William Michael Corney (abt. 1807 - 1873)

Born about 1807 in Boston, Lincolnshire, England [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Unknown) Corney — married 21 May 1838 in New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia

Husband of Rachael Emily (Ewing) Hardy — married 8 Jan 1843 in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, Australia

Descendants

Died 16 Feb 1873 at about age 66 in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

William is thought to have been born around 1807 (the record for his marriage to Rachel Ewing in 1843 states his age as 36), although his death record in 1873 notes his age as 77. It's possible that he was born in the mid to late 1790s (Rachael was only 20 at the time of their marriage, so it's possible that he showed himself as a bit younger than his real age of about 46, which might have been frowned upon, even then). It's also possible that the death register was incorrect, and the age given was pure guesswork. William was noted as 21 when he was sentenced in 1827 (details and citations to be added at a later time), so 1806/1807 would be the more likely time of birth. See below for citations on marriage and death records.

William first married Mary Jones, a widow, on 21 May 1838 at the Parish Church in New Norfolk, Tasmania, in the presence of George Porter and Margaret McLoud. George Porter was the Sexton at New Norfolk before William Corney. William signed his name so is able to write. ^[1]

It's assumed (although no record has been located yet) that Mary died before 1843, when William married Rachael Ewing. His second marriage was held at the Parish Church (United Church of England and Ireland) in Hobart, Tasmania on 8 Jun 1843. William is noted as a widower, his occupation as Sexton, and Rachael was a spinster.^[2]

At the time of the 1848 census, William was living at High Street, New Norfolk, Tasmania, along with five other people. Only four of those five were free at the time (possibly Rachael probably, although she was transported for 7 years in 1841 and was probably close to the end of her term). The household consisted of 3 adults (1 married male, one married female, one single female) and 3 children (one male and two females). The children were possibly George (b1843, d1902), Emma (b1845, d1859) and Mary Jane (b1846, d1859). The identity of the second adult female is not known.^[3]

William died of Diarrhoea at the Tasman Peninsula (Port Arthur), Tasmania, on 16 Feb 1873, noted as a 77 year old 'free' pauper.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Tasmanian Names Index, LINC Tasmania, NAME_INDEXES:82456, RGD36/1/3 no 4270 [1]
2. ↑ Tasmanian Names Index, LINC Tasmania, NAME_INDEXES:827006, RGD37/1/3 no 552 [2]
3. ↑ Tasmanian Names Index, LINC Tasmania, NAME_INDEXES:474092, CEN1/1/92 [3]
4. ↑ Tasmanian Names Index, LINC Tasmania, NAME_INDEXES:1159353, RGD35/1/42 no 547 [4]