WILLIAM A. HANCY of Ireland whose sons emigrated to Australia
Glynne
WILLIAM A HANCY was born Abt. 1740 in Ireland. His children:-
1) MICHAEL HANCY was born Abt. 1756, and died 1833. He married HANNAH WATTS 1793 in St Anne's, Soho, London, England. She was born Abt. 1764, and died Abt. 1824.
2) WILLIAM HANCY was born 1764 in Cork, Ireland, and died 06 Dec 1830 in Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia. He married SARAH MACDONALD 09 Nov 1794 in St Anne's, Soho, London, England, daughter of THOMAS MACDONALD and ELIZABETH UNKNOWN. She was born 10 Feb 1765 in Barrow, Shropshire, England, and died 17 Nov 1859 in Baulkham Hills, NSW, Australia.
Notes for WILLIAM HANCY:
William was the second son of William A Hancy. He was born in CountyCork and immigrated to London with his brother Michael where he met Sarah macDonald from Barrow, Shropshire, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth MacDonald. They were married in St Annes's Church of England, Soho.They had four children in England before William and his family and his brother Michael migrated to Australia as free settlers on board the ship 'Minorca' arriving in Australia on the 14th December 1801.
William took up land in Parramatta. He was one of the 244 signatoriesto the Hawkesbury Settlers address of 1806 to Governor Bligh complaining about the rum corps and also of the infreingements of their rightsby John MacArthur. His signature is also on the Welcome to Lieut Governor Paterson, 6/5/1808, praying for the re-establishment of the law and order and the pubishment of those who had deposed Captain Bligh as Governor. He was listed as a yeoman landholder on the 1826 return of 47 people qualified to serve as juror at the General Quarter Sessionsat Parramatta.
He died on the 6th December 1830 after being thrown from his horse onto his head. The horse had encountered a cow lying on the road as he was travelling at high speed with two others along the Parramatta to Baulkham Hills Road. He is buried in RC cemetery at Parramatta.
Death not registered under Hancy, Hancey or Hansey
Children of WILLIAM HANCY and SARAH MACDONALD are:
i. CATHARINE HANCY, b. 1795, London, England; d. 24 Oct 1879
ii. SIMEON HANCY, b. 27 Mar 1797, England; d. Abt. 1801.
iii.ANN HANCY, b. 1798, Middlesex, England; d. Abt. 1860, Australia.
iv. THOMAS HANCY, b. Abt. 1801, England; d. 17 Apr 1876, Australia.
v. FREDERICK HANCY, b.1803,Parramatta,NSW,Australia; d. 18 Sep 1872,
vi. MARGARET HANCY, b. 1805; d. Jul 1855, Sydney, NSW, Australia
vii.ELIZABETH JANE HANCY,b.1807,Parramatta,NSW,Australia;d.12Nov1874
viii. SOPHIA HANCY, b. 1808, Parramatta, NSW, Australia; d. 1845;
ix. CHARLOTTE HANCY,b.1810,Parramatta,NSW,Australia; d.20 Jun 1867,
WILLIAM HANCY?S CHILDREN:-------
CATHARINE HANCY was born 1795 in London, England ,and died 24 Oct 1879 in East Maitland, NSW, Australia. She married JAMES WILLIAMS 21 Mar 1818 in St John's, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
Notes for JAMES WILLIAMS:--------------
James was warranted on 4 March 1814. Committed by Habeas Corpus from the County Goal Somerset, living in Shepton Mallet Somerset, married, age 25. Taken to Dorchester Prison on 17 March 1814, his crime was Horse Stealing and was tried before Sir John Bayley, Knight, at the 1814 Lent Assizes. His sentence was Death, reprieved to transportation for Life. Discharged on 1 June 1814 and was placed aboard the "Laurel" hulk in Langston Harbour. Arriving in Sydney on board the "Marquis of Wellington" on 27 January 1815, he was assigned as a government servant to Hannibal Hawkins McArthur of the 'Vineyards' Parramatta. When the 1828 Census of NSW was taken, James was employed by G. A. Middleton as a farming man on 'Glenrose' Patricks Plains, NSW.
The "Marquis of Wellington's" Master was Geo. Betham and the Surgeon was Thos. Latham. 200 males embarked and 198 arrived.
ANN HANCY was born 1798 in Middlesex, England, and died Abt. 1860 in Australia. She married THOMAS WOOLLEY 09 Sep 1816 in St John's Church, Parramatta, NSW, Australia . He was born 1782 in London, England, and died 1838 in St John's Church of England, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.
Notes for THOMAS WOOLLEY:------------
Thomas Woolley, convict, arrived in Port Jackson on board the 'Admiral Gambier' on the 29th September 1811. He was sentenced to death but was transported when a petition for clemency was accepted by the trial judge. He was moved from his place of execution (Exetor Castle) to a prison hulk. He was listed as T. Woolley, millwright of Parish of Stoke, aged 25. His crime stealing a full set of coins from the dwelling of George Gregory also of Stoke with his co-thief William Way. Coins being of all places of the world and to the value of 20 pounds. 13.7 pounds being the value of the coins over 40 shillings. Sentence was death. Clemency was granted and his sentence was commuted to transportation for 14 years. He was shipped from Exeter along with 14 others on the 26 May 1809 and held in the hulk till 16 March 1811 when he was transferred to the Admiral Gambier. His age was then 26. He sailed April 1811. Due to poor conditions they were held in the hulks. A letter of appeal reduced his sentence to 7 years. It had the support of the Prince of Wales. He arrived in Australia 29/9/1811 and worked for a B. Barrow of Parramatta till the end of his sentence. In 1814 a muster shows he was a dealer.
Thomas lived most of his life at Parramatta where he worked as a victualer and publican.
Death reg V1838 2848 22/1838 as Woolly, Thomas no parents names
THOMAS HANCY was born Abt. 1801 in England, and died 17 Apr 1876 in Palmer Street, Parramatta, NSW, Australia . He married CATHERINE DUNN 13 Feb 1832 in St Mary's RC Church, Sydney, NSW, Australia. She was born Jan 1812 in Dublin, Ireland, and died 02 Apr 1875 in Palmer Street, Parramatta, Nsw, Australia.
Notes for THOMAS HANCY:--------------
Some records show that Thomas Hancy was born in London (marriage banns, Death Certificate, Petition to Sir Thomas Brisbane, Governor by Thomas' Father), while other records show that he was born in the Colony (Memorial 1820, 310 4/1824, General Muster & Land & Stock Muster of NSW1822, 1828 Census). Records show that William Hancy, wife and 3 chilfren arrived on the Minorca on the 12th December 1801. It is possble that Thomas was born on the Minorca.
NB The above is a summary of information sent to me by another person so I'm not claiming it as my research --- but I'd like to start the ball rolling on this family tree.
Comments
enjee on 2009-06-15 03:19:54Im a decendant of Catherine Hancy and James Williams. Never knew James was a convict until today. Thanks for posting the info.
enjee on 2009-06-15 03:23:41These two posts I stumbled across might also be of interest
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-PT-JACKSON-CONVICTS/2001-03/0984176493
http://searches2.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/AUS-NSW-Hunter-Valley/2007-03/1174460852
Glynne on 2009-06-15 14:47:25Thankyou for these leads enjee -- I didn't realise that we had another convict in the family with Catherine Dunn having married Thomas Hancy. How many more of William and Sarah's children were attracted by people on the other side of the tracks (or bars in this case!!!!)
julieduncan on 2009-06-27 20:03:26Hi Glynne and others
Back home here in Australia there is a great book which was published in 2007 titled 'Along the Nine Mile Creek, written by Ron Norton it tells the story of the Hancy & Norton families. And along the family trail there are a lot of convicts - Not only does the book give a look and who married who but is an eye opening concept of facts of an era of Australias history which our educational system sadly lacks in teaching.
To answer the questions William hancy and Sarah Macdonald had 9 children. Three in Eng and Thomas who was probably born on ship- as he claimed dependent on his circumstance to be either born here or in London. Of their 9 children 4 married convicts James Miller; Thomas Woolley; Catherine Dunn and James Pedergast.
Thomas Hancy and Catherine Dunn had 8 children that I found and two of these also married convicts
Glynne on 2009-06-28 13:53:51Wow Julie ---- This is almost unbelievable and I most certainly will try to get hold of the book. I presume you are a descendant ?? and I hope to correspond directly with you. I presume you mean James Williams (who was a miller) where you say James Miller???
Are you in touch with terrythom (descended from James Williams and Catherine Hancy's son George) or enjee (descended from their daughter Adelaide)who contacted me through this website?? We'll all have to get together. I wasn't much interested in history when I was at school but boy am I getting into it now (and living in UK with all it's beautiful historic houses brings it more to life).
Glynne
julieduncan on 2009-06-28 16:34:04I presume that you also know that there were two Hancy boys who came over Brothers William and Michael.
Actually I'm not related my kids are though. My mother inlaw is the link. Thomas Hancy and Catherine had a daughter Jane who married John Norton a convict (he came from Tipperary) they had 12 kids - 6 of each. Their 3rd child Andrew married Margaret Rush and these two are my mother inlaws grandparents. believe it or not the gentleman who wrote the book also included a number of family group sheets which included photos of John Norton and Jane(Hancy) his wife as well as 11 of their 12 kids.
Impressive that the photo af John remains considering that he died in August 1880.
Andrew Norton who married Margaret Rush the family group sheet includes them and 11 of their 12 kids too -
Yep sorry it was/is Williams and no I had not contacted the others as yet I only stumbled on this website yesterday.
OH yeah William Hancy's gravestone is still reasonably intact Death 1830.
talk to you soon Julie
Glynne on 2009-06-29 01:17:12Hi Julie, checking through my files I found I'd had contact with Carol Surrey (nee Heidtmann) who is descended from John Norton and Jane Hancy's daughter Elizabeth (but I hadn't realised John Norton was a convict). I must get in touch with Carol again.
How do I get hold of the book by Ron Norton?
Glynne
Glynne on 2009-06-29 01:35:29Hi Julie, you mentioned the convict James Pedergast. His surname was Prendergast on his marriage reg, and Pendergast on his death reg (as far as I can make out on NSW BDM). His wife was Sophia Hancey, and her sister Elizabeth married James's brother, Thomas. There seems to be a mix up in their marriage regs (4 altogether for the 2 marriages that apparently took place on same day). I wonder if Thomas was a convict?
Glynne
julieduncan on 2009-06-29 23:31:34Neither thomas or james are on the convict lists that are available. They married the sisters at RC Church Windsor NSW 5 5 1828. James died in 1865 Thomas died in 1862
James' death was registered at Windsor
Thomas' was registered at Cooma
Glynne on 2009-06-30 01:18:15Hi Julie -- I thought you had said in a previous comment that James Prendergast was a convict? I know he's not directly related to me but I'm getting more and more interested in all the convicts lives. Which is the best source for finding them all?
Glynne
julieduncan on 2009-06-30 16:15:48Ok
Its been a bit hectic here and thats why I gave you the wrong info. I misread the sheet i had.
the 4 convict marriages are
Charlotte Hancy married a convict Wm Archibald Ashton
Thomas m catherine dunn
Ann to Thomas Woolley
Catherine to James Williams
the best place to find if someone was a convict is to start with
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/fh/convicts
another good place for information can be
http://srwww.records.nsw.gov.au/indexes/keyname_search.asp
Glynne on 2009-07-02 14:52:09Hi Julie --- can we please exchange some info through the normal e-mail channels --- I've sent my address to you privately but I don't think you have seen it yet.
Glynne
dhancy on 2009-10-08 11:40:03Does anyone know of a John Hancy born abt 1837 in Switzerland? He served in the American Civil War. He is my great great grandfather, and I am trying to discover the connection between him and the Hancys in Europe, the UK, and Australia.
Dennis Hancy
Cleveland, OH USA
Glynne on 2009-12-29 09:27:48Hi Dennis --- don't know of this one but would be interested if you do find he is connected to the one's that went off to Australia.
Glynne
Glynne on 2009-12-29 09:40:56In reply to this message from jtabl1:---
I just found a rellie! WOW
Hi I am Charlotte Hancy,s great,great,great granddaughter.I was having fun looking up my family tree today and found your research. It's fascinating. My grandmother told me we came from Ireland, County Cork but I never realised how far back.Thank you for adding another dimention to my family history. I am excited to share it with my children and brother who by the way lives in the Parramatta, Balkham hills area.
Hi Jtabl1 ---- please make yourself known to all of us gradually coming together on this journal --- we now have enjee, julieduncan and terrythom lined up --- and I have others interested in this branch as well. Above details are NOT all my own work --- they are gathered from various contacts -and I'm hoping to get all the notes in order eventually!
Glynne
GRH on 2010-02-11 06:22:19I am a Hancy who is directly descended from Michael Hancy. He married in a protestant church in London. There is no connection with Ireland. Hancy is not an Irish name and Ireland is not the place of family origin. Where did you get your information from?
Glynne on 2010-05-03 18:32:08Hi GRH --- don't know why I missed this before --- as I said above this is not my research --- it was given to me by someone else. I would love to hear/see your information. My e-mail address is glynne_jones@yahoo.co.uk
Glynne
ianmackay on 2010-05-20 06:44:15Hi Glynne,
My great, great, great grandparents were Thomas Woolley and Ann Hancy and have just found out today he was a convict. I have read your journal with great interest and would like to correspond further by email
Ian Mackay
pdewbs on 2010-08-19 07:36:04Hi Glynne
I have just read your interesting journal. I am descended from Thomas Woolley and Ann Hancy through their son John Frederick who married Rosanna Flood.
Pam
ronnorton on 2012-01-25 02:02:30Anyone looking for the book Along The Nine Mile referred to in some of these messages, can obtain the book by contacting the author Ron Norton on ronn007@optusnet.com.au or by phoning 0262940515.
markwil on 2012-02-12 12:46:12Hi everyone. I am another Hancey descendant from Catherine's marriage to convict James Williams. He is my ggg grandfather. His daughter married Thomas Smith, son of the lacemakers of Calais Smiths. Thomas' son, Alexander was my grandmother's father.
markwil on 2012-02-12 13:05:31Hi Glynne. Great to find an overseas relative. Where do you fit into the family tree? Are you descended from the family who didn't migrate to Australia or us Aussies in the new family homeland?Also, everyone else I hope we can be in regular contact. Thank you for all your posts. It's exciting to have found you all. I am in Sydney so maybe meet someday soon. Thanks Ron for the info on the book.
Glynne on 2012-02-12 17:49:28Hi Mark -- nice to meet you. I'm descended directly from James and Catherine via Matilda Lucinda Williams (who also married Thomas Smith after the death of her sister -- your gg grandmother). Born in Tamworth, NSW, but Dad returned to the army so we left Tamworth and eventually ended up in Brisbane where I went to Uni. Came to UK to do a PhD, met and married, so 3 yrs has now extended to over 42 yrs in UK. AND we now live in Somerset where James Williams was born, and we do most of our weekly shopping in Shepton Mallett where he was convicted. My e-mail address is in one of the messages above so feel free to communicate with me through that.
Glynne
markwil on 2012-02-12 18:45:15Thanks Glynne. Will be in touch. I was pleasantly surprised that you know about my Smith side. I just found the info you posted on your descendancy in your other journal and was about to tell you about my gg grandfather Thomas Smith's marriages to the two Williams sisters.
Only just starting to look at the Williams and hearing from a Williams rellie for the first time is an exciting development. Also lovely to see rellie in Perth making contact.
Further down the family line Catherine Williams (nee Hancey's) niece, Mary Ann Pendergast married William Williams (jnr). Wonder if she possibly married a distant cousin.
Anyway, better get some sleep.
GJG on 2012-06-06 10:47:43I am descended from Edward Alexander Woolley.
Like GRH, I have doubts about the background of the Hancys and Sarah MacDonald. There were Hancys in Essex/Suffolk then. Also, there was a Sarah MacDonald born in London at the right time. I doubt we will ever know more about them all than their rough date of birth.
barandda on 2013-04-16 02:58:28Hi, I have been given some information from Parramatta Historical Society which has led me to this site...I am descended from Thomas Woolley and Ann Hancy. Their son John Frederick married Rosanna Flood, their son Thomas Frederick married Mary Colbran, their daughter Mary Ann Amelia Woolley married Harry Towers who was my great grand father. Does anyone have any information on this family branch. I live in Sydney Australia.thanks
Glynne on 2013-04-16 04:04:00Hi Barandda, I've gone to check my tree on ancestry.com and found the marriage reg for Thomas Wooley to Mary Colbran in Windsor. I also noticed you have a tree on ancestry (but you do have some mistakes on it -- I will go back on ancestry and leave you some comments where I think you have errors). You obviously know the Roseanna Flood was the daughter of convict Patrick Flood.
Glynne on 2013-04-16 17:17:13hi barranda, my apologies -- just went back to your tree and I can't find the mistake I thought I saw there -- I must have been looking at one of the other trees on ancestry, and in too much of a hurry when I replied above.
barandda on 2013-04-16 23:48:58thanks, yes I have noticed I have written wrong info in few places...so any correct info would be more than appreciated. I had a problem with a new computer and lost all info, tried to fix and started another tree. When finally fixed I had 3 family trees...not sure how to fix that....B
terrythom on 2015-02-05 22:59:33Hello Glynne/ Just found this site again after many years. I hope you are still on. I have followed our family trail and I am fairly confidant all details are correct.I have been to East Knoyle and seen the register of James' birth in 1788. Do you still have the same email address?
Wiliiam Hancy is on a website here as "Australian Royalty" What do think about that?
Would love to find that book by Ron Norton I have just rung him and left a message.
my email is terrythom@erskinevillage.com
Glynne on 2015-02-06 15:53:52Hello Terry --- long time no hear as they say! Yes I'm still very much into the genealogy -- not just my tree but several for friends etc. My e-mail address is in one of the above comments and hasn't changed. I still have some f yours but I lost a betch of e-mails somehow ( about a years worth were "gutted" --- ie had their contents removed by some magic trick??!!! so I don't know whether any of them were yours. But on one of yours you mentioned that James's first wife and children were put on the pauper register --- can you tell me where to get hold of that info as I haven't found it yet.
Glynne
lavinia1022 on 2015-02-13 13:51:13
Glynne on 2015-02-14 07:03:27Hi lavinia1022 ----- did you mean to say something here? Message blank!
GRH on 2020-03-15 10:57:20The theory of "William A Hancy from Ireland" has spread its way into numerous family trees. I am not aware of any evidence to support it and would like to see it supported by credible evidence or removed from genealogy sites. There is no evidence of an Irish connection and the Hancy family. It seems more likely that William Hancy and Michael Hancy (my 4th great grandfather), who went to the Colony of New South Wales with their families in 1801 (from London), were descended from Thomas Hansey who died in London in 1768. At least there is evidence Thomas Hansey existed. The church of burial record was a short distance from St Annes where William and Michael respectively were married. There does not appear to be any evidence that the mysterious "William A Hancy" even existed let alone came from Ireland. There is no evidence that either William Hancy or Michael Hancy was born in Ireland, let alone Cork.
treacle1503 on 2022-12-02 10:08:37I am descended from James Williams and Catherine Hancy. Their daughter Louisa Margaret Williams is my 2nd Great Grandmother. She married Reverend John Hill Garven. They had a son James Muir Garven who is my great Grandfather and he had a son George Muir Garven who was my Grandfather.