Henry SNELLING appears in the 1841 census living with his parents and siblings in West Shepton, Shepton Mallett, Somerset. The census states that Henry was 15, a tailors apprentice, and born in 'New South Wales'. With Henry is a large family: father John Snelling, 55, P (pensioner) born in Somerset; Eliza, 35, b Somerset; and siblings Elizabeth (20) not b Somerset; and the remainder younger and all born in Somerset: Matilda (13); William (10); George (8); Eliza (7); Thomas (5); and Sydney (3).
Who was Henry? How did the Snelling family come to be in NSW, and what became of them after 1841?
John Snelling went to Australia as a member of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot with his wife Mary. This entry was significantly aided by an e-book by Christopher Rose, a descendant of John Snelling, entitled "The Military Career of Colour Sergeant John Snelling (c.1788 – 1875) of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot Enlisted 3rd March, 1806 – Discharged 4th October, 1826". This e-book focuses on the 40th Regt military action, and John Snelling's records during that time.
John was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in 1788, to Benjamin and Sarah Snelling. In 1806 he enlisted with the 40th Regiment in Somerset, at the time being was an 18 year-old labourer, 5’ 6” (1.7m) tall, with grey eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion. Over the subsequent ten years, SNELLING served in South America (1806-7), Portugal and the Battles of Roliça and Vimeiro (1808), Spain and the Battle of Talavera (1809), Portugal and the Battle of Busaco (1810), Spain and the Battles of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Salamanca (all 1812), Vittoria, Pyrenees, St Sebastien and Nivelle (all 1813), and France and the Battles of Orthes and Toulouse (both 1814). For all aforementioned battles he received 'clasps' to his service medal. He then sailed to North America (Louisiana) and back to France to take part in the fabled Battle of Waterloo.
The second part of Snelling's career in the 40th was one of peace and garrison duty. His regiment occupied France fro 1815-1817, and it is believe that John SNELLING married his first wife Mary during this time (no details are known). Three children were born as the regiment moved from France to duties between Scotland, Ireland and England.
In 1824, the 40th were assigned to duty in New South Wales, and John Snelling (with family) sailed on the 'Mangles' in July 1814, arriving in Sydney in late October, and were initially stationed at Parramatta, where John was promoted to 'Colour Sergeant' (awarded only to sergeants who had proved their bravery in battle). While there, a son Henry was born:
By 1861, Henry and Harriott had five children, living in the parish of St Mary, Warwick, Warwickshire. Henry was listed as a tailor born in "Australia British Subject", and children Edward (7), Albert (5), George (3), Matilda (9) and William (10 months).
1861 Census Entries
From 1871 onwards, a small mystery exists. In 1871, Harriett is living with the children in St Mary, Warwick, and is listed as 'married', and with the occupation 'seamstress'.
1871 Census Entries
However, Henry is not at home in 1871 with the family, and an article in Warwick from 1869 suggests he may have abandoned his family:
Leamington Spa Courier - Saturday 20 November 1869
While a precise death date for Henry Snelling has not been found, in 1874 Harriet married Alfred Clive. Alfred and Harriet lived in Bimingham with several of the SNELLING children in 1881, and in 1891 at Aston, Birmingham. Harriett died in 1898, and the fate of her first husband, the Australian-born Henry, has not been traced.
John was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, in 1788, to Benjamin and Sarah Snelling. In 1806 he enlisted with the 40th Regiment in Somerset, at the time being was an 18 year-old labourer, 5’ 6” (1.7m) tall, with grey eyes, brown hair and a fair complexion. Over the subsequent ten years, SNELLING served in South America (1806-7), Portugal and the Battles of Roliça and Vimeiro (1808), Spain and the Battle of Talavera (1809), Portugal and the Battle of Busaco (1810), Spain and the Battles of Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Salamanca (all 1812), Vittoria, Pyrenees, St Sebastien and Nivelle (all 1813), and France and the Battles of Orthes and Toulouse (both 1814). For all aforementioned battles he received 'clasps' to his service medal. He then sailed to North America (Louisiana) and back to France to take part in the fabled Battle of Waterloo.
The second part of Snelling's career in the 40th was one of peace and garrison duty. His regiment occupied France fro 1815-1817, and it is believe that John SNELLING married his first wife Mary during this time (no details are known). Three children were born as the regiment moved from France to duties between Scotland, Ireland and England.
In 1824, the 40th were assigned to duty in New South Wales, and John Snelling (with family) sailed on the 'Mangles' in July 1814, arriving in Sydney in late October, and were initially stationed at Parramatta, where John was promoted to 'Colour Sergeant' (awarded only to sergeants who had proved their bravery in battle). While there, a son Henry was born:
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New South Wales, Australia, St. John's Parramatta, Baptisms
Henry Wallison Snelling, Son of John and Mary Snelling
Sydney was Born Nov 28th and Christened December 13th 1824
Registered same day by me Samuel Marsden Senior Chaplain
The only event that appears to have caused John's name to appear in the colonial newspapers relates to a carriage accident on Parramatta road outside Sydney, while heading to Parramatta:
The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) Thu 14 Jul 1825
ACCIDENT OF THE ECLIPSE COACH.
WILLIAM DOWNES, Guard of the Eclipse Coach, states, that about the hour of half-past four o'clock this evening (Wednesday, June 29th), when at the distance of about two miles from Sydney, a man was driving a cart towards Sydney, down hill. He was seated in the cart in a state of intoxication, and driving upon the wrong side of the road. The Coach was then ascending the hill; Downes immediately sounded the horn, which appeared to be taken no notice of. When the coach came near the cart, on its proper side of the road, the driver of the cart incautiously crossed and recrossed the road, and by a sudden turn of his cart to his wrong side, the shaft of his cart entered the side of the off-side lending horse, and killed him on the spot.
The Passengers outside were, Mr. Lindsay on the box; Mr. Nettleton, Mr. Maughan, and a Serjeant Snelling, of the 40th Regiment, on the front seat. Dr. Anderson rode inside.
W. DOWIES, Guard of the Eclipse Coach. JOHN GAMBELL, Coachman,
We, the undersigned, being Passengers by the Eclipse Coach, this evening, from Sydney to Parramatta, confirm the above Statement. WILLIAM MAUGHAN, J. SNELLING, Serjeant, 40th Regt. JOSEPH NETTLETON.
June 20, 1825.
Around July 1825, Snelling was transferred to Van Diemens Land, then from there in April 1826 the SNELLING family sailed on the Medway for Britain where he was discharged on 4th October 1826 due to “chronic rheumatism and being worn out by length of service”. His comments on conduct were glowing: "His general conduct as a soldier has been that of a Brave and trustworthy Non-Commissioned Officer. He served in the expedition to South America and was engaged in the Plains and Storming of Monte Video . . . actions of Vimiero, Talavera, Busaco, Bombale, Alavanza, Badajoz (1st Seige) and Cuidad Rodrigo, and taking of Badajox, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Orthes, Toulouse and Waterloo. He was a Volunteer on the Forlorn Hope at the Storming of St. Sebastiano."
Back in England, the SNELLING family settled in Shepton Mallett, Somerset. By 1841 when the census at the start of this post was taken, a daughter Matilda was born in 1827, and wife Mary had died aged 40 in early July 1829. John re-married on 17 Aug 1830 in Bristol to Eliza Loxton (nee Smith), and they had at least eight children.
John appeared living in Shepton Mallet for the rest of his life, dying in March 1875, aged 87. At some point as an elderly man, John posed for a photo. A proud veteran of many battles with the 40th (including Waterloo) and wearing his medals, he was also likely one of few people as old as Australia who was photographed. His photograph is held at the Lancashire Infantry Museum (www.lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk ) in a display case, and Dominic Butler (Assistant Curator) was kind enough to take a picture for me:
 
Waterloo Medal - Peninsula War
Spectacles with case. The property of:
Sergeant John Snelling
1st Battalion 40th Regiment of Foot
a contemporary of Sgt Lawrence
Presented by: Mr J Snelling Esq - 1989
Henry, John and Mary's son, was the only SNELLING child born in the colonies. After being born in 1824, Henry returned to Shepton Mallet with the SNELLING family, and was living there in 1841 with his parents and siblings, apprenticed as a tailor. By 1850, Henry had relocated to Leamington Priors in the county of Warwick about 50 miles north. There, he married in his bride's home parish: 
1850 Marriage solemnized in St Mary in Leamington Priors, Warwick
September 3rd 1850
Henry Snelling, 25, Bachelor, occ Tailor, Residence King St, father John Snelling - Clothier
Harriett Hayne, 22, Spinster, Residence King St, father Edward Hayne - Shoemaker
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1861 Census Entries
From 1871 onwards, a small mystery exists. In 1871, Harriett is living with the children in St Mary, Warwick, and is listed as 'married', and with the occupation 'seamstress'.
1871 Census Entries
It was ordered that a warrant be issued, and the usual reward offered, for the apprehension of Mark Poole, and Henry Snelling, for deserting their wives and families, whereby they have become chargable to the Union.
While a precise death date for Henry Snelling has not been found, in 1874 Harriet married Alfred Clive. Alfred and Harriet lived in Bimingham with several of the SNELLING children in 1881, and in 1891 at Aston, Birmingham. Harriett died in 1898, and the fate of her first husband, the Australian-born Henry, has not been traced.
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