[Index]

Thomas WILLS (1800 - 1872)

Children	Self + Spouses	Parents	Grandparents	Greatgrandparents
Alice WILLS (1823 - 1824) William Henry WILLS (1827 - 1828) Catherine Spencer WILLS (1831 - 1884) Amelia WILLS (1854 - ) Arthur WILLS (1857 - 1932) Harry Spencer WILLS (1858 - 1914) Frederick WILLS (1860 - ) Charles Ernest WILLS (1861 - )	Thomas WILLS (1800 - 1872) + Celia REIBEY (1802 - 1823) Marie Anne BARRY (1801 - 1870) Mary Ann MELLARD (1830 - )	Edward Spencer WILLS (1778 - 1811)	Edward WILLS ( - 1814)
			Elizabeth (WILLS) (1738 - 1822)
		Sarah HARDING (1776 - 1823)	Thomas HARDING
			Sarah (HARDING)

Pic S1. copied from Currey Family Tree - ancestry

b. 05 Aug 1800 at Sydney, NSW, Australia

m. (1) 18 Jun 1822 Celia REIBEY (1802 - 1823) at Camden, NSW, Australia

m. (2) 1827 Marie Anne BARRY (1801 - 1870) at Mauritius

m. (3) Mary Ann MELLARD (1830 - )

d. 29 Jul 1872 at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia aged 71

Near Relatives of Thomas WILLS (1800 - 1872)
Relationship	Person	Born	Birth Place	Died	Death Place	Age
Grandfather	Edward WILLS			09 Jan 1814	London, Middlesex, England
Grandmother	Elizabeth (WILLS)	abt 1738		1822		84
Grandfather	Thomas HARDING
Grandmother	Sarah (HARDING)
Father in Law	Thomas (REIBY) (RABY) REIBEY	abt 1775		05 May 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	36
Mother in Law	Mary HAYDOCK	12 May 1777	Bury, Lancashire, England	30 May 1855	Newtown, Sydney, NSW, Australia	78
Father	Edward Spencer WILLS	13 Aug 1778	London, Middlesex, England	14 May 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	32
Step Father	George HOWE	abt 1769	St Kitts, West Indies	11 May 1821	NSW, Australia	52
Mother	Sarah HARDING	Aug 1776	London, Middlesex, England	08 Jul 1823	Sydney, NSW, Australia	46
Self	Thomas WILLS	05 Aug 1800	Sydney, NSW, Australia	29 Jul 1872	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	71
Wife	Celia REIBEY	1802	Camden, NSW, Australia	28 Sep 1823	NSW, Australia	21
Wife	Marie Anne BARRY	21 Sep 1801	London, Middlesex, England	19 May 1870		68
Wife	Mary Ann MELLARD	1830	Peckham, Camberwell, London, Surrey, England
Daughter	Alice WILLS	06 May 1823	Camden, NSW, Australia	14 Apr 1824	NSW, Australia	0
Son	William Henry WILLS	01 Dec 1827		abt 1828		1
Daughter	Catherine Spencer WILLS	24 Nov 1831	Ci, Sydney, NSW	27 Aug 1884	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	52
Daughter	Amelia WILLS	1854	Kensington, London, Middlesex, England
Son	Arthur WILLS	18 Feb 1857	Hammersmith, Middlesex, England	14 Oct 1932	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	75
Son	Harry Spencer WILLS	13 Sep 1858	Brighton, Sussex, England	1914	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	56
Son	Frederick WILLS	19 Jul 1860	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England
Son	Charles Ernest WILLS	15 Nov 1861	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England
Step Brother	Robert HOWE	30 Jun 1795	London, Middlesex, England	29 Jan 1829	Sydney, NSW, Australia	33
Sister	Sarah WILLS	23 Apr 1796	England	Dec 1876	St Giles, London, England	80
Sister	Eliza WILLS	10 Sep 1802	Sydney, NSW, Australia	30 Sep 1858	St Leonards, North Sydney, NSW, Australia	56
Step Brother	Thomas Terry HOWE	02 Apr 1803	Sydney, NSW, Australia
Brother	Edward Spencer WILLS	16 Feb 1805	Sydney, NSW, Australia	1830	London, Middlesex, England	25
Step Sister	Mary Ann Risdon HOWE	01 May 1805	Sydney, NSW, Australia	1832	Kawhia, Auckland, New Zealand	27
Step Brother	George Terry HOWE	18 Dec 1806	Sydney, NSW, Australia	06 Apr 1863	Chippendale, NSW, Australia	56
Sister	Elizabeth Selina WILLS	30 Nov 1807	Sydney, NSW, Australia	18 Jan 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	3
Step Sister	Ann HOWE	06 Feb 1809	Sydney, NSW, Australia	10 May 1811		2
Step Sister	Sarah Risdon HOWE	27 Sep 1810	Sydney, NSW, Australia	1879	Redfern, Sydney, NSW, Australia	69
Brother	Horatio Spencer Howe WILLS	05 Oct 1811	Sydney, NSW, Australia	17 Oct 1861	'Cullin-la-ringo', Springsure, Queensland, Australia	50
Half Sister	Jane HOWE	09 Nov 1816	Sydney, NSW, Australia	23 Nov 1880	Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia	64
Son in Law	Lewis Charles CONRAN	abt 1821	Hopton, Suffolk	10 Jan 1893	Highton, near Geelong, Victoria	72
Daughter in Law	Marie Sarah FAIRBAIRN	1861	Ballarat, Victoria, Australia	1947	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	86
Daughter in Law	Alice H S BUTTERSS	abt 1859		1935	England	76
Daughter in Law	Alice Mary Ann OLDING	abt 1864	Spring Bay, Tasmania, Australia	1953	Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia	89
Grandson	Thomas Wills CONRAN	06 Nov 1850	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	15 Oct 1915	Madeira	64
Grandson	Henry Lewis (Harry) CONRAN	26 Dec 1851	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	25 Dec 1924	Thanet, Kent, England	72
Grandson	Charles James Curtis CONRAN	30 Apr 1854	Coldham Hall, Suffolk, England	1939	Southend On Sea, Essex, England	85
Grandson	Marcell CONRAN	22 Nov 1855	Stratton Hall, Leicestershire, England	1935	Preston, Victoria, Australia	80
Granddaughter	Kate Marion CONRAN	1863	Droxford, Hampshire, England	22 Dec 1864	Beaumont, Guernsey	1
Granddaughter	Dorothy Marie WILLS	1889	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	1964	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	75
Grandson	Cedric Spencer WILLS	1881	New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia	1947	Suva, Fiji	66
Grandson	Hugh D WILLS	1881	New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia	1912	British Columbia, Canada	31
Granddaughter	Yulia Alice WILLS	1882	New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia	1915	Colchester, Essex, England	33
Granddaughter	Joan WILLS	1886
Grandson	Cyril Renton WILLS	abt 1888		1934	Emerald, Queensland, Australia	46
Granddaughter	Clarice Constance WILLS	1890	Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia	1963	Beechworth, Victoria, Australia	73
Nephew	Robert Charles HOWE	27 Feb 1820	St Phillips Church of England, Sydney, NSW	14 Jul 1875	Rylstone, NSW, Australia	55
Nephew	Robertus Mansfield HOWE	12 Nov 1822	Sydney, NSW, Australia	26 Feb 1824	Sydney, NSW, Australia	1
Niece	Annie Wesley HOWE	1824	Sydney, NSW, Australia
Nephew	Alfred Australia HOWE	1825		17 Jan 1837	Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia	12
Niece	Mary McLeay HOWE	21 Apr 1827		20 May 1827		0
Nephew	William Lachlan Macquarie REDFERN	1819	Australia	1904	Westminster, London, England	85
Nephew	Joseph Foveaux REDFERN	1823		1830	Sydney, NSW, Australia	7
Niece	Sarah Elizabeth ALEXANDER	1835	Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland	1905	Paddington, London, England	70
Niece	Margaret Campbell ANTILL	27 Jun 1820	Sydney, NSW, Australia	22 Jul 1849	Camden, Oaks, Picton, Stonequarry, NSW	29
Nephew	John Macquarie ANTILL	30 May 1822	Liverpool, NSW, Australia	1900	Picton, NSW, Australia	78
Nephew	Henry Colden ANTILL	07 Apr 1826	Camden, NSW, Australia	1913	Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia	87
Niece	Alice Sophia ANTILL	1827	Liverpool, NSW, Australia	1920	London, Middlesex, England	93
Nephew	William Redfern ANTILL	1828	Campbelltown, NSW, Australia	1905	Picton, NSW, Australia	77
Nephew	Thomas Wills ANTILL	1829	Campbelltown, NSW, Australia	18 May 1865	Nelson, New Zealand	36
Nephew	Edward Spencer ANTILL	20 Jul 1832	Picton, NSW, Australia	1917	Parramatta, Sydney, NSW, Australia	85
Nephew	James Alexander ANTILL	1834	Cobbitty, Narellan, NSW, Australia	1920	Rockdale, Sydney, NSW, Australia	86
Niece	Selina Elizabeth ANTILL	1837	Cobbitty, Narellan, NSW, Australia	1924	Chatswood, NSW, Australia	87
Nephew	Loftus Cliff ANTILL	06 Dec 1839	Stonequarry, Picton, NSW, Australia	1840	Stonequarry, Picton, NSW, Australia	1
Niece	Sarah Eclipse HOWE	1824	At sea	1905	Callan Park, New South Wales, Australia	81
Nephew	George Risden HOWE	1825		01 Jul 1889	Brisbane, Queensland, Australia	64
Niece	Mary Ann Cowell HOWE	17 Jun 1827	Sydney, NSW, Australia	20 Feb 1905	NSW, Australia	77
Niece	Marion HOWE	1829
Nephew	John Kiwi HOWE	1830		1860	Kawhia, Auckland, New Zealand	30
Niece	Ann Risden HOWE	1832
Niece	Eliza Frances HOWE	1834		13 Oct 1914		80
Niece	Elizabeth Jane HOWE	1836		15 Dec 1916		80
Niece	Emily HOWE	1840		1880	Sydney, NSW, Australia	40
Niece	Maria Elizabeth LEE			09 Nov 1891
Nephew	Thomas Wentworth WILLS	1836	Molongolo Plains, NSW, Australia	02 May 1880	Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia	44
Niece	Emily Spencer WILLS	25 Dec 1842	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	06 Dec 1925	"Molongolo", Kew, Victoria, Australia	82
Nephew	Cedric Spencer WILLS	01 Dec 1844	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	23 Jan 1914	Springsure, Queensland, Australia	69
Nephew	Horace Spencer WILLS	16 Jun 1847	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	08 Oct 1928	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	81
Nephew	Egbert Spencer WILLS	11 Nov 1849	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	11 Sep 1931	Kew, Victoria, Australia	81
Niece	Elizabeth Spencer WILLS	07 Jan 1852	'Lexington', Ararat, Victoria, Australia	21 Nov 1930	Prahran, Victoria, Australia	78
Niece	Eugenie (Duckey) Spencer WILLS	28 Jan 1854	Lexington, Victoria, Australia	08 Jul 1937	Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	83
Niece	Minna Spencer WILLS	01 Mar 1856	"Bellevue", Geelong, Victoria, Australia	14 Feb 1943	Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	86
Niece	Hortense Sarah Spencer WILLS	16 Aug 1861	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	02 Jul 1907	Maidenhead, Berkshire, England	45
Nephew	John Arthur HARRISON			1897
Niece	Adela Ann HARRISON	11 Sep 1834		23 Jul 1910	Victoria, Australia	75
Nephew	Henry Colden Antill HARRISON	16 Oct 1836	Cj, NSW, Australia	02 Sep 1929	Kew, Victoria, Australia	92
Nephew	George Alfred HARRISON	1838
Niece	Kate HARRISON	1840		1914	Minto, NSW, Australia	74
Niece	Alice HARRISON	1842
Nephew	Ernest HARRISON	1845
Nephew	Horace Washington HARRISON	1848	Avon, Victoria, Australia	09 Feb 1869	Ballarat, Victoria, Australia	21
Sister in Law	Eliza REIBY	1805	Camden, NSW, Australia
Sister in Law	Elizabeth LEE	17 Jun 1802	Sydney, NSW, Australia	17 Aug 1878	Sydney, NSW, Australia	76
Sister in Law	Ann BIRD	1803		1842	Sydney, NSW, Australia	39
Brother in Law	William REDFERN	1774	Canada	17 Jul 1833	Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland	59
Brother in Law	James ALEXANDER	1797	Lanarkshire, Scotland	29 Jul 1877		80
Brother in Law	Henry Colden ANTILL	01 May 1779	New York, NY, USA	14 Aug 1852	'Jarvisfield', Picton, NSW, Australia	73
Brother in Law	John COWELL	1786
Sister in Law	Sarah BIRD	1801		1871		70
Sister in Law	Tawariki Te KIWI
Brother in Law	Frederick LEE
Brother in Law	Edward LEE	1807		27 Jun 1842	Lithuania	35
Sister in Law	Elizabeth (MCGUIRE) WYRE	1817	Sydney, NSW, Australia	28 Dec 1907	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	90
Brother in Law	Capt. John HARRISON	1800	Cumberland, England	21 Jul 1869	Williamstown, Victoria, Australia	69

Events in Thomas WILLS (1800 - 1872)'s life
Date	Age	Event	Place	Notes	Src
		Married Mary Ann MELLARD		Note 1	55
05 Aug 1800		Thomas WILLS was born	Sydney, NSW, Australia	died 1872 - age 72 = c1800	54, 55
14 May 1811	10	Death of father Edward Spencer WILLS (aged 32)	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Note 2	52, 54, 55, 60
11 May 1821	20	Death of step father George HOWE (aged 52)	NSW, Australia	Note 3	52, 55
18 Jun 1822	21	Married Celia REIBEY (aged 20)	Camden, NSW, Australia	Note 4	52, 55, 60
06 May 1823	22	Birth of daughter Alice WILLS	Camden, NSW, Australia	Note 5	52, 55
08 Jul 1823	22	Death of mother Sarah HARDING (aged 46)	Sydney, NSW, Australia	Note 6	52, 54, 55, 60
28 Sep 1823	23	Death of wife Celia REIBEY (aged 21)	NSW, Australia	Note 7	52, 55
14 Apr 1824	23	Death of daughter Alice WILLS	NSW, Australia	Note 8	52, 55, 60
1827	27	Married Marie Anne BARRY (aged 26)	Mauritius		55
01 Dec 1827	27	Birth of son William Henry WILLS			55
abt 1828	28	Death of son William Henry WILLS (aged 1)		died in infancy	55
1828	28	Census	New South Wales, Australia	Note 9
24 Nov 1831	31	Birth of daughter Catherine Spencer WILLS	Ci, Sydney, NSW	Note 10	55
1854	54	Birth of daughter Amelia WILLS	Kensington, London, Middlesex, England	Note 11
1856	56	Residence	Geelong, Victoria, Australia	Note 12
18 Feb 1857	56	Birth of son Arthur WILLS	Hammersmith, Middlesex, England	1861 census	55
13 Sep 1858	58	Birth of son Harry Spencer WILLS	Brighton, Sussex, England	Note 13	55, 69
19 Jul 1860	59	Birth of son Frederick WILLS	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England	1861 census	55
1861	61	Census	4 Bridge Rd, Marylebone, London, England	Note 14	67
15 Nov 1861	61	Birth of son Charles Ernest WILLS	St John's Wood, Middlesex, London, England	Note 15	55
19 May 1870	69	Death of wife Marie Anne BARRY (aged 68)			55
29 Jul 1872	71	Thomas WILLS died	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia	Note 16	52, 54
		Death of son Frederick WILLS		died in infancy	55
		Death of son Charles Ernest WILLS		died in infancy
		Death of wife Mary Ann MELLARD		Note 17

Note 1: not married but children, born in England, took the name of WILLS

Note 2: Reg No V18112697 2A/1811 - Edward Wills, age 32 Sydney Gazette 18 May 1811, p2 At his house, in George-street, on Tuesday night the 14th instant, Mr. Edward Wills, after a painful illness of nearly three months duration, in his 33d year. The generosity of his disposition ,was evinced in all his actions, his integrity was undoubted; and he lived universally respected, as his death must be sincerely regretted by his most distant acquaintance; while his amiable family and those who were happy in his friendship will be devoted by the melancholy event, to a length of inconsolable affliction.

Note 3: Reg No V18215068 2B/1821 - George Howe - age 51 ******************** Johnson, Keith A. Comp. Gravestone inscriptions, N.S.W. Volume 1. Sydney burial ground : Elizabeth and Devonshire Streets "The Sandhills' (Monuments relocated at Bunnerong) / compiled by Keith A. Johnson and Malcolm R. Sainty. n.p., the compilers, 1973 Text: Mr Edward WILLS died 14th May 1811 aged 32 years Also George HOWE a Creole of St. Kitt's born 1769 died 11th May 1821 aged 52 years He introduced into Australia the art of Printing instigating the 'Sydney Gazette' and was the first Government Printer (fourth oldest stone at Bunnerong). ***************************************** OBITUARY of George Howe in Sydney Gazette SYDNEY GAZETTE. IT HATH at length fallen to the task of surviving friendship to announce, in a Column of the SYDNEY GAZETTE, the Death of its Printer, Mr. GEORGE HOWE ; which lamented event took place in the forenoon of Friday last, the 11th instant, at his house in George-street ; and in the sorrowing testimony of affectionate relatives, and sympathising acquaintances, we have traced the sincere regard and respect due to departed worth, and to the memory of an upright, liberal, and benevolent Member of Society. That such are the faithful attributes of the Character to which this humble tribute applies, will, we trust, be universally acknowledged ; and particularly in those circles where his philanthropy and urbanity were displayed; and which, retiring from public notice, ministered, unwitnessed and in private, the consolatory balm to indigence and affliction» Mr. HOWE was a native of St. Kitt's, in the West Indies, where his Father and Brother conducted for many years the Government Press, which is still continued by his Family in that Island. As a Printer, Mr. HOWE is said to have attained distinguished preeminence in England, and was for a long time employed on some of the most respectable Journals in London. As the original Printer of this Gazette, he had to struggle, in the outset, with many difficulties incidental to such an undertaking, in a remote Colony ; but by perseverance, attention, and the liberal encouragement of the present Government, he at length surmounted them. Mr. HOWE was in his 52nd year. ************************** http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/howe-george-1600 Australian Dictionary of Biography George Howe (1769-1821), printer, editor, publisher and poet, was born on the island of St Kitts in the West Indies, the son of Thomas Howe, government printer at Basseterre on St Christopher's Island. George and his brother were both apprenticed to the printing trade. His later work indicates that his education was thorough along the classical lines of the eighteenth century, and that he was well read in European literature. In 1790 Howe went to London and worked on The Times and other newspapers. He married and his son Robert was born in 1795. In March 1799, together with a companion, Thomas Jones, and under the name of 'George Happy alias Happy George', he was tried at the Warwick Assizes for shoplifting at Alcester; he was sentenced to death but this was commuted to transportation for life. Robert Howe later referred to Alexander McLeay as 'the benefactor of myself and my poor mother', and it was probably McLeay who enabled Howe's family to embark with him in the Royal Admiral. He arrived at Sydney in November 1800, but his wife died on the voyage. Howe himself recovered from a serious illness in 1801 and attributed his survival to D'Arcy Wentworth. Almost immediately Howe became government printer, and the range of his printing far exceeded the broadsheets and orders of his predecessor, George Hughes. In 1802 he issued the first book printed in Australia, New South Wales General Standing Orders, comprising Government and General Orders issued between 1791 and 1802. On 5 March 1803 he began the publication of the first newspaper, the Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser. Robert helped in the printing office when the paper began and 'had the honour, even in those infant days, of gaining the smile and eliciting the astonishment of the King's Representative when he saw us perched on a stool'. According to Robert the old printing press was worth only £2 and they had to manage with a mere 20 lbs. (9 kg) of type; but Howe was an 'ingenious man' and managed in spite of the inadequate press, a chronic shortage of ink and paper, and the refusal or inability of many of his subscribers to pay their debts. He was conditionally pardoned in 1803, and fully emancipated in 1806. Howe formed an irregular alliance with Elizabeth Easton and between 1803 and 1810 she bore him five children, one of whom, George Terry Howe, later became the first newspaper editor in Launceston. To add to his income he opened a stationery shop and became a private tutor. He offered to teach reading, writing and mensuration and 'the Grammar of the English tongue upon the principles of Drs Lowth, Johnson, Priestly and other celebrated writers who have united their efforts in improving the Grammatical structure of their own beautiful and comprehensive language, which every Englishman ought to be acquainted with, but few attain that have not had the advantage of a classical education'. Howe's shop and his tutoring enabled him to survive between 30 August 1807 and 15 May 1808, when because of the quarrel between Governor William Bligh and his enemies the Gazette ceased publication. The reason given was lack of paper, but Robert Howe later revealed that the government stores had large stocks of paper. After Bligh's arrest Howe had to threaten to publish the names of his debtors unless they paid him within a fortnight. In 1810 Howe's printing office was almost destroyed by lightning, but the newly-arrived Governor Lachlan Macquarie renewed his appointment as government printer, and next year granted him a salary of £60. Howe's economic position improved still further when in 1812 he married Sarah, the widow of Edward Wills, who had inherited a profitable store from her husband. Of her five existing children, Sarah married Dr William Redfern in 1811 and Eliza married Major Henry Antill in 1818; a son, Horatio Spencer Wills, became editor of the Gazette and published the first paper edited by a native-born Australian, The Currency Lad, which first appeared in August 1832. After his marriage Howe became more active in commerce. In 1813 he joined Mrs Mary Reibey in a speculation in sandalwood. In 1817 he became one of the fourteen foundation subscribers to the Bank of New South Wales. In 1813 he published the first natural history and art book printed in the colony, Birds of New South Wales with their Natural History, a collection of eighteen coloured plates of Australian birds with short descriptions of their habits and environment. The artist was John Lewin. In 1819 First Fruits of Australian Poetry, containing two poems by Barron Field, the first book of poetry published in Australia, came from his press. Howe was preparing to publish the first periodical magazine when he died on 11 May 1821. He left property worth £4000. Robert Howe was dissipated as a young man and in 1819 fathered an illegitimate son. Next year, however, he experienced a spiritual awakening and, in his own words, was 'wonderfully and mercifully visited by God and snatched from infamy in this world and Hell in the next'. He joined the group of Methodists who were working in Sydney and their influence, particularly that of Rev. Ralph Mansfield, was apparent when he published The Australian Magazine; or, Compendium of Religious, Literary, and Miscellaneous Intelligence, the first periodical to appear in Australia. The first number appeared in May 1821 and the publication continued until September 1822. In the meantime, in 1821 Robert Howe had married the colonial-born Ann Bird, who finally agreed to rear Robert's natural son as her own. She bore him four more children, Robert Mansfield, Alfred Australia, Ann Wesley and Mary McLeay, whose names commemorated the strongest influences in Howe's life. Although his education had not been thorough, Robert Howe continued to edit the Gazette which he had helped his father to publish, but the tone of the paper changed completely. Morality and religion became its main themes. Howe considered that to be 'Printer to Immanuel' was more important than being government printer. A plan to establish another press devoted exclusively to the aims of the Wesleyan mission did not eventuate; but the Gazette reflected Howe's conviction that religion was the only possible means of progress in Australia and the only way to rescue the colony from the 'depths of awful depravity to Righteousness in the Son of God'. This outlook, together with the Gazette's traditional policy of supporting the government, made it impossible for Howe to join the struggle for the freedom of the press between 1826 and 1829. Added to this was the fact that Alexander McLeay, his old benefactor, had become colonial secretary. Despite criticism, the Gazette prospered and for a short time in 1827 became the first daily newspaper in the colony. Robert Howe also continued his father's tradition as a publisher. In addition to religious tracts, in 1826 he published Wild Notes from the Lyre of a Native Minstrel, the first book of poems written by a colonial-born poet, Charles Tompson, whose work had already appeared in the Gazette. Howe's own personal life was never really happy. On the night of 15 June 1822 he was attacked while returning from a meeting at the Methodist chapel. He could not avoid a number of libel actions arising from the strong denunciation of those who opposed his policy, and in 1827 Redfern publicly horse-whipped him. He wrote that he was 'debilitated through excessive fatigue, mental anxiety and unprecedented and unexpected domestic disquietude and grief to which I have for years submitted'. In 1827 he made a will in which he left most of his estate to his natural son and £100 a year to his wife. Next year he revoked this and left his wife an 'equal division' of his effects which amounted to over £10,000. Contemplating retirement, he installed Mansfield as co-editor of the Gazette; but on 29 January 1829 he was drowned while fishing near Pinchgut and his widow became the proprietor of the paper. George and Robert Howe had performed important work. To have a newspaper as early as 1803 was of inestimable benefit to both government and settlers. A series of the New South Wales Pocket Almanack, issued in conjunction with the Gazette from 1806, supplemented the dissemination of news and knowledge throughout the colony. The Gazette kept the settlers in touch with home. News from England and excerpts from English literature kept loyalty to England alive. From the beginning George Howe encouraged education and published material calculated to aid both teachers and pupils. He also fostered literature and before 1810 printed more than forty poems, many of which he wrote himself. During Macquarie's administration he printed a further seventy poems including the patriotic odes of Michael Robinson. He has, therefore, a strong claim to the title of 'Father of Australian Literature'. The main difference between George and Robert was that, whereas George Howe advocated reason and common sense, Robert fostered religion.

Note 4: Thomas Wills and Celia Reibey - 1822 - Ca, NSW - Vol No. V B Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 21 June 1822 Married - On Tuesday last, at the Church of St. Philip, by Special License, by the Rev. Mr. Cowper, Mr. Thomas Wills, to Miss Reiby. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the happy pair left Town for Campbell-field.

Note 5: Reg No V1823585 8 - Thomas Wills and Celia Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 8 May 1823 BIRTH. - At the residence of Mrs. REIBEY, in George-street, on Tuesday morning last, Mrs. WILLS, wife of Mr. THOMAS WILLS, of a daughter.

Note 6: Reg NO V182335818 28 - age 44 - Sarah HOWE Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 10 July 1823 DEATHS- On Tuesday last, at 96 George-street, after a long and extremely painful illness, Mrs. SARAH HOWE, Relict of the late Mr. GEORGE HOWE, Government Printer, in the 45th year of her age.

Note 7: Reg No V18235882 2B OR V1823935 8 in NSW - no parents given Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 2 Oct 1823 At the residence of her mother in George-street, Sydney, after an indisposition of some few months, Mrs. WILLS, in her 21st year. This amiable young lady was the eldest daughter of Mrs. Reibey. In June, 1822, she was united to Mr. Thomas Wills, to whom she has bequeathed a pledge of the tenderest affection— a sweet little girl. Shortly prior to her confinement, about four months since, Mrs. Wills caught a violent cold, which fastened on the lungs, and originated a rapid consumption. We have not much occasion to say, that the deceased is deservedly lamented ; the many mental adornments, and attractive virtues, with which she was gifted, will long remain cherished in the bosom of her numerous relatives, and host of surviving friends. To delineate the grief of the astonished widower, and young father, is a task to which our pen is quite incompetent. " HER SUN IS GONE DOWN WHILE IT WAS YET DAWN."

Note 8: REg No V18241027 8 - no parents given Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 15 April 1824 DEATH On Sunday morning last, at the house of her Grandmother (Mrs. Reibey) in Macquarie Place, the infant DAUGHTER of Mr. THOMAS WILLS. This sweet little babe only survived her lamented mother a very few months. Poor Mr. Wills is now in the new country, and has yet to learn the mournful tidings, that year open afresh the wound that was, through resignation to Heaven's will, beginning to close.

Note 9: WILLS Thomas (28) - born colony - tenant of ????, Lower Minto Mary Ann (26) - arrived 1827 on the Orpheus William Henry (1) - born colony

Note 10: Reg No C1831524 16 - Thomas Wills and Mary A

Note 11: 1871 census POSSIBLE England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Amelia Mary Wills Name: Amelia Mary Wills Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1853 Registration District: St James Westminster Inferred County: London Volume: 1a Page: 287

Note 12: WILLS Horace Spencer - gentleman with free hold land at Boroondara

Note 13: 1861 census England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Harry Spencer Wills Name: Harry Spencer Wills Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1858 Registration District: Brighton Inferred County: Sussex Volume: 2b Page: 159 London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 about Harry Spencer Wills Name: Harry Spencer Wills Record Type: Baptism Baptism Date: 19 Dec 1858 Father's Name: Thomas Wills Mother's Name: Mary Ann Wills Parish or Poor Law Union: Stepney St Dunstan and All Saints Borough: Tower Hamlets Register Type: Parish Registers

Note 14: WILLS Thomas (58) - c1803, Australia - retired merchant Mary Ann (31) - c 1830, Peckham, Surrey Arthur (4) - c 1857, Hammersmith, Middlesex Harry (2) - c 1859, Brighton, Sussex Frederick (9mo) - c 1860, St. John's Wood, Middlesex

Note 15: 1871 census POSSIBLE England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915 about Charles Ernest Wills Name: Charles Ernest Wills Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1861 Registration District: Hampstead Inferred County: London Volume: 1a Page: 502

Note 16: Reg No 7080/1872 - parents Edward and Sarah Hardy - age 71 The Empire 6 Aug 1872 A report reached Melbourne on the 31st July, that Mr. Thomas Wills, of Bellevue, a well-known old colonist, had died during the day. In the early days of Port Phillip he took a very prominent part in public affairs and before separation he was generally considered amongst the most wealthy of the early settlers. After the marriage of his daughter to Major Conran, who at that time was, Commander of the Forces, subsequently held the position of aide-de- camp to Mr. Latrobe, and Sergeant-at-arm to the first Legislative Council, Mr. Wills paid a lengthy visit to Europe and, since his return has lived in comparative retirement. His brother, Mr. Horatio Wills, who formerly represented South Grant. was killed by the Queensland natives, and his nephew is Thomas Wills, the well-known cricketer. The Argus (Melbourne) 1 Aug 1872 DEATHS WILLS.-On the 20th ult., at his residence, Willsmere, Kew, Thomas Wills, Esq., aged 72 years.

Note 17: Ancestry - Jaycee's Family - 2 Feb 1903, Wimbledon, Surrey

Personal Notes:

***************** http://tww.id.au/family-history-wills/edward-spencer-wills-celene/pafg02.htm#43 3. Thomas Wills (Edward Spencer ) was born on 5 Aug 1800 in ,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia. He was christened on 26 Sep 1802 in StPhillip'sCofE,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia. He died on 29 Jul 1872 in ,Melbourne,Victoria,Australia. He was buried in Kew,Melbourne,Victoria,Australia. baptism records from Mutch Index does not give Spencer in name. Spencer was there for Edward and Horatio but not Thomas or the girls. Thomas born Aug 1800 but baptised Sep 26 1802 on the same day as Eliza first marriage from Mutch Index by Rev W Cowper witness H Antil M Reiby and Geo Reiby by Special Licence 14 th June 1822. 1822 census B02121 had Grant of land at Liverpool with a residence had 95 cattle and 150 sheep. 1828 muster was age 28 free born in the colony - protestant - tenant of Wm Klensendorlfe at Lr Minto *W2004 Mary Ann aged 26 (also says B.C. - not correct) as says came by ship "Orpheus" 1827 Catholic - W2005 William H.R. age 1 born in the colony Protestant W2006 920 acres, 3 horses, 300 horned cattle and 1,150 sheep. 1833 became the first Australian born J.P. 1837 Muster Master Thomas Wills at Liverpool had William Barber age 72 arr "Somerset" 1813 from Gloucester Richard Card aged 40 "Lady Melville" 1830 Michael Connors aged 23 "Roslyn Castle" in 1832 In the third land sale on Melbourne land on 13 September 1838 Thomas Wills purchased Section 11 Lot 16 in Bourke Street for 83 pounds 12 shillings. In the fourth land sale on 14th February 1839 Thomas Wills purchased one block in Flinders Street Section 7 Lot 4 for 110 pounds. 1841 census Wills, Thomas age 36 at Lucerne, County Burk, District Port Phillip item ID [4/244A] page no 73 Reel No 2509 also Town Melbourne County Bourke, District Port Phillip [X949] page no 119 reel 2222 The Varro Ville homestead was constructed of rendered sandstone bricks on a stone foundation. The frogs of indentations to hold the mortar in the bricks are in the shape of diamonds, spades and hearts. The cedar joinery indicates the early age of the house, but other additions suggest some alterations around the 1870s. A second cottage, thought to date from 1810, and the old coach house are still standing. original grant made by Macquarie to Dr Townson 1 January 1810. When he died in 1827, Townson left behind a thriving vineyard and sheep/cattle farm. Varro Ville became the property of Thomas Wills, a brother of Sarah Redfern, and in 1837 in was purchased by one of the greatest Australian explorers, Charles Sturt. Long Point is the only suburb of Campbelltown that is named after its geographic location. When Campbelltown Council proposed making the Long Point name official in 1975, it showcased an old plan of the Campbellfield estate dated from 1844. It was prepared for E.J.H. Knapp, a Sydney land surveyor, and showed the north-west portion of the estate as "the long point forest land". Long Point was frontier life, with stock theft often reported. As late as the 1960's, but drivers warned they would omit the area from their route unless the "shocking state" of the roads improved. Today, the tiny suburb still only boasts three roadways. Wills Road gets its name from Thomas Wills 1861 census of London England Name Thomas Wills Age 58 Estimated Year of Birth 1803 Relationship to Head of Household HEAD Occupation RETIRE MECHANT Address 4 BRIDGE ROAD District Marylebone, St John Parish Administrative County London Birth Place -- Birth County AUSTRALIA Condition as to marriage: Registration district: Marylebone Sub registration district: St John ED, institution, or vessel: 19 Neighbors: Household schedule number: 146 Household Members: Name Age Thomas Wills 58 Mary Ann Wills 31 Arthur Wills 4 Harry Wills 2 Frederick Wills 9 Mo Jane Buttress 19 was a visitor Matilda Sadler 24 Mary Ann Butt 21 Elizabeth S Rae 27 Caroline Brodpeck 26 Caroline Winsor 28 Victorian Death Registration 1872/07080 says father Edward, mother Sarah Hardy born Sydney aged 71 **********************

Source References:

52. Type: Australia Birth Marriage Death Index 1787 - 1985 Record

- Reference = (Death)

- Reference = (Marriage)

54. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Ancestry Family Trees, Title: Ancestry Family Trees, Auth: Ancestry.com

- Reference = (Death)

- Reference = (Name, Notes)

- Reference = (Birth)

55. Type: Book, Abbr: Edward Wills Family and Descendants, Title: Ancestor Treasure Hunt; The Edward Wills Family and Descendants in Australia 1797 - 1976, Auth: R.V. Pockley, Publ: Wentworth Books - Sydney, Date: 1976

- Reference = (Marriage)

- Reference = (Birth)

- Reference = (Marriage)

- Reference = (Marriage)

60. Type: Newspaper, Title: Trove, http://trove.nla.gov.au

- Reference = (Marriage)

- Notes: Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 21 June 1822 Married - On Tuesday last, at the Church of St. Philip, by Special License, by the Rev. Mr. Cowper, Mr. Thomas Wills, to Miss Reiby. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, the happy pair left Town for Campbell-field.

67. Type: Census, Abbr: UK Census Collection, Title: UK Census Collection, Auth: Ancestry.com.au, Publ: Ancestry.com.au

- Reference = (Census)

- Notes: WILLS Thomas (58) - c1803, Australia - retired merchant Mary Ann (31) - c 1830, Peckham, Surrey Arthur (4) - c 1857, Hammersmith, Middlesex Harry (2) - c 1859, Brighton, Sussex Frederick (9mo) - c 1860, St. John's Wood, Middlesex

Created on a Mac™ using iFamily for Mac™ on 17 Sep 2020