James MELVEN
| Town/City | Marayong 2148 |
|---|---|
| First name | James |
| Last name | MELVEN |
| Country of Origin | Scotland |
| Date of Birth | c1803 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | c1839 |
| Submitted by | Leslie de Belin |
Story
James MELVEN was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1798, (abt 12/5/1798, St.Nicholas, Aberdeen). On 7/7/1831 at St.Nicholas, Aberdeen, he married Ann FLEMING (b.abt 1795). James was described as a labourer of Aberdeen, and Ann as the daughter of the deceased William FLEMING, late of His Majesty’s Service.
They both sailed from Dundee, Scotland, aboard the “John Barry”, arriving in Sydney on 13/7/1837. This ship was a former convict ship built in 1814, and was being used under the Bounty Scheme, whereas 5,200 Scottish immigrants were being encouraged to sail to Australia between 1837 – 1840. It set sail on 25/3/1837 for its 4 months voyage with 80 males, 92 females and 142 children. The voyage claimed the lives of three adults (fever) and 23 children (bowel complaints).
On its arrival, the ship was immediately sent into quarantine due to six adults and 11 children being infected with typhus, plus six children suffering from bowel complaints. It was sent to the northern end of Sydney, and the passengers were responsible for the original construction of the Quarantine Station at North Head. Controversy reigned in the local newspapers about the conditions of the passengers at the quarantine grounds. The Captain and cabin passengers were allowed to leave a few days after their arrival, however, the majority of steerage passengers (immigrants) remained for 55 days. In quarantine a total of 37 passengers were infected with typhus with 13 dying (9 adults and 4 children) between 14/7/1837 and 17/9/1837. All were buried at the Quarantine Station. Over a period, a number of the immigrants were released from quarantine on various dates, the last by early October 1837.
First wife, Ann FLEMING/MELVEN died 1840, being buried at Sydney on 5/5/1840. She was described as a 45 year old shopkeeper, having arrived in Sydney aboard “John Barry”. The service was held at St.Andrews Scots Church.
On 8/4/1844, at St.Andrews Scots Church, Sydney, as a widower, James MELVEN married his second wife, Anne CREIGHTON. They lived at Merreville, Campbelltown, where their first daughter was born in 1845. James was described as a gardener at this time.
The 1855 Sydney Morning Herald advertises James MELVEN as a jobbing gardener, i.e. gardens done by day or by piece.
The family later moved to Bridge Street, Gladesville, where he continued as a gardener. It was here that things went terribly wrong. The Sydney Morning Herald of 12/6/1866 reports the arrest and charging of James MELVEN for the Attempted Murder of his wife, Anne.
On the evening of 3/6/1866 Anne MELVEN went to nearby Crotty’s public house where she became intoxicated, as did husband James. Also there were her daughter and son-in-law. Anne indicated she did not remember anything until waking up at midnight with her throat cut. A neighbour indicated she was awoken by James who told her he had cut Anne’s throat. The neighbour attended, and saw Anne in bed with her baby, suffering from a neck wound. A doctor was summonsed and he found Anne with a 4 inch cut to her throat, not very deep, but external jugular was divided. She was weak and in a dangerous state, and he sewed up the wound, which was described as very severe. James was arrested and charged with Attempted Murder.
After a brief appearance at Ryde Court, James MELVEN was committed for trial at Sydney Criminal Court on 13/8/1866. He was convicted of the lesser charge of Unlawfully Wounding. Several witnesses were called regarding the good character of James MELVEN, and his previous good relationship with his wife and family. The jury recommend mercy on account of his good character, and he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment Sydney Gaol.
James MELVEN died of Pneumonia 27/3/1885, aged 82 (b.1803) at his daughter’s house in Meriton Street, Gladesville. He was described as a gardener. His Death Certificate indicates buried at St Anne’s Cemetery, Victoria Road, Ryde. I have checked gravesites there in 1998 and could not find his headstone. Apparently when Victoria Road was widened in 1952, a number of graves were moved or covered over during road construction. Some 27 headstones were re-located to Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde, and although I found a number of re-located headstones there, I was unable to find James MELVEN. It is not confirmed if any of the remains were re-located to Field of Mars, or it was just the headstones?