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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: nbourkie on Wednesday 01 August 18 16:50 BST (UK)

Title: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: nbourkie on Wednesday 01 August 18 16:50 BST (UK)
In 1850s NSW, what sort of social ranking or occupation did one need to be titled an Esquire?
Curious as one of my ancestors was John Jay, Esq. in a marriage notice.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: barryd on Wednesday 01 August 18 18:07 BST (UK)
Looks very English to me!
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: cristeen on Wednesday 01 August 18 21:26 BST (UK)
I am guessing it would have a similar meaning as it did in the UK. My understanding is that an esquire did not have to 'work' for a living, income was from property, investments etc.
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: iluleah on Wednesday 01 August 18 21:31 BST (UK)
Usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight........... however............ lots of people reinvented themselves especially when they sailed to the other side of the world... so reality it means nothing at all, until you find the records that prove otherwise
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: sparrett on Wednesday 01 August 18 23:00 BST (UK)
Usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight........... however............ lots of people reinvented themselves especially when they sailed to the other side of the world... so reality it means nothing at all, until you find the records that prove otherwise

I agree.
As recently as the 1960's in Australia the abbreviation Esq after the man's name appeared on envelopes addressed to some of my adult male relatives.

It was merely a courtesy signifying "good standing" in the community.

Sue
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Thursday 02 August 18 00:06 BST (UK)
Yes, I agree, iluleah, It had no real meaning  :) except as a courtesy as Sue says.   

In the 1850s it may be a good indication that the male person was eligible to be enrolled to vote in NSW, so was a) a British subject and b) qualified as per the info here:
https://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/collections-and-research/guides-and-indexes/electoral-rolls-guide  generally as per this extract from that info:

1843
Men (over 21 and British subjects) owning freehold property to a value exceeding £200, or
Householders occupying a dwelling house with an annual value exceeding £20.
A man could vote in every electorate where he held the necessary property for at least six months.

1851
Property qualifications were reduced to men owning freehold property to a value exceeding £100
Householders occupying a dwelling house with an annual value exceeding £10, or a pastoral lease.

1856
Franchise qualifications were extended to include men receiving an annual salary of £100 and to those paying £40 per annum for board and lodging and £10 for lodging only.

1858
All adult males who had lived in the electorate for the preceding six months and who were British subjects by birth, or had been naturalised for five years and had resided in the Colony for three years
Holders of miners rights were allowed to vote in three Gold Fields electorates

Unable to vote:
Police, serving members of the armed forces, paupers, prisoners and persons of unsound mind were barred from voting.


JM
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Thursday 02 August 18 01:19 BST (UK)
Mrs John JAY’s mother :

Gleaned from a Book of submitted biographical information…

Caroline WALLWORK, born 31 August 1810, daughter of Robert BAYMAN, gentleman of Long Ditton SURREY and Sarah JENNINGS arrived Sydney 10 November 1843 per the vessel, Lord Petre.   Her husband was John WALLWORK, a soldier in the 99th regiment, and their marriage was 10 October 1834, Alverstoke, HAMPSHIRE.    Their children included:   
Frances Louisa, married KEARNS.
Robert Bayman
Caroline, 1840-1902, married John JAY 24 December 1859, Parramatta
Sarah Maria
Joseph Samuel
Sarah Jane, married THOMS
John William
Lettice Eliza, married DAVIS
William Thomas Richard
Mary Jane Perkins, married DONNELLY
Albert Edmund Chamney

Caroline WALLWORK died 15 March 1899, buried C of E, Grafton, NSW. 

Mrs John JAY’s father

Gleaned from same book…
John WALLWORK, 1809-1873
Soldier, farmer, school master of Baulkham Hills NSW
Born 12 June 1809, Bolton Lancashire, son of Joseph WALLWORK, a wine and spirit merchant and Martha AINSWORTH.   To Sydney 10 November 1843, per Lord Petre, with 99th regiment (enlisted 2 May 1831), discharged Sydney 1 July 1848, as a pay master’s sergeant.    He died 3 March 1873, Woodford Island, NSW, buried Grafton NSW. 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28629278  SMH 13 Jan 1860. 


NSW Electoral Roll 1878  THE CLARENCE
John JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
Emanuel JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
John WALLWORK, Woodford Island, freehold

JM

Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: nbourkie on Thursday 02 August 18 08:33 BST (UK)
Thank you for all the replies! :)
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: nbourkie on Thursday 02 August 18 08:35 BST (UK)
Mrs John JAY’s mother :

Gleaned from a Book of submitted biographical information…

Caroline WALLWORK, born 31 August 1810, daughter of Robert BAYMAN, gentleman of Long Ditton SURREY and Sarah JENNINGS arrived Sydney 10 November 1843 per the vessel, Lord Petre.   Her husband was John WALLWORK, a soldier in the 99th regiment, and their marriage was 10 October 1834, Alverstoke, HAMPSHIRE.    Their children included:   
Frances Louisa, married KEARNS.
Robert Bayman
Caroline, 1840-1902, married John JAY 24 December 1859, Parramatta
Sarah Maria
Joseph Samuel
Sarah Jane, married THOMS
John William
Lettice Eliza, married DAVIS
William Thomas Richard
Mary Jane Perkins, married DONNELLY
Albert Edmund Chamney

Caroline WALLWORK died 15 March 1899, buried C of E, Grafton, NSW. 

Mrs John JAY’s father

Gleaned from same book…
John WALLWORK, 1809-1873
Soldier, farmer, school master of Baulkham Hills NSW
Born 12 June 1809, Bolton Lancashire, son of Joseph WALLWORK, a wine and spirit merchant and Martha AINSWORTH.   To Sydney 10 November 1843, per Lord Petre, with 99th regiment (enlisted 2 May 1831), discharged Sydney 1 July 1848, as a pay master’s sergeant.    He died 3 March 1873, Woodford Island, NSW, buried Grafton NSW. 

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/28629278  SMH 13 Jan 1860. 


NSW Electoral Roll 1878  THE CLARENCE
John JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
Emanuel JAY, Woodford Island, freehold
John WALLWORK, Woodford Island, freehold

JM

Thanks JM! Would I be able to get a link to this book?
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Thursday 02 August 18 10:50 BST (UK)
The book isn't online.  I will send you a PM with some details.

JM
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: brcr on Sunday 27 January 19 15:49 GMT (UK)
The book isn't online.  I will send you a PM with some details.

JM
Hi JM, these are some of my ancestors, would you be able to send a PM with the details of this book?
Thanks BC
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Sunday 27 January 19 21:26 GMT (UK)
Hi BC,

Welcome to the best family history  place,  lots of regulars,  with knowledge, experience and willingness to share.

I am not home,  so not near my offline resources,  sorry.  I will be home in several weeks I hope.

You will need to make two more posts to have full access,  including send/receive PMs  ... just reply here twice more,  just say hi each time. 

Then send me a PM with your  private email addy, and I may have further info as pdf or etc to share when I get back home.   ;D

JM
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: brcr on Monday 28 January 19 02:44 GMT (UK)
Hi JM, thanks for the info :)

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again, BC
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: brcr on Monday 28 January 19 02:44 GMT (UK)
Hi JM, thanks for the info :)

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again, BC
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Monday 28 January 19 02:47 GMT (UK)
Well done. 
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: majm on Monday 28 January 19 02:51 GMT (UK)
I have sent you a PM.  You will likely find it under MESSAGES.    :D
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: trish1120 on Monday 28 January 19 08:43 GMT (UK)
I see Caroline but born c 1814;

Baptisms,
St Mary, Long Ditton, Surrey
MARY ANN 06 Jan 1812
CAROLINE 08 Sep 1814******
LETTICE ELIZA    21 Sep 1817, Buried 17 May 1833 age 16
LOUISA 23 Aug 1818
ROBERT 31 Mar 1820
Parents ROBERT/SARAH Bayman
Fathers Occp Gardener***
Abode Long Ditton

MARY ANN married William CHAMNEY of Hampton, Middlesex, 20 Dec 1834 Same Church
(Louisa was a witness)

ROBERT the Father was buried 21 Sep 1826 age 39**
LOUISA his Daug 22 Dec 1845 age 26**
Both buried St Mary but Louisas abode was Portsmouth, Hampshire*

All above in FreeREG

1841 Census
Ashton under Lynne, Lancashire
Thomas Colly, 50, Gas Fitter   
Eliza Colly,   45
Sarah BAYMAN, 50, Independant****
Louisa Bayman, 20*****
All NOT born in County

Marriage;
7 January 1810   Saint James, Westminster, London;
Robert BAYMAN to Sarah JENNINGS
(Familysearch.Org)

1851 Sarah Bayman is born c 1784 Burr, Staffordshire and 1861 c 1784 Rerry (Penny) Bar, Warwickshire, living with Daug Mary Ann and Family.

Trish :)
Title: Re: What did the title Esquire denote in 1850s NSW?
Post by: ShellEdwards on Friday 23 August 24 00:45 BST (UK)
Hello - I too am researching this family, it is my Husband's family, his grandmother was a Wallwork.
Would be interested in hearing from you.
Regards Michelle