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From: "Elizabeth Penprase" <>
Subject: Re: [PJ] re: Norfolk Isl Convicts marrying
Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2003 10:15:54 +1100
References: <001601c3a386$6de38bc0$68ef1dd3@cookey>


Hi David,
Short answer as to why people on Norfolk Island weren't legally married is
because for many years there wasn't a resident chaplain at hand to perform
the ceremony. Rev Henry Fulton (convict per Minerva) arrived Norfolk Island
in 1803.
Regarding John Blinkworth and Elizabeth Cummings/Cummins:-

Elizabeth Cummins when transported aboard the "Pitt" was in a
relationship/marriage with a man by the name of Larkin Cummins, so we don't
really know what her maiden name was. On arrival in the colony Elizabeth
marries a man by the name of Joseph Gregory, however by all appearances this
marriage didn't last long because she is having a relationship with John
Blinkworth in 1794/95, son John Edward being baptised in 1795. By the end of
1798 John Blinkworth and Elizabeth Cummins have 3 children, 2 boys and a
girl.

Circa 1800, give or take a year, John Blinkworth returns to the UK taking
with him his eldest son John Edward, leaving Elizabeth here with the 2
youngest children. John Blinkworth (and son) is then given permission to
return to Australia with David Collins' party of convicts and settlers and
returns aboard the "Ocean" as a "free settler" in 1803, arriving at Port
Phillip in October the same year. It is believed that Elizabeth Cummins and
her 2 youngest children (Robert Charles and Elizabeth Mary) travelled down
to Port Phillip aboard the "Lady Nelson", and then in January 1804 onto
Hobart VDL. Rev Robert Knopwood marry John and Elizabeth on the 31st March
1804.
John Blinkworth went on to become a superintendant and a very successful
farmer, he was residing at a place called Stainsforth Cove.
Hope the above helps to explains why it took so long for this couple to
legalise their relationship.
Regards,
Liz Penprase
Sydney
----- Original Message -----
From: "Leah Cooke" <>
To: <>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 9:20 PM
Subject: [PJ] re: Norfolk Isl Convicts marrying


> BlankHello Lesley, and other PJ Listers,
> Sorry, Lesley, I know I promised but I've been good for at least seven
days but I can't take it anymore.
> I have always wondered why a couple of convicts who had children in
Norfold Island didn't get married until their return to the mainland - in
fact they went to VDL and were married in 1804.
> I can remember reading somewhere that the convicts that originally went to
Norfolk Island were virtually hand picked by Surgeon Bowes and Lt King. The
female convicts were said to have gone there by choice and were 'promised'
the opportunity of a new family life.
> King was reported to have promised that convicts wishing to marry would be
married by surgeon Thomas Jamieson.
> The two individuals concerned were John Blinkworth and Elizabeth Mary
Cummings and one of their children eventually married a step daugther of my
ggg grandfather, James Brackenrig, and I know that they had 3 children -John
Edward bn 19/101794, Robert
> Charles bn 1797, and Elizabeth Mary bn 1798.
> Each birth was recorded at Sydney Cove.
> There are a lot of Listers out there with a vast amount of experience -
has anyone researched this sort of thing in Norfolk Island before and could
assist me as to why John and Elizabeth waited until their return to
'civilization' to be married?
> Kind regards,
> David Cooke,
> Maitland. NSW.
>
> ______________________________


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