“During all my genealogy research I have found only one set of families named Gayleard in Canada so far.”

~ Wilfred Gayleard

William Henry Gayleard was born on July 13, 1857 to George Gayleard, mariner, and Ann Pearce in Portsea, Hampshire, England. As on the previous post or page, William can be found in the 1861, 1871 and 1881 census.

In 1878 William Gayleard married Harriett Hicks, daughter of John Hicks, mariner and Jane Hicks. Although it lists William as being 25 he is only 21 years of age. And Harriet Hicks was born in 1845 making her 33 years of age. However it seems that throughout the course of their marriage and travels together Harriett would most times be recorded as 1 or 2 years younger than William. It was the same with William’s mom Ann and his sister Mary Ann, all 3 women recording their ages as much younger, and sometimes by as much as 10 years.

Harriett Hicks was born in 1845 to John and Jane Hicks of Portsea. John is also a mariner.

Here is Harriett with her family in the 1851 census in Portsea

Jane Hicks however had passed away in 1871 before Harriett married William Gayleard.

In 1879 William and Harried had their first and only child born, William John Gayleard, my grandfather.

In the 1881 census William, Harriett and their son William can be found living with Harriet’s father John Hicks in Portsea

William Henry Gayleard was a mariner much like his father and brother, here he is in 1880 listed as working about the ship the Elizabeth Ray. Both William and his brother George can be found on the crew lists that are currently being digitized and transcribed. Although the name appears misspelled in many occasions I have managed to find a few instances of them on the crew lists. Then after 1884 they both disappear, I did mange to find George Gayleard living in New Zealand and marrying in 1884.

This is, so far, the last ship I could find William H Gayleard working on, it in the year 1884 and the name of the ship is Zeus.

By 1891 William, Harriett and William John were living in Rosario, Argentina. When they moved to her is hard to say in 1885 John Hicks passes away. Did they move just before or after I cannot say.

Continue Reading: 5. William Henry Gayleard 1857-1930