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Research in Other Countries => Australia => Topic started by: heaven on Saturday 28 February 26 02:16 GMT (UK)
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Benjamin Bowater was born 1820 in Dudley, Worcestershire, England, parents Benjamin Bowater and Hannah (nee Pitt)
Married 1844 in Sedgley, Stafford to Phoebe Rhodes b: 1824.They had nine children, not all surviving to adulthood
They are on the 1851 and 1861census records, Benjamin listed as a"Miner"1871 census Phoebe is listed as a Widow.
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I have records for allof the above, the next record I have for a Benjamin Bowater is the NSW Gaol discriptiom and Entrance Books, this record states - Arrival 9th October 1862 on ship "Donald McKay, Birth year 1820, age 42, "A Dangerous Lunatic"
Newspaper - found in Trove on 24th October 1862.
- Today, sadly another death occurred in Maitland Gaol. A man named Benjamin Bowater in a fit of depression cut his own throat on the 19th of October. He was takento Hospitaland was progressing favourably and was returned to Maitland Gaol.
My quetion to you is - 1.Why was he on the ship Donald McKay, 2, was he a Convict or a free man)
The Donald McKay to my knowldge was not a convict ship. 3.Where was he buried.
If anyone can help me clear up this mystery I would be very grateful.
Judy
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Convict transport from England had ceased in NSW by 1840's.
It was no longer in place in Australia by 1868, the last state to finish being WA.
Arrival of ship Donald Mckay. Not a convict ship.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13235157?searchTerm=%22donald%20mckay%20%22
Sue
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Beat me to it Sue!
A nice description of the voyage:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66327808
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This may help with your burial question
https://www.facebook.com/maitlandgaol/photos/a.10150968512200277/10163585544165277/?_rdr
Sue
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For interest, here is a fuller account of his attempted suicide whilst living in Wallsend
It was acknowledged he had a wife and family.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18691391?searchTerm=%22benjamin%20bowater%22
Sue
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An AI overview, attributed to the ABC, suggests:
Maitland Gaol, Burials - Prisoners who died, were generally buried in the nearby Maitland Cemetery, not within the gaol walls themselves.
However, I couldn't see a record of his burial in Maitland cemetery records online - which may well be incomplete, and I would assume his burial would have been paid for from the 'public purse' so may not have had a separate plot.
Interesting that he arrived in Melbourne, 9 October, 1862, and by 19 October 1862 he is "residing at Wallsend" (newspaper report https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/18691391) Sad end.
Judith
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Many thanks to all who replied to my post, I have seen the article about hBenjamin living in Wallsend and having a family.
I am beginning to wonder if the Benjamin born in England and the one who came on the Donald McKay are one and the same as I haven't been able to find a shipping, or, immigration record to confirm that.
However I have his first born son Joseph born 1841 in Dudley, Worcestershire on the "City of Hobart" passenger list, departing the Port of Otago and arriving in Melbourne, Vic, on the 28 of May aged 20. He settled and married in Ballarat and died in Queensland.
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The Gaol Description record clearly shows, ...
Arr. Donald McKay in 1863
Born 1820
Native place Staffordshire ( abbreviated.)
Occ. A coal miner.
Died 24th Oct, 1862.
His death record (NSW BMD) (Reg 4351/1862) shows mother Anna which is very commonly a variation of Hannah.
I do not think it is a person other than The man in your Original Post.
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However I have his first born son Joseph born 1841 in Dudley, Worcestershire on the "City of Hobart" passenger list, departing the Port of Otago and arriving in Melbourne, Vic, on the 28 of May aged 20. He settled and married in Ballarat and died in Queensland.
According to the GRO index of birth registrations, of the 2 births of boys in 1841 named Joseph Bowater born in Dudley, neither has the mother's maiden surname RHODES. (which you have given in your OP)
The maiden surnames are RULLER and PARSONAGE
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Thank you Sparratt, I now feel I can claim Benjamin and his death in Maitland Gaol as correct. How he got on the Donald McKay ship and why will have to remain a mystery.
In regards to the 2 sons, joseph and Benjamin, I have a Baptism for Joseph 4 Dec 1844 in Dudley with Phoebe as mother - FHL fim no 1470598.
A birth index for Benjamin from free BMD 1844 - vol 18 page 559. Both sons are on the 1851and 1861 Census with parents Benjamin and Phoebe.
Than you and others for the help
Judy
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There is this entry for immigration in 1862 of BOWATER (aged 40) in Victoria. Not sure if the original image is available somewhere other than a familysearch centre.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DSXC-HZPZ?lang=en
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There is this entry for immigration in 1862 of BOWATER (aged 40) in Victoria. Not sure if the original image is available somewhere other than a familysearch centre.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:DSXC-HZPZ?lang=en
Image is here. Don't think it is the correct man however.
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/872857CF-FA01-11E9-AE98-39C5503321BE?image=35
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Thanks Neale, I looked on PROV, but obviously missed that one. :D
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However I have his first born son Joseph born 1841 in Dudley, Worcestershire on the "City of Hobart" passenger list, departing the Port of Otago and arriving in Melbourne, Vic, on the 28 of May aged 20. He settled and married in Ballarat and died in Queensland.
Thank you Sparratt, I now feel I can claim Benjamin and his death in Maitland Gaol as correct. How he got on the Donald McKay ship and why will have to remain a mystery.
In regards to the 2 sons, joseph and Benjamin, I have a Baptism for Joseph 4 Dec 1844 in Dudley with Phoebe as mother - FHL fim no 1470598.
A birth index for Benjamin from free BMD 1844 - vol 18 page 559. Both sons are on the 1851and 1861 Census with parents Benjamin and Phoebe.
Looks like finger slip in the typing on your part ;)
Sue
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Mmmm.
I also think it is not the right Mr BOWATER.
The Donald McKay arrived in Melb, so there would be no need for the right Mr Bowater to be on the "Black Swan " from Tasmania to Melbourne.
His Gaol record states arrived Melbourne.
Sue
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There is another Benjamin Bowater who comes up.
Convict records:
Benjamin Bowater, b 1816
Conviction at Warwick Assizes, Stealing From the Person
Arrival: 26 Oct. 1838, Van Diemen's Land, per Coromandel
Death Date 11 Aug. 1875
Marriage:
Benjamin Bowater, Mary Ann Garven
1850/5561, Victoria, Australia
Transcription of gravestone at Melbourne General Cemetery.
In memory of Benjamin BOWATER Native of Birmingham who died 11 Aug 1875, age 62 yrs also Mary Ann the beloved wife of the above died 1 Jun 1884, age 56 yrs.
His will mentions a brother: Daniel Bowater
There's a few mentions of his property ownership in Victoria
So I assume he's the chap travelling for Tasmania to Melbourne.
And I cannot see a relationship with the Benjamin you are searching for.
Judith
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Many thanks to roots chatters for help to clarify I have the correct Benjamin I feel there is no more to be found for Benjamin. Sometimes we can't always find the record we are after.
judy
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Benjamin and Joseph departed Liverpool 12th July 1862 together on the Donald McKay and arrived Melbourne 8th October 1862.
Benjamin and Joseph BOATTIE (Bowater) 18136 (ticketed together) Image 163
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3B21687D-F96C-11E9-AE98-99C68B8B97AD?image=163
Full passenger manifest: Images 159-165
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3B21687D-F96C-11E9-AE98-99C68B8B97AD?image=159
BENJ BOATTIE Age: 42
JOSEPH BOATTIE Age: 20
Arrival month: OCT
Arrival year: 1862
Fiche: 208
Origin code: B
Page: 9
Ship master: PRICE JAS
Ship name: DONALD MCKAY
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So we now know that Benjamin Bowater came to Australia with his son, Joseph. Both were miners and they were headed for the large coal mining area around Maitland. When Benjamin died, they were in Wallsend which was a coal-mining town, newly created in 1860 by the Newcastle-Wallsend Coal Company.
The fact that they went directly to Wallsend from Melbourne within a few days of arriving, makes one think they must have had work pre-organised. Perhaps they had been promised employment in the new company. Benjamin may have been old enough and experienced enough to be taking on a foreman position. Experienced coal miners would have been required in setting up a new mining company. Was the plan for the rest of the family to follow them to Australia? Anyway, we know that that never happened.
It looks as if the son Joseph stayed on in Australia, married and had a family. There is a Joseph Bowater who was in Victoria (Ballarat), and then later in Queensland (Chaters Towers) where he died in 1911. His wife was Sarah Ann Wimble.
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In regards to the 2 sons, joseph and Benjamin, I have a Baptism for Joseph 4 Dec 1844 in Dudley with Phoebe as mother - FHL fim no 1470598.
A birth index for Benjamin from free BMD 1844 - vol 18 page 559. Both sons are on the 1851and 1861 Census with parents Benjamin and Phoebe.
This would be Joseph's birth registration. There would have to be some question as to whether Benjamin was his father considering the amount of time that elapsed between his birth and the marriage in 1844.
RHODES, JOSEPH
No mother's maiden surname (illegitimate)
GRO Reference: 1841 D Quarter in DUDLEY UNION Volume 18 Page 264
Benjamin's birth:
BOWATER, No first name
Mother's maiden surname: RHODES
GRO Reference: 1844 D Quarter in DUDLEY UNION Volume 18 Page 244
The birth reference you have for Benjamin is incorrect if it is supposed to be this one.
BOWETER, BENJAMIN
Mother's maiden surname: HICKMANS
GRO Reference: 1844 M Quarter in DUDLEY UNION Volume 18 Page 339 (not 559)
https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
Debra :)
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Great work Merlin I am so grateful you have solved my dilemma, it all makes sense with the record of their journey to Australia together Thank you so much and also to to Neale and Dundee for their input also
Judy