James O'Neill was my Great Great Great Uncle. He was born on August 5th, 1825 in the town of Coolmanagh, County Carlow, Ireland.
He emigrated with his parents and siblings to Australia in 1844 at the age of 19.
Along with his father and brother, he was contracted to W.C. Wentworth as a farm servant on their Bounty Contract.
On January 12th, 1851 he married Mary Margaret HOGAN at the Roman Catholic Church in West Maitland. They had eleven children together, nine of whom survived into adulthood.
Patrick Joseph O'NEILL born 19/3/1852 at Black Creek (Branxton) - died 27/6/1892 Tamworth
Mary O'NEILL 1854-1936 born Maitland, died Quirindi
John O'NEILL 1856 born Maitland (death date still to be determined)
James Thomas O'NEILL 1858-1941 born Maitland, died Manilla
Thomas O'NEILL 1862-1862 born & died Maitland
Esther Gertrude O'NEILL 1864-1936 born Maitland, died Cessnock
Mathias O'NEILL 1867-1868 born & died Tamworth
Annie F O'NEILL 1869-1954 born Tamworth, died Hamilton
Michael Joseph O'NEILL 1871-1953 born Tamworth, died Mayfield
Catherine Winifred O'NEILL (known as Kate) 1873-1954 born Tamworth, died North Sydney
At some stage between 1864 and 1867, James and Mary have shifted their family north from the Hunter to the Tamworth area. A number of James' siblings and their families also populated the area around this time. The O'Neills were a farming family, both in the Hunter and in the Tamworth region.
James O'NEILL drowned whilst fishing in the Peel River on April 11th, 1894 at a location called Hungry Hill near Somerton. This was also listed as his residence of the time. He was aged 70.
A coroner's jury at Carroll, NSW returned the verdict of accidental death.
He was buried at the Roman Catholic Cemetery at Tamworth (many thanks to Liz Pritchard for the photo). His funeral was performed by Father Patrick D Ryan Who had performed his own son's funeral two years earlier), and the witnesses to his burial were his son, James Thomas O'NEILL, and T Fordham (assuming this is Thomas), his son-in-law (Kate's new husband).
At the time of his death, 8 of his children were still alive; John aged 37, James aged 35, Mary aged 39, Arthur aged 33, Esther aged 29, Annie aged 24, Michael aged 22 and Kate aged 20. His certificate stated that three male children were deceased. This would have been Patrick, Matthias and unknown.
The information on his death certificate was provided by his wife, Mary O'NEILL (nee Hogan).
Death Certificate 1894/012961 held on file.
Marriage Certificate 179 Vol 97 1851 held on file
