My 2xGrt Grandmother, Martha Egan, possibly from Castleblakeney, was one of the many Irish Orphan Girls from Mountbellew, sent to Fremantle, Western Australia, per the ship "Palestine", aged 18yrs. Her sister, or possibly another relation, Margaret Egan, 19yrs, accompanied her on the same ship. The girls went from Dublin to Plymouth & then 5 months later, arrived in Fremantle 28th April 1853. They were given travel boxes, containing dresses, shoes, bonnets and shawls along with a bible & prayer book.
Not much is known about Martha's employment, between 1853 -1857, but on the 29th Jun 1857, Martha married convict Charles Gilbert, from Lincolnshire, in Geraldton Western Australia. Charles was listed as miner & a farmer at Greenough, nr Geraldton, owning 19acres. John & Martha had 9 children, with 2 dying as infants. There were many hardships they faced in Greenough, including floods, droughts & fires, causing them to lose most of their crops.
Martha died, 29 Jan 1891, age 57yrs & Charles died, 9 Jul 1896, aged 68yrs. They are both buried in the old Greenough Pioneer cemetery. [Martha has been referenced as being born in County Cork, Father is John Egan, but not verified]
There is a "Gilbert Road", Greenough & many references to the "Gilbert's Fields", near Maley's Mill. [mentioned in the Greenough Pioneer Museum]
If possible would like to know more about her Irish family as I have been to the Commemoration Service, in Geraldton in 2020.. a very moving & emotional connection to my 2x got grandmother.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 28th Apr 1834 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 28th Jan 1891 (circa) | |
| Associated Building (s) | Mountbellew Workhouse | |
