When Thomas PRINCE married Elizabeth Luke ROGERS on 12th November 1868 at her father's residence in Adelaide, the newspaper notice has him as eldest son of Thomas PRINCE, Essex. In the 1841 England, Wales & Scotland Census there is only one record from Essex of a family with a Thomas PRINCE (father) and Thomas PRINCE (son). If this is our family, then Thomas PRINCE (the son) was born c.1839. In the 1851 England, Wales & Scotland Census, the PRINCE family is still at Essex, but Thomas PRINCE is not listed with the family. Perhaps Thomas became a ship boy or cabin boy on a sailing ship and later an articled seaman (as follows).

The only Thomas PRINCE I can find was an 'Articled Crew Member' (cook & steward) on 'Emma' in April 1858. 'Emma' had departed London and arrived in Hobart in April 1858. Thomas PRINCE was charged by the chief mate with insubordination on 22nd April for having left the vessel without permission for about 2 hours. It was reported that Thomas had claimed that he had left to get tea and other things and had had a glass of ale but was not drunk. A constable was called and after a verbal exchange and Thomas was arrested and taken off of the ship. He was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour. 'Emma' departed Hobart 28th April for Guam. Thomas PRINCE was in Hobart when she left. Given that I have not found a record of Thomas PRINCE emigrating to South Australia, or coming here after the incident at Hobart, the only theory I have come up with is that the Thomas PRINCE that landed at Hobart made his way to South Australia somehow in the 10 years years after his landing at Hobart and before marrying Elizabeth Luke ROGERS. I hope that more information will eventually emerge that either confirms this theory or provides another explanation.

When Thomas and Elizabeth's first child, Thomas Henry PRINCE, was born in 1870, they were living at Mount Lofty. After that, most of the other children were born at Riverton. One report said he was an engineer at Riverton and later, an engineer at Brompton.

When Athelstan married in 1898, Thomas PRINCE was living at St. Peters.

Thomas PRINCE died at his residence, 178 Archer Street, North Adelaide on 28th April 1915 (75yrs) (North Road Cemetery).
Elizabeth Luke PRINCE was admitted to the Glenside Mental Hospital early in 1894, and died 21 July 1906. She was buried in the Stirling District Cemetery (In the pauper section). The death nocice said she was from Longwood.

Children of Thomas PRINCE & Elizabeth Luke ROGERS

1. Thomas Henry PRINCE (Harry) b. 6 Jan 1870 North Adelaide m. Maude Elizabeth TIER
2. Elizabeth Emily PRINCE b. 4 Mar 1871 Riverton d. 28 Aug 1954 (82yrs) single, at North Adelaide
3. Jane Caroline PRINCE b. 15 Jun 1872 Riverton d. 4 Aug 1872 (7wks) at Riverton
4. Athelstan George PRINCE b. 1 Jul 1873 Riverton m. Edith THOMPSON
5. Percy PRINCE b. 9 Apr 1875 Riverton m. Jessie Ann ADAMS
6. Elsie Mabel PRINCE b. 21 Feb 1877 Riverton m. Charles Francis HOPPE
7. Garnet PRINCE (Dodger) b. 26 Dec 1878 Riverton d. 18 Oct 1934 Broken Hill
8. Possibly an Emmy PRINCE (no details but mentioned in family notes)