Hermann Christoph Wilkens --Germany to Australia

Notes

9. John Henry Gustave Wilkins

Born 6th July 1833 in Hambug Germany As per death Certificate
Christened 18 Aug 1833 in Lutherin Church in Hambug Record # 275 was obtained by Geoffrey Wilkins of Benalla Vic. [Photo]

He must have arrived in Williamstown Victoria Australia around 1852 though have been unable to establish exactly when & how. This was the time of the Victorian gold rush which started in 1851, there were about 400 ships standed in Port Phillip Bay due to crews deserting to go gold propecting.[Photo of what Williamstown Gem Pier was like then]

It is assumed that he was a crew member of one of them, possibly an officer as within 4 years he was in patnership of a boat.( See below )

Book by William H Elsum 1934 States in 1874 partners Buchanan & Wilkins.in a boat
plying between Williamstown & Melbourne [Photo] Note Elsum names hime as HARRY WILKINS.

In 1858 listed in Rate Books as renting a 2R T Dw ownwed by G Brownrigg off Russell Place.
In 1864 John Henry purchased a T Dw in Russell Place Williamstown.

In 1871 Rate Books Own/Occ 4 Rm T Dw Russell Place.He Lived in # 3 and owned #'16,20 &30 Russell Place at time of death.

.

Died 24th feb 1882 as result of accident aboard his boat Clyde .
Re the accident, He had towed the "Albert" which was a trader plying between Melbourne & Tasmania and was returning to Gem pier when the funnel of the Clyde struck the bow spit of the schooner "Result" *causing it to fall onto John Henry. He was taken ashore to the local doctors, he passed away there. Copies of Inquest and Probate which was not completed until his wife passed away in 1895 .* The Result was lost in Coles channel in Port Phillip nr Swan island in 1916.

He is buried in Williamstown Cemetery C/E G 12 7 with Wife Mary & children Joseph &Wilhelmina [Photo]

After JHG's death his sons James Henry 22yrs & Peter 21yrs took on running the family business.until their mother passed away in 1895 when the business had to be sold and the resulting amount after settling of outstanding debts, divided among the living descendants and Mary Jane's husband. They each received the sum of just under 114 pounds. The estate included 4 properties, 2 horses and 2 drays, James Henry purchased the property he was living in.

 

 

Grave listing of family members buried in Williamstown cemetery can be found in the book " Buried by the Sea" a history of the Williamstown Cemetery.

The Family Bible in held in the Williamstown Historical Museum. [Photo]

 

Mary Anne Flatman

Born 8th Dec 1837 in Burg next Aylsham Norfolk England

Mary arrived in Melbourne aboard "Marie Hay" 23/7/1854 with parents, sisters
Elizabeth,Christine & her husband James Lowns. She was 17,
Vic gold listing # 13211 & 13219

Sister Christiana was born 1831 in Norfolk England. Ref Vic gold family # L11774.

 

ALSO ELIZABETH BORN 1834 IN NORFOLK ENGLAND FAMILY #L12071 VICGOLD
Mary took over the family tug boat business when her husband died in 1882 being the only women owner the port has ever had.

Died 2nd Mar 1895 Copies of Will & Probate papers held

Buried in Williamstown cemetery with husband & 2 children C/E G 12 7

2 SOUR will and probate

Mary arrived in Melbourne aboard "Marie Hay" 23/7/1854 with parents, sisters
Elizabeth,Christine & her husband James Lowns. She was 17,

11. Joseph Wilkins

Buried with his Parents in Williamstown cemetery C/E G 12 7

20. Whilemania Wilkins

Born 31st July 1879
Died 19th Jan 1895 age 16yrs & 9 Mths
Buried with parents in Williamstown cemetery C/E G 12 7 Headstone