Benjamin Thatcher

[johnbarr]

I am trying to trace a Benjamin Thatcher from Surrey.

He arrived in New Zealand on board the sailing ship "Asia" in 1874 listed as Thatcher, Benjamin, (age) 23, Surrey, General Labourer.

He entered into what we think was a 'common law' marriage (i.e. we cannot find it registered anywhere, so no chance of checking for parents there) and the couple had five children before 1885, when his wife Catherine stated in a reported Court hearing that 'her husband has left the Colony'.

He is mentioned in several newspaper reports in NZ between 1878 and 1885 and often as 'Benjamin Caleb Thatcher', but we are not sure if this was his real name or not.

From 1861 UK Census, there appear to be two possibilities, but neither mention the middle name 'Caleb' so hard to be sure which is our man.

Is there any possibility of checking Parish registers?

John B (in New Zealand)

[CaroleW]

Does the passenger list show him as actually born in Surrey 

[nigelp]

Does the passenger list show him as actually born in Surrey 

In case it may be helpful, a transcription of the list of passengers can be found at the following link:

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ourstuff/Asia.htm

Nigel

[johnbarr]

Thank you Nigel, yes, that is where I had been looking.

The heading for the column simply states "County", so I can only presume that would be his origins, or last address 

Hope that answers your query, CaroleW - and thanks for your reply 

John B

[Valda]

Hi

Tracking the two Surrey born Benjamin Thatchers from the 1861 census forward

Benjamin born circa 1848 Thorpe parents Frederic and Caroline - appears all censuses 1861-1881, birth registered as Benjamin
Benjamin born circa 1851 Bermondsey parents Benjamin and Lucy, birth registered as Benjamin (probably on the 1871 census RG10 600 folio 99 - servant) not found after 1871

plus
1871 census
Benjamin born circa 1853 Bermondsey parents John and Ann, on the 1881 census as Benjamin John Thatcher, birth registered as such

No births registered for the name Benjamin Caleb Thatcher


Regards

Valda

[johnbarr]

Hello Valda,
That seems to point fairly conclusively to Benjamin and Lucy being his parents, and also ties in nicely with the same conclusion from other thread in Australia checking for his death
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,505244

So now a new search for his parents details 

Thanks for your help

John B

[Valda]

Hi

The full 1871 entry

1871 census RG10 600 folio 99
19 Surrey Buildings St George the Martyr Southwark
Mrs Thatcher 54 Head Widow St Geo Southwark
Bengham Thatcher 19 Son Servant St Geo Southwark
Charles Thatcher 17 St Geo Southwark
Henery Thatcher 13 St Geo Southwark


Regards

Valda

[Valda]

Hi

The family in earlier censuses

HO107 1562 folio 367
2 Green Walk Bermondsey Surrey
Benjamin Thascher 40 Head Married Coachman Streatham Surrey
Lucy Thascher 36 Wife Married Streatham Surrey
Lucy Thascher 10 Daughter Bermondsey Surrey
Thomas Thascher 8 Son Rotherhithe Surrey
Mary Thascher 5 Daughter Rotherhithe Surrey
Frederick Thascher 3 Son Rotherhithe Surrey
Benjamin Thascher 2 Months Son Bermondsey Surrey

1841 census HO107 1047/7 folio 44
Greens Walk Bermondsey Surrey
Benjamin Thatcher 30 Porter
Lucy Thatcher 25
William Thatcher 6
Jane Thatcher 4
Lucy Thatcher 5 Months
all born in county
Adult ages, those over 15, are usually rounded down to the nearest 5 on the 1841 census


11th May 1835 St Peter, Walworth Southwark Surrey
Benjamin Thatcher
Lucy Jackson
Bachelor and spinster of the parish
By banns
Both signed
Witness signatures not easy to read Joseph Johnson and Mary Ann Constable?

 
Regards

Valda

[johnbarr]

Hi Valda,
That's wonderful, I'm impressed that you were able to find them with that spelling 

Thanks again for being so helpful.

John B