Thread: John Bishop of Priddy, Somerset

Hello All, I am researching John Bishop, who emigrated to Tasmania on the 'Australasia' in 1855. He was born in Priddy, Somerset circa 1824. His parents were James and Susannah Bishop of Priddy. He married Hariett Jane Ricketts on 22 June 1855 in Fingal Tasmania. Harriett Bishop took her own life in 1861, upon the tragic death of her 5 year old son, just after childbirth of their fourth child. One can only think it was post natal depression.

Harriett Bishop, Christened 18 Jan 1829 at Chippenham, Wiltshire, England, emigrated to Melbourne Victoria in as an indentured servant to a Doctor, but ran away to Tasmania upon arrival in Melbourne, to join John Bishop.

John Bishop is listed in the 1841 census for Priddy, but I am unable to locate him in the 1851 census. I am looking for any details on his movements after he left Priddy and departed for Tasmania. I am particularly interested to understand where John and Harriett met, as they seem to have had a plan to emigrate and meet in Tasmania, despite their separate means to get there.

Any information or advice would be welcome.

regards
Warren

Hi Warren

Welcome to Ancestry Aid.

Although the ages of mum, dad and brother James are a little out from the 1841 Census, I think that this looks like a good match for the family in 1851.

Name: John Bishop
Age: 27
Estimated birth year: abt 1824
Relation: Son
Father's name: James Bishop
Mother's name: Susan Bishop
Gender: M (Male)
Where born: Priddy, Somerset, England
Civil Parish: Priddy
County/Island: Somerset
Registration district: Wells
Sub-registration district: Wells

Household Members:
Name, Age

James Bishop, 64
Susan Bishop, 58
John Bishop, 27
James Bishop, 18
William Eard, 64 – Lodger

Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1934; Folio: 63; Page: 5

On looking for a possible link to explain how John and Harriet met :-

Harriet’s parents were Charles and Sarah. Her father was a Mason and upon his death on 10 June 1863 the England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (index of Wills and Administrations) ref:-

Name: Charles Ricketts
Probate Date: 2 Jul 1863
Death Date: 10 Jun 1863
Death Place: Wiltshire, England
Registry: Principal Registry

reads

“………….proved at the Principal Registry by the oaths of Sarah Ricketts of Chippenham aforesaid Widow the Relict, William Ricketts of Chippenham the Son and William Crook of Charterhouse Hinton in the County of Somerset Mason the Executors”

It would appear that Harriet’s sister Matilda married a William Crook in Chippenham in 1848

Name: William Crook
Year of Registration: 1848
Quarter of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep
District: Chippenham
County: Wiltshire
Volume: 8 Page: 460

and can be found in the 1851 Census living in Somerset, about 20 miles away from Priddy


Name: Matilda Crook
Age: 26
Estimated birth year: abt 1825
Relation: Wife
Spouse's name: William Crook
Gender: F (Female)
Where born: Chippenton, (Transcript error:- Original shows Chippenham)Wiltshire,
Civil Parish: Charterhouse Hinton
County/Island: Somerset
Registration district: Bath
Sub-registration district: Twerton

Household Members:
Name, Age
William Crook, 26
Matilda Crook, 26
George Crook, 1

Maybe Harriet met John during a visit to her sister??

Thank you for your insight into my questions. Upon review, you are right about the 1841 and 1851 Census. But, a great big thank you for opening up a new avenue for research on Harriett.

Harriett's tale was a tragic one, having moved to Tasmania to join John, marrying, then weeks after the birth of their fourth child, the first passed away of Mesenteric Disease, with her taking her own life. Her Husband John was a miner and was away with work, only finding out later that he now has three children to raise by himself, one only weeks old. In 1861, that would have been very difficult without considerable resources.

Regards
Warren

Hi Warren - Happy New Year

You are very welcome – what a sad and tragic story.

I wondered if you had seen this newspaper notice from 1864 at Newspaper Article

The transcript is pretty poor so recommend that you refer to the original.

This would suggest that the couple may have spent some time in Wickliffe Victoria – the family in England may also have been unaware of Harriet’s passing, some 3 years earlier.

If you would like any further help please just let us know.