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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: BAC3 on Sunday 18 February 18 20:42 GMT (UK)

Title: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: BAC3 on Sunday 18 February 18 20:42 GMT (UK)
Hello,

William FORTUNE was transported to WA aboard the Dudbrook, disembarking at Fremantle on 02/02/1853.   He was granted a Conditional Pardon on 19/09/1854.

The following narrative was posted on another website but, because I do not subscribe to Facebook, I cannot contact the lady correspondent:

          William married Annie O'DNNELL in Perth in 1860.   He was allowed to leave
          WA in 1862, at which time he moved to NSW with his wife and son.   In 1865
          an arrest warrant was issued, for his desertion of his wife and children, he was
          believed to be in Victoria.   In 1868 he is in Qld.
          There is a death listed on http://austcemindex.com/inscription?id=5584395#images
          William FORTUNE - adult - died 18.2.1878 at Forbes, NSW


I wonder if someone could please help filling in the details of his arrest, names of children etc. as I do not have access to the appropriate Indexes in the UK.

Thank you for any information.

BAC3
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Sunday 18 February 18 22:26 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The NSW Police Gazette 5th July 1865 on page 246 has a notice for an arrest warrant issued by the Berrima Bench for a William FORTUNE for deserting his wife and children and has him as a saddler, 33 years old, about 5 ft 5 in, fair complexion, fair hair and whiskers, a large mole on the back of his neck and one broken toe.  Supposed to have gone overland to Victoria. 

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: willsy on Sunday 18 February 18 22:31 GMT (UK)
I looked at the convict transportation register for William Fortune convicted 20 Sep 1847, vessel Dudbrooke

Old Bailey online

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lls/

he was working for his brother who was a saddler, 35 Windmill Street
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Sunday 18 February 18 22:40 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Same description, this time in Queensland. 

Queensland Police Gazette Vol VI 6th October 1869, page 68.

William Henry FORTUNE was charged on warrant with deserting his wife and children at Mackay since 12th January last. He was described as English, aged 35, 5 ft 3 inches tall, slight build, fresh complexion, sandy hair and whiskers, blue eyes, small red mole on back of neck and scar under left thumb, saddler by trade.  Supposed to have gone to New Zealand. 29th September 1869.

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Sunday 18 February 18 22:58 GMT (UK)

Hi,


Queensland Government Gazette, 23rd January 1869 page 108.

My shortened version.

In the matter of the personal Estate of John Valentine O'DONNELL, late of Mackay a Publican, deceased, after 14 days  the letters of the administration for the Estate were to go to Ann FORTUNE of Mackay the wife of William Henry FORTUNE, saddler, sister of the deceased.

19th January 1869.

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Sunday 18 February 18 23:05 GMT (UK)
Children, NSW

2568/1862 FORTUNE  Mary A  WILLIAM and ANN at NEWTOWN
5762/1864 FORTUNE  William H  WILLIAM and ANNE M at BERRIMA
5763/1864 FORTUNE  Amelia F WILLIAM and ANNE M at BERRIMA

Jamjar
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Sunday 18 February 18 23:13 GMT (UK)

Was the child born in WA, John?

Death in Qld: 1889 C2776 John Fortune parents William Fortune and Ann O'Donnell

Is this Ann’s death? 1875 C1195 Anne Jane Fortune - O'Donnell - ** born Ireland aged about 30 years

Jamjar

Added: birth of child in WA: 5781 1861 Fortune John parents William and Ann Odonnell Perth
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Sunday 18 February 18 23:52 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Ann FORTUNE was the sister of John Valentine O'DONNELL as per the 1869 Gazette Notice re his estate.

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Sunday 18 February 18 23:55 GMT (UK)
Hi,

Ann FORTUNE was the sister of John Valentine O'DONNELL as per the 1869 Gazette Notice re his estate.

Gerry

Yes Gerry, I had edited my post to remove the question after I noticed that in the article.

Jamjar
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Monday 19 February 18 00:08 GMT (UK)
Hi,

From a subscription site.

William FORTUNE and Anne FORTUNE arrived in Sydney on 4th August 1862 on the Brig, "Kestrel" from Fremantle.

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Monday 19 February 18 00:11 GMT (UK)
I’m thinking this is the son William’s death:

1907 C2351 William Fortune - Fortune   - ** born Queensland aged 42 years

I can’t find anything on the two girls.

Jamjar
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Monday 19 February 18 00:25 GMT (UK)
Another daughter born Qld:

1868 C2037 Ruth parents Fortune William Henry and Maria Ann O'Donnell   

Is this the same mother?

1872 C1838 Anne Jane parents Fortune and Anne Mary Fortune   

1875 C2082 Louisa Caroline Parents Fortune and Annie Jane O'Donnell   

Jamjar

Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Jamjar on Monday 19 February 18 00:30 GMT (UK)
Deleted as incorrect information.

Jamjar
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: cando on Monday 19 February 18 00:36 GMT (UK)
Hello,

William FORTUNE was transported to WA aboard the Dudbrook, disembarking at Fremantle on 02/02/1853.   He was granted a Conditional Pardon on 19/09/1854.

The following narrative was posted on another website but, because I do not subscribe to Facebook, I cannot contact the lady correspondent:

          William married Annie O'DNNELL in Perth in 1860.   He was allowed to leave
          WA in 1862, at which time he moved to NSW with his wife and son.   In 1865
          an arrest warrant was issued, for his desertion of his wife and children, he was
          believed to be in Victoria.   In 1868 he is in Qld.
          There is a death listed on http://austcemindex.com/inscription?id=5584395#images
          William FORTUNE - adult - died 18.2.1878 at Forbes, NSW


I wonder if someone could please help filling in the details of his arrest, names of children etc. as I do not have access to the appropriate Indexes in the UK.

Thank you for any information.

BAC3

Hi Tony :)

For your records

http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au/_apps/pioneersindex/default.aspx
Marriage
FORTUNE William Henry
ODONNELL Ann Maria   
District Perth  1860  Reg#1426

One of a couple mentions of a Wm FORTUNE in strife in WA between 1855 and 1859.  I'm sure you can find the others ;)

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2932018
Drunkards.-Lomas Toovey, free, William Fortune, t.l., J. Ward, free, F. Glaskin, free,
were charged with having been drunk, and were each fined in the sum of from 5s to 10s. W,
Terry, t.l., was also charged with the same crime, but was discharged on account of years of good conduct.

Cheers  :)
Cando
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: cando on Monday 19 February 18 00:56 GMT (UK)
Attached baptism for son Wm Henry at the Holy Trinity Church, Berrima 1868

Post Office Directory 1868
Nebo, Qld
Fort Cooper - William FORTUNE, Saddler

His wife died 4 Nov 1875 at Mackay, Qld and is buried in the Roman Catholic Section of the Mackay Cemetery.

Cheers  :)
Cando
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Monday 19 February 18 01:37 GMT (UK)

Baptism, 14th May 1861
John Joseph FORTUNE
Perth, Western Australia
F: William FORTUNE
M: Anna Maria

GS Film No 1363650

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: Aussie1947 on Monday 19 February 18 03:43 GMT (UK)
Hi

A bit of trivia.

The Warwick Argus and Tenterfield Chronicle Wednesday 13th January 1862 on page 2 under the heading MACKAY, Jan 6 has an article re the death of John V. O'Donnell.

" A fatal accident occurred at the Criterion Hotel at 8 o'clock.  John V. O'Donnell, the landlord, was drawing some brandy out of a cask when the spirits ignited and exploded.  He was fearfully burnt and a stave of the cask which struck him inflicted a severe wound. He died about 3.30 pm today."

Gerry
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: judb on Monday 19 February 18 04:49 GMT (UK)
Is this your man? (from Old Bailey site)
WILLIAM FORTUNE, Theft > theft from a specified place, 20th September 1847.
2091. WILLIAM FORTUNE was indicted for stealing I watch, value 30s.; and 9 sovereigns; the property of Donald Grant, in the dwelling-house of Robert Mitchell, and another: to which he pleaded GUILTY. Aged 17.— Transported for Seven Years.

Not sure if this is what you need, or if you already have it and unsure whether these have already been mentioned - quicker to type up than to look!! (Such laziness!) Also there is another W FORTUNE in WA so perhaps these are not him although his occupation is listed as 'saddler' except for the sickness record.

Western Australia, Australia, Convict Records, 1846-1930 for William Fortune
Convict Department Convict Lists, Memoranda, and Indexes (128/33 - 37)
William FORTUNE, C.P., charged with larceny at Perth,
committed for trial 20/11/1854,
trial 3/1/55, not guilty, discharged.

Twice in October 1856 a William FORTUNE, occupation: quarry, was listed as sick - bad eyes

ToL 29 March 1859

Judith

Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: BAC3 on Monday 19 February 18 10:20 GMT (UK)
Good Morning Everyone,

Thank you for all the information, which I am enjoying collating.   I am extremely grateful.   I can now with some confidence complete my Biography for William FORTUNE and in turn pass the narrative to the other website I mentioned with due acknowledgement to RootsChat.

You may wish to know, although probably not be surprised, that William FORTUNE was a thoroughly bad lot.   In 1850, in concert with four other inmates, he was indicted for attempting to set fire to Parkhurst Prison.   Then, after being transported to WA, he re-offended and was sentenced in 1856 at Perth to another 7 years transportation.  He had earlier been acquitted at Perth of larceny in 1855 :o

Once again, thank you, take care,

BAC3

Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: willsy on Monday 19 February 18 20:27 GMT (UK)
There is a piece in the Brirish newspaper,

Morning Advertiser 20 September 1847

was unsure if you had come across it but happy to post it if you would like to add to the record

Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: BAC3 on Monday 19 February 18 20:59 GMT (UK)
Thank you willsy,

I have transcripts of both his Old Bailey and Winchester trials, together with newspaper reports.
The attempt to set fire to Parkhurst Prison was quite a famous news item at the time.

For now,

BAC3
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: mjg1916 on Thursday 29 November 18 06:02 GMT (UK)
Hi all,
I am a descendant of Annie Maria O'Donnell.  After William Fortune shot through and deserted Annie and the four children, Annie had two more children to a father unknown; Annie Jane and Louisa Caroline.  Im the GG Grand-daughter of Annie Jane.  Annie Maria died in 1875 and the youngest four children were placed in an orphanage.  I have no idea where William Fortune ended up.
Cheers Mel
Title: Re: William FORTUNE, born 1830, London
Post by: BAC3 on Thursday 29 November 18 16:34 GMT (UK)
mjg1916,

I have sent you a Personal Message with my email address so that we can continue the conversation about William FORTUNE.

For now,

BAC3