HANNAH SPEAKE AND WILLIAM STOKES OF AUSTRALIA

Hannah Speake (CODE) was born 5th January 1855 at All Stretton, Shropshire , daughter of John Speake (CODE) a journeyman stonemason and Jane JONES. She was baptised at Church Stretton 25th of the same month. Her father died some time prior to the 1861 census, probably one of these two entries. XXX

In 1861 she is living with her widowed mother in All Stretton, but in Feb 1862 her mother married James PARTON. And by 1871 she was working as a live in general servant in the shop of William Lester at Hopesay. It would appear she was not welcome in the household of John Parton. With good reason. The 1871 census for the family at Little Stretton shows John Parton and his new wife Jane, with foura Parton children by her and also his step daughter Mary Speake age 17 with her illegitimate son Charles aged 6 months.

It is perhaps no surprise that Hannah decided a life in Australia offered more advantages than her prospects in England . She sailed from Plymouth on the Trevelyan and arrived at Port Jackson Sydney on 30th December 1877. Just 11days after landing she married her fellow passenger William Stokes. He was born at Brereton Staffordshire in 1855.

They settled at Mittayong NSW where their first two children were born. By 1880 they settled at Bowral NSW where they lived for the rest of their lives, raising nine more children. Hannah lived until 1948,  and her family descendants still live today in the house built by her and her husband, in Bowral.

Follow the link below to a scrapbook of further information and pictures.

I am indebted to Mrs. P. Brooks of Tolga QLD and Kenneth J. Stokes of Wingham NSW for information on this Stokes family.