Catherine Dwyer
F, #10831
| Last Edited | 10 May 2014 |
| Marriage* | Catherine Dwyer married James McGuiness. |
Family | James McGuiness |
| Child |
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Winifred Holly McGuiness
F, #10832, b. 1896, d. 28 December 1955
| Father* | John McGuiness b. 1860, d. 1898 |
| Mother* | Jessie Sweetman b. 12 Apr 1876, d. 10 Nov 1946 |
| Last Edited | 20 Aug 2017 |
| Birth* | Winifred Holly McGuiness was born in 1896. |
| She was the daughter of John McGuiness and Jessie Sweetman. | |
| Marriage* | Winifred Holly McGuiness married Leslie Robert Samuel Cook, son of Thomas Robert Cook and Elizabeth Proctor, on 12 December 1922 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; reg: 232.1,2,3 |
| Death* | Winifred Holly McGuiness died on 28 December 1955 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG.1 |
Family | Leslie Robert Samuel Cook b. 1895, d. 18 Oct 1972 |
| Relationships | 3rd cousin 1 time removed of Neil James Bradley 3rd cousin 1 time removed of Victoria Rae (Vicki*) Barrett 3rd cousin 1 time removed of William (Bill*) McElroy 4th cousin of Thomas Anthony (Tony*) Harrop |
| Charts | Sweetman Family Links |
Charles Owen John (Trotter*) McGuiness
M, #10833, b. 1898, d. 30 October 1963
| Father* | John McGuiness b. 1860, d. 1898 |
| Mother* | Jessie Sweetman b. 12 Apr 1876, d. 10 Nov 1946 |
| Last Edited | 21 Aug 2017 |
| Birth* | Charles Owen John (Trotter*) McGuiness was born in 1898. |
| He was the son of John McGuiness and Jessie Sweetman. | |
| Marriage* | Charles Owen John (Trotter*) McGuiness married Thelma Gwendoline Lyons, daughter of Joseph Lyons and Norah Elizabeth McCarthy, in 1926 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; reg: 217.1 |
| Death* | Charles Owen John (Trotter*) McGuiness died on 30 October 1963 at Hilton Park, Western Australia.2 |
Family | Thelma Gwendoline Lyons b. 1906, d. 2 Oct 1967 |
| Relationships | 3rd cousin 1 time removed of Neil James Bradley 3rd cousin 1 time removed of Victoria Rae (Vicki*) Barrett 3rd cousin 1 time removed of William (Bill*) McElroy 4th cousin of Thomas Anthony (Tony*) Harrop |
| Charts | Sweetman Family Links |
James Green1
M, #10834, b. 1846, d. 7 April 1881
| Last Edited | 9 Feb 2020 |
| Birth* | James Green was born in 1846.1 |
| Marriage* | He married Mary Ann Ahern, daughter of John Ahern and Rosanna Mooney, on 24 March 1870 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG.1 |
| Death* | James Green died on 7 April 1881 at Geraldton, Western Australia.1 |
Family | Mary Ann Ahern b. 24 May 1850, d. 16 Apr 1913 |
Citations
- [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, theako.
William Pollett
M, #10835, b. 1 January 1858, d. 25 October 1909
| Last Edited | 9 Feb 2020 |
| Birth* | William Pollett was born on 1 January 1858.1 |
| Marriage* | He married Mary Ann Ahern, daughter of John Ahern and Rosanna Mooney, on 26 July 1883 at Geraldton, Western Australia.1 |
| Death* | William Pollett died on 25 October 1909 at Geraldton, Western Australia, at age 51.1 |
Family | Mary Ann Ahern b. 24 May 1850, d. 16 Apr 1913 |
Citations
- [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, theako.
James McManus
M, #10836, b. 1831, d. 13 April 1888
 James McManus |
| Father* | Bernard Bryan McManus |
| Mother* | Susan (?) |
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Birth* | James McManus was born in 1831 at Ireland. |
| He was the son of Bernard Bryan McManus and Susan (?) | |
| Marriage* | James McManus married Ann Healy, daughter of Christopher Healy and Brigid (?), on 23 April 1855 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; reg: 814. |
| Death* | James McManus died on 13 April 1888 at Northam, Western AustraliaG; reg: 266 57yrs On the 13th April, at his residence, Irishtown, Northam, JAMES McMANUS, native of Pettigo, Ireland, aged 57 years, deeply lamented by his bereaved Wife and Children, and a very large circle of friends. - R.I.P. From the 'West Australian' Sat 23 Jun 1888. |
Family | Ann Healy b. 1836, d. 27 Aug 1905 |
| Child |
|
| Immigration* | James McManus immigrated on 13 March 1855 on the ship Berkshire.. |
Bernard Bryan McManus1
M, #10837
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Marriage* | Bernard Bryan McManus married Susan (?) |
Family | Susan (?) |
| Child |
|
Citations
- [S161] Genealogics, online www.genealogics.org.
Susan (?)
F, #10838
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Marriage* | Susan (?) married Bernard Bryan McManus. |
Family | Bernard Bryan McManus |
| Child |
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Ann Healy
F, #10839, b. 1836, d. 27 August 1905
Ann Healy |
| Father* | Christopher Healy |
| Mother* | Brigid (?) |
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Birth* | Ann Healy was born in 1836 at Dublin, Meath, Ireland. |
| She was the daughter of Christopher Healy and Brigid (?) | |
| Marriage* | Ann Healy married James McManus, son of Bernard Bryan McManus and Susan (?), on 23 April 1855 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; reg: 814. |
| Burial* | Ann Healy was buried at Northam, Western AustraliaG. |
| Death* | She died on 27 August 1905 at Northam, Western AustraliaG; reg: 1672 68yrs. |
Family | James McManus b. 1831, d. 13 Apr 1888 |
| Child |
|
| Immigration* | Ann Healy immigrated on 13 March 1855 on the ship Berkshire..1 |
Citations
- [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
Julia Watson1
F, #10847, b. 1812, d. 8 November 1855
| Last Edited | 18 Feb 2020 |
| Birth* | Julia Watson was born in 1812 at Limerick, Ireland.1 |
| Marriage* | She married James McNamara circa 1839. |
| Death* | Julia Watson died on 8 November 1855 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG. |
Family | James McNamara b. c 1808, d. 10 Sep 1883 |
| Children |
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| Immigration* | Julia Watson immigrated on 6 April 1854 on the ship Sea Park..2 |
Eliza Hayden
F, #10849, b. 1 July 1842, d. 12 August 1933
| Father* | James Hayden b. 1809, d. 21 Aug 1880 |
| Mother* | Mary Gresson b. 1810, d. 3 Mar 1853 |
| Last Edited | 17 Feb 2020 |
| Birth* | Eliza Hayden was born on 1 July 1842 at Shearnest, Kent, England.1,2 |
| She was the daughter of James Hayden and Mary Gresson. | |
| Marriage* | Eliza Hayden married James Screaigh on 24 December 1857 at York, Western AustraliaG.1,2 |
| Death* | Eliza Hayden died on 12 August 1933 at Perth, Western AustraliaG, at age 91.2 |
Family | James Screaigh b. 1833, d. 31 Jan 1899 |
| Child |
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| Immigration* | Eliza Hayden immigrated on 24 October 1850 on the ship Hashemy..3 |
| Census_1859York* | She and James Screaigh appeared on the 1859 York WA census of 31 December 1859 at York, Western AustraliaG,Issue with birth date of William being after the census?1 |
| Census | York Census 1859 |
Henry Mead
M, #10853, b. 1 October 1785, d. 23 July 1857
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Birth* | Henry Mead was born on 1 October 1785 at Ugthorpe, Yorkshire, England.1 |
| Marriage* | He married Hannah Corney on 30 November 1809 at Egton, Yorkshire, England. |
| Death* | Henry Mead died on 23 July 1857 at Lealholmside, Yorkshire, England, at age 71. |
Family | Hannah Corney b. 19 Aug 1787, d. 22 Jul 1860 |
| Child |
|
Citations
- [S234] Shelley Tonkin Data,Perth, WA.
Hannah Corney
F, #10854, b. 19 August 1787, d. 22 July 1860
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Birth* | Hannah Corney was born on 19 August 1787 at Whitby, Yorkshire, England.1 |
| Marriage* | She married Henry Mead on 30 November 1809 at Egton, Yorkshire, England. |
| Death* | Hannah Corney died on 22 July 1860 at Lealholmside, Yorkshire, England, at age 72. |
Family | Henry Mead b. 1 Oct 1785, d. 23 Jul 1857 |
| Child |
|
Citations
- [S129] Jenny Lucas,WA.
John Smith
M, #10855
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Marriage* | John Smith married Ann Greig. |
Family | Ann Greig |
| Child |
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Ann Greig
F, #10856
| Last Edited | 23 Dec 2012 |
| Marriage* | Ann Greig married John Smith. |
Family | John Smith |
| Child |
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Mary Ann Elizabeth Gould
F, #10857, b. 1832, d. 14 August 1895
| Father* | Benjamin Gould |
| Last Edited | 18 May 2014 |
| Birth* | Mary Ann Elizabeth Gould was born in 1832. |
| She was the daughter of Benjamin Gould. | |
| Marriage* | Mary Ann Elizabeth Gould married James Woodward, son of James Woodward and Sarah Shepherd, on 5 July 1859 at Perth, Western AustraliaG.1 |
| Marriage* | Mary Ann Elizabeth Gould married Thomas William Mead, son of Henry Mead and Hannah Corney, on 24 March 1860 at York, Western AustraliaG. |
| Death* | Mary Ann Elizabeth Gould died on 14 August 1895 at Perth, Western AustraliaG.2 |
| Burial* | She was buried at East Perth, Western AustraliaG.2 |
Family 1 | James Woodward b. c 1813, d. 18 Aug 1859 |
Family 2 | Thomas William Mead b. 28 Feb 1810, d. 24 Jan 1872 |
Thomas William Mews
M, #10858, b. 1 August 1790, d. 1 January 1870
 Thomas William Mews | |
    |
| Last Edited | 11 Mar 2023 |
| Birth* | Thomas William Mews was born on 1 August 1790 at Christchurch, Dorset, England. |
| Marriage* | He married Mary Elizabeth Bogg on 21 February 1814 at England. |
| Death* | Thomas William Mews died on 1 January 1870 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG, at age 79; reg: 4452 74yrs. |
Family | Mary Elizabeth Bogg b. 1797, d. 27 Jan 1878 |
| Child |
|
| Immigration* | Thomas William Mews immigrated on 14 May 1830 on the ship Rockingham.. |
| Census* | He appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; #329, 37, married, Christchurch, England, Boat Builder, Rockingham, self.1 |
| Census_1836* | He and Mary Elizabeth Bogg appeared on the 1836 WA census of 1 January 1836 at Perth, Western Australia. Calling of husband - boatbuilder.2 |
| Note* | MEWS FAMILY, of Perth & Fremantle. The Mews family has the distinction of having the longest association with boat building in Western Australia's history carrying on for five successive generations. The family only built a few large ocean going craft and this was in the period around 1860 to 1870. From the time that they established themselves at Fremantle they seem to have made a conscious decision to confine themselves to building river craft, barges, fishing boats and yachts. Another feature of their industriousness was the fact that all through their 130 years of boat building they confined themselves to wooden built craft. The patriarch of this dynasty was Thomas William Mews who arrived at Fremantle on the Rockingham on the 20/5/1830 with his wife Mary Elizabeth, (nee Bogg). He was born in 1775 and so was 55 years of age when the family, which included their five children were wrecked at Rockingham. For more information on the wreck of the Rockingham see Unfinished Voyages Volume 1 by G Henderson, U W A Press. Suffering the same trials and tribulations of that voyage was Samuel Cox, already mentioned. It is not known whether Mews and Cox formed their friendship and partnership before or during the voyage out from England but within a year of their arrival at Fremantle they were in partnership in a boat building enterprise in Perth. This boat yard was located on Lot L.34 on what is now known as Mounts Bay Road. After arriving in the Colony two more children were born to the couple. Their three sons, Thomas William, John Charles and James Robert were also involved in the business as builders and owners of vessels. With three successive Thomas Williams, all boat builders, it becomes difficult to identify which of them built what and where, but it is certain that Thomas Williarn, Senior employed his son Thomas William at Perth at least until 1862. The son, T W Junior then moved to Fremantle where he established his business in a stone two storied building at the seaward end of the Whaler's Tunnel under the Roundhouse. His son, also Thomas William worked for his father at the Fremantle yard before setting up in his own business on Fitzgerald Terrace, now the Esplanade. The other sons, John and James remained in Perth. The complications that arise from this is that we have a T W senior and junior at Perth and then after the move to Fremantle we again have a T W senior and junior, the Perth junior becoming the Fremantle senior. As most of the early history of the Mews and Cox partnership has already been documented in the entry for Samuel Cox the first part of this history will be fairly brief. The first contract the partnership carried out was the erection of a fence around the Fremantle Gaol, the Round house and the first instance of their boat building comes in a C S R document where the partners are in dispute with a Mr Weavell over the Preston Point Ferry. The next indication of their enterprise was the building of the Ferry for Fremantle, which the Perth Gazette described thus, "the large substantial Ferry Boat, built by Messr's Mews and Cox for the Ferry at Fremantle is now finished, and we believe has been sent down, to be brought into immediate use. The tender for building this boat was taken at 75 pounds, but some other work has been required which will render the cost about 100 pounds. The workmanship, we are told, is highly creditable to the contractors. We understand that all the necessary gear will be supplied of the best materials to give the new site to which the Ferry is removed a fair trial during the winter. If it succeeds Jetties will be constructed on both sides of the river to render the ingress and egress as safe and commodious as possible". On the 27/7/1834 T W Mews wrote to the Colonial Secretary saying, "having the Lake Thompson granted me, the purchase money of which by agreement, was to be liquidated by the performance of certain labour done, not then specified, I beg to lay before His Honour the Lieut. Governor the necessity of clearing the different parts of trees and stumps which obstruct the passage for the navigation of boats from the upper parts of Guildford to the extent of the upper Swan or Mr Bull's residence. Should the suggestion meet with the Lieut. Governor's approbation I should be willing to engage, for the purchase money of Lake Thompson, to make a channel navigable for boats, the draft of water not exceeding two feet." Lake Thompson, or Mew's Swamp lay between Beaufort and Lake Streets and ran North from Ellen Street. This was another instance of Mews and Cox carrying out Public Works as they also built bridges and jetties. Three of the bridges that they built were the first Causeway bridge and the bridges over the Abba and Sabina rivers near Busselton. In 1834 they were also engaged in supplying stone for building a residence for the Governor for which they were paid 53 pounds and 10 shillings. On the 23/9/1835, for the sum of 6 pounds Mews and Cox were given the contract to repair the dinghy used at Fremantle in conjunction with the Ferry. The job entailed replacing 26 feet of upper strake, 4 rowing cleats, 8 thowls, 12 feet of new gunwhales, 4 knees to thwarts, 2 stem knees, 1 shifting thwart, tarring under bottom boards and caulking and painting throughout. In 1837 it is recorded that T W Mews was the owner of a number of blocks of land in Perth, Fremantle and Guildford. These were, in Fremantle, Lot 452 in Collie Street, in Guildford, Lots 101 and 103 and in Perth Lots 30 and 34 fronting onto what is now Mounts Bay Road, west of Spring Street and Lot 53 between Mount Street and Malcolm Street. Thomas William, junior had by 1839 completed his apprenticeship with his father and wished to branch out on his own. On the 6/4/1839 an advertisement was placed in the Perth Gazette saying, "Boat Building, Thomas Mews, Junior, having taken the house belonging to Mr Charles Brown, next to Mr Trigg's near the waterside, begs to inform the public that he has commenced in the above line, and trusts that by strict attention to detail, he will merit a share of their support. Boats built and repaired. N.B. Boats to let." then on the 13/6/1840 in another ad he says, "Removal, Thomas Mews, boat builder, begs leave to inform the public that he has removed from the premises recently occupied by him, to his residence next to the Albion Brewery, and that he has now for sale the following boats : 1 copper fastened flat. 1 iron fastened flat. 1 whaleboat. 1 sailing boat. signed, Thomas Mews, Junior. On the 4/3/1837 the partnership won a contract to carry out some repair work on the Ferry at Point Belches and then on the 1/5/1837 Mews and Cox tendered to carry out the repairs to the Government Schooner Champion. Mews and Cox were instrumental in providing the whaling companies with some of their whale boats and oars and also repaired them and in mid June 1837 after an accident to the boats in Cockburn Sound they were asked to reconstruct them. The first advertisement to appear in the local papers concerning boat building was printed on the 8/9/1841 when, "Thomas Mews and Samuel Cox, shipwrights and boat builders, return thanks to the public for the encouragement they have met with, and beg to give notice that their business is still carried on at such prices as will give satisfaction. Large boats built by the ton, small boats by the foot." In April 1857 Mr Mews was called as a witness to the trial of Samuel Brakes, see his entry for details. On December the 28th 1857 T W Mews senior wrote to the Colonial Secretary, "Sir, I have received an order to build a large cargo boat and have no premises of my own suitable, I have to request that I may be allowed the use of that portion of the waterside frontage opposite the Government school for boys, for that purpose." This request set up a whole series of correspondence between Government Departments lasting until January 15th 1858 to determine who actually owned or controlled the land in question. The outcome was that permission was granted but rent was to be paid to the local Government as can be seen from the following, "Perth, 18/1/1858, Sir, Mr Sewell, having accompanied me to inspect the piece of ground I am desirous of using as a yard for building boats and proposes to me that I should pay rent for the same at the rate of 2 pounds per annum, giving up possession at any time I may be required to do so by the Government, also to make good any damage I may do to the property to the satisfaction of the Clerk of Works. I beg leave to say that I shall be glad to be allowed the use of the ground on such terms and hereby bind myself to perform the conditions if I am permitted the use of the same." The piece of ground referred to later became the site where William Lawrence established his boat building enterprise. Not long after this Thomas senior went into semi-retirement to his property north of Perth and his son then took over the business. Ibis son, also Thomas William, had finished his apprenticeship with his father and was preparing to move to Fremantle. At this point in the story things become a little confusing as we have a senior and two juniors and it becomes difficult to determine which of the two juniors are writing the letters. I might add that when father and son were living at Fremantle we have a senior in Perth and a senior and junior in Fremantle, even more confusing. The first letter of T W junior we have is one that was written in July 1857 in which he states, "I hereby certify that the old pilot boat 1 examined on the 22nd inst at Fremantle is so far gone that I would recommend her being condemned, Thos Mews, Jun. and then again in another letter this time written by the Harbour Master, Mr James Harding, he says, "Sir, 1 have the honour to report that 1 have received from Mr Thomas Mews, junior, the boat for my department for which he contracted and that she is finished according to contract." On the 25th of March 1859, T W Mews, junior wrote to the Colonial Secretary, "Sir, being desirous of leasing that piece of land projecting to the right of my boat shed into the river from the Government for the purpose of hauling up boats for repairs it being a suitable place for my business and out of the way of that part of the road. 1 also desire permission from the Government to run out a temporary jetty for the use of small pleasure boats moored in front of my premises." In reply the Surveyor General stated on the 2513/1859, 1 see no objection to the land described by Thomas Mews junior being let or leased to him from year to year, as it was in 1832 and 1833 to his father. The following description would be sufficient for enabling the Crown Solicitor to prepare a short lease. One rood more or less of land in the townsite of Perth in the Colony, etc. etc. Bounded on the north by Mounts Bay Road, on the south by the shore of Perth Water and on the east and west by a prolongation of the east and west boundaries of Perth building lot L.34. I see no objection to the erection of the jetty and include it in the lease." T W Mews senior still took up the occasional Government works contracts such as repairing jetties and building bridges. In March 1860 he was engaged in repairing the Perth jetty at the foot of William Street and was complaining that with the amount of traffic passing on the jetty he was having great difficulty in getting the work done. On the 81311860 he tendered to build the Abba and Sabina river bridges near Busselton for 770 pounds. At this stage of his life he was 85 years old. Thomas Williarn Mews was also involved in the construction of Western Australia's first steam vessel, along with Solomon Cook, and was later instrumental in the fitting out of others that Cook built. ( for the story of this see Cook's entry.) In the Perth Gazette of the 2/9/1859, T W Mews, junior, placed an advertisement for the sale of boats, viz, "For Sale, 2 pleasure boats, 16 feet long, copper fastened, for one pair of oars or sails. A whaleboat, 16 feet long, suitable for any of the coasting vessels and a full size lifeboat complete, T W Mews, Bazaar Terrace, Mount Eliza, Perth. Again in the Perth Gazette, 9/11/1860 there was an advertisement placed announcing the leaving of Perth for Fremantle and stating that his successor to the Perth business would be his ex-apprentice, Charles Watson. He either didn't leave at this time or he was alternating between the two sites as the local paper ran a story saying that a new boat had been launched in Perth by T W Mews, jun, for the pupils at Bishop Hale's school on the 25/10/1861. The boat was designed for racing on Perth Water. In March 1862 the Harbour Master's Department at Fremantle required a new five oared boat and issued a specification sheet and then invited tenders. Following are the particulars The boat to be clencher built, length 29 feet, breadth 6 ft, from outside to outside of gunwhales, depth amidships from bung to gunwhales 2 ft 2 inches. Keel, stem, sternpost and gunwhales to be mahogany, sternpost to be straight, stem to rake as other boats, with fore gripes as usual. Keel to be 3 inches in depth, clear of garboard strake with a false keel in one length and 3 inches deep. Planking, thwarts, rising and lining to be pine. Outside planking to be clear of knots and rents and not wider than 4 inches clear of overlap. The boat to be moulded according to the one now in use by the Harbour Master. Thwarts and other fittings to be placed in the same manner and to pull a sixth oar when necessary. Mast thwarts to be dovetailed into rising and double knees. Timber and floors, with strong crutch, floors under headsheets as per the present boat. Rudder, tiller, 6 iron crutches with shoulders for lanyards and backboard with tack and sheet hooks to be provided and fitted into gunwhales with iron plates. The rising to be carried from end to end of the boat and united by breasthooks fore and aft. The boat to be copper fastened throughout and covered with two coats of lead coloured paint. Loggerheads and sheet chocks to be fitted to gunwhales with outside lining strake as in the present boat. The boat to be delivered to the Harbour Master at Fremantle, properly finished and fit for immediate use. signed, James Harding, Harbour Master. The contract was won by T W . Mews, jun, for the sum of 35 pounds. Also in 1862 he was employed to repair the Government barges. Although his son was definitely at Fremantle by this time it seems that T W Mews jun, came back to Perth and his old yard on Lot L.34 as can be seen from the following : By February 1863 the Government was well into road construction using the convict population as their work force. One of the main projects was the raising, forming and blocking of Mounts Bay Road which though a boon to the travellers didn't do much for Mews business as he built, hauled up and launched boats from the north side of the new road. Consequently he wrote to the Colonial Secretary explaining the situation, stating that he was obliged to hire a large gang to haul his boats up and over the roadway and requesting that the Government, as part of the road scheme build a slipway 40 feet wide with stone facings leading up from the low water mark to the top of the roadway. the Government response was that since the stone was coming from Mews property and that a landing was required in the vicinity of the boatshed to offload the barges it would be a good idea to build the slipway for Mr Mews. On the 19/10/1863 Mr Mews was called on by the Harbour Master to inspect the boats belonging to his department, which were a buoy boat, 4 pulling boats and a dinghy. By the middle of 1864 there was a slump in boat building and Mews wrote to the Colonial Secretary asking for a job in the Government Service as he was almost destitute and had no work for his employees. Fortunately for the family he won a contract to build a two ton boat complete with oars, mast, sails, etc. and a surfboat in December 1864 for the Harbour Master's Department. The specifications for the two ton boat state that she was to be a four oared, square sterned, clencher built pinnace to carry sprit mainsail and foresail. The 11 foot dinghy was to carry a sprit mainsail. The tenders were issued on the 8/12/1864 along with the specifications and on the 13th it was announced that Mews had won the contract. Nine days later, on the 22/12/1864, James Harding, Harbour Master wrote to the Colonial Secretary stating that he had had both vessels delivered and that he was well pleased with them !!! Although Mews boatshed was on Lot L.34 his dwelling was on Lot L.33. Other members of this family owned lots in various parts of Perth, such as John Charles, who owned Lots 111 & 112 in Charles Street and Lots V 110, Y.55, Y.56, Y.57 and Y.58 in Francis and Lamb streets. James Robert owned Lots Y64, N.28, Y65 and N.29 which were in Beaufort Street. On the 12/10/1867 Thomas junior wrote to the Government regarding a boat he was building for the Harbour Master's Department. He was unable to purchase oak timbers anywhere in the colony and requested that he be allowed to use instead a local timber known as stinkwood. The second page of this letter is a jumble of writings from various Government officials debating the merits of various local timbers and they finally settled on Tuart as a substitute. During construction of this boat Thomas was laid low with a bout of influenza and he requested that he be given an extension of two weeks on his contract. The Harbour Master, Mr Butcher, was instructed to call on Mr Mews and check his condition. He did so on the 18th of November and ascertained that he was indeed running a fever. Thomas went back to work and finished the craft except for a couple of sheets of copper sheathing which he later procured from the convict department. During March 1868 the Bunbury Harbour Master wrote to the Colonial secretary requesting a replacement boat for the one that he was using as it was old and worn out. In reply the Fremantle Harbour Master agreed to swap one of his which Mews had repaired the previous winter It was a light fast rowing boat that had previously been used at the Rottnest Pilot Station. The boats were duly exchanged and the one from Bunbury on arrival at Fremantle was found to be so badly worn as to require immediate repairs and Mews was recommended to carry these out in December 1868. In 1870 Mr Croke became the Harbour Master and in a letter he wrote to the Government states, "I have the honour to inform you that Mr Mews of Fremantle has built a whaleboat of Sydney cedar and copper fastened throughout on the principle and mould of the whaleboats on this coast used by Mr Bateman and others. I have constantly supervised the building of her, also 1 have Mr Bateman's opinion on the build of the boat and we are both of opinion that at the price, viz, 50 pounds, she is a cheap boat. Under the above circumstances and from not having a pulling boat that will float 1 would beg to recommend that the Governor will grant permission for her purchase". This was granted on the 7/3/1870. A year later, in February 1871, Mr Croke wrote that the sailing boat, built by Mr T W Mews junior, "has been so imperfectly put together in the garboard strakes that they will be required to be taken out and the timbers renewed. The old ones being made out of old deal packing cases. I would beg to recommend that she be overhauled by Mr Mews senior, also that she be decked over. She would then be a suitable boat for carrying stores to and from Rottnest". This was the boat that Thomas built in 1867 in which he was unable to procure oak and it would appear he substituted deal for Tuart. In a heavy sea, returning from Rottnest with produce, the boat burst asunder due to the weakness of the Ideal. George Forsyth became Harbour Master in 1873 and on 19/1/1874 he wrote, "I have the honour to inform you that I have inspected the boat built by Mr Mews,senior, and find her to be a stout serviceable boat. Composed of Jarrah frame and planking below the waterline and cedar topsides, copper fastened throughout, she is quite new and fitted with a mast, iron bowsprit, gaff, boom and new mainsail and jib of superior quality. Mr Mews, senior, also offers to build the smaller boat as per specification, with the exception of iron work instead of brass, for the sum of 32 pounds which with the price asked for the larger one, 43 pounds would make for the two boats a total of 75 pounds." These two boats, according to the tender documents, were destined for the police service at Shark Bay. Mr Forsyth sent in a request on 17/12/1874 to have the lifeboat on the river jetty at Fremantle repaired as, in its present state, it was quite unseaworthy. Mr Mews, senior, offered to make a thorough repair of her for 16 pounds as compared to 30 pounds to build a new boat and the offer was the lowest he could obtain in Fremantle. The 24/7/1875 saw a memo to the Colonial Secretary from Mr Forsyth saying "no tenders were invited as it has not been usual to do so for these small jobs which are usually required in a hurry. Mr Mews has always done this sort of work and is very obliging if called upon to repair any accident." Thomas, in 1875 built the two masted topsail schooner Myra, 0/No.72475, of 31.74 tons. Her dimensions were 64 x 17 x 7.35 feet and she was built for Mr Bateman a merchant of Fremantle. The vessel was in the coastal trade for many years and was finally wrecked whilst on a voyage from Balla Balla to Cossack on the 2311/1895. On the 21/9/1875 T W Mews and the Fremantle Municipal Council reached agreement on some roadworks being carried out in front of his premises on Fitzgerald Terrace, (now Marine T'ce), This is the third T W Mews. The agreement reads in part, Thomas William Mews, of Fremantle, Shipbuilder, on the one part and the Municipal Council of Fremantle the other part. Wheras the said Municipal Council are building a stockade along the South Beach of Fremantle for the purpose of forming a street and wheras the piles of the said stockade are being driven at a height of six feet or thereabouts and wheras the said Thomas William Mews is possessed of a shipbuilding yard fronting a portion of the said stockade, being town Lot 160 and has requested the said Municipal Council to lower the height of the said piles for a space of thirty feet fronting the said shipbuilding yard for the purposes of facilitating the launching of any vessel or vessels which may at any time or times hereafter be built in the said yard, which the said Municipal Council have agreed to do under the conditions herinafter mentioned." The last piece in the C S R files is dated 21/3/1877 and is a tender from T W Mews, senior, which states, "in accordance with specifications I agree to perform the necessary repairs to the pilot boat. The boat to be delivered and received at my workshop. Receiving for such services, 35 pounds. T Mews." It is strange that for all the years this family was involved in boat building very few of their vessels were ever registered. In January 1878 Robert Wrightson launched a schooner named Ariel and after she was fitted out she was chartered by Thomas William Mews, Junior to carry a cargo of "knees" and other boat building timbers to Adelaide, South Australia. T W accompanied the vessel to conduct the sale on his own behalf and returned to Fremantle in March 1878, whereupon he placed an advertisement in the Inquirer which states in part, "tenders his sincere thanks to the inhabitants of Fremantle and the public generally for the liberal support accorded to him since his return to the colony from South Australia. Attention will in future be given chiefly to yachts, gigs, canoes, ship's boats, dinghies and all small craft, although special arrangements can be made for vessels of any size or tonnage. Orders from Perth, Geraldton, North-West Coast and the Southern Ports shall be attended to with despatch" Because in the period from 1856 through to about 1890 the builder's name was not required on the registration certificate it is difficult to discover who built the boats during these times, however, some that have been identified as having been built by the Mew's family are : Pilot, 0/No.36537, she was a cutter of 7.55 tons and was built in 1858. Next was Sisters, 0/No.36538, a dandy of 8.67 tons, she was broken up at Cossack during 1875. 'Men came Fitzgerald, 0/No.36543, also known as Lady Fitzgerald, she was a 2 masted schooner of 23.7 tons and was wrecked on Fish Rock in the Port of Fremantle on the 15/7/1862 when returning from Garden Island. Medora, 0/No. 36552 was next, she was launched in October 1864 as a cutter of 18.2 tons. Next was Alert, G/No.52239, also a cutter, of 19.04 tons. She was wrecked on the Muffay Bar on the 28/7/1875. Another was the Edward James, 0/No.52240, a cutter of 14.7 tons launched in 1867 and ending her days in the pearling industry at Cossack. Next to be identified after a gap of 9 years is the Star, 0/No.72482. She was a two masted schooner of 69.75 tons and launched from the building site at Arthur's Head in Fremantle on the 81311876. She was wrecked on Sister's Reef on the 20/10/1880. Then came Alpha, 0/No.75300, a two masted schooner of 11.9 tons. This and the next vessel were built by John Charles Mews wheras the others were built by Thomas Williarn Mews, sen and jun. T.W. Mews, Senior, placed an advertisement in The Morning Herald on the 18/11/1882 giving his address as Henry Street, Fremantle, next door to the Cleopatra Hotel. His workshop was at the same location and on site he had one 20 foot boat suitable for pearling and was building canoes and light pulling craft for regattas. About this time his son T.W.Mews, Junior received a setback and was declared bankrupt. However, he was doing his best to become viable once more. Comet, 0/No.75318, a two masted schooner of 28.17 tons was launched in January 1884 and was wrecked on the 131911893 whilst on passage to Bunbury with the loss of all hands. The last of these early vessels to be positively identified was the Dove, 0/No.95365, a two masted lugger of 15.47 tons and launched in December 1888. After a long career in the pearling industry she was taken over by the Royal Australian Navy in March 1942, and was later, in 1946, bought by the Australian Government. No doubt further research will, in the future, identify more vessels that this family have built, but to date this is a fair representation. As most of the boats they built were designed for river work, fishing and pleasure they were unregistered as such although some are on yacht club registers, for example, T W Mews built and raced a yacht named Wave in the 1872 Fremantle regatta, finishing second. James Robert Mews was also a boat builder in the 1860's and 70's and in 1872 was contracted by the Government to build a boat for 34 pounds. To recapitulate on the family, Mews, Thomas William, born 1775, died 1/1/1870, arrived per Rockingham, 20/5/1830. Boatbuilder and owner. Mews, Thomas William, born 23/10/1816, died 2/5/1906 arrived per Rockingham 20/5/1830, Boatbuilder. Mews, John Charles, born 28/5/1823, died 11/1/1905, arrived per Rockingham, 20/5/1830, Boatbuilder and owner. Mews, James Robert, born 11/12/1833, died 5/11/1918. Boatbuilder and owner. Mews, Thomas William, born 23/11/1842, died 20/6/1926. Boatbuilder. Mews, James John, born 9/10/1853, died 4/11/1930 Boatbuilder Mews, John Charles, born 3/11/1859, died 13/9/1945. Shipsmith at Albany. Mews, Robert, born 2/5/1860, died 10/10/1941. References: W A Almanacs, 1864 to 187 1. R W A H S, Early Days Journal, part 3 Pp69. Battye Library photo collection. Inquirer, 21/1/1852,5/1/1870, 8/9/1841, 21/4/1841. Perth Gazette, 6/4/1839, 13/6/1840. Unfinished Voyages, Vol 1 Henderson. U W A Press. Dictionary of West Australians, Erickson. Government Gazettes. Register of British Ships, Australian Archives. Daily News, 2/11/1978. Herald Almanacs, to 1889. Agreement between Mews and Fremantle Council, Fremantle City Council Library. Fremantle City Council rate books. Colonial Secretary's Records, Vols, 33/34, 37/50,38/157, 42/155, 42/157, 51/20, 337/126, 340/12,372/261, 382/81, 382/117, 393/31, 417/100, 443/93, 465/77, 497/166, 514/109, 521/107, 534/274,540/180, 540/95, 567/202, 559/87, 559/90, 577/94, 577/114,589/309, 589/338, 589/344, 593/309, 614/139,614/231, 617/15, 617/16, 617/109, 637/256,661/181, 689/ 7, 769/123, 769/124, 769/128,769/130, 770/57, 770/58, 770/143, 800/129, 865/123 The Colony of Western Australia, Nathaniel Ogle, London, 1837. (Extract from "They Kept This State Afloat - Shipbuilders, Boatbuilders and Shipwrights of WA 1829-1929. Rod Dickson 1998 Hesperian Press ISBN 0 85905 2 141, page 186-202.)3 |
| Census | WA Cenus 1832 |
Citations
- [S127] Ian Berryman, A Colony Detailed.
- [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
- [S78] Rod Dickson, They Kept This State Afloat, page 186.
Mary Elizabeth Bogg
F, #10859, b. 1797, d. 27 January 1878
| Last Edited | 11 Mar 2023 |
| Birth* | Mary Elizabeth Bogg was born in 1797 at Surrey, England. |
| Marriage* | She married Thomas William Mews on 21 February 1814 at England. |
| Death* | Mary Elizabeth Bogg died on 27 January 1878 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; reg: 9578 79yrs.1 |
| Burial* | She was buried on 28 January 1878 at East Perth, Western AustraliaG.1 |
Family | Thomas William Mews b. 1 Aug 1790, d. 1 Jan 1870 |
| Child |
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| Immigration* | Mary Elizabeth Bogg immigrated on 14 May 1830 on the ship Rockingham.. |
| Census* | She appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; #330, 34, married, Surry, England, Rockinham.2 |
| Census_1836* | She and Thomas William Mews appeared on the 1836 WA census of 1 January 1836 at Perth, Western Australia. Calling of husband - boatbuilder.3 |
| Census | WA Cenus 1832 |
Citations
- [S436] East Perth Cemeteries, online eastpertcemeteries.com.au.
- [S127] Ian Berryman, A Colony Detailed.
- [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
James Edward Inkpen
M, #10860, b. circa 1799, d. 11 August 1871
 James Inkpen |
| Last Edited | 11 Mar 2023 |
| Birth* | James Edward Inkpen was born circa 1799 at Kent, EnglandG.1 |
| Marriage* | He married Lydia Adams on 31 August 1822 at Holborn, London, England.2 |
| Death* | James Edward Inkpen died on 11 August 1871 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; reg: 5044 72yrs. |
| Burial* | He was buried on 13 August 1871 at East Perth, Western AustraliaG.3 |
Family | Lydia Adams b. c 1801, d. 19 Feb 1863 |
| Child |
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| Immigration* | James Edward Inkpen immigrated on 15 December 1829 on the ship Gilmore..4 |
| Census* | He appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; #549, 32, Married, Kent, England, Labourer, Gilmore, Levey.1 |
| Census_1836* | He and Lydia Adams appeared on the 1836 WA census of 1 January 1836 at Perth, Western Australia. Calling of husband - shingle splitter.5 |
| Census | WA Cenus 1832 |