Ellen (Tompkins) Ferguson (1821 - 1886)

Born 1821 in Dublin, Ireland

Wife of William Ferguson — married about 1844 in New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 28 Jul 1886 at about age 65 in Graytown, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Christine Randall [send private message]

Biography

Ellen was born about 1821 in Dublin City, Ireland. ^[1]

Ellen passed away in 1886 at her home in Graytown, Victoria, Australia. ^[2]

The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 - 1918) Friday 6 August 1886 p 2
DEATH.
FERGUSON.-On the 28th ultimo, at her residence, Graytown, Ellen Ferguson the beloved wife of William Ferguson, aged 65 years. Native of Dublin.^[3]

The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 - 1918) Friday 6 August 1886 p 2
MAGISTERIAL INQUIRY.
A magisterial inquiry as to the cause of death of Ellen Ferguson was held by D. Sims, Esq. J. P., at the residence of the deceased, Graytown, on Thursday last week when the following depositions were taken:-
Ellen Folwell, sworn stated: On Wednesday the 28th inst., on my return from school I saw the deceased, who was my grandmother, lying between the bed and the table. Asked her if she could not get up. She did not speak. Went and told my grandfather.
William Ferguson, sworn, deposed: I am the husband of deceased. Last saw my wife alive yesterday morning about 9 o'clock. She was then apparently in her usual state of health. Went to my work. About 12 o'clock my grand-daughter, Ellen Folwell, came and told me her grandmother was lying on the ground. Proceeded home at once and found my wife lying on the floor near the bed. She appeared to have fallen off the bed. Lifted her up and asked her what ailed her. She made no reply. Saw froth coming from her mouth. Placed her on the bed, Then sent for my daughter and Mrs Bock. Found my wife was dead. Sent information to Constable Arthur at Costerfield.
John Ferguson, son of last witness, gave similar evidence.
Catherine Bock gave evidence of being sent for, and finding deceased on the bed dead.
Constable Arthur also gave evidence of being sent for and finding deceased dead.
H. B. Clark, sworn stated: I am a legally qualified medical practitioner, residing in Heathcote. I this day made a postmortem examination of deceased. Found no external marks on the body. On opening the chest I found both lungs congested; also valvular disease of the heart of long standing, which was the immediate cause of death.
The decision as to the cause of death was in accordance witlh the medical evidence.^[4]

Research Notes

(Christine Randall, 11 November 2017)
As I mentioned in another profile, I have had DNA matches to at several different descendants of William Ferguson and Ellen Tompkins. I am trying to discover which great-grandson, if any, is the father of my paternal grandmother.

Most public family trees say that William Ferguson and Ellen Tompkins arrived as convicts - especially as William and Ellen have claimed to have married in Goulburn, New South Wales, in the time frame that both convicts were in that area. ^[5]

I will delve into the convict side of things when I'm sure these are my ancestors.

Christine's update (14 Sep 2022):
As more DNA matches came to light, it's certain these are my direct ancestors. I descend from the eldest son, James Ferguson, who didn't move to Graytown with the rest of the family but married a widow, Mary Jane Huston, nee Shaw on 1 Sep 1874 in Stawell, Victoria, Australia. James said he was a 29-year-old labourer, born Sydney, New South Wales, the son of William Ferguson, Miner, and Ellen Tomkin.

William and Ellen's grandson, Matthew James Ferguson, fathered Christine's paternal grandmother but they were not allowed to marry. Family suggested the forbidding may have been due to religious differences, but seems more likely the family knew of the family's convict origins.

Sources

1. ↑ The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic) 6 August 1886 p 2 DEATH NOTICE
2. ↑ Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888 (cdrom) Macbeth Applications: 1886 DEATH; Ellen, parents unknown, GRAYTOWN; Registration Number 9321
3. ↑ TROVE Newspapers Online (National Library of Australia): The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 - 1918) Friday 6 August 1886 p 2
4. ↑ TROVE Newspapers Online (National Library of Australia): The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 - 1918) Friday 6 August 1886 p 2
5. ↑ Rootsweb Mailing List Archives: AUS-PT-JACKSON-CONVICTS-L Archives, dated February 2013 [1]