James Thornton

[Rhonda May]

Death:
THORNTON Jas age 84yrs d. 1908 BALLT E #12475
Father: Thornton Jas
Mother: Sarah GILLARD

Rather odd?
James THORNTON and Sarah GILLARD had 8 children at Ballarat from 1860 to 1873 and they did not have a son named James aged 84yrs in 1908

Rhonda

[Rhonda May]

Sarah THORNTON aged 62 died Ballt E in 1896
Parents were Richd GILLARD and Elizth PERRY
Reg. #12167

Rhonda

[SASHAR]

There is also a James THORNTON, similar age but not exact, died 1889 aged 62, buried at Palmerston, NT.   Says lived Cooktown.

http://www.australiancemeteries.com/nt/goyderrddata.htm

His death is mentioned at Saghs where a copy can be obtained for a fee:-

http://www.genealogysa.org.au/?option=com_search&ref=search&id=2&s=dGhvcm50b24=&g=amFtZXM=&c=1&y=&r=MA==

Worth a mention,
Sashar

[neerod]

Thanks Rhonda for reply
The James Thornton I have (rumour has it) married a Sarah Gillard. His parents in England were David Thornton and Mary Milner and he Vanished from English Census' after 1851. His last child born in England was 1854 so it must be around 1855 when he left our shores.
I cannot find a death in England.
neerod

[majm]

I think Sydney is a possibility.

Sands 1863 Sydney Directory ….
James THORNTON, upholsterer, 28 Smith St 

Sands 1867 Sydney Directory …
James T THORNTON, upholsterer, Gipps St

Sands 1869 Sydney Dir ….
James T THORNTON, upholsterer, 28 Gipps St

Sands 1873 Sydney Dir 
James T THORNTON, cabinetmaker, Gibbs St
James Thomas THORNTON, Smith Street

If you think this could be your James, you may find further details as to the premises, occupancy/owner/landlord at the City of Sydney Assessment Books via this link:

http://photosau.com.au/CosRates/scripts/home.asp

Some historic Maps and associated documents : http://www3.photosau.com/CoSMaps/scripts/home.asp

Cheers,  JM

[neerod]

Hi
Thanks for your trouble.
neerod

[PRONTO4]

This James Thornton is my G-Grandfather. One of his children, Hubert James was my G-father and I knew him well. James was a monumental mason and builder and carved some important memorials in the State of Victoria, Australia. One was the Buninyong Gold Discovery memorial. Located at Hiscock's mine, Buninyong (Victoria), it claims to mark the discovery of Gold which led to the Australian Gold Rush. His son Hubert James, was also a monumental mason, as was his son, another Hubert. I have much info on James, who left a wife and children behind in Leeds and when family rumour hinted at mystery, it was not surprising to find he gave different places and dates of his marriage on each of his children's BCs! I have a complete family tree and much of his story. My own second name is Thornton. I wrote a bio on him years ago and currently updating it. If you want a copy, let me know. All the best. PTM.     

[Jennaya]

Welcome to Rootschat.
The original post is quite old now; hopefully the Neerod will see your post and reply.
Did James actually marry in Australia or live with a woman as husband and wife?

[PRONTO4]

He told his Australian family that he married but I did a thorough search of records here, which were well kept by the authorities even then, yet found no record of him having and Australian marriage.  Further, as his children were born he was required to register their birth within 30 days. That registration required him to include place and date of his marriage. He did, but gave a different date of marriage when registering each of his nine Australian children and gave the place of marriage as Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong. I am a direct descendant of James (my middle name is Thornton) and can send you a history of his Australian family if you wish. We are quite respectable! I have been told James did well in business and sent his UK wife the fares but she decided to remain in UK so he made other plans too. He kept the existence of his UK family a secret from his Aust family yet they always "smelt a rat". All the best.