John Fitness (aft. 1816 - 1851)

Born after 15 May 1816 in Wadhurst, East Sussex, England

Ancestors

Husband of Caroline (Maynard) Fitness — married 25 Dec 1836 (to 17 May 1851) in Frant, Frant, Sussex, England

Descendants

Died 17 May 1851 before age 35 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Birth

Date: 15 May 1816, Place: Wadhurst, Sussex, England (no source)

about 1816 (1841 Census) (burial)

about 1817 (Immigration)

Marriage

Date: 25 Dec 1836

Place: Frant, Frant, Sussex, England

Name: John Fitness, Single

Spouse's Name: Caroline Maynard, Single^[1]

Emigration

John, Caroline and their 3 children arrived in Melbourne aboard the Harry Lorrequer on 14.3.1851. The shipping record says they were Baptists, could read and write and possessed of a Bible. Samuel (John’s brother) also emigrated on the same ship with his wife Hannah and two tiny children. But tragedy had struck this other family - the babies died of diarrhoea, and Hannah died of debility. Only Samuel was left to face a brave new world when the Harry Lorrequer docked in Melbourne.^[2]

Children

Naomi: christened in Frant, Sussex on 29 Dec 1839.^[3]

Lois Eunice: 1837

George: Christened in Frant, Sussex on 15 Mar 1842.^[4]

Residence

1841 Census:

Place: Pear Tree Cottage, Frant, Sussex, England

Note: Jno Fitness M 25 born Sussex

Caroline Fitness F 22

Lois Fitness F 4 born Sussex

Naomia Fitness F 1 born Sussex^[5]

Death

Death:

Name: John Fitness

Burial: Date 18 May 1851

Death Date: 17 May 1851

Death Place: St. James Cathedral, Melbourne, Bourke, Victoria, Australia

Age: 35

Birth Date: 1816

Occupation: Labourer^[6]

Burial:

The Old Melbourne cemetery. His remains were reintered at the Fawkner General Cemetery

Sources

1. ↑ "England, Sussex, Parish Registers, 1538-1910", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD6-KCJH : 23 June 2016), John Fitness and Caroline Maynard, 1836
2. ↑ Series: VPRS 14; Series Title: Register of Assisted Immigrants from the United Kingdom (refer to microfilm copy, VPRS 3502)Public Record Office Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria.
3. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N29B-DHC : 30 December 2014), John Fitness in entry for Naomi Fitness, 29 Dec 1839; citing FRANT,SUSSEX,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 1,067,357
4. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JS5P-WD9: 30 December 2014), John Fitness in entry for George Fitness, 15 Mar 1842; citing FRANT, SUSSEX ,ENGLAND, reference; FHL microfilm 1,067,357.
5. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903 /1:1:M7SL-MB7 : 30 October 2015), Jno Fitness, Frant, Sussex, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
6. ↑ "Australia Deaths and Burials, 1816-1980," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTC3-X5S : 12 December 2014), John Fitness, 17 May 1851; citing reference p 113 No. 1692; FHL microfilm 993,777.