James Henry Drury b 1861 d 1930

[scott125]

Hi all,

My great 1 x grand father Henry James Drury b 31 march 1861 d 2 march 1930 was sent to New Zealand as a remittance man after finishing his schooling at Epsom Collage (England). My question is from a family member is 'how can we find out the reason why he was sent off to New Zealand? I understand that if the family had wealth then a option was offer of leaving England (and not returning) and chargers would not take place.

Help please
 
Scott

[avm228]

Was he Henry James or James Henry?  Do you know his date of emigration.

[avm228]

My great 1 x grand father Henry James Drury b 31 march 1861
 

It loos as though he was registered and baptised as James Henry Drury in Kensington, son of James Samuel Drury (physician) and Sophia Louisa, of 13 Radnor Place.  Is that the right person?

His birthdate is recorded in the Paddington baptism register as 31 March 1862, but the registration date is consistent with it having been a year earlier.

As Infant Drury he was 1 week old in the 1861 census (13 Radnor Place).

[avm228]

I see that his father James Samuel Drury died relatively young - 11 Nov 1865, aged 43, at 13 Radnor Place, Paddington.  His estate at probate was under £300 so the family was apparently not all that affluent, unless funds had been hived off into trusts.

[avm228]

By 1871 the widowed Sophia was "keeping a school" at 13 Radnor Place.  In addition to her three young daughters she had 11 scholars in the house, aged 7-18, plus four adult staff members.

[avm228]

I see that in fact you already have the background on his parents:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=532974.9

[scott125]

Hi.

Yes he was the son of Dr Samuel Drury. So is there anyway to find out if he had been a 'bad boy' in 1878 pre the month of June when he was to sail for New Zealand?

Thanks Scott