James Gay (1818 - 1864)

Born 1818 in County Tyrone, Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Booth) Gay — married 20 Jul 1842 (to 29 Apr 1847) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Ann (Gordon) Gay — married 1847 (to 26 Nov 1864) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 26 Nov 1864 at about age 46 in Sofala, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

James Gay was born in Ireland around 1818 and migrated to New South Wales sometime before 20 July 1842, when he married Margaret Booth at the Scots Church, Sydney^[1] They had two daughters - Ann Jane and Elizabeth. James' parents and some of his siblings had arrived in 1841 via the ship Margaret.

Margaret Booth died in 1847 at Fairy Meadow, NSW, and James remarried Ann Gordon the same year at Scots Church.^[2] They lived at Jamberoo and had at least 5 more children: Alice Rebecca, William Albert, Benjamin Gordon, Joseph James, and Catherine Amelia.

On the 21st of January, 1855, he escaped from the Kiama lockup at 1 in the morning and made off in the direction of Jamberoo (reason for being under arrest unknown). His description says he was wearing a black frock coat, small plaid tweed trousers, Cossack boots, and an old black hat.^[3]

On the 7th of January,1858, Ann made an unspecified complaint against James in court - probably domestic violence.^[4]

In November 1860 he had a disagreement with his neighbour Maria Campbell when his cattle were found grazing on her land. He argued that it was his own land.^[5]

In December 1861 he was ordered to pay 10 shillings each week to support his family.^[6][7]

At the end of December, 1861, James took his neighbour John McCormack to court for stealing a pair of his turkeys. He stated that he didn't know when it might have happened because he had 'not lived at my house for the past three weeks.' The case was dismissed.^[8]

James died on the Goldfields at Sofala in 1864, the coroner found that it was caused by inflammation of the stomach,^[9] His death certificate stated that it was from drinking cold water on a hot day.^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages no: 1448/1842 V18421448 (certificate sighted).
2. ↑ NSW BDM 201/1847 V1847201 78 GAY JAMES, GORDON ANN, JA
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. Victorian Police Gazette (April 31, 1855) p. 82. James Gay is charged with breaking out of the lock-up at Kiama, at 1 o'clock, A.M., on 21st January, 1855, whilst in the custody of Constable Ree; he afterwards proceeded towards Jamberoo. The said James Gay is about 5 feet 7 inches high, strong made, round shouldered, dark hair and eyes, about 38 years of age, sallow complexion ; he has a very downcast appearance, and wore, when he escaped, a black frock coat, small plaid tweed trousers, Cossack boots, and an old black hat. The said James Gay has been bound to keep the peace for twelve months, and his time has not yet expired.
4. ↑ The Illawarra District. (1858, January 18). Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950), p. 2. Retrieved May 31, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136441383
   A Binding to the Peace. — On the same day, James Gay was brought up by his wife, Ann Gay, who made such complaint to the bench as warranted their worships to order Gay to find sureties that he keep the peace.
5. ↑ KIAMA POLICE COURT. (1860, December 8). Examiner (Kiama, NSW : 1859 - 1862), p. 2. Retrieved May 31, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102520702
6. ↑ KIAMA. (1862, March 11). Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950), p. 2. Retrieved May 31, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article136377224
   GAY V. GAY Mr. R. H. Owen applied for a warrant against James Gay, who had been ordered in December last to pay into Court 10s. weekly towards the support of his wife and family. Only four payments had been made.
7. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Police Gazettes, 1854-1930. 1862. Retrieved from Ancestry.com.au
   A warrant has been issued by the Kiama Bench for the apprehension of James Gay, charged with disobeying a summons. He is about 40 years of age, dark complexion, very ill looking countenance, stooped shoulders, 5 feet 7 inches high ; dirty appearance ; wears an old black hat, and old black coat, and trousers. Supposed to be in the neighbourhood of Jamberoo.
8. ↑ KIAMA POLICE COURT. (1861, December 24). Examiner (Kiama, NSW : 1859 - 1862), p. 2 (MORNING). Retrieved May 31, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102521705
   Possible theft of the Gay family's turkeys
9. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners' Inquests, 1821-1937. James Gay. Inquest Date: 28 Nov 1864, Inquest Place: Sofala
10. ↑ NSW BDM: Death 5892/1864 GAY JAMES, AGE 45 YEARS, DIED SOFALA, SOFALA

• Family Search ID: LD1W-MC3

Other newspaper articles:

• Advertising (1859, November 5). Kiama Examiner (NSW : 1858 - 1859), p. 1. Retrieved August 19, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102736011
  Wanted. TO LET the FALLING of Twenty Acres of standing Bush. Apply to JAMES GAY, Jamberoo.
• Advertising (1860, February 29). Examiner (Kiama, NSW : 1859 - 1862), p. 3. Retrieved August 19, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102518149
  MR. WILLIAM IRVING will sell by auction, at Mr. James Gay's, Jamberoo, on WEDNESDAY Next, 7th March, Commencing precisely at one o'clock, 12 quiet dairy cows 2 horses, &c. These are for positive sale. Terms liberal at sale.