Ann James (Phillips)

Ann Phillips was born in St Kew, Cornwall in 1823.

On the voyage on the SS William Bryan, to New Zealand she met John James. Now John really did turn her head and she fell completely in love with her bachelor blacksmith fellow. They were so much in love that John approached the ships Surgeon and asked if he would marry him and his sweet young Ann.

Now the Surgeon one Dr. Henry Weeks, Esq. kept a dairy of the Voyage and under the date of the 11th January 1841 we note…

.... One of the young men applied to me to marry him to Ann Phillips, a spinster, which I promised to do on Thursday.

Then on 14 January we note…

..... I married John James to Ann Phillips. The ceremony was performed in the cabin and conducted in great order. The cabin passengers stood to one side, the blushing bride and the bridegroom, bridesmaid and temporary father opposite, and the young men and young woman separately at each end of the cabin. The ring was borrowed one of the bride’s sister, and a very tight fit! Indeed the bridegroom made such a bundle of it that I at last stepped forward to assist him. It was later told me in New Zealand that Mrs James had asserted that she could claim me as her husband from my having pushed the ring over her finger. As soon as the ceremony was over someone outside struck up with a box of bells, the Fiddler joining in. A number of flags are streaming overhead and dinner is about to be eaten on deck on the occasion. The steward has made some very good bridecake for the occasion. There being no married births berths vacant the happy couple are allowed one of the empty hospitals for their honeymoon.

MARRIAGE SOLEMNISED BOARD THE WM. BRYAN” BOUND FOR NEW ZEALAND.

No. When Married. Name. Age. Condition. Profession. 1 Jan 14th, 1841 John James 27 Bachelor Blacksmith

                                               Ann Phillips	18		Spinster	        Servant

The above were married according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of England be me [Signed] Henry Weeks, Surgeon-Superintendent. The marriage was solemnised between us – The Mark of A Phillips.

Burial Record

JAMES, Ann
Last Address: (Married)
Age at Death: 44 Years
Date of Death: 2 May 1867
Category: Burial
Funeral Director: Not Available
Date of Burial: 5 May 1867
Cemetery: TE HENUI
Location in Cemetery: Unknown Burial Location

Death

1867/5092 James Ann 44Y