Jabez BUCKMAN 1843 - 1870

Jabez, the first child of Jabez and Mary Ann ALBURY was born at Mulgoa, New South Wales on 28 August 1843. He disappeared, and believed drowned, on 23 May 1870 at Port Stephens. His body was not recovered.

Jabez married Evelina ATKINSON at Holy Trinity Church, Berrima on 1 January 1866. The bride was married on her 22nd birthday having been born at Sydney on 1 January 1844. She was baptised at St.James Church Sydney on 14 April 1844.

First reports of the accident were reported in newspapers of the day.

Empire 1 June 1870

Sydney Morning Herald 1 June 1870

Maitland Mercury and
Hunter River General Advertiser
P3 2 June 1870

Maitland Mercury and
Hunter River General Advertiser
 P4 2 June 1870

Analysis of these newspaper reports does not help in determining where the vessel overturned. Other reports have shown that references to property or places shown as Myall River, Port Stephens could be anywhere between Buladelah and Tea gardens where the Myall River meets Port Stephens, a distance of some 30 kilometres.

The map below shows distances for various parts of the possible voyage of the vessel.

One of the newspaper reports states that the bodies were taken to Buckmans sawmill. Investigation has shown that this mill, the first to be built in Hawks Nest, was located on land beside the current bridge between Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest to the south.

Maps of the area also show a feature known as "Barnes Rocks" and "Jimmy's Beach" and further investigation will be needed to determine how these names came about as they may refer to the Barnes family who also died in the accident. See map below for location.