Soham/Ely, Cambridgeshire, England

Australia Bound

John sailed to Australia with his mother Sarah, Sarah's husband Edward and children Sarah and Elizabeth. They arrived in Sydney Australia on board the ship the Asiatic on the 23rd May 1855, after leaving Southhampton, ENGLAND on the 13th February 1855.

Edward was 29, an agricultural labourer and C of E who could neither read nor write. His parents were listed as James and Sarah of Soham, Cambridgeshire, with only Sarah still living at this time. Sarah was 27, a wife and C of E who could read only. Her parents were listed as James and Elizabeth of Soham, Cambridgeshire, both still living at this time. Neither had previous relations in the Colony and they were both in good health. They paid a £1 fee decreed by the Assisted Immigration Act.

With them were children; Sarah 12, John 5, who could both read and baby Elizabeth aged 16 months who died on board the ship during the voyage.

Sometime after arriving in Australia John, Sarah, Edward and family went to "Neotsfield", near Singleton, a property owned by the Dangar family were they lived and worked for several years.

Sydney Morning Herald - Wednesday, May 23, 1855

SHIPPING, Arrivals

May 23, - Asiatic, ship, 951 tons, Captain Colin McLeod, from Southhampton February 13. Passengers - Mrs Martin, and 370 immigrants. Dr. Martin, Surgeon Superintendent. Captain, agent.

SHIPPING, Imports

May 23 - Asiatic, from London: 50 hogsheads, 158 quartercasks, 290 cases wines, Ferris and Arkins; 255 packages beer, 10 packages wine, Lyall, Scott, and Co.; 22 packages, Franc, Brothers, and Gans; 13 cases, E. Johnson; 7 packages, L. Maurice and Co.; 25 hogsheads ale, Smith Campbell, and Co.; 5 pianos, 4 cases, William Davidson; 63 packages paints, Willis, Merry, and Co.; 8 packages, Beit and Sons; 1 case, J. Sterling; 7 cases, Rev. W. Boyce; 100 hogsheads ale, 91 tons coal, 1 box, R., E., and F. Tooth; 20 hogsheads brandy, George A. Lloyd and Co.; 69 trunks boots and shoes, 20 cases, E. Vickery; 50 hogsheads rum, 70 hogsheads beer, Order.

CUSTOM HOUSE

The Asiatic has made a fair passage of 97 days from Southhampton to this port. She has on board 370 Government immigrants, who are classed as follows:- 156 married people, 70 single men, 29 single women, and 115 children. There have been 5 deaths, all infants, and one birth on board during the passage. The immigrants are all English, chiefly mechanics and agricultural labourers, and appear remarkably clean and healthy. The ship is in a beautifully clean state, and certainly reflects great credit on the surgeon for the strict discipline he must have been compelled to enforce. No vessels connected with the colonies have been spoken during the passage.

Sydney Morning Herald - Monday, May 28, 1855

IMMIGRANTS PER ASIATIC - The married and single male immigrants for engagement by the above vessel, can be hired on board on MONDAY next, the 28th instant, and following days between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Their trades and callings, and the number of each calling, are as follows, viz.:-

The ship will be anchored at the usual anchorage, off Dawes' Point.

H. H. BROWNE, Agent for Immigration.

Immigration Office, Sydney, 25th May, 1855.

Sydney Morning Herald - Wednesday, May 30, 1855

SINGLE FEMALE IMMIGRANTS PER ASIATIC - The unmarried females by the above vessel, about 9 in number, can be hired THIS DAY, Wednesday, the 30th instant, between the hours of 1 and 4 o'clock p.m., at Hyde Park Barracks.

Their several callings, and the number of each calling, are as follows, viz.:-

N.B. - In order to prevent inconvenience, the usual orders for admission into the hiring room must be procured during office hours, on or before 12 o'clock on the day of hiring. Persons not known to the Immigration Department, applying for female servants, will be required to produce letters of introduction from a clergyman or magistrate.

(signed) H. H. BROWNE, Agent for Immigration.

Immigration Office, Sydney, 29th May 1855.

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