Charles Augustus FitzRoy (1850 - 1921)

Born 9 Nov 1850 in Berrima, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Charles Augustus FitzRoy was born on 9th November 1850 at Berrima, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Mary Ann Chalker and, it is claimed by the unmarried 18 year-old mother, Sir Charles FitzRoy, the then Governor of New South Wales.^[1] It is not disputed that FitzRoy made a visit at the time to Berrima, in the New South Wales Southern Highlands, to inspect the Fitzroy IronWorks. He, and his party, stayed at the Surveyor General's Inn, operated by former boxing champion Edward "Ned" Chalker (sometimes Charker). Ned's step-daughter, Mary Ann Chalker, worked at the inn. Nine months later, she gave birth to a son, who she named Charles Augustus FitzRoy, supposedly after his father, the Governor. Whether Sir Charles ever acknowledged, indeed whether he ever knew of, young Charles is unknown, probably unlikely.^[2]

This boy was later adopted by ex-convict John Fitzsimons and his family.^[3]

He is said to have passed away on 19th July 1921.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Birth Index #1651/1851 V18511651 68
2. ↑ Wikipedia: Charles FitzRoy
3. ↑ Wikipedia: Charles FitzRoy
4. ↑ unsubstantiated family record