James Robert Dry

James Robert DRY

I have a copy of the marriage certificate for a James DRY to Harriett EPPS on 2nd April 1843 in the Parish of Poplar, Middlesex. Both James & Harriett are listed as "Of Age". James is a Carpenter residing in Poplar and his father's name is Robert DRY, Cabinet Maker.

Harriett's residence is also given as Poplar, father George EPPS, Butcher. The witnesses to this marriage are given as Robert DRY & Mary EPPS.

It's possible that Harriet was the daughter of George EPPS & Harriet SWAN, ch. 9 Mar 1823, Deal, Kent. Other siblings were: Mary, ch. 15 Nov 1816 and Joanna ch. 27 Aug 1820.
James & Harriett had the following children (that I have been able to find so far):

George DRY ch 6 Jan 1850 (born 20 Apr 1846 - birth registered at Poplar, christened Battersea St Mary
Harriet DRY ch 6 Jan 1850 (born 27 Jun 1849, Battersea)
James DRY born approx. 1852 Deal, Kent (details from 1881 census - married Edith Elizabeth THATCHER.
Children: James Robert DRY born 1877 & George Edward DRY born 1881)
Ellen A. DRY born approx. 1856 Greenwich, Kent (details from 1881 census)

On the 1861 Census Harriet (aged 39), George (aged 14), James (aged 9) and Ellen A. (aged 5) are living at Thanet, Kent. There is no mention of James.

Harriet DRY died Mar Quarter 1867, Thanet, Kent aged 45.

I have followed a particular 'theory' to arrive at the conclusion that the James married to Harriett, is the one I seek.

About 1866/1867 George Edward DRY arrived in New Zealand and in early 1879 married Jane Ann DUNBAR, in Dunedin. Their children were as follows:

James Dunbar DRY Born 1879.
George Edward DRY Born 1881
Harriet Ellen DRY Born Abt.1883. Died 21 Aug 1888. Aged 5 years.
Robert DRY Born 17 May 1887, Invercargill.
Richard DRY Born 26 Dec 1888
William Epps DRY.
Jenny DRY

George Edward DRY died 23 Aug 1922 aged 76years (age fits with George, son of James & Harriett). At the time of his death his address was 17 Selwyn Street, Dunedin and his occupation was Railway Employee. He is also listed as a native of England having been in NZ for 56 years - this would have placed the year of his arrival as about 1866 and aged 20 years.

Timeline

1819 James Robert DRY born London Source: Newspaper

Apr 1843 James marries Harriett EPPS Source: Marriage Cert.

Apr 1846 Son George born Battersea, UK Source: IGI

Jun 1849 Daughter Harriet born Battersea, UK Source: IGI

1852 Son James born Deal, Kent Source: Census

Dec 1852 James DRY (Carpenter) Aged 32 arrives Vic. aboard
the Tulloch Castle Source: Aust. P/List

Dec 1856 Daughter Ellen born Kent Source: Census

1860 James & Alice (Sarah?) DRY arrive in NZ aboard the
Northern Bride from Liverpool Source: Passenger List

Dec 1861 Son John James born Auckland, NZ Source: Birth Cert.

1865 Daughter Sarah Susan born Source: Birth Cert

1866 Son Richard Harold born Picton Source: Birth Cert

1866-1867 George Edward arrives in NZ Source: Yet to find.

1866-67 J. DRY, Turner & Cabinetmaker, Nelson Square, Picton Source: Wises Directory

Dec 1869 Daughter Phoebe Eleanor born Source: Birth Cert

1870 JR completes picture 'The Evergreen'(see below)
Source: Newspaper

1872 JR tours with picture in Tasmania, Aust. Source: Newspaper

Sep 1873 A James R Dry is listed as passenger on a ship from
Brisbane to Sydney Source: Passenger
List - City of Brisbane

1874 Daughter Ellen born (also listed as illegitamate) Source: Birth Cert

1878-1904 James death Source: Magazine of Art (see below)

I have a certified copy of an entry of death for a James Robert DRY, died 28 January, 1892 Forest Gate, West Ham. Aged 72 years and occupation listed as 'a Patentee'. This is the same person as the J.R. DRY on the 1881 census - Lodger, London, Wool Patentee and born Islington, MID.

Articles

The following is from 'The Press Opinons of The Colonies':

Cornwall Chronicle Mar 8, 1872
"Melbournites are a people to whom time, being money, is very precious, and it requires time, taste, and quiet contemplation to discover and appreciate the exquisite beauties of Mr. Dry's masterpiece in wood-painting.
The painting measures, frame included, 3ft. 11in by 2ft. 10in., the frame itself being a rare work of art. The gentleman who worked with unexampled patience for four years on this painting and frame (Mr. J.R. Dry) has peculiar claims on the support of the people of Tasmania. Had it not been for his desire to visit his relative, the late Sir Richard Dry, and to have an unequalled work of art to present to him, the "Evergreen" would never have been commenced. With that end in view he worked for three years and a half, when he heard the melancholy news which placed all Tasmania in mourning for the death of her greatest and best loved son, while holding the highest position in her gift - the premiership of the colony. Had Mr. J.R. Dry arrived here with his extraordinary painting during the lifetime of Sir Richard Dry, there can be no doubt that the powerful influence of a man in so high a position, would have been exerted in favour of the artist, who had conquered inconceivable difficulties in his love for art, and determination to add a rare gem to her treasures."

Mercury, April 13, 1872
"We were yesterday evening, by the courtesy of the exhibitor, accorded the privilege of a private inspection of Mr. J.R. Dry's celebrated picture, the "Evergreen"."
"Within a space of 3ft 11in by 2ft 10in are represented a square-rigged ship in full sail, a rocky coast, a lighthouse, a seaside village, and a number of birds, all of which are worked out in wood of different tints, but unstained, with such astonishing accuracy as to form a marine and coast view which might well be mistaken for an exquisite painting. No fewer than four thousand blocks of wood, of nineteen varieties, find a place in the picture.."

April 15, 1872
"In the other colonies vice-regal patronage has been accorded, and when his Excellency the Earl of Belmore first inspected the picture, he remarked to Mr. Dry that of course he would take it to England, which we understand Mr. Dry intends to do when he has afforded the residents of Hobart Town and suburbs the opportunity of seeing it."

Extract from 'The Magazine of Art', p.429-430 - Date unknown
"The artist, Mr. J.R. Dry, who has just died, was born in London in 1819, and trained for the profession of a Doctor, but went to the colonies in 1851. In 1860, Mr. Dry rendered a service to one of the Maori chiefs by extracting a spear from his side....."
"During his journeys through the bush he studied the many varieties of the beautiful woods of New Zealand. In 1866, he turned this knowledge to account in constructing the picture 'The Evergreen', which was so christened by Captain Dalton, 1870, in honour of the foliage of New Zealand..."
"The artist was engaged four years upon the construction of the picture, but it took another four to collect the materials required and to design his work. He was forty years of age before he learnt any cabinet work, and he was imbued with the idea of forming a picture by seeing a ca.... containing some good attempts to copy nature in inlaid trees."

(The Magazine of Art was a monthly publication which ran from 1878 until 1904.)

Page Updated March 2008

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