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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: PEM07 on Monday 12 October 15 21:34 BST (UK)
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Isabella Delahunt born 17 Sep 1804, Cavan Co Cavan Ire. was the first child of Christopher Delahunt (1775-1840) and his first wife, Esther Wilkinson (1782-1815).
Information from shipping records...
Isabella left Portsmouth on 21 May 1841 on the "China" arriving in Sydney, Australia 7 Sep 1841.
Also on board were two of her step-sisters, Jane (20) and Jemima (16) both under the protection of their married sister Mrs Charlotte Hearne [sic]. Jane, Jemima and Charlotte were children of Christopher Delahunt's second marriage to Jane Delittle. (1794-1879).
Both step-sisters married in Australia.
Jane married Timothy Paul in 1844.
Jemima married Henry Matthews in 1850.
But what happened to Isabella?
Unmarried female immigrant.
Sponsored by Nicholas James & Co.
Bounty £19
Parents deceased
Native of Cavan Co. Cavan
Under the protection of her brother in law Mr James Hearne [sic].
Calling: Laundress
Age: 28 (but could in fact have been nearer 37)
Religion: Protestant
Read and Write: Both
Surgeon's report mentions Isabella as deserving gratuities as acting School Mistress during the voyage.
No trace of marriage or death in NSW BDM Index.
Any help in solving the mystery of Isabella's disappearance gratefully accepted.
Philip
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Hi Philip,
I notice in sister Jane's death notice http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13032678 and
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13033143 and http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63594285
that she is referred to as the daughter of Mr and Mrs De la Hunt of county Cavan Ireland.
I notice there is also a marriage announcement for an Amelia Elizabeth De la Hunt (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs De la Hunt of county Cavan Ireland). The marriage took place in Windsor (where Jane Paul died). I wonder if she could be another sister ...?
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12939825
regards
Ros
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Well spotted Ros
Christopher Delahunt or De la Hunt had 13 children. FIve by his first wife and eight by his second.
After Christopher's death in Ireland, his wife Jane arrived in Sydney on 25 Oct 1848 aboard "Eliza Moore" with her youngest daughter Amelia (17)
Unfortunately it still spreads no light on Isabella's disappearance (1841)???
Thanks for your help
Philip
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Hi there,
I wonder if Isabella may have been witness to any of the marriages of her younger (step) siblings ...., have you contacted the local family history group for the Windsor area ....
http://www.hawkesbury.net.au/community/hfhg/newsletters.html
In 19th century NSW records I have seen Delahunt as Dellahunt, De La Hunt, de la HUNT and many other variations. Same with Isabella .... Isabel .... Isabelle, and even at times I have seen it as a variation of Elizabeth ....
I hesitate to suggest the following link as it does not provide for 'keyword' search options, but I am aware that not all the newspapers have been migrated across to Trove. http://www.nla.gov.au/ferg/ It needs many many hours of patience, comfortable cushions in arm chairs and good video card in a large screen 'puter monitor, but it includes newspapers for NSW in the 1840s .
Cheers, JM
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Is this a possibility?
The Cornwall Chronicle (Launceston, Tas)
24April1844 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66019879
27April1844 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66016931
MARRIED - By special license, at Richmond, on the 18th instant, by the Rev. W. J. Aislabie, Mr. William Fletcher, of Launceston, to Miss Isabella De La Hunt, sister to Mr. J. H. De La Hunt, chemist, Hobart Town.
Adding: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTCY-594
This matches the age OP has listed on the shipping records.
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There's a Miss De La HUNT arriving in 24 Feb 1842 Hobart from Sydney (17 Feb 1842) on the Sir John Byng Source : Archives Office of Tasmania
Cheers, JM
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https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-10p368j2k
Not sure if this is your Isabella, but she was born Ireland, and was aged 73 years on this record of death 14 Feb 1886.
Liverpool St, Hobart, wife of a shopkeeper, Isabella Victorine FLETCHER.
Add
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/9117899
Family Notices
The Mercury 20 Feb 1886
FLETCHER, On Sunday morning February 14, 1886, at 91 Liverpool Street, Isabella Victorine, for 44 years the beloved wife of Wm Fletcher, bookseller, Hobart and sister of J H De la HUNT.
and
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66019879 24 April 1844 The Cornwall Chronicle sister of J H De La Hunt, chemist of Hobart Town ....
Cheers, JM
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Well done JM and Cupoflife
Looks like you have cracked this baby wide open!
I am always humbled by the power of the RootsChat forum and those who share their advice and expertise.
Thank you both for your time and efforts
Regards
Philip
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Mercury 20 Feb 1886
death notice for Isabella FLETCHER, see also death in England of J H de la HUNT, formerly chemist and druggist, Elizabeth St, Hobart
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Well found Wivenhoe
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/9117899
DE LA HUNT.-On Sunday, December 20, 1885, at his residence. Maida Hill West, London, J. H. De la Hunt, Esq , formerly chemist and druggist, Elizabeth-street, Hobart
ADD
John Henry DE LA HUNT.
Personal Estate £12,315 2s 6d ,
Resworn May 1886 £13,382 5s 3d
13 January 1886
The Will of John Henry De La HUNT, late of 4 Maida Hill West, Paddington, in the County of Middlesex, who died 20 December 1885 at 4 Maida Hill West, was proved at the Principal Registry by Mary De La Hunt of 4 Maida Hill West, Widoe, the Relict, the Executrix for Life.
As per Index of Wills and Admons.
Cheers, JM
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The Mercury18Feb1888 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/9143136
FLETCHER. -On February 13, 1888, at his residence, 91, Liverpool-street, Hobart, Tasmania, William Fletcher, bookseller and stationer, in his 73rd year.
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD35-1-11p162j2k
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Cornelian Bay Cemetery
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01gac/
Isabell Victorine FLETCHER
server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=5642
William FLETCHER
server2.admin.millingtons.com.au:81/ASP/search_details.asp?RecordID=6690
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Daily Telegraph 15Feb1888 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/149490844
The Colonist 18Feb1888 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/201174765
The Tasmanian 18Feb1888 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/199508058
Death of an Old Pressman. — The death of another of those old colonists who are rapidly passing away is recorded in our obituary columns this morning, Mr William Fletcher, the bookseller and stationer, having passed away on Monday (says the Mercury) at 4.37 p.m., after a long period of ill-health. He was born at Stockton-on-Tees, England, in February, 1815, just before Waterloo, and was appointed to the honorable calling of Benjamin Franklin. After working for some time at Gilbert and Riverton's, from whose Press issued the bibles and many standard classics published in that period, he sailed for Tasmania in the Sydney, Captain Potter, in February, 1841, and arrived at Hobart after a six months' voyage. Among his fellow passengers were Mrs Clark's company of theatricals, including the Carandinis, who subsequently became so popular in Australia.
Mr Fletcher came to Tasmania under an engagement to the late William Gore Elliston, proprietor of the Hobart Town Courier, and after working some time in connection with that paper be went to the office of the Colonial Times. Shortly after this he was engaged by Mr Goodwin to proceed to Launceston, where he worked at the Cornwall Chronicle office, and subsequently was employed in the Examiner office, where he had as a fellow-workman Mr Henry Button, the present proprietor of that journal. He returned to Hobart again, and started in business here on his own account as printer and bookbinder in Elizabeth-street. Establishing a good trade he removed to Liverpool-street, where he went into the book, stationery, and fancy goods line as well, and continued to do a good business, while winning the respect of all who had dealings with him by his integrity and attention to business. A few years ago his printing business was purchased by the proprietors of the Mercury, and his health becoming feeble he withdrew from his many years active connection with business. His wife preceded him to the grave, and he leaves no family.
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Mercury 18 Aug 1866
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/9117899?
WILKINSON - ELDRIDGE 9 Jun 1866 at the parish church Edgware ....Richard the eldest son of John WILKINSON Esq of Powers-town County Dublin, to Mary Ann ELDRIDGE, step daughter of John H de la HUNT Esq, of Brockly-hill, Middlesex, late of Hobart Town, Tasmania
marriage 9 Jun 1866 parish church
Richard WILKINSON, merchant, residence Dublin, father farmer
Mary Ann ELDRIDGE, spinster, residence Edgeware father George ELDRIDGE dec.
witnesses James WILKINSON, J H de la HUNT, Henry de la HUNT, Jemima ELDRIDGE (needs another pair of eyes here)
baptisms London
Mary Ann ELDRIDGE parents George ELDRIDGE / Emily Murrell ELDRIDGE
10 Aug 1845 St George the Martyr, Southwalk (wheelwright, Mason St)
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Adding: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTCY-594
This matches the age OP has listed on the shipping records.
A copy of the marriage register online:
https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD37-1-4p65j2k
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Adding: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTCY-594
This matches the age OP has listed on the shipping records.
Not even close ;D
Isabella Delahunt born 17 Sep 1804, Cavan Co Cavan Ire. was the first child of Christopher Delahunt (1775-1840) and his first wife, Esther Wilkinson (1782-1815).
Information from shipping records...
Isabella left Portsmouth on 21 May 1841 on the "China" arriving in Sydney, Australia 7 Sep 1841.
Native of Cavan Co. Cavan
Under the protection of her brother in law Mr James Hearne [sic].
Calling: Laundress
Age: 28 (but could in fact have been nearer 37)
Philip
Debra :)
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Thomas De La Hunt, nephew of John De La Hunt (chemist of Hobart), leaves for England as is recipient of a large legacy :)
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8957323
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article895754
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relevant to reply #16...?
Bendigo Advertiser 27 Jul 1877
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/88276091?
...Thomas Stevens de la HUNT.....something important to communicate (to him).....
National Probate Calendar...Thomas Stevens de la HUNT...of Bushey in county Hertford...died 4 May 1888 at the Union Watford.......Charlotte Ann LANGLEY 3 Stanmore St Pancras widow sister of deceased.
..personal estate 7 pounds six shillings.
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Well found Wivenhoe :)
I guess the miner from Tasmania really enjoyed all of his large legacy in England ;D
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Bendigo Advertiser 25 Mar 1870
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/87910164?
William FLETCHER Hobart looking for Thomas Stevens de la HUNT, late Dunedin...now possibly Victoria.....important communication ......
see also Otago Daily Times 19 Sep 1873......and J H de la HUNT is living in Maida Hill....
Do we know yet if this John Henry de la HUNT, and sister Isabella FLETCHER nee de la HUNT are your family?.
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Is it possibly that Christopher Delahunt and 1st wife Esther had two daughters named Isabella?
Isabella born 1804 may have died, then another daughter born c1813-1814 was named Isabella (mother Esther died 1815). And it is the second Isabella that came to Australia in 1841 on the "China", with her step-sisters. This would explain her age on the shipping records, marriage and death.
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It is possible and highly probable that you are right cupoflife; it would certainly explain the age differences. However I have no primary records to support your theory.
wivenhoe, thank you too for all your assistance in this quest. I do believe it is the correct family, Isabella did have a brother John, born to Christopher and his first wife. So it makes sense she could join him in Tasmania.
I remain in awe of the RootsChat forum and the story you have pieced together; a story that has been a mystery for generations in our family. Thank you all so very much.
What is a marriage by "special licence"???
Philip
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Can you please name the thirteen children born to Christopher DE LA HUNT?
Were they all born in Ireland?
Did second wife Jane DELITTLE bring any children to her marriage...was she a widow?
Where did Jane, the second wife, (1794 - 1879) die?. If it is in Australia her death certificate would be useful to you.
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Special Licence ....
In the pre Divorce era in the Colonies....
In general terms .....
So basically in that era, as there were no divorce laws in any of the Colonies, if either the bride or the groom was coming to the new marriage as a widow/er, then the couple would usually be married by special licence rather than by Banns. The Special licence was basically the outcome of the administrative process whereby the widow/er provided an affidavit attesting to the death of their partner. The special licence was issued by the clergy and basically removed from the clergy any adverse legal challenge to their conducting of the marriage ceremony.
The tyranny of distance between the home counties in Britain and the Antipodean colonies meant that it would be a very lengthy delay for formal enquiries to confirm widowhood status.
This is a very very brief summary ..... other RChatters may well have far better ways of explaining this process.
Cheers, JM
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wivenhoe
Thanks for your thoughts
Second wife Jane died in NZ
I have now ordered her death certificate
Don't know if she brought any children to the marriage.
All 13 children were born in Ireland.
1st marriage: Isabella, Richard, John, Christopher, Elenor.
2nd marriage: Jane, Charlotte, Anna Maria, Esther, Jemima, Unknown Maria, Robert, Amelia.
Thanks
Philip
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Thanks for the explanation of Special Licence JM.
Isabella is listed as a spinster on marriage entry.
Does that mean that her new husband was a widower?
Or was it just a precaution?
I must look for a previous marriage for him.
Thanks
Philip
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Death of an Old Pressman. — The death of another of those old colonists who are rapidly passing away is recorded in our obituary columns this morning, Mr William Fletcher, the bookseller and stationer....... he sailed for Tasmania in the Sydney, Captain Potter, in February, 1841, and arrived at Hobart after a six months' voyage.
This is not correct - he arrived on the Sydney in January 1842, noted as an unmarried male.
They probably married by licence because they couldn't be bothered waiting three weeks for the Banns to be read.
Debra :)