THIRD GENERATION

18. James Sayer ^(29)(30) was born on 22 May 1810 in Carbrooke, Norfolkshire, England. He was christened on 27 May 1810 in Carbrooke, Norfolkshire, England. He immigrated on 3 Apr 1855 to Austrailia.
Passenger List A copy of the passenger ticket for the Sayer family states that the Whirlwind, a ship of 977 tons to sail from London for Launceston on the sixth of November 1854. The Sayer's were provided with intermediate passage and the cost was 198 pounds. The names and ages of the family: James Sayer 44 Charlotte 40 Martha 15 James 12 John 11 Robert 9 Sarah Ann 6 George 4 Frederick 2 Charles 2 mths William 20 Mary Ann 18 Eliza 1 6
Immigration/Ship Immigrated to Van Dieman's Land Aboard the WHIRLWIND, which left Plymouth on 4.1.1855 and arrived at Launceston on 2.4.1855. The Examiner states that scarlet fever broke out on the ship after leaving London and it was detained at Plymouth for some time. Forty four deaths occured before the end of the voyage. (The official record gives the number of deaths as thirty five). On 5 April 1855 an article appeared in the Examiner about Rev. Benjamin Drake's selection of the immigrants who were respectable and useful persons from Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex. A special service was held by Rev. Drake in the Independent Chapel, Tamar St. Launceston for the immigrants on 8 April 1855.

Launceston Examiner March 27, 1855 Page 2 Column 2

The Whirlwind was to sail from Plymouth on 10th January for this port, those of the emmigrants who were not sufficiently recovered from the attack of fever remaining behind.

Launceston Examiner April 3, 1855 Page 2 Column 1

The long-expected ship Whirlwind entered the heads on Saturday afternoon, having left Plymouth on 4th January, making the passage in 86 days. She is a fine ship of 1000 tons, and is commanded by Captain Edgell. It will be remembered that shortly after leaving London scarlet fever broke out amongst the emigrants, and compelled the captain to put in at Plymouth, where th e vessel was detained a considerable time. Since leaving London the deaths (including those w ho died of fever) have been 44; the births were 7.

The emigrants who have arrived are now in excellent health, and Captain Edgell speaks very highly of their conduct during the passage. The Whirlwind experienced strong easterly winds during the last three weeks and sighted Cape Otway nearly a fortnight since. On Friday week one of the seamen fell from aloft and was killed. No vessel connected with the colonies were spoken.

The steam tug Cobre was despatched last night to bring the Whirlwind up to the bar, where she will probably arrive in the course of the afternoon. As many persons are expecting friends and relations by the Whirlwind, we have given the names of all her passengers: in families the number is only given.

Launceston Examiner April 3, 1855 Page 2 Column 2

The long expected "Whirlwind" has arrived, and several hundred souls will be added to the population. The emigrants have passed through a fearful ordeal. An accident to the rudder compelled the commander to put into Portsmouth, where the necessary repair could have been effected in a few hours, had not the use of the empty government dock been denied by the official personage in charge who eats the salt of that nation whose funds furnished the accommodation.

Scarletina broke out: its victims were removed to an inhospitable hulk, for which the British government charged a high price, forgetful of the first duties of humanity; inclement weather aggravated the disease, which assumed a serious type, and carried off a number of victims. Twenty three died on the passage, and although the survivors are healthy and robust, the loss of relatives and friends casts a shade of sorrow on the enterprise.

We deeply sympathise with the bereaved, and the painful circumstances in which Mr. Drake has been placed must evoke the kindest feelings of his friends. His was no mercenary mission, and though he may not calculate on the gratitude of those he has sought to benefit by a removal from comparative penury to immediate plenty and ultimate affluence, he has earned their respect, and will secure the esteem of the colonists. His position has been one of great responsibility, much risk, incessant anxiety, and no profit. When years have elapsed , he may expect adequate acknowledgment from those he has served, and not till then.

The captain, too, has had his trials: his crew have been in a state of insubordination in consequence of the proper and rigidly enforced rules that excluded the seamen from intercourse with the emigrants, and the sailors have, at the conclusion of the voyage, struck. The misguided men will soon learn that here their misconduct will not be countenanced - that punishment will visit the refractory - that extravagant pay no longer prevails, and that the gold diggers, on the average, do not make ordinary wages.

We trust the hopes of the emigrants have not been unduly elated, and that they wil be prepared to accommodate themselves, as the thousands more affluent have done before them, to the exigencies of a new country. The farm labourer and mechanic will not be carried off by force at any wage they may demand: the unmarried females will not be surrounded by sighing lovers, solicitous to make them brides.

Australia is a land where privations must be endured, and hard work encountered. At the end of the vista, which is not long, there is settlement and independence to the industrious, the economical, and sober. Every young woman will find a husband in process of time, but before she obtain a good one she must show by her behaviour she deserves him. Everything will be new to the emigrants; they must be surprised at nothing, and become quickly reconciled to the condition of the colony. If they display those qualifications of temper and aptitude which make people useful they will be appreciated, and experience consideration and kindness from their employers, who will in general promote their wellfare to the utmost.

We repeat, hard work, frugality, and sobriety for a time will inevitably lead to independence; but those who seek the latter by the shortest line must be prepared to "rough it" for a season. He died on 20 Nov 1891 in Torquay, Tasmania, Australia. Died at East Devonport. The cause of death was catarrhal fever.

He was buried in East Devonport, Tasmania, Australia. He was a Carrier, punt operator. He had an estate probated in Tasmania Carter, Tasmania, Austrialia.
Will/Probate 19/07/1888 Will of James Sayer

I James Sayer of Torquay in Tasmania Carter hereby revoke all wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last will. I bequeath to my daughter Sarah Ann Plummer my four wheeled buggy purchased by me in her name from George A Wakeham of Latrobe on or about the month of December one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven. I bequeath my piano to my grand daughters Lily Plummer and Rose Plummer. I bequeath my horse and dray to my grandson Thomas William Henry Plummer. I devise to my said daughter Sarah Ann Plummer and her heirs All that piece or parcel of land situate at Torquay aforesaid containing two roods and six perches more or less and bounded as follows (that is to say) on the North b five chains and fifty links Easterly along Lot 2 commencing at the South West angle there f on the Esplanade. And on the West by one chain Northerly along the Esplanade to the point of commencement the same being a moiety or half of the land described in my certificate of Tithe registered Vol XIII Folio 134. Together with the dwelling house and building thereon. I de ise and bequeath all my real and personal estate whatsoever (except what I otherwise dispose of by this my will) unto and to the use of my son in law George Buck of Formby in Tasmania Farmer and Richard Driscoll of Torquay aforesaid Superintendent of Police their heirs executors and administrators respectively. Upon trust that they the said George Buck and Richard Driscoll or the survivor of them or the heirs executors or administrators of such survivo shall in such manner and under such stipulation and upon such terms in all respects as they or he shall think fit sell collect or otherwise convert into money (according to the nature of the premises) all such parts of the same premises as shall not consist of ready money and may buy in or rescind any contract for sale or of any other description and resell without being answerable for loss and may for the purposes aforesaid execute and do all such assurances and things as they or he shall think fit. And shall out of the moneys to arise from such sale collection and conversion and the money of which I shall be possessed at my death pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts. And shall hold the residue of the said moneys Upon trust for all my sons and daughters in equal shares as tenants in common. And I declare that if any child of mine shall have died in my lifetime leaving issue living at my death such issue being male and attaining the age of twenty one years or being female and attaining that age or marrying shall take by substitution (if more than one in equal shares as tenants in common) the share in the trust premises which such deceased child of mine would have taken under the trusts in that behalf hereinbefore declared had he or she survived me. And I declare that my trustees may postpone the sale and conversion of my real and personal estate or any part thereof for so long as they shall think fit and that the rents profits and income to accrue from and after my decease of and from such part of my estate as shall for the time being remain unsold and unconverted shall after payment thereout of all incidentals expenses and outgoings be paid and applied to the person or persons and in the manner to whom and in which the moneys produced by such sale and conversion had been actually made. And I also declare that my trustees may let any lands for the time being remaining unsold either from year to year or for any term of years not exceeding five at such rents and subject to such covenants as they shall think fit any may accept surrenders of leases and tenancies fell timber and other trees standing on the said lands whether for sale repairs or otherwise and generally may manage the same in such manner as they shall think fit and the proceeds of any timbers sold by my trustees shall be considered as income and applied accordingly. I declare that if any grandchild of mine entitled in expectancy to a share of the trust premises shall at my death be under the age of twenty one years my trustees shall invest the expectant share of each such minor with power to vary the investments thereof from time to time and the income thereof shall be applicable for his or her maintenance under statutory provision in that behalf. In witness whereof I have signed my name at the end of this my will contained in this and the preceding two sheets of paper this nineteenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and eighty eight.

(signed) J.Sayer

Signed by James Sayer of Torquay in Tasmania Carter as and for his last will and testament in the sight and presence of us together present at the same time who in his own sight and presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscibed our names as attesting witnesses.

(signed) Charles Hall solicitor Formby

H.Nichols clerk to Mr Hall


James Sayer and his sons conducted a punting business on the river, bringing down produce from upper reaches to the lower, deeper part of the river. His lighters usually moored on a point on the river now named Sayer's Point.

He was married to Charlotte Butters on 6 Aug 1834 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England. Charlotte Butters ⁽²⁹⁾ was christened on 14 Jul 1816 in Ashill, Norfolk, England. She died on 17 Dec 1854 in Plymouth, Devon, England. of scarlet fever. James Sayer and Charlotte Butters had the following children:

+93 i. William Sayer.
+94 ii. Mary Ann Sayer.
+95 iii. Eliza Sayer.
+96 iv. Martha Sayer.
+97 v. James Sayer.
98 vi. John Sayer⁽²⁹⁾ was born on 14 Jun 1843 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England. He was christened on 9 Jul 1843 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England.
99 vii. Charles Sayer⁽²⁹⁾ was christened on 3 Aug 1845 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England. He was buried on 25 Nov 1853 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England.
100 viii. Robert Sayer⁽²⁹⁾ was born in Sep 1846 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England. He was christened on 11 Oct 1846 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England.
+101 ix. Sarah Ann Sayer.
+102 x. George Sayer.
103 xi. Frederick Sayer⁽²⁹⁾ was born on 14 Jan 1853 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England.
104 xii. Charles Sayer⁽²⁹⁾ was christened on 2 Jul 1854 in Saham Toney, Norfolk, England. He died on 8 Jan 1855 in At sea, aboard the Whirlwind. Scarletina (Scarlet Fever) was the cause of death.

He was married to Ellen Ward on 7 Feb 1861 in Torquay, Tasmania, Australia. Ellen Ward⁽²⁹⁾ was born about 1823. She died on 30 Dec 1877 in Torquay, Tasmania, Australia. She was buried in East Devonport, Tasmania, Australia.

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Last modified: Tuesday, 17 February, 2009