Charles Milson

[Rosie R]

Hi, This is my first attempt at researching through this site. I'm seeking information in regard to Charles Milson/Millson/Milsom b. Berkshire England 1802?

[charlotteCH]

Welcome to rootschat

Perhaps a way to start is to look for him on 1841/51 census. I'm sorry I don't have access to data bases to lookup  this for you.

Another route could be for you to search for him on   familysearch   It's a free site and if there is a baptism record for him, you should get at least his father's name from that.

charlotte

[HarryW]

There is one listed as born abt 1802 on a prison hulk at Portsmouth in 1830/1 who was transported to New South Wales in late Jan 1831.   Is this the one you are looking for ?

There are two records on Ancestry that might fit:

1 - A baptism at Aldbourne, Wiltshire in 1801 (this village was on the border with Berkshire)
2 - A member tree that shows a Charles MILLSON b 1800 at Stanford Dingley

Regards
Harry

[Paco]

There is a marriage for a Charles Millson 23/7/1827 to Martha Bearfield -Aldworth Berkshire.
regards.

[newburychap]

The one on the hulk in 1831 was one of the Swing rioters - convicted on several charges and transported to Australia.  Jill Chambers' book 'Berkshire Machine Breakers' has a fair bit about him - and suggests he was baptised in Stanford Dingley in 1800, though it also notes that he was 28 at the time of his conviction. His offences were committed in the Stanford Dingley area.

He was pardoned in 1836 but stayed in Oz and started a second family. 

[HarryW]

If this is your chap, there is a baptism record on the IGI for Stanford Dingley (extracted not submitted):

Charles MILSON - 12 Oct 1800 - son of Charles and Elizabeth

Harry

[Rosie R]

Thanks everyone. That information pretty well checks with what I thought, except for the dob. Also I will look further into the Marriage to Martha Bearfield on the 23/07/1827. I was told that he had been married before being sent to Australia, and had a previous family, but didn't know any details. I'll also see if I can get hold of a copy of the Jill Chambers book 'Berkshire Machine Breakers'

I have some information that his second marriage was to Annie Maria Lyons in Maitland NSW 7 November 1837. I think she was born in 1816 Bassledon Berkshire and came to Australia about 1835. Any information about her would be appreciated.

[Vicwinann]

Hello,
I can give you chapter and verse on what I have researched on Charles Millson and his Millson family from my English research.

A book - probably better than the Jill Chambers one,  is
"Berkshire to Botany Bay" by Norman Fox. if you can get hold of a copy. Fair bit about Charles in it. His wife, Martha Bearfield, had an illeg child (Sarah 1835) after Charles was transported and spent some time in the workhouse.
Another book which records Charles in Australia is
"Convicts of the Eleanor" David Kent and Norma Townsend

Charles' daughter, also Martha 1827-1872, married in London and had 7 children.
Charles' son, Richard Henry 1829-1891 emigrated to Australia (by choice) and married there.
Wife Martha Bearfield was dau of William and Sarah and bap 1801 Aston Tirrold.

Whilst in Australia Charles seems to have added a couple of middle names and called himself Charles Clarence Weston Millson.

I have a couple of links with my extended  Sellwood family with the Millsons, hence my research.

Hope this helps.
Vicwinann

[Rosie R]

Thank you for that information. I have ordered the two previous books from the local library, and will try and get a hold of "Berkshire to Botany Bay' as well today. It was interesting to find out about his family that he left behind in England as well.