George Rex (1790 - 1858)

Born 9 Sep 1790 in Ryton, Yorkshire, England

Husband of Jane (Matson) Rex — married 16 Nov 1813 (to 14 Feb 1836) in Bridlington, Yorkshire, England

Husband of Sarah Jane (Richmond) Rex — married 2 Sep 1837 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

Descendants

Died 13 Oct 1858 at age 68 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

Lived in High St, Shadwell in London after leaving Yorkshire.

The high infant mortallity of his children, may have been due to poor public health policies.

George to Hobart on the "James Harris" on 19 March 1834. He landed on a small island on which the Drunken Admiral building now stands. Ships were moored in the Derwent and passengers rowed ashore by boatmen.

George was a Licensed Victualler/Grocer. His premises were in Liverpool Street. On the death of Jane Matson their residence was reported as 18 Elizabeth Street [cnr Macquarie] and No. 81 Elizabeth Street [cnr Liverpool] which was the former Commonwealth Bank built in 1938, but from 1822 to 1938 it was the site of the Whitehorse Inn. When Sarah Jane Richmond died in 1858 their residence was reported as 77 Liverpool Street. In 2024, there are two buildings housing 2 shops on the ground floor and Dept of Corrections on level 1. The neigbouring buildings are 73, a pharmacy, and 81 mentioned above.

In the 14 weeks following Sarah's death George appears to have move to Hampden Rd, Battery Point, Hobart, where he died. The sale of his business premises and residence with Jane was advertised for sale the same day he died.

Notices

The Courier (Hobart, Tas. : 1840 - 1859), Wednesday 13 October 1858. ^[1] FRIDAY, 15TH OCTOBER. TO CAPITALISTS AND PERSONS REQUIRING BUSINESS PREMISES. E. H. IVEY Has received instructions from Mr. G. Rex to Sell by Auction, on the premises, on FRIDAY next, the 15th October instant, at 12 o'clock precisely, THE VALUABLE LEASE of the PREMISES lately occupied by him and well-known as " REX'S REGISTRY OFFICE," Situate in the central part of Liverpool-street, and the very best business part of Hobart Town. The lease has 7 (seven) years unexpired, at the low (or nominal) rental of £36 (THIRTY-SIX) PER ANNUM. dr E H.I, in drawing attention to the above rare opportunity, begs to state that he is instructed to sell WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVE. Terms at sale. 3068

The Hobart Town Daily Mercury (Tas. : 1858 - 1860), Thursday 14 October 1858. ^[2] DEATHS. On the morning of the 13th, at his residence, Hampden Road, Battery Point, Mr. GEORGE REX, in the 70th year of his age. The Funeral will take place on Friday, at 3 o'clock. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

The Hobart Town Daily Mercury (Tas. : 1858 - 1860), Thursday 28 October 1858. ^[3] E. H. IVEY Has received instructions from Mr. D. Simpson, Executor to the Estate of the late Mr. G Rex, to sell by auction, on the premises, on TUESDAY next the 2nd November, at 12 o'clock precisely. THE VALUABLE LEASE of the PREMISES lately occupied by him, and well known as REX'S REGISTRY OFFICE Situate in the central part of Liverpool-street, and the very best business part of Hobart Town. The lease has seven (7) years unexpired, at the low (or nominal) rental of THIRTY SIX (36) PER ANNUM. E. H. I., in drawing attention to the above rare opportunity, begs to state that he is instructed to sell WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVE. Terms at Sale.

The Hobart Town Daily Mercury (Tas. : 1858 - 1860), Friday 29 October 1858. ^[4] Notice to Creditors. ALL persons having claims against the estate of the late Mr George Rex are requested to forward the particulars of the same to Mr. Graves, Solicitor, Stone Buildings, Hobart Town. DANIEL SIMPSON, 5238 n8 Executor to the Estate.

The Hobart Town Daily Mercury (Tas. : 1858 - 1860), Tuesday 2 November 1858. ^[5] THE VALUABLE LEASE of the PREMISES lately occupied by him, and well known as REX'S REGISTRY OFFICE. Situate in the central part of Liverpool-street, and the very best business part of Hobart Town. The lease has seven (7) years unexpired, at the low (or nominal) rental of THIRTY SIX (36) PER ANNUM. E. H. I., in drawing attention to the above rare opportunity, begs to state that he is instructed to sell WITHOUT THE SLIGHTEST RESERVE. Terms at Sale.

Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 20 April 1934, page 12. ^[6] A CENTURY IN TASMANIA - RECORD OF THE REX FAMILY. YEARS OF PROGRESS. Standing in Morrison Street, Hobart, the building of the leading ship chandlers in Tasmania, R. R. Rex and Son, is just one evidence of the progress of the family which yesterday celebrated the centenary of its arrival in Tasmania. One hundred years ago yesterday the first member of the Rex family, Mr. George Rex, accompanied by his wife and family, arrived in Hobart on the barque James Harris. Mr. Rex (sic Jane Matson came on "Strathfieldsaye" on 15 Aug 1834), who had been a farmer in Yorkshire, immediately commenced a search for land on which to settle, but after walking to Swanport and back, he remarked, "Farming would never pay in Van Diemen's Land," and so with this realisation in his mind he set up in business on his own. After the death of his first wife he married again and to-day several members of the family, namely, Messrs. R. R. and J. R. Rex, two of his sons, are probably the best known nonagenarians in this State. It was not until some time after this that the firm which bears the name of Rex was founded, and to-day it is a household word with every Tasmanian connected with the sea. The family has grown, and members of it are associated with many professions in various parts of the Commonwealth, but wherever they may be there is little doubt that yesterday everyone of them thought of Mr. George Rex, who had been the first of them to arrive and land in Van Diemen's Land a century ago. Indicative of the pride in which this knowledge is held by the family was the fact that throughout the day Mr. R. R. Rex, one of the grandest old men Hobart has known, flew from the mast in front of his home the flag with the crest of the Australian Rexs. They are entitled to this crest, which was granted by the authorities in England for their use, through members of their family being descendants of Sir John Rex, Bart.

Sources

1. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2464577
2. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3251013
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3251238
4. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3251269
5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3251328
6. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/24927527

• Baptism - 9 Oct 1790 - Kirby Misperton, Yorkshire, England - Bx C06495-1
• https://librariestas.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/names/search
• Tas BDM DC 1163-35/1858 & 1222191/1858
• Link - https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/L2LJ-MKY (31 source docs attached)

Acknowledgements

• Family sources - Patricia Hayward.