The Chilli Explosion

Some years ago a kindly colleague gave me a bottle of her homemade chilli sauce. We opened it and enjoyed the flavour with our barbecued meat. Living in a cool climate at the time, I thought nothing of storing the bottle of sauce in the pantry alongside the other sauce bottles.

My husband and I finally finished repainting the kitchen/family room area a lovely white. We had a white round kitchen table with what were at the time, stylish red chairs. Here we ate our meals with our two primary school aged children.

It was a sausage night. Table set, food cooked and served. My husband shook the bottle and took the lid off the chilli sauce! It had fermented and the released pressure resulted in the sauce splattering far and wide, on the ceiling the walls and then it dripped back down. We were not spared.

In the end all we could do was laugh. It took weeks for us to get rid of every last spot and splodge. Yes, he had to repaint the room!

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A smithy by name and trade

Patrick Sylvester Smyth 

Patrick Sylvester Smyth was the third child born to James Smyth and Catherine Mulvaney at Alma in South Australia in December 1880. Patrick joined his sister Mary and brother John who had been born in the previous two years. 

Little is known of his childhood but as they were a farming family he would have been expected to help with the daily chores in the farmyard.

Four more boys were born after Patrick, but little brother James died at just nine months old and another baby also named James. died in infancy.

Blacksmith generated by AI

His older brother John may have been destined to take over the farm and without enough land to support all the boys, Patrick took on work as a blacksmith. Jobs completed in the Alma smithy would have included farming equipment repairs, horseshoes, household pots and pans along with any task brought in from the neighbourhood farms and houses.

At age 29 he became the owner of the business as recorded in this transaction.

Account J. Pearce and Son, Alma— Blacksmith's business, with 2 cottages, in township of Alma, to P. Smyth, Alma.[1]

It appears that Patrick never married and he died a single man. He outlived all of his family and died in November 1963 just two weeks short of his 83rd birthday. He is buried in the Cheltenham Cemetery.

Patrick Sylvester Smyth - 1st cousin twice removed.

------------------------------------

1911 'LAND SALES.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 1 July, p. 37. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/88689904

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Father Frank Smyth

45 years dedicated to Thebarton Parish

AI created image - Sept 2024

Francis Smyth was born at Alma on March 8, 1884 in the mid north of South. Australia, some 93 kilometres from Adelaide. His parents were James Smyth and Catherine Smyth (nee Mulvanny).
James had followed his brothers John and Edward Smyth from County Westmeath in Ireland. James arrived in South Australia in December of 1864 aboard the ship "Tarquin." In 1877 he and Catherine married in Adelaide.

Francis was the fourth of seven children born to this couple. He was baptised in the Gawler Catholic church. In 1900, at the age of 16, Francis joined the Institute of the Brothers of St John the Baptist, founded by Fr Healy. He later studied for the priesthood at St Patrick's College, Manly, and was ordained in Sydney in 1910. After returning to Adelaide, he worked alongside Fr Healy at Thebarton, eventually succeeding him as Parish Priest of Thebarton in 1921 after Fr Healy's death. In 1922 he was appointed by the State Children's Council as superintendent of the Brooklyn Park reformatory for boys. [1]

Fr Frank as he was known, spent his entire ministry in Thebarton, dedicating 45 years to the parish. He was known for his simplicity, devotion, and tireless work, particularly during the Great Depression when he provided aid to those in need. His contributions included building several schools and support for the parish's charitable efforts.

He died on May 21, 1955, and was remembered as a "great and worthy priest."[2] He was buried in West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide.

Partial view of tombstone

1. 1922 'Personal.', Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), 1 February, p. 7. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212245134

2. Biography of Francis Smyth https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/view-biography?guid=10354

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Family History, the Whys and Wherefores

A member of my local Family History group challenged us at a management meeting on August 3, to write a paragraph about why we are members of the group. A great topic to think about, as Family History month is held in the month of August each year across Australia and New Zealand.
So how did I become involved and why do I continue?

In 2013 my mother died at age 101. It was then that I discovered my mother, when she was 92, had told her childhood story to a grandchild, much of this was new to me. Another of my nieces had completed a high school assignment on my paternal side. On reading that piece, I spotted some potential for exploring that line further.
I had just retired in mid 2012, moved interstate, and needed new friends and activities. My interest in lifelong learning and computing found me first as a Friend of Noosaville library.

By 2015 I joined the Cooroy-Noosa genealogy group and once the local Noosaville library closed for renovation I found my home in the new Heritage Centre at Cooroy. I’ve worked with computers since 1985 in a wide variety of situations, teaching both students and adults. In the group, I enjoy being involved with others, learning anew and sharing skills. The developments in DNA matching and the potential of AI for family history keep me exploring and learning.

That’s my whys and wherefores. If you are interested in pursuing your family history, join a group. Yes, there is a lot one can learn online but sharing the friendship, collaborating with others and providing service to others, all these are beneficial to one’s well-being. Whether it is teaching, managing resources, providing refreshments or a dozen other ways of volunteering, the rewards are worth the effort.

Enjoy and learn this Family History month.

Carmel

Web Editor

CNG&HRG Inc.

Ordination Day 1917

Peter Maurice "Fr. Maurice" Horgan (1890-1950)

Fr Peter Maurice Horgan on the day of his Ordination surrounded by family members
Adelaide, 30 November 1917

Peter Maurice Horgan was the youngest child, the last of the ten born at Tarlee in South Australia to Daniel Horgan and Julia Evans. He grew up on the farm at Gulnare, further north, after the Tarlee farm was sold when he was still a toddler. By the time he was old enough for secondary school, his parents sent him to Adelaide to be educated at the Christian Brothers College.

Those who aspired to be Catholic priests studied at Manly in NSW and so it was that he journeyed to St Patrick’s College to prepare for his ordination. It had been many years since a priest had been ordained in South Australia, so the occasion in 1917 was eagerly awaited.[1] The families and a large congregation gathered on Friday morning 30th November to watch and pray for the new priests. An extensive article detailing the ceremonies was reported the following week. [2] A summary of that article is below.

The Ceremony

Two priests, Rev. Fathers Maurice Horgan and William Kain, were ordained at St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Traditionally, priests for Adelaide were ordained in St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney. The decision to hold the ordination in Adelaide allowed local friends and relatives to attend. Special seats were reserved for the friends and relatives, as well as Christian and Marist Brothers and their pupils where these two young men had attended school. The cathedral was full, with many attendees standing.

His Grace the Archbishop celebrated the Mass of St. Andrew the Apostle and performed the ordination ceremony. Rev. Father Gatzmeyer assisted, and several other priests, including those from the Port Augusta diocese, were present. The ordinands participated in traditional rituals, including the Litany of the Saints, imposition of hands, recitation of prayers, and anointing with the oil of catechumens.

The newly ordained priests recited the Canon of the Mass and the Apostles' Creed with the Archbishop. They then received Communion and the blessing from the Archbishop. The ceremony concluded with the Last Gospel. After the conclusion of the Mass, the mothers of the new priests and their relatives along with most of the congregation approached the communion rails to receive blessings from the newly ordained priests.

Ordination commemoration card

At home

Father Horgan being the first priest ordained from the Spalding district, celebrated the event on the following Sunday in his home parish. He said Mass at 11 o'clock and gave his blessing to the people. There was dinner afterwards at the Institute and presentations on behalf of the Spalding and Yacka congregations.

Father Peter Maurice Horgan led a life full of service as detailed on the Archdiocese of Adelaide biography page at this link.[3]

When he died in 1950, the parishioners of Colonel Light Gardens published an extensive tribute to him in the Southern Cross newspaper which can be read in full here [4] or viewed on this page Tributes to Father Peter Maurice Horgan.

Front and back scan of Memorial Card

*****************************************************

Notes

Photo: thanks to 3rd cousin Felicity Horgan for a copy of the original

Memorial card - private Horgan collection

Relationship to author 1st cousin 2x removed (grandfather Horgan's 1st cousin)

References

[1]1917 'CATHOLIC NEWS.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 23 November, p. 13. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166984461#

[2]1917 'ORDINATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 7 December, p. 13 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166984622

[3]Biography of Father Peter Maurice Horgan https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/view-biography?guid=16207

[4]1950 'A FATHER IS MOURNED BY HIS FAMILY', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 28 July, p. 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167730621#

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Fr. Eddie's First Mass

Catholic church, Tarlee, S.A.

This report of Father Eddie Smyth's first Mass at Tarlee appeared in the Kapunda Herald newspaper in 1931.[1]

Tuesday, Dec. 1, will he a memorable day for the Catholics of Tarlee, being the occasion of the celebrating of his first Mass by Father E. J. Smyth, the first priest to be ordained from the parish for many years.

Father Smyth, who is a son of Mr. Frank Smyth, of Alma, received his early education from the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Gawler. Afterwards he went on to the Sacred Heart College, Glenelg, and from there on deciding to study for the priesthood, proceeded to Springwood. N.S.W., and then Manly, Sydney, where he completed his studies this year.

He was ordained in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral by Archbishop Spence on November 30. Long before the time of the commencing of the Mass., the church of S.S. John and Paul was thronged, many being unable to gain admission.

Relatives and friends of the young priest were present from far and near, including ten priests—Fathers Moloney, Eirston Noone, McElligott, Alphonsus, J. A. Gatzmeyer, F. Gatzmeyer, Redden, Barry, and Denny. There were. also present five Nuns.

The Tarlee choir, under the able baton of Mr. Frank O'Sullivan, gave a first-class rendition of excerpts from the Masses of St. Cecelia and St. Rose, and were highly commended on all sides for their meritorious performance. After Mass, all adjourned to the institute hall, where to entertain the young priest, and to mark the occasion, the parishioners had prepared. a breakfast, at which nearly 200 sat down to a sumptuous spread.

The ladies worked hard in preparing the breakfast, and no words are adequate to express to them the thanks of all those who partook of it, for the numerous good things placed before them, and for the efficient and speedy manner in which the appetites of such a large concourse of people were appeased.

The breakfast over, a musical programme. interspersed, with speeches, was commenced. Father Noone addressed the gathering, and explained that the object of the meeting was to do honour to the young priest, and heartily congratulated him on his elevation to the priesthood. Others who spoke were Fathers G A. Gatzmeyer, McElligott, Redden, Denny, and Barry, also Messrs. J. Mclnerney (Tarlee). and J. Mclnerney (Riverton), all of whom spoke in eulogistic terms of Father Smyth and his forefathers, many of whom took a prominent part in the history of the Church. and congratulated his parents and sister on producing a priest from their family.

Those who contributed to the musical programme were:--Mr. Frank O'Sullivan. Misses Hahesy, Callery. Murphy, and Pitman. The chairman, Mr. P. J. Hogan, then asked Father Noone to make a presentation of a wallet of notes to Father Smyth from the people of the parish, and thanked all who helped to make a success of the entertainment, particularly those who came from Riverton and Marrabel. Father Smyth, in responding, expressed his deep gratitude to all those who had prepared the reception, and for giving him the opportunity of meeting old friends, many of whom he had not seen for a considerable time, and had travelled up to 100 miles to be present. A spirited singing of "Faith of our Fathers" by all those present brought a highly successful gathering to a close.

Father Edward (Eddie) Smyth was my father's first cousin and they lived on neighbouring farms as children.

Both were named Edward John after their grandfather Edward Smyth who had migrated to South Australia from County Westmeath aboard the ship "North" in 1859.

SOURCE:

[1]1931 'DISTRICT NEWS.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 11 December, p. 3. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108385842 

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A Priestly Life

Early Years

Edward John Smyth was born in Alma in the mid-north of South Australia on June 1, 1905. His parents, Francis Smyth and Catherine Fitzgerald married in 1898 and when Edward was born his sister Mary was three years old. He received his early education at the Alma South Primary School. He later attended the Good Samaritan Convent School in Gawler, a town founded in 1837 as the first regional town north of Adelaide. In his high school years he attended Sacred Heart College at Somerton.[1]

St Patrick's College, Manly NSW

He studied for the priesthood at St Columba’s College, Springwood, and St Patrick’s College, Manly, in New South Wales. The Archbishop of Adelaide ordained Edward John Smyth a priest in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide, on November 30, 1931.[2] The cathedral, completed in 1858, is a significant landmark in Adelaide. Father Eddie as he became known, celebrated his first Mass at Tarlee in his home parish. Here is a report of that celebration.

Appointments

During the first years of his priesthood he was an assistant priest at Murray Bridge, a parish that at that time extended to the Victorian border. At the beginning of 1935, the eastern section was cut off to form the Pinnaroo parish, and although he had only been ordained for three years, Fr Smyth was made Parish Priest of that area. He was the first priest for the new parish. 

The people of the Murray Bridge parish farewelled him in the Druids Hall. Such was their admiration for him that they presented him with a roll top desk.[3]

Roll top desk presented to Fr Eddie in 1935 now owned by his 1st cousin once removed

Inscription on desk

Times were difficult in the new parish. In the previous months, several families were forced off their farms because of extended drought. Fr Eddie generously shared the hardship and poverty of the local people and supported his people through their trials and anxieties.(1)

During 1938, he spent some time at Dulwich in a temporary position, but then returned to Pinnaroo until 1941 when he enlisted as a Chaplain to the RAAF. He served in both Australia and New Guinea during World War II, a conflict that significantly impacted South Australia, with many locals serving in the armed forces.

RAAF Statement of Service

After discharge from the Air Force in August 1946, he was appointed Parish Priest of Willunga, where he remained for 28 years. Willunga, known for its slate mining and vineyards, was a close-knit community where Fr Smyth became deeply entrenched. He knew the people well and he made it known that he did not want to leave Willunga.

Retirement

In 1974, due to serious illness, Fr Eddie retired and took up residence in one of the Southern Cross Units at Northfield, in Adelaide together with his housekeeper Miss Mavis Sigston, who had looked after him for many years.

In June 1978, Fr Eddie’s cancer gained the upper hand, his health failed and he died on the 15th. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on June 19.This notice was published in the Advertiser newspaper on June 16, 1978.

SMYTH. Reverend Father Edward John, Late R.A.A.F On June 15, only beloved son of the late Francis and Catherine Smyth of "Hillside" Alma, late Parish Priest of Willunga and first Parish Priest of Pinnaroo. Beloved brother of Mary of 3 Moore Street, Gawler. Requiescat in pace.

His funeral notice was published on the same day.

SMYTH - REQUIEM MASS for the Repose of the Soul of the late Reverend Father Edward John Smyth. will be concelebrated in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Wakefield Street, Adelaide on MONDAY June 19, at 10.30 a.m. His Funeral will leave the cathedral after Mass for the Navan Cemetery arriving approximately 1.45 p.m. No flowers by request. Masses or donations to Anti-Cancer Fund in lieu appreciated. Holy Rosary will be in St. Patrick's Church, Grote Street, Sunday evening at 7.30.

FRANK J. SIEBERT Proprietor G. and B. Siebert

Fr Eddie is buried alongside his parents and sister in the Navan Cemetery near Riverton in South Australia.

Fr Eddie Smyth was my father's first cousin, so for my generation a 1st cousin once removed.

---

SOURCES:

[1]Adelaide Archdiocese - Biography of Edward John Smyth https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/view-biography?guid=12868

[2]1931 'NEW PRIEST FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 4 December, p. 7.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167057872

[3]1935 'VALEDICTORY AT MURRAY BRIDGE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 15 February, p. 14. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167071314

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A Calling to Mercy

Mary "Sister Catherine" SMYTH (1878-1960)

Mary Smyth was the eldest child and only daughter of James Smyth and Catherine Mulvaney. James had arrived in South Australia from County Westmeath, Ireland in 1864. Catherine, also Irish from County Cavan, arrived in South Australia in 1875. Catherine and James were married just two years later.

Mary, their first child, was enrolled at Alma South School, South Australia, on the last day in October 1887 at 9 and half years old and the register informs us that she had not attended a school prior to this date. She lived 3 miles from the school and at enrolment she joined the junior class. There is no attendance record for Mary there in 1888 or 1889 until she is re-enrolled at the end of 1889 with a note that she had come from a school at Plympton. From then onwards she remained at Alma South until the upper limit of the school's retention age in 1893.

1889 enrolment at Alma South

Mary would have grown up hearing stories about her now deceased uncle, John Smyth, who had been the Vicar General of the Catholic church in Adelaide. At age 15, now she had left school, the influence of those stories and her parent's fervent practice of Catholicism, steered Mary to consider a religious life.

Making a commitment

When Mary was 19 she was recruited with other young women to join the Mercy nuns in Western Australia. This newspaper article describes Mary's reception into the convent in West Perth at St Brigid's on 9 May 1897.

The favoured persons who were present at St. Brigid's at 4 o'clock on last Sunday afternoon had the happiness of witnessing the very pleasing and edifying ceremony of the giving or white veils to four postulants, who thereby became novices of the Order of the Sisters of Mercy. ..................The young ladies who received the White Veil were — Miss Ryan (now Sister M. Joseph), daughter of. Mr. Patrick Ryan, of Sydney, and the King's Co., Ireland ; Miss Smyth (daughter of Mr. Jas. Smyth, of Alma Plains, South Australia), who took the name of Sister M. Catherine; Miss Keys — in religion Sister M. Magdalene — daughter of Mr. Michael Keys, of Ballarat, Victoria; and Miss Buckley — in religion Sister M. Paul of the Cross — daughter of the late Mr. Denis Buckley, of Murchison, W.A. [1]

The postulants were dressed as brides and at the end of the religious ceremony a bride's cake was cut. Due to limited space only the priests got to sit down while the others and friends gathered for refreshments in a "makeshift manner." At this stage there were 14 women living in a small residence while the new St Brigid's was nearing completion. The new building cost 4000 pounds of which 300 had been sourced. Those attending the ceremony were urged to contribute to the ongoing costs.

Mercy West Perth, founded as a branch house of the Mercy Order of nuns in 1888, became independent in 1896 and so the postulants were received there as well as in the original branch established in Victoria Square, Perth. This was one of the principles that the founder of the Mercy order, Catherine McAuley had espoused, each convent should be independent rather than answering to a central authority.

St Brigid’s Convent, West Perth

The convent was completed at the end of 1897 and this description of the work of the sisters and the building was published as it was completed.

St Brigid's West Perth, built 1897

St. Brigid's Convent. — The Sisters of Mercy at St. Brigid's, West Perth, have long been favorably known, for their excellent school, and the number of pupils during the last 12 months increased so rapidly that it became imperative to extend the buildings. This work has just been completed, and the Sisters have now a convent affording accommodation equal to their requirements. The convent is entered through a spacious hall, with reception-rooms opening off and containing the principal staircase. On the ground floor are refectories and kitchen offices, &c, novitiates' rooms, infirmary, two reception-rooms, fourteen cells, and three music rooms, and the upper floor comprises a community-room, twelve cells, and a large oratory. The oratory has a coved wooden ceiling, and is well ventilated with harmoniously-colored windows, and can be approached from the street without entering the convent. Ample verandahs and balconies are provided at the back and front. The front verandahs and balconies are arcaded, and with the projecting bays present a handsome facade in late Domestic Gothic. The work has been carried out by Mr. Alfred Lee, contractor, from the designs and under the supervision of Messrs. M. F. Cavanagh, A.R.I.B.A., and J. C. Cavanagh, architects, of Perth and Fremantle.[2]

And so it was in this building that Mary took her final vows on 11th August 1900.[3] 

Here she toiled for many years.

2021 view of the restored Convent https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Brigid%27s_Convent,_Perth,_January_2021_02.jpg

The obituary

This obituary published in 1960 provides a brief view into her work as a Mercy nun. Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Mercy order emphasised the need for working with the poor and providing education for women.

Sr. M. Catherine Dies, 64 years a nun

Death has taken yet another highly esteemed member of the community of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Brigid's, West Perth, in the person of Sr. M. Catherine Smyth, who died on May 8 at St. John of God Hospital, Subiaco, after a prolonged illness.

Of Irish parentage, born in Alma, South Australia, the late sister entered St Brigid's after leaving school, and spent almost sixty four years in the religious life; her diamond jubilee of profession would have been on August 11 of this year.

She was proverbial for her kindly charity and her never-failing thought for others- especially the sick. Utter unselfishness was the keynote of all her activity. She has gone to her master her hands laden with good works in the interest of others.

The late parish priest of Thebarton, South Australia, Father F. Smyth, was a brother of Sr. M. Catherine, and Canon Smyth of Adelaide her uncle. It was through the friendship of the latter with Mgr. Anselm Bourke V.G., formerly of Perth that Sister chose West Perth as the field of her religious zeal.

Sr. M. Patricia of St Mary's Convent, Leederville and Sr. M. Oliver of Sisters of St John of God are cousins, as is also Rev. E. Smyth of Willunga, South Australia and Sr M. Rose and M. Marcella Byrne of the Sisters of St Joseph, S.A.

Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated at St Brigid's Church on May 10. His Lordship Bishop Rafferty presided, right Rev. Monsignor E. Sullivan was the celebrant of the Mass, with Rev. D Brunetti as Deacon, and Rev. F. Dillon as Subdeacon.

A good Sister of Mercy, it thus stood to reason, is always active, engaged in care for others. Catherine's saying was influential in forming attitudes: a Sister of Mercy looks for rest only in Heaven. [4]

Mary was my grandmother Elizabeth Smyth's 1st cousin, so for my generation a first cousin twice removed.

SOURCES

[1]1897 'VESTING OF FOUR NOVICES AT ST. BRIGID'S, NORTH PERTH.', The W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), 15 May, p. 9. ,https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/211621709

[2]1897 'GENERAL NEWS.', The Inquirer and Commercial News (Perth, WA : 1855 - 1901), 17 December, p. 9 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66690836/6590376#

[3]1900 'DIOCESAN NEWS.', The W.A. Record (Perth, WA : 1888 - 1922), 18 August, p. 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212342690

[4]1992 Ann McLay: Women out of their Sphere: History of the Sisters of Mercy in Western Australia p. 42 https://institute.mercy.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Women-Out-of-Their-Sphere.compressed.pdf

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Daniel, father of ten, farmer of Gulnare

The barque "China" courtesy SA Maritime museum

Daniel Horgan arrived in South Australia aboard the barque “China” in November 1852. His widowed mother Johanna and his two older brothers were his companions and comfort for the 10 year old on their 109 day journey. They had already travelled from Count Kerry in Ireland to the embarkation port of Portsmouth.

Johanna's sister Elizabeth Fitzgerald, was married to Thomas Evans and they were already resident in South Australia. Their brother, John Fitzgerald, also resident in South Australia, sponsored the immigration by providing the 8 pound fee. When Daniel arrived as a young boy, he was surrounded by this extended family.

SA  Govt. Gazette, Nov. 18, 1852, p. 701

Marriage and years near Tarlee

Daniel was 27 when he married his cousin Julia Evans at Mintaro in 1872, she was 24. After their marriage they lived on a farm near Tarlee not far from his mother and elder brother John. Their first child Johanna, named after his mother, was born the following year. Their family grew to ten as nine sons were born in the years that followed.

Life on the farm was demanding, particularly with so many children to care for. The drought of 1881 and several subsequent years of low rainfall led to the failure of crops and the death of livestock. By 1886, these challenges had taken a significant toll on Daniel's finances, ultimately leading to his inability to meet his debts.

Financial difficulties on the farm 1886

Assignment.—Daniel Horgan, farmer, of near Tarlee, has assigned his estate for the benefit of his creditors [1]

His farm was now advertised for sale, firstly for April of 1886 but subject to the need for adequate advance notice, a second round of advertisements were placed. The major items that were offered for sale are below. The advertisement with complete details is here. [2] 

The trustees of Daniel Horgan's estate have appointed CH. RICHARDSON to oversee the auction of valuable assets, to be sold without reserve.

The auction will feature:

- 23 top-tier FARM HORSES, including 8 promising Colts and Fillies

- 22 Head of Cattle, with quality Milking Cows among them

- Farming Equipment such as Plows, Harvesters, Wagons, and more

- Essential supplies like Seeds, Hay, and Poultry

Also available for purchase are parcels of land:

- 1062 acres in the Hundreds of Light and Gilbert, including well-fenced farmland and homesteads

- 626 acres forming a complete farm, well-equipped with water sources and necessary infrastructure

- 436 acres in the Hundred of Light, offering excellent grazing land and essential facilities

Terms of sale:

- Land: 25% down payment, remainder within one month

- Livestock and equipment: full payment due at the time of sale

An additional offering:

- A twenty-year lease from the government for 908 acres of prime land in the Hundred of Schomburgk

Interested parties are invited to the Tarlee Hotel on Tuesday, May 11, at 11 a.m. to participate in the auction.

Later years

By 1893 Daniel's family had moved north and procured land near Gulnare. As his children grew older they worked alongside him on the farm. He witnessed the marriages of his daughter and 5 of his sons.

Johannah married Edward Slattery in 1900 

John Michael married Mary Ann Barry in 1912

Thomas Bernard married Sarah Donnellan in 1912

Denis Michael married Catherine Walsh in 1904

Daniel married Honora Murphy in 1908

Christopher Gerald married Ann Jane Hunter in 1914

The farm could not support all those boys so they moved on to other occupations. Only George remained at Gulnare when Daniel died at age 73 in 1916. 

His obituary highlights his contributions and the respect he garnered within the community. He was remembered as an energetic and persevering individual who, despite facing significant challenges, managed to create a successful and respected life for himself and his family.

Obituary

MR. D. HORGAN, GULNARE. [3]

Our Georgetown correspondent writes:—Death has put in his claim for another of our old pioneers, the last to succumb to the inevitable decree being Mr. Daniel Horgan, of Gulnare, who passed away about 2 o'clock on Saturday morning, April 15. The deceased gentleman was born in the historical County of Kerry, made famous as the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell. The late Mr. Horgan was 73 years of age, and a colonist of 63 years, arriving in the State when only 10 years old. Being of an energetic disposition, he at the first opportunity launched out to carve his own fortune. At an early age he took for his life's partner Julia, daughter of the late John [ed. Thomas] Evans. The young couple were possessed of all the qualities that go to make success. That they met with reverses goes without saying; but reverses to them only meant an incentive to greater perseverance, and success eventually crowned their efforts.

Some 23 years ago Mr. Horgan purchased a large farm on the fertile plain of Gulnare, where he lived up to the time of his death, and where some of the family still reside. As Catholics he and his family were in the foremost ranks. They also had the respect and admiration of all, both by repute and acquaintance. 

The funeral was one of the largest seen here, over 70 vehicles following the remains, first to St. Mary's Church, thence to the Catholic Cemetery, Georgetown, where the body was consigned to its last resting place, the Very Rev. Father Mulcahy, an old-time friend of the family, officiating.

The deceased left a widow, one daughter (Mrs. E. Slattery, Maylands), eight sons (Messrs. Daniel, Mundoora; Thomas, Curramulka; John and William, Port Germein; Dennis, Kapunda; Christopher, Koolunga; George, Gulnare; and Maurice, who is studying for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College, Manly. It was Mrs. Horgan's ambition that one of her sons should be a priest. That wish is about to be fulfilled, as Mr. Horgan hopes to be ordained with in the present year. R.I.P.

Patrick James, Daniel's 5th son had pre-deceased him in 1908.
Peter Maurice his youngest son was ordained a priest in November 1917.

Probate of £678 was published on 9 August 1916. [4]

[1] 1886 'The Kapunda Herald.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 9 April, p. 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107358834

[2] 1886 'Advertising', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 27 April, p. 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/107359066

[3] 1916 'OBITUARY.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 28 April, p. 13 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166420290

[4] 1916 'Personal.', Critic (Adelaide, SA : 1897-1924), 9 August, p. 8 .https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/212166449

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Service to the Council and Community

Thomas, a gt-grand uncle

Thomas Horgan, councillor 1880-81
Photo courtesy of Mintaro Historical Society

Thomas Horgan, aged 16, arrived in South Australia in 1852 from Ireland with his mother Johanna and two brothers, John and Daniel. For the first few years Thomas worked with his brother John and when land was acquired at Linwood a farming future was envisaged.

By 1869 Thomas had married Mary Carroll in the small Catholic chapel at Navan between Tarlee and Riverton. [1] They moved to and lived near the small village of Mintaro and here Thomas made a home for his family.

In 1872 he was elected to the Stanley District Council for the first of his many years of service to the community.

By 1874 Thomas was advertising that he had 60 tons of wheaten hay available for sale on his property which was two miles from Mintaro Station.[2] Pigs were also kept on the farm, as monetary prizes for flitches[3] of bacon, hams and lard were awarded at the local shows.

Advocacy 1876 - Deputation to the Council of Education

We take for granted the right our children have to attend a school but in 1876 there was an urgent need for a new school to be established to cater for a growing population. Six miles was too far to travel by horse or buggy each day for small children, especially in the depths of winter. Thomas represented his community in this appeal.

Wakefield Springs. — A deputation, consisting of Messrs. T. Horgan (member of the Stanley District Council) and B. Lynch were introduced by Mr. C. Mann M.P. The deputation wished for the erection of a school on Section 364, Hundred of Stanley, which was at the sources of the River Wakefield, about 2½ miles from Mintaro Railway Station. There were 50 or 60 children within a radius of 2½ miles, and no school nearer than six miles. The President promised to take the matter into consideration.[4]

Thomas continued to serve on the Council for 25 years, exhibiting a willingness to serve his community for the betterment of all. He acquired close to 2000 acres of land in and around the area.

Family life

Seven children were born to Thomas and Mary, but the family would have been saddened by the death of little Edmund in 1886 when he was only fifteen months old. Thomas and his sons were successful farmers with the local papers recording sales of sheep and hay. At Burra in 1883, 700 sheep were sold and the following year another 1200 sold. By 1898 Thomas finally relinquished his position on the Council.

Thomas died in 1901 leaving behind his wife Mary and the six surviving children: John, Thomas James, Denis Joseph, Mary Elizabeth, Daniel and Johanna. This was before any of his children had married.

HORGAN.—Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Thomas Horgan, who died at his residence, Mintaro railway, on 16th January, 1901. Fortified by the last Sacraments of the Church. Sweet Jesus, grant him eternal rest.[5]

Thomas was buried in the Manoora Catholic Cemetery. This obituary records the large number of people who attended his funeral.

Universal regret is being expressed throughout this district at the death of the late Mr. Thomas Horgan, one of the oldest and most respected residents of this neighborhood. The funeral took place on Friday last, and was the most representative, and the largest ever seen in Manoora, where the remains of the deceased were interred. The late Mr. Horgan was a large and successful farmer, was widely known for his liberality to the Church, and to the poor, and hence it was no great surprise to see some 400 people, representing all classes and creeds, assemble in the graveyard on Friday afternoon. The Rev. C. Dietel, S.J. (Sevenhills) officiated at the grave, and there were also present Rev. T. Carroll, S.J. (Norwood), brother-in-law of the deceased, Rev. G. Pierce (Manoora), Rev. T. Lee (Marrabel), and Rev. J. Redden (Kooringa).[6] 

The will and testament of Thomas Horgan 

Thomas had large land holdings, about 1090 acres. He divided his land and equipment equitably between his sons while ensuring that the farm provided a annuity of £100 for his wife. The estate was valued not to be in excess of £4710. (7) A transcription of the will can be seen on this site by clicking on the images of the will.

---

 [1] Groom Surname: HORGAN - Groom Given Names: Thomas Bride Surname: CARROLL -Bride Given Names: Mary Marriage Date: 26-Oct-1869 Marriage Place: Catholic Chapel Navan Groom Age: 28 Groom Marital Status: S Groom Father: Thomas HORGAN Bride Age: 23 Bride Marital Status: S Bride Father: John CARROLL District: Gilbert Book/Page: 81/205
[2] 1874 'Advertising', Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 - 1912), 5 May, p. 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196749080
[3] A side of bacon — half of a pig that has been cut in half lengthwise.
[4] 1876 'COUNCIL OF EDUCATION.', South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881), 2 September, p. 10. , http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92256000 
[5] Family Notices (1901, January 25). Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), p. 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/166992935
[6] 1901 'COUNTRY.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 February, p. 8. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/16699302

(7) "Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:74MP-RQZM ), image 134,135 Entry for Thomas Horgan, 1 April 1901.

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Harrigan Horgan Hogan

Johanna (Horgan) Hogan

What's in a name? Well it depended on how you pronounced it, how a clerk may have heard it and how it was written down.

Johanna was born about 1829 in County Kerry to Johanna Fitzgerald and Thomas Horgan. She was the eldest in the family, and it appears that she left Ireland for New York about 1848, leaving behind the horrors of the great famine.

 
In some accounts she is listed as arriving in South Australia with her mother, but she is not on the passenger list for the arrival of the "China" in 1852. Another account has her arriving years later on the "Ocean Steed" via America. On the passenger list for the "Ocean Steed" which departed New York on 11 May 1855, there is a Johanna Harrigan aged 22.[1]  - Here's where you get to practice your Irish accent! 😀

 
Given the Irish accent and the clerk's recording of it in New York, this is most likely Johanna Horgan who arrived in Melbourne, 27 August 1855. This would tally with the age on her marriage record.
One wonders if she was aware of the murder of the chief mate on the voyage to Australia. The mate was particularly violent and had been bullying and beating a boy who eventually struck back with a knife attack. [2]

There were three intercoastal ships projected for departure to Adelaide from Hobson's Bay, Melbourne in early September, so Johanna boarded one of those to make her way to Adelaide. An obituary states that she arrived in Port Adelaide on September 29th 1855.

Her mother and brothers had not seen her for seven years so one imagines the reunion was joyful.

Marriage and family life

John Hogan lived on a farm near the Horgans, sharing connections through the close-knit Catholic community. It was within this circle that Johanna Horgan and John Hogan met, leading to their marriage in September 1861 at St. John's Church near Kapunda. Johanna, who claimed to be 28 [3] at the time, embarked on another new chapter of life with John, and together they raised a family of six children—five daughters, Hannah Catherine, Johanna Mary, Bridget Helen, Mary, Margaret, and one son, Timothy Thomas.

Johanna was not just a devoted wife and mother; she was a skilled dairywoman, celebrated for her butter and ham, which won awards at local agricultural shows. The Hogans were active in their community, particularly within the Tarlee Catholic Church. They participated in parish events, with a highlight being the annual New Year's Day picnic, where families gathered for food and festivity.

When John passed away, Johanna found a meaningful way to honour his memory. She funded a stained-glass window in the church, a lasting tribute to her late husband and a symbol of their deep ties to the community. John provided for his wife and children in his will.

Window dedicated to the memory of John Hogan
in the Tarlee Catholic Church

Conflicting Obituaries

There is conflicting information provided in some obituaries, the Kapunda Herald, the paper in Johanna's home town, possibly provides the most accurate details.

One of the oldest residents of Kapunda, Mrs. Johanna Hogan, died on Saturday morning last. She was born at Licksnaw, County Kerry, in 1829, and was therefore 85 years old when she passed away. She was in Ireland during the days of the awful famine in 1845-7 and in 1848 went to the United States.

After a stay of seven years there she came to Australia in the Ocean Steed, arriving at Pt. Adelaide on September 29, 1855. She married Mr. John Hogan, of Taylor's Gap, and resided in the district until five years ago, when she came to reside with her daughter and son-in-law (Mrs. and Mr. John Callinan) in Kapunda. Mr. Hogan died many years ago. He was well-known as a breeder of splendid horse stock, and both Mr. and Mrs. Hogan were known as most charitable and generous people. The surviving children are Mr. T. Hogan, Taylor's Gap, Mesdames Callinan, McCarthy, O'Brien, and Kitschke. The late Mrs. J. J. O'Sullivan was also a daughter. There are 10 grand-children.[4]

It would appear that either her age at death was incorrect or she was five years older than she claimed to be when she arrived in Australia. This was not an uncommon occurrence amongst early immigrants where accurate record keeping was not a high priority in their lives. Unless an exact birth or baptism record is found we may never know. 

Johanna’s parents, husband and children

[1] JOHANNA HARRIGAN Age: 22 Arrival month: AUG Arrival year: 1855 Date of arrival: 1855-08-01 Fiche: 38 Gender: F Origin code: F Page: 1 Ship master: CUNNINGHAM T Ship name: OCEAN STEED https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/3AFAF4A2-F96C-11E9-AE98-C1235E0566FF?image=97

[2] 1855 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 29 August, p. 4. col.1 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/154895313

[3] Groom Surname: HOGAN Groom Given Names: John Bride Surname: HORGAN Bride Given Names: Johanna Marriage Date: 28-Sep-1861 Marriage Place: St John Kapunda Groom Age: 32 Groom Marital Status: N Groom Father: Thady HOGAN Bride Age: 28 Bride Marital Status: S Bride Father: Thomas HORGAN District: Kapunda Book/Page: 47/391

[4] 1914 'PERSONAL.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 18 September, p. 2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/108278513

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A Dedicated Daughter 1877 -1926

Johanna was the sixth of seven children born to John and Hanora Horgan. She was named after John's mother, Johannah Fitzgerald. The couple's first born Johanna, had died at age seven so the name was used again. Growing up on the Linwood farm Johanna had three older brothers as well as two sisters, one older and one younger, to share their days. This Johanna was only six years old when her father John died in 1883.

There is no record of her early years but we can get a sense of her as an adult from this obituary.

Miss Johanna Horgan. second daughter of Mrs. H. Horgan, Linwood, and the late Mr. J. Horgan, who died recently at her mother's residence (writes our Stockport correspondent) was most deservedly popular, with all with whom she came in contact. She had an ever ready smile of friendship, and although her illness was painfully weary and of long duration, she bore all suffering with marvellous fortitude. She was a devoted member and worshipper at the Roman Catholic Church, at Tarlee, and St. Mary's Church, Hamley Bridge.
Much sympathy Is felt throughout the whole district for the aged mother, and her sisters, Miss Kate Horgan (Linwood), Mrs. J. Mclnerney (Riverton), and her brothers, Messrs. Andy Horgan (Alma), and Thomas and John Horgan (Linwood). (1)

When Johanna died in 1926 at age 49, she left behind a world on the cusp of great change. Post-World War I Australia was grappling with the aftermath of conflict and loss, having contributed significantly to the war effort alongside other British dominions. The war had brought about social changes, including an increased role for women in the workforce and society. Johanna's role was unchanging, working in the farmyard and in the household. Her church activities probably included cleaning and perhaps arranging some flowers. We have some photos of her siblings but none of her or her namesake.

Johanna's funeral notice posted three days after her death, on the day of the funeral, reflects the importance of local newspapers in chronicling the lives of ordinary citizens in the past.

HORGAN.—THE FRIENDS of the late MISS JOHANNA HORGAN are respectfully informed that her Funeral will leave her Mother's Residence (Mrs. H. Horgan), Linwood, for the St. John's Cemetery, on FRIDAY, August 27, at 1.30 p.m. 
R. J. DAY. Undertaker, Kapunda. (2)

1.  1926 'News From Country Centres', Observer (Adelaide, SA : 1905 - 1931), 11 September, p.8   https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/165624269

2. 1926 'Advertising', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 27 August, p. 8. col.3 
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47013710

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

A legacy of resilience: Andrew's story

Early Years

Andrew Joseph Horgan was born on April 14, 1869. He was the second son of Irish immigrants, John Horgan and Honora O'Leary who had married in 1863. They farmed at Linwood, near Tarlee South Australia. Andrew joined the family fold after his sister Johanna and brother Tom. Unfortunately, his older sister Johanna died in 1872 when he was a mere toddler.

Despite the family's grief, Andrew had playmates and companionship with all his siblings, Tom, Catherine, Johanna (named in memory of the departed sister), the younger John, affectionately known as Jack and little sister Nora.  

Tragedy struck the family once more in 1883 when their father John Horgan died. Andrew at just 14 shouldered the weight of responsibility alongside his mother and siblings, hard work now their daily lot.

Marriage and Family

At age 36, Andrew exchanged marriage vows with Elizabeth Smyth in the Tarlee Catholic Church in February of 1906. After enjoying a honeymoon in New Zealand, he moved into the Smyth family home at Alma. This farm was eventually left to Elizabeth when her mother died shortly after their marriage. Together Andrew and Elizabeth raised three children on the farm: a daughter Hanora Mary, and two sons, Edward John and Joseph Andrew.

Andrew on the Alma farm

Andrew's younger sister Johanna died in 1926, and his mother's death followed just a year later. Now there were just his three unmarried siblings left on the Linwood farm, Tom, Kate and Jack. Nora had married in 1909.

Changing fortunes

The great depression of 1933 swept across the land leaving Andrew grappling with hardship. A clearing sale was held on the property with thirteen horses sold but there was little demand for his farm equipment. After such a poor year, the death of his wife Elizabeth in 1934 dealt another blow. 

Andrew and his son Eddie continued to work on the farm trying to navigate life's uncertainties. It appears from subsequent events that they may have concentrated on raising and milking cows.

Eddie's marriage in 1937 brought a new person onboard. Hannah, Eddie's wife was a town girl from Hamley Bridge so the tasks of a farm wife were quite new to her. By now Joe was living back with his father and brother so there were three men who needed household care, meals prepared and cooked and worn clothes mended.

 

By 1939 with a new baby in the house, it was time to plan for the future. The sale of the farm enabled his son Eddie and young family to seek their own farm at Snowtown and Andrew traded the familiar Alma landscape for a dairy farm near Hahndorf. In this venture he was accompanied by son Joe and daughter Mary.

The return to Linwood

Life came full circle with the death of his brothers Tom in 1941 and Jack in 1942. It was time to return to the Horgan family farm at Linwood.  He returned, as did his son Eddie and his family. Through toil and tragedy, Andrew's unwavering faith provided solace. He was an active parishioner attending Mass at both Tarlee and Hamley Bridge.

During the remaining years of his life Andrew enjoyed the company of his young grandchildren. He was back where his life began, where for so many years he had laboured diligently with his siblings. Now he was within visiting distance of his sisters. Kate was in Riverton and Nora was on the McInerney farm, just out of Riverton. In 1949 celebrations were held at the Linwood farm for his 80th birthday with a large group of family and friends present.

80th birthday 1949 at Linwood

Andrew died on May 2, 1951, at the family farm, and was laid to rest beside his beloved Elizabeth in quiet confines of Navan Catholic Cemetery near Riverton.

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

Easter offerings 1895

Easter Sunday in 1895 fell on April 14th. In the small Sts. John and Paul Catholic Church in Tarlee, South Australia, parishioners contributed money known as Easter Offerings. The handwritten document below, Easter offerings April 14, 1895 provides a glance at the names of the parishioners of the time. This document was stored in a suitcase under the altar until recent years. It is one of several documents I photographed in 2016 on a visit to the church with my sister-in-law.

It is probable that the people listed were present for that morning's Easter Sunday Mass conducted by the local parish priest Fr. Thomas Lee. If all these people were present for that Easter celebration, the small church would have been very full. Transcription below.

Easter Offerings April 14 1895

Easter offerings April 14 1895

Mr Michael OKeef 10s

" Michael McInerney £2

" David OLeary £1

OSullivan Bros £2

Mrs Howard 7s. 6d.

Mr E Smyth £1

Mrs Connell £1

Mr Terence Murphy 5s.

Mr Patrick Hogan £1

Thos. Rotchford 10s.

Jas. Smyth 10s.

W. Haasey £1

John Hogan £2

Mrs John Horgan £1. 10s.

Mrs Fitzgerald £1

Mrs McCarthy 10s.

Patrick Buckley £2

Mrs Thos. Kain £1

Brief research notes 

Michael O'Keefe of Tarlee had married Catherine Walsh in 1893. Her parents were from Kooringa, near Burra and it was in November of 1932 that Michael died in Burra hospital.

Michael McInerney was well known throughout the district, he died at the age of 73 and is buried in Navan Cemetery, near Riverton. His obituary reported: Last week the town and district suffered the loss of one of its oldest and most highly respected gentlemen in Mr. Michael McInerney, who died on June 7 at his residence, after an illness of five months. Mr. McInemey was a colonist of over 70 years, having arrived in this State by the ship Burmah in 1840. For some years he lived with his parents at Brighton. In the early days he used to do carting to and from Burra. In 1863 he began farming in this district, and continued to do so until his death. For many years Mr. McInerney had been a member of the Old Colonists' Association, and also a regular attendant at its annual celebrations at Glenelg.

David O'Leary David had two children Andrew and Cissie who would have been with him as he had lost his wife Johanna in an accident in 1878.

The O'Sullivan Brothers There were three O'Sullivan brothers living near Tarlee in 1895. James John may have been present at Easter Sunday Mass with his wife Hannah Hogan and their 5 children under the age of 10, Eugene Francis was a bachelor, and Jerome Michael with wife and 3 children may also have been present. When Eugene died in 1914 there was reference to his home and career in Tarlee.

The name of "Glandore," the comfortable home which he, in conjunction with his brother, established near Tarlee, suggests the love and affection they had for the dear land of their parents. Irish nomenclature is found everywhere around the farm. For many years the names of J. M. and E. F. O'Sullivan stood in the first ranks of stock exhibitors in the city and leading provincial shows, and on numerous occasions the champion ribbons were placed on their exhibits, bearing the Irish cognomens of Shamrock, Kathleen, or Sheela.

Mrs Howard was Bridget Dempsey who had married Emmanuel Howard in 1853. Further details about her are revealed in this newspaper article published after her death in 1903. She is buried in Navan Catholic Cemetery, Riverton.

TARLEE, August 24.—Mrs. Emmanuel Howard died at her farm, Stockport, on August 22. She was born in County Cavan in 1831, and came to the state in 1849, in the ship Duke of Wellington. For two years she lived near Salisbury, and then moved to Stockport, where she died. She married in 1853, and had 10 children—four sons and six daughters, of whom three sons and four daughters survive.1.

Mr E Smyth Edward Smyth farmed near Alma with his wife Margaret Byrne and in 1895 it is highly likely that his four adult, as yet unmarried children; Catherine, Francis, Elizabeth and Margaret were with their parents. He died at age 79 in 1901 after an accident on the farm and is buried in the Pinkerton Plains cemetery.

Mrs Connell James Connell had died at Navan, the small settlement between Tarlee and Riverton in 1884, leaving a wife and seven children. By 1895 two of those adult sons had married, but it is likely that the Mrs Connell mentioned here is Susan, his wife, who died in 1913. It is likely that several of the Connell families were present on Easter Sunday morning.

Mr Terence Murphy Terence Murphy had married Anne Connell at Tarlee in 1885. They had two small boys by 1895. According to the marriage record Terence would have been about 45 in 1895. He died in 1916 and is buried in the Port Pirie Cemetery.

Mr Patrick Hogan Patrick had married Mary Ann in 1875 and in 1895 they were probably accompanied by some of their ten children on Easter morning. Three of Patrick's family, including his wife, predeceased him and they are buried together in Navan Cemetery. Patrick died in his 84th year on the 30th April 1922.

Thos. Rotchford was 86 when he died in Adelaide on the 10th July 1926. His wife had died in 1888 and is buried in Manoora Catholic Cemetery. Thomas and his daughter Mary were living in Tarlee in 1895. They are both buried in the Catholic section of the West Terrace cemetery in Adelaide.

Jas. Smyth James, brother of Edward, also farming near Alma, was probably accompanied by his wife Catherine Mulvaney and their five children in 1895. James was 90 when he died in 1920 and is buried in Pinkerton Plains Cemetery.

W Haasey This was William Hahesy who would marry a local girl Ellen Nash in 1896. William was buried in Navan Cemetery after his death in April 1938. His story is recalled in this newspaper obituary.

John Hogan John had married Johanna Horgan in 1861 and by 1895 there were still three daughters living with them. Their son and two other married daughters lived in the parish. There may have been many Hogans in the church that morning. John is buried in St Johns Cemetery, near Kapunda, South Australia. This obituary was published in the Kapunda Herald. in 1898.

-On Wednesday Mr. John Hogan, of Taylor's Gap, died at the age of 74. Mr. Hogan was a very old resident of this district. In the early days of Kapunda with his father and brother he was a blacksmith in the town. Leaving that trade, they went farming, Mr. John Hogan taking up land at Taylor's Gap, where he resided until his death. Mr Hogan also took up land in the hundred of Schomburgk, which was principally devoted to sheep. At one time Mr. Hogan was noted for the draught horse stock which he bred and with which he used to carry off the bulk of the prizes at Kapunda shows. Mr. Hogan was well known throughout the district, and was highly respected. He leaves a widow and grown up family.

Mrs John Horgan was Honora O'Leary who had married in 1863. She would have been accompanied by her sons Thomas, Andrew and John (known as Jack) as well as her daughters Kate and Johanna. Her husband John had died in 1883 and when she died in 1927 she was buried with him in St Johns Cemetery.

Mrs Fitzgerald This one has been difficult to determine. More than one Fitzgerald family lived within the parish.

Mrs McCarthy This was Catherine Collins. Her husband Patrick was a ganger on the railway line between Tarlee and Riverton and was killed on the line in 1892 and buried in Navan. They had nine children many of whom would have been with her on Easter morning. Catherine died in 1933  and is buried in Willaston Cemetery.

McCARTHY.—On the 15th February, at her residence, No. 14, Finniss street, Gawler, Catherine McCarthy, widow of Patrick McCarthy (late S.A.R. Tarlee), in her 85th year. R.I.P.

Patrick Buckley  attended Mass with his wife Hannah, she was John Hogan's sister. When Patrick died aged 85 in August of 1913, he was buried at Navan alongside his wife who had predeceased him in 1897.

Mrs Thos. Kain Bridget Hahesy (Hahessy) had married Thomas Kain in this church in 1889. Just two years later he was killed while crossing the railway line near Stockport between Tarlee and Hamley Bridge. Bridget was left with two babies. She did not remarry and died  in July 1927. She is buried in the Catholic section of the cemetery at West Terrace, Adelaide.

Some of those mentioned are commemorated at the bottom of the stained glass windows in the church.

Wherever you are this Easter Sunday may it be a peaceful one for you and your family.

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin