PART 2: EARLY FAHEY FAMILY HISTORY IN IRELAND & AUSTRALIA
1. Faheys in Ireland
The following information has been supplied by Gaye Keir (2.4.7.1.2A) who sourced her information from a public member’s tree on Ancestry.com called Balleyboggin2013. This is a very large tree (13,000 plus people) and its owner is based in Port Washington, NY.
Attached is a spreadsheet initially compiled by Gaye (2.4.7.1.2A) showing her extensive research starting with John Fahy aka Fahey (1720-1800) and Mary Sisby (1720-1815).
Further to Gaye's research above, Peter Hainsworth (4.16.1.1.1A) has provided the following data for Redmond Peter Fahey:
Redmond Peter Fahey born 1814 Craughwell Galway ,married Cecelia Haverty1839 at Galway . Cecielia was born about 1818 at
Kileonickny Galway.
Issues-
Peter's data is reflected in the updated spreadsheet.
2. Travel from Ireland
We know that John Fahey and his wife, Honor (Honorah) Ruhon (Rowan), had six sons - Thomas, William, Peter, Edward, James and Timothy. On the basis of available reliable research, we believe that both John and Honor Fahey died in Ireland some time during 1841 and that their six sons migrated to Australia in May of that same year.
On the 25th May 1841, Thomas Fahey (26 years of age) and his wife Catherine (21), departed from Liverpool on the ship "United Kingdom", under the control of Captain Eshelby. With Thomas were his five brothers, William (24), Peter (22), Edward (21), James (19) and Timothy (16). The brothers were assisted (bounty) immigrants and exiles from 'Erin'. They were recommended by their priest as being fit, young and willing to work. None of them could read or write. Their passage to Australia was sponsored by A.B. Smith and Company.
(“Bounty immigrants” were selected by colonists who then paid for their passage. When the immigrant arrived, a colonist would employ the immigrant and the employer would then be reimbursed by the Government for all or part of the cost of passage.)
The "United Kingdom" sailed from Liverpool with nine paid passengers and 482 bounty immigrants under the supervision of two surgeons Messrs Boot and Tracy. About two weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board. Thirty-eight (38) infants (including Thomas and Catherine's infant) died from it and other diseases, but all the adults were fortunate enough to escape it. There were, however, some other cases of sickness on board but none of them were of an infectious nature.
The "United Kingdom" was, at that time, the largest merchant vessel that had ever entered the harbour of Port Jackson, being upwards of 1200 tons. The ship was North American built and originally intended as a steamer. The ship’s clean appearance between decks and the interest of Captain Eshelby resulted in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge. Captain Eshelby had been to the Colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owed the healthy state in which the ship arrived in a great measure to his experience.
The "United Kingdom" arrived on 7 September 1841 as documented in State Archives and Record Authority of New South Wales.
Two days off the boat the Fahey brothers were employed by Squire Blomfield. His property, Denham Court near Campbelltown, is now a very impressive suburb. Eventually the brothers owned their own property, Hardwick Farm near Appin NSW, the town where they settled when each of the brothers married.
Finally, the following is an extract provided by Peter Hainsworth (4.14.1.1.1A) from The Australian Association of Maritime History:
The 6 brothers children of John Fahey & Honor Ruhon a/k/a Ruane were all born in Ballymacward Galway Ireland.
On their departure from Ireland both parents were deceased . The brothers were sponsored by A.B. Smith & Co. who imported labourers, domestic servants, and tradesmen to Sydney & Melbourne offering emigrants free passage for themselves, and their families in return for providing their services to those already in the colony for a particular period of time.
Those who employed these emigrants paid A.B. Smith & Co. the cost of passage to Australia . This was known as assisted immigration.
The length of time to be served depended on the cost of their passage to Australia . For instance a single young person might only be required to work for 3 to 6 months where as a family might be required to work for a year or more.
Departing from Liverpool England 25th May 1841 the United Kingdom arrived in Sydney 7th September 1841. This ship was at the time the largest merchant ship ever to come to the colony registering upwards of 1,200 tons with 482 emigrants.
About 2 weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board, 38 infants died from it and other diseases but all the adults were fortunate to escape it. Her clean appearance below decks evinces the interest captain Esherby took in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge . He had been out to the colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owe the healthy state in which the ship has arrived in a great measure to his experience.
On 9 September 1841 in the Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser we have the following:
Ship News.
The "United Kingdom", from Liverpool 25th May, arrived on Tuesday last, with 482 bounty immigrants, under the superintendence of two surgeons, Messrs. Boot and Tracy. About two weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board; thirty eight infants died from it, and other diseases, but all the adults were fortunate enough to escape it. There are some cases of sickness on board at present, but none of them are of an infectious nature. This ship is the largest merchant vessel that has ever entered the harbour of Port Jackson, being upwards of twelve hundred tons register she is North American built, and was originally intended for a steamer. Her cleanly appearance between decks evinces the interest Captain Eshelby took in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge. He has been out to this Colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owe the healthy state in which the ship has arrived in a great measure to his experience.
The following description about the lives of Thomas, his brothers, and their wives, in Australia, was included in "Fifty-one pieces of wedding cake - A Biography of Caroline Chisholm."
"New South Wales, 4th August, 1845. We came here as emigrants in the ship "United Kingdom", in 1841. Our names are Thomas, William, Peter, Edward and James. Our youngest brother is in good service, quite close to us. Both our parents died before we emigrated. We came to this colony to make money. We were engaged the second day after our arrival by Squire Blomfield near Liverpool, he employed us as farm labourers, wages £20 per annum, with a weekly ration of ten pounds of flour, ten pounds of meat, a pound and a half of sugar, and three ounces of tea. Now each of us had these wages and allowances. Mr. Blomfield behaved like a rale gentleman to us; he is a Protestant, but never mind that, he is the man to pay properly; has no tricks - a poor man may take his word; and if I had a relation coming out, I would like him to get Squire Blomfield for a master. He is a Protestant, but never attempted to influence his men in their religion, and that is what I call honest. Indeed, he is a rale gentleman, for though we was engaged by the year, during the harvest he paid us the same as he paid his job labourers; this made the wages about £29. Indeed we did work, but such a master deserved all we could do. We remained in his service six years and two months. We be Catholics. Why, once when the wife was weakly he lent us the cart to take her to church; indeed, he seemed right glad when a man acted up to his religion. I had about £30 saved when Mr. Blomfield got us this farm. Three brothers are partners in it. Five of us work on the farm; we also employ one labourer - pay him in cattle. There are three wives on the farm and five children. The highest wages any of us.......... Mrs. O'Neill, who resides twenty-five miles from Galway, knows Tom's wife very well. Mrs Chisholm has a sure token for her; besides this Mrs Chisholm can show my wife's mother a sample of wheat and Indian corn on our farm. There are 700 acres of land in this farm. When we came here, thirty were cleared, now we have seventy. We have built three dwelling houses, three barns, three stockyards, and have made a large water-hole. We have put up a side line fence of near a mile, - a two-rail fence, all our own labour. In addition to this, we put a three-rail fence round sixty acres. This year our crop of corn was 1,000 bushells; we had 200 bushels of wheat; we have about eighty head of cattle, four mares - two of these are at the present time worth about 40 pounds, the others about thirty pounds each; have one foal, two colts, two working horses. The last wheat we sold for five shillings per bushel. The distance to Sydney is about fifty miles; this takes a man going and c...look better when it is printed, - we have -
For Breakfast......Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea;
For Dinner............Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea;
For Supper............Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea. with milk, butter, and eggs; in truth , we live well.
We grow potatoes, but don't eat so many as we did at home. Thomas shook his head almost incredulously as he repeated the words, 'Meat, three times a day!' "
3. Reasons for leaving Ireland
Further research is required into why the six Fahey brothers left Ireland because it wasn’t as a result of the Potato Famine.
The Great Famine or the Great Hunger (aka the Irish Holocaust) was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1849. It is sometimes referred to, mostly outside Ireland, as the Irish Potato Famine, because about two-fifths of the population was solely reliant on this cheap crop for a number of historical reasons. During the famine, about one million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island's population to fall by between 20% and 25%.
4. Honor Ruhon & John Fahey
John Fahey was born in 1790, in Ballymacward, Galway, Ireland. He was the son of Morgan Fahey who was born 1741 in Gloiees, Galway, Ireland and Mary Sisby who was born in 1771 in Gloiees, Galway, Ireland.
John’s siblings were Phillip Fahey, Martin Fahey, Mary Fahey and Redmond Peter Fahey.
Honor Rowan Ruane was also born in 1790, Ballymacward, Galway, Ireland to John Rowan or Ruane and Rowan or Ruane (nee Ruhon).
Honor had one brother: John Roan or Ruane.
Honor married John Fahey in Ballymacward Cty Galway.
They had six sons: Thomas, William, Peter, Edward, James and Timothy.
John passed away in 1841, at age 51 at ………………….
Honor passed away in 1841, at age 51 at ………………….
5. Settlement in Australia
A letter published in "The Faheys of Appin" and dated 7 September 1917 is available at this link.
6. Chronicles
Extracts of a booklet "Chronicles of Appin" is available at this link.
7. Appin Historical Society document on Faheys
Extracts of an Appin Historical Society document on Faheys is available at this link.
8. History of Bankstown
A publication describing the history of Bankstown dated 1997 is available at this link.
The following information has been supplied by Gaye Keir (2.4.7.1.2A) who sourced her information from a public member’s tree on Ancestry.com called Balleyboggin2013. This is a very large tree (13,000 plus people) and its owner is based in Port Washington, NY.
- John Fahy aka Fahey b.1720 Athenry, Galway, d.1800 Athenry, Galway m. Mary Sisby b.(abt)1720 Athenry, Galway, d.1815 Athenry, Galway.
- John and Mary had six children: Michael, Morgan (see #3 below), Philip, Bryan, Honorus, Thomas. All six children were born in Ireland; four died in Ireland with the remaining two unknown as to place of death. (Mary was purportedly aged 61 when Thomas was born.)
- John & Mary’s second child Morgan Fahy aka Fahey b.1741, Gloves aka Gloiees, Galway, d.1839, Ballymacward m. Celia aka Sisly Haverty, b.1768 Gloves aka Gloiees, Galway, d.1864,Ballymacward (Sisly’s birth and date years are from Balleyboggin’s source documents, not the tree, as I suspect the tree dates are inaccurate.)
- Morgan and Sisly had 10 children: Patrick aka Peter, Philip, John (see #5 below), Bryan, Martin, Redmond, Mary, Julia, Mary, Honoria. Of Morgan & Sisly’s 10 children, all were born in Ireland, with six known to have died in Ireland. Julia (no known spouse or children) died 1871 in Osbornes Flat, Victoria. The remaining three of Morgan and Sisly’s children are unknown as to year and place of death.
- Morgan & Sisly’s third child John Fahy aka Fahey b.1797, Ballymacward, d.1841, Ballymacward m. Honora Rowan aka Ruane b.1790, Ballymacward, d.1841, Ballymacward
- John and Honora had six children: Thomas Ernest Snr, William, Peter, Edward, James, Timothy (ie our six brothers who arrived in Sydney 1841); their paternal aunt Julia Fahy aka Fahey also came to Australia at some stage and died 1871 in Osbornes Flat, Victoria, as indicated above in #4).
- John’s (1797-1841) brother Martin (1802-1879) m. Mary Margaret Morrissey (1820-1910) abt 1837. Martin and Mary Margaret had 10 children, four of whom died in Adelaide, South Australia. These four are first cousins of our six brothers.
- Balleyboggin traces the descendants of our six brothers through to at least x.x.x.x (eg William 2, John 2.4, Augustine 2.4.7, Norma 2.4.7.1) and sometimes beyond (eg William, John, Augustine, Norma, my deceased brother John 2.4.7.1.4).
- So what is Balleyboggin’s connection with the Fahey Family Tree in Australia? Several descendants of John Fahy aka Fahey (1720-1800) and Mary Sisby (abt 1720-1815) died in the USA. John and Mary had several grandchildren, some of whom were born in Ireland but died in the USA (states include Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, California). I’m assuming Balleyboggin is descended from one of John and Mary’s many descendants who travelled to the USA. On the basis of Balleyboggin’s site, I can identify seven of John & Mary’s grandchildren who left Ireland: six migrated to the USA and one (Julia) migrated to Australia. Of John and Mary’s great grandchildren, I can identify 10 who migrated to Australia (our six brothers and their four first cousins who died in Adelaide, South Australia).
Attached is a spreadsheet initially compiled by Gaye (2.4.7.1.2A) showing her extensive research starting with John Fahy aka Fahey (1720-1800) and Mary Sisby (1720-1815).
Further to Gaye's research above, Peter Hainsworth (4.16.1.1.1A) has provided the following data for Redmond Peter Fahey:
Redmond Peter Fahey born 1814 Craughwell Galway ,married Cecelia Haverty1839 at Galway . Cecielia was born about 1818 at
Kileonickny Galway.
Issues-
- Mary Fahey born 25th March 1840 Boherduff Galway Mariiwed Michael Brett they had 2 issues .S.A.Ellen & Michael. Mary 4th November Hartford Connecticut U.S.A. & buried St. Marys Cemetery Windsor Locks Connecticut.
- Michael Fahey born 1842 Aggartbeag Galway married Bridget Callanan.
- Honor Fahey born 1844 Killora Galway , died 1901 Connecticut U.S.A.
- Martin Fahey born 1846 Killora Galway died 1st February 1921 Los Angeles U.S.A.
- Maurice Fahey born 20th January 1848 Galway , died Galway.
- Bridget Fahey born 1851 Galway , died 21st June 1925 Galway.
- Cecilia Fahey born 1856 Galway , died 12th August 1921 Connecticut U.S.A.
- John Fahey born 6th June 1857 Craughwell Galway, died 24th March 1937 Connecticut U.S.A.
Peter's data is reflected in the updated spreadsheet.
2. Travel from Ireland
We know that John Fahey and his wife, Honor (Honorah) Ruhon (Rowan), had six sons - Thomas, William, Peter, Edward, James and Timothy. On the basis of available reliable research, we believe that both John and Honor Fahey died in Ireland some time during 1841 and that their six sons migrated to Australia in May of that same year.
On the 25th May 1841, Thomas Fahey (26 years of age) and his wife Catherine (21), departed from Liverpool on the ship "United Kingdom", under the control of Captain Eshelby. With Thomas were his five brothers, William (24), Peter (22), Edward (21), James (19) and Timothy (16). The brothers were assisted (bounty) immigrants and exiles from 'Erin'. They were recommended by their priest as being fit, young and willing to work. None of them could read or write. Their passage to Australia was sponsored by A.B. Smith and Company.
(“Bounty immigrants” were selected by colonists who then paid for their passage. When the immigrant arrived, a colonist would employ the immigrant and the employer would then be reimbursed by the Government for all or part of the cost of passage.)
The "United Kingdom" sailed from Liverpool with nine paid passengers and 482 bounty immigrants under the supervision of two surgeons Messrs Boot and Tracy. About two weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board. Thirty-eight (38) infants (including Thomas and Catherine's infant) died from it and other diseases, but all the adults were fortunate enough to escape it. There were, however, some other cases of sickness on board but none of them were of an infectious nature.
The "United Kingdom" was, at that time, the largest merchant vessel that had ever entered the harbour of Port Jackson, being upwards of 1200 tons. The ship was North American built and originally intended as a steamer. The ship’s clean appearance between decks and the interest of Captain Eshelby resulted in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge. Captain Eshelby had been to the Colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owed the healthy state in which the ship arrived in a great measure to his experience.
The "United Kingdom" arrived on 7 September 1841 as documented in State Archives and Record Authority of New South Wales.
Two days off the boat the Fahey brothers were employed by Squire Blomfield. His property, Denham Court near Campbelltown, is now a very impressive suburb. Eventually the brothers owned their own property, Hardwick Farm near Appin NSW, the town where they settled when each of the brothers married.
Finally, the following is an extract provided by Peter Hainsworth (4.14.1.1.1A) from The Australian Association of Maritime History:
The 6 brothers children of John Fahey & Honor Ruhon a/k/a Ruane were all born in Ballymacward Galway Ireland.
On their departure from Ireland both parents were deceased . The brothers were sponsored by A.B. Smith & Co. who imported labourers, domestic servants, and tradesmen to Sydney & Melbourne offering emigrants free passage for themselves, and their families in return for providing their services to those already in the colony for a particular period of time.
Those who employed these emigrants paid A.B. Smith & Co. the cost of passage to Australia . This was known as assisted immigration.
The length of time to be served depended on the cost of their passage to Australia . For instance a single young person might only be required to work for 3 to 6 months where as a family might be required to work for a year or more.
Departing from Liverpool England 25th May 1841 the United Kingdom arrived in Sydney 7th September 1841. This ship was at the time the largest merchant ship ever to come to the colony registering upwards of 1,200 tons with 482 emigrants.
About 2 weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board, 38 infants died from it and other diseases but all the adults were fortunate to escape it. Her clean appearance below decks evinces the interest captain Esherby took in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge . He had been out to the colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owe the healthy state in which the ship has arrived in a great measure to his experience.
On 9 September 1841 in the Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser we have the following:
Ship News.
The "United Kingdom", from Liverpool 25th May, arrived on Tuesday last, with 482 bounty immigrants, under the superintendence of two surgeons, Messrs. Boot and Tracy. About two weeks after leaving Liverpool the measles broke out among the children on board; thirty eight infants died from it, and other diseases, but all the adults were fortunate enough to escape it. There are some cases of sickness on board at present, but none of them are of an infectious nature. This ship is the largest merchant vessel that has ever entered the harbour of Port Jackson, being upwards of twelve hundred tons register she is North American built, and was originally intended for a steamer. Her cleanly appearance between decks evinces the interest Captain Eshelby took in the health of the large number of immigrants placed under his charge. He has been out to this Colony once before, and no doubt the surgeons owe the healthy state in which the ship has arrived in a great measure to his experience.
The following description about the lives of Thomas, his brothers, and their wives, in Australia, was included in "Fifty-one pieces of wedding cake - A Biography of Caroline Chisholm."
"New South Wales, 4th August, 1845. We came here as emigrants in the ship "United Kingdom", in 1841. Our names are Thomas, William, Peter, Edward and James. Our youngest brother is in good service, quite close to us. Both our parents died before we emigrated. We came to this colony to make money. We were engaged the second day after our arrival by Squire Blomfield near Liverpool, he employed us as farm labourers, wages £20 per annum, with a weekly ration of ten pounds of flour, ten pounds of meat, a pound and a half of sugar, and three ounces of tea. Now each of us had these wages and allowances. Mr. Blomfield behaved like a rale gentleman to us; he is a Protestant, but never mind that, he is the man to pay properly; has no tricks - a poor man may take his word; and if I had a relation coming out, I would like him to get Squire Blomfield for a master. He is a Protestant, but never attempted to influence his men in their religion, and that is what I call honest. Indeed, he is a rale gentleman, for though we was engaged by the year, during the harvest he paid us the same as he paid his job labourers; this made the wages about £29. Indeed we did work, but such a master deserved all we could do. We remained in his service six years and two months. We be Catholics. Why, once when the wife was weakly he lent us the cart to take her to church; indeed, he seemed right glad when a man acted up to his religion. I had about £30 saved when Mr. Blomfield got us this farm. Three brothers are partners in it. Five of us work on the farm; we also employ one labourer - pay him in cattle. There are three wives on the farm and five children. The highest wages any of us.......... Mrs. O'Neill, who resides twenty-five miles from Galway, knows Tom's wife very well. Mrs Chisholm has a sure token for her; besides this Mrs Chisholm can show my wife's mother a sample of wheat and Indian corn on our farm. There are 700 acres of land in this farm. When we came here, thirty were cleared, now we have seventy. We have built three dwelling houses, three barns, three stockyards, and have made a large water-hole. We have put up a side line fence of near a mile, - a two-rail fence, all our own labour. In addition to this, we put a three-rail fence round sixty acres. This year our crop of corn was 1,000 bushells; we had 200 bushels of wheat; we have about eighty head of cattle, four mares - two of these are at the present time worth about 40 pounds, the others about thirty pounds each; have one foal, two colts, two working horses. The last wheat we sold for five shillings per bushel. The distance to Sydney is about fifty miles; this takes a man going and c...look better when it is printed, - we have -
For Breakfast......Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea;
For Dinner............Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea;
For Supper............Bread,.......Meat,.......Tea. with milk, butter, and eggs; in truth , we live well.
We grow potatoes, but don't eat so many as we did at home. Thomas shook his head almost incredulously as he repeated the words, 'Meat, three times a day!' "
3. Reasons for leaving Ireland
Further research is required into why the six Fahey brothers left Ireland because it wasn’t as a result of the Potato Famine.
The Great Famine or the Great Hunger (aka the Irish Holocaust) was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland between 1845 and 1849. It is sometimes referred to, mostly outside Ireland, as the Irish Potato Famine, because about two-fifths of the population was solely reliant on this cheap crop for a number of historical reasons. During the famine, about one million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island's population to fall by between 20% and 25%.
4. Honor Ruhon & John Fahey
John Fahey was born in 1790, in Ballymacward, Galway, Ireland. He was the son of Morgan Fahey who was born 1741 in Gloiees, Galway, Ireland and Mary Sisby who was born in 1771 in Gloiees, Galway, Ireland.
John’s siblings were Phillip Fahey, Martin Fahey, Mary Fahey and Redmond Peter Fahey.
Honor Rowan Ruane was also born in 1790, Ballymacward, Galway, Ireland to John Rowan or Ruane and Rowan or Ruane (nee Ruhon).
Honor had one brother: John Roan or Ruane.
Honor married John Fahey in Ballymacward Cty Galway.
They had six sons: Thomas, William, Peter, Edward, James and Timothy.
John passed away in 1841, at age 51 at ………………….
Honor passed away in 1841, at age 51 at ………………….
5. Settlement in Australia
A letter published in "The Faheys of Appin" and dated 7 September 1917 is available at this link.
6. Chronicles
Extracts of a booklet "Chronicles of Appin" is available at this link.
7. Appin Historical Society document on Faheys
Extracts of an Appin Historical Society document on Faheys is available at this link.
8. History of Bankstown
A publication describing the history of Bankstown dated 1997 is available at this link.