Maryborough Queensland

[Maddie]

Hi
Is there any chance someone could help me confirm just who resided at an address in Maryborough in 1864 please.

I have copies of 4 pages of a letter sent to an ancestor of mine that has been passed down through a family line. Unfortunately most of the letter is very hard to read apart from the first page which includes the address of the sender which is Dovedale Cottage, Maryborough, Queensland & dated 9/9/1864. I have a problem as I think there must be a page missing with the senders signature on as I can't see one any where.

I have Googled Dovedale Cottage & much to my surprise I found that this address was used as a marriage venue in the Baptist Church & that the Minister in the years 1860 to 1864 was Reverend Josiah Taylor Hinton.

Although it would seem I have found my letter writer I cannot find any connection with this rather eminent man & my ancestors, which has lead me to wonder if maybe someone else lived in the cottage or I have the wrong place.

Any advice or help would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Maddie

[cando]

Perhaps an email to The Maryborough and District Family History Society
http://www.satcom.net.au/mdfhs/

Contact email address on the website.

They offer a research service.

Cheers
Cando

[patvp1]

Failing that...I live about half a hour's drive from Maryborough, if you do not do any good give me a "hoy"nd will see what I can do..patvp

[Maddie]

Many thanks to you both for the replies.

Cando

I shall try the FHS, fingers crossed.

patvp

That is kind of you, I shall take up your offer if I don't have any luck with the FHS.

Thanks again
Maddie

[trish251]

Maddie

I believe the Baptist Church in Queensland has an archivist/history section where you may find some assistance. I thought I had a link, ah - just found it

http://home.pacific.net.au/~dparker/bhsq.htm  and

http://home.pacific.net.au/~dparker/barc.htm

Just a thought  - Is it possible that your ancestor may have been an employee/servant of the Rev & family?  or alternatively travelling and being offered somewhere to stay.

Trish

[Maddie]

Hi Trish

Many thanks for the Baptist link, that looks very helpful. I see they have photo's of their Chapels in Queensland but unfortunately I didn't see Dovedale Cottage.

I had wondered about any of my family being in the employ of the Rev but I don't think that's the case as the envelope belonging to the letter is addressed to "The Misses Brant" & the letter starts "My dear young friends". On the first page it also reads "Best wishes to Father & Mother Brant, so I am assuming that the letter was to the three daughters.  There is also something about making Shingles from wood, Is this an Australian thing.

Thanks again for your help.

Maddie

[trish251]

I wonder if you found this link. At the time of your Letter, I think the Rev was back in England
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=spainter&id=I0909
He then returned to England and was married in the Independent Chapel, Middleton Road, Dalston, near Islington on 15th July 1863. He returned to Queensland with his wife (Roberta) Annie, nee Swayne on board the Fiery Star 20 Nov 1864.

So in Sept 1864, the Rev was not in Australia. Perhaps there was another minister in residence - or the cottage contained someone unrelated to the church at that time??

Trish

[trish251]

I found this in the list from the church archives site

Godson, William Thomas
d. ca 1888 ?
1859-62, Ebbw Vale, S. Wales
to Qld 1863
City Tabernacle (supply) March 1863
April 1863 Maryborough – supply while Rev. J.T. Hinton absent but remains in the town; reported in 1882 (aged 81+ years) conducting services in Baptist House of Prayer in John Lane.

His death is given on the Qld CD as 1 August 1888

Trish

[trish251]

1861 Monmouthshire Bedwellty Tredegar Town of Ebbw Vale  RG9/4005 43/15
13 Victoria Road
William J Godson head M 57 Baptist Minister Zion Chapel Middlesex Knightsbridge
Eliz Godson wife mar 58 Minister wife Broddway Worcester
Anne Godson dau unm 28 Minister daughter Blocklin/Blockley do
Theophilus Godson son Un 19 grocer Tenbury Worcester

(definitely written as William J, but looks to be the right chap)