Catherine Fox 1830 : Short Biography

Catherine FOX was born circa 1830 in Killyman parish, County Armagh. Her father Patrick FOX (c 1805-1839) was a bricklayer, her mother was Fanny McALINDON (c1810-1840). The large FOX family were tenant farmers in Clonmore, Clontyclay and Derryushog on the estate of Colonel William Verner. 

Catherine had two brothers- Bernard FOX (1832-1909) and John (1835). Their father Pat died in September 1839 and they were living in Derryhubert when their mother, Fanny, was murdered on 27 May 1840. 

On 17 February 1842, Catherine 10, Bernard 8 and John 7 entered the Armagh Union Workhouse. They are recorded as orphans from Killyman Parish and were in a healthy condition on their arrival. 

Six years later Catherine had the opportunity to sail to the colony of New South Wales, as part of the Earl Grey Scheme. She arrived on 8 October 1848 and spent time in the Hyde Park Barracks before finding employment. Records show Catherine Fox was employed by Mr. Hutchinson as a domestic servant at a yearly wage of 10 pounds. She was then employed by Archibald GRAHAM a baker in Pitt Street, working as a nursemaid to his chldren. After the death of Archibald's wife, Mary CAMPBELL, in  February 1852 he married Catherine FOX at St Phillips Church Sydney on 14 October 1852.

In 1854 Catherine and Archibald moved their family to Canterbury Farm in Dapto Road, Wollongong. Around this time Catherine sponsored her brother, Bernard, to the colony and he arrived per the COMMODORE PERRY in 1856.

Archibald ran the Mill in Wollongong and became a wealthy man. Catherine and Archibald had a large family, and  Catherine was mother to eleven and stepmother to ten. 

Catherine died at her daughter's residence in Bridge Street, Drummoyne on 29 January 1920 and was buried in the Field of Mars Cemetery in East Ryde.

Stepchildren of Catherine GRAHAM (FOX)- Robert, John, Stewart, William, Mary Jane, William, Elizabeth, Joseph and Ann Elizabeth.

Children of Catherine FOX and Archibald GRAHAM- Archibald, Thomas, Alexander, Catherine, George, Henry James, Patrick Stuart, Margaret, Alfred Ernest, Frederick Charles and Florence Eleanor.