References
Michael CONNOR, a ploughman, was born circa 1800 in County Meath, IRELAND the son of John CONNOR, a dairyman, and his wife, Mary KELLY.
On 24 March 1828 at Kildare, Michael CONNOR was convicted for house robbery and was given a life sentence to be served in the colony of New South Wales.
Before his departure, Michael CONNOR spent about six months on the prison hulk ESSEX, anchored in Dun Laoghaire (Kingstown) harbour.
He arrived in the colony per SOPHIA on 17 January 1829. The Convict Indent describes him as 5 foot 4 1/2 inches tall, with red to sandy hair, blue eyes with a ruddy, pock-pitted complexion.
On his arrival, Michael CONNOR was assigned to the merchants Alexander BERRY and his brother in law, Edward WOLLSTONECRAFT. Michael worked as a ploughman at BERRY's estate COOLANGATTA, on the south coast of New South Wales, before moving around 1835 to the CROWS NEST estate at Berrys Bay, on the north shore of Sydney. Michael worked for Alexander BERRY as his waterman, rowing him across Sydney Harbour every morning and evening and was also a watchman aroound the CROWS NEST estate.
On 3 June 1837 Michael CONNOR received his Ticket of Leave and on 24 October 1837 married Julia QUILLIGAN at St Marys old cathedral in Sydney. Julia, the daughter of Patrick QUILLIGAN of Limerick, was a free immigrant who arrived on 3 October 1836 per the DUCHESS OF NORTHUMBERLAND, and worked as a housemaid to Alexander and Elizabeth BERRY.
Michael and Julia lived in BERRY's storehouse at Berrys Bay for about a month while Michael built their stone cottage overlooking the wharf at Berrys Bay. On 1 October 1841 Michael CONNOR received his Conditional Pardon. Michael and Julia had seven children born at Berrys Bay. Julia died on 24 March 1870 and was buried at Coopers Flat Cemetery (Chatswood). Michael died in his cottage at Berrys Bay on 18 July 1884. He is commemorated on the Welcome Wall at Darling Harbour.
Children of Michael CONNOR and Julia QUILLIGAN-
1. Mary CONNOR/McKAY housemaid to Alexander BERRY b 1839 d 26 Feb 1877 Domain Lodge Sydney m 1860 Finlay Cook MCKAY servant and coachman to Alexander BERRY
2. Michael CONNOR bootmaker b 11 Jan 1840 Berrys Bay d 26 Mar 1889 St Leonards m 1861 Sarah Ann DUNN
3. John CONNOR b 1841 Berrys Bay d about 1884
4. Julia Ann CONNOR/COULL b 1843 Berrys Bay d 1918 Stockton NSW m 24 May 1865 William Joseph COULL
5. William CONNOR boat builder b 16 jan 1845 Berrys Bay d 4 jun 1926 Annandale m 1880 Mary MCHUGH
6. Bedelia CONNOR/DOUGLAS b 9 Dec 1847 Berrys Bay d 15 Feb 1890 Camperdown m 18 Aug 1869 James Hardie DOUGLAS
7. James Joseph CONNOR carpenter b 16 Dec 1851 Berrys Bay d 11 Nov 1882 Berrys Bay m 5 Oct 1870 Catherine GALLAGHER servant to Alexander BERRY
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1800 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 18th Jul 1884 | |
