Mauritius before 1840, Grand River then Plains Wilhelm226

'son Of Michael Bayly And Jane Maria Bayly of Woolwich, clerk in the Repository23

Family notes say that he went to the Cape of Good Hope. He married Dorothea there in 1833 when he was only 20. An undated letter from Susannah Bayly (probably about 1834/5) is to Mauritius, offers condolences on the death of Dorothea and his son. A letter from him says at Grand River to his brother Daniel in 1840 says that although expected to go to New South Wales he is remaining in Mauritius, paid by the government. He is going to marry Harriett Coleman. A further letter in Jan 1841 says that he is still working on the Suspension Bridge, 3 years so far and 3 or 4 more. Expected war with France has caused them to make the citadel and batteries shipshaape. A letter in 1851 says that he has 8 contracts for repairs to the Sugar House etc after the last hurricane. They are now living at Plains Wilhelm, but have a house and yard in town (Port Louis). His daughter Elizabeth is at boarding school there.

Undated letters from his wife, and a letter dated 1855 from his daughter Elizabeth indicate that he and another daughter have died by this date. Harriett has moved and is taking in boarders. There are further undated letters from Harriett to Daniel’s family, but a final letter dated 1869 mentions that her daughter has had several offers of marriage.226,227,225,84