Bridget Williams

Surname spelling variations - GASCOYNE, GASCOIGNE, GASTON, GASKEN, GASTING [Note: Family was illiterate]

Bridget was born in Ireland.

Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915 Name: Bridget Gaskin Birth Date: 1827 Baptism Date: 14 Oct 1827 Baptism Location: Wicklow, Wicklow, Ireland Mother: Jean Cullen Father: Jms Gaskin

She married Michael MAHER on 3 Sep 1842 in Wicklow, Ireland. Michael MAHER made an earlier voyage from Ireland to Australia circa 1850. About 1853/4 Bridget with her three children (Mary Ann, Michael and unknown third child) made the journey from Ireland to Australia. Supposedly, she made the journey from Dublin to London in the Paddler Steamer ‘Duchess of Kent’ and at the port of London boarding the sailing ship ‘Australia’ and eventually reached Melbourne about three months later. After a stay of eleven weeks in Melbourne, Bridget MAHER and her three children went to Sydney. They arrived in Sydney, Australia, on 13 February 1854. Shortly after Michael MAHER deserted her and their three children and he appeared in court for alleged desertion on 2 March 1854. Bridget and her children remained in Sydney until the end of 1854.

Bridget MAHER married William ROBERTS circa 1854 in Australia. Supposedly, the ROBERTS family party sailed for Wellington in the Brig ‘Shamrock’. Upon arriving in Wellington the family travelled to Wanganui on the schooner ‘Mary Thompson’. The vessel was steered over the bar by William ROBERTS who was an able seaman and a sailmaker by trade.

SHAMROCK, departed Australia in 1855 and arrived in Wellington in 1855. It was the first voyage of the Shamrock. Passenger list; William ROBERTS (age 29 b abt 1826); Bridget ROBERTS (age 28 b abt 1827); Mary A ROBERTS (age 12 abt 1843); Michael ROBERTS (age 5 b abt 1850); Catherine ROBERTS (infant b abt 1854) (Reference Archives NZ Wellington Office shipping IM-W 3/4 misc. 105 repro 1450 p 23) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/Shamrock1855.htm

St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Wanganui - Marriage records Bridget MAHER married on the 8 Oct 1862 and in the residence of the priest, James William WILLIAMS and Bridget MAHER formerly GASTON both 38 years, Bachelor and widow. Officiating Minister Jno. Stephen PEZANT Catholic Priest. The witnesses were William NOBLE Corporal in the 57th Regiment and Ann Jane CHAMBERLAIN. Remarks 3 Banns. Disparity of worship. Bridget made her X mark.

Bridget WILLIAMS, aged 52 years born Ireland died 4 Mar 1881 at Wanganui. Casue of death dis-of-valve of heart some years. Her parents were Dennis GASCOIGNE occupation farmer. She was buried on 6 Mar 1881 at Wanganui cemetery. She married age 38 William WILLIAMS in Wanganui. Her living issue were 1 male and 3 females. The informant was the undertaker of Wanganui.

Death Notice Wanganui Chronicle, 5 Mar 1881, p 2 WILLIAMS.-On the 4 March, Bridget, the beloved wife of William WILLIAMS, aged 52 years. Funeral notice - Friends are informed that the funeral of the above will leave her late address, Little Nixon Street, tomorrow (Sunday) the 6th instant at 3 o’clock. John Anderson Victoria Avenue.