A Notice was placed in ' Ship Deserters ' 21st October 1853 being five foot ten and a half, dark complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, and part of anchor on arm and five pounds reward placed on his head.
Well I reckon he made his pot of gold stated that his occupation was Farmer and Mariner. He married Elizabeth Chapman (daughter of John Joyce Chapman, a Cooper, at Millers Point, Sydney, New South Wales , Australia, and Elizabeth Gardener ) on the 26th October 1859 at St Phillip's Church of England, in York Street Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and marvellously enough still stands tall.
William and Elizabeth had eight children and their first born being my great grandfather, George John Knox who next to his Dad also became a Mariner pictured here on the left.
While living at Coila NSW on the far south coast being town that was surveyed never eventuated he owned portions no's.56, 173, 40 acres 228, 42 acres and listed as a farmer on 8th January 1873 William became a Master Mariner (certificate no.156) sailing the ' Moses Fletcher ' from Moruya Heads, NSW to Port Jackson, Sydney, NSW some 100 nautical miles north to the Sydney Mint with a load of gold and returning with passengers and supplies.
William like many other townsfolk of Coila all petition to opening a school at Turlinjah NSW. Finally on 16th May 1877 after many forwarding letters to Council of Education Office a school was approved.
Although William was seen to be rarely at home but often travelling to Bergalia NSW swear an affidavit that he had been bailed up at Deep Creek NSW near Nerrigundah by the notorious bushrangers brothers, Thomas and John Clarke. " He did not believe the guard and Tom Connell were the same person " (taken from " The Bloodest Bushrangers " by John O'Sullivan.. Published 1973.)
" At Coila on Wednesday last Captain William Knox aged 53, passed over to the ' Great Majority ' leaving a wife and we understand, a large family to mourn their loss " dated 22nd October 1881, Moruya Examiner.
Wills and Probate of NSW " 25th November 1881 By act of letters of Administration of the effects William Knox late of Coila near Moruya New South Wales were granted to Elizabeth Knox lux dow Intestated 19th October 1881 Goods sworn in 300 pounds "
My grandfather, George William Knox known as "Bill"boot repairer and saddlier (pictured on the left) never knew his grandfather Captain William Knox In his working career he became a chief slaughterman at Byron Bay Meatworks NSW
My father, born William Edward Knox on 13th April 1918 in Byron Bay NSW
