In the 1841 census he is living at Barrock Gill, Lower Hesket:
Joseph Robson, 45, Farmer.
Elizabeth Robson, 40.
Jane Robson, 15.
Elizabeth Robson, 8.
Robert Bowman, 15, Manservant.
John Portus, 15, Manservant.
Robert Turnbull, 15, Manservant.
John Porthouse apparently married Dorothy Wilkins, though no record of this union exists.
Certainly their relationship has begun by 1849 as their first child is born in 1850.
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Dorothy Wilkins was christened on 4th September 1825 in Dalston, Cumberland. She was one of four children born in Dalston to William & Sarah Wilkin. Dorothy could read & write and worked in Cumberland as a housemaid. Her religion was Church of England.
In 1841 she is living with her family at Stone Raise, about 5km east of Dalston.
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The family appear in the 1851 census living in Penrith, Cumberland. John is a 28-year-old agricultural labourer born in Stanwix. Dorothy is 25 years old and Thomas one month.
John & Dorothy had four children born to them before they immigrated to Hobart in 1857 aboard the ‘Prompt’. Their surname was listed as ‘Portus’. On board were John (aged 33), Dorothy (aged 31), Thomas (aged 7), John (aged 5), Sarah A. (aged 2) and William (infant). William was possibly born on the ship.
In all I found nine children born to John & Dorothy Porthouse:
1)Thomas Porthouse. *Born 2nd Qtr of 1850 in Newton, Penrith, Cumberland.
*Died 21-6-1923 (bur. 22-6-1923) in Hobart.
*Married 29-9-1873 to Mary Ann Laskey in Hobart. (She died 24-10-1930-Hobart)
Issue:
a)Ada Dorothy Porthouse. b.2-12-1873-Hobart.
m.Alfred Edward Cotton.
Issue:
i)Emmaline Cotton.m. Maurice Leonard Hurburgh.
b)William Henry Thomas Porthouse. b.16-8-1875-Hobart.
c)Walter Ernest Porthouse. b.11-11-1877-Hobart.
d)George Edward Porthouse. b.9-7-1880-Hobart.
d.1931-Sydney,NSW.
e)Ethel May Porthouse. b.29-12-1882-Hobart.
f)Florence Lavinia Porthouse. b.26-6-1886-Hobart.
g)Thomas Henry Porthouse. b.9-3-1888-Hobart.
d.1920.
h)Robert James Porthouse. b.29-12-1890-Hobart.
i)Marianne Catherine Porthouse. b.23-8-1892-Hobart.
m.Tasman Peter Duncan.
j)Albert Claud Porthouse. b.1-1-1895-Hobart.
d.1923.
2)John Porthouse. *Born 2nd Qtr of 1852 in Penrith, Cumberland.
*Died 1936 (bur. 12-8-1936) in New Norfolk.
*Married 21-7-1873 to Eliza Smith in Hobart with issue (see below).
3)Sarah A. Porthouse. *Born 3rd Qtr of 1854 in Penrith, Cumberland.
*Married 11-10-1884 to William Mansfield in New Norfolk.
Issue:
a)William James Mansfield. b.13-3-1886-Hamilton.
b)Emma Maria Mansfield. b.9-4-1887-New Norfolk.
c)Charles Alfred Mansfield. b. 27-10-1889-New Norfolk.
d)Dorothy Eveline Mansfield. b. 24-3-1891-New Norfolk.
e)Harriet Clara Mansfield. b.3-5-1893-New Norfolk.
f)Ida May Mansfield. b.3-5-1893-New Norfolk.
g)Edith Margaret Mansfield. b.21-8-1895-New Norfolk.
4)William Porthouse. *Born c1857 possibly en route to Hobart.
*Married 8-9-1880 to Isabella Elizabeth Mason in Hobart.
Issue:
a)Isabella Ellen Porthouse. b.23-8-1881-Hobart.
b)Isabella Porthouse. b.19-4-1883-Hobart.
c)John William Porthouse. b.22-10 1885-Hobart.
d.1949-Sydney, NSW.
d)Rubina Ann Porthouse. b.4-5-1890-Hobart.
e)Percy Robert Porthouse. b.4-3-1895-Hobart.
5)Robert John Porthouse. *Born 4-7-1858 in Bothwell, Tasmania.
*16-6-1934 in Launceston.
*Married 29-3-1880 to Ellen (Helena) McLaren in Hobart (Ellen born 25-9-1859-Hobart).
Issue:
a)Charles Robert John Porthouse. b.13-8-1880-Hobart.
d.1961-Bundoora, Victoria.
m.1903-Elsie Stanley Roberts-Victoria.
Issue:
i)Charles Sydney Porthouse.b.3-11-1903-Launceston.
ii)Willie Porthouse.b.26-9-1905-Sandy Bay.
b)Charles Richard Porthouse. b.1882.
d.1919-Prahran, Victoria.
c)William Alfred Porthouse. b.1-2-1882-Hobart.
d.July 1965-New Town, Tasmania.
m.24-9-1912 to Mabel Isabel Palmer-Oatlands (2nd marriage, nee Scott).
Issue:
i)Ivy May Porthouse.b.9-6-1914-New Town. Married Mr. Calvert.
ii)Not Named.b.27-8-1915-Battery Point.
d)Frederick Robert Porthouse. b.17-8-1884-Hobart.
d.1966-Fitzroy, Victoria.
m.1906-Ethel May Greville-Victoria.
Issue:
i)Rose Helen Porthouse.b.1906-Richmond, Victoria.
d.1969-Melbourne.
m.1st-1925-David Winslade, Victoria with issue.
m.2nd->1949-Guest-Victoria.
ii)Ivy Porthouse.b.1906-Richmond, Victoria.
d.1968-Fitzroy, Victoria.
m.1924-Clements Lionel Bosley-Victoria.
iii)Frederick Robert Porthouse.b.1908-Richmond, Victoria.
m.1928-Noreen Mavis Daly.
iv)Bertie George Porthouse.b.1912-Richmond, Victoria.
d.1982-Black Rock, Victoria.
v)Ruby May Porthouse.b.1914-Richmond, Victoria.
vi)Percy Harry Porthouse.b.1916-Richmond, Victoria.
e)Ellen May Porthouse. b.1-5-1886-Hobart.
d.1967-Richmond, Victoria.
m.1907-Peter Donald Robertson-Victoria.
Issue:
i)Gladys May Robertson.b.1907-Richmond, Victoria.
d.>1985.
m.1930-Thomas Joseph Driver-Victoria.
ii)Neil James Robertson.b.1916-Richmond, Victoria.
m.1938-Isabel Moodie-Victoria.
f)Elsie Porthouse. b.19-12-1888-Hobart.
d.3-9-1893-Hobart.
g)Matilda Ethel Porthouse. b.29-2-1892-Hobart.
d.1974-Carrum, Victoria.
m.1st -1911-John Joseph Pollard-Victoria.
Issue:
i)Eileen Joyce Pollard.b.1915-St. Kilda.
d.1943-Marybourough, Victoria.
m.1937-Arthur Lionel Colley-Victoria.
m.2nd-Ellis.
h)Ruby Gladys Porthouse. b.12-10-1896-Launceston.
m.Arthur Unknown.
6)Joseph Porthouse. *Born 27-2-1860 in New Norfolk.
*Died 8-4-1932 in Lenah Valley.
*Married 13-6-1887 to Elizabeth Exley in Hobart.
Elizabeth poss. born 1858 and died 22-2-1911 in Hobart.
Issue:
a)Edith Maude Porthouse. b.4-12-1887-Hobart.
d.21-6-1960-Hobart.
b)Arthur Oswald Porthouse. b.15-9-1890-Hobart.
d.17-5-1970-Hobart.
c)Amy Marjorie Porthouse. b.11-3-1895-Hobart.
d.8-7-1963-Hobart.
d)Annie Porthouse. b.16-8-1900-New Town.
7)Hannah Porthouse. *Born 15-8-1862 in New Norfolk.
*Died 6-5-1951-Hobart.
8)Margaret Porthouse. *Born 11-7-1864 in New Norfolk.
*Died 21-3-1866 in New Norfolk.
9)Charles Porthouse. *Born 2-6-1867 in New Norfolk.
*Possibly married 15-12-1891 to Harriet Boult in Launceston.
*15-12-1891 to Married Harriet Boult in Launceston.
Issue:
a)Charles Robert Porthouse. b.10-12-1892-Launceston.
b)Dorothy Eliza Porthouse. b.24-8-1894-Launceston.
c)Ruby Elizabeth Porthouse. b.12-6-1896-Launceston.
John appears in the papers several times in his life.
On the 13th August 1864 he is charged with “riding on his dray near the New Town Race Course”. He was ordered to pay 10s plus costs.
John Porthouse died on 11-5-1905 in New Town, Hobart, aged about 73. He was buried on the 14th May with his age recorded as 87.
Dorothy Porthouse died on 10-6-1888 in Hobart, aged 62.
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John Porthouse was born in the 2nd Qtr of 1852 in Penrith, Cumberland, England.
At the age of about 5 he immigrated to Hobart with his parents, 2 brothers and a sister. They travelled on the ‘Prompt’ and arrived in Hobart in 1857. The shipping record had them listed as ‘Portus’.
John grew up in Hobart. He later spent time living in Bothwell and New Norfolk.
Apparently John worked for his father from the age of 8 at the Blue Tier near Bothwell. For many years he worked for the Shoobridge family growing hops in the Derwent Valley.
John Porthouse married Eliza Smith on 21-7-1873 at St. Paul’s Church of England, Glenorchy. He was 21 years old, she 20. John worked as a labourer and Eliza as a housemaid.
I found ten children born to John & Eliza Porthouse:
1)Sarah Ann Porthouse. *Born 21-6-1872 in O’Briens Bridge, Glenorchy, Hobart. (Out of wedlock).
*Died 1-3-1873 in Hobart.
2)Elizabeth Ethel Porthouse. *Born 6-4-1874 in O’Briens Bridge, Glenorchy, Hobart.
*Died 6-7-1903 in Glenorchy, Hobart.
*Married 12-11-1892 to Charles KREMMER in New Norfolk with issue (see KREMMER).
3)Lilian May Mariana Porthouse. *Born 17-11-1876 in Bridgewater, Tasmania.
4)Florence Ada Porthouse. *Born 18-10-1878 in Bridgewater, Tasmania.
*Married 14-5-1896 to Charles Henry Butler in New Norfolk.
Issue:
a)Annie Irene Butler. b.10-11-1896-New Norfolk.
b)Harold Victor Butler. b.9-3-1898-New Norfolk.
c)Cyril Douglas Charles Butler. b.4-11-1899-New Norfolk.
5)John Robert William Porthouse. *Born 8-4-1881 in New Norfolk.
*Died 2-7-1936 in Montrose.
*Married 28-11-1903 to Charlotte Anne Batchelor in Hobart.
Issue:
a)Amy Isabel Porthouse. b.4-7-1904-Glenorchy.
b)Vera Lillian Porthouse. b.23-12-1906-Glenorchy.
m.12-1-1928-Eric Percival Fleming-New Town.
c)Gwendoline Jean Porthouse. b.13-5-1917-Glenorchy.
John was known to be a champion runner and axeman. He was working as a temporary railway worker in
Hobart when he was killed instantly after being struck by a suburban train whilst was working on the line.
All indications are that he simply did not hear the train coming. Reports of his death and subsequent
inquest appeared in the local papers.
6)Francis (Frank)Charles Porthouse. *Born 22-10-1883 in New Norfolk.
*Died 16-5-1934 in Hobart.
*Married 10-5-1904 to Louisa Mills in Hobart.
*Married 3-3-1927 to Linda Constance Morrisby in Hobart.
Issue: (adopted)
a)George Arthur Porthouse.d.27-9-1986-Hobart.
m.Madge Belgium Unknown.
Issue:
i)Dawn Porthouse. Married Mr. Young.
ii)Carol Porthouse. Married Mr. Herbert.
iii)Vicki Porthouse. Married Mr. Herbert.
iv)Christine Lee Porthouse. b.20-6-1951-Hobart. Married Mr. Hansch.
v)Ernest John Porthouse.
vi)George Arthur Porthouse.
vii)Larry Donald Porthouse.
ix)David Barry Porthouse.
x)Anthony Porthouse.
xi)Garry Graham Porthouse. b.Jan. 1941. d.27-9-1942-Hobart.
Frank worked as a building contractor and lived at 115 Melville St, Hobart. He was found on the afternoon
of 17th May 1934 lying on the floor of a stable at the rear of 130 Melville St. His throat had been cut with a
razor blade. Frank had suffered a nervous breakdown and had spent time in hospital on numerous occasions
leading up to his death. All indications are that he took his own life.
7)Cedric George Cromwell Porthouse. *Born 28-9-1884 in New Norfolk.
8)Sydney George Porthouse. *Born 1884 in New Norfolk.
*Died 27-2-1885 in New Norfolk.
9)Rose Matilda Porthouse. *Born 4-12-1887 in New Norfolk.
*Married 15-5-1903 to Robert Cossom in Hobart.
10)Thomas Joseph Porthouse. *Born 26-4-1894 in New Norfolk.
*Died 28-11-1929-Sandy Bay.
*Married Gertrude Caroline Unknown. (Gertrude died 16-7-1942-Hobart.)
Issue:
a)Thomas Joseph Porthouse. b.19-6-1913-New Norfolk.
d.10 -5-1968 in Moonah.
m.Dorothy Isabel Unknown.
b)John Thomas Porthouse. b.19-6-1913-New Norfolk.
d.5-4-1971-Hobart.
Issue:
i)Dennis John Porthouse.
ii)Dorothy June Porthouse. b.8-6-1942-Hobart. Married Mr. Douglas.
iii)Kenneth Leon Porthouse.
iv)Helen Margaret Porthouse. Married Mr. Ridgers.
v)Anthony James Porthouse.
c)Maisie Willis Porthouse. b.24-1-1915-New Norfolk.
m.8-8-1936-George William Vince-Hobart.
John lived at Ferry Street, New Norfolk. He was employed by the New Norfolk council.
He appeared in the local paper in August 1923 after he was repeatedly kicked by his horse as he was harnessing it in its stable. He suffered two broken ribs and severe bruising of the chest and face.
After Eliza died John remarried. He married Ida Elizabeth Nickolson in 1911. She died in New Norfolk on 15-1-1945.
John Porthouse died on 11-8-1936 and was buried the day after. He was living in New Norfolk and was buried in Cornelian Bay cemetery.
Eliza Porthouse died on 29-10-1908 at the Hobart Hospital, and was buried on the 31st October, aged 54. She was still living in New Norfolk at the time of her death.
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Elizabeth Ethel Porthouse was born 6-4-1874 in Hobart.
She lived first of all in Hobart but moved to Brighton by the age of 2 and then New Norfolk by the age of 7.
Elizabeth Ethel Porthouse married Charles KREMMER on 12-11-1992 in New Norfolk at the residence of Mr. J.B. Burnell under the rites of the Wesleyan Church. She was 18 years old, he was 22.