James Bloomfield (1823 - 1879)

Born 1823 in London, England

Husband of Ann (Smith) Bloomfield — married 9 Feb 1846 in St John, Clerkenwell, Islington, England

Descendants

Died 14 Aug 1879 at about age 56 in Balmoral, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

James Bloomfield and Ann Smith married 9th February 1846 in the Church of St John Clerkenwell, Middlesex. James was a Brass Finisher, from Eagle Court. His father was George Bloomfield, Mariner. Ann had no occupation, was of the same place as James, and her father was James Smith, Watch Finisher. Both were of full age, and single. The ceremony was conducted by Rector Hugh Hughes, according to the Rites of the Established Church. The witnesses, George and Sarah Cooper, signed their names. The bride and groom left their marks. ^[1]

Though there is a Bloomfield family living in the same building as Ann's family in 1851, Ann and James are not in either household. The couple were in the Greenwich district when daughter Ann Maria's birth was registered, at the end of 1850.

In 1855, James, Ann and three children left for Australia, arriving at Portland Bay, Victoria, on 29th October. James was now an agricultural labourer, which would have enhanced his application to emigrate to the Colonies. Sadly, the infant Sarah died at the Depot soon after arrival.

The Age (Melbourne, Vic) Tuesday 28 August 1855 p 5
NEWS FOR AUSTRALIA.
(From, the European Times, June 5.)
CESSATION 0f GOVERNMENT EMIGRATION TO VICTORIA.-The Balnaguith, appointed to sail from Plymouth for Portland Bay on the 2nd July, will be the last ship despatched by the Emigration Commissioners to the Colony of Victoria, as the funds in their hands will by that time be exhausted ; unless, indeed, any further remittances may arrive from thence. ^[2]

After arriving at Portland, James worked on the roads at Heywood for a time. They then settled in Balmoral, where James worked for Charles Wood, until accidentally drowning 14th August 1879.

Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918) Saturday 16 August 1879 p 2
DIED.
BLOOMFIELD. - On the 14th August, accidently drowned in Mathers' Creek, James Bloomfield, aged 56 years, for upwards of 20 years a faithful servant to Charles Wood, of Balmoral. ^[3]

An inquest was held at Balmoral on 16th August 1879. ^[4]

Following the inquest, his death was registered at Balmoral, Victoria, giving his birthplace as London, England, and naming his parents as George Bloomfield and Sarah, maiden name unknown. Aged 56, his spouse was confirmed as Annie Smith. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Church of England Parish Registers. London Metropolitan Archives, London.: Reference Number: P76/JNB/014 (image of record viewed at Ancestry.com on 15 Apr 2018)
2. ↑ 1855 'NEWS FOR AUSTRALIA.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 28 August, p. 5. , viewed 15 Apr 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154891644
3. ↑ 1879 'Family Notices', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 16 August, p. 2. , viewed 15 Apr 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226057944
4. ↑ Public Record Office Victoria PROV Inquest Deposition Files, 1879, DIGITALISED ITEM, State Coroner's Office, CITATION: VPRS 24/ P0 unit 393, item 1879/729 : James BLOOMFIELD Cause of death: Drowning; Location of inquest: Balmoral; Date of inquest: 16 Aug 1879
5. ↑ Department of Justice, Victoria Family History Search, viewed 15 Apr 2018: 1879 DEATH, James BLOOMFIELD, reg 6981