William Beer travelled on the ship Cecilia before 1842

[srp123au]

Hi
My ancestor William Beer got permission to marry his convict wife Hannah McDonald 8 Nov 1842 in Sydney, NSW. It says he was a free man and came on the ship Cecilia.

I am unable to find this ship before this time and I was wondering if this forum could help me. I do not know from any certificates I have where he came from either.. but I presume it was either England or Scotland or maybe Ireland?

He died in 1856 quite young and his wife married Frederick Robinson in 1856 shortly after William died. I do not have a death certificate all thats available is a burial record. It has no details only when he was buried.

His son Ross Donnelly Beer's marriage certificate states that William was was shipmaster so possibly he could have been driving the ship?? He was a waterman and a farmer..

Any help very much appreciated.

Stephanie.

[cupoflife]

The ship Cecilia is mentioned on trove:
Commercial Journal and Advertiser 25 July 1838 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/226458388
(right hand column near the end)
The ship Cecilia, Walker master, is offered for sale, freight or charter. Cooper & Holt are the agents.

SMH 23 Dec 1840 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12867199
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE
ARRIVALS.
From Hobart Town yesterday, the ship Cecilia.

Adding:
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales 24 Dec 1840 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2551929
Ship News.
The Cecilia, arrived on Tuesday last from Hobart Town, was obliged to bring up inside the Heads; she has since come up the harbour and is now lying in Neutral Bay, having gun-powder on bonrd. She spoke no vessels on her passage to this port.

[stsearcher]

I know there have been Beer families of this time period associated with Prussia/Germany. Just another location you can search. If that were the case he may have been originally a Wilhelm (William).

[judb]

There is an on-line tree with information about a William BEER who is shown as marrying Hannah McDonald as you've already said.

The information on this tree regarding the origin and arrival of William BEER is almost certainly incorrect. This is not your man - see below
There is this arrival shown from the New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896 (The image for this man is shown as "Married Immigrant" so it's unclear fi he's the same person as your William.)
William BEER arr per Marquis of Hastings, arr February, 1841
Brought out by C F Warne?
Native of parish of St George, Exeter
Parents: John and Elizabeth, living at Ditsam, Devon
Calling: joiner
Age: 24 on 4 January, 1841
Persons certifying character: Thomas Lamerton, William Main/e
In good health; religion Church of England; can read and write
His wife on the voyage:
Mary Jane BEER, nee Lamerton
Native of parish of St George, Exeter
Parents: Father Thomas Lamerton, Guinea St, parish St George Exeter
Calling: uphosteress
in good health; can read and write
Age 25 on 28 April 1840

However, when this Mary Jane BEER dies in 1857 she is described as wife of William BEER, and has children to him up to 1850 so this is not the correct William BEER.  However I'll leave the information here as it may help someone else

Judith

[srp123au]

Thanks everyone. Will definitely try to follow up on those newspaper reports.
I am aware of the William Beer transported on the Marquis of Huntley. This is not the William Beer I'm trying to track down.
Stephanie.

[seaweed]

Be aware that there were several ships with the name CECILIA around in the time frame 1837-1842
If your ancestor sailed on a British ship, only two vessels are in the frame.
The first CECILIA, a Barque of 247 tons, built in 1832. owned by R Brooks, Captained by E Walker Port of Registry London UK.
She made several voyages to Sydney NSW. Her first in 1838. Sailing from London 19/March/1838, Arrived Sydney 15 July/1838. This is undoubtedly the vessel quoted by cupoflife

"The ship Cecilia, Walker master, is offered for sale, freight or charter. Cooper & Holt are the agents."

The other CECILIA was a Barque of 325 ton's Built Dunbar in 1815, owned by Alexander and Co. Captain Anderson. POR Glasgow. She also made several voyages to Australia. Her first in 1840 Sailing from Liverpool 26/May/1840 for Hobart Town and Sydney.
I suggest this is the other vessel quoted by cupoflife.

Where to from here?
If he arrived a a passenger (likely) Maybe someone  can enlighten us re. Passenger lists. However, he may have been a crew member of either ship and may have jumped ship.  To check this out you would need to make another post.

[cupoflife]

These may be worth checking, to confirm or eliminate

MARINERS Card Index
1834 http://midas.sag.org.au/fullRecordItem.jsp?recno=78344&refId=1125708
1836 http://midas.sag.org.au/fullRecordItem.jsp?recno=78344&refId=1125711

[cupoflife]

SMH 28 Jun 1838 page 3 SHIP NEWS. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12862433/1527161
(page 3, about half way down)
The City of London and Cecilia, for Sydney;

[TreeSpirit]

NSW vessels arrived

Year  ; Month ; Day  ; Ship Name ;  Ship Type
1838  ;  Jul  ;    16  ;   CECILIA   ; 
1840  ;  Dec  ;   23  ;  CECILIA   ; 
1841  ;  Oct  ;   18  ;   CECILIA   ;  BARQUE
1841  ;  Oct  ;   19  ;   CECILIA   ; 
1842  ;  Apr  ;     2  ;   CECILIA   ;  BARQUE