SILKE family from Stogursey, Stockland Bristol & Fiddington

[John Howe]

Outline Descendant Report for Robert Silke



1 Robert Silke b: Abt. 1586 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



...... + Elizabeth Walford b: Abt. 1590 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, m: 05 Nov 1607 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



............2 Bartholomew Silke b: Bef. 29 Jul 1612 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Bef. 20 Mar 1681 in Stogursey, Somerset, England



............ + Christian ?? b: Unknown, m: Unknown, d: 1704 in Stogursey, Somerset, England



..................3 John Silke b: Abt. 1656



............2 Edward Silke b: Bef. 26 Nov 1614 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: 1665 in Stogursey, Somerest, England



............ + Alice Widlake b: Bef. 13 Dec 1616 in Ashbrittle, Somerset, m: 14 Nov 1655 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



..................3 Lawrence Silke b: 31 Jul 1656 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: 1691 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



.................. + Elizabeth Clarke b: Unknown, m: 06 Oct 1681 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England, d: Apr 1727 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



........................4 Thomas Silke b: Bef. 03 Aug 1682 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



........................4 Laurence Silke b: Bef. 16 May 1685 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



........................4 John Silke b: Bef. 14 Jun 1687 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



........................4 William Silke b: Bef. 05 Nov 1689 in West Quantoxhead, Somerset, England



..................3 Bartholomew Silke b: Abt. 1660 in Stogursey, Somerest, England, d: 11 Aug 1717 in Kilton, Somerset, England



.................. + Elizabeth Winters b: Bef. 19 Jul 1661 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, m: 13 Nov 1683 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Abt. 1730



........................4 Bartholomew Silke b: 10 Feb 1682/83 in Stogursey, Somerest, England, d: 1767 in Stogursey, Somerest, England



........................4 John Silke b: 16 Oct 1685 in Stogursey, Somerest, England, d: Unknown



........................4 Richard Silke b: 1691 in Stogursey, Somerest, England, d: 1694 in Stogursey, Somerest, England



........................4 Richard Silke b: 1694, d: Unknown



........................4 Thomas Silke b: 1696, d: Unknown



........................4 Joseph Silke b: 19 Jan 1700 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Bef. 22 May 1703 in Stogursey, Somerset, England



........................4 Joseph Silke b: Bef. 22 May 1703 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Abt. 1748



........................ + Jone Drake b: Abt. 1718, m: 17 Nov 1740 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d:



..............................5 Anne Silke b: Bef. 20 Mar 1741, d:



.............................. + Henry Mason b: Unknown, m: 01 May 1766 in Kilton, Somerset, England, d:



..............................5 Sarah Silke b: Bef. 15 Jul 1743 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d:



.............................. + John Tucker b: Unknown, m: 14 Feb 1774 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d:



..............................5 Edward Silke b: Bef. 15 Jul 1748 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d: Mar 1808 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



.............................. + Amy Gill b: Abt. 1747 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, m: 13 Mar 1774 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d: Abt. 15 Oct 1818 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



....................................6 Thomas Silke b: 1774, d: Abt. 18 Jul 1787 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



....................................6 Joan Silke b: 1777, d: 1795



....................................6 William Silke b: 1779 in Somerset, England, d: 21 Jan 1849 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



..........................................7 Anne Palmer Silke b: 1808 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Bet. Jul–Sep 1887



.......................................... + Charles Culverwell Luckwell b: 1817 in Stringston, Somerset, ENG, m: Abt. 1843, d: Bet. Oct–Dec 1879



....................................6 John Gill Silke b: Abt. 1780 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d: 10 Feb 1857 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



.................................... + Ann Hawkins b: Bef. 17 Jul 1774 in Aisholt, Somerset, England, m: 09 Jan 1804 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Mar 1810 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



..........................................7 John Gill Silke b: Bef. 08 Oct 1805 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 04 Oct 1879 in Murphys Creek, Victoria, Australia



.......................................... + Ann Date b: 24 Feb 1805 in St Decuman's, Somerset, England, m: 02 Apr 1832 in Williton, Somerset, England, d: 24 Apr 1854 in Collingwood, Victoria, Australia



..........................................7 Mary Silke b: Bef. 31 Dec 1807 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 14 Jan 1868 in North Petherton, Somerset, England



.......................................... + Anthony Starkey b: 22 Sep 1811 in North Petherton, Somerset, England, m: 13 Nov 1837 in Aisholt, Somerset, England, d: 04 Mar 1885 in North Petherton, Somerset, England



.................................... + Sarah Jenkins b: Abt. 1791 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, m: 21 Jul 1811 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Nov 1855 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



..........................................7 Thomas Silke b: 12 Apr 1812 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Sep 1846 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



..........................................7 Elizabeth Silke b: Bef. 20 Jan 1816 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d:



.......................................... + Charles Rich b: Abt. 1818, m: 29 Jan 1835 in Dartmouth, Devon, England, d: Bef. 30 Mar 1851



.......................................... + William P Symons b: Abt. 1814 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, m: Aft. 30 Mar 1851, d:



..........................................7 George Silke b: Bef. 14 Sep 1818 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 1851



..........................................7 James Jenkins Silke b: Bef. 27 Dec 1821 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Aft. Jun 1841



..........................................7 Sarah Jenkins Silke b: Bef. 19 Mar 1824 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 04 Dec 1898 in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England



.......................................... + William Cavill b: 1826 in Nether Stowey, Somerset, England, m: 09 Mar 1849, d: 15 Nov 1863 in Spaxton, Somerset, England



..........................................7 Georgina Silke b: 16 Nov 1827 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 17 Nov 1827 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



..........................................7 Emma Silke b: Bef. 17 Feb 1830 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Bet. Jul–Sep 1902 in Somerset, England



....................................6 Sarah Silke b: 1784 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d: 29 Jan 1858 in Fiddington, Somerset, England



.................................... + Henry Gibbs b: Combe Florey, Somerset, England, m: 04 Jul 1805 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Bef. 30 Mar 1851



..........................................7 Sarah Gibbs b: 02 Nov 1808 in Combe Florey, Somerset, England, d:



..........................................7 John Gibbs b: Bef. 1808



....................................6 Ann Silke b: 1785 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d: Bet. Jan–Mar 1873 in Somerset, England



.................................... + George Tucker b: Abt. 1782 in Spaxton, Somerset, England, m: 24 Dec 1804 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



..........................................7 George Tucker b: Unknown, d:



.......................................... + Mary Date b: 08 Nov 1802 in St Decuman's, Somerset, England, m: 25 Apr 1826 in St Decuman's, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



..........................................7 Ann Silke Tucker b: Bef. 07 Apr 1806 in Fiddington, Somerset, England, d: 03 Feb 1898 in Williton, Somerest, England



.......................................... + William Date b: 22 Jul 1797 in Williton, Somerset, England, m: 30 Mar 1827 in St Decuman's, Somerset, England, d: 08 Dec 1864 in Stream, St Decumans, Somerest, England



....................................6 Amy Silke b: Bef. 11 Jun 1788 in Otterhampton, Somerset, England, d: 1789



....................................6 Edward Silke b: Bef. 02 Jul 1791 in Otterhampton, Somerset, England, d: 08 May 1845 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England



.................................... + Caroline Rich b: Abt. 1801 in Milverton, Somerset, ENG, m: 19 Apr 1831 in Bath, Somerset, England, d: Unknown



..........................................7 Amy Sarah Silke b: Bef. 20 Apr 1836 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, d: Unknown



..........................................7 Edward Howard Silke b: Bet. Oct–Dec 1837 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, d: Unknown



..........................................7 Caroline Louisa Silke b: Bet. Jan–Mar 1841 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England, d: Unknown



.................................... + Ann Jenkins b: Abt. 1800, m: 27 Dec 1819 in Dunster, Somerset, England, d: Abt. 1819



..............................5 Joseph Silke b: Bef. 15 Jul 1748 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d:



........................4 Mary Silke b: Unknown, d: Unknown



........................ + Thomas Glover b: Unknown, m: 16 May 1739 in Stockland Bristol, Somerset, England, d:



............2 Thomas Silke b: Abt. 1616 in Stogursey, Somerset, England, d: Unknown

[John Howe]

Captain George Silke (Master Mariner) 1818-1853 and family.

George Silke was born on 17 Aug 1818 at Whitnell House in the parish of Fiddington, Somerset, England. George was the third child born to John Gill Silke snr and his second wife, Sarah Jenkins and therefore a half brother of my great great grandfather, John Gill Silke jnr.
The National Archives of the UK- Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857; Series; BT113; Piece number: 210; Date range: 1845-1854; “George SILKE; Born at Fiddington in the County of Somerset on 17th day of August 1818.”
George was baptised on 18th September at St Martin’s Church at Fiddington. “George son of John & Sarah SILKE of Fiddington. Farmer”.

George first went to sea as an apprentice in 1830 aged about 12. The National Archives of the UK - Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857; Series; BT113; Piece number: 210; Date range: 1845-1854
In 1838 his home port was Bridgwater in Somerset. On 10th February he sailed on the “Couga” and in June on the “Chelyone”?
(The National Archive, UK - MSEA_BTOTH_4650145_00193 - Geo Silke)
By 10th September1839 George was the master of the 111 ton schooner, “Piscator” when it departed from London for Sydney, New South Wales where it arrived on 24th March 1840.
(Commercial Journal and Advertiser (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), Wednesday 25 March 1840, page 2) – “From London, yesterday, having sailed the 10th September; the schooner Piscator, Captain Silkes, with merchandise. Passengers, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and two children, Mrs. Peters, Mr. Behan, and Mr. Willy - Agent, A. B. Smith.”
and
(Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), Wednesday 25 March 1840, page 2) - “From London via Bahia, yesterday, having left the former port 19th September, and the latter December 24th, the schooner Piscator, Captain Silk, with sundries. Passengers Mr. Wilby, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, and two children, Mrs. Peters, and Mr. Beham.”
and sailed for Adelaide
(Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840), Wednesday 15 April 1840, page 2) - “Piscator, schooner, 111 tons, Silk, for South Australia. 'Agent,-D. Egan.” Arrived at Adelaide by 23 June (South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Tuesday 23 June 1840, page ) – “PISCATOR, 111 tons, Silk, from Sydney-discharging. John Walker, agent.”

By 1842 George was the master of the barque “Blanche” when he is reported to be at Adelaide, South Australia in April of that year, sailing for Java in May.
(South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Saturday 9 April 1842, page 1) “NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES. The barque Blanche, Captain Silk, from London, having arrived at her moorings at Port Adelaide, consignees are requested to land their goods according to the tenor of the bills of lading. H. W. PHILLIPS, Agent to the vessel. Hindley-street, 8th April, 1842.”

(Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA: 1838 - 1844), Tuesday 12 April 1842, page 2) – “ARRIVED. APRIL 7-The barque Blanche, 273 tons, Silk, from London, with merchandise. PassengersMr. and Mrs. Johns, and Mr. Russell. Inter-mediate-Mr. Smithers, Mr. Stace, Mr. and Mrs. Cavenagh. She left the Downs on the 7th Nov.” And “CAPTAIN SILK, of the Blanche, hereby gives notice that he will not be answerable for any debts contracted by his crew.”

(Southern Australian (Adelaide, SA : 1838 - 1844), Friday 15 April 1842, page 2) - “The barque Blanche, 273 tons, Silk, in the stream, discharging from London-H. W. Phillips, agent.”

(Adelaide Chronicle and South Australian Literary Record (SA: 1840 - 1842), Wednesday 18 May 1842, page 1) - “ SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. SAILED. THURSDAY, May 12. - BLANCHE (barque), 300 tons, Capt. Silk, for Java; in ballast.”

On the 2nd August 1846 George Silke married Elizabeth Farrer HILES daughter of Joseph Hiles and Hannah Farrer at St Bride's Church in Percy Street, Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
(The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, St Bride’s Church Wednesday 5th August 1846)

1848 George resided at Liverpool when he was not at sea.
The National Archives of the UK, Britain, Merchant Seamen, 1835-1857; Series; BT113; Piece number: 210; Date range: 1845-1854

On the 12th January 1849 a daughter was born to George and Elizabeth Silke. General Register Office of England & Wales - Index of Births; 1849 Mar Qtr, West Derby, Lancashire, Vol: 20 Page: 1119 “Anna Hiles SILKE”

George’s wife Elizabeth Farrer Silke died on the 18th January 1849, just six days after giving birth to their daughter, Anna. The Manchester Times, Saturday 20th January 1849; General Register Office of England & Wales - Index of Deaths; “1849 Mar Qtr - West Derby, Lancashire - Vol: 20; Page; 903; Elizabeth Farrer Silke”

On 28 January 1849 dear little baby, Anna passed away. General Register Office of England & Wales - Index of Deaths; 1849 Mar Qtr, West Derby, Lancashire, Vol: 20 Page: 903 “Anna Hiles Silke”

The barque “William Rennie” which was to be commanded by George Silke was built at Liverpool in 1850. (www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ukdevon/Braginton.htm)
“William Dwerryhouse Braginton, the youngest son of Richard and Ann, was a merchant and shipowner who lived in Northam, Devon. The names of several of his ships are known: William Rennie, a barque of 237 tons built in Liverpool in 1850.
William Rennie was lost in the Bay of Biscay in 1856, however, the captain and crew were rescued.”

In September 1850 the William Rennie sailed from Liverpool for Punta Arenas in Panama, Central America.
Liverpool, Sept. 14. William Rennie for Punta Arenas (The Globe - Monday 16 September 1850, Page 3, Shipping Intelligence)
“Thursday, March 27 – Wind W.N.W. Strong Breeze” and (Liverpool Mail - Saturday 29 March 1851, page 7, Shipping Intelligence) “SAILED - William Rennie, Silke, hence at Port Arenas. In May 1851 sailed from Port Arenas. (Liverpool Mail - Saturday 03 May 1851, Page 7, Shipping Intelligence) “William Rennie, from Punta Arenas at Panama.” And then George sailed from Valparaiso in Chile for Liverpool, his home port. (Liverpool Mercury - Tuesday 02 December 1851, Page 7) Ship News - Saturday, November 29 - William Rennie, Silke, sailed from Valparaiso, 6th Sept. For this port.”
It was reported in the Liverpool Morning Advertiser on Monday 15 December 1851, (Page 7, Shipping Intelligence) that the William Rennie had arrived at Liverpool on 13th December 1851.

1852 – In January, the William Rennie and Captain Silke were preparing to sail from Liverpool for San Francisco (Gore's Liverpool General Advertiser - Thursday 22 January 1852, Page 4) “Hired Sailes ..... William Rennie, Silke, 261 tons, San Francisco, T & W Paton & Co.”

Three years after the death of his first wife, Elizabeth Farrer Hiles and his baby daughter, Anna Hiles Silke, George remarried on 27th February 1852 to Ellen PINES daughter of William Pines and Ellen Dent PILLINGER at St Michael’s, Walton On The Hill, Lancashire, England. By licence dated, 23rd February 1852 – “George SILKE of Wavertree, Master Mariner and Ellen PINES of Toxteth Park, Walton-on-the-Hill, Spinster. At St Michael Toxteth Park.” (https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBPRS/CHS/4018553/00579&parentid=GBPRS/M/737177607/1
Cheshire Marriage licence bonds and allegations 1606-1905)


Marriage:27 Feb 1852 St Michael in the Hamlet, Aigburth, Lancashire, England
George Silke – full age, Master Mariner, Bachelor, Wavertree in the parish of Childwall
Ellen Pines – under age, Spinster, Queen Ann St, Toxteth Park
Groom’s Father: John Silke, Farmer
Bride’s Father: William Pines, dead, Master Mariner
Witness: W. H. Ogden; William Ludivick, Miller
Married by Licence by: Wm. Hesketh, Incumbent
Register: Marriages 1849 – 1855, Page 99, Entry 197
Source: LDS Film 2147881
(http://www.lan-opc.org.uk/cgi-bin/mkindx.cgi?parish=Liverpool&type=District&community=Walton)
OnLine Parish Clerks project for the County of Lancashire


On the 6th August 1852, Edward Bowdler died at sea aboard the “William Rennie” while commanded by George Silke.
The William Rennie sailed for San Francisco on 19th October 1852 and arrived there on the 1st November. (Liverpool Mail - Saturday 23 October 1852, Page7, Shipping Intelligence)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15.
The William Rennie, Silke, from Liverpool, which arrived here 1st Nov., broke adrift, did considerable damage to the British barques Hersilia and Claro, and to a Genoese brig, was brought to anchor in the stream and whilst at anchor, was run into by the New World.
(Morning Post – Wednesday 29 December 1852, page 8, Ship News)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15.-It blew a gale on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Instant, during which the British barque Diana parted, and was seriously damaged by getting in contact with a store ship. The William Rennie, from Liverpool, also broke adrift; did considerable damage to the barque Hersilia and the British barque Claro; was brought to anchor In the stream, and whilst at anchor was run into by the New World. Liverpool Mercury, Friday 31 December 1852, page 7, Shipping Intelligence

Saturday 11th December 1852. Liverpool Mail - Saturday 18 December 1852, Page 7, Shipping Intelligence)


In May 1853 two seamen died of Fever at sea onboard the “William Rennie” while under the command of Capt. Silke; Robert McGregor on the 21st and William Saffroy on the 25th.

1853 – George died at sea on 5th June on the voyage from Batavia (Jakarta) which was the capital of the Dutch East Indies. Cause of death Yellow Fever.
(London Evening Standard - Tuesday 04 October 1853, Page 2, Ship News)- “Vessels Spoken With.
The William Rennie, Batavia to Hull, Aug. 27, lat, 15 N, long . 28 W; Master, carpenter and cook dead of yellow fever.”

1853 birth of son George Bailey Silke 17 June

1854 – 24th January Probate to wife
The National Archives of the UK, Index to Death Duty Registers 1796-1903, Ref. IR27/136

THE beautiful clipper Ship WILLIAM RENNIE, 261 69-100 tons N.M.; built Liverpool, in the year 1850, under the inspection, and for the special use, of the present owners, and classed A for ten years ; she is abundantly found in stores, is sheathed with yellow metal, sails very fast, and can be sent to sea at a trifling expense. This vessel will be found in every way a very desirable vessel for any trade her size will suit. Lying in the London Docks. For further particulars apply to CHARLES WALTON and SONS, 17, Gracechurch street.
(Shipping and Mercantile Gazette - Friday 21 October 1853, page 1, Private Sales.)