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Orphan Number: 5575
Orphan: Mary WELLS
Mother:,
Father:WELLS, Frederick
Mother's ship:
Father's ship:
Age when admitted:8yrs
Date admitted:1852
Date discharged:
Institution(s):Queens Orphan School
Discharged to:
Remarks: father deserted 99th Regiment - mother dead - unsure whether admitted Queens Orphan School
References: CSO24/187/6813


This orphan has been claimed by: Maree Da Costa

Mary Wells is sister to my g-g-grandfather Richard Wells.

The daughters of Frederick Wells and Sarah Connell, Emma 9, Mary 8, Elizabeth 5, and Louisa 4 entered the orphanage in 1852.
Sarah died in 1851 leaving Frederick with 5 children. The orphanage records state that he deserted the 99th Regt, however this is incorrect as he was discharged at Launceston in 1849.

The four girls were released to their father in October 1853 and Frederick, Mary, Elizabeth and Louisa arrived in Melbourne on 24 October 1853. Emma did not travel to Victoria at this time. Their only son and eldest child, Richard, then aged 12, remained in Tasmania and married Agnes McKay in 1865 at Hobart.

Elizabeth married John Rickard in 1862 at Chewton, Victoria.
Mary married Edwin Fox in 1862 at Chewton.
Louisa married John Knuckley in 1866, and Thomas Cowley in 1872 at Castlemaine, Victoria.
Emma married Alfred Fox in 1868 at Castlemaine.



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 Site last updated June 2021