McConaghy/Flatt/Nairn/Creer Family History

The Creer Family History

1. Gilbert Creer. He married unknown.

Children:

2. i Gilbert Creer b. abt 1600.

Second Generation

2. Gilbert Creer, b. abt 1600. He married unknown, married abt 1625. Gilbert died 1687.

Children:

3. i Thomas Creer b. 1628.

ii William Creer, b. 1630.

4. iii Paul Creer b. 1632.

iv Katherine Creer, b. 1635, d. 1640.

v Bahee Creer, b. 1641, d. ? Apr 1700.

Third Generation

3. Thomas Creer, b. 1628. He married unknown, married abt 1658. Thomas died 1684.

Children:

5. i John Creer b. 5 Sep 1659.

ii Ann Creer, b. 1661, d. 1679.

4. Paul Creer, b. 1632. He married unknown.

Children:

i Avericke Creer, b. 1659.

Fourth Generation

5. John Creer, b. 5 Sep 1659. He married Katherine Kelley, married 16 Jun 1688.

Children:

i Mariot Creer, b. abt 1690.

ii Christian Creer, b. abt 1690.

6. iii Gilbert Creer b. 1693.

iv William Creer, b. 1694.

Fifth Generation

6. Gilbert Creer, b. 1693. He married Isabel Fail, married bet 1720-1722, d. 1760. Gilbert died 30 Jul 1762.

Children:

i Paul Creer, b. 1723, d. 1764.

ii Margaret Creer, b. 1725, d. bet 1725-1727.

7. iii William Creer b. 1726.

iv Margaret Creer, b. 1728, d. 10 Aug 1741.

v Daniel Creer, b. bet 1730-1731, d. 5 Nov 1761.

8. vi Thomas Creer b. 1733.

vii John Creer, b. 1735.

9. viii Philip Creer b. 1737.

Sixth Generation

7. William Creer, b. 1726. He married Susan Boker, married abt 1751.

Children:

i Katherine Creer, b. 1752.

ii William Creer, b. 1752, d. bet 1752-1756.

iii Christine Creer, b. 1754.

iv William Creer, b. 1757.

v Elizabeth Creer, b. 1761.

vi John Creer, b. 1766.

8. Thomas Creer, b. 1733. He married Mary Karalagh, married 15 Nov 1758.

Children:

10. i Edward Creer b. 22 Apr 1759.

ii William Creer, b. 18 Oct 1761.

iii Benjamin Creer, b. 25 Mar 1764.

iv Bessy Creer, b. 25 Mar 1764.

v Margaret Creer, b. 24 Aug 1766.

11. vi Thomas Creer b. 2 Apr 1769.

vii John Creer, b. 1 Jan 1772.

viii Paul Creer, b. 17 Jul 1774, d. 4 Jan 1823.

ix Daniel Creer, b. 8 Jun 1777.

x Robert Creer, b. 1779.

xi Philip Creer, b. 1782.

9. Philip Creer, b. 1737. He married Catherine Christian, married 8 Mar 1760. Philip died 1810.

Children:

i John Creer, b. 1762.

ii Catherine Creer, b. 1764, d. bet 1764-1765.

iii Catherine Creer, b. 1766.

12. iv William Creer b. 1769.

v Margaret Creer, b. 1771.

13. vi Thomas Creer b. 1773.

vii Jane Creer, b. 1776.

viii Paul Creer, b. 1778.

ix Isabelle Creer, b. 1780.

Seventh Generation

10. Edward Creer, b. 22 Apr 1759 in Isle of Man. He married Margaret Lewin, married 8 Dec 1792 in Braddan, Isle of Man, b. 1768 in Isle of Man, d. in Isle of Man, buried: in Isle of Man. Edward died 27 Aug 1834 in Isle of Man, buried: in Isle of Man.

Children:

i Thomas Creer, b. 29 Jan 1792 in Braddan, Isle of Man.

14. ii Edward Creer b. 15 Aug 1795.

iii William Creer, b. 11 Jun 1797 in Braddan, Isle of Man.

15. iv Elizabeth Creer b. 1797.

11. Thomas Creer, b. 2 Apr 1769. He married Margaret Fell, married 28 Apr 1798, b. 1777.

Children:

i Thomas Creer, b. 1799.

ii Elizabeth Creer, b. 1801.

iii Margaret Creer, b. 1804.

iv William Edward Creer, b. 15 Feb 1808.

v Mary Ann Creer, b. 30 Apr 1809.

vi Judith Creer, b. 17 May 1812.

vii Alice Creer, b. 22 Aug 1813, d. 17 Mar 1814.

12. William Creer, b. 1769. He married Isabelle Cannell, married 1 Mar 1794.

Children:

i William Creer, b. 7 Nov 1794.

ii John Creer, b. 1797.

iii Phillip Creer, b. 1800.

iv Thomas Creer, b. 16 Aug 1802.

v Jane Creer, b. 1 Jul 1804.

16. vi John (Joel) Creer b. 15 Feb 1807.

vii Ann Creer, b. 20 Aug 1809.

viii Catherine Creer, b. 15 Mar 1812.

ix Elizabeth Creer, b. 13 Mar 1814.

13. Thomas Creer, b. 1773. He married Elizabeth Kennaugh, married 22 Sep 1798.

Children:

i John Thomas Creer, b. 1799.

ii Paul Creer, b. 1801.

iii John Creer, b. 1802.

iv Margaret Creer, b. 1805, d. 1805.

v Edward Creer, b. 1807, d. bet 1807-1812.

vi Ann Creer, b. 1809.

17. vii Daniel Creer b. 1812.

viii John Creer, b. 1812.

ix Edward Creer, b. 1813.

x Jane Creer, b. 1816.

xi Philip Creer, b. 1821.

Eighth Generation

14. Edward Creer, b. 15 Aug 1795 in Braddan, Isle of Man. He married Sarah Dickinson, married 11 Apr 1826 in Kirk Braddan, Isle of Man, b. 14 May 1807 in Braddan, Isle of Man, (daughter of Joseph Dickinson and Mary Tyson) d. 27 May 1850 in Braddan, Isle of Man, buried: in Braddan, Isle of Man. Edward died 5 Aug 1838 in at sea between Douglas and Liverpool, buried: in Braddan, Isle of Man.

Children:

18. i Joseph Creer b. 6 Nov 1826.

ii Mary Ann Creer, b. 8 Jun 1829 in Braddan, Isle of Man. She married Archibald McLean, married 25 Nov 1857 in NSW. Mary died 8 Oct 1859.

19. iii Edward Thomas Creer b. 19 Jul 1832.

20. iv Henry Creer b. 30 Jun 1834.

21. v Thomas Creer b. 23 Aug 1838.

15. Elizabeth Creer, b. 1797. She married (1) Nicholas Dickinson, married 7 Apr 1838 in Braddan, IOM, b. 1803 in Isle of Man, (son of Joseph Dickinson and Mary Tyson) d. 1853. She married (2) Philip Crellin, married 28 Dec 1820 in Braddan, IOM, b. abt 1796, d. 1835. Elizabeth died 1857.

Children:

i Nicholas Dickinson, b. 1838, d. 1851 in Braddan.

ii Thomas Crellin, b. 1821.

iii Margaret Crellin, b. 1823.

iv Ann Crellin, b. 1824.

v Edward Crellin, b. 1827.

vi Elizabeth Crellin, b. 31 Jan 1830.

vii Sarah Crellin, b. 1831.

viii Eliza Margaret Crellin, b. 1833.

16. John (Joel) Creer, b. 15 Feb 1807. He married Elizabeth King, married 12 Apr 1832, b. 6 Jun 1807, d. 15 Nov 1876. John died 25 Nov 1849.

Children:

i Catherine Creer, b. 21 Jun 1833, d. 22 Nov 1896.

ii William Creer, b. 15 Jun 1835, d. 1855.

iii Elizabeth Creer, b. 6 Aug 1837, d. 1903.

22. iv Sarah Creer b. 17 May 1840.

v Jane Creer, b. 27 Oct 1841, d. ? Nov 1853.

vi Ann Creer, b. 28 Oct 1843, d. ? Jul 1857.

vii Mary Creer, b. 6 May 1845, d. 1851.

viii Nelly Creer, b. 17 Jul 1847.

ix Eleanor (Ellen) Creer, b. 17 Jul 1848. She married George Chedyke Smith, married 1 Dec 1868. Eleanor died 28 Apr 1910.

17. Daniel Creer, b. 1812. He married Eleanor Faragher, married 3 Aug 1839, b. 1819, d. 26 Jul 1875.

Children:

i Ann Creer, b. 1840, d. 5 Jan 1871.

23. ii Edward Creer b. 19 Feb 1842.

24. iii Catherine Creer b. 1846.

iv Daniel Creer, b. 1848. He married Margaret Kneen, married 24 Sep 1874, b. ? Oct 1848, (daughter of William Kneen and Mary Ann Hampton) d. 2 May 1899. Daniel died 1 Jan 1912.

25. v Richard Creer b. 15 Sep 1850.

26. vi John Fargher Creer b. 1853.

vii Elinor Margaret Creer, b. 1856.

viii Sarah Creer, b. 1860, d. 5 Oct 1938.

27. ix Rhoda Creer b. 1861.

Ninth Generation

18. Joseph Creer, b. 6 Nov 1826 in Braddan, Douglas, Isle of Man. He married (1) (Sarah?) Jane Christian Cain, married 14 Jul 1849 in Adelaide, South Australia, b. 1828 in Isle of Man, d. 10 Jan 1856 in LeFevre Peninsula, South Australia, buried: in Alberton, South Australia. He married (2) Sarah Needham May Ferrers, married 19 Nov 1861 in Adelaide, b. 24 Jun 1843 in Hobart, Tasmania, (daughter of John Henry Needham Ferrers and Mary Bennett) d. 11 Nov 1908 in Watson's Bay, Sydney, buried: in South Head Cemetery, Sydney. Joseph died 9 Jun 1909 in Watson's Bay, Sydney, buried: in South Head Cemetery, Sydney.

Children:

i Thomas Edward Creer, b. 17 Mar 1850 in Adelaide. He married Catherine Agnes Neill, married 14 Jul 1892, b. 15 Nov 1862, (daughter of john neill and ?). Thomas died 12 May 1931.

ii Jane Christian Creer, b. 5 Sep 1851 in Adelaide, d. 27 Feb 1853 in Le Fevre Peninsula, Adelaide, buried: in Adelaide.

iii Sarah Jane Creer, b. 26 May 1862 in Port Adelaide, South Australia. She married James Hannah Nairn, married 11 Jul 1900 in Watson's Bay, Sydney, b. 1858 in Whithorne, Scotland, (son of Alexander Nairn and Jane Milroy Gordon) d. 19 Mar 1915 in Neutral Bay, Sydney. Sarah died 1 Jul 1945 in Rose Bay, Sydney, buried: 2 Jul 1945 in South Head Cemetery.

iv Alice Amelia Creer, b. 13 Nov 1864 in Adelaide. She married Gavin Scott, married 15 Mar 1888. Alice died 6 Aug 1946.

v Edith Miriam Creer, b. 27 Jan 1866 in Adelaide. She married Edmund John Baily Playfair, married 8 Dec 1887 in Sydney, b. 22 Aug 1863 in Sydney, d. 6 Oct 1926 in Waverley, Sydney, buried: in South Head Cemetery. Edith died 15 Oct 1942 in Edgecliffe, Sydney.

vi Alfred Joseph Creer, b. 28 Feb 1868 in Sydney, d. 6 Oct 1890.

vii Isabelle Maud Creer, b. 17 Jul 1870 in Sydney. She married Herbert JHD Gale, married 10 May 1899.

viii Adeline Mary Creer, b. 22 Mar 1873 in Sydney. She married Robert Brandreth-Parry, married 30/04/?.

ix Joseph Dickinson Creer, b. 24 Jan 1875 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. He married Elizabeth Gibson, married 1894. Joseph died 17 Apr 1936 in Canada.

x Ethel Ferrers Creer, b. 13 Jan 1877 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. She married Arthur Tarlton Stiles, married 7 Apr 1900, b. 6 Sep 1875, d. 4 Jan 1961. Ethel died 13 Mar 1945.

xi Amy Beatrice Alderson Creer, b. 23 Apr 1879 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. She married Maurice Garwood, married 11 Nov 1907. Amy died 17 May 1944.

xii Herbert Victor Creer, b. 21 Sep 1881 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. He married (1) Veronique Lillian Violet Greville, married 30 Dec 1907 in Christ Church, North Sydney, b. 1869, (daughter of Algernon Greville and Beatrice Montrose?) d. 1956. He married (2) Lynda Martin, married 12 Jun 1957 in St Stephen's Church, Watson's Bay, Syd., d. 0 Aug 1957. He married (3) Bonita Allen, married 14 Jul 1960. Herbert died 5 Aug 1969 in War Veteran's Home, Narrabeen, Sydney.

xiii Reginald Charles Ferrers Creer, b. 21 Sep 1881 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. He married (1) Eulalie Adela Henty, married 15 Jun 1917 in Carlton, Melbourne. He married (2) Kathleen Marianne Silver, married 27 Aug 1927 in Darling Point, Sydney. Reginald died 29 Jun 1958 in War Veteran's Home, Narrabeen, Sydney.

xiv Gwendoline Needham May Creer, b. 4 Aug 1884 in Watson's Bay, Sydney. She married (1) Alfred Bakewell, married 4 Aug 1905. She married (2) William Mason Sykes Hargreaves. Gwendoline died 1 Jun 1923.

xv Creswell Bennett Creer, b. 30 Sep 1886 in Watson's Bay, Sydney, d. 18 Aug 1888 in Watson's Bay, Sydney.

19. Edward Thomas Creer, b. 19 Jul 1832 in Braddan, Isle of Man. He married Jane Neill, married 7 Jan 1856 in Melbourne, b. 1832 in Greenock, Scotland, (daughter of Henry Neill and Agnes McLachlan) d. 14 Jul 1901 in Manly, Sydney. Edward died 2 Jul 1900 in Grafton, buried: in Grafton Cemetery.

Children:

i Sarah Agnes Creer, b. 18 Oct 1856 in Melbourne. She married Frank Norrie, married 9 Sep 1876.

ii Joseph Henry Creer, b. 21 Sep 1858 in NSW, d. 18 Mar 1860 in NSW.

iii Edward Thomas Creer, b. 23 Jan 1860 in NSW. He married Mary E Toeth, married 1885 in NSW. Edward died 2 Jul 1900.

iv Henry Dickinson Creer, b. 19 Apr 1862 in Grafton, NSW. He married Harriett Malvina Peers, married 1887 in NSW, b. 1863 in Balmain, Sydney, (daughter of William Selby Peers and Mary Ann Castle). Henry died 17 Jul 1913 in Manly.

v James Neill Creer, b. 15 Feb 1864 in Grafton. He married Agnes Miller, married 1895. James died 1923 in Balmain.

vi Charles MacArthur Creer, b. 12 Apr 1866 in Grafton, NSW. He married Jane Watson, married 1886 in Drummoyne, Sydney, b. 13 Jun 1870 in The Rocks, Sydney, d. 27 Aug 1955 in Five Dock, Sydney. Charles died 25 Nov 1939 in Five Dock, Sydney.

vii Jane Ann Creer, b. 21 May 1867 in Grafton, NSW. She married Charles Hedley, married 1886 in NSW.

viii Jemima Robb Creer, b. 24 Aug 1869 in NSW, d. 1870 in NSW.

20. Henry Creer, b. 30 Jun 1834 in Braddan, Isle of Man. He married (1) Amelia Trasey, married 24 Jun 1857. He married (2) Mary Weekes, married 16 Jun 1862. Henry died 20 Sep 1893 in Sydney.

Children:

i Florence SJ Creer, b. 1858 in NSW. She married Archibald Campbell, married 1880 in NSW.

ii Ada T Creer, b. 1860, d. 1861 in Pyrmont, Sydney.

iii ? Creer, b. 17 Jan 1864 in Pyrmont, Sydney.

iv Annie M Creer, b. 1873 in NSW, d. 1874 in NSW.

21. Thomas Creer, b. 23 Aug 1838 in Braddan, Isle of Man. He married Christina Dawson, married 1862 in NSW.

Children:

i Elizabeth Creer, b. 1863 in NSW. She married James H Bragg, married 1888 in NSW.

ii Ann I Creer, b. 1865. She married William Jones, married 1886.

iii Agnes G Creer, b. 1867.

22. Sarah Creer, b. 17 May 1840. She married William Corless, b. 5 Feb 1837, d. 10 Feb 1922. Sarah died 25 Oct 1909.

Children:

i William Corless, b. 13 Dec 1863, d. 18 Apr 1908.

ii Edward Corless, b. 28 Dec 1867, d. 3 Dec 1899.

iii Robert Corless, b. 2 Jan 1872, d. 23 Aug 1880.

iv Ella Corless, b. 23 Jan 1876, d. 14 Apr 1897.

v Sarah Frances Corless, b. 1 Jan 1878, d. 11 Sep 1931.

vi Frank Corless, b. 18 Oct 1879, d. 1 Aug 1890.

23. Edward Creer, b. 19 Feb 1842. He married (1) Christine Anna Cottier, married 23 Oct 1873, b. 26 Dec 1846, d. 27 Aug 1876. He married (2) Catherine Margaret Crellin, married 7 May 1879, b. 11 Aug 1858, (daughter of Charles Crellin and Catherine Margaret Quirk) d. 27 Jul 1937. Edward died 6 May 1912.

Children:

i Matilda Creer, b. 1874.

ii Katie Creer, b. 1 Oct 1881, d. 10 Feb 1934.

iii Edward Creer, b. 1883. He married Gertrude Berridge, b. abt 1899, d. 18 Apr 1973. Edward died 30 Oct 1967.

24. Catherine Creer, b. 1846. She married Joseph Callister, married 2 Nov 1867, b. 3 Apr 1844, d. 22 Aug 1916. Catherine died 10 May 1911.

Children:

i Edward Callister, b. abt 1869.

ii Annie Callister, b. ? Mar 1871, d. 16 Sep 1871.

iii Sarah Callister, b. abt 1873.

iv Emma Callister, b. abt 1874.

v Eleanor Callister, b. abt 1876.

vi Katie Callister, b. abt 1879.

vii Joseph Callister, b. abt 1880.

viii John W Callister, b. 1884.

ix E A Callister, b. 1889.

25. Richard Creer, b. 15 Sep 1850. He married Elizabeth Ann Hampton, married 1893, b. 1862, (daughter of William Hampton and Mary Ann ?) d. 1916. Richard died 1922.

Children:

i Richard Creer, b. 1898, d. 1974.

ii Daniel Creer, b. 1901. He married Elizabeth Haddon, married abt 1922, d. 1961. Daniel died 1971.

iii William Creer, b. 1903. He married Minnie Killey, married 1940. William died 1982.

iv Thomas Creer, b. 1906. He married Doris Kelly, married 1938.

v Margaret Creer. She married Alexander Faragher, d. 1955.

26. John Fargher Creer, b. 1853. He married Marie Eleanor Kinnish, married abt 1875, b. 1863, (daughter of John Kinnish and Doritha Cosnahan?) d. 20 Nov 1909. John died 19 Sep 1909.

Children:

i Alfred Edward Creer, b. 18 Apr 1887. He married Emma Watson, married abt 1911, b. 8 Oct 1890, d. 8 Nov 1949. Alfred died 10 Oct 1920.

ii William J Creer, b. 1889. He married Margaret Ruffle, married 15 Oct 1909.

iii John Robert Creer, b. 1891. He married Elizabeth ?, married abt 1910. John died 28 Aug 1948.

27. Rhoda Creer, b. 1861. She married James Kermode, married aft 1881, b. 1854. Rhoda died 28 May 1921.

Children:

i John Kermode, b. 1883.

ii Emily Kermode, b. 1885.

iii William Kermode, b. 1887.

iv Eleanor M Kermode, b. 1890.

Edward Creer

Moras Herald August 7, 1838

Accident- It is our painful task this week to announce the loss of Captain Edwd. Creer, of the smack Fame, of this port. The vessel left here on Saturday night, for Liverpool, with a fresh breeze from the S.W., and cross sea. About seven miles from Douglas head, the master went below, and shortly afterwards came on deck smoking his pipe. Whilst proceeding to the man at the helm, a sea struck the vessel, when he unfortunately lost his balance and fell overboard. His body has not yet been found. It is supposed that he had on his person, at the time of the lamentable accident, a sum of money amounting to about 40 pounds- in sovereigns, bank notes, and copper; also, a good watch. A reward of 5 pounds will be given to any individual who may discover the remains of the unfortunate and much-respected deceased, on application to his afflicted widow, or at the office of this paper. We particularly request that our brethren of the press in Lancashire, Cumberland, the western coast of Scotland, and the north-east of Ireland, will obligingly notice and give publicity to this paragraph in their respective districts.

Creer Family graves, Braddan, Isle of Man

JOHN HENRY (HARRY) NEEDHAM FERRERS

Born: C.1812 (date of death less age) or 1814 (date of marriage less age).

Place of birth unknown- possibly Cornwall where he might have known the Bennett family.

Arrival in Australian colonies- unknown

Died: 16 December 1858 Port Adelaide, buried Alberton Cemetery. Occupation- Farmer and Licensed Victualler in Adelaide (John Henry Needham Ferrers) (Death Certificate- age 46 at Le Fevres Peninsula. Usual residence Le Fevres Peninsula. Cause- Effusion of the Brain

(Died intestate (SA Govt Gazette 6th Jan 1859- all property to Mary Ferrers)

Buried: 19th December 1858 Alberton Cemetery, Le Fevres Peninsula, Adelaide

("Register" Personal Notices- John Henry Needham Ferrers)

Married: 6 October 1842 to Mary Bennett in Holy Trinity Church, Hobart. Register of Banns: 18th September 1842, 25th September 1842 and 2nd October 1842 Parish of Trinity, Hobart Town (Henry Ferrers and Mary Bennett). Grooms occupation- carpenter. Bride was spinster. Both could write- signed name Henery Ferrers

witnesses- John Whitehall and Josias Keyward (register staff)

Married only only 3 months after the arrival of the Bennett family and earlier when first banns were read.

(Mary Bennett arrived on the Orleana from England on 4 July 1842 with parents and large family. Family was from South Petherin or Lewannick, Cornwall. Mary was 19 when married, John Henry was 28).

One child- Sarah Needham Ferrers b. 24 June 1843 or 1 Jul 1843 (Birth registration- perhaps adjusted by family to match marriage date. Sarah was born about 9 months from the date of marriage). Sarah was born in Hobart (Sarah- Father Henry Ferrars, Carpenter, Mother not recorded)

Other notes

· Marriage of Henry Beresford 22nd March 1845 in Hobart to Susan Bennett- witnesses incl. Henry Ferrers)

· Henry Ferrers owned the "Princes' or Princess Hotel" 1851-1858 Prince Wharf, North Parade, Port Adelaide (SA Govt Gazette 30th March 1854 Publican's General License, transfer of licence to Edwin Wallis SA Gazette 23 Dec 1858) (This hotel built 1851 demolished 1909)

· Mary Ferrers owned "British Hotel", 13 North Parade, cnr. Nelson Street, Port Adelaide 15th December 1859 to 6th April 1864 following death of Henry Ferrers (This hotel built 25th March 1847 and still in existence- National Trust listed)

· Henry Ferrers owned property in Adelaide, viz:

Part Lot 13 Port Adelaide (hotel)

Part Lot 12 Port Adelaide

Part Section 333 Survey B Gilles Plain

Lots 90 & 107, Section 1130

Lot 90, Section 1130

Lots 7,9,10,11,18,19,20,21,22,29

Section 763 Lefevres Pen.

Lots 57,58,59,60,61,62,75,76,77,78,79,80

Section 763 Lefevres Pen.

Section 102 Yatala

Section 104 Yatala

Sections 102 & 104 Yatala

Section 103 Yatala

Section 914 Port Adelaide

· Death of Mary Ferrers nee Bennett: 19th October 1892 in Watsons Bay (Death Certificate- age 70 years, Father Richard Bennett Blacksmith, Mother not known, married to Henry Needham Ferrers in Tasmania only child Sarah Needham Ferrers- born in Cornwall and over 40 years in NSW and SA)

· Death of Sarah Needham Creer nee Ferrers: 11th November 1908 in Watson's Bay (Death Certificate- age 65 years, Father Henry Ferrers Independent Means, Mother Mary Bennett Born Adelaide, lived in SA 18 years)

(Obituary notice- "came of a distinguished naval family. Her father was Admiral Ferrar, and she was connected with the Beresfords, being a niece of Canon Beresford of Launceston". Actually mothers sister Susan Bennett married Henry Beresford, a convict cum policeman of Hobart who had child Alfred Richard Beresford, the Canon of Launceston. Sarah Ferrers would have been a first cousin of Alfred Beresford).

· Carpenter (marriage certificate),

· Independent means (daughter's death cert.)

· Licensed Victualler in Port Adelaide, farmer (death certificate)

· Admiral Ferrar, Connected with the Beresfords of Launceston (Sarah's obituary)

· Possible link with the de Ferrers family originating in Normandy

· Family home "Ferrersfield"?

· Family story of a church memorial window to Mary Ferrers seen in 1914 by Herbert Creer in Devonport or Plymouth

· Arrival in Australia unknown- (perhaps as ship's carpenter)

Correspondence- May 24, 1996

Dear Mr.Smith

Yours of 29th sent to my former address has been handed to me but I do not believe I can assist with your enquiries.

There is no known reference to the origins of J.H.N.Ferrers to be located in the available to me; nor to the Needham family which, as it recurred would suggest that money, if any, came from that connection. (Needham was later noted in South Australia in connection with some divines in one of the churches).

As you quote various items from Hobart I assume you have been in contact with the Tasmanian Archives, 90 Murray St, Hobart?

According to the 'Hodge' Index in the Mortlock Library it would seem that the Ferrars/Ferrer family arrived from Hobart in the schooner WATER LILY in May 1850.

Mr. Ferrers was licencee of the Prince's hotel or taven from 1851 till 1857

when the licence was transferred to his wife- probably due to his ill health although there may have been some objection before the court when he applied in 1858 for renewal. The inn was in a good position as it was adjacent to the Mundy St ferry that took workers across the river to the Patent Slip of Mr. Fletcher. The Mortlock Library may be able to establish if the licensed property was the property of Ferrers, should this be of any interest, but I doubt that the building used in 1851 was the same one that was demolished in 1909.

The sch. OMEO was enrolled Apl.1855 by Mr. Ferrers- I assume that his wife as his beneficiary continued to allow it to operate under the same arrangements as her husband entered into when he purchased it. He most certainly did NOT sail it himself. However, it is more than likely it was sold after his death and the owner/purchaser omitted to advise the authorities- a not uncommon event.

The land owned in the Pt.Adelaide Area was mostly speculative and of very little value for many years after the purchase. Section 763 was on the tip of Le Fevre's Peninsula comprising mud flats and or sand dunes. Sect. 914 was in Ehtelton about opposite the Prince's hotel- and possibly the area where Ferrers lived when he died. Part sect.333 was at the North Arm where from time to time speculators tried to have the port moved to but without success.

Section 1130 was what later became Portland Estate but only after it was drained and reclaimed many years after it was sold.

Joseph Creer, pilot, the FREEBRIDGE was owned by the pilots and was employed to seek pilotage from incoming ships by 'ranging the gulf' i.e. cruising about the Backstairs Passage, or western end of Kangaroo Is. There was competition between the pilots as they were not, at that time, regulated or controlled by the government.

Whosoever handled the obits for the family in Sydney was careless with the facts but then it was an era when everyone was trying to 'live-down' their possible association with the convict days- the claim about Admiral Ferrar seems too good to be true and you could check about that Admiral in the British Army & Navy publications probably available at the National Library to see if there is any slight possibility of a remote association.

Just why the ladies came to live in Watsons Bay may be of interest- there was one of the Creer family associated with the northern rivers shipping out of Sydney for some time that may have some bearing on the move.

Thomas Ed Creer remained in South Australia and in charge of the Tug Company until c. 1926/7.

I have nothing more, but as I say, some investigation into the "Needham" connection may be worthwhile and if it can be established when J.H.N.Ferrers arrived in Australia it will come from either Hobart or, at a last resort, Sydney- he just may have been sent to Tasmania for some misdemeanour from one of the other colonies.

Yours sincerely

Ronald Parsons

Extract from following publication:

"Shipwrecks in South Australia (1836-1875)"

Ronald Parsons. Pg. 64-65

Missing

It seems strange that a ship could go missing in the gulf waters of South Australia but a number of small craft have. The schooner OMEO left Tumby Bay July 26,1866 and disappeared. The Pilot vessel "Young St. George" left Port Adelaide August 17 to try and learn of her fate but she returned on the 30th with no news and it was surmised she must have been caught in a squall, capsized and sunk, taking her three man crew with her. Early in September, however, Capt. Reid of the fore and aft schooner OMEO (a strange co-incidence) reported some pieces of wreckage picked up on the beach about 4 miles from Corney Point, southern Yorke's Peninsula that were identified as coming from the missing vessel. Obviously she had been overwhelmed and probably in the manner earlier suggested. Nothing else was ever seen that could be identified as part of the missing OMEO.

OMEO Wood 2 mast schooner, ON31498, 32 tons, 44.3 x 15.3 x 6.6, built 1854 WH Hales, Melbourne, Owners- JHN Ferrers, reg. Port Adelaide

Richard Bennett and Alice Marshall

Archives Office of Tasmania

91 Murray Street Hobart Tasmania Australia 7000

30 July 1991

Dear Mr. Smith

I can find no record of a convict named John Ferrers (or any of the variant spellings). Nor can I find him listed as a free arrival, but there are considerable gaps in the immigration records, so this is not conclusive.

Richard Bennett arrived in Hobart on 4 July 1842 aboard the Orleana as a bounty (i.e assisted) immigrant. He was 45 years old, Church of England, able to read and write and a blacksmith by trade. He was accompanied by his wife Alice 34 and their children Mary 18, Grace 16, Susan 12, Elizabeth 9, Margaret 7, John 4 and Matthew 1.

It is possible that John Ferrers was transported to N.S.W. and came to Van Diemens Land after serving his sentence. It may be worth checking in Sydney, though it is always possible he arrived in Hobart a free migrant and there is simply no record.

Note: The Orleana was 649 tons. This was her 2^nd voyage to Hobart. She carried 277 passengers and her Captain was Captain Cameron. She arrived 3 July 1842.

Henry Beresford

Convicted at Leicester for Highway Robbery.previously tried for stealing a pan

Arrived in Hobart on "Westmoreland" on 12 Sept 1841 for 15 year sentence

Height 5'8 1/4",complexion-fair,hair-sandy,eyes-light grey,nose & mouth-large

Permission to marry February 1844, Ticket of Leave 15 December 1845

Conditional Pardon 23 November 1847, Free Certificate 7 April 1856

Police Constable Hobart (1843) Green Ponds (1857-62), Mail Guard (1845-51)

I write further to my letter of the 5 November concerning the Beresford family. Since then we have discovered that there was a Henry Beresford who tallies with some of the information in your letter of 22 October.

He was a convict who arrived in Tasmania on board the Westmoreland on 12 September, 1841. He had been convicted at Leicester on a charge of highway robbery and stealing money and a watch valued at 100 pounds and upwards. He was tried with John Coker on board, and had once served six months for felony and been acquitted on a charge of stealing a copper pan. He was a hawker, single, protestant, and could both read and write. His native place was near Derby, and he was awarded a sentence fifteen years transportation. His father was Aaron Beresford at Louthborough, and he had a brother James and a sister Anna (2/68). His physical description was: Height 5 81/4; Age 21; complexion, Fair; Head, Long; Hair, sandy; Whiskers, None; Visage, oval; Forehead, Medium Height; Eyebrows, Dark Brown; Eyes, Light Grey; Nose, Large; Mouth, Large; Chin, Large. His marks were as follows: Anchor inside right arm: H B C S F H cross heart inside left arm.

His offences in the Colony were few, and he received a Ticket-of-Leave on 15 December 1845, a Conditional Pardon on 23 November 1847, and a Free Certificate on 7 April, 1856. (2/217).

In February, 1844 he applied for permission to marry Susan Bennett, free and this was approved. (2/453).

Berresford (so spelt) applied for a pension in 1862, and in so doing gave some personal particulars. He was then aged forty-seven and claimed eighteen years seven months service in the Police Department, having now been retired from the establishment at Green Ponds (Kempton). He said he had been appointed a Police Constable at Hobart on 3 August 1843; a mail guard with the rank of sergeant from 1845 to 30 October, 1851; District Constable at Kingston from 1 November, 1851, and a First Class Constable at Green Ponds on 1 November 1857, from which position he was reduced on 15 April 1862. The Superintendent of Police, J. Hunter, added this to his application :

Applicants conduct and efficiency came under my observation during an early period of his service in the force, while in the bush in pursuit of bushrangers. In later years also I was personally cognizant of his meritorious services in the bush and of the exposure privation and hardships be endured in very troublesome times when the capture of many absconders was entirely owing to his untiring energy and from which his health suffered very severely. Though a middle aged man he is now to some degree from cold and rheumatism contracted from exposure, unsuited for very active employment and is a fit subject for consideration by the executive. I can confidently testify to his having always discharged his duties with diligence and fidelity while under my charge and respectfully recommend him as an honest meritorious officer entitled to the highest rate of pension his rank and encumbrances will admit of.

A pension of 52 pounds p.a. was allowed (CSD 4/12/88)

Sarah Needham May Creer, nee Ferrers

JOSEPH CREER

Joseph Creer

Born 6 Nov 1826 Braddan, Douglas, Isle of Man

Baptised 12 Nov 1826 Braddan, Douglas, Isle of Man

Died 9 Jun 1909 Watson's Bay, Sydney

Buried South Head Cemetery, Sydney

Occupation Master Mariner

Married:

1. Jane Cain

2. Sarah Needham Ferrers

· Apprenticeship in "little Manx brig",

· Master of own ship at 21,

· Arrived Australia in 1848?

· then Port Adelaide 28 Aug 1852 on "Grasmere" from Liverpool,

· joined Pilots in Adelaide,

· then Clarence and Richmond River Steamship Company

· Commanded steamer "Duncan Hoyle" "Clarence" and "Ballina".

· then Sydney pilots 1870's and following 35 years of service became Master of Pilots.

· Lived "Clifton", Salisbury St, Watsons Bay ("Clifton" may have been rebuilt by the Playfairs)

Braddan is a small village a short distance from Douglas on the Isle of Man. The old Kirk is no longer in use and is crumbling into ruin. The surrounding churchyard is wild and overgrown. The ancient headstones are all but overwhelmed by the grass and blackberries. The Creer and Dickinson families must have been long time residents of this parish and have been baptised, married and buried in the kirk throughout its long history. The memorial to Edward Creer is the most notable. The inscription reads:

Erected by his widow

In memory of the late EDWARD CREER Master of the smack FAME of Douglas who was unfortunately drowned by falling

overboard on his passage to Liverpool, Sunday August 5 1838

in the 43rd year of his age, greatly respected

and below:

Here lies the remains of FRANCIS RIGBY daughter of Phillip Caine of Douglas and Sarah his wife who departed this life

the 14th October 1847. Aged 1 year and 4 months.

Edward's widow Sarah remarried Phillip Caine in 1842 and had the children Robert Dickinson, Sarah Margaret and Francis Rigby. The widow Sarah Caine is buried beside her first husband. Her grave inscription reads:

Sacred to the memory of SARAH the beloved wife of Phillip

Caine of Douglas who departed this life the 27th of May

1850, aged 43 years

WRECK OF CLIPPER STILL YIELDS SAD RELICS

On the night of October 23 1857, the 888 ton clipper ship Catherine Adamson was caught off the edge of North Head in an 80 mile per hour gale and sank. Since that day the wreck has slept in 5 fathoms of water, virtually undisturbed and rarely visited in more than 100 years.

In 1957 Ben Cropp examined the wreck site but it has been only recently that a regular visitor has explored what remains.

Stephen Wagstaff, a professional diver, underwater explore, adventurer and owner of a small maritime museum has made many dives to the Catherine Adamson bringing back crusty souvenirs of the once proud ship.

Stephen whose file cabinet includes information of more than 4,000 Australian ship wrecks, tells the clippers story.

Carrying gold from the minefields, wool and mail from the colonies, the Catherine Adamson had made a record run of 68 days to England in 1856. She was a true credit to her Captain and to her crew.

This time she had made the journey in 87 days out from Falmouth. She was heavy with cargo and ready for fat profits when she anchored outside Sydneys headlands.

In fact she was called the booze barge. Because of her load of scotch whisky, gin, beer and other spirits.

Captain Smart and a crew of 34 with 8 passengers watched with assurance as the pilot, young John Hawkes boarded the Catherine to steer her into Sydney harbour.

Two facts however troubled the Captain. A very strong southerly was blowing waves against North Heads treacherous rocks and just 2 months earlier in similar conditions another clipper ship, the Dunbar, with a 122 immigrants had been lost with all hands save one.

Pilot Hawkes argued with Captain Stewart that he had been successfully bringing in ships for more than 5 years. Rather than waiting for a really nasty gale to arrive and perhaps keep the Catherine out for more than a week, incurring enormous expense, the best move was to weigh anchor and sail immediately.

To no avail the Captain argued that it seemed too dangerous. The young pilots will prevailed and the ship headed for the entrance.

Then the troubles began. The winds increased to cyclone velocity and blew away the fore sail. The Captain again argued that they should return to sea before it was too late but the stubborn pilot was convinced of his judgement and headed the Captain towards Spring Cove for shelter. But increasing winds and waves were against them.

Soon they found themselves within 15 metres of the breakers of North Head and the pilot and desperate Captain ordered both anchors released. But the anchors kept slipping and sliding.

The frantic passengers and crew could hear the breakers pounding against the rocks just a short distance away, but they could see nothing in the midnight darkness.

They were hardly comforted when distress flares were fired into the night.

Meanwhile, the paddle steamer Williams homeward bound from the Hunter River pulled along side and offered help.

The offer was at first not heard because arguments continued on board. Young Hawkes was for sending for help to the tug Washington achored at Watsons Bay and powerful enough to pull them out.

Paddle steamer Captain Creer shouted through his megaphone for the pilot to send him a rope. You havent got the power. Fetch a tug Hawkes screamed back into the wind.

Were 20 horsepower stronger than any tug the angry Creer shouted. Send us a rope you fool.

Still the arguing continued aboard the Adamson.

Finally, a gig and towrope were dispatched but the rope broke. Then there was a second attempt and when the rope finally reached the paddlesteamer, the gig unattended smashed into the paddle wheels of the Williams.

Captain Creer sensed the need for immediate action and he shouted through his megaphone Slip your cables.

Again the response was argument aboard the Catherine. No-one seemed capable of taking command, cutting the anchors free and allowing the Clipper to be towed off by the breaker line.

The time delay caused the Williams to swing broadside and in the confusion the towline was lost.

At the same time the Catherine had drifted perilously close to the first line of breakers. The Williams tried to get closer but failed, so Captain Creer set off for Watsons Bay while Captain Stewart aboard the Catherine saw his last hopes disappear into the darkness.

The crew and passengers pleaded for a lifeboat. The request was granted and a small lifeboat filled with crew and passengers.

But when it was only halfway down the side of the hull the beautiful Clipper ship struck the cliff.

The lifeboat and crew hung dangerously midway between breakers and ship. Cut the lines some-one screamed. The line was cut just as the Captain , having leaped over the Clippers gunwale landed with a plop in the stern of the lifeboat.

The last they all heard in the darkness was the cracking of the mizzen mast.

One hour later when a tug finally arrived the trim Catherine Adamson had been thoroughly wrecked and sunk.

There was no sign of life except for 3 bulls and 2 horses which had escaped their pens on the deck of the Clipper. They stood drenched and bewildered at the foot of the cliff.

Flotsam and jetsam was everywhere and the news of the wreck brought pout dozens of local scavengers. It was Crown property as untaxed bounty so they hid everything in nearby bushes to avoid detection by the police.

A few bodies were recovered, the rest were taken by sharks. The bodies, including the drowned pilot, were buried in a common grave along with the dead from the Dunbar at St Stephens Church in Camperdown.

Only 5 people had been saved, 1 of them being Captain Stewart.

Subsequently, the Captain tried to recover at least part of his cargo, but their was much argument over the salvage rights and eventually he received nothing.