Thomas Nightingale

46

Heather Stevens on 4th February 2023

Thomas Nightingale was born in 1816 in Sheffield, a city in South Yorkshire. He was probably the child Thomas born 21 June 1816, and baptised 30 June 1816, at Norfolk Row Roman Catholic Chapel, in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. His parents were recorded as Gulielmi [William] and Sarah "Nightangale". His parents, William Nightingale and Sarah Houseman had married on 23 Nov 1815 at Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Paul, Sheffield. His father William was a spring knife cutler age 50+ in the 1841 census, living with wife Sarah age 50+ in Dun Street Sheffield, with a four year boy, Joseph Nightingale. Thomas Nightingale was tried at Warwick Quarter Sessions, on 1 January 1839, where he was sentenced to 10 years transportation. The criminal register recorded that his crime was "Robbery with violence, before convicted of felony", he was aged 22, and he could read and write well. He was transported on the Parkfield which left England on 12 May 1839 and arrived at Sydney on 1 September 1839. The Convict Indent for this ship had the following information: convicted for the crime of "Stealing money", he was aged 23 years, he could read and write, he was Protestant, single, born at Yorkshire, he was a Spring knife cutler; he had a previous conviction of 4 months, his height was 5 feet 9 inches with a sallow complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, and there was a long list of Marks and Scars. Marriage: Thomas Nightingale married Sarah Upton on 9 September 1844 at the St John the Baptist Church of England, Ashfield, by banns, with the consent of Sarah's parents. Thomas and Sarah were both of the parish of Ashfield, and both signed the register with confident signatures. Witnesses were James Colman of Ashfield [Sarah's brother in law] and Isaac Upton of Ashfield [Sarah's father].They had a son John Thomas Nightingale born on 10 April 1845, and baptised 2 November 1845. The baptismal register recorded that Thomas was a labourer and they were living at "Back Huts". Thomas Nightingale received a Ticket of Leave on 2 January 1846 for the district of Bathurst. They moved to Goulburn, but soon Sarah left him, and Thomas placed the following notice in the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday 26 May 1847: NOTICE.I HEREBY caution the public not to give credit to my wife, Sarah Nightingale, as I will not be answerable for any debts she may contract after this date, as she has left her home without any just cause or provocation, and any person harbouring her after this notice will be prosecuted.THOMAS NIGHTINGALE.Goulburn, 21st May. Thomas was confined in Darlinghurst Gaol for a minor offence in 1849. The Entrance book for the Gaol has his ship Parkfield, his occupation "Cutler" and his place of birth "Sheffield". He received a Certificate of Freedom on 19 December 1850. It appears that Sarah formed a liaison with George Evans. She had a girl, Adela born 21 April 1849, and a boy, Charles William born 25 March 1850. She had both children baptised in July 1853 at St Saviour's Church Goulburn.  Marriage: Thomas Nightingale, aged 49, widower, "Gentleman" of Ballarat married Ann Duff Milne [nee Robertson] on 2 November 1865 at Wesley Church, Melbourne. The marriage certificate recorded that he was born in Sheffield, his parents were William Nightingale and Sarah Houseman, and his father was a cutler. In December 1865 Ann advertised that she was going to transfer the "Masons Arms" to Thomas. Thomas Nightingale died on 6 August 1880 in Sydney at Pitt St and Bridge St, age 63, occupation Hotel keeper, of Disease of heart and kidneys. The death certificate recorded that his parents were William Nightingale and Sarah Houseman, and his father was a butler(sic) [cutler]. He had been resident for 15 years in Australian colonies, which implies he had come to Australia just before he married in 1865. There was no issue for this marriage. The informant was his wife Ann. His burial was on 8 August 1880 in "Necropolis" (ie. Rookwood Necropolis)