Clark, Sheaf, Waterman of Portsea

[Tom Piper]

Lindynz,

I always think that the newspaper articles make family history come alive; so I started to look at Esau Clark, brother to Adam.

The only article I could find about him was this:


THE GLADSTONE DIVORCE SUIT .
Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle etc (Saturday, July 31, 1875;

The above case concerned the wife of a Mr. Gladstone and a Captain Bridgeford. This was a hearing that last 4 days as far as I can see, where several witnesses were brought to show that the above two people met each other, and spent the evening in each other's company, when Mr. Gladstone was out of the house. Maids testified that the blind was pulled up to show Mr. Gladstone was away etc! Anyway then I saw this:

Esau Clark, a wood and coal merchant at Southsea, spoke to having the ferry from Cumberland Fort to Hayling Island from 1852 to 1871. He remembered the gentleman (whose portrait he recognised) being taken over; he was generally accompanied by a lady.

So I looked at the 1861 Census, and sure enough Esau Clark born 1814, Drayton, was living in the Ferryman's house, married to Charlotte, with several children, the youngest Selima 4 & James 2, having been born at Cumberland Fort and Esther, 7 having been born at Hayling Island.

So I think that this is your Esau.

Tom

[lindynz]

I looked for possible birth records on I.G.I. for Thomas Sheaf and Sarah Waterman. Nothing on Thomas so far, except a remote possibility - Thomas Scaff or Scarff b. 1865 Hampshire who married Elizabeth Row in Portsea St Marys in 1800. A second marriage?

I also found a couple of Sarah Watermans, the most likely one was born 1776 in Portsea parents Thomas Waterman and Martha Attwood. There was a family tree attached to it going back to 1600s but of course I don't know if this is the right Sarah 

[Little Nell]

A Thomas Sheath was buried in Portsea in 1837, aged 71.

Nell

[mrsh6nz]

Hi all

I found this discussion by accident.  I was 'Googling' 1855 Portsea Newspapers to see if I could find out what had happened to Elizabeth and Constance Sheaf as I knew they had died at about the same time, and I guessed it may have been some sort of accident, and it came up with this page. 

I am a descendant of Louisa Sheaf and Adam Clark through his son Joseph, who emigrated to NZ, so would love to compare notes with you Lindy. 

I had some of the information you have come up with too, but have learned a few new things from your page, and of course was pleased to find out what happened to Elizabeth and Constance - sounds horrific!   

Adam's death is a sad story too - according to the Sydney Morning Herald he was out fishing with his young son Aaron, who was about 8 at the time.  Adam fell overboard and drowned, and son Aaron drifted for about 10 miles before being picked up.  Mother Louisa died just a week later, leaving 8 children, aged from about 2 to 17.

Look forward to hearing from you 

[lindynz]

Hi mrsh6nz, I will send you a personal message.

[mrsh6nz]

Hi Lindy - I got your message thanks, but I only joined this website after I saw your post, so wasn't sure how to reply.  I checked the Help tab, and it says new members have to have at lease three postings before they can use the Personal Messages, so can you message me again with your email address?  Would seem that we are cousins!

[DMCLARK]

Hello,

I am currently researching my family tree I am a direct descendent of Adam Clark and Louisa Sheaf through James and Jessie Clark nee smith. I am wondering if anyone would be able to help me with all of the names of Adam Clark and Louisa Clark nee Sheaf children. So far I have:
 
Louisa b. 1843,
Isabella b. 1845,
Stephen b. 1847 (I read someone that this son was the one that went down on the cutter with Adam???)
David b. 1849
Esther? b. 1851.
James b. 1857
Joseph b. 1855
and is it Aaron?

I am also wondering if anyone would know where Louisa Clark nee Sheaf was buried? As I am currently in the area and it would be interesting to go and visit.I have searched everywhere on the net and I cannot find anything.

Thank you.

[lindynz]

Those names are all the same as the ones I have, though I can't be certain if there were others. I believe there was a son Aaron John born in 1853, he married Elizabeth Buckley.

I am not sure which son was on the boat, it was either Stephen or Aaron. A couple of different newspapers give different ages for the boy, either 8 or 13. The captain of the boat that picked him up set up a bank account for him, and there was much concern for all the orphaned children. I don't know who would have looked after them but I imagine life would have been very tough.

[mrsh6nz]

Hi DM Clark - I also have those eight names (I am Joseph's great-great granddaughter), though I have found Esther referred to as Hester in some records.  Aaron John was born 1853, and I thought he was the boy in the boat - I have only seen the article referring to an 8 year old.

I have a copy of Louisa's death certificate which says she was buried 9th May 1860 in the Christ Church burial ground,  Newcastle, NSW, though I have been unable to find any reference to her in any on-line cemetery records. 

I would be interested in knowing more about James's family - my great aunt has told me she remembers her mother talking about the "Pearly King", and I have read several interesting articles about him that both she and lindynz have forwarded.   I have found four possible children for James and Jessie in on-line records:  John (b 1844), Janet (b 1846), Arthur Campbell (b 1846) and James Colin (b 1848).  Are all or any of these correct?