Julie07 on Family Tree Circles

CHARLES PITMAN was son of William Pitman and Mary nee Raison of South Petherton.
Charles Pitman born abt 1799 and christened in 1800 at South Petherton. He married Martha Paul, daughter of William Paul and his wife, Elizabeth. Martha born abt 1799 at possibly Martock. She was christened at Martock on 7th January 1799. William Paul was later the South Petherton Constable. Both William and Eizabeth Paul were deceased before 1853, according to Martha?s immigration records when she and Charles sailed to Australia in 1853.
Charles was a carpenter by trade.
The following transcriptions of SS Peter and Paul parish records show:
Born to Charles Pitman and Martha:-
Leah Baptised 3rd November 1824 at South Petherton.
Migrated to Australia. Married Joseph Hull in Parramatta, NSW, Australia in 1856.
Eliza Baptised 29 August 1827 at South Petherton. Born about March 1826.
Married Henry Griffen at South Petherton on 21st August 1848, and migrated to Australia.
William Baptised 29 August 1827 at South Petherton. Born 5th August 1827.
Migrated to Australia. May have married Cathrine Calder in Sydney, Australia in 1854.
Ann Baptised 25 November 1830 at South Petherton. Born 29th August 1830.
& possibly Ebenezer born about 1825. (Ebenezer was in 1841 census records. Have not found him again).
& possibly Charles who born April 8th 1840,and christened April 16th
1840 and died South Petherton on 22nd April 1840 age 10 days. Transcripts say he was born to Charles and Leah Pitman. This possibly should have been Martha.

1841 census sees Charles and Martha Pitman living at Whitehall Street, Yeovil, Somerset. Very near the town of South Petherton. They are with their daughter, Ann, age 9 years. Charles is a carpenter.
1850 Directory of South Petherton and Martock shows Charles Pitman as a carpenter.
1851 census sees Charles and Martha Pitman living in South Petherton with Leah and Ann, their daughters. And Benjamin Pitman, age 5, Charles grandson. We later find he was born to Leah.
Charles Pitman and his wife, Martha left England for Australia in 1853. Their son, William, and daughter, Eliza were already in Australia. Charles and Martha took Leah with them, and Leah?s son, Benjamin.

Charles and Martha, with daughter, Leah, and grandson, Benjamin, sailed on the ship "Talavera" from Southampton, England on 1st June 1853 to New South Wales, Australia. Arrived 25th August 1853.
Film number 2465

Ship?s records contain the following information:

Charles Pitman age 50 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: William & Mary, both deceased. Church of England.
Occupation: Carpenter. Can read & write. In good health.

Martha Pitman age 50 Born Martock, Somerset.
Parents: William & Elizabeth, both deceased. Church of England.
Wife of Charles. Can read & write. In good health.

Leah Pitman age 27 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: Charles & Martha, both on board ship. Church of England.
Occupation: Domestic Servant. Can read & write. In good health.

Benjamin Pitman age 7 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: on board ship. Church of England.

Notes on the family:
Have a son, William, & daughter, Eliza, both living at Woolomooloo, NSW. Son, William Pitman paid 34 pounds for travel cost under the ??? regulations.

As inspected by Immigration Board September 1853.

The ship was released from quarantine following inspection on 6th September 1853.

Charles died about 1876 in Dubbo, NSW, Australia.

History of Eliza PITMAN

This is the information I have on Eliza. Any additions or corrections would be greatly appreciated.

Granddaughter of William Pitman and Mary Raison of South Petherton, Somerset, England, Daughter of Charles Pitman and Martha Paul.

Eliza was born to Charles Pitman and Martha Paul in March 1826 at South Petherton and baptised 29th August 1827.
She married Henry Griffin, son of John Griffin and Elizabeth, on 21st August 1848 at SS Peter and Paul, South Petherton, Somerset, England. Henry was a labourer. Bride?s father was Charles Pitman, a carpenter. Groom?s father was John Griffin, a labourer.
REG no: 172.

Shortly after their marriage Eliza and Henry migrated to Australia.
Eliza Griffin nee Pitman, age 24, and her husband, Henry, age 26, arrived in N.S.W. Australia in 1849, on the ?Julindur?. Film number: 2135 & 2459.
They began their lives in Australia at Camden, NSW. Later they moved to Dubbo and remained there until their deaths.

Eliza and Henry had:

Charles H. Griffin 1852 NSW
William R. Griffin 1857 Liverpool, NSW
Mary A. Griffin 1862 Camden, NSW
Henrietta M. Griffin 1863 Camden, NSW
Edwin Randolph Griffin 1866 Camden, NSW

Henry Griffin died 1904, age 79, at Brocklehurst, Dubbo

Possible Marriages for the next generation:-

Henrietta M. Griffin married John Rowe at Dubbo in 1892. REG: 3407

A Mary A. Griffin married Peter Bopping at Braidwood, NSW in 1895 (unsure if this is the right Mary A. Griffin)

Edwin Griffin married Mary J. Hull at Dubbo in 1896. REG:1029
Mary Jane Hull, born Goulburn 20.11.1866 & died Troy (near Dubbo), 1944 (23.12.1944), married Dubbo 24.3.1896 to Edwin Randolph Griffin, who died 5.3.1955, aged 87. Both buried Old Dubbo cemetery.
Edwin?s wife, Mary Jane was the daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann Hull. Jacob was the brother of Joseph Hull, who married Mary Jane?s maternal aunt, Leah Hull nee Pitman.

A Melva E. Griffin married Thomas L. Purvis at Dubbo in 1920.
Melva E. could have been Ethel Melba Purvis who I found in the 1830 electoral roll for NSW.

Edith Irene Griffin married William Peter Nugent at Dubbo in 1936

A Grace B. (Bell?) Griffin married William Blackman at Dubbo in 1927

Herbert Randolph Griffin married Eileen Audrey Bruce at Dubbo in 1936.

Dorothy L.R. Griffin married James W. Johnstone at Dubbo in 1926.

Australian Electoral roll 1830:-
District of Gwydir, subdistrict of Gilgandra:-

Athol James Griffin, Illawarra, Mago Forest, Farmer.
Edith Irene Griffin, Bundalouie, Brocklehurst, Home duties. (Daughter of Edwin and Mary Jane)
Edward (Edwin ?) Randolph Griffin, Brocklehurst, farmer.
(Son of Henry & Eliza)
Grace Bell Griffin, Bundalouie, Brocklehurst, home duties.
Herbert Randolph Griffin, Brocklehurst, labourer.
(Son of Edwin and Mary Jane)
Mary Jane Griffin, Bundalouie, Brocklehurst, Home duties.
(Wife of Edwin)

Henrietta Matilda Rowe, Brocklehurst, home duties.
(Daughter of Henry & Eliza ?) (no mention of her husband)

District of Gwydir, subdistrict of Dubbo:-
William Blackman, Gas Lane, Dubbo, Laborer.
Grace Belle, Gas Lane, Dubbo, home duties.
(Daughter of Edwin and Mary Jane ?)

Dorothy Lil Rose Johnstone, Robinvale, Terramungamine, Dubbo, home duties.
(Daughter of Edwin and Mary Jane) (no mention of her husband)

District of Eden-Monaro, subdistrict of Braidwood:-
Ballalaba is via Braidwood.

Arthur Edward Bopping, Ballalaba, farmer.
Arthur Edward Bopping junior, Ballalaba, labourer.
Catherine Isobel Bopping, Ballalaba, home duties.
John Bopping, Coghill Street, Braidwood, Farmer.
Mary Ann Bopping, Ballalaba, Home duties.
(probably the daughter of Henry & Eliza Griffin)
Victor Emanuel Bopping, Ballalaba, Labourer.

1836:-
District of Darling, subdistrict of Gilgandra:-

Alfred Henry Griffin, Robin Vale, Terramungamine, Farmer.
Arthur Griffin, Illawarra, Mogriguy, Farmer and Grazier.
Athol James Griffin, Illawarra, Mago Forest, Farmer.
Edith Irene Griffin, Robin Vale, Terramungamine, home duties.
Edward Randolph Griffen, Brocklehurst, Farmer.
Herbert Randolph Griffen, Brocklehurst, Labourer.
Hilda May Griffin, Illawarra, Mogriguy, home duties
Lea Lavina Griffin, Brocklehurst, via Dubbo, Home duties.
Lila Jane Griffin, Ilawarra, Mogriguy, Home duties.
Mary Ann Griffin, Ilawarra, Mogriguy, Home duties.
Mary Jane Griffin, Robin Vale, Terramungamine, home duties.
Almerta Ruby Griffin, Mountain View, Eumungerie, home duties.

ALSO in this Electoral roll: Henrietta Matilda Rowe, Brocklehurst,
(She could be the Daughter of Henry & Eliza Griffin?)

ELIZABETH BAKER was the Grandaughter of William Pitman and Mary Raison of South Petherton, Somerset, England, and daughter of Joseph Baker and Betsey nee Pitman of South Petherton.

Elizabeth was registered Yeovil in the March quarter of 1841. Vol. 10. Elizabeth was 5 months old in the 1841 census which was taken in the night of 6th June 1841 which would mean Elizabeth was born about January, which ties in with the birth registration. I have no idea why Elizabeth has Carpenter as a middle name.

Elizabeth spent most of her childhood in Somerset. She and her mother then moved to Southwark, Surrey, England. Possibly for financial reasons.

Elizabeth Baker lived with her mother, Betsey Baker at 1 Pond Yard, Southwark, Surrey, in 1861 (shown in census). Betsey, age 50, was a nurse born at South Petherton, and Elizabeth, age 20, was a sewing machine hand, born at South Petherton.

Friedrich Wilhelm SEMMLER


This document has been put together with the best intention, and as precisely as possible. If in doubt of any of the content, please check original sources personally.


Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler was born 21st July 1829 at Nekla Dorf in the province of Posen, Prussia. His occupation was a Blacksmith. Religion: Lutheran
He married Anna Elisabeth Muhlnickel. Most records show Anna to be Elisabeth. The spelling of her surname varies a lot Muhlnickel/Muehlnickel/ Mielnickel.
She was born 4th August 1827 and died in 1883 in Prussia.

They had:
Amalie Friederike born May 29th 1857
Emma Ottilie born November 29th 1858 ? died July 13th 1859
Auguste Ottilie born September 18th 1860
Maria Elisabeth born March 18th 1862
Paul Friedrich Wilhelm born July 18th 1863
Rudolph Theobold Reinhold born February 26th 1865
Ernst Otto born October 1st 1867

Friedrich made a decision to leave Prussia with his family and to emigrate to Australia. Many reasons have been given for this, including religious persecution or politics, however I believe it was because one, if not two, of Friedrich?s daughters, Amalie and possibly Auguste, had left for Australia at least two years before Friedrich signed the 1883 application for migration to Australia.
One of our family historians has a family story that Johann Rudolph Muhlnickel came to Australia years earlier and ?it was apparently because of his letters, encouraging migration, to his sister Anna Elizabeth Muhlnickel, wife of Friedrich Semmler, that the Semmler family decided to migrate?.

On 10th April 1883 Friedrich signed a document for application to migrate to Australia and denounced his Prussian Citizenship. Only his four younger children were on the document. Amalie was already in Australia at the time, having arrived in 1881, and Auguste may have been there as well.
Unfortunately Friedrich's wife,Anna died in 1883 before the family left Prussia. Emma, their daughter, had died in 1859.

Friedrich and his children came to Australia in 1883 on the "Catania" to the Port of Adelaide. It is said that at the time they were stateless, having denounced Prussian citizenship.
*

The following is a Translation of Friedrich?s application to leave Prussia:

The undersigned Royal Government herewith certifies that the Blacksmith, Friedrich Semmler of Nekladorf,District Schroda, born 21st July 1829, at his request and for the purpose of emigration to Australia together with his wife, Anna Elisabeth nee Muhlnickel, born 4th August 1827, and the following children under paternal charge:
1. Maria Elise born 18th March 1862
2. Paul Wilhelm Friedrich born 18th August 1863
3. Rudolph Theobold Reinhold born 26th February 1865
4. Ernst Otto born 1st October 1867
Is granted dismissal from the bonds of Prussian citizenship. This dismissal document effects expressly for the named persons therein at the time of delivery, the loss of Prussian citizenship.
However it shall not be operative if the dismissed person does not within six months from the day of delivery of the dismissal document remove his place of residence outside the federal territory or acquire citizenship in another state.
(the law regarding the acquiring and loss of federal and state citizenship of 1st June 1870. B.g.Bl.S. 355)
Signed at Posen 10th April 1883
Royal Prussian Government
Document of Dismissal (denaturalisation)
No. 2239/83 IA
*
From what I have gathered Nekla Hauland was a small village in Posen. Its civil registration office was in Nekla.
Nekla Hauland lined the stream that was northwest of Nekla, and sat in the northern corner of Kreis Schroda. Nearby are Briesen, Wreschen, & Schwersenz.

I have read that Haulands,(or ?haylands?) were plots of land settled by German farmers invited to Prussia after the partition of Poland about 1793. The village was mostly Evangelical Lutheran.
Nekla Hauland is now known as Nekielka (Sroda).
*

On the 1st of August 1883, after arriving in Australia, Friedrich Semmler, of Lyndoch, South Australia, signed Naturalisation papers to become an Australian citizen. He had been in Australia for 3 weeks. The certificate stated he was 54 years of age, a blacksmith from Nekla Hauland, in the Province of Posen, Prussia. (National Archives, Australia)
*

Amalie Friederike Semmler was born May 29th 1857, possibly at Nekla Hauland or Breisen. Her birth was registered at Schwersens, Posen, Prussia and her baptism registered on the 7th June 1857 at Schwersens.
(Extracted birth or christening record for the locality from LDS site)
NB: On the documentation her mother?s surname is spelt ?Muehlnickel?. Most of the other children have the mother?s spelling as Muehlnickel. Paul?s and Rudolph?s was Mielnickel.
All the records had the mother as ?Elisabeth?, not Anna.

Amalie came to Australia in 1881. When she had only been here for 12 days, she signed naturalisation papers on the 4th of August 1881 to become an Australian citizen. The documents state that she resided near Lyndoch, South Australia, was 24 years of age, a native of Breisen near Kostersin (Kostryzyn), just south of Schwersens, in the Province of Posen, Prussia. She was a domestic servant.

Naturalisation papers state she arrived on the ship Wappaus in 1881 to Port of Adelaide.

Of interest, a Johann Nuske born about 1841, whose Father was Fredrick Nuske, had a mother, Louise Semmler, and he also came to Australia in 1881 on the Wappaus . Louise may have been a relation and even travelled with Amalie.
*

In 1884 the Semmler family made a decision to leave South Australia and they began the journey from South Australia to Victoria. Based on documentation of Alexander Tolmer from the 1852 gold escort this was a long journey of around 300 miles and possibly took 10 days or more. The gold escort found it to be an arduous journey averaging between 16 to 32 miles a day and they were on horses. The description states the terrain was flat, but the sand was deep. Along the way were a number of sheep runs and plenty of grass and water for the horses. They went through Bordertown, then over the border to Victoria, and then across the Little Desert in Victoria and arrived in Horsham before going on to Bendigo.

Our family story has it that the Semmler family walked to Victoria and used livestock to carry their food and goods. They travelled with people of other nationalities. They camped at night, cooked their meals and danced and sang.
The reason why they left South Australia is not known but at that time there were a lot of people who left South Australia to head for the gold fields of Victoria, or to open up farming land in the Mallee and Wimmera. Friedrich appears to have settled near Warracknabeal at the township of Willenabrina, 30 km from Warracknabeal, and thus began our Australian Heritage from the SEMMLER side of the family.

Amalie Friederike Semmler married Martin Krause in 1886 at Katyil, Victoria, Australia.

I have a photograph of Amalie Friederike with possibly one of her younger sisters. Looking at a photo of Amalie taken in circa mid to late 1870?s I see well dressed girls, wearing jewellery, lace and well made clothes. Amalie is wearing drop earings. They could be pearls. I would suppose from this that the family were not poor, and in fact, could have been well off. Amalie would be about 18 to 23 years old. There is no wedding ring on Amalie?s finger so the photo would have been taken before she was married.
Both girls have the same mouth and deep inset at the corner of the mouth.
*
Auguste Ottilie Semmler was born September 18th 1860 in Briesen. Auguste may have arrived in South Australia in 1879.
An Auguste Semmler, spinster, age 21, of Lyndoch, occupation servant, applied for naturalisation in 1881. She had been born in Prussia. Arrived in Australia in about 1879.
She married Johannes Wilhelm Liersch in 1890 at Bangerang, Victoria, Australia. She died in 1829.
*

Maria Elisabeth Semmler was born March 18th 1862 at Schwersens. She married Frederick Oelsnik.
*

Paul Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler was born July 18th 1863 at Schwersens. He was naturalised in 1910.
He married Pauline Wilhelmina Hahn in 1889 at Natimuk, Victoria.
*

Rudolph Theobold Reinhold Semmler was born February 26th 1865 at Schwersens.
He died in 1892 at Willenabrina, on Ernst?s farm, near Warracknabeal, Victoria, after collapsing from a heart attack.
*

Ernst Otto Semmler was born October 1st 1867 at Schwersens. He had difficulty gaining naturalisation due to WW1 occurring at the time he applied. It was requested that he apply again following the war. This was because the authorities could not find Ernst?s father?s naturalisation papers signed in 1883 which would have covered Ernst as he was only 16 then.
He married Joanna Augusta Bertha Brauer in 1896 in Bangerang, Victoria.
*

Sadly, Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler, an Australian citizen of Prussian descent, father of our ancestors, died following a heart attack on 10th March 1906 at Willenabrina, Victoria, Australia after falling from a hay stack. There was an inquest into his death in Jeparit, Victoria. He was buried at the Katyil Cemetery. Grave 14. Death reg. no. 2067
Katyil is about 50 Km from Willenabrina. It is possible that his body was transported there by railway carriage and then by cart to the Katyil cemetery.

Friedrich Wilhelm SEMMLER 1829 - 1906

Henry Baker born South Petherton 25th May 1838 to Joseph Baker and Betsey nee Pitman. Grandson of William Pitman and Mary nee Raison.

Henry remained in England with his family until he was about 21 years old. He then migrated to America.

Thanks to a biographical sketch found on the internet, I was able to find information on Henry Baker in America.

Henry Baker arrived in New York, America on 11 June 1855 at the age of 21 years. He left London on the ship ?G B Lamar?.

He remained in Illinois until his death in 1914. Henry died Macoupin County, Illinois in February 1914.

He married Emma Lockyer nee Barnstable. They lived in Macoupin County, Illinois.
Emma Barnstable was born about 1826 in Middlezoy, Somerset, England, and died January 1883 in Illinois, USA. She had previously been married to Richard Lockyer on 24th April 1844 in Middlezoy, Somerset, England. He was born 1820.
Emma?s daughter from her marriage to Richard, Mary, married William Heal in USA after 1872.

Henry Baker married Emma Lockyer nee Barnstable on 17th December 1857 (LDS source) and they had:-
William J. Baker born September 1860 in Woodburn, Macoupin County, Illinois. William J. married Minnie L. Wildman (daughter of John Wildman and Narcissa nee Barnett, born at Shipman, Illinois), on 10th June 1884 at Shipman, Macoupin, Illinois, and they had Henry I (or T) Baker born about 1890 and Hazel T. Baker born about 1894 .

(John Wildman, born about 1824 and Narcissa.Barnett, born about 1833 (John and Narcissa married 15th December 1851 at Macoupin County)

Henry Baker is buried at Woodburn cemetery. Emma Baker nee Barnstable is also buried there. She died in 1885.

William J. Baker died 1909. Minnie died 1926. Henry L. died 1920. They are all buried at Woodburn cemetery, Macoupin.
******
1860 Illinois census has Henry as a 22 year old farmer in Macoupin County.

In 1870 USA census for Brighton, Macoupin County Henry Baker was a 33 year old farmer of real estate worth 4,200 US dollars. He was living with wife, Emma age 42, step daughter, Mary age 17, and son William age 9.

1910 USA census shows Minnie Baker born abt 1865 in Illinois, living at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County, Illinois, as the head of the house. She was living with a Hazel (not sure if daughter or not).
Our Henry Baker born abt 1838 in England was living at Brighton, Macoupin County.

??????????????????

This is a copy of a Biographical Sketch of Henry Baker:-
In the following copy of the Biographical Sketch of Henry Baker there are some mistakes found throughout mention of Henry?s family history such as dates, names and spelling of places.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1891
Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company
Page 885
HENRY BAKER is one of the leading and most successful English-American farmers and stock raisers of Brighton Township, where he owns a very beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which is highly improved, and where he has a beautiful residence that is conspicuous for its completeness of finish and detail. There are also fine barns and outbuildings, which have been erected by himself, for this has been his home since 1860. he has besides some good land in Bunker Hill Township. Mr. Baker's advent to this county was made in 1856. He lived for one year in Chesterfield Township and three years in Woodburn, and then came into Brighton Township and purchased the place where he now resides. he came from England to this country in 1855.
Mr. Baker was born in Somersetshire, England, at South Pethering, May 27, 1839. He comes of good English family of pure stock. His father was Joseph Baker, a native of Somersetshire, and our subject's grandparents were natives of the same shire, being farmers, and there spending all their lives. His grandfather died when a very old man, upwards of four-score years. our subject's grandmother was in her maiden days Miss Mary Pittman, a daughter of William Pittman, an English farmer, who lived and died in his native shire. He was a carpenter by trade, and having been four times married outlived all his wives.
Mrs. Baker, mother of our subject, survived her husband Joseph Baker, and died a very old lady. our subject is the youngest of the family born to his parents and one of three to emigrate to this country. His brother John is now in Texas and a sister, who is Mrs. Job Keirl, lives in Bunker Hill Township. The original of our sketch grew up in his native shire, and there received a good English education, after which he learned the baker's trade and worked at it until he came to this country, being eighteen years of age when he made the momentous decision to leave his home. He left Liverpool on a steamer, and landing at New York City, came thence to Illinois and immediately proceeded to Chesterfield Township, Macoupin County.
In 1875 Mr. Baker returned to his old home in England and there enjoyed a delightful visit of six months' duration with the friends and relatives of his childhood. His marriage took place in Macoupin County and his bride was Mrs. Emma Lockyer, nee Barnstable. She was born in Somersetshire, England, about 1826. Her parents lived and died in their native land, where our subject's wife was first married to Richard Lockgar, after which they at once came to the United States and located in Woodburn, this county, and there was born one child, a daughter, who is now Mrs. William heal, of whom a fuller sketch may be found in her biography in another portion of this RECORD. Mr. Lockyer died in the prime of life, and some time after the death of her first husband she was untied to our subject, and she was to him a dutiful and loving wife. Her decease occurred at their home in this township January 27, 1835. She was well and favorably known here, and those who knew her the best were assured of her nobility of character. Mr. and Mrs. Baker were the parents of one son, William J.
William J. Baker took to wife Miss Minnie Wayman, of this county. They now live in Chesterfield Township, and are there prominent agriculturists. Mr. Baker is a prominent member of the Congregational Church of Woodburn, this State, as was his wife during her lifetime. Our subject has been one of the Trustees for many years. A Republican in politics, the original of our sketch is not in any sense an office-seeker.
[NOTE: Emma Lockyer?s husband name is given in one place as Lockyer and in another as Lockgar. Also, her death date (obviously an error) is given as January 27, 1835 in the above bio.]

John Marshall Avis & Alice Backwell

John Marshall AVIS of Kingswear, Devon, married Alice BACKWELL, not of Kingswear, on 28th December 1836 in the Parish of Kingswear, Devon. Both signed their names.
Witnesses were Richard Backwell and Sarah Backwell. (Possibly brother and sister of Alice.)

Alice?s parents were Richard Backwell & Mary, according to her christening record found on LDS. Alice born 12th July 1814 at Dartmouth, Devon. Christened a few years later in Saint Petrox, Dartmouth, Devon on 26th November 1823 at age nine. Sarah, Alice?s sister, born 27th April 1811, was also christened on that date and in that place. They could have had a sister, Mary born about 1801, and a brother, Richard born 1799.

The 1841 census of Devon shows John and Alice living at St Mary Church, Torquay, Devon. John was 26 years old and Alice was 25. They were living with their two children, George, age 2 years and an unnamed daughter, 1 week old. This would have been Emma.
John was a JOINER. A Joiner/Joyner is a skilled carpenter capable of finer work than a plain carpenter eg. Making joints for furniture.

Neither John, nor Alice, can be found in the 1851 census.
Emma and Eliza, their daughters, are boarding with Mathew Easterley & family at St Mary Church, Torquay.

Emma Avis born May 30th 1841 at St Mary Church, Newton Abbot, Devon.
Eliza?s birth (sister of Emma)birth registered Newton Abbot, Devon,
Sept qu 1843.

In the 1861 census Alice is shown to be a widow. John passed away between 1841 and 1861.

Emma Avis married Frank John Milne in 1862.

In 1871 census Alice is living in Wales. At Llanvedw, Monmouthshire, Wales. She is the Housekeeper of a mansion belonging to Charles K. Kemeys Tynte.

Eliza Avis married Thomas Husband in 1876.

1881 census finds Alice living in 27 High Street, Towcester, Northhampton with her daughter, Eliza, and Eliza?s husband, Thomas HUSBAND. Thomas born abt 1847 at Aston, Shropshire, (census transcript has this down as ?Sheeps Aston?). He is a butler and house steward. Eliza stated as being born at Babbicombe, Devon.
They have children: Reginald HUSBAND age 3, born at Ford, Devon, and Edward HUSBAND age 2 born Yealmpton, Devon.

Eliza Husband nee AVIS dies 9th February 1886 at Towcester, Northhampton. Age 38 she dies of a carcinoma. Thomas was present at her death and was the informant on the death register. She is buried and registered as ?LISLE HUSBAND?.

1891 census finds Alice Avis alone with her 3 three grandsons. Thomas Husband must have been away working. He was alive in 1900 and living at Towcester when Alice died.
The census record shows Alice to be a widow, age 76, born Dartmouth, Devon, living by her own means at Woodbine Cottage number 3, Towcester, Northhampton.
Her grandsons are:
Ernest R. Husband, age 13, a scholar, born Ford, Devon.
Edward V. Husband, age 11, a scholar, born Yealmpton, Devon.
Albert T. Husband, age 9, a scholar, born Towcester, Northhampton.

Avis, Alice; Description: "Widow." Died on April 26th 1900 aged 86 years. Buried on April 30th 1900 in plot A-73. The body came from Towcester.
Source:- Ref. 1, Page 95, Number 759. Death reg. Number: vol 3. page 8.
Alice died of senile decay and bronchial catarrh. Thomas, her son in law, was present at the time of her death and the informant for the registrar. Thomas was living at Lodge Farm, Laughan (?) at the time.

Kingswear history mentions Avis?s in historical records and in the census.

The oldest Avis people found in the census for Kingswear were:

William born about 1771
Sarah born about 1771
Sally born about 1774 (she could have been Sarah)
Elizabeth born about1788
Thomas born about 1814
Robert born about 1816

I am inclined to think that Thomas (1814) and Robert (1816) were brothers to John.

Various Census show Kingswear AVIS families as (birth years are approximates):-

William (1771), a shipwright. Possibly died about 1846.
Sarah (1771), his wife.
Living at Higher Street, Kingswear in 1841.


William (1841), Grandson, Ship?s Carpenter, born Kingswear. (Could have been
the son of Robert & Elizabeth).
Living with:
John Thomas (1786), Marina pensioner, born Bristol, Somerset.
Mary (1792), wife, born St Mary Church.
William Clackstone (1837), Ship?s Carpenter, born Kingswear.
This family were living at the ?Square?, Kingswear, in 1861.

Sally AVIS (1774), Shipwright?s Widow, born Kingswear. (Could have been Sarah, wife of
William). She was living at Trust House, Kingswear in 1851.

Robert (1816), Shipwright, born Kingswear.
Elizabeth (1817), wife, born Kingswear.
Mary Elizabeth (1843), Dressmaker, born Gillingham, Kent.
All following children born Gillingham as well.
Sarah M (1846)
Harriett (1848)
Ellen (1853)
Robert (1855)
The family moved to Kent and appeared to remain there.

Thomas (1814), Chair Maker, Postman, Boat Builder,born Kingswear.
Elizabeth 1812), wife, born Dartmouth.
Ellen (1840), possibly registered 1838.
Thomas (1842)
Fanny (1844), Draper?s assistant, born Kingswear.
Mary W. (1849)
Bessie (1851), Teacher of Music, born Kingswear.
Living at Alma House, Kingswear in 1871.


Thomas (1841), Marine Engineer, born Kingswear.
Henrietta (1839), wife, born Bradninch, Devon.
Ida E, (1869), daughter, born Kingswear.
Living at 2 Harbour View, Kingswear in 1871.

Also of Interest:-
A child named John Marshall Avis was born in 1846 to Thomas, a chair maker, of Kingswear. This child died in 1847 of Bronchitis.
This makes me think that the naming of the child ?John Marshall? was in honour of John Marshall AVIS, born about 1815, who married Alice Backwell.

In 1850 the directories show Thomas Avis to be a chair maker, and in 1856 through 1866 boat builder and postmaster.
The first post office, with Thomas Avis, was on the corner of the sea wall at the south-west of the ferry slip, in Longford.

The following extract is from
?MARITIME SOUTH WEST 12? ? 1999 -THE DARTMOUTH HARBOUR PAPERS

From October 1865 the Kingswear Ferry was leased to Messrs. Avis & Son of Kingswear,
the local postmaster. Three boats were worked by Avis, two pulling boats for passengers and a third as a luggage boat, or horse boat which was supplied by the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway.

This ferry was converted to steam operation in 1869 when Tom Avis? new steam launch Pioneer came into service. This boat was built by J Samuel White at Cowes. Unfortunately, when on passage to Dartmouth the boat struck a rock at the entrance to Weymouth Harbour and had to be beached for repairs.

In October 1877 the lease was transferred to G.A and J.W Casey Brothers.

The River Dart opens into the English Channel. This leads directly across to France and to the Channel Islands Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Emma AVIS, daughter of John AVIS and Alice BACKWELL married Frank Milne, whose parents lived in Jersey for many years.

BETSEY PITMAN AND JOSEPH BAKER

Betsey was the daughter of William Pitman and Mary Raison of South Petherton, Somerset, England. Betsey Pitman baptised to William & Mary 27th November 1808 at South Petherton. Age 1 ?.


On October 7th 1827 Joseph Baker & Betsey Pitman were witnesses at the marriage of Susannah Baker of South Petherton & James Warr of South Petherton.

The following year Betsey Pitman married Joseph Baker May 15th 1828 at South Petherton, Somerset. Witnesses were Thomas Baker & David Jeanes
Joseph & Betsey had the following children:
John Baker born South Petherton abt 1828
Mary Baker born South Petherton 1832
William Pitman Baker born South Petherton & christened 16 July 1837
Robert Baker born South Petherton & christened 13 November 1836
Henry Baker born South Petherton 1838
Elizabeth Baker born South Petherton 1841
Susan Baker born about 1843 at South Petherton

In 1840 Joseph Baker was sworn in as a Tythingman for the village parish, as a substitute for William Pitman, a carpenter.
1841 census has Joseph and Betsey living in Roundwell Street, close to William Pitman, with daughters Mary, age 10, and Elizabeth, age 5 months, and their son Henry age 3 years, and also with Leah Pitman age 17 years and Ebenezer Pitman age 15 years. Leah was Betsey's niece. Unknown who Ebenezer was.
Elizabeth Baker, being 5 months, would have been born about January. The 1841 census was taken in June.

According to the census Joseph Baker was an agricultural labourer, age 30 years, born in Somerset. Betsey was born about the same time.
In the 1851 census we find the families again. Joseph Baker has passed away.
(Joseph buried 24th February 1848 at SS Peter & Paul, South Petherton, age 42 years).

Betsey is now a widow. The family has moved to South Street, Aller, or Langport, Somerset. This move could have been made at any time following Joseph?s death. The family needed to earn a living. They lived at South Street, which appears to be leading towards Oath Hill. Oath Hill is known for its mystical association with the region of the summer stars. The constellation of Canis Major is called ?The Girt Dog of Langport?. Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, touches down on Oath Hill.
Sirius is also known as King Arthur's dog, Cabal - "The Mysteries". King Arthur used Oath Hill as the sacred place where his Knights swore oaths and allegiance and commitments.
Aller is close to Othery, where Betsey?s daughter, Mary, would have met her future husband, Job Keirle who was of Othery parish.
Mary was living with her mother in the 1851 census but married Job in Middlesex the following year. They then returned to Somerset where most of their children were born.
In Aller, Betsey?s family consists of :
Betsey, age 43,born about 1808. She is a baker by trade.
John, now the head of the family, age 22 ? a baker
Mary age 20 ? a baker
Henry age 13
Elizabeth Baker age 10, born 1841
Susan age 7, born about 1843
All were entered as being born at South Petherton.

Betsey appears to have moved to Southwark, Surrey, sometime between 1851 and 1861, perhaps the move was to help Elizabeth find a suitable future.

1861 census finds Betsey living at St Saviour, Southwark, Surrey with Elizabeth, her daughter. Betsey has not remarried and Elizabeth is still unmarried. They are living at 1 Pond Yard. Betsey is a monthly nurse and Elizabeth is a sewing machine hand.
Definition of monthly nurse: a nurse who serves for a month or some short time, esp. one which attends women after childbirth. Used to be known as a confinement nurse who attended women during the first month after child birth. May also have the initials S.M.S. (Subsidiary Medical Services. i.e. not a doctor, but trained in some way ).
Betsey cannot be found after the 1861 census. A death is registered in Axbridge in 1867, age 64 could be our Betsey.

Descendants of Johann Krause & Louisa

The following information has been put together over the years from archive records, internet information, and family oral history. Some spelling has been left according to the source it was found in, it may be incorrect but as I am not familiar with German names, I am not in a position to alter them. The information I offer is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Johann Krause
Married Louisa in Germany
They had:

Johann (Hans) Krause Born about 1821 in Germany and died 1901 in Dimboola, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Farmer
Married Marie Kies Born about 1823 in Heinersbruck, Posen, Prussia
Married about 1846 in Germany
Marie died as ?Mary? on September 2nd 1911 in Katyil, Victoria from heart failure and dropsy. She had been unwell for 4 years. Death reg. no. 8635 Buried: Katyil, Victoria.
Occupation: Farmer
Her parents were: Johann Kies & Hannah Lehmann

Johann and Marie immigrated to Australia in 1861 on the ?Wandrahm? with their son Martin. (Shipping records & Marie?s naturalisation). Their older son, Johann had already arrived in Australia a couple of years earlier with his uncle.
The family were at Lyndoch, South Australia, for some time and eventually went to Victoria, settling in the area of Dimboola and Warracknabeal. It has been difficult to establish when they went to Victoria. It was between 1865, when their last child was born in S.A., and 1886 when their daughter, Amalie was married in Victoria. Marie?s death certificate indicated she was in Victoria since 1860, which would be wrong. Certificate also states she they lived in South Australia for about 11 years before moving to Victoria.

On 29th August 1903 at Warracknabeal, Victoria Australia, Mary Krause (nee Marie Kies) was naturalised. She was 79 years of age, was born in Kotbus, Heinrich Bridge,Germany. She stated she arrived in Australia in November 1863 on the ?Vondrum? from Hamburg, and had been in the colony of Victoria for 40 years. She was a widow.
( National Archives, Australia)
Some spelling errors in document eg. Kotbus + Vondrum, also year of arrival.

Johann Kruase and Marie Kies had the following family:

Johann Krause Born September 3rd 1847 in Heinersbr?ck, Cottbus, Prussia
died July 24, 1914 in Hamilton, Victoria
Married Agnes Mirtschin (Born September 27th 1856 in Victoria).
Johann was naturalised in 1884.
*
Martin Krause Born March 25th 1856 in Heinersbr?ck, Cottbus, Prussia
Died May 18th 1938 in Dimboola, Victoria Death reg. no. 14134
Buried at Dimboola. There is no headstone or marker. Plot no. 954. He is buried in the same grave as his sister, Maria.
When Martin became ill many years following his wife?s death, he was taken to his sister in Dimboola. Maria Juers cared for her brother until his death in 1938 and she buried him in the Dimboola cemetery. Maria was later buried with Martin in the same grave. There are no markers on their grave. When we visited the grave in 1998 we found 2 ceramic settings of birds and flowers upon the grave and a glass dome with some type of plant under it that had dried up many years ago. The ceramic arrangements looked to be over 20 years old at least. Maria died in 1953.

Martin and Amalie lived at Federal Street, Rainbow, Victoria from about 1906. They can be found in the Australian Electoral Rolls between 1909 and 1931 at Ancestry.com.
Martin?s occupation was a Farmer.
Martin married Amalie Friederike Semmler (Born May 29th 1857 in possibly Briesen, Prussia). They married September 9th September 1886 at Katyil, Victoria, Australia.
Amalie died 1924 in Federal Street, Rainbow, Victoria. Buried: Rainbow. Death reg. no. 11855. Her parents were Friedrich Wilhelm Semmler & Anna Elizabeth Muhlnickel.
Amalie was christened 7th June 1857 at Schwersens, Posen, Prussia
Occupation: Nurse
We visited Amalie's grave 31st December 1998. It was disappointing to find the cemetery records had been destroyed or not maintained and the secretary was unable to identify the sight of Amalie?s grave. The grave is unmarked with no head stone. She is supposedly buried in the Lutheran section of the Rainbow cemetery.
As well, the records showed Amalie as.."Krause, nurse, age 67, native of Germany, died 1924". We offered the secretary Amalie?s Christian name and other information. At least now she will have that much.
Coffin bearers at Amalie?s funeral were, W. Oelsnick, J.J. Linke, B. Borman, R.H. & P. Wedding and F. Reid. Oelsnick was a brother in law or nephew.
Amalie came to South Australia in 1881 and was naturalised soon after. Her Father, brothers and sisters arrived in 1883. Her Mother died in Germany while awaiting passage to Australia. The family moved to Victoria in 1884 and settled around Katyil, near Warracknabeal. Amalie's Father was a Blacksmith. Amalie married Martin Krause and they lived around the Warracknabeal district until about 1906 when they moved to Rainbow. After moving to Rainbow, they spent a few years in the Hamilton district but moved back to Rainbow until Amalie?s death in 1924.
Amalie had a nursing and midwifery practice and travelled many miles to families in need. She was a well respected woman in the district and when she died, her funeral was attended by many people.

Martin was naturalised in October 1923.

Amalie was naturalised in August 1881 soon after arriving in South Australia.
*

Christian Krause Born about 1850 in Germany and appears to have died before the family left Germany in 1861.
*

Maria Louisa Krause Born October 30th 1862 in Lyndoch, South Australia
died September 9th 1953 in Dimboola. Victoria. The plot number is 954.
Maria is buried in the Dimboola cemetery with her brother, Martin.
She married Reynhold George Juers (Born: June 22, 1861 in Charleston?). They married 1885 in Victoria. Rienhold died June 1942. His parents were Friedrich Johann Christian Juers & Henrietta Elisabeth Rosenburg.
Maria?s second name ?Louisa? could be after her grandmother, Louisa.
*

Friedrich Wilhelm Krause Born: March 12, 1865 in Lyndoch, South Australia. Not much information on Friedrich but he was in Tarrigal, near Warracknabeal, Victoria in 1924.
*

Descendants of Amalie Friederike Semmler

If unsure about the accuracy of any of this information, please check original records. I have attempted to offer as accurate information as possible but state this is only a personal family documentary, not an official family record.

Amalie Friederike Semmler Born: May 29, 1857 in possibly Briesen, Prussia, married September 9th 1886 in Katyil, Victoria, Australia to Martin Krause. They lived most of their lives at Federal Street, Rainbow, Victoria.
Amalie was christened 07 June 1857 at Schwersens, Posen, Prussia
She came to Australia in 1881 on the ship ?Wappaus?.
Occupation: Nurse
Died: 1924 in Federal street, Rainbow, Victoria Buried: Rainbow. Death reg. no. 11855
Martin Krause Born: March 25, 1856 in Heinersbr?ck, Cottbus, Prussia to Johann (Hans) Gottlieb Krause and Marie Auguste Keis.
He came to Australia in 1861 on the ship ?Wandrahm?
Occupation: Farmer
Died: May 18, 1938 in Dimboola, Victoria Death reg. no. 14134 Buried: Dimboola.
No headstone or marker. Plot no. 954. He is buried in the same grave as his sister, Maria. (Maria Juers).

Martin & Amelie?s children:

Fredrick Martin Krause Born 1888 in Dimboola. Was living in Tarrington, Victoria in 1824
Married Johanna Sophie Harnath in 1913 in Tabor, Victoria
****

Agnes Amelia Krause Born October 12, 1889 in Katyil, Shire of Dimboola, Victoria. She married Edward (George) Brown on August 30, 1909 in Rainbow, Victoria
Occupation: Assisted her mother in Midwifery practice.
Died: 1965 in Ballarat, Victoria of severe Arthritis. Death reg. 20295 Buried: Rainbow cemetery next to her husband, George.

Edward George (George) Brown Born May 23, 1881 in Avenue Range, South Australia to William Brown and MaryAnn formerly Dowdy nee McCartney. Mary Ann was actually born as Mary Ann Thurston in 1840 in Pattington, London, England to Charles Thurston and Mary Ann nee Knights.
Occupation: Farmer
Died April 25, 1951. Buried Rainbow, Victoria reg. no. 19392
****

Oswald Ernst Krause Born about 1890 at Warracknabeal, Victoria.
Married Lillian Culhane in Murtoa, Victoria.
****

Paul Ewald Krause. Born: about 1891. Died 1962 in Melbourne, Victoria. Lived in Murtoa in 1924
Married Beatrice Jane Mead (Born: 1891 in Bungaree, Victoria) in 1912 in Murtoa, Victoria
****
Antonia Krause Born about 1892 Lived in Rainbow in 1924
Married John Patrick Culhane
****

Otto John Joseph Krause Born about 1896 in Warracknabeal, Victoria. Died 1934 in Hamilton. Victoria
Lived in Gippsland in 1924
Married Therese Kathleen Pianta (Born: 1893)
****

Bruno Godfrey Krause Born: 1900 in Warracknabeal, Victoria. Died 1943.
Married Anne Culhane in Murtoa. Victoria
****

Amalie and Martin Krause are registered in the Australian Electoral rolls from 1909 to 1931 and were living in Rainbow, Victoria.
****

We visited Amalie's grave 31st December 1997. It was disappointing to find the cemetery records had been destroyed or not maintained and the secretary was unable to identify the sight of Amalie's grave. The grave is unmarked with no head stone. She is supposedly buried in the Lutheran section of the Rainbow cemetery.
As well, the records showed Amalie as.."Krause, nurse, age 67, native of Germany, died 1924". We offered the secretary Amalie?s christian name and other information. At least she will have that much. Coffin bearers at Amalie?s funeral were, W. Oelsnick, J.J. Linke, B. Borman, R.H. & P. Wedding and F. Reid. Oelsnick was a brother in law.
Amalie came to Victoria in 1881 and was naturalised soon after. Her Father, brothers and sisters arrived in 1883. Her Mother died in Germany while awaiting passage to Australia. The family settled around Katyil, near Warracknabeal. Amalie's Father was a Blacksmith. Amalie married Martin Krause and they lived around the Warracknabeal district until about 1906 when they moved to Rainbow. After moving to Rainbow, they spent a few years in the Hamilton district but moved back to Rainbow until Amalie?s death in 1924.
Amalie had a nursing and midwifery practice and travelled many miles to families in need. She was a well respected woman in the district and when she died, her funeral was attended by many people.
****

Agnes Amelia Brown nee Krause, daughter of Amelie and Martin, was said to be a short, thick woman. Her son, George, was an excellent horse rider and was said to have made a splendid sight on a horse. His nickname was "Buck".
Being of Prussian descent, as a young married woman Agnes experienced the difficulties of being of German descent when WW1 began. Agnes? Uncle Ernst Semmler found it difficult to seek naturalisation at the time, even though his father had been naturalised in 1883 when Ernst was about 16 years old. During these dark times Agnes children were only young but it did affect the family for decades later because of their association with German surnames.
Edward (George) Brown, Agnes? husband, was said to be a short, thin man and liked by the community. He was a caring father to his children. George told his children he had walked across the desert to come to Victoria from South Australia. We assumed this to be the Little Desert.

Family History of Leah Pitman

This is the information I have on Leah Pitman. Any additions or corrections to this would be welcome.

Grandaughter of William Pitman & Mary Raison, of South Petherton, Somerset, England, and daughter of Charles Pitman & Martha Paul.

Leah Pitman was christened November 3rd 1824 at South Petherton, Somerset, England to Charles and Martha.
In December quarter 1845 she gave birth to a son, Benjamin Godden Pitman (no father named), at South Petherton. However his father could have been a Godden. Usually the surname of the father of a child born out of wedlock was given as a second Christian name upon registration of the birth.
In 1853 Leah, Benjamin, and Leah?s parents, Charles and Martha sailed on the ship Talavera from Southampton, England on 1st June 1853 to New South Wales, Australia. Arrived 25th August 1853.
Film number 2465

Leah?s brother, William, and her sister, Eliza were already in NSW, Australia.

Ship?s records contain the following information:

Charles Pitman age 50 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: William & Mary, both deceased. Church of England.
Occupation: Carpenter. Can read & write. In good health.

Martha Pitman age 50 Born Martock, Somerset
Parents: William & Elizabeth, both deceased. Church of England.
Wife of Charles. Can read & write. In good health.

Leah Pitman age 27 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: Charles & Martha, both on board ship. Church of England.
Occupation: Domestic Servant. Can read & write. In good health.

Benjamin Pitman age 7 Born South Petherton, Somerset.
Parents: on board ship. Church of England.

Notes on the family:
Charles and Martha's son, William, & daughter, Eliza, both living at Woolomooloo, NSW. Son, William Pitman paid 34 pounds for travel cost under the ??? regulations.

As inspected by Immigration Board September 1853.

The ship was released from quarantine following inspection on 6th September 1853.

William Pitman, Leah's brother came to N.S.W. Australia in 1850, age 22, on the ?Cornwall?. Film number: 2136, & 2461

Leah's sister, Eliza Griffin nee Pitman, age 24, and her husband, Henry, age 26, arrived in N.S.W. Australia in 1849, on the ?Julindur?. Film number: 2135 & 2459.

***********

In 1856 Leah gave birth to a daughter at Camden, NSW Registration: 4105 (no father named), however that year she married Joseph Hull.
(Camden is about 50 km southwest from Sydney)

The child was eventually named Elizabeth Mary H. (the H could stand for HULL).
In 1856 Leah married Joseph Hull at Parramatta.

Leah and Joseph had the following children:
Elizabeth Mary H. 1856 Camden
Female 1860 Camden Could have been Sarah A
Emily 1862 Camden
Joseph W. 1864 Camden died Dubbo in 1883
Anney J.(or Amy Jane) 1868 Dubbo

The books ?Dubbo to the Turn of the Century? by Marion Dormer published 1981 and ?Dubbo 100 years of Local Government? printed 1972, and ?Early Pioneers of Dubbo pre 1882 & Pioneer Register of Dubbo & Western Region of NSW? mentions the Hull family.
Joseph Hull had 1,600 acres at "Berida" about 50 miles from Dubbo, on which he grazed 3,000 sheep. He also rented 1,280 acres from his brother, the property known as "New Berida".

NB: Berida is just north of Collie, between Gilgandra & Warren, off the Oxley Highway. There is information about Berida Station historical records at the University of New England Heritage Centre. Berida Station is located midday between Gilgandra and Collie on Marthaguy Creek.

Leah Hull died 1900 at Dubbo.

Information on children of Leah and Joseph:-

Elizabeth Mary H. Hull (Pitman) born 1856 at Camden died 1949
married Thomas Henry Purvis (known as Henry) in 1874
***
Female Hull born 1860 at Camden
If this is Sarah A. she married William Hall in 1888 at Dubbo.
***
Emily Hull born 1862 at Camden
Married Alexander Murray D. Black at Dubbo in 1882
***
Joseph W. Hull born 1864 at Camden. Died Dubbo in 1883
***
Anney J. born 1868 at Dubbo
If this is Amy Jane she married Joseph A. Brown in 1886 at Dubbo

The following could be Leah?s parents death dates:-
A Martha died 1854, age 55 years, in NSW
A Charles Pitman died Dubbo, NSW in 1876