Timothy Sheedy and Ellen Brown
Preface by Jenny Fawcett Timothy Sheedy's records show that he was primarily based around the Kilfinnan region of Limerick, Ireland. He was married to Ellen Brown and he was a tailor by occupation. He was transported to Tasmania in 1845 for sheep theft. His wife, three sons and two daughters were allowed to migrate to Tasmania in 1849 per Anglia He remained in Tasmania until 1871, when he came to Victoria. Timothy's records show many of the family members moved to Australia, including son's William and Thomas who lived in the Colac region of Victoria,the misfortunate Margaret m Patrick Geary, and Patrick and Ellen.Four other children's whereabouts are not yet known. Timothy initially applied for his two sons Thomas and William to come with him when he was transported. He stated he was the father of 9 children, and that they lived in impoverished conditions at the time of his arrest (1844). He was denied their company, and he then applied after his arrival in Tasmania in 1845 for other family members to come out. Son's William,Patrick and Thomas and daughter's Margaret and Ellen accompanied their mother Ellen to Tasmania in 1849 per 'Anglia'. There is evidence to support that this family has probable connections with the 6 Sheedy brother's transported to New South Wales, especially John Sheedy/Mary Dinan who were also from the Kilfinane region in Limerick. This John Sheedy was of a similar age of Timothy, and from the same area in Ireland. There is also connection with Patrick Sheedy per Neptune as Margaret fled to the region where he lived soon after her husband committed murder.There is also connection with the Port Fairy/Tower Hill Sheedys, as Thomas came to that region in c1854. Other Sheedy's known to be from the Kilfinan region of Limerick and emigrated or transported to Australia are : Thomas Sheedy per Blenhiem.son of John/Mary (Dinan) Sheedy John Sheedy per Blenhiem.son of John/Mary (Dinan) Sheedy Roger Sheedy per Blenhiem.son of John/Mary (Dinan) Sheedy Timothy Sheedy& Ellen Keogh. (Kilmallock.nr Kilfinan) Thomas Sheedy & Johanna Carroll (Kilmallock.nr Kilfinan Michael Sheedy..son of John Sheedy and grandson of James Sheedy per Tellicherry. (from Kilmallock.)Timothy Sheedy and Ellen Brown.
Timothy Sheedy
born c 1794.[according to death cert] c 1793 [according to conduct sheet /Tas] Limerick.Eire [according to death cert & conduct record] parents: Unknown [not stated on death certificate though filled in by son Thomas] siblings known: MICHAEL SHEEDY occupation Tailor. Religon Roman Catholic died: 4th April 1871. Irrewarra [Colac] Vict.Aus. buried 5th April 1871. Colac Cemetery. married: ELLEN BROWN date: place: note:many of the children of Timothy and Ellen were christened in Mahoonagh in Kilfinane, Limerick . shipping arrival: per Anglia? in 1849 to Tasmania. death: possibly Ellen Sheady,died Hobart 28th Nov 1851. aged 52 years. cert no 1851/1068/35 or Ellen Sheehy .died Hobart 22nd May 1881. aged 81 years. no 3137/35 Timothy Sheedy was Convicted in 1844: Larceny - charged with stealing two sheep from Tom Fitzgerald at Castle Hollow,Ire note: Timothy was arrested at Kilfinan. The Limerick Chroncileonly gives a very brief account of the arrest. Sentence: Transportation-10 years Trial: Limerick. 02/07/1844 [con 33/65] Imprisoned at: Smithfield [Limerick] Transported to Tasmania per Elizabeth & Henry 9th June 1845. [age 52 years.] Literacy: stated he could neither read nor write. Physical Description: 5 foot.8 52years of age. fresh complxn blue eyes. medium size mouth,nose and chin. History:- After being convicted in Limerick for Larceny,and whilst lodged in the Limerick gaol, Timothy addressed a petition to apply for his two sons to come with him to Tasmania. date: noted on petition in different handwriting. 5th July 1844 source: CRF Misc 19. National Archives. Ireland. "To His Excellency The Lord Lt General And General Governer of Ireland' The Humble Memorial of Timothy Sheedy.Convict.In the County of Limerick Gaol. Most Humbly Sheweth That your unfortunate memorilist having been Tried and found Guilty of Felony Before the Assistant Barrister Tigh,Chairman of the County of Limerick,Quarter Sessions at Last Sitting and on Said Trial, your Memorialist was sentenced Transportation for Ten Years Your Memorilist having a poor distressed family to deplore his Misfortune, Consisting of his wife and nine children, five of whom were under support and protection of Memorial,-Two of his children promising to be Good and Grateful Boys,one nine and the other Seven years old,whose melancholy Remonstrances with your unhappy memorilist to Accompany him. Your Unhappy Memorilist most humbly approaches your Excellency's tender Humane Clemency praying that,In you Ever Graceful Humanity Extend that to your Memorilist The Royal Perogrative so Justly visited in your Excellency and make your Royal ? that his Ever Dear two boys may be permitted to accompany him under the hopeful Blessings of Divine Providence,They will in future progress in Honest Endeavours through life and for Ever Remain on duty bound to be good. Timothy Sheedy Co of Limerick Gaol.1844 The Reply's - source: CRF 1844 Misc 19.Nat Arch. "The Governer of Gaol will inform the convict of the regulations respecting children of convicts" Dublin Castle. I have again informed the convict that his children will be allowed to go with him if the Boys are under 6 years old and Girls under 10 years of age. Henry ?Woodburn? Governer of Limerick Gaol 21st July 1844 NB: the two boys being applied for are believed to be William and Thomas who would have been 9 & 7 years old at this stage. We know that these two boys were in Colac in the 1850's, with Thomas being at Towerhill in 1854.They appear to not have been allowed to come on this application.(see next). New information now shows that Timothy applied for his wife and children to come out to Tasmania shortly after his arrival, and that his wife Ellen, daughter's Margaret and Ellen and sons Patrick, William and Thomas all arrived per 'Anglia" in 1849. "Timothy Sheedy/Shaddey came out on Elizabeth & Henry (1) in 1845. He applied for spouse Ellen Shaddey (54 years) to come out with Margaret (30), Patrick (15) William (14) Thomas (11) Ellen (12) not listed Ref 3 ages vary per Anglia 1849. Their prevous residence in UK was listed as Kilfinnen, Limerick." Timothy arrived in Tasmania per Elizabeth and Henry a bark of 534 tons,which had departed Dublin on the 15th Feb 1845, under Master J.Clarke. The vessel reached Hobart Town on the 9th of June 1845, with 199 male prisoners. Timothy was first stationed at Port Cygnet,and emerged from the gang on the 9th Oct 1846. on the 14th October he was stationed within the prison barracks. 03/06/1847 Working for J.Roadknight 02/11/1847 working for W.Pack 02/11/1847 working for James Bell. obtained Tree Pruners License. 20/03/1848 working for Joseph Speed at CrossPonds. 19/06/1848 stationed at the prison depot 26/07/1848 working for Thos Roadknight. 3 months 20/11/1848 staioned at the prison barracks. obtained a special visit pass to visit with J.Mooney 31/10/1848 ? 14/03/1849 stationed in prison barracks. obtained a special pass to visit Jeremiah McAuliffe. Gisbourne Street. 14/03/1849 stationed at prison barracks. was working for Laurence Coston at Lucipt? St [difficult to read] 25/05/1849 stationed at prison barracks. obtained pass to visit W.Jackson O.B.Bridge 09/07/1849 stationed at prison barracks. special pass to visit James Farhquarson 15/08/1849 stationed at prison barracks. special pass to visit Peter White, Liverpool Street. 03/101/1849 stationed at prison barracks. special pass to visit Thomas Flynn, Sandy Bay 09/11/1849 stationed at prison barracks.special pass to visit L.V.Gloucester. Liverpool Street 22/11/1849 stationed at prison barracks.special pass to visit J.H.Smales.Bathurst St 29/11/1849 stationed at prison barracks.special pass to visit Peter White. Liverpool Street. 22/10/1850 received TICKET OF LEAVE 13/10/1851 stationed at prison barracks, was on the 24th in hospital and also had a conviction for being out after hours, and keeping a disorderly house. Timothy received 3 months imprisonment sentence and hard labour. 29/11/1851 stationed at prison barracks. 06/12/1851 in hospital 13/01/1852 stationed at prison barracks.special pass to apply for Ticket of Leave. 25/10/1852 G. Hobart. 06/07/1854 Certificate of Freedom? H.L 1849.last residence given for Ellen Sheedy and children in Ireland was KILFINNEN. In 1847 Timothy's wife Ellen wrote to him, from Ireland, after having heard from Timothy that she might be able to join him in Tasmania. In her letter she gives an insight into conditions of the Famine, and also informs TImothy that some of their sons had joined the army, and that one of Timothy's nephew's had died not long before. Here is a transcription of Ellen's letter to Timothy: Kilfinnane.Nov 29th 1847 "Dear husband I have received your letter of the 14th of June on the 28th of November and it gave me and all the family the greatest of pleasure to hear that you are well and in good health as this laves (leaves) me and all the family in at present thanks be to god for all his mercy both to you and to us dear husband. I mean to inform you that your two sons John and Timothy are listed (ie.enlisted in the army). John is in the 40th regiment and Timothy is inthe 91st and is gone out (to) India and Jon is in Galway and your son Michael is got married so that I have no relief from any of them and the sooner the arrangements could be made to get myself and my little family oer the better as this country is in a bad state so as that there is a great many dying of starvation and it is only the goodness of god that myself and my little family have lived so long together as the two girls and the three youngest are living with me and our chief maintenance this time past was cold turnips without any other sort of food and often time not enough of them same and as for potatoes what trifle of tem (them) remained in they were one shilling per stone as there was a failure on them these three years so that was the cause of the famine in this country and an able bodied man well able to work was as badly off as me and my little family so the sooner you can send for us the better and when you are sending for us it would be as that you would send some money so as to prepare us for the voyage and enable us (to) buy some cloths and there is nothing would give (?) and all the family greater pleasure than to be with you and as for the relief that is given out on this estate I am getting none of it so in the name of god take us out of this miserable country as quick as possible. Your son James is in good health and in fair way of doing for myself and your brother Michael is also in good health and is very glad to hear from you and your nephew James Sheedy died of real starvation this time twelve months in the publick (poor house) and so the poor of this part of the country (?) no better for the remaining part this winter as there is no work doing so would (?) happiest of all (?) breathing if I could get myself and my little out of this starving country. Your children and al enquiring friends joining in sending you their best love and are all overjoyed to hear that you are doing well and in good health. Michael would be very much inclined to go if himself and his wife could be passed of as the number of the family and I wrote a letter to you this time two years when I got account in the letter that came to Gleroe (Glenroe) and got no answer (.) there are some friends belonging to James and Michael casey of Cush that would be anxious to hear them wish that you would enquire after them and let his friends know they are living.So no more at present from your affectionate wife and children unto death..........." Though Timothy received his certificate of Freedom,he did not come over to Victoria to be near his son Thomas until the year 1871,remaining instead in Tasmania.This was the year of his son in law Patrick Geary's murder trial. In August of 1853 Timothy Sheedy applied for permission to marry Bridget Flaherty, a convict (per Duke of Cornwall) but the marriage does not appear on official registrations, so may not have taken place. (src: AO Tasmania. 16 AUG 1853 CON 52/6) Timothy's death certificate stated that he had spent 22 years in Tasmania and only three months in Victoria, On the event of his father's death, son Thomas could not tell of the ages of James, John,Michael and Ellen, but knew that Timothy was deceased. the remaining children, Thomas, William and Patrick were known to be in Victoria, and Michael travelled from Ireland to Wales to England, then to South Australia and came on to Victoria,he used the surname SILK. No information is known on Ellen, wife of Timothy,other than she arrived in Tasmania per Anglia in 1849. CHILDREN KNOWN *denotes listed on father's death certificate +denotes baptism located in Limerick nb: There were 9 children listed on Timothy's death certificate, and when Timothy was sent to Tasmania it was stated that he had 9 ch. Ellen Sheedy* christened 26th June 1814.Mahoonagh.Limk+ died as baby? Maurice Sheedy christened 1 Dec 1816.Mahoonagh.Limerick+ James Sheedy* in 1847 he was the main support of his mother and the younger children.He was then in Ireland (src: mother's letter 1847) John Sheedy* christened 18th Aug 1820.Mahoonagh.Limck+ in 1847 was in the 40th Regt.Ireland. and was in Galway (src: mother's letter to fath) Daniel Sheedy christened 4th July 1823.Mahoonagh.Limck+ Margaret Sheedy* born c1824/25.Kilfinan.Limerick.Ireland. born c 1819.(emigration age) ship's arrival; per Anglia in 1849 emigration age: 30years. married Patrick Geary in Hobart in 1850 died in Victoria in 1872 at Springdallah. Patrick Sheedy* born about 1834-37. Limerick. ship's arrival; per Anglia in 1849 emigration age: 15yrs. death: 1923. Port Fairy. Victoria. Michael Sheedy* (SILK) changed his name to SILK before emigrating to Australia in later years. born Limerick. in 1847 he and his wife were wanting to migrate to Aust. (mother's letter to father) travelled to England, Wales, South Aust and then Victoria. died in Victoria, of (Timothy Silk and Ellen Brown) William Sheedy* born about 1835/36. ship's arrival; per Anglia in 1849. emigration age: 14y. married:- 19th mar 1859 -RC Parish Church.Colac. spouse: Mary Ann BALFOUR. William died 5th June 1922 near Colac buried 6th Jan 1922.Colac Cemetery lived from time of marriage in Colac region. issue Davidson Sheedy [1872- ?] Ellen Sheedy [1860- ?] m Chas Scott Johanna Sheedy [1863-1944] James Sheedy [1863-1944] Wm Sheedy [1866-1942] m Mgt Parkinson Jane Sheedy [1867- ?] Mary A Sheedy[1869-?] m Owen Tanis Davidena Sheedy [1872-1872] David Sheedy [1874-1927] Charles Sheedy [1876-1925] John Sheedy [1878-1950] George Sheedy [1881-1951] Timothy Sheedy* christened 3rd April 1829. Mahoonagh.Limk+ in 1847 was in India. (src:mother's letter to father). listed as deceased on father's death 1871 Ellen Sheedy born c 1837. (age on emigration) died: married: ship's arrival: per Anglia 1849 Thomas Sheedy* born c1838.Limerick .Ireland married 3rd May 1859. Colac.Vict.Australia spouse: Catherine WALSH ship's arrival; per Anglia in 1849 Family Researchers: This Family has been the subject of extensive research by:- Marion La Rooij [pronounced La Roy],with assistance from Joan and Jenny. Marion is a descendant of Thomas,[son of Timothy, and Catherine Walsh.] Her address is :- 66 Montague Street. North East Valley. Dunedin. 9001 Norman Walker. desc from Ellen Sheedy/Andrew Walker. Notes * = sighted original record.
