Re: Doveton/Dufton of the Isle of St Helina
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In reply to:
Re: Doveton/Dufton of the Isle of St Helina
Jared Gard 1/28/02
Francis DOVETON
First Gold Commissioner at Ballarat
Article by:
Thelma BIRRELL - Email: [email protected]
Web Pages:
Research Names: ROSE & THISTLE to BLUE GUM & GOLDEN WATTLE
and Extensive Birrell Family Story from 1750 in Fifeshire
Margaret BOSTOCK, born 9th February 1824 at Hobart was 3rd daughter of Robert & Rachael BOSTOCK of 'Vaucluse' Epping Forest, Tasmania. She married on 3rd September 1842 at St.Johns Anglican Church, Launceston to Lieutenant Francis Crossman DOVETON. Margaret was aged 18 and Francis was 23.
The DOVETONs originate from England's Westmoreland County, being the home of de DUFTON's recorded there in 1176. Assize rolls show the family in 1256 & 1279. Penrith in Westmoreland was the home of a large DUFTON family, with Thomas de DUFTON being the head in 1332, while church rolls showed many generations living there. William DOVETON (DUFTON) as an army officer on St.Helena Island was granted land in c1680 and it is thought served with East India Company on trade routes. The DOVETONs have a long and respected association with St.Helena Island in the mid South Atlantic Ocean, having settled there in 1674. Many of the family served their country there and in India. It was on St.Helena about 1816 that Sir William DOVETON entertained Napoleon who was imprisoned following the Battle of Waterloo. Rider HAGGARD, author of 'King Solomon's Mines' was a member of this family.
Francis DOVETON had arrived in Van Diemens Land with the 51st Regiment of Foot and was at Hobart's Lower Barracks. He had originally landed at Sydney in 1838 from England, being the son of Rev.John Frederick DOVETON, rector of Evandon Hall, Northampton and his wife Elizabeth CROSSMAN. Francis DOVETON's mother Elizabeth CROSSMAN was a direct descendant of King Edward I of England (16.6.1239/7.7.1307) and Eleanor, the daughter of King Ferdinand II of Castille. Whilst at Sandhurst, Francis DOVETON was chosen among others to give an exhibition of horsemanship before King William IV, his Consort Queen and Princess Victoria aged 16 years. A painting and sword worn when he marched to Queen Victoria's Coronation are among family treasures. These pages are unable to contain the extensive history of this family or of Francis in Australia. He held many responsible positions and had an extremely colourful career, even prior to his arrival in Australia.
Francis who served as Captain, travelled to Ballarat with Margaret and family to his new appointment as first Gold Commissioner in Victoria on 21st August 1851. Much is written about Francis as he was the first 'Red Coat' sent to collect gold licences, which caused the resentment leading to Eureka Stokade. He is quoted as saying that he did not make the law but was sent to administer it. Strangely, he was appointed to Mt.Alexander and was therefore not caught up in the eventual stockade fracas. Obviously an experienced 'Red Coat', Francis held the position for nine years. Four weeks after their arrival at Golden Point, DOVETON and ARMSTRONG opened subscriptions to help digger McTAGGERT, after a falling tree broke both of his legs.
Further information on these families can be supplied. A beautiful old lithograph of Margaret Doveton and one of Rachael Emily is held and enquiries are invited........
Thelma (Bostock) Birrell at Maroochydore.
You could possibly write to this person who seems to know something about Dovetons and see if she knows about a Doveton book.
Extract taken from:
Ballarat & District Genealogical Society Inc.
http://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/bgmain.htmhttp://www.ballaratgenealogy.org.au/bgmain.htm