Subject: Henry Fortune and Susan Dickerson Hi Elizabeth,
I have recently been exploring our family history and have uncovered some interesting information and Henrys wife Susan.
Their marriage certificate from 1858 in Ballarat, shows that Susan came to Australia as Susan Wright, and that her maiden name was Dickerson, her parents Susan Proctor and Henry Dickerson.

Susan Dickerson had married George Wright in the English town of Louth, Lincolnshire, England, in late 1856. In August 1857 Susan and George and new baby Emily traveled unassisted to Victoria, aboard the Titan. After living only a few months in Ballarat, George Wright took his own life, a tragic event that led to the formation of the Ballarat Benevolent Asylum. A few months later, Susan married Henry.

With regard to Henry Fortune, my research tells me that he came to Australia aboard Champion of the Seas as you have mentioned. His parents are shown on the wedding registration, as Elizabeth Stowley and James Fortune, a Stationer. The wedding on 25 Apr 1858 was by C Searle, they declared they are members of the Church of England, and married in the Licensed School Room, by License, St Paul's Church, Ballarat

On the same page of marriages-
28 April 1858, in the house of Mr Bullas, William Smith from Aslomer, Derbyshire, Miner aged 24, son of Ann Caton and James Smith a Farrier, wed Ann Bullas, from Sheffield, England, aged 22, daughter of Elizabeth Hutchinson and David Bullas and her parents signed as Witnesses for the marriage - both Elizabeth and Ann put X their marks. See William Smith family web page.

3 May 1858 in the Licensed School Room, Mallarat, William Rippon aged 25, son of Sarah Mulneath and John Rippon and Ann Hamilton aged 19 dau of Catherine Hoeredon and Henry Hamilton, both families from Sunderland