Husband George FRANCIS 182
Born: Bef 29 Sep 1776 - Ulting, Essex, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert FRANCIS (Bef 1736-1809) 182
Mother: Mary POLLEY (Bef 1749-1831) 182
Marriage: 26 Oct 1813 - Hatfield Peverel, , Essex, England
Other Spouse: Mary Ann REEVE (Abt 1776-Bef 1805) 182 - 8 May 1798 - Blackmore, , Essex, England
Noted events in his life were:
• Fact 3, Fact 3 Occupation
• Fact 4, Fact 4 Residence
Wife Sarah SPURGIN 182
Born: Abt 1785 - Hatfield Peverel, , Essex, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: William SPURGIN ( -Abt 1809) 182
Mother: Mary 182
Noted events in her life were:
• Fact 4, Fact 4 Residence
Children
1 M William FRANCIS 182
Born: 1814
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 M George FRANCIS 182
Born: Abt 1815
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 F Sarah FRANCIS 182
Born: 1815
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
4 F Mary FRANCIS 182
Born: Abt 1818 - Ulting, Essex, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
5 F Jane FRANCIS 182
Born: 1818
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
6 M Walter FRANCIS 182
Born: 1820
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
7 F Elizabeth FRANCIS 182
Born: 1822
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Husband - George FRANCIS
Original notes from Oz had this man being baptised at Maldon on 8/4/1791, but I have found no trace of such baptism. In any case Census of 1841 and 1851 see below, show this man born 1776 and I feel I have the correct person. Details of his wife were supplied by third parties and I have entered them without too much research on my part to ascertain correctness. I must remain concerned regarding his rather low status (labourer and "on the parsh" in the census. And who is George baptised 1791
No trace of either marriage licence at ERO or Guildhall, but first wife's admon sworn at Commissary of London so possibly there and death cert might clear it once and for all, but how many will they be in Northfleet after 1851?
On the works file "George Francis 1776-Unknown" there are the burials of three other children, who could well be a product of his first marraige, but they were not baptised at Great Baddow and have not been entered here for the time being.
========================================================================== ===========
George's marriage below shows him a widower and a marriage in May 1798 at Blackmore is probably his. The signature of the witness, R.Francis, matches almost identically with that on the marriage of George sister, Kitty, two years earlier and is, almost certainly, their father Robert. Also the signatures of George on both the marriage registers are very similar. The register shows him as a bachelor, of Great Baddow and the marraige was by licence, which is not at ERO (Doc39).
Doce 391 is an admon sworn by a George Francis, husband of Mary Ann, late of Great Baddow, sworn at the Commissary Cout of London (ERO D/DgeL11). This is almost certainly this George, although there could be some doubt at the document is dated the 8th November 1809, some four years after the burial of his wife.
Originally came to notice as result of being left a legacy in his father's will proved in 1810 (Doc300) of property and half an acre of land called Birch House (part of Stock Hall farm) upon the death of his mother. He is also named as joint executor. He is also named in the Death Duty Register (Doc294).
Married by licence in 1813 at Hatfield Peverel (Doc330). He is shown as a widower of Heybridge and was able to sign the register himself. The witnesses are apparantly related to his wife.
ERO ref D/DA/T582 is a delightful document which is about one metre square, and is an indenture dated 21st September 1815 whereby Daniel Francis of Mundon being desirous of settling his various outstanding debts assigns, in trust, all his estates and personal property to Richard Bulley, draper of Maldon and David Polley Francis, shipowner of Maldon for them to sell off for cash with which to pay his debts. All told there are thirty three named people to whom he owes varying amounts of money (Doreen has a note of them all, but I only took the Francis and Trussell names as follows) Mary Francis £50, Josa Francis £52-10s-0d, George Francis £68-9s-2d, Ruth Trussell £50-17-0d. The best part of all is that this document contains the signatures and seals of all those named and it is such a pity that it could not be copied by the staff. I would assume from this document that Daniel’s business in Mundon failed badly and that he had to sell all to remain solvent and that the George Francis mentioned is this man, his brother (No copy).
In the 1841 Census (HO107/461Bk2F53)(Doc321) he is shown aged 60 (rounded) living with, assumed, his wife and two children.
As a result of the will of his brother, Thomas, see below George was found in the 1851 Census (HO107/1609F53)(Doc 320) at Northfleet, Kent. His age, shown as 74, and place of birth, Ulting, proved to me that this is the correct George. He is living with his wife and one unamrried daughter.
In his brother Thomas's will (Doc309) dated and proved April/May 1851 he is shown as of Northfleet, Kent and left a quarter share of his estate after conversion to cash.
General Notes: Wife - Sarah SPURGIN
If ever I look into Sarah's family, John and Mary Spurgin of Hatfield Peveral had children baptised at Wickham Bishops (ERO DP 236/1/9) as follows Ann on 23rd July 1752, Elizabeth on 9th November 1753, and Ann on 27th April 1755.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
Doc 392 is a copy of a death duty of a William Spurgin of Hatfield Peveral, dated March 1809, which leaves cash and property to named children, one of which is named as a Sarah Spurgin and others as William Spurgin the Younger and John Spurgin. On the third page of that document in 1827 a Wm Spurgin and a Sarah Francis are shown as having paid the relevant duty. I think it is safe to say the Sarah named is this Sarah, although the marriage parish register of William Spurgin in 1809 (Doc400), who married one of Sarah's husbands sisters, Mary Francis, for a comparison of signatures of grrom and witenss (see Doc330 below) while similar could not be described as a perfect match. However William signs as "Wm" on both occasions, which is some evidence.
Married by licence in 1813 (Doc330). She was shown a spinster of Hatfield Peverel and was able to sign the register herself. Witnesses are Wm Spurgin and John Spurgin who must be related.
In the 1841 Census (Doc321) she is shown aged 55 (rounded) living with her hsuband and two children.
Originally came to notice as result of information from Doreen Rice and the 1851 Census (Doc320) which shows her aged 66, born Ulting. She is living withe her husband and one unmarried daughter.
Notes: Marriage
Marriage confirmed from Essex Marriage Register books shows George as widow married by licence
General Notes: Child - William FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised on 21st June 1814 at Heybridge. NFP's.
General Notes: Child - George FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised in 1815 and dying Maldon in the same year. NFP's. If that is him as shown in census below, something, somewhere is wrong.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++
In the 1841 Census (Doc 321) he is shown aged 35 (rounded) living with his parents and one sister.
General Notes: Child - Sarah FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised 14th August 1815 at Heydridge. NFP's.
General Notes: Child - Mary FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised in 1817. NFP's
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
In the 1841 Census (Doc321) she is shown correctly as Mary, aged 20 (rounded) living with her parents and one brother.
Originally came to notice as result of information from Doreen Rice and in the 1851 Census (Doc320) is shown named as Marian, aged 33, unmarried, born Ulting, Essex and living with her parents.
General Notes: Child - Jane FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised in 1818. NFP's.
General Notes: Child - Walter FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised in 1820. NFP's.
General Notes: Child - Elizabeth FRANCIS
Originally came to notice as result of information supplied by Doreen Rice. Is shown as being baptised in 1822. NFP's.
Husband George FRANCIS 182
Born: 1 Jun 1811
Christened:
Died: 4 Dec 1898 - Port Macquarie, , New South Wales, Australia
Buried:
Father: Daniel FRANCIS (1789-1863) 182
Mother: Ruth TRUSSELL (1787-1825) 182
Marriage: Abt 1883
Other Spouse: Margaret DOUGLAS (1799-1878) 182 - 19 Apr 1837 - Wallsend, , Northumberland, England
Noted events in his life were:
• Fact 4, Fact 4 Residence
Wife Isabella PITTMAN 182
Born:
Christened:
Died: 1900
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George FRANCIS
A family bible currently owned by Peter Francis of Caterham and apparantly written in by his father (see Photo L111) shows that George was born on the 1st June 1811.
Photo L77 is of George (date unknown) and supplied by Doreen Rice.
In his sister Sarah's will made in July 1891 and proved in July 1894 he is named as of Port Mcquarrie, New South Wales, but not left a legacy (Doc401).
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++All information about George supplied by Doreen Rice:-
He was baptised 10th Oct1811 at maldon. He died 4thdec1898 at Port Macquarie, NSW Oz and was buried the same place on the 6th Dec. Described as a mariner/Adventurer?Vigner. He married Margaret Dodds at Wallsend, Northshields, UK on the 19th April 1837 and Isaballe Dodds in London (no date or better place. This person is the gGF of Victo Payne (15/6/1937) home address Battert Road, Nana Glen, NSW, Australia who I met at the Francis family gathering on 30th June 200 at Liverpool.
BAPTISM Francis George son of Daniel Francis and Ruth (Trussell )
his wife was baptized Oct 11th 1811 at Mundon (IGI)
**************
At the age of 14 left home to be- come an apprentice seaman on board
the Peter and Jane,which traded to the Baltic Sea. In 1835 he
shipped aboard the whaler Lady Jane which sailed to Davis Straits in
the Arctic Ocean, where it became trapped in the ice for five
months. During this time the crew suffered extreme privation from
frostbite,scurvy, and starvation with sixteen of the compliment of
65 surviving to reach the safety of the Orkney Islands.
****************
The following passage is part of information sent by Louise Barr
Dec 1997/most of which I already had.
In the Port Macquarie Maritime museum,there is a piece of board from
the "Lady Jane" and a bone from a bird which was caught and eaten
while they were icebound in the winter 1835/6.The letters on the
wood are: SHIP LADY JANE NEWCASTLE ON
TYNE WINTERED AT DAVIS STRAITS
27 OF THE CREW DIED G>FRANCIS 1835
(Note as at Oct 1998 I have been told by volunteers at the Museum
that the bird bone has now been lost, or at least, misplaced
**********************
Apr 1837 George married Margaret Dodds a widow with four children
and 11 years his senior.
After their marriage, George and Margaret Francis ,together with
their daughter Margaret,George Douglas Dodds and Mary Dodds (Mary's
(sic) children from her first marriage) arrived in Sydney aboard the
Templar on August 27 1844.
1844 George and family come to Australia aboard the TEMPLAR.
As none of the family were listed in the ship's manifest as
assisted passage migrants or as fare paying passengers, it is
believed that they probably "crewed" their passage.
After a short stay in Sydney the family moved to the Hunter River
and by 1847 were in Port Macquarie where George planted a Vineyard
for Major Innes. In 1849 he visited his brother James in Adelaide,
then, stricken with gold fever, George joined the throng of hopefuls
sailing to the Californian Goldfields in 1849, but due to ill
health, he boarded the Rosetta Joseph for the return journey to
Australia.The ship struck the coral of Elizabeth Reef and the
passengers were forced to take to the lifeboats where they spent the
next nine days. Striking the coast near Smoky Cape, the boats made
for Port Macquarie where all 48 passengers were landed saafely.
Despte his ordeals, gold fever led George to the Braidwood diggings
in November 1851 where he was successful and he returned to Port
Macquarie in 1862 to buy the five blocks of land comprising "Douglas
Vale" which was on the Oxley Highway nearly opposite the future
hospital, bounded by the present day Findlay and Widderson Streets.
The family moved to Douglas Vale in July 1862 and the first vintage
from Isabella Grapes was ready on 11 March 1867,producing 750
Gallons of wine which sold for 161 pounds 16 shillings and 6 pence
During its lifetime of 51 years,the greatest vintage was 1877 when
3200 gallons were produced, gaining prizes at Bordeaux,Amsterdam,
Calcutta and London.
***********************
Extract from Australian Shipwrecks 1850 (book held in QGS library)
Page 26/7 Rosetta Joseph The ship Rosetta Joseph, which sailed from
Sydney NSW for San Fransisco on May 29 1850 and had left the latter
port on the return passage to Sydney on 15 October, was totally
wrecked on Elizabeth Reef,north of Lord Howe Island, on 1 December.
She was carrying thirty-two passengers, including two women and two
children,and a crew of fifteen, but there was no loss of life. The
Rosetta Joseph was running at night under easy sail with a
favourable wind when she was suddenly found to be surounded byrocks,
a strong current having swept her on to the north west side of
Elizabeth Reef, whuich was also known as Clarks reef. A few minutes
later she struck. Next morning her master, Andrew Patrick, decided
there was no alternative but to abandon her. There was a strong wind
and heavy sea, and when an attempt to launch the boats was made the
jollyboat swamped. Patrick decided to wait until the sea and wind
had moderated before making a second attempt to get the boats away.
Conditions became more favourable during the afternoon and by 5pm
the passengers and crew were all off the ship. The three boats-the
longboat carrying twenty-eight, the pinnace with fourteen aboard and
the jollyboat holding five-lay at anchor off the reef all night.
When the boats left the wreck on the 3rd they steered for Lord
HoweIsland, ninety-five miles away to the south, but next day a
heavy gale blew up and the boats laboured much in the high seas,
shipping so much water that continuous baling was was necessary to
keep them afloat. The jollyboat which was being towed by the
longboat, almost swamped, and Patrick decided to lighten the
longboat by jettisoning all spare clothes, blankets and some parcels
of gold dust, so as to take aboard the five men in the jollyboat.
This was done and at 4pm the jollyboat filled. The pinnace was now
made fast to the stern of the longboat and,using the swamped
jollyboat as a sea anchor, they were able to lie to for the night.
Although the weather moderated on the 5th, a strong current had
swept the crowded boats back to within twenty miles of the reef, and
the wind being favourable Patrick decided to bear away for the
Australian coast . Although heavy seas necessitated constant baling
and compelled them to again lie to, using masts, spare oars and some
canvas as a sea anchor, they safely reached Port Macquarie NSW on
the 10th and by 5pm that day all were ashore. The Rosetta Joseph was
a barque of 265 tons, and had been built at the Manning River by
Alexander Newton in 187. Her dimensions were 88.9 x 23.2 x 15.0. She
was owned by Moses Joseph, of Sydney, merchant. SOURCES:Sydney
Morning Herald 16 and 17 Dec 1850;Gold Fleet,116-8; Reg Syd No
82/187
********************
AUSTRALIAN MEN OF MARK page 385
GEORGE FRANCIS,ESQUIRE.
A Man who has been born before the Battle of Waterloo must ever be
an object of interest. The mere mention of such a fact must recall
memories of what has happened in the history of the world,since that
great change wrought in the destiny of Europe by the fall of
Napoleon in 1815. In the year 1811, in Essex, England, was born the
subject of this memoir. George Francis was the son of a farmer, and
at the age of fourteen years he went to sea in a coasting
vessel,which carried coals to Portsmouth Dockyard. After this he was
bound as an apprentice on board the Peter and Jane,which traded to
the Baltic. In 1835 he shipped on the Lady Jane, a whaling vessel,
and on 20th.April of that year made the ice at Davis Straits. The
voyage proved disastrous. Only one whale was killed,and the ship got
shut up in the ice at lat.70 deg.N.,with but a short supply of
provisions. On 5th.October 1835,all hands were put on dshort
allowance, and all during the winter the ship's company suffered
great privations. Many died through hunger,cold,and scurvy;on
19th.February 1836 the ice began to move, and under the influence of
a westerly gale, the ship drifted with the ice for 1200 miles. When
she got clear of the ice she was found to be very much strained, and
it required all the skill and care that could be given,to get her to
the Orkneys,where the sixteen survivors of a crew of sixty-five
recruited their health. Mr Francis was one of the survivors who
suffered least. In 1844 he London for Sydney,and on his arrival in
the colony he went to Port Macquarie. But success did not attend
him, and he proceeded to San Fransisco,but soon after left that
place with the intention of returning to Sydney in the barque
Rosetta Joseph. In December 1850 the ship was wrecked on Elizabeth
Reef, and the crew and passengers had to take to the boats. For nine
days and nights they suffered hardship, but at length reached the
coast of New South wales, at port macquarie,all safe. In 1851, when
gold fever broke out,Mr francis went to the Braidwood diggings,and
for several years met with good success there. However, he returned
to Port Macquarie, and there, at Douglas Vale, he planted a
vineyard, which he has made most successful. His wine has obtained
medals at Bordeaux 1882, Amsterdam 1883, Calcutta 1884, and London
1886. After a life well spent in honest work,and not without
adventure,Mr. Francis retired from work,and is now living in ease.
The estate of Douglas Vale he has given to his son-in-law, Napoleon
Wilson, who still carries on the vineyard. 6-vol.11. 2X *
********************
OBITUARY Port Macquarie News December 10th. 1898 PLANTED DOUGLAS
VALE VINEYARDS (Death of Mr. G.Francis) On Sunday afternoon
last,there passed away one of the oldest and most esteemed residents
of Port Macquarie in the person of Mr G Francis of Douglas
Vale,after a long and painful illness. He was born at
maldon,Essex,England,in 1811,so that he was over 78 years of age
when he died. Mr Francis came to New South Wales in 1844,and after
spending 18 months in the upper Hunter,came to Port Macquarie in
1846,where he planted a vineyard on land belonging to the late Major
Innes. After three years he left for Adelaide for a short time, but
returned to Port Macquarie that same year, and left for California
where he arrived in 1850. Being in poor health in San fransisco he
decided to return to Port where he'd left his wife and family. He
shipped by the barque Rosetta Joseph, which struck on Elizabeth
Reef, about 400 miles east of Port Macquarie. The crew and
passengers took to three boats the following day,but in the firsst
gale of wind, the five men in the smallest boat had to go into the
other boats for safety. They used the small boat for a sea anchor,
tieing the other boats to her,until the gale was over,when they cut
her adrift. On the following Sunday morning they saw the tops of the
two small mountains near Smoky Cape,but another galea nd
thunderstorm coming onm they made another sea anchor of their
masts,spare spars and oars lashed together, and laid to till the
storm was over. They were driven to the south and when they sighted
land again they were off Camden Haven. The boats were turned to the
north again, as Mr Francis told the Captain that he was sure that
they were near Port Macquarie. As they neared the flagstaff, the
pilot boat went out, and brought them in a few at a time, as the
boats were too heavily loaded to come into the boat harbour. The 48
people had been in the boats for eight and a half days having only a
small quantity of food and water served out each day. Mrs Francis
was surprised to see her husband land from one of the boats. In
November,1851 Mr Francis went to the Braidwood diggings and w as
very successful. He returned to Port again in 1859, and in 1862
commenced to establish the Douglas Vale Vineyard which remains to
this time one of the best laid out vineyards in this district.
***************
EXTRACT from PORT MACQUARIE NEWS 31st.January ,1977 Reprinted in
the "NEWS" 50 years ago,"as narrated by an eye witness almost 80
years ago.": The barque Rosetta Joseph left San Fransisco on October
15th.1850, bound for Sydney. On December 2 she struck Elizabeth Reef
and the 48 passengers on board eventually landed safely at Port
Macquarie. They left the wreck in two small boats,one a long boat
took 32, and a smaller pinnace had 16 on board. They were eight days
and nine nights in the open boats before reaching Port Macquarie
where the pilot boat brought the people in a few at a time. When
gales struck the open boats a box of gold worth 30,000 pounds was
amongst goods that had to be thrown overboard. The interesting thing
about all this is that the 48 people owe their lives to a Mr George
Francis ,the original owner of Douglas Vale and its vineyards at
Port Macquarie. He had gone to California in the gold rush days and
was returning to Australia. A seaman,he took charge in the open boat
and his courage and Seamanship won through. Stretching coincidence
that he should be washed up more or less on his own doorstep. Also
among the passengers was Mr Rudder senr.,of the Macleay, and his
sons Julian and Augustus. Mr Rudder's oil painting of the two boats
adorned the drawing room at Douglas Vale and would be a rather
historic piece if still around. ***************************
St.Cath's House Index of Marriages June Quarter 1838 DODDS Margaret
Newcastle-on-Tyne 25 413 St.Cath's House Index of Marriages June
Quarter 1838 DODDS Margaret Newcastle-on-Tyne 25 413
*****************
Notes from The Windingsheet pages 351 & 352 see notes attached to
first wife Margaret Dodds nee Douglas Rin 231.
-------------------------
A notation in Margaret Wilson nee Francis' hand writing, states
"Places my father sailed to before coming to Australia:
St Petersburg, Rigor, Arc Angel, Copenhagen,Hamberg, Memal,
Malaga,Antwerp, Danzig, Rotterdam,Stockholm and Rouen."
This note was found while looking through papers and photographs at
Victor Payne's home at Nana Glen NSW in November 1998
------------------------------
Letter written by Ephraim to his brother George in Australia.dated
July 15th 1854.
Original now held by Victor PAYNE address 25 Nana Creek Road Nana
Glen NSW (as at April 1998)
DETAILS of letter: (recorded as written,except for ?? where the
words are undecipherable) Envelope post marked SHIPMAIL SYDNEY dated
July 15th 1854 To: George FRANCI of Genkons Stree Nr the Gass Wourks
Sidney New South Wales
My dear Brother Liverpool 9th April 1854
I have taken the liberty of writing a few lines to you all,hoping
they will find you all quite well. These lines are for yourself dear
George. It is a long time since I saw you but you are not forgot by
me But as I have not the pleasure of seeing you I hope these few
lines will find a welcome at their destination. You see by the other
part I address you all on the same terms. I should have sent you
all a letter But I have not all your addresses so when you get this
and have read the other part,send it to John and he can send it to
Robert and Mary that is if you think it will not ?? them dear
George. I hope you will try what you can do for me I put more
confidence in you than either of the others.write to me and tell me
all about the place so that I can form an idea of them and it will
be ??? to come out. I am sick of this Place but I can't get away
without help and do not know where to turn to for it but to you and
if you do a Brotherly Action toward me you shall never be the loser
of one penny but Dear George I feel lost,forsaken by all the reson.I
send on one letter to you all to save postage-I have no more to say
this time to you But wishing you every joy and happiness . Give my
love to my sister Margaret and all my neices and nephews and to all.
Do not forget to write to Father direct No 5 Denmark Street
Coleharbour Lane Camberwell
Direct to me,Ephraim Francis No 28 Upper Harrington Street Toxteth
Park Liverpool.
George Francis second marriage wasto his Aunt Sarah's cousin, Isabella Pittman, a
widow, in London about 1883, and died at Douglas Vale 0n 4 December
1898, he is buried in the General Cemetery Port Macquarie.
Isabella Francis, formerly Pittman, died in England on the 26th January1900 while
visiting relatives at Wednesbury.
-
George Francis born 1812, son of Ruth and Daniel Francis was brother of Ephraim. (Ephraim was the only son of Daniel & Ruth to remain in the UK. ) George then, was grandson of Robert & Mary Francis of Heybridge Hall.
In 1835, George was onboard the Lady Jane when she became beset in the Davis Strait due to ice.
Family legend tells of the dire condintions of that voyage and the of the terrible loss of life. (We have also been led to believe that there was near starvation on board but this now turns out to be incorrect if the following information is correct.) In the early 1990s, a small bird bone was lodged at the Port Macquarie Maritime Museum and was supposedly the remains of a bird George had killed in the Davis Strait to overcome starvation, George also kept a piece of timber from the Lady Jane and this too is in the Port McQ. Maritime Museum.
In 1837 George Francis married Margaret Dodds (nee Douglas) Margaret was the widow of Johnathon Dodds. Maragret had four children from her first marriage and then George and Margaret had two more children George and Margaret. George died in infancy and George (sen.) and Margaret sailed for Australia with the whole family and George's brother John and sister Mary, reaching Sydney in June 1844 aboard the Templar.
George was bit of an adventurer and apparently left his wife and children in Port McQuarie for long periods while he tried his luck in the Goldfields in the eraly 1850s. He survived a shipwreck while returning to Australia from the Californian Goldfields in 1851. The ship in question this time being the Rosetta Joseph.
Another shot at the Australian goldfields was much more successful and George made enough money to buy land in Port Macquarie NSW where he established a most successful Vineyard which they called Douglas Vale. 1931, saw the last harvest of grapes at DV andd George's daughter Margaret died aged 91 years. Margaret had kept a detailed diary of family events from which much of has been learned of the lives of this family in the 19th century.
Douglas Vale remained in the same family until 1961 when the last family member died.
It was bought by Tafe and later a volunteer group decided to restore Douglas Vale homestaed to its original state and the project is progressing slowly but surely with financial assistance from fund raising and Heritagee funding. Much attention is given to the authenticity of all renovating.
There are grapes on the vines again ,grown from some of the original Isabella grapes.
Now for the information about The Lady Jane:
2566 LADY JANE (1804-1849)
Ship 391 tons 111.3 x 28.8 feet
1772 Built River Thames
1809 Completely rebuilt at North Shields by Quintin Blackburn
P/R London (1801/127)
Owners 8.1.1804 William Linskill, Tynemouth Lodge, & Quintin Blackburn (m.t), North Shields 19.3.1833: Mathew Plummer (24/64), William Nicholas Greenwell (16/64), Thomas Richard Batson (8/64), & Thomas Crawhall (16/64), all Newcastle ship owners 8.2.1834 Following the death of Thomas Crawhall his 16/64ths was transferred to William Crawhall, Allenheads, Northumberland
7.12.1841: Batson transferred 4/64ths each to Greenwell & Plummer. 19.1.1844 share distribution
Mathew Plummer (48/64) and William Crawshall (16/64th)
Masters 18.1.1804 William Holmes; 20.2.1805 Thomas Dunn; 7.12.1805 William Holmes; 28.10.1806 David Murray; 28.2.1807 William Holmes ;28.9.1807 John Waddan; 5.11.1807 William Holmes 28.9.1808 Durham Walker; 4.2.1809 William Holmes ; 4.8.1810 Thomas Smith; 23.11.1811 William Holmes 18.9.1811 Henry Massey; 5.3.1812 William Holmes 19.2.1814 William Holmes; 3.3.1815 James Fleming (died 26.10.1849 ) 19.3.1833 John Leask; 27.2.1838 George Harrison; 6.3.1848 John Patterson
The Lady Jane was the last of Tyneside’s wooden sailing whalers. For over forty years she left the river each march for the Davis Straits, returning in October or November with her catch. Even before becoming Tyne owned the Lady Jane was a whaler.
Basil Lubbock in his Arctic Whalers notes that when owned by Samuel Standidge of Hull in 1875, she gave up on “fishing” after obtaining only three tons of seal oil cans went to Archangel with the intention of seeking a timber cargo. On 16 July, when about 90 leagues North West of North Cape, the crew of the Greenland, (belonging to the same owner) were picked up after their ship had foundered. The same author also lists some of her early catches (The whalers referred to whales as “fish”):
1804: 11 fish; 1805: 7½ fish; 1806: 16 fish; 1807 12 fish; 1810 16 fish;
1812: 18 fish In 1813 thirteen large fish producing 724 butts of oil, which when boiled, measured 240 tons, were caught. A profit of over £12,000 was made on the voyage- the largest up to that date. In 1828, she again returned with a full catch.
What, at that time was claimed to be the largest whale ever brought into the Tyne was caught by the Lady Jane in the Davis Straits during the 1815 season. Estimated to be worth £1500, its oil filled casks which held 10,050 gallons.
Eighteen thirty was the most disastrous year in the history of British Whaling.
On 24 October the Lady Jane arrived in Shields Harbour from the Davis Straits with three fish, two of which had been “found dead”. Although her catch was small she had been very lucky. Nineteen British whalers had been wrecked; twenty-one arrived home empty. The following year she returned with eight fish which yielded 105 tons of oil.
Eighteen thirty-three was a good year. Twenty-three fish were caught yielding 302 tons of oil, 81 casks of loose blubber and three tons of whale fins.
Six whalers were lost in 1835; the Lady Jane nearly became one of their number. Trapped in the ice in 69° 20’ N., on 9 October she remained beset for over four months. Her crew kept their spirits up quite well until 13 December when another Tyne whaler, the Grenville Bay, which had been caught with them got free. Only a ships’ length separated the Lady Jane from clear water; but the same wind that had released Grenville Bay drove the Lady Jane further into the ice. Soon after the supply of firewood became exhausted. All loose wood and stakes up to the value of £600 were burnt; clothing began to deteriorate and fall apart. Some took to their bunks which were by now “in a state too shocking to describe”.
Thankfully the Lady Jane was one of the best provisioned whalers. She was able to provide the Berwick whaler Norfolk with four barrels of pork. For a while fifty-three survivors from the wreck Hull whaler Mary Francis had to be provided for until room could be found for them on other trapped ships. When she arrived back in the Tyne there were still provisions enough for one month on board
After drifting for 1250 miles the Lady Jane eventually got clear of the ice in 61° 25’N.52°W. at 11 o’clock on the night of 18 February 1836. In the mauling by the ice, six feet of the stern post had been torn away; three planks six feet below the water-line had started; the wooden protective sheathing was badly scored and torn; she was leaking badly. Worst still was the condition of her surviving crew members which included twelve survivors from the Mary Francis who had remained on board. Decimated by scurvy, most were confined to their bunks. The others were barely able to crawl.
The finest man on board was John Leask, her master,. He was the only one able to go aloft on the stormy 23 day passage from the ice pack to Stromness, which was made under reefed top-sails . For the last five days of the run Capt. Leask was at the wheel almost continuously, only being relieved for brief intervals by the more able men who had to sit on chairs while steering.
Including some who died after arrival at Stromness, the death toll on the Lady Jane totalled twenty-seven men. The first man had died on 31st January. Twenty one others were to follow him before Stromness was reached. Included were six Shields men: Thomas Robertson Mate; James Brodie and John Dodds, Harpooners, Edward Scalfe, Robert Posts and William Oliver seamen. Most of the others were Orkadians and there were four amongst the Mary Francis survivors.
Fifteen men were taken on board at Stromness to get the Lady Jane home.
She arrived in the Tyne on 26 March 1836 after a twelve day passage. Of her original fifty two man crew, only eight returned with the ship. Included were Capt. Leask and the Doctor; James Williamson- a young North Shields man. The remaining survivors were recuperating in the Orkneys.
Only one whale was caught on this nightmare voyage. It produced twenty-three casks of loose blubber and one- and- a –half whale fins.
Her next voyage was much better. Leaving the Tyne on 10 May, a fine outward passage was made arriving at 63°20’N. on 6 June. She ventured to 71° N., before returning to the Tyne with ninety casks of blubber and one ton of whale fins – the produce of eight whales.
Only one whale was caught in the 1837 season. On 10th April she had put back into Stromness after springing a leak 100 miles west of that port. It was necessary to have her hauled a-shore for repair.
When she left the Tyne on 8 March 1838, only six of her crew were Tyneside men. She returned to the river in September after a very successful voyage when 26 whales were caught which produced 356 casks of loose blubber.
The Lady Jane did not return from the 1839 Season until 4 November. The Press commented “The Lady Jane, whaler, arrived this afternoon; the news of her long looked for arrival in the offing spread with rapidity and crowds of those interested in hher safe arrival were saluted with three hearty cheers from the vessel and re-echoed from the shore”. She brought 86 tons of oil with her. The produce of six whales
Only one fish was caught in 1840. The following year was not much better. Seven bottle noses (? hyperoodon ampullantus), which produced only ten tons of oil, were caught. A bear was transfixed with “one of Mr Greener’s harpoon guns”
The Lady Jane was the only Tyne whaler to participate in the 1842 season. It was a fairly good one for her. She returned on 18 October after catching ten fish and three bottle noses which produced 98 casks of blubber, four cases of oil and a quantity of whale fins.
At the beginning of 1843 she left the Davis Strait at eight o’clock on the morning of 8 March. “Owing to the early hour of her departure the crowd which usually accompanies her to the Sand End was not as large. When passing the Lord Gambier the Lady saluted her with firing a gun which was answered from the deck of the Gambier with three hearty cheers”. By this time the pair were the only two whalers operating from the Tyne. They became known as the Lord and Lady.
Four fish were caught during 1844 season which produced 81(?) casks of blubber and three tons of whale fins for (name undecipherable) & Co.
Twenty-one of her crew had to landed in the Orkneys on the way home ,all suffering scurvy: Another had jumped overboard and drowned “In the Country”, during a bout of indisposition and delirium”. Stormy and unpleasant weather had been experienced.
By 1845 the Lady Jane was the only remaining Tyne owned whaler. On 4 October she arrived home after catching 35 whales which produced 180 tons of oil, ten tons of whale fins and some loose blubber. Eighteen forty-six had its difficulties. Ice barred the way to much of the fishing grounds on the west side of the Davis Strait. News off the problems reached Tyneside in late September in a letter written by the Lady Jane’s master, (George Harrison) on 14 August. It came via the cod fishing vessel Diligent. Master of the Lady for 9 years, he had never seen so much ice in the fishery. Probing as far north as 74°10’ and south to 65°50’ no passage to the westward could be found. The Lady had become beset in 69°40’N., but got clear just before the letter was written. Capt. Harrison indicated he was going to make another attempt to get through the ice by going south. When last there on 23 July, in 66°N., there had been 130 miles of ice between him and the West Land but in recent days there had been some strong gales of wind which it was hoped might open a channel to the west. He went on to mention that only 43 fish had been caught by the nineteen ships about him. They included the well-known Hull whaler Truelove which had two fish and the Lady’s old compatriot, Lord Gambier (then Hull owned), with one.
The gales must have done the trick, for toward the end of the season, the Lady did make it to the open water on the west side. She arrived home on 25 October with what were listed as: 8 whales, 11 fin whale, and one bottle nose whale which produced 187 casks of blubber and 6 tons of whale fins. Throughout the whole of the season the weather had been “excessively severe and boisterous the thermometer for twenty –one days only stood higher than freezing point.
At the beginning of the 1847 Season, the owners of the Lady Jane presented Capt. Harrison with an elegant silver cup “in testimony of his meritorious service as Master of the vessel” The presentation was made on board at the muster dinner “In the presence of a select party”. She got away on 27 March but put back on the 31st because of contrary winds. It was a bad start to what proved to be a bad season. She returned after catching only two fish which produced 38 casks of blubber and 1½ tons
General Notes: Wife - Isabella PITTMAN
All information about Isabella supplied by Doreen Rice.
George Francis second marriage wasto his Aunt Sarah's cousin, Isabella Pittman, a
widow, in London about 1883, and died at Douglas Vale 0n 4 December
1898, he is buried in the General Cemetery Port Macquarie.
Isabella Francis, formerly Pittman, died in England on the 26th January1900 while
visiting relatives at Wednesbury. The following is a newspaper report in South Africa regarding her death:-
Port Macqurie News Saturday 24th March 1900 p2 col2
DEATH of Mrs G.Francis.-It is with deep regret that we chronicle the death of Mrs Francis , late of "Douglas Vale". After her arrival in England she had gone to visit her son-in-law and grand-daughters at Wednesbury. While sleeping with one of her grand-daughtrs, both ladies suffocated by an escape of gas from the pipe in the bedroom."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++
In the will of her sister-in-law Sarah made in July 1891 and proved in July 1894 she is named as the wife of Geroge Francis of Port Mcquarrie, New South Wales and left a legacy of £100 cash (Doc401).
Husband George Curhbert FRANCIS 182
Born: 3 Dec 1878 - New South Wales, Australia
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Alfred James FRANCIS (1850-1913) 182
Mother: Elizabeth LAW (1853-1885) 182
Wife
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George Curhbert FRANCIS
All information about George supplied by Doreen Rice.
Husband George Gordon FRANCIS 182
Born: 23 Aug 1841 - Balhannah, , South Australia, Australia
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert James FRANCIS (1812-1895) 182
Mother: Eleanor (Abt 1811-1881) 182
Marriage: 13 Apr 1870 - Blacktown, , New South Wales, Australia
Wife Jane PAINE 182
Born: Abt 1845
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George Gordon FRANCIS
All info on George supplied by Doreen Rice
General Notes: Wife - Jane PAINE
All info on Jane supplied by Doreen Rice
Husband George Henry (Dic) FRANCIS 182
Born: 1880 - Colchester, , Essex, England
Christened:
Died: 1961
Buried:
Father: Joshua FRANCIS (1853- ) 182
Mother: Emma SANSON (Abt 1844- ) 182
Marriage:
Other Spouse: Emily READ
Noted events in his life were:
• Baptism, St Leonards Colchester, 2 Nov 1882
• Occupation, Bargeman, 1901
Wife MARY (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George Henry (Dic) FRANCIS
Shown on 1881 census as 10mth old child living with mother Emma
Baptism on 2nd Nov 1882 at St Leonards Colchester
Husband George Henry (Dic) FRANCIS 182
Born: 1880 - Colchester, , Essex, England
Christened:
Died: 1961
Buried:
Father: Joshua FRANCIS (1853- ) 182
Mother: Emma SANSON (Abt 1844- ) 182
Marriage:
Other Spouse: MARY
Noted events in his life were:
• Baptism, St Leonards Colchester, 2 Nov 1882
• Occupation, Bargeman, 1901
Wife Emily READ (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George Henry (Dic) FRANCIS
Shown on 1881 census as 10mth old child living with mother Emma
Baptism on 2nd Nov 1882 at St Leonards Colchester
Husband George M. FRANCIS 50
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Phoebe ROBLIN 50
Born: 11 Jan 1826 354
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: David ROBLIN (1788-1867) 8,50,131
Mother: Mary ROWE (1798-1854) 50,151
Children
Husband George T FRANCIS 182
Born: 1885 - Rocky River, , New South Wales, Australia
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Ephraim Joseph FRANCIS (1852-1931) 182
Mother: Caroline GLOCK (1863-1911) 182
Wife
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - George T FRANCIS
All information about George supplied by Doreen Rice.
Husband
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Wife Geraldine FRANCIS (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: John FRANCIS (1906- )
Mother: Winifred
Children
Husband Graham FRANCIS (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Ronald FRANCIS (1915-1982)
Mother: Ethel
Wife (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
Husband Gregory FRANCIS (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: John FRANCIS
Mother: Brenda
Wife (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Children
Husband George PUTLEY (details suppressed for this person)
Born:
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Marriage:
Wife Hannah FRANCIS 182
Born: 27 Nov 1804 - Ulting, Essex, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
Father: Robert FRANCIS (1778-1849) 182
Mother: Hannah FAIRHEAD (Abt 1774-1856) 182
Noted events in her life were:
• Fact 4, Fact 4 Residence
Children
1 F Mary A PUTLEY 182
Born: 1835 - Southwark, , Surrey, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
2 M George PUTLEY 182
Born: 1839 - Southwark, , Surrey, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
3 F Hannah PUTLEY 182
Born: 1840 - Southwark, , Surrey, England
Christened:
Died:
Buried:
General Notes: Wife - Hannah FRANCIS
Original info from baptism entry in P/R in 1804.
Signed as a witness at the wedding of her sister, Mary Ann, in 1827 (No copy).
Information on Hannah's marriage in 1832 obtained from transcripts only. This is assumed the same person and no exact research made.
Confirming the entry regarding Hannah's marriage above, she is shown as the wife of George Putley in her father's will dated 1848 (Doc238). She is to receive one sixth of the total legacy (£1500) on the subsequent death of her mother.
General Notes: Child - Mary A PUTLEY
Shown on the 1841, 1851, 1861 census - see father
General Notes: Child - George PUTLEY
shown on the 1841, 1851,1861 census see father
General Notes: Child - Hannah PUTLEY
only shown on 1841 census see father