One of my projects has been trying to trace the fate of the three convicts sentenced for transportation with my ancestor Edward Ewer. They were sentenced in Feb 1820 at the Berkshire assizes for a crime they had commited late in 1819:
Transcript of verdict slip:
"Berkshire. Shoplifting. The jurors for our Lord the King upon their oath present that Edward Ewer (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the parish of New Windsor in the County of Berks labourer; John Green (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer; James Talbot (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer; and Edward Wedge (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer, on the twenty third day of November in the sixtieth year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lord George the third of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland their king defender of the faith, with force and arms at the parish aforesaid in the county aforesaid One time piece of the value of One Pound of the goods and chattels of John Sturgis and One other Time Piece of the value of One Pound of the goods and chattels of Robert Butcher Smith in the shop of the said Robert Butcher Smith then and there found privately and feloniously did steal take and carry away against the Peace of our said Lord the King his crown and dignity."
"Berkshire. Shoplifting. The jurors for our Lord the King upon their oath present that Edward Ewer (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the parish of New Windsor in the County of Berks labourer; John Green (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer; James Talbot (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer; and Edward Wedge (^guilty, to be hanged) late of the same labourer, on the twenty third day of November in the sixtieth year of the reign of our late Sovereign Lord George the third of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland their king defender of the faith, with force and arms at the parish aforesaid in the county aforesaid One time piece of the value of One Pound of the goods and chattels of John Sturgis and One other Time Piece of the value of One Pound of the goods and chattels of Robert Butcher Smith in the shop of the said Robert Butcher Smith then and there found privately and feloniously did steal take and carry away against the Peace of our said Lord the King his crown and dignity."
Following their conviction, on 28 Feb 1820, WEDGE, GREEN and TALBOT were tranferred to the hulk 'York'. The hulk register gives Edward Wedge's age as 22, meaning he was born about 1798.
They were held till transfered to the convict ship Hebe (Edward EWER remained on the hulk till the following year), departing on 31 July 1820 under the command of Thackeray WETHERALL, with Charles CARTE as surgeon. After calling at Van Dieman’s Land, she reached Port Jackson on Sunday 31 December 1820. She carried 100 male convicts, stores and a detachment of the 48th Regiment. One death occurred on the voyage. The convicts weren’t landed till the following Thursday. Colonial Secretary CAMPBELL directed the convicts to Parramatta by water, to be divided between Windsor, Liverpool, Airds and Bringelly. As described in my previous post, TALBOT probably died on the voyage to Australia and GREEN settlined in Sydney town.
They were held till transfered to the convict ship Hebe (Edward EWER remained on the hulk till the following year), departing on 31 July 1820 under the command of Thackeray WETHERALL, with Charles CARTE as surgeon. After calling at Van Dieman’s Land, she reached Port Jackson on Sunday 31 December 1820. She carried 100 male convicts, stores and a detachment of the 48th Regiment. One death occurred on the voyage. The convicts weren’t landed till the following Thursday. Colonial Secretary CAMPBELL directed the convicts to Parramatta by water, to be divided between Windsor, Liverpool, Airds and Bringelly. As described in my previous post, TALBOT probably died on the voyage to Australia and GREEN settlined in Sydney town.
The early time-line in NSW for Edward WEDGE is based mainly on the Colonial Secretary’s Index and convict musters. As with TALBOT and GREEN, his birth record in England (if he really was born in the Windsor area) has not yet been identified.
1821 Jan 11 On list of convicts disembarked from 'Hebe' & forwarded to Windsor for distribution (Reel 6007; 4/3503 p.37). The 1822 general muster shows Edmind Wedge as employed as a general servant to William Cox, Windsor. On 1 May 1823 Edward was on a list of Government men in the employ of William Cox of Hobart Ville (Fiche 3062; 4/1834B No.73 p.445), west of Sydney. William Cox was responsible for a number of public works at the time. However it was clearly not plain sailing as William also appeared on a list of convict absconders in 1823.
In the 1825 general muster, Edward was listed as employed by P.L.W. Day, Bathurst. Edward was now far beyond the Sydney area, over the Blue Mountains and into pioneering farming country. The 1828 census of NSW lists Edward as aged 37 (born abt 1792), Religion: Protestant, employed as a Shepherd, Residence: Mr. McLeod, ? Bathurst.
In 1834 Edward was awarded a Ticket of Leave which allowed him to seek employment, and he must have sought permission to leave the district as the 1837 General muster gives Edward's age as 34 (so born abt 1803) living at 'Gunderoo' in the Yass/Queanbeyan district. In the same year he applied to marry Elizabeth Strangeways, though the marriage did not occur and she subsequently married someone else.
An 1840 article shows Edward had been employed at the Queanbeyan gaol, and himself waas returned to gaol for allowing a prisoner to escape (possibly a friend):
The Sydney Herald - Wednesday 29 July 1840
"Edward Wedge, lock-up keeper at Queanbeyan, allowing a prisoner to escape, charged with horse-stealing. Guilty - Two years in an ironed gang."
Edward does not appear again in records till he is recerded as receiving a pardon in 1850, number 355 in 1850, and it states he has been a ticket of leave holder: 6 ¾ years, suggesting he'd received another ticket of leave in 1843.
From here it gets confusing - there is a marriage for a Edward Wedge in 1861 to Betsy Hall and some children can be found to this couple in the NSW BDMs, and not death certificate. I will soon extend this biography with information on Edward's family.
32 comments:
Hi Matt
Edward Wedge and Betsie Hall were both Aboriginal people. I believe your ancestor is the person from whom Edward Wedge took his Aboriginal name - and I found your site in researching the Aboriginal history of the Aboriginal Wedge family, the descendants of whom I know. Hence your confusion abut their marriage. Two different people but who evidently knew each other well enough for one to take the name of the other - a common practice at the time when Aboriginal people took on conventional 'whitefella' styles of names. The Aboriginal Edward was better known as Ned and was orn c1813, living until his nineties.
The area Ned associated with - and his descendants - was the upper Lachlan (Yass was the nearest town of any size at the time I believe) but nearer to Gunning and Dalton than Yass. If you have any other information about your Edward which might help with establishing what kind of relation it was (were they both shepherds?), that would be great!
Gaynor
gaynor.macdonald@sydney.edu.au
Hi Matt,
Edward Wedge was born in 1843 in Gunning NSW and Died in 1910 he is buried at the Warangesda Aboriginal Mission Darling Point NSW. He had a daughter Emma to Clara Woodhouse (aboriginal)in 1860. Emma is my Great grand mother. She married George Merritt. She died in 1903 buried in Yass.
Toni
Hi Matt, how can I get in contact with Toni - the person who left a message on this post? I think we may share ancestors and I would love to compare notes - Toni if you read this please post your email address so I can contact you privately! Thanks krystle
Hi to all
I am trying to trace my wife's tree, her grandmother was Kathleen Mary Merritt this was on her marriage cert and sons birth cert. No birth cert found, Her parents are/were ? George Merritt and Mary Peacock and she was born in Binalong in 1866 ? Have any of you come across her in your searches ? Thank you for any help
Darrell
Just in case of the above contact me at
dfabar@optusnet.com.au
Hi Read this book it may be helpful
The Pajong and Wallabalooa:
A History from the Records of Aboriginal Farming Families at Blakney and Pudman Creeks, 1820-1945, and Historical Overview, 1945-2002 Ann-Jackson Nakano
I have been tracing my aboriginal family tree since 1990 My great great Grand parents were Alfred Merritt and Mary effie Lowe they lived on the Yass black camp and married in 1899 in Queanbeyan Alfred's parents was George Merritt he married Bridget Donovan Alfred Merritt amd Mary effie Lowe had a daughter Mary Jane Merritt Mary Jane Jane Merritt was my nans mother. Mary Jane married Edwards Webb in Yass in 21. They're daughter my nan was Cecilia Irene. Any one tracing their aboriginal Merritt family please email me at lexieaus@hotmail.com
Hi Matt, you might find some information if you search for an article "Camp Of Mercy", regarding Warangesda Aboriginal Mission at Darlington Point. Edward Wedge was an ex convict who married Clara Woodhouse an Aboriginal Woman.
Currently researching my family - Euabalong Partial Genealogy. Edward Wedge and Clara Woodhouse actually had 5 children. Sophie, Victoria, Emma, Alfred and Alice. All born at Yass NSW
I am researching a Caroline Wedge who married Marrice Egan 7 Oct 1861 at the House of Edward Wedge Fish River District of Yass, I do not know if Caroline is a daughter of Edward or if she took the surname of Wedge when she married, she later went by the name of Caroline Wade. I believe Caroline is Aboriginal, there is no birth for her at all and no other certificates for her give me any information on her parents.
Regards
Pat Kennedy
Hi Matt,
From my research I've found Edward Wedge, born in England approx 1803, was a convict transported by the 'Hebe' to Australia in 1820. He had relations with an aboriginal woman known as Annie, (surname may have been Benton,) that she took from a previous relationship with a white man.
Edward b1803, with Annie ,had among other children , a son , also called Edward Wedge b1843-1910. It was this son Edward Jnr that later married a Elizabeth (Betsey) Hall who was Inot aboriginal. He went on to live for a time at the Warengesda Mission. He was also known as Ned.
The Wedges were close to and had family ties to the Fish River tribe of Nnunnawal aborigines living in the area , who had been given farming land , most settling around Rye Park, Pudman. The family names included the Russell's, Bells,Merritts amongst others.
Edward, b1803 had another son called Henry Wedge b1845-1885 who married (m1882) Elizabeth Mary Dickson b1850-1927 who after Henry died (d1885) went on to marry (m 1885) William Russell b1861-1934 who raised Henry's family with Williams and Elizabeth's children. The Russell family is my connection.
I have most of your information and the last whereabouts I have of Edward Wedge b1803 is a 1886 Police Gazette where he was charged with stealing a horse,committed for trial at Yass. Because this would make him approx 83yrs old I am still trying to make sure this is my Edward b 1803. While it can be confusing with families using the same Christian name over and over its simply a need to check their ages and get some other backup to confirm its the correct Person and not a son or cousin.
Regards Karyn
Ps Caroline Wedge b 1839 in the above post was the daughter of Edward Wedge b 1803. She had approx 2 other sisters and brothers. There was Caroline b1839,Martha b1841, Edward Jnr b1843, Victoria b1844 and Henry b 1845.
Clara Woodhouse had a relationship with Edward Jnr
Edward Jnr is buried at Warangesda Mission
Emma is Edward Jnrs daughter
Just a bit more on Edward Wedge Born 1843...acccording to my Family Tree on my mothers side (The Carters) he married Elizabeth (Betsy ) .Hall in 1861 at Yass..they were my Great great great grandparents. Their Daughter Elizabeth Wedge born 1863 married George Carter in Young in 1888. Their daughter (my great grandmother) Mary Anne Elizabeth Carter, was born in 1890 in Narrandera. There were some brothers too, that I dont know too much about, both were named Henry and one, Elizabeths brother died in Narrandera in 1944, and Mary Anne's brother (born 1889) died in Narrandera in 1954. Elizabeth Wedge die shortly after the birth of my great grandmother in 1890.
hello anyone out there seeking help on the merritt tree and lowe tree and bamblett tree
richard
draggate@hotmail.com
0412999892 (m)
Hello,
Does anyone know when Clara Woodhouse died?
I know Clara Woodhouse had 3 marriages, Edward Wedge, Thomas Brown Senior and Alfred Merritt.
My connection to Clara Woodhouse is that she married Thomas Brown Senior in March 1864 at Cooma Church, Thomas Brown Senior was a Shepard from England and they had a son named Thomas Brown in 1870 (who is my Great Great Great Grandfather on my grandmothers mothers side)
Hi all My name is Terrie Warner I am married to Rodney Warner His grand mother is Annie Merritt his grandfather married Christine Merritt she passed away 25years old back in 1915. ( Annies father was a convict by the name of Thomas garland. Christine's mother was Emma Wedge & Edward Jnr Wedge from what we established is that Annie was taken from her mother at the birth in 1904. Christine than meet John E Warner and they married and had 4 kids. Rods issue is he didn't know his dad to well Leslie warner from Cootamundra Rods trying to research his Indigenous ancestry. We are interested in knowing what happened to Annie Merritt for 18 years of her life. We know her mother passed away when she was 11 years old. From what we have been able to establish is that she did not live with her mum during childhood and that when she tried finding her mum Annie ended up marrying her stepdad.. and had 4 kids one of those kids was Rods dad Lesley Warner. Rod got sick recently and was told that his illness may be genetic and common in indigenous men. He had no idea that his family ancestry was aboriginal. He is now needing as much info as possible and also interested in knowing about Annie his grandmother. regards Terrie
Hi Tony..Emma is also my great great granmother.. My great grandmother Christina Merritt..Im Annie Merritt Grandson.. Annie married ( warner) I sm trying to work out my indigenous history.Wouldbe appreciated if you could help me. My email is infoscottiesgarage@zoho.com
Hi Janine, according to my family research, no official death records can be found. However, it is believed Clara Woodhouse died sometime between 1889.
and 1899. Records show that when Alfred Merritt remarried in 1899 he stated he was a widower. Furthermore, when Clara's daughter Sarah Ann Brown (my great grandmother on my mum's side) married in 1901 she stated on the marriage certificate that her mother was deceased.
NB - the research I have states that according to Sarah Anne's birth certificate (1872) that Clara married Thomas Brown at COWRA in 1872?
Thanks for the research stating Clara had a previous Marriage to Edward Wedge...
Also, I was hoping someone may have more info on Clara Woodhouse's parents. The research I have is Mother - UNKNOWN and Father - George Woodhouse.
Hi Scott? My Great Great Grandmother was Clara Woodhouse (a Ngunnawal Aboriginal woman) who married Edward Wedge Jnr and gave birth to Emma - your Great Great Grandmother (& 4 other siblings in Yass NSW). Refer to my reply to Janine further down this blog dated 26/12/2020 for further info on Clara Woodhouse.
Hi,
My Clara is my 4th great grandmother. She had my 3rd great grandmother Emma Wedge to Edward (NED) Wedge before she Married Thomas Brown. From our records it seems Emma took on the Brown last Name when Clara remarried. Emma married George Merritt and had several children to him.
As Far as I have researched Clara’s Mum was an aboriginal woman from near Blackney I haven’t came across a name and George woodhouse was her father.
I would love to know more on the family also.
Hi,
On Thomas Brown Jr. Birth Certificate it states they were married at Cooma church In March 1864
Hi My name is Sherrie. I am looking for some help with Merritt family history, for my brother-in-law Peter O'Hearn. Peter's paternal grandfather Dominic Vincent O'Hearn married May Annie Merritt on 11 January 1927 at St John's Cathedral West Maitland, NSW. The marriage certificate describes May Annie as a nurse and a spinster. The marriage declaration form indicates that she was 22 years old and her place of birth, mother's name and father's name were unknown. This implies that May Annie was born in 1904. The family history is that May Annie was raised in orphanages and foster homes (or domestic service placements?). That is all we know for sure. A search for any relevant birth record in NSW in 1904 uncovered the record for an Annie Merritt born on 29 August 1904 at Blakeney Creek near Yass, to an 18 year old mother Christina Merritt. But is this "our" May Annie Merritt? Any help would be much appreciated. email: sherrieleeevans3@gmail.com. Thank you Sherrie
Hi Lexie,
Just letting you know that Alfred Merritt who was married to Clara Woodhouse and Mary Lowe was not an Aboriginal man.
Hi Sherrie,
It looks like this may not be your May Annie. I found the following reference in Ancestry: Born in Yass, New South Wales. Australia on 1904 to John Ernest Warner and Christina Merritt. Annie Merritt married John Ernest Warner and had 3 children.
I'll send you an email.
Best wishes,
Rowena Curtin
Descendant of Charlotte Merritt and James Curtin
Back again, Sherie. Found this message on the list the explains things better and sounds like she could be your Annie: Hi all My name is Terrie Warner I am married to Rodney Warner His grand mother is Annie Merritt his grandfather married Christine Merritt she passed away 25years old back in 1915. ( Annies father was a convict by the name of Thomas garland. Christine's mother was Emma Wedge & Edward Jnr Wedge from what we established is that Annie was taken from her mother at the birth in 1904. Christine than meet John E Warner and they married and had 4 kids. Rods issue is he didn't know his dad to well Leslie warner from Cootamundra Rods trying to research his Indigenous ancestry. We are interested in knowing what happened to Annie Merritt for 18 years of her life. We know her mother passed away when she was 11 years old. From what we have been able to establish is that she did not live with her mum during childhood and that when she tried finding her mum Annie ended up marrying her stepdad.. and had 4 kids one of those kids was Rods dad Lesley Warner. Rod got sick recently and was told that his illness may be genetic and common in indigenous men. He had no idea that his family ancestry was aboriginal. He is now needing as much info as possible and also interested in knowing about Annie his grandmother. regards Terrie
Best wishes,
Rowena
Back again, Sherie. I found a May Merritt born in 1895 to Daniel Merritt and Adelaide MA Weston in Forbes. Daniel's parents were Roderick Norman Merritt and Sarah. Hope that helps.
Best wishes,
Rowena
Hi,
I think I may have replied to a message of yours some where before and gave you photos of Lesley and one of his school reports.
My grandmother was Norma Warner (Lesley’s older sister) Annie wasn’t taken from Christina, we have photos one of Annie about with Elizabeth (better known to me as Aunty May) as a baby and a photo of the whole family (my man had it hanging on her wall for many of years and we still have it) in this photo Annie was about 8-9.
My mum was 18 when Annie (her grandmother) passed and her and her Sisters know many stories of Annies life and how she had to step up and help bring up her 1/2 brothers and sisters a knew born when Christina passed away days after giving birth to Charles. 11years old bringing up 4kids between newborn-8yrs. When Annie was 19 she married John Warner and had 5 children.
Christina on the other hand seems to have been taken to a girls home to learn how to be a domestic servant which she was working as when she married John Warner.
Also Annie had 7 children
Annie's children..
Robert Henry Merritt.. 1922
Ernest Ronald Warner.. 1925
Norma May Warner.. 1927
Cecil Alan Warner.. 1931
Leslie Walter Warner.. 1934
Brian Albert Warner.. 1937
Lola Anne Warner.. 1941
A.J.Nakano wrote a lot of misinformation in her books. She wrote a lot of rubbish, ,interviewed people who didn't know where they come from.
Has anyone got proof that Clara Woodhouse was Aboriginal. How does one even know who Clara is if they can't name her Mother or where her Mother comes from. No certificate identifies Clara as Aboriginal.
So as I understand it ...Caroline Wedge b 1839 was the daughter of Edward Wedge b 1803. She had approx 2 other sisters and brothers. There was Caroline b1839, Martha b1841, Edward Jnr b1843, Victoria b1844 and Henry b 1845. I believe Victoria is my Gt. Grandmother. Can someone explain to me the aboriginal connection? Thanks. Steve.
Hi,
Edward Wedge had children with an indigenous women named Ann. They had Catherine, Sarah, Joseph, Caroline, Martha, Victoria, Edward Jnr and William Henry.
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