E is for Early Arrivals

Early Arrivals before the 1851 gold rush.

Before the gold rush of 1851, migration to Australia was shaped by various means—convict transportation, assisted migration schemes, and private recruitment efforts. Among those who arrived in the early years were my ancestors, each travelling under different circumstances but all contributing to the developing colonies.

So far I have highlighted the following ancestors In my previous A to Z posts:

• William Carbis (4th great-grandfather) arrived in 1816 aboard the Ocean after being convicted of sheep stealing, a crime that reflected the harsh realities of survival in Cornwall during the early 19th century.

• Reuben Wheeler (4^th great-grandfather), his wife Elizabeth Wheeler nee Thomas (4th great-grandmother) and their two children, Selina Wheeler (3^rd great-grandmother) George Wheeler, arrived in Port Philip in the Colony of New South Wales (which became the Colony of Victoria in 1851) aboard the Himalaya on the 26 Feb 1842.ⁱ

There remains one more to discuss during this period Thomas Crump (my 3rd great-grandfather) arrived in Sydney on 4 February 1841 aboard the Marquis of Hastings with his first wife Rebecca Crump.ⁱⁱ

Understanding the Paper Trial

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Assisted migration schemes left behind a rich paper trail that provides valuable insights into the structured processes that shaped early migration to Australia. For Thomas Crump, who arrived in Sydney on February 4, 1841, aboard the Marquis of Hastings, two key documents shed light on his journey: the shipping manifest and the entitlement certificate.

Shipping Manifest

The shipping manifest is an essential document that provides details about immigrants arriving in Australia. For Thomas Crump, who arrived on February 4, 1841, aboard the Marquis of Hastings, the manifest confirms his date of arrival, the bounty paid for his passage, and the key individuals involved in arranging his migration.

However, not all shipping manifests were equally detailed. In the early days of migration, some manifests only numerically accounted for passengers, making it difficult to trace specific individuals today. Others included detailed information about unfunded immigrants, those who paid their own way, alongside those travelling under government-assisted schemes. The Marquis of Hastings manifest is one of the more comprehensive examples, offering insights into both funded and unfunded passengers.

This document also highlights the network of individuals involved in facilitating migration:ⁱⁱⁱ

• John Marshall (London-based Emigration Agent) – Selected emigrants and arranged their passage.

• The Honorable Colonial Secretary – Granted official authorization for Marshall’s selections.

• C.F. Warne (Sydney-based Agent) – Received and likely placed immigrants upon arrival.

The manifest highlights the collaborative effort between private enterprise and government oversight, ensuring that only those deemed suitable for colonial life were approved for assisted passage.

Entitlement Certificate

Entitlement certificates were issued by government agents to confirm that emigrants met strict criteria for assisted passage.^iv 

These certificates were a critical part of the process for funded immigrants, as they ensured that recruiters or agents received their bounty payments upon the immigrants' arrival. Applicants were vetted based on their character, physical ability to work, and possession of skills deemed useful for colonial society.

The information required for these certificates was typically provided verbally by the applicant, supported by official documents such as parish records or references, and recorded by government agents on standardized forms. Once approved, the certificate served as formal authorization for subsidized travel to Australia.

More than just bureaucratic paperwork, the entitlement certificate represented a migrant’s acceptance into the colony. It was proof that they had been vetted, selected, and deemed capable of contributing to their new community. Without it, individuals would not have been eligible for government assistance during their journey.

Marshall Immigrants vs. the Bounty System

While both schemes helped populate the Australian colonies, key differences existed:

• The Bounty System: A government initiative where multiple recruiters sponsored immigrants in exchange for bounty payments upon their arrival.

• Marshall’s System: A privately run business where John Marshall independently arranged passages for emigrants, often receiving bounty payments but operating outside direct government control.

In Thomas Crump’s case, his selection was authorised by the Colonial Secretary but arranged through Marshall’s private network. Upon arrival in Sydney, C.F. Warne oversaw his reception and likely assisted with employment placement.

Why These Records Matter

These documents not only provide a glimpse into the lives of individual migrants but also reveal the complex collaboration between private enterprise and government policy in shaping Australia’s early migration systems. They highlight how colonial authorities sought to populate the young colonies with individuals capable of contributing to their growth—an effort that laid the foundation for Australia’s development before the transformative gold rush of 1851.

About the Ship: Marquis Hastings

The Marquis of Hastings is an interesting vessel, it had a varied service history, operating as both a convict transport and later as an immigrant ship. While information on its convict voyages is well-documented, details about specific immigrant voyages, such as the one carrying Thomas Crump and Rebecca Crump to Sydney on 4 February 1841 under John Marshall's emigration scheme, are less readily available.

•  Name:   Marquis Hastings
• Vessel:   Barque
• Ton:       452
• Master:  Cann
• Agents:  W. Walker & Co.

Useful Links for Background

This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge), where I’m sharing my ancestor's travel stories—one letter at a time. From long voyages by sea to overland treks, each post will focus on the journeys themselves—the routes they took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences along the way.

WikiTree Links:

• WikiTree profile for Thomas Crump (1813-1874)
• WikiTree profile for Rebecca (Underhill) Crump (1806-1848)

Blog Post Meta Data

The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/04/e-is-for-early-arrivals.html  originally published on 5 April 2025

Author 2025, Sandra Williamson

Sources

i  Ancestry,com, Shipping record for the Wheeler Family #35 on the Himalaya, February 1842 ‘Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896’. State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood New South Wales, Australia; Persons on bounty ships arriving at Port Phillip (Agent's Immigrant Lists);Series: 5318; Reel: 2144; Item: [4/4814] Vessel Himalaya, p.236 [image 4 of 7] Accessed 25 January 2018. Accessed 25 January 2018.; Ancestry.con, Alphabetical entries #101-104 for Bounty Immigrants of the Wheeler family from the United Kingdom on the Himalaya 1842. ‘Victoria, Australia, Assisted and Unassisted Passenger Lists, 1839-1923’ Register of Assisted Immigrants from the United Kingdom. Microfiche VPRS 14. Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria. p213 [image 420 of 753]

ii  Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007; Passenger record for Thomas Crump, who arrived on 4 February 1841 on the vessel Marquis of Hastings in New South Wales Australia from Goudhurst, Kent, Citing State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood New South Wales, Australia; Entitlement certificates of persons on bounty ships; Series: 5314;Reel: 1333

iii Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007; Passenger record for Thomas Crump, who arrived on 4 February 1841 on the vessel Marquis of Hastings in New South Wales Australia from Goudhurst, Kent, Citing State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood New South Wales, Australia; Entitlement certificates of persons on bounty ships; Series: 5314;Reel: 1333

iv Mackey, N., & Mackey, N. (2014). Certificate of Entitlements | Nola Mackey – Family History. Nolamackey.wordpress.com. Retrieved 11 July 2019, from https://nolamackey.wordpress.com/tag/certificate-of-entitlements/

D is for Departure & Disembarking

Today, we focus on the letter D, which stands for Disembarking. This post focuses again on my 4th great-grandparents, Reuben Wheeler and his wife Elizabeth (née Thomas), and their two young children Selina (my 3rd great-grandmother) and George, who arrived on the Himalaya.  We have already explored the Bounty Scheme that brought the Wheeler family to Australia, but what happened immediately before and after they arrived?

For 118 days, nearly four months, the Himalaya had been the Wheelers' entire world.ⁱ Even before their voyage began, there had been challenges. The ship had originally been scheduled to depart on 27 September 1841, according to an Australian newspaper.ⁱⁱ However, rough weather and contrary winds in October (notably around the 11th and 23rd) forced the Himalaya to turn back to Deal and later to the Downs.^iiiivv These delays meant the ship reached Plymouth later than expected, leaving the Wheelers to adjust their plans multiple times before finally boarding.

For many immigrants of the time, their transfer to and from shore was a jarring experience. Typically, passengers would carefully descend or ascend rope ladders or transfer platforms, clutching whatever personal belongings they could manage.

In 1841, passengers would typically not board large oceangoing vessels directly from a pier, even in London. They would have been transported to the ship via smaller boats (lighters or tenders) while the main vessel was anchored in deeper water, such as Plymouth Sound or the Cattewater estuary. The Himalaya would likely have been anchored in Plymouth Sound, a deep-water bay that served as a key departure point for ocean-going vessels.

After their long voyage, the Wheelers finally arrived in Australia on February 26, 1842. But their challenges were far from over. Before 1851, immigrant ships arriving in Victoria, Australia, anchored in Hobson’s Bay, as they were too large to cross the mud bar at the mouth of the Yarra River. Passengers were then transferred to shore using smaller, shallow-bottomed boats called lighters. Families with young children or elderly members faced particular challenges, navigating the precarious move from the towering immigrant ship to the small, rocking lighter. The wind might have whipped across Hobson's Bay, adding to the already tense atmosphere of arrival. Boatmen would call out, competing for passengers, while immigrants like the Wheelers would have been acutely aware that this moment marked their definitive departure from their old life and the beginning of their uncertain new adventure in Australia.

Cox, H. L. (Henry L., Bourchier, T., McHugh, P. H., & Great Britain. Hydrographic Department. (1866). Victoria-Australia, Port Phillip. Hobson Bay and River Yarra leading to Melbourne [cartographic material] / surveyed by H.L. Cox ; assisted by Thos. Bourchier & P.H. McHugh, 1864 ; engraved by J. & C. Walker. London: Published by the Admiralty. Admiralty Map of Published 1865 -State Library of Victoria https://find.slv.vic.gov.au/permalink/61SLV_INST/1sev8ar/alma9913647073607636

The above map is a British Admiralty nautical chart depicting the configuration of Port Phillip, including Hobson’s Bay and the Yarra River leading to Melbourne. It details the coastline's slopes, water depths, and built soundings on shore.

As one contemporary observer described the experience:

“We have to pass through the purgatory of Hobson's Bay, through boatmen, lightermen, wharfingers — all clutching at our very life with their unheard-of demands ; and escaping them, we fell into the hands of the Melbourne tradesmen.”^vi

The Wheelers would have climbed down into a lighter, which then ferried them to the beach. From there, they likely had to walk, as hiring a boat to travel further up the Yarra was costly. Fares were regulated by a Waterman's Licence and enforced by the Water Police Office.

According to the Port Phillip Gazette (March 26, 1842), fares for such services ranged from 1 shilling 6 pence per person for groups of two to six passengers.^vii It is unclear whether the immigration scheme covered this cost, or if passengers had to pay themselves.

Many passengers alighted at Sandridge, and assisted immigrants like the Wheelers may have been more likely to come ashore here than on the Yarra, possibly due to lower costs.^viii This practice would have been common in the 1840s when the Wheelers arrived, as the Railway Pier (later known as Station Pier) wasn't constructed until 1854. The Wheelers' experience of stepping onto Australian soil for the first time at Sandridge would have been shared by countless other immigrants, marking the beginning of their new lives in the colony.

Useful Links for Background

This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge), where I’m sharing my ancestor's travel stories—one letter at a time. From long voyages by sea to overland treks, each post will focus on the journeys themselves—the routes they took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences along the way.

WikiTree Links:

• WikiTree profile for Reuben Wheeler

• WikiTree profile for Elizabeth (Thomas) Wheeler

• WikiTree profile for Selina (Wheeler) Jones aka Crump

• WikiTree profile for George Wheeler

Related Posts

To see information concerning the Himalaya see my previous post in this series B is for Bounty Scheme. 

Blog Post Meta Data

The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/04/d-is-for-departure-disembarking.html originally published 4 April 2025.

Author 2025, Sandra Williamson

Sources:

i   From 31 October 1841 to 26 February 1842, there are 118 days.

ii   1841 'Commercial and Marine.', Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), 27 October, p. 3. , viewed 17 Mar 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225011626

iii "SHIP NEWS." Standard, 12 Oct. 1841. British Library Newspapers, link-gale-com.ezproxy.slv.vic.gov.au/apps/doc/R3212169883/BNCN?u=slv&sid=bookmark-BNCN&xid=6a2f6bc7. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

“...DEAL, Oct. 11.- It blew very hard last night from SSW, during the which a Swedish brig was totally wrecked on the Goodwin Sand-seven of the crew reported to be save. The York Packet, for New Zealand lost an anchor and cable during the night, and has been supplied. The vessel on the Goodwin Sand is reported to be Carl Robert, from Hull-three of the crew drowned … Put back, Himalya, for Port Phillip ….”

iv  "SHIP NEWS." Standard, 12 Oct. 1841. British Library Newspapers, link-gale-com.ezproxy.slv.vic.gov.au/apps/doc/R3212169883/BNCN?u=slv&sid=bookmark-BNCN&xid=6a2f6bc7. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

“...DEAL, Oct. 11.- It blew very hard last night from SSW, during the which a Swedish brig was totally wrecked on the Goodwin Sand-seven of the crew reported to be save. The York Packet, for New Zealand lost an anchor and cable during the night, and has been supplied. The vessel on the Goodwin Sand is reported to be Carl Robert, from Hull-three of the crew drowned … Put back, Himalya, for Port Phillip ….”

v  "Marine Intelligence." Newcastle Journal, 23 Oct. 1841, p. 3. British Library Newspapers, link-gale-com.ezproxy.slv.vic.gov.au/apps/doc/GR3216159473/BNCN?u=slv&sid=bookmark-BNCN&xid=c5952447. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

“We have had but trifling arrivals today; and no sailings The Himalaya, Burns, of this port, has put back to the Downs. Several vessels have been dtained, outward bound in the Channel for the last few days by contrary winds.”

vi  Howitt, William, 1858, ”Land, labour, and gold; or, Two years in Victoria. With visits to Sydney and Van Diemen's Land p.169 (accessed https://archive.org/embed/landlabourgoldor00howirich : 27 March 2025)

vii  1842 'Advertising', Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), 26 March, p. 1. , viewed 27 Mar 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225008716

viii  Barnard, Jill. Jetties and Piers – A Background History of Maritime Infrastructure in Victoria. Vol. Part Two Thematic history of maritime infrastructure. The Heritage Council of Victoria, 2008. (accessed https://livinghistories.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jetties-ONL-Part-2-Chp-1_3.pdf : 27 March 2025)

C is for Convict: William Carbis' Journey

Migration has always been a defining feature of my family’s history, with ancestors crossing oceans and continents in search of new beginnings. This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, I’m sharing their stories—one letter at a time. Today, we focus on the letter C, which stands for Convict. This post tells the story of my 4th great-grandfather, William Carbis, who was transported to Australia in 1816 aboard the convict ship Ocean. His journey, along with that of his son and son-in-law, was not one of choice but of necessity, as they were convicted of sheep stealing in Cornwall.

The Crime

In 1815 William Carbis Senior was convicted of Sheep Stealing along with his son, William Carbis and son-in-law, Franics Bassett, at the Launceston Assizes in Cornwall.ⁱ The families knew each other very well and lived within walking distance. This close proximity likely contributed to the two marriages between them: William Carbis Senior’s daughter, Ann Drew Carbis, married Francis Bassett in 1806, while Martha Carbis married Francis’ brother, John Bassett, in 1812.ⁱⁱ  The crime occurred at the end of 1812, and the three accused attempted to escape by sea.ⁱⁱⁱ However, it was not until 1815 that they were apprehended and brought before the Launceston Assizes in the Western Circuit, where all three were sentenced to death.iv v vi Fortunately, their sentences were commuted to transportation.^vii

Although it must have been a great relief for their relatives to hear that they were no longer sentenced death it would have been a great drain on those left behind in Cornwall having lost 3 bread winners.

Life on the Prison Hulk

After sentencing, the three men were transferred to the Portland hulk.^viii Conditions on the Hulk were no better than in Launceston jail. The Portland was so old and dilapidated that it was decommissioned in 1817.^ix

Prisoners on hulks typically worked onshore during the day, earning meagre wages to improve their living conditions. However, at Langstone Harbour, where the Portland was moored, there was not enough work for all the convicts. Only a third of the prisoners were employed at Fort Cumberland, while the rest remained confined on the hulk.^x

Prisoners ate in sheds onshore but were locked below decks at night, often without lighting. On August 22, 1815, William Carbis and the others were transferred to the government-contracted transport ship Ocean, in preparation for their journey to Australia.^xi

The Journey on the “Ocean”

In August 1815, Ocean set sail from England with 220 passengers, including 219 convicts—98 of whom had life sentences.^xii The only free passenger was Reverend John Youl of the British and Foreign Bible Society.

In addition to convicts, the ship carried imported goods for sale in Australia, such as alcohol, confectionery, hardware, and clothing.^xiii The voyage lasted nearly six months, including a seven-day layover in Rio de Janeiro. Only one convict died during the journey, falling down a hatchway during a gale.^xiv The men wore irons for part of the voyage, leading to minor injuries from falls on deck. They spent up to 10 hours a day below decks, enduring intense heat as the ship crossed the equator.

Arrival in Australia

On January 30, 1816, Ocean arrived in Port Jackson, New South Wales. A local official conducted a muster onboard, welcoming the convicts while also cautioning them about their new circumstances.^xv The newly arrived convicts were then sent to one of three locations: Parramatta, Windsor, or Liverpool.^xvi William Carbis Senior, William Carbis Junior, and Francis Bassett were among 63 men taken by cart to Windsor to be placed under the authority of Mr. Cox, Esq. J.P. Only three of these men had been pre-assigned to settlers.^xvii The others, including the Carbis men and Francis Bassett, were temporarily housed at Mr. Richard Fitzgerald’s rented accommodation until they could be assigned to settlers.^xviii

Life in Australia

At 55 years old, William Carbis Senior became a government laborer in Windsor, serving Mr. J.T. Campbell.^xix However, by the end of the 1822 muster, he had received his ticket of leave and became a farmer.^xx By 1828, at the age of 67, he was farming in Lower Portland Headland in the Hawkesbury area, with seven assigned convicts working for him—including his son and son-in-law.^xxi His son officially joined him in 1827, while Francis Bassett arrived later, following his marriage and an unfortunate incident involving mistaken pig theft.^xxii

This story of William Carbis and his journey highlights the resilience of those who endured the harsh realities of convict life. Despite the hardship, many, like William, built new lives in Australia, turning their sentences into opportunities for a fresh start.

About the Ship: Ocean

Ocean was launched in 1802 at Quebec. She made five voyages under charter to the British East India Company (EIC) between 1804 and 1814. Her owners then sold her and she continued to sail between Britain and India under a license issued by the EIC. In 1815–1816 she made one voyage transporting convicts to Australia. She was last listed in 1825.

• Name   Ocean
• Owner   1804-1814: James Walker
• Builder   Jack Beatson–Henry Baldwin, Quebec
• Launched  21 June 1802
• Tons          between 532 and 567 depending on which measurement is being used
• Design      a a full-rigged sailing ship, that had two decks and an armament of 16 x 12-pounder guns

Useful Links for Background

This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge), where I’m sharing my ancestor's travel stories—one letter at a time. From long voyages by sea to overland treks, each post will focus on the journeys themselves—the routes they took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences along the way.

WikiTree Links:

• WikiTree profile for William Carbis 1761-1828
• WikiTree profile for William Carbice 1789-1863
• WikiTree profile for Francis Bassett 1785-

Blog Post Meta Data

The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/04/c-is-for-convict-william-carbis-journey.html originally published 3 April 2025

Author 2025, Sandra Williamson

Sources:

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, July 27). Ocean (1802 ship). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:21, April 1, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ocean_(1802_ship)&oldid=1167345234

EndNotes:

i Anon., ‘Cornwall Assizes Crown Bar’ West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 7 April 1815 Pg. 1 & 4; Ancestry, Criminal Register entries for Wm Carbis, Wm Carbis Junr & Francis Bassett for Cornwall in 1815, ‘England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892’, Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex and Home Office: Criminal Registers, England and Wales . Class: HO 27; Piece: 11; Page: 40. Accessed 18 September 2016
ii "England, Cornwall and Devon Parish Registers, 1538-2010," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 26 May 2016), Cornwall Records Office, Truro, Paul Marriage banns, marriages, 1754-1813 p.245 Entry for Francis Bassett and Ann Carbis married 7th November 1806 (image 127 of 143 at https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11130-159132-4?cc=1769414); "England, Cornwall and Devon Parish Registers, 1538-2010," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 26 May 2016), Cornwall Records Office, Truro, Paul Marriage banns, marriages, 1754-1813 p.273 Entry for John Basset and Martha Carbis married 15th March 1812 (image 141 of 143 at https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11130-159580-8?cc=1769414)
iii West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser 7th April 1815 Pg. 4; Royal Cornwall Gazette, 22nd April 1815
iv Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish Advertiser (Exeter, England), Thursday, February 23; 1815; issue 2581. Column 1
v Ancestry, Criminal Register entries for Wm Carbis, Wm Carbis Junr & Francis Bassett for Cornwall in 1815, ‘England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892’, Home Office: Criminal Registers, Middlesex and Home Office: Criminal Registers, England and Wales . Class: HO 27; Piece: 11; Page: 40. Accessed 18 September 2016
vi Anon., ‘Cornwall Assizes Crown Bar’ West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 7 April 1815 Pg. 1 & 4
vii Anon., ‘Cornwall Assizes’, Royal Cornwall Gazette, 22 April 1815, Pg.1
viii Ancestry.com, "Prison Hulk Registers and Letter Books, 1802-1849," database and images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 20 Jun 2016); Entries in the Portland Hulk Register for William Carbis Snr, William Carbis Jnr & Francis Bassett (p.80 #2548, 2549 & 2550, Image 43 of 47); Citing Home Office: Convict Prison Hulks: Registers and Letter Books; Class: HO9; Piece: 8.
ix Wikipedia. (2016); List of British prison hulks. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_prison_hulks [Accessed 9 May 2016]
x Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons (1815). Papers relating to the convict establishment at Woolwich, Sheerness, and Portsmouth: viz. : two reports of John Henry Capper, Esq. superintendent of ships and vessels employed for the confinement of offenders under sentence of transportation... dated 23rd August 1815. House of Commons, London. p.144
xi FindMyPast. “England & Wales, Crime, Prisons & Punishment, 1770-1935” citing “Portland's Quarterly Account for year 1814-1816” Series T38 piece number 328 entries for Wm Carbis Senr, Wm Carbis Junr & Francis Bassett
xii 1816 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 3 February, p. 2. , viewed 13 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176541
xiii 1816 'Classified Advertising', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 3 February, p. 2. , viewed 13 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176541
xiv Google Books. (2016). Selection of Reports and Papers of the House of Commons. [online] Available at: https://books.google.com.au/books?id=ZCRDAAAAcAAJ&pg=RA2-PA101&lpg=RA2-PA101&dq=convict+ship+ocean+voyage&source=bl&ots=jlcR1KlFXm&sig=JROTrpAxTdd7ca57Xbt5dwelweU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiRlOPriNfMAhXIKpQKHdDjC6k4FBDoAQhSMAk#v=onepage&q=convict%20ship%20ocean%20voyage&f=false [Accessed 14 May 2016].
xv White, Charles. 1889. Early Australian History: Convict life in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land, parts I & II, the story of the ten governors and the story of the convicts. Bathurst: C. & G.S. White "Free Press Office. (2016. Gutenberg.Net.Au. Accessed June 11 2016. http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks12/1204081h.html#CHAPTER_VIII_AFTER_LANDING)
xvi Ancestry.com, New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856, [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Citing - Series: NRS 937; Reel or Fiche Numbers: Reels 6004-6016 Includes mention of Wm Carbis Snr & Jnr & Francis Bassett (images 509 to 511 of 7619)
xvii 1816 'GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ORDERS.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 11 May, p. 2. , viewed 13 May 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2176651; Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010. Original data: New South Wales Government. Main series of letters received, 1788-1825. Series 897, Reels 6041-6064, 6071-6072. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. New South Wales Government. Special Bundles, 1794-1825. Series 898, Reels 6020-6040, 6070; Fiche 3260-3312. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.New South Wales Government. Memorials to the Governor, 1810-25. Series 899, Fiche 3001-3162. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.© the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales and is used under licence with the permission of the State Records Authority. The State of New South Wales gives no warranty regarding the data's accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose. View Full Source Citation.
xviii 1817 'GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL ORDERS.', The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842), 8 February, p. 2. , viewed 10 Jun 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2177063
xix Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, 1787-1834[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 1-4, 6-18, 28-30); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Entries 1817 for William Carbis & William Carbis Jnr Image 113 & 114; Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, 1787-1834[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 1-4, 6-18, 28-30); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Entries 1819 for Wm Carbis Wm & Wm Carbis Junr (image 164 & 165 of 898); Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Settler and Convict Lists, 1787-1834[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 1-4, 6-18, 28-30); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. .Entries for 1821 William Carbis & William Carbis Jnr (image 171 of 478)
xx Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 5, 19-20, 32-51); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. Entry for 1822 William Corbis Junior (line 30) (Image 141 of 685)
xxi Johnson, Keith A., and Malcolm R. Sainty. 2001. 1828 census of New South Wales. Sydney Library of Australian History, CD ROM edition. Entry for William Carbiss Jnr #C0340; SRNSW, Copies of letters sent within the Colony [Colonial Secretary] 1814-1827, NRS 962: Convicts, 4/3666, Reel 1042 , p.338
xxii Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Convicts' Applications to Marry, 1826-1851[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009. Original data: Registers of convicts' applications to marry. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia: State Records Authority of New South Wales. Series 12212 © the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales and is used under licence with the permission of the State Records Authority. The State of New South Wales gives no warranty regarding the data's accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability for any particular purpose. Entry 4/4508, year 1827, No. 326, entry for Francis Bassett & Eliza Jones (Image 3 of 16); & Entry item# 4/4511, 1827, No. 328, entry for Francis Bassett & Eliza Jones (Image 11 of 16);; SRNSW, NRS 845 Depositions and other papers, Sydney and Country, 4/8480 , Windsor, Nov 1824-Aug 1836, 4/8480, No 16 Page 319, Reel 2754

B is for Bounty Scheme

As part of my Blogging from A to Z Challenge this April, I'm exploring stories of migration that shaped my family's history—one letter at a time. Today's focus is on 'B,' for the Bounty Scheme that brought my ancestors from England to Australia.

Gloucestershire, England

In 1841, Bisley, Gloucestershire, was a village in crisis.ⁱ The collapse of its once-thriving wool and cloth industry had plunged countless families into poverty, leaving nearly 200 houses abandoned.ⁱⁱ

Among those struggling to survive were my 4th great-grandparents, Reuben Wheeler and his wife Elizabeth (née Thomas), their two young children Selina (my 3rd great-grandmother) and George, and a 14-year-old lodger named Peter Aldridge.ⁱⁱⁱ Remarkably, young Peter was the sole breadwinner in their household, as no occupation was listed for Reuben in the Census. For families like the Wheelers, this harsh reality was all too common across rural England.

Faced with economic despair, families like the Wheelers turned to emigration as their only hope for survival. The Bounty Scheme, an assisted immigration program to New South Wales, offered them a chance at a new beginning.

Assisted immigration programs were created to help people migrate to Australian colonies by subsidising or fully covering their passage costs.^iv v These schemes addressed labour shortages in the colonies while giving families who couldn’t afford migration a chance at a new life. One such program was the Bounty System.^vi Under this scheme, private sponsors, like employers or shipping agents, paid for immigrants’ passages upfront.^vii 

Upon arrival in New South Wales, these sponsors were reimbursed by the colonial government with a 'bounty' payment if the immigrants met specific criteria like age, health, and skills.

But what drove so many families like the Wheelers to seize this opportunity in 1841? To understand their decision, we must look at what became known as 'The Great Emigration of 1841”.

The Great Emigration of 1841

For families like the Wheelers, 1841 offered an unprecedented opportunity for escape from poverty. That year saw a surge in emigration from Britain to New South Wales under the Bounty System.^viii Thousands sought new beginnings in the colonies, driven by economic despair at home and the promise of opportunity abroad. For parishes like Bisley, emigration wasn’t just an option, it was a solution to mounting poverty.^ix Parish officials actively helped residents qualify for assisted immigration schemes as a way to ease local financial burdens while giving emigrants hope for a brighter future.

When Reuben and Elizabeth Wheeler married in 1833, they signed their certificate with an 'X,' indicating they were illiterate.^x Yet by 1841, their shipping manifest recorded them as being able to read and write, a puzzling discrepancy. 

Did they learn literacy skills within eight years? Or were their records 'enhanced' to meet eligibility requirements for assisted immigration? It’s possible that emigration agents exaggerated qualifications or that parish officials supported such embellishments to ensure families qualified for passage. Alternatively, it may simply have been an error in record-keeping, a common occurrence at the time.

While we may never know the true story behind these records, it reflects a broader reality of assisted immigration during this period: a system shaped by economic desperation, bureaucratic pressures, and sometimes creative interpretations of eligibility requirements.

A Life-Altering Decision

For Bisley’s poor, emigration wasn’t just an opportunity, it was often their only path forward. The Wheeler family’s decision to leave England behind was part of a larger wave of migration that reshaped both colonial Australia and rural Britain forever. Their story reminds us that migration is rarely an easy choice; it is often born out of necessity, a leap into uncertainty fueled by hope for something better.

After their life-altering journey, Reuben and Elizabeth Wheeler, along with young Selina and George, arrived at Port Philip in the Colony of New South Wales in 1841.

As one of my earliest ancestral families to settle in Australia, preceded only by a single convict forebear, the Wheelers represent just one branch of my rich Australian heritage, which would eventually include 22 other direct ancestors who made similar journeys to these shores.

Tomorrow we will look at the journey of my Convict ancestor, William Carbis.

About the Ship: Himalaya

• Built: 1840 by Peter & Sampson Mills in Deptford, Durham

• Owner: Edward Robson Arthur of North Shields

• Dimensions: 111.0 ft (length), 24.7 ft (breadth), 19.0 ft (depth); 477 tons

• Type: Barque (featured square sails on the foremast and mainmast, and fore-and-aft sails on the mizzenmast)

• Captain: Hew Burn (since 1840)

The Himalaya was on its third journey between England and Australia when the Wheeler family travelled aboard in 1841/42, already establishing itself as a reliable vessel on this route.

Useful Links for Background

This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge), where I’m sharing my ancestor's travel stories—one letter at a time. From long voyages by sea to overland treks, each post will focus on the journeys themselves—the routes they took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences along the way.

WikiTree Links:

• WikiTree profile for Reuben Wheeler
• WikiTree profile for Elizabeth (Thomas) Wheeler
• WikiTree profile for Selina (Wheeler) Jones aka Crump
• WikiTree profile for George Wheeler

Blog Post Meta Data

The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/04/b-is-for-bounty-scheme.html originally published 2 April 2025

Author 2025, Sandra Williamson

Sources:

i   Gloucestershire Genealogy Website (https://www.glosgen.co.uk/),Gloucestershire Genealogy, Bisley Notes, (2018). [online] Available at: http://www.glosgen.co.uk/records/bisley.htm [Accessed 22 Jan. 2018]

ii  A People’s History Chapter 5 http://radicalstroud.co.uk/a-peoples-history-chapter-5/ accessed 18 March 2025

iii 1841 England Census" The household of Reuben & Elizabeth Wheeler in in Besbury, Burley, Gloucestershire, England; Class: HO107; Piece: 362; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Minchinhampton; County: Gloucestershire; Enumeration District: 8; Folio: 23; Page: 10; Line: 23; GSU roll: 288774

iv Joyce, Jenny. ‘Notes on Assisted and Bounty Migration to Australia’. (accessed https://jennyjresearch.com/index : 25 March 2025)

v  MHNSW, Assisted Immigrants Index, 1839-1896, "Learn more about Assisted Immigrants Index 1839-1896," (accessed https://mhnsw.au/indexes/immigration-and-shipping/assisted-immigrants-index/ : 25 March 2025)

vi  Jetties and Piers – A Background History of Maritime Infrastructure in Victoria. Vol. Part Two Thematic history of maritime infrastructure, n.d. (https://livinghistories.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jetties-ONL-Part-2-Chp-1_3.pdf : 25 March 2025)

vii  Jetties and Piers – A Background History of Maritime Infrastructure in Victoria. Vol. Part Two Thematic history of maritime infrastructure, n.d. (https://livinghistories.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Jetties-ONL-Part-2-Chp-1_3.pdf : 25 March 2025)

viii  McDonald, John & Richards, Eric, The Great Emigration of 1841: Recruitment for New South Wales in British emigration fields, Population Studies, 51 (1997), 337-355 p.341

ix  (https://www.glosgen.co.uk/records/bisley.htm : accessed 16 March 2025)

x  Marriage of Ruben Wheeler to Elizabeth Thomas on 27 Jan 1833 in Pitchcombe, Gloucestershire, England, England Marriages, 1538–1973, citing Digital film/folder number: 007906609; FHL microfilm: 855626 (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NL9R-6XZ?lang=en : accessed 16 March 2025)

A is for Arrivals: My Ancestors' Journeys to Australia

Welcome to my 2025 Blogging from A to Z Challenge! 

Throughout April, I'll be posting daily (except Sundays) with each post inspired by a letter of the alphabet. This year, I'm exploring my family's migration history to Australia—focusing on the journeys themselves and the brave individuals who undertook them. Some of these stories follow my ancestors across oceans, while others trace their movements within Australia or even their return voyages after time abroad.

Born in 1960 on Taungurung Country in Benalla, Victoria, I often reflect on the courage and strength of my ancestors who began arriving on this continent as early as 1815. Their stories of survival, opportunity, and tenacity have shaped the life I have today. Below is an outline of the ancestors I will be examining during this Challenge.

Visual representation of migration start and end points, Mapping my Ancestral Journeys to Australia, map created at DNApainter https://dnapainter.com/tree/view/19c5bdefa9623b8d/tree created 30 March 2025

Before diving into individual stories, this map provides a broad view of my ancestors’ migrations. Although the map shows overland routes, these journeys were entirely by sea. Over the next month, I’ll be exploring the experiences behind these migrations—why they left, the challenges they faced, and how their journeys shaped my family's history.

Each of my ancestors took a risk, leaving behind everything they knew for the promise of a new life in Australia. Some sought economic opportunity, others fled hardship, and a few had no choice in their migration. Regardless of the circumstances, their decisions have profoundly shaped my identity and the life I lead today. As I reflect on their journeys, I am reminded of the strength and resilience that runs through my family’s history, and I am inspired to continue exploring and sharing these stories. 

Every journey I’ll be sharing took place before the era of air travel, meaning my ancestors relied on the sea to reach Australia as quickly and affordably as possible. Once here, they continued their travels overland—on foot, by bullock train, or whatever means were available. Unlike most other continents, Australia has always required a sea crossing to reach it. While the exact routes taken by the earliest inhabitants remain uncertain, migration to Australia has long depended on ocean travel.

Useful Links for Background

This April, as part of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge (#AtoZChallenge), where I’m sharing my ancestors travel stories—one letter at a time. From long voyages by sea to overland treks, each post will focus on the journeys themselves—the routes they took, the challenges they faced, and the experiences along the way.

Blog Post Meta Data

The URL for this post is https://ancestralresearchjournal.blogspot.com/2025/03/a-is-for-arrivals-my-ancestors-journeys.html originally published 1 April 2025

Author 2025, Sandra Williamson