Catherine Milling : Short Biography

Catherine was born in 1785 in Dublin, Ireland based on the information supplied on her death certicate by her sons. She was the daughter of John Milling (a farmer) & Catherine. Nothing is known of her life in Ireland, however, she was well educated.

The first record of Catherine is her marriage at 21yo to Barnaby 'Barney' Fitzpatrick from Hammond Lane, Dublin during May 1806. Prior to her marriage she was living in Coles Lane, Dublin. In 1810 Catherine at 24yo set sail for Sydney with her two sons on the vessel Providence from Cobh, Ireland all as free settlers heading for the new colony of Sydney. Bernard her husband accompanied her although he was a convict. He was convicted of embezzling money from the mail & initially received a death sentence but at the last moment was commuted to life. Their sons on the voyage were John who was 3yo & Columbus, a new borne. John the eldest was baptised at St Paul's, Dublin on 9 March, 1808. There is no parish record for Columbus. They had four children(sons) during their marriage. The later two, Michael & Ambrose were born in Sydney. Catherine was a school teacher and she ensured her family attained a high level of education.

Below article is from 'History The Origins Of Saint Mary's Cathedral Choir' & can be read on the link: https://cathedralchoir.sydney/about/history/

"In 1818 Catherine Fitzpatrick (1785–1861) convened a group of singers, including, perhaps predominantly, her own sons (John & Columbus) to provide music at Catholic liturgies in the young colony of New South Wales. Catherine was an educated Irish woman, a schoolteacher who had freely come to New South Wales to be near her husband Bernard, who had been transported to the colony with a conviction of embezzlement.Catherine Fitzpatrick was part of the group of Catholics who sheltered Fr Jeremiah O’Flynn, an Irish priest who had himself come to the colony to minister to Catholic convicts against the wishes of the colonial government. O’Flynn was deported on 20th May 1818, and Catherine Fitzpatrick worked with a certain McGuire to train singers for a choir to sing at Mass and Vespers in anticipation of a time when priests would officially be appointed to minister to the colony. Those priests arrived in May 1820 in the form of Fathers Philip Conolly and John Joseph Therry, and the choir was ready for them. When the first St Mary’s Cathedral was founded in 1821, the choir was an obvious choice to provide music to assist at the Cathedral’s liturgies when its construction was completed and Catherine Fitzpatrick was the choirs first conductor. Saint Mary’s Cathedral Choir has been through many forms in the intervening years, but when Fr Ronald Harden was appointed Director of Music in 1955 he re-formed the Choir as an ensemble of men and boys to reflect the vision of the first Archbishop of Sydney, John Bede Polding, for the Cathedral to be a Benedictine monastic foundation. It is in that formation that the Choir continues to exist today. With clear evidence for its origins in 1818, Saint Mary’s Cathedral Choir is acknowledged as the oldest musical ensemble in Australia still in operation. The 200th anniversary in 2018 will be a significant occasion not only for the Choir and our regular audiences, but also for musicians around the whole country"

Extract from a letter written by Louisa Jane Lynch, nee Dennis, whose mother was brought up by Catherine Fitzpatrick.

"When you are listening to the wonderful choir at St Mary's, I want you to just dwell a moment on this thought that it was your great-great-grandmother who, for Father Therry, arranged, conducted and led with a beautiful voice the first choir ever established in 'Old St Mary's', which was on the site of the present. ... She was teaching the officers' children and taught many men who afterwards wrote their names in Australian history at the same time when Father O'Flynn was deported. And she was among the devoted band of worshippers who used to gather their children to the home where the Blessed Sacrament was kept so long. My grandfather she used to lead as a little boy with her."

The first known address for the Fitzpatrick family on arrival in Sydney was 'Portland Head on the river Hawkesbury'. In todays terms this is in the vicinity of Portland Head Rd, Ebenezer. They farmed the land with another family 'Everett' & it is confirmed they that grew corn with 3 acres of stubble corn was made available for auction after vacating the premises.

Bernard was appointed as a goal constable in May 1820 which was the start of a successful career & required him to live in the city of Sydney.

In 1818 Catherine established a choir which became the St Mary's original choir.

The Census of the Colony in 1828 has her age at 40yo & living with her sons John 20yo, Columbus 18yo, Ambrose 14yo & Michael 11yo at Sussex St, Sydney. The census also states her religion as being Catholic.

The Sands Directory 1858 - 59 has her still living in Sussex St @ number 58 with her profession being a School Mistress. Her two younger sons, Ambrose & Michael were living nearby in Balmain & their professions were recorded as a builder & Under Secretary Land & Public Works respectively.

Bernard her husband died 30 Dec 1839 & is buried at St John's Cemetery Campbelltown.

Bernard died by his own hand & was possibly buried in an unconsecrated Catholic section of the cemetery. Ref : Register of Burials Rev J.T. Terry 1821 - 1832, with register of burials at St John's Campbelltown. It is known that he resigned from work due to ill health which may have some bearing on his suicide.

Catherine died at her home in 15 Union St, Ultimo, Sydney on 31 July, 1861 at the age of 76 after 8 days of paralysis & was buried on 2 August, 1861. Ambrose was the informant of her death whilst John her eldest son & Michael her youngest son are both listed as witnesses at Catherine's burial. Initially she was interned at the Sandhills Cemetery bounded by the Devonshire Street Subway, Barlow (then called Gibbs), Elizabeth and Pitt Streets. The site is now occupied by Central Railway Station. She was moved to Field Of Mars Cemetery Catholic Section B12 on 12 March, 1901. She is beside her son Ambrose in plot B11 & his wife Julia in B10. There is one engraved weathered sandstone headstone for the 3 burial plots & it has their names on 3 sides of the headstone which stands on plot B11. The burial plots B12 & B10 either side of the headstone are grassed & unmarked. They are buried amongst the centre of the Catholic section next to Priests & Sisters which seems appropriate for Catherine being a devout Catholic throughout her life. The grave site was well kept in 2018.