Harriet Clarence Adams

F, #477, b. 10 August 1832, d. 19 March 1902
Pedigree
Father*William Adams b. 1794, d. 12 Dec 1867
Mother*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin b. c 30 Jul 1808, d. 12 Oct 1891
Last Edited28 May 2025
Birth*Harriet Clarence Adams was born on 10 August 1832 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG.1 
She was the daughter of William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin. 
Marriage*Harriet Clarence Adams married Charles Allen Chamberlain, son of William Chamberlain and Susanna Catherine Maria Cummings, on 13 February 1850 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; reg: 302** CE.
Death*Harriet Clarence Adams died on 19 March 1902 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG, at age 69; Pylorus Cancer & Heart Failure; reg: 1005**

Funeral Notice 20/3/1902

CHAMBERLAIN -The friends of the late Mrs. Chas. Chamberlain, Sen., are respectfully invited to follow her remains to their last resting place, the Church ot England portion of theFix this text Old Cemetery, Fremantle. The funeral is appointed to leave the residence of her daughter, Mrs. George Cooper, South-Street, off Hampton-rd., Beaconsfield, at 4 o'clock THIS (Thurs day) AFTERNOON. ARTHUR E. DAVIES, Undertaker, Market-street. Fremantle.


In Memorium - West Aust 20/3/1905

CHAMBERLAIN.-In loving memory of my dear mother, Harriette Chamberlain, who departed this life March 19, 1903. Gone, but not forgotten. -Inserted by her daughter. R. Jones.
CHAMBERLAIN.-In loving memory of my dear mother, Harriet Chamberlain, who departed this life March 19, 102. Thy will be done. -Inserted by her daughter, E. Cooper


In Memorium 19/3/1906

CHAMBERLAIN.--In loving memory of our dear mother, Harriet Chamberlain, who departed this life March 19, 1902.Fix this text -Inserted by her daughters, R. Jones and F. Woods.2
Burial*She was buried on 20 March 1902 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Anglican Cemetery Plot 163 - grantee R Garrity?3,4 

Family

Charles Allen Chamberlain b. 17 Sep 1829, d. 31 Oct 1881
Children
MRCA*Charles Allen Chamberlain and Harriet Clarence Adams is/are the Most Recent Common Ancestor(s) of Neil James Bradley and 15 known descendant(s) who have DNA matches to Neil. 
Occupation*She was a Servant. 
(With Parents) Census_1836She appeared on the 1836 WA census of Garden Island, Western Australia, in the household of her parents William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin. Listed as Hannah?; Calling of husband - labourer.5 
Census_1837*Harriet Clarence Adams appeared on the 1837 WA census of 30 December 1837 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG,under 12, born Swan River.6 
Address* Harriet Clarence Adams lived at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG. 
Note*B. 10/8/1832 to William (John) and Elizabeth (Martin) in Fremantle, WA
headstone states aged 73 in 1902, suggests possible problem with birth date

b/p. ? Fremantle Anglican Church (? see film acc. 399 (1) Anglican Church Records, Fremantle baptisms)
m.13/3/1850 to Charles (Charley) Allen Chamberlain in Fremantle, reg. No 302/1850 (M/C,copy/VIP/file & ref #181), witnesses signed ? I Hunt & Jane Adams [see M/C for Harriet's sister Caroline - seems to be the same witnesses, ref #151]

d. 19/3/1902 at South Street, Fremantle,WA, aged 73 years, medical attendant Bertrum S Wills, informant ? W Chamberlain, son, reg. No. 1005 (D/C,copy/VIP/file ref #151,179)

f. 20/3/1902 C/E Old Cemetery, Fremantle, performed by F. Reginald Holmes (C/E Minister), witnesses William Griffin & George ?Crane, undertaker ? A.E. Davies. Moved to new Cemetery Plot 163 with Charles & Annie

- Photographs:
1) Headstone in Cemetery Album

- Possible middle-name of 'Clarence.' 
Relationship2nd great-grandmother of Neil James Bradley
ChartsShirley Hayman Ancestors
Trixie Woods Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S142] Family Search, online www.familysearch.org, Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981 FHL microfilm 284852, 1834-1855 pg 2 Image 79
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT8C-TLB
  2. [S389] Trove, online trove.nla.gov.au, APA citationFamily Notices. (1902, March 20). The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), p. 4. Retrieved February 16, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24740976
  3. [S62] MCB, online mcb.wa.gov.au.
  4. [S632] Find A Grave, online findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182092982/…
  5. [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
  6. [S128] CSO - WA Census 1837.

Charles Allen Chamberlain

M, #478, b. 17 September 1829, d. 31 October 1881
Pedigree
Headstone - Freo Cemetery
Father*William Chamberlain b. c 1809, d. 23 Apr 1855
Mother*Susanna Catherine Maria Cummings b. 1 Jan 1808, d. 17 Jan 1859
Last Edited28 May 2025
Birth*Charles Allen Chamberlain was born on 17 September 1829 at Hythe, Kent, EnglandG. 
He was the son of William Chamberlain and Susanna Catherine Maria Cummings. 
BaptismCharles Allen Chamberlain was baptized on 21 September 1829 at Hythe, Kent, EnglandG.1 
Marriage*He married Harriet Clarence Adams, daughter of William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin, on 13 February 1850 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; reg: 302** CE.
Death*Charles Allen Chamberlain died on 31 October 1881 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG, at age 52; Morbus Cordis (Heart Disease); reg: 11128**.
Burial*He was buried at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Anglican Cemetery Plot 163.2 

Family

Harriet Clarence Adams b. 10 Aug 1832, d. 19 Mar 1902
Children
MRCA*Charles Allen Chamberlain and Harriet Clarence Adams is/are the Most Recent Common Ancestor(s) of Neil James Bradley and 15 known descendant(s) who have DNA matches to Neil. 
(With Parents) Census_1841EngCharles Allen Chamberlain appeared on the 1841 English census of Stade Street, Hythe, Kent, EnglandG, in the household of his parents William Chamberlain and Susanna Catherine Maria Cummings.3 
Immigration*Charles Allen Chamberlain immigrated on 26 December 1841 on the ship Sydney on "Lalla Rookh".. 
Occupation*He was a Seaman, labourer. 
Note*B. c 1816 (re D/C,copy/VIP/file),1826 (re headstone photo); to William (M/C,VIP/file,ref #59)
m. 13/2/1850 to Harriet /Harriot (ref #179) Adams at C/E Fremantle, he above age of 21, Harriet under 21, he bachelor, she spinster, he sailor, she servant, his father William Chamberlain ? bricklayer, her father William Adams, labourer, both Charles & Harriet unable to sign, marked with 'X' and witnesses signed ? I Hunt & Jane Adams, signed with mark 'X', reg. No. 302/Fremantle (M/C,copy/VIP/file, & ref #59,155)
d. 31/10/1881, aged 65, informant CH Elliott, MRC, (D/C,copy/VIP/file, ref #148,179), reg. No. 11128, [NB 10 year discrepancy in age - D/C states 65 years old, headstone photo states 55 years old]

- Photographs:
1) Headstone, WA in Cemetery Album: "In loving memory of Charles A Chamberlain, Died October 31,1881 - aged 55 years, also Annie, daughter of the above, died August, 3, 1885 - aged 31 years. Also his wife Harriet, died March 19,1902 - aged 73 years"

- 1857: Accession 40/5 (AN24 Pt III) State Archives of WA, (Magistrate's Reports for Week Ended..Thomas Brown, Police Magistrate, Fremantle) (ref #240)
p.85: 3/8/1857, Chas. Chamberlain, Drunk, Fined 5/-
p.90: 7/9/1857, Chas. Chamberlain, Drunk & Disorderly, Fined 5/-
p.90: 15/9/1857, Chas. Chamberlain, Drunk & Disorderly, Fined 5/-
p.103: 17/12/1857: Chas. Chamberlain, Drunk & Creating a Disturbance, Fined 5/-

- c.1862: Worked for Capt. Charles Gabriel Hanham (see below)

- 8/1/1863: Accession 1156 Misc. Vol. l, 23 (AN358/1) 'Record of Convictions' 1861-1914 (Indexed at front) (ref #240)
No. 107: 8/1/1863, Charles Chamberlain, free, charged and Tried in the Supreme Court, Perth, for stealing gin and rum when working on cargo boat "Arabian"*, unloading the "Tartar" in Ganges Roads (off Fremantle) in November, 1862. Not Guilty. (he signed X his mark)

- *"Arabian" - Captain Charles Gabriel Hanham - Charlie's sister-in-law's (Caroline) husband

- 16/12/1864: CSR 36/545 Folios 27-28, State Archives of WA (ref #240)
Rockingham, 16/12/1864, Chas. Chamberlain accepts office of Storekeeper at Camden Harbour

..bought 63 acres at Rockingham
- 1869: Lands Index, Battye, 02, Library Board of WA: Chamberlain, C., 1869, SDUR, C5, 653

- 1906: WA Post Office Directory, for Fremantle:
1) Chamberlain, Charles, Arthur's Head, Fremantle (p.443/copy/file) ? Charley or Charles Allen#2
2) Chamberlain, Chas, Carpenter, Arthur's Head, near Junction of Cliff & High Sts (SAG/p.104)

- 25/9/1996: Letter from Battye Library, (Steve Howell, Senior Librarian) states no evidence in newspapers or official accounts of seaman being rescued by "Empress" during her four voyages prior to 1850:
1) To Adelaide, 1847
2) To Cape of Good Hope (arrived back in WA 3/6/1848)
3) To Singapore, 1848 (arrived back in WA 27/10/1848)
4) To Singapore, 1849 (arrived back in WA 7/5/1849)
Battye Library does not hold any log books of the "Empress" (ref #213)
- The "Empress" was a brigantine, locally built by John Thomas in 1847.

- 2/12/1996: [extract] "......'As regards the story of Captain Thomas rescuing Charles at sea, it is related in J.K. Hitchcock's 'History of Fremantle' which he wrote in time for Fremantle's centenary in 1929. JKH, born 17/12/1855, died 8/8/1929, lived in Fremantle from the age of 14. Was an accountant for several merchants there and auditor for East Fremantle and North Fremantle Councils. He had a remarkable memory and in 1919 he wrote 2 or 3 articles for the local paper in which he went up and down every street in Fremantle of about 1869 when he first went there to live. As he took the reader along each street he named nearly everyone of the residents and gave comments about them. Of course the town was still very small at that time and fairly static. I have just re-read my rough copy of JH's articles and cannot find any mention of Chamberlains, so they apparently lived outside the old boundaries of the town, probably along the shore of south Bay where the boat-builders had their yards. I've written at some length about JHK to show that he had the knowledge and the integrity to be regarded as a authority, in my opinion. He would have been 26 years old when Charles Allan Chamberlain died, and would have also known Captain Thomas very well. As he recorded the story of the rescue in his 'History of Fremantle', I am sure that it must have been authentic'. (ref #240/Bob Cook)

- Found at sea clinging to a spar and rescued by Captain Thomas (ref #314)

"Empress", 114 ton brigantine, was built at Swan River in 1840's (Captain Thomas picked up Charley in this ship (ref # 176), which was used for quite lengthy voyages (see Chamberlain file for full details/photocopies re Captain Thomas)

- "Chamberlain": Chamberlayne, Chambelin: O OF chamberlain 'court official responsible for private chambers of king or nobleman'. 12C (Chamberlain file) etc,

- "Empress" (WA Shipping, SAG):
1) Fremantle - Adelaide, 10/11/1847
2) Fremantle - Cape of Good Hope, 3/8/1848
3) Fremantle - Singapore, 29/10/1848
4) Fremantle - Singapore, 29/10/1848
5) Fremantle - Singapore, 7/5/1849
6) Fremantle - Hong Kong, 2/4/1850

- 9 children (ref #224), 3 other children very unlikely - (Ref # 25) from 'Western Australian Bicentenary' - page 505

- 'American seaman, saved from wreck in Indian Ocean by Capt. John Thomas. To Camden Harbour 1865 as keeper of Government Stores. Bought land at Rockingham, 63 ac. in 1868. Teacher 1867-71. Postal officer Fremantle. ? To London 17.7.1879 per Cupid. - 12 children (ref #59)

Chamberlain: N - Fr. Chambellan, Chamberlein, p.n. Hugt. n. Lond. 1618 (N=Old Norse and pn.=personal name) Chamberlain, Chamberlayne, Chamberlin: O OF chmberlain 'court official responsible for private chambers of king or nobleman'. 12thC. Chamberlain: Burke's Peerage list in file GDR, 1996: in file


Research:
- see ref. #92 "The Rock & the Sand" by Mary Durack, re Chamberlains Well, Pt. Leveque (cross ref #68) Cygnet Bay,WA

- Ref #159: "Western Australian businessmen played an active role in promoting trade links. One of them was John Thomas who during the 1830s and 1840s owned and commanded a series of small vessels, often little more than nutshells" - 'Western Australiand and the Sea, Our Maritime Heritage' by Frank Broeze and Graeme Henderson, F3/21/1 SAG , p 21 - Wreckings occurred with tragic regularity throughout the 19C all along the west coast, but many accidents and fatal losses were concentrated in the approaches to Fremantle. - During the first two decade of the 19C whalers and sealers were fishing off various sections of the coast, including the Rowley Shoals where a whaler was wrecked and the south coast, where a sealer was wrecked. By 1837 American deep sea whalers were well established offshore. The Americans' presence was tolerated by the colonial government but their activities were not popular when the local bay whalers wanted to establish themselves but the locals could not compete with the American deep sea whalers.

- ? Possible that Captain Thomas's small 22 ton cutter "Emma" which was later lengthened and her tonnage increased to 25 tons may have been the boat which picked up Charles. In that diminutive craft Captain Thomas traded to Adelaide, Hobart, Mauritius, Singapore, Algoa Bay and the Cape. In 1846 he built the Empress, of 125 tons [brigantine]and he employed her in the same trade until 1858

- Occupation: Stevedore (#301, re entry George Cooper)

- No Birth Registrations for children

- 'American Whalers & Traders in the Pacific: a Guide to Records on Microfilm' (Langdon) *** - check out

- Bic Dic "Bt land Rockingham 63ac in 1868. Teacher 1867-71. Postal Officer Frem. To London 17.7.1879 per Cupid." 
Family*Family Fact: I had no absolute proof that Charles Allen Chamberlain is the son of William & Susannah. On the balance of probabilities I'm was convinced. With DNA matches, I'm now convinced. 
Relationship2nd great-grandfather of Neil James Bradley
ChartsShirley Hayman Ancestors
Trixie Woods Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S326] Ancestry.Com 1841 Census, online search.ancestry.co.uk, Ancestry.com. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: FHL Film Number: 1786587 Reference ID: Item 1, p 182.
  2. [S632] Find A Grave, online findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/182093736/…
  3. [S326] Ancestry.Com 1841 Census, online search.ancestry.co.uk, Ancestry.com. 1841 England Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2010.
    Class: HO107; Piece: 478; Book: 6; Civil Parish: St Leonard Hythe; County: Kent; Enumeration District: 2; Folio: 36; Page: 25; Line: 7; GSU roll: 306873.

Charlotte Chamberlain

F, #481, b. 20 January 1856, d. 25 October 1942
Pedigree
Father*Charles Allen Chamberlain b. 17 Sep 1829, d. 31 Oct 1881
Mother*Harriet Clarence Adams b. 10 Aug 1832, d. 19 Mar 1902
Last Edited27 Mar 2025
Birth*Charlotte Chamberlain was born on 20 January 1856 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG.1 
She was the daughter of Charles Allen Chamberlain and Harriet Clarence Adams. 
Marriage*Charlotte Chamberlain married Thomas Oglesby King, son of George Oglesby King and Margaret Gilmour, on 14 July 1884 at Guildford, Western Australia; reg: 5772 Wesleyan. 
Death*Charlotte Chamberlain died on 25 October 1942 at Subiaco, Western AustraliaG, at age 86. 
Burial*She was buried at Karrakatta, Western AustraliaG. 

Family

Thomas Oglesby King b. 12 Jan 1861, d. 23 Jun 1953
Child
Residence*Charlotte Chamberlain lived on 25 June 1915 at Claremont, Western AustraliaG; Queen St.2 
RelationshipGreat-grandaunt of Neil James Bradley

Citations

  1. [S142] Family Search, online www.familysearch.org, Film #007720549 image 87.
  2. [S156] UNSW AIF WWI, online www.aif.adfa.edu.au/aif.

Thomas Oglesby King

M, #489, b. 12 January 1861, d. 23 June 1953
Pedigree
Father*George Oglesby King b. c 30 Apr 1834, d. 9 Jul 1905
Mother*Margaret Gilmour b. 1841, d. 3 May 1867
Last Edited27 Mar 2025
Birth*Thomas Oglesby King was born on 12 January 1861 at Guildford, Western Australia; reg: 5605.1 
He was the son of George Oglesby King and Margaret Gilmour. 
Marriage*Thomas Oglesby King married Charlotte Chamberlain, daughter of Charles Allen Chamberlain and Harriet Clarence Adams, on 14 July 1884 at Guildford, Western Australia; reg: 5772 Wesleyan. 
Death*Thomas Oglesby King died on 23 June 1953 at West Perth, Western AustraliaG, at age 92. 
Burial*He was buried at Karrakatta, Western AustraliaG; Crematorium Rose Gdn-9. 

Family

Charlotte Chamberlain b. 20 Jan 1856, d. 25 Oct 1942
Child
Occupation*Thomas Oglesby King was a Bootmaker, Store Assistant, Carpenter, Watchmaker. 
Address* Thomas Oglesby King lived at Guildford, Western Australia. 

Citations

  1. [S94] Jo-Anne Lowick, King Family.

William Adams1

M, #494, b. 1794, d. 12 December 1867
Pedigree
William Adams
Father*William Adams2 b. 1758
Mother*Elizabeth Crouch2 b. 1758
Last Edited27 Mar 2025
Birth*William Adams was born in 1794 at Robertsbridge, Sussex, EnglandG. 
He was the son of William Adams and Elizabeth Crouch.2 
BaptismWilliam Adams was baptized on 14 February 1796 at Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG.3 
Marriage*He married Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin, daughter of John Martin and Hannah Watson, on 26 October 1828 at Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG; Witness Henry Martin, Edward Heathfield. 
Death*William Adams died on 12 December 1867 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Old Age, 75 years; reg: 3716**.
Burial*He was buried on 13 December 1867 at Skinner Street Cemetery, Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Headstone moved to Freo Anglican Cemetery A. pl.146.4 

Family

Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin b. c 30 Jul 1808, d. 12 Oct 1891
Children
MRCA*William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin is/are the Most Recent Common Ancestor(s) of Neil James Bradley and 77 known descendant(s) who have DNA matches to Neil. 
Religion*William Adams was Anglican. 
Milit-Beg*He began military service in 1815 at Sussex, England, Wounded at Battle of Waterloo. 
Occupation*He was a Labourer, Battle of Waterloo Veteran, Whaler. 
Address* William Adams lived at Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG. 
Immigration*He immigrated on 14 May 1830 to Clarence, Western AustraliaG, on the ship Rockingham.. 
Census*He appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Clarence, Western AustraliaG; missing from Census. 
Census_1836*He and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin appeared on the 1836 WA census of 1 January 1836 at Garden Island, Western Australia. Calling of husband - labourer.5 
Census_1837*William Adams appeared on the 1837 WA census of 30 December 1837 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG,Labourer born Robert's Bridge, Sussex.6 
Note*B. 1792 in ? Robertsbridge, Sussex, England (ref #224)*

m. 26/10/1828 to Elizabeth Martin at Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, near Robertsbridge, Sussex, England, service conducted by Thomas ?Ward Franklyn, both made their marks, witnesses Henry Martin & Edward Heathfield (ref copy/VIP/file, IGI/1468919, #224)

d. 12/12/1867; 9.30 p.m. at Fremantle, WA, reg. No. 3716, aged 75, Laborer, informant ? WM Shipton, surgeon, Fremantle (D/C,copy/VIP/file)

f. Originally buried Alma Street Cemetery, Fremantle, remains later removed to Carrington Street Cemetery, c.1916 (ref #224) - Fremantle Cemetery, Anglican A - Plot 146 (up the main drive past admin office, on the left and close to drive) Photo of headstone in family album (via Pauline Millar, WA. ref #224) "Sacred to the Memory of William Adams / (One of the heroes of Waterloo) Who died Dec. 12th, 1867 / Aged 75 years . Also William, son of the above / Drowned June 25th, 1868 / Aged 18 / Also Elizabeth Adams / Wife of the above / who died October 12th, 1881, aged 83 / Rest in Peace" - Also at foot of the grave is another memorial: "To the memory of Henry Adams / who died 5th March, 1880 / aged 30 (?) years / Deeply mourned by his widow and friends" - Also large plaque lying flat on the ground in the middle of the grave: "Sacred to the memory of Lucy / the beloved wife of Henry Mugford / who died 20th January, 1884 / aged 24 years"

- Photographs:
1) Studio photograph of William in Chamberlain/Guthrie family album (ref #151)

- * ? 14/2/1796: a William Adams was baptised at Salehurst, parents William & Elizabeth (copy/file, IGI/1468919)

- Photocopy/information St. Marys (copy/Martin/file)

- 8/4/1828: Bastardry Oath, maintenance papers, re daughter Caroline (copy/VIP/file, IGI/1067354) Caroline, William & Elizabeth's first daughter, was illegitimate, and Elizabeth had to appear before the Justices of the Peace to state the father's name. William in turn was ordered to pay the churchwardens' relief for the child's care. Elizabeth also had to pay - they later married (ref #298, IGI/1067354)

- 1856: Occupation: Labourer (M/C, daughter Jane, copy/VIP/file)

- 27/7/1905: Mentioned in the Obituary of his son, John - The demise of Mr. [John] Adams revives an interesting literary speculation. His father Williams Adams, whose remains are buried in the old cemetery at South Fremantle, was one of Wellington's veterans at Waterloo, and it is also asserted by some that he was identical with the Adams who figures in the well-known humorous [sic] piece "How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo". The old cemetery has gone to decay, but strangely enough the headstone erected over the remains of the veteran is still in a good state of preservation and the inscription is still as plainly legible as it was when it was first chiselled on the stone.
Regarding the above, the following paragraph, which appeared in the curiosities page of Mary (1905) issue of the "Strand Magazine" is of interest:- "I send you a curious photo taken out here. Most of your readers will have read the story. 'How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo'. Shortly after my arrival in Fremantle, 13 years ago, I recited this piece at a social entertainment, and at the close was asked by a couple of old pensioners if I had really met old Bill Adams before he died. I replied that the old gentleman only existed in imagination. My surprise can be imagined when they told me that he had actually resided here and was buried in the local cemetery. At the first opportunity I went out with my camera and took a photo of the headstone. The inscription on the headstone, as shown in the photo, is: "Sacred to the memory of William Adams, one of the heroes of Waterloo, who died December 12, 1867; aged 75 years". (The West Australian, copy/file,ref #151)


- Wounded at the Battle of Waterloo, 1815 "A Link with Waterloo: Slightly to the left of the main drive in the Fremantle Cemetery and probably a chain away from the entrance, is a tombstone marking the last resting place of one who was Western Australia's link with Wellington's famous victory over Napoleon in 1815, at Waterloo. The inscription reads: "Sacred to the memory of William Adams, one of the heroes of Waterloo, who died on December 12, 1867, aged 75." It is the general belief that the central character in Snazelle's witty satirical poem, "How Bill Adams won the Battle of Waterloo," was merely a creation of the author's imagination, and never had a real existence. That belief is erroneous: the man whose mortal remains are in Fremantle Cemetery was Snazelle's Bill Adams. That was established about twenty years ago, when G.H. Snazelle came to Fremantle, had a photograph taken of the gravestone - then in its original position in the former graveyard at Alma Street - and told in a contemporaneous magazine the story of how he came to write his famous poem. As a child he had listened avidly to tales of the Waterloo campaign told to him by Bill Adams, who had a vivid imagination and who, it may be believed, was more concerned that his story should be romantic than it should be strictly veracious. When he had grown up and was making his mark in literature, the talks told him in his infancy by Bill Adams remained with him and found expression in the delightful form which has entertained a generation of readers. Beyond that Bill Adams arrived in the colony in 1830 in the emigrant ship "Rockingham," with his wife and two children (a girl aged two, and a girl aged six months), little is known of the life of Adams in Western Australia. As one of the Peel settlers, a grant of an area of land on the Murray River was allotted to him, but he never took it up. Ten more children, two boys and eight girls, were born to them in Western Australia, and members of fourth generation of Adams are residing in Fremantle today. The genuineness of his claim to be a Waterloo veteran was supported by the fact that he was wounded in the head at that historic battle, and thereafter wore throughout his life a silver plate in his head. At his death he was buried in the old Alma Street cemetery, but his wife (who was the first midwife in the colony) survived him by some years and was buried in the Skinner Street cemetery, which has recently been closed. About 1916, the Alma Street cemetery was closed, and the remains of those buried there were transferred to the present general cemetery. The silver plate was then found to be intact, and though a wish was expressed in medical circles that it should be removed, the deceased man's relatives would not agree, and it was re-interred with the remains. At the same time his wife's remains were removed from Skinner Street and re-interred with those of her husband. Bill Adams and his family came to the colony with my mother and grandparents, William and Hannah Leeder, in 1830. Four of his children were born at Monger's Lake (now Leederville) and were the first children to be born at the lake. I did not known Bill Adams very well. He died while I was at Pinjarra in the 'sixties; but I knew his wife, a grand woman, who may be called the "mother of Fremantle". The years in which Mrs. Adams attended maternity cases, both in Fremantle and Perth, say more new arrivals by hundreds than any previous period of the same duration. Many times Mrs. Adams walked to Perth from Fremantle when there was no conveyance available. The distance or the time of the day or night meant nothing to Mrs. Adams. If she was required for a maternity case she went to the case and nothing would prevent her. It has been stated many times that she never lost a case, although she attended hundreds without the assistance of a doctor. The Adams family did its share of pioneering work, and the name will never be forgotten in Fremantle".... Edited from'Western Pioneers: The Battle Well Fought' by J.E. Hammond, Imperial Printing Co. Ltd., Facsimile Edition 1980, Hesperian Press, Victoria Park, WA (WA Bicentennary, & ref #224)

- From Waterloo to Fremantle: There's a piece of history within 100 years of the main entrance of the Fremantle Cemetery - a tombstone, black with age - that provides a link with the battle of Waterloo. There lies the remains of William Adams reputed to have inspired the witty satirical ditty "How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo"....Many years ago, in England, a small boy listened wide-eyed to the fanciful tales of a man back from the Napoleonic wars, with emphasis on the famous battle on the field of Waterloo. The tale-teller, Williams, was an imaginative type, with many numerous sensational incidents to draw on and a silver plate in his head to prove his war service. The boy grew into manhood and established a reputation as a writer, the stories he had heard from the ex-soldier found expression in a witty poem "How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo". The writer was GH Snazell. Later on a visit to Fremantle, he verified that the Bill Adams of his verse was the William Adams who came to Western Australia in the early days of the settlement and who died here. Adams was buried in the Alma-st cemetery at Fremantle, but later the remains were transferred to the general cemetery. The tombstone, black with age, rests in a sea of white stones, and is slightly to the left of the main drive, about a chain from the main entrance. It bears the inscription: "Sacred to the memory of William Adams, one of the heroes of Waterloo, who died on December 12, 1867, aged 75 years".... (Westraliana,copy/file,ref #151)

- Arrived 14/5/1830 (Cockburn Sound) per "Rockingham" (ref #28) with wife and two children. Veteran of Waterloo. Indentured to Thomas Peel and freed in 8/1830. Whaler and seaman Fremantle To Singapore and returned per 'Champion", 1847. To S.A. 1848 per "Arpenteur" and returned 1850. ?To S.A. 1857 per "Lochinvar". (ref #28) 'Log of Logs' - "Rockingham", ship ?, 423t, E. Halliburton: London - Swan River. WA. 13/5/1830 +"Book" in 'Western Ancestor' pub. by WA Gen. Society, March 1985 - (ref #26/p11) (?) WJ and his wife made several voyages to and from Vasse 1880s (?) - ref #159: "The first British colonists arrived in 1829/30 in some 25 ships ranging from 87 tons to 500 tons. Many of the ships were typical East Indiamen of the day, sturdy, wooden three-masted vessels with an all-square or perhaps a barque rig and suitable for carrying passengers or any cargo. On their way to WA the ships carried both colonists and the many goods they brought with them to till the land and establish their new society. The great investor Thomas Peel needed three ships for his family, servants and labourers. One of them, the "Rockingham" was wrecked in a heavy gale and, ultimately, gave her name to the town south of Fremantle" -' Western Australians and the Sea - Our Maritime Heritage', Frank Broeze & Graeme Henderson (F3/21/1,SAG)

- ref #159: "Rockingham" lost in Cockburn Sound - ref #203: "Rockingham" was Thomas Peel's second ship, lost its foreyard and put into Falmouth for repairs. When she arrived in WA, the "Rockingham" was wrecked, and beached at a place later to be called Rockingham. Peel's other two ships were the "Gilmore" and the "Hooghly". Peel turned out to be selfish, incompetent and irresponsible. Most of his migrants were neither given their farms nor paid their wages and, when the "Rockingham" was wrecked, thirty-seven of his workmen or tenants died from malnutrition on the exposed beach. Cartoon of Thomas Peel. The three ships, brought 473 men, women and children to WA, about one-third of all settlers arriving by 17/9/1832 - the "Rockingham" with 175, was the largest of all transports up to this date - extracts from RAHS, V54, pt 1, pgs 29,30,32,39 in article about Thomas Peel and his partnership with Solomon Levey (convict/entrepreneur and Sydney University's, then Sydney College, first benefactor). - Ref #211 article 'Stranding of the Ship "Rockingham" - 'Rockingham"- 1830, near Fremantle, Port of Fremantle, Vol. 5, No. 12, p.14-17, "Stranding of the Ship "Rockingham", by C Halls - reference from 'Shipping Disasters'

- "Rockingham" (WA Shipping, SAG) 1) L; 2) Fremantle; 3) London; 4) 14/5/1830; 5) CSR; 6) 141, 158; 6) SWP 9/123; CSF 3/92 ship condemned; CSF 10/93F - "Rockingham" - ship, 'Weekend Mail' 14/1/1956, pg. 4, gives details of finding a wreck near Garden Island

- William Adams was one of the heroes of Waterloo, though he did not claim the distinction of being 'the Bill Adams' whom legend credits with having won that famous battle (Early Days. Journal of the RWAHS, Vol 1, Pt 1, p17/ref #224)

- Swan River Booklet, No. 9, PR 383 - ? Book by C.M. Shaw including subject of "Rockingham" - ? check Old CSO Indexes

- 25/3/1999: "How Bill Adams Won the Battle of Waterloo" - there were [at least] 11 Williams Adams at Waterloo - information now suggests that it was another 'Bill Adams / from Kent' who was in fact the Hero of Waterloo (ref #224/297,article/copy/file)

- a William Adams was buried 1/1809, St. Mary's, Salehurst (? rel. of William, find copy on Bishops' Transcripts for baptism of Elizabeth Martin, 21/7/1808)

- Get Indents etc. (for parent's name, etc)

- ? Reference source to William being called 'John'


ADAMS WILLIAM (1792-1867) Veteran of Waterloo. Indentured to Thomas Peel and freed in ??-08-1830. WHALER and seaman fremantle, went to Singapore and returned by "CHAMPION" 1847. to South Australia 1848 by "ARPENTER" and returned 1850 went to South Australia 1857 by "LOCHINVAR". His wife was a well known midwife known as " Granny Adams ".

Taken from The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians pre 1829-1888 Volume 1 A_C By Rica Erickson. 
Relationship3rd great-grandfather of Neil James Bradley
ChartsShirley Hayman Ancestors
Trixie Woods Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S3] J.E. Hammond, Western Pioneers: The Battle Well Fought, 152-155; 168-171.
  2. [S117] Vicki Cooper Data,Mt Pleasant.
  3. [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, England & Wales, Christening Index, 1530-1980.
  4. [S632] Find A Grave, online findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127002057/…
  5. [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
  6. [S128] CSO - WA Census 1837.

Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin

F, #495, b. circa 30 July 1808, d. 12 October 1891
Pedigree
Elizabeth Adams
Father*John Martin b. c 7 Aug 1774, d. Oct 1851
Mother*Hannah Watson b. c 22 Dec 1778, d. 20 Nov 1842
Last Edited27 Mar 2025
Birth*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin was born circa 30 July 1808 at Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG. 
BaptismShe was baptized on 31 July 1808 at Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG.1
She was the daughter of John Martin and Hannah Watson. 
Marriage*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin married William Adams, son of William Adams and Elizabeth Crouch, on 26 October 1828 at Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, Sussex, EnglandG; Witness Henry Martin, Edward Heathfield. 
Death*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin died on 12 October 1891 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Senile Decay; reg: 577**.
Burial*She was buried at Skinner Street Cemetery, Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Headstone moved in 1936 to Anglican Cemetery A. pl.146

Wed 14 October 1891 West Australian
THE funeral of Mrs. Adams, who died the
other day at Fremantle at the advanced age
of 96, took place yesterday. The funeral
procession was a very large one: and included
nearly all; the prominent townspeople of Fre-
mantle. The pall-bearers were the Com-
missioner of Crown Iands (Hón. W. E.
Marmion), Mr. W. S. Pearse, M.L.A., the
Mayor of Fremantle (Mr. E. Solomon), and
the Hon. W. D. Moore, M.L.C. The remains
were interred in the old burial ground at
South Fremantle.2 

Family

William Adams b. 1794, d. 12 Dec 1867
Children
MRCA*William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin is/are the Most Recent Common Ancestor(s) of Neil James Bradley and 77 known descendant(s) who have DNA matches to Neil. 
Occupation*She was a 1st WA Midwife. 
Religion*She was Anglican. 
Immigration*She immigrated on 14 May 1830 on the ship Rockingham.. 
Census*She appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Clarence, Western AustraliaG; missing from Census. 
Census_1836*She and William Adams appeared on the 1836 WA census of 1 January 1836 at Garden Island, Western Australia. Calling of husband - labourer.3 
Census_1837*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin appeared on the 1837 WA census of 30 December 1837 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG,Labourer, born Robert's Bridge Sussex.4 
Residence*She lived at Market St, Fremantle, Western Australia; According to Hitchcock she lived about half way between Short and Leake Streets which is approx 15 Market St.5 
Address* As of 1880, Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin lived at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; Elizabeth Adams (nurse) occupied a cottage on Lot 128 Short St from 1880-1891. She also had use of a vacant allotment (lot 129) in Short Street from 1881-1891.
This lot now corresponds to Nos. 13/15/17/19 Market St.6 
Note*B. 1808 to John & Hannah (Watson), Salehurst (? Robertsbridge), Sussex, England, (ref #224,298)
b/p. 31/7/1808 Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, near Robertsbridge, Sussex (ref #224,IGI/0183590)
m. 26/10/1828 to William Adams at Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Salehurst, near Robertsbridge, Sussex, England, service conducted by Thomas ?Ward Franklyn, both made their marks, witnesses Henry Martin & Edward Heathfield (ref copy/VIP/file, IGI/1468919, #224)
d. 12/10/1891 at Fremantle, WA of Senile Decay, informant Walter Samuel Hall, son-in-law, Fremantle, aged 84 years, certified by Dr. B/Dirmingham (D/C,copy/VIP/file & ref #154,181)

- Photographs:
1) Studio photograph of Elizabeth in Chamberlain/Guthrie family album (ref #151)

- 2/3/1828: Abode - Salehurst, SSX (ref b/p daughter Caroline, copy/VIP/file, IGI/1468919)

- 8/4/1828: Bastardry Oath, maintenance papers (copy/VIP/file, IGI/1067354) Elizabeth's first child, Caroline, was illegitimate, and Elizabeth had to appear before the Justices of the Peace to state the father's name. William in turn was ordered to pay the churchwardens' relief for the child's care. Elizabeth also had to pay - they later married (ref #298, IGI/1067354)

- 14/5/1830: Arrived per "Rockingham" with husband and two children (ref #26)

- c.1886: Raised great granddaughter, Ethel Sara Davies, daughter of James Gabriel and Alice Sara (Dellar) (WA Bicent. Dict.)

- Buried originally at Skinners Street Cemetery, remains removed to Carrington Street Cemetery, c 1916 Anglican Plot 146 (ref #224)

- Buried with her husband and other members of the family, see photo in family album "Elizabeth Adams / wife of the above / who died October 12th, 1891 / aged 83 years" etc. (Photo in Williams Scrapbook)

- 27/7/1905: Mentioned in the Obituary of her son, John (The West Australian, copy/file,ref #151)

- c.6/1932: Mentioned in the Obituary of her grandson, William Alexander Chamberlain - The deceased's grandmother was Mrs. Adams, who arrived in 1830 by the ship "Rockingham", which brought out settlers for the Peel Estate. The "Rockingham" was wrecked in the vicinity of the Alce now bearing its name, and Mrs. Adams settled at Clarence Rocks, now the Naval base, where a daughter, subsequently the mother of the deceased was born. Mr. Chamberlains .... (part of newspaper clipping is missing, it appeared either last week of June or 1st week July, 1932, typed copy, ref #151)

- Photocopy/information St. Marys (copy/Martin/file)

- Was a well-known mid-wife in Fremantle and Perth known as "Granny Adams" (ref #26 - see husband's 'general notes' for a fuller description of Elizabeth's contribution to the history of WA


from Lorraine Eddy nee Lawrence

Known as the "Mother of Fremantle, & " Granny Adams" to the community, she delivered many children, crossing the river by boat to North Fremantle and travelling beyond Claremont to settlers.

Her brother William (born 1806), his wife Lucy Cook and their son Newland (born 1828) came aboard Peel's "Hooghly". They had a further 10 children and eventually settled in the Swan Valley. 
Relationship3rd great-grandmother of Neil James Bradley
ChartsShirley Hayman Ancestors
Trixie Woods Pedigree

Citations

  1. [S636] Bapisms, Sussex Baptisms.
  2. [S632] Find A Grave, online findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127002927/…
  3. [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
  4. [S128] CSO - WA Census 1837.
  5. [S389] Trove, online trove.nla.gov.au, Early Days of Fremantle (1919, May 23). The Fremantle Times (WA : 1919 - 1921, 1932), p. 7. Retrieved November 3, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article256633134
  6. [S117] Vicki Cooper Data,Mt Pleasant.

Jane Adams

F, #500, b. 11 May 1834, d. 20 August 1907
Pedigree
Father*William Adams b. 1794, d. 12 Dec 1867
Mother*Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin b. c 30 Jul 1808, d. 12 Oct 1891
Last Edited27 Mar 2025
Birth*Jane Adams was born on 11 May 1834 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG.1 
She was the daughter of William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin. 
Marriage*Jane Adams married John Sheen, son of John Sheen, on 26 July 1856 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; reg: 979 Congregational Chapel. 
Death*Jane Adams died on 20 August 1907 at South Fremantle, Western Australia, at age 73; Mordis Cordis, Mitral Incompetence, Senile Decay. 
Burial*She was buried on 21 August 1907 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; ANG Mon A 411 - no headstone on the grave for John and Jane, only Anelia and John.2,3 

Family

John Sheen b. 1826, d. 1 Dec 1895
Child
Occupation*Jane Adams was a Domestic. 
(With Parents) Census_1836She appeared on the 1836 WA census of Garden Island, Western Australia, in the household of her parents William Adams and Elizabeth (Granny*) Martin; Calling of husband - labourer.4 
Census_1837*Jane Adams appeared on the 1837 WA census of 30 December 1837 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG,under 12, born Swan River.5 
Relationship2nd great-grandaunt of Neil James Bradley

Citations

  1. [S142] Family Search, online www.familysearch.org, Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981 FHL microfilm 284852, 1834-1855 pg 2 Image 79
    https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XT8C-TLB
  2. [S62] MCB, online mcb.wa.gov.au.
  3. [S632] Find A Grave, online findagrave.com, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203307065/jane-sheen
  4. [S674] CSO - WA Census 1836, https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2029802883/view
  5. [S128] CSO - WA Census 1837.