Girdlestone Family South Africa
Henry Girdlestone was born 30 Oct 1814in Hethersett, Norfolk.
He was staying at Rectory, Landford, Wiltshire for the 1841 census.
His Father, the Reverend Henry Girdlestone was Rector, (he died in 1871)
In a 1871 census taken at Rectory, Landford, Wiltshire, his brother Francis Gurney Girdlestone was now Rector.
Henry was listed as aged 56, Surgeon.
Henry's Mother wasElizabeth Ann Bolton and the daughter of Susannah Nelson & Thomas Bolton
Susannah's brother was Horatio Nelson born 29 Sept 1758 Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk died: 21 Oct 1805 Battle of Trafalgar
The Rectory was part of the Estate of Landford. The 1871 census had the head of the household as Frances Elizabeth Nelson widow of Thomas Nelson, 2nd Earl Nelson of Trafalgar and of Merton. He was born as Thomas Bolton, (1st cousin to Henry)
After the publication of “The Life of Nelson” in 1813 by Robert Southey, everybody knew the names of Bolton and Girdlestone.
They started naming their children Horatio, Bolton, Nelson, Maurice, or any other name or surname of the family mentioned in the book.
It hard to gauge by todays standards but they were the unofficial Royal Family of England.
One can only speculate, why ?Henry Girdlestone would have picked up and left England and moved to a place like Outback Queensland.
FOR WHAT EVER REASON
Henry Girdlestoneboarded the “Storm King” on 04 Nov 1871 and immigrated to Australia at the age of 57. He arrived at Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia on the 09 Feb 1872. He travelled alone.
Eliza Mason joined him 6 months later
Eliza Mason aged 20 years boarded the “Indus” 10 April 1872 and arrived at Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia on the 01 July 1872.
They were married 11 days later on 12th July 1872 Warwick, Queensland, Australia.
Children of Henry Girdlestone and Eliza Mason are as follows:
Maud Alice Girdlestone born 13 May 1873 Qld. marriedAnthony Cockburn
Henry James Girdlestone born 05 May 1874 Qld. married Louisa Bond
Mabel Eveline Girdlestone born 14 Feb 1876 Qld.marriedJohn Arthur Ashworth
Nelson Bolton Girdlestone born 05 Mar 1877 Qld, marriedJessie Walter Dear
Maurice Nelson Girdlestone born 18 Feb1881 Qld marriedAda Annie Wright
Francis George Girdlestone born 18 Feb 1881 Qld, married Fanny Leontine Driver
Henry Girdlestone died 22 Jan 1895 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
He was buried 23 Jan 1895, Sandgate / Bald Hills, Cemetery, BrisbaneQueensland, Australia.
Speculation on my part, that after Henry's death and Emily alone with a young family, something should done
If there “was” a rift in the family, it may have finished with Henry's death.
Nelson Girdlestone (Henry's Brother) was Secretary of the Harbour Board Commissioners, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
The Girdlestone family moved to Durban, Natal, South Africa in about 1905-06
Taking John Arthur Ashworth,Jessie Walter Dear andFanny Leontine Driver with them.
John Arthur Ashworth's mother Eliza Ashworth and his two sisters joined them in 1910
Children of John Arthur Ashworth and Mabel Eveline Girdlestone were;
Frederick Henry John Ashworth born 1906, at Durban, Natal, Union of South Africa.
Ashworth, (a daughter) born 1908, at Durban. Natal, Union of South Africa.
Eliza Ashworth died 23 March 1924 aged 86 years (I don't know where)
Eliza Ashworth was my Great Grandfathers Sister.
I'm looking for any information on this branch of the Girdlestone Family