The emails have been running 'hot' of late between Luke, Kylie and myself in a bid to pull together the information we currently have about Edward Atkins and his two marriages.
We do have some absolute facts but a lot of questions remain and because of that, conjecture. It is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle where the Facts can be put in place and the assortment of questions and conjecture temporarily 'placed' in a bid to find a fit.
Luke has written the following:
Evidence of the records for Elizabeth Mashford Lewis Atkins:
Fact (1) 1847. Arrived in South Australia with her
family upon the ship called the Princess Royal.[1]
Fact (2) 9/11/1847.[2] Elizabeth Mashford & Peter Lewis were
married at Holy Trinity Church Adelaide.[3
Fact (3) 8/7/1848. George Lewis, was born at
Kensington.[4]
Fact (4) 12/10/1850.[5]The second son John Mashford Lewis was
born at Marryatville which is near Kensington.
Fact (5) 1854.[6] Henry Lewis was born at Marryatville
which is near Kensington.
Fact (6) 1855.[7] Henry Lewis died at Adelaide.
The facts suggest that Elizabeth Mashford was living in Adelaide between when she first arrived in Adelaide in 1847 and when Henry Lewis died in 1855.
From this point on the 'facts' are bringing up more questions than answers.
Fact
(7) 1856. Elizabeth Lewis nee Mashford moved to Booyoolee Station/
Gladstone area. The only problem with this is that there is a gap between 1855
when Henry Lewis died at Adelaide and 1856 when Elizabeth Mashford appeared in
the Gladstone area. Thus the unanswered questions or problems are as follows
and hence speculation, theories and interpretation are needed to fill in the
gaps:-
·
Why did Elizabeth Mashford move to Gladstone or Booyoolee Station with 2
children as a single woman? Or was she still married to Peter Lewis?
·
What happened to Peter Lewis?
·
Possible death of Peter Lewis in Victoria in 1854?
·
Did Peter Lewis desert his wife?
·
Did Peter Lewis leave his wife to find employment else where E.G. Mt
Gambier with the intent to return to his wife in Adelaide, and for whatever
reason ended up in Victoria and died there?
· The
newspaper story states “The deceased arrived in South Australia on March 17th
1847 in the “Princess Royal” and went to Booyoolee Station in 1856.” [8]
The date and the word “Booyoolee Station in 1856” comes from a newspaper story
and if the information is wrong then when did Elizabeth Mashford move to
Gladstone?
· The likely theories may be:-
· Did Elizabeth get a job on Booyoolee Station? If so were her sons
living with her on the station? I do not have a problem with this because
remember that James Atkins and Annie Atkins nee Clavin lived on the station
with all of their children. Even after when James had died Annie and her family
was allowed to live on the station. May be it was the same house?
· Was Edward living on the station? If so where were his children?
· Did Elizabeth first move to Booyoolee Station, but Edward was not
working there but still living at Bundaleer. Hannah died and Elizabeth then got
a job as a carer for Edward’s children and moved to Bundaleer for a short
period of time? When they got married the whole family moved to Rocky River?
· Was Edward working at the station, but he had a house somewhere outside
the station and had another person to look after his children?
· If Elizabeth got a job up north then in what capacity ? And exactly where did
she live? Booyoolee Station or somewhere
else in Gladstone? People always got the words Booyoolee and Gladstone easily
confused.
· If she lived on Booyoolee Station as a servant where did her two sons
live?
· Did Edward Atkins advertise for a wife? And Elizabeth Mashford
responded?
· Or did he advertise for a housemaid to look after his children when
Hannah died? We only have 1856 and the beginning of 1857 for a
relationship/courtship period between the two people. I like your idea Kylie
that Elizabeth Mashford went to the Gladstone area as a house maid/carer for
Edward Atkins’ children and she lived with him and his children with her two
children. This theory would solve a few problems (a) She could work and live
with her two sons under the same roof. (b) It gives enough time for a courtship
period as both couples had time to get to know each other especially if they
were all living under the same roof.
· However, there is a problem with the above theory because it would mean
that Elizabeth Lewis nee Mashford was living at Bundaleer and not Gladstone.
Unless after the death of Hannah, Edward moved his family to the Gladstone area
and Elizabeth was a house maid with the family in the Gladstone area.
· However why did Edward Atkins move from Bundaleer to the Gladstone
area?
· There is another theory which I have not really researched or explored
yet and that is when Hannah McLeod came out to South Australia she arrived with
a Daniel McLeod. Both people were single and from the same place in England and
hence could have been related to each other. I do remember that I found a
McLeod family living in the same area of Clare/Gladstone area, but was not able
to connect that family with Hannah. (But then again I have not put a lot of
time into this and there may be a connection) When Hannah died, Edward Atkins
may have given his children to a family member of Hannah who lived close by
him. And he met Elizabeth Mashford at work E.G Booyoolee Station. But this does
not explain where Elizabeth’s two sons lived. Nor does it explain when Edward
Atkins moved away from Bundaleer.
· Elizabeth also may have left her two sons in Adelaide with her family
members and she travelled alone up north. However I do not think she left her
two sons with her family because her brother George died in 1850 and her other
brother John died 1849. Her mother Mary Cann died 1850 so that leaves those
three people out. Maryann married in
1855 in Victoria so that leave her out. But I do not know when Jane Mashford
married George O'Brien, but their first child Ada Henrietta O’Brien was born in
Victoria in 1855 so that counts Jane Mashford out which only leaves Josiah
Lebbot (Labbet) Mashford. But somehow I do not think Elizabeth would have
trusted him. ( I know I would not trust him) As a result, I do not think that
Elizabeth Mashford left her sons alone in Adelaide while she went up north,
unless she left them with friends and then later brought them to Gladstone/ Wirrabara
area when she married Edward Atkins.
Fact (8)
12/1/1857.[1][9] Edward Atkins married Elizabeth Lewis nee
Mashford at Penwortham in the Clare Valley. The only problem is not getting
married at Clare, but their place of residence at the time of their marriage.
Fact
(9) 22/11/1857.[2][10] Elizabeth Atkins born at Whites (Whyte)Forest
(White Forest is an area of land close to Wirrabara. The only problem with this is:-
· There is a gap between 12/1/1857,[3][11] when they were living at Rocky River
(place of residence at time of their marriage), and 22/11/1857 when Elizabeth Atkins was born at
Whites Forest on the 22/11/1857. This gets messy because where exactly
did the family live at this time Wirrabarra? Whyte Forest? Or anywhere along the
Rocky River? The problem is, where a child is born is not necessarily an
indication of where the family lived; i.e. permanent residence at the time of
the birth. Women, as they were near to giving birth, sometimes travelled to
give birth, because a doctor, midwife, friend or a family member were located
at a different place and they went where help was available
Fact
(10) 8/12/1859.[4][12] Mary (Polly) Atkins was born at
Wirrabara.
Fact
(11) 2/1/1862.[5][13] James Haynes Atkins was born at Charlton
(now called Wirrabara).
Fact (12)
1875[6][14] Elizabeth Mashford signed over some land
in Gladstone to her son George Lewis. There are some questions in regard to
this
· Did Elizabeth Mashford signed over land to George Lewis or did George
Lewis sign over the land to his mother? I have never worked that one out.
· If she had land at Gladstone when did she buy it?
· Why did she buy it?
· With what money did she buy the land with?
· And why did she sign it over to George Lewis?
· Having land at Gladstone implies that Elizabeth Mashford may have being
living at Gladstone by 1875. However, on the other hand she could have still
being living in the Wirrabara area and only brought the land and was not living
in the Gladstone area.
Fact (13)
1877[7][15]. Mary Atkins gave birth to her first
child, called Edward Atkins, outside of wedlock at Gladstone. Again there are
questions:
· One would assume that Elizabeth Mashford was with her daughter Mary and
thus was at Gladstone at the time of the birth.
· Mary Atkins could have given birth to her son in or near Wirrabara. Why
travel all the way to Gladstone to give birth when there may have been doctors
close by to Wirrabara. Elizabeth gave birth at Wirrabara so why could not Mary
unless there was another reason such as a scandal? Or maybe Elizabeth just felt
that with George and his wife living in Gladstone it would be better for Mary
to give birth at Gladstone as family was around to help with the birth?
· Can the date 1877 be taken as when Elizabeth Mashford first moved to
Gladstone?
· Were all of her children with her at this stage or did she leave
Elizabeth and James behind in Wirrabara?
· Did the birth take place in Gladstone because Mary was not married and
it was easer to hide this fact in Gladstone than Wirrabara?
· Was Edward with her
at this stage?
· Did George Lewis and
his wife raise Mary’s first born?
· What record do we
take as the date when Elizabeth Mashford first moved to Gladstone? The first
record of Elizabeth Mashford living at Gladstone in 1877 but this is only
implied because Mary Atkins gave birth to her firstborn at Gladstone. As a
result, one then assumes that her mother was with her. Therefore, Elizabeth
Mashford may have moved to Gladstone c1877, but there was some land there which
was signed over to George Lewis the year before in 1876. So was Elizabeth
Mashford at Gladstone before 1876?
Fact (14) 14th
January 1888.[8][16]John Mashford Lewis died at his mother’s
residence at Gladstone. However, it implies:-
· That Elizabeth Mashford was living at Gladstone in 1888,
· But how was she supporting herself or her children in Gladstone if
Edward was not living with her?
Fact (15)
15/5/1908. Elizabeth Mashford died at Gladstone.”[9][17]
Edward Atkins
The evidence or the records
Fact (1) 3/1/1843. Edward Atkins was living in South Australia
in 1843 because he married Hannah McLeod at the Holy Trinity Church on the
3/1/1843.[10][18] No other record exists of him before
that date of him living in South Australia.
· However, this fact can imply that he was living in South Australia
before 3/1/1843. It could be the case that Edward Atkins arrived in South
Australia after 1841 and before 1843. In 1841 the South Australia government
ordered a state wide census. This was the only South Australian census where
people’s names were kept. Edward Atkins name does not appear in the 1841 census
which could be an indication he was not living in South Australia when the
census took place. However, there are many reasons as to why, if he was living
in South Australia in 1841, why his name was not recorded. Nevertheless, both
Hannah and he had to go through a courtship period before they married so he
had to have being living in South Australia before the 3/1/1843.
Fact (2) March 1843.[11][19] Henry Edward Atkins was born. He was
baptized in December 1843[12][20] at Adelaide, but the place of abode was
the Hutt River (which is in the Clare Valley).
However, this fact can imply:-
· That Edward and Hannah could have lived along the Hutt River somewhere
in the Clare Valley when they conceived Henry Atkins, and thus were living in
the Clare Valley in March 1843.
· The marriage certificate of Edward Atkins and Hannah McLeod does not
state place of abode. However, it can be implied that they may have lived in
the Clare Valley at the time of their marriage. I say this because if they were
married on the 03 Jan 1843 at Adelaide and Henry was born March 1843 at the
Hutt River then it only leaves a 3 month gap between the marriage and the birth
of Henry. So where was Edward and Hannah residence between their marriage in
Adelaide and the birth of Henry except the Clare Valley?
· It also implies that Hannah was pregnant before she got married to
Edward.
· They travelled to Adelaide to have him baptized. Which may imply there
was not a church or priest in the area if they travelled to Adelaide?
· It could also imply that if Hannah was pregnant, and needed to get
married, and there was no church nearby, then they travelled to Adelaide to
kill two birds with one stone. Both people were living in the Clare Valley met
each other. Hannah got pregnant, travelled to Adelaide to get married. Once
married, they stayed in Adelaide for the birth of Henry and they had him baptised
in Adelaide and then they travelled back to Clare?
· However, the unanswered question is where exactly they lived in the
Clare Valley before moving to Bundaleer. Or did they always live at Bundaleer?
I do not think so because I would think Edward Atkins’ place of abode would
have stated Bundaleer (unless Bundaleer never existed at this time) it just
states Hutt River unless the Hutt River runs through Bundaleer?
· When did Henry Edward Atkins die?
Fact (3) 10/3/1845. Edward Atkins and Hannah Atkins nee McLeod
gave birth to a second child called Jane Atkins born at Clare.[13][21] At the time of her birth,
Edward Atkins listed his occupation as a blacksmith and his residence was
listed as Bundaleer.[14][22]
· However,
I think this is the first record we have of Edward living at Bundaleer.
Fact (4) 1847 Margaret Atkins was born in 1847 at Clare.[15][23] This fact can imply:-
· Margaret Atkins was only born at Clare, but the family was still living
in the Bundaleer area. Hannah just travelled to Clare to give birth.
Fact (5) 1847 Ann Atkins born at Clare. This fact can imply:-
· That Ann Atkins may have been born at Clare, but the family was not
living there.
Fact (6) Edward Atkins lived in the Clare Valley because he is
listed living there in 1849 as a farmer.[16][24] I do not have a problem with this fact.
· However, I have not seen the Stephens Directory myself the information
came from the Clare Regional History Group. If Edward was living at Bundaleer
should not the Directory states this?
Fact (7) 1850. The baptismal records of St Barnabas Church at
Clare show that a child was baptised in 1850. The certificate states:- “No
name, child of Edward Atkins and Anne Atkins.”[17][25] Who was the child? Was it:-
· A still born?
· Sarah Atkins?
· Or the second Henry Edward Atkins?
Fact (8) 1851. Birth of Joseph Atkins the baptismal records of
St Barnabas Church at Clare show he was baptised in 1851,[18][26] at Penwortham which is located in the
Clare Valley. Joseph Atkins died at the age of 4 years on the 28th
November 1855 as stipulated in the Church of England death records and was
buried at Bundaleer.[19][27] It implies:-
· That the family were still living in the Bundaleer area.
· Also what does “buried at Bundaleer” mean? Does it mean that there was
a cemetery at Bundaleer in 1855 or does it mean he was buried anywhere in a
small family plot which no longer exist? My bet is that when Hannah died she
was buried near Joseph. If so why is there a record for Joseph, but not for
Hannah?
Fact (9)
1853. Edward Atkins has a court case in
1853 held at the Local Court in Clare. The newspaper states:- “Dipkosey V
Atkins. The man called Atkins claims he came from Bundaleer.[20][28] I know of no person than our Edward Atkins who was living in Bundaleer.
Fact (10) 10th March
1854.[21][29] The last
known child born to both Edward Atkins and Hannah Atkins nee McLeod was Emily Puddy nee Atkins.
She was born at Clare. At the time of her birth, Edward Atkins listed his
occupation as a blacksmith and his residence was listed as Bundaleer.[22][30] It implies:-
· That if
Edward Atkins was living at Bundaleer in 1845 when Ann Atkins was born, and he
was still living at Bundaleer in 1854 when Emily Atkins was born it is safe to
assume that Edward Atkins and Hannah McLeod lived at Bundaleer between
1845-1854. Thus between 1843 and 1854 Edward Atkins and Hannah
Atkins nee McLeod had eight children within eleven years with the possibilities
of two people called Henry Edward Atkins dying young and the death of Joseph
Atkins in 1855.
Fact (11) 1857. Edward Atkins is listed as living in the
electoral District of Burra & Clare. .[23][31]
Fact (12) 12 Jan
1857. Edward Atkins and Elizabeth Mashford got married at St Marks Penwortham. However, the unanswered questions are:-
· When did
Hannah die?
· When did
Edward move from Bundaleer to Rocky River?
· Why did
Edward Atkins move?
· What is
Rocky River?
Fact (13) 22/11/1857.[24][32] Elizabeth Atkins was born at Whites
Forest. However, when did the family
move from Rocky River to Wirrabara?
Fact (14)
8/12/1859.[25][33] Mary (Polly) Atkins was born at
Wirrabara.
Fact (15)
2/1/1862.[26][34] James Haines or Haynes was born at
Charlton (now called Wirrabara).
This implies:-
· That
if all three children were all born at Wirrabara between 1857-1862 then it is
safe to assume that Edward Atkins and Elizabeth Mashford lived at Wirrabara
between 1857-1862. Or the family were living at Rocky River and the children
were just born at Wirrabara?
· The
birth date of James Atkins in 1862 is the last reference to Edward Atkins until
he died on 15 Nov 1891. Therefore there
is no record of an Edward Atkins for 29 years. I have a problem with this
because it is such a big gap. However, if you consider the name of “Edward
Atkins” as the father on his daughter’s marriage certificate it is not a big
gap. Nevertheless, it would be nice to find a reference of an Edward Atkins
relating solely to himself as it would fill in the gap of 29 years. As a
result, the unanswered questions are:-
· Did
Edward Atkins all ways live at Wirrabara between 1857-1862 or did he move to
Gladstone after the birth of James Atkins in 1862 with Elizabeth Mashford and
then at a later stage move back to Wirrabara without Elizabeth Mashford?
[1][9] Marriage
Certificate of Edward Atkins & Elizabeth Lewis South Australia Birth,
Death, Marriage Registration Office No. 509833.
[2][10] Biographical
Index of Births South Australian 1836-1885. p42
[3][11] Marriage
Certificate of Edward Atkins & Elizabeth Lewis South Australia Birth,
Death, Marriage Registration Office No. 509833.
[4][12] Biographical Index
of Births South Australian 1836-1885. p42
[5][13] Birth Certificate
of James Atkins South Australia
Birth, Death, Marriage Registration Office No.52 Book 47
[6][14] South Australia
certificate of title Vol CCXXX 190.
[7][15] Australian Birth
Index. Ancestry.com.
[8][16] South Australian
Advertiser Thurs 16th February 1888 p 4.
[9][17] Death certificate
of Elizabeth Atkins.
[10][18] Marriage
Certificate of Edward Atkins and Hannah McLeod South Australia Birth, Death,
Marriage Registration Office.
[11][19] Biographical
Index of South Australian 1836-1885. p42
[12][20] Henry Edward Atkins
Baptism Certificate. Holy Trinity Church Records.
[13][21] St Barnabas Church
of England Baptisms Certificate Register Clare
[14][22] St Barnabas Church
of England Baptisms Certificate Register Clare
[15][23] Death Certificate
of Margaret Newbery nee Atkins.
[16][24] Clare Regional
History Group Stephens Directory.
[17][25] Baptisms Records of
St Barnabas Church of England Penwortham.
[18][26] Baptisms Records of
St Barnabas Church of England Penwortham.
[19][27] Death Records,
Church of England Archives, Clare Valley, Clare Regional History Group
[20][28] South Australian
Register Wednesday 13th July 1853,
[21][29] St Barnabas Church
of England Baptisms Certificate Register Clare
[22][30] St Barnabas Church
of England Baptisms Certificate Register Clare
[23][31] South Australia
register Friday 16 January 1857 p 9
[24][32] Biographical
Index of Births South Australian 1836-1885. p42
[25][33] Biographical
Index of Births South Australian 1836-1885. p42
[26][34] Birth Certificate
of James Atkins South Australia
Birth, Death, Marriage Registration Office No.52 Book 47
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