William Rutter was born in 1766, in Lymington. He was the son of John Rutter who was born 1737 and Joan Trickey who died 18/3/1808 in Lymington.

He married Elizabeth Kitchingham in 1788 at St James Church, Isle Of Grain; she had three children by him.

He then married Sarah Jewell in 1797. She had a son and daughter by him; the son John Obadiah Newell Rutter had 14 children.

He worked as salt maker and in 1807 a Mr Blaxland arranged for him and other salt people to immigrate to Australia. On board the ship he met Blaxland’s new governess, they married and had three daughters.

On the 14/15 April 2006 there is a 200 years family reunion since William arrived in Australia. If any of your readers are related to any of the above or have stories or photographs etc I would be grateful to hear from them.

Thanks, John Browne (great grandson of William’s great-granddaughter) myself@exemail.com.au