John Ennis
| Town/City | Ettalong Beach |
|---|---|
| First name | John |
| Last name | Ennis |
| Country of Origin | Essex, England |
| Date of Birth | 1762 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1803 |
| Submitted by | Stephen Brown |
Story
John Ennis (1762 – 1842) arrived in Sydney 18/3/1803 as a convict aboard the ship ” Glatton” which left England on 23/9/1802. Sentenced to life (commuted from Death by hanging). Tried at Chelmsford, Essex, England 22/7/1801.
Rec’d Ticket of leave granted 1810 (Register of Pardons & Tickets of leave Vol1 P628); Petition to Governor Macquarie 27/12/1819 for emancipation. Conditional Pardon granted 31/1/1819.
In 1823 he entered a lease in Castlereagh Street and Pitt Street, Sydney. Occupation: Dealer of Merchandise. Petition for Deed of Grant 1834. Request for Deed of Grant in 1836 (then aged 74). Original manuscript. Letter written 6/3/1837 still awaiting decision. Last record of correspondence with the Bureaucracy (Colonial Secretary) was 20/8/1838 re mis-spelling of name. Also mis-spelt “Enis” and “Innes”. Real surname was “Ennis” proven by his own hand in manuscripts.
Also according to Pioneer Register his first union in Colony was with an Ann Lane Government Servant (7 year sentenced convict) from Bristol, England. There was a child named John Lane born 30.9.1809 born out of wedlock. Ann soon after moved to Richmond NSW and married a nice bloke who was a farmer and had many children.
Poor John Ennis – he was then not pardoned.Memorial fiche 3176 4/1850 p. 105: ‘To his Excellency, Lachlan Macquarie, Esq. Governor and Commander in Chief in and over His Majesty\’s Territory of New South Wales and its dependencies. The petition of John Ennis, prisoner most humbly and
respectfully Sheweth his coming to this Colony on His Majesty\’s Ship the Glatton, nearly fifteen years. Has been twelve years on ticket of leave, and whose name has not been recorded in any Court in the Colony.
Petitioner labours under the direful sentence of life, a predicament truly painful to a being who endeavours by his Conduct to move once more in society with some degree of comfort; the means whereby the invisible Governor of the universe has invested your Excellencies hopeful
authority. Petitioner has children, is advanced in years, and compafse with infirmities but pofsefses the frugal means of an honest livelyhood, wherin he most humbly prayeth that your Excellencies benevolent
considerations may impart to him the gracious favour of an Emancipation.
Your excellencies most humble petitioner.’
The following notations are on the above document ” From Chelmsford County of Efsex – The petitioner, I believe, is an orderly sober and industrious man. Signed by Rev William Cowper (St Philips C of E Sydney dated 15 Dec 1817. C.P. Conditional Pardon: 31st January, 1818.
Correspondence: Letter by John Ennis to the Govenor (Reel 6062; 4.1781 p. 375b):
‘Honoured Sir, Sydney 22 December 1824
These few lines solicit your attention respecting a woman by the name of Arelia Wood – at No. 31 Pitt St. A person of loose character – having two Government Men; she has no property – does no businefs – and consequently no visible means of an honest maintenance which renders it evident that their idleness and disposition must be supported upon the injury of the publicand against the good order of society. One of the men by the name Edward Newton was turned into the Barrack for robing his last place and the said Arelia Wood was charged with receiving it. She directly applied and obtained him from the Barracks on pretention of marring but it is not so. I do not know the name of the other man. Sir, this subject I submit to your consideration with the inference of your authority be not indispensibly necefsary to have them examined respecting their manner of life.
Yours most obedient
John Ennis’
Census 1828 : John Ennis age 66, Conditional Pardon, “Glatton ��, sentence life, Protestant, Householder of Pitt Street, Sydney.
Mary Wright age 53, Conditional Pardon, ” Speke” 1808, sentence life, protestant, Housekeeper to John Ennis Pitt St. Sydney.
John Ennis was originally assigned to Parramatta and in 1806 had his Ticket of Leave.
Information courtesy of Robert Ellis, Golden Valley, Duckmaloi, Oberon NSW 2787.
IGI: Birth of Esther Ennis (F) – John M-Sarah 1795 Prittlewell PO180413242: It is possible Esther’s father was our John Ennis and this could be the reason John never married in Australia, until on 18/10/1821 he married Mary Wright (formerly his live in housekeeper of many years).
Providence: Original sentence was death by hanging in 1801, due to being found guilty of theft of considerable sums of cloth and rubies from a merchant but at the last hour this was commuted to Life in the Colonies. Amazingly many decendents have benefited by this Act of God. I am most humbly one 7th generation – subscriber Stephen Brown (father of 10 children).