Who and What I Find (TE version)

Tag: Sydney

  • Edward COMBER b1820 Spitalfields

    It has only taken two years to finally find Edward COMBER b1820 in Spitalfields, Middlesex, England!

    Edward is my 2ndGreatGrandfather, and he has been an elusive man, to say the least.

    Over the years I have been searching, I have found numerous mentions of Edward but with conflicting information. The worst situation is the conflation of two men (Edward COMBER and Edward COMER) into one “super-Edward” who appears to have two wives and families over 200kms apart (please refer my post “Edward COMBER vs Edward COMER” for information I found in 2015).

    I was recommended to hire a Genealogical Researcher in the UK, which I did in August 2017. Rita has been quite diligent and has uncovered some of Edward’s secrets!!!

    Edward was indeed born in Spitalfields in/around 1820. While there is no Baptismal Registration found, as yet, there is a Workhouse entry for Edward aged 4, and his family. Yes, I have a family for Edward – I am so happy!

    Edward was born to James Comber and his wife Elisabeth. Edward had an elder brother, James Robert born 03 Nov 1818 while the family was living in Cock Lane, Smithfield, Middlesex, England which is very near Spitalfields. A sister, Elizabeth,  was born to the family in December 1824 and another sister, Ann, in/around 1827.

    Father James Comber was apprenticed as a weaver, but there are no Guild Records available that show he actually became a weaver. What we do know now is that James senior enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot (also known as Queen’s Own) in 1826. Brother James Robert also enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot in 1832, as a Drummer. [Refer my post “James Comber – NOT a nice man…“]

    The family moved with the Regiment, firstly to Ireland, then to NSW where they arrived in 1835 on the ship BLENHEIM as Guards on the Convict Transport. The Regiment was stationed in Windsor, just north of Sydney.

    Edward also enlisted in the 50th Regiment of Foot once arrived in Windsor in October 1835.

    Father James was discharged from the 50th Regiment on 31 May 1836 and he and Elisabeth apparently remained in NSW. Another daughter, Matilda, was born in NSW in 1837.

    Meanwhile, the 50th Regiment departed NSW for India, being stationed in Cawnpore (present name Kanpur) in Uttar Pradesh. Both brothers fought in the Gwalior Campaign in December 1843. Sadly, brother James Robert died in May 1844 in Cawnpore, and Edward was discharged from the 50th Regiment while stationed in Chinsurah & Loodianah in November 1845.

    Edward was back in NSW by 1849, where he applied for an “Irish Famine Orphan” with the NSW Colonial Secretary.

    He was obviously granted an orphan, as he and Elizabeth Mackey were married in Sydney in 1851!

    So – there he is – Edward COMBER – found him, at last!!!

  • James Freeman

    I’m in the process of conversing with a distant relative located in New Zealand, and “my old pal” James Freeman entered the conversation.

     

    James is an interesting character. Not much is known (by me!) about his early days. My research has shown he was convicted in Hertford, Hertfordshire, at the Assizes in 1774.

    Transported on the ship ALEXANDER, he arrived with all the other First Fleeters in Sydney Cove in 1788. As may be known, the First Fleet arrived with only half the planned supplies (due to Admiralty incompetence and greed), so the colony was in dire straights by the end of the 1st month and all on Australian soil were on half or even quarter rations.

    Freeman was tried with William Shearman for stealing 15 allowances of flour, sentenced to death, pardoned on condition he became the public hangman. He had to hang that day Thomas Barlett (qv) reluctant to do so, the marines had orders to shoot him, if he didn’t do so.

    James went on to be assigned as a laborer to a fellow in the Windsor/Richmond area, north west of Sydney.  Upon his Absolute Pardon he continued to live in the area.

    He remained a labourer, labouring at Richmond N.S.W. He died a pauper at Windsor 28 Jan 1830, buried St Matthew’s, aged 67.

    He had two children by Mary Edwards (arrived as part of the Third Fleet on the MARYANN in 1791), Mary 1792-1801 and Berthina or Berthia 1794. Young Mary died aged 9, and Berthia married Timothy Hoy (Eighth Fleet 1808). Mary Edwards had left him by 1800 for Abraham Martin