Alfred Ainsworth was born about 1827 in Hampshire, England. Sarah Bale was born on April 7, 1829, in Norwich, Norfolk, and baptised there in May. She later emigrated to Tasmania, married, and was widowed, taking the name Sarah Hill. On April 15, 1867, Alfred, a 40-year-old shepherd, married 43-year-old Sarah, a widow and milliner, at her home on High Street, Bothwell. They made their home in High Street, which remained in the family for nearly 50 years. Their first son, George Alfred, was born in 1868 at Broadmarsh, and their second, Henry Arthur, in 1873 at Campbell Town. By 1874, the family was living in Bothwell again, where Alfred worked as a labourer. Sarah remained active in the community and signed a public letter in 1876, thanking the local schoolmaster for his service. In 1885, tragedy struck with the deaths of Sarah’s daughter, Mary Ann Hill (age 26) and son, George Alfred (age 17), both from consumption. Despite these losses, the family endured. Henry Arthur married Amy Annie Nichols in 1902, and Sarah’s daughter, Louisa, married Peter Davie in 1889. Property records show Alfred and Sarah consistently residing in High Street, where they were both owners and occupiers. After Alfred’s death on November 2, 1905, Sarah continued living there alone. She died on February 25, 1911, at age 81 from sarcoma of the jaw and was buried in Bothwell Cemetery.

Alfred Ainsworth.

b: abt 1827, Hampshire, England; d: 2 Nov 1905, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 6 Nov 1905, Public Cemetery, Bothwell.

Spouse - Sarah (Bale) Hill, daughter of John Bale and Ann Hovell.

b: 7 Apr 1829, Norwich, Norfolk, England; bap: Norwich, Norfolk, England; m: 15 Apr 1867, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 25 Feb 1911, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 27 Feb 1911, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

Information on Sarah’s first marriage and children is located on the Richard Hill and Sarah Bale page.

Children of Alfred Ainsworth and Sarah (Bale) Hill:

1. George Alfred Ainsworth - b: 28 Mar 1868, Broadmarsh, Tasmania; d: 5 May 1885, Bothwell, Tasmania; bur: 8 May 1885, Public Cemetery, Bothwell, Tasmania.

2. Henry Arthur Ainsworth - b: 8 Jan 1873, Campbell Town, Tasmania; d: 1947, Auburn, Victoria. Spouse - Amy Annie Nichols, daughter of Henry Fortenam Nichols and Mary Ann New, b: 22 Sep 1872, Bothwell, Tasmania; bap: 25 Oct 1872, Bothwell, Tasmania; m: 30 Apr 1902, Bothwell, Tasmania; d: 1961, Glenferrie, Victoria.