Joseph and Ann Cane are listed on the 1841 census both aged 35. Joseph was a farmer and they had 8 children at the time of the 1841 census. However several of these children were destined to end up in Australia.

The Cane exodus to Australia really started with their cousins from Barkway. Elizabeth Cane had married Thomas Judd and they set sail for Australia with their 8 children in 1842. The Judd’s sailed on the Sir Charles Napier to Hobart and Thomas Judd junior kept a diary of the voyage which is stored at the University of Tasmania Library. Here is the description extract:

Diary of Thomas Judd (1822-1915) son of Thomas Judd (1794-1887) and Elizabeth (Cane) on a voyage from England to Tasmania on the “Sir Charles Napier” with his family: “Father and Mother, Elizabeth, myself, John, Ann, Rebecca, Susan, Martha and Henry (we have left William behind – being deaf and dumb – to receive his education in the asylum)”. The diary consists mainly of the voyage: weather, activities on board, prayer meetings in their cabin. On arrival they took a house in Macquarie Street and looked for jobs. Ann and Elizabeth were offered posts as governesses but Elizabeth died on 30 December, at the age of 22, and was buried in the Scotch burial ground.

None of Thomas Judd (senior)’s siblings came out to Australia but several of Elizabeth’s brothers did although sadly her sister Susanna died at sea in 1854.

As for the Chrishall Canes…

Stephen and Sibley Cane emigrated first to NSW aboard the Irene in 1858 before they both made their way to Victoria. Records show that several others of Stephen Cane siblings also immigrated to Victoria: 1) George 1824 born Chrishall- died 1911 in Ballarat, Victoria, 2) Elizabeth 1824 born Chrishall – died 1912 Nyora, Victoria, 3) Sibley born 1835 born Chrishall – died 1916 Bendigo, Victoria. Another brother David Cane also immigrated in 1874, but he went to Queensland, Australia – dying there in Dunwich, Queensland in 1925.

We have two newspaper extracts regarding the Canes:

Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser, Monday 28 June 1920: Obituary

A well-known and respected resident of Maryborough and district in the person of Mr Robert Cane, aged 83 years, passed away at the Maryborough Hospital on Sunday. The deceased was born at Chrishall, Essex, England and came out to Queensland, landing at Brisbane, in the year 1857. He came on to Maryborough about 1860, and had resided in Maryborough and district ever since. In the early days of Maryborough he was in the saddlery and harness business for many years, and also resided in Gympie. His latter years were spent in Biggenden, in the saddlery business, from which he retired only six years ago. He was one of the foundation members of the No. 1 P.A.F.S.O.A* Lodge. His wife predeceased him many years ago, and he leaves a family of two sons and one daughter, namely, Alfred (Biggenden), George (Brisbane), and Mrs. W.H. Kent of Maryborough. He is a brother of Mr David Cane of Maryborough. The funeral will leave his grandson’s residence, Mr Alfred H. Kent, Saltwater Creek Road, this afternoon at 2.30 o’clock.

(*PAFSOA – possibly stands for Protestant Alliance Friendly Society of Australia)

The Ballarat Star Sat 20^th November 1897: Marriages

Cane-Stockbridge – At Chrishall Church, Essex, England 20^th November 1847, George Cane, eldest son of Mr Joseph Cane, to Jane, youngest daughter of Mr W. Stockbridge, of Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, England, by the Rev Mr Evereth, Church of England minister. Golden wedding. Present residence: Navigators, Victoria. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215785443?searchTerm=Chrishall