Convict Ancestor:
John Bath (McDonald)

Family History - Arthur Herbert Atkins, son of Edward Bath

John Bath's convict records reveal that he was born John Bath McDonald. He is also recorded "alias McDonald" and "alias Beath". It is assumed that he was known as John Bath after his sentence was completed. Records for him known as McDonald after this time have not been located.

Convict Record

John Bath McDonald was convicted and transported to New South Wales at the Pontefract Courthouse, on the 7th April 1834 at West Riding, Assizes Yorkshire Quarter Sessions. He is described as being a Labourer from Wakefield. John died at Cowra, NSW and his death certificate states that he was born at St Helens which is near Wakefield.

John was convicted alongside Jane Wood, a widow, also of Wakefield. They were convicted of the theft on the 25 February 1834 at Sheffield of one watch (the value of 2 shillings) and fourteen gold sovereigns (the value of £14) of Edward Orton of Sheffield. The value of the goods today would be approximately £700 (AUD$1400). Jane Wood had previously been convicted of a felony on the 25 October 1833, and this may explain (to some extent) their punishment of seven years.

The Convict Register describes John as born 1811, 5'9" tall, dark sallow complexion, dark brown nearly black hair, chestnut eyes, scar left side of chin, small round scar back of left hand, little finger of same a little contracted and scar back of it, scar back of left thumb, another back of third finger of right hand.

On 29 May 1839, John was granted Ticket of Leave and was allowed to remain in the district of Sydney on recommendation of the Bench (dated January 1839).

John was granted freedom 7 April 1841. He is recorded at John Bath alias Beth alias McDonald and his trade as Baker's labourer and Cabinet Maker. John was a wheelwright before his death. However, John's son, Edward was a carpenter by trade.

John Bath died 27 July 1881 at Cowra NSW aged 70 years. His parents are unknown and his wife is stated as Mary Brennan who he apparently married in Sydney circa 1838. There is no registered marriage for John and Mary in NSW. Children of the marriage are stated as Charles, Edward, Elizabeth and Winifred. The only child that was registered at birth and has been confirmed is Edward.

Edward Bath

The Old Catholic Register of Baptisms at Picton records Edward Bath born 30 April 1843. His father isn't recorded and his mother's maiden name is recorded as Bath. This is a curious entry. It is thought that perhaps Edward's mother may not have wanted her identity known. Edward died in 1907 at Temora NSW. He married Winifred McNamara in 1876 at the house of Winifred's father, Martin McNamara of Neraga Creek, Boorowa NSW. Winifred was born in 1860 at Moreton Park near Camden NSW and her mother was Honora McDonnell.

Edward's marriage certificate doesn't state his birthplace, age or parents, only that his profession was Carpenter and he was residing at Neraga Creek NSW. Winifred was under the age of 21 and residing at Neraga Creek with her parents. Her death certificate reveals that she was 16 years old at the time of marriage.

Edward and Winifred's children were all born at Cowra NSW except Winifred (aka Millicent) who was born at Goulburn NSW: Elizabeth Mary's death wasn't registered; she was born 1875/76, Charles 1877, Mary 1879, Edward 1880, Winifred (aka Millicent) 1881, Honora Ruth 1882 and John Joseph 1884.

Winifred died in 1886 at Cowra NSW leaving behind a young family and was pregnant at the time of her death. Edward didn't remarry but it has been discovered that he had a son with Catherine Teresa Adelaide (nee Jones) Atkins in 1892 at Harden NSW. Catherine and Edward appear on the NSW Electoral Roll at Temora in 1903; perhaps they were living together. Catherine registered their son as Arthur Herbert Atkins and stated incorrectly that his father was her previous husband, John Joseph Atkins who had been estranged from the family.

Winifred (aka Millicent) Bath

Winifred, daughter of Edward and Winifred Bath was my grandmother who was married four times:
Her first marriage was to William Warren about 1903; second to William John Smith in 1908 and third to William Carver about 1912. Her fourth marriage was to George Frederick Elliott in 1924. My mother, Doreen Blanche Elliott was from this marriage.

Winifred died as Millicent Winifred Elliott in 1960 at Glebe, Sydney NSW. Her daughter, Doreen, is the informant and states Millicent's marriages but children to these marriages are unknown.

Millicent had another daughter, Marjory Flora who was born on 21 July 1900 at The Home of Hope, Stanley Street, Newtown where Millicent was also residing. She states herself as the mother, Millie Bath, 21 years old and born at Cowra NSW.

Since the early 1880s The Home of Hope was run by The Sydney Rescue Work Society in conjunction with an adoption agency. From 1911 until it's closure in the mid 1970s it was known as The South Sydney Bethesda Waiting Patient's Hostel.

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