James Wright Goward
James Wright Goward was born in Welbourn, England in 1830.
The Welbourn Parish Council website records
The abundant records of the 19th century show Welbourn at a peak of agricultural development: a community largely composed of farmers and agricultural labourers supporting a wide range of rural crafts and service trades. There was also a period of rapid population growth, between 1801 and 1861 the number of people living in the village increased from 360 to 664.
According to the International Genealogical Index, there is a James Goward, the son of William and Ann (which matches the shipping records) who born on March 10, 1829 at Welbourn, Norfolk. According to this record, he was baptised on May 31, 1829. In all likelihood, this is a correct record for the birth of James, though you can never be totally confident about this stuff.
According to the Shipping Records, James was born in Welbourn, Norfolk England, the son of William and Annie (who were dead); while Mary Ann was born in the nearby village of Wicklewood, the daughter of James and Elizabeth. The shipping records contradict themselves in one major respect: James records his father in law was already living in the colony, while Mary Ann records her parents were still living at Wicklewood.
On March 10, 1851, he married Mary Ann Denny.
Mary Ann Denny
Mary Ann Denny, who was baptised at Wicklewood, Norfolk England, was the daughter of James Dennis and Elizabeth Guymer.
In 1845 Wicklewood parish had 775 inhabitants, a grand total which included 137 unfortunates in the workhouse. Among the village trades at the time were smiths, bricklayers, shoemakers, shopkeepers, straw hat makers, beer-sellers, and a number of farmers. The only pub listed in 1845 was the Wild Man, setback from the Lower High Street.
Mary’s family lived at Wicklewood throughout the period, though the name of her parent’s James and Elizabeth varied 1841 (Denny), 1851 (Denney) and 1861 (Dennis) on the census listings.
Travel to Australia
Along with their two young sons, James and Thomas they came to Australia as “Assisted Immigrants”. Travelling on the Anglo Saxon they arrived in Sydney on October 24, 1854. According to these records, they were Church of England, and neither James nor Mary Ann could read or write.
Goward Shipping Record #1 
Goward Shipping Record #2
The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 – 1893) Wed 25 Oct 1854, reported the following…
The Anglo Saxon is a new ship, now on her first voyage, and would no doubt have made a first rate passagebut for the light and contrary winds she has hadsince crossing the line. She made the passage from Southampton to the line in 42 days. The emigrants bythis vessel are classed as follows, 62 married couples,49 single women, 67 single men, and 96 children. Sevendeaths and five births (3 stillborn), have occurred duringthe passage. – Oct 23.
The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954) Mon 23 Oct 1854 Page 4 reported the following.
October 21.-Anglo Saxon, ship, 765 tons, Captain J. G. Chap-man, from Southampton July 11. Passengers-Lieutenant Jones, Messrs. E. C. Sweeney, Minden, Dr. Grover, Surgeon Superinten-dent, and 331 Government emigrants. Constable, Bushell, and Co. agents.
They also came with several others from that area to Australia, arriving in Sydney in October 1854.
He, with his shipmates, Mr C. Turner and Mr Charles Meaker arrived at Merimbula in November 1854. James Goward was then engaged to Mr James Manning on the Kameruka Estate. In those days cereals were largely cultivated in the district, and in 1854 Mr Goward won the thirty Guinea cup for the best sample of English malt barley. Shortly after this Mr Goward selected near Wolumla and gradually acquired considerable property, where he built a substantial homestead
Life around Bega, NSW
Although the marriage record for his daughter Mary Ann, records the family living at Lithgow Flat in 1870, the Greville’s Directory of 1872 identifies James as a farmer living at Big Flat, Wolumla. Although unconfirmed, it seems likely this is the same place, but being known differently.
The Sydney Morning Herald of Saturday 26 November 1870, page 7 notes James was appointed to the board of the Wolumla South School Board.
Death of Mary Ann
Mary Ann Goward died August 18, 1891 (3431/1891). The death notice, incidentally, states her parents were James and Petsy.
Erected to the memory of
Mary Ann Goward
who departed this life 18th of August 1891. Aged 61 years
Dearest mother thou hast left life
Thou dost dwell with angels now
And a wreath of glory priceless
Sparkles on thy shiny brow
After the decease of his wife Mr Goward married the widow of the late Mr Hopkinson, of the Occidental Hotel, Bega. Latterly they ran the Club Hotel and conducted a good business.
Remarriage and death of James Wright Goward
James married Eliza Hopkinson in 1895 (4674/1895).
Together, they ran the Club Hotel, which is described thus:
The Club Hotel was a two storied wooden building on the corner of Carp and Church Streets built in the late 1800’s. It was often referred to as the Rose Hotel as it had a prolific rose climbing up the side of the building. The Club was first operated by the McNamara family changing hands a number of times afterwards. In 1887 a fire started in the hotel stables which was extinguished by a bucket brigade after Edward Brown raised the alarm by ringing the Bell of St. Johns (Anglican Church) at theother end of Church St. The Hotel closed on Friday 10th September 1909 and the building housed a drapery run by Rodd and Cheg until the Depression. It was subsequently remodeled and operated as the Neon Cafe for many years. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s the building was further remodeled to the building that exists today.
James’ death (755/1900) was announced in “The Bega Standard” of Friday, January 19, 1900.
“Mr J. W. Goward, one of the oldest identities of the district passed away after much suffering at 6am on Thursday. The funeral procession will leave his late residence, Club Hotel, Bega for the wolumla Cemetery at 11 o’clock today”.
An obituary, published in “The Bega Standard” gives a further account of their lives in Australia…
“Mr J. W Goward, whose death was announced in the last issue, was one of the oldest pioneers of the district. Born in Welbourne, England in the year 1830 and educated in that town, he, with several others came to this district from the old land, arriving in Sydney in October 1854. He, with his shipmates, Mr C. Turner and Mr Charles Meaker arrived at Merimbula in November 1854. Mr Goward was then engaged to Mr James Manning on the Kameruka Estate. In those days cereals were largely cultivated in the district, and in 1854 Mr Goward won the thirty Guinea cup for the best sample of English malt barley. Shortly after this Mr Goward selected near Wolumla and gradually acquired considerable property, where he built a substantial homestead and resided until nearly four years ago. After the decease of his wife Mr Goward married the widow of the late Mr Hopkinson, of the Occidental Hotel, Bega. Latterly they ran the Club Hotel and conducted a good business. Mr Goward, than whom there was no one better known in the district was the true type of the honest straightforward Englishman. His mates of the oldest time admitted his pluck and perseverance and not one of them but mourn his loss, and in his death they cannot but feel that another true man is laid low. To his numerous family, and the widow left to mourn her loss, sympathy is extended. The funeral took place on Friday and as the numerous courtege neared Wolumla many joined the procession, which took place in the Wolumla Cemetery. Numerous wreaths were forwarded and placed on the coffin, while letters and telegrams of sympathy were received from all parts of the colony.
James was buried with Mary Ann in the Wolumla Cemetery…
Also her beloved husband
James Wright Goward
Died 18th of January 1900.
Aged 69 years
Pure and sinless was thy lifetime
Christ has died to set thee free
Wait a little dearest father
And we soon shall follow thee
Children
* James Wright was born February 6 and baptised at Wicklewood on February 29, 1852. He married Lucy Willis in 1871 (1688/1871). He died at Eden in 1925 (14467/1925)
* Thomas was born July 14 and baptised at Wicklewood on August 7, 1853.
* Mary Ann was born in 1855/0 (V1855811 159). Aged 15, she fell pregnant to and married Peter O’Brien. At the time of their marriage, on October 2, 1870 (Reference: 1870/2194), Peter was a “Labourer” at Tantawangalo, while Mary Ann was a “Dairy Maid” at Lithgow Flat. After a three-year ilnness with Chronic Congestive Heart Disease (Mitral Insufficiency), Mary Ann died, aged 77, on September 22, 1932 at Orchard Farm, Candelo. She was buried the same day in the Church of England section at Wolumla Cemetery. Her death was reported in the “Bega District News” on September 29, 1932 (13543/1932).
* John was born in 1857 (V1857844 159). He married Mary Taylor at Bega in 1884 (4626/1884). He died at Candelo in 1895 (1017/1895).
* Robert was born in 1859 (1859/7180). He married Elizabeth Perry at Bega in 1886 (4934/1886). He died at Eden in 1922 (7014/1922)
* Ann Maria was born at Eden in 1860 (1860/6830). She married Henry Webb at Bega in 1880 (2700/1880).
* Sarah A was born in 1863 (1863/7521). She married John Johnson at Bega in 1880 (2693/1880).
* William was born in 1867 (1867/8963).
* Charles was born in 1868 (1868/9002). He married Charlotte E Barber at Candelo in 1895 (4804/1895). He died in 1926 (3079/1926).
* Elizabeth was born in (1870/9294).
* George Henry was born at Bega January 4 1872 (1872/6802) and (1872/9002). He married Eliza Went at Candelo in 1893 (2823/1893). He died September 22 1918 at Wolumla (13428/1918)
Sharing Around: Please feel free to copy any of the information on this page which may help you in your own research. My feeling is that family research is hard enough, without the need to constantly re-invent the wheel. It would be great, however, if you’d leave a comment below just to say “hi”.
Leave a Reply