Person:William Humphries (7)

1796 - According to William's death certificate, he was born in Shropshire in 1796 and his parents were William Humphries and Louisa Lawley. However, other evidence indicates their names were John and Amy. There is a record on the IGI of a William Humphreys born to John and Amy in 1796 in Shropshire. It seems likely this is him. There is also a marriage record for Amy Lawley and John Humphreys.

1819 - William may have been transported on "Dromedary" for 7 years for robbery of 19 pounds and 1 shilling (Convict number 164). Dromedary sailed from England on 11 September 1819 and took 121 days to reach Hobart on 10 January 1820. 370 male convicts embarked and 347 disembarked at Hobart and 22 at Sydney. However, the record for this convict is marked "executed" so it is likely it is not him.

1826 - Convict William Humphries was pardoned on 17 October 1826. On 17 October 1826, while "free by servitude", a William Humphries was fined five shillings for being "drunk and disorderly last night" - apparently celebrating his pardon!

1832-33 - William apparently married Louisa in VDL in 1832 or 1833, but records have not been found.

1837 - William went to work in Melbourne in 1837 at the request of John Pascoe Fawkner, and Louisa and their two children followed a couple of months later. (See notes for Louisa Arpin.) William set up a brick making business there. According to "The History of the Shire of Romsey", p 150, William Humphries built Melbourne's first brick building for Fawkner.

1838 - William HUMPHREY is listed in the March 1838 Cenusus for the Town of Melbourne. He is residing at Bourke St with a total of 3 males and 3 females in the household. There are no bond or free servants. (Historical Records of Victoria, p428.)

1838, September 30 - An entry in the diary of Rev. William Waterfield, the first Independent (Congregational) minister in Melbourne, records: "Sabbath. This morning I had a very excellent congregation. I preached from Ps. 4.3. Had much liberty and hoped much good was done. I then baptised three children: William Ackerly Robins born 13th instant, son of Thomas and Elizabeth; William Wilson born 25th July, son of John and Catherine; Louisa Humphreys born 7th September, daughter of William and Louisa. May the spirit of the Lord regenerate their hearts...." (Reproduced in Historical Record of Victoria: Vol. 3, p544.) At this time the Independent (Congregational) Church had not yet been built and Waterfield preached either in a room at John Pascoe Fawkner's hotel or John Gardiner's (the first overlander to Melbourne) house.

1840 - Bricklayer. (baptisms)

1841- There is a William HUMPHRIES listed at Melbourne on the 1841 census: Humphries William, Township Melbourne, County Bourke, District Port Phillip, Item ID: [X949], Page number: 129, Reel: 2222.

1837-49 - William and his family stayed at this brickmaking works, which fronted Flinders St, from September 1837 to July 1839 and then moved the business to Batmans Swamp (Michael Cannon, "Old Melbourne Town", p 164). They then moved from Batmans Swamp to Flemington at the end of 1849 after a large flood destroyed the works.

1851-59 - When the gold rushes started, William went to Ballarat to try his luck, but was not particularly successful according to his wife. Upon his return in 1858 the family moved to Bolinda where they established a farm.

1858 - The following notice appeared in the Argus newspaper, Melbourne on 13 Aug: FOR SALE, HOUSE, two acres of Ground, well stocked with fruit-trees, vines. Frontage to two Government roads, within three minutes' walk of the new cattle-yards, and near the residence of John Rankin, Esq. Securely fenced. Crown grant. Apply to William Humphries, Flemington.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 IGI.
2. ↑ Vic Death Reg. No. 13088/1882.