HARTNETT families

I have information on Michael HARTNETT born 1806 Youghal, Cork who came to New Zealand around 1845 and

is buried here (1896).   Before leaving Ireland Michael was married to Mary BOLTON or BALDWIN about 1824.  A record of

1825 7th April shows Michael aged 19yrs enlisted Northamptonshire Regiment 48th & 58th Foot. (The 58th were known for escorting convicts from the UK to Australia).

1828 3rd June aged 22yrs being part of the 58th Foot, born Youghal, Cork previously a Shoemaker.

1841 58th Foot, location Glasgow & Edinburgh

None of their children were born in New Zealand and the first few were born in Youghal, Mary Jane 1824, Timothy, William 

around 1825 Elizabeth 1831,  Micahel 1844, Mary Matilda born 1848 - mother dies soon after in Feb 1849, Michael remarries Sept 1849 still showing as part of the 58th Foot but in New Zealand.   He applied for discharge in New Zealand 1855 and reverted to his previous occupation as a Shoemaker working with sons Timothy and William. 

1896 Obiturary

NZ HERALD 17 APRIL 1896 – OBITUARY of ONEHUNGA BOROUGH COUNCILLOR

General regret was expressed on April 6 throughout Onehunga when it became known that the late Sergeant Hartnett late of the 58th, had passed over to the great majority.  Besides being a Sergeant of the 58th Regiment, the late Mr Hartnett also served in the Waikato War as a Sergeant-Major.  As a citizen deceased was held in respect for his uprightness of character.  After a life of 90 years, the deceased passed quietly away at his residence in Church St, Onehunga on Sunday April 5.  He leaves a widow and numerous family, together with several grandchildren, to mourn their loss.

I am not a relative, I became involved in researching this family because Michael's son Michael, born 1844 joined the Armed Constabulary in New Zealand in October 1867 was posted to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, where the Government of the time were holding New Zealand Maori they believed were disrupting the peace process.   On 3rd July 1867 the Maori "prisoners" planned and carried out an escape, commandeering a ship in the harbour and sailing back to the New Zealand mainland, in the process of the escape from the Island, Michael was killed by a tomahawk blow to the face, aged 22yrs - the only fatality in the escape.  In New Zealand we have a "Wall of Rememberance" for policeman slain on duty, we are attempting to have Michael's (junior) name added to this wall.   

In so many cases people left their homeland and nobody knows what happened to them.   Anyone researching this HARNETT family feel free to make contact for further information.