Thread: William Thomas Fairburn arrived in New Zealand in 1819

My gt-gt-grandfather lay missionary William Thomas Fairburn arrived in New Zealand in 1819. WTF, who was the son of a John Fairburn, shipwright, was born in Deptford in 1795, died here in NZ in 1859. Is WTF related to another John Fairburn, a well-known late 18th century/19th century London printer?

WTF’s brothers were John, Richard, sisters Grace, Elizabeth, Esther. (WTF’s children born in NZ named Richard, John, Edwin, Elizabeth and Esther).

WTF’s father, John Fairburn, born Pannal, nr Harrogate, 1749 or 1750. Married Anne Arrowsmith in Durham 8 Jun 1773. Became a shipwright in Deptford. Died c.1835 in NZ. John Fairburn’s father, Richard Fairburn, born 1708 or 1709? Married Martha Slater, 24 May 1730, Pannal. Married second wife Grace Slater 17 March 1749, Pannal.

Record of death for Ann Fairburn from the Register of Births, baptisms at the High Street Independent chapel (formerly Butt lane Meeting House) in St Pauls Deptford, Kent from 1754 to 1837, with a register of burials from 1785 to 1832 - burial on 13 May 1813, place of abode, Bottorn, Deptford, Kent.

Richard Fairburn’s will relating to Lead Hall Farm in Pannal, Harrogate, can be found on the internet. He was a farmer.


Now for the John Fairburns of London, printers.

Note: John Fairburns listed in 1841 census:

FAIRBURN, Jno, 1811, 30, M London, East Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1827, 14, M, Edmonton, Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1791, 50, M, Islington, Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1816, 25, M, Kensington, Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1771, 70, M, Strand, Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1811, 30, M, Strand, Middlesex
FAIRBURN, John, 1834, 7, M, Strand, Middlesex


1. John Fairburn, printer (1)

There seem to be three generations of John Fairburns who are London printers: the first John Fairburn (1) who was printing and making maps in London from about 1790, his son John Fairburn (2) who seems to have taken over from him in about 1814 (?), and John Fairburn (2)’s son John Butler Fairburn who was born in 1811 and died in 1843.

The London printer John Fairburns have a fascinating history, (some information on the internet) over about 80 years in the London print trade – maps, jigsaws and chapbooks.

Could this John Fairburn have had his origins in the Harrogate area and be a cousin of the shipwright John Fairburn?

Some family tree information:


2. John Fairburn (2?)

John Fairburn married Elizabeth Mitchell on 15 Sep 1807 at Westminster, St Martin in the Fields.

There may be two London John Fairburns each married to an Elizabeth in the following list: The following are children of John Fairburn and wife Elizabeth, chr at St Botolph Without Aldgate :-George - 27 Mar 1799, Harriot- 19 Aug 1801, Harriot Amelia- 17 Aug 1803 (child of John and Elizabeth Mary); John Butler- 10 Feb 1811, Samuel -26 Dec 1813 Ann Butler- 22 Feb 1816, Elizabeth Lawrence 27 Aug 1820

The last three of above we know belong to ‘our’ John and Elizabeth, and we know John who later married Susannah is their father as they are mentioned in his will. The question is, did he have another wife named Elizabeth before E Mitchell, or do we have two Johns and two Elizabeths?

‘Our’ John Fairburn 1841 Census (50) was living at Bedford Terrace, St Mary Islington, with wife Susannah (35)and dau, Ann (20) dau. Elizabeth (20) dau. Susan (9) Edward Abel (7), Henry Abel (4) Ellen Abel (2) William Lawrence (1 month) Because the ages were scaled back in 1841, John could have been as old as 54, and about 27 when son Samuel was born. So this John Fairburn would have been born about 1786, which makes him John Fairburn printer (2). It is this John Fairburn who lived and worked in London for many decades, and married more than once and had children when older? It seems that his son John Butler Fairburn died relatively young in the early 1840s.

It would appear the Susannah was not John’s (but which John?) first wife. Even allowing a few years more for her age of 35 in 1841, she is still too young to be Samuel’s mother. A birth for a Samuel on the IGI shows he was born 2 Dec 1813 and Chr. 26 Dec 1813 at St Botolph Without Aldgate London. His mother was Elizabeth Fairburn, father John.

The second wife of John Fairburn (2) was Susannah Thomas born 12 Dec 1804 at Bishops Frome in Hereford, and her parents were Abel and Mary Thomas.

Will of Susannah, 21st Feb 1878 late of 12 Bedford Terrace, Upper Holloway, Middx, widow, died 30 Jan 1878 (at home), son Edward Abel Fairburn, of 5 Harcombe Rd, Stoke Newington, commercial clerk.

Susannah 73 -died at Islington in Mar Q 1878

William Lawrence Fairburn in the census for 1871,81,91. He was married between 71-81, to Elizabeth? But they do not appear to have had any children. He was a railway booking clerk living at 7 South Weston Terrace, at Yeovil in Somerset. He died 21st November 1891 (wife Elizabeth), and left a will.

The Fairburn daughters are just listed as “ditto” under the father’s name, and the Abels likewise under Edward, but they are most likely grandchildren? It looks as if Susan was Susannah’s dau.

In the 1841 Census living at Tavistock Terrace Samuel Fairnurn’s age is given as 25 and Mary as 20, (ages are scaled down in the 1841 census). Samuel’s occupation is print colorer. They have 2 children, Mary (4) and Charles (2). A couple of houses along is Henry Abel (9), also a print colorer. They started work young in those days! In the next house is George Berry (55) book binder, so I think I am in the right place.

Tavistock Terrace follows Bedford Terrace.


In 1861 Census, Samuel Fairburn (45) is living at 15 Red Cross St Cripplegate, occ. Artist colorer, with Mary Ann (43) needlewoman, and children Charles B, (21) saddler; Eliza (16) Samuel (13) errand boy, and John W (4)

!871 Census Samuel is living at 106 Central St in Parish Of St Luke, Middlesex, aged 57, occ. Book clerk.(It looks like Dock clerk, but that does not make sense)Mary Ann (53) Samuel, unm. son (24) lithographic printer, John W (14)scholar, Chas, (7) grandson.

Could not find Samuel snr in 1881



(3) John Butler Fairburn

John Butler Fairburn in the 1841 census, listed under Jno Fairburn, 30, Bookseller, Minories , St Botolph Without Aldgate. His wife Sarah Ann 30, is just listed as Sarah. They have one daughter, Ann 5.

A John Fairburn married Mary Ann Mitchell 24 Apr 1836 at St Giles Cripplegate.

A John Butler Fairburn married Sarah Ann(?) and had John William 1838, Elizabeth 1839, Alfred Butler 1841, and Alice 1843.

From the Deaths register a John Butler Fairburn (no age given) died at Whitechapel in June Q 1843 (or 1841?), which explains his omission from John Fairburn’s will of 1852.

Were there two Ann Butler Fairburns? One born in 1816, and one who married in 1851.

Ann Butler Fairburn m Charles Lawrence 13 Dec 1821- St Giles Cripplegate. Perhaps Charles died and she remarried John O’Connor in Dec quarter 1851.

Anne Sarah Fairburn died at Islington in the Sep Q 1852.

Anne Butler O’Connor died Sep Q 1860.

What an interesting family, I have several trees on the go for various members of your family and I am hoping for a breakthrough this side of Christmas.

Can I just ask you did all the family travel to New Zealand in 1819 after the death of Ann (Arrowsmith)

I have found a baptism record for William Thomas but nothing for his siblings.

Bye for now

Sorry forgot a bit, there are three Ann Butler Fairburns

Baptisms

Born 3 Dec 1785 - Baptised 22 Jan 1786 - St Dunstan - John and Elizabeth - abode Crane Court
Baptised 22 Dec 1816 - St Botolph - John and Elizabeth -Book Seller - abode Fountain Court
Born 8 Feb 1842 - baptised 4 June 1843 - St Botolph - Samuel and Mary Ann - Syationer - abode Minories
* on the same page Alice youngest daughter of John (1811) baptised same day, John, Stationer abode Minories.

quote
From the Deaths register a John Butler Fairburn (no age given) died at Whitechapel in June Q 1843 (or 1841?), which explains his omission from John Fairburn’s will of 1852.

Highgate Cemetery - Burial - John Butler Fairburn - 28 April 1843 aged 32.

I have been playing around with your Ann Butler FAIRBURNS, some of the information I am sure you will have already and some I have already posted.


Ann Butler FAIRBORNE
Daughter of John and Elizabeth FAIRBORNE was born 3 Dec 1785 in Crane Court; she was christened 22 Jan 1786, at St Dunstan in the West.

Ann a spinster married Charles LAWRENCE a bachelor on 13 Dec 1821, St Giles without Cripplegate, in the presence of John FAIRBURN and James MARLOW.

I can find no children for Ann and Charles.

1841
HO107 Piece 719 Book 2. All Hallows Barking, Middlesex – ED 1 – F 20 – P 33 – L 8
Charles LAWRENCE - 50 – Custom House Agent
Ann LAWRENCE – 50
Frances Pogran – 20 – Female Servant
Abode Tower Hill

1851
HO107 P – 1531 F – 150 P – 25. All Hallows Barking, Middlesex.
Charles LAWRENCE -62 – Custom House Agent
Ann B LAWRENCE – 65
Mary Ann FAIRBURN – 14 – niece – scholar
Elizabeth FAIRBURN – 11 – niece – scholar
All born in London
Abode 27 Trinity Square.

1861
RG9 P – 226 F – 30 P – 58. All Hallows Barking, Middlesex.
Charles LAWRENCE – 74 – Late Customs House Agent. Born West Smithfield Middlesex.
Ann B LAWRENCE – 76 - Born City of London
Mary Ann FAIRBURN – 24 –Niece. Born City of London
Ann B FAIRBURN – 18- Niece Born. Upper Holloway, Middlesex
Emma F FAIRBURN – 10 – Niece. Born Middlesex, Upper Holloway
Charles BEEREMAN – 36 – Visitor, gentleman, Bruges Belgium.
Abode 27 Trinity Square.

Information on the nieces, I can’t decide whether Ann B is their Aunt or Great Aunt, more likely Great Aunt I think.

Mary Anne FAIRBURN
Baptised St Dunstan in the West. March 24 1837
Parents Samuel and Mary Ann (Bookseller)
40 Fetter Lane

Elizabeth FAIRBURN
Born 11 July 1839, baptised 25 Aug 1839 St. Botolph without Aldgate
Parents John Butler and Sarah Ann ( Bookseller)
33 Great Alie (Alice?) st.

Ann Butler FAIRBURN
Born 8 Feb 1842, Baptised 4 Jun 1843 St. Botolph without Aldgate
Parents Samuel and Mary Ann (Stationer)
Minories.

Emma Fanny FAIRBURN
Baptised 29 Dec 1850 Islington Holloway
Parents Samuel and Mary Ann ( Bookseller)
Tavistock Terrace Holloway.

1871
RG10 P- 846 F – 34 P – 61
Ann is an inmate in East Croydon, Masonic Asylum, Freemason’s Road. Descibed as ‘asylum of worthy, aged and decayed freemasons.’
Ann Butler LAWRENCE – widow – 85 – born London

Croydon..jpg



Ann died Sep 1871 aged 86 Croydon 2a 132

Hope some of this helps, though I am no nearer matching your printers to the shipping folk.

Hello Dinah, a bit more info for you.


Ann Butler FAIRBURN – 2
Ann was baptised 22 Dec 1816 - St. Botolph without Aldgate - parents John (bookseller) and Elizabeth. Abode Fountain court.


1851
HO107 P – 1500 F – 555 P – 22
She is living with her father John and his second wife Susanna at 12 Bedford Terrace, she is a teacher of music.


I think you have this census entry already but let me know if not and I will type it out in full.

Ann married John O’CONNOR full aged bachelor of Lambeth on 30 Dec 1851 described as a gent. Upper Holloway Islington St. John. John’s father Francis Thomas no occupation listed. Ann’s father John, no occupation listed. Witnesses were John Fairburn, Ellen Fairburn and Edward A Fairburn.


They had 2 sons
Francis baptised 28 Jan 1853 at Lambeth St. Mary, abode 33 Canterbury Place
John born 12 Jun 1854, baptised 27 Aug 1854 Nottinghill, St. Mark, abode 19 Chapel Street
John’s occupation on both is artist.


Ann Butler (FAIRBURN) O’CONNOR died Sept 1860 Marylebone 1a 309


1861
RG9 P – 89 F – 86 P – 21
6 Waverley Place Marylebone St. John
John O’CONNOR - 30 - wid - Scenic Artist - born Ireland
William STRATFORD ? – 18 – cousin – student
Eleanor Dane – 76 – wid – Housekeeper


I think his son John may have been lodging with Thomas MUST at the National School House Marylebone – RG9 P – 87 F – 6 P – 12/13, Francis is living with grandma Susanna RG9 P - 137 F - 39 P - 7.


9 Jan 1862 John married Ellen FAIRBURN (sister of Ann and a witness at their wedding) he is a widower – Artist living at 6 Waverley Place St. John’s Wood – father Francis a COMEDIAN

She is living at 12 Bedford Terrace Holloway, father John a publisher. Witnesses were Henry C FAIRBURN and Amelia O’CONNOR.


1871
RG10 P – 187 F – 10 P – 12
6 Waverley Place
John O’CONNOR – 40 – Artist Painter
Ellen O’CONNOR - 31
Francis O’CONNOR – 18 – Architects pupil
John O’CONNOR – 16- Wine Merchants Clerk
Henry O’CONNOR 8 - Scholar
Joseph W O’CONNOR – 6 - Scholar
Frances S BARKER – 14 Nursemaid
Hannah DONOVAN – 27 General Servant

It was at this point I thought they sounded quite well to do so I had a quick google and found this, nice to know I got it right. Click on link below.


John O'Connor (painter) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Enjoy.