GEORGE BEGG

George BEGG and Euphemia CUNNINGHAM are my 4^th Great Grandparents.

Their daughter, Euphemia Spence BEGG is my 3^rd Great Grandmother.

BEGG: Scottish origin and sometimes Northern Irish, it is a nickname or a byname for a small person, derived from the gaelic word "beag" meaning "little", "small of stature" and obviously descriptive of the original bearer or bearers.

George BEGG

George BEGG was born 14^th July 1791 in Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland. His parents were Martin BEGG & Euphame SPENCE. George was baptised on 27^th July 1791 in Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland. I am not sure when George came to Australia, but on his death certificate in 1867, it states he had been in the NSW Colony for 13yrs, which would have him coming out to Australia around 1854. His daughter, Euphemia, came out to Australia over 10years before him.

The BEGG's were most likely to have been unassisted immigrants to Australia, paying their own passage.

George BEGG is listed in the 1841 Scottish Census with 2 of his daughters:

[No sign of his wife, Euphemia Cunningham, or daughter, Euphemia.]

Place: Edinb.St Andrew-Midlothian.

Enumeration District: 13

Civil Parish: St Cuthberts

Address: 7 West Arthur Place

SURNAME	First Name	Sex	Age	Occupation	Born
BEGG	George	M	50	Clerk	Midlothian
BEGG	Jane	F	15		Midlothian
BEGG	Mary	F	11		Midlothian

George BEGG died at 299 George Street, Sydney NSW on the 6^th March 1867. His profession was a "Gentleman". His cause of death was apoplexy and old age. (NSW Death Reg. 1867/339)

He buried at Campderdown Cemetery, Sydney NSW.

View Burial Butt

I also have a copy of George BEGG's will:

Will & Probate:

This is the last Will and Testament of me George Begg of George Street Sydney in the Colony of New South Wales, Gentleman. I hereby direct all my just debts, my Funeral and Testamentary expenses to be first paid out of my ready cash. I hereby give, devise and bequeath all my remaining cash in the Bank or elsewhere and all my furniture, jewellery, wearing apparel and personal effects together with my land at Goulburn to my son John Taylor Begg. And I hereby give, devise, and bequeath the residue and remainder of my real and personal estate, my shares and interest in the City Bank and Joint Stock Bank both of Sydney, or the proceeds of the sale thereof in equal parts unto my four daughters - Euphemia Spence Fawcett, Elizabeth Begg, Jane Vickery, Mary McKaughan and my son John Taylor Begg. And I hereby appoint Mr Ebenezer Vickery Sole Executor of this my Will, as witness my hand this twenty fourth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and sixty four. George Begg.

There are 10 children listed for George & Euphemia BEGG:

- Martin (born 13^th Feb 1815 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland)

- Barbara (born 22^nd Jun 1816 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland)

- Euphemia Spence (born 12^th May 1818 at Inverness, Scotland, died 31^st May 1906 Glenridding, NSW, married Richard FAWCETT on 24^th May 1843 at Parish of Petersham, Sydney NSW. Euphemia had come to Australia around 1843.)

- Agnes (born 28^th Feb 1820 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, married a John WEIR on 22^nd Nov 1842 in Edinburgh, Scotland);

- George (born 13^th Apr 1822 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, died 10^th Jul 1856 Goulburn NSW. Not sure when George came out to Australia, but I believe with his father around 1854.)

- Elizabeth (born 10^th Jan 1826 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, died 23^rd Mar 1878 at Paddington, Sydney NSW, married John Elly BEGG on 2^nd Jul 1852 in Inveresk with Musselburgh, Midlothian, Scotland (distant cousins). I believe they came out with her father, George, to Australia around 1854);

- Jane (born 10^th Jan 1826 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, died 14^th Apr 1904 Waverley, Sydney NSW, married Ebenezer VICKERY on 28^th Feb 1851 at Wesleyan Methodist, Sydney NSW. Jane must have come to Australia before her father.);

- John Taylor (born 26^th Sep 1827 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, died 14^th Dec 1883 Paddington, Sydney NSW, married Rosella KIMMONS on 03 Jul 1860 at St James Church, Sydney NSW. Not sure when John Taylor came out to Australia);

- William (born 26^th Sep 1827 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland);

- Mary (born 26^th Mar 1830 at Inveresk with Musselburgh, Scotland, died 1894 at St Marys, Sydney NSW Australia, married Eneas McKAUGHAN in 1858 at Penrith NSW).

Ebenezer Vickery	Jane Vickery (nee Begg)

At this stage I have no information on Euphemia CUNNINGHAM, apart from that she was born about 1791 in Inveresk, Scotland. She is listed on her daughter, Euphemia Spence FAWCETT (nee BEGG)'s, death certificate as her mother. No information at the moment if Euphemia CUNNINGHAM came to Australia or not. I don't believe she did. I believe she died in Scotland before George BEGG came out.

Contributors to the information on George BEGG & his descendents:

Lesa Harris	David Kimmons
Lynette Begg	Jakki Reid
Eric Rofe	Lilian Osborne

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Webpage established: 30^th October 2005
Last Updated: 23^rd February 2011