Joseph March (1797–1883)

Summary

| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joseph March |
| Born | 1797 — Aylsham, Norfolk, England |
| Baptised | 1 Jun 1797 — St Michael, Aylsham, Norfolk |
| Died | 30 Oct 1883 (age 86) — Prospect, Adelaide, SA |
| Buried | North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, SA |
| Spouse | Sophia Webster (m. 31 Oct 1825, Aylsham) |
| Occupation | Agricultural labourer |

Life Summary

Joseph March was born in Aylsham, Norfolk, England in 1797, the son of Joseph March and Sarah Jacobs. He was baptised at St Michael's Church, Aylsham on 1 June 1797.

He married Sophia Webster on 31 October 1825 at the same church. They had ten children, all but the last born in Aylsham.

Joseph worked as an agricultural labourer — recorded in the 1841 England & Wales Census (ref 761-2-17-27). Seeking a better life, he made the bold decision to emigrate with his entire family.

The Voyage of the Canton

On 31 July 1846, Joseph, his wife Sophia, and seven of their children arrived in the Colony of South Australia aboard the ship Canton. Their youngest, John Henry, was born in the colony the following year at Reed Beds.

The March family were free settlers — not convicts — part of the wave of English agricultural families who helped build South Australia's farming economy.

Joseph died on 30 October 1883 in Prospect, Adelaide, at age 86, and is buried at North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth.

Children

| Name | Birth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph March | 9 Jul 1826, Aylsham | |
| Hannah (Sloman) | 1828, Aylsham | |
| Sophia March | 29 Nov 1829, Aylsham | Your direct line — married William John Baker (1831–1919) |
| William March | Jan 1832, Aylsham | |
| William March | 18 Sep 1833, Aylsham | |
| Susanna March | 1836, Aylsham | |
| Charles March | 14 Sep 1838, Aylsham | |
| Samuel March | 1841, Aylsham | |
| Alfred March | 1843, Aylsham | |
| John Henry March | 12 Aug 1847, Reed Beds, SA | First Australian-born |

Key Relationships

| Person | Connection |
|---|---|
| Sophia Webster | Wife (m. 31 Oct 1825, Aylsham) |
| Sophia March | Daughter — married William John Baker (1831–1919) |
| William John Baker (1831–1919) | Son-in-law |
| Hannah Baker | Granddaughter |
| William Henry Parker (1893–1968) | Great-grandson |
| Shirley Edna Telfer (1929–2017) | Great-great-granddaughter |

🔗 Links

• Sophia Baker (1829–1901)


• William John Baker (1831–1919)


• William Humphrey Parker (1850–1926)


• Family Tree

Sources

• WikiTree: March-507


• Baptism: 1 Jun 1797, St Michael, Aylsham, Norfolk


• Marriage: Joseph March to Sophia Webster, 31 Oct 1825, St Michael, Aylsham


• Immigration: Ship Canton, arrived 31 Jul 1846


• 1841 England & Wales Census (ref 761-2-17-27)


• Death: 30 Oct 1883, Prospect, SA (Genealogy SA)


• Burial: North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, SA