Somerset, maritime county in SW. of England, bounded N. and NE. by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the Severn, and from NE. round to SW. by the counties of Gloucester, Wilts, Dorset, and Devon; greatest length, N. and S., 43 miles; greatest breadth, E. and W., 67 miles; area, 1,049,812 acres, population 469,101. The coast line is generally low and marshy in the E., but lined with lofty slate cliffs in the W. The interior consists of ranges of hills separated by valleys, or by extensive low marshy flats. The principal ranges are the Mendip Hills, the Polden Hills, the Quantock Hills, the Brendon Hills, and Exmoor. The chief rivers are the Avon and the Parret (with its tributaries the Yeo or Ivel, Isle, and Tone), the former forming the boundary on the NE., the latter traversing the centre of the county; the other streams are the Yeo, Ax, and Brue. Both soil and climate are well adapted for agriculture, particularly in the low alluvial tracts; and in the Vale of Taunton heavy crops of the finest wheat are raised. The rich meadows rear large numbers of cattle, and the hilly grounds are pastured with numerous flocks of sheep. In the E. of the county are some small isolated coalfields, the most southerly in England, the quarries which furnish the famous Bath stone, and a large development of magnesian limestone; the W. of the county consists chiefly of slaty rocks, forming the wild moorlands of Exmoor. The chief minerals worked are lead, iron, and slate. The principal manufactures are woollen and worsted goods, gloves, lace, linen, crape, silk, paper, glass, and bath-bricks. There are salmon, herring, and other fisheries in the Bristol Channel. An important chain of internal communication is formed by the Yeo and Parret navigation and the Glastonbury Canal. The county contains 40 hundreds, 2 liberties, 489 parishes with parts of 3 others, the parliamentary and municipal boroughs of Bath (2 members) and Taunton (1 member), and the municipal boroughs of Bridgwater, Chard, Glastonbury, Wells, and Yeovil. It is nearly co-extensive with the diocese of Bath and Wells. For parliamentary purposes it is divided into 7 divisions - viz., Northern, Wells, Frome, Eastern, Southern, Bridgwater, and Western or Wellington - 1 member for each division; the representation was increased from 6 to 7 members in 1885.

[Transcribed from Bartholomew's Gazetteer of the British Isles, 1887. -C.H.]

Assuming his father was James, the following marriages from the Somerset Marriage Index may relate to possible parentage for John. I am endeavouring to discover what happened to each of these couples and their children in an attempt to eliminate them from my Court research. It is hoped that searches of the 1851 Census may be more rewarding, although it is believed John would have left the UK by this time.

• James Court married Elizabeth Cowlin on 2 Jul 1803 at Wootten Courtney.
  
  They had a son, John born in 1804 who died a bachelor in June, 1890. Information supplied by descendant, Kerry James.
• James Court (of Glastonbury) married Ann Banwell on 30 Dec 1811 at Wedmore.
  
  There was a John Court aged 62 living in Wedmore at the time of the 1881 Census (ie. born c1819) however he was born in Cheddar, which is the neighbouring parish. This John was living with his wife, Hannah and son, Frederick. There was also John Court, a 34 year old farmer living in Wedmore at the time of the 1851 Census, which could relate to the same John. If so, this also excludes this family from my research.
  
  There was also a 70 year old James Court (ie. born c1811) living in Glastonbury at the time of the 1881 Census, with sisters, Jane (born c. 1801) and Mary (born c1799), however they are too old to be the family of James and Ann nee Banwell.
• James Court (of Martock) married Rhoda Hill on 1 Feb 1816 at Pitney.
  
  The only Court family living at Martock at the time of the 1881 Census was from North Cadbury.
• James Court married Jane Purchase on 25 Mar 1817 at Chipstable (both otp).
  
  Only one Court entry at Chipstable at time of the 1881 Census - he was born in Devon. No Court entries at Chipstable at the time of the 1851 Census. A 63 year old John (ie. born c1818) who was born at Chipstable was living at Upton with his wife, Jane at the time of the 1881 Census. If he was a child of this couple, that would exclude them as being John's parents.
• James Court married Ann Gardiner on 27 Nov, 1824 at Old Cleeve.
  
  According to Dr. Glyn Court this family had a son John, however he died in 1860. Only one Court family remains in Old Cleeve at the time of the 1881 Census, however they came from Roadwater.
• James Court married Charlotte Layfield on 2 Oct, 1827 at Old Cleeve.
  
  According to Dr. Glyn Court, this James is the same one who married Ann Gardiner - their sons migrated to Wales and their descendants are members of the Court Family Society.
• James Court married Mary Hobbs on 26 Apr 1828 at Porlock.
  
  At the time of the 1881 Census, a 43 year old James Court (born c.1838) was still residing at Porlock with his wife Caroline, and mother, Sarah.
• James Court married Sarah Powell on 29 Oct 1833 at Porlock.
  
  This James was born at Wootton Courtney in 1812, the son of James and Elizabeth Cowlin - he had a son John, born 1845 - all were in the county in 1861 - this info supplied by descendant, Kerry James.
• James and Julia Court of Timberscombe had three children, Elizabeth (1828), John (1830) and Jane (1836).

Examination of the 1881 Census shows the Court name to be scattered all over the county of Somerset, with no great emphasis of the name in any one area. The name appears to have been more prominent on the west of the county at the time of the 1851 Census.

A search of the 1851 Census Index for John Court entries revealed the following:

• COURT John 34 Farmer 40 Acres Nyland / Wedmore 51
• COURT John 43 Ag Lab Rents 4 Acres Castle Cary / Castle Cary 51
• COURT John 44 Labourer Yarley / Wookey 51
• COURT John 47 Ag Lab Not Known / Mark 51
• COURT John 56 Farmer 75 Acres Stoke Gurney / Winford 51
• COURT John Grandson 2 Portsmouth / Henstridge 51
• COURT John Son unmar 23 Coal Miner Midsomer Norton / Midsomer Norton 51

The most likely candidate is the one at Midsomer Norton. This John was residing with his mother Hariet, aged 61 from Shepton Mallet, and sisters Mary, aged 27 and Louisa aged 18, both born at Midsomer Norton. A search of both the 1841 Census and parish register records will hopefully further clarify any possible connection, although there is still also the possibility that John had left England by this time.

It is believed that John is the one who arrived in Port Jackson, in the Colony of New South Wales on the "Champion" on 2 June 1852 as a steerage passenger. The "Champion" was a schooner, which had sailed from Nelson, New Zealand on 11 May with a cargo of timber. The 'Nelson Examiner' recorded the arrival of the vessel from Wellington on 11 May.

The 'Sydney Morning Herald' reported on the arrival of the "Champion" on 3 June, 1852:

It is not known how or when John arrived in New Zealand. Correspondence with several organisations in New Zealand has confirmed that there is no record of John Court's arrival on any of their passenger listings. Why John chose to settle in the mining district Newcastle is not known. His occupation on all documents is always referred to as a Miner - although whether he was a Miner beforehand is not known. The following information has been extracted from The Coal Miners of NSW written by Robin Collan, 1963:

Family stories indicated that John Court was a convict, who had been given a parcel of land, which he apparently later exchanged for rum! Although this seemed a rather strange story it did seem worth investigating.

Convict Indents were subsequently examined, and although there were no records for a John Court, it was noted that a convict named John A'Court was transported to Australia in 1838. John A'Court was tried at Dorset Quarter Sessions for stealing a calf on 27 June, 1837, and was sentenced to life transportation. John A'Court left England on 6 November, 1837 on board the Emma Eugenia I which arrived in Port Jackson on 9 February, 1838.

The Convict Indent describes John A'Court as a native of Somersetshire, he was a Protestant, single, and could read. His occupation at the time of the trial was given as an Errand Boy. Physically he was quite short, standing only 5 foot and 1/2 inches, his complexion was fair and freckled, he had grey eyes and light sandy coloured hair. Distinguishing marks included a slight diagonal scar over his left eyebrow, freckled arms, and a mole inside the lower part of his left arm [29]. John A'Court received a pardon in 1846. ³⁵

Further research indicated that John A'Court married in 1851, although no children have been identified. It was also discovered that John A'Court died in 1904 at Ballimore at the age of 84 years. Confirming that the two were in fact separate individuals.

John and Isabella took part in a triple marriage ceremony at Christchurch performed by the Chaplain, C. Pleydell. N. Wilton, M.A. The first ceremony recorded in the Parish Register was the marriage of Louisa Brimble, nee Stone, to James May, an English emigrant, the witnesses being John Walters, Jane Gallimore and Jonathon Brimble. Louisa was Isabella's sister in law, her husband Andrew Brimble had died in quarantine shortly after their arrival in Australia in 1850. The next recorded ceremony, was the marriage of Isabella Brimble to John Court, and witnesses to this marriage were Jonathon Brimble and his fiancée, Bridget Egan. The final entry relates to the marriage of Jonathon Brimble to Bridget Egan, who had also been the witness to Isabella's marriage.

John's wife, Isabella had arrived in Australia on board the "Lord Stanley" on 26 August 1850, with her mother, Sarah and brother, Jonathon. The following details have been extracted from shipping indents:

The following report on the arrival of the "Lord Stanley" appeared in the 'Sydney Morning Herald' of 27 August 1850:

John and Isabella had at least seven children:

It is not known for certain if there may have been additional children. The birth certificates of William in 1859 and Mary in 1871 indicate that another daughter to those identified may have been born and died in childhood. William's birth certificate states that he had a sister, Sarah Sophia who was living and aged 3½ years. It is believed this should have read Caroline Keziah as although no burial or death record has been found for Sarah Sophia, it is believed she died in infancy.

The family appears to have moved fairly regularly, although generally remained in the Newcastle district. When William was born in 1859, they were living at Honeysuckle Point, in 1862 when John was born they were at Pit Town. In 1864 when Isabella was born they were living in Hartley Vale and in 1870-1871 at Borehole.

In 1859 John, Isabella and their children were living at Honeysuckle Point, which is today the Newcastle suburb of Civic and is located on the Newcastle Harbour. By 1862 they had moved to Wallsend which was then known as Pit Town. The Newcastle Directory and Almanac of 1880 ⁷⁸ describes Wallsend as:

Pit Town and Borehole were both parts of what is now referred to as the suburb of Hamilton. The following was printed by the Newcastle Family History Society, May 1991 and had been extracted from the Newcastle Herald Supplement, History of the Hunter, dated Nov 1, 1984 ⁷⁰:

John died at Adamstown on 22 November, 1880 as a result of cardiac disease and diarrhoea, which he had suffered for about 3 weeks. His son, William was the informant at his death. He was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground on 24 November, 1880. ²

Although a family of little means, a funeral notice appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" of 24 November 1880 (as extracted from the Hunter Valley Registers):

What happened to Isabella after her husband's death is not known, however, by 1883 she was residing at Clifton, a small mining township on the south coast of New South Wales. It is not known whether she left Newcastle with her youngest daughter, Isabella, who had also settled at Clifton with her husband, Robert Hails, or whether she had left with Joseph Goundry whom she later married.

Joseph Goundry was born c1830 in County Durham, England, the son of Joseph Goundry, a miner, and Mary Scoefield. His death certificate indicates he arrived in the Colony about 1860, however, despite research in available shipping records this has not been confirmed ⁹. Like his father, Joseph was also a miner. He had lived in the Newcastle area from at least 1869 in the mining township of Borehole and later Lambton. Joseph disappeared from the Northumberland Electoral Rolls in 1877, and then reappeared on the Illawarra Electoral Roll in 1884 at Clifton, the same year as Isabella's son-in-law, Robert Hails.

It is also noted that a Ralph Goundry was also residing in the Northumberland electorate from 1874/75 until 1891/92 and a William Goundry from 1869/70 until 1881/82. There are births on the NSW BDM indexes of two children to Ralph and Ellen Goundry, Elizabeth and Frances in 1871 and 1875 respectively.

Although described as a widower at the time of his marriage to Isabella in 1886, no details of this previous relationship or to any children are included on his death certificate. It is of course possible that Joseph migrated to Australia as a widow. Having said that, there is a marriage of Joseph GOUNDREE to Jane BROWN in 1862 and a birth of an Alfred J. GOUNDRIE son of Joseph and Jane on the NSW BDM Indexes in 1863. There are no subsequent death entries to suit Jane or Alfred.

There is also a death in NSW in 1883 of a Frances Goundry, aged 74 who died at Orange.

Whether there is a relationship between these various people is not known at this time.

The question has been raised by several of Isabella's descendants as to whether she may have actually left her husband prior to his death in 1880, possibly about 1877, when Joseph Goundry appears to have left the area. The possibility that Joseph knew Robert Hails has also been raised as both were miners from County Durham. This occupation is however, both consistent with residents of Newcastle and County Durham at this time.

Regardless as to whether Isabella and Joseph had crossed paths earlier is not really known, however, at the time of Isabella's grandson's birth in 1883 she was using the name Isabella Goundry and was both the witness and informant to his birth. In 1885, Isabella was again noted as a witness to another of her grandchildren's births, as Mrs. Goundry, nurse. Unfortunately, no records have survived which may clarify Isabella's occupation as a nurse. It may be that she was present at the birth of her grandchildren, or perhaps she was considered by the locals as the "midwife" and called upon when needed.

In 1886, Joseph and Isabella travelled to Sydney where they were duly married on 16 July, at St. Luke's Church. Thomas W. Unwin performed the marriage, the witnesses being Sarah J. Unwin and L. Unwin. Co-incidentally, Isabella's second cousin Lucy Jane Brimble who had immigrated on the Emigrant (the same ship as Isabella's brother, Andrew Brimble) married a William Unwin. William and Lucy settled at Millthorpe, however, at this time, there is no known relationship between this family and those present at Isabella's marriage to Joseph Goundry. The origins of the Reverend Thomas Warburton Unwin are not known, however, he became an Anglican deacon in 1856 and a priest in 1858. He appeared in Directories at Castlereagh in 1862 and at Emu Plains in 1867. In 1870, he was residing at The Rocks in Princes Street, and in 1871 2 Upper Fort Street, during this period he became incumbent of St. Luke's Anglican Church, Sussex Street, but by 1888 he had moved to Burwood where he remained until his death in 1902. The other Unwin's mentioned on the marriage certificate include the Reverend's wife, Sarah, and daughter, Louisa. ⁷⁹

Isabella and Joseph remained at Clifton until about 1891 when they returned to the Newcastle district. They resided at New Lambton until Joseph's sudden death in 1894. It is not known why they returned to Newcastle, however, as they had now been married for several years any scandal would have since subsided. Isabella had children living in the Newcastle district and it can only be assumed they wished to be reunited with their families. Interestingly, Joseph's death certificate indicates that he and Isabella were married in 1870, some 16 years earlier than their legal marriage took place.

Joseph died of influenza on 18 July, 1894 at New Lambton. The following was extracted from the Newcastle Morning Herald of 20 July, 1894:

After Joseph's death, Isabella remained in Newcastle. She died 8 years later on 14 January, 1902 of senile decay. Her son, William was the informant at her death.

The following Funeral Notices appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" of 15 January 1902:

An obituary was also published in the same paper, the following day:

William's birth certificate states that Sarah Sophia was living and aged 3½ years when he was born in 1859, however this was infact the age of Caroline Keziah.

It is believed that as Sarah Sophia was baptised on the day of her birth that she may not have been expected to live, and have died soon after. No burial or death record has been found for Sarah Sophia, although it is presumed she died prior to William's birth in 1859.

It is most likely that Sarah Sophia was named after her maternal grandmother, Sarah, and her mother's sister, Sophia.

It is believed that Caroline Keziah was named Caroline, after either her mother's sister, or her mother's aunt, the latter was alive and living in Kingston Deverill at the time of her birth. The name Keziah has not been identified in the Brimble family and is possibly a family name from the Court family. As John and Isabella's first daughter was named after her maternal grandmother, it is possible they named their second daughter after her paternal grandmother! Unfortunately, John's mother's name is still not known at this time.

Pictured right: Caroline Keziah Court, photo courtesy of Ron Ball.

She married Captain William Alfred BALL, son of Thomas BALL & Ann Clark PERRATON, 27 Mar 1884 in Newcastle, NSW, AUSTRALIA ⁷¹. Born 9 Sep 1852 in Salcombe, Devon, ENGLAND ⁷¹. Occupation Mariner ⁷¹

The following appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" on the 29 March 1884:

Keziah and William had five children:

Upon the birth of her first child, the following appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" on 9 May 1885:

The above were extracted from the Hunter Valley Registers.

The family moved to Sydney some time after Ida's birth and in 1898 were noted as living at "Ralston" 56 Wells Street, Annandale. By 1900 they had moved to 20 Little Edward Street, Pyrmont ⁷¹. Captain Ball died here in 1901. The following funeral notices appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald of 30 March, 1901:

After her husband's death, Keziah remained at Little Edward St, until 1903, when she opened at Grocery store at 22 Union Street, Pyrmont. In 1907, Keziah moved to 132 Harris Street, Pyrmont, again as a grocer. By 1908 Keziah had moved to 75 Murray Street, Pyrmont, where she conducted a boarding house, although she was only listed in the Sands Directory from 1919-1923 at this address ³⁰. In her latter years, Keziah resided with her daughter, Ida and son-in-law, George Robinson at Balmain. Keziah passed away on 6 March, 1935 ⁷¹. The following have been extracted from the Sydney Morning Herald, dated 6 March, 1935:

Deborah and William had the following children:

William first appeared on Electoral Rolls in 1881/82 in the County of Northumberland at Commonage, and like his father, became a miner. By the time of the 1882/83 Electoral Roll, the area previously referred to as commonage was known as Adamstown. William and his family resided at Union St, Adamstown until his death in 1931.

The following description of Adamstown was noted in the Newcastle Directory and Almanac:

Edward Reay, the above-mentioned proprietor of the Assembly rooms, was the father of William's sister-in-law, Hannah, who married his brother, John.

A search of Land records reveal that William was involved in a number of land purchases in the Adamstown area of Newcastle from 1889 ³².

By the time of the 1903 Electoral Roll William's occupation was given as Colliery Weighman ³¹. He was an Alderman on Adamstown Council and later became Mayor of Adamstown. He died on 11 September, 1931 ⁷⁰.

John was born at Pit Town (now known as Wallsend). His father was the informant and the witnesses to his birth were H. Jackson, Mrs. Greenwell and Annie McNaughton.

They had the following six children:

On the 10 November, 1887, John sequestrated his estate and was subsequently declared bankrupt. At this time John and his family were living at Mount Kembla, near Bulli, having left Newcastle due to slackness of work. His debts had been accumulating since 1885 and were mostly for the provision of goods, although one was for medical attendance. The total of his debts was near to 70 pounds, however his assets were realised at just one pound and five shillings being household furniture. At this time, John's income as a miner amounted to about one pound per week and no debts were proven. ⁸⁰

In 1902, John made application to the Supreme Court for a Certificate of Conformity, was required to pay four pound, one shilling and sixpence and was declared solvent on 26 August, 1902. It would appear this application was made so that John could obtain a publican's licence, as this was the occupation given on latter Electoral Rolls.

John's wife, Hannah, died in 1907 whilst they were living at Cessnock and the following Funeral Notices appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald " of 16 Aug:

In October 1908, John purchased land in Government Rd, Cessnock, however sold it a short time later to a baker, Mr. George c Barnes ³².

It is said, that prior to this, Margaret lived in the goldmines and did the washing for other miners in the goldfields, it is understood she may have also had one child prior to her marriage to John.

John died at Glouster on 26 September, 1922. ⁷⁰

Isabella was just 16 years of age when her father died of heart disease, and following his death, she resided with her older brother, William at Hamilton. Although the youngest, she was the first of the Court children to marry.

They had the following children:

It appears that Isabella and Robert moved several times during their marriage, most likely in search of employment.

Following his migration to Australia, Robert was first identified on the 1882/3 Electoral Roll at Newcastle, as was his brother, John with the spelling of their surname as HAILES, situated at Commonage.

Robert did not appear on the Electoral Roll in 1883/4 in either the Newcastle or Illawarra electorates, although it is known that he was living at Clifton at the time. Robert is listed on the 1884/5 Electoral Roll at Clifton again with the HAILES spelling.

In 1885/86 he is in the electorate of Northumberland at Adamstown, which is consistent with the birth of his third child, Mary. The family appears to have remained in Newcastle, as Robert was included on the 1886/7 Electoral Roll at Stockton in the electorate of Newcastle.

The township of Clifton came into being in 1877, when the Coal Cliff Colliery was developed. From a Press Report in 1877 it is learnt that a number of well built weatherboard cottages with galvanised iron roofs had been erected about half a mile from the mine, and the spot was known as "the Village of Clifton." The mine manager, Mr. Hale, had a villa residence almost on the edge of the cliffs.

Robert was declared bankrupt twice during the 1890's.

On 3 March, 1890 Robert petitioned the Judge in Bankruptcy and was subsequently declared bankrupt. Robert declared that he was a miner, residing at Clifton, and was married with five children. He claims slackness of work and pressure of creditors caused his bankruptcy. A total of 16 creditors were noted including his brother-in-law, Captain Ball. The debts were contracted from 1885 through to 1889 and totalled nearly 42 pounds. The creditors included storekeepers, butchers and bakers at Clifton, Stockton, Adamstown, Hamilton and Wickham. Robert's only asset was wearing apparel valued at four pound. Obviously Robert's wages would have been similar to that of his brother-in-law, John Court, who had also been declared bankrupt in 1887, and thus such debts would be quite significant to those on an average miners wage of only one pound per week. ⁸⁰

Robert's financial position didn't improve and he was again declared bankrupt on 11 Apr 1893 at which time Robert made the following statement:

At this time, his liabilities were just over 25 pound ⁸⁰.

Construction of the Illawarra Railway between Sydney and Nowra was carried out and used in several stages, and finally completed in 1893. The section from Clifton to Wollongong was opened for traffic on 21st June 1887, the Jubilee Year of the Reign of Queen Victoria, and the Crown Street Bridge over the railway cutting near Wollongong Station was named Jubilee Bridge to commemorate this event. ⁶⁷

Life for this family was one of many hardships, and on the evening of the 15^th June, 1895, Robert was killed after being run over by a train on the Helensburgh Railway line.

The following appeared in the "Illawarra Mercury" dated 15th June 1895:

Unfortunately although the actual Coroner's Inquests for this period have not survived the Registers of Coroner's Inquests were consulted . The inquest was held on 14 June at Helensburgh Court House by Francis Woodward. The only additional information included in the Register was that Robert possessed `household effects valued at 5 pound'. Robert did not leave a will, nor was any record found in the Intestate Index. ⁸¹

Benjamin made his way to Newcastle and in 1889 was first noted on Electoral Rolls by the name BEATY at Teralba, which is situated on the outskirts of Newcastle, off Cockle Bay ³¹.

Pictured right: Isabella, with her husband Ben Batey and their daughter, Dorothy.

Isabella and Benjamin had the following children:

It would appear that life with Benjamin was quite comfortable for Isabella, particularly when compared with the life she had with her first husband, Robert Hails. The Batey family began investing in land and in 1905 Benjamin purchased his first block of land, being Lot 599 Boomerang St, Helensburgh. In 1907 Isabella purchased Lot 594 which was behind the land Benjamin had purchased two years earlier. In 1908 Benjamin made another two land purchases, Lot 600 in Boomerang St, and another piece of land in Undola Rd, Helensburgh ³². It is not known whether Benjamin and Isabella built on these blocks, as it would appear they actually resided in Parkes St, Helensburgh.

Of the land purchased by Benjamin and Isabella, Benjamin sold Lot 600 to Andrew Otago McCullock, his step-daughter's brother-in-law in 1918 who subsequently sold it to Charles Campbell, Mary's husband in 1922. Upon Charles' death the title was transferred to Mary who had the land sub-divided and sold in 1945.

The land in Undola Rd was also sold in 1918, and Lot 599 Boomerang St. was sold in 1919. Isabella's land (Lot 594) was transferred to her daughter, Dorothy in 1919. Dorothy retained the land until 1970 when it was sold.

It has been said that Benjamin was quite careful with his money, however he did develop a weakness for gambling later in his life and lost all his property. This has not been confirmed, although the sale of all their property at this time does appear to add some substance to this story.

Isabella died on 7 October, 1920 at just 56 years of age. Her funeral was noted in the Sydney Morning Herald of 8 October and reads:

A search of the Probate Indexes for the years 1919-1928 has failed to locate wills for either Isabella or Benjamin, and no record of either could be found on the Intestate Index. ³³

William and Mary had the following children:

She second married Jack CALENDER.

The following appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" of the 19 September 1885 (as extracted from the Hunter Valley Registers):

They had the following children:

39 i. Margery J. COURT

They had the following children:

They had the following children:

Isabella died aged 19 years at Union St, Adamstown, just 6 days after the birth of her only child.

They had the following children:

As her mother died when she was just 15 years old Bella, as she was known, went to Sydney and lived with her Aunt Kezia at Pyrmont. Bella can recall her Aunt Keziah, and describes her as being "very nice, but strict". Bella can also recall scrubbing the floors of the boarding house, which she feels may have contributed to her bad knees!. Her husband had a men's shoe shop which also sold leather goods ⁷¹.

They had the following children:

The following appeared in the "Newcastle Morning Herald" on the 30 October 1895 (as extracted from the Hunter Valley Registers):

Hannah was the first of Robert Hails and Isabella Court's children. The midwife at her birth was named Mrs. Hails - it is possible that this was Sarah, the wife of her uncle, John. Although born at Hamilton, Annie spent her early years between the Newcastle district and Clifton. However when she was 12, her parents moved to Helensburgh, where she was to spend the remainder of her life.

James and Annie had a family of eight children:

The informant and witness of Robert's birth was his grandmother, Isabella Goundry. It is known however that Isabella did not marry Joseph Goundry until 1886. Isabella also stated that her daughter and son-in-law were married in England, when infact they were married in Newcastle, NSW. She also stated that her daughter, Isabella was born in England, when she too was born in Newcastle. It is not known why she gave false information to the Registrar, except perhaps to cover the fact that she was living with Joseph Goundry without being married, although her husband had died in 1880. Is it possible that she left her husband prior to his death and moved to Clifton with Joseph ?

Robert first appeared on Electoral Rolls in 1906, a resident of Helensburgh, his occupation listed as Miner ³¹. He remained in the South Coast area for many years.

Robert and Emma had five children:

Robert and Emma were living at Coledale when their daughter Myrtle Annie was born in 1914.

It would appear the family moved shortly before this, as Robert and Emma's two younger children, were born in the Sydney suburb of Concord in 1917 and 1918.

By 1925, Robert had reappeared on Electoral Rolls at Helensburgh.

Robert then married Eileen MOON, daughter of Edward James MOON & Sarah Martha WETHERBY, 31 May 1927 in Canterbury, NSW, AUSTRALIA ³. Born Circa 1896 in Melbourne, Victoria, AUSTRLIA ³. Occupation Home Duties³.

Robert and Eileen were married at the Registrar's Office at Canterbury. At the time he was working as a Council Labourer and they were both residing at Lakemba. The witnesses at their marriage were W. A. Dalton and Doreen Murphy. ³

They had the following children:

The following funeral notice appeared in the "Sydney Morning Herald "of Tuesday, 24 September, 1957:

No mention of his death could be found in the Bathurst papers of that time. Robert did not leave a will, however, his son by his second marriage, Robert John, made application to the Supreme Court to administer his father's estate. This was granted 1 June, 1961 ⁸².

They had the following children:

Mary lived a long and healthy life and later moved to the Sydney suburb of Gymea where she died in her 85^th year. Mary is buried with her two children who died in infancy. Their headstone reads:

The following appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald of 1 August, 1970:

Isabella and Gavan were married at the Batey's residence in Helensburgh. Isabella's brother, John, and Gavan's brother, Andrew, witnessed the marriage.

Isabella and her husband Gavan appeared on Electoral Rolls in 1913, still residents of Helensburgh, and at that time, Gavan was described as a wheeler. ³¹ They moved to Sydney about 1920

They had the following children:

Isabella died in 1967 and the following Death and Funeral notices appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald of 21 August:

John first appeared on Electoral Rolls at Helensburgh in 1913 as a Wheeler ³¹. He later moved to Lithgow and then some time before 1922, Melbourne, Victoria.

John and Martha settled in Annandale, Victoria where they had two sons:

They had the following children:

They had one child: