"Woodbridge" - NSW 1838

[mikell45]

Looking for a picture of the "Woodbridge" that arrived in Sydney in September 1838
Best Regards,
Michael
www.sheather.co.uk

[Shadrach]

Hi Michael,
                I have an interest in the Woodbridge too but have not found
a picture as yet.  I have however obtained a copy of the Surgeon's Diary
from that voyage in 1838 from the National Library of Australia and part of if relates to Hannah Muddle.   On the 8th May she is said  "to have suffered with Dysentery from which she recovered.  The ships passenger list describes her as "Delicate".

 According to Surgeon  Alex Stewart's report dysentery appeared to be the main illness affecting the passengers, 47 suffered during the voyage and 2 passengers died from the illness, closely followed by 34 cases of constipation from which 1 person died. The treatment for dysentery was fairly harsh and consisted of a dose of calomel (a liver stimulant) followed by a laxative of rhubarb and magnesium, jalap (a drastic purgative)  or castor oil and later a tiniture of opium and  other similar measures. There were  a total of 10 deaths during the voyage, 7 of whom were children.   Surgeon Stewart describes the day of arrival in Sydney "September  On the 15th the Woodbridge anchored in Sydney Cove and the morning of the 18th Emigrants were disembarked, with the exception of one child all healthy.   The weather this month was generally fine, with light and moderate breezes.  No rain, Thermometer averaged 50 deg. max, 67deg in Sydney Cove". 


Hope you find this interesting.
Shadrach

[mikell45]

Hello Shadrach,
Thank you very much for the response. I do have a copy of the 8 page report "General Remarks" of the "Woodbridge" My 3 X Great grandmother, Sarah Jane Biffin, was born on board and her sister Diana died on board aged 18 months.
In addition to any picture of the ship, I am trying to assertain if a step-brother of Sarah's, John, also travelled. I have seen a typed transcript listing him but I question this "Woodbridge" passenger list as it provides additional information on the families on board that would not have been given on any originaly passenger manifest. My problem is that there is a John Biffin that fits exactly with this john but had to have either remained in Wiltshire or travelled tp Sydney and returned.
As I am now in the UK (no shipping records here prior to 1890) and cannot access the microfilm in the NSW State Archives, I am stuck 
Thanks again for the reply and all the best with your research.
Michael
London
www.sheather.co.uk

[Shadrach]

Michael,
Sometime in the next couple of weeks I am planning
to visit our local history society where they hold
shipping records for NSW on microfilm so if you have not
solved the puzzle of John Biffin by then I will have a
look at the film.

Shadrach

[mikell45]

Hello Shadrach,
Thank you for your generous offer - I will let you know if I come up with anything in the mean time. I am kicking myself that I did not check at the State Archives while I was living in Sydney.
The information I have from the Woodbridge was researched by my late mother and I presumed it complete - maybe it is not.
Again a very big thank you.
Michael

[fyremoon]

Hi Michael and Shadrac

I hope you don't mind me tacking onto the end with my questions, seeing as I don't have any answers for you, but I'm also interested in the Woodbridge.  I'm told by a 4th cousin who is also researching this family that my ancestor James Goodwin arrived in Australia aboard this ship in 1838, but that he doesn't appear on the passenger list.  We think he was most likely a crew member.  Is there any way to find out about the crew of this ship?

You both most likely have this info but I thought I'd post the link just in case it helps someone:

http://www.xroyvision.com.au/andrews/history/hist4.htm

Leigh

[Shadrach]

The microcfilm of the ship's records may show
crew and I will look for James Goodwin at the
same time.   It could also be a case of someone
miss spelling his name, just to confuse us!
Shadarch

[wisby]

Hi Shadrach, I don't know if this will help you but I have a copy of the sick list for the Woodbridge and it shows on the 10th May 1838 Jas Goodwin age 36 Dysentry cured.
Regards
Nola.

[Shadrach]

You are absolutely right Nola, after ransacking
my fileing cabinet I found he is listed in the Surgeon's
report as
"Jas. Goodwin,
age 36,
Disease - Dysentery
May 12th
Cured

Good Work 99!