Biography

Rosetta Boyes (nee Gough) (1822 - 1890) was born in England, the daughter of William Henry and Ella Sophia Gough who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land on 25^th January 1825.

Rosetta’s father received a land grant at Sorell, but moved to Launceston in 1831 when he took up his appointment as gaol keeper on 4^th April. Rosetta and her several brothers and sisters would have been educated at home by their mother.

In 1838, the family had a residence at Paterson’s Plains called ‘Verulam’ and some land at Franklin Village.

On 7^th August 1852, Rosetta, aged 30, married Edward Taylor Boyes, third son of George Thomas William Blamey Boyes and Mary, formerly Ediss. At this time George Boyes was Colonial Secretary of Van Diemen’s Land. Rosetta and Edward Boyes had seven children, one of whom, Marion, married John S. Taylor of ‘Valleyfield’.

Edward Boyes was registrar of shipping from 1881 to 1882 and also collector of customs at Launceston. He and his family lived at 134 York Street and attended St John’s Church. Later they moved to Battery Point to live in Kelly Street. There on 24^th April 1890, Rosetta Boyes died. In her memory a carved hymn board was given to St. John’s bearing this simple inscription:
IN MEMORIAM ROSETTA BOYES

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