3rd Great-grandmother – Maternal father’s line of Johnston Family
When Cecilia Sophia Rutter was born on 15 June 1808, in Parramatta, New South Wales, her father, William, was 42 and her mother, Charlotte, was 33. She married Michael Hindmarsh on 15 August 1826, in Campbelltown, New South Wales. They had 14 children in 26 years. She died on 1 October 1869, in Gerringong, New South Wales, at the age of 61.
Cecilia Sophia Rutter – portrait photo probably taken by William Blackwood in 1862-3
Cecilia Sophia Rutter was born on 15 June 1808, in Parramatta, New South Wales to Charlotte Robinson, age 33, and William Rutter, age 42. She was baptized twice, first on 21 August 1808 by [Rev] William Pascoe Crook and then again on 25 November 1821 by [Rev] Samual Marsden. Both baptisms were conducted at St John’s Church of England, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
Fan Chart showing the parents and grandparents of Michael Hindmarsh and Cecilia Sophia Rutter.
In the following thirteen years the significant events occurring in Cecilia’s life included:
- Her sister Caroline Blake was born on 28 November 1809, in Parramatta, New South Wales;
- Her sister Catherine Newell was born on 16 November, 1811, in Parramatta, New South Wales;
- Her father William passed away on 31 December, 1812, in Parramatta, New South Wales, at the age of 46; and,
- Her mother Charlotte passed away on 13 November 1821, in Parramatta, New South Wales, at the age of 46.
1821 to 1826
When Cecilia Sophia Rutter was four years old her father William died, her mother Charlotte, now a widow, was left with three children under the age of four. Just nine years later, her mother Charlotte died on 13 November 1821.
Cecilia Sophia Rutter, together with her sisters Caroline and Catherine were now orphans. At thirteen, Cecilia was the eldest, her sister Caroline was twelve and Catherine was ten years old. Cecilia and her sisters Caroline and Catherine were baptized on 25 November 1821 by [Rev] Samuel Marsden at St John’s Church of England, Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Later Cecilia, Caroline and Catherine were admitted as Apprentices to the Female Orphan Institution at Parramatta.
Female Orphan School by Joseph Lycett the original painting is in the State Library of Victoria
During 1823, Cecilia was apprenticed from the Female Orphan School, to Mrs. Harper on 12 February 1823 and to Mr. George Rankin on 14 May 1823. Later, Cecilia was Housekeeper for the Hassall family, where she met Michael Hindmarsh.
By early 1826, Michael who had been living with the Hassall family for three years become infatuated with Cecilia, the family Housekeeper. Having finished his three year appointment with Mr. Hassall, Michael left his position in June and married Cecilia Sophia Rutter two months later.
Michael Hindmarsh wrote to his Sister at Leith in October 1826 and told her of his marriage to Cecilia Sophia Rutter, and how his wife went as teacher to the Female Orphan School. Like the Hindmarsh family the children of William and Charlotte Rutter family were left orphans for about six years from 1821.
Cecilia Sophia Rutter and Michael Hindmarsh were married at St Peter’s Church of England at Campbelltown in August 1826
Cecilia Sophia Rutter married Michael Hindmarsh on 15 August 1826, at St Peter’s Church of England, in Campbelltown, New South Wales, when she was 18 years old and he was 26 years old. Jonathan Hassall, of Matavia, Cook and Jane Rouse, of Rouse Hill were witness to the marriage.
Census of New South Wales
In the 1828 New South Wales, Australia Census Michael Hindmarsh was recorded as a landholder living in the Illawarra with his wife Cecilia and son George.
The Gerringong Road in the 1850’s
Thirteen years later, the 1841 New South Wales Census records Michael Hindmarsh as the proprietor of “Alne Bank” in the Camden District of Illawarra. The wooden dwelling is completed and was inhabited by a total of 24 persons, including Michael and his family. Seventeen of the Alne Bank inhabitants were free. The census also records the numbers of each age group, civil condition, religion and occupation of the 24 occupants.
Children of Michael and Cecilia born at Gerringong, NSW during a period of 26 years from 1827 to 1853.
- George John, born 22 September 1827, passed away 4 March 1918
- William Rutter, born 28 June 1829, passed away 6 May 1914
- Charlotte Alice, our direct descendent was born on 22 April 1831, passed away 28 July 1914
- Michael Nisbet, born 14 January 1833, passed away 8 January 1912
- Cecilia Sophia, born 8 December 1834, passed away 17 January 1913
- Hannah Isabella, born 5 February 1837, passed away 12 July 1919
- Catherine Newell, born 20 June 1838, passed away 3 April 1920
- Robert, born 14 February 1840, passed away 26 October 1920
- Thomas Alfred, born 30 April 1842, passed away 25 July 1908
- Ellen Caroline, born 20 February 1846, the date of her death is subject to verification
- Jane Elizabeth, born 15 September 1847, passed away in 1936
- Margaret was born 15 September 1847, and passed away soon after
- Frederick James, born 16 June 1850, passed away in 5 July 1911
- Emma Lee, born 23 June 1853, passed away 14 April 1921
Her husband Michael Hindmarsh died from natural causes accelerated by excitement on 25 January 1867, at “Alne Bank” in Gerringong, New South Wales, when he was 66 years old.
Cecilia Sophia Rutter died on 1 October 1869, in Gerringong, New South Wales, when she was 61 years old.
Links to further information
In 1945, a book “Michael Hindmarsh of Alne Bank” was published. It was published by the Suburban Herald Printery, 390 Pacific Highway, Crows Nest, New South Wales.
The Alne Bank Private Cemetery sits on a hill overlooking the majestic Alne Bank homestead. It is surrounded by an impressive stone wall and contains the graves of Cecilia Sophia Hindmarsh and six other members of the family.
Family history information regarding Michael Hindmarsh, Cecilia Sophia Rutter and their children is no longer available on the Ulladulla.info web site.