William Phillips b Cumberland abt 1813

[giuliana]

I am seeking information on William Phillips, born Cumberlandshire abt 1813, who was transported to Australia as a convict having been court-martialled in Dublin in January 1837 for army desertion. He was at that time married, with no children. Neither he nor his wife petitioned for her to emigrate to Australia.

He subsequently married in Australia (to Bridget Moore, an Irish famine orphan, in January 1851 and later to Mary Beggs in abt 1876). He died in Australia in July 1896 and is buried in an unmarked grave (with his third wife) in Barnawartha Cemetery, Victoria. Neither his death record nor the record of his marriage to Bridget states his parents' names.

Hoping someone can get me started on this part of my search. Thanks in anticipation, 
 
Giuliana in Australia.

[trish1120]

Hi Giuliana,
Very difficult one. I have been looking at 1841/1851 Censuses in Cumberland to try and isolate possible parents for him born 1790ish.
What were the christian names of his children born in Australia?
Sometimes first son is named after husbands Father and first daughter his Mother.

Trish

[giuliana]

Wow! My first posting to Rootsweb got a reply within minutes - what a fantastic resource! Thanks, Trish.

William and Bridget's children were John (b 1852), William - possibly William Richard (b 1854?), Alfred (b 1855) and Mary Elizabeth (b 1856).

Bridget's parents, John and Honor Moore, both died in the Irish famine, so John may well have been named in honour (pun intended) of Bridget's father.

Giuliana

[trish1120]

Hi again,

Sorry, forgot to welcome you to Rootschat Everyone is helpful here.

I will see what I can find but I think it will be a longshot
I did find a family with William as the head though.


trish

[trish1120]

Sorry, I have been unable to find anything useful

Its late here so will have another look tomorrow.

trish

[giuliana]

Thanks Trish. I appreciate whatever help you can give, and whenever. No rush!

Giuliana

[giuliana]

On a family tree summary at an unconnected site, I have found reference to a William Phillips being born in 1837 in County Down, Ireland (died 1895 Egremont, Cumberland). I am wondering if this may have been a son of my William (court-martialled Jan 1837), with William Snr's wife returning to her home, with baby William, after William Snr's departure for Australia. (All other Phillips in this family tree were born in Cumberland, so the Ireland reference is my only clue.) Just thought this may trigger something in someone's mind!

Any suggestions for followup?

Giuliana

[trish1120]

Tree on Ancestry has William Phillips, born 1837, County Down with a Father Daniel
Married Mary Doran, 1863, Cumberland.

Trish

[giuliana]

Thanks Trish. At least I know for sure that wasn't my William after all.

I've gone down a few other paths since my initial query, and still haven't found anything! Each time I find a "possibility" I find him in the 1841 census in the UK or getting married in the UK in 1840 or whatever - all impossible for a convict doing time in Australia!

So... still searching!

Giuliana