Thursday 21 February 2013

Day 21 - Family History Writing Challenge

This post may not look like much but it took a great deal of head space to put together
How did John Ebbott acquire this wealth of Mining knowledge?  and is an effort to understand home John arrived at being a mine manager after beginning a career as a butcher, still alot more reading and work to be done!

Saturday 16 February 2013

Day 16 - Family History Writing Challenge

Understanding the environment someone lives is essential to understand why they got involved in something and what opportunities were available.  How did John move from butcher to mine manager if only we knew!  I've written up what I think might have been motivating forces and environment circumstances hope it all makes sense  Understanding John Ebbott's foray in the world of mining, its certainly taken me quite sometime to understand what's going on!

Thursday 14 February 2013

Photo 14 - Workers at the Garfield Mine


When I first started studying mining in relation to my mining ancestors who include both maternal lines (John Bassett) & my paternal Lines (John Ebbott) I heard about how the miners were sent over to Australia to set up English mining companies however those back in England were slow in getting organised so the miners took things into their own hands and pushed so that it would be more difficult for large companies/monopolies to come in and push the little miners out.
It  made for a great story but it wasn't until today that I found a reference to the events in the newspaper talking about the surveys taken in 1845, 25 years earlier.
"SURVEY - A few days ago we extracted from one of our country contemporaries an account of intended operations to develop resources of the estate known as the Tungkillo Special Survey, purchased by an English company in 1845" (1870 'THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS OF VICTORIA.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 29 June, p. 5, viewed 14 February, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39195123)
and later in the same article refers to a similar report commissioned from the Argus Reef that was sent to Messrs.  Johnson & Matthey, assayers, of London.

Argus REff is in Chewton, Victoria, Australia and is where the very profitable Garfield Mine was built and the one, amongst other mines, that John Ebbott was heavily involved in.
Workers at Garfield mine
Note John Ebbott standing in amongst the men near the middle
The above photo was given to me by Silas Ellery, one of John Ebbott's decendants when I went to Chewton to visit him many years ago, Silas has now passed away.

Day 14 - Family History Writing Challenge

It has taken me a few days but I finally have some sort of coherent Time Line for John Ebbott it still needs some tweaking but it is well on its way.
I've colour coded the events in his life 
Blue lettering - births of children
Red Lettering - death of family members
Yellow shading - indicates activities involving mining - this can be misleading as there needs to be some contextual notes added to explain why some of the events in mining happened as they did eg changes in legislation etc.

Monday 11 February 2013

Photo 11 - new beginings Forest Creek Victoria Australia

Daintree, Richard, 1832-1878, photographer.
The Ebbott family have travelled through rough terrain to get to their new home, I wonder what John's mother thought as she entered the town, prices were exorbitant.  The biggest building in the picture is the a in the upper left -  , the Mount Alexander Hotel and not a church steeple to be seen for as far as the eye can see.

Day 11 - Family History Writing Challenge

I have tired to set up the context for the activities that were going on around them when the Ebbott family first came to Australia A town without structure  still lots more to do but at least it is a beginning.

Sunday 10 February 2013

Photo 10 from Adelaide to Victoria

Forest Creek from road to Castlemaine 1857 
The Ebbott's cam to Australia in 1852 and family legend has it that they travelled across land to Victoria where they settle, other than family oral history I don't have any more evidence of how they travelled.  It always seemed more likely to me that they would have come by sea  if I review what was being advertised at the time in the newspapers
Advertisement for passage SA to Melbourne Saturday 4 September 1852
but then I am reminded of the words written in John Ebbott's obituary that said
"A long illness, however had proved very prejudicial to his temporal interests; and with a view to the improvement of his circumstances, and providing for his young family, he immigrated to Australia." The Wesleyan chronicle. (Publisher/Date: Melbourne : Shaw, Harnett & Co., 1857- ;  Location: Microfiche ; LTMF; Call Number: 131' Volume/Item: 1857:Oct. 1- 1875:Apr. 20;), 1867 page 8 Fiche 30.  
so there wasn't any money for the entire family to travel in such comfort particularly if the goal was to purchase a farm, all money must be set aside for that goal.
Land sales in The Argus Thursday 13 March 1856

There is a very interesting site from the Cornish Association of Victoria that deals with Overland from South Australia to the Victorian goldfields 1851-52; routes taken, modes of travel, conditions experienced which is fascinating and I am hoping one day to follow one of their guides and retrace the steps that my ancestors may have taken.  Now all I need is a travelling companion and money, camping on the side of the road doesn't really appeal to me.

Day 10 - Family History Writing Challenge

To day I worked on a time line for John's life to help clarify what I needed to cover, I have no idea that I there was so much information, I just hope I have missed anything in  John Ebbott's Time Line .  Now the challenge will be to pick out the pivot points around which to frame the story.
Any ideas?

Saturday 9 February 2013

Day 9 - Family History Writing Challenge


The posts are now a little out of order as I've tried to include everything, this one feels a little like Who do You think you are without the polish  The Move into Town  
Once again ENJOY  I'm getting a bit out of depth now, any suggestions that might help would be warmly received.
And so the adventure continues.

Friday 8 February 2013

Photo 8 - The Church where the Ebbott family worshiped

The first photo was given to me by a distant cousin who still lives in Chewton, imagine living in the middle of all that history!
Congregation outside the family church date & details unknown
Unfortunately I have no further information or the people but I do know that this is the church where the Ebbott family worshipped.
Today the church is now the Chewton Community  & Senior Citizens Centre the Methodist Church.  The original Sunday school is on the right of the church behind the pine trees.  This photo was taken in 2005.

Chewton Community  & Senior Citizens Centre
Plaque on the front of the  Sunday School Hall/Building



Rear of the old Sunday School Building










Day 8 - Family History Writing Challenge

My current offering for the Family History Challenge entitled Johns marriage to Margaret Thomas  
I wrote several versions but in the end this was the one I liked.
ENJOY

Thursday 7 February 2013

Day 7 - Another view of Port Adelaide

The first station was built in 1856
What did the Ebbott family expect when they came out to Australia?

Below is one newspaper article that they may have read before they left the home country.


The West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser

MINING &c. IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. 
A letter has been forwarded to us, which has been lately received from a gentleman, formerly of Cornwall, who emigrated to South Australia. It is dated "Adelaide, 20th July, 1850," and contains some particulars of interest in regard to the mines of Australia, the climate and productions of the country, the social condition of the people, &c. We have made the following extracts. 
The writer remarks:-
 "Mining is certainly going ahead here, but I am convinced parties will burn their fingers with smelting, at least at present prices of fuel and labour; but in almost all the mines the want of capital is felt, and the gambling in shares by no means tends to their benefit, for parties after giving a high premium for shares by no means like to launch out money to work the mines, and hence the results that attend one half that are started, they are either stopped for want of funds, or merely worked in a manner (to use a Cornish expression) to pick the eyes out.
I have scarcely seen a mine yet that will not want for two or ten thousand pounds expended, and this, with proper machinery, I am satisfied will make many produce profits fully equal to those now realising by the far famed Burra Mine. I have, since my last, been sent into the interior to visit and report on different mines, and my opinion has, in more than one instance, been of practical use. I have had to oppose the system pursued by agents calling themselves Cornish captains, and the results have proved that I was in the right.
In reality there is a great amount of ignorance in mining matters amongst most of those at present engaged in them; to make money in the traffic of shares seems the chief aim. This by and bye will make its own cure, and the really good mines will fall into the hands of those who will expend capital in judiciously opening and working them. The Wheal Margaret silver lead mine is likely to turn out a splendid affair. We have a course of ore now standing. In our 13 fathom level from the surface, fourteen feet high and fifteen and a half feet wide, and how much deeper it goes we cannot of course tell, but there can be little doubt that it will hold down to a great depth. The assay of this ore averages 60 ounces silver to the ton, and forty-five percent lead. I have some beautiful specimens of gold and gold ore to send you in my next box, such as I think will astonish you, but we have not yet found enough to make it pay for working. 
Colonial speculators have not patience to follow anything out fully; it must be done immediately or in a hurry, otherwise, the matter is abandoned, and mining concerns will well repay the perseverance of the more steady seekers of wealth, that are now abandoned by the colonists. You will be surprised in England at the result of the last Government land sale here - some lots of eighty-acre sections fetched enormous prices. One sold for £10,500 1s. 0d; another £7,000; another £6,000, merely from their mineral indications. This is not amiss for a young colony. And here I might as well state that no importation of Cornish miners would be too great; they are greatly wanted, and if you know any that cannot get out here, if you send me their names, ages and residence, and that of their families, I will send home orders for a free passage for them; every purchased of land here being intitled to nominate persons under forty years of age.
I would not induce any parties to come out here whom I was not quite sure would be benefited; but miners are much wanted, and would meet with instant employment, and liberal wages, and from six to ten experienced mining captains would get immediate situations at £3 3s. to £4 4s. per week. I think you might make the above public. But too much cannot be said of the insane attempt, the effect of morbid philanthropy of Mr. SIDNEY HERBERT and others to raise subscriptions to send out governesses, clerks, &c., whom distress at home prevents their getting a livelihood. The result must inevitably be their ruin here. They are not wanted in the avocations they are only fitted for; hard labour, and farm and household work would be much too hard, and what then? As for men, look at our road sides and scavengers, and stone-breakers - they are young doctors, lawyers' clerks, and that class, who are unfit even for the very work necessity has driven them to; first having tried the semi-barbarous life of bushmen and the monotony of hut-keeping, they are glad to take the Government work to save themselves from starving.
Five hundred clerks are all that can be employed here, and not only is every ship that comes crowded with them, but men who ought to know better than lure them to destruction, or holding out in England false hopes, and actually raising money to assist in sending them. As an act of mercy and charity this should be exposed and prevented, and every publicity given to the folly and madness of sending to certain ruin and misery, as many who never otherwise have thought of taking such a step".
The writer goes on to speak highly of the colonists, stating that every cause or object having in view either the temporal or spiritual interests of the people, is liberally supported. Respecting the country he says he has lately been to some beautiful parts, looking beautifully green, though the scenery is monotonous, either wide plains, or miles of scrub or high trees.
"Animals, excepting bullocks and sheep, are very rare, I mean the kangaroo, opossum, wild dog, &c.; the progress of civilization is fast driving them from their haunts. There are parrots and cockatoos in great abundance - I have seen a newly-sown field covered with them like a large sheet spread over the field."
He states that his garden is looking beautiful, with all our English vegetables and flowers growing in it most luxuriantly; that he is planting vines, but can buy a bunch of grapes weighing six pounds for a shilling, and get peaches large and ripe at from 1d. to 6d. each; figs also, he observed, grow very fine in that country.
I wonder what was going through John Ebbott's mind when he arrived and what he was expecting?

Day 7 - Family History Writing Challenge

Here is today's offering The Mysterious Unclaimed Letter
Any feedback?  Please don't forget to drop me a line.

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Day 6 - Family Writing Challenge

It's not quite ready but it's gone to print anyway rather than not post anything at all.  The more I write the more I want to find out by doing more research.

All but one Leave Cornwall for greener pastures

So hope you enjoy what I am now calling my first draft posts!!!

Photo 6 - What did they see when the arrived in Port Adelaide

It's hard to imagine what it would have been like when the John & Mary Ebbott arrived at Port Adelaide in 1852.  What did they smell and see?
British Hotel at Port Adelaide
I got this image for the Adelaide Library, it was taken in 1854 for more detail go to http://www.catalog.slsa.sa.gov.au/record=b2144798.  I know they wouldn't have gone in unless impelled by circumstances beyond their control as they were strict teetotallers but this may have well been the only viable accommodation around.

Or was the lasting impression more like this
Port Adelaidehttp://images.slsa.sa.gov.au/mpcimg/03750/B3700.htm

I will have to try and track down some first had accounts to get a better idea of how it felt on arrival to
Australia.

Tuesday 5 February 2013

Photo 5 - An aerial shot of the first Ebbott farm

I was trolling the web, as all family history do and I found this site will the following information including a photo of what is supposedly one of the first Ebbot Farms in Australia.

It is amazing what you can find on the web.
The following information was provided:-

Ruin site. Remnants of granite and brick hearth/chimney in situ and there is possibly some granite foundations. The area is marked by a low mound adjacent to the wayside stop and a large cypress tree. There are two old fruit trees to the east of the site. The area if the site is approximately 50 x 50 metres./n/n
Heritage Inventory Significance: High local historical significance. This building was one of earliest houses in Faraday, and served as the Faraday school before the construction of the Faraday School in 1869.
Unfortunately there are no contact details either for the local historical society or for the person who put up the details and I don't know quite where to start to find more information but someone out there knows something and I'm on their trail.

Day 5 - Family History writing Challenge

My 6th offering for the the Family History Writing Challenge. The posts are not in strict chronological order for the story, that will come when I publish my tome, oh to dream.......
Please enjoy "The Ebbott Family in 1851 Census"

The data behind 1851 Census story for the Ebbott family


Earlier today I posted another up date  for the Family history writing challenge entitled  The Ebbott Family in 1851 Census to see the full story, but behind that story is a lot of supporting data.  It takes a lot of data to build a story without which the story is just a myth or so I'm lead to believe, which is why I try to document all before beginning to write the story. Before I begin I thought it would be timely to show how I am connected to the person that I am writing about on my associated Blog "The Life of John Ebbott"
Living in Cornwall within a 5 mile radius of Tresmeer

Philip & Mary Ebbott were living in the same place where they had been in 1841 in Trerummer, Tresmeer, Cornwall, England as they were in 1841 (Cornwall Online Census Project-1851) 
(Transcript of Piece HO107/1899 (Tresmeer & Tremaine); Enumeration District 3 & 5; Civil Parish of Tresmeer accessed http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/51899a.html#ED3 on Friday 22 July 2005). )
1.  Philip Ebbott aged 76 a Retired Farmer
2.  Mary Ebbott, Philip's Wife aged ,68
3.  William Ebbott aged 21, their youngest son is unmarried and working as a Farm Servant was still living at home with his retired father.

Philip Ebbott has moved from his in-laws house in Trengane, Warbstow and is now living on the same property to his retired father.  In 1841, Philip had been living with his wife’s widowed mother  as a newly married couple, in Trengane, Warbstow.  Grace’s mother has retired and come with them to the farm.
(source: Cornwall Online Census Project-1851 (Transcript of Piece HO107/1899 (Tresmeer & Tremaine); Enumeration District 3 & 5; Civil Parish of Tresmeer accessed http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/51899a.html#ED3 on Friday 22 July 2005))
1.  Philip Ebbott,Head,M,41,,Farmer 90 Acres 4 Labs
2.  Grace Ebbott,Wife,M,,40
3.  Elizabeth Ebbott,Dau,,,9
4.  Philip Ebbott,Son,,3
5.  Grace Ebbott,Dau,,,1
6.  William Reed,Servnt,U,18,,Farm Servant
7.  Philippa Jenkin,Servnt,U,,16,House Servant
8.  Elizabeth Piper,Ma-Law,W,,66,Retired Farmers widow

Next door in the home of Mr & Mrs Daw there is an Elizabeth Ebbott who is 5 months old, a nurse child although to which Ebbott she belongs has not yet been established.

Margery (Bluett) was living with her family in Congheale, Alternon, Cornwall, England
(1851 Cemsus of England and Wales; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., 2005, "HO107/1899," Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/census/uk). )
1.        William Bluett  38 farmer of 100 acreas
2.        Margery Bluett 29
3.        Mary Ann Bluett    12
4.        Lydia Bluett     10 scholar
5.        William Bluett  8  scholar
6.        Elizth Bluett     7  scholar
7.        John Bluett       4 scholar
8.        George Rice     21 farm servant
9.        Jame Cobbledick              17 farm servant
10.     Jane Robert      17 farm servant

Gregory Ebbott’s wife and child has returned to Tresmeer without him, possibly in 1849.
Church Town, Tresmeer and living a few doors away from Philip and Grace Ebbott.
(Cornwall Online Census Project-1851 (Transcript of Piece HO107/1899 (Tresmeer & Tremaine); Enumeration District 3 & 5; Civil Parish of Tresmeer accessed http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/51899a.html#ED3 on Friday 22 July 2005).)
1.        Uriah Mathew,Head,M,73,,Farmer 120 Acres 1 Lab
2.        Catherine Mathew,Wife,M,,59,,Tresmeer Cornwall
3.        Thomas Mathew,Son,U,28,,,Tresmeer Cornwall
4.        Uriah Mathew,Son,U,24,,,Tresmeer Cornwall
5.        Catherine Ebbott,Dau,M,,33,,Tresmeer Cornwall
6.        Caroline Ebbott, Grndau,,,5 who was born in West Leonia America Overseas Brit. Subj
7.        Mary Luxton,Servnt,W,,43,House Servant)

Preparing to leave Australia
Still living in Cornwall but slightly further afield having moved since 1841 is John and Sarah Ebbott who are possibly preparing to leave we Australia which he and his family finally do a year later.

John & Sarah Ebbott are now living in West Gate, Launceston St Mary, Cornwall, with their young family
(Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 27 Dec 2009), entry for Family of John & Sarah Ebbott, Badharick, Lines 7- 9, Civil Parish: Egloskerry; County: Cornwall;; PRO HO107/134/6; Page: 7.)
1.  John Ebbott aged,42 and a Farmer
2.  Sarah Ebbott,Wife aged 33
3.  John Ebbott aged 11
4.  Emma Ebbott aged 4
5.  William Ebbott aged 11m
Phillip, their youngest son is living with his Uncles Julius  Bone who is living next daughter to William Bone at Polhilsa, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall some 6.5 Miles (10.4 Kms) away to the North West
(Cornwall Online Census Project—1851, Transcript of Piece HO107/1899 (Part 8) (Folio 559 Page 8, Enumeration District 4a, Civil Parish of Stoke Climsland, Eccl. District of - ; Transcription/Checking Team was Mike Beck (UK), Paul Brewer (UK) and Andy Chenhall (UK); accessed at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/51899g.html). )
1.  William Bone,Head, single, 34, Jointly Farms 70 Acres 4 Men
2.  Julius Bone,Head,single, 33,,Jointly Farms 70 Acres 4 Men
3.  Philip Ebbott, Nephew, 8
4.  Mary Ann Lemon, Servnt, single, 23, House Keeper
Both of John’s uncles are single and jointly farming the property however according to the 1851/52 Voters List for Stoke Climsland, in the Polling District of Callington it is Julius BONE who has rents the Polhilsa  house and land as occupier[i]

Already Living Abroad
Henry Ebbott had migrated to Canada in 1846 as a Methodist Minister. (mentioned in The Canadian Almanac and Directory 1852-1853 page 41 accessed at http://www.archive.org/details/canada18525300unknuoft on 5/2/2013)

Gregory Ebbott had migrated to the US in 1845
(but his wife had returned and was living back in Cornwall with her father

Mary (Uglow) had migrated to the USA  with her husband possibly as early at 1844 to Sullivan, Jefferson, Wisconsin, United States[ii]
1.        Edward Uglow 47  farmer on quite a large property
2.        Mary Uglow     46
3.        Wilmar Uglow  18
4.        Wm Uglow       18
5.        Edward Uglow 4
6.        Ellen Uglow     4
7.        Elizabeth Uglow   20

Passed away
1.        Wilmot had already passed away

2.        Elizabeth (Reed) died in 1843, the family that she left behind in Tregathman, Sithney, Cornwall with only the eldest and youngest girls leaving home, the youngest girl Charlotte has gone two doors away to live with her uncle’s family Joseph Reed.

3.        Mary Jane Fryan had died on 15 Apr 1847 and was buried in Badharlick, Egloskerry, 4 years after her only son died.



[i] 1851/52 Voters List for Stoke Climsland, in the Polling District of Callington http://www.cornwall-opc.org/Records/parishes/Q-T/stoke_climsland_voters_list_1851_52.php
[ii] (Ancestory.com  Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; Year: 1850; Census Place:  Sullivan,  Jefferson,  Wisconsin; Roll:  M432_1000; Page:  184A; Image:  365.)

Monday 4 February 2013

Day 4 - Family History Writing Challenge

After much struggle I have managed to publish another few words as part of my Family History Writing Challenge after realising that the first topic I contemplated would need more research, however I am still pleased that I was able to publish before the end of the day Arriving in Australia, it's a pity I couldn't find a picture of the ship Gloucester to add to the article.
Enjoy.

Photo 4 - the Ebbott gravestone in Chewton, Victoria, Australia

Taken on a field trip with Joy Manners in November 2004

Transcription of the gravestone

“In
Memory
Of
MARGRET EBBOTT
Died 28 Dec1906
A True Wife
Devoted Mother
Also
JOHN EBBOTT
Died 29th Aug 1920
Aged 80
At Rest
Peace Perfect Peace”

& Further below

“Also JOHN (Sen)
1808 -  1867
Wife SARAH
interred Kew (Vic)
1814 – 1898”


This photo was taken at Chewton Cemetery in 2004, so quite some time ago, a later one was taken in 2010 and it was sad to see the letter deterioration, but it’s not really that surprising given the dry conditions and the extremes in temperature particularly when the sun can be so fierce.    
Australian Country cemeteries are quite different to the ones that I visited in Cornwall.  The cemeteries in the golden triangle in Victoria are dry, in summer the grass is brown and there is usually a lot of dust in the air.
In 2006 I was involved in organizing a small family reunion, as you can imagine there were lots of activities to organize and one of those activities was a cemetery tour of on one of the local cemeteries near Bendigo.  We all gathered, the youngest person was in their 20s the eldest person was over 80.  It was hot and the ground was uneven and it was sometimes hard to hear the local tour guide and ants that crawled across our shoes were disgusting, but of course I wouldn't have missed it for the world. 
But what we hadn't taken into account was how the eldest amongst us were faring.  That was the first reunion since then we have got better at organizing them and people know to put on a hat and sun screen and take a bottle of water.  And John who has since passed away, did recover from his heat stroke, we only wanted to visit the dead not join them!

Sunday 3 February 2013

Day 3 - Family History Writing Challenge

To see the most recent instalment in my Family History Challenge go to 1841 was a busy time  I'm beginning to feel as though I'm getting a sense of what life would have been like in their village but details like weather and the events of the days still elude me. I can see there is still a lot more work to be done.

Photo 3 - The grave of Catherine Ebbott nee Mathew

Tresmeer church is situated down a little dead-end road that runs into someone’s farm.
It was very peaceful wandering around reading the gravestones, the church as you would expect was sitting on top of the rise looking down over the country side, we could even see the kids playing football in the adjacent back yard
I was very excited when we located an Ebbott grave in the yard; however I had no idea who Catherine Ebbott was.  But I was soon to learn that she was the wife of my third great granduncle!  It was the only grave that I could find that had any connection to my family, in that particular churchyard, there may have been others but after a while it becomes overwhelming trying to remember all the possible connections.




Transcription of the grave of Catherine Ebbott nee Mathew.

 “In Loving Memory of
Catherine Ebbott
of this Parish
who died 24th May 1902
Aged 85 years. Thy will be done”

The person behind the gravestone of Catherine Ebbott nee Mathew
After a little research I was able to find the following - Catherine was born in 1817 as Catherine Mathew and christened in 6 Apr 1817 in Tressmeer.

In the 1841 Census I found her living in Tresmeer Church Town with her parents.
(Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 3 Feb 2013), entry for The Mathew family; Parish: Tresmeer; County: Cornwall Class: HO107/14/:; Page: 7)
  1. Uriah Mathew,65, Farmer
  2.  Catharing Mathew, 50,
  3. William Mathew,25
  4.  Catharine Mathew, 20
  5. Thomas Mathew,15,
  6. Sally Mathew, 15,
  7. Uriah Mathew,13

Living not very far away from the Ebbott family in Trerimince, Tresmeer, Cornwall, England
(Source:- Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 1 Jan 2010), entry for Philip & Mary Ebbott & family, Tressmeer, line 19 - 24, Parish: Tresmeer; County: Cornwall; PRO HO107/134/14/: ; Page: 7.  )
  1. Philip Ebbott aged 65, Farmer 
  2. Mary Ebbott aged 55 
  3. Wilmit Ebbott, aged 85, Ind 
  4. Henry Ebbott, aged 20, Tailor 
  5. Gregory Ebbott, aged 20 
  6. William Ebbott, aged 11 
  7. William Congdon, aged 20, Male Servant 
  8. William Cory, aged 15, Servant 
  9. John Reed, aged 11, Male Servant 
  10. Elizabeth French, aged 15, Female Servant 
  11. Mary A. Rundle, aged 20, Female Servant 
  12. Henry Harris, aged 7, male servant

The Ebbott family has had a long association with the Tresmeer Church of England.  Looking through the parish records it looks as through there were several generations Gregory Abbott who was buried in the churchyard according to the parish records on the 19 May 1778 (source OPC site), unfortunately I didn't find a headstone marking any of the graves that I saw.  Gregory Abbott father in law Paul Upton was also baptised in that very church as well on 3 Nov 1679 (source OPC site). 

It was probably through this church in which Gregory Ebbott from Tremaine, met Catherine Mathew, the two churches were only 1.4 Miles/2.2 Kms travelling distance apart, if not in the church perhaps in Tresmere town centre while picking something up or visiting the tailor, Thomas Ferrett, perhaps some sort of relation of his mother(?).

The couple's marriage was announced in The West Briton And Cornwall AdvertiserF on Friday 4 April 1845 
“At Northpetherwin, on Tuesday last, Mr, Gregory EBBOTT, of Trerummer, in the parish of Tresmeer, yeoman, to Miss MATTHEW, of the same parish.” 
the church in which the event took place has yet to be identified.

The couple migrated to America sometime shortly after, and their first child Caroline was born in 1846 in Wisconsin, United States of America in the first year of their marriage, both mother and child returned possibly sometime in 1849 to England.  Catherine may have been pregnant with her second child, Elizabeth Ann (although I am unable to verify this) when she returned. It would appear that Gregory never returned to England, as he applied for a divorce in 1854.
The divorce however may not have been common knowledge back in England, as Catherine is still listing herself as married at least up until 1871.
  • In the 1851 Census Catherine is living with her parents and eldest daughter, Carolene who was 5 years old. Carolene was listed in the census as being born in America. Although Catherine is listed as married her husband is not present. 
Cornwall Online Census Project-1851 (Transcript of Piece HO107/1899 (Tresmeer & Tremaine); Enumeration District 3 & 5; Civil Parish of Tresmeer accessed http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~kayhin/51899a.html#ED3 on Friday 22 July 2005).  
  • In 1861 Catherine appears to be living by herself in the house next to her parents. 
Cornwall Online Census Project—1861 Transcript of Piece RG9/1518 (Part 2) (Folio 49 Page 8, Enumeration District 4, Civil Parish of Egloskerry, Eccl. Parish of -).
  • In 1871 Catherine is still listed as married but is living by herself and listed as an annuitant 
Ancestry.com. 1871 England Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.  Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1871. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1871.  Class:  RG10; Piece:  2223; Folio:  62; Page: 12;
  • In 1881 - Catherine is living by herself next to the Bluett family still married but still no husband listed and she is listed as retired. 
Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1881 England Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. 1881 Class:  RG11; Piece:  2275; Folio:  47; Page: 1
  • In 1891 Catherine is 73 Living On Her Own Means
Cornwall Online Census Project—1891, Transcript of Piece RG12/1802 (Folio 43 Page 7 Enumeration District 1, Civil Parish of North Petherwin, Eccl. Parish of North Petherwin).  
  • In 1901 Visiting John & Elizabeth Fryan and listed as single.
Ancestry.com. 1901 England Census[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.  Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901.  Class:  RG13; Piece:  2182; Folio:  6; Page: 3


I wonder how the extended Ebbott family felt with their kinsman’s wife leaving him behind in a foreign land – I am sure they were happy  about the state of affairs, but they must have known, as Catherine and her daughter moved back to her home town.  

Saturday 2 February 2013

Day 2 -The Family History Writing Challenge

To see my first second post for the Challenge you will need to click "Where was your family on the 7th June 1841"


Image from http://all-free-download.com


















A background notes & observations  -
To understand the significance of the census information below please read the Challenge post first.

Badharick, Egloskerry, Cornwall, England, United Kingdom 
(source:-Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 27 Dec 2009), entry for Family of John & Sarah Ebbott, Badharick, Lines 7- 9, Civil Parish: Egloskerry; County: Cornwall;; PRO HO107/134/6)
  1. John Ebbott aged 30 a Farmer
  2. Sarah Ebbott aged 25
  3. John Ebbott aged 1
  4. Peter Ham, aged 25, Agricultural Labourer
  5. Ann Caddy, aged 15, Female Servant
  6. John Martin, aged 10, Agricultural Labourer
  7. Celia Pearse, aged 12, Female Servant

 On John’s paternal side of the family both of his grandparents and his great grandmother were still alive in 1841 
Trerimince, Tresmeer, Cornwall, England
(Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 1 Jan 2010), entry for Philip & Mary Ebbott & family, Tressmeer, line 19 - 24, Parish: Tresmeer; County: Cornwall; PRO HO107/134/14/: ; Page: 7.)


  1. Philip Ebbott aged 65, Farmer (John’s grandfather)
  2. Mary Ebbott aged 55 (John’s grandmother, was probably not here but at her father’s house as her mother had just died)
  3. Wilmit Ebbott, aged 85, Ind (John’s great-grandmother)
  4. Henry Ebbott, aged 20, Tailor (John’s uncle)
  5. Gregory Ebbott, aged 20 (John’s uncle)
  6. William Ebbott, aged 11 (John’s uncle)
  7. William Congdon, aged 20, Male Servant
  8. William Cory, aged 15, Servant
  9. John Reed, aged 11, Male Servant
  10. Elizabeth French, aged 15, Female Servant 
  11. Mary A. Rundle, aged 20, Female Servant
  12. Henry Harris, aged 7, male servant

John’s two eldest Aunts had married much earlier than their brother who was  John’s father, a third Aunt, Wilmot, had married and died before John was born. The other two sisters had settle in Cornwall.

1.  Mary Uglow nee Ebbott (John’s oldest paternal Aunt) had married Edward Uglow on 28 Jul 1825 - Tremaine, Cornwall, England and was living in Higher Langdon, Jacobstow, Cornwall, England with her husband and family in 

Higher Langdon, Jacobstow, Cornwall, England
(Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 1 Jan 2010), entry for Edward & Mary Unglow & family, Higher Langdon, Lines 24-31, Civil Parish: Jacobstow; County: Cornwall; PRO HO107/151/18; Page: 11.)
  1. Edward Uglow aged 38, Farmer (John’s uncle by marriage) 
  2. Mary Uglow aged 37 (John’s aunt)
  3. Jane Uglow aged 15 (John’s cousin)
  4. Mary Ann Uglow aged 13(John’s cousin)
  5. John Uglow aged 12(John’s cousin)
  6. Elizabeth Uglow aged 10 (John’s cousin)
  7. Wilmot Uglow aged 8 (John’s cousin)
  8. William Uglow aged 3 (John’s cousin)
  9. Abraham Rundle aged 24
  10. Jane Uglow aged 77, Independant
Elizabeth Reed nee Ebbott had married John Reed on 14 Apr 1829 - Tremaine, Cornwall and in 1841 was living in 
Tregathman, Sithney, Cornwall with 6 of their children.
(source:-Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 1 Jan 2010), entry for John & Elizabeth Reed & Family, Tegathman, Lines 8-15, Civil Parish: Sithney; County: Cornwall; PRO HO107; Piece 139; Book: 2, Folio: 47; Page: 1.)
  1. John Reed aged 40, Farmer (John’s uncle by marriage) 
  2. Elizth aged 35 (John’s aunt)
  3. Elizth aged 15 (John’s cousin)
  4. Harriett aged 15 (John’s cousin)
  5. Mary aged 15 (John’s cousin)
  6. John aged 11 (John’s cousin)
  7. Thomas aged 10 (John’s cousin)
  8. Charlotte aged 2 (John’s cousin)
  9. Elizth Dunston aged 25
Unfortunately I have just come to realise that I have not done enough or should I say much research on John’s maternal side of the family.  But I do know know that his grandfather had only very recently become widowed and was living on a farm in 
Treludick, Egloskerry, Cornwall, England
(Ancestry.com, "1841 England Census," database online, Ancestry.com Operations Inc, Ancestry.com.  (www.ancestry.com.au : accessed 1 Jan 2010), entry for John Bone & family & Mary Ebbott, Treludick, Lines 10 - 14 & line 22, Civil Parish: Egloskerry; County: Cornwall; PRO HO107/134/7; Page: 10.)
  1. John Bone aged 60, Farmer(John’s very recently widowed grandfather)
  2. William Bone aged 20(John’s uncle)
  3. Julius Bone aged 20(John’s uncle)
  4. Jane Bone aged 25 (John’s aunt)
  5. John Coram aged 15
  6. Ann Congdon aged 15, Female Servant
  7. Henry Coraam aged 3
  8. Elizabeth Woof aged 35
  9. Fanny Woof aged 4m
  10. Richard Woof aged 10, Agricultural Labourer
  11. Walter Pearse aged 10, Agricultural Labourer
  12. Mary Ebbott aged 55 (John’s paternal grandmother) (see the discussion about Mary appearing twice in the census)
  13. Sarah Pearse aged 30, Female Servant
I still need to find the other unaccounted for children of John Greenwood Bone & Grace Batten who would be the maternal aunts & uncles of John Ebbott, it would be interesting to see if they were also living close by.