• Born: 11 Oct 1827, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England
• Baptised: 4 Nov 1827, St Matthew's, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England ⁵
• Marriage (1): KELLY, Ann on 22 Sep 1850 in St Phillips Church, Bethnal Green, England ¹
• Marriage (2): UNKNOWN, Ann between 1859 and 1861
• Marriage (3): BUSSELL, Martha on 13 Nov 1871 in Primitive Methodist Church, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia ²
• Marriage (4): SIMMONS, Mary Ann on 24 Jul 1878 in St Peter's, Church of England, East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia ^{3 4}
• Died: 15 Jul 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia at age 75 ⁶
• Buried: 16 Jul 1903, Church Of England Cemetery, Campbell Hill, New South Wales, Australia

  Noted events in his life were:

• Baptism, 4 Nov 1827, St Matthew's, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ⁵ Baptism Film 0855941 : Vol 14 - third series of pages on film covering 1825-1828
IGI [updated on-line later] shows death 22nd May 1833 - incorrect!!

• Residence: St John Street, 4 Nov 1827, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ⁷

• Census: Ossulstone (Tower Division), 6 Jun 1841, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ⁸

• Residence: 7 Turk Street when married, 22 Sep 1850, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ⁹

• Occupation: weaver, 30 Mar 1851, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ¹⁰

• Residence: 7 Turk Street, 30 Mar 1851, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ¹⁰

• Miscellaneous, 1857, India. According to the text on the back of a photo, James was in India during The Mutiny - have not found any official reference / records to confirm this.
See "Obituary" for details re claim in India.

• Occupation: Weaver, 8 Jan 1860, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ^{10 11}

• Residence: 2 King Street, 8 Jan 1860, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ^{10 11}

• Residence: NOT 7 Turk Street, 1861, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. 1861 Census for that address.

• Statement: by Elizabeth KELLY, mother-in-law, 6 Aug 1861, Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England. ¹² Poor Law Removal and Settlement Orders
BEBG/267/018
Bethnal Green Poor Law Union
6^th August 1861
Page 310
Elizabeth KELLY, 522 Smiths Buildings, Hackney Road, 4 ? & 4 Smiths BS 7 ? yrs
For Ann Eveline NILES, 6 [?] years
Ann Eveline NILES is the lawful child of James and Ann NILES who were married at St Philips Church, Bethnal Green 22 September 1850 (cert provided). Father left England last Thursday week for Queensland and wrote to Elizabeth from Gravesend to fetch the child as he could not manage the luggage with it. He was a soldier with First European Light Cavalry Regiment and was returning from Calcutta. The mother of the child died on board of the ship Eveline 4^th November 1859. The child has been since she fetched it from Gravesend under her care. The father worked at his trade and gave Elizabeth 2/- a week for its support but only paid 2 weeks when he became acquainted with a woman who he has since married and gone with her to Queensland leaving his child destitute with Elizabeth.
Elizabeth states that James NILES was never apprenticed nor done any act [?]. His father John NILES kept a shop (Chandlers) next door to the Old Workhouse for many years and is now reduced in circumstances drives a goat chaise to the park but Elizabeth doesn't know where he lives. The child was born on 16 October 1859 on board the ship Ann Everline [sic], Isle of France Harbour, Mauritius.
NOTE: ?? First European Light Cavalry Regiment became 19th Hussars.

• Immigration: on ship "Wansfell", 10-13 Nov 1861, Moreton Bay [Queensland], Australia. ^{13 14} GSV MF035/1, P 123, Queensland State Archives, Register of Immigrants Immigration - WANSFELL, 13th November 1861 (to Bowen?), (1862 - Brisbane), Page 123 - James (31), Carpenter, and Ann (30) Nialls, from England

• Land, 1861, Queensland, Australia. ¹⁵

• Land, 1863, Queensland, Australia. ¹⁶ Land index shows Eliz & Jas whereas Immigration index shows Ann & James

• Occupation: Fruiterer / Storekeeper / Laborer.

• Age: Variations, 1871/1878, Australia. Ages on two different marriage certificates some years apart showed 42 on both! They hadn't written Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy back then!
James also claimed to be widowed on his last two marriage certificates.
NOTE: his second wife, Martha BUSSELL and his third wife Annie SIMMONS were both at his funeral - his second wife dying after his third.
Also, haven't found death of first wife yet although there is a possible death in 1865 - not yet confirmed!

• Occupation: Cab owner, 12 Jul 1884, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ¹⁷ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser: Saturday 12 July 1884, p.4

Maitland-made Hansom,-Yesterday we saw at the coach factory of Mr. James Woodforth, High street, West Maitland, a nice hansom cab, built to the order of Mr. James Niall of this town, and we understand it is the first vehicle of the kind built and finished north of Sydney. The cab contains many improvements on other cabs we have seen, and these include a folding window in the front, which can be opened or shut by the driver at the will of the occupants, being connected as it is by a cord with the driver's seat. The sunshade in front is also under the control of the driver, and can be elevated or lowered as circumstances require. The cab affords greater facilities than usual, being somewhat more roomy than those mostly in use, and so constructed as to run much lighter, and it is also very much neater in appearance, without losing any of the strength requisite for speedy travelling. Another improvement in the driver's seat equalizes the weight on the horse's back, and this is very necessary. The trimmings are chaste in their design, and are beautifully finished, being of the best light brown leather, with crimson lace, giving the vehicle a light and cheerful appearance. The inside is also furnished with blinds, fitted with self-acting springs. The outside of the cab is beautifully painted in crimson lake, and the whole is nicely varnished. The hansom in question represents a beautifully finished vehicle well worthy the notice of all admirers of good workmanship and artistic appearance combined, and it shows that in West Maitland we can turn out work of the description indicated in a manner not to be surpassed even in the metropolis. We have no doubt that both owner and manufacturer will be rewarded for their enterprise.

• Occupation: Cab owner, 13 Apr 1886, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ¹⁸ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser: Tuesday 13 April 1886, p.5

£1 REWARD.
To Policemen, Poundkeepers, & Others. LOST, from my Stables, on the 11^th instant, 1 BAY HORSE, branded B on near shoulder, O on near ribs. Anyone detaining the horse will be prosecuted.
2486JAMES NIALL, High Street

• Occupation: Cab owner, 22 Mar 1887, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ¹⁹ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser: Tuesday 22 March 1887, p.1

WANTED, GOOD STEADY MAN as GROOM
Apply James NIALL, High-street 2120

• Occupation: Cab owner, 9 Apr 1887, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²⁰ Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate: Saturday 6 April 1887, p.8

SALES. Cab, 'Bus, and Livery Stable
Proprietors, &c.
25 Head Buggy and Cab Horses.
3 First-class Cabs.
2 Buggies.
6 Sets Harness.
FOR SALE BY AUCTION, at CAMPBELL'S HILL, on Thursday, 14th instant
O. K. YOUNG has received instructions to sell by auction, at Campbell's Hill, on 'TIIURSDAY 14th APRIL, 1887, at 11 o'clock.
The whole of the Horses, Cabs. and Buggies belonging to Mr. James Niall, consisting of 25 first-class buggy and cab horses, 3 cabs, equal to new, 6 sets really good Harness, and 2 Buggies, &c, &c.
Terms cash. 3249

• Occupation: Cab owner, 22 Jan 1889, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²¹ The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser: Tuesday 22 January 1889, p.4

Snowden sued James Niall for the sum of £1 9s. for wages as a cab-driver. Mr. C. F. Soiling appeared for the complainant, and Mr. R. A. Young for the defendant. According to the evidence of the complainant, he entered Niall's employ as a cab driver on Tuesday the 8th January. The agreement was a verbal one, and he was to receive £1 a week and board, and to be paid weekly. He was in his service three days. On the third day he had a fare to the waterworks, and on the road the horse jibbed, and his passenger got out and declined to go further, giving him Is 6d. He came home and told his master, who did not say anything to him for that. He went out again in the afternoon till 6 o'clock; but when he was going out again in the evening the defendant told him to come round in the morning for his wages. The next morning, after he had got 6s owing for a fare, the defendant paid him 11s. He said it was not till two hours after that he found out he had only re received 11s, and he went and demanded £1 9s more; he claimed 9s for the balance of the week, and £1 for a week's dismissal without notice. Mr. Young contended that there was no case against the defendant, as, under the Masters and Servants Act, they could only recover for wages actually due. The Bench said they might go into the case as far as the remainder of the week was concerned. -The defendant's version of the matter was that the complainant came to him for a job. He asked him if he had ever driven a cab, and complainant replied no, but he had driven a spring cart. He agreed to give him a trial, and if he was competent to pay him £1 a week. On the Thursday he came and said the horse had stuck him up ; he never knew the horse to jib. The same horse was being driven now. He had heard complaints about his driving, and at night told him that he was not capable of driving a cab ; he had 3s, and said 6s was owing him. The defendant told him to come in the morning and bring the 6s, or a memo, that it was owing him, and he would pay him. Complainant then threatened to smash his face in, a threat which the latter denied making. He afterwards brought the 6s, and defendant paid him 10s-2 half-crowns and five shillings.- He dismissed him for incompetency.- The bench declined to make an order, as there was oath against oath.

• Miscellaneous, 12 Mar 1889, Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²² The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser: Tuesday 12 March 1889, p.3

West Maitland Borough Council
Correspondence: [ ... ]
from Mr James NIALL, asking the Council to connect a pipe with the drain in Church-street, for the purpose of draining surface water off his premises, and agreeing to pay the cost of same; [ ... ]

• Obituary, 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. [Attached to reverse of photo]
Mr. James Niall, an old resident of West Maitland, died suddenly yesterday morning after a few days illness. Deceased, who has been carrying on business as a wholesale fruiterer for a number of years, was a native of London, where he was born in 1836 (** WRONG - see below) He served in the army in India, and saw a good deal of the horrors of the mutiny. He was with Sir Colin Campbell in the famous marches from Alumbagh to Cawnpore, and from Cawnpore to Lucknow. After leaving the service he came to Australia, and travelled in Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales. About 25 years ago he settled down in Maitland as a fruiterer, and succeeded in establishing an extensive trade in the district. He leaves a widow and one son, Mr. Charles Niall, a local livery stable proprietor.

• Residence, 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²³

• Occupation: fruiterer, 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²³

• Death, 15 Jul 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²⁴

• Will, 15 Jul 1903, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ²⁵ 29112

NIALL, James late of West Maitland, freeholder.

This is the last Will and Testament of me James NIALL of West Maitland in the Colony of New South Wales Freeholder.

First I direct the payment of all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and subject thereto. I give and bequeath all personal property of whatsoever nature or kind the same may be unto my wife Annie NIALL absolutely.

But should she predecease me or die before Probate hereof is granted then the same is to go to my executor upon the same trusts as are hereinafter declared with respect to my real estate. And as to my real estate I give devise and bequeath the same unto the said Annie NIALL for the term of her natural life.

And upon her decease unto my executor hereinafter appointed upon trust for the children of my son Charles NIALL share and share alike the distribution thereof to take place upon the youngest of my said grandchildren, attaining the age of twenty one years. And I declare that after the decease of my said wife until such distribution as aforesaid it shall be lawful for my said executor or for the executors or trustees for the time being of this my Will should he or they deem it expedient to apply the whole or any part of the income arising from my said estate for the benefit of my said grandchildren or any of them.

And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Annie NIALL and Alfred BECKETT to be the executrix and executor of this my will. And hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretofore made I declare this only to be my true last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight.

James NIALL Signed Published and Declared by the said Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other all being present at the same time have hereunto set our hands as Witnesses George GALTON, Jas H F WALLER sol^r Maitland 21st August 1903.

By Act of Court Probate of the Will of the said deceased was granted to Annie NIALL of West Maitland, Widow and Alfred BECKETT of East Maitland the Executrix and Executor in the said Will named Testator died at West Maitland 15th July 1903 Estate sworn at £1148.5.1 pd J H F WALLER Proctor

• Probate: granted, 6 Mar 1972, New South Wales, Australia. ²⁶

James married Ann KELLY, daughter of Samuel KELLY and Elizabeth MITTEN, on 22 Sep 1850 in St Phillips Church, Bethnal Green, England.¹ (Ann KELLY was born about 1830 in Bethnal Green, Middlesex, England and died on 4 Nov 1859 on Board Ship "Eveline", Isle of France, Mauritius.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage, 22 Sep 1850, St Phillips Church, Bethnal Green, England. ¹

James next married Ann UNKNOWN between 1859 and 1861. (Ann UNKNOWN died about 1865.)

James next married Martha BUSSELL, daughter of Charles BUSSELL and Sarah PRANGLEY, on 13 Nov 1871 in Primitive Methodist Church, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.² (Martha BUSSELL was born on 4 Oct 1838 in Fordington, Dorset, England ^{27 28}, baptised on 4 Oct 1838 in Fordington, Dorset, England,²⁹ died on 27 Mar 1918 in District Hospital, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia ³⁰ and was buried on 28 Mar 1918 in Methodist Cemetery, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage, 13 Nov 1871, Primitive Methodist Church, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. ³¹

James next married Mary Ann SIMMONS, daughter of Josiah SIMMONS and Elizabeth ROWE, on 24 Jul 1878 in St Peter's, Church of England, East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.^{3 4} (Mary Ann SIMMONS was born in 1849 in Cornwall, England, died on 15 Mar 1915 in Church St., West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia ³² and was buried on 16 Mar 1915 in Church Of England Cemetery, West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• Marriage, 24 Jul 1878, St Peter's, Church of England, East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia. ⁴