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Archiver > INDIA > 1998-09 > 0904964342


From: <>
Subject: Unidentified subject!
Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 12:59:02 +1000


Hi Everyone
I am a new subscriber. My great great Grandfather, Samuel Josiah Williams
arrived in Australia on the "Palmyra" on 8 November 1854 from India. At
the time he was 13 years old and his parents, James & Elizabeth were dead
(according to the shipping records). His religion was Church of England,
he was educated and could read and write and had no relatives in the colony
and was in good bodily health.

The "Palmyra" had a ship load of Eurasian Immigrants from India, embarked
under the sponsorship of the East India Emmigration Society of Madras.
Samuel was the youngest however there were 3 x 14 yr olds and 9x15 yr olds.
Of the ninety five single males, 44 were 18 and under and of these 28 had
both parents or father dead.

Samuel's father (James Williams) was in the 55th Regiment of Foot. He was
a Lance Corporal when he married a Widow by the name of Hannah Williams on
20 February 1833.

I have birth certificates for 3 children
Jas Henry born Bellany 11 August 1836 according to the Fifty Fifth Regiment
of Foot - Registry of Baptisms. James was then a Corporal.

Harriot born Secunderabad on 1 April 1838. James then a Sergeant.

Samuel Josiah born Fort Williams 31 January 1841. Father still a Sergeant.
His Mother is shown as Hannah (not Elizabeth as mentioned in the shipping
records when he came to Australia)

Questions:
Photographs I have of Samuel Josiah Williams show him to be black. I
wonder if his Mother's surname was really Williams or whether she had been
married to a Williams beforehand.

Does anyone know the story or background of the shipload of Eurasian
Immigrants that arrived in Australia in 1854.

I have been unable to find out anything about his family i.e. Parents,
brother or sister.

Christine Gavin

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