Richard Allen (1800-1882)
Born: 19 July 1800, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
Died: 21 October 1882, Bothwell, Tasmania
Parents: Unknown
Spouse: Julia Antoni (1818-1866)
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Richard Allen (1800-1882)
Photo published with the permission of
Amanda Vallance & Darryl Massie
Julia Antoni (1818-1866)
Photo published with the permission of
Amanda Vallance & Darryl Massie
Richard Allen (19 Jul 1800-21 Oct 1882)
+Julia Antoni (c. 1817-29 Jan 1866)
1-Mary Allen (29 Oct 1833-26 Nov 1896)
+John White (c. 1810-18 Oct 1904)
2-Julia Allen (19 Jul 1835-11 Jan 1909)
3-Sarah Allen (6 Jun 1837-25 Jul 1871)
+Edward Bowden (6 Mar 1825-25 Mar 1908)
4-Catherine Allen (3 Oct 1840-19 Jul 1916)
+Henry Hurley (c. 1839-1 Jun 1888)
+Charles Napper (15 Mar 1837-6 Aug 1932)
5-Richard Allen (1 Jul 1842-14 May 1915)
+Zillah Sophia Gaby (9 Feb 1846-18 Aug 1875)
6-Matilda Allen (30 Jun 1844-11 Oct 1853)
7-Elizabeth Allen (31 Mar 1846-19 Sep 1891)
+William Swanson Thomson (31 Oct 1851-30 May 1908)
8-Amelia Allen (2 Jan 1848-17 Dec 1930)
9-William John Allen (11 Dec 1849-19 Oct 1931)
+Hannah Maria Campbell (25 Feb 1851-2 Sep 1928)
10-Cecilia Jane Allen (5 May 1852-27 Sep 1853)
11-Charles Arthur E. Allen (31 Jul 1854-12 Apr 1874)
12-Arthur Augustus Allen (28 Jun 1856-2 Apr 1939)
+Adelaide Luckman (c. 1864-24 Apr 1901)
+Ada Louise Watson (25 Mar 1870-4 Oct 1962)
13-Annie Marie Allen (29 Jul 1858-19 Feb 1911)
+George Broughton Sealy (15 Nov 1853-24 Aug 1891)
+William Henry Sealy (8 Sep 1861-23 Sep 1938)
14-Zillah Sophia Allen (24 Sep 1860-8 Sep 1882)
Richard Allen was born on 19 July 1800, in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. His early life was marked by hardship; in 1821, he was convicted at the Court of Assizes in Warwick for pocket-picking and sentenced to 14 years transportation. Despite prior convictions, including thefts of oranges and shoplifting, reports described him as orderly on the journey. On 1 July 1821, Richard departed England aboard the Lord Hungerford, arriving in Hobart, Tasmania, on 26 December 1821. By the late 1820s, Richard was living in Bothwell, where he served as a Field Police Constable, though he was fined in 1828 for neglect of duty related to purchasing liquor for a servant. He received a conditional pardon in 1831. On 8 May 1832, he married Julia Antoni at Green Ponds with the consent of her guardian; Richard was 31, Julia only 15. Their family grew in Bothwell, with children Mary (born 1833), Julia (1835), Sarah (1837), Richard Jr (1842), Matilda (1844), Elizabeth (1846), Amelia (1848), William John (1849), Cecilia Jane (1852), Annie Marie (1858), and Zillah Sophia (1860). In 1834, Richard faced charges for cattle stealing alongside accomplices but was found not guilty by the Supreme Court in Hobart. Despite this, he continued to establish himself in the Bothwell community. He held property in Alexander, Adelaide, Glebe, and High Streets, purchasing land and receiving deeds throughout the 1840s to 1860s. Richard worked as a carrier and farmer and participated actively in civic duties, including serving as a juror and contributing to local relief funds. The family endured personal tragedies, notably the deaths of his daughters Cecilia Jane and Matilda from scarlet fever in the early 1850s. Richard’s wife, Julia, died of cancer in 1866. Richard lived until 21 October 1882, passing away at the age of 82 from stomach cancer. His funeral at Bothwell’s General Cemetery was attended by many, reflecting his status as a respected pioneer settler. At his death, eight of his fourteen children survived and were well-established.
Unless otherwise stated, all events took place in Tasmania.
RICHARD ALLEN
19 July 1800: Born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.
8 May 1832: Richard Allen, aged 31, married Julia Antoni, aged about 15, in Green Ponds with the consent of a guardian by Banns; witnesses: Frederick Steigleitz and Mary Ann Burrell.
21 October 1882: Died in Bothwell, aged 82; cause: stomach cancer; informant: Charles Albert Nichols, friend.
24 October 1882: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
On Saturday last Mr Richard Allen, senior, quietly passed over to the great majority at the ripe age of 82, and was this day (Tuesday) followed to his last resting place in the Church of England burying ground by a large concourse of old friends, who thus showed the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him. Mr Allen may well be ranked amongst the old colonists, and as one of the pioneers of the colony, for he arrived here in the year 1821. Shortly after his arrival, he took up his abode in this district, where he purchased a farm upon which by industry and straightforward dealings with all his neighbours he was enabled to lay aside sufficient to support him in the declining year of his life. Mr Allen was a widower, having buried his wife some 16 years ago. He had 14 children, eight of whom are still living and fairly well provided for. [TROVE]
Spouse: JULIA ANTONI
c. 1817: Born in Hobart; daughter of Charles Antoni and Mary Doolan. The baptism record gives her birth date as 1 November without a year, but her age at death implies she was born around 1817.
Baptised: 29 November 1818, Hobart.
8 May 1832: Richard Allen, aged 31, married Julia Antoni, aged about 15, in Green Ponds with the consent of a guardian by Banns; witnesses: Frederick Steigleitz and Mary Ann Burrell.
29 January 1866: Died in Bothwell, aged 49; cause: cancer; informant: her son, Richard.
Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
1-MARY ALLEN
29 October 1833: Born in Bothwell. For more information, see the John White page.
2-JULIA ALLEN
19 July 1835: Born in Bothwell.
16 August 1835: Baptised in Bothwell.
1 January 1842 - Counted on the census, living at [10] Alexander Street.
1 January 1848 - Counted on the census, living at [10] Alexander Street.
21 January 1850 - Notified the birth of her brother, William John.
14 June 1853 - Notified the birth of her sister, Cecilia Jane.
17 October 1853 - Notified the death of her sister, Matilda.
11 January 1909: Died in Bothwell, aged 73; cause: heart disease; informant: her nephew, Richard Bowden.
13 January 1909: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
ALLEN - On January 11, 1909, at her residence, Julia, eldest surviving daughter of the late Richard Allen. [TROVE]
SUDDEN DEATH. Bothwell experienced a great shock on Monday when the news flew round that Miss Julia Allen, an old and respected citizen, had been found dead in her room. Much sympathy is felt for her many friends and relatives. [TROVE]
3-SARAH ALLEN
Born: 6 June 1837, Bothwell. For more information, see the Edward Bowden page.
4-CATHERINE ALLEN
3 October 1840: Born in Bothwell.
13 July 1867: Henry Hurley, aged 28, married Catherine Allen, aged 26, at the residence of Edward Bowden, [D1] Bothwell Castle, Patrick St, Bothwell; witnesses: Edward Bowden, Richard Allen and Elizabeth Allen.
HURLEY-ALLEN -On 13th July, 1867, at Bothwell, Henry, only son of William Hurley, Esq., of New Town, to Kate, fourth daughter of Mr Richard Allen. [TROVE]
4 May 1895: Charles Napper, aged 58, married Catherine (Allen) Hurley, a 54-year-old widow, in Melbourne, Victoria.
19 July 1916: Died in Sale, Victoria, aged 75.
Spouse: HENRY HURLEY
c. 1839: Born in Hobart.
13 July 1867: Henry Hurley, aged 28, married Catherine Allen, aged 26, at the residence of Edward Bowden, [D1] Bothwell Castle, Patrick St, Bothwell; witnesses: Edward Bowden, Richard Allen and Elizabeth Allen.
HURLEY-ALLEN -On 13th July, 1867, at Bothwell, Henry, only son of William Hurley, Esq., of New Town, to Kate, fourth daughter of Mr Richard Allen.
1 June 1888: Died in Hobart, aged 49; cause: morbus cordis.
Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
Spouse: CHARLES NAPPER
15 March 1837: Born in East Lambrook, Somerset, England; son of John Napper and Jane Inder.
4 May 1895: Charles Napper, aged 58, married Catherine (Allen) Hurley, a 54-year-old widow, in Melbourne, Victoria.
6 August 1932: Died in Sale, Victoria, aged 95.
5-RICHARD ALLEN
1 July 1842: Born in Bothwell.
10 August 1842: Baptised in Bothwell.
4 April 1872: Richard Allen, a 29-year-old innkeeper, married Zillah Sophia Gaby, aged 26, at St Luke's Church, Bothwell; witnesses: William Allen and Elizabeth Allen.
14 May 1915: Died in Bothwell, aged 72; cause: heart disease and bronchopneumonia; informant: his brother-in-law, William Henry Sealy.
16 May 1915: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
ALLEN - Passed away at Bothwell, May 14, 1915, Richard Allen, aged 72. [TROVE]
Spouse: ZILLAH SOPHIA GABY
9 February 1846: Born in Oatlands; daughter of Thomas Gaby and Harriet Bowden; informant: her father, Thomas.
4 April 1872: Richard Allen, a 29-year-old innkeeper, married Zillah Sophia Gaby, aged 26, at St Luke's Church, Bothwell; witnesses: William Allen and Elizabeth Allen.
18 August 1875: Died in Bothwell, aged 29; cause: perpetual fever; informant: Simon Arnett, friend.
20 August 1875: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
ALLEN - On 18th August, 1875, at her residence, Bothwell, Zillah Sophia, the beloved wife of Mr Richard Allen Jnr, and fourth daughter of Mr Thos Gaby, Richmond, aged 29 years. [TROVE]
6-MATILDA ALLEN
30 June 1844: Born in Bothwell; recorded as 31 June 1844 [sic]; informant: her father, Richard, a carter.
7 July 1844: Baptised in Bothwell; birth date recorded as 9 May 1844.
11 October 1853: Died in Bothwell, aged 9; cause: scarlet fever; informant: her sister, Julia.
Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
7-ELIZABETH ALLEN
31 March 1846: Born in Bothwell; informant: her father, Richard, a carrier.
10 May 1846: Baptised in Bothwell.
29 September 1860: Notified the birth of her sister, Zillah.
13 July 1867: Witness at the marriage of Henry Hurley and her sister, Catherine Allen, at [D.1] Bothwell Castle, Patrick Street.
4 April 1872: Witness at the marriage of her brother, Richard Allen, and Zillah Sophia Gaby, St Luke's Church, Bothwell.
1878: William Swanson Thomson, aged 27, married Elizabeth Allen, aged 32, in Victoria.
19 September 1891: Died in Walhalla, Victoria, aged 45.
Buried at Walhalla General Cemetery, Victoria.
THOMPSON - On September 19, 1891, at her residence, Walhalla, Victoria, Elsie Elizabeth, the dearly beloved wife of W. S. Thomson, and daughter of the late Richard Allen, Bothwell, Tasmania. [TROVE]
Spouse: WILLIAM SWANSON THOMSON
31 October 1851: Born, place unknown; son of Arthur John Thomson and Jane Swanson.
1878: William Swanson Thomson, aged 27, married Elizabeth Allen, aged 32, in Victoria.
30 May 1908: Died in Walhalla, Victoria, aged 56.
Buried at Walhalla General Cemetery, Victoria.
8-AMELIA ALLEN
2 January 1848: Born in Bothwell.
11 June 1848: Baptised in Bothwell.
4 April 1864: Notified the birth of her niece, Amelia Kate.
28 March 1867: Named in the newspaper article "Bothwell."
27 November 1882: [10] Alexander Street. Inherited from the Estate of her late father, Richard Allen.
7 May 1891: [10] Alexander Street. Certificate of Title registered; spinster.
28 March 1899: Miss Amelia Allen (occupier), Mrs Catherine Napper (owner), house, capital value £300, annual rateable value £23.
1914: [10] Alexander Street. Listed on the Electoral Roll: Amelia Allen, home duties.
1919: [10] Alexander Street. Listed on the Electoral Roll: Amelia Allen, home duties.
17 December 1930: Died at [10] Alexander Street, Bothwell, aged 82.
19 December 1930: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
ALLEN - On December 17, 1930, at her residence, Broughtonville, Bothwell, Amelia Allen, in her 83rd year. [TROVE]
9-WILLIAM JOHN ALLEN
11 December 1849: Born in Bothwell; informant: his sister, Julia.
10 April 1850: Baptised in Bothwell; birth date recorded as 10 December 1849.
4 April 1872: Witness at the marriage of his brother, Richard Allen, and Zillah Sophia Gaby at St Luke's Church, Bothwell.
24 March 1873: William John Allen, a 23-year-old farmer, married Hannah Maria Campbell, a 22-year-old housemaid, in Kempton; witnesses: Henry Hurley and Kate Hurley.
ALLEN-CAMPBELL - On the 24th March, 1873, by the Rev. H. Kennedy, William John, second son of Mr R. Allen, to Annie, youngest daughter of the late Mr J. Campbell. [TROVE]
19 October 1931: Died in Malvern East, Victoria, aged 81.
Buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Victoria.
Spouse: HANNAH MARIA CAMPBELL
25 February 1851: Born in Brighton; daughter of John Campbell and Alice Beanland.
24 March 1873: William John Allen, a 23-year-old farmer, married Hannah Maria Campbell, a 22-year-old housemaid, in Kempton; witnesses: Henry Hurley and Kate Hurley.
ALLEN-CAMPBELL - On the 24th March, 1873, by the Rev. H. Kennedy, William John, second son of Mr R. Allen, to Annie, youngest daughter of the late Mr J. Campbell. [TROVE]
2 September 1928: Died in Malvern East, Victoria, aged 77.
Buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
10-CECILIA JANE ALLEN
5 May 1852: Born in Bothwell; informant: her sister, Julia.
27 September 1853: Baptised in Bothwell.
27 September 1853: Died in Bothwell; aged 16 months; cause: scarlatina.
Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
11-CHARLES ARTHUR EDWARD ALLEN
31 July 1854: Born in Bothwell; informant: his sister, Catherine.
30 January 1855: Baptised in Bothwell; birth date recorded as 30 July 1854.
12 April 1874: Died in Bothwell, aged 19; cause: tetanus caused by wounds from a threshing machine; informant: his father, Richard.
15 April 1874: Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
ALLEN - On 12th April, 1874, at Bothwell, Charles, third son of Mr R. Allen, aged 19 years. [TROVE]
12-ARTHUR AUGUSTUS ALLEN
28 June 1856: Born in Bothwell. For more information, see the Arthur Augustus Allen page.
13-ANNIE MARIE ALLEN
29 July 1858: Born in Bothwell. For more information, see the George Broughton Sealy and William Henry Sealy pages.
14-ZILLAH SOPHIA ALLEN
24 September 1860: Born in Bothwell; informant: her sister, Elizabeth.
13 October 1860: Baptised in Bothwell.
8 September 1882: Died in Bothwell, aged 21; cause: chronic congestion of the liver and inflammation of the lungs; informant: her brother, Richard.
Buried at Bothwell Public Cemetery.
Residences & Properties in Bothwell
The following properties and records relate to Richard during his time in Bothwell. Click on the image for the full history of each property.
Residence - Conveyed from Roderick Forbes (1835)
Purchased Crown Land (1854)
Conveyed from Henry Mylam Cockerill (1856)
Conveyed from the executors of James Fisher (bef. 1861)
Conveyed from James King (bef. 1863)
Conveyed from Charles Manser (1871)
Complete maps located on the Property History page. Tasmanian Archives: Bothwell B37, AF819/1/26 (modified) & Bothwell B38, AF819/1/27 (modified)
Resources Used:
Ancestry Australia: Australia Electoral Rolls, 1903–1980; Convict Musters, New South Wales and Tasmania, 1806–1849; Public Member Family Trees
Bateson, Charles: The Convict Ships: 1787–1868
BillionGraves: Cemetery records
Central Highlands Council: Bothwell Cemetery Records
FamilySearch: England Births and Christenings, 1538–1975; Tasmania Civil Registration — Deaths; Tasmania Government Gazette, 1833–1925
Find A Grave: Cemetery records
Information supplied by family researchers
Libraries Tasmania: Census Returns; Convict Conduct Registers; Coroner's Inquests; Ships' Arrivals and Passenger Lists; Passenger Departures; Petty Sessions Records (Bothwell); Reports of Crime; Deeds of Land Grants; Wills and Probate Records; Tasmanian Baptism, Birth, Death and Marriage Registers; Tasmanian Federation Index, 1900–1930; The Cyclopedia of Tasmania
Parliament of Tasmania: Tasmanian Parliamentary Papers, 1856–1901
Tasmanian Archives: Bothwell Church of England Baptismal Register (NS1854); Bothwell Presbyterian Church Registers (NS592); Colonial Secretary's Office General Correspondence
The LIST (Land Information System Tasmania): Historic Deeds, Grants and Titles
TROVE (National Library of Australia): The Advertiser; Colonial Times; The Courier; The Hobart Town Advertiser; The Hobart Town Courier; The Hobart Town Courier and Van Diemen's Land Gazette; The Hobart Town Daily Mercury; The Hobart Town Gazette; The Launceston Examiner; The Mercury; The Daily Telegraph; Tasmanian Morning Herald; Tribune
Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages: Births, Deaths and Marriages Records