GeniAus - #AtoZChallenge - I is for Inquests

During April 2020 the month of this #AtoZChallenge I will be sharing short posts on some of the 2,000+ descendants I have identified of my 3x Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth Phipps. 

Elizabeth Phipps 1785-1869 was a convict who was transported from England to New South Wales in 1814 per Wanstead. 

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Sophia Westbrook, a daughter of James Westbrook and Elizabeth Phipps. married William Sly a convict who had arrived on the “Moffatt”, in Richmond in 1844, 

Sophia had been adopted by the Seymours, childless owners of The Black Horse Inn, who left her the property. Elizabeth and William operated the Inn for many years until Sophia's death when their son William took up the licence.

Source: National Library of Australia nla.pic-vn4655360

It was the practice in many country towns for hotels to be used by local coroners for the conduct of inquests as it was not practicable to transfer bodies. No doubt Sophia and William were witnesses to several inquests as The Black Horse Inn was used for this purpose. The reports from Trove make fascinating reading.

1892 'A Child Accidentally Killed.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 24 September, p. 8. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72545112

Continue reading this account here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72545112

1891 'Inquest.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 31 January, p. 4. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72538929

Continue reading this account here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72538929

1891 'Inquest.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 26 September, p. 8. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72541029

Continue reading this story here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72541029

I love to connect with cousins and fellow researchers. Should you find any errors in my post or have additional information please contact me. 

St Matthews Anglican Church, Windsor - Bicentenary Celebrations

I have been asked to publish this notice. I am  pleased to do so as I have ancestors interred at St Matthews.

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In October 2017, St Matthews Anglican Church, Windsor, will be celebrating the bicentenary of the laying of the foundation stone by Governor Lachlan Macquarie on 11 October 1817.

St Matthews and its associated graveyard are historically significant to the state of NSW and to the Hawkesbury area.  The church has been the centre of spiritual life in the district since it was consecrated by the Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1822, with many families marking marriages, baptisms and deaths over several generations.

The cemetery at St Matthews has been in use since former convict, later appointed Chief Constable and magistrate, Andrew Thompson, was buried there in 1810.  There are a number of First Fleeter grave sites and twelve of those are marked with plaques from the Fellowship of First Fleeters.  These grave sites are:

Name                                                    Status                                   Ship                       Died

ARNDELL, Thomas                           Assistant Surgeon            Friendship           1821

BARNETT, Daniel                              Convict                                 Friendship           1825

CROSS, John                                       Convict                                 Alexander           1824

CUSLEY, Benjamin                           Marine Private                  Friendship           1845

DALTON, Elizabeth (Arndell)       Convict                                 Lady Penrhyn    1843

also (Burley / Burleigh)

FORRESTER, Robert                         Convict                                 Scarborough      1827

GREEN, Ann (Bladdey / Bladdy) Convict                                 Lady Penhryn    1820

HOLMES, Susannah (Kable)         Convict                                 Charlotte             1825

KABLE / CABELL, Henry                  Convict                                 Friendship           1846

MARROTT / MERRITT, John         Convict                                 Alexander           1812

MILES / Moyle, Edward                 Convict                                 Scarborough      1838

ROBERTS, William                             Convict                                 Scarborough      1820

During the lead up to the bicentenary, family societies and descendants of those who have current or former connections with the church are invited to celebrate their association with St Matthews by holding reunions, commemorative services or family get – togethers at the Church.  Interested individuals, family groups or associations are invited to join the mailing list to be kept informed of events leading up to the bicentenary.

A commemorative service will be held on Sunday 8 October 2017.  A community and schools service will be held on Wednesday 11 October 2017.  Several concerts will also be held in the church. As well as open days for the whole of the church precinct ie, church, graveyard, stables and rectory.

If you would like to be kept informed email         stmatthewsbicentenary@windsoranglican.asn.au

Trove Tuesday - Windsor visits

I visit Windsor, home to some of my convict ancestors,  each month (when I am around) for the meeting of the Hawkesbury Family History Group so I was interested to find on Trove a report of a visit to Windsor in September 1947 by members of another society of which I am a member, The Society of Australian Genealogists.

1947 'Genealogists Visit Windsor.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954), 24 September, p. 11, viewed 1 September, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85787233

New Book - Windsor (NSW) Police Station

I just noticed on a listserv that a new book of interest to genealogists is to be launched on July 31st.

If you have a connection to any Police attached to Windsor Police Station between 1862 and 2010 you  might be interested in the book "Leaving the Barracks" by Heather Smith.

Copies of the book will be available from the Author @ $25 each. ksmith34@bigpond.com

St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Windsor

As this was in the  public domain on the aus-nsw-hills-hawkesbury-hunter-valley-bounces@rootsweb.com list I am reposting it on this blog for the information of those with an interest in St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Windsor.

As many people on the list have ancestors who were baptised, married or buried at St Matthew’s Anglican Church at Windsor I thought you might like to know of that they are holding an open day for people wishing to view the historic St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Rectory & Stables on Sunday 24th October 2010.

The foundation stone of Francis Greenway’s St Matthew’s Anglican Church was laid by Governor Lachlan Macquarie in October 1817. The St Matthew’s Rectory and Stables (1824-5) were built by William Cox, Principal Magistrate to the colony of New South Wales, 1810 - 1837. Please note that One final opportunity for 2010 is being provided to view the ground floor of the Rectory & the stables. Devonshire Tea plus tours of the church, graveyard, rectory and stables will be on offer.

Where: St Matthew’s Anglican Church Moses Street, Windsor, NSW 2756

When: Sun 24th October 2010, 1-4pm (Rectory & Stables) + church & graveyard tours at 1pm & 2.30pm Bookings essential, enquiries to Helen Williams, 02 4577 6677

Macquarie Buildings

Found this notice on the Facebook page of The Hawkesbury Family History Group 

Hawkesbury Family History Group Historian Dr James Broadbent will be delivering a talk on Macquarie’s buildings & the vision he held for progress. Former Senior Curatorial Advisor at Historic Houses Trust of NSW, he also co-wrote 'Age of Macquarie'. This event will be held Thursday 9 September from 4pm-6pm in the historic St Matthews Anglican Church Moses St WINDSOR. FREE but bookings necessary T (02) 4560 4460 or E history@hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au

They only asked for a gold coin donation....

....and it was the best value I have had for $2 in many a day.

I took a cross country drive to the Hawkesbury Family History Fair at Windsor today. I will blog further about this event after the weekend but initially I want to thank The Hawkesbury Family History Group and The Hawkesbury City Council especially Michelle Nichols and the stunning library staff  together with the fair exhibitors for organising such a splendid event.

After my big day out I am on a genealogy high.

T H A N K  Y O U

195 years ago....

On 28 May 1815 my convict ancestor Elizabeth Phipps gave birth to a daughter Louisa Westbrook. I can barely imagine what life was like for this mother and daughter in the early days of New South Wales' settlement.

On 23 Apr 1832 Louisa married a convict, Charles Clifford, at St Matthews Church in Windsor, NSW. and, in the ensuing 25 years bore him 12 children.

I have identified many Clifford cousins on my family website but would love to be in contact with all of Louisa and Charles descendants.

Open House at St Matthew's, Windsor.

I am disappointed that I cannot attend this event as I have convict family connections with this church.

Michelle Nicholls has talked about this event on the HHV Rootsweb List, I am republishing the info here:

"Rare opportunity to see the interiors of St. Matthew's Anglican Church Rectory & stables at open house with afternoon tea on Sunday, 11th April 2010 1-4pm (rectory & stables) and 18th April 2010 1-4pm (rectory only)
Where: 1 Moses Street Windsor. Bookings Essential, contact 02 4577 6677 for more info."