James Bazeley
- Born: 1816, Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England
- Christened: 8 Jun 1816, St Andrews, Wiveliscombe, , Somerset, England
- Marriage (1): Harriet Farrant on 12 Jan 1841 in West Buckland, Somerset, England
- Marriage (2): Elizabeth White on 29 Jul 1865 in Holy Trinity Church, Pentridge, Victoria, Australia
- Marriage (3): Margaret Walsh on 18 Oct 1871 in St Francis Church, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Died: 27 Mar 1892, Yeringberg, Victoria, Australia at age 76
- Buried: 28 Mar 1892, Lilydale Cemetery, Lilydale, Victoria, Australia
 Cause of his death was Senile Decay, Bronchio pneumonia, over 2 months.
Other names for James were James Basely and James Beasley.
General Notes:
The story of James and Harriet's emigration to Australia, what became of them, and details of their son Charles' family in particular is recounted in Craig's award-winning book - In the Shadow of Feathertop: a history of the Lives and legacy of George Jones and Margaret Hardie. Read about the book here: http://craig-fullerton.com/product/in-the-shadow-of-feathertop/
James was a twin to his brother Stephen and his parents were named as James and Hannah BAZELEY.
On the 23rd April 1840 he was a witness at the marriage of Charles Farrant and Mary Taylor. Charles was the sister of James' future wife Harriet.
At the time of the 1841 Census he and Harriet were living at Upcott, Bishops Hull, Somerset, England. The family name is spelled BASLEY. James, 23, was a Maltster, born Somerset. Harriet was 20, born Somerset. Also living here were James' brother Francis Basley, 19, born Somerset and James Basley, 12 years, born Somerset.
At the time of the 1851 Census James and Harriet (the surname is spelled BASLEY) were living in Canal Cottage, Hillfarrance, Somerset, England. James was 34, an agricultural labourer, born Wiveliscombe, Somerset, Harriet was aged 32, born Staffordshire. Also living here was Charles, a scholar aged 7 and his older brother John, aged 9 and a scholar and a lodger, James' brother, Lewis Basely aged 18, an Agricultural labourer. Hillfarrance is about 10kms from Wiveliscombe where he was born.
On the 24th May 1852 James, Harriet, John and Charles left England on the Omega bound for South Australia. They arrived in Port Adelaide on the 24th August 1852.
By 1853 his family is living in Melbourne, where Harriet died in 1859. Neither James nor her two surviving sons, Charles and John, are the informant on her death certificate. Perhaps they were away at one of the many diggings that had sprung up seeking their fortune, but it is not known why Harriet was alone in Melbourne.
James had two more marriages after Harriet's death.
The informant on his death certificate was Peter Louis Dagon, his brother in law. Peter's second wife was Ellen Walsh, sister to margaret Leddy (nee Walsh) James' third wife. Peter is buried in the same (unmarked) grave as James at the Lilydale cemetery (CofE Plot 295).
With thanks to Annette Beasley for much of this information.
Noted events in his life were:
• He resided at the time of his first marriage on 12 Jan 1841 in Bradford, , Somerset, England.
• He resided at the time of the Census in 1851 in Hillfarrance, Somerset, England.
• He had a residence in Jul 1865 in Preston, Victoria, Australia.
• He had a residence on 18 Jul 1871 in Preston, Victoria, Australia.
• He had a residence in Jun 1887 in Seymour St, South Preston, Victoria, Australia.
• He worked as an Agricultural labourer at the time of the census in 1851 in Somerset, England.
• He worked as a Mason in Jul 1865.
• He worked as a Bricklayer on 18 Oct 1871 in Preston, Victoria, Australia.
• He worked as a Bricklayer in Jun 1887.
• He worked as a Bricklayer & builder according to his son Charles' Death Certificate.
James married Harriet Farrant, daughter of William Farrant and Unknown, on 12 Jan 1841 in West Buckland, Somerset, England. (Harriet Farrant was born circa 1819 in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom and died on 31 May 1859 in Charles St, Richmond, Victoria, Australia.). The cause of her death was Malignant Disease Debility, many months.
Marriage Notes:
Witnesses were Harriet's brother, Charles and Mary Harnell
James next married Elizabeth White, daughter of John White and Sarah Lee, on 12 Jan 1841 in West Buckland, Somerset, England. (Elizabeth White was born about 1827 in Pewsey, , Wiltshire, England and died on 8 Apr 1870 in Victoria, Australia.)
Marriage Notes:
Witnesses were Harriet's brother, Charles and Mary Harnell
James next married Margaret Walsh, daughter of Thomas Walsh and Ellen Whelan, on 12 Jan 1841 in West Buckland, Somerset, England. (Margaret Walsh was born about 1827 in Tipperary, Ireland, died on 30 Jun 1887 in Preston, Victoria, Australia and was buried on 2 Jul 1887 in Epping Cemetery, Epping, , Victoria, Australia.)
Marriage Notes:
Witnesses were Harriet's brother, Charles and Mary Harnell
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