BARKLE/Bartle/Berkhill
Francis Barkle and Mary Ann ( nee Weeks) emigrated from Treswithian, near Camborne, Cornwall to Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia in 1853 on the ship "Parsee". Their young son, Francis Barkle, was aged 5.
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Francis Barkle and Mary Ann Weeks emigrated on the Parsee, arriving in Brisbane in 1853.
Their young son, Francis, was aged 5.
Most descendants with the surname Barkle living in Queensland are descended from this family.
In 1841, Francis Barkle/Bartle, aged 30 according to the census information, is living in Treswithan with his mother Ann Barkle ( nee Tab), aged 55 and his sister Margaret and her family -
Margaret married Thomas Dunstone in September 1838 in Redruth and they now have two children - William aged 3 and Julia, only 3 months when the census was taken.
Ann Bartle's occupation is given as school mistress. As her husband, Francis, isn't listed it is presumed that Francis Barkle/Bartle senior may have died before 1841.
1853
Francis Barkle came out to Australia aged 5 on the "Parsee", with his parents Francis and Mary.
I am very curious as to why they came out to Australia - this was at a time when the young colony was seeking workers and young families with the ability to settle and make a living -
Francis Barkle appears to have been ill for many years when you read the medical records - he was admitted to the hospital only a year after he arrived - on a paupers ticket as you could only be admitted to the hospital if you had funds.
They were not young or with any specific skills.... and it seems Mary would have been 4 months pregnant when she arrived in Moreton Bay - so one would wonder where they lived and how for that first year .
It would seem that perhaps other relatives or family were here or that they came with relatives - interestingly there is a reference to a John James Barkwill married to an Elizabeth Weeks (they had a female child - born 3 Feb 1866 and a son Herbert who died 25 Sept 1913 - perhaps they were related to Mary Weeks? - )
Francis and Mary and young Francis Barkle arrived in Brisbane on the 17th January 1853 after a journey of 102 days from Plymouth to Moreton Bay (Source: Moreton Bay Courier, 15th January 1853)
0n the 18th May 1853, another son, William Henry is born. (There is a birth of a William H Barkil listed in the Pre-1856 Qld Fiche, with the parents names given as Francis and Mary. This follows the naming pattern of the Barkles in this line, where Francis, James and William appear as the sons names for several generations.)
There is also a reference to a Henry Barkle dying 29 April 1926 with a father's name given as Francis Barkle and a mother Mary....... (Certificate index no: 1926/001402) This Henry died in Gayndah, Queensland and gave his birthplace as Toowoomba... he worked as a gardener. I am not certain that he is related, but there are few other parents with the same names living in Queensland at the time.
9 March 1854
On 9 March 1854, just 15 months after their arrival, his father Francis was admitted to Brisbane Hospital and died a month later on 4 April 1854, aged 36.
The notes from the hospital indicate he was "suffering from disease of the ear"
Further notes from the hospital records state;
Came in the emigrant ship "Parsee" in 1853. Has had disease of the ear for many years - with crusted discharge and occasionally considerable pain.
He is a small man, debilitated, weakened in intellect as well as body.
He now complains considerable pain in the occipital region. There is little or no increased heat of skin, pulse irregular, variable in frequency and force, about 90 - tongue furred - bowels confined.
10th March - Bowels have been freely opened - ...................lumpy accumulations.
12th March - Bowels still require evacuating - motions dark and foetid
14th March - Is somewhat improved - but still complains of pain in the occipital region
19th March - Motions very dark - complains of thirst
24th March - bowels not open ...............from days?
26th March - Does not on the whole mend - pain in the head has somewhat abated - does not rally - no inclination to move - no appetite - is allowed any fruits he desires.
28th March - Not improving - is very debilitated
30th March - Is no better
April 1 - Weak
April 2 - Somewhat comatose, pulse irregular, weak, 90 - does not complain of pain
April 3 - Is sinking
Died 4 April 1854
Thus Mary was left a widow with two young sons, Francis aged 6 and William Henry, aged 1.
Mary then appears to have married a John Davis on 18 July 1854 - Certificate index no (1854/MA 0606 - (Marriage of Mary Barkel to John Davis, Qld Marriages 1839-1856). They seem to have lived in the Ipswich area - and were married in the
I have not traced any children of this marriage to date, nor do I know how many years the marriage lasted.
, but Mary appears again in marrying a Hiram Holmes in Ipswich in 1871.
Unfortunately, Hiram Holmes died on 31 January 1872, only a year or so after their marriage, while being taken in a buggy to hospital in Ipswich.
In the inquest into his death, Francis Barkle appears working on the Bellevue Station as a bushman with Hiram Holmes (a shepherd), and Mary Holmes (nee Davis, Barkle, Weeks) is also living there. Hiram Holmes had been at Bellevue Station about 12 months.
Mary Ann did indeed marry again, to an Allen McLean on 22 May 1873, about 15 months after the death of Hiram.
Mary Ann McLean died in Queensland on 7 June 1896 , aged about 80 years.
Further research is needed on the McLean family and where they lived
Family trees of Milli K