The ship departed on the 24th November 1843, and entered Port Jackson on March 14th 1844. Patrick and Esther's seven living children accompanied them; James b 1825, Mary b c1827, Arthur b c1829, Patrick b 1830, Catherine b 1837, Esther b 1839 and Thomas b c1843.
The family's shipping record is listed under the surname Neile. The majority of the people on the William Metcalfe were bounty immigrants, including the O'Neills.
I have on record a transcript of the Bounty Contract between the O'Neills and W.C. Wentworth.
"Patrick O'Neill and three sons engaged to serve the said W.C. Wentworth as farm servants and otherwise make themselves generally useful for the term of twelve months, and also to obey all his or his overseers or authorised agents lawful and reasonable commands during that period in consideration of which service the said W.C. Wentworth does thereby agree to pay the said Patrick wages at the rate of 30 pounds per annum and provide them with the following weekly rations:
beef or mutton 40lbs
flour 50lbs
sugar 6lbs
tea 14ozs
Witness they have intentionally affirmed their signatures to this document.
W.C. Wentworth
C.D. Logan
Patrick O'Neill"
W.C. Wentworth was a controversial politician, explorer and businessman. I'm yet to do more research into his land-holdings in the Hunter Valley, and why the O'Neills came to be there.
The O'Neill family elders (Patrick & Esther) both died at Stanhope Homestead, which was the property of Dr James Mitchell. Perhaps there is a link between Mitchell and Wentworth's farming properties.
The O'Neill's departure from Ireland pre-dated the potato famine, so was indeed a timely move for this family.
It seems that both Patrick and Esther both understated their ages for the shipping records. Perhaps there was an age requirement for bounty immigration.
Patrick states that he was 39 in 1844, but he would have been more like 49, and Esther states that she was 37 in 1844, but she was more in the proximity of 46.
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