John Thomas aka James Holmes
Known Facts about John Thomas 1. Born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada about 1834. Source: family bible 2. He was a brickmaker when married on 5 Dec 1868 in Rushworth to Elizabeth Smith (born Evans). Source: marriage certificate 3. At time of death on 5 September 1885 in Rushworth he was a miner (gold). He had been in Australia for 30 years, arrival about 1855. Source: death certificate. Witnesses were Catherine Smith nee Errett, Johns’ mother-in-law and Sarah Smith. Married at Methodist Church. 4. He didn’t know his parents names. Source: marriage and death certificates. 5. He was wounded in shoulder/back when he deserted from a ship, on which he was a seaman, whilst ship was in Melbourne. The lead ball was kept by the family for many years. Source: verbal family history. My great uncle Abraham Jones recalled that John and his family had a ‘falling out’. Source: A taped interview I had with him in 1991. Assertions Based On Research 1. After lengthy research of newspapers of the time, particularly the Port Phillip Herald and Melbourne Morning Herald, into John being shot whilst deserting a ship I have only found one incident. On the 14th of May 1855 (1855 matches John’s arrival in Australia) a large group of seamen lowered a rowing boat from the ship “Tasmania” whilst anchored in Hobsons Bay. Shots were fired by the first mate, James or Robert Henderson. A seaman by the name of John or James HOLMES, he is mentioned by both names in the newspaper articles, received a bullet wound to the back/shoulder. He was subsequently taken to the Melbourne Hospital (now Royal Melbourne Hospital) where he was considered to be in a serious condition. The First Mate who shot him was arrested and James HOLMES, who during the trial some ten days later did subsequently recover. He was called to court as a witness on his discharge from hospital and this was recorded in The Melbourne Morning Herald of the 18th June 1855. 2. 2.
3. The obvious assumption is that James HOLMES changed his name to John THOMAS as Elizabeths’ father had done ie from Evans to Smith, after his convict sentence was served. It was a common occurrence back then due to the convict stigma, even though, as far as I know, John was never charged for desertion or any other crime. He may have wanted to turn his back on his previous life and hence sever his family ties back in Canada.
4. The ship Tasmania arrived in Melbourne on May 10th 1855 having left London on the 18th February 1855. It was a passenger vessel of 1204 tons and L.E.Rudolph was the captain. The “Tasmania” carried around 300 passengers (Sipping Intelligence “The Argus” 11 May 1855). It encountered many icebergs and rough weather while crossing the Indian Ocean. Source: Port Phillip Herald.
Lloyds of London register of 1854: page 98 No.40 Tasmania ship Master L.Rudolph 1217 tons Built: St Johns, New Brunswick, Canada in 1853 Owners Aikman Port belonging to: Glasgow Destined voyage: Liverpool to Australia Number of years first assigned: 7 Classification: A1
In summary I believe that it is not beyond the realm of probability that John THOMAS and James HOLMES are the same person. The date of John/James arrival matches the information supplied on his death certificate ie 1855. The family history regarding his desertion and bullet wound concur in all respects with the newspaper article, other than his name but I believe that it is reasonable to deduce that the circumstances and culture of the time would lend itself to John/James 3.
feeling that a change of name was necessary, if not essential. Also if he left his family on bad terms this would lend further credence to the necessity of a name change. Furthermore the ship “Tasmania” was built in St. John, where John/James was born, and completed in 1853 when he was 19 so it is highly likely that he may have signed up for its maiden voyage.
Possible Leads 1. In The Port Phillip Herald of 30 June 1857 was reported that on 15th June 1857 a womens severed head was found near Avoca, Victoria by a gold miner, John Thomas residing at Paddy’s Gully. The head was found down a mine shaft about 11 foot deep. John took a police constable to the shaft and showed him. There was also a blood splattered canvas fly in the shaft next to the gruesome find. John had been living at Paddy’s Gully for 5 weeks and his tent was only 150 yards from the mine shafts. A mate, William Fawdon, had found the fly. The body of the deceased was found about 4 miles from Paddy’s Gully. The woman had been shot in the head before being bludgeoned. I know John Thomas was a gold miner, and not a very successful one, as when he died in 1885 his wife and family were left destitute. Source: The Rushworth Chronicle 1929. In 1857 his name could’ve already been changed from James Holmes. Unfortunately the inquest into the murder shared no light on to John’s nationality. The witness statement concerned itself solely with the facts regarding John finding the womans head. I am unsure how to proceed further with this line of enquiry but it is an interesting conjecture if verified.
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
hi, i am related to holmes family, the first holmes born scotland came to newbrunswick,canada from 1822-1826, there was a john holmes born 1834,nothing founf on him in our 1851 census, have info sent by distant cousin that states,the fact that no trace of any member of this family can be found in north america record raises the question of whether they mat have gone to scotland, austrailia, or elsewhere,died young or used a surname other than holmes. i do know that there was no john holmes born 1834-1835 in saint john,newbrunswick,canada, i do know that there were a lot of ships built here in st.martins saint john county,as well as saint john city, also in northumberland county,newbrunswick,canada, i believe that john james holmes born 1834 could be your john thomas, we can find no trace of our john james holmes born 1834 and attended school, but no trace of him in 1851 he would have been the son of john holmes and janet unknown. sheila
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
Hi Thank you for taking the trouble to contact me. If I understand correctly your John/James Holmes' parents were John & Sheila? If so they would be my great great grandparents. What relationship would they be to you and how do you know they were the parents of John/James if John/James can't be found in the 1851 census? If I can establish a link between my family and yours that would be amazing as I've been working on this line of my family for over 30 years without success!
I look forward to hearing from you. Wayne Thomas
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
I got the mothers name wrong should be Janet!!!Sorry.
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
hi, i have info on family information, and it says that this particular line the family can,t be found in northamerica,that they may have died young or went to another country, australia scotland. i can scan the info and send it to you. my email address is sheila.coulton@bellaliant.net
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
hi, i forgot to mention that john holmes born 1834, halcolmb, newbrunswick,canada had an uncle robert holmes who used the surname thomas when he married here in newbrunswick, then went back to using the surname holmes ,i thought that is this a coincindence, maybe not. look forward to hearing from you. sheila
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
hi wayne, i forgot to mention that if my john holmes is your john holmes then we are cousins,i have tried to reach you by email but it keeps coming back, is your email address canadaorbust51&yahoo.com.au thanks sheila
|
Re: John Thomas aka James Holmes
|