Descendants of John NIMO
Notes
Lindsay NIMO (NEMO, NEMOS, NIMMS, NIMMO) John NEMO
Lindsay Nimo is important to the Spalding line as he is the very first ancestor to have arrived in Australia. He arrived in Sydney on 6 May 1814.
Lindsay alias George Nimms aged 24 was convicted in August 1812 in County Armagh in Northern Ireland and sentenced for a term of 7 years. His native place was Tyrone and he was a weaver by trade. He was then described as being 5ft 4.25 inches tall, fair to ruddy complexion with sandy hair and hazel eyes.
Lindsay Nimms arrived in Sydney on 6 May 1814 on board the ship "Three Bees". John Wallis was the Master. The 459 ton ship sailed from Cork Ireland in October 1813 and then from Falmouth Cornwell on 8 December 1813 with 210 Irish convicts. The conditions on board the ship were so bad that the assistant Surgeon General of NSW, William Redfern was commissioned to do an enquiry into the Three Bees and two other ships that arrived at a similar time. Nine convicts died during the voyage and 55 others were put into hospital on arrival. The ship caught fire on 20 May 1814 in Sydney Cove. It eventually sank after 14 cannons fired and its gun-powder magazine exploded.
William Redfern, was himself transported to Australia on the ship "Minorca" in 1801. He was involved in a mutiny in 1797 in a British naval base. The mutineers rebelled against the sailors' poor food, poor pay and poor conditions. Some of the mutineers were hung and 15 were transported to NSW. Dr William Redfern had been the surgeon on the "Standard". Redfern was soon pardoned.
On 31 January 1818 Lindsay Nemo of the "Three Bees" that arrived in 1814 was transferred from the Gaol Convict Gang to the Town Convict Gang. (Colonial Secretary Papers - SR Reel 6047; 4/1741 p.224). It was noted that a Charles Nemo was also transferred with Lindsay.
On 1 March 1819 the Colonial Secretary (Colonial Secretary papers - SR Reel 6006; 4/3500 p2) gave permission for Lindsay Nemos a convict from the ship Three Bees and Eleanor Brainger a convict from the ship Elizabeth (2) that arrived in 1818, to marry. Eleanor had received a transportation sentence of 7 years for being a pick-pocket. Her native place was County Antrim, Ireland where she was a servant.
The Kerrison James Index identifies that Lindsay Nimo, aged 35, married Elinor Branigan, aged 32, on 17 May 1819. This marriage was confirmed by the records of St Philip's Church, Sydney. Lindsay is described as a labourer and widower. This must have been at least Lindsay's second marriage.
NSW BDM V181925 8/1819 Lindsay Nimo Labourer to Eleanor Branigan in Sydney, St Phillip's
V18192358 3A/1819 NIMMO LINDSAY Widower, BRANIGAN ELEANOR Widow, married 17 May 1819 at Sydney, St Philip'sIn the 1822 NSW Convict Muster a John Nemo was shown as a free Convict having arrived on the Three B's and was lodger at J Hartport?.
Lindsay and Eleanor had a daughter Mary Ann in 1824 who was born at Windsor, NSW.
Lindsay must have been a troublesome convict having his sentence extended by 3 years. On 30 September 1824 Lindsay received his Certificate of Freedom (S R Film 601 Shelf 4/4423) No. 204/2794 in the name of Lindsay (alias George) Nimms. Noting that this certificate was in lieu of 31/2317 (presumably that which would have applied from the end of his seven year sentence). The certificate confirms his ship was the Three Bees that arrived in 1814. He was convicted in County Armagh in August 1812 for a term of seven years. His native place was Dungannon in County Tyrone, Ireland where he was a weaver. In 1824 he was 5 ft 2 inches tall, 38 years old, of ruddy complexion, brown and bald hair and hazel eyes.
In the 1825 NSW Convict muster, Lindsay John Nimo was shown as a landholder at Richmond, from the Three B's in 1814.
In the 1828 NSW census Lindsay and Eleanor were living in Sydney. Entry 148 has Lindsay Nimo aged 44 years, who was free by servitude, having arrived on the ship - Three Bees and serving a 7 year sentence. He was listed as a protestant and having an occupation as a sawyer from Erskine Street, Sydney. This area of Cockle Bay was later called Darling Harbour. Entry 149 identifies Eleanor Nimo as 36 years and as also having been a convict from the ship Elizabeth in 1818. She had also served a 7 year sentence and was a protestant. Her child Mary Ann, aged 5, was recorded as being born in the Colony.
Mary Ann, Lindsay's first recorded child, later died in October 1829 at Sussex Street Sydney. At that time Lindsay was an oyster dealer.
The very next entry in the 1828 census lists Charles Nemo, a householder in Erskine St. Sydney, aged 56 also who was also free by servitude. He arrived on the ship Guildford(2) in 1816 and had served a 7 year sentence. Charles was Lindsay's brother and only next of kin, as sworn by Lindsay in Charles' probate papers. These papers also advise that Charles Nimmo died in Sydney on 17 August 1829. (Register of Probates 1800-1901held by NSW State Records: Series 1, Shelf 14/3184, packet 398.
Lindsay seemed to always be close to trouble with a series of court cases revealing his activities:John Lindsay Nemo, of Sydney, labourer, was found not guilty of stealing one pair of oars from Thomas Day on 19 September 1828.
In April 1830 a Thomas Ryley was indicted for stealing 20 pounds from the dwelling house of Lindsay Nimo at Sydney on the 27th March 1830. In Lindsay Nemo's witness statement he advised:
"I am a lime burner. In March last I lived at the soldiers point in Cockle Bay. I know the prisoner. He was at my house last St Patrick's day, I had my wife, myself, the prisoner and a man named Jennings. We were drinking. This was St Patrick's night. Doherty was there. Towards the latter part of the day, I got a little in liquor, and I told Jennings to go home as it was getting late. He refused. I went back to my room and I took my Pistol, and said if you don't go, I will turn you out by force of arms. I shut him out. He pushed the door open and wrenched the pistol out of my hand. In about 10 minutes, I was taken to the watch-house, the prisoner was outside the door and said you take charge of my place, you know I have got some money in the place and you have seen it. He had seen it that day.I had about 24 pounds in the house, when I left to go to the watch house. Next day about 12 o'clock I returned home and I looked for my money and found it gone out of a little room upstairs, where I had left it under the bedside in a purse or a little pocket book. It was 14 pounds in notes and the rest in dollars. The pocket book was large enough to hold the dollars. I laid them on top of the notes and tied a cord round. Mostly all dollars. Never saw any of the money again. The prisoner had been to my house the day before and wanted some little things on trust to put him over St Patrick's day. I let him have 2 ounces of tea and 2 pound of sugar and a passbook to get him 2 or 3 pounds of meat out of a butchers shop. Next day after coming from the Court I saw him at his own place handling a deal of money."
Unfortunately for Lindsay, Thomas Ryley was found not guilty.
Lindsay Nimo, a dealer of Clarence Street Sydney, was convicted on 14 August 1830 of selling rum while not having a licence. He was fined 30 pounds or if not paid a 4 month gaol term. He appealed but on 30 October 1830 abandoned the appeal.
A prisoner F. Johnson was indicted for stealing two saddles, on the 3rd August 1830 and Lindsay Nimmo was indicted for receiving and having the same saddles knowing them to have been stolen. At the trial before Judge Forbes the prisoner Johnson pleaded guilty, and Lindsay was found guilty, but the Judge reserved the case for the consideration of the whole Court.
Johnson, who was a private soldier, was indebted to Nimmo a housekeeper in Sydney. Johnson having stolen the saddles took them to Nimmo's house but never parted with the possession of them. A constable disguised as a settler, went to the house, and saw Johnson and Nimmo there. He had a dealing with Johnson for them in Nimmo's presence, who putting his hand upon of the saddles, said "You have got a good bargain this morning." This was the only proof of possession, and this was in the presence of the principal felon. The deft Nimmo seemed anxious to put off the saddle, but there was no actual possession in him beyond the saddles being in his house in the presence of Johnson.
The Judge left the case to the Jury to say whether the prisoner did "receive and have" telling them that if he merely aided the principal felon in selling the saddles without having an actual possession independent of the thief then he was not guilty. The Jury found the prisoner guilty. Solicitors then moved to have the conviction quashed.
It appears from the facts reported by the learned Judge that "the thief had not parted with the possession, or control over the property, and as there was no dominion exercised by Nimmo over the property inconsiderate with the possession and dominion of the thief, I think this conviction is wrong in point of law and the Jury upon the facts ought to have acquitted the prisoner. There need not in all such cases be an actual manual possession to constitute a man a receiver of stolen property, provided he has a control over it independently of the thief. To constitute a receiver I apprehend, the party must exercise or have the power of exercising a dominion over the property. Here Johnson had not parted with the property, or left it under Nimmo's exclusive control. I therefore think this man entitled to a pardon, and must be recommended to the Crown accordingly."
Nimmo was discharged on his own recognition in the sum of 10 pounds and Johnson was sentenced to be transported to a penal settlement for 7 years.
In 1835 Lindsay Nemmo was accused by an Alexander Ferrier of stealing six billets of wood. He was bailed on 80 pounds and was tried on 23 April 1835. Lindsay's statement follows:
"He was in the habit of burning lime near the Milatars Bathing places upwards of ten years, he is a tenant on the grounds where he lives now for 7 years ever since which time he got a livelihood by hard and honest industry. Mr Ferrier the Prosecutor has now rented a large space of ground where he also has lime kilns and which ground adjoins Nemmo's, back at low water when he has occasions to land wood for his business, he cannot do so on his own wharf, but is obliged to land at some other place, which was in the case in this present instance on or about the 10th January last he landed some wood on Mr Ferrier's ground and on the removing the same one of Mr Ferrier's men demanded to know what wood I was removing when I told him upon which the man attempted to remove my wood which I resisted and in spite of me took two logs which he carried to Mr Ferrier's ground, and in an hour afterward Mr Ferrier brought a constable to give me in charge which I objected to intending to give a charge against Mr Ferrier, who immediately made his first application to the magistrates who granted a warrant upon which I was arrested and the present trial pending. On Mr Ferrier first coming on the ground he entered into a written engagement with Nemmo as partner but when Mr Ferrier (who was then a stranger to the profits of the business) found it was lucrative he dissolved the partnership. Nemmo has been well known as a hard working man and it is impossible to believe he could give an opportunity of being deprived of his liberty for a quantity of wood valued at four pence."
Lindsay was found not guilty.
Lindsay's wife Eleanor died at Sussex Street in 1842 and Lindsay, aged 58, married about six months later, a much younger Catherine McGoveran, aged 23.
Marriage: NSW BDM V18423655 74B/1842 and V18421462 76/1842 Lindsay Nimo, widower of Sydney, and Catherine McGoveran, spinster of the same place, married on 6 Jul 1842 at Sydney Presbyterian, St Andrew's Scots Church.
Catherine McGovern arrived in Australia as an assisted immigrant on Saturday 13 February 1841 with her two older sisters, Alice and Margaret on board the ship, Jane Gifford. Catherine could not read or write but was in a very good state of bodily health, strength and probable usefulness. Catherine, a Roman Catholic from Tipperary, was 20 years old and had been a housemaid. At the time of arrival her mother, Norah McGovern, was a widow.
Over the next six years Lindsay and Catherine had four children: John, Elizabeth, Charles and Mary Ann. Charles died as an infant and Catherine died in 1850 aged 31 leaving the three living children and Lindsay.
About six months after Catherine's death, Lindsay, aged about 66, then married the widow Martha Miller.
Marriage: NSW BDM V18501276 73B/1850 NIMMO LINDSAY, Widower of Sydney MILLER MARTHA, Widow of Sydney married 7 Oct 1850 at Presbyterian Sydney, Scots Church
V1850637 80/1850 NIMMO LINDSAY MILLER MARTHA Presbyterian Sydney, Scots ChurchAfter living in the colony for 50 years Lindsay died on 13 December 1864 aged 82.
In the 1865 Sands Directory for Sydney, New South Wales, is listed:
Nimo, Lindsay - Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont.Both Lindsay and Catherine are buried in the Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde NSW. (Presbyt Section in Grave No. 663) together with their son John. The grave transcription reads:
"To the Memory of Catherine Nimo who departed this life 17th July 1850 aged 31 years leaving a husband and 3 children to lament their loss. Also Lindsay Nimo husband of the above who died 13th Dec 1864 aged 82 years. Also John Nimo son of the above who departed this life 23rd June 1920 aged 78 years. Erected by his loving sister M.A. Llewellyn."M.A. Llewellyn was Mary Ann Nimmo, Lindsay's last child.
The Nimmo name originated in Scotland around the 15th century reportedly coming from France. Some say the name derived from the Latin word Nemo which means "nobody". Similarly Nimmo means "anonymous" and was used when the English outlawed the Clans. Therefore those that were wanted by the English took the name "Nimmo".
Lindsay Nimo - Convict Indent
(NSW State Records Fiche - 634, Reel 393, ref 4/4004 p.526)Death: NSW BDM 224/1865 NIMO LINDSAY UNKNOWN DIED SYDNEY SYDNEY
Court References:
Index to Clerk of the Peace - Quarter Sessions 1824-37. Quarter Session records: Item [4/8450] Oct 1828 SydneySupreme Court of New South Wales Hearing, 1830 (From its position in the notebook, it is likely that this trial was held between March and June 1830.) Source - Dowling, Select Cases, Vol. 2, Archives Office of New South Wales, 2/3462 (pps308-310)
Quarter Session Record No.0, Item [4/8451], October 1830, Sydney
R. v. Johnson and Nimmo Supreme Court of New South Wales Forbes C.J., Stephen and Dowling JJ, 11 September 1830 Source - Dowling, Select Cases, Archives Office of New South Wales, 2/3466
Source - Dowling, Proceedings of the Supreme Court, Vol. 47, Archives Office of New South Wales, 2/3230 [p. 158] In Banco. Coram Forbes CJ, Stephen CJ, Dowling J.
Quarter Session Record No. 76, Item [4/8464], April 1835, Sydney
Eleanor Branigan
Kerrison James Index
Nimo Lindsay aged 35 married Elinor Branigan aged 32 on 17 May 1819.Eleanor Branigan arrived 1818 on board Elizabeth 1(2) which departed Antrim, Ireland in 1817.
The Convicts Ships Muster of 20 July 1818 (State records Reel 2421, shelf 2/8257, p 215) says that Elizabeth I had 101 female convicts on board and lists Elinor Branagan aged 32 who was tried in Antrim for picking pockets in March 1817 and received a sentence of 7 years.
From Peter Mayberry's website (Irish Convicts to NSW 1791-1825)
Surname First Name Ship Tried Trial Place Term DOB Remarks
Branagan Elinor Elizabeth I (2) [1818] 1817 Antrim 7 1788 HousekeeperKerrison James Index
Nimo Lindsay aged 35 married Elinor Branigan aged 32 on 17 May 1819.NSW BDM V181925 8/1819 Lindsay Nimo Labourer to Eleanor Branigan in Sydney, St Phillip's
V18192358 3A/1819 NIMMO LINDSAY Widower, BRANIGAN ELEANOR Widow, married 17 May 1819 at Sydney, St Philip'sOn 22 Nov 1828 Eleanor received her Certificate of Freedom (S R Film 983 Shelf 4/4295) No. 28/962 in the name of Elinor Branagan. Noting that this certificate was in lieu of 48/2209 (presumably that which would have applied from the end of her seven year sentence). The certificate confirms her ship was the Elizabeth 2 that arrived in 1818. She was convicted in County Antrim in March 1817 for a term of seven years. Her native place was County Antrim, Ireland where she was a servant. In 1828 she was 5 ft 1.25 inches tall, born in 1791, of ruddy freckled complexion, sandy hair and hazel eyes.
She is listed as Eleanor Nimo in the NSW 1828 census living with Lindsay Nimo and Mary Ann Nimo, and Charles (Lindsay's brother). She was aged 36, freed by servitude, arrived on Elizabeth in 1818, had a 7 year sentence, was a protestant and lived at Eskine St, Sydney.
Death: NSW BDM V184211 26B/1842 NIMO ELEANOR AGE 48 died Sussex St, Sydney on 19 Jan 1842, buried 20 Jan 1842
Birth: NSW BDM V18246651 1B/1824 NIMO MARY A Father: Lindsay, Mother: Eleanor, Mary Ann was born 2 Mar 1824, baptised 4 Jul 1824, St Philips Sydney
Also V1824744 8/1824 NIMO MARY A Father: Lindsay, Mother: Eleanor, born at Windsor 2 March 1824, baptised 4 July 1824, St Philip SydneyDeath: NSW BDM V18298689 2C/1829 NIMO MARY A INFANT Buried 1 Oct 1829 aged 5 years St James
Also V18291311 13/1829 NIMO MARY A INFANT died at Sussex St, buried 1 Oct 1829, Born Colony, Father an Oyster dealer.Kerrison-James Index
Nimo Lindsay aged 35 married Elinor Branigan aged 32 on 17 May 1819.Mary Ann Nimo daughter of Lindsay and Elinor
Born 2 Mar 1824
Baptised 4 Jul 1824
Birth: NSW BDM V18434938 47/1843 NIMO JOHN , Father: Lindsay Nimo, Mother: Catherine McGoveran, born 7 May 1843, baptised 4 Aug 1844, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
Also V18495522 45B/1849 NIMO JOHN, Father: Lindsay Nimo, Mother: Catherine McGoveran, born 7 May 1843, baptised 4 Aug 1844, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
In the 1893, 1894 and 1896 Sands Directories of Sydney NSW was listed:
Nimo, John South Street, DrummoyneDeath: NSW BDM 7172/1920 NIMMO JOHN Father: Lindsay Mother: Catherine - Balmain South
John's probate papers are held by NSW State Records, Series 4, Item 112755, box SC004188.
John of Rozelle, died 23 June 1920. He was a retired fettler. He gave all of his assets of 205 pounds to Sydney City Mission.
Birth: NSW BDM V18444939 47/1844 NIMO ELIZABETH, Father: Lindsay Nimo, Mother: Catherine McGoveran, born 17 Jun 1844, baptised 4 Aug 1844, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
Also V18445523 45B/1844 NIMO ELIZABETH, Father: Lindsay Nimo, Mother: Catherine McGoveran, born 17 Jun 1844, baptised 4 Aug 1844, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
Marriage: NSW BDM 485/1865 DRISCOLL MICHAEL NIMO ELIZABETH SYDNEY
Death: NSW BDM 12471/1912 DRISCOLL ELIZABETH Father: Lindsay, Mother: Catherine - Rockdale
Birth: NSW BDM V18485930 45/1848 NEMO CHARLES, Father: Lindsay Nemo, Mother: Catherine McGovern, born 13 May 1846, baptised 12 Jul 1846, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
Also V18481262 48/1848 NEMO CHARLES, Father: Lindsay Nemo, Mother: Catherine McGoveran, born 13 May 1846, baptised 12 Jul 1846, Abode - Sydney, Father - Dealer, St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney
Death: NDW BDM V184824 33B/1848 NIMO CHARLES INFANT, Abode: Sussex St, died: 11 May 1848, buried: 13 May 1848, aged 2 years, Father was a dealer, St Philips Sydney by The Reverend PP Agnew.
Possible Birth records (no other records of birth between 1790-1839):
V1808337 10/1808 MILLER MARTHA THOMAS MATILDA
V18087685 1C/1808 MILLER MARTHA THOMAS MATILDAAlthough Miller may not have been her maiden name as she is listed as a widow in her marriage record to Lindsay Nimo.
Was this her earlier marriage:
V18371646 21/1837 MILLER JAMES RIDGE MARTHA Church of England Windsor, St Matthew'sor
V1849410 79/1849 MILLER WILLIAM DYTONE MARTHA Presbyterian Sydney, St Andrew's Scots Church
or
V18501903 73C/1850 MILLER HENRY HEALEY MARTHA Presbyterian Sydney, St Andrew's Scots Church
