John began military service for the UK at the age of 18, enlisting in 1826. He joined the 52nd Regt Of Light Infantry as a bugler (regimental number 435). Listed his occupation as 'weaver'. He was discharged in 1846.
He married Mary Ann McAuley in 1837 in Belfast, Co. Antrim. Their first daughter Elizabeth (Eliza) was born in Gibraltar (possibly before they were married), followed by Rosanna, born in Belfast in 1838.
On his retirement from the military, John volunteered as a "fencible" (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_New_Zealand_Fencible_Corps) and emigrated to NZ on the ship 'Ann', arriving in Auckland on 16 May 1848 with wife Mary Ann and their children. They settled in Otahuhu. John subscribed to the building of the first Anglican or Episcopalian Church in the district, built by Fencible soldiers in 1851 on Church Street, at the site now known as the Holy Trinity Memorial Park.
He died on April 14, 1875, at the age of 64 (of "inflammation of the stomach") and is buried in the Otahuhu Anglican Cemetery.
Surname also spelled McConnaghy, McConaughy (by his son James and descendants), McGonaghty, McGonaghy.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1808 | |
| Date of Death | 14th Apr 1875 | |
