Thread: Mountstephen [Adopted Son]

Hawks

Dear Listers,
Recently I asked this list a question about the MOUNTSTEPHEN family of Lavinia and William.

After a couple of great replies I sorted through them, took a gamble and asked the great people at Friends of Rookwood Cemetery and they verified my beliefs. But in doing so they have raised another question in my mind.

"William Mountstephen died 24 Jan 1874 (no age given) and was buried in Old Church of England Section D, grave no. 640. Inscription on headstone reads "In his 45th year. Leaving a wife and 2 adopted sons. Late of Truro, Cornwall, England. Member S.A.G.
Buried in the same grave is Lavinia Tattersall who died 7 Jun 1888 aged 58. Headstone reads
"Wife of above. Married Mark Tattersall, a widower 13 Sept 1877."

It appears they had adopted 2 sons. My question is what were their names, who were they. Were they adopted in the UK or Australia.?

My best to you and yours, Hawk

Starlight

Hi Hawks,

Have you tried looking to see if he left a will . His adopted son's names may be shown as beneficiaries.

Kate

I have some information but not on the adoptions so far but looks like they were adopted in Australia. William and Lavinia arrived in 1957 on the Tartar along with Williams brother Richard who was born 22 July 1837 in Cornwall. Parents were William Mountstephen and Maria Paltridge.

Lavinia's maiden name was Walls parents William and Elizabeth born c 1830 probably in Cornwall. William and Lavinia married September Qtr 1851 in Truro Cornwall. William was born c 1823 in Okehampton Devon and was christened 23 February 1823 in Okehampton Devon.

Richard Mountstephens married Johanne Susan Ellery daughter of Peter and Susannah H in 1867 in Sydney. They had children

Arthur J 1867 Hartley
Richard H 1869 Sydney d 1869 Sydney
Maria 1870 Paddington
Richard Ernest 1873 Paddington d 1928 Waverley
Elsie E 1876 Paddington
William John c 1880 Sydney d 1939 Manly

The names have been variously found as Mountstephen, Mounstephen, Mountstephens, Mounstephens and Mouncestephens.

Still looking but have to whip down to the TAB and put a bet on the Melbourne Cup.

Hawks

G'day Kate,
Good to hear an aussie accent.
I have the ship etc. But I have made a note of Richard birth date. Every morsel helps complete the picture, Thank you.
Hawk.

Hawks

Hi Kate,
I've gone over all of the info you gave me and there seem to be quiet a bit to add to what I had.
The screen only showed the first paragraph at first. Later for some reason it jumped around and gave me the rest of the family ect. So the morsel turned into a feast.

How did you go in the cup? My profound beauty was not so profound!

From Sunny but cool Melb, Hawk

Kate

Bet on the right trainer but the wrong horse. So I did $8. I wanted to see the female jockey win, but she rode a very respectable race. So my horses came 6th and 7th. When are these Irish Jockeys going to learn that you can't lead early in the race. You have to get into a good position and then go for it at about the 1000m mark.

I was a strapper years ago in Brisbane and there were not any real female jockeys back then. They wanted me to become a jockey but in those days the pay was too low and the risks too great. Used to have great fun on a Saturday eating cream cakes and everything else and not putting on an ounce while the jokeys were fasting and going to the sauna to get their weight down. Ironically my last name is Cummings, have not found a family link to Bart yet though.

I will have some more information on Mountstephens though. Still looking as they are in my tree too remember. There are probate records at the State Archives for Richard and Richard Ernest also. Now have their full date of death.

Richard E b 22 July 1837 Cornwall died 9 December 1886 Sydney and his son Richard Ernest b 1873 Paddington died 10 October 1928 Waverley.

Also found other siblings for William and Richard.

John b 22 August 1820 Saint Sidwell Exeter Devon England
James b 23 September 1821 Okehampton Devon England
Annah Maria b 3 October 1824 Cuby with Tregony Cornwall England
Eliza Louisa b 10 May 1827 Cuby with Tregony Cornwall England
John Palridge b 1832 Cuby with Tregony Cornwall England

Richard E wife Johanna Susan Ellery b 19 July 1837 St Mawgan-In-Pydar Cornwall d 1912 Waverley parents Peter Ellery and Susanna Husband Poyner plus I have their parents and other children. It is highly likely that the Ellery's knew the Mountstephens in Cornwall before they emigrated.

It will probably be easier if I send you the information in a family file when I have finished it.

Hawks

Kate,
Thats fine send it as you are able. I have another email address I happy to give out that you might want to send it to. [rmbhart@gmail.com]
I made a note of all of your info and will put it into a family group sheet.

Yes for a short will I did think the early leaders actions were a odd. Then forgot about them and went on with the race. It was a great finish. I wish they all were as exciting. Yes the lady jock was great I was happy to see her there. And the Aussies did well to win it.
The weather didn't let Melbourne down either.

Best wishes, Hawk.