1846--
The earliest documentation I have for the PALMERS is the marriage of George Henry PALMER, my great-great-grandfather, and Mary Ann BRIGGS, which took place in Christchurch, St George's-in-the-East, Middlesex (now Greater London) on 11 January, 1846. George was "of full age" and Mary Ann was still a minor. They were living at #2 Caroline St Stepney (it was economical to reside in the same parish so that the Banns had only to be read in the one parish instead of two. Every penny counted...and residence could be established by stowing a couple of cases in the front room, so morals need not be compromised...)
George listed his occupation as a "wine cooper" and John BRIGGS, Mary Ann's father, was a "Looker" or supervisor. Mary Ann had no occupation listed. At the time of Henrietta's birth, George Henry had listed his occupation as "Cellarman"
George and Mary Ann had five known children in England: the ages are taken from the shipping record.
Mary Ann 12
George 9
Henrietta 6 (born 11 May 1852, at 33 John Street, St George's-in-the-East,
Harriet 4
John 1
All the children were christened on 14 Feb 1858 at St Thomas' Stepney, just before they sailed with their mother on the "Atalanta" as paying passengers. George Henry had left for Australia before the rest of the family, but so far the ship he sailed on has not been identified.
The five children and Mary Ann survived the voyage, and George was waiting for them in Victoria when they arrived. Henrietta had remembered her father as always wearing a suit and tie--and when he met them he was in shirt and red neckerchief, a memory which survived into old age, along with the fact that she had been 5 when she left England and was 6 when she arrived in Australia.
Children born in Australia are (variation between info on George's death certificate and on Mary Ann's has indicated that I should rely on births to be found in the Index of Birth Registrations)
Edwin
James Frederick
Charles
Elizabeth Ann
John Robert
Susan
George Henry PALMER died at the early age of 46, not from disease but from misadventure--he fell down a disused mine shaft and was killed.
Mary Ann (BRIGGS) PALMER lived another 8 years before dying of apoplexy on 16 May 1881.
Henrietta married Isaac EVERETT in Break O'Day Victoria on 1 August 1868
