My ancestor George Bliss (1819 Otford, Kent, England - 1915 Yass, NSW, Australia) was a convict transported to New South Wales for life.
I've previously written several posts, including:
One topic I haven't had a chance to explore was that of George's family - who were his parents and his siblings? Did any other family come to Australia? We know there were others named BLISS transported to Australia, for example. I did identify George's parents and siblings in a post, showing they were from Otford and Seal in Kent (two adjacent villages).
In this post I'm going to outline George's parents and siblings, highlight what I don't know (and can't solve) about George's family, and introduce an exciting new discovery: George Bliss had a brother who was also a convict. I've also tried to display as many of the primary records as possible in this post, to make it clear what I have documentary evidence for.
Based on what I've pieced together, here is George's family and what I've determined so far. I've intentionally shown George's mother Elizabeth nee HOLLOWAY to highlight that she married a second time.
George's Parents
Richard Bliss (1770-1824) was born about 1770, origins unknown. The first record of Richard is his marriage on 2nd Dec 1810 in the village of Seal, Kent, England, to Elizabeth Holloway. The parish entry does not record whether Richard was a bachelor or widower, but it is estimated he was 40 years of age at marriage.
Seal, Kent marriages, 1810
Richard Bliss of this parish and Elizabeth Holloway of this parish were married in this Church by Banns this second day of December in the year 1810 by me William Humphrey Vicar. This marriage was solemnized between us Richard Bliss (Mark of) Elizabeth Holloway (Mark of) in the presence of William Austen (Mark of) R Walter.
Over the next nine years Richard and Elizabeth had four children, all baptized in the villiage of Otford, Kent (immediately adjacent to Seal):
- Ellenor Bliss, baptised 22 Dec 1811
- John Bliss, baptised 20 Feb 1813
- Eliza Bliss, baptised 1 Dec 1816
- George Bliss, baptised 21 Feb 1819
All four children were born to Richard and Elizabeth BLISS. The latter three entries in the parish records (using new standard parish books implemented ~1812) list the Bliss abode as 'Otford'. Richard's occupation was baker in 1813 but changed to labourer for 1816-19.
In the first cold weeks of 1824, Richard died aged 54, and was buried at Otford. Is is this parish entry for Richard that establishes his year of birth around 1770.
Otford, Kent burials, 1824 - 1824 Richard Bliss, Otford, buried Jany 14th 1824, aged 54
Richard does not appear to have a headstone. About nine months following Richard's death, his widow Elizabeth BLISS nee HOLLOWAY married again at Otford church. Of note, her daughter Eleanor Bliss (aged ~13) was a witness:
Otford, Kent marriages, 1824
John Austin of this parish widower and Elizabeth Bliss of this parish widow were married in this Church by Banns this 27th day of September in the year 1824 by me Thomas Hayman. This marriage was solemnized between us the x of John Austin the x of Elizabeth Bliss in the Presence of the x of John Owen the x of Eleanor Bliss.
Elizabeth and John AUSTEN do not appear to have had children, unsurprising given that Elizabeth was ~40 when she entered this marriage. The Seal, Kent parish register shows that John AUSTEN was buried on 1st June 1845, aged 66 (so John AUSTEN was born abt 1779), with his abode being listed in the burial register as 'Seal Chart'. Seal Chart is a distinct village immediately to the east of Seal. At the time, Seal Chart church was established in 1868, so it seems likely that Seal was the parish for burial. John's death in 1845 also opens a window to possibly find John and Elizabeth AUSTEN in the 1841 England census ; while there is a John AUSTEN living in Godden Green near Seal, I haven't found a good match yet for John and Elizabeth in 1841.
I have had better luck in the 1851 census, where Elizabeth AUSTEN appears, in the census entries for Seal, Kent. Elizabeth AUSTEN, living at Seal Chart, the head of a household, a 65 year-old widow, and occupation listed as Char Woman. In the entry for 'where born', Elizabeth's birthplace was listed as "Hampshire, M...?", but I cannot identify the village listed. Living with Elizabeth was Olly Gasson, a 74-year old widow and pauper originally born in 'Ockenden, Essex'.
1851 Census, Seal, Kent
Elizabeth appears again in the 1861 census, now living in the hamlet of Godden to the immediate south of Seal. Elizabeth was entered as a lodger and widow aged 76. Elizabeth's occupation was listed as 'formerly labourer's wife' and her place of birth was entered as 'N.K.' (not known).
1861 Census, Seal, Kent
Elizabeth's burial is recorded in Seal's parish records, buried on 21 Mar 1865 aged 81 (so born about 1784) with her residence at death recorded as The Union Workhouse. Workhouse records - probably the Sundridge workhouse that served the Sevenoaks district - may reveal more.
The children of Richard and Elizabeth BLISS. What became of each of the four children? One of course is George BLISS my ancestor, who was transported to Australia, but I've recently spent some time trying to determine the fate of George's siblings. There's a lot more work to do, but I had a major breakthrough with George's brother John, was also a convict, bit with a very different fate!
Ellenor BLISS, baptised 22 Dec 1811
Ellenor was born 1811, and was a witness at her mother's wedding to John AUSTEN in 1824 (aged around 13). This is the last definite record I have for Ellenor. On 26 Sep 1836 an 'Eleanor Bliss' married William TURNER at Cudham, Kent, but I am yet to further trace Ellenor and confirm her marriage.
John Bliss, baptised 20 Feb 1813
John was born in 1813. The first we hear of John is a note in the 'Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser' of "Prisoners Committed to the County Gaol.... John Bliss felony at Otford". The Criminal Register for Kent indicates that John was tried at the Michaelmas Session for 'Larceny by a Servant' and sentenced to 6 months. While there is an eight-year gap
South Eastern Gazette - Tuesday 24 September 1839
HORSE STEALING - APPREHENSION OF THE THIEF - On Thursday night last a horse was stolen from the farm-yard of Mr. B. Wickham, Goodhurst. Information having been received that a horse which had been stolen from Mr. Mannering, about a fortnight since, had been seen in Essex, in the possession of John Bliss (alias "Sevenoaks Jack"), a desperate character, Mr. T. Wackham and several other persons, thinking it probable that his horse had been similarly disposed of, went in pursuit, and found that a man had crossed the ferry with a horse answering the description of his own. Mr. T.Wickham traced him about thirteen miles, and found that it was as he expected - "Sevenoaks Jack" with the stolen horse. He seized the robber by the collar, and told him that he was his prisoner. "Jack" replied "Oh then, I'm done now." He had when taken a loaded pistol in his pocket. He is now in Chelmsford gaol.
Chelmsford is in Essex, north across the River Thames from Kent. For this reason, record searches had not identified this John Bliss as being from Seal, Kent. However, the articles above makes the connection between John committing a crime Otford, and in time becoming "Sevenoaks Jack". He was retained in Essex, and there tried and found guilty. John BLISS' defense received detailed coverage in a newspaper, and provided a great deal of detail about the crime.
Chelmsford Chronicle - Friday 06 March 1840
John Bliss, aged 26, described as a tanner, but having the appearance of a labourer, and who evinced considerable shrewdness in cross-examining the witnesses, was indicted for stealing a mare, value 34 pounds, and a set of harness, the property of Benjamin Wickham, of Goudhurst, Kent - Mr Espinasse stated the case for the prosecution.
West Kent Guardian - Saturday 14 March 1840
Horse-stealing.—At the Essex Lent Assizes last week, John Bliss, (26) described as a tanner, and well known by the cognomen of "Seven Oaks Jack," a shrewd and daring character, was indicted for stealing a mare, value 34 pounds, and one set of harness, the property of Mr. Benjamin Wickham, farmer, of Goudhurst, Kent. Mr. Espinasse stated the case, and called Mr. B. Wickham. I am a farmer at Goudhurst; the 19th of September last I saw the mare in the stable between six and seven at night. It was missed the next morning, and I saw it again at Rainham, together with a set of harness which I knew to be mine.
Thomas Wickham.—l am the son of the prosecutor, and on the 20th of Sept. I went in pursuit of the mare to Gravesend, where, in consequence of information I received, I crossed into Essex, and went into Rainham; Mr. Travers was with me; we went to the Bell, and found the prisoner and the mare there; they were both in the stable ; I saw a set of harness there, which I thought belonged to father. I knew the mare directly I saw her, for my father bred her ; she is about seven years old. I had known the prisoner before, and when I saw him in the stable he asked if I first heard of him at Cobham, and whither I walked to Rainham.
Prisoner: Did I ask you whether you came through Cobham , or whether you heard of me at Cobham ?—Witness: You said—Did I hear of you at Cobham.—When you saw me was in the stable, or standing half in and half out ?— You had one leg in and the other out. —How many people were there my company ? —There was not any one in the yard; I collared you, and said, " You are my prisoner."— Who put the mare in the stable ?—I cannot say ; I didn't see her put the stable; the ostler was just coming with a feed of corn for it, and you were at the stable.—Could you see all over the stable?—lt was a small one, and I think I could. —How many stalls were there ?—I think three or four.— Then could you see all over it ?—I think I could—the mare, I think, was in the centre.—Now upon your oath, was I the man that put it there ? There was a man who put it there in the stable.—l did not see him.—You could not see all over the stable. There was a man lying under the manger.—l don't believe it; I didn't see him.—Who ordered the corn? —That I cannot say.—Where did the ostler Come from?— From the back part of the house?— The man that belonged to the horse, was he in doors, then, order this feed of corn ?—I cannot say; you are the man described to along the road.—Who described me ?—The man at the Ferry.
Edward Travers.—l keep a public-house at West Tilbury ; on the 20th of September I went to Rainham, I and the last witness, taking different roads; I saw the prisoner at Rainham, and he had the mare with him ; I saw him in the yard of the Bell, the head of the horse being in the stable, and he was in the act of driving it in; I saw no other person with her she had harness on. Mr. Wickham then came up, and we went and collared him.
Prisoner: Have you stated the same as you did before the magistrates ?—Witness : I have to the best of my knowledge.—Prisoner : l am sure you have not. You stated about the same as Mr. Wickham, if you recollect. The depositions were then read over to the prisoner, and he declined putting any other question.
John Everett.—l am constable of Rainham ; and on the 20th of September I saw the prisoner about half a mile from that place, with a horse and harness, going there; it was about one in the afternoon. I afterwards saw him at the Bell, and a horse was shown to me, which I believe I can positively swear was the same horse I saw him with before. The horse and harness were afterwards shown to Mr. Wickham in my presence. I took the prisoner into custody. I asked him if he had any unlawful weapons about him, and he said he was sorry he had one—it was a pistol, and was loaded with slugs. He said it was a bad job, and he was sorry for it. I asked him how he came to take the mare away, and he said he was persuaded to do it by another man he had been drinking with him at a beer-shop two days before he took it. He added, that the night he took the mare away he laid in the shed in the yard where the mare was, till morning, and that another man harnessed the mare and brought it out of the yard; but he then took it of the man, and they parted. It was between twelve and one when he left Goudhurst; and he had to go a great way round to avoid the turnpikes.
Edward Apps. I live about a mile from the prosecutor, and have known the prisoner five or six years. About seven or eight o'clock on the evening of the 19th of September, I met him going from the turnpike-road, in a direction to Mr. Wickham's stable he was about half a mile off.
Prisoner : Where was it you met me ?—Witness: Just by the water-mill.—Prisoner : Was it light ?—Witness : Not very, but it was light enough to know you. Mr. Wickham, sen., re-called, and identified the harness. The prisoner in defence said, he was a watchman on the railway, and having a holiday, he took the pistol with him from the station-house in the morning; he had to fire it off at 6 o'clock every morning, and the gentlemen of the railway knew he had it. The pistol was not meant for destruction at all.
Mr. Justice Littledale : The pistol has been introduced incidentally, but you are charged with stealing a mare—do you wish to say anything on that?
The prisoner said no.
Mr. Justice Littledale summed up the case, and said if the charge was that highway robbery or attack, the pistol might have something to do with the case, but it was not the sort of thing a person who meant to steal a horse usually took with him.
The Jury found the prisoner guilty.
The sentence was deferred, and when brought up the next morning the prisoner begged for mercy, observing that if he had been sentenced the night before he could have had a two years' character, but the gentlemen who would have given it were compelled to return to London.
His Lordship said, formerly persons were actually executed for this offence, but it was now reduced to ten or fifteen years' transportation ; he felt it be his duty in this case to inflict the full punishment.
The prisoner, in an affecting manner, implored for mercy. His Lordship paused, and then said—Well, the sentence is that you be transported for ten years. The prisoner expressed his thanks for this lenity.
The map above highlights the locations mentioned in the articles above. John Bliss was from 1. Seal (and committed his first recorded crime at Otford). The horse was stolen from 2. Goudhurst, then ridden north avoiding turnpikes, till arriving at 3. Gravesend (and passing through Cobham). At Gravesend, John Bliss took the horse across the Thames River on the ferry into Essex, then headed west till arriving at the Bell hotel in 4. Rainham. This is where the horse owners eventually caught up with him.
And so, John Bliss was convicted to 10 years transportation. This sentence was not to New South Wales like his brother, nor any other Australian colony. Instead, he was transported to Bermuda. Bermuda was an entirely different punishment ; it was not a penal colony, with convicts living aboard anchored hulks, and employed in building the Royal Naval Dockyard on Ireland Island. Those transportees that survived their period of punishment were returned to England.
John was placed on the prison hulk HMS York (at Portsmouth), and he is recorded in the York Hulk Register:
No. 9083, John Bliss, age 26
Convicted of horse stealing, sentenced 2nd March 1840, Sentence 10 years
Trade: Tanner, Gaoler's report: Not known
How disposed of: P Horatio, Bermuda, 18 July 1840
After a brief period in the hulks, John appears to have sailed to Bermuda in July 1840. Others on the same page of the Register were transported to New South Wales or Van Dieman's Land, but young & strong convicts were reputed to be selected for the back-breaking construction tasks of Bermuda. Once in Bermuda, John was transferred to the hulk Dromedary:
John was based on the hulk by night, and moved to land to build the dockyard by day.
John survived two years in Bermuda. The prison hospital records in Bermuda show that John suffered from dysentery in July 1841 (as did many convicts in Bermuda), and 'made a good recovery'. A year later, on 3rd August 1841, John again entered the hospital (based on land), and died on the 24th August
UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1856, Bermuda Royal Naval Hospital, 1842
1848 Woodcut of HMD Bermuda, Ireland Island, Bermuda showing prison hulks (Dromedary at right) and Naval Hospital at left.
Eliza Bliss, baptised 1 Dec 1816
Eliza was born 1816. Eliza appears to not have married, and her burial was recorded at Seal, Kent on 29 Oct 1843, aged 28, abode Seal Chart. This all matches her age, and where we know the BLISS family were living. No headstone identified.
George Bliss, baptised 21 Feb 1819
See the MANY posts on this blog for information about George's life.
Four children, and two sons, each of whom were transported. John died after only two years in the appalling conditions of life on a hulk in the tropics, while George ultimately established a successful farm, had 15 children and lived to be 96. I often wonder if Elizabeth AUSTEN nee HOLLOWAY formerly BLISS ever learnt of the death of her son John in Bermuda, or of the life her son George lived in New South Wales.
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Addenum: Where did Richard and Elizabeth come from?
So where did Richard BLISS come from? While I don't have the clinching evidence yet, I think I've managed to trace Richard back some way. I'm not ready to call this as 'solved' but want to share the pieces I have.
There is no obvious baptism for a Richard BLISS in Kent
The first record I have of Richard BLISS is his marriage - he was 40 years old when he married Elizabeth HOLLOWAY. His marriage entry in the parish records of Seal, Kent don't mention whether he was a bachelor or widower. It's reasonable to assume a 40 year old man was previously married, so that was one line of inquiry. The second clue is that Richard's wife Elizabeth HOLLOWAY stated in the 1851 census that she was born in Hampshire - the town/village of birth is not clear. Did Richard meet her there?
The following leads seem tenuous. They are struck out as I think they are unlikely to be a match.
Look at Hampshire, a set of children born to a Richard Bliss are evident in Portsea. Portsea encompasses the royal dockyard of Portsmouth, a stepping-off point for ships, and for the movement of people.
31 Jul 1799, Portsmouth, St Thomas (Hampshire), Richard Slaney BLISS, parents Richard and Ann BLISS, born Oct 16 179826 Sep 1800, Portsea St Mary (Hampshire), Robert BLISS, parents Richard and Ann BLISS
This couple can be traced to a marriage in London at St Andrew, Holborn, by Banns, between Richard BLISS and Ann SLANEY around May 1791. Ann's maiden name being given to their child Richard Slaney BLISS clinches the connection.
Is this Richard BLISS the right one? Did Ann die in Hampshire? Did Richard meeting Elizabeth HOLLOWAY there afterwards? More research is needed, but this is a promising lead!!!
1 comment:
Fantastic work Matt !
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