Re: Beltons from NSW
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In reply to:
Re: Beltons from NSW
Ian Hopkins 2/12/08
The marriage of William Beltons parents (Israel & Mary Ann Brown) in Essex broke up, the mother went off to Berkshire and had three childen by another man. The outraged family expected the children to live with and support the father, but William had other plans. He left, went first to New Zealand and then on to Australia where he settled without the families consent. He married and had family before he was drowned in bad weather in 1876. His widow sent an impassioned letter back to Essex letting them know what had happenned and sort of asking for forgiveness. Some thirty years later a cousin George emigrated to Australia and returned the letter UNOPENED.