Edwards Spinks married Agnes Henry in Wollongong on 25 March 1840 at the school house, Wollongong. Both were of Jamberoo and both signed their names with an ‘x’.[1] They were living with Edward’s father John Spinks at the time of the 1841 Census with their newborn daughter Sarah Ann. The location was at Stony Creek and was either the same place or nearby to lot 34 of the Curramore Estate that Edward eventually purchased in 1853. Edward’s property bordered the southern boundary of the lots that James Dennis had purchased for his sister Elizabeth Spinks’s daughters.
Edward was to have two bankruptcy events in his life. In January 1860, and after mortgaging his Curramore farm twice in 1856 and 1858,[2] Edward was still in financial trouble. He tried to lease his farm and sell his stock but not all the stock was sold and he still had his farm. The sale advertisement stated that Mr Spinks was leaving for Ulladulla but that move did not eventuate as Edward was declared bankrupt in July 1860, with all of his assets assigned to his trustees for benefit of his creditors. He was only able to retain wearing apparel and necessaries to an amount not exceeding 25 pounds.[3] His assets were sold by auction on 5 September 1860.[4] Edward Spinks and his growing family moved north to Fairy Meadow and then on to Bulli.
The Spinks move to Bulli
Sometime between 1861 and 1863 Edward, Agnes and their large family moved to Bulli. Their 13th child Rachel Louisa was born at Bulli followed by Frances Charity in 1865. Agnes died giving birth to Frances Charity in what might have been a preventable death had better care been given. It was reported in the press but no inquest was held.
Edward Spinks was now a widower with about 11 of his 14 children still in his care. In February 1866 he advertised for a housekeeper.
How he would pay a housekeeper is a mystery as the following month his bankruptcy was reported in the press and in April 1866 his precise financial position was also reported publicly.
Drunk and desperate for money Edward received 24 hours in the Wollongong Gaol for an altercation with some neighbours.
Edward’s entry in the Wollongong Gaol entrance book gives a good description of him – aged 47 years, 6’ 51/2” tall, slender build, fair complexion, dark brown hair, long nose, small mouth and chin. It was also noted that he could read and write.[5]
To top off a terrible few months Edward was caught with part of a cow, believed to have been stolen.
Later in 1866 Edward again advertised for a housekeeper. Whether he was able to engage someone is not known but in 1867 he no longer needed to advertise as he married widow Anne Howard (nee Smith). Anne was the mother in law of his daughter Jane, who had married James Howard in 1863.
[1] Marriage certificate 495 Vol. 248. Edward Spinks and Agnes Henry.
[2] NSW Land Registry Services. 45-213 Edward Spinks mortgage Robert Owen 4 August 1856; 68-119 Edward Spinks mortgage Robert Owen 18 September 1858
[3] “Advertising” The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954) 26 July 1860: 8. Web. 21 May 2021 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13043543>.
[4] Edward Spinks had been in Jamberoo for most of his life. His father and family were listed as tenants in Jamberoo at the time of the 1828 Census; in 1843 when his daughter Elizabeth was baptised he is shown as a farmer holding a clearing lease at Stony Creek, Jamberoo.
[5] State Archives NSW; Kingswood, New South Wales; Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930; Series: 2591; Item: 1513; Roll: 306
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