John Hepburn (1803 - 1860)

Born 10 Dec 1803 in Whitekirk and Tyninghame, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Eliza (Combes) Hepburn — married 17 May 1830 in Tower Hamlets, Middlesex, England

Descendants

Died 7 Aug 1860 at age 56 in Smeaton, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Neil Stewart [send private message]

Biography

John Hepburn is Notable.

John Hepburn came free to the Colony of New South Wales (1788-1900)

Birth & early life

John Hepburn was born on 10 Dec 1803 in the united parish of Whitekirk and Tynninghame, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, and baptized 18 Dec 1803 in the Church of Scotland parish church^[1] He was the sole child of parents Thomas Hepburn and Allison Stewart who had married on 5 Feb 1803 in the Church of Scotland parish church in Whitekirk and Tynninghame, Haddingtonshire^[2]

John's mother died after his birth and his father Thomas married Agnes Whitecross. John is conjectured to have been raised in the household of Thomas and Agnes, and retained his filial relationships with his half-siblings (His youngest brother, Benjamin Hepburn, who like John, emigrated to the Colony of Victoria, was one of his executors).

Marriage

John married Eliza Combes (sometimes recorded as Coombes) on 17 May 1830 in the Church of England parish church Saint Anne Limehouse in Tower Hamlets in the East End of London^[3] John was a bachelor, Eliza a spinster, and both were of the parish. John signed the register in his own name, Eliza made her mark.

Children

John and Eliza had the following ten children: four sons, and six daughters:

1. Alice Elizabeth Hepburn, born 23 Jun 1831, baptized 17 Jul 1831 in St George in the East, Tower Hamlets^[4] The family resided in Great Turner Street. She married Charles James Boehm Murray in 1860 Vic BDM 3388/1860, children: Eliza Marion Murray
2. John Stewart Hepburn, born 11 Jul 1833, baptized 8 Dec 1833^[5] The family resided at Cannonfield Road. Died in 1835, aged 1 year and 5 months, buried in St George in the East 7 Jan 1835^[6]
3. Thomas Hepburn, born 9 Jun 1836, baptized 25 Dec 1836 in Tower Hamlets^[7] The register records that the family resided in William Street, and that John Hepburn was a mariner. Thomas died 21 Jul 1859, buried in Smeaton^[8]
4. George Stewart Hepburn, born Campbellfield, Vic. 28 Jul 1838^[9], married Harriet Frances Wheatley in 1865^[10], died on 23 Jan in 1903 at his property Koorootang The Esplanade, Mornington^[11][12]
5. Henry Hepburn, born 1842 in Smeaton, birth registered 1847^[13], died 18 Aug 1874 (aged 31–32) on board the ship Hally bound for Buenos Aires from London (recorded in his will^[14][15]
6. Eliza Hepburn, birth registered 1841, Loddon district^[16], married Benjamin Butterworth in 1859^[17], seven children, died 8 Apr 1923 at Smeaton, Hurtmore, Surrey^[18]
7. Mary Hepburn, born 1845 (twin), Smeaton, married Adolphus William Devlin in 1868^[19], widowed 1886, moved to England before 1901, died 1 Feb 1909 at 10 Sloane Court, Middlesex^[20]
8. Helen Hepburn, born 1845 (twin), Smeaton, married Arthur Francis Walsh 30 Nov 1864 Piccadilly, Westminster, London^[21], died 17 Apr 1929, Manor House, Purton, Wiltshire^[22]
9. Jane Hepburn, born 27 May 1847, married Robert Thirkill Maillard 30 Nov 1874, Piccadilly, Middlesex, London, died 14 Dec 1927 Inglewood, Runfold, Farnham, Surrey^[23], buried St Lawrence Churchyard, Seale, Surrey^[24]
10. Anne Hepburn, born 1849 Smeaton, married Charles James Kenworthy 1869^[25], widowed 25 Mar 1891, relocated to England, died ?

Death & burial

John died in Smeaton on 7 Aug 1860, he pre-deceased his wife, Eliza. Probate on his will was granted on 25 Oct 1860. It provided for his two surviving sons, George Stewart and Henry; and his six daughters: Alice Elizabeth, Eliza Butterworth, Mary, Helen, Jane and Annie^[26]. He was buried in the Hepburn graveyard in Smeaton^[27]

Research Notes

There is no record of any other children born to Thomas Hepburn and Allison Stewart in any baptismal record of any Church of Scotland parish in the period 1803-1808. Some genealogists have suggested that Thomas and Allison (sometimes Ellison) had two children in addition to John: George and Alice; There appears to be no extant evidence to collaborate such claims.

John's middle name, Stuart, was not recorded on the record of his baptism or no his will (in his own hand). It does not appear on the Victorian registry entries for the births of his children: George Stewart, Henry or Eliza. Neither is it recorded on the Church of England parish baptismal registers for the baptisms of his three oldest children: Alice Elizabeth, John Stewart or Thomas. It is conjectured that this has no legal basis but was an adoption which reflects his acknowledgement of his mother Allison Stewart.

This profile is a work in progress and will be populated with additional biographical information Stewart-39100 12:22, 6 January 2024 (UTC)

Sources

1. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 3 January 2024), John Hepburn 18 Dec 1803, son of Thomas Hepburn & Ellison, in Whitekirk and Tynninghame, Haddingtonshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 723, Ref 20/116.
2. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 3 January 2024), Thomas Hepburn / Allison Stewart 5 Feb 1803 in Whitekirk and Tynninghame, Haddingtonshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 723, Ref 20/196, Frame 466.
3. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1938," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1623 #4228860 : accessed 5 January 2024), John Hepburn marriage to Eliza Combes in 1830 in Saint Anne, Limehouse: Commercial Road, Tower Hamlets, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, London, England, UK, London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/ANN/027.
4. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #4479912 : accessed 5 January 2024), Alice Elizabeth Hepburn baptism on 17 Jul 1831, daughter of John Hepburn & Eliza Hepburn, in St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/Geo/014.
5. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #5009662 : accessed 5 January 2024), John Steuart Hepburn baptism on 8 Dec 1833, son of John Hepburn & Eliza Hepburn, in St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/Geo/015.
6. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Deaths and Burials, 1813-2003," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1559 #9107453 : accessed 5 January 2024), John Stewart Hepburn burial (died in 1835) on 7 Jan 1835 in St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, England. Born in about 1834; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/Geo/080.
7. ↑ "London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1558 #155330723 : accessed 5 January 2024), John Hepburn's son Thomas Hepburn baptism on 25 Dec 1836 in St George in the East, Tower Hamlets, England; citing London Metropolitan Archives, "London, England, UK" , London Church of England Parish Registers, Reference Number P93/Geo/016.
8. ↑ "Find a Grave," database, (Find A Grave: Memorial #250057039 : accessed 6 January 2024), Memorial page for Thomas Hepburn (9 Jan 1836-21 Jul 1859), citing Hepburn Gravesite, Smeaton, Hepburn Shire, Victoria, Australia.
9. ↑ https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hepburn-george-stuart-32181
10. ↑ Vic BDM Marriages 2440/1865
11. ↑ Vic BDM Deaths 3538/1903
12. ↑ Mornington Standard 24 Jan 1903 Page 2 DEATH OF CR. HEPBURN online in Trove NLA (accessed 4 Jan 2024)
13. ↑ Vic BDM Births 8495/1847 8862/1847
14. ↑ https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/02F35F54-F530-11E9-AE98-7998EA97BEB6
15. ↑ "Find a Grave," database, (Find A Grave: Memorial #250057823 : accessed 6 January 2024), Memorial page for Henry Hepburn (1842-18 Aug 1874), citing Hepburn Gravesite, Smeaton, Hepburn Shire, Victoria, Australia.
16. ↑ Vic BDM Births 684/1841
17. ↑ Vic BDM Marriages 99/1859
18. ↑ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1904 #5313474 : accessed 6 January 2024), Eliza Butterworth probate on 14 Jun 1923 in London, England. Died 8 Apr 1923 in Surrey, England; citing Original data Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England.
19. ↑ Vic BDM Marriages 2397/1868
20. ↑ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1904 #3377319 : accessed 6 January 2024), Mary Devlin probate on 27 Feb 1909 in London, England. Died 1 Feb 1909 in Middlesex, England; citing Original data Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England.
21. ↑ "Westminster, London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1935," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 61867 #91455846 : accessed 5 January 2024), Helen Hepburn (minor) marriage to Arthur Francis Walsh on 30 Nov 1864 in St James, Piccadilly (St James, Westminster), London, Westminster, England; citing City of Westminster Archives Centre, London, England, Westminster Church of England Parish Registers, Reference STJ/PR/6/35.
22. ↑ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1904 #5923095 : accessed 6 January 2024), Helen Walsh probate on 15 Jun 1929 in London, England. Died 17 Apr 1929 in Wiltshire, England; citing Original data Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England.
23. ↑ "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995," database with images, Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry au Record 1904 #2029351 : accessed 6 January 2024), Jane Maillard probate on 31 Jan 1928 in London, England. Died 14 Dec 1927 in Surrey, England; citing Original data Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England.
24. ↑ "Find a Grave," database, (Find A Grave: Memorial #255751338 : accessed 6 January 2024), Memorial page for Jane Hepburn Maillard (27 May 1847-14 Dec 1927), citing St Lawrence Churchyard, Seale, Guildford Borough, Surrey, England.
25. ↑ Vic BDM Marriages276/1869
26. ↑ Victoria. Master in Equity, Supreme Court. Wills. citing Public Record Office Victoria Series Wills (VPRS7591) Record 3/311 John Hepburn: Will; Grant of probate 1860-10-25 Given name : John; Family name : Hepburn; Residence : Smeaton; Occupation : Gentleman; Nature of grant : Probate; To whom committed : B. Hepburn B. Butterworth And E. Kirby online at PROV (accessed3 Jan 2024)
27. ↑ "Find a Grave," database, (Find A Grave: Memorial #250056982 : accessed 6 January 2024), Memorial page for John Stuart Hepburn (10 Dec 1803-7 Aug 1860), citing Hepburn Gravesite, Smeaton, Hepburn Shire, Victoria, Australia.

Other Sources:

• Hepburn's personal account of the two expeditions: Bride, Thomas Francis Letters from Victorian pioneers: a series of papers on the early occupation of the Colony, the aborigines, etc. Addressed by Victorian Pioneers to His Excellency Charles Joseph La Trobe, Esq. Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Victoria. Melbourne: Trustees of the Public Library, 1899. online in Trove NLA online in Trove NLA
• Quinlan, Lucille M Here my home : the life and times of Captain John Stuart Hepburn 1803-1860, master mariner, overlander and founder of Smeaton Hill Victoria, Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1967.
• Wikipedia contributors, "John Stuart Hepburn," database, (Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia Wikidata: Item Q6259533
• Alan Gross, 'Hawdon, Joseph (1813–1871)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hawdon-joseph-2168/text2781, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 6 January 2024
• Leslie J. Wilmoth, 'Gardiner, John (1798–1878)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gardiner-john-2077/text2599, published first in hardcopy 1966, accessed online 6 January 2024.
• brief contemporary report of the 1st (1836) expedition "Port Phillip expedition" The Sydney Monitor 23 Jan 1837, Page 2 online in Trove NLA