Matilda Hanchard (1825–1901)
Matilda Gillingham was sentenced to seven years transportation for burglary (she stole wearing apparel from a dwelling house). She arrived in Tasmania in 1842 aboard the Emma Eugenia. According to the ship's indent she was 5 feet 1¼ inches (155 cms) tall, had a fair complexion, oval head, brown hair, high forehead, dark brown eyebrows, and hazel eyes. Her convict trade was given as nursemaid.
On 16 May 1844 she was charged with absconding. Her sentence was extended for a further 12 months and she was sent to the Cascades Female Factory. A ticket of leave was granted in November 1845 and a Certificate of Freedom in January 1850. She married James John Chapman on 11 November 1844. They had three children.
On 25 March 1876, as Eliza Chapman, she married Robert Hanchard at Mudgee, New South Wales. They had a daughter, registered as Louisa Hanchard, who was born at Launceston in 1857, a son Robert Hanchard, born at Launceston in 1859, and Alfred Hanchard born at Launceston in 1861 (Matilda gave her name as Eliza Harris in his birth certificate).
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Hanchard, Robert (husband)
- Chapman, James John (husband)
- Hansell, Ann (mother-in-law)
- Chapman, Elizabeth (mother-in-law)
- Hanchard, Daniel (father-in-law)
- Chapman, William (father-in-law)
- Chapman, Elizabeth (sister-in-law)
- Chapman, Sarah (sister-in-law)
- Chapman, Ann Jane (sister-in-law)
- Goodyer, Susanna Sarah (sister-in-law)
- Goodyer, John Eli (brother-in-law)
- Chapman, Thomas Brugh (brother-in-law)
Citation details
'Hanchard, Matilda (1825–1901)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/hanchard-matilda-27790/text35522, accessed 3 December 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Harris, Eliza
- Gillingham, Matilda
- Gilligan, Matilda
- Gilligant, Matilda
- Chapman, Matilda
- Hanchard, Jessie Eliza
Birth
1825
Christchurch,
Hampshire,
England
Death
13 December,
1901
(aged ~ 76)
Dubbo,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.