James John Binks

James John Binks, was born in Woolwich (probably on August 23, 1811 * (see notes at bottom of page) )

He married Ann Elizabeth Trivet (b. May 5, 1812, Queenborough, Kent) on February 21, 1836 at St Nicholas Church, Plumstead, Kent.

IGI references:

In the original marriage register there is also a note which reads 'in the presence of J.D. Binks’. This must surely be his brother, Joseph David Binks.

James and Ann had four children in England:
Mary Ann Binks (b. Woolwich, Jan 24, 1842 - died bet. July - September 1848)
James Joseph Binks (b. Clerkenwell, bet. July - September 1845)
George John Binks (b. Clerkenwell, bet. Jan -March 1848)
Albert Binks (b. Clerkenwell, bet. July - September 1850)

In the 1841 census, James & Ann were living in Powis Street, Woolwich and James was a 'letter carrier' (early postman?). By 1851, he was a 'letter sorter' and living with Ann and three sons James, George and Albert at 20 Skinner Street, Finsbury (Clerkenwell).

Sometime after this, James, Ann, sons James, George and probably (though not confirmed) Albert, emigrated to Ontario, Canada. They may have travelled together with James' brother Colin Alexander Henry Binks' family, arriving in 1857. No immigration or voyage details have so far been located. It is believed that both families resided in Perth.

Colin and James may have worked together because James' occupation in the 1871 census was a 'Cabinet Maker'. Cabinet making and Carpentry was a trade that was common within the Binks family and though James had delivered and sorted mail in England, working with brother Colin as a carpenter, may have been the most appropriate means of income after arriving in Ontario.

Sometime between the 1871 census and 1876, James and Ann migrated to Quebec where on March 2nd 1876, Ann died. This was also reported in the Perth Courier:

Though we know he was still alive at the time of Ann's death in 1876, we can't be sure if he died in Quebec.

Nothing more is known.

*  August 23, 1811 may be the birth date of James. It is not clear in the original St Nicholas, Plumstead register in which the entry reads only "James......Son of......." and nothing is entered. So why do I believe this to be the birth entry for James John Binks?

a) We know James existed and, from evidence shown elsewhere on this page, we know he was in Ontario with Colin Alexander Henry Binks. The British 1851 census, and Canadian sources indicate that he would have been born abt. 1811-1812 in Woolwich, kent, England. Both he and Colin were Cabinet Makers as was Colin's brother, Joseph David Binks. We also know from British and Canadian sources that James' wife's name was Ann, and that they had a son (also born in England) by the name of James Binks who is known to have lived in Ontario.

b) The siblings of Colin A. H. Binks - all of whom were recorded in the baptism registers for Woolwich St. Mary Magdalene with parents, 'Joseph Binks (rope maker) & Sarah' were born approximately two years apart. However, there is a gap between 1809 and 1814, and I have to presume another child was probably born sometime during this period. James John Binks fits in well.

Joseph David Binks - b. March 6, 1805
Sarah Mary Binks - b. March 18, 1807
Caroline Sophia Binks - b. March 1, 1809
MISSING CHILD? - b. 1810-1813 (Probably James John Binks b. August 23, 1811 at Plumstead, St Nicholas)
Ann Rebecca Susannah Binks - b. February 14, 1814
Henry Thomas Binks - b. March 30, 1816
Colin Alexander Henry Binks - b. April 12, 1818
Susannah Jane Percy Binks - b. February 24, 1820