Ferguson, Newton Limavady, Londonderry

[majm]

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=640766.0  children and the Bounty Scheme discussion

Cheers,  JM

[princess41]

Hi Majm

I remember that earlier discussion on the Bounty Scheme but thanks for the reminder. I will read through the old threads again after I send you this reply. 

It has been ages since I looked at the passenger list for the James Mathieson.  I more than likely looked over it at the National Library or on Ancestry.  You have mentioned the National Archives to look at the entitlement certificates and I may have a chance to follow that up tomorrow.  I only have a copy of Ellen Jane's amongst my records but I have info on Henry from one of the ancestors.

I believe you are correct with the writing 'his wife dead'.  I had to get out the magnifying glass and sure enough that is what is says.  That is a real breakthrough because I always thought that she could possibly have reared Edward.  Thank you Majm for picking that up.  You're a gem.

Regards

Glenys

[aghadowey]

Although it says Henry was Presbyterian and Ellen was 'Protestant' they would both have had to been Presbyterian for Rev. Steen as he certified BOTH baptisms.

[princess41]

Thanks Aghadowey.  Ellen Jane was Presbyterian and she married WKF in Bovevagh Presbyterian Church.  Probably her church.  A lovely little church. 

Regards

Glenys

[Gilby]

Glenys, thanks for the notice about Elizabeth McCausland of Streve.

Kingskerswell, 774 acres, that’s a good match I’d say.  Thanks

[Gilby]

I have to say I’m getting a bit confused with the main discussion here.  I’ve gone back through everything to see if I can understand it all.  Correct me if I’ve got any of this wrong...

William King FERGUSON son of William King FERGUSON (c1762-1839) and Hannah WILSON (c1777-1830) was born about 1804.  He married Ellen Jane OSBORNE on 17th Nov 1837.  She was the daughter of Joseph OSBORNE and Nancy SPROULE.  They had a son called Edward Augustus FERGUSON born on 4th Sep 1838 in Limavady.

Ellen Jane went on to marry again to a Henry MONTGOMERY and she went out with him to Australia leaving her son behind.  The couple had several children which have been listed.  Ellen’s son Edward Augustus FERGUSON went out to Australia a little later, in 1853 (aged 12, though he would have been 14/15?).

There’s a couple of trees on Ancestry which have Ellen Jane Osborne.  One says she was born in 1795, the other that she was born in about 1818 and died in July 1896.  The Australia Death Index has Ellen J Montgomery, died Norwra, NSW in 1896, parents Joseph and Nancy – so that’s her.  I’m assuming this in the Maitland Weekly Mercury (18th 7 1896) is her...?

“Mrs Ellen Montgomery, a resident for nearly 40 years in the Shoalhaven district, died suddenly in Ewin’s produce store at Nowra on Saturday.  The old lady, feeling faint, went into the store to sit down, and died immediately.  The deceased, who was 74 years old, was well known.  She was considerably well-to-do, and leaves a grown-up family of sons and daughters.”

Going back to her parents, have we considered what George Speer posted at the top of page 8?

I just uncovered some more clues for your Ellen Jane Osborne of Terrydremont who was married to William King Ferguson.

Some back ground:  Rev. Joseph Osborne 1742-1800 is my 5th great granduncle.

In the book: Limavady and the Roe Valley by Rev T.H. Mullin, pub 1983, ISBN# British 941.62/n1H2m,  pages; 33c, 94,95,121(Edwards),125(Osborne)

This book states:  Rev. Joseph Osborne married again late in life [Miss Sproule?] and his gt-grandson is Edward Osborne of Terrydremond.  This location could be a old spelling and today it could Terrydremont.  This Edward Osborn is connected with the Dodds of Enagh, Limavady. 

The Rev Joseph Osborne apparently died in 1800, so too early to have been Ellen Jane’s father.  But it seems likely that he had a son called Joseph who might have been the farmer/overseer (whatever that is) who married Nancy Sproule.

[Gilby]

A few questions that occurred to me as I read through...

“William King Ferguson’s first wife Hannah Wilson.”  Who was his second wife, or what was the evidence that he married again?

“William King Ferguson bought a pew with a John Ferguson in 1820.”  I wonder if this John Ferguson could be the John Ferguson, father of William Lecky Ferguson who died in Australia in 1866 aged 60...?

Edward Augustus Ferguson may have at some point used his mother's name, "Osborne" in Australia.  I know that's only from a small notice placed by a third party, so isn't necessarily reliable. 

I have twice come across cases where a son reverted from his father's name to his mother's.  In the first it was because the parents had never actually been married in the first place (though strangely only the father's name was put on the birth certificate).  In the second case the parents underwent a (presumably acrimonious) divorce, I think after the mother had an affair (and later married) her husband's nephew (!!).  In both cases the son only appears to have adopted his mother's name after emigrating (one to America, the other to Australia).

So was Edward using his mother's name?  If so why?  What is the latest thinking of what happened to his father William King Ferguson?

[princess41]

MFG   For your info.  Hope this clears things up a bit for you.

It is after 1am here and I am off to bed shortly.

I started this journey 37 years ago with my brother and in that time thought there may have been two William King Ferguson's.  That is not so.  There is only the one (as far as we know) and he died in 1839.  I have seen the records in Drumachose C of I Parish.  His age 76 so that means he must have been born around 1763.  No birth record found.

Hannah Ferguson died in 1830 and I have seen that record in the Drumachose Parish also.  States wife of William King Ferguson.

Then there is the marriage of these two.  My brother believes it is the one in Knockbreda in 1793 between a William Ferguson &  Hannah Wilson.  There are no other details so I don't necessarily think that is correct.  There are loads of William Ferguson's.  As far as I am concerned there is nothing more substantial to back it up so at this point of time I cannot confirm that.  Maybe somewhere there are children from a marriage with Hannah the first wife.

Marriage between Osborne &  Sproule correct.

EAF (b.4.9.1838) is Son of William King Ferguson & Ellen Jane Osborne.  Baptised Drumachose Church of Ireland. 

Ellen Jane Osborne & William King Ferguson married 1837 in Bovevagh Presbyterian Church.  Names in record, Eleanor Osborne & William H (error) Ferguson.

I am looking into John Ferguson, father of William Leckey Ferguson in relation to the church pew.  This seems to be the only John in the church that fits age wise. 

Latest thoughts regarding William King Ferguson.  I don't know where he has come from but I believe he was of a strong Christian faith.  He is a mystery up to 1812 but I can track him after that and his involvement in the Parish.  1831 census said he was living 63 Catherine Street, Limavady. Family story passed down said his death was caused by falling through a loft. (One will never know)

 Ellen Jane married Henry Montgomery 1840.  Yes they went to Australia 1841 on the James Mathieson. 

Not sure yet when EAF arrived in Australia.  Looking into a Augt. Ferguson 1853 on ship 'Asia'.  Ages don't match and not full name.  Working on this one.   (Someone is looking for him in NSW. in 1859 in relation to that advertisement.  May not be reliable, could be.)  I have lots on Edward in Australia from 1861 in Queensland.  He has always used the name Edward Augustus Ferguson on everything and I am talking hundreds of documents and pages. I have not found anything under Osborne.

Yes Ellen Jane Montgomery died Nowra 1896.  I have lots on her here in Australia.  On her death certificate Edward's name is mentioned but he is left out of her will. She may never have seen him after she left Ireland.

I have read the threads of George Speer over and over including a few times today.  Possibly a link there.  I agree about the Rev. Joseph Osborne not being Ellen Jane's father.  He would have been dead, 1800, before she was born.  Could be the younger Joseph???

I don't think Ellen Jane really knew her age or birth date.  It varies about 2 to 3 years.

I looked up Overseer in the dictionary.  It is like Supervisor, Manager, in charge etc.


On Ancestry, some of the information is wrong.  People put things up that aren't right.  I have contacted one lady telling her the information she has is incorrect but she hasn't removed it.  Just be a bit careful with that.

Even my research on RootsChat is not clear over the years as new things pop up.

Just post any other questions.

Good night from rainy Canberra.

Glenys

[Gilby]

Thanks for going clearing things up. 

I’m not convinced that there was only one William King Ferguson.  At the moment it looks like he was about 67 when his wife Hannah died in 1830.  It’s not impossible, but wouldn’t it be a bit far fetched for him to go on to marry a ~20yo Ellen Osborne in 1837 when he was about 74?

I admit that the death of William King Ferguson in 1839 would fit with Ellen remarrying in 1840.

I see now you probably already know all about the family in Australia, but just since I’d already looked it up - Henry Montgomery died in 1888:

On Friday, the 8th instant, another of the old residents of Shoalhaven died at Nowra.  We refer to the late Henry Montgomery, who arrived in this district in the year 1840.  The deceased was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and was 70 years of age.  He leaves a wife, one son, and nine daughters.  The remains were interred in the Presbyterian portion of Nowra Public Cemetery on Sunday the 10th: the Rev. J.A. Bowring (in the unavoidable absence of Dr Grant and Mr J Dobbie) officiated at the grave. [The Shoalhaven Telegraph, 27 Jun 1888]