Joseph Smart and Jane Hawkins
Parents : George
Smart and Jane Smart (Nothing more
known) Francis and Mary Hawkins (80%)
Joseph Smart (b 1808 Bristol , m Jane Hawkins 1847 St James
Sydney, d 1895 Bethanga Vic)
Jane Hawkins (b 1821 Saint Patricks York Road-Roman Catholic,
Leeds, Yorkshire, d abt 1858?)
Sarah Jane Smart
( b 1845 Sydney, m John Clarkson
Rowley 1874 Beechworth Vic, d 1928 Bethanga)
Joseph Smart Rowley (b 1875
Yackandandah Vic, m Eircell Broome
1909 Albury NSW, d 1957 Bethanga)
Jane Hawkins
Nothing definite is known about Jane before her
marriage, or after the birth of Sarah. We believe Sarah was an only
child. No death has been found for Jane, but she died when Sarah was
10, from family oral history. Did she and Sarah go to California
with her husband in 1849? . Reading Joseph Smart's obituary, he was
chasing gold all over the place from 1849 to perhaps even 1858. You
have to wonder where Jane and Sarah were.
At one stage we thought she was the child of
David Hawkins and Jane Cooling, but this appears not to be so. The
entry in the pioneer register seems to be wrong. The 1826 child is
James, not Jane (refer to death certificate, and letters (Hardcopy
only on file). Family search yeilds nothing but the incorrect entry.
FamilySearch comes up blank on her death. The death index Vic, 1854
to 65 has been searched. 4990 is not her
Update 18 Oct 2007
There is
a convict, Jane Mary Hawkins arriving on the Minstrell in 1821
(Ancestry).
Found a Jane Hawkins in the 1837 Convict Muster.
Convicted Leeds (Quarter Session) 7 January 1837 (Alias Mary
Ann Thompson). Given 7 years. Convicted with Eliza
Stephenson . Arrived on the Henry Wellesley (Barque of 404 tons,
departure Woolwich 17 July 1837 125 days via the Cape), aged 16. She
was listed in the Pardons 1842-45, but the record does not seem to
say which year Found Jane Hawkins, Female Christening: 12 Aug
1821 Saint Patricks York Road-Roman Catholic, Leeds, Yorkshire,.
Bateson's convict ships (P354 , 290) had 140 female convicts
(no males), one relanded, the rest made it to Sydney
The younger Jane looks more likely. Is this our Jane?
(1) We have two different Jane Smart deaths about the right time.
(2) She is about the right age (25) to be the Jane marrying Joseph
Smart in 1847
(3) Sarah Jane is born a year after the end of Jane's sentence in
1844.
(4) When we find her family in Leeds, they are Catholic. Her
daughter Sarah Jane was raised a Catholic in Beechworth, in spite of
her father being Protestant.
(5) Joseph Smart's obituaries never mention his wife and daughter.
Perhaps in his respectable old age, he never talked much about the
wife who had been a convict
(6) I will get the exact wording next time I am in Yackandandah, but
Joseph Smart's headstone on his grave does not mention his wife
Flimsy evidence, but the fact that she was Catholic is encouraging,
and I would put it as an 80% chance this is her
Email from Maree Woods on
Jane's Death
I have been
through my dusty records and beside certificate of Jane Smart
that died in 1857 age 41 I have cerfiicate for Jane
Smart that died 1858 aged 26...all it tells you aside from that
is
that she resided at the infirmary
and it is a record from the register of burials at St Mary,s
(Roman Catholic)....I am going to apply for last
possibility...Jane Smart died 1858 aged 28 .I looked in
Victorian indexes again
..seems to be nothing there.
In a followup Maree obtailed the
death certificate for the Jane Smart aged 28 who died in February
1858. It looks like the same person as the age 26 one, as
the death is 3 days before the burial, and she died in the
infirmary of "disease of brain". Born England, parents unknown,
place of marriage = unknown, to whom = unknown "at the
diggings" (Hard to read, but that is probably what is says)
There is also a Jane Smart who died in
May 1857 aged 41 in Durands Alley Sydney from "natural causes
accelerated by habits of intemperance". It would be very sad if
that was her She was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetry.
Everything else unknown
Update 1 Nov after AIGS search
Yorkshire sentence records
Found record for Jane - Age 16 Kitchenmaid, Stole 2 Shawls
NSW/VDL REF 730/227
TNA REF HO27/54
Single, Previous conviction 2m
Petition see HO17/48 Gx23 LR - visit this disk again and
follow up references
Conclusion
That 1858 death could well be her.
Again she is Catholic. Joseph Smart settled down in the
Yackandandah Beechworth area in 1858 according to his obituary.
Family oral history has it that Sarah was brought up by a
Catholic family in Beechworth from about 1858. So perhaps JS
settled down in Beechworth/Yackandandah when given the
responsibility for his daughter. Given the obvious lack of
information about the deceased, her age is obviously a guess.
And "at the diggings" fits? So this could even be the death of
both both the bride in 1847 and the convict who arrived in 1837
aged 16. Revisit to GR and Ancestry
found nothing new re birth or death
Joseph Smart
Joseph Smart's death certificate is the only
information we have about his parents. The certificate explicitly
says that his mother's maiden name was Smart. His age then would
give his dob as 1808. His age is stated as 37 when he married, which
puts his marriage at 1845ish,. Also using a stated 20 years in NSW
and 49 in Victoria, which suggests he came to Australia in the
1820s. (This contrasts with his obituary where he "settled down" in
the 40s). Our Sarah Jane Smart was born to Joseph and Jane
Smart 13 July 1845, baptised 12 April 1846, abode Brickfield
Hill, Joseph was a Corn Dealer. I have the marriage as 1847 in my
records, but can't find a document.
Check
of
Ancestry.com.au
convict records yeilds the following
(1) Joseph Smart was convicted in Bristol 27 Oct 1827, along with
John Snell, Richard Chinn and John Cork. All were sentenced to 14
years transportation. Image
Not
sure what if anything the entry states about what he was convicted
for. Another record from
Ancestry records his conviction (October 1827) for Burglary, and
sentence (death). Sentence was with George Hill, William Stone,
John Snell,
Richard Chinn and John Cork (all sentenced to death)
(2) He arrived on the Eliza
in 1828, Residence and Employment given as "Depart of Public
Works". His age is given as 20 and his sentence is 14 years. Image
(3) The Ancestry record is confused, but he seems to be aged 27 in
a convict Muster of 1835. Image
(4) Searching the list of Pardons and Tickets of Leave 1834-59
does not find him
This is definitely our Joseph. The age is exact to the year, and
Bristol is specified in later documentation. It also tallies
pretty well with the later "20 years in NSW"
Other
odds and ends found trawling the files, in the Salisgury and
Winchester Journal, probably not our Joseph
(1) Seven years
transportation : Joseph Smart, for stealing a quantity of
cheese and bacon from Joseph
Scott, at Tisbury- Salisbury,Monday,
Jan 17, 1825., in the general quarter sessions for the peace for
this county
(2) Salisbury, Jan.28, 1825.
The following
prisoners were on Thursday last removed from Fisherton Gaol, and
put on board the York hulk, in Portsmouth harbour. viz. George
Weakley, William Sanger, and James Johnson, convicted of various
offences at our late city sessions, and sentenced to seven years
transportation; also Joseph Smart, Walter Angel, George Bull,
Ezek. Lovegrove, and Nathan Shuttle, convicted of various offences
at the late quarter sessions of the peace for the county of Wiits,
and sentenced to seven years transportation.
Some
more
information from Maree Woods, from the History Services Database
1834 - Absconded from Phoenix
Hulk, Sydney Harbour
1834 - Apprehended after
abscondment from Phoenix Hulk
1837 – Employed at Dockyard,
Sydney, aged 27
1843 - Certificate of
Freedom, 11/4/1843 (43/577)
Link to story of the Phoenix
Hulk
Glenn has found a family
website:
https://www.ourfamilypast.com/article/person/9599/haa007-main-john-snell
which locates his
arrest in Bath, not Bristol (not that it's far away). The
apparent ringleader testified that Joseph had nothing to do with
it. Wouldn't it be nice to find that he was a victim of a
terrible injustice?
Joseph Smart Testimonial from the Beechworth Ovens and Murray
Advertiser
Testimonial to Joseph Smart, ESQ., M.M.B.
OMA 2nd Jan 1869
On Wednesday evening last the friends of Joseph
Smart., esq., M.M.B., assembled at the Reefer’s Arms, Hillsborough,
to present him with a gold watch, value ₤25, as a mark of their
esteem on the occasion of his leaving them.
Mr John Brown was called to the chair, and in a
few appropriate remarks, eulogized Mr Smart, who, he said, had done
much not only for the local institutions and interests of
Hillsborough and Yackandandah, but had likewise greatly exerted
himself on behalf of the institutions of the Ovens; he then called
on Mr Rodgers to present the testimonial.
Mr Rodgers said: - “The duty allotted to him was a most pleasing
one, and that if Mr Smart was not present he should feel more at
liberty than he now did, to dilate on that gentlemen’s very valuable
public career; but he disliked praising a man to his face. As
a member of the Beechworth Mining Board Mr Smart’s probity and
attention were recognized by all, and his continuing to represent
the Yackandandah division for seven years is an undeniable truth,
affirming the high estimation in which he is held. The New Era
Quartz Crushing Company, which it was hoped would prove very
advantageous to Hillsborough, was greatly indebted to Mr Smart for
the time and attention he had bestowed in endeavoring to bring it to
a successful issue, and this too without his possessing a large
stake in the venture. The Hillsborough Common School is
likewise much beholding to Mr Smart for the interest he has taken in
founding it, and establishing it on a firm basis. Indeed, no
matter how great or how insignificant the matter might be, Mr Smart
has ever been ready with head and hand to forward it. It was
on the occasion of Mr Smart’s leaving Hillsborough, that the people
here determined on evincing their high approval of his
conduct”. Mr Rodgers, then turning to Mr Smart continued:
“Sir, I am deputed by your friends, which means every inhabitant of
Hillsborough, to present you with this watch, as a mark of their
high esteem of you in every walk of life, whether public or private;
and I do not doubt that you will regard it as such, and so hand it
down to your children, who, when we that are now present are mingled
with the dust, will look on this inscription, remember their
ancestor, and emulate his deeds. Inscription: “Presented to
Joseph Smart, Esq., M.M.M., by the inhabitants of Hillsborough, as a
mark of their esteem of his useful public services during his
residence among them. – Christmas, 1868.” In the name of your
friends, Sir, I wish you success in every capacity and place.
Mr Smart: Mr Chairman and gentlemen, - “I should
violate my inmost feelings did I attempt to conceal from you my high
sense of the very handsome manner in which you have recognized my
past career in your midst; I can never forget this day whilst I
live; I cannot say that I feel myself to be deserving of this
tribute of your respect, for I know that I have only done my duty,
and that we all ought to do without pay or reward. It is
satisfactory to me to be able to say that in times of fiercest
dispute, when I have had occasion to differ from many of you in
matters of public policy, that I have never been insulted or
upbraided by a man of Hillsborough or Yackandandah. I shall
indeed treasure up this memorial, and hand it down to my children as
a proof that to do one’s duty is the surest way to win the regard of
honest and honorable men. You may be sure that though my body
be absent from you, my heart will remain here, and that wherever I
am my services, still as heretofore, will be at your disposal.”
Generously supplied by Anthony Bigelow. Anthony is writing a
book on Hillsborough. If you are interested in this project, contact us.
Joseph Smart Obituary from the Beechworth Ovens and Murray
Advertiser
It is with great regret we have to anounce the death of Mr. Smart,
formerly member of the mining board for Yackandandah, which took
place at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr.Rowley, M.B.B., at
Bethanga on Saturday morning last. The deceased gentleman was
one of the pioneers of the Ovens district, having first arrived here
in 1852, and after a short visit to the "lower diggings' came back
to Yackandandah, where he worked as a miner for many years. After
holding the office of mining registrar, &c., he retired last
year to end his days at Bethanga with his son-in-law. Mr. Smart
always took a prominent place in all public matters connected with
Yackandandah, and especially in mining, which he identified himself
with to the last. Although of late years unable actively to aid the
cause which he had espoused, yet his advice and assistance way
always ready to those requiring it. The following is an account of
the deceased gentleman's career :-
He was born at Bristol in February, 1808, thus having attained the
ripe age of 87 years at his death. Being of an adventurous nature be
visited various parts at the world as a seaman, and settled down in
Sydney in the forties, where be carried on a store keepers business
very successfully. In the year 1849 the news from California of the
finding of gold there attracted him, and he left with many others
for the gold-fields there, and worked with considerable success at
Wood's Creek, in the Southern mines. Soon after this gold was
discovered in New South Wales, and he, like most of the colonials in
California, returned to Sydney, and visited the diggings at the
Turon, Meroo, &c. When gold was discovered in Victoria he came
over here, and want to nearly all the "rushes" in 1852-58, finally
pitching his camp at Yackandandah, where he worked with fair success
for many years. He was a member of the old Local Court of
Yackandandah, and when a vacancy occurred in the representation of
that division by the retirement of Mr. Peter Wright, who was elected
as M.P. for the Ovens, Mr. Smart was elected to the Beechworth
Mining Board in February, 1862, and held that office uninterruptedly
for thirty-two years, only retiring last year through old age and
infirmity. This record is one which probably no other man in
Victoria has attained as a representative. Mr. Smart was one of
those men who might be called a "regular John Bull," blunt,
straight-forward, outspoken honest, and having formed an
opinion he was not easily moved from it. He will be remembered at
Yackandandah for these qualities and for his kind and charitable
disposition to all who were in distress or need of assistance.
Joseph Smart, Miner and Rate Collector, Yackandandah.
Born in Bristol, England in 1808, the son of George Smart and Jane
(nee Smart). Smart emigrated to New South Wales in the 1840s.
Settling in Sydney, he was storekeeping for a few years until
hearing of the gold rush in America. He went to California,
returning during the early years of Australia's gold-rush. He
visited most of the large gold centres in New South Wales and
Victoria before settling finally at Yackandandah in the 1850s. He
was alluvial mining, then quartz mining until the gold became
scarce. He then received the appointment of Rate Collector for the
Shire of Yackandandah and on retiring from that position, received
the appointment of Treasurer for the Shire, a position he held until
just before his death. He was also at one time the local Mining
Registrar, Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages and Electoral
Registrar. He joined the Beechworth Mining Board in 1862 and was a
member for over 30 years. He was also Treasurer for the local
Anglican Church. Smart was married and had one daughter, Mrs Rowley
of Bethanga. Joseph Smart died at his daughter's residence on 16th
June 1895 at the age of 87. He is buried in the Church of England
section of the Yackandandah cemetery.
(Yackandandah Times, 21/6/1895.)
Smarts in Bristol
An email
from Sue Smart in 2006 suggests it might be difficult
Unfortunately at this moment I
can't find any connection. I have seven Josephs and nine
Georges, all from Bristol and thereabouts, but none of them fit!
Our Smarts were all glassblowers in the Bristol Blue glass trade
and several did come here to Australia when that trade began to
fade around about the mid 1800s; one ran the Smart's Family
Hotel here at the corner of George & Pitt Street, Sydney, as
well as founding two glassworks, purportedly a forerunner of
ACI. I suppose bottles and beer do go hand in hand!
Research Notes
Cannot find Joseph
Smart in 1850 US Census
Ancestry.com have US immigration records available, but not a lot
of help. Eg three J Smarts came into San Francisco in 1851. One
Joseph Smart came into New York in 1834, aged 26 (ie born 1808)
Check Australian records - NSW 1928 census, early shipping, Vic
Electoral rolls
Joseph's parents. - none with Smart George and wife Jane in any
census, including 1841
I do have one marriage on file - George and Sarah Jane Bridgemon
in Bristol in 1797. Very Possible?
1856 Electoral Roll Joseph Smart Miner (Miner's right) Carisbroook
Division. Joseph Smart storekeeper miners right Daisy Hill
Division possibly Ballarat
If you have additions or
corrections to this page, please
contact us
Bones in the Belfry
home
page Page last updated - 22
Nov 2007
14 Jun
2009 17 Aug
2009 6
Aug 2012 2
2 Oct
2012 17 Jan 2020
