The Family of John Beal SHERIDANJohn Beal SHERIDAN (known as "JB") was born 9 January 1835 in London, the first child of Frances KEITH and John SHERIDAN. John and Frances had eloped two years earlier, Frances being married to John Montgomery MARTIN at the time. JB was baptised 21 June 1840 at St James, Clerkenwell, London, at the same time as his younger brother Reginald. JB was just over 5 years old and Reginald was 3. Their births were not registered as civil registration did not begin until 1837. Note that in subsequent divorce proceedings Frances' sister Jessica related that her sister wished to be known as Mrs SHERIDAN, so we can presume the children were known as Sheridan from birth.
John Beal SHERIDAN's location in the KEITH family tree is shown here.
JB is recorded in the 1841 census at 19 Cobourg St, Clerkenwell, London. The family is indexed as Steradan. Cobourg St in Clerkenwell no longer exists, but was close to what is now the Islington Museum and a block north of St James Church, Clerkenwell.
Emigration to Adelaide, AustraliaJB emigrated to Adelaide in 1849 with his parents John and Frances. He would have been 15 years old. The family travelled on the barque Constant, arriving in Adelaide on 23 December 1849. The newspapers reported "John Sheridon, wife and two children". There was also a "JB Shendon", which would have been John Beal SHERIDAN.
In Adelaide JB became a lawyer of some repute. He wrote several books, the first in 1879 being The Magistrates' Guide. Later works included a series of articles on law reform: JB also features in several newspaper articles, mostly about law issues, but also land sales. Two of these are of interest. The first is in January 1860 when he and his sister Frances sold a residence in Adelaide to their brother Reginald. The land is described as part Town Acre 1022, which today are the properties of 223-239 Stanley St, bordered by Stanley, New and Old Streets. The second deal was in June 1860 where JB bought two adjoining lots, being parts of Acre 984 and 973. Part of this property is today 50 Mackinnon Parade, where the Sheridan's lived for many years. (Part of a map showing the Town Acres can be seen here.)
JB married Emma Mary BROWN on 17 December 1854 at St Patricks Church, Adelaide. They had 2 children.
JB died in Adelaide on 20 March 1906 and is buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.
JB left a Will, dated 28 March 1901. It is a simple document, as befits a person who tried to simplify legal proceedings. It gives all his property whatsoever to his wife Emma and appoints her sole executrix. The WIll is available on familysearch.org, but the copy is so faint it is unreadable unless digitally corrected.
Emma Mary SHERIDAN (née BROWN) died 15 May 1912 in North Adelaide and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery. She is not buried with her husband John Beal, but their daughter Catherine Keith BAIRD (née SHERIDAN in the Catholic section of the cemetery. Catherine had died on 6 May 1911, just 12 months before Emma.
Will of Emma Mary SHERIDAN: on 2 July 1911, a few weeks after her daughter Adeline BAIRD had died in May 1911, Emma SHERIDAN made a new Will, leaving her estate to her two grandchildren Algernon and Adeline BAIRD (the children of Catherine Keith SHERIDAN). The Will was proved on 1 July 1912 and transcribed into the records of the Supreme Court. Unlike her husband's masterpiece of simplicity, Emma's Will covers 11 pages and provides for her estate to be held in trust for the grandchildren or great-grandchildren, with small bequests to a range of people and organisations including her maid and horse and carriage groom. As it happened, some of the detailed clauses were needed. Her grandson Algernon did not marry "Miss Percy" as the Will suggested he might (wishful thinking on Emma's part?) but Elsie WHITING instead. Algernon then died 10 days before his first child was born, so that the "grandson share" would have gone to the great-granddaughter Rita Sheridan BAIRD. The Court books are available on familysearch.org. (click on each image below to see the full size):
St Mary's, Childers St, Adelaide: Emma's Will and other documents give an insight into the lives of John Beal and Emma Mary. For many years they lived at "St Mary's" Childers St, North Adelaide. Emma's Will allowed for her granchildren to live here after her death, cost free, if they desired, and to be able to use the furniture, glassware, silver and silver plate that she had possessed. Her Will also made small bequests to her maid and horse groom as long as they were still in her employ when she died. The fate of the property is interesting. There are several newspaper articles advertising its sale by the trustees of her estate, the first in 1912 a few months after Emma died. It would appear that the property did not sell. It was advertised again in April 1920 a few months after Emma's grandson Algernon BAIRD had died in February 1920. It did not sell then either, so was offered again in 1925. On all occasions the sale indicated the property was a "full acre". It finally sold in 1925 to a a local businessman, Mr G.J. Cowie.
The Children of John Beal and Emma Mary SHERIDANJohn Reginald SHERIDANJohn Reginald was born 28 October 1855 at North Adelaide. He died at MacKinnon Parade 2 months later on 22 December 1855.
Catherine (also Katherine/Katharine) Keith SHERIDANCatherine Keith SHERIDAN was born 10 April 1858 at North Adelaide. She was effectively the only child of John Beal and Emma as her older brother had died before she was born. Katherine married Alexander Reid BAIRD at the Sheridan's Childers St home on 19th October 1881. There is more about Catherine SHERIDAN and her family hereReturn to the Daniel Keith Family Index Page Return to the Benton Family Index Page Last updated: 20 May 2020 |
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