Francis Treloar and Sarah
Biggs bound for South Australia 1848
The following story has been kindly provided by John
Kimber a descendent of Francis and Sarah Treloar. Francis was the ships
steward onboard The Ship Sibella on which Henry and Rosina Darling sailed to
Port Adelaide in 1848.
This is an adaptation from Francis diary of the
voyage. John is very fortunate to have a copy of this diary and the actual
diary of Sarah. What a family treasure to have.
I must say many thanks to John for allowing the use
of this material on the Darling Family Web Site.
Please pay a visit to John’s web site which contains
much more information on shipping and family history.
It can be found at
www.southaustralianfamilyhistory.com
Ship Steward Francis
Treloar and 18 yr old Sarah Biggs left London March 21st 1848 bound for
South Australia.
Diary based on Francis' diary he named deaths and births.
January 1848: 24
year-old Francis Treloar arrived in London tired after the long trip from
Cornwall, through Plymouth then Southampton. He had been to many places but
now he had decided to settle in Adelaide, South Australia. So much had been
said about this little colony and its discoveries in the mines of Burra
Burra. He knew of the finds because he had been engaged by Captain Thomas as
a coachman when in South Australia in 1845. Excitement had gripped that
little colony when shepherds Thomas Pickett, employed by William Robinson,
and William Streair, employed by James Stein, had come across two different
outcrops of copper near the Burra creek, so settle there he would. He had
had so many adventures and he had learnt a lot, worked since he was 8 years
of age as a farm servant at Partnigne. How many occupations he had acquired,
blacksmith trade, carrying business, gentleman's servant, cabin boy, and as
a coachman, Francis felt he was ready to settle down.
February 15th: "Sibella"
enters East India docks and Capt. Coleman prepares for the voyage to Port
Adelaide. Francis stays in London for five weeks, where he received the
appointment as a ship steward aboard the 618 ton Barque "Sibella". Captain
Coleman was a stern, but good Master of the ship and was impressed by
Francis's willingness to work hard and good manners. Over the next weeks the
ship is swabbed and cleaned and cargo is brought on board.
Unknown to Francis two young lasses and their family
had made their way down from Leicester to London to board the Sibella. They
and a Mr. Gregory Seal Walters, sent to Adelaide by the Patent Copper Co. to
find out the viability of Burra, would have a big bearing on Francis
Treloar's future.
March 21st:
Francis Treloar boards the ship "Sibella" at the East India docks.
March 22nd-25th:
The "Sibella" is entered at the Customs House to sail for Port Adelaide. The
steam tug towed the ship away from the docks. In the afternoon they reached
Gravesend and immigrants joined the ship by row boats, with their luggage.
Sarah and Elizabeth had said their goodbyes to there
father William and mother Elizabeth. It was a very tearful goodbye, as they
clung to each other with heartfelt embrace, knowing they may never see each
other again. Sarah and Elizabeth had paid for their voyage and the Captain
had asked the ships carpenter to run up a small cabin between decks for
them. Francis noticed the young ladies and knew he would get to know them
well as he would be their ship steward along with Mr. Walters and others.
What a long farewell for Sarah, just 18 years old and
23 year old Elizabeth bid their goodbyes, as the First Officer watched them
board as he stood on the poop deck, hands behind his back. He had seen this
scene so many times before.
There was a loud "All clear
their for’ard? `Ay, Ay, sir all clear'. "Let Go!” We weighed
anchor and set sail for Plymouth, then South Australia
March 26th:
When the last boat left the ministers of various religions left with them.
They had given comfort and tracts so that one wouldn't forget their beliefs.
This left many very emotional as they were already overcome by the last
farewells.
After all immigrants were accommodated Mr. Gregory Seal
Walters, Mr. Fred Walters and Mr. Lomax came out to the ship "Sibella"
aboard a boat and were soon made comfortable in their cabins. The Master,
Captain Edward Coleman also came aboard today. He it would be that would
control the lives of all to their destination Adelaide, South Australia, and
the voyage ahead.
March 28th:
They sailed down the Channel past the Downs. The Pilot was let off the ship
for Deal as many had written letters to deliver. They were contemplating the
fact they may never see their relatives again. Past the magnificent White
Cliffs of Dover and on into Plymouth Sound.
March 31st:
Arrived at Plymouth Sound. Francis went ashore by boat. That day one of the
poor sailors broke his leg. Prepared for more immigrants.
April 4th-5th:
Today those immigrants who waited patiently at the depots boarded with their
trunks and few belongings. Thomas Bunney. Henry Davey, John C. Eddy, Robert
Peters, William Thomas, Thomas Warren and their families, along with Martin
and his sister Peggy Trebilcock and many more. All hoping for the future in
the voyage ahead.
April 6th:
5.30am, All was calm as the steam tug took them out
about 3 miles outside the Plymouth harbour and they got under sail.
The voyage begins.
There was a fair South West wind and the steam tug
moved away with one final blast. Emotions were mixed as the voyage began and
English land would soon be seen no more. To find yourself in a space 6’ by
4’ was very difficult even more so with the first night of the reeling to
and fro of a ship, so any comfy feeling or mirth was soon overcome by
seasickness. Within a few hours nearly all were lying around helpless by the
feeling of seasickness. Whether to lie down, walk around, not enough room
for that, lie down again and then the stomach just heaves. Only those that
had been at sea before were comfortable and so as Francis says in his
diary, "a good deal of seasickness".
April 7th-10th:
Today more seasickness. It was very uncomfortable in the cramped quarters
and they had not been sick in the toilet, many in their bunks. The smells of
humans and sickness made it very uncomfortable. In fact this most probably
caused the early birth of Mr. & Mrs. James Gordon's little boy. The doctor
Mr. Gregory had to rush to her aid as she let out the most awful scream and
then it turned into joy as she delivered a beautiful boy. She would have to
sleep now in a bunk with baby and her husband, not much room, but that was
the last of her thoughts as she held it close to her. She was even willing
to put up with the reeling of the ship and the feeling of more seasickness.
Her husband was so proud, a boy, they named it Edward after the Captain.
April 13th:
The voyage is a little more comfortable to day as the weather is fine with
fair winds. A tragedy though for Isaac Church and his wife Hannah, as their
little Thomas passed away. Dr. Gregory did all he could. It was a terrible
sight to see the parents in their grief as the infant left them for the
ocean. That night Isaac tried to comfort his wife.
April 14th-17th:
Watched and conversed with a ship going to Newfoundland. Passengers are
becoming more stable as there is less seasickness, but still uncomfortable
at night for many as they try to sleep. The weather fine with still fair
wind.
April 18th:
Passed the ship "Perseller" from Liverpool bound for Pernambuco, northeast
seaport of Brazil. Many on deck calling out loudly as the ship came up
close as it could and they spoke from deck to deck, ship to ship, at 3 pm.
April 19th:
At daybreak they could see another ship, Madeira. The "Perseller" was still
in sight. Francis was getting to know Mr. Walters well and was going to be
his chauffeur when reaching Adelaide. He was also getting very friendly with
Sarah and Elizabeth. The weather has been very fair and helped all to enjoy
the voyage.
April 20th:
The ship "Sibella," was making good ground sailing at 8 knots. The weather
was fine and still fair winds. The ships were now out of sight and the "Sibella"
was just a speck on the Atlantic Ocean.
April 21st:
The wind is getting a little fresh and stronger. Doctor Gregory is helping a
man of the Smith family who is quite sick in the sick bay.
April 22nd-23rd:
Weather fine again and winds fair about 8 knots still. Tragedy for Edmund
Gilding and his wife as their little daughter Emma dies. His wife Elizabeth
is expecting another baby when they arrive, and this makes it harder to bear
their loss and brings them concern for the child to come,
April 24th-26th:
Could see another ship in the distance. We sailed passed the Cape Verde
Islands down the Atlantic Ocean. Some children falling sick.
April 27th-28th:
Children have become sick because of an outbreak of measles and they are
very worried for 2 year old Smith. With many sick the journey is causing
some anxiety among the travellers.
April 29th-30th:
It had become warm and very squally, making the “Sibella” a little
uncomfortable, this being the first time that it had been wet on deck. Water
came down the hatch and sleep became a little difficult through the night.
Mrs. Mary Gordon’s baby, Edward was crying through the night from the
rocking of the ship, kept many awake. It was so cramped for the families
with babies.
May 1st:
Measles is throughout the ship and one of the servants is now very sick. The
sickness is worse as because of the squally weather and heavy rain, causing
all to stay below deck.
May 2nd:
A 2 year old boy named Smith dies. Today we are constantly tacking ship and
it is more comfortable with fair wind. Francis has a real liking for Sarah.
Her good morals, love of poetry and wanting to have a good standing with God
endears to Francis. Today they were on deck enjoying the marvellous sunset
at sea. Sarah was very taken by Francis’s honest nature and he obviously
knew where he was heading. She just knew life would be right with Francis
Treloar. (Only Francis diary mentions this death)
May 3rd:
Weather becoming squally and more uncomfortable for the voyage.
May 4th-5th:
Many children getting better from the measles, but Doctor Gregory is doing a
great job to help some others. He is constantly at their attention. Weather
is now squally, uncomfortable for those sick.
May 6th:
A sad day as Ebenezer and Ann Mills' child dies of complications from
measles. In the evening the doctor did the service and again we watched as
the small child was buried at sea. It was not a comfortable day because of
the strong winds.
May 7th:
The weather was fine as the winds abated, but in the evening became stronger
making sleep difficult again,
May 8th-11th:
Another child succumbs to measles, Mr. & Mrs. John Joblings daughter Sarah
Ann. She was just 2 years old. The weather was fine and all were enjoying
the day at sea. Francis was getting to know Mr. Walters very well and
enjoying the conversation with Sarah Treloar. (The date cannot he verified
as both the newspaper and Francis do not mention who died on this date.
Francis mentions the age as 17 yrs and 2 months, but this would hardly be
the age of a child, so I think those making the copy that I have made a
mistake).
May 12th: We could see
another ship pass us in the distance seemingly on the way to England as the
winds grew strong again, but not close enough to make contact.
May 13th:
Excitement in this lonely world at sea as they spoke to a brig passing
called "Socilda" from Pernambuco, (now known as Recife a city and seaport in
the northeast Brazil) and on its way to Rio De Janeiro. Captain Coleman
hailed the ship and many were on deck calling out questions. The news, where
were they heading etc. It was the chance to make contact with land and
relatives, so letters hastily written and sent aboard by boat between ships.
May 14th:
More fine weather.
May 15th:
The brig "Socilda" is still in our company and the Captain went aboard
taking more letters, which we hoped our relatives and friends would receive
before the year was through.
May 16th-17th:
"Socilda" has left us and we have been blessed with more fine weather.
May 18th:
Blessed with more fair winds. Thomas and Caroline Bunney are very worried
parents as their little girl Louisa is very sick with measles and Mrs.
Bunney is heavy with child as well.
May 19th:
What a sad day, rainy and squally, as little Louisa Bunney passed away.
Thomas Bunney and Caroline are very upset, but are taking comfort in their
strong beliefs. Captain Coleman had the service that afternoon and the
families bid farewell to the child. Mr. Robert Peters and his wife Ann, are
extremely worried for their sick daughter too.
May 20th:
The squally weather has abated, but not Mr. & Mrs. Robert Peters fear as
their little girl passed away this day. Thomas Bunney, wife Caroline and
Sarah Treloar love reading the Bible and they were on deck in deep
discussion on one of their favourite texts. Francis Treloar smiled at her
and listened, being taken by the comfort she was giving them in their hour
of need. Grief has struck the ship as you hear Mrs. Peters sobbing through
the night, highlighting it for others.
May 21st:
Mrs. Gordon's child was baptized below deck today as it was blowing hard and
raining. They named him Edward after the Captain and Doctor. The weather
made the grieving parents even more unhappy. Francis wrote in his diary:
"Had to reef closely and spent a, gibe".
May 22nd:
We were not able to go on deck again today as it was still blowing hard and
it was very uncomfortable for Mrs. Bunney who will have her child any day
now. Francis wrote: "Sailing under close reefed
top sails".
May 23rd-25th:
Some are now being sick with the heaving of the ship "Sibella" as it keeps
blowing a gale. Some went on deck as the winds lulled during the day and to
pass the time they played deck games.
May 26th:
What a lovely day as we finally have fair weather again. Today many watched
a beautiful sunset.
May 27th:
More bad weather again, squally and very rainy as we near Cape Of Good Hope.
It is now very uncomfortable for Mrs. Bunney in those bunks.
May 28th:
More sadness, little Hannah Middleton succumbed to measles not long after
the heavy rains came at 1 p.m. Sailors busy again as they had to reef top
sails as the wind sprang up in the afternoon. Francis wrote:
"We are now in the latitude of Cape Of Good Hope".
May 29th:
The weather was fine today, but more pain. Michael Marshman brings more
sadness as the little boy breathes his last breathe. He was just 1 yr and 9
months old. The sadness in the parents of those who have died is almost too
hard to bear. His father Joshua seemed to be taking it very badly. Captain
did the service as family and friends bid their farewell.
May 30th:
The weather was fine as grieving families help each other cope.
May 31st:
The weather was good and the winds were very light so studding-sails were
set. Mrs. Bunney must surely have her baby today or tomorrow, for she is
very heavy with child.
June 1st:
The wind was fair in the morning, but by 11 am it was blowing a strong
breeze. At last some good news Thomas and Caroline Bunney had a little
girl. It was obvious they had mixed emotions feeling the loss of little
Louisa and yet holding a newborn daughter very close. Their eyes told all as
they looked longingly at each other and their new family member with tears
in their eyes. Thomas gave his wife a loving reminders.
June 2nd:
No-one seemed to mind being kept awake during the night by the Bunney baby
as they heard Mrs. Bunney talk to their little daughter, comforting her and
feeding her. During the day the breeze was strong.
June 3rd:
18 year old Henry Hunt had been sick for some time and many felt the Doctor
had done all he could, but poor Henry passed away during the night. Sarah
spent time comforting Mrs. Hunt. Henry's father was feeling it bad and felt
the doctor could have done more, especially when he first got the fever. In
the early part of the evening Captain Coleman said a very moving service.
It was a fair wind all day.
June 4th:
Many upset over the death of Henry, another day of fair wind.
June 5th:
The "Sibella" all alone at sea as they came abreast of the Cape Of Good Hope
with still a fair wind and families coming to grips with life and death.
June 6th:
A lovely fine day, but as evening came the wind rose and the "Sibella" again
felt the brunt of a rough sea.
June 7th:
The ship "Sibella" was now sailing under close reefs as the wind was blowing
strong and some again found it difficult and uncomfortable as most stayed
below deck. Edward Gregory was very sick and not expected to get better.
June 8th:
The morning was wet, cold and cloudy as poor Edward Gregory died today after
his illness that had lasted 3 weeks, he was just 21 years old. The death of
the babies, Edward, Henry had affected all on board as they wondered what
lay ahead and some wished they had never started on this journey. Others
like Sarah, Thomas and Caroline could be seen gaining comfort from their
favourite texts. Thomas and Caroline Bunney could be seen that night
comforting each other, with little Louisa Sibella close between them, as
this tiny dot of a ship crossed the Indian Ocean with the wind blowing right
aft and giving a more uncomfortable sleep that night below deck.
June 9th:
It was a fine day today, as the wind had dropped and a beautiful sunrise had
welcomed those who were on deck this morning. Captain Coleman had the
unenviable task of burying Edward Gregory. All dropped their heads in a
sombre stance as his body slid over board into that lonely sea. Sarah later
showed Francis a text. Francis looked with a smile at his betrothed and knew
she was trying to reassure him and herself, he believed, but didn’t read his
Bible like Sarah did. Many others like Robert and Hannah Marshman also
looked for comfort. So many were making the voyage for religious freedom as
Bible Christians.
June 10th:
Crossing the Indian Ocean became more comfortable by the day as all well and
the weather was fine.
June 11th:
William Hunt and the Doctor had heated words, with much abuse. Mr. Hunt
still feels very strongly that the Doctor was somehow responsible for his
son, Henry’s death. It is amazing the emotions one goes through trying to
except a death, especially a child. It seems even if one believes in the
resurrection hope, it is not always an immediate comfort, as one seems to
want their loved one now and in the future. Some, if they could get off and
go back home, they would.
June 12th-14th:
Fine weather and all starting to settle down a little as they come to grips
with the grief that has covered the “Sibella”. Little Louisa Sibella, named
after the ship, is a beautiful little girl and sleeping well at night.
June 15th: More trouble
between the Doctor and Mr. Hunt. Today very little wind and such a beautiful
sunset as Francis and Sarah could be seen on deck taking time out in preparation
for their coming marriage, in South Australia.
June 16th: We had to close the
reef sails today as it was very squally.
June 17th:
Although we had a fair wind today it was blowing hard.
June 18th:
Captain Coleman read the Sunday service today and many received comfort. Fair
wind all day as Thomas Bunney could be seen meditating on deck.
June 19th-21st:
The "Sibella" was rolling to and fro across the Indian Ocean as it passed the
small Saint Paul's Island in squally conditions. Near their destination now as
Mrs. Simcock will be the next to have a baby.
June 22nd:
Conditions are difficult now as the rains are very heavy and the wind it is very
squally. Mrs. Davey also heavy in child and finding it very uncomfortable as the
ship made little headway in heavy seas. A woman fell down the hatch escaping
with only bruises.
June 23rd:
A Fine Friday with fair breezes blowing at 4 pm as most came on deck to say
thank you to the Captain and Doctor, who have given all such fine treatment and
had the best interest of all during the voyage.
June 24th:
Late afternoon a fair breeze was blowing as the day had been fine, but then the
wind gained force light aft. During the evening a heavy sea did a lot of damage
as it struck the stern of the "Sibella".
June 25th:
Captain Coleman again read a fine Sunday Service of everyone's favourite text,
as he seems to want to bring comfort to all because of the happenings during
the recent weeks.
June 26th-28th:
They had to batten down the hatches again and stay below as the rough weather
came in and the "Sibella" was sailing with bare masts.
June 29th:
The Captain said maybe 3 weeks from land, as the wind shifted and heavy rain
fell.
June 30th:
Hurray, today is fine and what a sight the sunset out on the Indian Ocean.
July 1st:
What a horrible night, squally, hail and constant showers. James and Lavina
Shipp especially found it uncomfortable as they awaited the birth of their baby.
Suddenly in the early hours of the morning a cry of pain and rushing sound of
the Doctor, which awoke all, and Lavina Shipp gave birth to a child. (all births
can he verified by Francis' diary or the newspaper, but this one. May also be a
Benjamin Wright child as the newspapers differ, if so it died 6 days later
according to the Observor. Francis does not mention this death, why I went for
James and Lavina Shipp.)
July 2nd:
Another fine Service by The Captain as a fine day with fair wind was enjoyed by
all, along with another spectacular sunset. It made it a little easier to enjoy
the voyage, enjoying the creation of a sunset.
July 3rd-4th:
More joy, no more deaths and a fine son born to Mr. & Mrs. Sincock, with good
weather.
July 5th:
Babies everywhere and Henry and his wife Mary Ann Davey awaiting their turn any
day now, weather good.
July 6th:
Today was generally squally, but with some fine patches.
July 7th:
Foul wind which was blowing strong as the "Sibella" had to sail with bare poles.
July 8th:
There was a fair wind today, but not as squally as it had been, of which Mrs.
Davey was very thankful. When the cry of a little daughter was heard Henry Davey
gave a sigh of relief.
July 9th:
Captain read the service and it was a squally afternoon. It was hard to sleep
with babies crying as the sound of one cry would start the others. Mary Ann and
Henry Davey named their daughter Christiana Mary.
July 10th-11th:
It is still very squally and constantly raining, making all stay below deck.
July 12th:
A nice, fine day at last. Francis enjoyed Sarah's company today, especially her
sense of humour. He noticed her strong feeling for family, good sense of duty
and high moral standards. He felt she would make a very good wife and would
stand up to the rigors of pioneering that lay ahead.
July 13th:
Francis and Sarah have set August 16th as their wedding day. Weather fine as
they get closer to South Australia.
July 14th:
There was much excitement as the sun rose as they sighted land. It was a
beautiful sight and what a calm day. As evening came the wind rose a little, the
sunset beckoned all on to there destination as they passed Kangaroo Island.
July 15th:
The Sibella was a fine sight as it came abreast Cape Jervis in a fresh wind. The
ship was steady that night and the prospect of tomorrow and beyond was running
high. There was general celebration, the voyage coming to its end.
July 16th:
The expectations are high as it is Sunday and it is a fine, but cold day as the
ship 'Sibella" is in full sail off Holdfast Bay. Families who lost loved ones
though have mixed feelings, especially Mr, Hunt. Francis and Sarah are enjoying
the sight of land as their future seems set. Francis has been engaged by Mr.
Walters as his coach driver. Mr. Walters is here to see the viability of the
Burra Burra mines. Thomas Bunney and his wife hold Louisa very close as they
stand on deck, this cold day, trying to keep warm. They look out at land and
like Isaac Church and his family wonder what lay ahead. Everyone was waking to
the realization that here was South Australia. Port Adelaide, at last. It is 11
o'clock in the morning and the Pilot has come on board, the first person they
have seen since they left their beloved home land. Excitement was high as they
questioned him one after the other. It was barely 1 o'clock in the afternoon
when he left for shore with the mail. They anchored off the Lightship near the
mouth of the river that will lead us into Port Adelaide at 4 o'clock, but as the
weather is rough they have to stay anchored there.
July 17th:
The weather is still rough and wet as all are itching to go ashore, but we have
to wait a little longer.
July 18th:
The "Sibella" started to sway steadily forward as the sunrises and the small tug
began to tow the ship up the river. At the same time the shipping and colonial
inspectors were on board and all the immigrants were mustered on deck for
inspection. That afternoon it was a busy sight as the "Sibella" anchored in the
stream about fifty metres off shore. The weather was fine as a long boat took
Misters. Gregory and Fred Walters, Mr. Lomax and Dr. Gregory and others
including Sarah and Elizabeth, with the sailors who would help them ashore. It
was a little nervy as the sailor hoisted up Sarah to shore that afternoon. The
sailor carried 10 year old Emily Bliss to shore and into the waiting arms of her
ecstatic father, Richard, who had written so many letters to get her to Sth
Australia. He was overcome with emotion. Their embraces were long and hard. His
other daughter was to come soon on another ship.
Francis had many things to plan for, like his wedding day
August 16th. Others too were planning their wedding day, Jabez Cosby and Jane
Masters for October 10th, Martin Trebilcock and Maria Roberts on August 25th.
They had decided to settle in Burra. So much planning, weddings, babies, work
and a place to settle down.
July 19th:
Today the mothers can be seen in the steerage dressing themselves in their best
clothes and their children. This was the end of the voyage and now the adventure
begins. The passengers were brought ashore in small groups in the rowing boats.
Children and women carried from the little boats to shore. They had heard of the
hot winds of South Australia, but today they escaped this as a fine mild
temperature. As they rode up to Adelaide it wasn't at all unpleasant. Parts of
Adelaide were similar to an English village except for the bullock drays. Then
there was the mud huts as one drove up the Port road to Adelaide. The
Immigrants knew how to do with and survive. In town there were fine fruits
grapes, tomatoes, apples and more. Some still ate tomatoes with reservation as
they still felt they might be poisonous, even though in 1820 they were proven
otherwise. As the sunset on Adelaide the last of the immigrants were taken
ashore. They now all had placed their feet on land, 104 days since they left
Plymouth.
July 20th:
Today Francis went ashore and rode up to Adelaide to see Mr. Waters and start
preparations with his Sarah for the wedding day. Mr Walters was going to engage
him as a coachman and servant, as his knowledge of Adelaide would also be
helpful.
July 21st:
Francis returned to the ship to finish his duties as a ship steward.
July 22nd:
Sunday as the voyagers awoke to a frosty morning, which reminded them so much of
home the London streets or the moors of Cornwall. It became a fine day as many
enjoyed their first Sunday service on land. The rest of the month Francis was to
finish his duties aboard ship and Sarah was preparing for their future.
The weather report was from a
diary by farmer Peter Anderson and supplied by Prue at the research section,
state library, South Australia. I am currently researching conditions in
Adelaide when they arrived. I have recently discovered books of the Pryor and
Simpson families and they have written detail of Adelaide when they arrived.
Source; John Kimber,
www.southaustralianfamilyhistory.com
To add to this fantastic story the National Maritime
Museum, Greenwich, London have kindly given us a picture of the Ship Sibella and
their permission to display it on this web site. It can be seen via the link on
the home page or simply click here- (http://www.thedarlings.net/links.htm)
Please visit the National Maritime Museums web site at
www.nmm.ac.uk
Again, may I thank John for the permission he gave me to
use his story. Please pay John’s Web Site a visit, it is full of information and
a very interesting read.
I will buy the coffee later in the year John, kind
Regards
Martin
e-mail:
information@thedarlings.net
********************
Wedding Notice
14 November
1923
I have just been passed the details from a newspaper
clipping dated 1923 and thought it was such a nice article that it should be
shared.
The following information was reported in a local newspaper in South Australia.
WEDDING
DARLING - HAMLYN
"A pretty wedding took place at Bartholomew's Church,
Maitland (S.A.) on Wednesday last. The contracting parties were Henry William,
son of Benjamin Charles Darling and Euphemia, daughter of Theophilus Hamlyn of
Yorktown. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev.Father Aylward, after
which, Nuptial Mass was celebrated.
The bride was charmingly frocked in creme marocain, with
beautiful long veil. The bridesmaid, Miss M A.Tomney ( cousin of the bride),
wore lemon crepe-de-chine with hat to tone. Mr W Darmody acted as best man. Miss
K.Smith presided at the organ; and played Mendelssohn's, " Wedding March" as the
bridal party left the church. The happy couple then motored to their home, where
the wedding breakfast was served and the usual toasts were honoured."
********************
One Year On
It is now very nearly one year since the creation of this
Web Site, and we have had 32,461 visits with January 2008 seeing a staggering
3,639 visits alone.
September 2007 I decided to add a chat Forum to the site
and in December 2007 members voted to open the Forum to visitors of the site to
browse. It has been a very slow start with the Forum but we now have 18 members
from Australia, USA, England and Scotland. I must say however if it wasn't for
Joy, Maurice and Lorna the Forum would probably have died of death. So a big
thank you goes out to those three members and a plea to others to join in and
help make it a success.
Lorna started the most successful topic "Word
Association Game" on the Forum back in Jan 2008 and it has attracted over 600
replies! well done Lorna, Gold star for you.
Anyway back in May 2007 I purchased the
thedarlings.net name for a one year
period as a trial to see if this Web site was a success. I have now secured
ownership of this site name for a further five years. I hope we can build on
what we have created together over the past 12 months and enjoy the content that
we
build together.
All the very best,
Martin
(April 2008)
********************
Welcome to Zak
On 2nd April 2008 at 3.15am the Darling family saw the
arrival of it's latest member Zak David.
Congratulations from us all to very proud parents, Becky
and Ant and big sister Mya.
********************
Christmas 2007
Please may I say on behalf
of my family and I that we wish you all a very happy Christmas and also wish you
happiness and good health not only in 2008 but also the years ahead.
Please remember at this time
of year the departed members of this vast family who can’t be with us.
God bless, Good Health and
Happiness
********************
Another portrait by Ida Amelia Darling turns up
in Canberra Australia
Recently I was contacted via
e-mail by a lady from Canberra Australia, Dr Diana Kostyrko who descends from
Henry Darling Turner. It turns out that Diana and I are fourth cousins, yes we
now have yet another branch to the family tree!
Diana has forwarded to me a
portrait by Ida Amelia Darling and she has very kindly given her permission for
it to be displayed on this web site. Diana an art historian says “I am
privileged to have it from my aunt and uncle - Lang & Edna Turner (deceased) -
since 1974, so I should share it” “I have not been able to trace any other works
by Ida Amelia - although I have not made a great effort, admittedly - so it was
a tremendous surprise to see another on your website”
The pastel and graphite
portrait by Ida Amelia DARLING, entitled 'The Athenian' and dated 30 October
1869 can be viewed on left of this page, I am sure that you will all agree it is
yet another fantastic portrait by Ida which now increases our known family
collection to two great works of art. The other as you probably know can be seen
on the home page.
There must be many more
beautiful paintings by Ida scattered around Australia and maybe further afield,
if you know of or hear of any please pass on the information so we can one day
dedicate a section of this web site to Ida Amelia and her work.
*******************
Family Announcement
Congratulations to Antony Darling and Becky Lissemore on their Marriage which
took place in Worcester on Saturday 7th July 2007
With our love and best wishes for their future together from all the Darling
Family
********************
Man attacks shark
Everyone’s heard of the crocodile hunter, but its
now time to meet the new man on the block, the shark hunter.
Phillip Kerkhof
from Louth Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, is the talk of the town,
after catching a bronze whaler shark in his hands and wrestling it up onto the
local jetty.
It's a feat he's now warning others not to try.
Mr Kerkhof's adventure began when he'd had a few drinks, and decided to take a
stroll on the Louth Bay jetty.
He was chatting to a couple of fishermen who were after a catch of squid when a
1.3 metre bronze whaler shark began chasing their squid lures.
With the shark keeping the squid away, and no means of removing the problem, Mr
Kerkhof told ABC News that he decided he could help.
“I said to them, we’ll just see if we can lure it into the shallows a bit and
I’ll jump in and grab him”, he said.
Mr Kerkhof explained how he stripped off his clothing, climbed down a ladder on
the jetty and began to stalk the shark into shallow water, slowly sneaking up
behind it.
“Eventually I went for the big grab and I fluked it and got him... he's just
thrashing around in the water… but then he was starting to turn around and try
to bite me”, he said.
Catching the shark with his bare hands wasn’t the hardest part of the evening,
as he explained, he then had to land it on the jetty.
“Then I had to try and get him from the ladder up onto the jetty. Eventually we
got him. I got a fair way up (the ladder) and managed to throw him up there.
That scared everyone up there, a shark thrashing around”.
After getting the 1.3 metre shark on dry land, Mr Kerkhof bled the shark and
thought it had gone to the big sea in the sky, when some people arrived and came
to see what was going on.
But wait there’s more: the shark bites
back
Mr Kerkhof held the shark up in the air, to
showcase his catch, when the shark decided to fight back.
“I held it up… and it came back. By then I’d put my clothes back on and he came
back for the big snap and just got the edge of my jeans, and I went ‘phew, that
was lucky’… It was still kicking around in the front of my car as I’m trying to
get home to clean it.”
But while it makes a great story, Mr Kerkhof said others should think twice
before attempting the same feat.
“It's not something I'd recommend to do… definitely not, because they’ve got a
cartilage in them, not actually bone structure, so they can snap right around
and virtually bite their own tail.”
Mr Kerkhof said that the few drinks he’d consumed before attempting to catch the
shark with his bare hands probably impaired his judgement somewhat.
“When I sobered up I thought about it and I said you know 'I'm a bit of an idiot
doing it'... it's amazing what vodka does...”
As for shark wrestling, Mr Kerkof doesn’t think it will be his next big career
move.
“Yeah, we’ll it’s not a real good sport to do,” he said laughing.
Source;
Tim Jeanes
ABC Regional Radio Eyre Peninsula & the West
Coast SA Friday 16th February 2007
********************
A reading from the funeral service of Horace
Darling 1908-1999
Horace was born in Worcester
in 1908. Throughout his long life his experiences were many, which he often
retold to his family. Stories of his childhood, how he used to call the ferry
man over from one side of the river Severn to the other and then run off,
usually getting a clip round the ear for his fun. Every day Cycling miles after
school delivering bread from his Grandfathers bakery.
Horace was a keen
footballer. In his younger years he played for Worcester City Youth verses
Worcester Massatusis of America. He was selected for the return match in
Massatusis, unfortunately there was always to much work to be done at home.
He moved to London in 1938
with his wife Hilda and his children, Sylvia, Maurice and Mavis.
During the Second World War
he worked for Handley Page Aircraft Company. His job involved building bombers
and repairing them after the nightly air raids. Due to the importance of his job
he was not permitted to join the RAF.
He supported Chelsea
football club with a passion, as he did with all sport, there wasn’t a question
he couldn’t answer. You even began to enjoy the sport yourself, after listening
to his pleasure and enthusiasm.
Horace has seven
Grandchildren and fifteen Great Grandchildren. Even though members of his family
live all over the country, they have always remained close and in touch.
After visiting Devon many
times over the last twenty years, Horace finally moved from London five years
ago to live with his daughter Mavis. It was a happy five years, he took great
pleasure in going over Dartmoor, it was a bonus if there was a cream tea
involved. He spent many a happy hour at Chats corner on Shaldon sea front,
watching the boats and chatting to holiday makers.
He enjoyed listening to his
music and it was of great comfort to him in his later years.
To Horace his family was
everything and I’m sure each member and generation of his family have their own
special memory of him which will always remain.
He will be remembered with
respect, love and affection for the true gentleman that he was.
Horace Darling. Rest in
Peace.
A reading used at
Horace’s funeral service 1999
********************
A Short Story on Henry Darling
1825-1909
Henry Darling was born the
second child and eldest son of Benjamin and Sarah Darling (nee’ Jefferies). He
was born in Worcester, England on 7th December 1825 and baptised on
11th December 1825 in the parish Church of St Peter the Great,
Worcester. Little is known of Henry’s early life other than he was one of 12
children and his father was a cordwainer (shoemaker). In the 1841 census, Henry
aged 15 was recorded as an apprentice tailor and lived with his parents in
Diglis Street, Worcester.
On 25th December
1843 Henry married Rosina Orsmond in the parish Church of St George, Hanover
Square, London, England. Why London? Both were minors (under age 21) both are
recorded as living in Davies Street (1/4 mile from Hanover Square) and the
marriage took place after Banns were called, which mean they’d been in the area
for at least three successive Sundays.
Four and a half years after
their marriage Henry and Rosina together with their two young daughters Grace
aged 3 ½ and Ida aged 1 ¾ set sail for Australia on the SS Sibella departing
London on the 6th April 1848 and arriving in Port Adelaide, south
Australia on the 16th July 1848.
Their first child born in
Australia was a son George born 6 months after their arrival. On George’s birth
certificate Henry’s occupation is listed as a tailor. Henry and rosina had eight
children, the last pregnancy being twins.
In 1856 the Pauperism List
of Wives on Relief – due to husbands at the Gold Diggings, has record number 304
as Rosina Darling, so Henry must have tried his hand at Gold prospecting. It
would seem he may have been successful judging by the amount of land he
purchased in later years.
Henry purchased a parcel of
land number 31 at Medindie on 24th March 1873 for the sum of £250,
the land fronted Main North Road and was approximately five acres in area. The
memorial for the mortgage of the land states a sum of £50 was to be expended on
a dwelling within six months of the purchase date. This could have been the
house Henry and Rosina lived in on Main North Road. The Walkerville rate
assessment records 1876-1877 for Main North Road, Medindie has record number 249
as Henry Darling owning a four room cottage and sheds on ½ acres with rate value
of £12, the next assessment record 250 as Bejamin Darling 2 ½ acres of fenced
land rate value £2, record 248 as Three room cottage owned by Henry Darling and
occupied by George Darling rate value £8.
The land was re-mortgaged in
1877 for the sum of £260 with the proviso it was to be repaid by 19th
January 1881. The money received for this mortgage was probably used to
subdivide the land and build the four houses in Darling Street which were named
Grace, Ida, Dalia and Rose. Three houses are still standing today (2007).
By Trevor Livingston
and Kay Lockley (nee’ Osterstock) Henry’s Great Great Grand Children.
********************
The
Darlings reunited by the internet
FAMILY tree enthusiasts from across the UK and
Australia have met in Worcester after discovering they were all descended from a
city man.
More than 50 members of the Darling family
joined a reunion at the Oak Apple pub in Spetchley Road to swap stories about
their lives and compare genealogy research.
All those who attended were related to
brothers Benjamin and Henry Darling, who were born in Worcester during the 19th
century.
Family members have discovered Henry was born
in 1825 and baptised in the parish church of St Peter the Great. At the age of
15 he was an apprentice tailor who lived with his parents in Diglis Street.
However, by 1848 he, his wife and two young
daughters had set sail on the SS Sibella for a new life in Port Adelaide, South
Australia.
Australian records show Henry later became a
gold prospector and the family believes evidence of land he bought later proves
he must have been successful in his search.
Martin Darling, who is descended from
Benjamin, who lived in King Street, Worcester, said: "About five years ago,
through the website Genes Reunited, I was contacted by a lady from Melbourne who
asked if I was related to the Darlings of Worcester.
"We established we were fourth cousins.
"Then last year I had a call from Adelaide,
from another cousin who was coming to England and wanted to meet."
Mr Darling agreed to show his cousin around
the city and, in return, he was invited back to Adelaide to meet 60 of Henry's
Australian descendants.
This year, the family decided to meet again,
with 55 people from travelling from Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands,
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Australia for the get-together earlier this
month.
Mr Darling, of West Hendred, Oxfordshire,
said: "We had a fantastic time. Everyone turned up and we all had something in
common - we are all from one family.
"Some hadn't heard of each other before and
others hadn't seen each other for more than 60 years."
Source; Alicia Kelly, Worcester News
Wednesday 30th May 2007
********************
“I dashed into the back garden and saw the bomb
go off…..”
An evacuee, sent by his
parents from the London blitz to spend most of the war years with relatives in
the place of his birth and early childhood, Worcester, has put together some
memories of those difficult days.
Maurice Darling recently
decided to record his boyhood recollections of wartime stays in the Faithful
City – home to generations of his forebears, the Darlings and the Birds.
He has now lived in Swindon
for many years but wrote to us wondering whether we would be interested in his
wartime memories of Worcester, and I asked him to forward them to me, which he
kindly did.
Maurice was born in 1932 in
one of a cluster of six small rented cottages in Hylton Road. His parents were
Horace Darling, whose family lived for a long time in the Carden Street area,
and his wife Hilda, who was from the Bird family of Hylton road.
Her father, Alfred, known to
Maurice as “Granddad Bird”, was a wholesale fruit merchant who kept two cart
horses and a dray in the same Hylton Road stables as the black funeral horses of
Mr Wootton, the undertaker.
Maurice Darling spent his
first six years with his parents and two sisters in the Hylton Road cottage
which had one room downstairs, plus a larder, and two rooms upstairs. Outside
was a yard with a toilet and washroom shared by all the occupants of the
cottages.
Since dispatching his
wartime recollections, Maurice has also sent me several pages recounting his
first six years of life amid the shops, pubs, characters and businesses which
then thrived in a well populated Hylton Road. Alas, space does not permit me to
include those memories too, save to say that Maurice calculates that, at the
time, 14 relatives were living in the Hylton Road area.
It was in 1938 that his
family was uprooted and moved to Cricklewood in London where his father got a
job in the Handley page aircraft works.
“But when war was declared
the following year, our parents sent my sister Sylvia and I back to stay with
relatives in Worcester, the Kellys – Aunt Phoebe and Uncle George who lived with
their children in a two up, two down cottage in Chequers Lane off Hylton Road.
“I went initially to St
Clement’s School but had lessons in makeshift places such as my grandfather’s
loft over the stables in Hylton Road and in the front room of Mrs Wootton, the
undertaker’s wife.
“Sylvia returned to London
and I later went to live with Granddad Bird’s brother George and his wife Annie
in Boughton Avenue. I well remember the Meco factory bombing and have a clear
memory of the German plane flying over our street. Quite distinctly, I saw a
bomb being released, and dashed through into the back garden and saw the
explosion as the bomb went off.
“I wanted to go and see what
had happened but my Aunt Annie insisted we got into the Morrison shelter in the
front room. I remember my uncle George, a veteran of the First World War,
telling her it was too late, now that the bomb had already landed. I managed to
slip away later to look at the bomb damage,” writes Maurice.
His younger sister Mavis was
also sent to Worcester around this time and went to live with relatives named
Waldron in Victoria Avenue.
Maurice’s next temporary
home was in Stallard Road with his Aunt Nancie whose husband Ralph Bird –
brother of Maurice’s mother- was on active service in the army.
“Afterwards, I went to live
with my other grandfather, Walter Darling and his second wife Alice in St Paul’s
Street and was sent to St Paul’s School where the headmaster was a Mr Darke who
was also in the Home Guard.
“There was an air-raid
shelter in the school playground but I can’t remember ever having to go into it.
We had to carry gas-masks at all times and had collections at school for war
savings. When you had collected 15 shillings, you went to see Mr Darke who would
give you a savings certificate. We also went pea-picking from school because of
the wartime shortage of labour on the land.
“We had gardening lessons
too on land at Stanley Road with a teacher named Hicks or Higgs, and one day we
went up to nearby Shrub Hill Station to see an ambulance train pulling out for
the south coast. After the Normandy LANDINGS, Ronkswood Hospital was used for
wounded soldiers, and there were lots of them. You would see them around the
city in their blue outfits, and seats were placed at strategic locations with
notices saying `Wounded Only.’
“My Uncle, Ralph Bird, a
sergeant in the Royal Warwicks, had been wounded and was sent to Ronkswood
Hospital, and I walked up there in the hope I might see him, but there were
hundreds and hundreds of wounded serviceman.
“Among my other Worcester
wartime recollections are of seeing lines of soldiers marching along, passing a
cigarette to each other, and of Tiger Moth aircraft flying to and from the
airfield at Perdiswell – the sky seemed to be full of them.
“On the Cathedral side of
the river, there were some big concrete blocks which, we were told, would be
moved into place, if necessary, as enemy tank traps. Later on, when the United
States entered the war, Worcester seemed to be full of American soldiers.
“The city, like the rest of
Britain, was in darkness at night, and we all had torches to see our way around.
Metal bins were in the streets for people to put their scraps in for pig food.
“In all, I spent three
separate spells in Worcester, and each time I came back from London things had
changed.
“The only news we had about
the bombing in London came on the wireless. Whenever the announcer said `there
was air activity over southern England last night,’ we knew the capital had been
under enemy attack again. I did worry about my parents and family in London
every time I heard that statement and obviously looked forward to the next
letters from them to know that all was well with them.
“During one of our stays
back in London, a V1 just missed our house and killed 10 people in a nearby
street. Mum immediately decided Worcester was the best place for my sister and
I, and quickly dispatched us back.
“Then one day I was in the
street outside my grandparents house when a couple of chaps, coming home from
work, quipped to one another: `See you after the war!’ I was mystified by this
strange comment as the war had been raging for nearly six years, and went inside
to find my grandparents listening intently to the radio. The news had just come
through that the Germans had surrendered.
“We had no school next day,
and that night I went to the city centre, where the thing I remember most was
all the lights. It seemed every house had the curtains open and their lights on.
Every street was a blaze of light – such a sharp contrast from all the years of
blackout.
“Through the Cornmarket, up
to the Cross and along High Street to the Cathedral, people were shouting and
singing – it was a great feeling. People went wild,” says Maurice. “On that
first day after the war ended, I remember seeing a man selling flags outside a
pub in the Cornmarket square.
“I felt so good, and later
there was a street party with tables laid out along James Street. The adults put
on a good spread of food which must have meant a lot of going without on their
part in those times of strict rationing. There were flags hanging all over the
place along the street and out of windows.
“Then one day I came back
from school and Gran told me I would be going home. We were given a label with
our name and destination on it and went one afternoon to Shrub Hill Station to
catch the train. I was surprised to see how many evacuees there had been in
Worcester. The station was full of children on their way to London. Coaches
picked us up at Paddington and dropped children off at various places. Our
parents were waiting anxiously but joyfully outside a school for my sister and
me.
“I enjoyed my wartime stays
in Worcester – but then I was with relations. It must have been harder for my
younger sister Mavis who was aged about five when she came to stay with
relatives in Victoria Avenue. She went to Stanley Road School, and I kept in
touch and met up with her as often as possible. We were treated very well in
Worcester but, of course, missed our parents,” writes Maurice.
He tells me he still has
relatives living in Worcester – “lots of them, in fact.”
He adds the information that
his father’s mother, Mary Darling, died aged 39 when he was only two as a result
of a miscarriage after seeing the horrific aeroplane tragedy on Pitchcroft in
1910. More than 14,000 people had gathered on the racecourse to watch a flying
display by a light aircraft, but as it taxied for take-off it veered into the
crowd, killing one women and badly injuring several others. Maurice’s ill-fated
grandmother was a belated victim of that incident! I have previously given full
details of that 1910 tragedy in Memory Lane. Horace Darling, Maurice’s father,
died only two years ago, aged 92.
Source; Memory
Lane with Michael Grundy. Worcester Evening News, Saturday, May 1st 2004
********************
Aeroplane
Disaster Occurring at Pitchcroft, Worcester.
Précis account of reported
aeroplane disaster at Pitchcroft, Worcester.
One women was killed and
several people injured on the closing day of the Hereford and Worcester
agricultural show being held at Pitchcroft when a flight demonstration went
disastrously wrong.
14,000 people crowded on to
the course in order to see Captain Clayton and his assistant, Ernest D’Artigan
close the show with an air display but the flight had to be delayed several
times when the excited mass bulged through the safety ropes on to the runway.
After a number of appeals by the local police the crowds were largely under
control when rain began to fall sharply and Mr D’Artigan decided there was no
time to lose if the flight were to go ahead.
The machine had not
proceeded far when it was seen to swerve suddenly to the right and into the
crowd. Mrs Pitt of Hindlip received the full impact of the plane and was killed.
Several others were taken to hospital suffering from cuts, bruises and shock.
One old man, struck by part of the aeroplane was thrown inside the tent into Mr
E.J Parsons rose display.
(This accident has been said
to account for the death of Mary Darling, wife of Walter Darling due to a
miscarriage caused by shock, borne out by the announcement of her passing only
one week later.)
Source; Worcester
Journal, Saturday, June 11th 1910
********************
Deaths.
Darling, at Foundry St on
the 20th inst
Mary (Polly), beloved wife
of Walter Darling and eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Williams, aged 39. Deeply
regretted.
Source; Worcester
Journal, Saturday June 25th 1910
********************
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 Copy of The Athenian painting by Ida Amelia.jpg)
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