Samuel James
| Town/City | Port Macquarie |
|---|---|
| First name | Samuel |
| Last name | James |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | baptised 27 June 1784 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1802 |
| Submitted by | John James |
Story
This is the story of my Great Great Grandfather. as I know it. SAMUEL JAMES was baptised on 27 June 1784 at Chelmsford Essex. Like many others, at the tender age of thirteen years for whatever offence was tried in Essex GD, on 5 March 1798 and sentenced to serve seven years in the new colony. Aboard the” Perseus ” as prisoner number 215 he made the long hard voyage following the second fleet in the loose company of “coromandel ii”, and disembarked to commence his new life in NSW on 4 August 1802. Declared free by servitude he received his Certificate of Freedom in 1810.
Ann Bean was born on 12 November 1789 in London and accompanied her parents to arrive free in Sydney aboard the “Buffalo” (Governor Hunter was also on this ship), and on 28 November1808 became Samuel’s wife. They were married by banns at St Johns Church, Parramatta.
The Court of Magistracy, Parramatta on 6 August 1823 formally appointed Samuel constable for the district of Castle Hill. This appointment was approved by Fred Goulburn, Colonial Secretary. The following is an extract from the Memorial of Samuel James, witnessed by William Fishbur and Jack Bradley on 3 Sept 1823.
“That Memorialist, is a free man and has been a resident of this colony a number of years – and some years, constable for the district of Baulkham Hills, has a wife who came out free by whom he has seven children”
“That Memorialist received from his late Excellency Governor Macquarie, a Grant of Eighty Acres of land situate at Baulkham Hills. That he has forty acres fell, twenty cleared and in cultivation and a good substantial dwelling house thereon, where memorialist resides with his family “.
“That Memorialist trusts Your Excellency will take the above into your favourable ears about and award to him the usual indulgences, namely of allowing himself wife – family and a government servant to be victualled on His Majesty’s stores for such length of time as to your excellency shall soon meet out for such. Not of humanity “.
Samuel and Ann had twelve children (4 sons and 8 daughters) all of whom married into the local community, notably Elizabeth who married John Kentwell and later became known as ” Granny Kentwell” .
Samuel James died 6 March 1855 and was buried 8 March 1855. His wife Ann died 11 March 1854 both were buried by the Rev James Carter at St John’s church cemetary, O’Connell St Parramatta .
Thank you Samuel,
John James