Abraham Hazlett (abt. 1785 - 1856)

Born about 1785 in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland

Husband of Sarah (Guthrie) Heazlett — married about 1833 in Ireland

Descendants

Died 21 Mar 1856 at about age 71 in East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Abraham Hazlett was an Assisted Immigrant to New South Wales.

Abraham was born about 1785. The spelling of the family surname varies a lot, generally Hazlett in Ireland, Heazlett or Hazlett in Australia (depending on the branch), and Hazlitt or Hazlitt-Black in New Zealand). Add to that the other mis-spellings and we have a lot of fun trying to unravel this family :-)

In 1835 Abraham was living in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland and was subject to a land assessment.^[1]

Abraham died on 21 March 1856 (registration as Hezlitte) and is buried at Campbells Hill Cemetery near Maitland, New South Wales.^[2] as Hazlette

Research

Much of the following needs to be proven.

It is believed that Abraham's parents are William (William James) and Janet?. He had a brother, Robert, who was married to Alice Nixon, and their children: Jane (Bussell) b. ~1836, Ellen (Hourigan) b. ~circa 1835, Samual (1839-1910), Alice b ~1842, and Thomas b. ~1846, who all came to Australia, and possibly Robert Nixon Heazlett, born ~1846.

Some information is from Abraham's death certificate, therefore, as this is supplied by family members, it may, or may not, be correct...

Abraham's death is registered under the name Hezlitte, East Maitland, NSW, Australia. Bd Campbells Hill Cemetery, (formally West Maitland), Telarah, NSW, and his grave under Hazlette on FindAGrave. There is no known grave marker.

From the death certificate: Age at death given as 71, a labourer, parents are not known. Abraham was buried 22 Mar 1856 at West Maitland cemetery. Stated to have been born in Ireland, and had lived in Australia “about 5 years” (he arrived on the Kate in 1851). Said to have been twice married, but the information needs confirmation. He was survived by his wife Sarah.

There is uncertainty about Abraham’s partners... family records mention Ann and Sarah, however his son William’s death certificate states his mother is Elizabeth King. His death certificate showed that he had five children with his first wife, Ann and four with his second wife, Sarah. Family records indicate this would be William, David, Jane, John and Ann then Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Rebecca.

There is no sign of a Robert in any official records, even though his name appears linked as a son of Abraham in some family trees. There is the possibility that “Robert” and “William” are one and the same, as there is a mention in one record of a “William Robert”. Abraham's brother was called Robert, so there is the possibility there was a nephew by that name.

It is possible William's mother was Elizabeth King, perhaps Abraham had three wives/partners, even though his death certificate states otherwise, remembering that death certificate information is supplied by by others, not always close family. Or maybe the family had the wrong information. Irish records being what they are it is difficult to tell and considerably more research is needed...

We can be reasonably sure of the following: m(1) Kennedy, Ann (nee O’Connor, (source - information on David and John Heazlett death records in Major’s Creek). Ann died ~1831. Children (probably William), David, Jane, John and Ann

m(2) Guthrie, Sarah. Children Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary and Rebecca. Sarah accompanied Abraham to Australia along with several of their children. Many family records give her name as Gutheridge, however further research gives more weight to her name having been Guthrie

Abraham arrived (recorded as Hazlett), age 66 (estimated YoB 1785), in Botany Bay, Australia on the “Kate”, 08 Oct 1851, with wife Sarah, 56, and children - Jane 30, John 28, Elizabeth 20, Sarah 16, Mary 14, Rebecca 11. The records show age, occupations, birth place, religion (CofE) and if the passenger could read/write. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ "Ireland, Valuation Office Books, 1831-1856," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVM2-2566 : 15 March 2018), Abraham Hazlet, 1835; from “Griffith's Valuation 1847-1864,” database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2014); citing Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, Field Books, various libraries, offices, and a private collection.
2. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #80642708
3. ↑ NSW Assisted Immigrants Index 1839-1896 Index [1]

• [2] NSW Death registration no:2303/1856 Maitland (as Hezlitte)