Victoria/Queensland: Robert Hallett PICKERING

[BAC3]

Hello,

Hopefully someone can resolve the marriage history for Robert Hallett PICKERING, born 1827 in Hampshire, transported as an "Exile" aboard Maitland and arrived Williamstown 09/11/1846.

(1):   First wife, Ann/Anna MULLEN married 1849 Victoria, who died in 1867 in Victoria.   One child
         Robert born 1853;

(2):   Second wife, Margaret Ann WHALAN marriage 03/07/1867 in Rockhampton, Queensland,
         who died Casino, NSW, 1916: One child Matilda Annie born 1872:

(3):   Third wife, Katherine (Kate) HOPKINS marriage 05/02/1884 in Rockhampton, Queensland.
         Did this mean he had divorced his second wife: no-one appears to know?

Robert Hallett PICKERING died on 22/05/1894.

It has to be granted the death of his first wife in Victoria and his second marriage in Queensland, both in 1867, were extremely close together and to add to the possibility he was not living with his first wife in 1867 there is an article in Melbourne's The Argus dated 05/05/1862 which suggests he had abducted a 14 year old girl, Catherine Dunn, and they were supposedly heading for New Zealand.  Please note:   The article states he was a "Pentonville man" and there are no other "Exile" PICKERING's.  Sadly, I cannot find a sequel to this article which can be read on TROVE reference: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5714305

An extremely interesting scenario which I hope makes enough sense for a logical answer to be found.

For the moment,

Tony

[cupoflife]

http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/resources/family-history/divorce
Queensland Index to Divorces 1861-1894
..."Divorce files for cases heard in the Supreme Court, Central District (Rockhampton) are held in Rockhampton. Inquiries should be addressed to The Registrar, Supreme Court Rockhampton, GPO Box 300, Rockhampton, Qld 4700...."

[cupoflife]

The Age 26July1864 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/155015657
Adduction. —  Robert  Pickering was brought up, charged with abduction. The warrant upon which he was arrested is dated about two and a-half years ago, and was issued from Yea. During that time he and the young person alleged to have been abducted, have been at Rockhampton. The date of the warrant is 3rd April, 1862. He was remanded to Tuesday on bail.

The Argus 26July1864 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5750979
CHARGE OF  ABDUCTION.—A young man named Robert Pickering was brought up on a warrant charged with this offence. The warrant was issued at Yea two years ago, and the defendant was arrested here upon his arrival from Rockhampton, where he had been all the intervening time. Remanded till Tuesday, that it might be ascertained whether there was any intention to prosecute.

The Argus 27July1864 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5751000?
Robert Pickering, who had been charged with abduction, was discharged, as it appeared that the parties who had taken out the warrant had no desire to prosecute.

[BAC3]

Thank you for your postings.

I totally missed your three TROVE references......getting old, failing eyesight or just plain stupidity or all three ......however, they answer one particular question, namely, he had been in Queensland without his wife and presumably returned there sometime before 1867.   Confusing!!!

The divorce/third marriage is quite problematic, too, as no entry for a possible divorce in Rockhampton.  Surely it was a comparatively small place in those days and bigamy would have been very noticeable.   Obviously it needs far more research.

Thank you once again,

Tony

[cupoflife]

In 1879 he declares that he is married so timeframe for divorce can be narrowed.
Morning Bulletin 30Jan1879 (1st collumn last notice) http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/51988925
....... situated at Rockhampton, and known as the DEVONSHIRE HOTEL, to Robert Hallett Pickering.
And I, the said ROBERT HALLETT PICKERING, hereby give notice that I intend to apply at the said meeting that the above transfer may be granted, and which I intend to keep as an Inn or Public-house.
I am married, and have held a publican's license before.
Given under our hands this 27th day of January, 1879.
.... ROBT. HALLETT PICKERING.

[Aussie1947]

Hi,

Interesting to see the  R. H. Pickering was a Cobb & Co driver at Springsure in 1883.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/67859845?searchTerm=


Possible Death Notice in the Capricorn newspaper 2nd July 1881.

May not be R. H. Pickering, the 'H' is difficult to decipher. but being in a Rockhampton newspaper.

Staunton, on the 8th June at Sal?bern Creek Station, Barcoo Queensland, Catherine only child of R. H?. Pickering, and beloved wife of E. Staunton, late of Muddy Creek, Victoria.  Aged, 31 years.


Gerry

[cupoflife]

Possible Death Notice in the Capricorn newspaper 2nd July 1881.

May not be R. H. Pickering, the 'H' is difficult to decipher. but being in a Rockhampton newspaper.

Staunton, on the 8th June at Sal?bern Creek Station, Barcoo Queensland, Catherine only child of R. H?. Pickering, and beloved wife of E. Staunton, late of Muddy Creek, Victoria.  Aged, 31 years.

Gerry

QLD BDM 8/6/1881 C9 Catherine Staunton; Father-R.H. Pickering; - ** born Victoria aged 30 years   
Adding:
The Brisbane Courier 24June1881 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/909496
The Queenslander  25June1881 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/20707875
STAUNTON - On the 8th June, at Saltern Creek, Catherine, wife of Edward  Staunton, late of Victoria, aged 30 years. 

[cupoflife]

QLD marriage:
1872C488 Edward Staunton and Catherine Pickering
Qld marriage certificate of Catherine Pickering should father's full name.

Cannot see a birth for Catherine Pickering in Victoria around 1850. Maybe Rootschatters with more access can help.

Just thinking out loud here:
Wondering if the abducted young girl Catherine DUNN was the daughter Cathering PICKERING and may explain why "parties who had taken out the warrant had no desire to prosecute."

However there could well be two different "R.H. Pickering" as death notice says... "Catherine only child of R. H. Pickering"

[BAC3]

I am delighted with all your help.   Thank you.

First, his "supposed" third marriage to Kate HOPKINS has the following details  Queensland Registration Year 1884, Registration Number: 001631, Page Number: 6927.   Sadly there is no age quoted (it would have been 57) and I wonder if possibly the entry may refer to his son, Robert, who was born in Victoria in 1853.   

Second, his "death" of 02/07/1881 can be disregarded as he actually died 22/05/1894.

Third, the death of Catherine STAUNTON aged 30/31.   The girl he abducted Catherine DUNN was born c1848 and could have been Robert Hallett PICKERING's illegitimate daughter who retained her mother's name DUNN initially then reverted to her father's.   It is pure conjecture but a credible consideration all the same.

My difficulty is I live in the UK and trying to resolve these type of issues is difficult, so I am really grateful for all your help.   

For now,

Tony