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Sunday 13 November 2016

From Swanmore to Australia and Titheridge to Titheradge

St Mary and All Saints Church in Droxford

It was 1989 when we were contacted by an Australian interested in her family history.  Her request was simple – “could we help her find out more about her great grandfather Frederick Titheradge”.  The reply was not so simple - there was no Frederick Titheradge born anywhere around the right time or in the county she thought.  There was however a Frederick Titheridge who fitted the bill.  The research gradually built up the evidence until there was no doubt and indeed her ancestor was an …idge not an  …adge.  Our Australian friend was quite devastated at the news that her ancestor’s surname was not what she thought.  Frederick had been born, christened and joined the navy as  …idge but when he disembarked in Australian it became  .adge.  We cannot tell whether this error was because his accent made the name unclear, his writing made the surname unclear or whether he just couldn’t spell.  Whatever the cause our Titheridge emigrant produced a whole large family of Titheradges who still reside in Australia today.

This is the story of Frederick Titheridge alias Frederick Titheradge who settled in Australia in 1880.  Frederick was the four times Great grandson of John Titheridge and Ann Quallat who started the Titheridge family tree in Cheriton nearly 180 years before he was born.  Frederick was born on 29 July 1842 the fifth child of nine born to Richard Titheridge and Mary Ann Lasham in the Droxford area of Hampshire.  He was baptised on 25 September 1842 at Droxford.  The 1851 census showed Frederick at home with his parents and 6 siblings living at Swanmore near Droxford.  By the 1861 census Frederick was an Ordinary Seaman 2nd class recorded as aboard HMS Britannia in Portsmouth Harbour on the census

Frederick’s naval career is well documented and he rose to the rank of Stoker.  His naval record is summarised below
  •          HMS Agamemnon April 1860 to October 1862
  •          HMS Hawker October 1862 to February 1865
  •          HMS Narcissus March 1865 to July 1869
  •          HMS Asia July 1869 to November 1869
  •          HMS Rinaldo December 1869 to July 1872
  •          HMS Duke of Wellington July 1872 to December 1872
  •          HMS Asia January 1873 to May 1873
  •          HMS Pearl May 1873 to January 1877
  •          HMS Nymph January 1877 to January 1879
  •          HMS Wolverine January 1879 to January 1880

He was discharged from the navy on shore in Sydney on 16 January 1880 nearly 20 years after joining the navy.  He was described in navy records as 5 foot 7 inches tall, brown hair, blue eyes, a dark complexion with a scar on right hand.  His character was overall very good although there was one incident in 1865 in Cork noted as “Gaol for breaking leave”

After his arrival in Australia Frederick worked as an engine driver in the Australian railways.  In his obituary it says he was in charge of the locomotive water and pumps between Molong and Meranburn,

Just over a year after arriving in Australia Frederick married Martha Hannah Pritchard on 4 June 1881 at Narrandera, New South Wales Australia.  They had ten children, 7 boys and 3 girls, although Margaret may be a step child, or we may have the wrong year of birth. The children were
  •  Margaret born 1879in New South Wales; died 1964; married Samuel Coker in 1905
  • John Albert born 1882 in Narrandera, New South Wales; died 1892;  aged 10
  •  Frederick born 1884 in Narrandera, New South Wales; died 1938; married Phyllis Susannah Stewart in 1938; they had one girl and five boys
  •  Daniel born 1885 in Narrandera, New South Wales; died 1961; married Elsie May Eggington in  1912; they had one boy.
  •  Richard Joseph born 1888 in Narrandera, New South Wales; died 1969; married Mary Ann Kennerson 1917; They had one boy and two girls.
  •  Leonard Arthur born 1890 in Narrandera, New South Wales; died 1968; Rosina Devine 1912; they had five girls and three boys
  • George William born 1892 in Dubbo, New South Wales; died 1960; married Anastasia Florence Malcom in 1920; no known children
  • Henry David Alexandra born 1894 in Dubbo, New South Wales; died 1967; married Margaret Marr or Maher in 1920; they had two girls
  • Elsie Beatrice born 1895 in Dubbo, New South Wales; died 1972; married Gilbert Emmanuel Parkes in 1920
  • Rita Muriel born 1897 in Dubbo, New South Wales; died 1988; married Andrew Herman Baker in 1915
Frederick died 17 February 1914 in Molong, Orange New South Wales aged 71, his wife Martha, who was 18 years younger than him, lived another 29 years and died 16 September 1943 aged 82.  Frederick’s obituary appeared in the Molong Argus on 20 February 1914 and this tells us a lot about his life in Australia.

Obituary Mr. Frederick Titheradge

Once again it becomes our sad duty to record the passing of an old and highly respected resident of Molong.  We refer to Mr. Frederick Titheradge, who passed to the “great beyond" at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Coker, Orange, at 1.15 on Tuesday last, the immediate cause of death being senile decay.  Deceased was in his 72 year, having been born in 1842. He was a native of England.  Early in life he took to the sea, and served in the Royal Navy until he was about 35 years of age, then retiring.  (He was in receipt of an Imperial pension up to the time of his death.)  He landed in Australia 36 years ago, and immediately entered the New South Wales railway service, in which he remained until he was retired about a year ago.  Some 34 years ago, when stationed at Narrandera, he married Miss Martha Hannah Pritchard, who survives him.  The outcome of the union was ten children, nine of whom (six boys and three girls) are living.  They are, Frederick (Wellington), Daniel (East Maitland), Richard and George (Orange), Leonard and Harry (Molong), Mrs Coker and Misses Elsie andRita (Orange).  The deceased had been a resident of Molong for 18 years and up to some five weeks ago had enjoyed good health.  At the time mentioned Mrs Titheradge was in bad health, and the deceased was taking her to Sydney for treatment when he was taken ill.  On arrival in Sydney he grew steadily worse, and about a fortnight ago he was brought to Orange to his daughter's (Mrs Coker) residence.  All that could possibly be done to save the old gentleman's life was done, but without avail, and he gradually sank and passed peacefully away at the time stated, surrounded by all the members of his family.  The deceased was of a genial disposition, fond of his joke, and he was one who if he could not do a person a good turn, would never do a bad one, so that by his kindly and straight forward character he made hosts of staunch friends.  His one great hobby was vegetable gardening, and for many years, when living at the old pump house "Old Fred Titheradge's" (as he was familiarly called) garden was a sight worth seeing.  The funeral took place in Orange on Wednesday afternoon, the remains being interred in the Anglican portion of the general cemetery.  The service at the graveside was performed by the Rev. Canon Alldis, who went to Orange for that purpose.  The members of the M U. Oddfellows and Protestant Alliance marched in the funeral cortege, and the Oddfellows' burial service was read.  The Argus tenders its sympathy to the sorrowing widow and family in their great bereavement.

Obituary for Frederick’s wife Martha in 1943

Mrs. Martha H. Titheridge

One of the best known and most respected residents of the eastern portion of Orange, Mrs. Martha Hannah Titheradge, relict of the late Mr. Frederick Titheradge, passed peacefully away early on Thursday evening of last week at the home of her daughter, Mrs. A. H. Baker, of Edwards Street, Orange.  Mrs. Titheradge was a native of Sofala, an old mining field, and had reached the great age of 84 years.  For over 30 years Mrs. Titheradge had resided in Orange, having gone there from Molong, and for some years was highly regarded for the excellence of her catering for wedding parties and other big functions.  She was a devout member of Holy Trinity Church, regularly attending service until failing health confined her to her home.  Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Titheradge were married in St. Thomas' Church of England, Narandera, in 1878, the latter's parents being residents of the town at that time. Her husband predeceased her 30 years ago, and she is survived by the following family: Daniel (Fleming-ton), Richard (Orange), Len (Peak Hill), George (Narandera), Harry (Orange), Mrs. Coker (Burwood), Mrs. G. Parkes (Orange), and Mrs. A. H. Baker (Orange). There are 23 grandchildren and 20 great grand-children. Mrs. Titheradge is also survived by one sister (Mrs. Malone, Tottenham) and two brothers (Messrs, George and Albert Pritchard, of Tottenham and Queensland respectively).  After a service in Holy Trinity Church, the funeral moved to the Orange cemetery, where the interment was made in the Church of England section.


Tuesday 1 November 2016

A Voyage from East Meon to a New Life in New Zealand

East Meon Parish Church


On 27 April 1874 the Euterpe sailed from London, England to Wellington, New Zealand arriving on 30 August 1874.  The voyage took 124 days, a very slow voyage even by the standards of the day.  The arrival in New Zealand was recorded in the local paper, The Evening Post, on 31 August 1874



“The ship Euterpe, 1,105 tons, Captain Phillips, which has been expected hourly during the last six weeks, at length arrived in this harbour last night after a long passage of 124 days. The delay partly has been caused by an accident to the condenser, which compelled her to put in to the Cape of Good Hope for water. She brings 410 immigrants, all in good health; two infants died during the voyage, and six births occurred. A seaman was washed overboard last week; no other serious mishap took place. Immediately on the ship being signalled, the agents, Messrs Turnbull and Co. at once, although it was Sunday, procured an ample supply of fresh meat and vegetables, collected the crew of the S.S. Stormbird, and sent her out to the Euterpe, which she towed safely in by 9 p.m. Messrs Turnbull and Co. deserve great praise for the thoughtfulness and promptitude with which they acted, which we have no doubt will be, duly appreciated both by the immigrants and the Government. The immigrants will not be landed until Wednesday. Sixty will be conveyed to Wanganui by the Stormbird this evening.”



In 1874 thousands of assisted migrants arrived in New Zealand, half coming with government assistance.  The Eutrepe spent a quarter of a century hauling emigrants to New Zealand before she was sold in 1893 and renamed The Star of India. She is now preserved in the San Diego Maritime Museum.  A picture of this magnificent ship can be found at the following link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_of_India_(ship)#/media/File:Starofindia.jpg


The 409 passengers recorded in the passenger list showed 142 males, 125 females, 66 boys, 59 girls and 17 infants.  Among the passengers are listed
James Tetheridge aged 34
Eliza Tetheridge aged 33
Eliza Tetheridge aged 18
Fanny Tetheridge aged 16
Robert Tetheridge aged 12
William Tetheridge aged 7
James Tetheridge aged 5
Frank Tetheridge aged 3
Harry Tetheridge aged 16 months

At the side is written Total Cost of Passage to the Government £101.10.

Also at the end of the passenger list are three miscellaneous entries under the heading “For advances outfit”.  One reads:-
James Tetheridge April 1874 £5 balance outfit money

I cannot imagine what it must have been like for James and Eliza aboard ship for over 4 months with seven children, four of them under 8 and Eliza must have been pregnant with her son who was born in December of that year. 

So what do we know about James and Eliza Titheridge who left England for a better life on the other side of the world?

James came originally from the village of East Meon in Hampshire. James’ grandfather was Thomas Titheridge (1774-1846).  Thomas married Jane Tee in East Meon where they settled and had six children including William Titheridge, James’ father (1805 -1866).  William married Elizabeth Lee in 1827 and they had fifteen children including James Titheridge born in 1840 in East Meon.

Through the census we can follow James’ life.  On the 1841 census James was 6 months old and living with his parents William and Elizabeth in East Meon, one of six children. By the 1851 census  James was 10 years old  and again living with his parents in Frogmore, East Meon, one of 7 children living at home. On the 1861 census James had left home and was lodging at a cottage in Wymering Farm Yard.   Over the next few years James’ occupations are recorded as agricultural labourer, carter or labourer.  

In 1865 James married Eliza Harfield, a widow, in Catherington.  Eliza’s maiden name was Rossey, she had previously been married to Thomas Harfield.  Thomas died in 1863 leaving her with three children Eliza, Fanny and Robert. The 1871 census shows James married to Eliza and they are living in Waterloo, Hampshire with their eldest three children plus two of Eliza’s children from her first marriage, .

James and Eliza had six children, only the eldest four were born in England and the last two were born in New Zealand.  The first four children were
William born 1866 in Waterloo Hampshire died 1895 in New Zealand
James Augustus born 1867 in Waterloo, Hampshire died  1951 in New Zealand
Frank born 1870 in Catherington, Hampshire died 1942 in New Zealand
Henry born 1872 in Catherington, Hampshire died 1952 in New Zealand

In 1874 James and Eliza sailed to New Zealand  where two more children were born.
Edward born December 1874 in Featherston, New Zealand died 1946. (His birth was registered as Edwin but he was married and died as Edward)
Louisa born 1877 in Geraldine, New Zealand died in 1907

The six Titheridge children all settled and married in New Zealand producing generations of Titheridges.
William, a labourer, married Rosetta Rowe in 1893 at Belfield, Orari and they had two girls.
James, a farmer, married Mary Ann Davidson in 1898 in Christchurch and had 2 boys and one girl.
Frank, a groom and gardener, married Ann Hill in 1904.
Henry, a farmer, married Nellie Matilda Johnson in 1902 and they had one boy one girl.
Edward, a labourer and farmer, married Isabella MacDonald in 1897 and they had two boys and two girls.
Louisa married William McDonald in 1902 and they had two girls.

Eliza and James enjoyed a good long life in their new country.  Eliza died in New Zealand in 1909 aged 72 and is buried in Geraldine Cemetery, while James lived until the age of 83 dying on 23 April 1923.


You may have noticed on the passenger list of the Euterpe the spelling of the surname is TETHERIDGE.  I do not know how many of the family kept this incorrect spelling and how many reverted back to TITHERIDGE.  The majority of descendants have definitely spelt the surname correctly but there were at least 8 births registered in the surname Tetheridge between 1901 and 1911.  Frank and Ann’s death and burial are recorded in the surname Tetheridge as is James and Mary’s wedding in 1900.  Searching the Internet I can only find one living individual with a surname of Tetheridge.  Also on the passenger list the three step children are called Tetheridge although their legal surname was Harfield.  I believe once in New Zealand they resumed the use of their legal name of Harfield.



I know there are many Titheridge descendants in New Zealand, many with a keen interest in genealogy.  If anyone would like to the add to the story by telling how their ancestors faired in this new world, or are able to clarify the surname used please add a comment below or send me an email.