Reuniting the families of James Judkins Gillett (1848 to 1925)

James Judkins Gillett (JJG) married my great-grandaunt, Sarah Jane Webb Wagg, on 29 October 1883 at St Thomas Church of England, North Sydney. Here's a record of their marriage-

You can read the earlier blog on JJG and Sarah HERE. That was in July 2017 when my interest in family history was growing and I recorded-

"James Judkins was born in about January 1848 in Islington, England. He was the second child and older son of the six children of James Elvin Gillett and Frances Jane Judkins."

James Judkins and his brother, Charles Elvin Gillett (abt 1857 to 11 June 1937), came to NSW in the early 1880s. It's probable that Charles Elvin arrived in early 1883 as an assisted immigrant but it's not clear if James Judkins travelled with him. It seems that the rest of the family remained in England. In 1886, Charles Elvin married Alice Louisa Bowling (1859 to 1929) in Glebe and settled in Auburn."

I mainly research my direct family line, so the story of JJG had remained there until I received a message through "Ancestry" from Geraldine, a London based researcher, in early November 2019. While she was staffing the Families in British India stall for Family History Day at the Migration Museum in London, Rod Gillett was looking for information about his great-grandfather, James Judkins Gillett, who he believed had left India for Australia. Geraldine found my tree on "Ancestry" and, as they say, the rest is history! I've spent many hours researching the Gillett family with the assistance of Rod, Jill, Harold, Lorraine and Alison. This is the record of that research. Also, a big thank you to Jill for allowing me to share the photos of JJG.

Where Rod and Geraldine met.....

James Judkins Gillett's early life, parents and siblings....

When JJG came to Australia, he worked as an engine driver for the NSW Railways. His personnel card at the NSW State Archives shows he was born on 22 January 1848. This ties in with the information from 1851 and 1861 England Census which show he's the son of James and Frances Gillett from Middlesex England.

James Elvin Gillett (1821 to 1900) married Frances Jane Judkins (1826 to 1874) on 16 July 1843 at St Mary Church of England, Islington.

Banns of Marriage from Parish Register

Drawing on census and other records, it seems that James Elvin and Frances had at least 6 children-

Frances Mary Gillett (1845 to 1905) who married John William Ledden (1843 to 1893) in 1875. Frances and John lived in England.
James Judkins Gillett (1848 to 1925) who's the subject of the research.
Susannah Gillett was born about 1850 from the 1851 England Census. There's no record of Susannah in subsequent censuses.
John Gillett was born about 1853 from the 1861 England Census. There's no record of John in subsequent censuses.
Charles Elvin Gillett (1857 to 1837) who married Alice Louisa Bowling (1859 to 1929) in 1886 in Glebe, NSW, Australia.
Kate Augusta Gillett (1864 to 1950) who married Martin Bernard O'Dea (1862 to 1927) in 1886 in Armidale, NSW, Australia.

James Elvin's occupation was "silver chaser". Click HERE to read more about silver chasing. After Frances died, James married Emma Louisa Bayes (nee Reed), a widower, in 1876.

JJG's life in India....

James Judkins (JJG) didn't follow his father's trade. There's a record of James J Gillett born about 1848 in London being indentured as an apprentice in the UK merchant navy on 5 June 1862 to G Lidgett aboard the vessel John Scott. Maybe this is how JJG made his way to India where he worked for the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway. You can read about the company HERE.

JJG's great-granddaughter, Jill, has this photo along a trophy JJG won in 1879 for rifle shooting as a member of A Company of the BB&CI Railway.

JJG married Margaret Janet Baylis about 1871 in Bombay. At this point, we don't have any information about Margaret's birth family. I've located records of four sons showing JJG and Margaret as parents-

James Bayliss Gillett (1871 to 1953) married Alice Maud O'Leary on 14 April 1892 in Bombay India. James and Alice lived in India all their lives. Rod Gillett is their grandson.
Charles Elvin Gillett was born on 6 December 1873 and baptised on 19 February 1874 in Bombay. Charles Elvin died on 26 June 1890 in Bombay and was buried on 27 June 1890 under the name of Charles E Davis.
Frank Harold Hethford Gillett was born on 7 February 1879. On 22 February 1904, he married Emily Evers in Bombay. No record of a death can be located.
Alfred Edwin Gillett was born on 13 August 1882. He died on 14 August 1920 in Bombay, India. No record of a marriage can be located.

The details of Frank and Alfred are from their baptismal record which took place on 18 August 1882 in Bombay. At this time, I've not been able to locate any information on JJG's departure from India or arrival in Australia. Rod, the grandson of the oldest son, was told that, when his grandfather returned from school aged 13 in about 1884, James Bayliss was told that his father had died and his family name was changed to Davis as his mother had remarried John Atkins Davis. I can't locate any details of Margaret Janet Bayliss under the name of Bayliss, Gillett to Davis after her marriage to JJG and the 1882 baptisms of Frank and Alfred.

Establishing the dates JJG departed India and arrived in Australia and details of Margaret's marriage to John Atkins Davis will assist in verifying that Frank and Alfred are JJG's sons.

Record from findmypast.com

Frank and Alfred's baptism records showing JJG as an engine driver

JJG and Margaret's child - James Bayliss Gillett (JBG)

JBG was born about 1871 in Bombay. On 14 April 1892, JBG married Alice Maud (known as Maud) O'Leary in Bombay under the name of James Davis. By 1907, JBG had established that JJG was alive and living in Australia and had a codicil placed on his marriage certificate and his family name was changed to Gillett. JBG was also a rail worker in India. Rod understands that JBG and Maude had eleven children but only five survived to adulthood - James Hubert Adolphus (Hubie), Margaret Jeanette, Clifford, Cyril and Florence. JBG and Maud lived in India all their lives. Maud was born on 29 August 1874 in Infore, Bengal and died on 3 August 1948 in Bombay. JBG died in about 1953 in Bombay.

James Hubert Adolphus (Hubie) was born on 9 January 1893 in Sholapur, India. He married Beatrice Maud Mulholland on 10 November 1915 in Tundla, Bengal. They had, at least, five children who survived to adulthood - Stella, Trevor, Stanley, Clifford and Norman. Trevor's Second World War Enlistment shows he was born in England. The other children were born in India. It's unclear when the family moved to England. Hubie died on 1 January 1957 in London. Beatrice died on 5 July 1985 in London.

Stella Marjorie Gillett was born on 23 September 1916. She married Henry George Michael Drake who was born about 1908 in Bombay. It unclear when they moved to England. Henry died on 24 January 1980 in London. Stella died on 16 November 1998 in London.
Trevor Hubert Gillett was born on 16 September 1917. He married Edna Muriel Penney in 1946 in Wallingford, Oxfordshire where Edna was born about 1926. Trevor and Edna travelled to Bombay for a few months after their marriage. They returned in July 1947 and settled in Berkshire. Trevor died in June 2000. Edna died on 24 July 2015 in Oxfordshire.
Stanley Kenneth Gillett was born on 13 September 1923. He married Barbara Edna Canning on 5 March 1947. They had two sons, Michael and Gregory prior to moving to Canada. Stanley died there in 1998 and Barbara on 22 February 2017.
Clifford Noel Gillett was born on 10 December 1926. On 11 March 1948, he arrived in England. He died in October 1981 in London.
Norman George Gillett was born on 29 August 1928. He arrived in England with Clifford. In October 1951, he married Elizabeth Ann Bailey in Oxford. Norman died in 1992 in Dover. Elizabeth died in 2003 in Worcestershire.

Margaret Jeanette Gillett was born on 23 July 1903 in Asansol, Bengal. She married Edgar Douglas Dunk on 7 February 1934 in Bombay. They had at least one child, Horace, and emigrated to Australia after their marriage settling in Sydney. Edgar was born on 20 October 1900 in Bengal and died on 18 June 1948 in Sydney. He's buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Margaret died on 6 October 1985 in Cowra where she's buried.
Clifford is the father of Rod who started this search.
Cyril drowned aged 21.
Florence Blanche Noreen was born on 29 August 1908 in Bengal. Her married name was McDonald. Florence died about August 1991 in Oxford.

JJG's life in Australia

The date of JJG's departure from India and arrival in Australia are unknown. Was he in India on 18 August 1882 when Frank and Alfred were baptised? Based on the information from Rod and my research, we know Margaret remained in India with her four sons where she married John Atkins Davis. The sons took on the name of their step father but James, Frank and Alfred returned to the Gillett family name in later life. I've been unable to locate any further information on Margaret and John.

After his arrival, JJG joined the NSW State Railways and married Sarah Jane Webb Wagg on 29 October 1883. He worked as an engine driver until his retirement. A planned trip to the NSW State Archives will provide more information on JJG's working life.

JJG's sibling - Frances Mary Gillett (1845 to 1905)

Frances Mary was born in the first quartet of 1845 and was baptised on 22 June 1845 at St Mary's Islington. On 4 October 1875 she married John William Leeden (1843 to 1893) at St James the Great, Bethnal Green. Frances died about October 1905 at Camberwell. Frances and John had six children-

Frances Louise Leeden (1876 to 1959) married Richard T Prowse (born 1872) on 8 September 1895 at St Paul's Clerkenwell, London. They had nine children - Lillian Louise (1896 to 1979), Elsie Francis (1898 to 1995), Kate Sophia (1900 to 1949), Richard Francis (1904 to 1994), Florence Mary (1904 to 1988), John James Edwin (1906 to 1939), Ethel Rose (1908 to 1991), Leonard George Vernon (1911 to 1995) and Doris Edith Kathleen (1913 to 2005). Frances Prowse (nee Leeden), her husband and their children were all born, married and died in England.
John James George Leeden (born 1878) may have emigrated to the USA about 1919.
Mary Janet Leeden (born 1880) is shown with her parents in the 1881 and 1891 England Census but cannot be located after that date. Lilian Mary Leeden was baptised in 1885 at the same time as Frances and John Leeden's second son Charles William. Frances and James are recored as their parents. I cannot find a record of Lilian's birth or any record on the 1881, 1891 or 1901 England Census with Frances and John. She married Thomas (Harry) Farley (1880 to 1949) on 26 November 1904 in South Acton and her father, John Leeden, is shown as deceased. Their first two children, Theodore John Farley (1905 to 1950) and Lillian Louise Farley(1909 to 1978) were born in South Acton. The family then immigrated to Sydney where five children were born - Sydney Edwin Farley (1913 to 1948), Gladys Violet Farely(1915 to 1932), Roy Alan Farley (born 1919), Harry Leeden Farley (1921 to 1997) and Ronald James Farley (1928 to 1954). When Lilian died on 17 September 1975 in Sydney, her age was recorded as 95 years. This infers a birth date about 1880. More research needs to be undertaken to establish if Mary Janet and Lilian Mary are the same person.

Theodore John Farley was born on 24 April 1905 in South Acton. He died on 8 July 1950 in Sydney.
Lillian Lousie Farley was born on 9 January 1909 in South Acton. She married William Ernest Maguire (1904 to 1987) in 1935 in Nyngan. They had two children. Lillian died on 6 April 1978 in Sydney.
Sydney Edwin Farley was born on 16 February 1913 in Sydney. He first married Dorothy Alice Miller in 1936 in Sydney and second married Edith Hazel Cambridge in 1942 in Sydney. Sydney died on 2 March 1948 in Sydney.
Gladys Violet Farley was born on 11 March 1915 in Sydney. She died on 16 June 1932 in Sydney and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery.
Roy Alan Farley was born in 1919 in Sydney. He married Nita Maria Cash (1929 to 1998) in 1949 in Sydney.
Harry Leeden Farley was born about 1921 in Sydney. On 1 October 1943, he married Edna Reay Court (1916 to 2001). They had six children. Harry died on 19 September 1980 and is buried in Tweed Heads Lawn Cemetery.
Ronald James Farley was born about 1928 in Sydney. He died on 29 July 1954 in Sydney.

Kate Sarah Leeden (1883 to 1957) married Edwin Luckhurst Knight (1882 to 1944) in 1903 in Rochford, Essex. Their first two children were born in England before they emigrated to Sydney - Cecilia Lilian (1907 to 1970) and Kenneth Edwin (1909 to 1958). Their third child, Lester George, was born in Sydney in 1914.

Cecilia Lilian Knight was born on 29 June 1907 in Southend Essex. In 1932, she married James Milne Ring (1910 to 1963) in Victoria. They settled in Sydney and had four sons. Cecilia died on 12 May 1970 in Sydney and is buried at Woronora Memorial Park.
Kenneth Edwin Knight was born on 8 June 1909 in Rochford England. In 1932, he married Clara Ellen Isabel McIntosch (1913 to 1991). They had one daughter. They divorced in 1938. Kenneth married Jean Maclean in 1940 in Sydney. Kenneth died on 28 February 1958 in Sydney and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery.
Lester George Knight was born on 8 April 1914 in Sydney. He married Kathleen Harford in 1934 in Rockdale.

Charles William Leeden (1885 to 1951) married Hilda Alice Coman (1894 to 1991) on 10 July 1917 in Bengal, India while he was serving in the Royal Scots Marine Labour Corps. Their daughter, Barbara Joan, was born on 11 April 1920 and died on 27 January 1983 in England.
George Harris Leeden (1888 to 1960) married Edith Gwendoline Douglas (1895 to 1958) on 3 April 1918 in Cairo, Egypt when he was serving as a flight sergeant in the Royal Aorta's Force. Edith was a nurse.

Their first child, Gwendoline Alison Leeden, was born on 1 March 1919 in Cairo. She married George Tyler in 1941 in Victoria.
Their other four children, Leila Lillian, Douglas George, Freda Margaret and Frances Ann, were born in Australia.
Geraldine also contacted Freda's daughter, Lorraine, who subsequently contacted me.
Edith and her five children remained in Australia but George returned to England in the late 1930s.

JJG's sibling - Charles Elvin Gillett (1857 to 1937)

Charles was born about 1857 in London. On 6 February 1883, he arrived in Australia at Cooktown on board the Dorunda. On 11 February 1886, he married Alice Louisa Bowling at Glebe. Alice was born in 1859 at Windsor, England and arrived in Sydney on 5 July 1885. They had two children - Elsie Gillett (1887 to 1980) and Alice Gillett (1895 to 1970). Alice died on 25 July 1929 and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Charles died on 11 Jun 1937 and is buried with his wife.

Elsie Gillett was born on 25 February 1887 in Sydney. On 31 October 1914, she married David Williams. He was born in Wales in about 1881 and enlisted for the First World War on 21 September 1914 just 5 weeks before their marriage. David departed for Gallopoli. On 7 April 1917, David died in France and is buried there. He and Elsie never met again! On 27 July 1918, Elsie married William Francis Moore at St Thomas's North Sydney. He was born about 1891 in Sydney and also fought in the First World War. They had two children - Thomas and Lois. William died on 23 March 1931 at the Coast Hospital Little Bay and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery. Elsie died on 29 July 1980 in Sydney.

Thomas William Moore died as an infant on 8 March 1921 at Waverley.
Elsie and William's other child was Lois Allie Moore. In 1942, she married Sipke Vogelzang at Waverley. They had two daughters. Sipke died on 5 February 2001. Elsie died on 19 April 2006. The family lived in Bondi.

Alice (Allie) Gillett was born on 21 March 1895 at Woollahra. In 1920, she married Thomas Myler Park. They were divorced in 1931. Alice died on 10 July 1970 in Victoria. Her death was recorded under the family name of Long and probate shows she was a widow. I can't find any details of a second marriage or children.

JJG's sibling - Kate Augusta Gillett (1864 to 1950)

Kate was born about 1864 in Hackney, London. She was baptised on 5 April 1872 at St Paul's Hackney. Kate migrated to Australia and arrived in Sydney on 3 February 1884 aboard the Abergeldie. On 21 June 1886, she was baptised and married at Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Cathedral in Armidale. Kate married Martin Bernard O'Dea. They had six children - Percival, Ernest, John, Doris, Vera and Norman. John and Vera died as children. The family moved from Armidale to Sydney about 1900 and their last child, Norman, was born in the Annandale area. Martin was a boot maker. Martin died in 8 February 1927 at their home, 83 Cardigan Street, Stanmore. Kate died on 19 August 1950 at Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay.

Percival Reginald (Percy) O'Dea was born on 20 January 1887 in Armidale. He married Mary Florence Sandford in 1911 in Newcastle. Mary died on 4 July 1956 in Sydney and is buried at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park. Percy died in April 1957 as is buried with Mary.
Hon. Ernest Charles O'Dea M.L.C. in N.S.W. was born on 19 February 1889 in Armidale. He married Elsie May Remfry in 1909 in Sydney. Elsie was born on 20 October 1890 in Redfern. Ernest and Elsie had four children - Veronica, Thomas, Joyce and Mavis. Elsie did on 29 September 1927 in Sydney. She's buried at Field of Mars Cemetery East Ryde. In 1927, Ernest married Johanna Ellen Gleeson in Queensland. They had one son, Harold. Johanna died on 23 June 1960 and is buried at Macquarie Park Cemetery. Ernest died on 21 November 1976 in Sydney and is buried with Johanna. Ernest was a member of the Legislative Council in N.S.W from 1942 until his death and Lord Mayor of Sydney from 1948 until 1953. You can read more about Ernest HERE.

Veronica Jean Bennett O'Dea was born in 1910 in Sydney. On 25 November 1933, she married Lewis Henry Griffiths at Holy Trinity Kingsford. They had two daughtersl. Veronica died on 9 October 1964 at Lewisham Hospital.
Thomas Martin O'Dea was born in 1911 in Sydney. On 24 August 1933, he married Mavis Catherine Schofield at St Aidens Annandale. Thomas died on 23 March 1988 in Maitland.
Joyce H O'Dea was born in 1917 in Sydney and died as an infant in the same year.
Mavis O'Dea
Harold Norman O'Dea was born about 1924. He married Colleen Frances Harris Silby in 1962 in Hamilton. They had two sons. Colleen died in 1972 and Harold died on 14 April 1986. Both are buried at the Field of Mars Cemetery East Ryde.

John Francis O'Dea was born on 20 January 1891 in Armidale. He did in 1896 in Sydney.
Doris Kathleen O'Dea was born on 6 June 1885 in Armidale. In 1921, she married Harry Louis Von Der Mahden (1886 to 1945) in Sydney. They had one son. Doris died on 20 August 1978 in Sydney and is buried with Harry at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.
Vera G O'Dea was born in 1897 in Armidale and died in 1903 in Sydney.
Jack Norman O'Dea was born on 13 April 1910 in Sydney. In 1940, he married Enid Lesely Grenenger (1917 to 2006) in Sydney. They had one son. Jack died on 20 February 1984 and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery.

This marks the end of the exploration of the Gillett links in Australia

This chart shows the family connections between Lorraine, Rod, Alison and Jill and the family who came to Australia.

Click here to view chart

If you have any additional information or corrections, please contact me at chrisw9953@gmail.com.

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The Webb Wagg Family in Australia