Posted at 12:59 pm by heneker52, on December 21, 2022
Hi Vicki (cuz), thank you for your post. I immediately recognised the DNA person involved ….ME (hehe). As you know, I have done a lot of research on one particular branch of the Heneker family which involved myself directly ie my grandmother named a Heneker at birth but fathered by someone else which may also involve some of her siblings born after her, thus the DNA anomalies (2 separate DNA tests from 2 different sources gives substance to this comment). After many conversations between us, and I appreciate you respecting my privacy, you are aware why I have stayed private/silent on my research on this branch of the Heneker family for the following reasons, 1. not to offend or to sully the Heneker name 2. there are some researchers amongst the Heneker clan who refuse to acknowledge any new research which may differ from their own (stubborn head in the sand attitudes and a little precious) and 3. there are some researchers amongst us that then claim said research as their own, a form of plagiarism, and I’m sorry, that gets right up my nose. But, now after reading your blog, its time for me to let go and to put it all out there for the reasons you state and also from Chas’s comments. If you are happy with what I am about to propose, I will proceed as follows, I will post my research on your blog in regards to this branch of our family which will include a summary, sources (ie marriage and birth certificates, death records, photos etc so as to prove facts) and any other information that I have found in Victoria as this family moved there in 1915, possibly to be out of sight from their South Australian origins and to avoid a scandal. Talk soon cuz. best regards Harold Boddy (Geelong Victoria)
Posted at 12:22 pm by heneker52, on December 18, 2022
It has been nearly a year since I have blogged on here. Many reasons, family, health, and just other things happening.
I have thought for a long time, about some of the family “secrets”?, scandals, and generally sad events, and behaviours that may upset or offend some readers.
The way I think of these issues is that most of them happened well over 100 years ago, or at least in the late/early part of the 1800’s and early 1900’s.
Some of these events could make a difference to who someone thinks they are within the Heneker clan. One person in particular is a cousin and friend, or at least we thought he was, now it turns out that due to a marital break and re-marriage, he is actually part of a totally different family. Part of this was noticed when he had his DNA done via Ancestry and we did not match, yet believed we were both from the Heneker clan. He now has found a totally different family, and has met many relatives. At first, it was very difficult for him, and also, he had done an amazing job of building his family tree, and with a lot of research and referencing involved. The way I look at it, as we talked about it is, the person who was his relative was still connected to the Heneker family originally via marriage, so we have a connection through history and family members.
I am at the stage in wanting to add other stories to this blog. As I previously mentioned, I am unsure if printing this information will offend some people. However, as I have already stated, many of these events took place 80-100 years ago. And my thoughts are, would you rather know the truth?? as continuing on thinking we are part of a particular family group, when in fact we are not connected by blood at all, is actually counter intuitive. And just not the truth. I know I would want to know if I have a blood family out there that I had no idea about.
So my concern over the last year has been what to do? I am now at a point where I feel that the information I have found out, has all come about via newspaper articles on Trove. Whilst they have often taken a lot of further research to come to the truth, the fact is that information printed on Trove should start us thinking, if we recognise that “what is all this about, I didn’t know any of this”? As Trove is public and freely open for anyone to read, keeping it all a secret, or at least not making it known, will only be a matter of time before someone/somewhere will find information they weren’t aware of, and might be unpalatable to them.
Therefore, I think I will now start to write up sometimes not palatable information. But truthful, insightful and also, for us to remember, much of what happened was also part of the times these people lived in. We now live in a more open society. Also, I see that many younger people are now turning to genealogy, and I believe they are more open about things that in the past, were considered secretive and needed to be kept hidden.
My aim is not to offend or upset anyone. If anyone who reads this has any thoughts, either way, I would love to hear them. I am very open to this. As a Librarian, we were expected to be non judgemental in books etc that often told stories that many found offensive. I would never intend to offend anyone.
Also I believe much of what was a scandal back in the day, is not such an issue now. Times have changed and people’s thoughts and ideas have changed.
Posted at 2:53 pm by heneker52, on January 6, 2022
On 15th January 1875 the Mudla Wirra South District Council met. It was agreed the Clerk would apply to the Destitute Board for continuation of rations for Mary Henniker[1].
Mary was embarrassed but grateful for the assistance. Mary recalled their excitement, anxiety and determination as Thomas, Mary and their six children boarded the emigrant ship Hooghly[2].
Times were harsh for settlers of the young colony of South Australia with Mary and Thomas living on the banks of First Creek with four more children being born there[3]. Mary fossicked for firewood, food and kept an eye out for snakes.
Moving to the thriving area of Gawler, they started market gardening. The children grew strong, eventually moving far and wide. Thomas and Mary grew even closer in their joint love of gardening, the warm summers and cool winters, the beautiful native birds.
Gawler c1860
In 1867 Thomas succumbed to illness and died[4]. Mary was strong, and continued to grow vegetables for sale. As time wore on though, Mary’s body started to tire, the birth of ten children and a lifetime of hard back breaking work was taking it’s toll. Eventually the cottage and land had to be sold.
Living in a rough hut giving little shelter to the climate, Mary had to rely on assistance from the Destitute Board to continue to live. In 1880, Mary passed away at Gawler, South Australia.[5]
[1] 1975 ‘DISTRICT COUNCIL’, Bunyip (Gawler, S.A.: 1863-1954) Fri 15 Jan 1875, p.3. Viewed 10 Jan 2019, http://nla, news-articles97220508
Posted at 4:23 pm by heneker52, on January 1, 2022
Joseph Spencer (1803 – 1886) was born in Shipton, Bellinger, Hampshire England.The town of Shipton Bellinger lies about 7 miles from Stonehenge World Heritage Site in the UK.
On the 4th February 1826 at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, UK Joseph Spencer married Elizabeth Sheppard Phillips. To be honest, I am not sure where this information has come from, other Family Trees also quote the same marriage date with no references. I have tried a few other searches and will continue to try to find out the reference to this date, which at present is unconfirmed.
Joseph , his wife Elizabeth ShepardPhillips [spelling of surname varies] and their children, Sarah (1827-), Harriet (1828-1853), Mary Ann (1829-1916), Eliza (1832-1839– died at sea), Maria(1834-1902), John (1836-1838), Joseph (1838-),William (1841-1932), Jane (1844-1928),Charlotte (1828-1853), Thomas (1850-1906) emigrated to Australia in 1839. Their ship the Prince Regent left London on 6 June 1839 and landed in South Australia on 25 September 1839. (Note: William 1841, Jane 1844, Thomas 1850) were all born in South Australia.
Joseph Spencer lived at Nairne and other area’s of the Adelaide Hills area of South Australia for many years. He appears to have been very involved in the annual Nairne Fair. A number of articles appeared in the newspapers of the day. James Heneker is also often mentioned in these newspaper articles, so it appears the families were friends and neighbours, considering that James married Joseph Spencer’s daughter Mary Ann, and they also lived in the same area. Nairne is about 32 km from Scott Creek, where some of James Heneker’s first children were born, and also apparently in the Mount Barker/Scott Creek area. Therefore these places were all in the same area and the pioneers probably knew each other quite well.
Joseph Spencer lived most of his later life in South Australia in the Scott Creek/Nairne area. From newspaper articles it seems he was quite active in the life of the community, and respected by his peers. Joseph was active in the community, being part of a committee that established the Nairne Fair in 1864, and was active in participating in the fair, with cattle and other farm animals being shown at the annual Fair. The article below relates to the initial meeting which was held by locals to form the Fair.
[MEETING TO ESTABLISH A FAIR AT NAIRNE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGISTER/MON 14 NOV 1864/PG 3]
Joseph’s wife Elizabeth Phillips Shepherd died at Scott Creek on 30 April 1866.
Joseph Spencer later married Catherine Jackson on the 5th May 1883 at Woodside, South Australia. Both parties are listed as Widowed on their marriage record. Catherine was aged about 52 years when she married Joseph. Joseph was aged 80 years when he married Catherine. On the marriage record Catherine’s father’s name is given as William Cox. [genealogysa.org.au/marriagesdatabase]. I have checked a number of records trying to find out more about Catherine, but haven’t been successful. Some ancestry.com.au trees show her as being born in Ireland, however I can’t find any source materials given to prove that, and I am still researching her. There are a couple of sources showing a Catherine Jackson born in Ireland in 1831. However her father is listed as William Jackson, not COX as appears on her marriage certificate to Joseph Spencer. And I can find no spouse to her named Jackson at this stage. Also I can find no death recorded for someone named Jackson who may have been her husband, at the time or place I would expect. However someone else may know more about her and her past family connections.
Joseph Spencer died on the 9th May 1886, at his residence Scott’s Creek. [note at times Scott Creek is also written out as Scott’s Creek. On current modern maps it is shown as Scott Creek.]
His obituary from The South Australian Advertiser/Friday 14 May 1886/Page 4 reads:
‘SPENCER – On 9th May at his residence, Scott’s Creek near Nairne, Joseph Spencer the beloved husband of Catherine Spencer, aged 86 years. Respected by all who knew him, A colonist of 45 years, He is lost from us forever, And we look for him in vain, He is gone and we shall never, See his dear face again.’
[Also note that some records state he was aged 80 years, however BDM database records held by the Genealogy Society of SA also state 86 years.]
View of rusting equipment and typical land in the Scott Creek Area.
Catherine Spencer (nee Jackson) died on the 26 June 1896 at Dawesely, South Australia.
The Children of Joseph Spencer and Elizabeth Phillips Shepard were:
Sarah Spencer born: 1827 at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, UK., and baptised/christened on 18 March 1827 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, UK. Sarah married Henry Jordan on the 24th March 1848 at St. John’s Church, Adelaide, South Australia. Their children were: Joseph Jordan b: 10 Feb 1860 at Scott Creek, nr. Nairne, South Australia – Mary Jordan b: 9th May 1849 at New Tiers, South Australia – HarrietJordan b: 27 Jan 1856 at Hurtle Vale, South Australia.
Harriet Spencer was born in 1828 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She married Richard West at Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide, South Australia on the 18th December 1849, the same date that her sister Mary Ann Spencer married James Heneker. Harriet West nee Spencer died on the 17th November 1853 aged 26 years, in Adelaide, South Australia. No children to have been born of the marriage. [genealogysa.org.au/death database]
Mary Ann Spencer was born in 1829 at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She married James Heneker on the 18th December 1849 at Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide, South Australia. Their children were: James Jnr. Heneker, born 1850, Jane Heneker, born 1851, Martha Heneker, born 1852, Elizabeth AnnHeneker, born 1855, Joseph CharlesHeneker born 1857, Mary Heneker born 1858, ThomasHeneker, born 1860. William Heneker born 1866 and died 1872, Abel Richard Heneker born 1870 died 1872.
Eliza Spencer was born in 1832 at Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. Eliza died onboard the ship Prince Regent in 1839 whilst the family were emigrating to South Australia.
Maria Spencer was born in 1834 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She married Robert Henry on the 27th December 1852 at the St. James Church, Blakiston, South Australia. Maria died in 1902
Joseph Spencer was born in 1838
William Spencer was born in 1841 at Glen Osmond, South Australia. He married Mary Ann Henstridge on the 6th October 1859 at Blakiston, South Australia.
Jane Spencer married Robert Stafford on 6 August 1861. St James Church, Blakiston, South Australia. The family eventually moved to Nyah, Victoria. Jane passed away in 1928 aged 87 years at Nyah, Victoria and Robert passed away in 1918 in Nyah, Victoria.
Jane Spencer married Robert Stafford
Charlotte Spencer was born on the 25th October 1846 “on the Torrens”, South Australia. She married Richard Jones on 5 January 1864 at the St James Church, Blakiston, in the district of Mount Barker, South Australia. Charlotte died at Gayndah, Queensland on the 27 August 1933.
THOMAS SPENCER
THOMAS SPENCER
Thomas Spencer married Martha Pope (4th daughter of George Pope of Blinman and late Nairne, South Australia) on the 29th April 1875 at St Paul’s Church, Adelaide, South Australia. Thomas Spencer died on the 24th July 1906 at the Port Augusta Hospital of pleurisy and heart failure. [Express & Telegraph/Wed 29 Aug 1906/Pg 1/Family Notices]
Their children were:
1. Thomas Albert Spencer (1876-1964) . Thomas was born at Blinman on the 8th May 1876.Thomas Albert married Hilda Menpes Whitbread on the 12th April 1898, at the residence of the bride’s parents at Blinman, South Australia. [Express & Telegraph/Wed 20 April 1898/Pg 2/Family Notices] They went on to have 11 children. Thomas Albert Spencer died on the 6th January 1964 aged 87 years. He died at College Park and his usual residence was Quorn, South Australia
2. Herbert Henry Jospeh Spencer (1878-1882) He was born on the 28th April 1878 at Blinman, South Australia. His death appears in the SA BDM database on genealogysa.org.au/death index as Hubert Henry Spencer, death on 23 June 1882 aged 4 years. Place of death: Blinman and Residence: Patterson near Blinman, South Australia. His father is recorded as Thomas Spencer.
3. George Arthur Spencer (1882-1958) was born on the 11th June 1882 at Blinman, South Australia.
George married Anne Cahir on the 23 April 1908 at the Residence of his father, Thomas Spencer of South Blinman, South Australia. The bride’s father was John Cahir.
George died on the 1st December 1958 aged 76 years at Hyde Park, South Australia.
4. Hilda Blanche Ethel Spencer (1887-1952)was born on 30th July 1887 at Parkside, Adelaide. Hilda married Maynard Hardo [Harold] Hart on the 9th July 1913 at the residence of A. Hart, Strathalbyn, South Australia. His father was Andrew Hart.
Hilda Blanche Ethel Hart nee Spencer died on the 21st September 1952 in Bordertown, district of Robe, South Australia
5. Alan Meiton Spencer (1891-) was born on the 16th March 1891 at Adelaide, South Australia. There are no obvious records after this date for Alan spelt Allan on his birth record [genealogysa.org.au/birth database]
Posted at 2:20 pm by heneker52, on December 21, 2021
Back on the 6 February 2015 I wrote a post about Thomas Henniker advertising a “cottage for sale”. At that time he appeared to be the owner as he was the contact person regarding interest in the cottage.
[South Australian Advertiser/Thu 6 January 1859/Page 4/Classified Advertisements]
Clearing out old paperwork, I came across a newspaper article I had copied regarding another property for sale, in which Thomas Henniker appears to have been a tenant. (Not an owner when one reads the actual text.).
It is very interesting in regard to the property and landscape and also the area and type of dwelling he and his family were living in, in 1859. I am using the capital letters and layout as much as possible as the advertisement was written at the time.
“On WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1859.
FOR POSITIVE SALE
WICKSTEED BOTTING, TOWNSEND & CO. are instructed to sell by auction, at their MART, on Wednesday January 12 1859 at 12 o’clock.
All that SECTION of LAND, numbered 5309, in the HUNDRED of KANMANTOO, containing 122 acres.
This is a beautiful Section, for the most part good Land, lightly wooded. It is situated not the main road to Kanmantoo, about a mile from NAIRNE. The Section is well fenced (except a small portion of one line), and on the Land is erected an unfinished Stone RESIDENCE intended to contain Eight Rooms, with Verandahs, Cellars &c, &c. There are also a GARDEN AND SHRUBBERY fenced in and planted; Well of Water, &c. On another portion of the Section is a COTTAGE of Stone and Cob now occupied by Thomas Hawthorne; and in the eastern corner of the Section are a 10 Acre Paddock (mostly fenced and ploughed), COTTAGE, GARDEN, and WELL of excellent WATER (within four feet of the surface). This portion is now in the occupation of Mr Thomas Henniker.
The entire property is well known as lately belonging to Mr. W.B. Dawes. It is one of the best situated Sections in the district, commanding a fine view from Mount Barker to the MURRAY and the Lake. It adjoins the townships of DAWESLY, and is close to the SCOTT’S CREEK SMELTING WORKS. For Further particulars, apply to the Auctioneers.”
The above map of Cadastral map of the Kanmantoo area, shows Section Numbered 5309 in the Hundred of Kanmantoo, containing 122 acres. It can be found just below areas 508 and 5207 which are outlined in green. This map was produced by the Surveyor General’s Office – Adelaide – Alfred Vaughan Photo-lithographer. December 1875. It is available from the State Library of South Australia and is in the Public Domain. [Kanmantoo_1875_(23266779295)_j.peg. This copy was obtained from commons.wikimedia.org via the State Library of South Australia Public Domain. on 21 December 2021.
It will need to be enlarged to see it, or alternatively if you go to the wikimedia.org site you would be able to see it easier or print it out if you prefer.
Posted at 7:01 pm by heneker52, on December 19, 2021
Elizabeth Ann Heneker was the 3rd daughter of James Heneker and Mary Ann Heneker nee Spencer.
Elizabeth was born on the 5th April 1855 in the District of Adelaide.
Not much is known of Elizabeth’s early years.
In 1865 information about Elizabeth and her siblings Martha and Joseph Heneker appear in the December 1865 the [Border Watch/ Saturday 30 December 1865/pg. 2/Mosquito Plains] which reports that Elizabeth and Martha Heneker in the Fifth Class were awarded prizes as the most deserving students, and also in the Sixth Class Joseph Heneker was also awarded a prize.
The family were living at Scott’s Creek for some time, and then on 13 June 1863 Charlotte Heneker was born at Avenue Range, in the South East region of South Australia. In 1865 it must have been a remote and fairly barren area (people wise). The area was purchased by a John ‘Jacky’ White who acquired a run of 134 square miles spanning Ready Creek, Keilira and Lucindale. The traditional owners are the Wathatonga people of the Bunganditj/Boandik nation. In 1864 James returned to the UK to visit family and returned on the maiden voyage of the City of Adelaide ship.
In Penola (South East area) on 10 October 1865 it is recorded that James was issued a half yearly Timber Licence by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and Immigration Office, Adelaide. [Government Gazette, October 12, 1865, pg. 922]
Another son, William was also born during this time, on the 19 April 1866, at Avenue Range, South Australia. By 1872 the family appear back in the Blinman Area, with the death of their young sons, Abel Richard and William both dying in January of 1872.
On the 1st September 1872 at the Elizabeth Ann married Thomas Mansell Yandell, at the home of Mr. Heneker of Patterton, South Australia. ([genealogysa.org.au/marriages database] Patterton lays about 10 km from Blinman, near the Gum Creek, which was a watering area for travellers and bullocky teams.)Thomas Mansell Yandell was a Welshman whose experience working as a smelter at Wallaroo’s smelting works would have been gratefully accepted. Wallaroo’s smelting works were constructed in 1861 by the owners of the Wallaroo Mine to process the ore and to export it. The smelting works were at one time the largest smelter outside of Swansea in Wales. Initially using the reverberatory method of smelting, over time the smelter adopted newer processes and remained at the forefront of smelting techniques.
At some stage they moved to Wallaroo, as Thomas was a smelter, coming originally from Wales, were smelters were trained and worked.
Wallaroo Smelters 1870
Courtesy of the State Library of South Australia Photographic Collection.
In 1874 on the 17th April, Elizabeth died of “Cerebro-spinal meningitis” at the age of 19 years. She died at her home at Wallaroo, South Australia. She had given birth to her daughter Amy Victoria Yandell on the 12 July 1873 at Wallaroo. After the untimely death of her mother, Amy Victoria died on the 27 April 1874. It is not known at present what Amy died of, I have ordered a copy of her death certificate. I wonder if Amy also died of the same condition. If it was caused by a virus, cerebrospinal meningitis is contagious. It could be assumed that Elizabeth was still breastfeeding Amy in which case she would have caught it, or starved. Whichever it is a very sad and uncomfortable situation.
Information regarding the death of Elizabeth Ann Heneker is obtained from [GenealogySA District Death Certificate Transcript/C19735YandellElizabeth nb jn(1) PDF]
[Information regarding the births of the other Heneker children listed above are also obtained from GenealogySA Births Transcipts.]
It is believed that Elizabeth was buried at the Wallaroo Cemetery along with Amy Victoria. I originall had found the information online however it no longer appears under any cemetery searches however Amy Victoria still shows as being buried in the Wallaroo Cemetery, Moonta Road, Wallaroo, South Australia in plot/grave 247, Last residence: Wallaroo, Age at death 19, Date of burial next to her daughter Amy Victoria age 10 m. in plot 248. These stories are the only ones I could glean in relation to Elizabeth and Thomas. I have been able to learn quite a bit more about the Yandell family and I will probably write another post on them. Although the relationship of the Yandell’s and Heneker’s appears to be a tentative one, due to both of Thomas’ family members passing away together in the same year, and him not seeming to have married again, the story of his family in general is interesting. It also appears that at times they intertwine with the Heneker family over the years.
Posted at 5:20 pm by heneker52, on November 21, 2021
Again today, whilst sorting through some old files, I have come across a copy of a South Australia Land Tax Return for James Heneker of Beltana, South Australia, 1885.
Back when I bought this copy there was no internet (how did we manage!!) and it is printed out on a large A3 yellow piece of paper, which I think I actually did when I worked at the State Library of S.A.
I have had to take a photo of it on my phone, as my printer can’t do A3 copying. This should be able to be enlarged, I hope. It certainly can be on my phone.
So I will record what the Return states, in case it isn’t too clear when publishing the copy of the document.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA – TAXATION ACT, 1884
LAND TAX RETURN for the Year ending the first day of January, 1885.
No. of Assessment 166.
In pursuance of the Taxation Act, 1884, every Taxpayer is required to fill up the following Form of Return, and to deliver the same at my office, Victoria-square, Adelaide, on or before the 21st day of March, 1885 under a penalty of £20 and treble the amount to Taxpayer who wilfully furnishes any false return, or makes any false declaration in reference to a return, is guilty of a misdemeanour, punishable on conviction in like manner as wilful and corrupt perjury. J.G. RUSSELL, Commissioner. Taxpayers are requested to read the Observations and Directions on the back hereof.
RETURN of the LAND OWNED by James Heneker of (residence)Beltana(occupation)Labourer in Fee-simple required to be furnished in pursuance of the Taxation Act, 1884.
Hundred, City or Township: Hd. of Beltana. No. of Section, Town Acre, or Allotment, and Registration Reference to Title. vol. cccx1x No. 109 Folio 1/2. Street or particular Locality. Fifth Street, South Terrace. Area or Measurement; 200 ft x 250 ft. Name of Occupier (if any) James Heneker. Name of Mortgagee (if any), and Amount of Mortgage. – -. Actual Value, Land and Improvements, on January 1, 1885.. £10. Value of Improvements. £10 Unimproved Value on January 1, 1885 £5 Amount of Tax, being 1/2d. in the pound on Unimproved value. 2 1/2.
(Wilfully furnishing false Return, or making false Declaration, punishable in like manner as wilful and corrupt perjury.)
DECLARATION
Signed by James Henneker (in his own hand) do hereby declare that all the particulars and statements in the above Returns are in every respect justly and truly state to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and according to the requirement 1884, and of the Regulations made thereunder.
Dated this Seventeenth day of March 1885. at capacity Return is made “self” (Name in full) James Heneker, (Description)Labourer (Postal address) Beltana.
JAMES HENEKER LAND TAX 1885 BELTANA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Sorry that this is difficult to see, if you would like me to send a photo from my phone (which can at least be enlarged a bit, I am happy to do so. It is an A3 form and I haven’t been able to work out how else to copy it for download.
Posted at 3:58 pm by heneker52, on November 19, 2021
Thanks to Chris who has contacted me with more information and an answer to my post asking if anyone knew about a William Henry Henneker who lived at Port Adelaide. This information is invaluable and I hopefully will add it to my original post about William as soon as I can.
I won’t use Chris’ last name but she knows who she is. It wonderful as I have been getting a few replies about family in the posts I have published. Learning all the time. We all know something about people, and some of you are closer to the person than I may be, so it means so much more info.
Posted at 11:33 pm by heneker52, on November 16, 2021
As opposed to William Henry / Henry William Henneker who lived most of his life at Kapunda, South Australia, I have often come across records for a Henniker/Henneker family who lived in the Port Adelaide Area.
There is a William Henry Henneker who, on his marriage certificate shows his father as “Henry William Henneker”? He married Agnes Cecilia Bandick in 1911 at Port Adelaide.
It is just all so confusing. I know he is NOT the same William Henry Henneker of Kapunda. (who was a son of Thomas and Jemima Henniker). It can be so difficult for all of us. William who was Thomas’ son has been spelled William Henry or Henry William, on official documents, including death, marriage, hospital records. So it is very hard to even know for sure what his actual birth name was. And it seem the William Henry with a father Henry William!!!!! also has the same issue. On top of that, the name Henneker as previously discussed is constantly spelt differently, on every record. Henneker, Henniker, Heniker, Heneker. And this naming changes even between the spelling of a child’s surname and the father’s surname.
Anyway, my reason for posting this, is, I have found myself getting totally caught up in trying to find out if William Henry Henneker of Port Adelaide is any relation. On the shipping record of the Hooghly, the ship Thomas and Jemima and family emigrated to South Australia on, there was a separate entry for a James Henniker. Now I don’t think that is Thomas and Jemima’s son James born 1826(who is my g g grandfather) as he would have been included under the number of children given on the voyage. So I have been wondering if James Henniker who also emigrated with them was perhaps a brother of Thomas. If so, perhaps the Port Adelaide family were part of another one of the Henniker family who emigrated from a different father. I know, this is probably all very confusing to read, just as it is to write, and my writing is just what is stuck in my head and now coming out.
So I have decided to try to find out more about the origins of the Port Adelaide Henniker/Henneker’s of the time, and see where they fit in. I am “assuming” that they are probably part of the Westwell, Kent family although of course I could be totally wrong or misleading others.
If anyone is aware I would love to hear from you, otherwise I will continue to research and if I find out anything helpful I will post it on this blog. Cheers to everyone for now.
Posted at 11:02 pm by heneker52, on November 1, 2021
JOSEPH HENEKER
It really must run in the Heneker family. Being there at a time of drama!! As reported in [The Register on Monday 8 May 1916], a dramatic heading reads “Exciting Pair-Horse Bolt”.- Hawker May 5.
I will this story as it was recorded in the newspaper of the time: “Hawker May 5 – Considerable excitement was caused at the Hawker Railway Station yesterday morning just as the south train for Oodnadatta arrived. here appeared a runaway pair of horses attached to a buggy approaching on the roadway inside the railway fence with a woman seated in the vehicle. some of the by-standers made an attempt to stop the runaway horses as they were passing the railway goods shed, but were unsuccessful, because the reins were dragging on the ground. The horses kept on until they came to the fence at the back of the railway cottages, when they were secured and brought back to the township by Mr. Joseph Heneker. It was explained that Mr. C. Cook was driving the horses and buggy to Hawker and he had with him Mrs. Cook and Mrs. H.W Pumpa. On the steep hill near the racecourse, there being no skid on the buggy, the horses bolted. As they crossed a drain Mr. Cook was thrown from the vehicle. He took the reins with him, but escaped injury. Mrs. Pumpa managed to get out of the buggy without injury, but Mrs. Cook kept to her seat. The runaway horses continued on to Hawker, passed up Eighth street, turned a sharp corner, and went along Railway Terrace. Then they negotiated another sharp corner into the railway roadway”.
Joseph was my great grandfather, born in 1857 and my grandfather LawrenceDouglas Heneker was born in Hawker, South Australia in 1903. My grandfather would have been around at the time. How I wish we had Trove back when my grandpa was alive and I could have talked to him about these adventures! Pa Heneker did talk a lot to us kids, on our many trips up north with dad, (Neville Lawrence Heneker). Memories of us camped out near Arkaroola, on a hot December night, with just an old tarp for a tent, and Pa using a rock for his pillow, Pa would often tell us stories. So many of them I can’t remember now. Of course back then, I didn’t know about these incidents, and I am sure Pa would have been happy to talk about the adventures of his father and his grandfather. James Heneker (my great great grandfather) died in February 1917, so at that time Pa would have been 13 years old. Oh so sad that these memories are gone. And with my own dad passing away quite young in 1987, there is no one left now with those memories. I recently went to Hawker which is about an 7 hour drive from Adelaide, and took a good (outside) look at the place my dad grew up in. I wonder if Pa also grew up in that house as well. Being only built of corrugated iron, and basically one long building partially divided by walls, it would have been a very hot uncomfortable place to live especially. The Hawker Railway Station mentioned in the story is only a short walking distance and within view of the house.
The Hawker Railway Station 1908 (Public domain photograph)
“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell
Heneker - a Pioneering family from Kent to South Australia 
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