For almost 200 years there had been a doctor resident in Bow. I was the twenty-ninth.
This is our story
THE MEDICAL GENTLEMEN OF BOW
Josias Austin (1797-1883) Back to "The Broadnymett Three"
Josias Austin was born in Sampford Courtenay, where he was baptised in 1797. At the age of 8 he became an apprentice to John Sloman of Lake, Sampford Courtenay. When he was 23, he married Catherine Harvey, who was a few years older and from the same village. Neither was able to write so both marked the register with a X. Catherine had a twin brother John. Shortly after they were born, the twins were baptised at home, privately, just before their mother died. When they were about eighteen months old, they were baptised again in the church.
Josias and Catherine had seven children before he was convicted in 1835, although one had died aged 2. All their children were baptised in Sampford Courtenay Church. They all remained in Devon with the exception of his son John who took his family to Queensland Australia in 1866 with nearly disastrous consequences.
Josias's First Wife: Catherine Harvey (1793-1883)
When Josias was transported, Catherine was left behind with their 6 children aged 1 to 14. She described herself as a widow and never remarried. At first she worked as a serge weaver and was maintained by her children. In 1871, she was a pauper, living alone in Okehampton. She was living in a nearby village, Exbourne, two years before she died aged 90.
Josias Austin's Life in Australia
The three men were sentenced at the Exeter Assizes in March 1835. Coombe and Croote were sent together to New South Wales, Austin was to be transported to van Dieman's Land - Tasmania. From Exeter he was first taken to the Prison Hulk Ship Ganymede, moored at Woolwich. He was then transferred to the Layton, taking her second consignment of convicts to Australia. She left Sheerness with 270 male prisoners on board on 29 August and arrived in Hobart on 10 December 1835, a journey of 103 days. Within a few days of landing he was assigned to a settler. By 1841 he was one of a large number of convicts working for Thomas Archer of Woolmers, an estate about 25 Km South of Launceston.
Trade Plo’man
5’ 6¼“
Age 39
Complexion brown
Head oval
Hair Brown
Whiskers reddish brown
Visage Oval
Forehead M H
Eyebrows Lt Brown
Eyes Grey
Nose M. L. pointed
Mouth wide
Chin M. L.
Remarks Several brown moles on breast
Gaol report said he had been suspected of sheep stealing before.
Married, 6 children. Wife Catherine. Surgeon’s report – very good.
In 1841 he did apply for his family in England to join him, his application supported by Thomas Archer of Woolmers. He gave the names of the Rector of Sampford Courtenay, Rev George Pierce Richards, and his former Master John Sloman as references but his family never came.
Right - The application for Josias Austin's wife and six children to join him in Tasmania.
He was recommended for a conditional pardon in July 1846 “...having behaved with strict propriety from the time of his arrival”.
On October 15 1845 he married Hannah Johnson in Launceston.
Josias's Second Wife: Hannah Johnson (1815-1851)
Hannah Johnson from London was convicted on July 9th 1834 at the Old Bailey and sentenced to 7 years transportation for stealing shoes. She was taken to Australia on the convict ship "New Grove" which left Woolwich, London with 165 female prisoners on 1 November 1834, sailing via Deal (10 Nov) and the Scilly Isles (25 Nov) where they had to put in to replace the ship's surgeon, the original one having become "dangerously ill". They arrived at Hobart on 27 March 1835.
According to her records, Hannah's trade was as a house servant, Ht 5' 4" Aged 20 Complexion fresh, Head M S, Hair black, Visage broad, Forehead high, Eyebrows black, Eyes brown, Nose small, Mouth MW, Chin MS. Remarks: Stout made.
The Surgeon's report was that she was "Bad. Punished for assaults, refractory and insolent."
After she arrived there were several recorded instances of drunkenness, and of being absent without leave. In May 1836 her sentence was extended by 3 years. Her misbehaviour continued, however she was granted her Certificate of Freedom in 1845, just before they married. Josias was still a convict so had to obtain permission to marry her.
Josias and Hannah had two daughters, Mary Ann in 1845, and Ellen in 1848. Hannah died in 1851 aged 36 in Launceston.
Josias's Third Wife: Mary Traynor (1817-1878)
Josias married again on 1 Dec 1851, now a free man He married Mary Traynor, a convict from Kildare, Ireland who had been transported in 1847 for seven years for stealing a shawl and some shoes. She had sailed as one of 129 female prisoners on the Waverley which left Dublin on 19 July, arriving at Hobart on 25 Oct 1847.
Josiah Austin a "farmer" died at Invermay, near Launceston on 20 Jan 1883. His estate, valued at less than £205, was divided between his two daughters from his marriage to Hannah: Mary Ann, married to Patrick Dargan, and Ellen or Eleanor, whose second husband was Bryant Doyle. As with his marriage register he signed his will dated 3 Feb 1881, with a X.
The other convicts: Alexander Croote William Coombe
