Good afternoon List,
I have been searching for information, for what seems eons, with regards the whereabouts of my g g grandparents Thomas Richards and Mary Nugent between the years 1835 and 1841. Although only six years it is proving to be the most elusive of their lives.
From 1810, apart from the times spent in prison, until 1835, Thomas lived, played and eventually worked in and around the George Street / Brickfield Hill areas of Sydney. Mary did likewise with the exception of spending time in prison, from her birth in 1818 until circa 1835.
Although not having been able to locate a marriage registration for this particular couple, one has been found for a Thomas REGENT and Mary NUGENT in 1835 in the Parish of St. James in the County of Cumberland. The officiating clergy was Richard Hill.
It would appear that this is the first sighting of Thomas REGENT and the last. There have been no births registered, no deaths registered, no children born and no convict entering the Colony under this name between the years 1800 and 1900. The name Mary REGENT also doesn't exist.
I have taken this to be the marriage of my g g grandparents simply because I can find no other evidence to either confirm or deny.
There seems to be no more information recorded about the next six years until they appear in 1841 at COURABYRA Nsw in time for the birth of their first child Mary Anne. The family ultimately settle on a " run " called O'Possum Point Station ( aka Yellow Boy ) near TOOMA Nsw and are here for the next 50 odd years until the property is sold.
I have checked the NLA Australian Newspapers on-line and although Thomas is mentioned on a number of occassions no more is recorded after 1833 after he received an 18 month sentence for attempted abduction. He appears in the NSW Gazettes as having taken up the " run " in the Murrumbidgee district and also receiving a depasture license ( the property is actually in the Upper Murray region of NSW ). No more is recorded except for his death in the SMH in October 1850.
There are only two Thomas Richards recorded on the 1841 census but he is neither of these. I'm sure that Thomas and the family have been recorded but as it is only the head of the house and or the name of the proprietor that is recorded it is impossible to track them down though the census.
Any suggestions about his / her whereabouts during this time would be appreciated.
Arnie