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England / Re: Info: William John Speed
« on: Sunday 01 August 10 03:47 BST (UK) »
William John Speed (1761) was my great x 4 grandfather. He married Sarah Nelson and then bigamously married Ann Thorn and Eliza Russell, and then Elizabeth Raine. He was transported to New South Wales in 1810 after a trial at the Surrey Assizes in 1809 where he was convicted of bigamy. One of his sons, WJS, was born in Sydney in 1812 to Eliza Russell. This William John's first wife, Mary Ellen Plunkett, bore him six children before her death in 1846. The May, Jamieson and Moses families are descended from their daughters. There was no issue from the sons. One died in infancy and the other two never married. WJS then married Marion Govan and had another thirteen children. There are many descendants from this second marriage from four of their children.
I do not know who the Catherine is that you mention. This name does not appear in the family up to this point.
You could try searching at the Kew Records for information about the trial in 1809.
I hope this infromation helps.
Cromarty
I do not know who the Catherine is that you mention. This name does not appear in the family up to this point.
You could try searching at the Kew Records for information about the trial in 1809.
I hope this infromation helps.
Cromarty
