A twenty-four year old Servant emigrating from Scotland to Otago,
aboard the 560 Ton Kelso which sailed from London 27th July 1849, met
James, a widower, when the ship called into Wellington, 4th November
1849.
James had recently been widowed and was no doubt on the lookout for a
housekeeper or wife to look after him and his two children. They were
married after a very short time, on 10th December that same year and had
three children, before James died in Wellington on 13 February 1856.
This left Jessie with four children to care for and no doubt this placed
her in a very distressful situation, particularly in those years. We
will never know what her existence was like at that time but can only
assume it must have been extremely difficult.
Three years later in 1859 she gave birth to a daughter, Mary Jane, given
the surname BAGLEY, whose father, in the Registrar General's records, is
listed as Charles ASKINS a Soldier in the 65th Regiment.
A further illegitimate daughter was born at the Head of the Bay in
Akaroa in 1864, whose father was was recorded as Henry VALLER and it was
unusual then for the father's name to be given. Following this child was
another in 1867, a son registered as Harry VALLER, fathered by Henry
once again.
Eight years later Jessie and Henry married, no doubt having to wait
until Henry's first wife had died. Jessie died on 13 Aug 1884 at Porirua
and is buried in the old Presbyterian cemetery in Tawa Flat. Her death
record states that her father was David ADAMS an Engineer. She and
Charles ASKINS were associated circa Aug 1858 at Wellington, New
Zealand.
Children of Jessie ADAMSON and Charles ASKINS were:
Mary Jane Askins; born illegitimate 1 Mar 1859 at Wellington, New
Zealand, married Daniel Thomas KING, son of George Thomas KING and
Susannah Ellen DODD, 15 Mar 1882 in Wellington, New Zealand; died 30 Jan
1942 at Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand, at age 82; buried 1 Feb 1942
at Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand. She was also known as Mary Jane
Bagley.
Children of Jessie ADAMSON and Henry VALLER were as follows:
Harriet VALLER, born 6 Mar 1864 at Head of the Bay, Banks Peninsula, New
Zealand, married William VALLER.
Harry VALLER, born 6 Mar 1867 at Porirua, Wellington, New Zealand
married Elizabeth THORNTON.
Spouse: James Henry Baggarley (Married 10-Dec-1849)
Children: Henry Bagley, Jessie Bagley, William Bagley
Jessie's Heritage
Parents:
Siblings: