Muschtuen Family (+Bliss and Bellis Families)

Father

Maternal Line:

The surname  Muschtuen doesn’t sound English and there are at least 7 different spellings – including Mustin, Muschion, Mushtin, which suggest its pronunciation. It has been suggested that the surname is French as many French iron workers immigrated to England in the 16th century. The spelling I am using seems to be the most used and the one used by  Michael’s daughter Julia. As Michael is the other convict in the family there is quite a bit of information about him. From his convict records it seems he was born about 1806, possibly in the coastal town of Ferring, Sussex.

http://www.ferringvillage.co.uk/history/history-outline.htm.

Michael was about 19 when he was first in trouble with the law; on the 24 February 1826 he stole 2 grafting irons (worth 4s 6d), one the property of Robert Hayler and the other the property of Francis Bennett. Michael Muschtan,  a labourer, was sentenced at Petworth Sessions on 4 April, to 7 years transportation. He was in Horsham Goal but transportation listings do not show that he was actually transported. He probably served this sentence on the Thames Hulks, at Portsmouth, cleaning the river.

Prison hulk

http://www.portcities.org.uk/london/server/show/ConNarrative.56/chapterId/422/Prison-hulks-on-the-River-Thames.html

The conditions on these hulks was harsh, disease ridden and cruel.  Later convict records say that Michael served 4 years at Portsmouth.

In spite of this terrible time 5 years later Michael was convicted of embezzlement on 2 January,1831, at the Petworth Epiphany Sessions. He was accused of embezzling 5 pound from his employer John Tilly. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty. This time his name was spelt Muschion, with occupation – painter, labourer of Broadwater. He was given the sentence of 14 years transportation.

Because of detailed convict records we know what Michael looked like. He was 5.5ft tall, had red whiskers, a ruddy complexion, a crooked little finger, wore a blue ring on his left little finger and could read. He was 28 and single. From records it is guessed he was born between 1804 and 1806. He came to Australia on the Lady Harwood (2) with 200 other male convicts, they arrived in Sydney on 3 March, 1832.

Lady Harewood

It was usual for convicts to be assigned to an employer. As he had worked as a painter in England he was given work as a painter for Barnett Levey. Levey was a merchant, entrepreneur and theatre director who had arrived in the colony in 1821. His brother Solomon was a prosperous emancipist. Levey was the first free Jewish settler in the colony. He had a store at 72 George St. Sydney. He also established one of the first lending libraries. He wanted to promote the culture of Sydney and in 1832 was given the first theatre licence in the colony. He set up a stage in the Royal Hotel and eventually turned it into the Theatre Royal. There were structural changes and the interior was painted in green and gold, with mirrored stage doors, an audience area of 2 tiers of narrow  boxes and a gallery. So it seems our Michael was part of the renovation of this theatre. Convict muster records of 1837 show Michael was still working for Levey.

http://www.hat-archive.com/theatre_royal_sydney_to_1913.htm

Perhaps working in the theatre gave Michael the opportunity to learn new skills, meet other people including his future wife Sarah.

Sarah Elizabeth Bliss is also living in Sydney, she arrived in September, 1835 on board the  Canton. Most of the 234 passengers were young, single women. The colony certainly needed more eligible women for marriages. And a growing middle class wanted servants. Were the women also looking for a better life in the colony? Shipping records state Sarah was only 16 (later records show she was older, about 19), a dressmaker from Norfolk. She was employed by Mrs Forster as a housemaid at 42 Pitt St. Sydney.

Sarah had come from a poor background in Lambeth, London. She was baptised in April, 1817 in St Martins in the Field Westminster. Her father was Henry Gordon Bliss, he was a carpenter; her mother was Mary Ann Archbutt. She had 3 sisters, Mary Ann, Maria, Rosina and two brothers George and Henry.  She would later name her only daughter after her sisters. Sarah was only 8 when her father died in 1825. How did the family cope after his death?

Information from a relative told me that Mary Ann ‘married’ for a second time to a cabinet maker named John James Fraser. Unfortunately, on his side, the marriage was bigamous and he remained married to his first wife. This second ‘marriage’ would be disastrous for Mary Ann and her young family. At the time she was managing a ‘pawnshop’ in Lambeth on behalf of her brother, John Archbutt. By this means she was able to provide for herself and the children with at least the basic necessities. She went into the ‘marriage’ thinking that Fraser’s cabinet making and carpentry skills would be an asset to the business. Instead he ‘cleaned’ the shop out, taking everything and leaving Mary Ann and her family destitute.

Henry Gordo Bliss junior emigrated to the USA and served as a Union soldier during the civil War before his death in battle in 1863.

Perhaps this is why Sarah decides to go to Australia, with the promise of work and a better life. Advertisements were placed in English papers especially aimed at young women promising work in various colonies.

As Michael is a convict he and Sarah must apply for permission to be married. They apply on 4 December 1837 and marry on 6 August, 1838 at St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney.

St Andrews Scots Church

Michael is given a Ticket of Leave in 1839. This gave greater freedom to a convict, he could work for himself but had to live in the same area, report regularly and go to church. Being a painter and glazier he should have been able to readily get work in the growing colony. He remains in this occupation for the rest of his life. As Sarah was a dressmaker they must have been able to make ends meet.

Michael and Sarah spend the rest of their lives around Surry Hills area. The Sands Commercial Directory lists both Michael as a painter and glazier and Sarah as a dressmaker. Their rented house at 3 Marsden Lane, Surry Hills is described as a brick dwelling with a shingle roof, 3 rooms covering an area 30 feet by 90 feet.  This area of Sydney is not very pleasant during this period; it is very poor, with cheap housing, basic sanitation, muddy roads. One can imagine the smells and air pollution with its breweries, tanneries,  blacksmiths, coal yards, laundries and livery stables.

Michael and Sarah change addresses several times but stay in this general area. They have a daughter, Julia Rosina Maria, born 3 March 1843. Michael finally gets his Certificate of Freedom in 1846. Michael dies aged 60, on 13 September, 1867. There is a coroner’s report which states that he died of natural causes in the Prince Frederick Hotel, Burwood. What was he doing in Burwood, perhaps working as a painter?

Sarah is only 50, but she is a survivor, she continues in her work as a dressmaker. Her daughter Julia marries 2 years later in 1869. Sarah is listed in the Sands Directory for several years so she must have been successful. Her  skills and character can be seen in a photo of Sarah taken on 27 July, 1897, aged 79. She is dressed in an elegant dress of black silk with a lace collar and handkerchief. She is slight, her hair is still dark and there is a twinkle in her eye and a cheeky smile; an interesting face.

Sarah Elizabeth bliss

Three years later in 1900 there is another photo of her with her daughter, Julia and her 2 granddaughters, Amy and Ada. Amy is holding baby Arthur who was born in April 1900. Are they wearing clothes that Julia made? They are certainly well dressed, Sarah is looking older, more serious, she is 82. Sarah dies in 1903 aged 87.

Sarah, Julia, Amy, Ada and baby Arthur

Julia Rosina Maria Muschtuen was named after her mother’s sisters, she is born in Surry Hills and spends most of her life in this area. As noted this is an area of poverty, unhealthy, crowded, busy with industry and livestock being herded down local streets. Perhaps not the best place to grow up but both her parents worked so perhaps it wasn’t too difficult for Julia. However we do know she had at least 3 babies before she was married. Henry was born in 1864 and died in the same year; Lily E A was born in 1867 and Amy in 1868. They all carried her name Muschtuen and are born in Redfern. Did she keep them or were they adopted? It seems unlikely she kept Amy as she called a later legitimate daughter Amy in 1874. It is all rather strange.

Julia Rosina Maria Muschtuen

She did finally marry, 3 times. She married her first husband William Ferguson, stonemason, in 1869, she was 29. They had one son Alfred in 1870. Unfortunately William dies in 1872, Alfred is only 2. One year later she marries Henry Bellis, they have 3 daughters. Amy, is born on 15 October, 1874. Jessie is born in 1877 but dies 2 years later. Ada is born in 1879. So there are 3 children, one son and 2 daughters.

Julia (Muschtuen) and John Lennox

Henry  Bellis was born in 1842 in Rotherhithe, a suburb in the South East London. His father was a blacksmith and Henry was an apprentice blacksmith. He came to Australia sometime after 1861. He is 31 when he marries Julia. They are only married 8 years when Henry dies in 1881, he is only 40. Alfred is 11, Amy is 7 and Ada only 2. Julia does not have an easy life. She marries again in 1889 to John Murdoch Lennox. This seems to have been a happy marriage for 21 years before he dies in 1910. When her daughter Amy marries Frederick Steel they use Murdoch as a middle name for their 3rd son Frederick. Although Ernest was born in 1916 and so didn’t know John Lennox he spoke of “grandpa Lennox” with affection.

Julia’s daughter Ada married Herbert Dean and they moved to Queensland, Julia must have gone to live with them as she dies, aged 88, in Queensland in 1931. Like her mother Sarah, Julia is a survivor, it was not an easy life for her, but it seems she just got on with it. Photos of her show a strong, rather severe face. She usually wears black and in one photo wears a very elaborate hat and has a book in her hand.

Julia Rosina Maria Muschtuen

Another sadness in her life is the death of her grandson Frederick McKenzie Ferguson, he was Alfred’s son. He died in 1918 from wounds while fighting  on the Western front in World War 1. He is buried at Vignacourt in the British Cemetery, Somme, France.

Vignacourt Cemetery France

Amy Mary Ann Bellis

Photos of Amy reveal an attractive, happy, confident character. Did her early years contribute to this strength and fortitude? She was born in Waterloo, Sydney on 15 October, 1874; her mother had already been married once and had a son, Alfred, 4 years older than Amy. Her father is Henry Bellis, a blacksmith, little else is known about him. A sister, Jessie is born in 1877 but dies 2 years later, then another sister Ada, is born in 1879. Stability doesn’t last long for her mother when Henry dies in 1881, Amy is only 7 and Ada 2. When Amy is 15 her mother marries John Lennox. Life is stable again, she must have loved her step father as eventually she gives his second name to one of her sons, Frederick.

Amy Steel (Bellis)

Amy Steel

Amy marries Frederick Arthur Steel on 17 April 1899 when she is 25. Frederick worked in a grocery shop in Redfern, Amy lived in nearby Waterloo, did she meet him while shopping in his store? He is a good looking, well dressed man with a positive future.Not long after their marriage Amy and Frederick move to Warren, in western NSW. Some references for Frederick state that he had been working in the area for some time. Their first child Arthur is born in April 1900 in Redfern but their second child Roy is born in Warren in 1902. They are back in Redfern when son number 3, Frederick is born in 1907. Joy arrives in 1913 and finally Ernest is born on Amy’s own birthday and when Amy is 42. They are living in a large pleasant brick home in Tempe. Between 1916 and 1918 they must decide to move to the outer western suburbs. Frederick had been working in a department store in Liverpool and then eventually has his own grocery shop on corner of Hill St. and McBurney Rd. Cabramatta.

Photos of Amy and Frederick show a  well dressed, successful couple; there are photos of picnics and happy times. One photo shows the family wearing face masks, it is about 1919, when the Spanish flu was killing more people than during WW 1. 36% of Sydneysiders were affected. Schools, universities were closed and people were told to wear face masks. It impacted especially on children, perhaps the move out of the city to outer Sydney helped the family avoid infection.

Steel Family wearing face masks

Her beloved husband Frederick dies in 1936, Amy is 62; her son Arthur continues to run the shop. The family continues to live there until she eventually moves in with her daughter Joy when she marries in 1945. During World War 2 she worries about Ern especially when he is posted to New Guinea. When he is listed in the casualty list as seriously ill she contacts the Red Cross. Their reply tells her he is in “good condition”. Ern writes to her often assuring her he is well. I remember her as an old lady usually dressed in black or navy and white. According to her granddaughter Judy, Amy enjoyed listening to “Yes, What” on the radio. Joy would do her mother’s hair every morning, a plait wound into a bun. She dies in 1959, she was 85.

Amy Steel