Elizabeth Hewson, Convict "Minstrel" 1812

A description from her son's Wikipedia page at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hannell

describes Elizabeth as a NSW convict from Middlesex, who had free-born children with her convict partner, James Walton who was from Lancashire, and also a Private of the Coldstream Guards...

"Elizabeth, was incarcerated in the Parramatta Female Factory. She became entangled with other convicts, (James Garland and James Stubbs) in a scam to obtain money from forged receipts, and was convicted and sentenced in June 1820, to 'Life' in Newcastle. She was transported to Newcastle, on the ship, 'Princess Charlotte', and arrived on 27 July 1820.

One more child, Mary Ann, was to join the 'family', but not until 10 May 1821. Mary Ann's father was another convict, named John White, (died Nov.1828). Elizabeth was granted permission to wed District Constable, and ticket of leave man, John Butler Hewson, on 28 May 1828. Hewson became the foster father of the children. At some stage, Elizabeth Hannell's sons, James, John and Jesse, left Parramatta, to follow their mother to Newcastle. There is no known data supporting this move, or exactly when it occurred, although it could have been around 1830, according to Mrs Carroll[2] On 12 March 1836 James married Mary Ann Sophia, second daughter of Edward Priest, a former convict who arrived in Newcastle in 1817. Mary was born in Sydney in 1819, and when very young went to Newcastle and later met James when she was about 17.[1] James and Mary had , in all, eleven children, nine of whom survived James. The surviving children were : Clarence Hewson, Stephena Mary, Emily Frances, Fanny Anne, James Edward, Mary Elizabeth, Florence Jane, Constance Myra, and Arthur Hubert. Two children pre-deceased James. They were (the first) James Edward d. 1842, and John Henry d. 1860.This information comes from the Family Tree, as compiled by Mrs Gloria Carroll, in her thesis; 'History of the Hannell and Carroll Families'[3]"

There is a Family grave in the old Christ Church Cemetery in King Street, Newcastle, inscribed:

"Sacred to the memory of John Butler Hewson Born January 12th 1800 Died January ?? 1874 "the spirit returneth to God who gave it"

and also of Elizabeth his wife born November 25th 1794 died May 1st 1874

Thy will be done

and her daughter Mary Ann Hudson Born May 10th 1820 Died September 29th 1879

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the Name of the Lord."

- from a list of Old Christ Church Cemetery (King Street, Newcastle) headstone inscriptions at http://www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/72722/L...

Item: 106839 Surname: Hewson First Name: Elizabeth Ship: - Date: 1855 9 May Place: Newcastle Source: MM Details: Presented Rev. William Savigny with a testimonial of a silver salver and 40 sovereigns in gratitude for his ministerial labours and gratuitous devotion to service

Item: 52249 Surname: Hewson First Name: Elizabeth Mary Ship: - Date: 1836 4 January Place: Newcastle Source: BB Details: Sarah Cassidy per 'Mary', assigned servant sentenced to 14 days in the cells for insolence

Item: 101065 Surname: Hewson First Name: John Butler and Elizabeth Ship: - Date: 1830 Place: Newcastle Source: Register Book of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle Details: Witness at the marriage of Phillip Joseph and Margaret Ryan

Item: 105759 Surname: Hewson First Name: Mrs. Elizabeth Ship: - Date: 1854 13 December Place: Newcastle Source: MM Details: Signed address to the Postmaster General, Sydney thanking him for allowing Campbell Pegus to resign from his position as Postmaster in Newcastle