Family Treeof Trudy Mae COWLEY
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This page last updated: 25-Nov-2003 Abodes Aliases Baptism Birth Burial Children Death Education Description Doing the Time Freedom Marriage Occupations Siblings Transportation Trial
AbodesAt the time of Charlotte Louisa’s birth in 1857, William and Elizabeth were living in Launceston and William was working as a builder. In the Launceston Valuation Rolls for 1858, William was listed as the occupier of a house in York Street (valued at £50 annually), liable for paying the rates which amounted to £4.10 annually. In 1860, William and his family were still living in York St, Launceston, renting a house with an annual value of £35 from William SAUNDERSON. By 1867, however, William had moved his family the district of Westbury. In the Valuation Rolls for Westbury district taken on 7 February 1867, William was listed as renting a cottage in Dexter Street, Westbury from the executors of H Godfrey’s estate, with an annual value of £10. He was also renting 50 acres of land at Dismal Scrub from John PORTER junior of Reedy Marsh, with an annual value of £10. At the time of the Valuation Rolls for the district of Westbury taken on 9 January 1868, William was still renting the 50 acres of land at Dismal Scrub from John Porter junior of Reedy Marsh, but no longer renting the cottage in Westbury. Thus, it can be assumed that by this time William had built a house on the 50 acre property and removed his family to live there. However, it would seem that William did not stick too long with farming, since by 1871 he was living in the district of Selby, near Launceston, renting a licensed inn, the Sir William Wallace, and nine acres of land at Franklin Village from John Fawns of Launceston. This is the inn previously owned and run by Richard CHUGG (qv). William was still renting this the Sir William Wallace inn the following year, in 1872, but not in 1873. It is unlikely that William’s family lived at the inn, since he was also renting a house on less than one acre of land at Franklin Village from Richard William CHUGG (son of Richard CHUGG (qv)) in 1871, 1872 and 1873. The family probably lived in this house, away from the noise and “entertainments” of the inn. William seems to have attempted farming again in 1873 as he rented a house and 50 acres of land at Patterson’s Plains with an annual value of £20 from Joshua PECK. However, by the time of his death three years later, he had returned to work as a carpenter.At the time of the birth of Mary Elizabeth Ellen CHUGG, William’s grand daughter, in 1876, William was again living in Launceston.
BirthFrom William's convict indent, we know that his mother's name was Ann. Since his father wasn't mentioned, it can be assumed that his father died prior to William being transported in 1844. The year of his birth has been calculated from his age at the time of transportation. ChildrenWilliam and Elizabeth had five children. For the eldest, there is a record of birth for Frederick William CREW born on 20 May 1851. And there is a record of death for a William Cane CREW died on 25 March 1853 aged 22 months, making his birth date May 1851. Thus, I have assumed that these are the same child. It is possible that the clerk wrote down the father's name instead of the child's name on the death record. DeathWilliam died the same year his grand daughter, Mary Elizabeth Ellen CHUGG, was born. He accidentally drowned aged 59 years on 24 October 1876 in the Tamar River. Several reports on the boating accident in the Tamar River which led to William's death were printed in The Examiner from Saturday, 28 October 1876 to Saturday, 4 November 1876. RUMORED ACCIDENT Yesterday some doubts were expressed of the safety of three men who left town in a boat to proceed to Mr Fairthorne’s farm, West Tamar, on Tuesday morning. The names are Geo. Collins, Thomas Wilkinson, and William Cain Crewe, carpenters who were engaged to do some work for Mr. Fairthorne, and the rumor was that they had not since been heard of, and consequently some accident had happened to the boat. Parties started off to get reliable information, and to-day probably the truth will be known. Mr. Fairthorne expresses the opinion that there is very little ground for alarm. It would seem that Mr Fairthorne got it wrong! The next article appeared on Tuesday, 31 October 1876. THE MISSING BOAT AND RUMORED DROWNING Nothing has been heard of the three men mentioned in our last, as having started off in a boat on Tuesday 24th for Mr. Fairthorne’s, West Tamar, and it is to be feared – as indeed was anticipated last week – that the boat capsized during one of the frequent squalls that took place on Tuesday morning, the unfortunate men- George Collins, Thos. Willkinson, and William Cain Crewe – finding a watery grave. We have not heard that any traces of the boat or of its occupants have been found, except that a black felt hat was picked up in the river by one of the Messrs Griffiths who started on Tuesday morning from the town, but owing to the boisterous state of the weather were compelled to return, and did not get away until the wind moderated in the afternoon, and they found the hat off Barnard’s Point. The Superintendent of Police having received the information, the hat has been sent for, and will be brought up to-day, when it will be seen whether the friends of either of the men can identify it. The third of four articles about the accident appeared in The Launceston Examiner on Thursday, 2 November 1876. THE RECENT BOAT ACCIDENT On Tuesday a man named Edward Darcy found the body of the young man Thomas Wilkinson, who was lost with his companions by the upsetting of a boat near Pig Island on the 24th ult., as mentioned by us; and yesterday morning Mr Stevens, master of the cutter Waratah, reported that he had seen another body floating near Barnard's Point, when coming up to town in his craft, but was not able to secure it. Mr Collins and another party went down the river at once in a boat, and found the body, which was that of George Collins, nearly opposite Cormiston, and brought it up to town. The body of Thomas Wilkinson was taken to his parents' residence, and an inquest was held yesterday forenoon, before Thos. Mason, Esq., Coroner, at the Terminus Hotel, when the following evidence was taken:- Thomas Wilkinson, father of the deceased, identified the body as that of his son. Edward Darcy, a coach painter, deposed that about 6 a.m. on the 24th ult. he saw the deceased start in his (Darcy's) sailing boat from the Fisherman's Creek in company with a man named Cain Crewe and another named George Collins; they were going to work as carpenters at a farm at Point Rapid, 30 miles from the town; the boat was about 15ft long and carried a sprit sail; he did not think any of the three knew anything about the management of a boat; the weather was very stormy and he advised them not to go; on Tuesday last he picked up some pieces of the boat off Freshwater Point, and about 100 yards distant, in the channel, the body of Thomas Wilkinson floating in an erect position with the upper part of the head above water. Dr. Wigan deposed that there were no external marks of violence, and as most of the usual signs of drowning were obliterated by decomposition, there was no appearance to indicate the cause of death. The jury returned a verdict of found dead, but there was no evidence to show how deceased came by his death. The Superintendent of Police granted permission for the body of the lad George Collins to be taken to his father's residence, and no inquest will be held. Mr Collins, we believe, intends to continue the search for the third body, that of Cain Crewe. William’s body was found on Friday, 3 November 1876. THE LATE FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT Yesterday morning at six o’clock the body of Cain Crewe, the third man who lost his life by the recent boat accident on the Tamar, was found by the men who went in search, Messrs Collins, Jones, and others, lying in the mud about fifty yards on the other side of the bridge at Dilston Creek. The corpse was brought to town in the boat about ten o’clock when Mr Mason, the coroner, was informed of the circumstance, and on proof of the identity being afforded, issued his warrant for the interment. William's death was registered on 4 November 1876 by Thomas J Doolan of Launceston, the undertaker. It is not known where he is buried. DescriptionAt
time of transportation, William was described as being
single, aged
24 years, 5’ 4 ¾” in height
with a pale complexion, oval head and visage, black hair, clean-shaven, medium
height forehead, dark brown eyebrows and eyes, and medium nose, mouth and chin.
He had tattoos on both arms – a heart with J M (or I N) inside it H.I.M.
(or J C J M) Sun on left arm, W*C M*R (or N*C M*N) on right arm.
He also had scars on both cheeks. William was Protestant and was educated to some extent as he could read and write. His being educated is also indicated by his trade of carpenter and joiner. His surgeon's report indicated he was very good and industrious. FreedomWilliam was granted his Ticket of Leave on 26 June 1849. He was recommended for a Conditional Pardon on 19 March 1850 and this was granted on 25 March 1851. MarriageWilliam Cain CREW married Elizabeth ELY on 18 June 1850 in the district of Launceston. Elizabeth was a spinster aged 19 years. William was aged 30 years. They were married at the York Street Baptist Chapel by the Minister, Henry DOWLING. Witnesses to the marriage were David GRAHAM and William BACKHAM. Elizabeth made her mark (x) as signature on the marriage certificate. ProbationUpon
arrival in Tasmania, William was given 18 months probation to be completed at
the Fingal Probation Station. He
arrived there on 31 May 1844, being released from probation on 10 August 1845 at
which stage he became a Probation Pass Holder and could find work for himself.
In the first instance he went to the Mersey Office where he was
reprimanded on 22 November 1845 for disobedience of orders.
He then went to the Prisoner Barracks in Launceston on 26 November 1845. Work was difficult to find at this time and many Probation Pass Holders ended up in the Prisoner Barracks. On 9 December 1845 he went to B W (which may have been the brick works) in Launceston, but on 8 January 1846 returned to the Prisoner Barracks. Four
days later, on 12 January he gained work with W G at Morven. On 14 April 1846 he returned to the Prisoner Barracks at
Launceston. He again found work on
1 May 1846 with W H BARTON of Launceston – this assignment was for
approximately 12 months. On 2 February 1848 he was assigned to Thomas TWINING and/or I HATCHER of Launceston for another 12 months. On 1 February 1849 he was assigned to Joseph BRIANT of Launceston. Siblings
TransportationWhilst awaiting embarkation, William and the other prisoners were held at Millbank Prison. William embarked per Equestrian for its first voyage as a convict transport to Australia on 9 January 1844. The surgeon reported that William was very good on the trip, not employed but his general conduct was industrious. William was not on the sick list during the voyage. TrialPrevious to his transportation offence, William was convicted twice – once for picking pockets sometime before 1843 and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. His transportation offence was also picking pockets – this time 18 shillings. He was tried at Chester Borough Quarter Sessions at Chester on 25 October 1843 and sentenced to 10 years transportation. The prosecutor was Mr LANGERLEY of Chester. |
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