NameSculphurAlternative NameSculpherDescriptionJohn Thomas Sculpher was born 1811 Norwich, Norfolk England to Edward and Phoebe Sculpher. His father was a miller.
In 1838, in the Parish of Chertsey, he married Lilley Eliza Beach (daughter of Richard Beach and Sally Brown) Lilly was born April 1813, baptised Walton, Surrey. Richard (her father) was as a blacksmith.
John and Lilley arrived in Australia aboard 'William Jardine' in December 1841. John was listed as 30 years old, a carpenter/cabinet maker, and his shipping records state his father was dead.
In 1855 Lilley Eliza's half-brother, Alexander Richard Beach and his family came to Australia also, and lived with John and Lilly for a short while.
The electoral rolls for 1855-1856 show John had a leasehold on the Peterborough Estate.
In 1859, John Thomas Sculpher in listed on the petition to the Governor General for Shellharbour to become a municipality.
John's name appears in various organisations, one being Sons of Temperance in 1870.
NSW Directory 1867 - JT Sculpher - Lake.
Unfortunately, John's wife Lilley Eliza succumbed to the effects of alcohol and had numerous charges brought against her. She eventually went to Queensland where she died in 1862.
John attempted suicide and on 15 May 1889 appeared in Wollongong court. Because he was described as feeble and had been paralyzed for 4yrs, he was sent to the Benevolent Society Asylum where he later died 30 June 1889.
Lilley Eliza and John Thomas Sculpher had no children.
Sources:
Tongarra Heritage Society Files.
Shipping Records N.S.W.
Shellharbour's Forgotten Cemetery and Selected Pioneers -Wendy and Terry Nunan.
