The Veness Family History

Sarah (surname not known) was born in nearby Ashburnham in 1778. The couple married about 1805 and had the following children: Thomas, c. 14 Jan 1807, d. Jan 1812; Edward, c. 14 Jan 1808, m. Charlotte Veness; John, c. 30 Nov 1810, m. Frances Forward, 31 Aug 1833; William, c. 21 Oct 1812, came to NSW where he m. Sarah Riglesford; Sarah, c. 1 Mar 1815, unmarried on census; Frederick, c. 17 oct 1817, m. Sophia Cook, 23 May 1839, emigrated to NSW, died here 1896; Ann, c. 5 Dec 1821; Mary, c. 19 Apr 1824; Elizabeth, c. 1828. It is possible that Ann and Elizabeth may have been grandchildren living with Isaac and Sarah at the 1851 census for Battle. William Veness and Sarah Rigelsford William Veness was baptised in the church of St Mary’s, Battle, on 21 October 1812, the son of Isaac Veness, a limeburner, and his wife, Sarah. He learnt the trade of stonemason. Sarah Riglesford was born in Mountfield on 5th February 1822 (and baptised 31 March 1822), daughter of George Riglesford, who was also a limeburner, and his wife, Sophia Funnell. Her mother died when she was five. The couple knew each other apparently because their fathers both engaged in the same work. Right: The Dormitory, Battle Abbey In 1839 a Veness family group had decided to come to Australia, and Sarah embarked with them; the records state: William Veness, farm labourer, 26, engaged by Mr Bucknell of Morpeth for 30 pounds ($60) a year. Sarah Rigelsford, house servant, 17, engaged by Mr John Clarke of Sydney for 12 pounds ($24) a year. John Veness, farm labourer, 32, engaged by Mr Sargent of Cowpastures (Camden) for one pound four shillings ($2.40) a week. He was a distant cousin of Williams, his parents being Thomas and Mary Veness of Battle. Ann Veness, dairy maid, 32, John’s wife. Also their two daughters, Sarah, who died on the voyage, 18 September 1839, of whooping cough, aged 2; and Elizabeth, aged 12 months. Edward Brett, Ann’s father, a widower. 8 | P a g e