Henry JACOBS

Henry was born c.1809, most likely in Birmingham, England.
His father was N. JACOBS, a gilt worker from Native Place, Birmingham.

Henry JACOBS was tried at Warwick on 15 August 1827 before the Rt. Hon. Charles, Lord Tenterden, the Chief Justice (and others). He was convicted of felony, and sentenced to six months gaol. The 'Warwick Advertiser' of Sat 18 Aug 1827 tells us that "The following prisoners were also tried and convicted during the day: John Sheldon and Henry Jacobs, for stealing at Ashton, one shawl, one pair of shoes, and one bonnet, the goods of Mary Waldron, and one boiler, the property of Isabella and Eliz. Holloway".

At the age of 19yrs, on 13th October 1828, at the Michaelmas Sessions, Henry Jacobs appeared again, "while his earlier conviction was still in full force, strength and effect and not in the least reversed, annulled or made void: Henry Jacobs, late of the Parish of Aston nigh Birmingham in the said county of Warwick, labourer, being so convicted of felony as aforesaid afterwards..on 9 Sep 1828 with force and arms at the parish of Aston in Birmingham ..six tame rabbits confined in a pen of the value of three shillings of the goods and chattels of Moses Johnson ..feloniously did steal, take and carry away. Plea not guilty. Vedict Guilty. Sentence to be transported beyond the seas for the term of seven years".

Henry spent some months on the convict hulk 'DOLPHIN', moored at Chatham. On 17 August 1829 he was transported to Van Diemen's Land on 'PRINCE REGENT'. The ship arrived in Van Diemen's Land 10th January 1830. Comment was made that he was very good on board. On 28th January 1832, Henry was given 75 lashes for Neglect of Duty, Insolence and Disobedience of orders and released back to his master. He was released 'Free by Servitude' on 13th October 1836. Henry JACOBS arrived in S.A. on the coastal trader 'SIREN', from Launceston on 27th February 1838. He was not listed as a passenger and it is thought that he was working his passage by tending several hundred sheep that were being shipped from Launceston to South Australia.

Harriet Ann OVENS (called Annie)

Harriet Ann (Annie) was born c.1825 at Clerkenwell, Middlesex, England.
Her parents were William and Harriet OVENS.
Harriet's family arrived in South Australia on 25th September 1839 on 'PRINCE REGENT'.
As well as her parents, Harriet (14yrs) travelled with her sister Jemima (4yrs) and brother John (2yrs).
For more on the OVENS family, click here.

Henry's & Harriet's life in South Australia

Both Henry and the OVENS family had arrived at a difficult time in the colony's history. Between October 1839 and December 1840, the new colony of South Australia was in recession. Colony spending was four times income, land sales were at a standstill and businesses and government agencies were laying off employees. City numbers declined by more than a third when work became scarce and the unemployed were encouraged to leave Adelaide and find work elsewhere. Henry moved up to the Tiers not long after arriving, one of the first settlers into the area. Henry lived in the Hay Valley area for the rest of his life. In 1847, the S.A. Almanac lists Henry JACOBS as a shepherd from Mount Barker (but we know he was at Hay Valley), and in 1854, he held a timber licence in the district of Onkaparinga.


Henry JACOBS married Harriet Ann OVENS 10 March 1840 at the Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide. At the time of the marriage, Harriet was most likey 15 years old and Henry was most likely 31 years old. Their first child, Charles, was born on 24th May 1840 at Hay Valley. Harriet either fell preganant on the voyage or immediately after arriving (if Charles was 1 month premature). Following the marriage, Henry and Harriet went back to Hay Valley. Harriet's mother Harriet, and her sister Jemima, went with them, leaving her father William and brother, John behind in Adelaide.

Henry died 8th April 1880 about 5 miles from Woodside. Newspaper reports at the time describe how was hit in the head by a blow from the bough of a tree that he was felling. Henry (his son) was with him at the time and sought help, but Henry (senior) did not recover from his injuries. Harriet Annie JACOBS (nee OVENS) died at Woodside on 29th Nov 1907. The newspaper obit said she was aged 83yrs 11 months. Family records indicate that Henry and Harriet were both buried at Hay Valley.

Children of Henry JACOBS & Harriet OVENS

Webmaster's Note: I will add more details to this family tree later.

1. Charles JACOBS, b. 24 May 1840, Hay Valley (from obit), m. Hannah Elizabeth WILSON
2. Harriet Maskeline Aust JACOBS (Harrietta), b.c.1845, Auburn, m. John Thomas BURTON
3. Lydia Elizabeth JACOBS (Lydia Eliza), b. 12 June 1859, Auburn, m. Georg WEIDENHOFER
4. Ellen JACOBS b.c.1848, m. Frederick JENKINSON
5. William JACOBS b.c.1847, Nairne, m1. Martha Ann Jane (Jane) WILSON, m2. Mary Ann HAGGETT
6. Henry JACOBS (Jnr) b.c.1851, m. Jane WILLIAMSON, [CHILDS family connection]
7. Mary Ann JACOBS b.c.1854, m. August WEIDENHOFFER
8. Joseph JACOBS b. 31 Mar 1855, Adelaide, m. Mary TILLEY (a double wedding with John Leonard JACOBS)
9. John Leonard JACOBS b.c.1857, m1. Eliza Bigmore LATCHAM, m2. Margaret Flora CAMERON
10. Mark JACOBS b.c.1861
11. Arthur JACOBS b. 23 Aug 1863, Craigdarroch (Inverbrackie), m. Frances LINTERN
12. Kate Sinclair JACOBS b. 18 May 1865, Craigdarroch (Inverbrackie)