Honor Ruane : Short Biography

Comments

We know that John Fahey and his wife, Honor (Honorah) Ruhon (Rowan), had six sons - Thomas, William, Peter, Edward, Timothy and James. 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 other brothers married. Further, a website for this Fahey Family Tree may be found at: https://faheytreeinaustralia.weebly.com We invite input from any interested parties! Warren Fahey warrenfahey@gmail.com

Warren Fahey

Thursday 29th December 2022 06:55AM