This blog was created to help piece together a family puzzle. The pieces of this puzzle include several continents, a few centuries and many people. The main puzzle pieces are Elizabeth Barnes (born 9th June 1805 at Highworth, Wiltshire, England) and Richard Merchant (born 3rd July 1800 at Farrington, Berkshire, England).
After visiting Australia during June 2009, my sister decided to find out more about her great-great-great Grandmother, Elizabeth Barnes and great-great-great Grandfather, Richard Merchant. Bits and pieces were gathered from family members, both in the USA and Australia. The internet became a vital link with "long lost cousins". Excitement grew about this family and their decisions in life. History became alive for us!
During the past several days, we discussed starting a blog to help gather, document and share information about this family. Our ultimate goal is to publish a history with facts and stories about Elizabeth and Richard. Though we realize the puzzle may never be completely finished, our hope is that this blog will be the beginning.
We hope to have weekly posts. Your comments are appreciated.
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I am excited for everyone to start adding bits and pieces to this blog. We know that there is still a lot of information out there. Every time I hear something new its like opening a big present. jayne
ReplyDeleteWow, Jayne! You get up early!
ReplyDeleteGreat Idea! This is a great way to find those who have bits and pieces of the puzzle. Again, Great Idea!
ReplyDelete~Jeff
Thanks to Jayne for "digging up" an interest in the where-a-bouts of Elizabeth Barnes final resting place. If you ever stop in Beaver to visit the grave site you may also want to see John Murdock's marker. Cousin Danny says it's the biggest marker in the cemetary. Bro. Murdock gave Elizabeth her patriarchal blessing. Also, he was the father of the twins (Joseph & Julie) adopted by Joseph & Emma Smith. Thanks Karen and Jayne for tweeking our genealogy genes. Ann Stringfellow (great-great granddaughter of Elizabeth)
ReplyDeleteHey it's Nancy. I am realted to Caroline Anne Merchant Wilson through the Wilson line. My great great great I think grandfather was her son Thomas Henry Wilson Jr. I grew up in Payson Utah and am now in St. George. We will be having a reunion of the immediate cousins for Labor Day and I will get pictures and updates. See you then.
ReplyDeleteI found this when researching Elizabeth Barnes my ancestor. Richard Merchant Bapson m. Elizabeth Barnes: 12 children, my family line being James (1835) who married Mary McKewen 1st wife, Jemima Cook, 2nd wife, had son James 1866, married Ellen Victoria Berry in Dungog NSW, son Oliver Lawrence Merchant 1924(my father, one of 17 children (15 survived, twins stillborn). Annette Arthur nee Merchant. Would love any history or photos you may have on Elizabeth Barnes. I am just starting on this search!
ReplyDeleteNotes for Elizabeth Barnes The I.G.I. records the marriage of William
Barnes and Mary Dodd on the 26th February 1805 at Highworth, Wiltshire,
England. Elizabeth Barnes is recorded as being born on 9th June 1805
also at Highworth, Wiltshire, England. Beckett, Lord Barrington's estate in
Berkshire, is only a few miles from Highworth and there is a strong
possiblity that William Barnes, Stephen Titcume and Richard Merchant and
others who came as shepherds during Robert Dawson's term with the
Australian Agricultural Co., were known to him through working there.
(See also Richard Merchant / Bepson) William Barnes is referred to by
Dawson " the Company's most experienced shepherd''. There is also
strong possibilty that Williams Barnes family situation also contributed to
his decision to come to Austaria as his wife Mary died later in 1824 as a
result of the birth of Henry. For some time Elizabeth, William's daughter
took over the role of mother to her brothers and sisters.
The Barnes
ReplyDeletefamily sailed on the " YORK'' 470 tons from Cowes in England in June
1825 along with a sister ship " Brothers " all with stores, men, equipment
and stock and arrived in Sydney 13 November 1825. Company records on
the ship '' YORK '' states, William Barnes Shepherd aged 41. Elizabeth
Barnes daughter aged 20 Richard Barnes son aged 16 William Barnes son
aged 13 James Barnes son aged 10 John Barnes son aged 7 The stock
were allowed to use the Government Domain whilst the passengers had to
stay on board for several day's before disembarking to travel to Bringelly,
some 35 miles from Sydney, to a property known as " Retreat farm ". The
men who arrived on the YORK and the BROTHERS with their families were
the first large group of free settlers ever to arrive in N.S.W. Thus the
procession of goods, men, women and children to the temporary base at
Bringelly attracted attention by the locals and the Sydney Gazette:- " The
wharf was covered with baggage, goods, dogs etc; belonging to the
A.A.Co. and the street was lined with waggons, that were conveying the
property to the interior; two or three of the last of which were laden with
women and children. Some of the women attracted our eye from their
flowing curls and rosy English cheeks ; and the men, at first glance, told
the observer, from their manner and dress, that they were true English
farming breed. In the course of the afternoon the cavalcade continued up
George Street." In February 1826 most of the Company's servants and
stores were moved to Port Stephnes by boat (the Lord Rodney) a 200 ton
brig. The sheep however were driven overland to Carrington from
Bringelly via Patrick Plains, a journey which took almost five weeks. There
was an incident, according to Dawson's diary, of an attempt to abduct the
pretty Elizabeth Barnes by the Captain and his Mate of the Lord Rodney
before it set sail. The Captains attempt was foiled by Dawson and some of
his constables. Under Dawson the A.A.Co had established themselves at
Carrington (Carribean), Stroud and Booral and sheep stations were
established as far as Gloucester.
Sir Ralph and Lady
ReplyDeleteDarling On the 14th January 1830 Lady Parry gave birth to twins Edward and
Isabella. Lady Isabella was not a strong person and little Isabella was very
sick so Elizabeth Merchant (Barnes) was an ideal choice as foster mother
and a wet nurse as Elizabeth had not long given birth to a baby Richard.
Richard Merchant and Elizabeth Barnes were married at Raymond Terrace
N.S.W 30 December 1827. Their first born was William 30 June 1828 and
Richard was born on 26 September 1829. Sir Edward Parry baptised both
children Richard 2 May 1830 and William on the 25 July 1830. Elizabeth
apparently continued to carry out her duties with Sir Edwards family and
her own family until leaving Carrington to go to Telligherry to reside in a
house Parry had constructed in mid 1831 to fill the housing needs of the
large Barnes and Merchant families. On the 17th January 1833 Richard
large Barnes and Merchant families. On the 17th January 1833 Richard
Merchant's agreement with the A.A.Co. expired and he was discharged
"not being worth one half the cost of himself, wife and family". Sir William
Parry was very sorry to loose Elizabeth " A very respectable young woman
but with her large and increasing family, her services could not be made
available to the company." Elizabeth was expecting a child in May (Jane).
In January 1833 the Merchant family left for Newcastle (Lambton) on their
way to Maitland. According to an interview with William Merchant (1828)
before he died June 12 1920 aged 91 years 10 months. "Spent some of
his early days in Sydney. His father was working as a carrier between
Sydney and Parramatta. Around 1836/7 the family moved to thr Allyn
River at Vacy and took up farming. Richard had a number of convicts
working for him on the farm and had to support a large family of 12.
William often spoke of the farm Bolwarra and he spent all of his life within
ten miles of his original home. Richard Merchant was described by Parry
as " Bore an excellent character whilst in our employ." In 1853-1854
Richard Merchant and his children, Harriet, Caroline, Susan and Mary were
baptised at Allyn River into the Church of the Latter Day Saints.
The
ReplyDeleteBarnes family records state that they may have had some exposure to
millenarian ideas (L.D.S.) in England between 1825-26 by the Vicar of
Inglesham, near Lechlade in Gloucestershire, a few miles from Highworth,
who was a follower. Elizabeth's association with L.D.S. resulted in her
accepting an offer to imagrate to Utah with some of her family. On the 28
May 1856 The Jenny Ford sailed for America from Sydney with Richard,
Elizabeth, Harriet, Caroline, Charles, Susan, Mary, and John. According to
Merchant family oral history Richard jumped ship 1 mile out to sea and
swam back to shore. It is more likely Richard jumped ship before it sailed.
Apparently Richard and Elizabeth had an argument over her religious
convictions and this ultimately prevented her from returning to N.S.W.
Richard returned to farming at Vacy and took up selections with the rest
of his family which included William, Richard, Sarah Ann, Jane, James and
Thomas. (there is some variants and stories) as to why Richard decided to
stay in Australia. The Jenny Ford arrived at San Pedro, California on the
15 August 1856. The family then travelled inland to San Bernadino where
they brought a farm, cultivated the land and planted fruit trees. After a
short time Elizabeth recieved an offer to to sell her farm and traded it for
a waggon and a team to finally complete her pilgrimage to Utah.
Elizabeth, Caroline, John and Charles travelled by waggon to Bever, Utah
whilst the other two daughters Susan and Mary decided to stay in
California. Elizabeth and her two son's again established a small farm at
North Creek, Beaver County which latter became known as Merchant
Valley. Elizabeth Merchant died on the 10th June 1863, six months after
Richard her husband died. Some say of a broken heart. Thus ended the
life of a truely remarkable and beautiful woman. It is difficult to
comprehend how much suffering and hardship Elizabeth endured in her
short life of 58 years. In her early years Elizabeth was mother to her
brothers and sisters, gave birth to 12 of her own children and was wet
nurse and foster mother to her employers children. Elizabeth nearly
travelled around the world and single handedly established three farms in
conditions which was a far cry from what she was used too. How Elizabeth
endured all this is unbelievable, but she did, and what is more
remarkable, her duties, both to her family and others was carried out with
dignity and a true conviction to help others. To conclude, the following
diary note was taken from Australian Mission list on the 28 th May 1856:
"A small comany of SAINTS under the direction of Augustus Farjnham
sailed from Port Jackson N.S.W. bound for Utah."