Topic merged HARRIS - Kent to Natal 1850 Wesleyans on King William

[EDO]

Dear Members,

Can anyone please assist in confirming, correcting, adding to, the following information regarding my GGrandfather.

Jonathan HARRIS b 1828 Hythe, Kent ENG d 1894 Brisbane Australia.

Jonathan sailed with his new wife Maria [BLACKWELL] on the barque "KING WILLIAM" from London and Plymouth on the  20 Oct 1849 arriving in Port Natal on 23 January 1850. 

This was the first vessel to take 'Wesleyans' as a separate group to South Africa.

The HARRIS family settled on 90acres nr VERULAM {Venilam} formerly owned by a Cotton Company near Tongaat, Natal, South Africa.

Jonathan HARRIS was said to be the Tutor education/music to the children of the Governor of NATAL RSA. 
He established the first Wesleyan School at Port Natal, South Africa. 

Later Jonathan HARRIS established a school at LidgettTown Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Thomas HARRIS b Mar. 1851, Sarah Maria HARRIS  b April 1853   were born whilst in Durban.

Jonathan and family then travelled by ship to Australia.
departing CapeTown, South Africa in 1853 on the ship "AMERICA" and landed in Melbourne prior to continuing onto Sydney in 1854.

Can anyone assist me?
Any small snippet of information will be greatly appreciated.

EDO
Brisbane

[Mole]

Your HARRISes - Jonathan and Maria - were certainly passengers on the King William 1849. Interestingly, since you mention he was a 'Wesleyan educator', they are not listed as part of the Wesleyan contingent on that ship according to John Clark's book 'Natal Settler Agent'. 
If as you say the family left for Australia in 1853, they weren't here long enough to generate much in the way of records. 
This is one I will keep a look out for, though.  Sorry I can't be of immediate help.
Regards,
Mole

[EDO]

Dear Mole,

Thank you very much for researching information on my behalf.  It certainly is an important step towards finding out more detail on my GreatGrandparents.

Do you mind if I ask -- Is there any lead towards Government House, Natal, to confirm that Jonathan HARRIS was a Tutor of the children of the Governor? 

After then, the family moved emigrated to Australia on the "AMERICA" .

Jonathan was a very accomplished musician as well as being an educator who made important inroads into the education system in the Colony of New South Wales.  Two of his brothers were also substantially involved in the field of education in NSW.

Sincerely

Bruce EDMONDS
Brisbane
EDO

[Mole]

I don't really see any way of checking who might have been on the staff of Govt House as a tutor - it could have been a private arrangement of the Governor's rather than a matter for public record. 
On the question of the 'America' - few departure lists (from SA to anywhere) have survived (you can see a couple on www.genealogyworld.net but the America is not among them)
A couple of other avenues occur to me and I will see what I can find, if you can be patient. 
Mole

[EDO]

Dear Mole,

Thank you once again for your research on my behalf.

Yes, I certainly have patience.  Family researchers have to be patient!

Here is the info. I have re the "AMERICA" -

Jonathan and family then travelled by ship to AUS.  Left CapeTown, South Africa in 1853 on the ship "AMERICA" and landed in Melbourne prior to continuing onto Sydney on 1854.

Unassisted Passengers arriving Melbourne
Surname  Given Name  Age  Year Month Ship Port Fiche Page
HARRIS   ---- CHILD WITH           2      1854  JAN     AMERICA    F       20  1 
HARRIS   ---- INFANT WITH         0      1854  JAN     AMERICA    F       20  1 
HARRIS   ---- MR                        25     1854  JAN     AMERICA    F       20  1 
HARRIS   ---- MRS                      21     1854  JAN     AMERICA    F       20  1 

http://www.tools.prov.vic.gov.au/UnAssisted2.asp
http://proarchives.imagineering.com.au/index_search_results.asp

The Cricket is interesting.

Regards

Bruce EDMONDS
EDO

[EDO]

G'day Members,

My GGrandfather Jonathan HARRIS emigrated to Natal RSA with his new wife Maria [BLACKWELL] on the barque "KING WILLIAM" from London and Plymouth England departing 20 Oct 1849 and arriving in Port Natal RSA on 23 January 1850:  The "KING WILLIAM" was the first vessel to take 'Wesleyans' as a separate group to South Africa. 

The HARRIS family settled on 90 acres near VERULAM {Venilam} formerly owned by a Cotton Company near Tongaat, Natal, RSA.

Jonathan HARRIS was said to be the Tutor to the children of the Governor of NATAL RSA.  He established the first Wesleyan School at Port Natal, RSA.  Later Jonathan opened another school at [Lidgett Town?] Pietermatitzburg, RSA.

Any snippet of information about the HARRIS family, the  Wesleyans in NATAL from 1850-1854, or the name of the Governor of Natal at the time, will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely

EDO
in Brisbane

[rutti tutti]

Hi everyone,
I am merging these 2 topics so we dont repeat ourselves. Have a good day.
Ruth

[Mole]

See www.genealogyworld.net/rose/nuggets/governors.html
for list of Governors of Natal.

Regards,
Mole

[EDO]

G'day Mole,

Thank you very much for the NATAL Governors:  I will follow it through

EDO
in Brisbane