Joseph Lacey

Story

Joseph LACEY was born on 26th. October 1797in Somerset and became a carpenter. On January 19th. 1819, he married Mary MATCHAM in the parish of Henstridge, Somerset by banns. Henstridge is 5km. north east of Milborne Port on the Dorset boundary Joseph was able to sign his name but Mary made her mark.

Joseph and Mary had four sons and 3 still born babies before migrating to Australia as part of Thomas Peel’s Swan River Settlement Scheme in WA. Joseph was a dairyman living in Henstridge when his first son, Joseph Matcham LACEY (b. 23rd March 1819) was baptised on 11th. April 1819 and when his second son, Robert James LACEY (b.14th. July 1821) was baptised on 11th. April 1822 his occupation was described as labourer. By this time the family was living in the Parish of Milborne Port, which is 115 miles from London and 13miles from Shaftesbury The southern boundary of the town forms the boundary of Somerset & Dorset. They were still living in Milborne Port when Henry William LACEY (b. 21st. October, 1823) was baptised on September 1st. 1825 Joseph was a carpenter at this time. Francis Oliver LACEY (b. 30th. September 1828) was 20 months old when the family sailed for Australia aboard the ‘Rockingham” arriving in Western Australia at the Swan River Settlement on 13th. May 1830. The Rockingham became unseaworthy off Rottnest Island in 1830 and despite a few repairs was unable to sail again. By August 1830 a settlement several kilometres south of Clarence became known as Rockingham Town, taking its name from the ship that brought many to the colony.

The Swan River Colony was not what the early pioneers expected and in August 1830, poor leadership by Peel finally resulted in disillusioned residents sending a petition to Governor Stirling complaining about their conditions in general and Peel in particular. Most of the new colonists dispersed throughout the colony: Clarence never eventuated as a town and little remained, as testimony to Peel’s grandiose scheme. For Thomas Peel, his legacy was 250,000 acres of dubious land and mass of accumulated debts.

“Mr. LACEY had signed on with Thomas Peel’s Swan River Settlement Scheme and paid 60 pounds each for himself and his wife, and 30 pounds for each of his sons for their passage.’

It was under these conditions that the Lacey family began their new life in Australia. Because conditions were so poor ‘Mr. LACEY set off for Hobart Town where the family lived for some time. The family left WA on 13th May 1931 on board the ‘Eliza\’. While the family lived in Hobart five girls were born but all died a short time after their birth – Lavinia (b. 18th. December, 1832) who died nearly a month later on 7th. January, 1833, Isabella (b. 4th. November 1835) died on 6th. February 1836, Mary Anne (b.5th May, 1837) died ten days later on 15th. November 1837, Sarah Anne (b. 21st. September 1838) died 30th. April 1839, and Mary Adelaide (b. 27th. December, 1839) died 18th. August 1840.

Joseph LACEY built a group of houses in Liverpool Street, Hobart. There were possibly three together. He lived in one and rented the others. The houses on that block now are 235 & 237 Liverpool St. on the corner of Liverpool St. & Molle St. Joseph Lacey was named as the owner from 1858 Ð 1880 when it passed to Anne Lacey (his second wife, Anne Haines) Originally the property consisted of one big block with one large wooden building and another two storey brick building. The large building has been altered with cladding added and sheeting over the front.

Ann Henrietta (Haines) LACEY died on 26th September 1889 and is buried in Queenborough Cemetery, Hobart. She married Joseph Lacey in St. John\’s Presbyterian Church, Hobart on 6th June 1858. Mary Matcham, Joseph\’s first wife, died on 21st. September 1857 and is buried in the Queenborough Cemetery also. .

Joseph spent the rest of his life in Hobart. He died in Hobart on 12th May 1874 and was buried in Queenborough Cemetery

The ‘Mercury\’ of May 16th 1874 p3. states ‘On Tuesday last, Mr. Joseph Lacey, an old colonist of 44 years standing, died at his residence, corner of Liverpool and Molle Streets, at the age of 78years, Mr. Lacey went to Swan River in the early part of 1830 in the ship Rockingham, which was driven ashore in company with thirteen other vessels. At the close of the same year, he arrived in Hobart Town, and has resided here ever since. The deceased was the father of Mr. Lacey, the champion shot of Victoria and ex-mayor of Prahran.

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