The EWEN Family

The Register of Marriages at St Augustine the Less in the County of the City of Bristol show that on 24th day of December 1814 Thomas EWEN (my maternal great-great-great-grandfather), of this Parish a Gentleman married Anna Maria LEYSON (my maternal great-great-great-grandmother), of this Parish a Spinster by licence Henry Green, Officiating Minister. They were married in the presence of Mary Roberts, Eliza Leyson and Penelope Ann Green(?) and R Honneywile(?).

Below are children of Thomas and Anna Maria EWEN. Thomas’ occupation was variously given as gentleman, solicitor etc. Information provided by Cynthia Stiles in Bristol he was living on St Michael's Hill and Kingsdown for the St Michael christenings, just St James parish given for the St James ones.

v Anna Maria 13.02.1816 christened St.Michael born 23-Dec-1815

v Alfred James 10.07.1817 christened St.James

v James Edward 14.07.1818 christened St.James

v Alice Eliza 27.07.1820 christened St.James

v Thomas Augustus 20.03.1824 christened St.James

v Frederic 28.02.1826 christened St.James (note no K apparently)

Per Liverpool Mercury 17 May 1873 body found in the "Great Float" - DEATH

v Louisa Ann 9.07.1828 christened St.James

The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 6 May 1856, page 1 - DEATHS.

On Wednesday January 16th, at Prospect Place, Cotham Brow, Bristol, England, Louisa Anne, third daughter of Thomas Ewen Esq, of the above place, and sister of R. Rupert Ewen Esq., of St Phillips Grammar School, in this city, aged 27 years.

v Emily Frances 20.04.1830 christened St.Michael born 4-Mar-1830

The Sydney Morning Herald Monday 16 October 1854, page 8 - DEATHS.

On June 25th, at Cotham Brow, Bristol, England, Emily Frances, youngest daughter of T. Ewen, Esq., aged 24 years. [born 1830]

v Richard Rupert 11.11.1833 christened St.Michael born 18-Mar-1832

Died 10 September 1909 at Bathurst, NSW. - DEATH

Thomas Augustua appears to have arrived in Melbourne on 21 January 1853 (or 26 August 1852 as reported in the Shipping Gazette and General Sydney Trade list of 5th February 1853) being one of 247 passengers who sailed aboard the barque Velore which sailed from from Bristol on 26th August 1852 (via Rio Janeiro 16 November 1852) - he is listed as being 28 (as per https://www.prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration/unassisted-passenger-lists).

As noted on the family website http://www.dina8.f2s.com/immigr.htm

The Velore was a three masted barque, square rigged on the fore and main masts and fore and aft rigged on the mizzen. She weighed 484 tons and was skippered by Captain Campbell. They arrived in Melbourne on 22nd January 1853 making the journey over 19 weeks. Advertisement in The Times Supplement for the Velore 14th July 1852

FOR PORT PHILIP and SYDNEY, to follow the Winchester, the beautiful British clipper ship VELORE, A1 12 years, 1000 tons harden, built entirely of English oak, with 7« feet height `tween decks; will leave Bristol the end o July. The improved ventilation, commodious fittings, size and arrangement of cabins, superior provisions, and liberal accommodations, have earned for this line a favourable reputation. All the berths are enclosed. Early application is requested to Mr W. Dobbin, 31 Princes Street, Bristol or to Mr. R. Towne, Fenchurch Street, London.

Thomas appears to have lived a very short life in the colony ~ of about two years ~ before he died.

The Sydney Morning Herald Tuesday 17 October 1854, page 5 - DEATHS.

July 26th, at Melbourne, Victoria, Thomas Augustus, son of T. Ewen, Esq , of Cotham Brow, Bristol, England. [born 1824]

v William John 3.01.1823 christened St.James born 23-Oct-1821

NOTE: Two other EWEN families appear in the unassisted passenger records for arrivals in Melbourne

Ship Clarence arrival September 1854, destination Launceston Mr EWEN 35, Mrs EWEN 30, Alice 10, Eliza 5, Caroline 1

Ship Sydney arrival October 1853, Origin Port B, Mr J EWEN 29, Mrs EWEN 27, male child 10, female child 8

Frederic Stanley EWEN

Frederick Stanley EWEN was born in Bristol in late 1825, and christened in St James Church of England, Bristol on Sunday 26-2-1826. He was the seventh child and fifth son of Thomas Ewen and Anna Maria Ewen (nee Leyson).

From the free BDM guide the death of Anna Maria EWEN was registered in the period Jan-Mar 1866.

The census of 1841 hasthe family living in the County of Bristol, Parish of Clifton

Thomas was a member of numerous organisations in Bristol including the Bristol General Association for the Prevention of Burglaries and the discovery and prosecution of burglars (see also the book Crowds and History: Mass Phenomena in English Towns, 1790-1835 by Mark Harrison) as well as the Dolphin Society. (see http://www.dolphin-society.org.uk/aims.html)

The Dolphin Society aims to help all impoverished elderly and disabled people in the Greater Bristol area to remain safe and secure in their own homes and maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Founded on 13th November 1749 in memory of Edward Colston, the Society was created by a number of his friends who wanted to continue the charitable work he had started. They attended a dinner organised by Francis Woodward on Colston's birthday to mark the occasion, and decided that the money raised should be used for charitable work within Bristol.

The name of the society comes from the dolphin in Edward Colston's coat of arms. The story goes that on one of his voyages a dolphin became stuck in a hole in his ship. This saved the vessel from sinking and everyone from a watery death.

The Grateful Society (1758) and the Anchor Society (1769) were formed shortly after The Dolphin Society with the similar intention of helping to continue Colston's charitable work. From the Bristol Mercury 14_11_1840.

An announcement appeared in the Sydney Mail:

the death of Thomas EWEN on 25-1-1861 at his residence, Kingsdown Parade, Bristol, UK aged 79, father of Rupert EWEN of 99 Liverpool Street Hyde Park.

Personal news from the past - A letter from Anna Maria EWEN in Bristol to Miss Mary Ann Minchin in Bighton, Alresford, Hampshire April 16th 1823

NOTES: From Cynthia Stiles: It had 'this letter is 46 years old’ on the front of it and one wonders if the content is the reason it survived out of any other letters Anna Maria must have written to Mary Ann Minchin.

For interest Mary Ann Minchin to whom letter was written was born in 1800 in Bighton, Hampshire and married William Carpenter in April 1823. (Hence reference to Carpenters in letter.) Her parents were John and Sarah Minchin (nee Edney) and not sure what their/Mary Ann's connection with the Ewens was. Elizabeth mentioned in the letter was Mary Ann's sister.

My dear Mary Ann

Better late than never you will say I have no doubt, and in truth when I look at the date of your letter I must confess that I have been very slow in my response, particularly after your postscript in which I observe you require me to write soon. Be assured my dear Mary Ann I have had you often in my mind since you left us and if you had remained with us during the winter as we wished you to have done, I should have had some friend to console with me in my domestic troubles, as I term them, for I cannot in general get Mr E to do any other than laugh at me on those occasions, seeing so little of them himself, he imagines that they are contrived and it is with difficulty I can persuade him otherwise, though I am at the same time conscious that much benefit would be derived by endeavouring to bear ordinary things with coolness and indifference, but I will not amuse you longer with a detail of my troubles except that today in addition to the usual sort of annoyance such as are generally found in families, we have had considerable this winter from sickness and our principal servant has been obliged to leave us and in consequence, which has very much annoyed me. not having since been able to suit myself. Alice was five or six weeks ill from the whooping cough which we very much feared would have attached to the other children but they have hitherto escaped, but I suppose not for any long period as it has been and still is very prevalent all around us, but these troubles are comparatively light to our neighbour Mrs Potts who was deprived of the society of her daughter shortly after you left/ She lingered till 29th November and died. Within my remembrance I know of no instance in which from a complete state of health such a transition has occurred so unexpected as it might have been said that a month before, but in the midst of her suffering, which from the beginning was very severe, she entertained strong hope of consolation and appeared not to wish to return to any earthly enjoyments. Her conduct in life was exemplary, artless and innocent and the consideration derived therefrom can only be that she was destined for enjoyments that are not transitory. Her family feel her loss most acutely. Her mother to this day has not recovered her spirit and she will long live in the remembrance of her friends. Mr Ewen attended her funeral and in the evening an incident occurred which I cannot help thinking was remarkable. I observed him looking attentively and in deep thought towards the fire and on questioning him as to the cause, he merely called my attention to what he was looking at. At first from not being in the same position the appearance did not strike me as it did him but almost immediately I recognised the resemblance of a female head in the bright part of the fire. Another person, Mrs Nash, was in the room who has known Miss Potts, her attention was called to it and she and she pronounced it to be an exact resemblance, so also did two of the servants without any previous information as to what we had previously noticed. The features and the hair on the forehead appeared as natural as possible and the likeness was very striking. It was a half length portrait and for nearly an hour it remained without any change, thereby prolonging to us the view of one we had frequently looked on with pleasure.

I perceive that I have not yet said one word in reply to your letter except on the melancholy topic of our friend’s loss. We were sorry to hear that your father had been unwell but I notice that the bilious attack that you mention occurred after a hearty supper. Please to tell him from me that I not only hope his health is long and completely re-established but that in my opinion he will do well to eat light suppers and hearty dinners if he can so manage it, for of all things suppers are likely to --- bilious complaints.. I long to see your good mother and have a bit of chat with her. I sincerely wish Bighton was nearer for I could then often see you all. I should like very much were it practicable to see Elisabeth in Bristol. probably you may know someone that is coming this way with whom you could entrust her. I hope no opportunity will be omitted, for remember we shall at all times be glad to see her or any part of the family. I can scarcely request for you to write soon but I hope you will for I assure you we are quite anxious to know how you are going on. Mr Ewen and myself request to be kindly remembered to every part of your family and tell your good mother I often think of her attention and kindness to me when staying at her house. Remember me to your brother and his wife, also to Mr and Mrs Carpenter and accept my dear Mary Ann of the best regards and well wishes of your ever sincere friend A M Ewen.

PS Let me know how the old gentleman and you are all now. Do write soon. My sister and mother are well and desire to be kindly remembered.

Nothing is yet known of his paternal grandparents, but his maternal grandparents were Philip LEYSON and Anna Maria LEYSON (nee ROBERTS). Philip LEYSON was a Master Mariner which was to be the career path followed by Frederick. The LEYSON’s must have had some impact on the EWEN family as Frederick’s younger brother Richard Rupert EWEN christened his eldest daughter Leyson.

At the time of his marriage to Frances Julia PATTERSON on 15-7-1855 (aged 30) Frederick EWEN gave as his occupation “mariner”. He must have been a little modest because he had achieved seniority in Merchant Navy on 23/06/1852 (aged 27) and attained his master’s certificate (number 83966) which was issued in London in that same year. The Lloyds Captain’s Register of 1869 gives some insight into what it meant to be a “Master Mariner”. A sailor could not achieve Master status until the age of 21 and also required an apprenticeship of some seven years to be served. If that was the case then Frederick was a relative latecomer.

The Census of 1861 shows a number of the inter-related family members at 2 Lower crescent in the parish of Clifton, City of Bristol. They include:

FS EWEN was also a member of the Royal Naval Reserve (signified by his entry in Lloyds shipping register of captains having a crown beside it.) He was promoted to Lieutenant 03/09/1863.

As to what became of Frederick Stanley EWEN, Lloyd's Captains Register (LCR) answers part of this question. The first register, 1869, lists the following ships (summarized) – [courtesy of another volunteer Harry Dodsworth].

v Adelaide (as mate) 1852-53,

Sailed to Hobart, thence to Wellington arriving there on 23 November 1850 under Captain Pitt.

Sailed from London and Plymouth on 8 November 1851 and arrived 31 January 1852.

Sailed to Adelaide some time in 1851

Sailed to Adelaide departing Plymouth 8 November 1850

v Tijarely Misr 1854,

v Winnifred 1855-56,

v George 1857,

v Evening Star 1858-60,

v Asia 1860,

v Mavrocordatos? Official Number 28,743,

v Nyanza 1864-65,

v Darien 1865,

v Fairy Vision, ON 54,601, lost Oct 20, 1866,

v Smyrna, ON 48,662, abandoned Dec. 1867.

The 1869 Lloyds Captains Register does not show any ship after the Smyrna. The register after 1869 does not show any ships either but he is marked as Dead - unfortunately without any date or place given.

Perhaps the loss of two successive ships affected his health and he was forced to leave the sea although he was not old (born at Bristol, 1825).

There is a Frederick Stanley EWEN, aged 50, who died at Birkenhead. in the June quarter of 1873. This is to be followed up …..more later!!

The son of FS and FJ EWEN was Frederick Stanley Patterson EWEN who came to Australia as a child - when and how are still a mystery. Other children of the marriage are still to be identified.

Richard Rupert EWEN (uncle to FSP EWEN & brother to FS EWEN)

Two other announcements appeared in The Sydney Mail between 1860 and 1861:

o Ewen – Mary Eliza Louis: died 2 Dec 1860 at 99 Liverpool Street Hyde Park aged 11 months. Youngest child of R Rupert Ewen.

o Ewen – R Rupert, Mrs: son born 13 Oct 1861 at 41 Burton Street Woolloomooloo.

From NSW BDM records

Richard Rupert died in Bathurst NSW on 10-9-1909 – his certificate gave his years in NSW as 56 which gives an arrival year of 1853. In searching http://mariners.records.nsw.gov.au/1853/01/050aca.htm there is a Mr EWEN listed as a cabin passenger aboard the Acacia which sailed from Melbourne to Sydney on 22 January 1853. If that is him how he got to Melbourne is unknown,
Richard Rupert EWEN married Wilhelmine Elisa Mary NAEGUELI in Sydney in 1856. The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal of Wednesday December 31st 1856 records a marriage announcement:
Married December 24th at Christ Church, Sydney, by the rev Canon Walsh M.A., incumbent, R. Rupert EWEN, Esq., of Kingsdown House, Bathurst to Wilhelmine Eliza Mary, eldest daughter of the late Herr NAEGUELIi, of Canton Berne, Switzerland, and grand daughter of the late Rev. Dr. RICHARDSON, Vicar of Great Dunmow, and head Master of Dedham Grammar School, Essex, England.

In the same edition of The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal is an advertisement:

KINGDOWN HOUSE SCHOOL

R. RUPERT EWEN

Late Acting Head Master of St Philip’s Grammar School, Sydney.

This Establishment will be re-opened , TUESDAY, January 27th, 1857, on the premises lately occupied by Mr. Popolara. The course of instruction embraces the Classics, Mathematics and the general outline of an English Education. Boarders will be received. For terms and other particulars, apply to the Principal, Post Office, or to the Rev. T. Sharpe, M.A., Incumbent of All Saints, Bathurst.

N.B. – A quarter’s notice or the equivalent required before the removal of a Boarder.

The website http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/newtownproject/Sands_Directory/sands1864.html

has an entry for an R.R. EWEN at Grose St Camperdown;

UPDATE: Sands directory

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/newtownproject/Sands_Directory/sands1863.html#newtown

Ewen, Richard R. Missenden Road

It is rather a sad story as it seems that RR EWEN and his family were on the move quite a bit.

Wilhelmina's death was registered in Bathurst in 1908 (aged ?) and his death was registered at Bathurst in 1909 (aged about 77). They had many children:

It is interesting to note that Leyson (named after her father’s mother’s maiden name) died unmarried around the same as her parents and all in Bathurst.

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