Remember Me 8 august 2020

CONTACT: rjsherwood@optusnet.com.au

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REMEMBER ME

INTRODUCTION

This is the story of Charles and Mary Sherwood, the author's great, great grandparents. Both were born in Fowlmere, England. Charles in 1812 and Mary Perry in 1813. Charles (1812-1880) was the son of William and Elizabeth Sherwood nee Smith. Mary (1813-1881) was the daughter of James and Harriet Perry nee Wilson. Their story begins in Fowlmere where they married in 1833. It was there that their ten children were born. In 1856 the family sailed from England with Charles’ mother Elizabeth and Mary’s nephew William Harrip on the ship Amazon. Soon after arriving the couple settled in Bugle Ranges, South Australia where they worked as farmers. Around 1875 they left South Australia and moved to Natimuk Victoria. Charles died there in 1880 and Mary died the following year at Kiata.

On 28 February 1876, Mary Sherwood was presented with a Bible by her son Stephen and daughter-in-law Jane . It was the day the couple married in Port McDonald, South Australia. Inside the bible there is a purple, ribbon bookmark. It is faded and fragile and measures 345 mm x 50 mm. It appears to have been handcrafted. Whether is was Mary’s handiwork or somebody else’s we will never know. It has two words on it ‘Remember Me.’ Heartfelt and poignant. If these were Mary’s words, then hopefully she will be remembered through the telling of hers and Charles’ story. I chose 'Remember Me.' for the title of their biography.

The image below shows the author's paternal line.

We are fortunate to have a photo of Charles and Mary. For it to have survived for over 150 years is truly remarkable. Written in pencil on the back is 'Mr. and Mrs. C Sherwood, Mt. Barker.' The rug on the grass suggests the photo was taken outdoors perhaps by a travelling photographer. One such photographer at this time was the young Philip Marchant.

In the Spring of 1864, Marchant and his brother left Adelaide for the Adelaide Hills. He kept a diary of his travels and the places he visited. According to his diary, he spent time in Mount Barker and Macclesfield.(1) Charles and Mary were living at Wistow, 4 kilometres from Mount Barker from 1861 to 1873. We have two other family photos that were taken by Marchant. It may have been Philip Marchant who took the photo of the couple when he travelled to Mount Barker. This would date the photo as 1864. Charles would have been 52 and Mary 51.

The photo is from an album that once belonged to Allen Sherwood, one of Charles and Mary’s sons. The album was passed down to Eva Chambers, Allen and Melinda’s granddaughter. Eva kindly made a copy of the photo available to me. This same photo also appears in an album kept by Jane Morley's son Samuel. Jane was Charles' younger sister. She married Thomas Morley in Fowlmere in 1835 and later settled in Victoria.

FOWLMERE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

My grandfather Arthur Gordon Sherwood was a keen letter writer. He often wrote to his sister Minnie Kelly who lived in Wodonga, Victoria. Around 1977, Arthur (while in his nineties) wrote to Minnie following a request by her for information on past family members. Arthur's reply is a humorous, tongue-in-cheek account of their ancestry. The letter serves as an interesting introduction to the story of Charles and Mary and appears below.

You ask me if I knew anything about our ancestors. Well I can enlighten you quite a lot. I won't go too far back as I don't think it will be necessary so I will start with our grandpa (Charles Sherwood). He came over from Normandy with William The Conqueror and there is no need for me to say too much about them, as we all know how quickly they cleaned up the British. Remember just the two of them on their own they fought with such courage that after five hours of fighting they had split the Britons into two directions but each of them had lost any courage they may have had. One side took to their heels towards the south with grandpa after them. He drove them into Wales where they hid in the mountains and were too afraid to ever come out again. William chased the others north into the Highlands of Scotland where their descendants are to this day. The ones in Wales are known as the really brave Britons.

After it was all over grandpa decided to settle in Cambridgeshire where he married Miss Mary Perry. They reared a large family and then brought them out to Australia. They were Alfred, Charles, Harriet (married John Jarvis a farmer) William, Arthur, Allan, Elizabeth, Mary Ann married Henry Henstridge, Steve and Fred a private in the Salvation Army.

Although Arthur stretches the truth somewhat in his letter to Minnie, some of the information is quite accurate. Charles did marry Mary Perry. Their children were all born in the order Arthur listed them except for Harriet and William. William was older than Harriet. All ten children, seven boys and three girls were born in Fowlmere.

The parish of Fowlmere lies in the southernmost part of the county of Cambridgeshire. Thirteen kilometres south of the famous university town of Cambridge and ninety-seven kilometres north of London. To the south are the neighbouring counties of Hertfordshire and Essex.

To the west of the village lies the Fowlmere moor. An area of marshes and water pools fed by underground springs and a chalk stream. It is from this moor or mere (body of water) with its abundance of water birds that the village got its name, Fowlmere. The spelling has changed over time. It was Foulmire up until the end of the 19th century. Today it is Fowlmere.

In 1794 there were around 70 families and 350 people living in Fowlmere. In 1801 this number had risen to 420 and by 1851 it had reached almost 600. It was a village where almost everyone knew everyone else on a first-name basis. A community in which some families had lived for generations, some for hundreds of years.

As is the case in most small villages, peoples’ paths crossed daily on the narrow village streets and lanes. In those times life was short, and sadly infant mortality rates were high. Poverty was all too common among the labouring class of which Charles and Mary’s families came.

And yet village life could offer things that larger towns and cities could not. The proximity to family and friends with much needed support in times of hardship. The freedom to explore the woods and meadows and appreciate the beauty that nature had to offer. Especially the birdlife that lived and thrived since ancient times on the water ponds of the Fowlmere moor.

THE SHERWOOD & PERRY FAMILIES OF FOWLMERE

The Sherwood and Perry families were relatively recent arrivals in Fowlmere. Mary’s grandfather James Perry (c.1753-1834) and his daughter Sarah were the first members of the Perry family to settle there. They left their home in Thaxted, Essex sometime after the death of James’ wife Susannah in 1781. The earliest reference to James in the village is 19 February 1783 when he married Sarah Fyson. (2) Thaxted is 32 kilometres south-east of Fowlmere.

The Sherwood name (misspelt Shoewood ) first appears in the Fowlmere parish church registers in 1811. Charles’ older brother William the son of William and Elizabeth Shoewood was baptised 21 June that year.(3) Sadly William ( an infant) was buried two days later. Eighteen months passed before Charles was born on 5 December 1812. Unlike William, Charles was baptised in the Fowlmere Independent Chapel the second of two churches in the village. The other being the parish church of Saint Mary, the church in which William was baptised and buried. Independents or Congregationalists as they were also known, chose to worship in their own church and not the parish church. According to the Independent chapel’s baptism book, Charles’ was baptised 9 May 1813.(4) There were two baptisms that Sunday, the other being Mary the daughter of Jas. and Letitia Robinet. Charles’ baptism entry appears below.

James. E. Miles was the Pastor who performed Charles' baptism.

Mary was also born in Fowlmere. She was the oldest of James and Harriet Perry’s five children. According to Mary’s bible, she was born on 16 January 1813. The 16 of January was a Saturday. It was mid-winter and very likely snow had fallen in the village around the time of her birth.

Five months later preparations were well underway for Mary’s baptism. Her young parents James and Harriet both about 23 years old, chose to have her baptised in the parish church of St. Mary. She was baptised Sunday 6 June (5) which just happened to be the first week of Summer. Summer brought with it the promise of warmer days. A pleasant time for walks along the village High street or to venture further into the nearby fields and woods. Where dragonflies and damselflies hovered above the wild orchids and red poppies growing in the meadows. Where turtle doves foraged in the berry bushes and barn owls with their heart-shaped faces perched in trees, waiting for the cover of darkness to hunt their prey. And then of course there was the nearby moor with its abundance of water birds and crystal clear pools fed by underground springs. It was an idyllic mix of fields, woods and marshes that surrounded the tiny village and its occupants.

Living in the village were Mary's grandparents James and Sarah Perry, and her great aunt Elizabeth Cooper née Fison. Then there were her aunts, Elizabeth Perry later Course and Sarah Perry later Sarah Sayer.

Mary was a week or so shy of five months old. The baptism was performed by John Dawson Wrigglesworth, a visiting curate to the parish.

There was one other infant baptised that day. Henry the son of Elizabeth and William Pearse, a wool sorter from the village.

On a visit to Fowlmere in 2013, a photo of Saint Mary’s baptism font was a priority. The font below was used in Mary’s baptism and dates

to the 15th century. It was made by medieval English craftsmen who cut the font from a soft chalky limestone known as clunch. The bowl is octagonal, lined with lead, and sits on an octagonal base. When not in use it is enclosed with a wooden cover. Mary’s siblings along with her father James ( c.1790-1864) and grandmother Sarah Perry nee Fyson (1758-1820 ) were also baptised in the ancient church font.

THE MARRIAGE OF CHARLES & MARY

There are no further references to Charles and Mary until their marriage in Saint Mary’s church Fowlmere on 24 December 1833.(6) The 24 December was a Tuesday. Being winter, there was the possibility that it was snowing or snow had had fallen in the weeks and days prior to their marriage. The service was performed by William Metcalf. He was the Rector of Fowlmere from 1814 to 1850.

The couple’s marriage entry reads...

Charles Serwood (signs as Charles Sherwood) of this parish single man and Mary Perry of this parish single woman were married in this church by banns this twenty fourth day of December 1833. By me W. Metcalfe Rector of Foulmire. In the presence of John Law X his mark and Sarah All.

The two witnesses to the marriage were John Law and Sarah All. John was about the same age as Charles and may have been a friend of his. Sarah could well have been a friend of Mary. Sarah All/Alln was also a witness at Jane Sherwood's marriage to Thomas Morley in 1835.

We can speculate as to those who were present on the day. Mary's parents James and Harriet Perry, and quite possibly Mary's 80-year-old grandfather James Perry senior. Mary’s only sister Susan, and her husband Rayner Harrip along with Mary’s five brothers; William, Thomas, James, John and Frederick.

Then there were those representing the Sherwood family who were present. Charles' parents William and Elizabeth Sherwood and his grandmother Elizabeth Sherwood, later Dixon (c.1760-1850). The twice widowed Elizabeth was living with her son William Sherwood in Fowlmere in 1841. She was most likely living in the village much earlier than this date. No doubt Charles' sister Jane and her husband Thomas Morley and Charles’ younger brother William were also present at their older brother’s marriage.

The following year, 1834 was an eventful period in Mary's life. A little over two weeks after she married, her new husband Charles was convicted of assault and threatened with imprisonment. Her grandfather James died in April and her first son Alfred was born in June and baptised in December. Her sister Susan married in October and her mother Harriet died in November.

Very little else is known of Charles and Mary’s life in Fowlmere apart from an incident involving Charles. It took place not long after the couple married. Charles was charged with assaulting a boy by the name of Shadrach Hopwood. The assault took place on 10 January 1834. Shadrach was about 13 years old. Charles was 21. Shadrach was the son of Ann and Barton Hopwood, a labourer of Fowlmere. What Hopwood did or didn't do to provoke the assault will probably never be known. The case came to court exactly one month to the day later at the Rose Inn in neighbouring Melbourn. Charles was convicted by Henry Hawkins and William Metcalfe, two justices of the peace. William Metcalfe was at the time the rector of the Fowlmere parish church. He held this position from 1814 up until his death in 1850. It was the same Rev. Metcalfe who married Charles and Mary 17 days earlier in the parish church. Charles was fined 9 shillings and 6 pence, the equivalent of a week's wages for a farm labourer. This amount was to be paid to Hopwood for 'costs'. In addition, sixpence was to be paid to Thomas Nash the overseer of the poor of the parish. Failure to pay the fine would have seen Charles placed in the Cambridge jail for a month.

See the entry below.

To find out more about the incident, inquiries were directed to the County Records Office, Cambridge. Unfortunately, they were unable to offer much assistance. Their reply, in part appears below.

The photocopy you enclose is one of the convictions filed amongst the Cambridgeshire Quarter Sessions Fowlmere Easter Term 1834. The case was actually tried in the Melbourn Petty Sessional (police) Court, records of which do not survive until 1913. We have checked with Cambridge Central Library which has an index to the local newspaper, The Cambridge Chronicle, for the period but this contains no reference to the incident.

THE FAMILY OF CHARLES & MARY SHERWOOD

In 1841 the first true population census for Great Britain was introduced. Previous attempts were no more than population counts. The census was treated with a great deal of suspicion in many quarters. Some saw it as a threat to individual privacy, while others regarded it as a prelude to the introduction of new taxes. Others still, felt it would be used to resettle the poor who had left their place of birth and had settled elsewhere.

To encourage cooperation from the public, local people were used as census officials or enumerators. One of the Fowlmere enumerators was the plumber, Joseph Mowbray. The census was taken on the night of Monday the 7 of June 1841. Recorded on the returns were the names of every person who stayed in the house previous night, Sunday the 6 June. This included family members, boarders and any visitors. According to the census (7) Charles was 29, Mary 28, Alfred 7, Charles 5, William 3, Harriet 2 and Arthur the author's great grandfather just 4 months old. The family was living in High street Fowlmere and Charles was working as an agricultural or farm labourer. Appearing next to the Sherwood family on the census was William and Mary Course and their two young daughters Eliza and Mary. William Course was Mary's cousin.

According to the 1851 Fowlmere census, the family was still living in High street and had grown to eight with the birth of Allen, Elizabeth and Mary Ann.

This census was taken on the night of Monday the 31 March. The census collectors were Richard Johnson a 32-year-old draper and grocer and William Godfrey a 24-year-old wheelwright. This census contained additional information. The relationship of those present in each household was given as well as the exact age of each person. Small babies were quite often unnamed. This may account for why Stephen Sherwood who was 8 months old at the time, was not recorded.

Those at school or not employed were listed as scholars. Two of Charles and Mary’s children, Allen and Elizabeth are so described. Medical conditions were noted. Anyone who was ‘blind, deaf or idiot’ was to be recorded as such. Eight-year-old Allan Sherwood is listed as deaf. In 1851, the population of Fowlmere was 597. There were 128 houses in the village and 129 families. The number of families involved in agriculture was 80.

Apart from Stephen Sherwood the baby of the family, four other members of the family don't appear on the Fowlmere census for 1851. They were Charles’ mother Elizabeth, his brother William and wife Sophia and Charles’ son Alfred. No mention of them could be found in any of the parishes or towns in Cambridgeshire. I initially felt that they may have been part of an estimated 10 percent of the population who were missed on census night. There was also the possibility that they were living in another English county or had emigrated, possibly to Australia. While it took many years, we were able to locate all four. Alfred’s whereabouts on census night remained a mystery until 2005.

That year a complete list of the 1851 census was published on the internet. This made searching for Alfred Sherwood a lot faster and a lot easier. Alfred was located working as a ‘footboy’ in Maldon, Essex. Maldon is about 55 kilometres south-east of Fowlmere. A footboy was a young male, who along with other duties would run errands for his employer. It’s interesting that Alfred pretty much continued this line of work when he lived in Australia. He appears in South Australian Post Office Directories as a bank messenger in Adelaide. According to the census, Alfred was 16 years old and born in Foulmire (Fowlmere.) He was working for Mary Wedd. Mary was a 59-year-old spinster. She was a land owner and living in High street Maldon. Also working for Mary Wedd at this time was Mary Ann Dyson. She was 27 and single and worked as Mary’s house servant. Mary Ann was born in Castle Hadingham, Essex. On the 1861 census Mary Wedd was still living in the parish of All Saints in Maldon. She was listed as the owner of a house and lands and a fund holder. Visiting Mary on census night 1851 was her 20-year-old niece, Elizabeth P Wedd. So, who was Mary Wedd and how was it that Alfred found himself working for her? According to the census Mary was born about 1792. Most importantly, she like Alfred was also born in Fowlmere. A check of the Fowlmere parish church baptism records reveals that a Mary Wedd was born there October 16, 1791. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Wedd nee Crakanthorp. Elizabeth’s ancestor the Rev John Crakanthorp was the Rector of Fowlmere from 1667 to 1719. The Wedd family were wealthy land owners in the parish. Mary appears to have either purchased or inherited her property in Maldon, Essex. The Wedd family were also prominent members of the Independent church in Fowlmere. In fact, they played a large part in its establishment in the village. According to Dennis Hitch in his book “A Mere Village, A History of Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire.”

‘As early as 1758 a house belonging to the Wedd family was used as a meeting house for the Independents in Fowlmere. The present Chapel which still stands was built in 1780. The promoter of the new meeting house for the non-conformists of the village was Benjamin Wedd.’

The Sherwood family were also members of this church as early as 1812 when Alfred's father Charles Sherwood was baptised there. So too was Alfred in 1834. It may have been because both families were members of the Fowlmere Independent chapel that Alfred was able to find work with Mary Wedd.

From information sent to me by Marika Borlase in 2011, I learned why Charles' younger brother William and wife don't appear on the 1851 Fowlmere census. According to Marika, William had left his wife Sophia and made his way to South Australia with Sarah Hayles. They landed in Port Adelaide in 1847. At some stage William’s wife Sophia returned to the town of Great Chesterford, Essex where she was born about 1818. She died there in 1850. More about this later.

It wasn't until September 2012, that I learned where Elizabeth Sherwood spent census night in 1851. An online search of the census was made restricting the search to include only those counties which shared a border with Cambridgeshire. In no time the search produced the outcome I was hoping for but never quite expected. I found that Elizabeth Sherwood spent Sunday 30 March 1851, in Chrishall, Essex. The village of Chrishall is about 9 kilometres southeast of Fowlmere. On census night Elizabeth was staying with Tom and Lydia Creek and their infant daughter Laura. Elizabeth, a nurse according to the census, appears to have been attending to one of the Crick family members.

As can be seen from the above, both the 1841 and 1851 English census returns are invaluable tools for making discoveries about our long, passed ancestors.

An interesting entry appears in the Cambridgeshire Quarter Sessions Book for 1855. A man by the name of John Scott was convicted at Foulmire, (Fowlmere) of having assaulted Mary Sherwood. I do not know if the entry above refers to Charles' wife Mary or their daughter Mary who was seven years old at the time. At this point I have no further information on the assault.

1855. Scott John. Convicted, at Foulmire, assaulted Mary Sherwood. (8)

PART 2: LEAVING ENGLAND

THE DECISION TO LEAVE

The reasons behind Charles & Mary's decision to emigrate will never be known for certain. The following factors may have influenced their decision making.

It is reasonable to assume the distressing social and economic conditions which prevailed in Cambridgeshire and other parts of England in the mid nineteenth century, were responsible for many families deciding to emigrate.

It was rare for farm labourers such as Charles to own their cottages. Quite often more than one family had to share crowded accommodation under the same roof in a tenement. Many cottages and tenements lacked sanitation and water supplies were often polluted. Rural workers experienced unemployment throughout the year and at other times long periods of under-employment, perhaps working as little as two to three days a week. From about 1811 the rural population showed a steady increase, while the need for rural workers declined. The effects of this were disastrous, particularly for the inhabitants of smaller villages such as Fowlmere. There was simply no other industry in Cambridgeshire for rural workers to turn to. They faced increasing unemployment and poverty. It is little wonder that many families, including our own, must have looked to this country in the hope of finding a better life.

It's also fair to assume that other influences must have played a part too. Influences such as the emigration of other family members. My grandfather Arthur Gordon Sherwood is remembered as saying that his grandfather's brother was the first member of the family to settle in Australia. Arthur’s grandfather was Charles Sherwood. According to the family story, Charles’ brother and wife were said to have sent word back to England encouraging other family members to follow. By the time Charles and Mary arrived in Adelaide, the brother had left his wife and disappeared. It was said that Charles and family met up with the brother's wife but not the brother. Charles’ only surviving brother was William Sherwood. William was born about 1818, and was six years younger than Charles. William arrived in South Australia in 1847, not with his wife, but with Sarah Hayles, a young woman from the village. Only a matter of weeks before Charles and Mary landed in Port Adelaide, William had left his wife and made his way to Melbourne. The family story, having survived for over 160 years has proven to be remarkably accurate.

In 1853, six years after William arrived in South Australia, Charles’ younger sister Jane and her husband Thomas Morley left Fowlmere for Portland Victoria. Perhaps they also sent word back encouraging Charles and Mary to join them in Australia.

SECURING A PASSAGE

Having decided to leave, the family had to apply to the Emigration Commissioners for an assisted passage to Australia.

In the early 1850’s preference was given to female servants, agricultural (farm) labourers, shepherds, shoemakers and tailors. Eligible candidates were expected to be sober, hard-working, of good moral character and in good health. Once accepted the family would have received an ‘Approval Circular’ stating the amount of money that they were required to contribute towards the cost of the voyage. Married agricultural labourers under 45 and their wives paid one pound (Charles and Mary fell into this category) single men (Alfred, Charles and William) paid two pounds, and single women, Harriet, one pound. The remaining children all under 14 paid ten shillings each.

The money paid by the emigrants towards their passage was used by the Commissioners to supply meals, medical care, and cooking utensils. The emigrants were provided with mattresses, bedcovers, pillows, blankets and a canvas bag to hold linen. Each passenger was supplied with a knife and fork, a tablespoon and teaspoon as well as a tin plate and a pint-tin drinking mug. The emigrants were able to keep these articles provided they behaved well on the voyage.

Once accepted, each family member was required to bring with them suitable clothing for the voyage. For males it was recommended that they take at least six shirts, six pairs of stockings (socks) two pairs of shoes and two complete suits of exterior clothing. For females it was suggested that they take six shifts, two flannel petticoats, six pairs of stockings, two pairs of shoes and two gowns. For both sexes, hats and handkerchiefs were advised. Shoes and slippers were considered more comfortable onboard the ship than boots. Three sheets were recommended for each berth, along with four towels and 2 pounds of soap for each person.

Having made payment, the emigrants were allocated a ship, port of embarkation and departure date. For our family, the port of departure was Plymouth Sound, on the south coast of England.

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

For many emigrants, leaving home must have been one of the hardest decisions they ever had to make. All left family and friends behind with little or no prospect of ever returning. We can barely imagine how difficult it was when it came time to leave. It would have been very difficult for Mary as she left behind her father James, her siblings, cousins and nephews and nieces. Those last goodbyes must have been especially hard for Mary's 66-year-old widowed father James Perry. He would eventually farewell three of his children, Mary, Susan, and Frederick and his grandchildren, knowing full well that he would never see them again.

Our family’s departure from Fowlmere was soon followed by other family members. Six months later, on 12 October 1856, Mary’s nephew Arthur Harrip arrived in Port Adelaide. He was followed five months later (17 March 1857) by his parents Susan and Raynor Harrip. Susan was Mary’s younger sister. In March 1858, Mary’s youngest brother Frederick Perry arrived in Port Adelaide.

The Sherwood, Perry and Harrip families accounted for 23 people who left Fowlmere and settled in South Australia between 1856 and 1858. This was four percent of Fowlmere’s population.

And so it was, on a day in early December 1855, that our family left Fowlmere for the last time. It was more than likely a cold day as December was the start of winter. They made their way south to Portsmouth where they would set sail for Australia. Fourteen family members made the journey. Mary and Charles, their ten children and Charles’ widowed mother Elizabeth. With them most likely was Mary's nephew William Harrip age 20. William was the son of Mary’s younger sister Susan and her husband Raynor Harrip. All up a total of 14 family members would set sail, making them the largest family group on the ship.

THE AMAZON

The ship that would bring the family to Australia was the Amazon. While I have been unable to find a photo of the Amazon, there is a painting of a ship named the 'Amazon' housed in the Stranraer Museum, Scotland.(9) It could very well be the ship our ancestors sailed on. I am seeking further confirmation.

The text below accompanies the painting of the Amazon on the Stranraer museum web site...

'The 'Amazon' carried emigrants from Britain to South Australia in the 1850's.'

The Amazon’s survey report

The 791-ton Amazon was built in Scotland during a depression in the ship building industry. She has the distinction of being the first ship of her size to be built undercover on the Tay river, at Marine Parade, Dundee. According to a Survey report (10) ...

The Amazon was built by Alex Stephen in 1850. She was launched in the autumn of that year. Her owners were two brothers, Joseph, and Fredrick Somes, of London. She was initially built as a cargo carrier for trade in the east Indies.

The survey report states that her masts were in best condition and sufficient in size and length. That she was rigged at yard No. 14, with two fore sails 240 fathoms, two fore top sails 80 fathoms, 2 fore topmasts stay sails, 80 fathoms two main sails 80 fathoms two main topsails 80 fathoms and two full sails and a full equipment/compliment of other sails.

The vessel was given an A1 classification. According to the surveyor...

'She’s been built under a roof and upwards of fourteen months in building, is sheathed in yellow metal in patent form and abundantly fitted.'

Metal covering was applied below a ship’s waterline as a protection against damage by toredo worms. These were mollusks which sometimes grew to a metre in length. The depth of her hold where cargo, luggage and provisions were stowed measured 21 feet. She was fitted out with one long boat and three other boats. The report said...'This is a superior built vessel of excellent material and workmanship.'

Fitting out for voyage

Immigrant Ship Papers (11) for the Amazon provide a unique insight into the conditions onboard the vessel as she made her way to South Australia. These papers include a brief description of the ship, the accommodation and diet of the emigrants, the surgeon’s reports, and other things of interest. According to the papers...

'The length of the Amazon’s lower deck was 136 feet (41.45m) The width of the lower deck was 28 feet four inches (8.5m)'

She was moored at West India Dock London and was to be ready to be fitted out for passengers by the 15 October 1855. Her previous cargo was coffee.

The Commissioners laid down specific conditions for the fitting out of the ship, and the equipment to be carried.

'The ship is to be seaworthy and well found. She shall also be provided with not less than two chronometers, (used for fixing longitude at sea) with suitable anchors, cables (two of chain) lightning conductors, an efficient fire engine and also fire annihilators, four lifebuoys, a sufficient number of good boats, including a long boat, two cutters, a lifeboat and a jolly boat, with a sufficient number of properly fitted scuttles in each side of the ship, and such deck light ventilators and ventilating apparatus as may be required...'

Once the ship was fitted out, she was loaded with cargo. The cargo was put onboard in London before she sailed to Plymouth to pick up her passengers. The South Australian Register newspaper gave a good account of the cargo she was to bring to South Australia. Below are some of the items carried.

'Fifty cases of white wine, confectionery, two cases of candles, 100 cases of glass, 10 cases of cutlery, 8 bundles of broom handles, one case of books and stationery, 33 casks of beer, agricultural implements, 2 cases of snuff, 2 trunks of boots and shoes, one winnowing machine, one dog cart, 50 boxes of clay pipes, body of waggon wheels and drills, a cart and harness...'

The Amazon ‘cleared out’ of London on the 30 November and sailed the following day. She arrived in Plymouth Sound on the 2nd of December 1855.

She was to be ready to receive her passengers no later than the 10 December. Food and drink, which included fresh meat and bread was to be provided at the owner’s expense.

With the ship properly fitted-out and all the necessary provisions placed onboard, there was a problem. There were not enough emigrants to fill up the ship. The South Australian Register newspaper reported the matter on the 7 April 1856, which coincidently was the day the Amazon arrived in Port Adelaide. The article was written in England by a British newspaper correspondent and dated the 20 December 1855.

,Emigration is at a standstill. The Commissioners have now three ships for your colony lying, two at Southampton and one at Plymouth, for which they are unable to find emigrants. The Violet has been at Southampton ever since the 22nd of November, and is now on demurrage; so also is the Amazon at Plymouth; the Auroa at the former port has still some “lay days” to run; each is short of the minimum number. The Commissioners have, however, at length done what they should have done years since, viz, sent a special officer into the country districts to select emigrants. Mr. Chant, the dispatching officer at Birkenhead, who has had the entire selection of the Scotch emigrants for the Highland Society under Sir Charles Trevelyan, has been sent into Wales, and he has already sent forward 45 emigrants to Plymouth for the Amazon, which it is expected will enable her to get away at last...

The following is another of the above correspondent’s reports. Although it was dated London, January 7th, 1856, it too was published in the Register the day the family arrived. News did not travel fast in those days!

Emigration is almost brought to a standstill. One ship has departed for Adelaide since my last letter, (20 Dec.) viz, the Amazon, which sailed from Plymouth on the 2nd inst, having onboard 45 married couples, 79 children, 94 single men, and 35 single women, making a total of 298 souls, equal to 255 statute adults. Of these 212 were English, 22 Scotch, and 64 Irish.

The Amazon was the seventh ship from England to South Australia with government passengers in 1856.

SETTING SAIL

With two hundred and ninety-eight emigrants onboard, their luggage stowed away in the hold, and the final farewells said, the Amazon made its way out of Plymouth harbour and into the English Channel. When she set sail on Wednesday 2 January, there were fourteen members of our family onboard. This included Mary’s nephew William Harrip. The Sherwood family spanned three generations and were the largest family group on the ship. Charles’ mother Elizabeth at 67 was the oldest emigrant to sail. Charles was 44 and Mary was 43. Their children’s ages were Alfred 21, Charles junior 20, William 18, Harriet 16, Arthur 14, Allen 12, Elizabeth 9, Mary 7, Stephen 5 and Frederick the youngest family member was 2. On the passenger list, Charles and his three eldest sons Alfred, Charles and William’s occupations were given as labourers. The term labourer included agricultural or farm workers. Elizabeth senior and Harriet both gave their occupations as (domestic) servants.

The occupations of the ship’s emigrants were as follows. Ninety-three labourers, three shoemakers, one joiner (furniture maker) one wheelwright (maker or repairer of wagon wheels) one brickmaker, fourteen carpenters, six masons, eight miners, one baker, one smith, one miller, three gardeners, two bricklayers, one sawyer (timber cutter) one cooper (maker or repairer of casks) and two servants. Of the female emigrants thirty-three were domestic servants and two were seamstresses.

Before sailing from Plymouth and for the first couple of days after sailing, each adult emigrant received one and a half pounds of fresh bread, two thirds of a pound of fresh meat, a pound of potatoes and a suitable supply of vegetables. They were also entitled to tea, coffee, sugar, and butter.

Under full sail and headed out into the North Atlantic Ocean the passengers entrusted their lives to the officers and crew of the ship. The ship’s captain was Frederick Coote, the Chief Mate Christopher Johnston, and the Issuer of Stores James Owens. The crew numbered 27 or there abouts, half of which had to be able bodied seamen. They were to receive the same rations as the emigrants and if required had access to medical attention from the surgeon.

As far as the emigrants were concerned one of the most important people onboard was Dr Edward W Doman the ship’s doctor. He was appointed to look after the health and welfare of all those onboard. His responsibilities were wide ranging. Among other things he was responsible for ensuring the cleanliness of the vessel and making sure that the quality and quantity of the food was adequate. He was required to maintain discipline and settle any disputes that would inevitably arise from time to time. Dr. Doman was entitled to his own cabin and a pint of ‘good’ wine each day. He and other first-class passengers dined with the captain at the captain’s table. This was Dr. Doman’s fourth voyage as surgeon-superintendent. He received 12 shillings for each emigrant who survived the voyage.

Elizabeth Morson was the ship’s nurse and Thomas Cook was the hospital assistant. Eliza Goodrich was the matron. Her primary responsibility was to supervise the single women onboard. Eliza was either selected or volunteered for the role of matron. She appears on the passenger list as a 30-year-old, unmarried domestic servant from Middlesex. The immigration agent reported that the matron ‘acted well’ and as such received five shillings for services rendered.

The sub-matron was Charlotte Daly. She too was from Middlesex. She was 29, single, and had worked as a servant. Dr. Doman in his report on the behaviour of the passengers had this to say...

With one or two exceptions amongst the married people the general conduct has been good. The conduct of the single women has been very good with the exception of three who have given the matron some trouble their names are Mary Ann Prince, Alice Skinner and Flora McLardy they being desirous of attracting the attention of the crew whilst on the poop. I have found it necessary to keep them below...

Mary Ann Prince 18, and Alice Skinner 28, were servants from Middlesex. Flora McLardy 16 was from Renfrew, near Glasgow in Scotland. She also gave her occupation as a servant. Keeping them below probably meant that the young women were confined to the single women’s quarters in the steerage.

Married men took on the role of ship’s constables. Part of their job was to patrol the married quarters at night as a safeguard against fire, theft or anything else untoward. Forty-four-year-old Charles Allwood a labourer from Middlesex was chief constable. Other constables were the labourer William Mc Leary, 33, Charles Gray, a 34-year-old bricklayer, John Buckland 34, a carpenter from Hertfordshire, Henry Jeffery, James Murphy and John Brazill a 32-year-old, carpenter from Warwick.

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation for the passengers was in the ‘between decks’ or steerage. The between deck, more commonly referred to as the steerage was divided into three sections with a partition between each section. One end of the steerage accommodated the single females. They were required to share a bunk, six feet by three feet. On the passenger list we find Elizabeth senior and her granddaughter Harriet 16, listed together as single women. They were part of the thirty-five single females who shared accommodation together in the single women’s’ quarters.

Charles and Mary together with Arthur, Allen, Elizabeth, Mary-Ann, Stephen and Frederick shared accommodation in the married persons quarters with forty-five other married couples and their seventy-three children. There were thirty-four boys and thirty-seven girls between the ages of one and twelve. There were two male and five female infants under the age of one.

Married couples were allocated a bunk six feet by three feet, which they shared. The bunk below was occupied by two of their children. There was very little privacy with the sleeping arrangements. On either side of a couple were another couple separated by a plank. Sometimes this plank ran from the floor of the deck to the ceiling. In some ships this dividing plank was no more than twenty-three inches high. Where curtains were fitted as they were in the Amazon, these were suspended on rings and could be drawn across the open ends or sides of the bunks.

Alfred 21, Charles 20 and William 18 were listed as single men. They were part of the ninety-four single males who were housed together in the single men’s quarters. The single men’s bed space was six feet by two feet, a foot narrower than the space allocated for couples. This was because single men were required to sleep alone.

Accommodation onboard the Amazon was no doubt similar to the accommodation provided on many other sailing ships for that period. Government emigrants ate, slept and passed away the hours in the steerage.

The steerage in the Amazon was one hundred and thirty-six feet, by twenty-eight feet four inches at its widest part. The height between decks (head space for the passengers) was seven feet two inches.

In many emigrant ships the beds in the steerage were double bunks, which ran all the way round the sides of the vessel. When in position, feet pointed towards the centre of the ship. Beneath the lower bunk was a space of about six inches to store some of the passenger’s belongings.

MEALS

Meals were eaten in the steerage on a long central table that often ran the length of the between decks area. The seats were fixed on both sides of the table. The edge of the table was raised to stop knives and forks and the plates with the emigrant’s meals on them from disappearing over the edge, in heavy seas. When the weather was fine, passengers quite often chose to eat their meals on deck. Joshua Fergo was the ship’s cook and Tobias Blackler his assistant. Blackler was a 23-year-old, labourer from Middlesex, England. He either volunteered or was selected from the passengers to act as the cook’s assistant. Just three weeks after landing in Adelaide he sailed for Portland, Victoria on the White Swan.

On some emigrant ships each adult passenger was given a mess form which listed what he and his family were entitled to. This ensured that he or she would not be shortchanged by the issuer of stores. This was all very good provided the person could read. The Issuer of Stores was James Owens. He was to be paid one shilling for each passenger landed alive. He was paid fourteen pounds and seventeen shillings in wages for his work.

As far as meals were concerned, the following rations were allocated during the voyage.

Sunday’s rations included eight ounces of biscuit, 8 ounces of preserved meat, 6 ounces flour, 3 ounces of oatmeal, 2 ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, 4 ounces of preserved potatoes, 1/4 ounce tea 2 ounces of treacle and 3 quarts of water.

‘As for the biscuits which figure so largely in the dietary and in immigrant’s complaints, these were four inches square and at least an inch thick. They were baked very hard, presumably as a way of preserving them, and that made it impossible to bite them.’

Monday: The immigrants received eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of pork. The pork had to be prime Irish India pork, six ounces of flour, 3 ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas. The peas must be issued in a cooked state, as the surgeon may direct. Half an ounce of ground coffee, 4 ounces of sugar, 1/4-ounce tea, 2 ounces of butter and 3 quarts of water.

Tuesday’s rations were much the same as the previous days. The obligatory eight ounces of biscuit (biscuit was on the menu every day) eight ounces of preserved meat, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of rice, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.

Wednesday’s rations included eight ounces of biscuit six ounces of pork, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas, half an ounce of ground coffee, four ounces of sugar and three quarts of water.

Thursday. Eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of preserved meat, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of preserved potatoes, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.

Friday. Eight ounces of biscuit six ounces of pork, six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, 1/4 of a pint of peas, half an ounce of ground coffee, four ounces of sugar, two ounces of butter and three quarts of water.

Saturday. Eight ounces of biscuit, eight ounces of beef, (the beef had to be prime new Irish or American East India beef) six ounces flour, three ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of raisins, one and a half ounces of suet, four ounces of rice, a quarter of an ounce of tea, two ounces of treacle and three quarts of water.

In addition to the above, the passengers received one gill of mixed pickles, 1/2 an ounce of mustard, 2 ounces of salt and 1/2 an ounce of pepper each week. Every person over the age of twelve received six ounces of flour a day. The flour was used by the emigrants to prepare bread for baking. It was then taken to the baker for baking into bread and perhaps even rolls. Baking tins and an oven for baking the bread were to be provided onboard. The ship employed a baker by the name of John Daly and paid him to bake the passenger’s bread.

On many emigrant ships the quality and quantity of the meals and water left much to be desired. Copious quantities of water had to be carried onboard to cater for the passenger’s needs. Storing water over any length of time often resulted in the water turning foul. Because of its scarcity, supplies of water had to be rationed. On the Amazon each person over the age of twelve received three quarts a day.

The water and meals onboard the Amazon were, according to a report by the emigration agent, ‘both abundant and good’ in terms of their quantity and quality. The report was made the day after the ship landed at Port Adelaide. Dr. Doman confirmed this in his report saying that that the provisions and water were ‘ample and good.'

PASSENGERS' WELLBEING

For the passenger and crews’ wellbeing there were separate hospitals onboard for males and females. Each was fitted out with beds and swing cots. Under the direction of Dr. Doman, hospital patients were allowed additional daily supplies of water. A detailed list of medicines to be carried on the ship included; a tin bath, a set of copper scales and weights, sponges, bed pans, saucepans of different sizes, trusses for hernia, disinfecting powder, scissors an enema apparatus and a bleeding porringer. All volatile medicines and acids were to be put in stopper bottles.

After one month at sea a young boy by the name of Frederick Buckland died. His death was attributed to inflammation of the lungs. Inflammation of the lungs referred to pneumonia and related diseases. He died on the 2 February, age just two years. Burials at sea usually involved wrapping the body in canvas, adding weights and placing it overboard following the funeral service. In the absence of a clergyman onboard, the ship’s captain would conduct the service.

According to Dr. Doman…

There has not been any sickness of any consequence- a few cases of diarrhoea at the early part of the voyage. Some cases of dysentery after reaching the 40th degree south latitude where we often experienced thick foggy weather.

LIFE ONBOARD

The days and nights spent onboard revolved around a well-established routine, which may have helped relieve the boredom of being confined to the ship for 3 months. The day began at 7 am when every passenger was expected to rise. They dressed, rolled up their beds, swept the decks including the space beneath the bottom bunk, and threw the dirt overboard. No breakfast until this was done. Breakfast was between 8 and 9am. Dinner was at 1pm and supper at 6pm.

The passengers had to be in their beds by 10pm, when the lights went out. Three safety lamps were lit at dusk, at least one was to be kept burning all night in the main hatchway. The emigrant had to ensure that his berth was brushed out, the beds were shaken well and aired on deck at least twice a week. Two days in the week were appointed as washing days. The clothing was to be washed and dried on the deck weather permitting.

Every third or fourth week the passengers were able to choose what clothing and luggage they wanted brought up from the hold. On Sunday the passengers were to be mustered on deck at 10 am where they were expected to appear clean and dressed in decent clothes. Divine service was held ‘regularly’ each Sunday weather permitting on the deck. In the absence of a clergyman, the service was conducted by the captain.

The passengers were able to use the upper deck for exercise and to escape the crowded and uncomfortable conditions in the steerage. For the children with so much idle time on their hands, attending school while at sea was a great opportunity to learn to read and write. Attendance at school does not appear to have been compulsory, with many children on the Amazon deciding not to attend. The teacher appears to have been appointed from among the passengers. They were paid a gratuity or bonus in carrying out their responsibilities. The schoolmaster on the Amazon was William Henry Morson. He was paid a gratuity of 5 shillings for instructing the children. Lessons were, weather permitting, held on the deck. This presented its own problems as is evident in Dr. Doman’s report.

The only suggestion I have to make is that if possible a portion of the ship be fitted up for a school. The difficulty of fixing the attention of the children was found very great. The surrounding objects constantly attracting their attention. I would have used the washhouse but that I found it operated for the single females. Thereby preventing the necessity of their washing on the deck and the possibility of the sailors mingling with them. I think if such a plan could be adopted, the school would be attended with greater benefit.

He went on to say that school was ‘Attended with tolerable regularity. Average numbers thirty-seven. Tolerable results.’

The Immigration agent commented in his report that the schoolmaster ‘acted well’, and that there were as far as complaints among the emigrants ‘None, except a dispute between the schoolmaster and another occupant.’

According to Dr. Doman the behaviour of the passengers during the voyage was good with the exception of several of the young women and a number of young men.

I have had a great deal of trouble with some of the young men who are of very dirty and disorderly habits.

The regulations have been very well observed, but amongst the single men I have had to enforce things especially with regard to keeping their part of the ship clear. None were reported for punishment.

THE VOYAGE

The only newspaper report of the Amazon’s voyage to Australia appeared in the South Australian Register.

‘Miscellaneous’ The voyage of the emigrant ship Amazon, elsewhere reported has been protracted by a continuance of light winds. After the departure from Plymouth the equator was reached in 30 days, and the longitude of the Cape of Good Hope in 60 days. The logbook entries of vessels spoken during the voyage do not happen to posses any interest here.

An event, which the family would have seen just two days short of landing in Port Adelaide, was a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between the sun and the earth, casting a shadow on the earth. While a partial eclipse of the sun is of little scientific interest, a total eclipse is quite rare, of great importance and stunningly beautiful.

Charles Todd, the Superintendent of the Magnetic Telegraph, wrote to the Editor of the Register newspapers with his account of the event.

The wind throughout was very light, at times dying away to a calm. It was southwest at 1.16 pm and gradually veered round to S.S.E by 5.33 pm. About one tenth of the sky was covered with cloud between 1 and 2 o’clock but less during the eclipse...

It will be seen that the temperature of the air in the sun at the commencement of the eclipse was about 89 degrees (Fahrenheit) and declined to 76 degrees shortly after the greatest phase, after which it again rose to 83 degrees at the end of the eclipse...

The diminution of light was probably not so great as many of your readers anticipated. All however must have been struck with the peculiar somber hue of the sky and country, altogether unlike that arising from the sun’s setting, when the predominating red rays of the spectrum give a gorgeous glowing tinge to every object. Towards the middle of the eclipse the clouds became darkened, and very sharply defined. In a room facing the N.N.E it was difficult to read small print. The fowls manifested a desire to roost. Venus, I believe, was visible to the naked eye, although I did not see her myself. (12)

This eclipse began at 2.35 pm Saturday afternoon, and ended at 4:51 pm. It was visible in Adelaide from beginning to end.

ARRIVAL IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

After three months and five days at sea the Amazon arrived at the Lightship, Port Adelaide late at night on Monday the 7 April.(13) A lightship was a navigational aid which displayed lights at night.

The following day the immigration agent bordered the ship and assembled the passengers on the deck. The purpose of which was to determine whether they were satisfied with their diet and treatment throughout the voyage. They were, according to the immigration agent's report, satisfied with their treatment and the meals they received.

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The arrival of the Amazon was reported in the Adelaide Times on the 9 April. (14)

An incident involving the mooring of the ship took place on 8 April. It involved five crew members and resulted in four of them being found guilty of refusal of duty. (15)

The five men took the harbour boat and went ashore without leave. They did this to buy alcohol. They returned too intoxicated to assist with the mooring. As a consequence, men from the shore had to be engaged to carry out their duties. Later in the evening, during the dinner hour they again made their way to shore this time swimming from the ship. The police were summoned and the thirsty crew members voluntarily went into the police boat.

The matter was brought before the magistrate Mr. Chambers at the Police Court, Port Adelaide. Four of the five men were were found guilty and were given two months jail with hard labour. The fifth, a man by the name of Slater was spoken of in high regard by Captain Coote, and was allowed to return to the ship.

On the afternoon of the same day a second incident took place on board. It Involved an assault on the second mate Felix Dunolly. Dr. Doman had asked Dunolly to go with him to the single women's quarters where they saw the crew member Collins striking some of the girls. The constables were called and were able to restrain Collins. Alerted by the screaming women, the remaining five accused came below and several more blows were received by Dunolly. The midshipman was sent ashore for the police. The crew members Collins and McCarthy were found guilty of striking the second mate and both were jailed for three months with hard labour. Charges against the remaining four crew members were dismissed.

No doubt our family was well aware of both incidents as they prepared to disembark.

Once docked in Port Adelaide the passengers had fourteen working days before they had to vacate the ship. Their beds were not to be removed or disturbed allowing them to return to the ship to sleep until alternate accommodation or employment had been found. One of the family's first priorities would have been to find work before the expiration of the fourteen days. Agricultural or farm labourers were in demand, so to were single domestic servants. According to The Adelaide Times (16) All those looking for work would be able to find it before they left the port.

Charles and Mary were both 43 when they first stepped ashore. Their oldest son Alfred was 21, and their youngest child Frederick was just 2 years old. The ages of the other siblings were Charles Jr. 20, William 18, Harriet 16, Arthur 15, Allan 13, Elizabeth 10, Mary Ann 7, and Stephen 5. Charles’ mother Elizabeth Sherwood was either 67 or 68 years old. * Mary’s nephew William Harrip was 20. William was the son of Susan and Raynor Harrip and had sailed with the Sherwood family.

* Elizabeth's birth is estimated to be either 1788 or 1789. According to her death certificate she was 84 when she died in 1873. The informant (person supplying the information on her death certificate) was her grandson Alfred Sherwood.

On the 3 May the Amazon sailed without passengers for Guam a small island in the Western Pacific Ocean.

FAMILY REUNION

Where the family went immediately after disembarking is not known. They may have secured employment at the Port and started work with their employers soon after. There is also the possibility that they chose to catch up with Charles’ younger brother William and his family. William arrived in South Australia in 1847 with Sarah Hayles on the ship the British Sovereign. It had been at least nine years since the brothers had seen each other.

According to a very old family story a reunion did take place between the two families. The story is one of a several that were passed down through the family over a number of generations. All have proven to be remarkably accurate. Perhaps the story that has intrigued me most is the one that refers to the reunion with William’s family. It happened more than 160 years ago as I write. It had its beginnings in South Australia in 1856.

The story was told to me by my aunt and uncle Jean and Pat Sherwood. It was told to them by their father and my grandfather, Arthur Gordon Sherwood. He in turn would have heard the story from his father Arthur Sherwood Sr. (1841-1903) Arthur was 15 years old when he arrived in Adelaide on the Amazon with his parents, siblings and grandmother Elizabeth Sherwood. The story up until this point has never been written down. It was instead passed on by word of mouth for four generations.

According to Arthur Gordon Sherwood…

His grandfather’s brother was the first member of the family to arrive in Australia. (Arthur’s grandfather was Charles Sherwood 1812-1881) After settling here, the brother is said to have encouraged Charles and his family to join him. When Charles arrived, he was reunited with his brother’s family but not his brother. Again, according to my grandfather, Charles’ brother had, ‘Run off with the parson’s wife.’

The story proved to be remarkably accurate. Charles did have a brother, his name was William. William was in fact the first member of the Sherwood family to come to Australia. Just six weeks before Charles and family landed in Port Adelaide, William disappeared. He didn't run off with the Parson's wife, but he did run off with his wife's younger sister. Leaving his wife Sarah and their son Charles William Sherwood age 8 to fend for themselves. William left for Melbourne with Sarah’s sister Rachel Hayles.

If the family did decide to meet up with William soon after they landed, then they did so blissfully unaware of what had happened.

When and where the reunion took place is not known. We do know that William and Sarah were living in Morphetville in February 1856. It may have been there that the two families met. William was the publican of the Queens Arms Hotel in 1855 and early 1856. Clearly William and Sarah were struggling financially with their new business venture, the Queens Arms.

On 2 February 1856, the following notice appeared in the South Australian Register...

TO be LET, the Unexpired LEASE of Two Years of the QUEEN'S ARMS INN, BRIGHTON ROAD, with Stockyards and Stables; together with 40 acres of good land, all fenced in. Good water (the Sturt running through all the year) For further particulars, apply to Mr. W. Sherwood, on the premises.

With overdue rent payments and mounting debt, selling up and moving on (quite literally) was the option William chose. William and Rachel made their way to Port Adelaide where they bordered the Firefly and set sail for Melbourne. An understandably upset Sarah made her displeasure well known when she placed the following notice in the newspaper.

SARAH SHERWOOD, of the Queen's Arms, near Brighton, will be glad to hear of her Husband, WILLIAM SHERWOOD, and her Sister, RACHEL HAYLES, who suddenly disappeared together on Monday evening, February 18, and have not since been heard of. February 20, 1856.(17)

Sarah was living at the Queens Arms on 20 February 1856, according to her notice. Charles and family arrived in Port Adelaide six weeks later on 9 April. It is quite conceivable that Sarah and her child were still living at the hotel when the reunion took place. We can surmise as to who may have been at the reunion. Apart from members of the Sherwood family and Sarah, also present may have been Sarah’s father Onesiphorus Hayles, her stepmother Ellen and her sisters and brother. The Hayles had sailed on the Star Queen arriving 30 December 1854. Several years later Onesiphorus was the publican of the Morphetville hotel, about three hundred metres from the Queens Arms. The family story got it wrong when it said that William had run off with the parson’s wife. He did though, run off with the publican’s daughter.

We are fortunate that a photo of the Queens Arms has survived. It is held by the State Library of South Australia. The photo was taken in 1900 and appears below.

According to information included with the photo, the Queens Arms stood on 80 acres known as Section 150, Morphett Road, Morphettville. The hotel was built by Mr. Anthony Best, and most likely completed sometime prior to his death in March 1850. It was described as an excellent stone-built structure with five rooms, which could if needed, be converted to seven. It was said to equal any in the colony, with unlimited views and conveniences. It had excellent cellar space and storage. The Sturt river ran through the centre of the section. There was also a comfortable cottage on the property. The hotel operated from 1851 to 1855. The building was demolished either 1951 or 1952.

The news of William’s sudden departure on the evening of Monday 18 February must have come as a surprise not only to Charles, but also William’s mother Elizabeth. She was no doubt expecting to be reunited with her youngest son after almost ten years. William’s disappearance must have caused her considerable distress. And then of course, there was the added pain William caused his own family when he abandoned his wife and son. Whatever plans the family may have had that involved William were now in tatters.

The next we hear of Sarah is in April 1868, twelve years later. At a meeting of the Glenelg Corporation on 3 April 1868, attended by the Mayor and five councillors, the following matter was discussed…

Report from police-constable referred to complaints of a stench from the premises of Mrs. Sarah Sherwood, near the Adelaide-road, where he found a pigsty in a very filthy state. Town Clerk to give Mrs. Sherwood notice to remove the nuisance.

A little over one month later, on the 6 May 1868, Sarah age 45 died.(18)

Sarah was survived by her son Charles William Sherwood. He was 19 years old when Sarah died. Charles married Margaret Patterson, 24 May 1873. He was 24.Early Days in South Australia

EARLY DAYS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Elizabeth senior was living in Kermode street, North Adelaide in December 1856, just seven months after leaving the ship. We know this from an advertisement she placed in the South Australian Register. (19)

WANTED, by a respectable Female, who has had 10 years’ experience, a SITUATION as NURSE. Apply to Mrs. Sherwood, Kermode street, North Adelaide.

Elizabeth had previously worked as a nurse in Fowlmere after the death of her husband William in 1843.

On 2 October 1858, Alfred married Jessie McInnes in Adelaide. By 1860 he owned a house in King William Street and was working as the steward for the Adelaide Club.

The first we hear of Charles and Mary after they left Port Adelaide is in October 1858. According to their son Alfred’s marriage certificate, Charles’ occupation and residence was 'Farmer, Mount Barker.'

The family is next heard of in September 1859. According to an item in The South Australian Advertiser, they were working as tenant farmers in Bugle Ranges. M. Sherwood (Mary) was the leaseholder of section 3897, 50 acres of farmland in Bugle Ranges.

In 1859, the Land Board decided that part of section 3897 was to be used for a road that would pass through the property. Mary was paid three pounds and three shillings compensation. The owner of the property M. O’Brien was compensated for the loss of an acre of his land.

Section No. 3897, M.O'Brien, owner for land taken 1a 0r 11p. 13s. 9d. Section No. 3897. M. Sherwood, leasehold, for land taken, 3L. 3S. Approved and adopted.

I suspect that not long after the family left Port Adelaide, they made their way to Bugle Ranges. A small rural community 40 kilometres southeast of Adelaide in the picturesque Adelaide Hills. On the grassy plains that spread from the base of Mount Barker, small farming communities evolved growing wheat and grain. The farm the family established on Section 3897 was four kilometres west of Mount Barker.

Another Reunion

Joining the Sherwood's in the Adelaide Hills in October 1856, was Mary’s nephew Arthur Harrip. Arthur's parents Susan and Rayner Harrip arrived in March 1857. Susan was Mary's younger sister. They too had left Fowlmere for South Australia for what promised to be a better life. Soon after disembarking, the Harrips made their way to Strathalbyn. Unfortunately, Rayner died about five or six weeks later. Family folklore says that his daughter Elizabeth worked for the undertaker until the funeral debts were paid. He was buried at Strathalbyn.

Mary's youngest brother Frederick arrived in March 1858 on the ship Sir Thomas Gresham. Soon after he was reunited with his two sisters Susan and Mary and brother in law Charles. The reunion of the Sherwood, Perry and Harrip families was no doubt an important time for catching up on news from home about friends and family. Frederick would have brought news from his father James and his brothers William, Thomas, James and John.

By 1860, Elizabeth Sherwood had moved from Kermode street North Adelaide and was now living in Cornwall street. She was once again advertising for work.

EMPLOYMENT WANTED. WANTED, by a respectable person, a situation as PLAIN COOK or GENERAL SERVANT. Good references. Apply to Mrs Sherwood, Cornwall Street, North Adelaide. (20)

With Elizabeth and Alfred living in Adelaide, I suspect that they both stayed in contact. Elizabeth was now 71 and most likely still supporting herself

The move to Wistow

Ten kilometres south-east of Charles and Mary’s leasehold at Bugle Ranges is Wistow. In 1861, the couple leased section 2918, from the farmer John Eddy. The lease, dated 16 April 1861, was for a period of 5 years, with a yearly rent of 40 pounds sterling. Charles was given the option of purchasing the land when the lease expired.

The family remained at Wistow from 1861 to 1873. I assume that Elizabeth 15, Mary Ann 12, Stephen 10 and Frederick the youngest of the family age 7, were still living with their parens when they first moved there.

INSOLVENCY

By early February 1863, Charles was in dire financial circumstances, and unable to pay his debts. (21) He was still living at Wistow and working as a farmer on land leased from John Eddy.

He had liabilities of £158 1s. 6d. which was owed to a dozen local creditors. Charles was required to appear at the local courthouse, Victoria Square, Adelaide 2 February 1863. He was declared insolvent and unable to meet his obligations to his creditors. Charles was represented by his council Mr William Wigley of King William Street.

An order for bail was lodged on a surety of 50 pounds. This enabled him to avoid jail and be discharged from custody. It also ensured that he would appear at the next court hearing. The surety was posted by his son Alfred and James Hubble of Unley, coachbuilder.

Subsequent public meetings of the court were scheduled. They were to take place at the Local Court House on Monday 9 February and Monday 9 March at 11 am. At the first of these meetings Charles was required to make disclosures of his estate and effects. Creditors were to come prepared prove their debts.

Personal and Real Estate

At the 9 February meeting, Charles was required to hand over all papers, books, documents relating to his estate. According to his accountant, Charles didn’t keep a book of his accounts, instead he produced ‘A packet of papers.’ related to his financial transactions. This combined with statements from him, enabled the accountant to put a figure to his liabilities and assets. He had liabilities of 158 pounds 1 shilling and 6 pence. His and Mary’s assets were a mere 7 pounds and 18 shillings.

As far as real estate was concerned, the couple owned no land or buildings. Their personal estate (assets) which amounted to 7 pounds and 18 shillings was made up of...

Haystack about 3 and a half tons, worth say...2 pounds. 4 pigs 1 pound 8 shillings, About 10 hundredweight (500kg) of grapes on the vines, 2 pounds 10 shillings. Tools, 2 spades, shovel, rake, 2 hoes, pick, grindstone, 2 axes, wheelbarrow, 2 casks and one bag of corn and plough, 2 pounds. (Assets) 7 pounds 18 shillings.

The family's living expenses were...

'About 25 shillings per week exclusive of produce consumed in the house.'

Articles claimed to be re-assigned were 'Furniture and wearing apparel under the value of 10 pounds.'

As to the causes of insolvency Mr. Wood the accountant wrote ...

The farm account shews an actual loss, while the debts are increased by the necessary expenses of housekeeping and incidental charges.

Farm Account

The second and final insolvency examination took place on 9 March. James Macdonald commissioner of the court of insolvency made his finding...

'I did award the said insolvent a second-class certificate on the ground that he has carried on his business without keeping proper books of account.'

As a result of his insolvency, Charles' lease at Bugle Ranges may have ended. He owed 8 pounds 5 shillings in rent. This was owed to his landlord Daniel O’Brien on the 13 March 1863.

During and following Charles’ insolvency the family remained at Wistow as tenant farmers on Section 2918. This was 40 acres owned by John Eddy, one of his creditors. We can be quite certain of this as Charles appears in Post Office Directories for the years 1864, 1865 and 1867 as ‘farmer Section 2918, Macclesfield.’ Wistow is a small settlement in the hundred of Macclesfield.

Time to Fly

During the family's time at Wistow, (1861-1873) Alfred and Elizabeth were well established in Adelaide. Elizabeth now in her early seventies was still working and supporting herself. The remaining older siblings either married or found work elsewhere. Charles the younger was working on Bowman's station at Crystal Brook with his younger brother Arthur, the author's great grandfather. (22) William was twenty-three and living at Wistow when he married Jane Nisbit in 1861. They married at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Mount Barker. By 1870, William and Jane had moved to Meningie a small town near Lake Albert, where they established themselves as farmers. William supplemented his income by driving the mail coach along the Coorong, from Meningie to Kingston.

Harriet the oldest daughter married John Duffield Jarvis at the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Mount Barker, 27 March 1862. On the marriage certificate Harriet, John Jarvis, and Charles senior, all gave Wistow as their residence. Harriet's father Charles was one of two witnesses to the marriage, the other was Elizabeth Sherwood. Whether this was Charles’ mother Elizabeth or his daughter Elizabeth who was 16 at the time, is not known. Harriet and John Jarvis established a dairy farm at nearby Mt. Barker Springs where five of their children were born. In 1864 and 1866 John Jarvis appears in The Adelaide Almanack and Directory as farmer, section 3833 Macclesfield. Their farm was four kilometres from the Sherwood farm at Wistow.

Allan the couples sixth child married Melinda Hancock at Port Gawler in 1867. He went on to become a successful farmer at Dalkey. Elizabeth Sherwood a witness to the marriage gave her occupation as domestic servant and address as Norwood, Adelaide. This was most likely Allan's younger sister Elizabeth. She was 21 years old at the time.

Mary Ann married Henry Henstridge in Mount Gambier in 1870. Her sister Elizabeth signs as a witness. Both gave Mount Gambier as their residence.

In August 1873, Stephen Sherwood age 23, was working for the baker Mr. Sprenger, as a manager at the 'Railway works' near Naracoorte.

Section 2897 Wistow

In 1869 and 1870 Charles is listed in The Adelaide Almanac Town & Country Directory as farmer on section 2897, Macclesfield. This was an adjoining piece of land to section 2918. (See the map above.) Whether or not he continued to lease section 2918 is not known.

In August 1869, Mary's niece Susannah Harrip married Joseph Mitchell at her cousin Alfred Sherwood’s home in Melbourne Street North Adelaide. One of the witnesses to the marriage was Elizabeth Sherwood. She gave North Adelaide as her residence. It is not known if it was Charles mother Elizabeth who witnessed and signed The marriage certificate or his daughter Elizabeth. I suspect it may have been the younger Elizabeth. I say this because both Elizabeth and Susanna were cousins and about the same age. Elizabeth was 23 and Susanna was 24 years old.

Death of Elizabeth senior

Sometime prior to July 1873, Elizabeth senior left Adelaide and moved to Wistow.

A disturbing item appeared in the Southern Argus 6 June 1873. Charles and three of his sons Charles Jr., Allan and Stephen were charged with neglecting to support Elizabeth.

LAW COURTS. LOCAL COURT, MOUNT BARKER. Monday, June 2, 1878.['Before Capt. Dashwood, S.M., the Hon. J. Dunn, J.P., and Mr F. May, J.P.] MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Charles Sherwood, sen. and Charles Sherwood, jun., Allan Sherwood, and Stephen Sherwood, grandsons of Elizabeth Sherwood, were charged on the information of F. J. Smith, Clerk of the District Council of Mount Barker, with neglecting to contribute towards the support of the said Elizabeth Sherwood, an aged invalid. The defendants did not appear, and an ex parte hearing was had, upon which the defendants, Charles, sen. and jun., were ordered to pay 2s. per week each, and the defendant, Allan Sherwood, Is. per week, with costs £1 each, no order being made against Stephen, he being only an apprentice 17 years of age.

The charges were brought on the information of F J Smith, the Clerk with District Council of Mount Barker. They were heard in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court, on Monday 2 June. None of the defendants appeared. Charles, Charles Jr. and Allan were ordered to make weekly payments towards the support of Elizabeth.

It is unlikely we will ever know the circumstances surrounding the matter. On face value it would appear to be a sad case of neglect. Because we don’t know the whole story it would be unfair to pass judgement. I can speculate as to what may have happened. Prior to her death Elizabeth was still living in Adelaide and because of her age 84, and health was unable to support herself.

Sadly, she passed away a little over a month after the court hearing. Elizabeth died at Wistow 11 July 1873. She was 84 years old according to information provided by her grandson Alfred. Elizabeth was buried in the Bugle Ranges cemetery, Archers Hill Road, Bugle Ranges. The cemetery is now overgrown and hardly recognisable. No headstone or marker identifies Elizabeth’s gravesite. It would appear to be a lonely end to a long and productive life. Part of that life was spent caring for others as a nurse. She was laid to rest in a remote grave a world away from where her life began. And yet, most importantly her memory lives on. She was still remembered all those years later by my grandfather as ‘Granny Smith’ even though she died before he was born. (Elizabeth’s maiden name was Smith) She must have made an impression on her descendants to be remembered.

Soon after Elizabeth's death in 1873, Charles and Mary moved to Penola, 350 kilometres southeast of Wistow. According to a Victorian Lands Department application in August 1875, Charles Sr. states that he was living in Penola in 1874.

Living there at this time was his son Charles and his wife Charlotte. Their farm was on the Naracoorte road, close to the township of Penola. The younger Charles appears in Boothby's Directory, as a farmer at Naracoorte Road Penola from 1872 to 1875. According to Victoria and Its Metropolis, Charles Sherwood junior spent 3 years farming in Penola prior to coming to Victoria. Also living at Penola at this time was another of Charles and Mary’s sons Steven. Steven appears in Boothby’s Directory as a baker in 1875. He also appears in the Border watch newspaper as a baker & Confectioner in October 1875.

Charles and Mary’s stay in Penola was brief. By 1875 they moved again, this time across the border to Victoria. They made the move with their son Charles and his young family.

THE MOVE TO VICTORIA

According to Victorian Lands Department records, Charles Sherwood Jr. selected 320 acres of Crown land at Natimuk, Victoria. His license for the land was approved in October 1874. In 1875, Charles Sr. selected 235 acres at Natimuk and an adjoining 51 acres in the parish of Mt. Arapiles.(23) Both father and son's properties were directly opposite each other, divided by the Apsley to Horsham road, now the Wimmera highway.

The land Charles Sr. chose lay at the base of Mt. Arapiles. The mountain stands nine kilometres west of Natimuk and a further thirty-five kilometres or so west of Horsham. It rises 230 metres above the flat Wimmera plains. Its ancient cliff walls catch the suns light, exposing the rich colour, texture and beauty of the rock surface. From the mountain in all directions the plains were covered with the vegetation referred to as Mallee scrub. Dotting the landscape were stringy bark, stunted oak and box, honeysuckle and wattle. Gray kangaroos, echidnas, ring tailed possums, sugar gliders, scrub-robins and white cockatoos were just some of the numerous species of birds and animals present.

A few kilometres to the north were Mitre Lake and Grass Flat. It was here that the early settlers found grass highly suited for thatching the roofs of their houses.

To this picturesque setting came other members of Charles & Mary's family. Their son Arthur and daughter Elizabeth. Elizabeth at the time was single. She married Samuel Meek at Mt. Arapiles in 1877 and later settled at Kiata, a rural district not far from Nhill.

At about this time Arthur Sherwood was working in the Mt. Arapiles area as a farm labourer. A number of statuary declarations, lease applications and correspondence between Arthur and the Lands Department, dating from 1877 through to 1879, show Mt. Arapiles, Natimuk and Kiata post office addresses. As Arthur moved throughout the West Wimmera, working as a shearer and labourer, he used his parents' home at Natimuk and his sister Elizabeth's home at Kiata as a base.

It's not known why Charles and Mary left South Australia at a relatively late age (both were in their early sixties) and decided to settle in the Wimmera. Perhaps they were influenced by the fact that Charles’ sister Jane and her husband Thomas were living at Harrow, Victoria, some 60 kilometres from Mt. Arapiles.

Another factor which I'm certain played a key role in their decision to leave South Australia was the Victorian Land Act of 1869. This Act required large areas of Victoria previously occupied by squatters as pastoral runs, to be made available for agricultural settlement. Farmers were able to select up to 320 acres under the conditions of the Act. To select land, each selector studied maps of the district looking for sites. When an available site was found, he or she was required to mark out the selection. This was usually done by digging a trench 2 feet long, 6 inches wide and 4 inches deep in the direction of the containing sides. Pyramids of stone or posts were placed with notices on them at the corners of the allotment.

At 10am, 7 August 1875, Charles complied with the conditions of the Act. The land Charles pegged out was described on a Lands Department Survey Map as "Good grazing land wooded with oak and box." His selection consisted of two allotments, which were divided by a road forming the parish boundary. Allotment 1 was in the parish of Arapiles and consisted of 51 acres. Allotment 10 was in the parish of Natimuk and was 235 acres.

The west boundary of his selection was boarded by the Arapiles timber reserve and Mt. Arapiles. The Apsley to Horsham road (now the Wimmera Highway) formed the southern boundary of his land. Directly across the Apsley to Horsham road was Charles’s son, Charles junior's selection. The occupiers of adjoining lands were Charles’s neighbours, Messrs. Jones, Wyatt and Keyte. Once Charles had selected, it was necessary to obtain a license to occupy the land. On the 11 August Charles applied for a license on his selection. The license was granted on the 1 November.

One of the conditions to be met after a farmer had selected land was to within two years of the license being issued, erect a fence around his property. The fencing enclosing Charles’s selection consisted of 37 chains of stub or picket, 72 chains of log, 79 chains of log and brush and 50 chains of brush fence. The cost involved in fencing in his selection was 96 pounds and 15 shillings.

A second condition of the license was that the licensee cultivate one acre out of every ten acres held within the first two years of taking up license.

Charles first crop was wheat, twelve acres in all with a yield of six bushels per acre. The following year he had ploughed and cultivated an additional 23 acres of wheat with a yield of 5 bushels per acre. The total cost involved in ploughing and cultivating the 35 acres was 70 pounds.

Before the land could be ploughed and the wheat sown, Charles’s selection had to be cleared of the oak and box trees. By 1879, 3 years after being granted a license, 200 acres had been cleared at a cost of 7 shillings an acre.

While the first years on the land were taken up with fencing and clearing the selection and planting crops to meet the conditions of the license, it was also necessary to build a house in which to live. The house built by Charles with the help of his son Charles, consisted of two rooms and measured 12 x 24 feet. The walls were of mud plaster and the dwelling was covered with a thatched roof. The plaster for the walls was composed of clay, sand and chopped straw. The timber frame of the house would then be daubed or coated with the mud plaster. The cost involved in building the house was 25 pounds. According to the Shire of Wimmera Rate Books, Horsham District, Charles built his house at Mt. Arapiles sometime between March 1877 and March 1878. Other improvements were a yard and garden. The cost involved in establishing the garden was 5 pounds. The selection also had a dam which cost £10.00 to construct and a well 60 feet deep. There were also several troughs which were most probably used for watering the horses.

Council Road

From reading correspondence between Charles and the Wimmera Shire Council, it appears that the road which formed the boundary between the Parishes of Arapiles and Natimuk caused some concern as it ran through the centre of his selection. Charles wrote to the Council asking that the road be changed. By June the Council had failed to reply. This prompted the following letter.

Natimuk Creek, June 30, 1877. President and Councillors, Wimmera Shire.

Sir, I beg to draw your attention to petition sent in by me for changing roads which I pray you to take some action. Your obedient servant. his mark Charles X Sherwood

On 24 July 1877 the Council wrote to the Minister of Lands and Survey recommending the closure of the road. "The Council find that the road if fenced in would be impassible owing to a large rock several feet high being right across and about half way through." The Council suggested the closure of the existing road would be offset by taking land elsewhere from Charles’ selection.

The Council proposed that the new road form the boundary between Charles selection and the Mt. Arapiles timber reserve. The new road would according to the Council, be in the public’s interest and that Charles had consented to the alteration and exchange of lands. The Council's recommendation to close the road and build another along the west boundary of Charles’s selection was accepted. The road is now known as Centenary Park Road.

It is not known what Charles objections to the existing road were and why he asked that it be changed. Perhaps he objected to fencing in the road. This would not only have been time consuming and costly, but also because it ran through the centre of his selection, it would have caused inconvenience and reduced the area of his land.

When a farmer had occupied his selection for a period of 3 years and had complied with the conditions of his license, he could apply for a lease on his selection. The term of each lease was 7 years. The leasee paid a yearly rent of 2 shillings an acre. Under the New Land Act of 1878, the rent payable was reduced to 1 shilling an acre.

In April 1879, a letter written on Charles behalf (on which his signature appears) was sent to the Lands Department requesting a lease under the New Lands Act. The letter appears below.

By May the following year Charles had not received a reply to his application for the lease. This prompted the following letter to the District Surveyor at Horsham.

The District Surveyor, Horsham. 30/5/1880. Natimuk.

Sir, I beg to inform you that I applied upon two occasions for lease but suppose my application was mislaid. Charles Sherwood Senior.

Approval for the lease was eventually granted and advertised in the Government Gazette on 30 July 1880. By this time Charles’s health had deteriorated and he was close to death. On the 31 July Charles junior sent a telegram from Horsham to the Lands Department Melbourne. The telegram read "I want lease as gazetted sent up at once, leasee dying of old age." Charles never received the lease. He died four days later age 67. He was buried at Natimuk on the 7 August 1880.

Mary's Application for Land

Two and a half months after Charles died, Mary while still living at Natimuk wrote to the Office of Lands and Survey in Melbourne. The letter was written November 16, 1880 on Mary’s behalf. In the letter she asked that her son be allowed to ‘Peg’ land for her.