The Laws Family
William Laws (1724-1776) > Benjamin Laws (1750-1817) > Edmund Laws (1782-1858) > Robert Laws (1819-1881) > Charles Laws (1849-1939) >Lavinia Laws (1874-1967) > Noreen Merrin (1906-1973)
The Laws family come from two small villages in Norfolk: Hockwold-cum-Wilton and Feltwell. (This site also provides information about Feltwell). The two villages are about two miles (3kms) apart.
William Laws (1724-1776) and Elizabeth Caney (1727-1812) were both born in Feltwell. They were married at St Nicholas' in Feltwell on 20 June 1743. William was buried in Feltwell on 7 July 1776 and Elizabeth on 16 January 1812 at St Mary's, Feltwell.
Their son, Edmund Jasper Laws, was born in Feltwell on 4 May, 1782.
Mary Bowers was born on 17 October, 1788 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire.
Mary and Edmund married on 15 May, 1808 in Weeting, Norfolk.
Their son, Edmund Jasper Laws, was born in Feltwell on 4 May, 1782.
Mary Bowers was born on 17 October, 1788 in Elsworth, Cambridgeshire.
Mary and Edmund married on 15 May, 1808 in Weeting, Norfolk.
Edmund and Mary had six children together that we know of:
Elizabeth (1809-1832)
Martha (1812-1832)
John (1815-1885)
Robert (1819-1881)
Susan (1822-1823)
Benjamin (1825-1916)
Elizabeth (1809-1832)
Martha (1812-1832)
John (1815-1885)
Robert (1819-1881)
Susan (1822-1823)
Benjamin (1825-1916)
Mary died in 1832 in Witton, Norfolk. She died of Cholera during an epidemic that swept England and killed many. Her daughters Elizabeth and Martha died within two weeks of her, also of Cholera.
Robert Laws was born in Hockwold-cum-Wilton on 19 December 1819. Charlotte Vincent was born in 1824 in Feltwell, Norfolk.
The 1841 UK census reveals Charlotte and her family. Charlotte's father, Charles Vincent (abt 1790 - 30 Nov 1873), was born in Billingford, Norfolk. He worked as an agricultural labourer and died in Feltwell. Her mother, Sarah Leonard (abt 1801 - 8 Jan 1885), was born and died in Feltwell.
Robert and Charlotte married on 26 July, 1846, possibly in Feltwell and their first two children, Charles Vincent and Mary Ann, were born in Hockwold in 1849 and 1851 respectively.
Charlotte and the couple's two children are listed in the 1851 UK census. Note that Robert's brother Benjamin is staying with her at the time of the census. Robert is not listed.
Robert (29 yrs) and Charlotte Laws (29 yrs) immigrated to Australia in 1853 on the ship David McIver, arriving in Sydney on 1 September 1853. No relations in the colony were listed. Robert could read and write and Charlotte could read. Two children were with them, Charles and Mary Ann. Their religion was noted as Church of England.
Robert lists his occupation as a 'railway labourer' but in Sydney he becomes a brickmaker. He never ventures very far from Leichhardt:
1863; Abbatoir Road, Petersham
1867; Brickmaker, Abbatoir Rd, Petersham
1871; Abbatoir Rd Petersham
1873; Catherine St, Leichhardt
1877; Brickmaker, Petersham (at time of son Benjamin's marriage)
1877; Catherine Street, Leichhardt
Charlotte and Robert Laws had eight further children together in Sydney:
Vincent John (1853-1933) - twin
Bowers Robert (1853-1923) - twin
Benjamin Jonathon (1856-1900)
Thirza (1858-1952)
Louisa M (1860-1933)
George Pearson (1862-1949)
Edward William (1864-
Adelaide Charlotte Mary (1868-1948)
Note that Bowers (known as Robert) and Vincent were twins.
Charles Vincent Laws married Mary Ann McGarry on 20 February 1871 in Liverpool in Sydney.
In 1873, the couple were living in Ann Street, Balmain. Ann Street was a dirt road in those days and the houses were not numbered. By 1874, they were living in Curtis Road, Balmain.
see also: http://greene.bigpondhosting.com/laws.html