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added 25 Mar 2007

I am trying to track down any information to do with a lady by the name of Mary Jane Featherstone (I am guessing born around 1830-1838). All I know is she married a John Nolan, and they had a son William Henry Nolan (born 1858 - 1860) in St Johns , New Brunswick , Canada (as per Williams sons' birth certificate). I know William immigrated to Australia sometime before 1883, then he married and had family. I don't know anything else, as William remarried after his wife died, and the children didn't get along with their step mum, so some of them ran away from home, and as such no family stories or information has ever been passed down.

A couple of questions, you say you know Mary Jane married John Nolan- do you have proof and a date? You also say "I am guessing born around 1830-1838" for Mary Jane's birth, on what basis do you make your guess?

To try and answer your question - William Henry Nolan (their son) died in Brisbane , Australia on 15 June 1926 – on his death registration it says his mother was Mary Jane Featherstone and his father John Nolan. When William Henry Nolan’s son Albert was born in 1891, he stated (as the informant), that he was born 31 years earlier in St Johns, New Brunswick, North America. So that means that Mary and John had him in approximately 1860 in Canada . No I don’t have a date and other than what is registered on the Queensland Death Index here, I don’t have proof that these people were his parents.

When I am saying that Mary Jane was probably born around the 1830’s (give or take), I am assuming that she was at least 20 – 30 years old when she had her son. There again I don’t have proof.

I found on the 1881 Canadian census a John (age 58 – born in New Brunswick) and Mary (age 47 born in Ireland) Nolan living in “Ward No 2, Portland, Saint John, New Brunswick” along with their 9 children (including a William age 17 – so born 1864) but I don’t know if this is them. Certainly if it is them, William must have immigrated to Australia between the census in 1881 being taken and September 1883 (when the South Australian marriage index shows him as marrying his wife Catherine Bennett).

To be honest, I don’t really know how to continue researching this part of the tree, as I can’t seem to find any records about them in Canada . What makes it harder, is everyone I have talked to here in Australia has origins back in England , Ireland and Scotland – not Canada , so I am struggling to research this further.

At the moment I am stuck on William Fetherston who was married to Sarah, the only mention of them is as parents of James A. Fetherston who died in 1928 at Petersham, Sydney and was married to Mary Helena Palmer in 1885 in Sydney. I believe he had siblings - William Fetherston died 1925 at Ryde; Richard Fetherston died 1930 at Canterbury; and John Fetherston died 1914 at Petersham. I have found these through searching the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. I have details of their deaths and the marriages of James A. and Richard, but no information on the births of William and Sarah, or their children. Therefore I think they emigrated to Australia. My grandfather used to say that the Fetherston's emigrated from Ireland to Australia in either the 1850's or 1860's. His great-grandfather (William Fetherston) was a bailiff or steward of an estate approx. 11 miles from Dublin. They left due to the unrest.

James A. Fetherston was the father of Harold H. Fetherston who was born in 1886 in Leichhardt, Sydney, married Florence May Hughes in 1912 at Kurri Kurri NSW. A brother Norman A. Fetherston born 1894 at Ryde, died 1896 at Hunters Hill, Sydney.

Harold Holmes Fetherston was the father of Reginald Hughes Fetherston, my grandfather
family tree starting with my father:

Peter Haydn Featherston B: 15th Oct 1944 Geelong, Australia. Married: Ann
Patricia Etherington B: 2nd May 1951 Yorkshire, England. Sons: Daniel Peter
B: 27th Feb 1974 Geelong, Australia. Pte. Bennett James B: 29th Dec 1976
Geelong, Australia. Daughter: Kate Ann B: 18th May 1978 Geelong, Australia.

Alfred Haydn Featherston B: 9th May 1917 D: 2nd Nov 1991 Geelong, Australia.
Married: Effie Lillian Case B: 5th dec 1921, Australia. Son: Peter Haydn.
Daughter: Lyndon Lea (McCorkell)B: Feb 1951 Geelong, Australia.

Alfred Featherston B: 1st Sept 1877 Buningyong, Australia D: 16th Jan 1954
Geelong, Australia.
Married: Laura Ellen Gilbert (then married a woman we only know as King).
Sons: Horrace Eric Lorenzo B:1905 Married: Rose Meehan. Alfred Haydn.
Daughters: Silvia Linda (died 18 months old), Christina Pearl B: 1913
Married: Cyril Sharpe. Isobel Greta B: 1920 Married: James Lynch. Laura
Alfreda B: 1908 Married: Edward Grace & William Kelly. Hazel Gilberta B:
1912 Married: Roy Imer.

Ralph Featherston(e) B: 1839, On ship to Australia: 1861.
We know he may be from Durham but my aunty has come to a stand still,
apparently there were too many, and we don't know which one he is, but we
understand that he was married to a Isabella Stokoe from Northumberland,
England, who apparently was born March 1843, and as I understand they had
the one child.

I know that my grandmother, Bertha, was the daughter of Rachel Phillips, Featherstone and John Featherstone. There were four brothers that came together through New York: Mike, Pat, John, and George. They all came at the same time but I don't know when. I've checked the records at Ellis Island and could not find any record of the four of them coming together. So they may have come before records were kept there.
I know Pat's wife. Amanda died and he moved his children to Ohio. I also know the four brothers had a sister named Mary that John brought back to Indiana at the same time he brought his mother back.
Three of the boys, John, Pat and George, bought farms in Parke County, Indiana and raised their families there. I have pictures of all three families.
My father is 85-years-old and his memory is not as good as I'd like but he does remember his grandparents Rachel and John and knows where they are buried.

Thomas Bales born in Guisborough 11 June 1843, Mother: Jane Bales born about 1815 in Danby, North Yorks. England

Father: Named as William Featherstone on Thomas's birth certificate. Profession Labourer. There is no evidence that I have found that suggests Jane and William ever married.

Jane and Thomas appear on the 1851 census in Easington, North Yorks. William Featherstone does not.

Thomas Bales married Mary Jane Pybus at Liverton in 1864. William Featherstone is named on the marriage certificate as Thomas's father, he is now shown as a farmer. I have nothing further on William expect a best guess which is according to the IGI a William Featherstone was born in Danby, North Yorks in 1817, his parents were William and Eleanor Featherstone. He certainly fits the bill on age and location but no proof.

Interestingly enough I believe Jane Bales also had another son, Peter, born in 1837. On the IGI christening event no father was shown so I wonder if the father might turn out to be William Featherstone again or maybe Jane just got around a bit. I shouldn't suggest that because she is my 3rd GGmother and the mysterious William probably my 3rd GGfather. Please E mail me

John Featherstone married Jane Mills in 1733 in Chittlehampton, Devon

Their children are Mary Featherstone baptised 1734, Chittlehampton, William Featherstone baptised 1735 Satterleigh, John Featherstone baptised 1740 Warkleigh. John, the Father, died and was buried in 1740 in Warkleigh. Their son, John, died a year later in 1741 and was buried in Warkleigh. Jane ( Mills) Feathestone gave birth to another son John baptized 1746 Chittlehampton. Father unknown. This son, John died in 1748. Jane then gave birth to another son, John who was baptized in 1751 in Chittlehampton and Father unknown. This John married Rosetta Gibbons in 1782 in South Molton, Devon and she gave birth to Robert, who was my Husband's great, great Grandfather . Robert was baptized in Chittlehampton in 1890.

WHO WAS ROBERT'S GRANDFATHER? Jane Mills seemed very determined to safeguard the continuity of the name John Featherstone.

William Featherstonehaugh

Baptised march about 10th 1774 at LAMPTON STAITH cannot make out his birth but quite a while earlier.

William Featherstonehaugh born at the Hermitage a big house in Chester le street, County Durham son of Marmaduke Featherstonehaugh and Ann Slater. who were married in 1766

I have another entry for 1774 the death of the above Marmaduke's uncle who was born 1698 Chester le Sreet and died at Low Lampton Staith and was buried at Houghton Le Spring July 29th.(this uncle just happens to be a Marmaduke.)

Who did William marry and where?

I Have just found birth of his first child Mary Featherston Baptised Chester le Street who died aged 21 at Witton Gilbert in 1834 The rest of his children that I have, I found at Witton Gilbert...

The baptismal records of his children show Father William Mother Ann.

William died in 1831 January 11th and left in his will everything to his widow Ann

In 1834 27th November at Witton Gilbert Ann Featherstonehaugh married John Clarke both recorded as widows. One witness was Thomas Walton. in 1843 she died aged 54.

In 1827 December 25th, William had a son William who married Mary Lisle Sissons (18th June 1850 ) called his first child Ann Walton Featherstonehaugh. (December 1850) She is on the 1881 census aged 30 Along with parents and grandparents

Tennie Featherstone

In my family archives, I found the attached photo, labelled "Tennie Featherstone wife of Dr. Featherstone". I do not believe the Featherstones are in any way related to me. However, my Cavett and Swan relatives came from Macon, MS where some of the Featherstones lived.

If at all possible, I would like to communicate with Margaret Lee Wright, b. 17 Aug 1956, m. 12 Jul 1980 married to Cyrus Garnett Beasley, b. 24 Aug 1956, son of Clifford B. and Phoebe (Kirk) Beasley. Margaret Lee Wright is listed on page 16 of your document as the daughter of Ralph Denny Wright and Anne Griffin.
http://www.featherstone-society.com/Indexes/usa/featherstone%20findings/volume%2009/pages15-22.htm#page%2016

I believe Margaret Lee Wright's husband Cyrus Beasley and his ancestors are all deceased. Cyrus Beasley was the son of Clifford B. Beasley Jr. and Phoebe Kirk. Clifford Beasley Jr. was the son of Sue Lee Weir and Clifford Beasley Sr. Sue Lee Weir was a daughter of Sue Lee Cavett and Peter Eugene Weir. Sue Lee and Peter Eugene Weir lived in Birmingham, Alabama. Sue Lee Cavett Weir was a sister of my Great Grandmother Louise Cavett Swann.

I am attempting to establish a birth and death date for Sue Lee Cavett Weir. I believe she died approximately 1964-65.

Please let me know if any of the Featherstone descendants can help point me in the right direction.

Bob Guyton

Henry Edward Featherstone
+ Ellen Margaret Saunders d. 1911 in India
   -- S. A. Featherstone
   -- Edward Henry Featherstone b. 13 May 1887 at Kent, ENG d. 29 Jan 1938, India
       + Catherine Jane Middleton b. Nov 1878, Liverpool, m. 22 Dec 1909 Bengal, India.
          d. 7 Jul 1927, India
           -- Henry Edward Featherstone b. 21 Jul 1912 d. 1 Jan 1941
           -- Alec Middleton Featherstone b. 17 May 1914 d. 23 Jan 1915
           -- Albert Cyril Kinloch Middleton b. 24 Jul 1916 India d. 8 Apr 1999 London
              + Betty T. Faith m Feb 1946 London
              + Ruth Kerstin Elisabeth Carlstedt b. 1920 m 28 Apr 1959 London
                 -- Hazel C. Featherstone b Jun 1960

Witnesses at the marriage on 28 Apr 1959 were Constance S. Featherstone and Carin Samuel. The placement of S. A. Featherstone is based on the relationship mentioned on the CWGC web site. I do not have any documentary evidence of her given names, parents, or relevant dates.

Ruth Carlstedt's father was Ragnar Carlstedt, mechanical engineer and
deceased by 1959.

I'm researching my husband's family, and have recently found information which suggests that they appear to be descended from a Henry Featherston of Middle Rigg, Durham, UK. There is a Henry Featherstone on the IGI born 1790 although he would appear to be a little old - 49/50 in 1841. According to the Durham 1841 Census, the family comprised Henry, 45, John 20, Ralph 15, Joseph 11, William 9 and Emerson 6. It seems that Henry's wife was no longer around at that date , and I haven't identified a suitable marriage so far. Ralph married Mary Greggs in 1848 and emigrated to Australia around 1852, in the goldrush days, settling in Carngham/Snake Valley near Ballarat and having 12 children, including my husband's great grandfather Joseph, b Carngham Victoria in 1864, d. Ballarat 1914. Ralph d 1901 and Mary d 1907 are buried in Carngham cemetery. Joseph married Margaret Neilson in 1890 had 5 children, Joseph Henry ( b 1892 m Grace Calwell 1917 d 1951 Geelong, husband's gf), Emerson Ralph (b 1893 m Dorothy May Butcher 1918 Wentworth NSW, children Sylvia, Leslie, Clarence, Shirley, Lilly, Margaret, Ernest and Betty, d 1947 Mildura , Vic), Albert Leslie( b 1896 d 1916 WW1), Sylvia Mary ( b 1898 m Leonard Hamilton 1926 d 1949 Carlton Victoria ) and Lilian Myrtle b 1900.

Any information regarding this family's antecedents, or connections to the other sons of Henry, some of whom may also have emigrated, or to other descendants of Ralph and Mary, or to Joseph's other children, Emerson Ralph, Sylvia or Lilian, would be very welcome.

"Looking for further information on this branch of the Featherston Clan who came from Ireland and lived in Birdsall, NY. (Located in Allegany Co., NY)

Patrick Featherston 1823 - Oct. 17, 1908
Mary Gibblin-Featherston 1823 - Apr. 14, 1889

Year of marriage: abt. 1855 (or earlier)

Children:

Mary Featherston 1856- 1858
Margaret Featherston 1857 - ????
Catherine Featherston-Sullivan Jul. 16, 1860 - May 3, 1931
Michael Featherston Mar. 15, 1861- Apr. 10, 1921

Catherine Featherston was married to Timothy Sullivan Jul 27, 1887

All buried at the Jersey Hill Cemetery in Birdsall, NY."

John A. Lang

I am a descendant of Francis Fetherston of Whiterock, Co. Longford, Ireland. Francis was the son of John Fetherston and grandson of Cuthbert Fetherston who settled in Ireland about 1651. Francis married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Jessop of Doorey Hall, Co. Longford in 1714 and died in 1748. They had issue, including daughters -

Mary, the mother of Robert Johnson of Headfort Castle, Co. Leitrim who on his death devised lands in Co. Roscommon to his first cousins George and John Devenish.

Anne, who married William Devenish of Rush Hill, Co. Roscommon in 1740 and had issue, George of Mt. Pleasant who married Sarah, daughter of Godfrey Hemsworth, Christopher who appears to have gone to India in the army, Susannah who married Robert Jones Lloyd of Smith Hill in 1786 and John of Rush Hill.

John Devenish of Rush Hill had a son John who married Elizabeth Nixon in 1833. They had issue, three known children, George Devenish who went to Scotland and in 1879 married Elizabeth McGugin, who was born in Ireland, and Jane Nixon Devenish and Maria Nixon Devenish who came from Co. Roscommon to Australia in 1866 and 1869. Jane married William Richter, from England, in Victoria in 1869 and Maria, my great grandmother, married James Warden from Scotland in 1874.

I am unable to find -

any additional information on my ancestor, Francis Fetherston of Whiterock and his family and other descendants

the names and descendants of siblings of George, Jane and Maria Devenish

further descendants of William Devenish and Anne Fetherston.

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who is related, connected in any way or has any information.

Maureen (O'Donnell)