SEWELL

PROGRESS REPORT - 8th July 2009

NOW TAKING ORDERS

 

Mervyn John Webster
P.O. Box 8211
Bargara Queensland 4670
www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey  
Email: thegrey@tpg.com.au 
Ph: 07 4159 1868
Fax: 07 4159 1868 

                                             RE FROM SERVITUDE TO FREEDOM

     For young Joseph Sewell growing up in Chelmsford Essex in the early 1800’s without parents, this would lead to his being arrested on two occasions.  The latter charge of stealing a turkey in 1828 would change his whole life, as he would be sentenced to serve his time in the Penal Colony of New South Wales.

     Joseph served most of his term around Newcastle before earning his Ticket of Leave in 1838 and in 1840 he married a young eighteen-year convict girl from Scotland by the name of Jane Whittle.  Joseph and Jane had two sons, Joseph Jnr and Henry before Joseph’s accidental death in 1844, which left Jane with two sons under the age of two years and still serving her time.  Three and a half months later Jane would marry ticket of leave holder Richard Carpenter and have nine more children.  Through the course of research it was revealed that Jane had in fact had three children to Joseph Sewell, as she was carrying Joseph’s third child [Richard Carpenter Jnr.] when Joseph was accidentally killed.  It would seem that Jane then decided to give the child a living father’s surname rather then a deceased father surname.  Therefore Richard Carpenter Junior was in fact Joseph Sewell’s third child.

     From Servitude to Freedom follows the lives of Joseph and Jane in Newcastle and then Jane and Richard Carpenter as they journey north to Uralla where they purchase property in the 1860’s.  Learn more about Joseph and Jane’s children, Joseph Jnr, Henry and Richard and follow the lives of their children and their descendants for eight generations.

     I have spent numerous hours researching these families and wish to thank the many family members for their contributions.  For many, just sending for the birth, death and marriage certificate of one parent would cost $100.00, but I have been able to include the records and photos of Joseph and Jane’s, three sons, fifteen grandchildren and sixty-four great grandchildren along with a listing of their siblings down to our present day.

     Enquiries on how to purchase a copy/copies of this historical research can be emailed/phoned to the Author.   The cost of each book is $60.00.   Postage and handling are extra and details are available below.  Money Orders/Cheques or Direct Debit for payment will be accepted.  If you wish to direct Debit then please contact me for information.  It is indeed a unique book and something that each family member would be proud to own and keep updated. 

Mervyn John Webster

Author – From Servitude to Freedom

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Merv Webster P.O. Box 8211 Bargara Qld 4670

PH: 07 4159 1868

Email

       FROM SERVITUDE TO FREEDOM      

THE DESCENDANTS

OF

JOSEPH & JEAN/JANE SEWELL

BY

MERV WEBSTER

Printing
Word Processing &
Published by
Merv Webster
P.O. Box 8211
Bargara,
Queensland,
Australia, 4670
  
Phone: 07 4159 1868
Email: thegrey@tpg.com.au
www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey 

© Mervyn John Webster

AUTHOR’S NOTES

          Many of us have come to know of such people as Governor Arthur Phillip, John Oxley, Sir Thomas Mitchell and Allan Cunningham; just to mention a few names associated with the growth of this great country we call Australia.  Sadly though, if we were asked who our own relatives were and what part they played in giving us a chance to be here  for some of us even recalling as far back as our grandparents may leave us wondering.

            I found it rather sad that those who struggled against so many odds, enabling us to make this great country our home, should be forgotten so quickly.  Many of our forebears may not have been famous or recorded in the history books like those aforementioned, but many were battlers and should not be forgotten.  Some things we may wish to forget, for what ever reason, but none of us are perfect and surely our children and their children’s children should have the opportunity to know their heritage.

            This thought was highlighted after my reading Brian Andrew’s history of Catherine and Donald McDonald, which gave me a wonderful insight into my grandmother’s mother, grandmother and great-grandfathers histories.  I was then determined to record my mothers, father’s, family, ‘The Callaghans’.  Inspiration is one thing, but when it came to reality, I had no idea that the compiling and recording of such information would turn out to be the task that it did.  Though with that achievement accomplished, once again I have endeavored to cover my grandmothers father’s family, The Sewells.  I could never lay claim to all the credit as so many people, including family members, contributed in some way.  To all of you, I thank you very much.

            Complete accuracy was something I found impossible, but every effort was made to come as close as possible.  You may have to forgive misspelling of some names.  It has never been intended on my part to deliberately pry into the personal affairs of any family members during my research and in this respect I hope I have used discretion and recorded only information that was freely and generously given.

            To research such material has meant calling on many family members and asking them to recall many memories or search out old photos and memorabilia.  I am grateful so many had preserved so much.  Also the records of many institutions such as the Department of Births, Deaths & Marriages of Queensland and New South Wales, the Archives of Queensland and New South Wales along with the history groups, Museums, Libraries and authors of other books all provided valuable historical information.

            For those of you whom I have never met, please allow me to tell you something of myself.  I am the great, great, great-grandson of Joseph and Jean/Jane Sewell and a descendant of their 2nd child, Henry Sewell.  Henry married Mary Clutterbuck and their fourth child Edward Sewell was my great-grandfather.  Edward married Catherine Isabella Marquard and their eighth child Thelma Mary Sewell was my grandmother.  Thelma Mary married William Callaghan and their second child Isabell Leyvone Callaghan married Mervyn Laurence Webster, my father.  I was born Mervyn John Webster in Goondiwindi, Queensland, in 1953.  I was given my father’s first name and my grandfather’s second name.  My father worked all of his working life for the Commonwealth Banking Corporation and therefore we moved continually, living in various Queensland towns as he reached out for promotion.

            They included Gympie, Ayr, Bowen, Stanthorpe, Maryborough, Roma and Toowoomba.  I also spent some time in Rabaul, New Britain.  My wife, Christine Mary Edwards, was a Roma girl and the daughter of Vince and Mary Edwards.  Our four children include Shane Christian, Amanda Megan, Meagan Marie and Nathan Lee and our grandchildren are Sara, Danielle, Jamie and Brodie.  Since 1978 I worked in the Electricity Industry as an Electrical Lineworker in the towns of Roma, Warialda and Goondiwindi.  I spent a number of years researching material on the Sewell family and much of that period was in Goondiwindi, a town long associated with Edward Sewell’s family.  In 1994 health problems led to my moving to Bargara, a little coastal village east of Bundaberg and it was here I completed our family history.

          The many years of research has led me to preserving the character of this great country through writing and performing bush poetry and bush ballads.  I have published eight books of bush verse and yarns and recorded six albums of bush poetry and bush ballads.  You can share my poems and ballads at our web site, Bush Poetry, Ballads and Yarns  www.users.tpg.com.au/thegrey.

            I hope I have preserved the history of those family members who have now gone and that each of you will continue to keep some record of your present families, so future generations can look back on their heritage.

Mervyn John Webster

 

I dedicate this book to my Grandmother Thelma Mary Martyn [Nee Sewell]

  My research into my Grandmother's great grandfather, Joseph Sewell has been an interesting journey, but before we look at Joseph's family I will give you some details into the research I have done in finding Joseph's parents and beginnings in Chelmsford, Essex, England.  

IT’S SAD HOW WE’VE FORGOTTEN

We sat around the fireside 
one bleak old winters night. 
Our thoughts were of the buried past 
along with life’s long plight. 
Then reminisced of yesteryears; 
how quickly time had past, 
Seemed going back was kind of hard, 
the mem’ries didn’t last. 

‘Twas sad how we could not recall 
the families gone by, 
We’d lost our fam’ly heritage 
and pondered over why. 
  
They were not known for famous deeds, 
though battlers just the same, 
In this great land they’d lived their lives 
and carried on our name. 
Through flood and droughts and fire and wind 
they managed to survive, 
Yes fought to make their way in life 
and tried to stay alive. 

‘Twas sad how we could not recall 
the families gone by, 
We’d lost our fam’ly heritage 
and pondered over why. 
  
We questioned why the memories 
had seemingly been lost 
and figured we must make a search 
no matter what the cost. 
We’d dig into the buried past and 
see what could be found, 
Then write the records in a book 
to keep them safe and sound. 

‘Twas sad how we could not recall 
the families gone by, 
But now we’ve got the spirit mate 
we’ll give it our best try.     

©Bush Poet

Merv Webster -The Goondiwindi Grey

Joseph belonged to the following family.

Edward Sewell born 1763 ?

Chelmsford Essex England

 

married 1796 

 

 

Frances Lark born 1775 

Parents: Samuel and Frances Lark married in 1770.

Chelmsford Essex England

DESCENDANTS OF EDWARD AND FRANCES [NEE LARK] SEWELL

  

Mary Ann Sewell born 3/2/1797 

Chelmsford Essex England

married

Not Known

 

Thomas Sewell born 28/11/1798 

Chelmsford Essex England

married

Not Known

 

Daniel Sewell born 11/12/1801 

Chelmsford Essex England

 

Died 11/12/1801

Chelmsford Essex England

 

Elizabeth Sewell born 21/9/1803     Died 1899 

Chelmsford Essex England

married in 17/12/1820

 

William Day born 4/6/1797 ?               Died 1873 ?

Chelmsford Essex England

 

James Sewell born 9/5/1806 

Chelmsford Essex England

married

Not Known

 

Joseph Sewell born 16/11/1808       Died 1844

Chelmsford Essex England - Newcastle

 

married in 3/5/1840

Newcastle N.S.W. Australia

 

Jean/Jane Whittle born 1822 ? Died 1889

Glasgow Scotland        -      Uralla N.S.W.

The information above is still being researched, so any information you may have that could help out would be very much appreciated.  Please email me at EMAIL

 How Joseph's came to Australia

1808 - Born in Essex England

     According to the Parish Register of St Marys Chelmsford, it would appear that Joseph was born on the 16th November 1808 and was baptized on the 21st May 1909.  Various documents such as the Indents of the Ship, Lady Harewood and Joseph Sewell’s Ticket of Leave, also seem to estimate that Joseph Sewell was born in around 1808 and that his native place of dwelling was Essex in England. 

1832 - Tried, Chelmsford, England    

     On the 3rd of January 1832, aged  nearly twenty-five years, Joseph Sewell was tried in Chelmsford for the offence of stealing a turkey.  His trade was shown as a Ploughman, Reaps, Sows and Milks.  He was single and a Protestant and could read and write.  Having a prior conviction of three months, this saw him receive the penalty of 14 years, to be served in the Colony of New South Wales.

     His description was described as five feet six and three quarter inches, dark sallow complexion, brown hair with Hazel and small eyes.  He had the distinguishing features of a thick nose and a Heart with two sails, J.S. Man, M.S. Anchor, 1832 on lower letter arm, blue ring on left middle finger and a scar on the back of left thumb.

1832 - Arrival in New South Wales

     The 'Lady Harewood' left Portsmouth on the 15th of March 1832 and arrived in the Colony of New South Wales on the 5th of August, 1832.  The General Return of Convicts in New South Wales of 1837 shows that Joseph was aged 30 years and assigned to a P.J. Fredericks ... and the story goes on.  

The following shows Joseph's descendants and if you would like to help on the research and build on his story then I would be happy to hear from you.  

CONTENTS

JOSEPH SEWELL &   JEAN/JANE WHITTLE/SEWELL

 

JOSEPH SEWELL JNR                    [1]                       

HENRY SEWELL                            [2]   

RICHARD CARPENTER                   [3]

 

HENRY SEWELL'S [2] DESCENDANTS

RICHARD HENRY SEWELL       [2.1]

LILLIAN JANETTE SEWELL

IVY LOUISE SEWELL

ANGELINE IVY SEWELL

AARON DANIEL SEWELL

MIRIAM MARY SEWELL

THELMA LOUISA SEWELL

VINCENT HENRY SEWELL

ZENA PHYLISS SEWELL  

 

WILLIAM WALLACE SEWELL    [2.2]

HENRY WILLIAM SEWELL

FREDERICK WALLACE SEWELL

ELLEN GERTRUDE SEWELL

THOMAS WILLIAM SEWELL

ETHEL CLARE SEWELL

WILLIAM WALLACE SEWELL

MARY ANN THELMA SEWELL

GLADY’S EVELYN SEWELL

DORIS RITA SEWELL

GRACE ALMA SEWELL

JOYCE AMY SEWELL

ALLAN VINCENT SEWELL

KATHLEEN SHEELAH SEWELL  

 

HERBERT GEORGE SEWELL    [2.3]  

 

EDWARD SEWELL                       [2.4]

IOLINE MARY SEWELL

IVY MAY SEWELL

CATHERINE SEWELL

EDWARD SEWELL

WILLIAM GEORGE SEWELL

RICHARD SEWELL

DONALD THOMAS SEWELL

THELMA MARY SEWELL

DORIS SEWELL

ROBERT VINCENT SEWELL

LORNA SEWELL

RUTH EVELYN SEWELL

 

THOMAS SEWELL                         [2.5]  

LINDA MOLLIE JESSIE SEWELL

MERCIA M  SEWELL 

HENRY JAMES SEWELL

HERBERT EMANUEL SEWELL

CARMEL DAWN SEWELL 

WILLIAM RAYMOND STEPHEN SEWELL

 

HENRY [HARRY] SEWELL JNR     [2.6]

 

RICHARD CARPENTER'S [3] DESCENDANTS

MARTHA CARPENTER

RICHARD W CARPENTER

JOHN CARPENTER

RONALD CARPENTER

ANN E CARPENTER

DORIS ANN MCINTYRE

MARTHA JANE MCINTYRE

JOHN CHARLES MCINTYRE

JAMES ANDREW MCINTYRE

WILLIAM MCINTYRE

EILEEN VERONICA MCINTYRE

STANLEY JOSEPH MCINTYRE

GEORGE HENRY CARPENTER

STELLA HAZELL CARPENTER

GRACE CAROLINE CARPENTER

GEORGE HENRY CARPENTER

ALLAN RICHARD CARPENTER

JEAN MELBA CARPENTER

NORMA MAY CARPENTER

ROY CARPENTER

JANE CARPENTER

JOB CARPENTER

THOMAS CARPENTER 

JOSEPH CARPENTER

JOSEPH EDWARD

RICHARD W CARPENTER

THELMA CARPENTER

MIRIAM CARPENTER

ANNIE ELIZABETH JANE CARPENTER

NANCY CARPENTER

CLARENCE HENRY CARPENTER

RITA CARPENTER

GEOFFREY JAMES CARPENTER

GWEN CARPENTER