George Allen was a Master Boat Builder in Deal and his wife Mary Snoswell, the daughter of Thomas Snoswell, a Master Mariner in the Port of Deal and Mary Sneller. Mary and George were married 19 January 1814 at St Leonard’s Church, Deal, Kent, England. They had the following children- George, John, Thomas, Mary, Elizabeth, Anne, Eliza and Jane.
Mary Snoswell was born 25 Feb 1790, christened 14 March 1790 and died before 1881. George was born in 1786 and died April 1830.
In the 1851 Census Mary with her daughters Mary and Elisa were living at 4 Alfred Aq, Deal. Mary was identified as “Partner, Boat building Bisiness” and her daughters were described as dressmakers.
George Allen must have had the lease of land in Deal, which was transferred to his wife Mary Allen. There are records of a number of transfers of land amongst the Allen family this gives some information on the family in Deal. This information came from Bev Greenhalgh from PR’s of Deal and surrounding area.
Abstract of Title Deeds for Beach Street, Deal (from a transcript copy)
DDC 38 Conveyance on 8 Feb 1910 of Capstan Ground, The Marina, Deal, Kent (Near Horsa Rd).
1853 Abstract of Title of the Executrix of Mr Edward Darby, deceased, to a piece or parcel of leasehold land or ground together with leasehold capstan ground nearly opposite, situate at the North end of Deal, Kent. Inc
18 Jan 1860 Assignment of two leasehold capstan grounds in Deal for ₤50.
Mrs Mary Allen to Miss Mary Larking Allen
Mary Allen, widow, Mary Larking Allen, spinster.
Reciting Indenture of Lease by Archbishop to Edward Darby dated 30 Dec 1851 and Indenture of Assignment dated 12 Jul 1853 between Jane Allen, widow and Mary Allen and Indenture of Lease dated 10 May 1859 by Archbishop to Mary Allen.
Witness: William Tucker of Deal, Kent
9 Apr 1861 Copy conveyance of Reversion of hereditaments at Deal, Kent. Archbishop with approval of Ecclesiastical Commissioners to John Snoswell Allen of Deal, boat builder for ₤133.13s.
Quotes Indenture of Lease of 15 Jun 1852 between Archbishop and Mrs Mary Allen, and other Indentures above, and Endorsement on Assignment of 18 Jan 1860 dated 6 Nov 1860 of Assignment by Mary Larking Allen to John Snoswell Allen who now holds all four hereafter mentioned premises:
Firstly all that boat builder’s shop with ground and appurtenances at the North End of Deal abutting to Beach Street to East, to a 20ft road West, to ground demised to Edward Darby in part and to premises demised to Michael Bayley in other part to North, and to a 13 ft road there to South.
And capstan ground opposite abutting to sea to East, to Beach Street and a way answerable to Beach Street to West, to capstan ground demised to Edward Darby to North, and to another capstan ground demised to Edward Spencer Curling to South. And a piece of ground westward of the boat shop, abutting to the aforesaid 20ft road to East, to road or highway leading to Sandown Castle to West, to ground demised to the executors of Robert Edwards and William Redsull to North, and to said 15ft road to South, which premises were late in the tenure or occupation of Mary Allen.
Secondly a piece or parcel of capstan ground abutting to the sea to East, ground demised to Edward Darby to North, to another capstan ground demised to James Ratcliffe to South, to the 15ft way answerable to Beach Street to West, late in the occupation of Edward Darby.
Thirdly a piece or parcel of beachy ground in Lower Deal in Deal
containing in width from North to South 19ft, abutting to premises demised to Edward Darby and since assigned to George Jarvis and John Hart to North, to freehold premises of Isaac Pritchard Bayley to West, to a boat shop and premises heretofore of James Ratcliffe and Mary Allen to South, (and to the
road or way in line with Beach St to East).
Fourthly capstan ground containing in width from North to South 28ft, lying opposite the last mentioned premises, abutting to the sea to East, to road or way in line with Beach Street to West, to capstan ground of Isaac Pritchard Bayley to North, to capstan ground demised to Edward Darby and assigned to Mary Allen to South.
13 May 1861 Conveyance of two capstan grounds by Mr John Snoswell Allen to Miss M. L. Allen, for ₤80.
As in secondly and fourthly above.
Witness, George Mercer
Memorandum that by Indenture of 8 Jan 1878 Mary Larking Allen assigned to Felix Faucheux of North End Factory, Deal, manufacturer, all that capstan ground firstly described above.
4 Jan 1894 Mary Larking Allen died. Will dated 10 May 1878 proved 26 Jan 1894 mentioned: Sister Elizabeth Ann Allen and Elizabeth Ann Munns Sister Ann Snoswell Hudson
Nieces Jane Annie Tucker Allen, Emily Ann Allen, H. M. Hudson
Mary Allen, Clara Allen, Jane Allen and Agnes Allen.
“all that messuage or dwelling house, 4 Alfred Square now occupied by me, to brother Thomas Winstone Allen of Deal, baker and Mary his wife and Richard Emmerson Joynson of Sandwich, gentleman: to the use of Thomas Winstone Allen and Mary his wife”.
Witnesses Mary Ann Betts)
Sarah Ann Betts) of Alfred Square
29 Jan 1910 Agreement for hire of Capstan ground, The Marina, Deal. Mr T.W. Allen to Mr. Arthur J. May.
Thomas Winstone Allen of 11 College Road, Deal, gentleman
Arthur J. May of Abbotsley, Marina, Deal, gentleman
Capstan ground now in the occupation of Henry Ball, at annual rent of ₤3.3s.
Witness John F. Arnold, 9 Queen Street, Deal, valuer.
9 Feb 1910 Surviving trustee under the Will of Mary Larking Allen to Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of Deal, for ₤75.
T.W. Allen of 11 College Rd, Deal
Elizabeth Ann Allen of 8 College Rd, Deal
All that capstan ground now or late in the occupation of Henry Ball, measuring in width 28ft from North to South, abutting to the sea to East: to Marina to West: to capstan ground formerly of Isaac Pritchard Bayley and now or late of James Edgar to North: and to capstan ground formerly of Mary Larking Allen and since of Felix Faucheux and now or late of James Edgar.
Witness, John F. Arnold.
(From Bev Greenhalgh)
Children of George Allen and Mary Snoswell
1. George Allen born 1 November 1814 in North End, Deal, Kent, England. George married Jane Elizabeth Paul 10 November 1840 at St Leonards Church, Deal, Kent, England. (See more information on them later.)
2. Mary Larking Allen born 23 August 1816 in Lower St, Deal, Kent and died 4 January 1894 (age 77 March qtr 1894 Eastry 2a 677) in Alfred Square, Deal, Kent, England. In the 1881 Census (1341237/RG11/0998/80/28) Mary is listed as head of the house a dressmaker living at 4 Alfred Sq, Dolphin St, Deal, Kent, England. Living with Mary was her sister Eliza A. aged 51 also a dressmaker. I image the Larking comes from her great grand mother on the Snoswell side Ann Larking.
In the 1891 Census Mary L Allen was living at 4 Alfred Sq, Deal , Kent, living with her sister Eliza Allen both living on own means.
3. Elizabeth Ann Allen daughter of George and Mary Allen married George William Munns 28 July 1842 at St Peter and St Paul, Milton by Gravesend, Kent, England.
o Mary Ann Munns christened 13 November 1844 at St George, Gravesend, Kent, England
o George Thomas Munns christened 26 May 1843 St Peter and St Paul, Milton by Gravesend, Kent, England.
o Edward Munns born about 1849 in Gravesend, Kent, England
o William Munns born 1850 March Qtr in Gravesend, Kent, England, vol 5 pg 211. Was christened 30 December 1849 at Holly Trinity, Milton By Gravesend, Kent, England. The index of BDM lists when the person was registered not when they were born.
o Thomas Munns born 26 March 1852 Gravesend, Kent, June Qtr, Vol 2a, Pg 226. Thomas was christened 2 October 1859 at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, London, England.
o Frederick Munns born 6 November 1854 in London, Middlesex. Frederick was christened on 2 October 1859 at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, London, England.
o Richard Munns born about 1857 in London, Middlesex. The 1881 Census shows Richard Munns aged 24 born in Whitechapel, Middlesex, England a butcher living with his wife Eliza 24 born St Lukes, Middlesex, England and their 4 month old daughter Emma born in Bow, Middlesex all living at 96 St Pauls Rd, London, Middlesex.
In the 1891 Census Eliza Munns 33 a Butcher born in St Lukes is widowed living with her daughter Lily (is this Emma?) 10 born Bow, London, George 8 born West Ham Essex and Richard 7 born West Ham, Essex living in West Ham, Essex.
By 1901 they are living at 35 Shopford Rd, West Ham, Essex. Eliza Munns is 44 an employer butcher, shopkeeper, Gorge is listed as 18 born in Stratford, London a journeyman butcher, Lilly 20 born Bromley by Bow, London and Richard 17 a steward on board ship born in Stratford, London.
The 1871 Census has George W Munns age 49 a Gardner living with his wife Elizabeth 50, sons Edward 22 a leather cutter, William 21, Thomas 19 a carman, Frederick 16 a porter, Richard 14 a porter and 2 lodgers and a visitor in King John St, Mile End Old Town, London.
The 1881 Census shows George, 58 born in Gravesend, Kent a gardner living with his wife Elizabeth aged 60 born in Deal, Kent and their sons Thomas 28 a traveller and Frederick 26 a general labourer living at 131 White Horse St, London, Middlesex, England.
In 1884 there is a death of a George William Munns aged 63 in Stepney, Greater London vol 1c pg 293. This seems a likely match as they were living in and around the Stepney area.
In the 1891 Census Elizabeth A Munns is living in Ratcliff, London a 72 year old widow living on own means born in Deal, Kent.
4. Ann Snoswell Allen born 29 April 1821 in Lower St, Deal, Kent, England. She married Richard Hudson September qtr 1844 in St George in the East, London, Surrey. They had a daughter Hannah Mary Hudson. In 1885 Hannah Mary Hudson married Alexander Fletcher R Peel in Middlesborough, Yorkshire June qtr vol 9d.
In the 1891 census in Middleborough, Yorkshire, Hannah M Peel wife is living with her son Percy H Peel aged 5 born Newport, Yorkshire and a visitor Richard Hudson 34 single out of employment born Stockton, Durham. Is this her brother? There is an Ann Hudson 70 born in Deal, Kent listed as a patient in the General Infirmary in Leeds, Yorkshire.
In 1901 Hannah Mary Peel 37 born Middleborough, Yorkshire wife a tobacconist is living at 66 Victoria St, Bristol, Gloucestershire with her son Percy Hudson Peel 15 born Middlesborough, Yorkshire, her mother Ann Hudson 79 born Deal, Kent living on own means and a boarder.
o Hannah Mary Hudson born 1865 in Middleborough, Yorkshire ( GRO Ref: 1865/4, Greenwich, 1d. 660) married Alexander Fletcher R Peel: GRO ref: 1885/2, Middlesborough, 9d. 774.
Percy Hudson Peel born 1886 in Yorkshire, England (GRO ref: 1886/2, Middlesborough, 9d. 543.
5. John Snoswell Allen born on 8 November 1822 in Lower St, Deal, Kent, England. He married Sarah Ann and worked as a boat builder living in Lower St, Deal, Kent. John died in 1865 and was buried on 1 October 1865 in Deal Cemetery, Kent, England. Sarah Ann is born about 1823. John married Sarah Ann Wellard on 28 August 1849 (KCC BMD Ref 1849,69,D/16/2, Thanet & Dover, Free BMD ref: 1849/3. Eastry v. 186.
The 1851 Census shows John Living at 111 Lower St, Deal, Kent and married to Sarah A 26 and their son George W Allen aged 10 months.
The 1871 Census shows Sarah A Allen living with children George W, Emily A, and Clara J and her mother Ann Wellard a widow age 78 born in Deal. They were living in Lower St, Deal. Sarah was working as a school mistress and a widow. George Wm was working as an iron monger.
In the 1891 Census Sarah A Allen 68 is living with her daughters Jane E W Allen 37 and Emily A Allen 34 at 63 High St, Deal, Kent. Sarah is a widow living on own means, Emily a dressmaker who was neither an employer or employed so we assume she worked for herself.
o George W Allen born in 1850 September qtr Eastry vol5 pg 129 in Deal, Kent. George William Allen probably died 1896 March qtr, Eastry, Kent vol2a,pg 950.
o Mary Ann Allen born in 1852 in Lower St, Deal and was christened on 7 April 1852 in Deal, Kent, England. Registered 1852 March qtr vol 2a pg 615.
o Jane E W Allen born about 1854 in Deal, Kent.
o Emily Anne Allen was born 1856 in Lower St, Deal and was christened on 20 Jul 1856 in Deal, Kent, England. Died 46 1902 December qtr Eastry vol 2a pg 625.
o Fredrick Charles was born in 1858 in Lower St, Deal and was christened on 5 September 1858.
At the time of the 1901 Census Frederick C Allen 42 an accountant was living with his wife Margaret J Allen born Stoke Newn (1891 Census born Finsbury, London), London and their daughter Margartet J born in Putney in Wandsworth, London. In 1891 they were living in Putney, Wandsworth, London.
Margaret B Allen born in about 1890 in Putney, London, England.
o Clara Julia Allen was born in 1860 December Qtr Eastry vol2a pg 652 in Lower St, Deal and was christened on 23 November 1860 in Deal, Kent, England.
o Agnes Alice Allen was born in 1864 in Lower St, Deal and was christened on 22 Jan 1864 in Deal, Kent, England. Agnes married Walter James Cavell on 12 November 1890 at St Georges Church, Deal, Kent, England. Walter was born in 1862 and worked as a baker.
In 1891 Census Walter 28 and Agnes Cavell 27 were living at 2 Napier St, Deal, Walter was working as a baker, both born in Deal, Kent.
•6. Jane Watson Allen born 24 May 1825 in Lower St, Deal, Kent, England. Jane died November 1847 in Alfred Sq, Deal, Kent, England.
7. Thomas Winston Allen born 14 October 1827 in Lower St, Deal, Kent, England. Thomas married Mary Jane Bonner in 1850 in Eastry, Kent vol 5 pg 205. Mary Jane Bonner was christened in Deal, Kent 8 Oct 1828 the daughter of Edward and Mary Bonner.
In 1851 Thomas W and Mary J Allen were living at 11 Peter St, Deal, Thomas was a Baker.
Thomas was living at 10 & 11 Peter St, Deal, Kent during the 1881 Census (1341237/RG11/0998/51/13) with his wife Mary J. aged 52 born Deal, Kent and his daughter Jane A. T. Allen born about 1861 in Deal, Kent who was an assistant baker and grocer plus 3 visitors. Thomas was a baker and grocer.
In the 1891 Census Thomas W Allen 63 and wife Mary 60 were living at 10 and 11 Peter St, Deal, Kent with their daughter Jane A T Allen 30, all born in Deal Kent. Thomas is listed as a baker and grocer. In 1901 Census Thomas Allen a retired grocer was living with his son Edward Allen.
Mary Jane aged 63 died June qtr 1893 in Eastry, Kent, vol 2a pg 535.
o William Allen born about 1852 in Deal, Kent was living in 1901 Census with Edward his brother he was aged 49 and unmarried working as a railway clerk.
o Edward Thomas Bonner Allen was born in 1854 in Peter St, Deal and was christened on 9 April 1854 in Deal, Kent, England. Edward married Frances Louisa M Pederick 1881 in Eastry, Kent, England
In 1891 Census Edward Allen was living with his wife Frances 28 born Woodnesborough, Kent in the Station House, Great Mongeham as railway station master.
In the 1901 Census Edward and Frances were living at the Station Cottage, Southend Rd, Beckenham Junction, Beckenham, Kent with several family members. Edward was the Railway Station Master and living with them was Thomas Allen his father, Jane Allen sister and brother William Allen a railway clerk.
o George Charles Allen was born in 1856 March Qtr Eastry, Kent vol 2a pg 676 in Peter St, Deal and was christened on 20 Jul 1856 in Deal, Kent, England. On 18 October 1880 George married Elizabeth Petts W Dunn (KCC BMD ref 1880,337, D/14/1, Thanet & Dover. GRO Ref: 1880/4, Eastry, 2a 693)
In the 1891 Census George Charles Allen 35 was living with his wife Elizabeth Petts W Allen 33 and their three daughters at 2 Victoria Lane or Town, Victoria Rd, Deal, Kent and he was an employer auctioneer and agent, all were born in Deal and a servant Louisa Graves 14.
Florence E M Allen born about 1882 in Deal, Kent.
Jessie Allen born about 1884 in Deal, Kent.
Winifred Allen born about 1890 in Deal, Kent.
Jane Annie Tucker Allen was born in 1861 March Qtr, Eastry, Kent vol 2a pg 693 in Peter St, Deal and christened on 31 March 1861 in Deal, Kent, England. In 1901 was living with her brother Edward in Beckenham, Kent.
8. Eliza Allen was born about 1830 in Deal, Kent, England. Eliza lived with her mother Mary and sister Mary at 4 Alfred Sq, Deal, Kent, England. Eliza Ann died age 80 in June qtr 1910, Eastry, vol 2a pg 57A.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Mary Ann Allen
Mary Ann Allen wearing a brooch with a painting of her father George Allen on it.
Mary Ann was born 16 September 1841 in Wellington. She was the daughter of George and Jane Ellizabeth Allen. In 1860 she married William Seed.
Thursday Morning
October 13th 1859
Dear Miss Allen,
I intended last night to have asked you to accept one of the enclosed rings but had not an opportunity to speak to you alone. Perhaps you will now be good enough to select the one you like the best, and let me have the others back, as I have to return them tomorrow. I shall most likely be up at Cook’s tonight so perhaps you could manage to run up there, or if not you could at any rate send them up in an envelope for me. The three tied together with a piece of silk are the best, so I hope one of them may fit you and suit your taste.
You will think it a strange freak of mine to send you three baubles, but I observe that both Miss Davies and Miss Annie Brown have ornaments of this kind and why should not you?
Believe me very faithfully yours
William Seed
P.S. If you can come up to Cooks we may manage to have some music.
Mary Ann Allen married on 19th February 1860 in Wellington to William Seed. Mary Ann was William’s second wife and had the care of 3 children (from William’s marriage to Elizabeth Ellen Cook), Lizzie, Kitty and Frank.
Mary Ann was 19 when William Seed courted her, only ten years older than her oldest stepchild. However, as the eldest child of a family prominently involved in the life of the new Colony, she presumably was experienced in social and housewifely matters. Family tradition has it that William Seed saw her at the window of “Lasswade” as he walked along the Quay, arranged an interview and married her shortly after on 19th February 1860.
Mary Ann and William had 9 children, John George, Harry Hadlow, Lucy Jane, Sidney Franklin, Frederick Edward, Charles, Jessie Gertrude, Mary Frances and Arthur James.
Harry, Jessie, Fredrick, Lucy, Mary (all standing), Arthur, Mary Ann and John Seed (seated).
William Seed with his parents came to New Zealand on the ship “Martha Ridgeway’ in November 1840. William started work in 1841 for the Hon. W. B. Rhodes, general merchant. In the course of a few years he joined the service of the New Zealand Company, but after a short period left to enter the Government Employment, in which he had a long and honourable career. He was first attached to the Governor (Sir George Grey’s) staff in 1853. While Sir George was absent from the Colony, Mr Seed served as a clerk and warehouse keeper to the Customs Department in Ahuriri (Napier) and Wellington.
Upon Sir George’s return he joined his staff and acted as his private secretary till 1863. William became Under-Secretary to the Defence Department, and held this position during the Waikato wars. In 1865 he became Collector of Customs, and was appointed permanent head of the department in May 1866. During the absence of the Auditor-General in 1868, he filled that office. He was a member of the committee that drafted the “Civil Service Act of 1866,” and in 1868 he served on the Royal Commission, appointed to inquire into the system of keeping the Treasury accounts. In 1870, William was sent to visit to report on the Samoan group. He acted along with Mr Batkin, in 1871 in making the celebrated confidential report to Ministers with a view to reform the Civil Service Departments. On many occasions he visited the Australian colonies on diplomatic missions. On visiting Britain in 1875, William made a report on the lighthouse systems and when the commercial treaty was arranged with Fiji in 1886, he acted for New Zealand with Mr Moss and Shirley Baker in arranging the terms. Another inquiry was made into the working of Government departments in 1884. His services were again required on the board of investigation. William Seed retired as second officer in the service and Secretary and Inspector of the Customs and Marine Departments in 1888, having worked his way upwards from the post of junior clerk. After such a distinguished life of service William spent the remainder of his days in the quiet retirement of his home 151 Abel Smith Street, Wellington, to enjoy a liberal though well earned pension
He married twice: his first wife was Elizabeth Ellen Cook and his second wife Mary Ann Allen.
Over the years Mary Ann must have frequently been on her own, managing the home and the growing family. That she was capable and reliable is obvious; she was often referred to in letters from William’s business friends, but always in general terms, as was the custom.
William and Mary built a large wooden house at 151 Abel Smith Street, Wellington, on a parcel of land granted to William as Under Secretary of Colonial Defence. It sheltered the Seed family and their friends and relations for many more years.
Mary Ann with her son John George Seed in 1861.
The children played on the balcony off the dinning room and if they were careful, in the greenhouse. The greatest fun on a fine day was climbing the big trees or riding and running in the donkey’s paddock above the house. Every Saturday morning the donkey was readied with a packsaddle and led down Abel Smith Street, taking such things as boots to the cobbler and collecting items for household use. There were always some of Mary Ann and William’s children at home. As well, Lizzie William’s daughter of his first marriage lived with them and helped Mary Ann keep house.
William died 6 February 1890, in Wellington, New Zealand.
Mary Ann continued to live at 151 Abel Smith Street until her death in April 1920. On her death she bequeathed the Dominion Museum a China Punch Bowl and Pot. This bequest has a history sometime in the early part of the last century, between 1814 and 1826. The old-established firm of Mr Ratcliff and Mr Allen of Deal, Kent, England, boat builders, built for the then Governor of China a boat named the Gipsy. She won every race she was in. The Governor was so pleased and proud of her victory that he sent to each of the partners a Punch Bowl, which was made in the Emperor of China’s own royal factory at Peking, to commemorate the event. For several years the boat carried everything before her, and after every win more valuable china was sent – other bowls and pots, and a pair of large vases. Finally, when gipsy was beaten, the Governor sent her back to the firm and after repairs she raced for several years in the Deal Regattas, and was always successful. The partners divided the china, and in time the Punch Bowl and pot came to New Zealand, to George Allen, the eldest son of one of the partners and then to Mary Ann Seed, his eldest child.
George Allen's Story
On 22 June 1886 in Wellington George Allen wrote an account of his life. I have used information from this for this section on George Allen.
“ I must come to my some what erratic career in my early manhood. I passed the usual life of a school boy in my native town, where I was born on the first day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1814, and was the eldest of eight viz.– three sons and five daughters. After doing well at the Deal academy, my father, knowing I wished to be a sailor, sent me over to France, and at the port of Calais I picked up a tolerable knowledge of French, but owing to some grievance on the part of the French family I resided with, I left France a few months too early to have made a thorough knowledge of French. I then returned to Deal, and at the early age of thirteen years and six months was apprenticed to my Father’s partner, James Ratcliff, a celebrated and skilful tradesman. I was induced to alter my early inclination of going to sea on account of the failing health of my Father, who died on the 15th of April, 1830, after a very long and painful illness, after which sad event I stuck zealously to my trade and in a short time there were few men in the establishment who could beat me as a workman. I served my seven years truly and faithfully, with some of the disagreements of an apprentice, many times desirous of going and seeing the world of waters, but, thanks to good advice given to me by a retired friend Captain Jonathan Taylor, I was persuaded to kept true to my engagement, and I am thankful to say that I did as I found the possession of being a skilful mechanic a great boon. I have been able at a comparative early age to retire from working at my trade as a boat builder, and I have enjoyed many years of leisure in my old age. I became engaged to my dear wife, who was then Jane Elizabeth Paul, but on account of a lover’s quarrel or tiff, I ultimately left old England on the 21st day of May 1836.”
This is a copy of George’s Indenture to James Ratcliff.
This Indenture witnesses, that George Allen, son of George Allen of the Town and Borough of Deal in the County of Kent, doth put himself, apprentice to James Ratcliffe, Boat Builder, to learn his Art or Mystery, with him after the manner of an Apprentice to serve from the date here of for and during the term of Seven years next ensuring; during all which time, he the said Apprentice his said Masters faithfully shall serve his secrets keep, and all his lawful commands every where gladly do; he shall do no damage to his said Master, nor see it to be done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said Master, he shall not waste his said Master’s goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any, but in all things behave himself as a faithful Apprentice in the Trade or Mystery he now follows.
And for the true performance of all and every the said Covenants and Agreements each of the said Parties binds himself to the others formly by these presents.
In witness where of they have interchangeably set their hands here unto, this Twenty Second Day of June in the Year of Our Lord, On Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine.
James Ratcliff
George Allen
“On Saturday the 14th day of May, 1836, I was busily employed finishing a whale boat, when a neighbouring trader called at our boat building shop and inquired if any young man of our trade felt any inclination to accept an appointment under the South Australia Company as a boat builder, to proceed to Adelaide, South Australia. I, in an unguarded moment undertook to leave all my friends and relatives, also my widowed mother to my great disgrace, with a family of seven young children to battle the world, but under the protection of Mr James Radcliff, acting the benevolent part of a protector to my mother and orphan family. This conduct on my part left an undying regret and I was well punished during my absence, in mind and body for my unfaithful behaviour to my beloved mother and family, a fatal mistake on my part.
Well within one week of the undertaking I was on board a small brig named the “Emma”, Captain Nelson, with a few more passengers, also indented servants of the above company. We then proceeded on our voyage, I suffered very much from sea sickness and remorse, but there was no help I was launched on my way. We had a tedious voyage of several weeks to the Cape of Good Hope where we laid for twenty-eight days taking in stores for the new settlement; I would if possible have returned to England, but in those days there was no means to do so however, I wrote home penitential letters to my mother, and also one to my old love Jane Paul asking her to renew the engagement pledging myself to return as soon as possible, I did so endeavour to do but the following narrative will explain the reason for my absence. We arrived at our destination on the 6th day of October, 1836, at Kangaroo Island, then its wild state, and found a few of the Company’s servants employed in erecting bush huts and living in tents until better shelter could be provided.
Nepean Bay on Kangaroo Island taken in 2003. This is a sand spit with the bush area in the foreground a historic reserve where the South Australia Company first settled. There were difficulties as Kangaroo Island had no fresh water streams.
My first duty on landing with a young lad that left his home with me, was to erect some shelter for which we did out of scrub and tea tree, and here I commenced to work at my trade by repairing a whaleboat belonging to one of the Sealers resident on the island, and afterwards I was employed in conjunction with another boat builder who arrived a few weeks after myself, in building several whaleboats for the fisheries about to be established on parts of the South Australian Coasts, where the whales frequent in the winter season and the fishing was successful. I was induced to go there for two months in the place of a man expected from Hobart Town who did not arrive until the season was nearly over. On his arrival, I returned to Kangaroo Island (Nepean Bay) and continued at my trade, also helping to repair one of the Company’s whaleboats, the “Sarah and Elizabeth” having finished her, I managed to get my discharge sometime in the month of November 1837.
I had an opportunity offered me to return home by an exchange by a carpenter of the ship “Solway” of London, who desired to remain in the colony, and I desired to leave it. I joined the ship and in a week or two’s time we sailed for Encounter Bay, the sight of one of the company’s whale fisheries, to take in about 200 tons of oil and whalebone, intending to go to Hobart Town to fill with wool. We arrived in the Bay alright and the next day were busily employed with the assistance of the whale men mooring the ship, but through the refusal of the Captain to give the men a dram of rum before they commenced work by hauling the ship under a bluff headland, and mooring her to the rocks by the stern, the ship was left out in the open Bay, and during the night a furious gale set in, the ship riding very heavily at her cables, and the two anchors being laid for mooring purposes only acting as a single anchor immediately in side us the surf was breaking furiously on a reef and we were in eminent danger of our lives provided that the cables, parted at about eleven o’clock one of her chains parted, the other chain brought the ship up head to the sea. She therefore took the reef end on and when she first struck, her stern frame was very much damaged, and after striking heavily for a few minutes she dragged bodily onto the reef and filled full of water up to the hold beams. We had to take to the rigging to save our lives, and for many hours we were in great danger, but at low tide the whalers came off through the surf and got under the lee of our stern and we were able, some through the poop windows, some down the top lifts of the sparkers boom, to drop by ropes into the whaleboats, and ultimately we were all safely landed by the skill of the boatman dropping in and foremost through the surf and landed in what we stood upright in, that being a blue shirt and a pair of duck trousers - this happened on the 18 day of December,1837.
The next day being fine we were able to board the wreck. I found my clothes chest and tool chest and bedding as I had left them when we left the ship, mine being fortunately on the weather side, escaped loss and damage. Those on the lee side were totally destroyed by whale oil and other means from the salt water in the hold. The whalers, to whom I was well known, took all I had and landed them first of all, and after that, the Captain’s goods who was the first to leave the ship. The ship was condemned on survey, and after fitting up the long boat, we crossed the Straits to Kangaroo Island where I stayed for two or three weeks unemployed – the company would have nothing to do with me- However, another opportunity offered me by joining the ship “Sarah and Elizabeth”, the ship that I helped to prepare, she having successfully shipped the oil in Encounter Bay. We started the voyage to Hobart Town but had a very rough passage, the old ship leaked very badly. The Captain told me on one occasion of the serious leaks, that it would be a good job when we got into port as the ship was 60 years old by the present register, and that it did not say when she was built. The captain declared that she was one of the Old Spanish Armada. She was an extraordinary bluff bowed old ship and had a chequered career, as I had known her in my boyhood as a South Sea whaler.
We arrived at Hobart Town to our great joy, where the old ship was condemned for repairs and we were paid off. No opportunities offering in Hobart to proceed on my voyage home I went to work at my trade as a boat builder. I was doing very well indeed, earning five pounds a week, and should have certainly stopped in Hobart, as many inducements were held out to me to do so, but, having made up my mind to go to Sydney by the first opportunity, I did so by falling in with a young lad from Deal, who got me a passage to Sydney on his ship the “Henry”, Captain Bunney, and after a prosperous passage landed in Sydney. I worked on board ship as a shipwright for some time and might have done well at my trade if I had started as a boat builder, but, still being bent on going home, I had an opportunity of joining a very fine ship as a carpenter, called the “Orontes” of London, laying in Sydney Harbour, bound in due time for Madras, but the arrival of the HMS “Alligator” and her tender the “Brittomart”. Freight was invited to take down stores, houses in frame, and all the necessaries required to form a settlement on the North West Coast of New Holland. We sailed for that part of the world on the 21st day of September 1838, in the company of “Alligator” and two Merchantmen to go by way of Torres Strait.
An opportunity having offered me as carpenter of the good ship “Orontes”, Captain Short, after laying some time in Sydney Harbour our Captain got the charter to take the buildings and other stores required for the new settlement about to be formed in North West Australia at Port Essington. We left Sydney Harbour on the 17th day of September, 1838, had to take the unknown and dangerous passage known as Torres Strait. After a good deal of buffeting against a foul wind we caught the S.E. Monsoon and made our way through the Straits, keeping a good lookout for danger. The “Alligator” most times leading the way, and after a passage of twelve days we cleared the Straits and I must express my delight at the views that were daily offered us. The reef on which Captain Cook’s ship “Endeavour” struck, the Cape called Tribulation, with Endeavour River where the ship was partly repaired was brought to view by our Chief Officer, W. W. Simpson, a gentleman of great attainment who was a good friend to me. After leaving the Straits we hove to off Booby Island, on Sunday I went on shore in our quarter boat to have a look at the barren rock, myriad’s of birds in the shape of Boobies filled the air as we landed, and after entering in the log book on the Island we re-embarked and proceeded on our journey and ultimately reached Port Essington on the 26th day of October 1838.
We anchored and the work of discharging the cargo commenced and in about seven weeks it was completed. We then made sail for our destination, Madras but on the second day after leaving the Inner Harbour and being about six miles from the land of New Holland, we struck an unknown reef and after boxing the yard for a few minutes the ship floated, but on sounding the pumps found her in a sinking state having made about two feet of water in about ten minutes. I reported the condition of the ship to Captain Short who laughed at me for making such a report, but on being convinced by the Chief Officer of the state of affairs, asked me to give my opinion of what was best to be done. I recommended to square the yard and try to run the ship on shore before the water made her unmanageable, which course was taken and the ship ran on shore before the mainland of New Holland, after one and a quarter hours struggle at the pumps, we landed, and on sounding the well, I found nine feet of water in the hold and everything we had on board under water in the hold, and before the seaman could get into the forecastle their chests were swimming.
A boat was sent up the harbour to communicate the disaster to the Commodore, Sir Gordon Bremer. We should have been in a very precarious state as we were surrounded the next morning by many canoes filled with blacks, well armed with spears and boomerangs, but fortunately before any attack was made the launch of “Alligator” hove in sight well manned and armed, and then the blacks cleared out, to our great joy.”
This is to certify that the bearer George Allen served on board the late ship “Orontes” from June 1838 till her loss Dec 1838 (as carpenter) during which time he conducted himself in a steady manner and can recommended him as good Carpenter.
Sydney July 22nd 1839 Signature unable to read
Late ship “Orontes”
“These …?.. certify that George Allen ..?.. as Carpenter of the Ship “Orontes” under my command from 4th June 1838 to 26th December 1838 during which time he conducted himself to my satisfaction
Dated at Port Essington 4 Feby 1839
Joseph Short”
There is also a copy of the list of crewmembers of the “Orontes”. Listing George Allen as Carpenter of Deal England. There was one other crewmember from Deal a J Benon (?) a seaman. His Carpenters Mate was George Feind (?) of Gravesend.
“The ship was surveyed and condemned and after dismantling the ship were embarked on board the “Brittomart” and taken back to the Inner Port from whence we sailed so short a time back on our voyage home to Madras. We were landed on the beach at the Inner Port with our chests and our bedding without anything to eat on the first day of January 1839, a poor disconsolate body of shipwrecked men not knowing what would be our next move. The marines that came down with us took us up to their encampment and gave us a share of their poor daily ration, and after that I interviewed the Commodore with the boatswain, our Chief Officer who was a friend being on the sick list – our Captain and Second Officer entirely abandoned us to the tender mercies of the Naval Authorities. I will briefly inform of our interview as follows.
We met the Commodore, Sir Gordon Bremer, accompanied by his purser, a gent with one arm. I briefly stated our case and necessities, telling him of the remarks made by Lieutenant Stanley, commanding the ten ton “Pelter Brittomart” from which brig we had been so badly used, not having anything to eat for some hours and finding the softest place on the forecastle deck for my bed and the stalk of the anchor for my pillow. We briefly threw ourselves and our shipmates on the Officer Commanding as shipwrecked seamen, and he immediately assumed the responsibility as his duty, informing us that he had no means of sending us to Sydney until some months might elapse before the “Alligator” could leave for that Port, informing us that he could only allow us the Naval ration of Cupon, two thirds of a navel ration of one pound of salt beef, one pound of bread with three quarters of a pound of flour, alternately with three quarters of a pound of pork with one grill of peas and one pound of bread. The next day, truly not a very brilliant outlook, for perhaps six months.
It took us nearly seven months before we got clear of the Royal Navy, however, the Commodore informed us that if we were willing to work he had no doubt that his influence with the Admiralty would be strong enough to get payment for our services that we might render. I immediately placed myself and my shipmates under his orders. He ordered the purser to issue our the daily ration and told us to take what sails we required for our tents and erect one forthwith which we did and after several hours fatigue in the sun and mosquito’s, the heat of about 130 degrees in the sun, we finally succumbed at 12 o’clock. The old black cook having cooked our salt beef, we crept under partial shelter and ate our dinner with a good appetite, and when the sun got less powerful at three o’clock went to work.
We finished our tents and hung our hammocks and sat for a few hours in the glooming listening to the frogs, the shriek of the flying foxes, and finally the biting of the terrible mosquitos. We went to our hammocks terribly fatigued and almost heart broken on our prospect of getting away from Port Essington. At sunrise the next morning we reported ourselves for duty, myself and the carpenters mate. We were placed under the orders of the carpenter of the “Alligator” and thence helped to build the houses and other lodgings required for the settlement, so the time crawled slowly along. An opportunity being offered to myself to get the good grace of the Commodore, he having a very fine six oared galley of his own which had, fortunately for me, broken adrift and was found so badly damaged that the Warrant Officer of the Alligator condemned her. The coxswain, knowing me by repute as coming from Deal, got me to examine her. I immediately saw that she was repairable and undertook to repair her.
I interviewed Sir Gordon and told him I could. He was delighted and said “Go ahead”, and I almost rebuilt her to his satisfaction and told me when finished that he had one more desire for me to work, as he was pleased to say that I had earned my rations, and said that he would take good care that such a report should be sent home to the Admiralty that would get me well paid for our services. He was as good as his word for after about fifteen months from the time of our return to Sydney, I applied to the Admiralty for my pay I found to my great surprise he had awarded the sum of ₤6: 6: 0 per month, the same as a Second Class Warrant Officer was entitled to in the Navy, with an additional eight shillings per month tool money. I received nearly ₤40 for my services rendered after the loss of our ship, the same wages as I had on board of the “Orontes”. Therefore not losing a days pay by the wreck, the “Orontes”, pay termination on the 31st December, 1838 and the Naval pay started on the 1st of January, 1839, so all ended well up to our arrival in Sydney. I still continued to assist the carpenter’s crew at repairing the boats and other duties until the order for embarkation came and we got up anchor at sunrise, made sail and started for Sydney. We arrived after a six weeks passage round Cape Lewin.”
There is a reference write from Commodore Bremer on 11th of July 1839.
“ These are to certify that George Allen, Carpenter belong to the Ship “Orontes” was wretched in that vessel off Port Essington and Subsequently served on board Her Majesty’s Ship “Alligator” from the 1st January until the 11th July 1839, during which period his conduce was in all aspects good.
I further certify that he is on of the men I have recommended to the favourable consideration of the Lord Commissioner (?) of the Admiralty. He having been employed on the public works of the New Settlement at “ Victoria” Port Essington.
Given under my hand on board Her Majesty’s Ship “Alligator” at Sydney this 11th day of July 1839
Gordon Bremer Captain”
“On our arrival at Sydney Harbour we moored ship and the next day fatigue parties of the Military stationed there came down to the landing place and carried up to hospital about 50 of the crew of the “Alligator” who were sore stricken, many of them in the last stage of the disease. The rest of the crew were, more or less, myself included, suffering great pains in our limbs and languor, so much so that the doctor told us that any of us that could stand the deck must do so as nearly all of us were more fitted for the sick list than duty. However, after a few days on shore most of us were convalescent, and the men in the hospital improved and no deaths took place.
We were mustered on the quarter-deck the day after our arrival in Sydney, and a certificate of good conduct was given to all and we were complimented by the Commodore on our good behaviour whilst under his command. I was strongly recommended to join the navy having been promised a Warrant Officers position if I would continue to serve. This I thankfully declined, the Commodore giving us to understand that a ration and shelter would be our service for one month without any duty. I declined with thanks for his and his Officers kindness to us during the time that we were attached to the Navy. After landing and getting lodgings, myself and a shipmate named Thomas Roach (from Ireland), kept idle for some time until an opportunity offered to proceed to England. An offer to join a large brig called the “Adelaide” which vessel was about to sail for New Zealand to load timber for the Colony of Adelaide. Two of my shipmates joined the brig and ultimately our Chief Officer of the “Orontes” (William Simpson from England) took the command of the brig to our satisfaction.
We sailed for New Zealand, calling at the Bay of Islands, landing cargo, and a few passengers, again sailed for the Thames, but stopped at an Island called Waiheke, where our owner purchased a large quantity of large logs of timber (Kauri). We lay together nearly ten weeks in New Zealand living well on New Zealand food – pork, potatoes and fish.”
This is to certify that George Allen sailed with one in the Brig Adelaide (a passage from Launceston Van Diemans Land) in the capacity of Carpenter during which time he conducted himself to my satisfactory and I can further recommend him as being a good workman, sober and attentive to all orders given him to execute
Given under my hand this ..?… 1840
Geo Dryden Master
“After completing loading we proceeded on our voyage to Adelaide and after a very stormy passage of five weeks arrived at our destination, finding many of our friends in Adelaide. We spent Christmas of 1839 in Adelaide (I wonder if George met up with John Snoswell who had arrived on the ship “Africaine” in Holdfast, Australia, 14 November 1836), enjoying the hospitality of my old chums, and after spending a pleasant time sailed for Launceston, then called Van Diemans Land, and shortly after our arrival commenced loading for London. It took us some time to fill up and about the 24th March, 1840, proceeded down the Tamar and had a narrow escape of shipwreck on our passage down having struck a snag, we hung on until the ship’s deck was a an angle of 45 degrees, the passengers and most of the crew were on the banks of the river when she suddenly slipped off into deep water, and on the sounding the well (repeatedly) found the ship taking no water.
We proceeded on our way down the navigation of the Tamar was nearly all done by warping, a very tedious process there being no tugs in existence at that time. I am sorry to record the loss of my friend Thomas Roach, who fell of the main top overboard and never rose again, to my sorrow, as I was very much attached to him after being shipmates for nearly two years. We sailed on 1st of April 1840, with a fair wind, intending to go round Cape Lewin therefore cheating the Horn. We had made some hundreds of miles on our way when strong westerly gales met us dead ahead and finding the ship had strained herself on a snag she began to make water very fast, and after a very stormy passage in the middle of winter doubled Cape Horn on the 25th day of June, covered with ice and snow.
The ship most of the time required pumping every hour. About fourteen days before leaving I laid up with a very bad attack of Yellow Jaundice, and it was nearly a case with me but fortunately had a doctor on board and ultimately recovered and went to my duty after rounding the Horn. We then got into fine warm weather and arrived at Rio Janeiro where we laid seven days.
We took in water and other supplies and sailed again for Old England, and met a northeaster in the chops of the channel, passing Deal on the morning of the 1st September, just five months on our journey home, and made fast in the docks on the 3rd September. I left the ship and went down to my Aunt and sister at Gravesend, and after settling up my affairs for wages etc, proceeded to Deal, met mother, brothers and sisters, not forgetting my faithful sweetheart Jane E. Paul, and once more in the home of my childhood after an absence of four years and five months, and there ends my adventures since I left my native lands.”
George Allen and Jane Elizabeth Paul, quarrelling lovers, were married in the Parish Church of St Leonard’s, Upper Deal, Kent, England on 10th November 1840 and left for New Zealand on the “Katherine Stewart Forbes” arriving in Wellington on 11th June 1841.
In Wellington, George established himself as a shipwright, specialising in whalers. Just along the beach from his yard at 57 Thorndon Quay, he built a brick and timber house, “Lasswade” for his family.
In the quarter century, which followed, made a snug competence, and retired to farm at Waiwhetu in 1866.” Apart from founding and managing a successful business, George Allen devoted much of his time to public affairs. In 1861-65 he was a member of the Committee, which decided on the position of Queen’s Wharf, and it was largely to his insistence that the durability of the piles was extended by coppering. From 1976-1883 he was a member of the Wellington City Council, and again in 1887-89. For a few months in 1879 after the resignation of Mr Joe Dransfield, he was Mayor of the City. He also served on the Charitable Aid Board, and for some years was a trustee and treasurer of the hospital (a ward being named after him).
In business he was for some years Managing Director of the Wellington Trust, Loan and Investment Company, and for some years before his death was Chairman.
After eight years on the farm, at Waiwhetu “Walmer” named after a Parish Town south of Deal, where his grandfather was a farmer and fisherman, he came back to “Lasswade”, his house in town, leaving the farm in the hands of his son, Thomas Paul Allen a member of the Hutt Borough Council.
(Grandma Allen)
Jane Elizabeth, was known for her kindness and gentleness, made a home for the growing family, Mary Ann, Jane Elizabeth, Thomas Paul, William Bennett, Eliza Hudson, Caroline Ann, Edward John, Alfred and Emma.
Standing Eliza Hudson & Caroline Ann
Centre- Edward John, Thomas Paul, Mary Ann, William Bennett, Alfred
Front- Emma, Jane Elizabeth
George ALLEN died 10 May 1899 and was buried at the Bolton St Cemetery, Wellington.
Jane Elizabeth Allen died 13 April 1888 and was buried at the Bolton St Cemetery.
“ I must come to my some what erratic career in my early manhood. I passed the usual life of a school boy in my native town, where I was born on the first day of November, in the year of our Lord, 1814, and was the eldest of eight viz.– three sons and five daughters. After doing well at the Deal academy, my father, knowing I wished to be a sailor, sent me over to France, and at the port of Calais I picked up a tolerable knowledge of French, but owing to some grievance on the part of the French family I resided with, I left France a few months too early to have made a thorough knowledge of French. I then returned to Deal, and at the early age of thirteen years and six months was apprenticed to my Father’s partner, James Ratcliff, a celebrated and skilful tradesman. I was induced to alter my early inclination of going to sea on account of the failing health of my Father, who died on the 15th of April, 1830, after a very long and painful illness, after which sad event I stuck zealously to my trade and in a short time there were few men in the establishment who could beat me as a workman. I served my seven years truly and faithfully, with some of the disagreements of an apprentice, many times desirous of going and seeing the world of waters, but, thanks to good advice given to me by a retired friend Captain Jonathan Taylor, I was persuaded to kept true to my engagement, and I am thankful to say that I did as I found the possession of being a skilful mechanic a great boon. I have been able at a comparative early age to retire from working at my trade as a boat builder, and I have enjoyed many years of leisure in my old age. I became engaged to my dear wife, who was then Jane Elizabeth Paul, but on account of a lover’s quarrel or tiff, I ultimately left old England on the 21st day of May 1836.”
This is a copy of George’s Indenture to James Ratcliff.
This Indenture witnesses, that George Allen, son of George Allen of the Town and Borough of Deal in the County of Kent, doth put himself, apprentice to James Ratcliffe, Boat Builder, to learn his Art or Mystery, with him after the manner of an Apprentice to serve from the date here of for and during the term of Seven years next ensuring; during all which time, he the said Apprentice his said Masters faithfully shall serve his secrets keep, and all his lawful commands every where gladly do; he shall do no damage to his said Master, nor see it to be done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said Master, he shall not waste his said Master’s goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any, but in all things behave himself as a faithful Apprentice in the Trade or Mystery he now follows.
And for the true performance of all and every the said Covenants and Agreements each of the said Parties binds himself to the others formly by these presents.
In witness where of they have interchangeably set their hands here unto, this Twenty Second Day of June in the Year of Our Lord, On Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Nine.
James Ratcliff
George Allen
“On Saturday the 14th day of May, 1836, I was busily employed finishing a whale boat, when a neighbouring trader called at our boat building shop and inquired if any young man of our trade felt any inclination to accept an appointment under the South Australia Company as a boat builder, to proceed to Adelaide, South Australia. I, in an unguarded moment undertook to leave all my friends and relatives, also my widowed mother to my great disgrace, with a family of seven young children to battle the world, but under the protection of Mr James Radcliff, acting the benevolent part of a protector to my mother and orphan family. This conduct on my part left an undying regret and I was well punished during my absence, in mind and body for my unfaithful behaviour to my beloved mother and family, a fatal mistake on my part.
Well within one week of the undertaking I was on board a small brig named the “Emma”, Captain Nelson, with a few more passengers, also indented servants of the above company. We then proceeded on our voyage, I suffered very much from sea sickness and remorse, but there was no help I was launched on my way. We had a tedious voyage of several weeks to the Cape of Good Hope where we laid for twenty-eight days taking in stores for the new settlement; I would if possible have returned to England, but in those days there was no means to do so however, I wrote home penitential letters to my mother, and also one to my old love Jane Paul asking her to renew the engagement pledging myself to return as soon as possible, I did so endeavour to do but the following narrative will explain the reason for my absence. We arrived at our destination on the 6th day of October, 1836, at Kangaroo Island, then its wild state, and found a few of the Company’s servants employed in erecting bush huts and living in tents until better shelter could be provided.
Nepean Bay on Kangaroo Island taken in 2003. This is a sand spit with the bush area in the foreground a historic reserve where the South Australia Company first settled. There were difficulties as Kangaroo Island had no fresh water streams.
My first duty on landing with a young lad that left his home with me, was to erect some shelter for which we did out of scrub and tea tree, and here I commenced to work at my trade by repairing a whaleboat belonging to one of the Sealers resident on the island, and afterwards I was employed in conjunction with another boat builder who arrived a few weeks after myself, in building several whaleboats for the fisheries about to be established on parts of the South Australian Coasts, where the whales frequent in the winter season and the fishing was successful. I was induced to go there for two months in the place of a man expected from Hobart Town who did not arrive until the season was nearly over. On his arrival, I returned to Kangaroo Island (Nepean Bay) and continued at my trade, also helping to repair one of the Company’s whaleboats, the “Sarah and Elizabeth” having finished her, I managed to get my discharge sometime in the month of November 1837.
I had an opportunity offered me to return home by an exchange by a carpenter of the ship “Solway” of London, who desired to remain in the colony, and I desired to leave it. I joined the ship and in a week or two’s time we sailed for Encounter Bay, the sight of one of the company’s whale fisheries, to take in about 200 tons of oil and whalebone, intending to go to Hobart Town to fill with wool. We arrived in the Bay alright and the next day were busily employed with the assistance of the whale men mooring the ship, but through the refusal of the Captain to give the men a dram of rum before they commenced work by hauling the ship under a bluff headland, and mooring her to the rocks by the stern, the ship was left out in the open Bay, and during the night a furious gale set in, the ship riding very heavily at her cables, and the two anchors being laid for mooring purposes only acting as a single anchor immediately in side us the surf was breaking furiously on a reef and we were in eminent danger of our lives provided that the cables, parted at about eleven o’clock one of her chains parted, the other chain brought the ship up head to the sea. She therefore took the reef end on and when she first struck, her stern frame was very much damaged, and after striking heavily for a few minutes she dragged bodily onto the reef and filled full of water up to the hold beams. We had to take to the rigging to save our lives, and for many hours we were in great danger, but at low tide the whalers came off through the surf and got under the lee of our stern and we were able, some through the poop windows, some down the top lifts of the sparkers boom, to drop by ropes into the whaleboats, and ultimately we were all safely landed by the skill of the boatman dropping in and foremost through the surf and landed in what we stood upright in, that being a blue shirt and a pair of duck trousers - this happened on the 18 day of December,1837.
The next day being fine we were able to board the wreck. I found my clothes chest and tool chest and bedding as I had left them when we left the ship, mine being fortunately on the weather side, escaped loss and damage. Those on the lee side were totally destroyed by whale oil and other means from the salt water in the hold. The whalers, to whom I was well known, took all I had and landed them first of all, and after that, the Captain’s goods who was the first to leave the ship. The ship was condemned on survey, and after fitting up the long boat, we crossed the Straits to Kangaroo Island where I stayed for two or three weeks unemployed – the company would have nothing to do with me- However, another opportunity offered me by joining the ship “Sarah and Elizabeth”, the ship that I helped to prepare, she having successfully shipped the oil in Encounter Bay. We started the voyage to Hobart Town but had a very rough passage, the old ship leaked very badly. The Captain told me on one occasion of the serious leaks, that it would be a good job when we got into port as the ship was 60 years old by the present register, and that it did not say when she was built. The captain declared that she was one of the Old Spanish Armada. She was an extraordinary bluff bowed old ship and had a chequered career, as I had known her in my boyhood as a South Sea whaler.
We arrived at Hobart Town to our great joy, where the old ship was condemned for repairs and we were paid off. No opportunities offering in Hobart to proceed on my voyage home I went to work at my trade as a boat builder. I was doing very well indeed, earning five pounds a week, and should have certainly stopped in Hobart, as many inducements were held out to me to do so, but, having made up my mind to go to Sydney by the first opportunity, I did so by falling in with a young lad from Deal, who got me a passage to Sydney on his ship the “Henry”, Captain Bunney, and after a prosperous passage landed in Sydney. I worked on board ship as a shipwright for some time and might have done well at my trade if I had started as a boat builder, but, still being bent on going home, I had an opportunity of joining a very fine ship as a carpenter, called the “Orontes” of London, laying in Sydney Harbour, bound in due time for Madras, but the arrival of the HMS “Alligator” and her tender the “Brittomart”. Freight was invited to take down stores, houses in frame, and all the necessaries required to form a settlement on the North West Coast of New Holland. We sailed for that part of the world on the 21st day of September 1838, in the company of “Alligator” and two Merchantmen to go by way of Torres Strait.
An opportunity having offered me as carpenter of the good ship “Orontes”, Captain Short, after laying some time in Sydney Harbour our Captain got the charter to take the buildings and other stores required for the new settlement about to be formed in North West Australia at Port Essington. We left Sydney Harbour on the 17th day of September, 1838, had to take the unknown and dangerous passage known as Torres Strait. After a good deal of buffeting against a foul wind we caught the S.E. Monsoon and made our way through the Straits, keeping a good lookout for danger. The “Alligator” most times leading the way, and after a passage of twelve days we cleared the Straits and I must express my delight at the views that were daily offered us. The reef on which Captain Cook’s ship “Endeavour” struck, the Cape called Tribulation, with Endeavour River where the ship was partly repaired was brought to view by our Chief Officer, W. W. Simpson, a gentleman of great attainment who was a good friend to me. After leaving the Straits we hove to off Booby Island, on Sunday I went on shore in our quarter boat to have a look at the barren rock, myriad’s of birds in the shape of Boobies filled the air as we landed, and after entering in the log book on the Island we re-embarked and proceeded on our journey and ultimately reached Port Essington on the 26th day of October 1838.
We anchored and the work of discharging the cargo commenced and in about seven weeks it was completed. We then made sail for our destination, Madras but on the second day after leaving the Inner Harbour and being about six miles from the land of New Holland, we struck an unknown reef and after boxing the yard for a few minutes the ship floated, but on sounding the pumps found her in a sinking state having made about two feet of water in about ten minutes. I reported the condition of the ship to Captain Short who laughed at me for making such a report, but on being convinced by the Chief Officer of the state of affairs, asked me to give my opinion of what was best to be done. I recommended to square the yard and try to run the ship on shore before the water made her unmanageable, which course was taken and the ship ran on shore before the mainland of New Holland, after one and a quarter hours struggle at the pumps, we landed, and on sounding the well, I found nine feet of water in the hold and everything we had on board under water in the hold, and before the seaman could get into the forecastle their chests were swimming.
A boat was sent up the harbour to communicate the disaster to the Commodore, Sir Gordon Bremer. We should have been in a very precarious state as we were surrounded the next morning by many canoes filled with blacks, well armed with spears and boomerangs, but fortunately before any attack was made the launch of “Alligator” hove in sight well manned and armed, and then the blacks cleared out, to our great joy.”
This is to certify that the bearer George Allen served on board the late ship “Orontes” from June 1838 till her loss Dec 1838 (as carpenter) during which time he conducted himself in a steady manner and can recommended him as good Carpenter.
Sydney July 22nd 1839 Signature unable to read
Late ship “Orontes”
“These …?.. certify that George Allen ..?.. as Carpenter of the Ship “Orontes” under my command from 4th June 1838 to 26th December 1838 during which time he conducted himself to my satisfaction
Dated at Port Essington 4 Feby 1839
Joseph Short”
There is also a copy of the list of crewmembers of the “Orontes”. Listing George Allen as Carpenter of Deal England. There was one other crewmember from Deal a J Benon (?) a seaman. His Carpenters Mate was George Feind (?) of Gravesend.
“The ship was surveyed and condemned and after dismantling the ship were embarked on board the “Brittomart” and taken back to the Inner Port from whence we sailed so short a time back on our voyage home to Madras. We were landed on the beach at the Inner Port with our chests and our bedding without anything to eat on the first day of January 1839, a poor disconsolate body of shipwrecked men not knowing what would be our next move. The marines that came down with us took us up to their encampment and gave us a share of their poor daily ration, and after that I interviewed the Commodore with the boatswain, our Chief Officer who was a friend being on the sick list – our Captain and Second Officer entirely abandoned us to the tender mercies of the Naval Authorities. I will briefly inform of our interview as follows.
We met the Commodore, Sir Gordon Bremer, accompanied by his purser, a gent with one arm. I briefly stated our case and necessities, telling him of the remarks made by Lieutenant Stanley, commanding the ten ton “Pelter Brittomart” from which brig we had been so badly used, not having anything to eat for some hours and finding the softest place on the forecastle deck for my bed and the stalk of the anchor for my pillow. We briefly threw ourselves and our shipmates on the Officer Commanding as shipwrecked seamen, and he immediately assumed the responsibility as his duty, informing us that he had no means of sending us to Sydney until some months might elapse before the “Alligator” could leave for that Port, informing us that he could only allow us the Naval ration of Cupon, two thirds of a navel ration of one pound of salt beef, one pound of bread with three quarters of a pound of flour, alternately with three quarters of a pound of pork with one grill of peas and one pound of bread. The next day, truly not a very brilliant outlook, for perhaps six months.
It took us nearly seven months before we got clear of the Royal Navy, however, the Commodore informed us that if we were willing to work he had no doubt that his influence with the Admiralty would be strong enough to get payment for our services that we might render. I immediately placed myself and my shipmates under his orders. He ordered the purser to issue our the daily ration and told us to take what sails we required for our tents and erect one forthwith which we did and after several hours fatigue in the sun and mosquito’s, the heat of about 130 degrees in the sun, we finally succumbed at 12 o’clock. The old black cook having cooked our salt beef, we crept under partial shelter and ate our dinner with a good appetite, and when the sun got less powerful at three o’clock went to work.
We finished our tents and hung our hammocks and sat for a few hours in the glooming listening to the frogs, the shriek of the flying foxes, and finally the biting of the terrible mosquitos. We went to our hammocks terribly fatigued and almost heart broken on our prospect of getting away from Port Essington. At sunrise the next morning we reported ourselves for duty, myself and the carpenters mate. We were placed under the orders of the carpenter of the “Alligator” and thence helped to build the houses and other lodgings required for the settlement, so the time crawled slowly along. An opportunity being offered to myself to get the good grace of the Commodore, he having a very fine six oared galley of his own which had, fortunately for me, broken adrift and was found so badly damaged that the Warrant Officer of the Alligator condemned her. The coxswain, knowing me by repute as coming from Deal, got me to examine her. I immediately saw that she was repairable and undertook to repair her.
I interviewed Sir Gordon and told him I could. He was delighted and said “Go ahead”, and I almost rebuilt her to his satisfaction and told me when finished that he had one more desire for me to work, as he was pleased to say that I had earned my rations, and said that he would take good care that such a report should be sent home to the Admiralty that would get me well paid for our services. He was as good as his word for after about fifteen months from the time of our return to Sydney, I applied to the Admiralty for my pay I found to my great surprise he had awarded the sum of ₤6: 6: 0 per month, the same as a Second Class Warrant Officer was entitled to in the Navy, with an additional eight shillings per month tool money. I received nearly ₤40 for my services rendered after the loss of our ship, the same wages as I had on board of the “Orontes”. Therefore not losing a days pay by the wreck, the “Orontes”, pay termination on the 31st December, 1838 and the Naval pay started on the 1st of January, 1839, so all ended well up to our arrival in Sydney. I still continued to assist the carpenter’s crew at repairing the boats and other duties until the order for embarkation came and we got up anchor at sunrise, made sail and started for Sydney. We arrived after a six weeks passage round Cape Lewin.”
There is a reference write from Commodore Bremer on 11th of July 1839.
“ These are to certify that George Allen, Carpenter belong to the Ship “Orontes” was wretched in that vessel off Port Essington and Subsequently served on board Her Majesty’s Ship “Alligator” from the 1st January until the 11th July 1839, during which period his conduce was in all aspects good.
I further certify that he is on of the men I have recommended to the favourable consideration of the Lord Commissioner (?) of the Admiralty. He having been employed on the public works of the New Settlement at “ Victoria” Port Essington.
Given under my hand on board Her Majesty’s Ship “Alligator” at Sydney this 11th day of July 1839
Gordon Bremer Captain”
“On our arrival at Sydney Harbour we moored ship and the next day fatigue parties of the Military stationed there came down to the landing place and carried up to hospital about 50 of the crew of the “Alligator” who were sore stricken, many of them in the last stage of the disease. The rest of the crew were, more or less, myself included, suffering great pains in our limbs and languor, so much so that the doctor told us that any of us that could stand the deck must do so as nearly all of us were more fitted for the sick list than duty. However, after a few days on shore most of us were convalescent, and the men in the hospital improved and no deaths took place.
We were mustered on the quarter-deck the day after our arrival in Sydney, and a certificate of good conduct was given to all and we were complimented by the Commodore on our good behaviour whilst under his command. I was strongly recommended to join the navy having been promised a Warrant Officers position if I would continue to serve. This I thankfully declined, the Commodore giving us to understand that a ration and shelter would be our service for one month without any duty. I declined with thanks for his and his Officers kindness to us during the time that we were attached to the Navy. After landing and getting lodgings, myself and a shipmate named Thomas Roach (from Ireland), kept idle for some time until an opportunity offered to proceed to England. An offer to join a large brig called the “Adelaide” which vessel was about to sail for New Zealand to load timber for the Colony of Adelaide. Two of my shipmates joined the brig and ultimately our Chief Officer of the “Orontes” (William Simpson from England) took the command of the brig to our satisfaction.
We sailed for New Zealand, calling at the Bay of Islands, landing cargo, and a few passengers, again sailed for the Thames, but stopped at an Island called Waiheke, where our owner purchased a large quantity of large logs of timber (Kauri). We lay together nearly ten weeks in New Zealand living well on New Zealand food – pork, potatoes and fish.”
This is to certify that George Allen sailed with one in the Brig Adelaide (a passage from Launceston Van Diemans Land) in the capacity of Carpenter during which time he conducted himself to my satisfactory and I can further recommend him as being a good workman, sober and attentive to all orders given him to execute
Given under my hand this ..?… 1840
Geo Dryden Master
“After completing loading we proceeded on our voyage to Adelaide and after a very stormy passage of five weeks arrived at our destination, finding many of our friends in Adelaide. We spent Christmas of 1839 in Adelaide (I wonder if George met up with John Snoswell who had arrived on the ship “Africaine” in Holdfast, Australia, 14 November 1836), enjoying the hospitality of my old chums, and after spending a pleasant time sailed for Launceston, then called Van Diemans Land, and shortly after our arrival commenced loading for London. It took us some time to fill up and about the 24th March, 1840, proceeded down the Tamar and had a narrow escape of shipwreck on our passage down having struck a snag, we hung on until the ship’s deck was a an angle of 45 degrees, the passengers and most of the crew were on the banks of the river when she suddenly slipped off into deep water, and on the sounding the well (repeatedly) found the ship taking no water.
We proceeded on our way down the navigation of the Tamar was nearly all done by warping, a very tedious process there being no tugs in existence at that time. I am sorry to record the loss of my friend Thomas Roach, who fell of the main top overboard and never rose again, to my sorrow, as I was very much attached to him after being shipmates for nearly two years. We sailed on 1st of April 1840, with a fair wind, intending to go round Cape Lewin therefore cheating the Horn. We had made some hundreds of miles on our way when strong westerly gales met us dead ahead and finding the ship had strained herself on a snag she began to make water very fast, and after a very stormy passage in the middle of winter doubled Cape Horn on the 25th day of June, covered with ice and snow.
The ship most of the time required pumping every hour. About fourteen days before leaving I laid up with a very bad attack of Yellow Jaundice, and it was nearly a case with me but fortunately had a doctor on board and ultimately recovered and went to my duty after rounding the Horn. We then got into fine warm weather and arrived at Rio Janeiro where we laid seven days.
We took in water and other supplies and sailed again for Old England, and met a northeaster in the chops of the channel, passing Deal on the morning of the 1st September, just five months on our journey home, and made fast in the docks on the 3rd September. I left the ship and went down to my Aunt and sister at Gravesend, and after settling up my affairs for wages etc, proceeded to Deal, met mother, brothers and sisters, not forgetting my faithful sweetheart Jane E. Paul, and once more in the home of my childhood after an absence of four years and five months, and there ends my adventures since I left my native lands.”
George Allen and Jane Elizabeth Paul, quarrelling lovers, were married in the Parish Church of St Leonard’s, Upper Deal, Kent, England on 10th November 1840 and left for New Zealand on the “Katherine Stewart Forbes” arriving in Wellington on 11th June 1841.
In Wellington, George established himself as a shipwright, specialising in whalers. Just along the beach from his yard at 57 Thorndon Quay, he built a brick and timber house, “Lasswade” for his family.
In the quarter century, which followed, made a snug competence, and retired to farm at Waiwhetu in 1866.” Apart from founding and managing a successful business, George Allen devoted much of his time to public affairs. In 1861-65 he was a member of the Committee, which decided on the position of Queen’s Wharf, and it was largely to his insistence that the durability of the piles was extended by coppering. From 1976-1883 he was a member of the Wellington City Council, and again in 1887-89. For a few months in 1879 after the resignation of Mr Joe Dransfield, he was Mayor of the City. He also served on the Charitable Aid Board, and for some years was a trustee and treasurer of the hospital (a ward being named after him).
In business he was for some years Managing Director of the Wellington Trust, Loan and Investment Company, and for some years before his death was Chairman.
After eight years on the farm, at Waiwhetu “Walmer” named after a Parish Town south of Deal, where his grandfather was a farmer and fisherman, he came back to “Lasswade”, his house in town, leaving the farm in the hands of his son, Thomas Paul Allen a member of the Hutt Borough Council.
(Grandma Allen)
Jane Elizabeth, was known for her kindness and gentleness, made a home for the growing family, Mary Ann, Jane Elizabeth, Thomas Paul, William Bennett, Eliza Hudson, Caroline Ann, Edward John, Alfred and Emma.
Standing Eliza Hudson & Caroline Ann
Centre- Edward John, Thomas Paul, Mary Ann, William Bennett, Alfred
Front- Emma, Jane Elizabeth
George ALLEN died 10 May 1899 and was buried at the Bolton St Cemetery, Wellington.
Jane Elizabeth Allen died 13 April 1888 and was buried at the Bolton St Cemetery.
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