Thomas George Rees, Free Settler "Egyptian" 1831

Third Great Grandfather of Ros.

Sarah BRANSCOMBE, servant, had possibly arrived in the Swan River Colony in February 1830 on the ship “Egyptian”.

On the York WA 1859 Census, Sarah provided information? that she arrived on the Egyptian 1831, the original information on her profile.

Later on the "Egyptian", Dec 31 1831, was Thomas George REES (sometimes REECE), who was a boatman and sailor, and considered to be the father of Elizabeth, born 1832.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:Egyptian%2C_Arrived_28_Dec_1831

Thomas married Sarah in April 1833, but unfortunately he drowned in a shipwreck of the "Cumberland" near Garden Island off Fremantle WA, in August, 1834.

...

The Perth Gazette Saturday 23 August 1834

FOR PORT of AUGUSTA, THE "CUMBERLAND"

Schooner will sail for the above Port in the course of the week. Apply to Mr. J. McDermott, Fremantle.

...

FOR AUGUSTA AND KING GEORGE'S SOUND:

THE Cutter "FANNY" will sail tor the above Ports in the course of a few days. Apply to Messrs. E. & S. G. Henty, Fremantle.

...

The Cumberland went missing:

The Perth Gazette Saturday 11 October 1834:

The Cumberland Cutter, navigated by Captain McDermott, of Fremantle, left this on the 28th August last for Port Augusta, and has not since been heard of.

On the afternoon of the day he sailed we had a heavy storm from the north-west ; it is strongly suspected, therefore, that in an attempt to put back, they shipped a sea and were swamped. The little preparation which it is known was made to encounter rough weather, leaves a strong opinion in favor of the truth of this conjecture.

By the Fanny, from King G.'s Sound, or the Ellen, from Port Augusta, (the latter vessel left this subsequently to the sailing of the Cumberland), it was anticipated some tidings might be obtained ; we lament to say, however, that their silence upon the subject augurs unfavorably for the indulgence of any hope, that the vessel and souls on board have not perished.

One slight ray of hope still remains, they may have been picked up by some strange vessel; should this not be the case, as they had but short allowance of water, we fear it is vain to indulge the anticipation, that they have been driven beyond the Sound.

There were, we understand, about 20 tons of goods on board belonging to Mrs. Bussell, a lady recently arrived in the Colony, whose family is settled at the Vasse, about 50 miles from Augusta. This Ioss is seriously to be deplored.

...

The 'Cumberland' was not considered a safe vessel earlier in the year:

The Perth Gazette Saturday 15 February 1834

BY the cutter Cumberland, from Launceston, some few Van Diemen's Land papers have been received up to the 9th ult. :- she has not brought a mail...

The mail which has been so anxiously inquired for, we presume, has been kept back to be forwarded by the Fanny, the Cumberland not being considered safe.

Indeed we were astonished at the temerity of the gentlemen who went in her as passengers to Launceston, and really regard their safety as most providential.

......

Geraldton Guardian and Express Thursday 10 January 1935 "Early Pioneers..."

...The 'Cumberland' was leaving for Augusta shortly after Mrs. Bussell 's arrival at Fremantle, but the Governor strongly advised her to wait for another ship. Their goods were taken on the 'Cumberland,' which was wrecked, and everything was lost — household supplies, family portraits, silver and all their cherished heirlooms.

Quote from a family member:

'In later letters we read that if anything that had been on the ship was wanted, mamma would say regretfully: "There was such a beauty on the ship, but still think of poor Mrs. McDermott, she lost her husband: what have we to complain of" ...

..........

The Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal Saturday 3 January 1835:

WRECK OF THE CUMBERLAND

(Part article)

"The 'Cumberland' was bound for (Port of) Augusta on 28 August 1834 with Captain McDermott in charge, carrying a cargo of valuable goods for the Bussell family. She went missing, and the wreck was found near Mangles Bay, Garden Island, by seven local men who then plundered the goods."

They were eventually taken to court and subject to transportation.

The Perth Gazette Saturday 7 March 1835

..."THE Gov. schooner 'Ellen' has conveyed away to Hobart Town the five individuals, Ledgard, Thomas, Warde, Keats, and Thorne, who were found guilty, some short time back, of stealing sundry articles from the wreck of the 'Cumberland' ; ..."

Reported later:

"Before a Special Sessions six men were charged with having stolen divers goods stranded from the wreck of the Cumberland. Three were sentenced to fourteen years' transportation, two to seven years, and one to six months' imprisonment with hard labour."

From the court case:

"...With regard to the bodies, Cousins says, they found one, but it was so far decomposed, that the head dropped from it, on their touching it. They supposed it to be the remains of Rees, a sailor, who it was known had lost a finger from one hand — the skeleton having one finger short.

Since writing the foregoing, a report has reached us, that the body of Captain McDermott, who navigated the cutter, has been found, by the Constables, buried near the spot."...

..........

Sunday Times 22 September 1929;

Historical Relics: part article

"... interest was attached to Captain James McDermott's lantern, which came out in the Cumberland, wrecked at Mangles Bay, near Fremantle, in 1834. Captain McDermott was one of the first ship owners and merchants in Fremantle."...