Samuel KEEN b.05 Dec 1818 Sth. Molton Devon England d. 21 Jun 1871 Middleton Goolwa South Australia m. 06 Sep 1852 Chatham Nth. Devon England Sally INGERSON b. 10 Jan 1821 Barnstable Devon England d. 20 Feb 1906 Brompton South Australia.
7 children.
After his father's and brothers deaths at sea in 1823 Samuel and his mother were relegated to the poor house. They depended on Lord Fortescue of Castle Hill for money and coal. Evevidently they were in residence on the estate at Castle Hill and Samuel at the age of 6 was taken as a page boy to live at the manor. He subsequently became a footman and eventually a butler.
At this time he offered himself for the ministry and the Earl offered him a post with the Dowager Lady Fortescue at Weare Gifford near Bidford where he was able to study for the ministry as well as being employed by the Dowager. He also, as time permitted, preached at the local village on Sunday evenings.
At his own expense he spent half a year at Shebbear College and was instructed in theology by James Thorn. In 1848 he was received on trial to the ministry and was placed at South Devon Mission for two years. With further study, including a homeopathic course, he was accepted into full Connexion in 1852 and sent as a missionary to South Australia with an annual salary of 14 pounds. Before sailing he married Sally Ingerson and they departed on the "Lord Delaval" arriving in Melbourne Victoria in February 1853. He served for 19 years in South Australia, building churches and forming congregations.
Parents :
George KEEN and Prudence ?
A sailor who last sailed from Plymouth in 1823 with his sons ( except 5 year old Samuel) to Africa to obtain timber. He was never heard from again and is assumed to have been ship wrecked. His pennyless wife and son were relegated to the poor house as was the custom and depended on Lord Fortescue for money and coal.
William INGERSON 1794 - 1876 and Leticia SKINNER (They had 8 Children)
I have data on the Keen decendents in Australia.
Would like to find out about the sailor and his other sons.