I'ANSON international

I'Ansons in Australia
REUNION 2009
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This information is taken from Jessie C. I'Anson's pamphlet "The I'Anson Family" (Adelaide, November 1949) a copy of which is available for reading in the British Library, London.
As usual in all publications that have dealt with the I'Anson family this century, the booklet by Jessie I'Anson in Australia begins by reiterating Bryan I'Anson's assertion that the family was connected to, and descended from, Scottish and French nobility. The assumption is also that John I'Anson, was the first of the family to settle in England, and came over with Henry of Richmond and fought to defeat Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. On this I reserve judgement until primary sources are found to verify it.
Leonard I'Anson
LEONARD I'ANSON
 
  • The first of the South Australia I'Ansons to arrive was Leonard I'Anson (1810-1875) with his wife Maria Plested. 
  • They had married at St Luke's, London in 1837 and sailed from England in the ship "City of Adelaide" in 1839 together with their first child, Leonard (1838). 
  • They had nine further children: Eliza M.(1840); George J.(1842); Mathilda (1844); Edwin (1846); William H.(1848); Henry N.(1850); Frederick J.(1852); Thomas P.(1855); and Emily A.(1857).
  • From the progeny of these seven boys, there should be many I'Ansons now in Australia!
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  • Leonard (the father) descended from a long series of Leonards
  • Leonard (grandfather) was the first of them to go to London, all the rest having remained, for four generations back, in Constable Burton in Wensleydale, Yorkshire, and having their baptisms, weddings and burials in the little church of St Andrew's in Finghall. 
  • Their branch joins Bryan I'Anson's Family Tree with Leonard I'Anson of Hauxwell who died in 1643, son of William I'Anson of Cundall Gandale in Hauxwell. 
The Journey from England

The "City of Adelaide" left the Port of London bound for Australia on 3th January 1839. She was carrying a general cargo plus 75 immigrants. Leonard was appointed a constable in charge of the immigrants. 

Soon after setting off she had had to return to port after a storm in the English Channel had dismasted her, and the journey out to Australia was a rough one. They put into Rio de Janeiro for repairs, but she made port in South Australia on 20th July 1839. 
 

 Early Days in South Australia

Leonard and Maria lived first in Currie Street, and after two years or so moved to Dry Creek where they stayed for nine years. Eventually they took land and settled at Steelton about the year 1857-58. Their property was named "Prospect Hill Farm". Leonard drew up the plans for the house: six large rooms, a large cellar and pantry, and a 66 ft hall, a detached kitchen and dairy. It was built of local stone, hollow walls 12 ft high and 18 in thick. Verandas were added in later years. 
 
Leonard I'Anson carried on mixed farming throughout his life. The nearest shops were 20 miles away and the journey had to be made by bullock drays. His hobby was carving, and he seems to have become something of an artist particularly after ill health forced him to be less active on his farm. He died aged 65 and Maria died in 1907 aged 91. .
Further details of their story and that of their children is told in "The I'Anson Family" (Adelaide, November 1949) by Jessie C. I'Anson, a grandaughter of Leonard and Maria, daughter of their sixth son, Frederick.

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