The General Hewitt - second ship in the foreground
Thomas Huntley Brown 1815 - 1876
ON THIS PAGE - Major events in Thomas's life in chronological order.
SUBPAGE - Death of Thomas Huntley Brown
Links to other events are included in the summary and following story.
SUBPAGE - Death of Thomas Huntley Brown
Links to other events are included in the summary and following story.
Thomas Huntley Brown's life - a summary of 61 hectic years:
- age 8 - the death of his mariner father, John Brown
- at sea by age 15
- master of his own ship of 239 tons by the age of 21
- married soon thereafter
- father of 2 children, a son and a daughter, by age of 26
- sailed the Atlantic Ocean to the West Indies and South Carolina, the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas
- gaoled for insolvency at 26
- probably alienated from his family by age of 30; or perhaps he was a widower
- 1854, age 39, First Officer on the immigrant ship General Hewitt
- 1855 commenced a new future with a teenage bride in an exciting colony on the far side of the world
- 1856 - 1873 a second family of 5 children
- 1868 - 1876 a lingering death.
Early Years in Seaton Sluice 1815 - 1830
Master mariner John Brown and Ann Ocheltrie married in 1812 and within 10 years had 5 children:
As the only son of a master mariner, no doubt the sea ran in Thomas Brown's veins. Despite the early death of his father in 1823, Thomas was aboard the Canada by the age of 15, plying the American route. His home port was North Shields, 6 miles down the coast from Seaton Sluice.
Thomas's older sister, Jane Ocheltrie Brown married Doctor Daniel Ross in 1832 and they had a family of 4 sons and 4 daughters.
The lives of his 2 surviving younger sisters Ann and Isabella remain a mystery.
Master mariner John Brown and Ann Ocheltrie married in 1812 and within 10 years had 5 children:
- Jane Ocheltrie Brown b. 1814 d. 1887
- Thomas Huntley Brown b. 1815 d. 1876
- Ann Brown b. 1816 d. 1819
- Ann Brown b. 1819
- Isabella Brown b. 1822
As the only son of a master mariner, no doubt the sea ran in Thomas Brown's veins. Despite the early death of his father in 1823, Thomas was aboard the Canada by the age of 15, plying the American route. His home port was North Shields, 6 miles down the coast from Seaton Sluice.
Thomas's older sister, Jane Ocheltrie Brown married Doctor Daniel Ross in 1832 and they had a family of 4 sons and 4 daughters.
The lives of his 2 surviving younger sisters Ann and Isabella remain a mystery.
Marine Record 1830 - 1849
Written in his own hand, Brown's 1851 Master's Claim for Certificate of Service neatly summarised his 19 years of experience 1830 - 1849 as an apprentice, a mate and a master with the British Merchant Service:
The Captain's final voyage of 107 days was aboard the 40 year old General Hewitt, sailing from Southampton in Aug 1854. The 965 ton immigrant ship arrived in Brisbane on 12 Dec 1854.
Brown's home port was London, from when he married around 1835, through to Apr 1842. In 1841 he spent a brief period in Hull Gaol for insolvency. The next year he was based in Canada for about 9 months. From that date to Nov 1846 his home port was again London. His final commission as master was on a much smaller vessel sailing out of Sunderland.
Written in his own hand, Brown's 1851 Master's Claim for Certificate of Service neatly summarised his 19 years of experience 1830 - 1849 as an apprentice, a mate and a master with the British Merchant Service:
- 1830 - 1834 Apprentice aboard the Canada 260 tons, American and Coastal trades; home port North Shields
- 1834 - 1836 Mate aboard the Friendship 239 tons, Baltic trade; home port London
- Aug 1836 - Feb 1840 Master of the Friendship 239 tons, Baltic trade; home port London
- Mar 1840 - Oct 1840 Master of the Lusitania 249 tons, American trade; home port London
- Mar 1841 - Apr 1842 Master of the Lord Wellington 329 tons, American trade; home port London
- Apr 1842 - Jan 1843 Master of the Providence 679 tons, American trade; home port Quebec
- Jan 1843 - Dec 1845 Master of the Trinidad 329 tons, West Indies, South Carolina and Mediterranean trade; home port London
- Feb 1846 - Nov 1846 Master of the Wellington 313 tons, West Indies, South Carolina and Mediterranean trade; home port London
- May 1847 - Nov 1849 Master of the Flash 159 tons, Mediterranean trade; home port Sunderland
The Captain's final voyage of 107 days was aboard the 40 year old General Hewitt, sailing from Southampton in Aug 1854. The 965 ton immigrant ship arrived in Brisbane on 12 Dec 1854.
Brown's home port was London, from when he married around 1835, through to Apr 1842. In 1841 he spent a brief period in Hull Gaol for insolvency. The next year he was based in Canada for about 9 months. From that date to Nov 1846 his home port was again London. His final commission as master was on a much smaller vessel sailing out of Sunderland.
1851 Master's Claim for Certificate of Service - in the hand of Thomas Huntley Brown
1851 Thomas Huntley Brown - Master's Certificate of Service - Board of Trade, London.
Questions and (possible) answers:
Q1. Why was The Captain applying for a certificate of Master's Service in 1851?
A1. It is a reasonable conclusion that between Nov 1849 and Apr 1851, Brown did not gain employment in maritime sevice and he hoped the certificate would reverse his fortunes.
Q2. What conclusions can be drawn about The Captain becoming the master of a 239 ton sailing ship at the age of 21?
A2. One must conclude that Brown was rapidly promoted because he displayed outstanding nautical skills, good judgment and was a confident leader.
Q3. Can any conclusions be drawn from the decreasing size of ships The Captain commanded from 1843 to 1849?
A2. The "shrinking" of the vessels under his command and the period of unemployment from 1849 - 1851 (at least) suggest he had lost the confidence of potential employers. Perhaps he was paying the price for a risky course of action that did not pay off.
Q1. Why was The Captain applying for a certificate of Master's Service in 1851?
A1. It is a reasonable conclusion that between Nov 1849 and Apr 1851, Brown did not gain employment in maritime sevice and he hoped the certificate would reverse his fortunes.
Q2. What conclusions can be drawn about The Captain becoming the master of a 239 ton sailing ship at the age of 21?
A2. One must conclude that Brown was rapidly promoted because he displayed outstanding nautical skills, good judgment and was a confident leader.
Q3. Can any conclusions be drawn from the decreasing size of ships The Captain commanded from 1843 to 1849?
A2. The "shrinking" of the vessels under his command and the period of unemployment from 1849 - 1851 (at least) suggest he had lost the confidence of potential employers. Perhaps he was paying the price for a risky course of action that did not pay off.
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First Marriage c. 1837
The 1841 UK Census records Thomas (25, master mariner), Harriet (20), daughter Ann (3) - perhaps born 1837 - and a servant (12) lived together at Bower St, Tower Hamlets, Stepney, London. Harriet was born outside of London. The marriage details and her surname are yet to be discovered, but she was about 17 years of age when she married the Captain. Thomas and Harriet had at least 2 children, a daughter, Ann Isabella Brown (b. 1836), and a son, John Brown (b. Jul 1841, probably after the census). Daughter Ann was named after Thomas's mother, his grandmother and 2 of his sisters, and John in honour of his father and grandfather. The Census must have been taken prior to Thomas's 1841 incarceration in Hull gaol (see below). |
1841 UK Census - Brown Family, Bower St, Tower Hamlets
1841 John Brown baptism record.
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Sent to Gaol 1841 Thomas Brown's second name identifies him instantly. In 1841, he was declared an insolvent debtor and as a consequence spent time in Hull Gaol. Perhaps he was held financially responsible for a lost cargo or similar. The Hull Advertiser and Gazette articles (above, right) suggest Brown led a typical mariner's life - he lived not only with his wife according to the 1841 Census, but also at conveniently located boarding houses and onboard ship. He would have been regularly on the move. This record of his varying addresses is odd - should we say puzzling - as Mrs Lee's boarding establishment is nearby his 1841 Census address. |
12 Mar 1841 - Insolvent Court
The Hull Advertiser and Exchange Gazette 
11 June 1841 - insolvent debtors
The Hull Advertiser and Exchange Gazette |
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1854 The General Hewitt
There may be many reasons behind Thomas Brown's decision to join the General Hewitt under the command of Captain Harnett in 1854:
However, the record on the right of Brown's proposed sea voyages in 1854 and 1855 show he had intentions or perhaps even a commitment to sail on a ship named the Rubicon following his voyage aboard the General Hewitt. Any record of the Rubicon remains elusive. |
Captain Brown's intended voyages - out and return - 1854 and 1855
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The General Hewitt Passengers
The Moreton Bay Courier reported on 16 Dec 1854:
The General Hewitt made a run of 107 days from Southampton to Moreton Bay. She brings 381 immigrants, all in good health. On the passage there were 16 deaths (14 being children) and three births. The immigrants are divided as follows:
With Brown (39) as First Officer, the ship arrived in Brisbane, then New South Wales, on 12 Dec 1854. Some notable passengers on board were:
The ship arrived on 12 Dec 1854 and rode at anchor in Moreton Bay. The passengers remained on board until the 23 Dec when they were finally moved to the Brisbane immigration depot at the corner of William and George streets. There they spent their first Christmas Day in Australia. Positions were quickly arranged with labour-hungry settlers, and by June the next year only one single man from the General Hewitt remained in the depot.
Jane probably joined her aunt, Charlotte Rider and her husband Thomas Ivett in Ipswich. The Ivetts had 3 children under the age of 7, and had lost 2 in infancy.
Jane's uncle James Ryder and family were living at Walloon (near Ipswich) in 1857, but by 1861 had moved south to Parramatta.
Many immigrants from Cambridgeshire were residing in and around Ipswich at this time, including Jane's uncle Thomas Rider. He was married to Ann Ivett (Thomas Ivett's sister) and they had arrived in 1852 aboard the Argyle, alongside William Dockrill.
The Moreton Bay Courier reported on 16 Dec 1854:
The General Hewitt made a run of 107 days from Southampton to Moreton Bay. She brings 381 immigrants, all in good health. On the passage there were 16 deaths (14 being children) and three births. The immigrants are divided as follows:
- married couples 70
- single men 80
- single women 46
- children under 14, 115
With Brown (39) as First Officer, the ship arrived in Brisbane, then New South Wales, on 12 Dec 1854. Some notable passengers on board were:
- Jane Rider (16), listed as a servant
- Jane's uncle James Ryder (35), his wife Ann (31) and his family of 2 daughters and a son
- Jasper Salter (20) a wool-stapler from Wiltshire
- Cambridgeshire immigrant families, the Braziers and Elbornes - in all there were over 70 immigrants from Cambridgeshire
- Thomas and Mary Barker, both 25 years of age. Soon they would be parents of the legendary Queensland Times journalist, Ipswich and General Hewitt historian, and all sports expert, Tom Barker 1855 - 1924, aka "Red Gum", "Old Sport" and probably "Hammerchewer."
The ship arrived on 12 Dec 1854 and rode at anchor in Moreton Bay. The passengers remained on board until the 23 Dec when they were finally moved to the Brisbane immigration depot at the corner of William and George streets. There they spent their first Christmas Day in Australia. Positions were quickly arranged with labour-hungry settlers, and by June the next year only one single man from the General Hewitt remained in the depot.
Jane probably joined her aunt, Charlotte Rider and her husband Thomas Ivett in Ipswich. The Ivetts had 3 children under the age of 7, and had lost 2 in infancy.
Jane's uncle James Ryder and family were living at Walloon (near Ipswich) in 1857, but by 1861 had moved south to Parramatta.
Many immigrants from Cambridgeshire were residing in and around Ipswich at this time, including Jane's uncle Thomas Rider. He was married to Ann Ivett (Thomas Ivett's sister) and they had arrived in 1852 aboard the Argyle, alongside William Dockrill.
Comment
The death of 14 children was of little importance in 1854 - infant death was a chronic problem and children viewed as a commodity.
The death of 14 children was of little importance in 1854 - infant death was a chronic problem and children viewed as a commodity.
Reactions of of the General Hewitt Passengers
Early in 1855, Brown parted company with the General Hewitt. Perhaps this Moreton Bay Courier entry recording the accolades from the passengers of the General Hewitt provides a clue:
To Captain Edward Harnett.
Sir, We, the undersigned Passengers from Southampton to Moreton Bay feel that we cannot separate without expressing our entire satisfaction with your conduct, in this, we believe, one of the finest passages that has ever been made to Australia. We have had every opportunity of witnessing the extreme attention you have given to your duties, and have no hesitation in saying that we believe your experience, sobriety, carefulness, and perseverance, merit the confidence reposed in you by the owner.
Dear Sir, allow us to tender you our sincere thanks for the kind, careful, cheerful, and unassuming deportment you have maintained among us all, and especially for your kindness to the sick during the voyage. We hope you will be long spared for the benefit of others placed in the same situation as ourselves, and for your own personal advantage, and be assured that we shall leave the ship with a lasting recollection of your uniform kindness
Signed by 188 of the passengers
To Mr. Brown, first officer
Dear Sir, We the undersigned passengers by the above ship, beg to express our high approbation of your conduct as an officer, and your uniform kindness towards us during the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay, and trust that should we ever again have the pleasure of meeting you that we may be able to style you Commander.
Signed by 124 of the passengers.
To Mr. Jones, second officer
Dear Sir, We the undermentioned passengers by the above ship beg leave to present you with this memorial as a slight testimonial of your kindness and seamanship during the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay; and sincerely hope that you may rise to the highest point that your noble profession will allow of.
Signed by 143 passengers.
To Mr. Helsham, third officer
Dear Sir, We cannot end the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay, without presenting you with this slight testimonial of our high sense of your kindness, liberality, and upright conduct in serving out the provisions, etc. on board the above ship, and sincerely hope that an early and well deserved rise in your profession will follow as a reward for your conduct in your present position among us.
Signed by 147 of the passengers.
It appears from the above that the Second Officer was in charge of the sailing of the ship and the Third Officer was in charge of rations. Perhaps Brown, as First Officer was responsible for the immigrants' well-being, crew discipline and the cargo.
Early in 1855, Brown parted company with the General Hewitt. Perhaps this Moreton Bay Courier entry recording the accolades from the passengers of the General Hewitt provides a clue:
To Captain Edward Harnett.
Sir, We, the undersigned Passengers from Southampton to Moreton Bay feel that we cannot separate without expressing our entire satisfaction with your conduct, in this, we believe, one of the finest passages that has ever been made to Australia. We have had every opportunity of witnessing the extreme attention you have given to your duties, and have no hesitation in saying that we believe your experience, sobriety, carefulness, and perseverance, merit the confidence reposed in you by the owner.
Dear Sir, allow us to tender you our sincere thanks for the kind, careful, cheerful, and unassuming deportment you have maintained among us all, and especially for your kindness to the sick during the voyage. We hope you will be long spared for the benefit of others placed in the same situation as ourselves, and for your own personal advantage, and be assured that we shall leave the ship with a lasting recollection of your uniform kindness
Signed by 188 of the passengers
To Mr. Brown, first officer
Dear Sir, We the undersigned passengers by the above ship, beg to express our high approbation of your conduct as an officer, and your uniform kindness towards us during the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay, and trust that should we ever again have the pleasure of meeting you that we may be able to style you Commander.
Signed by 124 of the passengers.
To Mr. Jones, second officer
Dear Sir, We the undermentioned passengers by the above ship beg leave to present you with this memorial as a slight testimonial of your kindness and seamanship during the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay; and sincerely hope that you may rise to the highest point that your noble profession will allow of.
Signed by 143 passengers.
To Mr. Helsham, third officer
Dear Sir, We cannot end the voyage from Southampton to Moreton Bay, without presenting you with this slight testimonial of our high sense of your kindness, liberality, and upright conduct in serving out the provisions, etc. on board the above ship, and sincerely hope that an early and well deserved rise in your profession will follow as a reward for your conduct in your present position among us.
Signed by 147 of the passengers.
It appears from the above that the Second Officer was in charge of the sailing of the ship and the Third Officer was in charge of rations. Perhaps Brown, as First Officer was responsible for the immigrants' well-being, crew discipline and the cargo.
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Comments
1. The accolades for Mr Brown are somewhat muted, perhaps sarcastically suggesting he did not treat passengers equally and he had favourites. It sounds the passengers would be very happy never to set eyes on him again. 2. Thomas Brown's severance from the General Hewitt may not have been amicable. On 30 Dec 1854, the Moreton Bay Courier reported: Nine seamen of the ship General Hewitt, were on Tuesday convicted before Mr. Duncan, of disobedience of orders on board of their vessel, and were each sentenced to four weeks imprisonment in Brisbane Gaol. It is likely that Brown was responsible for crew discipline. |
The General Hewitt - the second ship in the foreground.
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1855 Brown - Rider marriage at Ipswich
On 12 Mar 1855, less than 3 months after the arrival of the General Hewitt, former First Officer Brown and Jane Rider were married in Ipswich by Rev. William Lambie Nelson.
Witnesses to the marriage were Jasper Salter and Thomas Ivett, aunt Charlotte Rider's husband. Today, Jasper Salter (20) may be considered a more appropriate love interest for Jane (17), but, setting an example followed by many of her descendants in the decades to come, she pragmatically chose to marry the best prospect available to her.
On 12 Mar 1855, less than 3 months after the arrival of the General Hewitt, former First Officer Brown and Jane Rider were married in Ipswich by Rev. William Lambie Nelson.
Witnesses to the marriage were Jasper Salter and Thomas Ivett, aunt Charlotte Rider's husband. Today, Jasper Salter (20) may be considered a more appropriate love interest for Jane (17), but, setting an example followed by many of her descendants in the decades to come, she pragmatically chose to marry the best prospect available to her.
1855 Part of the Brown - Rider wedding certificate
Comments
Who could blame Jane, 17 years old, for being swept off her feet by the dashing First Officer Brown, AKA The Captain? Imagine the scene when Captain Brown arrived at the Ivett residence to ask for Jane's hand in marriage. These simple folk from Great Shelford could not fail to be impressed by the tales he told of travel to exotic ports around the world - the Baltic, St Petersburg, Carolina, Italy, Greece ... How was he dressed? In uniform wearing a tricorne?
Jane Rider became a very astute person. It is likely that early in the marriage, she realised that Brown lacked the finance and enterprise to start a profitable business or purchase property, and his work experience carried little credit in Ipswich. Perhaps she had envisaged The Captain would gain employment on the Australian coastal trade or on the river - he could sound the boat's horn when it docked in Ipswich? - and keep her in a fine style and provide her with standing in the community. There is no record he ever returned to the sea. His departure from the General Hewitt appears to have brought his seafarer days to an early end - but, as we shall see, NOT his seafarer ways.
Brown appears to be a risk-taker. He took a conscious decision to leave the General Hewitt and devote his life to his new love. It is a possibility that Jane remained ignorant or under-informed about his marital history for many years. Perhaps she never learnt of his first marriage. Maybe Harriet had died and he was a widower when he married Jane? In 1854, history repeated itself: for the second time the Captain married a 17 years old girl.
The marriage took place in the Church of Scotland, reflecting the Captain's religion. Jane was recorded as "Baptist" on the General Hewitt passenger list.
Who could blame Jane, 17 years old, for being swept off her feet by the dashing First Officer Brown, AKA The Captain? Imagine the scene when Captain Brown arrived at the Ivett residence to ask for Jane's hand in marriage. These simple folk from Great Shelford could not fail to be impressed by the tales he told of travel to exotic ports around the world - the Baltic, St Petersburg, Carolina, Italy, Greece ... How was he dressed? In uniform wearing a tricorne?
Jane Rider became a very astute person. It is likely that early in the marriage, she realised that Brown lacked the finance and enterprise to start a profitable business or purchase property, and his work experience carried little credit in Ipswich. Perhaps she had envisaged The Captain would gain employment on the Australian coastal trade or on the river - he could sound the boat's horn when it docked in Ipswich? - and keep her in a fine style and provide her with standing in the community. There is no record he ever returned to the sea. His departure from the General Hewitt appears to have brought his seafarer days to an early end - but, as we shall see, NOT his seafarer ways.
Brown appears to be a risk-taker. He took a conscious decision to leave the General Hewitt and devote his life to his new love. It is a possibility that Jane remained ignorant or under-informed about his marital history for many years. Perhaps she never learnt of his first marriage. Maybe Harriet had died and he was a widower when he married Jane? In 1854, history repeated itself: for the second time the Captain married a 17 years old girl.
The marriage took place in the Church of Scotland, reflecting the Captain's religion. Jane was recorded as "Baptist" on the General Hewitt passenger list.
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Brown Family 1855 to 1876 Trove provides few clues to the family's movements during these years. However, Jane Rider's 1917 obituary, written by her second husband, Lewis Eversden, says: Shortly after her arrival she was married to Captain T. H. Brown and went to live at Belle Vue, on the Brisbane River. Subsequently she resided at Laidley and again in Ipswich, until the death of her husband. Eversden (82) elegantly condensed 21 years of the Brown family's life into 2 sentences with fewer than 40 words. From Ipswich, the family moved to the Wivenhoe Run, which was purchased by the Lt Joseph North in 1858. They lived at Fernie Lawn (now Fairnie View), south of the future town of Fernvale. Accommodation would have been very basic - probably earthen floors, slab walls and bark roofs. There would have been lots of scope for a bush carpenter. The Browns lived at Laidley in 1865, and returned to Ipswich around 1866. Thomas Brown worked as a bush carpenter until incapacitated in 1868. It is likely that Jane performed nurse or mid-wife duties in Ipswich between the mid-1860's and 1878, and perhaps even earlier outside Ipswich. The family may have moved in and out of Ipswich several times, as the political notice on the right suggests they were residing in Ipswich in 1862. There is no evidence The Captain ever resumed his maritime career. The following court appearance demonstrates that he moved around between Brisbane and Esk, probably in the course of his employment as a carpenter, and provides clues to his manner of speech. 1859 The Brown family lived at Wivenhoe or Fairie Lawn 18 Jun 1859 Moreton Bay Courier Thomas Huntley Brown: I am a carpenter, and live at Wivenhoe. I was In Brisbane on Monday fortnight last, and was stopping at Clarke's inn. I saw a man there, but I did not know his name. The man was asleep when I saw him, which was about ten o’clock at night. I saw the landlord trying to rouse him up, as he wanted to close the house. The man would not go at first, and Clarke put him out by force. On taking hold of him, the man caught hold of Clarke by the necktie, and gave it half a twist round Clarke's throat. They got to the door in that position. Then a man fell, and the other on the top of him, and a voice sung out, "I am kilt." The only remark made by Clarke was, " You have had nothing to drink here, and where you had your drink, there go and sleep." I went and saw the man on the verandah. He was groaning, and sung out he was "kilt." I did not see him taken into the house, the reason why he was taken in was, Mrs. Clarke said, if the police came past, and saw the man lying there, Clarke would be fined. Did not see or hear anything of him afterwards. I left on Thursday. Did not hear a word of it until that time. When I was leaving Clarke told me he should call upon me if anything was the matter, and I replied, "You will be puzzled to find me." 1865 The Brown family lived at Laidley 26 Oct 1865 Queensland Times Assault - James Duke was summoned for having assaulted Thomas Brown, at Laidley, on the 18th instant. Mr. Chubb for the defendant; Mr. Tozer for the plaintiff. Thomas Brown deposed that he purchased a cow at Laidley, on the 18th instant, and after he done so defendant came to him and asked him why he did not pay his (defendant's) father-in-law the money he owed him; a few words took place and defendant struck witness a violent blow in the face, knocked him down and struck him several other blows in the face ... etc etc. The Bench found the defendant guilty of the assault, and fined him 20s., with 46s. 6d. costs. |
1862 Ipswich politics - Thomas Huntley Brown supported the Mayor
18 Jun 1859 Moreton Bay Courier
"You will be puzzled to find me". 
26 Oct 1865 Queensland Times
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The Descendants of Thomas Huntley Brown - 2 children with his first wife and 6 with Jane Rider
Comments
More than 160 years later, family historians remain puzzled to find many details of the life of Thomas Huntley Brown:
More than 160 years later, family historians remain puzzled to find many details of the life of Thomas Huntley Brown:
- his exact birth year, the dual baptism
- the fate of his first wife Harriet, and their children
- his decision to leave the General Hewitt
- did he disclose his first marriage and family to Jane, before or after their marriage
- the parentage of some of his offspring
- and his death.....but a new light has been cast on the death of The Captain
- the 26 Oct 1865 article confirms that Laidley was not an easy place to sustain a living in the 1860's. The Laidley Historical Society says:
"The English settled the area first and the wallabies ate them out. Then followed the German settlers ... they ate the wallabies."
Brown Family - births and deaths 1855 - 1876
15 Mar 1856 Birth of Thomas Ross Brown in Ipswich
21 Jun 1858 Birth of Isabella Jane Brown
17 Jan 1861 Birth of John Brown
18 Mar 1861 Death of John Brown
18 Feb 1862 Birth of James Brown.
2 Apr 1864 Birth of Susan Alice Brown
2 Feb 1873 Birth of William Joseph Brown
27 May 1876 Death of Thomas Huntley Brown
15 Mar 1856 Birth of Thomas Ross Brown in Ipswich
21 Jun 1858 Birth of Isabella Jane Brown
17 Jan 1861 Birth of John Brown
18 Mar 1861 Death of John Brown
18 Feb 1862 Birth of James Brown.
2 Apr 1864 Birth of Susan Alice Brown
2 Feb 1873 Birth of William Joseph Brown
27 May 1876 Death of Thomas Huntley Brown
Comments
The first names of the Jane's first 3 children echoed the names of members of The Captain's family: Thomas after himself, Ross after his sister's husband, Isabella after his sister, his daughter by his first marriage (Ann Isabella Brown) and his aunt Isabella, and Jane after his sister Jane - and also Jane Rider it must be said - and John after his father, grandfather and his son with Harriet. After the 1861 death of John Brown, his children's names appear to have no connection to the Captain's family whatsoever.
The first names of the Jane's first 3 children echoed the names of members of The Captain's family: Thomas after himself, Ross after his sister's husband, Isabella after his sister, his daughter by his first marriage (Ann Isabella Brown) and his aunt Isabella, and Jane after his sister Jane - and also Jane Rider it must be said - and John after his father, grandfather and his son with Harriet. After the 1861 death of John Brown, his children's names appear to have no connection to the Captain's family whatsoever.
The Legacy of Thomas Huntley Brown
Comments
Thomas Huntley Brown's legacy is his family. Within 12 years of the Captain's death, three of his (Australian) children (Isabella, James and Susan) married and started families. Eldest son Thomas never married.
His children and grandchildren excelled in diverse areas. They married well and prospered in their chosen fields of endeavour. Some were risk-takers, perhaps inspired by the example set by the Captain. His descendants included graziers, a hall of fame amateur jockey, and the wife of a very wealthy horse-trader. Several great grandchildren mixed with royalty and Sydney society while others - if William Joseph Brown's descendants are included - became captains of industry. Some descendants inherited the traits of Jane Rider and were very community-minded. All were honest and industrious workers. None ever went to sea.
Following the death of The Captain after a lingering 8 years of illness, Jane Rider found a new freedom. Thereafter her life followed a clear path, and she grasped every opportunity. Her life became productive - not that the previous 20 years hadn't been - and profitable, and after moving to Southport in 1886, very enjoyable. By marrying Lewis Eversden, she attained wealth and a position in society previously denied her.
Thomas Huntley Brown is an engrossing character in this story. Few, if any, people today know the complete story of The Captain and his globe-trotting exploits, or understand the complexity of his failings and strengths. Despite the passage of time, he remains a revered, almost legendary family figure. After 25 years at sea, in his final 20 years as a bush carpenter in Queensland it appears he may have become ... "a fish out of water".
Comments
Thomas Huntley Brown's legacy is his family. Within 12 years of the Captain's death, three of his (Australian) children (Isabella, James and Susan) married and started families. Eldest son Thomas never married.
His children and grandchildren excelled in diverse areas. They married well and prospered in their chosen fields of endeavour. Some were risk-takers, perhaps inspired by the example set by the Captain. His descendants included graziers, a hall of fame amateur jockey, and the wife of a very wealthy horse-trader. Several great grandchildren mixed with royalty and Sydney society while others - if William Joseph Brown's descendants are included - became captains of industry. Some descendants inherited the traits of Jane Rider and were very community-minded. All were honest and industrious workers. None ever went to sea.
Following the death of The Captain after a lingering 8 years of illness, Jane Rider found a new freedom. Thereafter her life followed a clear path, and she grasped every opportunity. Her life became productive - not that the previous 20 years hadn't been - and profitable, and after moving to Southport in 1886, very enjoyable. By marrying Lewis Eversden, she attained wealth and a position in society previously denied her.
Thomas Huntley Brown is an engrossing character in this story. Few, if any, people today know the complete story of The Captain and his globe-trotting exploits, or understand the complexity of his failings and strengths. Despite the passage of time, he remains a revered, almost legendary family figure. After 25 years at sea, in his final 20 years as a bush carpenter in Queensland it appears he may have become ... "a fish out of water".