Francis Howe

Born [date unknown] in England

Descendants

Died 22 May 1809 in Sydney, New South Wales

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Biography

On July 1, 1789 at London, Francis Howe enlisted as a Soldier with the 'New South Wales Corps' at the rank of 'Private'. He later became a 'Drummer'. On January 20, 1790 he sailed from Falmouth, England aboard the 'Justinian' with other members of the New South Wales Corps, as part of the Second Fleet and arrived at Sydney Cove on June 20, 1790. Sometime after October 25, 1794 Francis formed a relationship with Catherine Jones, a Convict who had arrived in Sydney on that date, aboard the ‘Surprize’. Francis and Catherine had three children at Sydney: Francis Jnr., John and Robert. In late 1801 Francis was posted to Norfolk Island and in January, 1802 he, Catherine and their three sons arrived on the island. On November 8, 1802 at Norfolk Island, Catherine gave birth to their 4th child, James. In January, 1805, Francis was included on the list of military personnel who had received full rations from the Government Stores at Norfolk Island for all the previous year. In February, 1805, Catherine was included on the list of female convicts who were no longer receiving rations from the Government Stores at Norfolk Island. On July 15, 1805 Catherine gave birth to their 5th child, Sarah. Catherine and Francis were never married and the birth of each child was listed in church and island records under both surnames, Howe and Jones. In 1809, as the closure of the First Settlement on Norfolk Island became imminent, Francis was transferred back to Sydney. On April 8, 1809 Francis and Catherine left the Island for Sydney with only three children, one of whom was Sarah. Apparently two of their five children had died on Norfolk Island. On May 22, 1809, only six weeks later, Francis drowned with his son Francis junior in Sydney Harbour. He was buried at the Old Sydney cemetery. It appears that his son’s body was not recovered. What became of his other children, other than Sarah, is unknown.

Sources

<‘BEYOND THE SEAS’ BY ALAN LOXTON The true story of Ann White, John Scott, Kennedy Murray, Richard Sydes, Catherine Jones, Francis Howe, Thomas MacQueen, Sarah MacQueen, Kennedy Murray II, and Elizabeth Murray. - MEMBERS OF NORFOLK ISLAND’S FIRST SETTLEMENT BETWEEN NOVEMBER 11, 1791 AND JANUARY 20, 1813. The results of direct research of Norfolk Island records.>