Who is Annie?

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My cousin, David Pitman, allowed me to copy the following postcard that belonged to his mother Elwyn. The postcard is from someone called Annie to Mr. W. Thomas, who was Elwyn’s (and also my father’s) great grandfather.

Front of postcard from Annie to Mr. W. Thomas

Reverse of postcard from Annie to Mr. W. Thomas

I presume the explanation (“Annie is Puppa Thomas’ niece. Puppa Thomas’ house in M’boro was called “Henor” & he lived in Coventry St.”) in blue pen was written by Elwyn.

The original text reads:

My dear Uncle,
Many thanks for postcard received of Black boys. I am sending you a p.c. of part of our Village the house at the top of the picture is our doctors. We live right opposite there hope all are well.
Love from Annie

Mr W. Thomas
C/o G Horsburgh Co
Maryborough
Queensland
Australia

Who is Annie? Where did she live? Where is the picture of? When was it sent?

The address on the front of the card is Coventry Rd. Kingsbury. A closer look at the street image yields the name “Swan Terrace” on the row of houses, a shop sign “Cadbury’s”, and a sign with a white swan on it,

The additional information on the reverse of the card is minimal. The stamp has been removed, and so only a partial postmark remains, which reads “KINGSB” and “TAX” but no date is visible.

Doing a Google search for “UK post card Coventry Rd. Kingsbury.” and looking at the images returned results in the identical image being found at https://www.ourwarwickshire.org.uk/content/catalogue_wow/kingsbury-coventry-road-2, a map location, and a suggested date of 1900-1909. The location is (52.56551891790918, -1.6820562306851514) or https://goo.gl/maps/9au5pQ6DwWGyT8Ss8. Looking at Google Street View the White Swan is still existing, but the rest of Swan Terrace has been demolished.

Google Street View image, Tamworth, Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire

OpenStreetMap Tamworth, Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire

Ordnance Survey 25 inch 1892-1914 map Tamworth Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire

The National Library of Scotland site at https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/ allows current and historical maps to be overlayed. The comparison here shows the current OpenStreetMap map and the Ordnance Survey 25 inch 1892-1914 maps for the same area. Tamworth Road, also labelled Coventry Road, now runs diagonally through where Swan Terrace was, and the hotel has been painted in Tudor style. The doctor’s house still exists, and is more visible in this view as some buildings to the north of the White Swan have been demolished. It’s likely that the house just opposite, where Annie lived, has been demolished, and now forms part of the car park adjacent to the White Swan.

Looking at my family history database I realise that I don’t have any details of the families of William Thomas’s brothers and sisters.

The UK Census 1861 for Little Cowarne, Herefordshire, Wales (PRO Ref: RG9 Piece: 1827 Folio: 50 Page: 8)

Household at Glebe Cottage
Philip Thomas, Head, Mar, M, 43, Labourer, Herefordshire Wool Hope
Elizabeth Thomas, Wife, Mar, F, 38, Dressmaker, Herefordshire Tarrington
Henry Thomas, Son, Un, M, 14, , Herefordshire Wool Hope
Mary Elizabeth Thomas, Daur, Un, F, 11, , Herefordshire Wool Hope
Sarah Thomas, Daur, Un, F, 8, , Herefordshire Wool Hope
William Jas. Thomas, Son, Un, M, 5, , Herefordshire Wool Hope
Philip Thomas, Son, Un, M, 2, , Herefordshire Wool Hope

A further child, Walter, shows up on the 1871 census, but the older children are no longer at home.

1901 census Class: RG13; Piece: 2653; Folio: 52; Page: 9

A quick review of the hints on Ancestry trees shows that Mary Elizabeth Thomas married Charles James at Leominster, Herefordshire on 26 Dec 1870. Their daughter Anne Maria James, born 27 Jan 1876, married Arthur James Wright at Tamworth, Staffordshire. In the 1901 census (Class: RG13; Piece: 2653; Folio: 52; Page: 9) Annie, Arthur, and their infant son Howard are living in Coventry Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire.

In the 1911 Census the family appears with postal address 3 Church View, Coventry Road, near Tamworth Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire. It is possible this is the same address, but given that they now have six children, it is possible that they are living in a larger house nearby to their 1901 address. Annie and Arthur are still living in Tamworth Road, Kingsbury in 1939, possibly in the same residence. Annie seems to have died in the October quarter of 1943.

So the postcard depicts Coventry Road, now Tamworth Road, Kingsbury, Warwickshire, and was sent to William Thomas by his niece, Annie Wright (nee James), daughter of William’s sister Mary. It was probably sent between 1900-1910, but possibly later.

 

Madame Camille Cornwell

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Camille Cornwell, The Sunday Sun, 16 May 1909

I wondered if Madame Camille Cornwell had any descendants who may have been interested in the transcription of Jessie Van Cooten’s journal of her lessons with Madame.  Quite a comprehensive picture of her adult life can be pieced together from Trove, although parts of it are quite enigmatic.

An initial search of Ancestry for “Camille Cornwell” revealed two residences in Queensland, and a marriage to Thomas Charles Jones in Brisbane on 17 March 1926, but no family tree connections. A search for “Camille Jones” lists a death in Brisbane on 30 Aug 1961, and shows parents as Alexander James Mitchell and Christina Cameron, but again no family tree connections. A search for “Camille Mitchell” revealed a marriage to Percy J Cornwell at Rockdale (New South Wales) in 1898, and 15 family tree connections, so it appears that she was born Camille Mitchell, and married twice. Inspection of these trees suggests that she doesn’t appear to have any direct descendants.

I contacted one user, who indicated she was researching the previous owner of a house in Maryborough, but had no familial connection. Other Ancestry members failed to respond to inquiries.

A Trove search yields a marriage notice, and suggests a US connection:

CORNWELL—MITCHELL.—June 19, 1898, at St. David’s Church, Arncliffe, by the Rev. Charles Byng, Percy John, eldest son of John Cornwell, Esq., of Sydney, to Camille May, only daughter of the late Alexander Mitchell, Esq., of Tuxon, (U.S.). No cards.1

I can’t find conclusive evidence of a presence in Australia before her marriage in 1898, but it is possible that she appears in a performance in Dapto in 1896 as Miss C. Mitchell.2 Nor can I find any definitive immigration evidence.

The first convincing mention of Camille Cornwell performing is with the Sydney Amateur Orchestral Society on 26 November 19023. She is then noted as singing in a Sydney Town Hall Organ recital on 13 June 19034, a Sydney recital on 27 July 1903 by Miss Muriel Stanley-Hall5, a Chamber Music concert of 26 August 19036, a benefit concert in the Rockdale Town Hall on 17 May 19047, and numerous other similar concerts in the Sydney area through to mid 1908. She performed in first season of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s8  initial incarnation9 where she is first noted as being a pupil of musician and artist Signor Arturo Steffani. At this time she starts advertising as a singing teacher10. From September to October 1908 she goes on a singing tour to Townsville and Charters Towers11, 12, 13.

From May 190914 to June 190915 she toured New Zealand with a vaudeville company of  entertainers, under Mr. Harry Rickards’s direction. This company was headed by the magician Chung Ling Soo.

Returning to Australia, Camille performed in several concerts in Newcastle, N.S.W., and also advertised tuition in Inverell16. In the first half of 1910 she performed in several Sydney concerts, and then toured with the Harry Rickards company at the Adelaide Tivoli17 at the end of 1910, and then through until mid 191218. She then disappeared from Trove newspapers until March 1915 when she appeared as a silent movie cinema accompanist in Bundaberg, Queensland.19.

An article introducing Camille Cornwell to the Bundaberg public says:

… in the person of Madame Camille Cornwell, we have a most gifted and experienced instructress in the divine art of song, who has appeared in classical opera and on the concert platform with over-whelming success in America as well as in Australia, and who possesses the very highest testimonials both as singer as as teacher20

She stayed in Bundaberg until October 1916, until ill health caused her to return to Sydney21.

Her husband, Percy, died suddenly in 1920:

The death occurred at the hospital at Bowral on Friday evening last of Mr Percy John Cornwell, a visitor to the town, who look ill suddenly at the railway station that morning, and was unconscious all day. He was 43 years of age, and was a married man without family. The remains were conveyed to Sydney for interment, Messrs J Beavan and Son having charge of the funeral arrangements at this end.22

In July 1920 Camille arrived in Maryborough, Queensland23 accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Richards. An article introducing her to the Maryborough community says:

Madame Cornwell has studied with many teachers of note, principally the renowned Signor Arturo Steffani, of whom she was the favourite pupil, and the only one to obtain the much coveted diploma of merit to teach. Madame Cornwell has appeared with marked success all over the Commonwealth and New Zealand and previous to the great war she fulfilled a two-years’ contract to sing in America, which was a great success and she returned to Australia in 1914.24

The detail of her contract in America explains the absence from the Australian newspapers. I’ve yet to locate any US newspaper reports of her tour. The Maryborough period is described in Jessie’s journal. She gave a number of public performances, as well as teaching. She left Maryborough for Brisbane after her farewell concert in November 192225, and she appeared to be teaching in Brisbane in 192326.

Camille married Thomas Charles Jones in Brisbane on 17 March 192627, 28. Her husband, nicknamed “Coffey”, appears to have been a rugby player of note29, and possibly worked in the Stores Section of the Brisbane City Council30. Named as Madame Camille Jones, Camille is promoted as demonstrating Beale Ampico reproducing pianos31 – see http://www.pianola.org/reproducing/reproducing_ampico.cfm. She disappears from Trove articles in mid-1926.

Her husband Thomas died in Brisbane on 27 March 193832, and Camille died in Brisbane in 196133. Camille’s mother Christina Richardson died in Brisbane in 194534.

The photo in this article is the only one that I have found, and accompanied an article advising of Camille’s New Zealand tour in 1909.35

  1. Family Notices (1898, July 16). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14143036
  2. CONCERT AT DAPTO. (1896, April 30). Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 – 1950), p. 2. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132295236
  3. AMATEUR ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. (1902, November 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 7. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14515859
  4. TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITALS. (1903, June 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14532489
  5. MISS MURIEL STANLEY-HALL’S RECITAL. (1903, July 28). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 – 1930), p. 7. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article237544235
  6. CHAMBER MUSIC. (1903, August 27). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 – 1931), p. 2. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115857740
  7. ARNCLIFFE AFFAIRS (1904, May 21). The St George Call (Kogarah, NSW : 1904 – 1957), p. 5. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209173013
  8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sydney_Symphony_Orchestra
  9. MUSIC AND DRAMA. (1908, July 18). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 13. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19518910
  10. Advertising (1908, July 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14991270
  11. The Bulletin, PUBLISHED DAILY. (1908, September 10). Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article59281924
  12. THE MISSES LEECH “AT HOME” TO MADAME CAMILLE CORNWELL. (1908, September 21). The Northern Miner (Charters Towers, Qld. : 1874 – 1954), p. 2. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article80298660
  13. OUR NEIGHBOURS. (1908, October 17). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 – 1939), p. 12. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23594221
  14. Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 123, 26 May 1909, Page 2, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19090526.2.11.7
  15. Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 145, 19 June 1909, Page 8, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19090619.2.55
  16. Advertising (1909, November 30). The Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 – 1907, 1909 – 1954), p. 1. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article184469580
  17. Advertising (1910, November 17). The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 – 1931), p. 2. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5210329
  18. TIVOLI THEATRE. (1912, July 17). Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), p. 9. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124831137
  19. TIVOLI THEATRE. (1912, July 17). Daily Herald (Adelaide, SA : 1910 – 1924), p. 9. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124831137
  20. VOICE PRODUCTION (1915, May 11). The Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1892 – 1917), p. 3. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216926296
  21. THE PICTURES. (1916, October 19). The Bundaberg Mail and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1892 – 1917), p. 3. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216891544
  22. Obituary. (1920, March 5). Robertson Advocate (NSW : 1894 – 1923), p. 2. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120014247
  23. PERSONAL. (1920, July 26). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 6. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151521868
  24. ENTERTAINMENTS. (1921, June 1). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 2. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151628541
  25. MADAME CAMILLE CORNWELL. (1922, November 22). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 4. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151743137
  26. SOCIAL (1923, February 7). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 4. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151288424
  27. Queensland Historic Births, Marriages, Deaths, https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au, Reference: 1926/B/39341
  28. Family Notices (1940, March 27). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 20. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40873799
  29. What SPORTSMEN (1938, April 7). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 16. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article39732311
  30. Family Notices (1940, March 27). The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 – 1954), p. 20. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40873799
  31. VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL. (1928, September 19). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 20. Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article21345383
  32. Queensland Historic Births, Marriages, Deaths, https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au, Reference: 1938/B/39042
  33. Queensland Historic Births, Marriages, Deaths, https://www.familyhistory.bdm.qld.gov.au, Reference: 1961/B/46646
  34. Family Notices (1945, September 20). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), p. 4 (CITY FINAL LAST MINUTE NEWS). Retrieved March 29, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article188753736
  35. No title (1909, May 16). The Sunday Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1903 – 1910), p. 1. Retrieved February 17, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article227023150

Jessie Miriam Van Cooten

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Jessie Van Cooten 1913

Jessie Miriam Van Cooten was born in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, on 30 December 1890. She was the youngest daughter of John Hughes Van Cooten and Elizabeth (nee Berry).

John Hughes Van Cooten arrived in Brisbane aboard the “Indus” on 20 December 1874 at the age of 19. He worked for a short while as a shop assistant. He married Elizabeth Berry on 22 July 1880 at her father William Berry’s residence in Ipswich.

By the time of Jessie’s birth, John was working as a traveler for the Ipswich Woolen Mills. This work took him up and down the Queensland coast by ship. The family was living at 3 or 4 Park St, Ipswich, and was active in the Ipswich Central Congregational Church.

Jessie was musical from a young age. A report of the Congregation Sunday School anniversary in 18971 notes the almost seven year old Jessie as contributing a solo part to the item “A Little Christian Pilgrim.”

Jessie attended West Ipswich Primary School, and received a prize for “tables” in class II in 18982. This would have been a sad time for the family, as Jessie’s four-year-old brother Leonard died suddenly of sun stroke after attending an Ipswich Congregational Church picnic.3

The family moved from Ipswich to Maryborough at the end of 1899. John Hughes entered into a partnership with Fenwick White to carry on business at the Adelaide Street, Maryborough, premises of White Bros. I don’t know how this arrangement was established, but it must have been a more settled life.

Birthday book entry

The family was actively involved in the Maryborough Congregational Church in Alice Street, and also in the temperance movement. Jessie received Sunday School prizes, and performed at Sunday School and church functions5. Jessie’s birthday book entry for 3 March 1905 indicates that she contracted polio.

John Hughes Van Cooten seems to have been managing White Bros. store in Biggenden in 19016, but the partnership dissolved in 19047. He seemed to have a short-lived involvement in a boot-making enterprise in 19058, and then became Maryborough agent for the General Accident Assurance Corporation Limited9. By October 1906 he has purchased the business of Mr. H. J. Stoodley in North Ipswich, and the family return there to live.10

Jessie resumes her involvement with the Congregational Church, this time the North Ipswich Congregational Church in Downs St, presumably not far from where the family store and house were. She is active in the Christian Endeavour11, sang at Sunday School Anniversary concerts12, and was organist at Sunday School Anniversary services13 and weddings14.

“The Pines”, Maryborough

By May 1912, the family was on the move back to Maryborough. John Hughes Van Cooten once more entered into partnership with Mr. F. White, in the general store business at Howard. The family lived at “The Pines”, corner of Howard and Tooley Streets, Maryborough. This property had been purchased in late 1899 coinciding with the first venture to Maryborough. Jessie reconnects with the Maryborough Congregational Church, but also sings at the Fort Street Baptist Church15, and is active in the Maryborough Sunday School Union16 and Congregational Church Sunday School17.

In 1922 Jessie is noted as being a performer at a concert arranged by Madame Camille Cornwell18. When exploring old family documents handed down over the past years, we discovered a note pad of Jessie’s, full of cuttings and poems, but also a journal of her singing lessons with Madame Cornwell. My mother, Merle, has transcribed these notes, and they make fascination reading.

My father, Graham, recalls that Jessie had an office on the verandah of “The Pines”, and used to do the books for the Van Cooten and Sons in Howard, and also his own father’s business in Maryborough in the 1930s. She would slowly walk the 800m to the shop in North Street (corner of North and Tooley), sometimes aided by her sister, Maggie, or one of Graham’s parents

In later life, as care needs grew, “The Pines” was sold and Jessie moved into a home in Brisbane run by the Assemblies of God, named “Beth Eden”. It was a lovely gracious old property on the banks of the Brisbane River. She initially had a hostel room, but then the time came when she needed to move to nursing care. She passed away in 1972.

 

  1. Central Congregational Sunday-School. (1897, November 9). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 6. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125039411
  2. WEST IPSWICH (GIRLS’). (1898, December 17). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 5. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123595628
  3. DEATH FROM SUNSTROKE. (1898, November 15). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 4. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article123594322
  5. GENERAL NEWS. (1905, October 11). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148672374[.efn_note]. Jessie attended Maryborough Central Girls’ School, winning prizes for attendance, and also for exercise4BREAK UP OF STATE SCHOOLS. (1902, December 13). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148179029
  6. Advertising (1901, October 3). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 3. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148164262
  7. Advertising (1904, September 10). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 3. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148492941
  8. Advertising (1905, January 11). The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 – 1947), p. 10 (SECOND EDITION). Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174356702
  9. No title (1906, February 24). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 2. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article148452279
  10. Advertising (1906, October 27). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 1. Retrieved February 20, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article124384870
  11. CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR SOCIETY. (1909, January 15). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 4 (DAILY). Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111618226
  12. IPSWICH AND WEST MORETON (1910, October 31). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 – 1933), p. 5. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19670704
  13. Anniversary Services. (1911, October 30). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 5 (DAILY). Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112050138
  14. Orange Blossoms. (1911, November 7). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 6 (DAILY). Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112043650
  15. BAPTIST CHURCH, (1913, October 6). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 5. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150573029
  16. GENERAL NEWS. (1915, October 4). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 6. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article150950107
  17. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. (1919, October 24). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 4. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article152597877
  18. CONCERT AND ENTERTAINMENT. (1922, September 1). Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 – 1947), p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article151745050

William Berry Photograph

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I’ve had an autosomal DNA test on Ancestry since 2019, although I tested earlier with FamilytreeDNA and the Geneographic Project.

I find the Ancestry ThruLines feature very useful in exploring matches, and I’ve been gradually trying to confirm the relationships and link the matches into my tree. It was a ThruLines connection that suggested that William and Margaret Berry (nee Greig) may have been accompanied to Australia by William’s sister Barbara. I reached out to Barbara’s descendant, who kindly replied, and I also explored the Hints for William Berry. One of these was a photo of a William Berry. I contacted the submitter of the photo, Lis Dempster, and she confirmed that she was a descendant of Barbara Berry,

Lis very graciously sent me a higher quality copy of the photo, and also the accompanying letter, transcribed below.

Burnett St. Ipswich 30/8/82
Mrs. W. Biddels
Dear Madam
I duly received yours of Decr. last and felt interested in your Narrative there are often many ups and downs in a lifetime & the early part of yours has not been an exception. I hope you are in better health than when you wrote & that husband & family are all well. When we enjoy this blessing we have heart to Brave trials that we think insurmountable – may you enjoy the fortitude not only to bear patiently present trials but to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling, striving to bring up yours in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
The power of Sir Henry has brought your country under the notice of the world – his has been an eventful life and I reckon he is as poor as a church mouse as the saying is he nevertheless stands before kings and not before mean men.
I have been rather poorly lately but am pretty well again. I cannot expect robust health after 72 years I have had the alloted span, many and good days, many & great mercies and blessings which I cannot recount.
William has not wholly recovered yet he had to leave the Grammar School. He is secretary to our gas company. He has also taken his degree of M.A. We are all ploding along after a few unpropitious years but we must hope on. I have nothing particular to relate. We have had no news from Abdn. lately. I enclose my Photo. to show what I am like-it is a month old. Please show it to your mother. Give her my best respects. Her brother and sister would be glad to hear from her if she would condescend to write.
Wishing best blessings to you all
I remain your affectionate uncle
Wm. Berry.

William dies on 18 April 1887, so this letter is written just under five years before his death.

Mrs. W. Biddels is Barbara McKenzie Biddles (nee Munro), who married William Biddles on 15 August 1872 in Sydney, New South Wales. Barbara was the daughter of William Berry’s sister Barbara, who married William Munro on 3 August 1848 in Sydney, New South Wales.

The other William mentioned is his son, who died in 1884 at the age of 35. William, junr., was academically gifted, was one of the first pupils at Ipswich Grammar School, and became a staff member there. He obtained a B.A., and then M.A., from the University of Sydney, but suffered from ill-health.

William Berry, senior, clearly has contact with his family back in Aberdeen, and the brother and sisters referred to are likely to include John, Elspet, Isobel, and Jean.

The Sir Henry referred to is Sir Henry Parkes, father of Australian federation.

 

John Attrill Van Cooten

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A recent blog posting I came across recently listed some sources of free online genealogy and history books. I had a search for “Van Cooten” at The Digital Public Library of America and came across this cartoon contained within the 29 November 1917 copy of the “The “Oo La La” Times” – a field publication of the 17th U.S. Engineers in France. This is contained in the Princeton University Posters Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History catalogued by the Smithsonian Institution.

Consulting my research, I determined that this must have been drawn by John Atrill Van Cooten, whose Declaration of Intent to become a US citizen dated 23 May 1917 states that he is a Commercial Artist. This Declaration stated that he had been living in the US since 1914, and was obviously part of the process of volunteering to serve with the US forces in WWI. John’s service abstract indicates that he enlisted in ERC (Enlisted Reserve Corps), Company B, 17 Reserve Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee on 23 May 1917, served overseas from 25 Jul 1917 to 25 Mar 1919, and was discharged 11 Apr 1919, having been promoted to Corporal. He wasn’t fully naturalized until 30 June 1943.

William Berry origins

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William Berry is a very common name, and at first glance we have very few clues as to his origin in Scotland. His death certificate says that he was born in Burse, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and that his father’s name was William. There is no origin on the immigration details. The marriage register entry suggests that he has a relative, John Berry, Wright in Durris.

William’s obituary1 enlightens us little:

Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), Tuesday 19 April 1887, page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS It is with regret that we record the death of Mr. W. Berry, sen., who died very suddenly of appoplexy at his residence, Denmark Hill, at half-past 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Mr. Berry had been ailing for some time past, and was rather feeble, being in his seventy-seventh year. Still, with the aid of walking sticks, he was able to walk a considerable distance, and his sudden decease was not expected by those who saw him in Brisbane-street a few days ago. However, yesterday afternoon, while sitting on his back steps he suddenly fell backwards, apparently in a fit. Mrs. Berry, who happened to be close by at the time, at once came to his aid, as did also a neighbour, who carried him inside the house. All present instinctively felt that the hour of death had come, and when Dr. Von Lossberg arrived, about five minutes later, he entered a home of mourning. Mr. Berry was a native of Aberdeenshire, in Scotland, and had been a colonist of forty years’ standing, having, during the whole of that time, been engaged in the grazing and dairying business, mostly in the vicinity of Ipswich. He and his good lady have brought up a large family, six of whom, with a widowed mother, are left to lament their loss, though, fortunately, they are all adults, and they are not sources of anxiety to their remaining parent. Mr. Berry’s funeral takes place to-day, and, being an old and respected resident, there will, doubtless, be a large gathering of sorrowing friends and acquaintances to assist at the last sad rites.

EXCEPT: The death of John Berry in Scotland2 is reported in the Queensland Times,

DEATHS. On the 19th May, at Springburn, Kintore, Scotland, John Berry, formerly of Crossroads, Durris, only brother of the late William Berry, of Ipswich, Queensland, aged 79 years.

only six weeks after William’s death, and Williams obituary, with the addition of

We may add that Mr Berry was born at Mill of Blelack, Logie-Coldstone, and went to Australia on his marriage day over 40 years ago. It was his brother, Mr John Berry, late of Cross Roads, Durris, whose death was reported only six weeks ago.

is reported in the Aberdeenshire Aberdeen Press and Journal3. We now have a connection for William in Scotland. A search of ScotlandsPeople gives4:

May 20th 1810
Berry: William Berry in Mill of Blelack by his wife Jean Masson had a son baptized named William

and5

Oct 9th 1808
Berry: William Berry in Mill of Blelack, by his wife Jean Masson, had a son baptized & named John

and6

1807-8
William Berry in Mill of Blalack & Jean Masson in Collurdon both in this Parish having contracted in order for marriage & consigned pledges hereto were proclaimed on the 20th and 27th of Decr. 1807 & married after sermon.

and the following baptisms:

BERRY
JOHN
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON FR104 (FR104)
M
09/10/1808
217
10 / 96
LOGIE COLDSTONE
BERRY
WILLIAM
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON FR106 (FR106)
M
20/05/1810
217
10 / 98
LOGIE COLDSTONE
BERRY
BARBARA
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON FR119 (FR119)
F
07/05/1815
217
10 / 111
LOGIE COLDSTONE
BERRY
ELSPET
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON FR113 (FR113)
F
25/01/1813
217
10 / 105
LOGIE COLDSTONE
BERRY
ISOBEL
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON FR124 (FR124)
F
02/06/1817
217
10 / 116
LOGIE COLDSTONE
BERRY
JEAN
WILLIAM BERRY/JEAN MASSON
F
30/09/1821
217
40 / 7
LOGIE COLDSTONE

 

At this point I need some more definite information to be able to find birth or baptism information for William and Jean.

  1. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (1887, April 19). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122821257
  2. Family Notices (1887, July 14). Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1908), p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122821669
  3. “Death of Aberdeenshire Man in Australia,” 5 Jul 1887, Aberdeen Press and Journal, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
  4. BERRY, WILLIAM (Old Parish Registers Births 217/ 10 98 Logie Coldstone) Page 98 of 120 20/05/1810
  5. Scotland Old Parish Registers Births 217/ 10 96 Logie Coldstone Page 96 of 120
  6. 1807 BERRY, WILLIAM (Old Parish Registers Marriages 217/ Logie Coldstone) Page 208 of 247

William and Margaret Berry

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I referred in an earlier post to the sale of the Berry House.

Elizabeth Berry married John Hughes Van Cooten at her father’s residence, Berry House, Ipswich, on 22 Jul 18801. The marriage certificate lists her parents as being William Berry, Farmer, and Margaret nee Greig.

In a newspaper article in 19092 Margaret reflects on her life in Australia.

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), Friday 9 April 1909, page 2

Glimpses of Early Ipswich.
OLD PLACE AND INCIDENTS.
LINKS WITH THE PAST.
1909 THE JUBILEE OF QUEENSLAND.
THE PIONEER FEMALE RESIDENT OF IPSWICH.
MRS. WM. BERRY, OF “BERRY’S HILL.” BURNETT-STREET.

…
Anent pioneer female residents, one of the oldest—if not, indeed, the oldest—is Mrs. William Berry (relict of the late Mr. William Berry), of “Berry’s Hill,” Burnett-street, who has resided continuously in Ipswich for 62 years, she, with her husband, having arrived here on the 8th of April, 1847. She is now in the 89th year of her age. Always a homely-inclined woman, Mrs. Berry never moved in public life : hence, I suppose—to a large extent, at any rate±is her presence being overlooked. Still, her name will always be an honoured one, from the fact that she was the parent of that brilliant Ipswich Grammar School scholar, the late Mr. William Berry, M.A., who was one of the first 19 pupils to attend that school, in 1863, and who, under the guidance of the late Mr. Stuart Hawthorne, M.A. (the first head master of the Ipswich Grammar School, gained the highest honours attainable up to 1866, and was “dux” of that institution. Here it might be stated that the four scholarships awarded, at the first examinations held, in February of 1864, in connection with the Ipswich Grammar School, were obtained by William Berry and T. B. Cribb (equal), Michael Connor, Francis Ewen Forbes, and Edward King Ogg. As regards Mr. and Mrs. William Berry, however, this worthy Scotch couple (just after their marriage) left Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on the 10th of October, 1846, the minister of the Church (the Rev. Robert Sedgewitch) in which they were joined in matrimony giving them a reference to the effect that they were leaving Aberdeen with “an unblemished reputation.” Mrs. Berry’s maiden name was Margaret Greig. Another unique document in the possession of Mrs. Berry is the receipt, signed by one David Moore, of the money paid for a passage to Port Jackson (Sydney), on which is an embossed duty-stamp, bearing the figures ’46. They sailed for their destination over seas in the ship Fifeshire (Captain Punchard) on the 15th October, 1846. The voyage to Sydney, a very rough one, occupied between four and five months. The Fifeshire was a cargo-boat, and among the few passengers on board—other than Mr. and Mrs. Berry—were two brothers of the name of Broughton, one of whom (Mr. Alfred Delves Broughton) subsequently came on to Moreton Bay and, at a later period, settled in Ipswich, having been the head of the firm of Messrs. Broughton, Fattorini, and Co. ; he was also one of the first members of Parliament to represent West Moreton in 1860. On their arrival in Port Jackson, Mr. Berry, after having a brief look round, decided upon exploring still further “fresh fields and pastures new.” Moreton Bay was the chief topic of conversation in Sydney in those days, and to that destination Mr. Berry, accompanied by his wife, steeered his barque—or, rather, they journeyed to Brisbane in one of the then small steamers which ran between Sydney and Moreton Bay, the name of which vessel Mrs. Berry could not recall to memory. This she does recollect—that, on their arrival in Brisbane the story of the wreck of the steamer Sovereign, in Moreton Bay, was on everybody’s lips, the lamentable incident having occurred on the 11th of March, 1847. This event was indelibly impressed on Mrs. Berry’s memory owing to the fact that the small steamer in which she and her husband had journeyed to Brisbane experienced a terribly rough run to Moreton Bay, the voyage lasting nearly five days. Now the distance can be accomplished in 36 hours! Among their fellow-passengers from Sydney were Messrs. Gould and Munroe, who, subsequently coming on to Ipswich, were the contractors who erected the original stores, for Messrs. Walter Gray and Co., at the corner of Bell and Bremer Streets (the site, now, of the Central Girls’ State School). After a brief stay in Brisbane Mr. and Mrs. Berry came on to Ipswich in the old steamer Experiment, and landed, as stated above, on the 8th of April, 1847, that date being written in their family Bible. Their first place of residence in Ipswich was in a small cottage, in Bell-street, owned by the late Mr. John (“Schemer”) Smith. The date of the birth of their eldest son, William, is recorded as June 23, 1848.

Their place of residence, then, was in Limestone-street, almost on the site of the gateway leading to Mr. F. B. Stephens’s smithy, and Mr. and Mrs. Berry resided in one-half of a house occupied and owned by the late Mr. Michael Christie (an old identity—the individual, it is said, who lifted the late Hon. Geo. Thorn, when an infant, out of the punt which brought the Thorn family to “Limestone” in 1838) ; the Christie family are still represented in the locality of Upper Bundanba. The parents of the late Mr. John Kelly (who, on Tuesday last, so suddenly collapsed within a few hundred yards of the spot where he was born 63 years ago) were likewise residents of that locality in 1848, and had been so for some time previously. The parents of Mr. Michael M’Analen, of Warwick-road, also resided in the same vicinity at a later period—about 1849. Mr. Berry, however, subsequently removed to a site in Limestone-street about where the Baptist Sunday-School, is, having as a near neighbour the family of the late Mr. Michael M’Analen. Eventually Mr. Berry settled on the hill that now bears his name, junctioning with Lime-stone, Burnett, and Omar Streets, where Mrs. Berry has resided for quite 60 years. Ever an energetic and hard-working, but nevertheless an independent, man, Mr. Berry followed many occupations—contractor, timber-getter, dairying, cotton-growing, and farming. His taffy-pair of horses were identities during his career as a contractor, and one of his earliest experiences in that line of business was in building a wharf-shed for Messrs. Walter Gray and Co., when down came the Bremer River “a banker,” roaring and foaming at the speed of 60 knots an hour. Everything was swept away, Mr. Berry’s time, in that instance, being all lost. Oh, those periodical Bremer River “bankers,” following pluvial precipitation! How would a “banker” do just now? The vicinity of Berry’s Hill was, of course, all bush then. As a grower of cotton, “the staple of which is the only flower born in the shuttle of a sunbeam, and dies in a loom.” Mr. Berry owned and worked a farm beyond the Ipswich Cemetery. Here, again, he was a neighbour of the M’Analen family. After a plodding career of 40 years in Ipswich, Mr. Berry died at his residence, in Burnett-street, on the 18th of April, 1887, at the ripe age of 77. His brilliant eldest son, Mr. William Berry, predeceased him, the bright career of the latter having been cut off on the 5th of January, 1884. The last-named gentleman graduated, with honours, as B.A. of the Sydney University in 1880, and as M.A. in 1881. After leaving the Grammar School, however, he entered the service of the Board of General Education ; he subsequently engaged in Press-work on the Brisbane “Telegraph,” and then accepted the position of second master in the school in which he had so greatly distinguished himself as a pupil. This was during the regime of Mr. Donald Cameron, M.A. Hard study and partial loss of voice compelled Mr. Berry to relinquish tutorial duties, and he then accepted the position of secretary to the Ipswich Gas and Coke Company. Death claimed him, on the date given above, after a protracted illness. His son, Percy, survives him, and is engaged in the pearl-shelling industry in the Northern seas. Another five sons and three daughters, with Mrs. Berry, survive the late Mr. William Berry, sen. Two of the sons are well-known in our midst—Mr. Alec Berry, guard on the Brisbane-Ipswich Railway, and Mr. John Berry, of the Ipswich Post-Office. Two of the daughters are married—Mrs. Charles Wilson, now of Rockhampton, her husband being widely known in this district, he having been engaged in the pastoral industry nearly all his life; and Mrs. J. H. Van Cooten, of North Ipswich, Mr. J. H. Van Cooten being likewise favourably known in Ipswich. Miss Berry—a very active worker in the Congregational Church, was for years connected with the West Ipswich Church as organist and Sunday-School teacher—has the care of her aged mother.

Although much of this information can be corroborated, I suspect that the passage of time has clouded some memories.

William and Margaret were married on 10 October 1846:

After due proclamation of banns, William Berry, Woodsawyer in Aberdeen was, on the Tenth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty six years, married at Aberdeen to Margaret Greig there, Daughter of Alexander Greig, Farm Labourer, Parish of New Machar by the Reverend Robert Sedgwick, Minister of the Belmont Street Secession Church, Aberdeen.
In presence of the witnesses: Alexander Clark, Officer, New Market Aberdeen, and John Berry, Wright in Durris.3

The mention of Alfred Delves Broughton seems inconsistent. The arrival of the Fifeshire in Sydney is variously reported, for instance

March 21.— Fifeshire, ship, 472 tons, Captain Punchard, from London, having left the Downs the 25th October. Passengers — Mr. and Mrs. Berry, Miss Berry, Mr. Foster, Mr. Carter, Mr. Walker, Mr. Caruthers, and Mr. Belvidere.4.

but no passenger by the name of Broughton is listed. Curiously, no mention is made in the memoir of a Miss Berry, who I presume to to be William’s sister Barbara. Alfred Delves Broughton seems to have been active in New South Wales, being appointed Clerk of Petty Sessions in 1851, and appointed to be clerk to the Assistant Commissioner of Crown Lands at Sofala, but doesn’t appear to be active in Queensland until 1857, although marrying in Sydney on 23 March 1858.

The wreck of the steamer Sovereign took place on 11 March 18475 which would seem to correspond to the Berry’s arrival in Port Jackson, rather than in Brisbane. The 8th of April, 1847 was a Thursday. The steamer Experiment was advertised to be running from Brisbane on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from Ipswich every alternate morning6, so this date recollection is slightly inconsistent.

William Berry’s birth on June 23, 1848 does not seem to have been officially registered.

  1. “Marriage of John Hughes Van Cooten to Elizabeth Berry,” 22 Jul 1880, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia, Queensland BMD source image, VAN1880002.
  2. Glimpses of Early Ipswich. (1909, April 9). Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 – 1954), p. 2 (DAILY). Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111613262
  3. “Marriage of William Berry to Margaret Greig,” Aberdeen, Scotland, 10 Oct 1846, Downloaded from Scotlands People 7 Mar 2017
  4. ARRIVALS. (1847, March 27). The Shipping Gazette and Sydney General Trade List (NSW : 1844 – 1860), p. 434. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161166980
  5. THE Moreton Bay Courier. (1847, March 13). The Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 – 1861), p. 2. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3714205
  6. Classified Advertising (1847, April 24). The Moreton Bay Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1846 – 1861), p. 1. Retrieved January 2, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3716276

Henry William Hewes

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In an earlier post I mentioned that I had lost track of Emma Hewes‘ first husband Henry William Hewes.

Subsequent research revealed that he had been a baker or confectioner, had become bankrupt in 1848, and died in 1858. Ancestry suggested a few hints today which seem to have filled in this gap, and possibly explained how Emma Hewes and her family came to be living in Oxford.

Henry appears in the 1841 census1 in the household of Elizabeth Braggs:

High Street, Colchester, Essex, England
Elizabeth Braggs, Female, 35, Confectioner, Not Essex
Matilda Simpson, Female, 15, ?, Essex
Henry Hewes, Male, 20, Baker, Essex
Elias Taylor, Male, 15, Baker, Not Essex
Sarah Pullin, Female, 15, ?, Not Essex

Elizabeth is probably the wife of William Braggs, who appears in Pigot’s directory of 1823-24, and whose death is recorded in Colchester in 1850.

Henry, of full age, bachelor, baker, son of Stephen Hewes, marries Emma Griggs, of full age, spinster, daughter of John Griggs, at Holy Trinity, Colchester, Essex, England on 19 May 1844.2

Henry William Hewes is listed as both a confection and a baker and flour dealer in White’s Directory of Essex in 18483.

Henry is listed as bankrupt in 18484, but declares a dividend5.

He is listed as a Baker and Confectioner in the 1851 Post Office Directory for Essex at 28 Head St, Colchester, Essex, England.

Henry is listed in the household of Catherine Horn, in Oxford, in the 1851 census6.

Household at 15 Corn Market St, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Catherine Horn, Head, W, F, 61, Confectioner employing 4 men and 1 boy, Oxford
John Horn, Son, U, M, 32, Hatter, Oxford
Edward Horn, Son, U, M, 30, Confectioner, Oxford
Mary M. Horn, Daughter, U, F, 26, Assistant, Oxford
William H. Horn, Son, U, M, 20, Cook, Oxford
Thomas R. Bolton, Grand Son, U, M, 21, Surgeons Assistant, Oxford
Elizabeth Millson, Serv., U, F, 23, House Servant, Berks. Staniford
Henry Hewes, Serv., Mar, M, 29, Confectioner, Essex Colchester
John Phillips, Serv., U, M, 26, Baker, Oxon. Barton
Charles Fox, Serv., U, M, 20, Baker, Oxon. Aston.

More details of 15 Corn Market St, Oxford

It is possible that Henry found work in Oxford as a solution to his financial difficulties, or to establish a new reputation. His wife Emma, and their four children, are living with her mother, Margaret, at Eld Lane, Colchester, in the 1851 census. Presumably Henry has recently moved to Oxford, and Emma and the children at some point after March 1851 follow him to Oxford. This explains Emma’s presence in Oxford in the 1861 census.

The death on “June 20, in London, aged 40 years, Mr. Henry Hewes, late of 4 Head Street, Colchester, baker” is reported in The Essex Standard, and General Advertiser for the Eastern Counties 2 Jul 1858.

 

  1. “England and Wales Census, 1841,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ2F-PYB : 6 March 2021), Henry Hewes in household of Elizabeth Braggs, Harwich St Nicholas, Essex, England, United Kingdom; from “1841 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
  2. Marriage of Henry Hewes to Emma Griggs, 19-May-1844, Holy Trinity Parish Church, Colchester, Essex, England, UK General Register Office.
  3. https://historyhouse.co.uk/placeC/essexc14f.html
  4. “The Jurist vol XII Part II 1848” page 318 – http://books.google.com.au/books?id=SkowAAAAIAAJ
  5. “The Sheffield & Rotherham Independent”, 17 Aug 1850
  6. “England and Wales Census, 1851,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGX9-21G : 9 November 2019), Henry Hewes, St Michael, Oxfordshire, England; citing St Michael, Oxfordshire, England, p. 2, from “1851 England, Scotland and Wales census,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

Hewes family update

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I posted some years ago on John Lucius Van Cooten‘s partner Emma:

 

A lot has happened since then. Building on information supplied by descendants of Margaret Hughes Van Cooten I have been able to extend the family tree for her descendants.

The advent of DNA testing has introduced the ability to match the genetic tree with the genealogical tree. In this case, there are good matches between John Hughes Van Cooten’s descendants and those of Margaret Hughes. This confirms that they are siblings. A match with a descendant of John and Margaret’s half-brother John Rhodolphus Van Cooten confirms their relationship as being descendants of John Lucius Van Cooten.

I’ve yet to identify a match with descendants of Emma through her first husband Henry William Hewes.

Book: White Debt

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White DebtI was surprised, and intrigued, to be contacted in 2019 by Thomas Harding, who had come across the transcripts of the John Smith diaries that had been transcribed by my parents Graham and Merle Van Cooten, and was interested in the 1823 rebellion, particularly from the perspective of Jack Gladstone.

I had relatively recently read Thomas’s book “The house by the lake”, which tells the story of a summer house by a picturesque lake near Berlin, and the family stories of its various residents during the mostly turbulent time post the Great War. Intertwined with these stories is that of the Thomas’s quest to save the house from demolition, and also to discover more about his own family history. I had found the book thoroughly engrossing read, well researched, and a timely reminder of the need for generous relating between diverse cultures.

In conversing with Thomas I learned that he had finished writing “Legacy: One Family, a Cup of Tea and the Company that Took On the World” and it was in the process of publication. “Legacy” explores Thomas’s maternal line including the history of the J. Lyons & Co. catering empire, and the source of some of the family’s wealth in the tobacco fields of Virginia, and the labour of enslaved people.

Thomas had come across the events of the 1823 rebellion in Demerara (the subject of “Crowns of Glory, Tears of Blood“) and was interested in exploring the account from the perspective of enslaved peoples, particularly focusing on person of Jack Gladstone, and also engaging in the developing conversation around the decolonisation, the impact of enslavement and colonisation on present-day cultures, and the need for apology and reparations. Thomas was keen to understand the attitudes and perspectives of the descendants of slave owners to the actions of their forebears. Thomas interviewed my father, Graham. I was able to contribute to some of the research Thomas needed, and put him in contact with a number of relevant researchers and descendants of slave-owners.

The writing of “White Debt” occurs in the context of “Black Lives Matter” and a re-examination of colonial history. In the introduction Thomas writes “I hope that by the final chapters you will agree that considerable harm has been done, that a debt is indeed owed. The question then becomes, who caused this harm and who should bear the cost of restitution? … it became obvious to  me that I had to give a name to those primarily responsible: White people.”

This book interweaves the story of enslaved people attempting to achieve their emancipation, Thomas’s own process of grappling with his own family’s history, and the story of people living out the impact of colonisation and enslavement on their own personal family history and circumstances.

The celebration of the anti-slavery movement has obscured the silencing of the history of cruelty, exploitation and oppression manifested in the Caribbean. As a descendant of slave owners and colonists I am personally challenged by this story, and what steps I can or should take in the process of acknowledgement, apology, and restitution. It also causes me to reflect on the impact of colonisation of the indigenous people of this country now known as Australia. My father, quoted in Thomas’s book, said “We can’t turn the clock back. It would be almost impossible to remedy the situation lost in history. We should find out the facts of the matter and make sure we learn from our mistakes and create a better world.” I agree.