The Dowdle Family

I am indebted to Helen Stendell of Cowra who has done a lot of the research in Tasmania.

Part 1 England to Tasmania

 John Vaulter Dowdle mar Maria Valter Torsel early 19C England
At least one child:
John Vaulter Dowdle b. 1811 Somerset d. 30-3-1872 Talbot, Vic
    mar 12-5-1841 Trinity Church Hobart
Eliza Prudence Goodall b. abt 1818 Islington Eng d. 28-12-1886 Kensington, Vic 67yrs

2 Children (Tas Pioneer Index 1803-1899)
1. John Vaulter Dowdle b. 14-5-1842 bap Trinity Church Hobart d. 12-2-1914
        mar 1) Rachel Jane Jackson (see below)
        mar 2) Jane Wattie 28-3-1892 Hay (4 Children)
2. Mary Clara b. 20-8-1844 Hobart  d.? 1919 Auburn
        bap 26-8-1844 at Holy Trinity Church Hobart

John Dowdle was a painter and glazier, he could sign his name on his marriage certificate, while Eliza could not. They lived first in High St, Hobart when his son was born, and in Church St when Mary was born.

His Native Place is given as Taunton, Somerset, but as there are no Dowdles in Somerset, Helen Stendell believes he originally came from Devon where there are plenty. John was tried in the Somerset Assizes on the 18-8-1827 for house breaking and sentenced to Life (PRO London). He arrived in Tasmania on the "York I" (1) 28-8-1829, aged about 18.

I have a copy of his Convict Indents, (a copy of a copy of a copy) and it is hard to read. However it seems that he was assigned to a Mr Chapman for a period. His physical description has him 5' 4¾" tall, dark brown hair, grey eyes, and 21 years old (in 1829). He has a number of tattoos, anchors and hearts. Helen believes he moved to the Victorian goldfields then up into NSW.

Part 2 Victoria and New South Wales

John Vaulter Dowdle b. 14-5-1842 Hobart d. 12-2-1914 Hay
mar 1) 14-7-1874 Majorca, Vic.
Rachel Jane Jackson b. abt 1843 Hobart Tas d. 13-3-1891 Hay

       John Dowdle, buried 13-2-1914. Grave is unmarked. Rachel Jane died aged 48. Her tombstone is engraved          "The Beloved Wife of John Dowdle" followed by a Verse. They had 9 Children.

I Samuel Dowdle b. abt 1864 d. 1933 Hillston. No record of birth anywhere.
mar Jessie Henderson b. 1891 Cobar. (No children ?)

II Eliza Clara Dowdle b. 23-5-1865 Majorca d. 12-8-1928 Church St, Hay.
(Called Hill in the index, mother is Rachel Jane Hill)
mar 1884 Hay,
Joseph Andrew Parr b. ? 1860 Moama d. 1935 Narrandera (9 Children)

III Rachel Jane Dowdle Hill b. 1867 (19029) d. 1875 age 8yrs

IV John William Dowdle (Called Jackson in index) b. 7-8-1869 Majorca Victoria d. 4-4-1951 Bondi
mar St Paul's Anglican Church, Hay 17-9-1894
Harriett Louisa Parr b. 28-2-1875 Moama d. 4-7-1955 (Helen Stendell's line) (10 children)

V Frederick Warmonton Dowdle b.20-1-1872 d. 19-2- 1930 Collarenebri.
mar 4-8-1901 Post Office Hotel, Gilgandra by the Rites of the Presbyterian Church.
Ethel Mary Weston b.21-5-1879 d. 24-6-1956  (7 Children)  (Wedding Photo)

Frederick Dowdle's middle name on his birth certificate is WARMONTON. The name WORMINGTON is on the baptism certificate of his first daughter Ivy May. WORTHINGTON appears on other later documents and his death certificate.

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