A Convict Family: The Story of Matthew Connelly and Ellen Dawson (Alias Michael Connelly and Ellen Doyle) and Timothy Connelly and Mary McNamara (nee Egan, Aigan, Aiken)

Colonial Ship representative of Lord Sidmouth, the ship that brought the Connelly’s to Sydney Cove in 1821[1]

The first of my Australian Roots began with Mathew Connelly from County Wexford in Ireland. He was born 8^th October 1797 according to the monumental inscription at his gravesite, although his age does vary slightly on some documents.[2] He was sentenced to transportation for life at the age of 28 in July 1820. He had been convicted of burglary & robbery and arrived in Sydney Cove aboard the convict transport Lord Sidmouth (2). Seven other prisoners from County Wexford were also aboard to keep him company, including his brother, Timothy aged 29 who had been found guilty of stealing a pig and sentenced to seven years transportation.[3]

It was the second voyage of the Lord Sidmouth, a 411t convict transport ship built at Shields in 1817. The ship was captained by James Muddle leaving Cork, Ireland on 4^th November 1820 and arriving in Sydney Cove 19^th February 1821 with 161 male convicts. The Surgeon Superintendent was T E Royliance and, to his credit, no deaths were recorded. The voyage lasted 107 days and was one of the fastest recorded of the times.[4]

Western View of Sydney Cove Old Sydney 1819 as it probably still looked when Mathew and Timothy arrived[5]

The Surgeon’s journal of Tuesday 27^th January 1821 records that the irons on several prisoners, including and Mathew Connelly and John Doyle, be wholly removed. John Doyle may be the same one that appears later in this story. Confusingly though, there were two men called John Doyle on Lord Sidmouth – one was a man aged 22 years from Tipperary and the other, a man aged 37 years from Wexford, so I am unsure which one. I have read where chains were removed from convicts once the ship was underway for some time, but I haven’t been able to determine if the chains were on them the whole time until then or were removed and then put back on at a later stage in the journey. However, Mathew and Timothy did get into some trouble at least once on the voyage as on Monday 13^th February, the surgeon records that Michael Conelly, Timothy Conelly and another were handcuffed until 5pm for quarrelling in the Prison.[6]

On arrival in Sydney Cove, convicts were usually assigned to work. It seems the Connellys were sent to the Nepean River area, but I don’t think they were on the farm at Emu Plains like a lot were.  In September 1821, both brothers were working in Johnson’s Road party and appear in the weekly statement for Men at Longbottom farm.[7]

In the 1822 Muster taken in September that year, Mathew appears as Michael Connelly along with his brother Timothy as servants of Major Druitt at Parramatta.[8] Major George Druitt assumed the duties of Civil Engineer from JM Gill in 1817 and he supervised many public works including roads and bridges. He was a strong supporter of convict transportation and Macquarie’s emancipist policy. He had been granted 2000 acres for his extra services and this would be most likely the property where Mathew and Timothy worked. Major Druitt at that time had 39 convicts assigned to him on his farm, which had stock of 10 horses, 165 horned cattle, 483 sheep and 41 hogs.[9] The Head of the Colony at this time was Sir Thomas Brisbane.

Although Major Druitt listed him on his 1828 census return, Mathew, again as Michael, also appears as a labourer at Nandowrie Plains (now Uarbry near Coolah) in the District of Melville. His religion was recorded as Catholic and his age as 30.[10] Mathew was probably assigned to, or at least working for, Richard Fitzpatrick on his property there. Richard Fitzpatrick was an emancipist that showed promise in agricultural fields and was superintendent at many of the colonies agricultural establishments and works. In 1819 Governor Macquarie had appointed him as the first Superintendent of agriculture at Emu Plains Government farm. He resigned in 1822 so he was still there when Mathew and Timothy arrived in 1821 and would have been known to the Connellys and possibly they to him. He was well regarded by his assigned servants and by John Macarthur and Governor Macquarie.[11]

Mathew was described as a labourer, aged 28, 5’5 ¾” tall with a dark, ruddy complexion, dark hair, and dark eyes on the convict indent for Lord Sidmouth.[12] It appears he served his sentence without trouble as he was recommended for a Ticket of Leave to remain in the Melville District on 31^st May 1829 and this was granted 24^th August 1829. TOL 29/670. On 26^th February 1834 his Ticket of Leave must have been showing wear and tear as he was issued with a replacement TOL 34/82 as the first had been returned ‘Mutilated’ and had been cancelled. On this Ticket of Leave his eyes were described as hazel and he was 5’7” tall. Perhaps he had grown a bit.[13]

A Ticket of Leave allowed a convict to live, work and own property in a certain area and although his occupation was later given as ‘Farmer’ and ‘Settler’ no ownership of property has yet been established. Perhaps this was to hide convict origins, or he leased someone else’s land.

ELLEN ARRIVES

Meanwhile, in October 1836, another convict of importance to the story had arrived at Sydney Cove. Ellen Dawson was born in Liverpool around 1812 according to the Convict Indent for the 392t barque Elizabeth (5). This ship had arrived in Sydney Cove, New South Wales on 12^th October 1836. It was a voyage that lasted 108 days from when the Elizabeth had sailed from London on 26^th of June 1836. The Master was John Austin and Surgeon Superintendent Robert Espie was in charge of the welfare of the 161 female convicts and crew aboard. As no deaths were recorded on the voyage, conditions must have been better than on a lot of other convict transports of the time. Ellen’s Prisoner Number was 427/36 Convict Number 6902.[14]

However, the journey must have been especially difficult for Robert Espie, who resorted to using a stout piece of rope to whip the women over the arms, legs and back when more lenient punishment failed, including solitary confinement.[15] He made the following report to the Admiralty regarding the conduct of the women aboard the ship in his general remarks:

 What I have got to say must be brief, unless I do as some others are in the habit of doing who think to force their way to great notice at the Admiralty by writing a mass of silly trash, that no man could or would read were it his time was paid for at 3d an hour. I know a tall fellow in this service who employed these convict clerks writing while he dictated and who when his journal was full spliced on to it at [?] a quire of foolscap – this word comes in [?] here – now this commencement looks a little pettish not to say savouring of scurrility – but mark me I was only in play for all the abuse I [?] to hurl at any one must be of myself – I, like a fine dotthead asked Sir William [B?] to get one appointed to a woman ship and I had the appointment by Sir Williams means- I had very nearly suffered stabbing by one of the females before the ship left Woolwich. I had vainly imagined I knew how to manage convict women having had two ships of that sort before, but from some cause or other I most decidedly did not succeed to my own satisfaction in this last ship, named the Elizabeth. I commenced to giving up my whole time and attention to the service I was employed on, but I had imbibed (and have still a strong prejudice) against corporal punishment and I tried all I could by other means such as solitary confinement cutting their hair lest these trifles only incited them to go greater lengths to bid me utter defiance with a thousand threatening of what they would do when they got to Sydney, here now let any man show me what is to be done from the master of the ship down to the lowest boy are all opposed to the Doctor if he has done his duty by preventing prostitution. I [f?] and saw clearly I had committed an error by being too lenient, I therefore prepared myself with a good stout piece of rope and when I thought they deserved it I whipped them most soundly over the arms legs and back and this was continued (whatever the saints may think) till I had conquered every refactory spirit among them and my certificates will testify that the government of New South Wales was perfectly satisfied with my conduct in every particular – so much for the discipline of a female convict ship, but some people might reverse it and say so little- no matter I hate a tedious fool-now, a word sir as to the doctoring of them that required little or no trouble and the cases I have detailed in the foregoing part of this journal are the only ones I could possibly put together, for I have no genius at furbishing up a mess of disgusting egotism and pompous inanity making a mountain where there was hardly a wart, here then I sum up this sketch by saying that the whole of the persons under my charge on board the Elizabeth female convict ship landed at Sydney N.S.W in a much better state of health than when they embarked on board of her at Woolwich and when I know that this statement will be overlooked by so enlightened a judge of these matters as the present head of the medical department of the navy I cannot believe that a verbose and labour’d summary would have gained his favour a bit more than this one which is so easily got through. [Signed] Robert Espie, Surgeon, R.N, 26 October 1836, Sydney, N.S.W.[16]

Ellen was 25 years of age, unmarried and a Roman Catholic when she was tried at the London Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) on 4^th April 1836 for stealing while a servant on the 16^th March two sheets, value 6s.; four knives, value 2s.; four forks, value 2s.; one candlestick, value 1s.; and one tumbler glass, value 6d.; the goods of Mari Susanne Quantin, her mistress.[17] Maria Quantin was a spinster who had been born in Paris in 1797 and was naturalised according to the 1861 census, Maria was still living at Lyon Tce, St Marylebone where Ellen had been her servant and it appears she died in 1863.[18]

The Old Bailey aka Central Criminal Court photographer Lyn Nunn 2023. “Defend the children of the Poor and punish the Wrongdoer” I wonder if Ellen even read that as she entered.

Ellen was held at Newgate Prison awaiting her transportation and the entry on the Calendar of Prisons has recorded her with the alias of Doyle.[19] Newgate Prison was closed in 1902 and demolished in 1903 but looking at the sketch below, Ellen must have been held in the K Wards in the right-hand quadrangle.

Newgate Prison 1810 [20]

There is also a note on the Register of Persons charged with Indictable Offences …1836 for this offence that has the words ‘aka Doyle’ under her name of Ellen Dawson.[21]

With this alias in mind, subsequent research revealed that, under the name Ellen Doyle, she had previously been convicted on 15^th June 1835 for the offence of theft – simple larceny which meant without any assault or violence, while she was employed as a general servant. It was alleged that she stole:

 on the 1st of December, 1 trunk, value 2s.; 13 yards of silk, value 2l.; 12 yards of muslin, value 1l.; I shawl, value 10s.; 4 gowns, value 4l, 6s.; 2 caps. value 5s.; 6 yards of lace, value 6s.; 6 handkerchiefs, value 18s.; 6 shifts, value. 30s.; 1 petticoat, value 1s.; 2 night-gowns, value 5s.; 1 scarf. value 6s.; 1 inkstand, value 1s,; 1 snuff-box, Value 18d.; and 12 pieces of linen cloth, value 1s.; the goods of Anne Boff’: also, 3 frocks, value 12s.; 1 cloak, value 14s.; 1 book, value 3s.; I scent-bottle, value 18d.; 2 towels, value 4s.; 1 sponge-stand, value 1s.; 1 soap-stand, value 1s.; 1 brush-stand, value 1s.; 1 glass bottle, value 2s. 6d.; and 3 tumblerglasses, value 3s.; the goods of Samuel Crawley, her master, in his dwelling-house.

The goods were determined to have a value of less than five shillings. Luckily for her, this time her sentence had been respited with no punishment. She had been a servant at the Crawley family home since 1824. [22] The Crawley family were quite high up in the social scale and one wonders whether they were disappointed in her or whether she felt unappreciated.

Although the date of 1824 has been taken from the Old Bailey records, various newspaper reports record that Ellen was only in service nine or ten months at the Crawley’s house and refers to her previous employment recommendation.

The Reformer and Herts, Beds, Bucks, Essex, Cambridge and Middlesex Advertiser (Hertford, Hertfordshire, England) · Tue, May 26, 1835 p.3 https://www.newspapers.com/image/793273644

Ellen’s transportation records tell us that she was able to read and write and that her occupation was given as laundress and housemaid, and that she had previously served 3 months for another felony. This disagrees with the Old Bailey records but perhaps it was that even though the sentence was respited, it remained on her record, or there’s yet another offence to find but I don’t think so. Ellen was described on the convict indent as 4’11 ½” tall with a ruddy and freckled complexion, light brown hair and brown eyes with a scar on the back of the top of the little finger of the left hand as her only distinguishing feature. [23]

The following usual type of Government notice appeared a few days after the Elizabeth arrived in October 1836:

NOTICE is hereby given, that families who are in want of female servants, may be supplied from the prisoners arrived by the ship Elizabeth, from England, provided they apply according to the established forms, on or before Twelve o’clock, on Saturday, the 22d instant.

The assignees will be required to enter into the usual engagement under a penalty of 40s. to keep their servants for one month, unless removed in due course of law.

Printed forms of application may be obtained at the Office of the Principal Superintendent of Convicts.

By His Excellencies Command,

ALEXANDER M’LEAY.[24]

On arrival in Sydney, Ellen was assigned and during the 1837 muster her Master was Mrs D Richardson.[25] That soon changed though as according to the parish marriage banns record in 1837 when she was married, Ellen was bonded to a Master, Thomas Appledore.[26] He was a former convict and had originally been granted 50 acres of land in the district of Evan and near the Nepean River which expanded over the years to 100 acres. [27]

MARRIAGE AND FREEDOM

By living in the same general locality, Mathew and Ellen had obviously met and within a year they were married by Reverend Henry Fulton at Castlereagh in the Church of England at Castlereagh. The ceremony was held on 9^th October 1837 after the Banns had been called. At the time, Ellen was 26 and Mathew 41 years old. Ellen is said, in the typed copy of the original register, to have signed her name as Ellenor Dawson. The witnesses were Jacob and Sarah Russell of Evan near Castlereagh. [28]

Matthew had previously, and apparently unsuccessfully, applied to marry Eliza Page aged 25 per Palembam from Cork in 1831 when he was 34 and Margaret McMahon alias Bradshaw aged 26 per Southwark (3) in 1834 when he was 37. The applications were refused because both women were already married and had children or a child. [29] The application for Mathew Connelly and Ellen to marry was granted in July 1837 both had stated they were unmarried.[30]

Mathew obtained his Conditional Pardon No 37/10960 dated 1^st Nov 1837 and another 39/198 dated 1^st February 1838. I am not sure why the duplication, perhaps the first was, like his ticket of leave, lost or mutilated. Generally, this meant he was a free man but not allowed to return to his native country.[31]

On 3^rd December 1840 after 4 years’ service of her sentence, Ellen was granted a Ticket of Leave no 40/2662 and allowed to remain in the Penrith District. Assignment of convicts had officially ended in that year. The recommendation that she be granted a ticket of leave had been made in the August. Her Certificate of Freedom was granted 11^th July 1843, G43/2184.[32] This meant she was free to return home if she wished.

At this time, Ellen Dawson also began to use the name Ellen Doyle as her maiden name in Australia. The use of Doyle was at first rather perplexing until it was discovered that the original books show a cross reference to Ellen Doyle from Ellen Dawson and her trial as Ellen Doyle was discovered. It appears then that she also used both names in England perhaps to hide her previous dishonesty. I don’t know where the name Dawson came from and wonder if it is a maternal family name. There is a baptism of Ellen Dawson, daughter of John and Ellen Dawson on 11 Dec 1806 born Nov 18, 1806. John is a mariner [her death certificate states he was a Captain in the Army – that could be mistaken for a sea Captain] but this makes her about 3 or 4 years older than her records indicate, so should be treated with caution.[33]

FAMILY

It is known from various baptism and birth registrations, that Mathew and Ellen had at least seven children.[34] Although Michael was baptised at Castlereagh and some children were registered at Penrith, I believe though that they were all probably born at Emu Plains or thereabouts –

Michael           born 17^th August 1838 at Castlereagh. He later moved to Qld and used the name James Conley. He died in Toowoomba 30 June 1927.

Timothy           born 8^th September 1840 at Emu Plains. Sadly, Timothy died 29^th June 1855 at Emu Plains aged 14 years.

John                 born 1 November 1842 registered at Penrith. He appears to have used the Christian names John Joseph, particularly later in life. He had a relationship with Annie O’Shea and may have had several children with her but does not appear to have ever married.

Mary Ann       born c 1845 at Emu Plains (no baptism found) married Alfred Walker in St Mary’s Cathedral Sydney in 1866. Died 29 December 1880. Referred to as Miriam on her mother’s death certificate.

Peter                born 28 June 1846 registered at Penrith married Elizabeth Chapman at Millie near Narrabri NSW in 1877 and he died in Mackay in 1903.

Thomas            born c 1849 at Emu Plains. Sadly, Thomas also died young on 3 Nov 1862 registered at Penrith aged 13 years.

Ellen                born 17th April 1852 at Emu Plains baptised 15^th June 1852. She had one illegitimate son with Walter Charles Clifford in 1868 in Rockhampton and later married Richard William Griffith in Queensland 4^th October 1879. Ellen joined the Salvation Army in Mackay and died in Brisbane 4th Nov 1938.[35]

Not much is known of exactly how Mathew earned his living, but it appears from various certificates that he farmed in the area. In 1852 he described himself as a settler.

In 1854 a Michael Connelly appears in a list of residents of the Nepean area who made donations towards the liquidation of the debt due on St Nicholas’ Church, Penrith.[36] Between 1^st July and 31^st December 1855 there was a Michael Connely that was issued a license to cut timber on Crown Lands in the Police District of Penrith.[37] It does appear from the records that there was at least one other Michael Connelly in the area in earlier times and the above-mentioned is not necessarily our man.      

Tragically for the family, when he was 59 years old, Mathew died on 28^th Jan 1857 after an illness of five days and was buried with their son, Timothy on 30^th Jan 1857. Timothy had passed away in 1855. Their eldest son, Michael was the informant. The Minister attending was the Roman Catholic Priest, Michael Brennan.[38] Another son, Thomas was also buried in the same grave in 1862 and a tombstone still survives in McCarthy’s Catholic Cemetery at Cranebrook near Penrith, as a memorial to them.

Connelly Head and Footstone McCarthy’s Cemetery, Cranebrook near Penrith NSW. Courtesy Nepean family History Society.

The Inscription reads – IHS In memory of Michael Connelly born October 8 1797 died January 29 185,7 Timothy Connelly born September 3 1840 died June 29 1855, Thomas Connelly died November 3 1862 aged 13 years

McCarthy’s Cemetery was closed in 1810 when the Anglican Cemetery was marked out. However, it appears the Catholic population disregarded this dictate and continued to bury their loved ones at McCarthy’s secretly as indicated by the Connelly burials and others. [39]

MOVING ON

It seems Ellen moved into Queensland a few years after the death of Mathew, first to Rockhampton arriving by about 1865 until 1875 when they moved to Mackay. Her youngest daughter, Ellen came with her. They may have first been in northern NSW for a while as Peter, her youngest surviving son, married Eliza Chapman in Millie near Narrabri in 1877 but the witnesses were not Connelly family members.[40] Peter and Eliza later followed the two Ellens to Mackay, coming overland from NSW in 1882 where Peter had a ‘homestead selection’ at Plane Creek.[41]

Life was certainly tough for the Connelly family in Queensland. The younger Ellen got herself into trouble quite a bit in her teenage years, especially in Rockhampton. This trouble is probably the reason they left.[42] Living in Mackay the family must have struggled to survive on their selections as son Peter and son-in-law Richard Griffiths were both convicted of cattle stealing and sentenced to three years at St Helena. The women had to then fend for themselves. However, they all seemed to redeem themselves and became contributing members of society in the Mackay region. The younger Ellen later joined the Salvation Army.

Ellen, the family matriarch, sadly passed away at the age of 68 years in Mackay on New Year’s Day, 1^st January 1881 from general debility. She was buried that same day at the Mackay Cemetery. The informant was her son-in-law Richard Griffith of Mackay. Her husband was stated to be Michael Connelly and her father as John Doyle, a Captain in the army while her mother was Ellen surname unknown. Her place of birth was Wexford, but this is obviously confused with Michael’s place of birth.[43]

Once again, the Doyle name appears but a search of the NSW marriage indexes online, CD and microfiche failed to find any marriage of an Ellen Doyle to a Michael Connelly or anyone by the name of Connelly or a variant. Official records show the interchange of Michael and Mathew, and the marriage of Ellen Dawson and Mathew Connelly records their convict status. I am therefore convinced that Ellen Dawson and Ellen Doyle is one and the same person as is Mathew and Michael Connelly.

TIMOTHY AND MARY

Timothy, Mathew’s brother who was transported with him was described as a labourer 5’ 6 ½ “, pale to sallow skin with dark hair and hazel eyes and he too was a native of Wexford. In November 1825 Timothy applied and, it appears, was given permission to marry Mary McNamara per Grenada 3 in the Roman Catholic Church but there is no record located to say that it ever took place.[44] Research has shown that Mary McNamara was previously married to a soldier and her maiden name was Aiken/Egan/Aigan in various records. Mary McNamara was tried in Manchester England. She was born in 1789, a soldier’s widow and a native of Ballynnarth [sic] She was 5 feet 1 ¼ inches tall had grey eyes, brown hair, little brown freckles and was very well. She was convicted on 3^rd May 1824 and received a fourteen-year sentence. The Grenada left London 2^nd October 1824 arriving in Sydney on 23^rd Jan 1825. 82 Convicts were onboard, and the journey took 113 days. Accompanying Mary were three daughters, Ellen, Mary and Bridget . Mary and Bridget were only eight and six years old and being young were placed in the orphan school until 1829.[45] It is believed that Bridget married John Carney in 1832 Sydney but sadly passed away in 1840. I don’t know what happened to the other two girls.

A Mary McNamara did marry someone else in St Mary’s in Sydney in 1829 but it is unlikely she is the same person as Timothy and Mary were linked together in Court records up until at least 1834. There is a permission to marry request for Mary in 1829 to Edward Connelly but there’s no details about him – might he really be Timothy? There has been no record found of any marriage at all for Timothy, however, a child Margaret was born 4^th August and baptised 8^th August 1827 under the Church of England in the Parish of Kelso, County of Roxburg to Timothy Connolly and Mary McNamara. She was also baptised again 19^th April 1828 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sydney. The second would not have been a true baptism but a welcoming into the Roman Catholic Church as a member of the congregation, as there was probably no Catholic Priest around at the time of her birth.[46] At the time, Timothy was a ploughman for Mr Hawkins and lived at Bathurst Plains. This was probably Thomas Hawkins who owned the 2000-acre Blackdown Estate and house built for him in 1823. He had been the first settler to receive a crown land grant under Governor Brisbane.[47]

It is also possible that the Michael Connolly born 11^th April 1830 and baptised 5^th May 1830 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral, son of Timothy Connolly is also another child of the couple.[48] Unfortunately, as a mother is not mentioned, and a residence of Castlereagh St is stated there is some doubt. However, one of the sponsors was John Doyle and as mentioned previously,  it so happens there was a John Doyle from Wexford and another from Tipperary transported aboard Lord Sidmouth at the same time as the Connellys. Also, Anne Burnside, the other sponsor, appears to have been related to the Burnside family at Windsor. So perhaps they made a special trip to have the baptism performed in a Roman Catholic Church rather than in a Church of England Church.

For Timothy, Ticket of Leave no. 25/488[49] was issued for the Melville district in October 1825 and on 1^st April 1830, he was granted his Certificate of Freedom no.30/0169. His Certificate of Freedom describes him as born 1792, 5ft 7in, complexion as dark pale freckles, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes with a scar on his upper lip and small finger of right hand contracted, jawbone left side broken. He had been tried at Wexford in July 1820 for pig stealing and sentenced to seven years transportation. [50] To date I have not found either document for Mary. Her behaviour record might have meant she was required to serve her full term without receiving any ticket of leave etc.

WORKING UNDER THE CONVICT SYSTEM

Mathew and Timothy served their sentences together until Timothy was granted his Ticket of Leave. It appears that they spent the first few months of their time working on Longbottom’s Farm until 14^th September 1821, when they were discharged to Johnson’s Road Party forming roads under the supervision of James Johnson, overseer. From there they were discharged to Major Druitt on 17^th November 1821. Major Druitt was accused of employing Government convicts on his farm around the time he was given his grant and also during Government time. Evidence given before the Board of Enquiry into the Engineer’s Department (Major Druitt) between Feb 23^rd and March 4^th, 1822, has fortuitously given us a few insights into the type of work Mathew and Timothy were undertaking that we may not have normally had an opportunity to see.[51]

John Johnston, a member of Johnson’s Road Party said at the enquiry that most of the members of the party were in fact employed on Major Druitt’s farm. He also said that the two brothers Connelly, while being victualled by the Government, were out fencing. William Cain used to share the same hut as the Connelly’s until they were employed by Major Druitt on his farm, whereupon they were moved to a different hut but still drew Government rations. James Johnson, who was in charge of both Government and Major Druitt’s rations, admitted he had given them Government rations in error. In his evidence, he said that Mathew and Timothy were ‘employed fencing but that they did not make a continual line of fence but rather 90 pannels [sic] at the different passes along the creek’. They were required to cut and split their own logs. While Richard Stewart, in his evidence, said they were ‘fencing along the Creek that bounds Nobby’s Island from April 1821.[52]

“TWO DRUNKEN AND DISORDERLY CHARACTERS”

A sad description from the Superintendent of Police but, unfortunately, Timothy and Mary’s relationship seemed to be an unhappy and violent relationship. It is known that Mary spent at least two periods in the 3^rd class of the Female Factory for being drunk and disorderly. She was still under her original sentence of 14 years at this time and so her punishment might have been harsher than if she were free.

On 6^th November 1828 the Superintendent of Police in Sydney wrote to the Colonial Secretary:

Sir,

Herewith I have the honor to transmit to you in order to its being submitted to His Excellency The Governor the Copy of a deposition taken this day against Timothy CONNELLY a Free Man and his Wife Mary AIKEN now CONNELLY per Grenada (1) for 14 years two drunken disorderly characters – you will perceive by the deposition that she has two Children both females which have recently been taken out of the Orphan School by her. The woman has been sentenced 3 months to the 3^rd class Factory and the Bench therefore recommend that His Excellency will be pleased to order those Children to be again sent to the Orphan School…

In the same file was this deposition from Richard Hill dated 3^rd November:

Cumberland Court

The Reverend Richard HILL being sworn deposeth that on Sunday Evening the 2^nd of November at about ¼ before Seven o’clock as he was proceeding from his House thro’ park Street to St. James’s Church his attention was directed to the residence of a Man named Timothy CONNOLLY by his Step Daughter in consequence of his violence to her Mother whom on his entering the House he saw in an inner Room the man beating the woman in the Face, that both were in a disfigured state from Blood and appeared to be intoxicated That the deponent had on former occasions had to interfere in consequence of their Drunkenness and disorderly conduct – that her Children have appealed to him for protection she having recently succeeded in getting two, both girls, from the Female Orphan School…

For this offence, Timothy CONNOLLY had been found guilty of drunkenness and assaulting his wife and was to give Sureties of the Peace. ‘Mary AIKEN now CONNOLLY’ was sentenced to 3 months in the 3^rd class Factory. Hence the request for the children to be sent back to the orphan school.

Then again, at the end of June 1834 Timothy Connolly petitioned the Governor, General Richard Bourke, regarding his wife’s sentence on 4^th June for two months, once again in the 3^rd class Factory, for her disorderly conduct as he had:

been labouring under a lingering disease now nearly four years, and in consequence is unable to exert himself to obtain a sustenance for himself and helpless children…

Your Petitioner has a wife who has (unfortunately for your Petitioner) violated a trivial particle of the laws of the land, and for which offence she was sentenced to 2 months in the 3^rd class in the Female Factory, the 4^th instant.

That your Petitioner since his wife’s calamity has endured severe hardships owing to the separation of himself and unfortunate wife, and had it not being taken into the consideration of the compassionate community your Petitioner and helpless children would linger under a state of starvation and perfect nudity, for she was the only support your poor Petitioner had…

You Poor Petitioner therefore must earnestly beg implore and pray your Excellency will be humanely pleased to remit the remainder of the sentence of Mary CONNOLLY the wife of poor Petitioner, and for such act of charity poor Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.

Included was a recommendation dated 17th June 1834, from sentencing Magistrate J Wighton [sic] that the petition be favourably considered, and it appears this was granted 2nd July 1834.[53]

FOR THE FUTURE

After 1834 nothing more has been learned of Timothy, although I think he was in and out of Darlinghurst gaol quite often, sometimes giving a different ship of arrival, but other details fitting including coming from Wexford. He was charged mostly for being drunk and disorderly and I don’t know if Mary was still with him then.[54] It is believed Timothy died at Carcoar hospital on 22^nd July,1861. At that time, he was described as a hutkeeper, 60 years old, born in Ireland and although married, the details were unknown by the surgeon, who was the informant. He was buried at Carcoar 23^rd July 1861.[55] While Mary may have been the widow Mary Connelly aged 75 years who died 4 April 1866 in Windsor Hospital after a long illness. Unfortunately, no parents or much other detail were listed on the record. Forty years in the colony does, however, fit with what we do know of her. [56]

I have not been able to locate details of either of the Connelly’s trials and I doubt they have survived, but newspapers might be a possibility if they can be located for that time and place. The alternate names used by Ellen and Mathew and by their children for them caused quite a problem at first in tracing my convict ancestry.

This is rather a long story, but being able to piece together so much of a family who lived in colonial Australia has been interesting and rewarding. It is nice to be able to pay tribute to them this way. The children of both Mathew and Timothy also have stories of their own that need to be shared, but that’s for another blog or two.

Mathew and Ellen’s daughter Mary Ann is my paternal Great, great, grandmother.

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[1] “Two Fold Bay – Old Sydney – 1819” by Aussie~mobs is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/?ref=openverse.

[2] Nepean family History Society Inc, McCarthy’s Catholic Cemetery Cranebrook Heritage Photograph Collection with Monumental Inscriptions, Record series No: 47, Vol. 2, 1994. Grave no. 104 Michael Connelly1857, Timothy Connelly1855, Thomas Connelly 1862.

[3] New South Wales, Australia Convict Ship Muster Rolls and Related Records, 1790-1849, Lord Sidmouth (2) 1821, Mathew Connelly, Timothy Connelly and John Doyle, Ancestry.com, 2008., Original data: New South Wales Government. Musters and other papers relating to convict ships. Series CGS 1155, Reels 2417-2428. State Records Authority of New South Wales. Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia and

New South Wales Government. Bound manuscript indents, 1788–1842. NRS 12188, microfiche 614–619,626–657, 660–695. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia, Lord Sidmouth (2)

[4] Bateson, Charles, The Convict Ships 1787 – 1868, Brown, Son & Ferguson Ltd, Glasgow, 1985, p.344. and

Nicholson, Ian, Log of Logs, Australian Association for Maritime History Inc. and the author, Vol. 1, 1990, p.311 and New South Wales Government. Bound manuscript indents, 1788–1842. NRS 12188, microfiche 614–619,626–657, 660–695. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia.

[5] “Western view of Sydney Cove – Old Sydney – 1819” by Aussie~mobs is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

[6] The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Reference Number: ADM 101/44/9, UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, 1817-1857, Ship Lord Sidmouth 1820-1821, Ancestry.com, 2011

[7] unknown, ‘statement of the men at Long Bottom farm from 8 to 14 September 1821; papers re charges against Major Druitt’, NSW Colonial Secretary Correspondence, (Reel 6053; 4/1755 p.106,

[8] Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia Convict Musters, 1806-1849 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 5, 19-20, 32-51); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.

[9] NSW 1822 Muster, B00605 Major Druitt. Parramatta

[10] “Australia, New South Wales, 1828 Census”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKXY-5LMQ : Thu Oct 05 05:09:02 UTC 2023), Entry for Michael Connolly, 1828.

[11] Maclaurin, E.C.B., “Richard Fitzgerald (1772 – 1840), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 1., 1966, online in 2006, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fitzgerald-richard-2048

[12] New South Wales Government. Bound manuscript indents, 1788–1842. NRS 12188, microfiche 614–619,626–657, 660–695. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia, Lord Sidmouth (2)

[13] Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia, Convict Pardons and Tickets of Leave, 1834-1859. Tickets of Leave Butts Oct 1833 – April 1834, Mathew Connelly, Lord Sidmouth. 34/82 26 February 1834 and 29/670 31 May 1829. Microfilm HO10, Pieces 31, 52-64); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England. State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 12202; Items: [4/4072 and 4/4092]

[14] New South Wales Government. Annotated printed indents (i.e., office copies). NRS 12189, microfiche 696–730, 732–744. State Records Authority of New South Wales, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia. Elizabeth (5^th), p.231 and Nicholson, Ian, Log of Logs, Australian Association for Maritime History Inc. and the author, Vol. 1, 1990, p.165.

[15] Bateson, op.cit. “The Convicts”, p.76

[16] Robert Espie, Surgeon aboard the convict transport Elizabeth, National Archives, Kew, ADM 101/24/5, Folios 14-15, dated 26 October, 1836.

[17] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) April 1836. Trial of ELLEN DAWSON (t18360404-932). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18360404-932?text=%22ellen%20dawson%22 (last Accessed: 7th January 2024).

[18] National Archives, England and Wales Census, 1861, RG09 87/70 p.3

[19] The National Archives; Kew, London, England; HO 77: Newgate Prison Calendar; Piece Number: 43, Ellen Dawson, Ancestry.com

[20] “Newgate prison.” is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

[21] The County of Middlesex Register of all Persons charged with Indictable Offences at the Assizes and Sessions held within the County during the Year 1836, ‘England & Wales, Criminal Registers, 1791-1892’, Ancestry.com The National Archives, Kew, HO26 Piece Number 42, 1836 p. 62 Ellen Dawson and refer also HO 26 Piece Number 41 p. 59 Ellen Doyle.

[22] Old Bailey Proceedings Online (www.oldbaileyonline.org, version 9.0) June 1835. Trial of ELLEN DOYLE (t18350615-1452). Available at: https://www.oldbaileyonline.org/record/t18350615-1452?text=%22ellen%20doyle%22 (last Accessed: 7th January 2024).

[23] New South Wales Australia Convict Indents 1788-1842, Annotated Printed Indentures, 1836, ‘List of Female convicts by the Ship Elizabeth (5^th) … arrived from England, October 12^th, 1836’, State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 12189; Item: [X639]; Microfiche: 725 Ellen Dawson.

[24] Colonial Secretary’s Office Sydney, NSW Government Gazette 1836, ‘FEMALE SERVANTS’, dated 18^thOctober 1836, pub. Sydney 1836, p 810.

[25] Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; New South Wales Muster, 1837, pp.43-44, Microfilm Publication Class: HO 10; Piece: 33, The National Archives, Kew, London, England, Ancestry.com

[26] Church of England in Australia, Parish Church of Castlereagh NSW, Marriages 1815 – 1857, Mathew Connelly Ellen Dawson, October 1837.

[27] John Mitchell, The passage to Penrith – the story of Thomas Appledore, 1767 – 1841, Penrith City Local History, https://penrithhistory.com/home/makings-of-a-city-history-conference/the-makings-of-a-city-history-conference-2002/2002-conference-appledore-family/ accessed 20 July 2022

[28] Marilyn Rowan, NSW Marriage Transcription (Early Church Records), NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Vol 21 No 1612, 9 October 1837. Copy held by author

[29] Lesley Uebel, Convicts Permissions to Marry 1826-1851, Index, Australia, 2000.

[30] Registers of Convicts’ Applications to Marry 1826-1851, State Archives of NSW, Series: 12212, Item 4/4509; p.168, Mathew Connelly per Lord Sidmouth (2) Ellen Dawson per Elizabeth (5), 1837, Ancestry.com

[31] State Archives of NSW, Convict Registers of Conditional and Absolute Pardons, 1788-1870 ‘Recommendations for Conditional Pardons’ Mathew Connelly, Lord Sidmouth, No. 198, 1 Feb and No. 10960/323, 1837 and Conditional Pardons Reel 777, image 230, no. 39/198, Ancestry.

[32] New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia, Convict Pardons and Tickets of Leave, 1834-1859,No. 40/2662, 3 December 1840, and New South Wales Certificates of Freedom, 1810 -1814, 1827-1867, no. 43/2184 18 Dec 1844, Ellen Dawson, Elizabeth 5, Ancestry.com

[33] Bishops Transcripts of the Register, St James, Walton near Liverpool, Lancashire England, 1806, Ancestry.com

[34] Various certificates and transcriptions held by the author and available on the NSW births, deaths and marriages registry.

[35] See some of her early life story here https://genielynau.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/through-the-looking-glass/

[36] Nepean Family History Society, Timespan, No. 33 December 1988, p. 137.

[37] Colonial Secretary’s Office, Government Gazette, “Return of Persons who have obtained licences to cut timber on Crown Lands 1 July to 31^st December 1855 dated 12 May 1856, Vol. 1, 1856, pp. 1399 – 14009 Research from Nepean Family History Society).

[38] Marilyn Rowan, NSW Death Registration Transcription, 1857/4126 Michael [aka Mathew] Connelly.

[39] Nepean family History Society Inc, McCarthy’s Catholic Cemetery Cranebrook Heritage Photograph Collection with Monumental Inscriptions, Record series No: 47, Vol. 2, 1994.

[40] Marilyn Rowan, NSW Marriage Transcription, NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Peter Conley and Eliza Chapman, 1877/3729, 4 July 1877. Copy held by author.

[41] Qld State Archives Land Grants film Z7319 Selection no. 1252 LAN/AG553, 19695 C Sec, and film Z 2040 St Helena Description of Prisoners, Z 2038 and film St Helena Record of all Prisoners Admitted in Her Majesty’s Hulk, no. 2448 Peter Connolly 1 August 1883.

[42] Nunn, Lynette ‘Through the Looking Glass’ In Search of Men and Women with Initiative – Solving family Puzzles https://genielynau.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/through-the-looking-glass/ pub 2015

[43] Qld Births, Deaths and Marriages, Death Certificate, 1881/001282 Ellen Connelly 1 Jan 1881, copy held by author

[44] Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence NSW, Letters dated 9 Nov 1825, Archives of NSW, Reel 6015; 4/3515, pp. 624-627.

[45] State Records NSW, Convict Indent “Grenada 3”, Reel 2662 Mary McNamara and State Archives NSW; Series: NRS 793; Item: [4/351]; Roll: 2777; Page: 12 Ancestry.com

[46] Marilyn Rowan, Transcription of Baptism NSW Early Church Records, Vol 11 No 548 8 Aug 1827 Margaret Connolly and GRO NSW Birth Certificate, 989 Vol 127, 19 April 1828 Margaret Connolly.

[47]  History of Blackdown Estate, http://babs.com.au/blackdown/history.htm, accessed 15 May 2005.

[48] Marilyn Rowan, Transcription of Baptism NSW Early Church Records, Vol 127 No 1467 5 May 1830 Michael Connolly

[49] NSW Convict Ticket of Leave no. 24/488, October 1825, NSW State Records Shelf 4/4060 Reel 890.

[50] State Archives NSW; New South Wales, Australia, Tickets of Leave, Series: NRS 12200; Item: [4/4060]; Fiche: 754 and State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia; Series Name: Butts of Certificates of Freedom; Series Number: NRS 12210; Archive Roll: 986 and Ancestry.com. New South Wales and Tasmania, Australia, Convict Pardons and Tickets of Leave, 1834-1859 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007.

Original data: Home Office: Settlers and Convicts, New South Wales and Tasmania; (The National Archives Microfilm Publication HO10, Pieces 31, 52-64); The National Archives of the UK (TNA), Kew, Surrey, England.

[51] Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence NSW, List of persons forming roads under the direction of James Johnson overseer from 21 Oct 1818 to 2 Mar 1822, Archives of NSW, Reel 6053; 4/1754, p. 415.

[52] ibid, Deposition of John Johnson, 1822, Reel 6053; 4/1755 p.249.

[53] State Records of NSW, Colonial Secretary’s Correspondence, 28/8957 6 Nov 1828 and Reel 2002 793/34 28 June 1834. Copies held by the author.

[54] Refer Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books, 1818-1930 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

[55] Marilyn Rowan, NSW Death Registration Transcription, NSW State Records, 1861/2668 Timothy Connolly 22 July 1861.

[56] NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Deaths Index, 3442/1864