a number of families including BEAN, DENNIS, and Ayton surname and clans were recruited from central and NW Norfolk and adjacent Suffolk (mainly Eriswell) by the Launceston Immigration Aid Society and emigrated to the Launceston region of Tasmania in 1855-1862.
They were part of an immigration scheme to bring honorable settlers to Tasmania as part of an anti-transportation movement.
Maria DENNIS (1842-1917), my great, grandmother, was born at Eriswell, Suffolk, England on 22nd January, 1842 to James DENNIS (1813-1888) and Frances SPINKS (1812-1868) who had married on 18th Nov. 1832 in Eriswell, Suffolk. James DENNIS was born at Eriswell, Suffolk and was buried at Longford, Tasmania. Frances SPINKS was born at Hillborough, Norfolk, England and is buried at Longford, Tasmania. Maria emigrated with her parents and 4 brothers on the “Trade Wind” to Hobart on 22 Feb 1858. After Frances' death in 1868, James married Elizabeth Saville Holloway on 01 Sept 1869 at Longford Tasmania.
Presumably James and his wife Frances were enticed to emigrate to Tasmania by his nephew William who had emigrated their with his family in 1855 on the Whirlwind.
Interestingly, John Dennis (c.1820 - 1868) later chose to emigrate to South Africa with his wife and children in 1862 instead of Australia,
Francis DENNIS (-1711) buried 22 Feb 1711 Mildenhall, Suffolk, England 1)