1840
23rd Jan Henry William born
15th March Henry William Baptised St Philips Church(85).
Henry’s occupation: Carter
Why Henry – a name out of the ether, after himself or his father or his grandfather – and what about the William? It might have been Hannah’s preference. (If ever we get Bec to England something might be revealed!)
Henry William married Jane Whallay in 1863, and five years later had the foresight to name their 2nd child Henry W. (I suspect this translates into William (?) Henry and Jane’s first born was James Charles.
In 1886 James Charles married Anastasia Bridgetts. James and Anastasia named their first born Henry William (B:1888) – my grandfather, in my memory, only ever called Bill. I firmly believed his first name was Bill until I photographed his and Flo’s headstone in the Field of Mars Cemetery in 2014. Even their marriage certificate covers all the options
Henry William married Florence Tye who, with great courage, named their first born William Martin. Williams’ were everywhere, a reasonably common name. Flo had her say and my father’s middle name was drawn from the Tye connection.
After their first flush of creativity Bill and Flo named the rest of their kids after his siblings.
While my parents were alive I never had the presence of mind to ask them why I was named as I was – pity, I would have liked to have heard their explanation.
I suspect I became William Henry – after my grandfather (Bill) Henry William.
If we were all in the same room at the same time and some fool called out Bill – would there be a stampede?
1841
The Census of 1841 has no mention of Henry or Hannah. The government always had difficulty compelling free settlers (let alone ex –cons} to freely participate
1842
27th March James Charles born
24thApril James Charles Baptized St Philips Church(86).
Henry’s occupation: Carter
Roughly about now the marriage of Celea and William Peckham begins to unravel.
Electoral Roll,1842-3 Brisbane Ward:
471 Samuels Henry House Sussex Street
1846
1st June Ellen born
20th Sept Ellen Baptised. St Philips Church(87).
Henry’s occupation: Carter
1847 The first marriage in the family
Mary Ann (aged 20) married in Bathurst(88)
I wish I had confidence that this Mary Ann is Hannah and Thomas’s. Mary Ann is a bit of a mystery, a bit like Thomas but without the intent. If it is Mary Ann she married as Ann Benton. “Mary Ann” was a very popular name in Sydney at the time! Also, it’s not an uncommon practice to be commonly known by your middle name, Henry William (Bill) was typical.
(Interestingly, there is another Henry Samuels living in Sydney)
1849 The death of Henry
Electoral Roll, 1849-50 Brisbane Ward:
629 Samuel Henry Dwelling house Sussex Street
25th August Henry dies at Sussex St. Buried in St Stevens Church Camperdown(89)