Francis Rowe

GEDCOM Note

Many of Francis Descendants have their family tree with his father, John Rowe born 12 Sep 1797, son of John ROWE and Margaret(Marquaver) WILLS. However at Johns death in 1846 his age is given as 56, which puts his birth abt 1790, therfore it is more likely he was the son of William ROWE and Ann PIPER, christened 7 Mar 1790, St Agnes.

Francis no doubt travelled with his sister Nanny and his brother in law, Thomas McGrath to Sandhurst Bendigo (known as «i»Bendigo's Valley«/i», «i»Sandhurst«/i» was the official designation before a plebiscite in favour of «i»Bendigo«/i» settled the matter) . They are both signatories to the famous 1853 BENDIGO GOLDFIELDS PETITION . «b»Biographical/Historical note: «/b»It is believed the first major discovery of gold in Victoria was in early August 1851 at Buninyong, near Ballarat. Two months later it was discovered at Bendigo. By mid-1853 around 60,000 diggers and their families were on the Victorian goldfields - nearly 23,000 of these were at Bendigo. In June 1853 an anti-gold licence association was formed at Bendigo to give voice to the diggers' many grievances about their conditions. Led by GE Thomson, Dr Jones and an Irish-born American, 'Captain' Edward Brown, the association focused its attention on the 30 shillings monthly licence fee miners were required to pay to the government. Drawing up the petition. These three men drew up a petition outlining the diggers' grievances and calling for a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Harcourt) and other diggings. The petition was brought to Melbourne and presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe on the 1 August 1853. Most of its demands, including the reduction in the licence fee, were rejected. Eventually the diggers' dissatisfaction erupted, culminating in the Eureka uprising at Ballarat on 3 December 1854. http://online.slv.vic.gov.au/collections/treasures/bendigopetition/...

Two years later Francis arrived in Auckland, 3 months before the tragic death of Nanny's Husband Thomas McGrath in a mining accident. He met Mary Trevarthen shortly after his arrival in Auckland and they were married on 10 Mar 1857. They also spent time on Great Barrier Island but by 1860 they had returned to Auckland where they alter purchased a property in Codrington St, Arch Hill. Francis began a forwarding agents business located at the wharf area in down town Auckland.

Taken from: Journal by Peter McDonald, written during the first four months of 1858 «b»Daily Southern Cross 15th Jan 1858«/b» Inwards [to Auckland] «b»Jan 22«/b»-Midge, 18 tons Jacob, from Great Barrier with 20 tons copper ore. Passenger Mr.F.Rowe. «b»1858 February, Tuesday 9«sup»th«/b» «/sup»& [?] O'Clock am Sail Ho! The Midge has arrived in command of our friend Dick She brings passengers Mr & Mrs F.Rowe and child. http://sites.google.com/a/aotea.org/don-armitage/Home/great-barrier...

«b»SUPREME COURT— Tuesday. (Before His Honor Sir G. A Arney) CIVIL CASES «/b»Daily Southern Cross, Volume XVIII, Issue 1681, 10 December 1862, Page 3 Francis Rowe, deposed I am a carter residing in Grey-street, Auckland. I carted some of the goods which came in the ship 'Blundell. I received them from Mr. Wadham, on the wharf. I carted them to the Queen's warehouse. Queen-street wharf, and delivered them to the officer in charge I carted three loads on Saturday to the Queen's warehouse. Goods were afterwards carted from the Queen's warehouse to Jones's warehouse, by one of our carts, but not by me. There were no goods lost in carting. I delivered all the packages I received. Cross examined by Mr. Meiriraan: I don't know the number of packages I carted to the Queen street warehouse. I believe they were marked M.S. in a diamond. None that I carried were without mark. Isaac Emery said: I am a weigher, in the employ of the customs in Auckland. I recollect goods being brought from the ship Blundell to the warehouse. Three loads came in - about 120 packages. Rowe brought them, and afterwards his carter took them away. They were brought on the Saturday, and taken away on the Monday. I don't remember the date ; but as far as I can remember it was in the month of August. None of the goods were damaged whilst in my custody. A man named Downoy carted them away John Downey, carter, residing in Chapel street, Auckland, said I am in Francis Rowe's employment. I recollect carting some goods from the Queen's warehouse. I received them from Mr. Emery, the last witness, and took them to Mr. Stannus Jones the auctioneer. The goods were not damaged whilst in my charge.I carted them straight from the Queen's warehouse to Jones's. Cross examined by Mr. Merriman . I do not remember how many packages there were....