Margaret GORDON and William SWEENEY
My Great Great Grandparents (never married)
Margaret GORDON (abt.1840-1896) DNA match to descendants of three of her daughters
Margaret was born about 1840 in Parramatta, NSW. Her parents were thought to be Patrick and Margaret GORDON but no birth/baptism record can be found. DNA evidence is now suggesting that her parents were not Patrick and Margaret but more research is needed before any conclusion can be made.
Margaret aged 18, gave birth to a female child registered as "Unnamed Gordon" on 24 January, 1859 at Shannon View, Broulee, NSW. The informant was Ellen Jones, Mistress, residing at Shannon View. She was baptised as Ellenor Mary Goulding, father blank, Witnesses Margaret Lynch and John Long (owner of the Inn (Shannon View Hotel) and Store at Shannon View). Ellenor is believed to have been informally adopted by Ellen Jones nee Harper and her husband Robert Jones, who were childless.
Ellenor (Ellen) Mary JONES (1859-1936)
Ellen was born on 24 Jan 1859 at Shannon View, Broulee, NSW. On 28 Nov 1876 in Sydney she married John Joseph North. They had three daughters, Ellen Marcella North (1878-1970) married Charles Edward Stewart; Mary Aloysius Harper North (1880-1958); and Anna Elfreida North (1885-1961) married Sydney Charles Meenaghan. John Joseph North divorced Ellen in 1893 and Ellen married William M Flanagan in Sydney in 1894. She died 23 Aug 1936 at Curl Curl, NSW.
In December 1860 in Sydney, Margaret gave birth to another daughter whom she named Mary Jane. No official birth record can be found. Margaret and her 9 week old baby were admitted to the Sydney Benevolent Asylum on 12 February 1861. Margaret was aged 20, a native of Australia, was single and a Roman Catholic. She was recommended by Thomas MacKenna. The father of Mary Jane was named as William SWEENEY, jockey of Broulee. Margaret and Mary Jane were discharged on 13 April 1861 to the service of Mr. Ryan of Maneroo.
Margaret GORDON (abt.1840-1896) DNA match to descendants of three of her daughters
Margaret was born about 1840 in Parramatta, NSW. Her parents were thought to be Patrick and Margaret GORDON but no birth/baptism record can be found. DNA evidence is now suggesting that her parents were not Patrick and Margaret but more research is needed before any conclusion can be made.
Margaret aged 18, gave birth to a female child registered as "Unnamed Gordon" on 24 January, 1859 at Shannon View, Broulee, NSW. The informant was Ellen Jones, Mistress, residing at Shannon View. She was baptised as Ellenor Mary Goulding, father blank, Witnesses Margaret Lynch and John Long (owner of the Inn (Shannon View Hotel) and Store at Shannon View). Ellenor is believed to have been informally adopted by Ellen Jones nee Harper and her husband Robert Jones, who were childless.
Ellenor (Ellen) Mary JONES (1859-1936)
Ellen was born on 24 Jan 1859 at Shannon View, Broulee, NSW. On 28 Nov 1876 in Sydney she married John Joseph North. They had three daughters, Ellen Marcella North (1878-1970) married Charles Edward Stewart; Mary Aloysius Harper North (1880-1958); and Anna Elfreida North (1885-1961) married Sydney Charles Meenaghan. John Joseph North divorced Ellen in 1893 and Ellen married William M Flanagan in Sydney in 1894. She died 23 Aug 1936 at Curl Curl, NSW.
In December 1860 in Sydney, Margaret gave birth to another daughter whom she named Mary Jane. No official birth record can be found. Margaret and her 9 week old baby were admitted to the Sydney Benevolent Asylum on 12 February 1861. Margaret was aged 20, a native of Australia, was single and a Roman Catholic. She was recommended by Thomas MacKenna. The father of Mary Jane was named as William SWEENEY, jockey of Broulee. Margaret and Mary Jane were discharged on 13 April 1861 to the service of Mr. Ryan of Maneroo.
William SWEENEY (c.1836-1902) son of James SWEENEY and Margaret LYNCH (c.1812) was born about 1836 in Tipperary, Ireland. He was a Jockey and Horse Trainer. DNA match to three descendants of his grandparents William & Mary LYNCH
On 30 June 1850, aged 14, William emigrated from Ireland with his mother Margaret aged 38 and sister Mary aged 18. They left from Plymouth, Devon, England aboard the ship 'Kate' arriving in Sydney on 13 Oct 1850. According to the Immigration Inspection List Margaret and Mary were Farm Servants and William was a Farm Labourer. They were all natives of Tipperary, Ireland, Roman Catholic and William could read and write. They all were in good health. Margaret's parents were named as William and Mary LYNCH, both dead and she had a brother James Lynch living at Broulee on the south coast of NSW. William's parents were named as James and Margaret SWEENEY. They paid £2 each.
On 4 April 1908, Billy Sweeney and the Lynch brothers were mentioned in an article in "The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal" entitled 'The Braidwood Goldfields in the 50's and 60's (By Old Hand). "The claim holders on the old creek I will tell you, Sir, as far as my memory now serves me, were, just on the top of the falls, Lynch Brothers and Billy Sweeney, of Moruya. Sweeney was well known in the district in later years as a first-class horseman, either over the sticks or on the flat. He died about twelve months back in Western Australia, and at his death was a wealthy man."
William SWEENEY married Bridget BARRY on 15 April 1879 in Hay, NSW and they had the following children:
1. James Barry SWEENEY (1880).
James was born in 1880 in Hay, NSW. He joined the army on 25 January 1916 in Adelaide, SA hoping to fight in World War I but was discharged soon after with the comment "unlikely to become an efficient soldier". The Commandant wrote, "D1620 Private J.B. Sweeney being convicted of larceny & sentenced to 6 months gaol at Adelaide gaol, is recommended for discharge as from 7 February 1916."
2. Margaret SWEENEY (1882).
Margaret was born in 1882 in Rylstone, NSW.
3. William John SWEENEY (1884-1961).
William was born in 1884 in Wilcannia, NSW. He joined the army on 5 January 1916 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia. He was a jockey. He was assigned to the 1st Tunnelling Corps/1st Mining Coy. He embarked for England on the "Ulysses" on 1 Apr 1916. He served on the battlefields of France. He was discharged on 3 Aug 1917 suffering acute nephritis (severe). He died on 5 Sep 1961 in Adelaide, South Australia.
4. Edward John SWEENEY (1887-1903).
Edward was born in 1887 in Silverton, NSW. He died aged 17 in 1903 in Coolgardie, Western Australia.
5. Mary (known as Mollie) SWEENEY (1889).
Mollie was born in 1889 in Broken Hill, NSW. She married Oliver Morgan in 1909 in Boulder, Western Australia. They had three children, Edward Legge Morgan (1909-1955); George Rex Morgan (1911-1982); Roma Mary Morgan (1914-2006).
6. Katherine SWEENEY (1894).
Kate was born in 1894 in Broken Hill, NSW
William SWEENEY died aged 66, on or about 3 April 1902 in Coolgardie, WA. The cause of death was drowning in the King Solomon Dam. An inquest into the death, held at Coolgardie on 9th and 12th April,1902 found that he had drowned but there was no evidence to show how he got into the water. The Jury recommended that the dam be more securely fenced. He was buried on 10 April 1902 in Coolgardie. Accounts of the Inquest were published on 15 April 1902 in the Kalgoorlie Miner, page 2 and the Kalgoorlie Western Argus, page 11.
On 30 June 1850, aged 14, William emigrated from Ireland with his mother Margaret aged 38 and sister Mary aged 18. They left from Plymouth, Devon, England aboard the ship 'Kate' arriving in Sydney on 13 Oct 1850. According to the Immigration Inspection List Margaret and Mary were Farm Servants and William was a Farm Labourer. They were all natives of Tipperary, Ireland, Roman Catholic and William could read and write. They all were in good health. Margaret's parents were named as William and Mary LYNCH, both dead and she had a brother James Lynch living at Broulee on the south coast of NSW. William's parents were named as James and Margaret SWEENEY. They paid £2 each.
On 4 April 1908, Billy Sweeney and the Lynch brothers were mentioned in an article in "The Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal" entitled 'The Braidwood Goldfields in the 50's and 60's (By Old Hand). "The claim holders on the old creek I will tell you, Sir, as far as my memory now serves me, were, just on the top of the falls, Lynch Brothers and Billy Sweeney, of Moruya. Sweeney was well known in the district in later years as a first-class horseman, either over the sticks or on the flat. He died about twelve months back in Western Australia, and at his death was a wealthy man."
William SWEENEY married Bridget BARRY on 15 April 1879 in Hay, NSW and they had the following children:
1. James Barry SWEENEY (1880).
James was born in 1880 in Hay, NSW. He joined the army on 25 January 1916 in Adelaide, SA hoping to fight in World War I but was discharged soon after with the comment "unlikely to become an efficient soldier". The Commandant wrote, "D1620 Private J.B. Sweeney being convicted of larceny & sentenced to 6 months gaol at Adelaide gaol, is recommended for discharge as from 7 February 1916."
2. Margaret SWEENEY (1882).
Margaret was born in 1882 in Rylstone, NSW.
3. William John SWEENEY (1884-1961).
William was born in 1884 in Wilcannia, NSW. He joined the army on 5 January 1916 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia. He was a jockey. He was assigned to the 1st Tunnelling Corps/1st Mining Coy. He embarked for England on the "Ulysses" on 1 Apr 1916. He served on the battlefields of France. He was discharged on 3 Aug 1917 suffering acute nephritis (severe). He died on 5 Sep 1961 in Adelaide, South Australia.
4. Edward John SWEENEY (1887-1903).
Edward was born in 1887 in Silverton, NSW. He died aged 17 in 1903 in Coolgardie, Western Australia.
5. Mary (known as Mollie) SWEENEY (1889).
Mollie was born in 1889 in Broken Hill, NSW. She married Oliver Morgan in 1909 in Boulder, Western Australia. They had three children, Edward Legge Morgan (1909-1955); George Rex Morgan (1911-1982); Roma Mary Morgan (1914-2006).
6. Katherine SWEENEY (1894).
Kate was born in 1894 in Broken Hill, NSW
William SWEENEY died aged 66, on or about 3 April 1902 in Coolgardie, WA. The cause of death was drowning in the King Solomon Dam. An inquest into the death, held at Coolgardie on 9th and 12th April,1902 found that he had drowned but there was no evidence to show how he got into the water. The Jury recommended that the dam be more securely fenced. He was buried on 10 April 1902 in Coolgardie. Accounts of the Inquest were published on 15 April 1902 in the Kalgoorlie Miner, page 2 and the Kalgoorlie Western Argus, page 11.
Margaret GORDON and William SWEENEY had the following child:
1. Mary Jane HUGHES (1860-1940). My Great Grandmother
1. Mary Jane HUGHES (1860-1940). My Great Grandmother
Margaret GORDON married William HUGHES on 5 July 1863 in Cooma, NSW. She was a House Servant living in Bombala.
William, son of William HUGHES and Maria CLOSE, was born about 1817 in Stamford, England. He arrived in Australia about 1851 and was a Mail Contractor.
William was mentioned in a newspaper article in "The Manaro Mercury & Cooma & Bombala Advertiser" on 26 March 1870, page 8 entitled 'Cooma Police Court - Stealing Blankets'.
In January 1880, William was injured, when he was thrown from his horse and suffered a severe fracture of his leg. An account was published in "The Manaro Mercury & Cooma & Bombala Advertiser" on 7 January 1880. In June of that year, William was still recovering and a benefit night was organised for the family, "The Manaro Mercury & Cooma & Bombala Advertiser" on 26 June 1880.
On 26 February, 1884 William appeared before the Police Magistrate in the Cooma Police Court charged with not sending his children, James and Sarah Hughes to school the required number of days. His wife, Margaret Hughes was a witness, she was unable to write. See "The Manaro Mercury & Cooma & Bombala Advertiser", 27 Febuary 1884.
William died aged 67, of bleeding piles lasting 3 months, on 1 May 1884 in Cooma. He was buried at Cooma. At his death he had 11 children, 3 males living, 7 females living and 1 son deceased. The informant was his son, William Hughes of Cooma.
Margaret died aged 57, of influenza and congestion of the lungs lasting 11 days on 28 September 1896 in Cooma. The informant was her daughter, Mary Jane Glennan of Cooma. She was buried on 1 October 1896 in Cooma.
Margaret GORDON and William HUGHES had the following children:
1. Margaret Christina HUGHES (1864-1923). DNA match to two of her descendants
Margaret was born on 3 May 1864 in Bombala, NSW and was baptised on 29 May 1864 in Cooma. She married (1) Thomas ROLLESON in 1881 in Cooma and (2) James SHEPHERD in 1897. Margaret and Thomas had four children, Margaret Christina Rollason (1881-1925); Thomas Granville Rollason (1883-1965); Annie May Rollason (1885-1975); Mark Anthony Rollason (1887-1939). Margaret died on 16 March 1923 in Kogarah, NSW. The following year, on 17 March 1924, two "In Memoriams" were published for her on page 8 of The Sydney Morning Herald.
"SHEPHERD - In loving memory of my dear sister, who departed this life March 16, 1923. I know, Maggie, you are near me; Your kind words cheer me, God rest your soul in peace. Inserted by your loving sister, Mary Glennan".
"GLENNAN, - In loving memory of our dear aunt, Maggie, who died March 16, 1923. Inserted by her loving niece and nephew, Mona and Peter Glennan. Memories of your loving ways will linger with us all our days".
2. William HUGHES (1865-1936).
William was born on 15 Oct 1865 at Murinumbla Station, Snowy River, Cooma. He married Maida Elizabeth TAYLOR in Victoria in 1890. They had two sons, William James Hughes (1891-1972) and Theodore Gordon Hughes (1895-1951). William died on 23 Dec 1936 in Wonthaggi, Victoria.
3. John HUGHES (1867-1949).
John was born on 20 Oct 1867 in Cooma. He married Ellen WHITE on 1 Apr 1909 at Cooma. They had five children, John William Hughes(1909-1978); James Hughes (1912-); Edward Hughes (1914-); Lilian Marie Hughes (1915-1997); Mabel B Hughes (1918-). John died in Albury, NSW in 1949.
4. James Adolphus HUGHES (1869-1951).
James was born on 27 Sep 1869 in Cooma. He married Mary PHILLIPS on 11 Jan 1897 in Cooma, Witnesses James A Glennan and Mary Jane Glennan. They had three children, Ivy Maria Hughes (1898-); James Gordon Hughes (1899-1977); Mary P P Hughes (1903-). James died in 1951 in Cooma.
5. Ann HUGHES (1872-1937).
Ann a TWIN was born on 30 March 1872 and baptised on 25 Apr 1872 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma. She married William COYLE (1863-) at St Paul's Anglican Church, Sydney on 17 May 1898. She died in December 1937 at Marrickville, Sydney and was buried at the Field of Mars Cemetery, East Ryde, Sydney, NSW. Ann and William had no children
6. Sarah HUGHES (1872- ). DNA match to one of her descendants
Sarah a TWIN was born on 30 March 1872 and was baptised on 25 April 1872 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma. She married William SMITH on 11 Nov 1890 at St David's Anglican Church, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW. They had one daughter that I know of, Ethel Lillian Smith (1891-1934).
7. Elizabeth Maria HUGHES (1874-1962).
Elizabeth was born in 1874 in Cooma. She married Lance Corporal Arthur BURCH in 1910 at Manly, NSW. He was 'Killed in Action' in France on 14 May 1917. They had no children and she never remarried. Elizabeth died in Sydney on 3 Feb 1962 and is buried at Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, NSW.
8. Theresa Martha HUGHES (1876-1955). DNA match to one of her descendants
Theresa was born on 29 July 1876 in Barrack Hill, Cooma, NSW. She married Donald LEVETT on 29 Sep 1895 in Wyalong, NSW. They had six children, Henry Reginald Donald Levett (1896-1915) 'Killed in Action' at Gallipoli; Florence Margaret Theresa Levett (1899-1950); William Edward Levett (1902-1974); Clarence George Levett (1905-1983); John Charles Gordon Levett (1908-); Doreen Ruby Levett (1917-1990). Theresa died on the 13 Jun 1955 in Newcastle, NSW.
9. Joseph HUGHES (1879-1879).
Joseph was born in 1879 and died in the same year.
10. Rosalina HUGHES (1881-1970).
Rosalina was born on 27 Sep 1881 and baptised on 4 Dec 1881 in Cooma. She married Charles Henry TILTON on 6 May 1900 in the Presbytery of the Catholic Church, Wyalong, NSW. Rosalina was living with her sister in West Wyalong at the time. Witness to the marriage was Elizabeth Maria Hughes. They had one daughter that I know of, Clara Mary Tilton (1901-1980). Rosalina died on 8 Jul 1970 in Gosford, NSW.
Sources
1. "Birth Certificate : Unnamed Gordon". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "Sydney Benevolent Asylum Admissions & Discharges" Mitchell Library, Sydney.
3. "Shipping Record : 1850 "Kate" - Assisted Immigrant Passenger List". NSW State Records.
4. "Marriage Certificate : Margaret Gordon & William Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages
5. "Marriage information Margaret Gordon & William Hughes" from Parish Register, St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma.
6. "Marriage Certificate : William Sweeney & Bridget Barry" (1879/3445). NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
7. "Death Certificate : William Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
8. "Death Certificate : Margaret Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
9. "Death Certificate : William Sweeney". Western Australia Births Deaths & Marriages.
10. "Marriage Certificate : Roselina Hughes & Charles Henry Tilton". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
11. "Marriage Certificate : Ann Hughes & William Coyle". Sydney Australia, Anglican Parish Registers.
12. "Marriage Certificate : Sarah Hughes & William Smith". Sydney Australia, Anglican Parish Registers.
Updated 12 May 2020
1. Margaret Christina HUGHES (1864-1923). DNA match to two of her descendants
Margaret was born on 3 May 1864 in Bombala, NSW and was baptised on 29 May 1864 in Cooma. She married (1) Thomas ROLLESON in 1881 in Cooma and (2) James SHEPHERD in 1897. Margaret and Thomas had four children, Margaret Christina Rollason (1881-1925); Thomas Granville Rollason (1883-1965); Annie May Rollason (1885-1975); Mark Anthony Rollason (1887-1939). Margaret died on 16 March 1923 in Kogarah, NSW. The following year, on 17 March 1924, two "In Memoriams" were published for her on page 8 of The Sydney Morning Herald.
"SHEPHERD - In loving memory of my dear sister, who departed this life March 16, 1923. I know, Maggie, you are near me; Your kind words cheer me, God rest your soul in peace. Inserted by your loving sister, Mary Glennan".
"GLENNAN, - In loving memory of our dear aunt, Maggie, who died March 16, 1923. Inserted by her loving niece and nephew, Mona and Peter Glennan. Memories of your loving ways will linger with us all our days".
2. William HUGHES (1865-1936).
William was born on 15 Oct 1865 at Murinumbla Station, Snowy River, Cooma. He married Maida Elizabeth TAYLOR in Victoria in 1890. They had two sons, William James Hughes (1891-1972) and Theodore Gordon Hughes (1895-1951). William died on 23 Dec 1936 in Wonthaggi, Victoria.
3. John HUGHES (1867-1949).
John was born on 20 Oct 1867 in Cooma. He married Ellen WHITE on 1 Apr 1909 at Cooma. They had five children, John William Hughes(1909-1978); James Hughes (1912-); Edward Hughes (1914-); Lilian Marie Hughes (1915-1997); Mabel B Hughes (1918-). John died in Albury, NSW in 1949.
4. James Adolphus HUGHES (1869-1951).
James was born on 27 Sep 1869 in Cooma. He married Mary PHILLIPS on 11 Jan 1897 in Cooma, Witnesses James A Glennan and Mary Jane Glennan. They had three children, Ivy Maria Hughes (1898-); James Gordon Hughes (1899-1977); Mary P P Hughes (1903-). James died in 1951 in Cooma.
5. Ann HUGHES (1872-1937).
Ann a TWIN was born on 30 March 1872 and baptised on 25 Apr 1872 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma. She married William COYLE (1863-) at St Paul's Anglican Church, Sydney on 17 May 1898. She died in December 1937 at Marrickville, Sydney and was buried at the Field of Mars Cemetery, East Ryde, Sydney, NSW. Ann and William had no children
6. Sarah HUGHES (1872- ). DNA match to one of her descendants
Sarah a TWIN was born on 30 March 1872 and was baptised on 25 April 1872 at St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma. She married William SMITH on 11 Nov 1890 at St David's Anglican Church, Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW. They had one daughter that I know of, Ethel Lillian Smith (1891-1934).
7. Elizabeth Maria HUGHES (1874-1962).
Elizabeth was born in 1874 in Cooma. She married Lance Corporal Arthur BURCH in 1910 at Manly, NSW. He was 'Killed in Action' in France on 14 May 1917. They had no children and she never remarried. Elizabeth died in Sydney on 3 Feb 1962 and is buried at Woronora Cemetery, Sutherland, NSW.
8. Theresa Martha HUGHES (1876-1955). DNA match to one of her descendants
Theresa was born on 29 July 1876 in Barrack Hill, Cooma, NSW. She married Donald LEVETT on 29 Sep 1895 in Wyalong, NSW. They had six children, Henry Reginald Donald Levett (1896-1915) 'Killed in Action' at Gallipoli; Florence Margaret Theresa Levett (1899-1950); William Edward Levett (1902-1974); Clarence George Levett (1905-1983); John Charles Gordon Levett (1908-); Doreen Ruby Levett (1917-1990). Theresa died on the 13 Jun 1955 in Newcastle, NSW.
9. Joseph HUGHES (1879-1879).
Joseph was born in 1879 and died in the same year.
10. Rosalina HUGHES (1881-1970).
Rosalina was born on 27 Sep 1881 and baptised on 4 Dec 1881 in Cooma. She married Charles Henry TILTON on 6 May 1900 in the Presbytery of the Catholic Church, Wyalong, NSW. Rosalina was living with her sister in West Wyalong at the time. Witness to the marriage was Elizabeth Maria Hughes. They had one daughter that I know of, Clara Mary Tilton (1901-1980). Rosalina died on 8 Jul 1970 in Gosford, NSW.
Sources
1. "Birth Certificate : Unnamed Gordon". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
2. "Sydney Benevolent Asylum Admissions & Discharges" Mitchell Library, Sydney.
3. "Shipping Record : 1850 "Kate" - Assisted Immigrant Passenger List". NSW State Records.
4. "Marriage Certificate : Margaret Gordon & William Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages
5. "Marriage information Margaret Gordon & William Hughes" from Parish Register, St Patrick's Catholic Church, Cooma.
6. "Marriage Certificate : William Sweeney & Bridget Barry" (1879/3445). NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
7. "Death Certificate : William Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
8. "Death Certificate : Margaret Hughes". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
9. "Death Certificate : William Sweeney". Western Australia Births Deaths & Marriages.
10. "Marriage Certificate : Roselina Hughes & Charles Henry Tilton". NSW Register of Births Deaths & Marriages.
11. "Marriage Certificate : Ann Hughes & William Coyle". Sydney Australia, Anglican Parish Registers.
12. "Marriage Certificate : Sarah Hughes & William Smith". Sydney Australia, Anglican Parish Registers.
Updated 12 May 2020