Benjamin Oxlade born 1827 inner London and Elizabeth Shelley born 1822 Brighton Sussex, married 1848, both residing Newington, inner London. Soon they lived Blackfriars; 1851 Ireland yard. Ben was apprentice waterman and lighterman, bound Jan 1845, master John Hasler, Pauls Wharf. In March 1852, Ben gained freedom of The Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames. Lightermen, as Ben worked, operated oar-steered tidal barges for unloads from ships. By 1861, the family resided Old Fish st.

In 1861, Ben and family emigrated for Australia, arriving Melbourne, colony of Victoria, 16 Jan 1862, ship Vortigern. Elizabeth had younger half-brother William Wallace Shelley, sister Mary Ann and half-sister Clara already established in Victoria, and more half-siblings followed.

Ben and family resided Richmond where Alfred was born 1863, by 1864 Sandridge (Port Melbourne). Ben was waterman and, as in England, professional sculling (rowing) racer: March 1862 major match race at Melbourne lost; Nov 1862 pairs for watermen Melbourne Annual Regatta won; next such Nov 1863 watermen's race won; 1864 pairs Brighton Regatta won; 1865 Lake Wendouree Regatta, Ballarat, won.

About 1865, the Oxlade family settled at Ballarat. Aquatic sports and tourist boating were popular at the new Lake Wendouree. Ben was waterman, boatman and carpenter, probably mainly with Tom Gill, from 1864 a leading operator there, whom his daughter Emma married 1869. Ben also had links from Melbourne with James Edwards, boat proprietor at Ballarat. In 1884 Ben and Elizabeth resided Windermere st; by 1888, 12 Essex st.

Ben died 1888, said Ballarat Courier, well known at Lake Wendouree and rowing circles. Elizabeth died 1895, res Essex st, housekeeper.

pic from Roslyn & Ian Brown click to enlarge

Ben Oxlade as rowing racer

Ben often appeared in Annual Regattas at London between Blackfriars and Southwark bridges. He was second for coat and badge at 1850 Grand Thames Regatta. Also 1850, he won scullers' match race on the Thames, said The Times a most determined and gallant contest which augured well for future advancement in the path of celebrity: full report. In 1856 he was third paired oars Thames Regatta, 1858 winner two match races, subsequently loser two others. The management of the Pauls Wharf Regatta was often entrusted to him.

Arriving Melbourne 16 Jan 1862, Ben was somewhat astonished almost immediately to find a gentleman proposing to match him to row for 200 pounds. The match made, the monies, half each by respective supporters, were staked to newspaper Bells Life In Victoria which reported the affair 25 Jan to 22 March (main basis for this account). By 8 Feb, Oxlade by his unassuming manners and modesty of demeanour had made a host of friends. His opponent was James Punch, age 22, from near Sydney, professional waterman. Ben, age 34, trained Upper Yarra at Richmond, Steve Forster trainer, locating Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, Richmond. On 15 March, the race took place over about four and a half miles on the Lower Yarra. Punch won very easily by 20 lengths, time 26 minutes, stakes handed over that evening Albion Hotel. The Argus reported that it appeared to be almost generally known that Ben Oxlade had not had the opportunity of being brought out in first rate form and condition, having scarcely arrived after a bad voyage of 118 days, the match made for him by an over zealous and not over-wise patron: he was of repute and skill in the old country.

Ralph P. Neale Jolly Dogs Are We mentions the event and continues "the sixth all rowing regatta on the Yarra River in 1862 was by far the most successful rowing regatta to date and involved well over a hundred amateur rowers.. In contrast the number of professional rowers was limited to five men only: in the sculls Fred Ralph, George Nickels and Jack Riley; and in the paired-oar event Nickels with Ben Oxlade against Ralph and Tom Dewardt.. Whereas in previous years the regattas had been held on the winding, narrow Upper Yarra, in 1862 it was resolved to move to the lower Yarra, below its junction with the Saltwater River [now known as Maribyrnong River and junction modified].. The regatta held on Monday 10 November 1862, celebrated the birthday of the Prince of Wales." The paired-oar event, Footscray Cup, 15 pounds, for watermen, The Age reported won by Nickels and Oxlade.

In August 1863, Ben was engaged as professional trainer of the Victorian crew for the Intercolonial Rowing Match.

The 1863 Melbourne Annual Regatta was public holiday 10 Nov, course two miles Lower Yarra. The Age wrote that the Watermen's Scullers' Race, rowed in boats pulling a pair of sculls excluding outriggers, entrance 10s, was one-sided, Oxlade winning by a number of lengths. The Herald said it was a very interesting race with the purse of sovereigns secured by B. Oxlade who beat his opponents easily; the day was a perfect success despite abrupt termination by fierce storm; at one time, there could not have been less than 8000 persons present. In 1863 Regatta Lake Learmonth, 30 Nov, near Ballarat, Ben competed without success; said Ballarat Star, in getting round in a heat of the first race, Oxlade sprained his wrist resulting in a considerable swelling that compelled him to give up.

In June 1864 at Brighton Regatta in Melbourne, crowd 8000, Ben was defeated in singles by James Edwards by about a yard - the most exciting and hardest contested of all the races. Ben won pairs. Feb 1865, Ben won open scullers race Lake Wendouree Regatta, Ballarat, new boat by Charles Brooks, recently established boat proprietor there.

Ancestry and family of Ben Oxlade 1827-88

Ben's father, Robert Oxlade 1805-68. [Oxlade research of Susan M. Rogers, see below, and at points Sandy Brodine much assists for the remainder of paragraph.] Robert 1841 was labourer, residing Printer st, Blackfriars; 1848 carman; 1851 labourer, Holiday yard at Ludgate; 1856 common porter; 1861 labourer, inmate City of London Union Workhouse. He was born 9 Nov 1805 ch Robert Oxlat at Croydon, Surrey; d 2 Dec 1868, City of London Union Workhouse Bromley, age 64, porter. Robert had been employed many years as a driver of horse and cart in central London until 1850 when briefly imprisoned for petty theft of oats, said of previous good character.

Robert's parents were Joseph Oxlade (or Oxley) b c1781 Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire m 1805 Cookham, Berkshire Martha Ludlow 1781-1859 (b Hampstead Norrey's, Berkshire, parents Benjamin Ludlow b c1754 m 1776 Rebecca Hopgood, gparents Joseph Ludlow and Martha; sister Charlotte Ludlow 1788-1850 m London 1811 Robert Oxlade 1782-1851 brother of Joseph). Joseph and Martha came to inner London early 1800's where Joseph lime porter, carman; 1841 res Printer st with son Robert and family, 1851 Glasshouse yard. Martha d 6 July 1859 City of London Union Workhouse Bromley, 78 years. Susan M. Rogers within remarkable detail at rootsweb Oxlade I0323 has believed ancestry of Joseph as son of Robert Oxlade c1750-c1830 Great Marlow Bucks m Mary Rose c1755-c1832; Robert son of Richard Oxlade c1693-c1759 Great Marlow husbandman (small farmer) m3 Mary Gibbons; Richard son of George Oxlade c1643-1711 Great Marlow m Parthenia Childe c1647-1698; George son of John Oxlade c1606-61 Fingest Bucks husbandman m Fraunces Munday; John son of John Oxlade c1583-c1661 Fingest labourer.

Ben's mother was Caroline Crowder 1806-87 b London, 1851 laundress, 1861 charwoman 20 Old Fish st with Ben and family also her son George; 1871 nurse with son George and family; 1881 City of London Union Workhouse. Caroline had siblings Mary Ann Crowder 1804-74, John Davenport Crowder 1808-41 m 1830 Betsey Harris, Harriett Crowder 1813-95 m 1832 George Maisey. Caroline was child of Samuel Crowder b 1762 tailor and Sarah Dyer 1781-1848 m 1802. Sarah by 1841 was widow res Lambeth with daughter Harriett Maisey, husband and family. The parents of Samuel Crowder were William Crowder m London 1755 Prudence Davenport b 1725 Syal Cheshire. The brother of Prudence was John Davenport 1722-96, a London woollen draper and King's tailor, who resided and owned property around Teddington and Twickenham; the meaning of his will which had nephew Samuel Crowder a beneficiary became a court case. The parents of Sarah Dyer were Andrew Dyer b 1740 Glasgow, Scotland, of British Army until 1799, from 1782 outpatient of Chelsea Hospital in London, and Hannah Essling who married 1778 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Colony where his 64th Foot regiment was.

Robert Oxlade m Caroline Crowder 10 Dec 1826 St John the Evangelist, Lambeth. Benjamin ch there 23 Dec 1827. Other children included Robert Oxlade ch 1829, Caroline Oxlade 1834-1898 res inner London m 1856 Edward Reeves 1830-70 several children, John Robert Oxlade ch 1838, Eliza Oxlade ch 1841, George Oxlade 1844-1912 res inner London m Ann Spenser 1849-1918 (> Benjamin Phillip Oxlade 1867-1953 of London pic > Ben Oxlade 1905-2000 of London pic whose daughters Di Mancino settled Perth, Western Australia and Chrystal Jane Lloyd, Newcastle, New South Wales, pics thanks to Di Mancino and other assistance gdau Cathy Simon (Lloyd)).

Ancestry and family of Elizabeth Oxlade nee Shelley 1822-95

Elizabeth Shelley was b 15 Sept 1822 Brighton, Sussex, ch there, St Nicholas 22 Jan 1823, of William Shelley 1797-1876 b Brighton, Sussex, shoemaker m Brighton 1817 Kitty Nye 1798-1829. William was of the large old Shelley family of Sussex though there is no known demonstrable link to the branch including the poet which late 1700's after presence in America re-established in Sussex. William was born 1797 ch Brighton, child of John Shelley 1775-1817 m Brighton 1796 Ann Weller. Catherine was the Kitty Nye ch 1798 Cuckfield, Sussex, child of John Nye c1774-1847 m 1797 Catherine (Kitty) Roebuck c1776-1850. Other children of William and Catherine: Mary Ann Shelley 1818-93, William Shelley 1820, John Shelley 1824, Ann Shelley 1826.

William Shelley 1797-1876 as a widower married Brighton 1829 Elizabeth Julia Myers 1808-89 and moved about 1835 to London. Elizabeth (later Oxlade) may have been the teenage Elizabeth Shelly 1841 in domestic service to a hosier at Ludgate st. The locality of the William Shelley family at London was that of Ben Oxlade; 1841 at Cloyster ct, Blackfriars, William, shopman; around 1851-61 at 8 Bennet Hill, William bootmaker retired; by 1871 at the City of London almshouse, Lambeth, William age 73. In addition to Elizabeth Oxlade, the following children of William Shelley emigrated to Victoria.

William Wallace Shelley 1830-86 pic at picturevictoria, arr Melb 1849 assisted from Brighton, age 20 labourer, m 1850 Mary De'Rippe Redhead 1821-87, adopted Thomas Wallace Shelley d 1928 age 68. Initially W.W. Shelley was in business Queen st, Melb, from 1853 had general store cnr Simpson's rd (later name Victoria st) and James st, Richmond (later named Shelley st); mined at Ballarat; by 1859 publican North Richmond Hotel same location as store; Mayor of Richmond 1872, 1878; in England 1882; JP; by 1882 resided Charles st, Abbotsford; substantial local properties. (Sources incl People in Victoria 1882.)

Mary Ann Shelley 1818-93 arr Melb 1853, m Collingwood 1857 William Kettlewell, farmed at Riddell's Creek near north of Melb, only child died young. By 1893, resided 382 Barkly st, East Brunswick, died that year after being struck by ridden horse on Nicholson st near home. At her marriage, witness Hannah Prudence Harris was half sister of wife of W.W. Shelley, witness Nathaniel Fletcher m 1858 Christina another half sister of wife of W.W. Shelley.

Clara Shelley 1832-1918 arr Melb 1854 domestic servant "gone with her brother to Richmond"; m Melb 1855 William Yorke Mitchell, several children; from 1858 at Ballarat; with dau Hannah b 1864 she returned to London, m Lambeth 1869 neighbour of her parents Thomas How apparently in Vic c1857; 1881 resided Lambeth, Thomas journeyman baker. A child of Clara, Thomas Mitchell, born 1860 Ballarat, probably was the adopted son of W.W. Shelley and Mary.

Agnes Shelley 1841-90 arr Melb 1862 m 1864 William Nicholls who took North Richmond Hotel c1882 and by 1889 Friendly Societies Hotel, Langridge st, Abbotsford (now Carringbush Hotel). Several children d infancy. Agnes in her will mentioned her brothers and sisters including Elizabeth Oxlade at Ballarat.

Ephraim Myers Shelley 1846-72 arr Melb 1863, d Abbotsford described by brother William as writer.

Other children of William Shelley and Elizabeth Julia remained in England, all at London or near: Kitty Harriet Shelley 1831-1904 m 1852 John Huckin; James Richard Shelley 1835-1902 bookbinder m 1857 Emma Howell; Martha Mercy Shelley 1839-95 m 1855 James Rich; Manasset Shelley 1852-1908 bookbinder finisher m 1874 Elizabeth Sibley.

Solomon Herman, family and ancestry

incorporating research by site author from England and Victoria records, other named sources and help of Roslyn & Ian Brown

Rose Herman 1831-1906, sister of Solomon, m 1854 Birmingham England. Joseph Levy and they soon came to Victoria with infant son; by 1857 at Ballarat > Naomi Levy 1857-1946 m 1882 Abraham Solomon, Louis Levy 1858, Rebecca Fanny Levy 1860, Isidore Levy 1864, Abraham Levy 1866-1929, Fanny Rebecca Levy 1868-1953. Joseph Levy d Sydney 1915.

Samuel Herman 1800-79, rabbi, father of Solomon, settled in Victoria 1864 with his recently married second wife Sarah. Samuel was born Konin, Poland and was previously married to Frances (Fanny) Rebecca nee Hoch c1800-60 b Neustadt, Prussia. Samuel Herman was a Talmudic scholar. He was child of Judah Hermann, rabbi, and Rebekah Sarah nee Levick. By 1851, Samuel Herman was rabbi of the Falmouth Hebrew Congregation, Cornwall, England; with him wife Frances and children Abraham 23 b Konin, Rose 20 b Konin, Phoebe 10 b Barbiak, Poland. Frances d 1860 at Bath. In 1861 Samuel Herman was a widower, lodging alone in London. In 1863 at London City, he married Sarah nee Levek 1813-91 b Poland where previously she had married Isaac Jacobs.

In 1864 Samuel Herman and Sarah arrived in Victoria. Samuel Herman was inducted as one of the ministers to the Ballarat Hebrew Congregation. He was a foundation member in 1864 of the first Beth Din or rabbinical court outside London established in Victoria to decide questions of Jewish law. He was better versed in Jewish law than any other minister in Victoria. Owing to his halachah, the Chief Rabbi appointed him president of the Beth Din. However, since he failed to master English, his authority was often superseded. He resigned his pulpit at Ballarat 1868 and went to Geelong where he served the congregation until death in 1879, retaining position of Ab Beth Din or Chief of the Jewish Ecclesiastical Board for the Australian Colonies. See further Hilary Rubinstein, The Jews in Victoria 1835-1985; Hilary Rubinstein, Chosen: The Jews in Australia; Lazarus Morris Goldman, Jews in Australia in the Nineteenth Century.

Thomas Edward Gill (Gell), family and ancestry

Thomas Gill (Gell), whom Emma Oxlade married 1869, was born 1838 at Douglas, Isle of Man, child of Mathias Gell and Catherine nee Davis, see at isle-of-man.com.

Ballarat & Vicinity has that Thomas Gill was bound at an early age as an apprentice to the coachbuilding trade. In the meantime, his father having died, he agreed to accompany his employer who was about to emigrate to Australia. Thomas arrived Melbourne 1853 and proceeded to the goldfields at Ballarat. After a time, he returned to coachbuilding for several years, subsequently engaging in boat building. In 1875 he erected the popular hostelry Gill's Lake View House at corner Mill st and Wendouree pde. An expert yachtsman, he always took a keen interest in aquatic sports. He was a founder of the City Rowing Club, shareholder in pioneer steamer Victoria at Lake Wendouree and owned first private steamer there, Wendouree.

Gill's Boatshed constructed 1864 is across the road near Lake View House, both buildings remain today, latter hotel The Views, more goldencitypaddlesteamer.

Benjamin Oxlade 1852-53
London

Elizabeth Jane Boonstra (Salomo), family and ancestry

Elizabeth Jane Boonstra (Salomo) was born 1854 at Maldon in central Victoria goldfields. By 1868, her mother and stepfather were living at Pleasant st, Ballarat where it is likely she also lived. It was the neighbourhood where Harry Oxlade lived. Elizabeth Jane and Harry m Ballarat 6 Feb 1879, she a tailoress. Elizabeth Jane d Melb 1924.

pics

1. Elizabeth Jane Oxlade (Boonstra) (Salomo)

2. Elizabeth Jane Oxlade (Boonstra) (Salomo)

Elizabeth Jane's parents were Jacques (John) Salomo 1820-65 and Jane Lockyer 1834-1925. According to birth records for their children, they married at Melbourne 1853. Their child Emma was born 1856 in region of Maryborough of central Victoria goldfields, and John was born there 1857 at Alma diggings, d 1860 at nearby Cockatoo Gully, Amherst. By 1861 John and Jane had parted.

Jacques Salomo 1820-65 was born Amsterdam, Holland; very likely, as indexed, the Isaac (or Izaac) Samuel Salomo born 9 November 1820, child of Samuel Salomo and Rachel Levy Cohen Dunis. This is from an 1839 Dutch military register, though the actual record looks more like clerical confusion in attempted spelling of Jacques.

His community had fluidity of names and, especially before 1811, usually did not follow the surname conventions common in Europe and the British Isles. The community was the Ashkenazi Jewish community at Amsterdam: see for example akevoth dutchjewry.

Jacques Salomo arrived London Jan 1851, by March that year, clerk lodging at Soho, age 30. A brother Salomo Samuel Salomo 1811-56, an agent for importers of cattle, was also in England having been an alien arrival 1845. A cousin was Chalumeau Salomo 1805-57, of Amsterdam, commercial traveller, active in England many years including around 1827 at Manchester.

In 1853, Jacques was a gold miner at Maldon. By 1855 he was known as John Salomo (or incorrectly Salamo). By 1855 until at least 1860 he was at Alma near Maryborough. Around 1854-55 he was partner in a hotel at Alma with one E. Berger.

He was appointed to the staff at the Maryborough courthouse, probably from 1861, and became a deputy bailiff. There are newspaper references to his work, often spelt Salamo. He died 17 June 1865 of heart illness said age 44, in Victoria 13 years.
From Maryborough Advertiser Monday 19 June 19 1865.
"Mr John Salamo [sic], an old resident of Maryborough died in the hospital on Saturday, and being a member of the Fire Brigade, the muffled tones of the bell pealed forth solemnly yesterday afternoon and about a score of firemen in uniform, under the command of Captain Casey followed the remains to the Maryborough Cemetery. The spectator could not but feel impressed at the sight of a body of men banded together for a good purpose, paying the last tribute to a departed comrade."
(Hospital rec, as Solomo, gives arrival details; civ reg index has Solamo.)

John Salomo Application for Courthouse Staff Maryborough 1861

Jane Lockyer 1834-1925 was born Westminster, child of John Lockyer 1791-1843 m Westminster 1822 Jane Clarke c1799-1860 b Marylebone, d Westminster. John Lockyer was a baker of 4 Vine st, Millbank Westminster, and then for a short time until his death in 1843, licensed victualler Grosvenor Arms 1 Kensington pl or Holywell st, Westminster. His parents were Christopher Lockyer 1735 m at Blendworth Hampshire 1775 Sarah Guy 1755-1826; at Northington, then Salisbury Wiltshire, then Sarah as a widow Sloane St Chelsea. He had siblings Christopher Lockyer 1782-1829 (widow Isabella Lancaster Lockyer will proved 1855 mentions many of family), Richard Lockyer 1783-1827, Sarah Lockyer 1786 m 1817 William Forest, William Lockyer 1794, Charles Lockyer 1796-1835. Other children of John and Jane included John Lockyer 1823-9, Christopher Lockyer 1825-54 d East Indies, Richard Lockyer 1828-54, Isabella Lockyer 1829-87, Elizabeth Lockyer 1830-62 d Australia, John Lockyer b 1832 was 1862 at London administrator of Elizabeth's will. By 1851, his widow Jane resided 63 Admiral tce with daughters Jane dressmaker and Elizabeth milliner. The younger Jane arrived Victoria with sister Elizabeth Dec 1852 ship Blackwall from London in group of 36 needlewomen who were part of a philanthropic scheme for emigration of London needlewomen. Assisted passage list shows Jane Lockyer domestic service, Lt Collins st, Melbourne. Elizabeth Lockyer was committed to lunatic asylum, d Yarra Bend 1862.

In Dec 1861, Jane Lockyer married Tyeerd Boonstra at Smythesdale in goldfields south of Ballarat, miner born Holland 1826, both residing at nearby Italian Gully. Elizabeth and Emma became known as Boonstra. Children of Jane and Tyeerd were Auty b 1861 Smythesdale, Annie and John b 1863 at nearby Staffordshire Reef. By probably late 1863, the Boonstra family resided Pleasant st, Ballarat, Tyeerd a carter and c1879 miner. John died there 1871, age 9, after being kicked by a horse, its tail lay-handled. By 1885 Jane and Annie were costumieres in Melbourne residing Prahran. Tyeerd was there too, occupation gardener, d 1897. Emma d Melbourne 1888 consumption 2 years. Annie m 1908 Edward Bennett, coachpainter. By c1911, Jane resided Melbourne at Malvern with Annie and Edward. Jane d 1925, Annie d 1938.

Mary Nunn, family and ancestry

Mary Nunn, whom Alfred Oxlade married 1887, was born 31 Dec 1863, Fyan st, Chilwell, Geelong, child of William Nunn and Rebecca Whybrow.

William Nunn and Rebecca (Wybrew) were married at Risbridge (included Haverhill) in 1855. Assisted immigrant register shows William Nunn, 22, ag labourer, and Rebecca Nunn, 19, both from Suffolk, sailed from Southampton 16 May 1855 on Maria Hay, arrived Geelong 17 Aug, William going "on own acct South Geelong 15 Sept". By 1866 they were at Ballarat, William labourer; later wood dealer, 29 Scott Pde, Ballarat, d there 1904 age 74 (parents James Nunn and Betsy, funeral report funeral mentions Button grandsons). Rebecca d Ballarat East 1908, age 73, father Thomas. Other children of William Nunn and Rebecca: Eliza 1855 m 1875 Rodney Button, Mary Elizabeth 1857-9, Emma 1859-1945, William 1861-1920, James Henry 1866-1922, Thomas 1868-1900, Joseph Philip 1870-1939, John Robert 1872, Mabel 1874, Charles Frederick 1877-1937, Fanny 1881.

William Nunn looks to have exaggerated his age so as to marry and emigrate; probably the one b c1837 at Gt Wilbraham, Cambridgeshire, of James Nunn b there c1795 and Elizabeth b c1796 Bristol; in 1851 at Gt Wilbraham, William ag labourer age 14, James pensioner 23 Regt foots. Rebecca (Wybrow) was b 1835, ch 1836 Haverhill, Suffolk, of Thomas (and IGI has Rebecca, but thought to be Mary or Maria Bigmore m 1830); in 1851 at Haverhill, Thomas Whybrow 44, was drabett weaver, wife Maria, Rebecca 15 at home, Jacob 13 errand boy and other children, all b Haverhill. Having regard to posting by June at genforum whybrow, parents of Thomas Whybrow were John Whybrow 1782-1849 m Mary Brown, gparents Philip Whybrow m 1770 Mary Reynold, ggparents Philip Whybrow of Haverhill b Sudbury c1748 m 1763 Mary Worlidge; Philip Whybrow, uncle of Rebecca, was at Geelong by 1848, having been in Van Diemens Land (Tasmania) from 1836. Jacob Whybrow, brother of Rebecca, settled in Victoria October 1855.