Rockhampton

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Christopher and Catherine Wilson (nee McFall or Bunton/Bunten/Bunting) – their missing children from the family tree

Christopher Wilson married Catherine Bunting (or McFall) on 14 March 1853 at Moyntaghs-Armagh.   So far I know the rough history of the younger three of the Wilson children – Thomas, Robert and Abraham, but nothing of the older ones.  More information on the other children, especially the older ones, might assist in further tracing both Christopher’s and Catherine’s family trees.

As I’ve said in a previous post, Catherine appears to have used her step-father’s surname earlier in life, so her history is not easy to trace, without knowing about her mother’s marriage to Thomas Bunting.

According to Catherine’s death certificate, Christopher and Catherine had 8 children in total.  Who were they, and did they also emigrate?

A search for the earlier born children were not easy to find, as Ireland did not have civil records of births, deaths and marriages until 1864 (however there are records of non-Catholic marriages from 1845 onwards).  So children born earlier than this only have christening dates (as I understand).

The Children are:

William John Wilson, born approximately 1854-55; died after 1922 (still living at the time of Catherine’s death)

Christopher Wilson – born  1858-59;  died after 1922 (still living at the time of Catherine’s death)

Thomas Andrew Wilson – born 1865; died 1945

Robert Wilson – born 6 June 1866; died 1915

Edward Wilson – born 2 June 1869; Christened: 803 Lurgan No2, Armagh,  died before 1922 (deceased at the time of Catherine’s death)

Emily Wilson – born 4 November 1871; Christened: 803 Lurgan No2, Armagh, died before 1922 (deceased at the time of Catherine’s death)

Mary Wilson – born 15 Feb 1875, died before 1922,

Abraham Wilson – born 27 June 1876, in Derry-Add; died 1969.

The Children’s birth records all list Catherine’s maiden name as Bunting, except Abraham’s where the name ‘McFall’ is listed (another mystery – why the name change then?).

What happened to the Children?

We know that Thomas, Robert and Abraham moved to Australia.

There are no death records for Edward, Emily, or Mary Wilson (on the PRONI database that I could search), but it is likely they died prior to Catherine and sons departing Ireland for Australia in 1891.

According to one of Abraham’s sons, the older two brothers (William and Christopher) possibly emigrated to the United States of America.

Given William and Christopher were listed as still living at the time of Catherine’s death, possibly there was still communication between the brothers in Australia, and the brothers in the USA (if they did emigrate there).  Should the descendants of William and Christopher be looking for family history on their mother, then hopefully they know about both of Catherine’s maiden names i.e. McFall, and Bunting.

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SS Roma arrives Rockhampton, Qld, 18 Dec 1891

I recall my grandfather (Poppa) telling me that his father  (Grandpop) came from the County of Armagh to Australia in 1892.  Abraham’s obituary further stated that he arrived at Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, in 1892.

The following newspaper clippings were found via the National Library of Australia (NLA) online Newspaper archives ‘Trove’.  (www.trove.nla.gov.au)

Abraham Wilson was onboard SS Roma, travelling in steerage, London to Rockhampton.  SS Roma was apparently a cargo ship as well, therefore it stopped Rockhampton (& other ports) before arrival in Brisbane.  Abraham was travelling with his mother, Catherine, and brother Robert.

Rockhampton Newspaper Morning Bulletin Thursday 17 December 1891, page 4, under ‘Shipping’:

SS Roma pending arrival 17Dec1891

The above reads:  ’The B.I.S.N. Company’s s.s. Roma, from London via ports, is due in Port Alma on Friday.  The Roma has immigrants and 230 tons of general merchandise for this port.’

Rockhampton Newspaper Morning Bulletin Saturday 19 December 1891, page 4, under ‘Shipping arrivals’:

SSRoma19Dec1891

The above reads: ‘The B.I.S.N. Company’s s.s. Roma, from London via ports, is due in Port Alma to-day.  The Roma has immigrants and cargo for Rockhampton.  The immigrants will be brought up to town by the Ports and Rivers’ steamer Fitzroy, arriving in town about noon.

Brisbane Courier Wednesday 23 December 1891:

SS Roma Arrival 21 Dec 1891

The above reads:

December 21.- ROMA, R.M.S. 2727 tons, Captain J. Templeton, from London.  Passengers:  From London – Mr. A.M. MyIne; from Batavia- Major H.W. Perrin, Messrs W.G. Beattie, J. Clifford Smith, G.B. Forrest, and Chaleyer; from Thursday Island – Mrs. Fritzmaurice and 2 infants; from Townsville – Mr. W. A. Furgusson; and 64 immigrants.  The B.I. and Q.A. Company, Limited, agents.

I guess December 1891 is close enough to 1892 (the arrival year as told by Poppa).  I also checked the passenger lists to confirm Abraham’s arrival on this voyage.

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Abraham Wilson (Obituary) – Townsville Daily Bulletin – 1969 (date u/k)

Abraham Wilson’s obituary appeared in the Townsville (Bulletin?) on (date?)

It read:

Abraham Wilson died in Townsville on May 27 at the age of 92.  He was born in Northern Ireland in 1876 and arrived in Australia at Rockhampton in 1892, on the ship S.S. Roma.  He came to Townsville in 1901.  He lived at Oonoonba during cyclone Leonta, working in the tin shop at Ross River Meatworks.

He married Emily Jane Coleman of South Townsville, in 1908, taking up residence at Railway Estate, living there until his retirement to Pallarenda, Townsville in 1965.

Having been taught painting trade, while in Rockhampton, by a German resident there, worked as such in and around Townsville for approximately 40 years.  He was noted for his ability in paint colour mixing, signwriting, house painting, coach painting and lining of same, graining of altars in churches, gold leaf lettering and landscape paintings in oil.  Oldtimers alive to-day who knew him refer to him as one of the best in his day in his profession.

He was respected by all who knew him.  He loved band music, playing in the Wesleyan Band in Townsville, and with a circus band in Rockhampton as a side drummer.  He also played clarinet and accordion.  He was a keen fisherman for many years on and around Townsville’s Harbour breakwaters and enjoyed talking of his experiences as such.  His means of transport to and from wherever he wished to go, be it work or fishing, throughout his life in Townsville, were his legs only.  He was a non-drinker and non-smoker.

He is survived by his wife and sons Henry, Edward, William, Gordon and daughter Lillian (Mrs J. Hatton), all of Townsville.