Notes for THOMAS (BEAVEN) BIFFIN:

Log of the ship "Woodbridge"

thankyou to Peter Charles Andrews

The report by Alexander Stewart ,MD. R.N. the Surgeon Superintendent of the ship

WOODBRIDGE provides information about the voyage to Sydney from England of

passengers and their children,who were mainly farm workers from the counties of

Kent,Sussex and Wiltshire. It tells the story of the voyage of Abraham Andrews,30 years

and his wife Sarah (nee Gibbs) 26 years and their 3 children,Jane,7 years and 5

months,Eliza,3 years and 6 months and George 7 weeks and 4 days from Cowes, Isle of

Wight to Sydney Cove. Abraham commenced the voyage on Wednesday the 2nd May

1838 and arrived at Sydney Cove on Saturday the 15th September 1838 and disembarked

from the ship on Tuesday the 18th September 1838,the voyage taking a total of 4 months

and 16 days.

Log Commences

APRIL 1838

On the 22nd April 1838, I was appointed by Lord Glenelg (Secretary of State for the

Colonies),as Surgeon Superintendent of the Emigrant ship "Woodbridge" bound for Sydney.

Being completed with water and provisions the ship was dropped down from Deptford to

Gravesend the 22nd of same (April),then the following day,76 persons were embarked

and 61 more on the 24th completing the number to be taken on board in the river (Thames).

They were chiefly farm labourers from the counties of Sussex and Kent and generally

healthy,but a few of the children had a pustular eruption on the face,said by the parents to

have taken place after vaccination. In the afternoon of the 25th we got under weigh and

again anchored in the sea reach,the winds becoming unfavourable and blowing strong. 26th

4.00pm got up anchor and made sail in the evening,the wind and the tide being against us,

the ship was brought up at Mole. At noon on the 27th again weighed anchor,made all sails

and having a fair breeze the ship came to anchor off Cowes,Isle of Wight at 11am on the

28th April. On the 2nd May embarked 130 emigrants from Wiltshire,the greater number

of these were also farm servants and married with families.The day after the last came

aboard I found out that some of the children were suffering from whooping cough,but with

one exception, of a mild character. No means could be adopted for the separation from the

healthy and I am happy to say no serious consequences followed. Only a few cases

subsequently occurred and these were very mild requiring some medical treatment. On the

7th May at 7.00am weighed and made all sail running through The Needles with a modest

breeze and fine weather.

MAY 1838

During the month of May the weather was fine with moderate breezes. The thermometer

averaged at noon,63 degrees,maximum 83 degrees,in latitude 7 degrees north,minimum 50

degrees off Cowes,nine days of which rain fell,chiefly near the equator and in heavy

showers of short duration. Winds were 7 days NE,1 day NEbE,1 day NNE,I day NW,I

day NNW,3 days SW,1 day SSE,1 day SEbE,3 days E,1 day EbS,7 days ENE,I day EbN,3

days variable with calms. 48 cases were put on the sick list principally obstipatic and

dysenteric. Many of the females suffered much from sea sickness,of whom 30 were cured

and two children died,one of inanition and the other from dysentery.

JUNE 1838

June for the most part ,fine with moderate and variable winds.Thermometer averaged 77

degrees,maximum 85 degrees in a latitude 4 north,minimum 66 degrees in latitude 28

degrees south. 17 days of which rain fell in heavy transient showers with occasional

thunder and lightning. Winds 1 day NE,9 days SE,3 days SSE,1 day SEbE and 13 days

variable with calms. Added to the sick list 55,cured 54,two children died of dysentery,the

same diseases prevailed as the last month.

JULY 1838 July,on the 21st of this month,finding the bowel affections continuing on

unabated and also with symptoms of scurvy making their appearance,I judged it necessary

for the benefit of the health of the emigrants to put into some port to enable me to procure

fresh provisions. Accordingly I wrote to the Master of the ship requesting him to take her

to the nearest convenient harbour for that purpose. On the same day we arrived at

Simmons Bay, Cape of Good Hope,where I purchased 2501 pounds of beef and mutton

and half that quantity of mixed vegetables,having also taken on board 8 tons of water. No

fruit was available. We proceeded on our passage on the 26th. The weather this month

was more unsettled, the winds being stronger and a good deal of thick foggy atmosphere.

The29th and the 30th days were particularly thick and muggy with torrents of rain and

much thunder and lightning, which so injured our remaining fresh beef that a survey was

held upon it and 887 pounds were thrown overboard,being unfit for use. The thermometer

averaged 60 2/3 degrees,maximum 66 degrees at 29 degrees south latitude,minimum 56

degrees in the latitude 34 degrees south. Nine days of rain fell with the exception of the

two days stated above in moderate passing showers. 34 were added to the sick list,32

cured and 4 died,3 children of dysentery and 1 of aptha of the mouth and fauce

AUGUST 1838

August,the weather was very unsettled and the decks were wet ,but no injurious effects to

the health of the people. The sick list,remarkably diminished since the issue of fresh

provisions. Thermometer averaged 53 degrees,maximum 64 degrees in latitude 39

south ,minumum 49 degrees in latitude 38 south. 19 days of rain fell in transient but heavy

showers with occasional hail. The winds chiefly westerly,suddenly shifting around to the

north and south,blowing strong with occasional gales and thick weather. The winds were 2

days N,2 days NNE,1 day NE,4 days NW,2 days NNW,2 days NWbW,8 days WNW,2

days WSW,3 days WbS,2 days SSW,1 day SW and 1 day variable and calm. 16 were

added to the sick list,19 cured and a married female died from the debilitating effects of sea

sickness.

SEPTEMBER 1838

September,on the 15th,the Woodbridge anchored in Sydney Cove and the morning of the

18th,the emigrants were disembarked. With the exception of one child,all were healthy.

The weather this month was generally fine,with light and moderate breezes,no rain. The

Thermometer averages 50 1/2 degrees,maximum 67 degrees in Sydney Cove,minimum 48

degrees in latitude 40 south. 2 added to sick list,29 discharged,one of whom was a married

woman died of dysentery.

The Sydney Gazette dated Tuesday 18 September 1838 in the Ships News Column

stated:"The emigrant ship Woodbridge is a vessel well adapted for the conveyance of

settlers to our shores,her between decks,being more than seven feet in height,and very

spacious. The emigrants on board appear to be in a mostly healthy state,and their berths

and other accommodation do great credit to the commanding officers on board,and also the

Surgeon Superintendent,Alexander Stewart,Esq.,R.N. The only deaths on board this vessel

during her passage were eight young children.(In actual fact the deaths were 8 children and

2 married women). Messrs R.Campbell & Co.are her Agents.The emigrants will be landed

this day,and as they are principally agricultural labourers,there will be a good opportunity

for the settlers to provide themselves with such as they may require." The article went on

to say the Woodbridge was due to leave Sydney Cove in about a fortnight.

Persons who died on the voyage

1 May 1838 William LAWRENCE 7 months Inanition

26 May 1838 George HOLLEY 4 years Remittent Fever

1 June 1838 Henry BARTHOLEMEW 2 1/2 years Dysentery

4 June 1838 Jane HEWITT 18 months Dysentery

9 July 1838 Diana BIFFIN 13 months Dysentery

15 July 1838 Mrs MORRIS 41 years Inanition Sea Sickness

16 July 1838 William HARWOOD 7 months Dysentery

28 July 1838 George WEBB 11 months Croup

20 August 1838 baby MORRIS 12 months Dysentery

4 September 1838 Mrs BARTHOLEMEW 29 years Dysentery

6 People died of dysentery (an infectious disease marked by the inflammation and

ulceration of the lower part of the bowels),1 of remittent fever,2 of Inanition (exhaustion

from the lack of nourishment-starvation caused by sea sickness), 1 of croup (inflamation

of the larynx especially in children)

The sick list kept by Alexander Stewart shows that Abraham Andrews was treated on the

28th May for dysentery and cured on the 30th May. Sarah Andrews was treated on the

31st May for constipation and cured on the1st June. Jane Andrews was treated on two

occasions,once on the 7th May and cured on the 20th May and again on the 29th July for

a scalded shoulder and cured on the 4th August. George Andrews was treated on the 3rd

May and cured on the 8th. Eliza was not treated for any sickness during the voyage. It is

interesting to note that Abraham died at the age of 73 years,Sarah at 77 years,Jane at 80

years,Eliza at 38 years and George at 64 years. Thomas Biffin, who came from Wiltshire

with his family on the Woodbridge, is the maternal great great great grandfather of the author Peter Andrews.

Persons born on the voyage

2nd July 1838 James LANHAM

17th August 1838 Sarah Ann STACE

28th August 1838 Sarah Jane BIFFIN

On Monday the 17th September 1838 the following two articles appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald:

1. Shipping Intelligence : From Portsmouth,same day,having sailed the 7th May,the Ship

"Woodbridge",Captain Dobson with 260 government emigrants,under the superintendence

of Dr. Stewart.

2. The undermentioned immigrants,with their families,who arrived on the ship

"Woodbridge",on the 15 September,under the superintendence of Alexander

Stewart,Esq.,R.N.,will be landed on the 19th instant,at the Immigrant Buildings,Bent

Street; and persons desirous of engaging their services are requested to apply to the

Superintendent,at the Buildings,the following day.

Agricultural Labourers 45

Blacksmith 1

Bricklayer 1

Butchers 2

Gardeners 4

Shoemakers 3

Shepherd 8

Single women Dairywomen 2

General Servants 3

TOTAL 69

J.DENHAM PINNOCK

Immigration Office, September 16,1838

Baptism: 02 Sep 1792, West Lavington, Wiltshire, England

Burial: 22 Sep 1853, Berima Cemetery, Mittagong, New South Wales

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Accidently Buried/Burned? - Coroner's report

Immigration: Sep 1838, Woodbridge

Occupation: 1838, Farm Labourer

More About LOUISA BEST:

Burial: 23 Jul 1835, Fovant, Wiltshire, England

Notes for GRACE GOODFELLOW:

Minister at Wedding: Geo Dowdney Witnesses: Maria Goodfellow, John Goodfellow

Illiterate, Church of England

Brought to Australia by the Government embarked on ship 12 August 1838

Burial in the parish of Berrima in the County of Camden, Lived Mittagong

Minister Robert S Downing

NSW BDM Ref: V185314 119 (Death

More About GRACE GOODFELLOW:

Baptism: 03 Oct 1803, St George's Fovant, Wiltshire, England

Burial: 03 Mar 1853, Bong Bong Cemetery, Mittagong, New South Wales

Death Ref.: No. V185314 119/1853

Immigration: Sep 1838, Woodbridge

Occupation: 1838

Children of THOMAS BIFFIN and LOUISA BEST are:

Note: all Thomas and Louia's children's baptisms are recorded as BEAVEN.

                   i.    JOHN² BIFFIN, b. 25 May 1816, Fovant, Wiltshire, England;                   

2.               ii.    AARON BIFFIN, b. 11 Oct 1821, Fovant, Wiltshire, England; d. 18 Oct 1902, Camden, New South Wales.

3.              iii.    THOMAS BIFFIN, b. 1824, Fovant, Wiltshire, England; d. 06 Nov 1906, Smithfield, Sydney, New South Wales.

4.               v.    ANN MARIE BIFFIN, born 1828, Fovant Wiltshire, England; d. 31 Aug 1910, Huddleston, South Australia.

5.              vi.    ELIZA BIFFIN, b. 1833, Fovant, Wiltshire, England; d. 07 Aug 1909, Newtown, Sydney, New South Wales.

Children of GRACE GOODFELLOW are:

                 i.     WILLIAM GOODFELLOW, born 1827, Fovant Wiltshire, England

                        More About WILLIAM GOODFELLOW:

                        Baptism: 15 July 1827, Fovant, Wiltshire, England.

                        Note: William is the "base born" son of Grace Goodfellow, single woman

                  It would appear that THOMAS BIFFIN may have adopted William after his marriage to Grace,

                  he may well be William's natural father.

                   I have not been able to find a death or Marriage for William and would appeciate finding out

                        what happened to William.

Children of THOMAS BIFFIN and GRACE GOODFELLOW are:

                vii.    DIANA² BIFFIN, b. 1836, Fovant, Wiltshire, England; d. 09 Jul 1838, Died aboard the "Woodbridge" at sea.

                         More About DIANA BIFFIN:

                         Baptism: 25 December 1836, Fovant, Wiltshire, England

               viii.    SARAH JANE BIFFIN, b. 28 Aug 1838, on board "Woodbridge"; d. 15 May 1914, Gundagai, New South Wales;

                         m. JAMES WILLIAMS, 28 Nov 1855, Berrima, New South Wales; b. 1828, Lichardsin House, Somersetshire, England; d. 01 Sep 1924, South Gundagai, New South Wales.

6.               ix.    JAMES ALFRED BIFFIN, b. 05 Jan 1841, Mittagong, New South Wales; d. 17 Sep 1921, Parkes District Hospital, New South Wales.

                   x.    ELIZABETH BIFFIN, b. 10 Dec 1844, Mittagong, New South Wales; d. 23 Dec 1924, Sacred Heart Hospital, Cootamundra, New South Wales;

                         m. CHARLES BRADMAN, 21 Feb 1860, Berrima, New South Wales; b. 23 Dec 1824, Witherfield, Suffolk, England; d. 28 Oct 1907, Cootamundra, New South Wales.

Notes for ELIZABETH BIFFIN:

She was Sir Donald Bradmans (cricketer) Grandmother.

She marriedCharles Bradman from the border of  Cambridgeshire & Suffolk, an area

formed by the villages of Horseneath and Haverhill. He was a farm labourer who was

drawn to NSW by gold stikes near Bathurst. In 1860, he was known to be a farmer. Elizabeth died from carcinoma of the liver, at Sacred Heart Hospital, Cootamundra.

More About ELIZABETH BIFFIN:

Baptism: 26 Apr 1845, Appin, New South Wales

Burial: 23 Dec 1924, CofE, Cootamundra,  New South Wales

Cause of Death: carcinoma of the liver

Cause of Death (Facts Pg): Carcinoma of the Liver

More About CHARLES BRADMAN:

Occupation: 1860, Farm Labourer

Generation No. 2