The Life and Legacy of Thomas Blencowe (1835–1899)
A Blencowe Pioneer of New South Wales
This report details the life and emigration of Thomas Blencowe, drawing upon documented genealogical records and historical summaries provided by the family research. Thomas represents a pivotal figure in the family line, marking the migration from the traditional home in Buckinghamshire, England, to a new, successful life in the Australian colonies.
Gawcott, Buckinghamshire
Thomas Blencowe was born on February 14, 1835, in the village of Gawcott, Buckinghamshire, England. He was the son of Thomas Blenkow (born 1810), a Mason, and Frances (Fanny) Blenko (born 1808). His christening record dates to February 14, 1836, also in Gawcott.
The family trade was centred around masonry and bricklaying. Census records from 1851 show Thomas, at the age of 15, already working as a third generation mason alongside his brother William 16, his father and grandfather William Blencowe in High Street, Buckingham.
In the year 1856, Thomas married Eliza Bennett (born c. 1835) in Gawcott. This marriage preceded their monumental decision to leave England under the Colonial Government’s assisted immigration scheme.
Emigration a family tradition.
Right from the time they were young boys William and Thomas would have heard how uncle John Blencowe had emigrated before and how successive Blencowe’s had gone to New York state from Gawcott and prospered. Even more recently another Uncle Henry Blencowe had gone there and taken all of his family, a cousin Henry who they probably had played with in Gawcott was now retelling his own success story in letters back home.
The lack of good income and three masons in the same family, meant inevitably something had to change, and emigration was part of the family tradition. The main challenge to overcome in taking up emigration was having the funds to pay for fares and expenses to get to the USA. On the other hand the Australian states were on a serious recruitment drive for immigrants and introduced assisted passage schemes that made it very easy for skilled men like Thomas to emigrate.
It was no surprise then that Thomas decided to emigrate in 1857.
The Emigration to Australia
The impetus for emigration was the promise of a fresh start and better economic opportunity in the rapidly developing colony of New South Wales. Thomas, listed as a 21-year-old bricklayer, and Eliza, a 22-year-old housemaid, were accepted as assisted immigrants.
The couple embarked from Liverpool on the ship Matoaka on October 21, 1856, sailing for Australia.
The voyage was long and significant for the family, an infant son, Thomas (birth date unknown), who was born in England, succumbed to the harsh conditions of the passage and died at sea. Nearing the end of the journey a second son was born and he was given the name Thomas (II), surviving the voyage he disembarked in Australia and was considered of English birth.
The fact that the surviving child was also named Thomas, born while at sea, is consistent with the records showing that Thomas Blencowe (the pioneer) and Eliza had a large family, and the first listed child, Thomas (b. 1857), died in New South Wales (not on the ship), confirming he made it to land.
The second son, John (b. 1857), was also born in the year of arrival, further demonstrating the dense timeline of early births in their new home.
The documented death of Thomas (I) on the Matoaka voyage highlights the significant hardships and high infant mortality rates faced by assisted immigrants travelling to Australia in the mid-19th century.
The Blencowe family arrived at Botany Bay, New South Wales, on 21 January 1857, listed under the surname variation BLENCAWE in the Assisted Immigrants Index (Index Number INX-9-5770).
Settlement and New Occupation
Upon arrival, Thomas and Eliza initially settled in the South Creek area of New South Wales. This location, near St Magdalena Church, is noted in family records as the place where eleven of their children were eventually baptised.
Thomas transitioned from his ancestral trade as a mason and bricklayer to an entirely new occupation: Dairy Farmer. By 1862, he had acquired substantial property, making a crucial investment that secured the family’s future.
He purchased land in the Wildes Meadow/Myra Vale district, eventually accumulating a significant holding of approximately 500 acres.
This property was named ‘Brookville’. The main residence on the farm was reportedly constructed circa 1862, making it a very early and important holding in the district. The property is specifically located at 230 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow (Myra Vale), the naming of the lane itself being a testament to the family’s deep roots in the area.
‘Brookville’ achieved notable success, becoming famous locally for the quality of its butter. This new vocation established a successful financial footing for the Blencowe family in Australia.
A Large Australian Family
Thomas and Eliza established a substantial family in New South Wales. The records indicate they had at least eleven children, including:
| Child’s Name | Birth Year | Place of Birth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas | 1857 | Born on the Matoaka during the voyage. | Died in NSW. |
| Frances | 1859 | South Creek NSW | Died Wild’s Meadow 1917. |
| Daisy A. | c. 1859 | – | Died Robertson NSW 1883. |
| Mary | 1861 | NSW | Died Canterbury 1939. |
| Phoebe | 1862 | Penrith NSW | Married Charles James Furner 1883. Died 1927 Mudgee. Children Leslie Charles Victor Furner 1885–1954 Elsie Eliza Furner 1887–1930 Ernest Clive Furner 1891–1969 Stella Victoria Furner 1893–1933 Gladys Emily Irene Furner 1897–1932 Arthur George Furner 1899–1986 |
| Clara | 1865 | Berrima NSW | Died in infancy (1866). |
| Frederick | 1867 | Berrima NSW | Died Queensland 1948. |
| Ernest W. | 1868 | Berrima NSW | Mounted constable; killed in a horse accident 1895. |
| Emily | 1870 | Berrima NSW | Married John Robert Hunter 1900. |
| Owen Bennett | 1872 | Berrima NSW | Died Lewisham Hospital 1945. |
| Arthur William | 1875 | Berrima NSW | Served in the Anglo-Boer War with NSW Lancers. |
| Omega M. | 1877 | Burrawang (Reg.) | Died Goulburn NSW 1912. |
This second generation of Blencowes became integrated into the fabric of New South Wales society, with some, like Arthur William Blencowe, serving with distinction in the New South Wales Lancers in the Anglo-Boer War, confirming the family’s commitment to their new home.
Later Years and Legacy
Thomas Blencowe was regarded as a pioneer of the district. During his lifetime, he was politically active, being noted as a “warm advocate for the Robertson railway,” indicating his dedication to the development and advancement of the district he had chosen to settle in.
Thomas Blencowe died at his residence in Myra Vale in 1899 at the age of 63. His death notice records that he had been confined to his bed “off and on for the past two years.” At the time of his death, one of his sons, Arthur, was serving in England with the New South Wales Lancers and bound for South Africa where he was wounded before returning home.
Thomas was buried in Myra Vale, NSW. His wife, Eliza, survived him by many years, passing away on March 9, 1918, in Wild’s Meadow.
The property and homestead, ‘Brookville’ at 230 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow, continues to stand as a tangible link to Thomas Blencowe’s pioneering life and enduring legacy in Australia.
Timeline
| Event | Date/Location | Details |
| Full Name | Thomas Blencowe | |
| Birth Date | 14 Feb 1835 | |
| Birth Place | Gawcott, Buckinghamshire | |
| 1851 Census | Gawcott, Buckinghamshire | Thomas Blencowe 40 Head Mason Frances Blencowe 43 Wife Phebe Blencowe 19 Daughter William Blencowe 17 Son Mason Thomas Blencowe 15Son Mason John Blencowe 13 Son Frances Blencowe 11 Daughter Clementina Blencowe 6 Daughter Jesse Blencowe 3 Son Johanna Blencowe 1 Daughter |
| Occupation | 1851, Gawcott, Buckinghamshire | Mason, Bricklayer |
| Marriage | Jan Qtr 1856, Gawcott, Buckinghamshire | To Eliza Bennett |
| Emigrated a Blencowe variant | 21 January, 1857, Botany Bay, New South Wales | Thomas Blencowe a Mason and Bricklayer, spouse Eliza Bennett and infant son Thomas Blencowe from Gawcott arrived in Botany Bay 21 Jan 1857 on the ship “Matoaka” as assisted Immigrants. “..Eldest son Thomas was born during the voyage. Thomas and a large family settled in South Creek NSW. Opposite the St Magdalena Church South Creek, was were 11 children were baptised. Link to Thomas and Eliza\'s Story https://blencowe.one-name.net/blencowe-19th-century-migration/1856-thomas-blencowe-1835-gawcott/ |
| Birth an death of Son Thomas | 1856, Onboard Ship | Christened 17 Oct 1857, St Mary Magdalen ,St Marys NSW. Died NSW 1857 |
| Birth of Son John | 1857, St Marys, NSW | |
| Birth of Daughter Frances | abt 1858, St Marys NSW. | Christened St Mary Magdalen ,St Marys NSW. 1859 |
| Birth of Daughter Daisy A | abt 1859, St Marys NSW. | |
| Birth of Daughter Pheobe | 1862, Penrith | |
| Residence | 1862, Brookville, 230 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow , Myra Vale, NSW | Thomas has prospered and makes a investment in property Brookville. Brookville\' at 230 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow (the general Myra Vale district). Original Construction: The main residence was reportedly built circa 1862 for Thomas Blencowe. This makes it a significant, very early holding in the district. He farmed dairy there and it was noted for its Butter. |
| Occupation | 1862, Brookville, 230 Blencowes Lane, Wildes Meadow , Myra Vale, NSW | Dairy Farmer |
| Birth of Daughter Clara | 1865, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Son Frederick | 1867, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Son Ernest W | 1868, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Daughter Emily | 1870, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Son Oweb Bennett | 11 Apr 1872, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Son Arthur William | 1875, Berrima, NSW | |
| Birth of Daughter Omega | 1877, Burrawang (Reg.) | |
| News Article | 1884, Moss Vale, NSW | Winner at the Calcutta Exhibition for his Butter submission. This was a International exhibition repoorted widely in Australia South Australian Weekly Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1881 - 1889) Sat 16 Feb 1884 |
| Death | 1899, Moss Vale, New South Wales, Australia |
Reference and Sources
- Berrima and District Historical Society
- Daphne Austin Blencowes database
- Ancestry
- Family search
- Trove
- Australian Archives