Lucy Atkinson’s Uncle Joseph Sherrard and the Darwin connection

3 December 20233 December 2023 ~ Nick Fielding

Today I am publishing a wonderful essay by Marianne Simpson. Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with Marianne’s work. She is a direct descendant of Lucy Atkinson’s brother William Finley and has written about many aspects of the family history, including the connections with Waltzing Matilda composer, Banjo Paterson, and with Lucy’s distant relative Benjamin Coulson Robinson. She has also written about James Michener’s writings on Hawaii and the connection with Alatau Atkinson, as well as the biography of Alatau.

Marianne’s latest essay (below) examines the relationship between Lucy Atkinson’s uncle Joseph Sherrard – who left Lucy a substantial legacy in his will – and George Rowlett, who was a close friend of Charles Darwin and accompanied him on the voyage of HMS Beagle. Sherrard was married to Rowlett’s half-sister, Lucy, after whom Lucy Atkinson was likely named. You can find the essay here:

george-rowlett-final-2 Download

5 thoughts on “Lucy Atkinson’s Uncle Joseph Sherrard and the Darwin connection”

Paul Dahlquist says:

14 December 2023 at 1:42 am

Interestingly, my great-great-grandfather, Gerritt Judd, arrived in the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands as a missionary in 1828 on a ship named the Parthian. I don’t think there is a connection, just a coincidental fact. Marianne’s article was very interesting and I saw the Parthian mentioned there.

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David Billett says:

29 January 2026 at 11:11 am

Hi Siberian Steppes. I would like to contact Marianne Simpson about her excellent article on George Rowlett and the first and second expeditions of HMS Beagle. In particular I have information for her on the painting by Augustus Earle featured in her article. My ancestor Thomas Wilton Billett was the gunroom boy on HMS Beagle during its second expedition with Robert Fitzroy and Charles Darwin. It would be useful to know if there is any further information on the wider Rowlett family which Marianne might hold – it is clear Marianne has done some very detailed work in order to prepare her article. I don’t do Facebook, but I can be contacted through Ancestry UK. Many thanks. David Billett

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1. Nick Fielding says:
  
  29 January 2026 at 11:24 am
  
  Thanks for your message, David. I have forwarded it to Marianne in Australia. I am sure she will reply. Please let me know if you dont hear from her.
  Nick
  
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2. Nick Fielding says:
  
  31 January 2026 at 9:55 am
  
  HI David, If you dont mind, I will send your email address to Marianne, as she says she cannot access Ancestry.
  Nick
  
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  1. David Billett says:
    
    31 January 2026 at 12:43 pm
    
    Hi Nick. Yes that is fine, Please do send my e-mail address to Marianne. I look forward to hearing from her. Best wishes. David
    
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