Hi Listers, I am helping a fellow Wiseman researcher who believes he may be descended from Solomon Wiseman, although he knows he has some Polynesian blood and was born in NZ before coming to NSW as a small child. I have a booklet published in 1967, compiled by Charles Swancott and called simply "Wiseman's Ferry." It is mainly just a collection of facts gleaned from various places and not all referenced, unfortunately. There is some conflicting information in the book: William Wiseman (son of Solomon) married Matilda Grono (fact) in 1828. They had a daughter, Jane in 1830 or 31. William drowned in the brig "Industry" in 1831.(don't know if this is true) "His widow married RUGIG a Maori chief." (i.e. Rugig was a male.) Then.... Mary Ann Wiseman, daughter of William Wiseman and RUGIG born about 1830 was baptised 29/11/1837 (confirmed from NSW BDM) Now Rugig is a female! The next entry: "Sophia Betty Wiseman, daughter of William Wiseman and a NZ woman" was baptised 30/9/1832. Can anyone help clarify this mess? Was William fathering children to Rugig while married to Matilda? Were there many Maori women over here in the early days of the colony? Who was Rugig? The chap whom I am helping was placed in a home at a very young age and knows little of his family. He says his great grandfather is buried in NZ, and that he used to go to Wiseman's ferry with an uncle to see an old man who was a relative, who lived in a shack there after his 99 year lease had run out. Any suggestions please? Marie

Hi Marie, Yes William certainly drowned as this report in the Newspaper below states " [The Sydney Herald, April 18, 1831] .....SHIPWRECK:--- On Tuesday, the 28th March, arrived here the schooner Samuel, from New Zealand, with 500 skins and 10 tons of flax; and on the day following the Prince of Denmark, with 25 tons of flax; which at the rate of from 30 to 35 pounds a ton will form a clear Colonial export of 1,200 pounds, drawn from the industry of the natives of that Island. These vessels bring the distressing account of the loss of "The Industry" , a Colonial-built vessel, which was wrecked at Easy Harbour, in a dreadful gale of wind, on the 28th February last. Ten men and six native women were drowned. W. Wiseman, the master, also met a watery grave. Two men escaped and are expected in the next ship. We refrain from stating the distressing particulars now in circulation till the arrival of the next ship. Wiseman was a remarkably active, good-looking young man, son of Mr. Wiseman, of the Hawkesbury, and most respectably connected both in the Mother Country and the Colony. He has left a very! young widow, daughter of Mr. John Grono, principal owner of "The Industry", and one child to lament his loss. He arrived in the Colony a youth, many years ago, and has been for a long period connected with our Colonial shipping. He had been some time at New Zealand in prosecution of the objects of his voyage, where he was well known, and had been frequently engaged in the trade to that Island, South Shetland, South America, and other places in the South Seas. The vessel has become a complete wreck. The melancholy tidings were communicated to his numerous relatives in the interior on Friday week......." His wife Matilda was only 15 and had a young baby daughter - Jane. As far as I'm aware Matilda married a Thomas Powell in 1835. I don't know of the "Maori connection" but Matilda's father John Grono sailed ships regularly to New Zealand as well as her husband William so she had connections with NZ. According to the paper article it was her father John Grono who owned the boat "The Industry". Hope this helps a little. Regards, Norma McLean normabmc@bigpond.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marie Donaldson" <mariedonaldson@optusnet.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 4:28 PM Subject: [HHHV] Solomon and William Wiseman. A NZ connection? > Hi Listers, > I am helping a fellow Wiseman researcher who believes he may be descended > from Solomon Wiseman, although he knows he has some Polynesian blood and > was > born in NZ before coming to NSW as a small child. > > I have a booklet published in 1967, compiled by Charles Swancott and > called > simply "Wiseman's Ferry." It is mainly just a collection of facts gleaned > from various places and not all referenced, unfortunately. >

Dear Norma, In additon to the shipwreck report there should have been an Inquest, and a Marine Board Inquiry, as I am finding from the papers I am looking at. The 1830's papers are being digitised and many are on line now. Regards,Bill Subject: Re: [HHHV] Solomon and William Wiseman. A NZ connection? > > Yes William certainly drowned as this report in the Newspaper below > states > > " [The Sydney Herald, April 18, 1831] > > .....SHIPWRECK:--- On Tuesday, the 28th March, arrived here the schooner > Samuel, from New Zealand, with 500 skins and 10 tons of flax; and on the > day following the Prince of Denmark, with 25 tons of E-mail message checked by Internet Security (6.0.0.386) Database version: 5.13580 http://www.pctools.com/en/internet-security/

I can't help with your Wiseman problem but I can tell you it was fairly common for men who travelled around the Islands to have a native wife (or wives in various places) as well as the wife at home in Australia. If you contact me privately at adsl4805@tsn.cc (that is ADSL in lower case) I can tell you of the problems faced by members of my family with a similar problem in tracing relatives. Patricia Hi Listers, I am helping a fellow Wiseman researcher who believes he may be descended from Solomon Wiseman, although he knows he has some Polynesian blood and was born in NZ before coming to NSW as a small child. I have a booklet published in 1967, compiled by Charles Swancott and called simply "Wiseman's Ferry." It is mainly just a collection of facts gleaned from various places and not all referenced, unfortunately. There is some conflicting information in the book: William Wiseman (son of Solomon) married Matilda Grono (fact) in 1828. They had a daughter, Jane in 1830 or 31. William drowned in the brig "Industry" in 1831.(don't know if this is true) "His widow married RUGIG a Maori chief." (i.e. Rugig was a male.) Then.... Mary Ann Wiseman, daughter of William Wiseman and RUGIG born about 1830 was baptised 29/11/1837 (confirmed from NSW BDM) Now Rugig is a female! The next entry: "Sophia Betty Wiseman, daughter of William Wiseman and a NZ woman" was baptised 30/9/1832. Can anyone help clarify this mess? Was William fathering children to Rugig while married to Matilda? Were there many Maori women over here in the early days of the colony? Who was Rugig? The chap whom I am helping was placed in a home at a very young age and knows little of his family. He says his great grandfather is buried in NZ, and that he used to go to Wiseman's ferry with an uncle to see an old man who was a relative, who lived in a shack there after his 99 year lease had run out. Any suggestions please? Marie ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AUS-NSW-HILLS-HAWKESBURY-HUNTER-VALLEY-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message