Tracing Thomas Duckworth and Ellen Davis

[Dundee]

Eurasian printers on the Palmyra

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60199709

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60199690

Debra 

[kinkers]

Thank you everyone for your assistance.

I have just learnt that he was born in Madras, so I believe this is the Thomas born to Thomas Duckworth and Sarah Boot in 1837. Thomas' father marries Caroline Fuller in 1845 after first wife Sarah died, and the arrival record for the Palmyra in 1854 mentions that his mother is Caroline.

I'm fairly confident this is my ancestor now. The only discrepancy is that his mother is recorded on both his marriage and death certificate as Ellen Davis. I can't think of a reason he would make up a name (Sarah died when he was 6yo, but I assume he would still know her name). Thomas' wife from Australia was also named Ellen, but that's probably just coincidence.

Thanks again everyone

[biggles29]

A question about Thomas Duckworth born 1809. Can anyone say definitely where in England he was born? I've seen Crumpsall, Lancaster and Downham all Lancashire listed in various trees.

[ciderdrinker]

Well that is the question.
We have 2 Duckworths working as Apothecarys in the Madras area .
Thomas 1808-1858  and John  1808-1871.
Both have a father John Duckworth and John's second marriage  11.6.1846 to Isabella Ecthes adds the detail that his father is Barrack Sergent.
From that we can go to John Duckworth bach Sergent married Mary Vaughan  31.8.1819 at Quillon Madras. Bach and spinster.
Children ,Mary 7.9.1820 (married 28.6.1845 William Higgins ),James Vaughan 10.12.1823 ,Ann died 8.9.1826 ,Rachel 5.10.1832 (married Thomas Miller 25.9.1849 ) ,Joseph 20.6.1834 .

That leaves with Thomas and John being before their marriage and also another son William born c 1818 Died 1848 who married an Agnes Hare 3.5.1842.
John Senior died of dropsy 15.5.1852 aged  69 years 8mths and 15 days. He did leave a Probate .
His wife Mary 1793- 4.6.1837 also died at  Arcot so it seems he would be leaving things to his sons and daughters.
 Probate at the British India Office 15.5.1853.
It was worth £370 11 sh 11 d/1333 rupees  and the Inventory mentions Thomas Duckworth and J Duckworth a lot.They are buying his belongings at Auction.
The money goes to James Todd husband of the late Mary ,Rachel Miller and James V Duckworth ,all children of John.
And then you need John's military record to see where he came from.

I would guess the older children were born in India and were probably the result of a relationship between John Duckworth and a native Indian woman, may be even Mary Vaughan ,after all she was born in 1793 so would be old enough.He was 32 and she was 26 when they married in 1819 .If they were illegitimate it would explain why they did not share in his estate.
As for the birth in Lancashire,I'm guessing they put the details they had in a search form and discovered the name Duckworth came from Lancashire.
They could of course have found  the military records for the family giving a place of birth.
I can't see them. It's possible John was the son of James Duckworth Army Surgeon  died 1782 in India who leaves a large amount to his native companion Flora and his natural children who he unhelpfully didn't name.Although his son Thomas born 1781 is sent to London as apprentice to a coachmaker Thomas Nevitt 2.9.1793.

Ciderdrinker