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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: Ruskie on Wednesday 20 December 17 05:32 GMT (UK)
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I have a Daniel Wilkins marrying Ann Richards on 29 Nov 1855 Trinity Church Launceston.
Daniel was a convict transported on the "John Renwick" arriving Hobart 10/11 April 1843. He was 16 years old so born about 1827.
I think I have found all of his convict records via online sources but have not found any clues as to his parentage.
He was tried at the Leicestershire Assizes and may have come from around Castle Donington as that is where he committed his offence (stealing).
As there are no parents named on marriage or death certificates at this time, how do I progress?
Daniel died 7 Nov 1877 Launceston.
I have no clue where to look for more about Ann Richards either - common name which makes it more difficult.
I was hoping to find Daniel on the 1841 English census but can't see an obvious Daniel in Leicestershire - of course he could have come from further away.
If anyone can give me any pointers that would be wonderful - thank you.
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Have you seen that there's another Daniel Wilkins marrying in 1854 in Hobart?
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-13p171j2k
I'm wondering if this is a better fit as his convict record says cannot read or write - which matches with the "his x mark" for this marriage, and also he was stationed at one time at Peppermint Bay, which fits with the rank of "sawyer".
M :)
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Among the documents you can see on the Tas website is CON40
http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/ImageViewer/image_viewer.htm?CON14-1-21,277,64,L,80
It runs across two pages and you might have missed the details on the right hand page for your Daniel WILKINS #9227
M(other) Sarah 1 S(ister) Sarah NP (that means native place)
Native place is Castle Donnington Leicestershire.
Stealing cow hair (2 pounds) J Eaton of Castle Donnington - 1 week for- food - Wm Smith for both offences on board.
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Thank you Matthew. No, I hadn't seen the other marriage. I will investigate further. The Daniel Wilkins, who I thought was my convict, I thought became a baker in Launceston. (There are some ads on Trove for his pies). On his son's birth or marriage (don't have documents to hand to check) his father Daniel Wilkins is a baker. I know I have the right son, hence the baker must be mine. Now the question is, is he convict Daniel or the other Daniel?
Wivenhoe, thank you too. I will check the document you refer to, which I am unsure if I have seen. (It has been a while since I worked on this family). I do have his mother as Sarah, but I could not recall where I found that, so thank you. I did not have his sister Sarah. Would I be correct in assuming that because a mother and sister are mentioned, but no father, Daniel may have been illegitimate or his father was dead?
Added: sorry Matthew, I just checked your link to that marriage, but as I mentioned to Wivenhoe, Daniel's son's marriage (or birth) says his father is a baker, so I think the Sawyer is not my Daniel. How can I determine whether it is baker Daniel or sawyer Daniel who is the convict? It is feasible that Daniel learned to read and write after transportation?
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Can you clarify please, and identify the person you are researching.
You are researching the origins of this man -
"...On his son's birth or marriage (don't have documents to hand to check) his father Daniel Wilkins is a baker."
Who is this person....son of Daniel WILKINS, baker....
And your only interest in Daniel WILKINS, arrived "John Renwick" , is your belief that he is the same Daniel WILKINS, baker, Launceston, father of the man whose birth and marriage certificates you have, and which now seems very unlikely?
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Peppermint Bay was an area for timber and this convict worked for a Norris who was probably the shipwright mentioned here
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8769276
Browns River is also mentioned in the convict record, which was a probation station that had sawpits (as well as other functions)
M :)
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A William Smith (16) and William Wilkins (15) were reported in the Leicester Mercury, 5 March 1842 for stealing 2lbs of horsehair at Castle Donington.. FindMyPast has several entries for this offence
A William Smith (12) and a William Wilkins (11) appeared in the Leicester Chronicle, 8 Aug 1840, accused of theft at Castle Donington and sentenced to be imprisoned 1 week and whipped. FindMyPast has an entry for this offence
Daniel, as a given name, first appears in the 1842 prison register, with William recorded as an alias.
There is an 1841 Census record for a William Wilkins, age 13, at Spittall, Castle Donington, mother's name Sarah.
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Thank you for all the replies.
Interesting findings hanes teulu. I did know that William Smith was his partner in crime but had no idea about the William Wilkins alias. I sort of hope he is 'mine'. :)
However, I am willing to accept that I have the wrong Daniel Wilkins, and that "my" Daniel was not a convict. :)
A little more background (apologies for not providing it sooner):
Herbert Frederick Wilkins b 4 Mar 1861 Launceston (father Daniel Wilkins, a Baker)
died 1945 Brisbane. Qld death index names his parents as Daniel Wilkins and Ann Richards.
If my Daniel is not convict Daniel, where did my Daniel Wilkins come from?
Added: Herbert Frederick Wilkins married Elizabeth Hattie/Hatfield Al(l)bon.
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I was reading it along the lines that William Wilkins was transported as Daniel Wilkins. Co-incidence that William and Daniel had a mother named Sarah?
I was going to check for the 1841 Census William Wilkins possibly appearing on the '51 Census - but was distracted by a trip to the allotment to lift veg.
Will check the '51 Census now.
regards
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Trove.com has some good hits for "Daniel Wilkins" in Launceston in 1840s through 1870s. Refine search to Tasmanian newspapers and enter name with quotation marks to get them.
Appears he was a confectioner in Brisbane Street.
Convict Daniel Wilkins shows up too in lists and probably him done for drunkeness and domestic violence.
Your Daniel, the baker/confectioner appears far more 'respectable' as he sits on juries.
Hope this helps a bit,
Marlene
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Not sure what info you already have:
Death
7 November 1877, registered Launceston
Daniel WILKINS, 53, confectioner, cause of death: heart disease.
Death Notified by Richards & Sons, Undertakers, Launceston
https://linctas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qu=wilkins&qf=NI_NAME_FACET%09Name%09Wilkins%2C+Daniel%09Wilkins%2C+Daniel
Edit to add death notices, and there are a couple of others identical, all with no more information though.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198915492
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/37152269
Judith
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I just typed up a huge reply, but somehow lost it all .... :(
To summarise my lost reply, many thanks for the useful responses. I will check the links etc and return later. :)
Added: it seems convict Daniel was born about 1827 and respectable Daniel was born about 1824. Can anyone spot a 1824 birth?
Thanks again to everyone. Your help is much appreciated.
I will be back. :)
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Hi Ruskie,
There's a reference on LINC Tasmania Names database for a Daniel Wilkins departing on the 'William Melville', 30 Mar 1850 from Launceston to California. Could this be your fellow seeking to make his fortune in the gold rush in America? Ship he came on is referred to as the 'Manfield'. Though looking at the online image it could be 'Manford'. No evidence that he returned to Tasmania but might be worth investigating.
https://linctas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search/results?qu=Daniel&qu=Wilkins
Anne Wilkins (nee Richards) appears to have remarried the year after Daniels death in 1877 to William Wallace Noakes -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-37p255j2k
She died at Ulverstone in 1895. Note informant was a brother, Frederick Richards -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-64p192j2k
Her death notice in the 'Daily Telegraph', 5 June 1895 -
DEATHS.
NOAKE.— On the 4th of June, at her resi-
dence, Ulverstone, Ann, wife of William
W. Noake, and eldest daughter of the
late John and Jane Richards, aged 59 years.
In a Golden Wedding Anniversary notice from 1914 a Sarah Richards is noted to be marrying Henry Crocker in Launceston, 24 Sept 1867. Parents John and Jane Richards are noted as living in Cameron Street. A Jane Richards died at Cameron Street, 23 June 1887 aged 64 -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-56p22j2k
A John Richards died at Cameron Street, 24 Jan 1889 aged 76 -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-58p4j2k
There is a Maurice Richards signing as witness to Ann Richards second marriage in 1878 and there was a Morriss Richards born to a John Richards and Jane James ux Richards in Launceston in 1841 -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-23-p676j2k
That leads you back to a marriage in Hobart in 1835 between John Richards and Jane James -
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD36-1-2p186j2k
Hope that might give you some leads... :)
Cheers,
Peter
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There is great story in the Launceston Examiner, 30 Jan. 1889 regarding John Richards by Tommy Trot in his 'Echos Of The Streets' column...
Relevant is the passage...' Mr. Richards came to the colony as quite a young man in a vessel owned by his widowed sister. He shortly afterwards married' one of the passengers by the Princess Royal which arrived in the colony in 1832..."
Peter
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Have been out all morning and just logged in to find your replies - Great stuff, thanks Peter! I did see a tree online which mentioned the Noakes marriages, but many thanks for the supporting material.
I have to go out again in a minute so, frustratingly, will have to put this aside till later.
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Might have got the wrong Jane Richards dying in Launceston.?? According to Thelma McKay's book "The Princess Royal Girls" Jane Richards lived with her unwed daughter Eva in Brisbane Road after her husbands death she died there in 1891. She is recorded as a native of Jamaica.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-60p37j2k
The book also validates the facts from Mr Price's diary who was the priest on the voyage. He says Jane James was an orphan, native of Jamaica. She's recorded as a dressmaker aged 18 and very respectable and well spoken.
So who the Jane Richards who died in Cameron Street in 1887? Curious?? :o
Peter
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Ive had a look at the criminal registers and newspaper archives. It would appear this daniel is also known as william. He was tried along with another boy named william smith. Both these boys were sentenced for 7 years transportation for stealing cow hair. There is a william at castle donington on the 1841 census with parents john and sarah. There is also a boy called william smith who is their neighbour. Daiels age is 13 and william is 12 so out by a year or two, but still very possible.
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Using TAS LINC for BDM, see -
18 Oct 1896 WILKINS or NOAK Annie Edith m. McDONALD Frank Archer @ Ulverstone
(see notation written down left side of page)
27 Apr 1898 NOAKE or WILKINS John Richards m. LILLICO Janet Catherine @ Ulverstone
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Might have got the wrong Jane Richards dying in Launceston.?? According to Thelma McKay's book "The Princess Royal Girls" Jane Richards lived with her unwed daughter Eva in Brisbane Road after her husbands death she died there in 1891. She is recorded as a native of Jamaica.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-60p37j2k
The book also validates the facts from Mr Price's diary who was the priest on the voyage. He says Jane James was an orphan, native of Jamaica. She's recorded as a dressmaker aged 18 and very respectable and well spoken.
So who the Jane Richards who died in Cameron Street in 1887? Curious?? :o
Peter
The Jane Richards who died in Cameron St in 1887 was a widow.
John Richards died in 1889 ... :-\
They lived in the same street but maybe not the same residence - 1887 Jane possibly a sister in law? (doesn't really matter though) :)
Jane James being an orphan and native of Jamaica is fascinating! It will mean a dead end though.
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I was reading it along the lines that William Wilkins was transported as Daniel Wilkins. Co-incidence that William and Daniel had a mother named Sarah?
I was going to check for the 1841 Census William Wilkins possibly appearing on the '51 Census - but was distracted by a trip to the allotment to lift veg.
Will check the '51 Census now.
regards
Ruskie, apologies for not getting back earlier. Yesterday travelled to South Devon for usual Xmas and New Year break, which includes chasing "rellies" in Devon Archives.
Baptisms (Leicestershire)
William Wilkins, bap 6 Jun 1825, place Castle Donington, parents John and Sarah
William Wilkins, 3 Dec 1826, place Dishley, Leics, parents Thomas and Hannah
William Wilkins, 2 Dec 1827, place Long Whatton, parents George and Mary
1841 Census
William Wilkins, age 13, born Leicestershire, address Spittall, Castle Donington, same household John Wilkins 50 and Sarah Wilkins 50
William Wilkins, age 15, born Leicestershire, address Long Whatton - not with family
Yet to spot a William Wilkins, born Dishley
1851 Census
William Wilkins, age 22, born Long Whatton, address Turvey, Long Whatton
William Wilkins, age 24, born Thorpacre, address Brunston Gate, St Mary's
Note - Thorpacre and Dishley are practically on top of each other
1861 Census
William Wilkins, age 33, born Long Whatton, address Long Whatton, Turvey
William Wilkins, age 34, born Thorpacre, address Braunston Gate, St Mary's
The William Wilkins baptised Long Whatton and Dishley/Thorpacre? appear to be in Leicestershire in '51 and '61. But cannot spot the Castle Donington baptism after '41.
Have searched for a baptism for a Sarah, parents John and Sarah (The convict record identifies a mother Sarah, sister Sarah?). Can only spot one in Appleby Magna, 1805 - but looks very unlikely.
I've scoured Trove, FindMyPast prison registers and Tasmanian Convicts online - so frustrating not being able to identify William Wilkins, bap Castle Donington 1825 as Daniel Wilkins, born Castle Donington 1826 (his 1843 convict record has age 17) with any certainty.
Compliments of the season
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No apologies necessary hanes teulu. It is a busy time for most of us. :)
Thank you for spending the time to dig up this information for me. I think it still needs that one shred of proof that Daniel baker/confectioner is from England
As it seems that convict Daniel Wilkins departed Australia for America, I looked on the US census. There are a couple of men by that name on the US censuses, born in England, though not quite the expected year of birth and sadly no indication exactly where in England they hail from. Maybe some further exploration might give some clues. :-\
I will get back to this in a day or two, after the Christmas is over with.