 1848 the machine lace trade in Nottingham, quite
simply, could not absorb this kind of influx. The poor
rate, always stretched to the limit anyway could only
provide for numbers on a vast scale by one method-
increase the rates!The city fathers put their heads
together to devise a way out of this dilemma.
"Collections" were made. But this wasnt a small disaster
like a shipwreck or fire, this involved enormous numbers
of people. A one off payment would not suffice, their were
long term problems looming here.
Mass emigration seemed to offer a remarkable solution! Not
only would this lift the burden completely from the
shoulders of the Nottingham Poor Law Administrators, but
it would also preserve the livelihood of the many thousands
of workers already in the machine made lace trade there; an
industry which could in no way absorb so many hands
without threat of financial collapse.
More than this, this solution could offer hope to this mass
of people who were otherwise faced with very great
hardship, if not ultimate destitution. Immigration to
Australia offered them a chance to build new lives for
themselves and there families.
This is the bones of the story of how these three boat
loads of remarkably skilled immigrants arrived in Australia
within a three month period in 1848.
But there is even more to this story. Not all these
"French Deportees" agreed to be shipped to Australia,
many were absorbed back into their own families and
struggled until they reestablished themselves.
They were not only lace makers and they did not only
originate in Nottingham. Welsh iron workers, Lancashire
cotton weavers, and Midlands publicans and general
shopkeepers to name a few had been found. Then there
were soldiers of all trades from all parts.
The original first move-across to France from England offered
an opportunity not always available in England. Many
couples, marrying in their twenties in St Marys church in
Nottingham, left directly after,for this adventure in France.
Connections between Nottingham and France were so
close that many families already had kin or very close friends
over there. There was a great deal of coming and
going-evidence of this is easily spotted in the Nottingham
Census returns where in a long list of children, Nottingham
and France are dispersed as given birth places. It would
almost appear that some workers went on contract
that is home based but serving a term while in France only.
Recruitment was actively carried on in Nottingham. Others
went privately, the beer house keepers for instance.
Many family fortunes were both lost and won in France.
The exodus in 1848 was only an episode which resulted
in the mass emigration to Australia of so many Nottingham
folk, but after the trouble died down, large numbers of English
drifted back to France and continued to work there and commute
back to Nottingham as before.
When the government of Louis Philippe collapsed in Feb
1848 there were all kinds of ramifications throughout France.
All banking was frozen, all industries[including lacemaking]was
stopped, and there was fair amount of ill feeling
towards the British and other foreign populations employed
in France.Thousands and thousands of Britons went home
from all kinds of industries...textiles, steel and road building in
particular. It would seem that in some places there were actual
threats against the English, and while this doesn't seem true of Calais,
we do know that a lot of French Masters had a lot of pressure
on them to employ only French. The state of the lace trade in
Nottingham at that time was abysmal and thousands of the population
were in poorhouses. There was no way that the families
of Calais would find employment in Nottingham which is
where they mostly came from. A group of 113 families held a
meeting in a church in Calais and decided to petition the British
Government to allow them to migrate to Australia.
The petition was drawn up, and eventually passed by the
government, and with the help of a group of do gooders,
the families came on the aforementioned ships. Although
the petition stated that they would like to go to Australia,
the Harpley was the only one that did. It was actually a
general immigration ship that they got passages for the
families in direst need on.
It is of some interest that those families broke every rule that
applied to assisted immigration, bar being of good health.
Thomas was 42 and Sarah 36...40 was the maximum age
on general runs. They had a large family, also against
the rules because experience had taught that large families
often carried the kids diseases that spread like wild fire
through other large families, and were, of course, deadly,
and secondly because large families of small children gave
the small colony no return for their investment for a year the
needed manpower, and right that minute.
Thomas Wells, his wife Sarah(nee Creswell), and their 10 children arrived in
Adelaide on the Harpley in 1848.
Both the Wells and Creswell families can be traced back
to the Nottingham area to at least 1700, the Wells then
living at south Wilford. Mary Flower, later Thomas's maternal
grandmother, was also a member.
It is not clear when the Wells family migrated to France or
which members made the move. David and Rebecca
Creswell and family, of which Sarah was the eldest,
probably arrived around 1825, as their second son, William
was born in Sneinton, near Nottingham in August 24
and their last child, Elizabeth, at Montreuil in France in 1826.
It is probable that the family was living in Calais 2 years later
when Sarah eloped with Thomas Wells, The couple had been
forbidden to marry as Sarah was barely 16 and Thomas was
twice her age. David and Rebecca suffered a crushing blow in
1833 when they lost three of their children during the months
of May and June.
Thomas and Sarahs first child, Richard was born in Caen in
Normandy at the end of March 1829. The birth certificate states
that Thomas was a lace worker and that he and Sarah were
married in Normandy. A witness was Thomas Peet, and English
fabricant residing in theRue de St Jean. The Wells were then living
in the Rue de Bretagne, close to where William the conqueror,
Duke of Normandy is buried. Two further children, Thomas and Rebecca,
were born in the same town. Sarah was born in Havre de Gras(now Le Havre)
in 1834. Though the birthplaces of Emma and William, who followed in the
next four years, are not known, the family was living in Calais before
November 1841, when John, the seventh child was born. A month later,
Sarahs father, David Creswell, died at the age of 50. The Creswells
address at the time was La Grande Rue.
James Wells was born in Calais in 1843 and Anne in 1846, when
the family was living in the Rue de la Fayette. Elizabeth, the tenth
child was born at the Rue de Four a Chaux just a few weeks before
the Harpley sailed for South Australia.
Little is known of their time in South Australia except that 3
more daughters, Eliza, Alice, and Fanny were born there between
1848 and 1854. It is believed that Thomas obtained some land and
ran dairy cattle, perhaps along the banks of the Torrens, near Thebarton,
where many of the Harpley passengers are reported to have settled,
or possibly by the Sturt river closer to Glenelg. Rebecca, their
eldest daughter, worked for a time as a ladies maid, and
married William Burroughs Bradshaw, her employers son
at Morphett Vale in February 1849. The family moved to the
Ballarat goldfields some time after the birth of their second
child in November 1851. Rebeccas older brother, Richard
married Ann Cope, the daughter of Henry and Ann Cope
at Morphett Vale in 1853. The Cope family had also
arrived in the Harpley. Anns uncle was a reciver for the
gold sent back to Adelaide by the diggers who had gone
to the Victorian Goldfields. There is an uncormfirmed report
that some of the Wells men were involved in the first gold
escort to leave Mt Alexander with gold consigned to Adelaide in
early 1852. Richard and Ann Wells moved to Ballarat where
they opened a bakery some time before the end of 1854.
Their first child was born the following year.
Thomas, Sarah, and the rest of the family in South Australia
appear to have made the move to the Ballarat goldfield
some time after the birth of Fanny, theit third Australian
child, in June 1854. James, then about 11 years old
claimed to have watched the battle of the Eureka Stockade
in December 1854 from a nearby tree.
Richards bakery was at Specimen Hill, somewhere nearby.
Legend has it the family drove their cattle overland to Ballarat,
losing some on the way to aboriginal spears, and on arrival they
camped on the pastures around Yuiles swamp(Lake Wendouree).
From there they appeared to have followed the gold leads
down the Yarawee in the area around Magpie, where Thomas
set himself up as a dairyman on Winters Flat, supplying the
miners in the area. Their second son, Thomas, who married
Catherine McIntyre at Geelong in 1855, took out a miners right at
Magpie. Catherines first child was born there in 1856 and on
Christmas Eve the same year Sarah gave birth to her 14th and last
child Frederick Flower Wells.
In February 1859 Sarah married Matthew Hutchinson, a
widower at nearby Bunyinyong and the following year her
sister Emma married Isador Yde at Bunyinyong. Both
families selected land in the district when it was opened
up for small scale farming around 1863 and continued
to live there for 20 more years..
Initially both Hutchinson and Yde both had trouble
gaining title to their lands because miners petitions
held up their applications. Mathews grant was finalised
in 1873, subject to mining rights, but Isadors land was
not surveyed until 1880.
Thomas senior also took advantage of the new laws and
selected land on the banks of the Leigh River at durham
lead some miles south of Bunyinyong in 1863. Here
he built a home for his family, which still included nine
unmarried children. This farm was to remain in the hands
of the family for approximately 100 years.
Richard and Ann left Ballarat and opened a bakery in
the small township of Durham Lead, not far from the
Wells farm. In June 1866 Ann died, leaving one surviving child
Richard Loscoe Wells just turned 11. Richard senior was
able to continue running the bakery, his son doubtless
brought up by his uncles and Aunts. Richard Loscoe was a
little older than his uncle Frederick. In 1868 Richard
was married for the second time, to Alice Dutton in Ballarat.
Descendants of their 4 children are still living in the area around
"the Durham". Richard lived there until his death in 1880.
In the ten years after Thomas and Sarah settled at Durham
Lead six of the remaining children married, either at Durham
Lead or in Bunyinyong, and continued to live in the area,
as did the older ones. The Wells seemd to have been a close knit
family. Only one, John, left the area in this period. About
1865 he went to New Zealand, married at Woodstock, a
small gold mining town in the South Island, in 1871, and begat a
large family, descendants of whom still live in the district.
He died there in 1925.
Of the family who emigrated to South Australia in 1848, Anne
was the first to die. In 1847 she died in childbirth leaving her
husband, Dionysius Wallis, with two young children to care for.
Two years later, Sarah, the mother of the Wells family, died in
Ballarat at the home of her daughter, Alice, the West Ballarat
fire Station. Alice had married William Perry, the
station keeper, in 1873. The Perrys continued to live in
Ballarat until Alices death in 1896.
After Sarahs death in 1876 the family started to disperse. Apart
from the loss of their mother it is probable that changes
in the economy of the district played a part in this.
Gold was no longer available at shallow levels and work on on or
connected with the mines was more difficult to obtain.
In that year James took his family to Barrys Reef, a gold
mining town near Ballarat. Elizabeth with husband Henry
Waters and a young family, also moved there.
The Waters, however did not remain long but migrated to Tasmania
where they settled. Some of their descendants still live in Waratah.
Rebecca Bradshaw bore her 16th and last child at
Bungaree near Ballarat in 1874. Subsequently the family
moved to Gol Gol near Wentworth where Sarah and her
3 year old son died in 1877. At Wentworth where they
are buried, William erected a worthy monument to his wife.
William Wells, after his marriage to Kate Bland had settled
at the Durham and worked as a carter in the mines. In
1880 William and Kate loaded their 6 children and all
their possesions ionto a horse drawn dray and travelled overland to
Gol Gol, where irrigation was opening up prospects for orchardists.
They arrived after the day the Bradshaws oldest son Charles
was drowned in the Murray River. One of their own sons
was to drown in the river some years later. William worked
hard to establish a farm, supplementing his income with
whatever work came along, including trapping rabbits to
help out the housekeeping. Kate, or Nurse Wells as she was
called, gave her services as the district midwife, often
rowing across the river and walking miles through the
bush, usually without payment. William and Kate
remained in the district until their deaths in 1924 and 1935.
Towards the 1880s Melbourne was becoming a magnet
not only for overseas immigrants but for people from
former goldmining towns where work and money
had become harder to come by. Eliza and her husband
James Geddes left Sebastopol where they had been
living, around 1877 moved to Melbourne and settled in
Carlton. Eliza died at Fitzroy in 1936. Fanny, her youngest
sister, and the only one not to marry, moved to the
city not long after the Geddes, possibly about the time
that Frederick, who was till on the farm married
Sarah Louise Lloyd. Fanny seems to have made
her living as a dressmaker.
She was living in Prahran when she died in 1889 soon
after her 35th birthday. Thomas Junior had jopined the
railways and had also shifted to Melbourne
by this time. He was living in South Melbourne in
1894 but moved soon after to West Brunswick where
he died in 1900.
Landsales boomed in Melbourne during the 80s
and enormous sums of money were invested by
overseas financiers. Standards of living where high
and the magnificent buildings erected at that time
spoke prosperity and confidence. Emma and Isador
Yde gave up farming and moved to Melbourne
this period. Isadore died at Richmond in 1895 and
Emma in Croydon in 1919. Sarah Hutchinson left
the farm amd Mathew, who did not want to leave
the land, and moved into a home built for her in Essendon
by 2 of her sons. She died there in 1910 and is buried in Coburg.
James and his family remained at Barry's Reef until
1887 then moved to Ascot Vale, a suburb of Melbourne. They
arrived a day before the fireworks to celebrate Queen Elizabeths
Jubilee took place. With work hard to find in the depression years
of the early 90s when the land boom had come to
a sad end, James and his eldest son, Herbert, tried their
luck in Queensland for a short while, but evidently without
much success. They returned to Melbourne and sonn afterwards
Herbert borrowed enough money for a steerage
passage to Western Australia which was booming due
to the discovery of gold. In 1896 James, with financial help
from Herbert brought his whole family to the west and they
settled in North Freemantle. James died in Freemantle in 1924.
Father Thomas moved to Melbourne around 1890 to live
with his daughter Sarah Hutchinson at Essendon. He died
there in 1894 and is buried in the Melbourne Cemetery.
Frederick, the youngest member of the family, stayed on at the
farm. He and Sarah Louisa had seven children. The oldest
son was drowned in the Leigh river in 1894 at the age of 12.
Sarah Louise died in childbirth in 1897. Frederick, with the
help of his eldest daughter, brought up his family on the farm.
He died in Ballarat in August 1942 and is buried in the
Bunyinyong cemetery. The farm remained in the family until 1966
when after a succession of drought years it was sold.
Descendants of Frederick and Sarah still live in Bunyinyong.
Funeral details of Thomas Wells. The follwing is taken from
an extract of the funeral records of Joseph Allison, Funeral
directors. The company is currently operated by
W Rose in Burwood, Victoria.
No2 Ledger 1886-1894 Folio 350
Name of Deceased; Thomas Wells
Date of Death? Sep 30 1894 Age 93
Where died Dorcas St, Sth Melbourne
Funeral Leaves Not Recorded
What Denomination Wesleyan
What Compartment F
Number of Grave 1015
What Cemetery Melbourne General
Day of Burial 02/10/1894
What kind of coffin 5 foot 10 inches lined and mounted
Address Agatha St, Essendon
Funeral Notice
WELLS- The friends of the late Thomas Wells are respectfully invited
to follow his remains to the place of Internment- The Melbourne General
Cemetery. The funeral will leave the residence of his daughter,
Mrs Hutchinson, Agatha St, Essendon, this day, Tuesday, at 3.30pm.
Age- 2 October 1894
Father: William WELLS b: 1774 in Nottingham
Mother: Sarah Ann FLOWER b: 1773 in Nottingham
Marriage 1 Sarah CRESWELL b: 1813 in Nottingham
Married: 1829 in Havre de Grace, France
Children
Richard WELLS b: 29 MAR 1829 in Caen, France
Thomas WELLS b: 1830 in Normandy, France
Rebecca WELLS b: 25 NOV 1832 in Caen, France
James WELLS b: 15 FEB 1833 in Calais, France
Sarah WELLS b: 1835 in Le Havre, France
Emma WELLS b: 1836 in France
William WELLS b: 1838 in France
John WELLS b: 7 NOV 1841 in Calais, France
Anne WELLS b: 8 FEB 1846 in Calais, France
Elizabeth WELLS b: 31 JAN 1848 in Calais, France
Eliza WELLS b: 25 JUL 1850 in Adelaide, Australia
Alice WELLS b: 1852 in Adelaide, Australia
Fanny WELLS b: 21 JUN 1854 in Adelaide, AUS
Frederick Flower WELLS b: 1857 in Buninyong, Australia
Sex: M
Birth: 7 NOV 1841 in Calais, France 1
Death: 14 JAN 1925 in Woodstock, NZ
Burial: 16 JAN 1925 Hokitika Cemetery, NZ
Immigration: 1865 Hokitika, NZ
Event: Ship and Arrival 1865 Gothenberg
Occupation: Miner
Religion: Anglican
Event: Birth Address 1841 Rue Lafayette, Section G, number 370, Calais
Event: Married 26 SEP 1871 Hokitika, NZ
ADDR: Woodstock
New Zealand
Note:
John Wells was born at 10am on 7 Nov 1841 before Louis
Joseph Frougere, who representing the civil state in the
commune of the St Pierre de Calais, department Pas de Calais,
as delegated by the mayor, is presented Thomas Wells(40), lace
worker, residing in St Pierre de Calais, who presents a
male child, born at his residence at Rue Lafayette,
Section G, number 370, on the 7th of this month at 11pm.
He declares Sarah Creswell(29) to be the mother and
wishes to name the baby John. This declaration and
presentation made in the presence of Victor Desjardin(33)
and George King(25) who have read and signed this
statement, together with the father.
John was the only member of the Wells family in
Australia to leave home. The fact that 1000 miners
a week were leaving Victoria to go to the goldfields of
Westland and Otago in New Zealand persuaded John
to try his luck.
John took a steerage in the steamer "Gothenburg" arriving
in Hokitika on the west coast of New Zealand sometime in
1865. That is taken from death certificate-in New Zealand 60 years.
6 years later in 1871 John married Nora Letitia Furness,
eldest daughter of Robert and Eliza Furness formerly of
Hackney in England. They had also been goldmining in
Durham Lead and Castlemaine in Australia before coming
to New Zealand in 1867 on the "Rangitoto".
Nora had been orphaned as her parents had been killed by a tree in
a storm while running out of their store in 1868, and had taken up
residence as a foster child of the owner of the hotel.
John had probably been a regular at the hotel where Nora had been
earning her keep as a barmaid and they married in 1871 at the
Anglican Church in Hokitika. They married in 26 Sep 1871, he was 30
and she 17.
John built the family home in Woodstock on the banks of the
Grey river. It is probable that he had done fairly well at
mining as the house had been well built and is still standing
today and is owned by descendants.
The first child Nora was born in January 1872.
Robert followed next and did extremely well as a lawyer
until drink caught up with him. He died in a old folks home in
Westport in 1952.
Richard was accidentally strangled in the door of a chicken
coop in 1878, and brother John died fighting for his country
on the battlefields of France in 1917.
My grandfather Thomas was a goldminer and millhand who
died of a heart attack in Westland Hospital in 1955. While
his name was Thomas, he was always called Tony. Thomas married
Victoria Grace McMillan, daughter of Robert McMillan
of Motherwell, Scotland.
Sarah, James, William, and Richard all lived in the
West Coast until they died, with William often working
in the timber mills in Rimu and panning for gold with Thomas.
John died at home in 1925, of old age and was buried in the Wells
family plot at Hokitika Cemetery. Nora was to live until 1930, when
she passed away quietly at the home in Woodstock.
Father: Thomas WELLS b: 13 SEP 1799 in Nottingham
Mother: Sarah CRESWELL b: 1813 in Nottingham
Marriage 1 Nora Letitia FURNESS b: 4 SEP 1854 in Castlemaine, Australia
Married: 26 SEP 1871 in Hokitika, NZ 2
Children
Alice WELLS b: 12 JAN 1872 in Woodstock, NZ
Robert WELLS b: 9 JUN 1874 in Woodstock, NZ
Richard WELLS b: 24 NOV 1875 in Woodstock, NZ
John WELLS b: 5 OCT 1876 in Woodstock, NZ
Nora WELLS b: 8 JAN 1879 in Woodstock, NZ
Thomas WELLS b: 12 APR 1881 in Woodstock, NZ
Sarah Eliza WELLS b: 15 OCT 1883 in Woodstock, NZ
James Edmund WELLS b: 3 MAY 1886 in Woodstock, NZ
William Creswell WELLS b: 23 DEC 1889 in Woodstock, NZ
Richard Charles WELLS b: 19 MAR 1893 in Woodstock, NZ
Sources:
Title: French Civil Registry
Publication: Birth Certificate
Note: V Good
Repository:
Call Number:
Media: Civil Registry
Page: 313\1841
Title: NZ Births Deaths and Marriages
Author: Registrar General
Publication: Document
Note: Excellent
Repository:
Note: PO Box 11115, Wellington, NZ
Call Number:
Media: Civil Registry
Page: NZ 1239\1871
¶ 3:38 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Birth is registered as William George Wells, 1920, Brunswick East, Victoria.
Vic #28259, son of George William Wells and Doris Vera McCallum/Maccallum
From George Robert Wells' WWII record et al we know his father's name was George. We also know that his mother was "Scottish." There was no listing of a George Wells, parent father George, born between 1914 and 1920. The above was the only result with any "George" listing, with the middle name "George" ¶ 3:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Enlisted during WWII under the name of George Robert Wells
Service No. NX160424 (N108077)
Rank: Sapper
Posting at Discharge: 9th Australian Army Transport Co.
Born: 27 December 1918, Cranbourne, Victoria
Enlisted: 17 December 1942 at Larrimah, Northern Territory
Next of Kin George Wells
Discharged: 22 December 1945
Source: WWII Nominal Roll
¶ 3:37 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Born 1893, Durham Lead, Vic #31044, s/o Frederick Wells and Sarah Louise Lloyd
Married Doris Vera McCallum/Maccallum, 1918, Vic #3737/3737R
Note Details on the McCallum family are in separate chapter
Children born to George and Doris:
* William George (aka George Robert) - as above
* Norman (aka Brian) - post 1920
* Allan - post 1920
* Lindsay - post 1920
* Donald - post 1920
* Geoffrey Neil Wells, born circa 1923. Died 1928, aged 5, Carlton. Vic #855, son of George William & Doris Vera Wells. ¶ 3:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
B: 25.7.1850
M: 1868 James William GEDDES
D: 4.1.1936 Fitzroy, Victoria
Children
Elizabeth
Francis
Inis ???
Thomas
William
Clara May m: James Henry MITCHELL
b: 1885
m: 1906
d: 11.6.1967 Cremated Springvale Victoria.
Daughter - Eliza Mae. m: George Manson
Son: Clive Manson
Eliza Mae MANSON
B: 13.6.1907
M: 23.4.1938
D: 22.1.2000 Cremated Taree NSW
George Andrew MANSON
B: 4.1.1906
M: 23.4.1938
D: 9.12.1985 Cremated Springvale, Victoria
If you want anymore "UP" the Manson tree, let me know.
¶ 3:36 PM 0 Comments Links to this post
Sarah Louisa Lloyd was born 1856, Magpie, Vic #8290, d/o John Robert Lloyd and Sarah Louise Berdoe. Sarah also used the name Sarah Louisa Eveleigh Lloyd. Eveleigh was her grandmother's maiden name, and was also used on occasion Sarah's mother.
