Elizabeth Ann (Barrett) Thomas (abt. 1860 - 1919)

Born about 1860 in Derbyshire, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Ancestors

Wife of Archelaus Thomas — married 18 Mar 1883 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 10 Mar 1919 at about age 59 in 2 King Edward Place, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

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Elizabeth (Barrett) Thomas migrated from England to New Zealand.

Biography

Elizabeth was born more than a year before her mother, Sarah Ann Barratt, married David Downs. She was baptised as Elizabeth Ann Barrett - her mother's surname, no father's name recorded - at Whitfield, Derbyshire, on 12 Aug 1860. ^[1] Her Civil Birth Registration, during the third quarter of 1860, in Hayfield District, Derbyshire, was for Elizabeth Ann Barratt, her mother's maiden name was recorded as Barratt. It is not known who her father is, and as yet we have no DNA evidence. However, it is interesting to note that David Downs obtained a Licence to marry Sarah Ann Barratt, an unusal action for a cotton weaver worker. He was not living in his family home in Hayfield at the time of the 1861 Census, and within a year he and Sarah Ann had married. It is possible he is her father. Her name in New Zealand was consistently Downs.

In the 1861 Census, Elizabeth and her mother were living in Elizabeth's grandparent's home at Littlemoor, Whitfield, Hayfield, Derbyshire. Nine month old Elizabeth is recorded as Illegitimate on the Census return. ^[2]

One year later, in 1862, Elizabeth's mother married David Downs in Hayfield Derbyshire, by licence. ^[3]

Infant Elizabeth does not appear on the same passenger list, but Sarah, David and their son arrived in Melbourne Australia, travelling on Queen of the South, on the 8 Aug 1863. David is said to have enlisted in Captain Jackson's Auckland Militia on the 20 Jan 1864 in Melbourne Reg No 30. and transferred to the 4th Waikato Regiment. ^[4] The Queen of the South is recorded as arriving in New Zealand 19 Sept 1863, carrying 153 non- commissioned officers and men of the 40th Regiment plus 22 women and 38 children. ^[5]

Elizabeth married Archelaus Thomas on 18 March 1883. ^[6]

They had six children.

Elizabeth passed away in 1919 at the age of 58. ^[7] She is buried at Purewa Cemetery in Auckland, New Zealand. PLOT: Block A Row 7, Plot 8.^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Derbyshire Births And Baptisms. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk
2. ↑ 1861 England, Wales & Scotland Census. Archive reference RG09. Piece number 2550, Folio 53, Page 16. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk.
3. ↑ England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005. County: Derbyshire. Country: England. Volume 7B, Page number 897. Accessed on findmypast.co.uk.
4. ↑ http://www.angelfire.com/nd/domneal/downs.html. Further source documents being located.
5. ↑ Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections. Record ID P024897. Accessed on https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/passengers/id/32546/rec/3
6. ↑ NZ BDM Marriage Records Online: registration number1883/1986. Accessed on https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
7. ↑ NZ BDM Death Records Online registration no. 1919/817. Accessed on https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
8. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201871479/elizabeth-anne-thomas. Accessed on https://www.purewa.co.nz/view/?id=38436

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