TURNERS OF AUGUSTA
Turner
Coat of Arms
Painting by Thomas Turner of Seine Bay, Hardy Inlet, Augusta with the Turner settlement in the left foreground.
By courtesy of the State Library of WA. (slwa_b1979528_3 0) See link: http://www.slwa.wa.gov.au/treasures/augusta/index.htm
James W Turner could have been influenced in migrating to Western Australia, by this pamphlet published in London in 1829.
Admiral Sir James Stirling was a British naval officer and colonial administrator. His enthusiasm and persistence persuaded the British Government to establish the Swan River Colony and he became the first Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Western Australia.
He persuaded the Turners, Bussells & Molloys to settle in Augusta, and accompanied them there from Perth on the "Emily Taylor" in 1830.
The Warrior 1830
TURNERS OF AUGUSTA
In 1829, James Woodward Turner - master builder and industrialist in London, boarded with his family, the good ship "Warrior" of 485 tons, in Portsmouth, England for the long journey out to Western Australia, to start a new life in the colony. The "WARRIOR" was a wooden-hulled, copper-sheathed sailing ship which was launched at Chepstow in 1828. She sailed from London and Portsmouth on October 23, 1829 and travelled via St Jago and the Cape of Good Hope to the Swan River Colony, Hobart Town and Sydney. Captain John Stone was in command and she carried 27 officers and 4 guards as well as her 166 passengers.
Ian Richardson's Log of Logs indicates that there were quarrels between Scottish and Irish migrants early on in the voyage and one trouble maker, who is listed later on, was put ashore at St Jago. There was further alarm on November 11 when an "armed and likely pirate schooner" kept the WARRIOR company near the Canary Islands.
Of the 166 passengers, 96 were thought to have disembarked in the Swan River Colony when the WARRIOR berthed in Fremantle on March 12, 1830 [CSR 5/130]. No officially published passenger list has been located for the voyage and one of the aims of this project was to assemble such a list. ( see web site below )
Click on link below for extensive information of the Warrior passenger lists, voyage details, and the 1829 Diary of James Woodward Turner: :http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/shipping/warrior.htm
With grants 20,000 acres of land from Governor Stirling, and together with the Captain John Molloy, his wife Georgiana and the four Bussell brothers, and following a voyage south from Perth on the vessel "Emily Taylor", a settlement was established at Augusta, near Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia, in May 1830.
Another link below is to the State Library of Western Australia, showing all the letters, books, painting, drawings etc in their collection:
Another link below is to the Western Australian Museum, with a record of the shipwreck of "The Bee", a vessel built in 1848 by James Woodward Turner and his son James Augustus Turner.
http://www.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime-archaeology-db/wrecks/id-59
Here is an interesting link, relating to the market of Australian Banknotes:
Handwritten Bill of Exchange, the third, issued at Augusta, May 28th 1832 by J.G. Bussell for £15..0..0 payable to Mr J.W. Turner, addressed to Captain Swanston, Bank Director, Derwent Bank, Van Diemens Land. Endorsed on back Pay Capt Pedder signed Jas W. Turner and W Pedder Captain 63rd Battalion. An important historical item linking Western Australia with Van Diemens Land. Good very fine and very rare. (Estimated present value: $1,000-)
James Woodward Turner with wife Maria & son - James Augustus Turner
James Woodward Turner was born in England 8/9/1780. His parents were Thomas and Dorothy Turner. His siblings were Charles, George, Thomas & Samuel Turner. His paternal grand- parents were George & Martha Turner of Farley in the Parish of Darley, County Derby.
J W Turner married (1) Ann Rockley abt. 1810 and all of their seven children were baptised in St Marylebone Church London.The marriage to Maria (2) sister of Ann was not registered nor the birth of their son James Augustus however they could have married in France. J W Turner was a builder and designer and had been a successful one for over 30 years in London before he emigrated in 1829.
The Turner family then consisted of:
James W Turner Aged 50
Maria " " 39
Ann (Nancy) " " 18
Thomas " " 16
George " " 14
Selina " " 11
John " " 9
Maria " " 8
James " " 3
The emigrating party consisted of the above and 21 others, as servants and workers.
The book "Turners of Augusta" by Tom Turner, published in WA in 1956, tells this epic story.
J W Turner's pre-1827 London sketchbook which has provided some illustrations for this book, is held at the Battye Library in Perth. It was viewed by this webmaster in April 2011.
Also held at this library and viewed, is a book in JW Turner's handwriting, of copies of all his letters sent to the Colonial Secretary; Governor Stirling; Captain John Molloy; The Surveyor-General etc from 1829 to 1853. See below.
James Woodward Turner 's first wife Anne Elizabeth Rockley. They had seven children, when she died James married her sister Maria, from that union came James Augustus the last and eighth child.
This monument to the first pioneers at Augusta, is situated in the Seine Bay area where the Turners established their settlement in Augusta.
James Woodward Turner
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Below is JW Turner's 1827 sketch-book, with drawings of buildings he designed &/or built in London, from 1827.
Also, his book of letters sent between 1829 and 1853. Not having carbon paper in those days, he wrote a copy of all his letters sent to Governor Stirling, John Molloy, Colonial Secretary etc into the book. Many of the letters are transcribed in the "Turners of Augusta" book by Tom Turner 1956.
These books are held in the Battye Library in Perth, and viewed by webmaster Tim Turner in 2011.
As listed in "Turners of Augusta" book by Tom Turner
Thomas Turner
(b. London 1813, d. Melbourne 1895)
Pioneer, Surveyor and Artist
Oldest son of JW Turner, and was only a teenager when one of the emigrating party. Spent the latter part of his life in Victoria and New South Wales. In addition to working as a Mining Surveyor, Contract Surveyor with the Lands Department of Victoria, and founding a dynasty of surveyors, is now more acclaimed as an artist. He either drew or painted scenes, buildings etc wherever his vast travels took him. His picture diary of 39 places of abode in England and Australia over his lifetime, is held at the Battye Library, Perth.
Married Elizabeth Heppingstone at The Vasse.
See further into this website, for far more information on him, plus his paintings & drawings.
Elizabeth Ann Turner,
("Bessie")
(nee Heppingstone)
Ann (Nancy) Turner
b: 1811 d: 1867
Ann Elizabeth Turner (Nancy)
Was the eldest daughter of James Woodward Turner and Anne Elizabeth Rockley .
Born: 21 August 1811 & Died 25 August 1867 in Toodyay .
1st marriage was to Capt. James Mc'Dermott on: 24 March 1832 (m reg no 115) in Fremantle WA . He was born 1797 & died Abt. 18 August 1834. Master of EmilyTaylor Master of the ship Cumberland which went down off Penguin Is. Sth. of Fremantle. All hands lost.
This would make a wonderful romantic tale if not for the fact that the death of James McDermott left her with two young children and virtually destitute.She met this young Captain when he was master of the ship Emily Taylor that took the families to Augusta to create the first settlement. The two children went on to have many more McDermott descendants. See family Tree
In 2013 reunion co-organiser Claire Johnstone was contacted by a resident WA whose business was running a B&B. They said a friend had found a piece (artefact) on the beach that could be identified as belong to the Emily Taylor. It has yet been followed up and she finds it almost impossible to believe - but I suppose you never know !
1st child : ANN ELIZABETH MC DERMOTT
born: 02 April 1833 and died 1924 . She married a George Munroe Whitfíeld m rego 955
2nd child: JAMES MCDERMOTT born: 24 January 1835 Fremantle WA died; 03 Oct 1910 (?) Went to school in Albany, letter from Nancy his mother. He married Hannah Jane Cooley in USA (they returned in abt 1867 ).
James died: 22 November 1888 (d rego 681)
John Turner
John Turner
b: 1821. Died 30.5.1902 in Minlaton South Australia.
Death Certificate obtained 2011 - Furniture maker. No family mentioned on the Death Certificate. Moved to SA lived in Moonta about 1869 - married Fanny Dickson 11th October 1865 in Perth Western Australia in St George’s Cathedral Perth. There is no real record of family.
Sailed ships with father - JW Turner on their ships - "Alpha" & "Bee" around coast 1844 - 1848. Occupation then : Timber cutter.
In 1846 he was witness to his brother's wedding – Thomas to Elizabeth Heppingstone 27.4.1846. at Bussellton.
Sister Nancy wrote to her son James in 1848 that Grandpa ( JWT ) and uncle John sailed in on the ship Bee that they had built, which was now wrecked.
George Turner
b: 1816 Moved to SA, 1864 lived in Moonta in 1869; there are records from SA that may belong to George but no direct proof. Records show he was a timber cutter. Married Mary Robert Thompson in 1852. Death notice of his father J W Turner in SA newspaper in 1862 was recorded.
1830 George Turner was allocated Lot E of about 5 acres, which is now the site of the Augusta Hotel Augusta W.A.
1840 Left Augusta with Thomas to go to Wonnerup.
1843 Left Thomas to go with brother John to start a timber cutting business, was a carpenter.
From Thomas Turner's diary: October 24th 1885: Thomas wrote to Solicitors in Adelaide and to his brother George re their father's estate and his role as Trustee, probably re James Woodward Turner's Will. George was therefore alive in 1885 and aged 49 at this time.
That's about all anyone knows about him, ..at this stage!
Thomas Turner's painting of the settlement in Augusta, circa 1830's.
This is one of the rare paintings sold on the open market.
Sarah Turner
taken in Geelong, Vic 1912
Sarah Turner
b: 1823 d: 21 July 1920 in Geelong. Didn't accompany the family on initial voyage, but arrived at Fremantle in 1837, after finishing education in France . Moved to Taradale , Victoria to live with brother Thomas 1852. Married Frederick John Hester in Castlemaine 1856 in Vic Rego No: 2132. b: 07 July 1827 Calais France d: 1883 in Echuca.
Selina Turner
b: 1817 London d: 1903 in WA ; no issue
See Link to the State Library of WA, for 1890 photo of Selina & sister Maria:
Maria Louisa Turner
b: 1822 sp, d. prob. WA, 2nd wife of elder sister Ann’s husband . Married Dr Alfred Green 1875 in Perth older marriage , no issue.
See Link to the State Library of WA, for 1890 photo of Selina & sister Maria:
James Augustus Turner
Youngest child of James Woodward Turner, and his 2nd wife - Maria Rockley.
b: 1827 d: 21 December 1878 in Cossack WA married Annie Amelia Armstrong m: 28 June 1864 in St John's Church Fremantle, WA. Lived his entire life in Western Australia.
Here is an interesting article from the ABC in 2016, about the Turner home "Albion House" in Augusta:
https:// www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-31/artefacts-found-from-pioneer-turner-family-in-augusta/8152300
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From 19th Century LONDON: - OLD BAILEY RECORDS
(Theft from property of James Woodward Turner)
Trial Summary:
• Crime(s): theft : simple grand larceny,
• Punishment Type: transportation,
(Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
• Verdict: Guilty,
• Other trials on 11 Jun 1829
• Name search for: JOHN ADAMS,
• Associated Records...
Original Text:
1115. JOHN ADAMS was indicted for stealing, on the 1st of May, 2 fan-lights, value 2l. 10s. , the goods of James Woodward Turner ; and that he at the delivery of the King's gaol of Newgate for the Country of Middlesex, at Justice Hall in the Old Bailey, on the 5th day of April, in the 8th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord the King, was convicted of Felony.
JOHN SULLIVAN. I am a watchman. On the 1st of May, at a quarter-past ten o'clock at night, I saw the prisoner pass my beat with these fan-lights on his shoulder, near Bainbridge-street - I followed, and told him to put them down; I asked him where he got them - he said at his master's, and he was going to Ely-place, Holborn - I wanted him to tell me where his master lived; he put them down, and ran away; I pursued, and took him, without losing sight of him.
WILLIAM ANSTED . I am in the employ of James Woodward Turner - he lives in WellS Street, off Oxford-street, about a quarter of a mile from Bainbridge-street. These fan-lights were taken from a building of his in George-street, Hampstead-road - they are his property; two doors had been taken, which have not been found since - Mr. Turner had seen them safe the night before; I had seen them about a week before.
Prisoner's Defence. I was coming out of a lodging-house and the watchman took me to the watch-house, he then brought the fan-lights there - I know nothing about them.
GEORGE AVIS . I produce a copy of the conviction of the prisoner, which I got at Mr. Shelton's office - (read) -I was at the trial, and know he is the same man.
GUILTY . Aged 19.
Transported for Life
Map of south western Western Australia, drawn by Thomas Turner in 1836.
Thomas Turner's painting of Albion House, Augusta, showing prefabricated, double-story house they brought from England.
by courtesy of Art Gallery of WA.
List of The Warrior's ships manifest of vast quantity
of goods and livestock imported into Australia
in 1830 by James W Turner,
as listed in Tom H Turner's book: "Turners of Augusta".
See link below, ABC News article on the Turner settlement in Augusta WA:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-31/artefacts-found-from-pioneer-turner-family-in-augusta/8152300
The house the Turners lived at 46 Wells St, off Oxford St., London in 1829 and where Thomas Turner was born..
Drawing by Thomas Turner, and courtesy of the State Library of WA.Turners as Authors
It is well known within the generations of Turners that there are several books written about the family. However over the years it has also come to light that other books have been written- the Turner "gene" for putting pen to paper must be stong in some - so much so that they publish their work privately. This talent also manifests itself in poetry, autobiographies, text books etc.
The following is a list which can be added to:
James W Turner - Dairy of voyage on the ship "The Warrior" 1829-1830
Can be viewed online. Link is: http://members.iinet.net.au/~perthdps/shipping/warrior.htm
- Sketch-Book with List of his architectural drawings from his career in England from 1827
- Book of letter copies he sent from 1829 to to 1853.
(both books now held in the Battye Library, Perth. See photos above)
Thomas Turner - Diary of family happenings 1870's
- Collection of 31 houses in England & Australia he drew, with explanations where he lived and why he moved.
- 1823 Sketchbook whilst still in England
These also held in the Battye Library, Perth. Click on link:
Tom Turner - Turners of Augusta
(Published in 1956 by Patterson-Brokensha, WA .)
Mentioned extensively in this website.
Author's full name is Tom Heppingstone Turner, of Gunnedah, NSW Not to be confused with his uncle and namesake of Victoria,
featuringly much in this website.
Tom Langford Turner - Articles for the Wimmera Times about early Horsham.
See link: https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2428608111/view?partId=nla.obj-2428608230#page/n0/mode/1up
Dorothy Turner Morrow - A Place by a River 1985, The Good Enough Book 1993
Christine Turner Morrow - An Abominable Epoch 1945
- published after her sister Dorothys death - then published 2012 by the French Gov as part of their WWII French Resistance papers in French.
Barbara King - Through the Seventh Gate 1993
Leita Bell - The Turners Augusta 1995 WA
-Wide Sea Wide Land 2000
and also a play produced in 2004 about the Turners at the Turner Reunion in Augusta in 2005
William Watson Turner - a book of short stories
Thomas Turner's Photograph Album (by Claire Johnston 2020)
Herbert Turner - A Signaller's Story - "Bert's" WW1 Diaries by Shannon Lovelady, April 2021
Other books with information and chapters
relating to the Turner pioneers in WA:
- The Light of Leeuwin: - The Augusta - Margaret River Shire History,
by Gail J Cresswell 1989
- Portrait with Background - Georgiana Molloy
by Alexandra Hasluck
- Georgiana Molloy - the Mind that Shines
by Bernice Barry 2015 books.google.com.au/books?id=-_tdCwAAQBAJ&dq=turners+of+augusta&source=gbs_navlinks_s
- Heroic Australian Women - The Complete book of:
by Susanna de Vries (Chapters on Georgiana Molloy, Frances Bussell, Elizabeth "Bessie" Bussell, & Charlotte Bussell
- Our Leahy Family History
by Philip N A Leahy 2020
