Mary Jane Scott was born to Charles “Scott” and Mary Bergin.
Her father’s original name was Charles John Covington, the only child born to James Covington (25 Oct 1801 Alverstoke, Hampshire – 26 Jun 1841 St James Westminster, London) and Rachael Page (25 October 1803 in St Giles in the Fields and St George, London, the daughter of Delia and Charles. died 1834 in St. Giles, Middlesex, England.)
Charles John Covington born 10 May 1831 in London ( his parents were living in Adam Street East, ) St James London Middlesex, Charles was baptised on the 10th June 1831 at the Parish Church of St Marylebone, Middlesex England.
He was married three times under three names and had five sons and seven daughters.
1834
Rachael Covington died when Charles was aged 3 and his father remarried the following year.
1841
On 26th June 1841, Charles’ father died.
Charles’ step mother couldn’t look after him, even though his father James had also left him well provided for, so he was sent aged 10 to a school for children of deceased Police or Sailors, where he did an apprenticeship as a ships carpenter
1852
1st June 1852 Charles’ married his first wife Sarah Misslebrook and they had a son Charles Covington. Sarah stayed lived with her family for many years and it was only later her status changed to Widow possibly realising her husband was never returning.
When Charles John Covington joined the ship HMS Juno he listed himself as single – his son Charles Covington was 6 months old.
SPICER
1855
On 13th October 1855 Charles married Sarah Townsend under the name of “George Spicer”.
The following year they had a son Reuben Charles on 30th Aug 1856 in North Richmond NSW Australia.
The father was registered as George Spicer : Birthplace England, Age 25 Carpenter.
1859
Charles Spicer was born 25.4.1859 Kurrajong NSW to Sarah Townsend and “George Spicer” (aka Charles) who registered his birth in Richmond NSW 2.6.1859.
In a newspaper article, C. Covington is looking for his friend George Spicer 27.10.1859 in Sydney newspapers.
The real George Spicer joined HMS Juno as an “Ordinary Seaman” 2nd class in Dec 1853 George was aged 21, Birthplace St Peters, Saint Albans, Hertfordshire. A few days later Charles Covington “Ships Carpenter” Aged 22, Birthplace St James London Middlesex joins the HMS Juno. The HMS Juno 26 Guns leaves England in 1854 the HMS Juno travels to various locations during 1854 Bombay, Trinad, South Sea Islands, Batavia, Melbourne, Sydney to name a few. George Spicer was Discharged in Sydney March 1855 with “Good conduct”.
Charles Covington “ran” in Sydney April 1855. (also known as deserted)
George Spicer then re-joined the HMS Juno in August 1855 as a ships steward George was discharged in Sydney January 1856.
The HMS Juno departed Sydney and arrived on the 18th September 1855 at Pitcairns Island, Papeiti 21st September
1855, Tahiti 29 Sept 1855, Pago Pago Tutuilla 7th October 1855, Apia 18th Oct 1855 to 12th November 1855, Norfolk Island
15th Dec 1855, arrived back in Sydney 31 Dec 1855.
George Spicer’s name appears on the marriage certificate to Sarah Townsend on 13th October 1855 – George could
not have been in two places at once, Pago-Pago and Windsor NSW.
Charles Covington was on the run, knowing George Spicer (his mate) was not in Australia Charles used George’s name to marry Sarah, he kept his profession and age which made it easy to deceive everyone.
George was really Charles Covington.
Sarah Spicer had a daughter Sarah to Archibald LEE LEWES 27.7.1862. In Bathurst NSW.
Sarah must have know George/Charles was not returning to live with herself, Reuben and Charles Townsend to take up with Mr LEE LEWES approx Oct 1861 Bathurst? Sarah Spicer listed herself as a Widow on the birth certificates of Sarah LEE LEWES and Adele Cohen.
1861
On 18 March 1861 Charles John “Scott” married Mary Bergin Sydney
When did Charles John Covington leave Sarah?
Was it around October 1859?
When did Charles John Covington meet Mary Bergin ?
Mary Bergin arrived in Sydney 21 Oct 1858. House servant. Age 20. From Ireland.
Did Mary work for Charles and Sarah? (alias George Spicer, Charles John Scott)
“SCOTT”
The nine children of Charles John Covington (alias Spicer) alias Scott and Mary Bergin :
Ada (17.12.1862 – 8.4.1914) m. William JENKINS
Alice (2.4.1864) – 24.3.1921) m. William Leckey WRIGHT
Selina (29.6.1871 – 13.12.1925) m. Mgr William WRIGHT
Emily (14.1.1874 – 21.11.1935) m. John “Jock” GRIEVE
Ellen (10.10.1875 – 29.8.1976 m. William Cunningham BRUCE
Charles John (17.6.1878 – 21.6.1946) m. Effie SMITH
William James Henley and Mary Jane Scott married in the Bible Christian Church, Clifton Terrace, Red Hill on 22.5.1889 by Benjamin Rounsefell when William was 21. Their witnesses were Joseph Waltisbuhl and Alice Scott (older sister of Mary).
At the time of their marriage William was a bootmaker and Mary a boot machinist. William lived in Cochrane Street, Red Hill and Mary lived at Lower Clifton Terrace, Brisbane. Once they were married they lived in Baroona Road, Paddington.
Mary Henley died on the 3.6.1940 aged 70.
1932 William and Mary Henley at the wedding of their daughter Norma to Henry “Rollo” Chayter
The Six Children of William Henley and Mary Jane Scott:
William Harry (born 19.12.1889 m. Bessie CUMES)
Elsie May (born 8.8.1892 m Denis O’SULLIVAN on 23.12.??)
Lillian Mary Hannah (1895 – 22.6 1954 aged 59 m. Stanley HORN)
Charles Victor John (1889 m. Olive STONE died of Paget’s disease)
