John Sheehy aka Keane (per BRAMPTON)
Preface by Jenny Fawcett.(with special thanks to Bernadette Symons,descendent
of John Sheehy Keane,and to Mary Ann Morris,descendent of John Keane (not Sheehy) for
assisting in sorting out the history of these two men of similiar ages who both
arrived on the same ship to New South Wales.)
John Sheehy Keane was born in Co Kerry c1800, the son of Patrick Sheehy and
Rebecca Cronan. He was married in Ireland to Honora Carroll and had a child with
her.They remained behind there when John,convicted at Tralee in May 1822, was
transported to New South Wales where he arrived in April 1823 (aboard the convict
transport Brampton).He petitioned in 1825 for his family to be sent out to him,
to no avail, he then later remarried in NSW in 1832 to Catherine Brown (a convict
transported to NSW per Palambam).His brother Roger Sheehy was later to emigrate
to NSW with his family, and settled in the same region as his brother near Burragorong.
John Sheehy had four surviving children, Roger, Sophia, Susannah and Mary Jane.,
it is not known what became of his child born in Ireland nor his wife Honora Carroll.
John's petition of 1825 states that he was married in the parish of Ballylongford,
that the postal town was Listohill in Co Kerry, and the minister was Revd John Wickson.
The "TOPOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY OF IRELAND (1837) by Samuel Lewis shows that
BALLYLONGFORD was a town in the parish of AGHAVALLIN, in the barony of
IRAGHTICONNOR, Co of Kerry, and in the province of Munster. It lay 4 miles
west by south from Tarbert, and in the 1820's contained 1300 inhabitants.
"..this town is situated on the road from Tarbert to Ballybunnian, at
the head of an estuary or creek of the river Shannon, and contains about
300 houses. Its position is favourable for the export trade, the creek forming
a port for lighters which carry corn and turf to Limerick: ..a fair or market
is held every alternate Thursday, chiefly for pigs and cattle..Petty Sessions
are held every Monday, and once in three weeks, a baronial court for the manor
of Carrig-a-foile; and here is a station of the constabulary police.
The parochial chuch is situated about 1/4 mile to the north of the town, but
having been condemned unworthy of repair it is expected that a new church will
be shortly built. The R.C chapel in the town is a spacious slated building
with two galleries, erected in 1806...near it is a large building for a school,
lately erected..there is also a dispensary. In the vicinity of the town, but
in Kilnaughton parish, are the extensive ruins of Lislaghtin abbey...."
The "Listohill" of John's petition is probably LISTOWEL,which according to
the previous source is a post town and parish"..in the barony of
IRAGHTICONNOR, Country of Kerry, and province of Munster. It is 171/4 miles
north east from Tralee, and 134 from Dublin, on the road from Tarlee to Tarbert.
In the 1820's there was some 4957 inhabitants.The town is situated on the
right bank of the river Feale,..the parish comprises 7009 statue acres..
remarkably fertile and the neighborhood is celebrated for producing wheat
of superior quality...the seat of the Right Hon.Maurice Fitzgerald, Knight
of Kerry, is partly within this parish but chiefly in that of Finuge.."
note..John Sheehy's petition mentions Fitzgerald."
John Sheehy (Keane) is a telling example of the difficulties in tracing
convicts with similar names! John was transported to New South Wales aboard
the Brampton in 1823 and it was noted that his name was John Sheehy also known
as Keane. Aboard ship was another convict also of the name John Keane.Both these
men were of similar ages and occupations,but could only be distinguished with
the information that John Sheehy was from Co Kerry and John Keane from Tipperary.
Both men were to receive their Certificates of Freedom at a similar time and
both men married women called Catherine. So it became important to ensure that
all details were known in relation to both men, so that they could be clearly
distinguished.It can now be quite clearly proven that John Sheehy Keane married
Catherine Brown, and John Keane married Catherine Fogerty/Hennessy.
Confusion surrounding the spouses of the two John Keane's began recently with
a search of the (NSW) CONVICT PERMISSION TO MARRY INDEX (cd rom by Lesley Uebel).
This index revealed two marriages of John Keanes per Brampton; one for the year
1832 when a Catherine Fogarty (convict per ASIA,1830) applied to marry John Sheehy
(also known as Keane, ) the second for the year 1833 when Catherine Brown (convict
per Palambam) applied to marry John Keane.
Upon enquiry to Leslie she informed me that the original application stated John Sheehy's
name to be William Sheehy Keane per Brampton( and that she made an assumption
that this was in relation to John Sheehy Keane per Brampton.).But research shows that
there was no William Sheehy/Keane who arrived as a convict on the Brampton and that
John Sheehy/Keane married Catherine Brown, not Fogarty.
Subsequent research by Bernadette Symons reveals that John Sheehy, aka Keane,was
originally married in Ireland to Hanora Carroll, and then remarried in NSW to Catherine
Brown per Brampton, not Catherine Fogarty per Asia).
Bernadette has been very thorough in obtaining original records which show quite
clearly that John Sheehy/Keane married Catherine Brown.)
Access to the original applications to marry (below)to date reveal no application
for a William or John Sheehy Keane..Both applications located at this point in time
only show that two men named John Keane were given permission to marry.Further
research confirms that John Sheehy Keane, who arrived per Brampton, married
Catherine Brown in 1832, and that John Keane, who also arrived per Brampton married
Catherine Fogerty in 1834.
On official government records (such as Musters, Permission to Marry,colonial
convictions, assignments etc) a convict is usually recorded by his name, ship and
convict number (amongst other details). From these and like official records we can
trace some of the history of the two John Keanes, and determine which should be
accorded certain individual family history.As will be shown below, this information
along with the death certificates of John Sheehy Keane and his wife Catherine Brown,
will prove beyond doubt, that John Sheehy Keane, who arrived as a convict per Palambam
was indeed married to Catherine Brown, and not Catherine Fogerty as stated on the
indexes of Lesley Uebel
A search of the Marriage Index for NSW (official government records)shows that indeed
Catherine Fogarty and John Keane (sic) were married in 1832 in the Abercrombie District/
Bathurst. (Church of England cert no v1832 1169/16).The marriage was performed by Revd.
Keane at Bathurst. The same source also shows that John Kean and Catherine Brown were
married in 1834 at Parramatta,by the Reverend Marsden.
(Church of England, St Johns, cert no v1834 1091 18)
Faye Sheridon kindly went to the Archives Office of New South Wales and accessed
a series of records (REELS 722 and 724). Reel 722 is a list of applications for
marriage by Banns.This reel has the application of Catherine Fogarty to marry
John Keane. Reel 724 has reference to the application by Catherine Brown to
marry John Keane. Neither of these two sources positively identify which of the
two John Keane's is John Sheehy Keane,if at all.
Reel 722. LIST OF PERSONS APPLYING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF BANNS,at ?
Name: JOHN KEANE CATHERINE FOGARTY
AGE: 31 17
WIDOWER etc. BACHELOR SPINSTER
SHIP ARRIVED BY: BRAMPTON ASIA
Year of Arrival: 1823 1830
Sentence: 7 7
Free or Bond: Free Bond
Present Service: (?stockman to Mr Hannam? Wm Lable (?Cable?)
Character Leave Given
Note:
-There is another couple's application also on this particular page..Samuel
Fenton and Charlotte Anderson. of Bathurst Plains).
-John and Catherine's details each are then struck over / as such,
the next couple were not.
-John's details for service are not clear..stockman appears clear enough by the
employers name is not certain. Oddly, all other information for those mentioned
on the page are quite clear..just John Keane's employment details are faint.
Reel 722.LIST OF PERSONS APPLYING FOR THE PUBLICATIONS OF BANNS AT ST JOHN'S
CHURCH ,PARRAMATTA 4TH FEBRUARY 1833
Name: John Keane Catherine Brown
Age: 32 22
Widower etc: Bachelor Spinster
Ship Arrived by: BRAMPTON PALAMBAM
Year of Arrival 1823 1831
Sentence: 7 years Life
Free or Bond: Free Bond
Present Service: Farmer-M(B)urrygorang(?) assigned to Philip Keefe at
Burragarang (?Burragorong)
character: Good Good
Remarks: The two men (includes Michael Flynn who was applying to marry
Mary Maloney) appears able to support their wives when married. The two women
are assigned to their respective masters who have given their consent.
signed by Samuel Marsden. Senior Chaplain.
an attachment dated March 1833 reads:
JOHN KEANE per BRAMPTON 7 years -Free - it is not stated
whether he was married or single at home (meaning Ireland - JF) to Catherine
Brown of Palambam, life, is stated single.
Michael Flynee per John 1, 7 years fee, is stated single to Mary Maloney per
hooghley 3, 7 years, is stated single.
From the above source, we cannot still determine which are the respective
John Keanes.Further information sent by Faye Sheridan were marriage certificates
for the two parties.
1832.marriage of John Keane or Kane to Catherine Fogerty
no 89. JOHN KEANE OR KANE (sic) of the Parish of Bathurst and
CATHERINE FOGERTY or HENNESSY of the Parish of Bathurst were
married in this place of Worship by banns with consent of Government
this Fourth Day of September in the year 1832
by me JOHN ESPY KEANE Chaplain.
This marriage was solemnized between us:
JOHN KANE
CATHERINE FOGERTY or HENNESSY (her mark)
in the presence of
THOMAS CUMMINGS OF BATHURST
HENRY H FLEMING OF BATHURST
1834.marriage of John Keane to Catherine Brown
no 452 JOHN KEANE, 32,BRAMPTON, of the Parish of COWPASTURE and
CATHERINE BROWN, 22,PALAMBAM, of this Parish of PARRAMATTA
married in this Church by Banns with consent of The ? Government
this TWENTY SECOND DAY of JANUARY in the year 1834.
by me Samuel Marsden, Senior Chaplain.
This marriage was solemnized between us:
JOHN KEANE
Catherine Brown (her mark)
in the presence between us :
JOHN WHITEHEAD
?
The official marriage certificate for Catherine Fogarty/John Kane appears to
confirm the marriage of that couple at Bathurst, by the Reverend Keane.
(Cert no 1169 Vol 16 states:)
Grooms Name: John Kane
OF Parish of Bathurst
Marital Status Not Stated
Brides Name Catherine Fogerty or Hennessy, Her Mark (x)
of Parish of Bathurst
Marital Status Not Stated.
When Married: 4th Sept 1832.
Where Married: Parish of Bathurst
Consent: Government
Minister John Espy Keane
Witnesses: Thomas Cummings of Bathurst
Henry.H.Flemmings of Bathurst.
So now the surname of Hennessy is introduced for Catherine Fogarty.
according to a family member..Catherine's father and brother were also sent
out to NSW as convicts.
A descendent of John Keane/Kain/Cain and Catherine Fogerty/Hennesy sent
a copy of the christening record of their son Thomas at Bathurst.
Cert no 298 Vol 129 shows:
Child.Christian Name: Thomas (Cain)
When Born 30th October 1832
Date of Ceremony 28th October 1833
Where Ceremony Performed: Bathurst
Where registered: Not Stated
Parents:
Father: John Cain (sic) (SHIP _BRAMPTON)
Mother: Catherine Hennessy (SHIP ASIA OF LONDON)
Abode: Not Stated
Profession; Not Stated
Sponsers: John Read
Mary Dwyer
By whom ceremony performed: Not Stated
Roman Catholic
From the above sources we can only safely say that Catherine Fogerty, a convict who
arrived per Asia (5th voyage) married a John Keane (convict per Brampton) in
September 1832, that at the time she was obviously expecting her son as he was
born in October 1832, she had obviously been married before (hence the Hennessy
alias) and that in 1832- 1833 this couple resided in the Bathurst district.
Catherine Brown (convict per Palambam) also married a man named John Keane, who
too had arrived as a convict aboard the Brampton, and this couple ,though applying to
marry in early 1833, did not marry until January 1834.at Parramatta, at which time
John was a farmer at Murrygorang/Burrygorang and Catherine was an assigned servant to
Philip Keefe.
The death certificates of John Sheehy Keane and his wife Catherine Brown prove
beyond doubt, that John Sheehy Keane, who arrived as a convict per Palambam
was indeed married to Catherine Brown, and not Catherine Fogerty as stated on the
indexes of Lesley Uebel.
John Sheehy (aka Keane) death details,from his certificate, are as follows:
CERT NO: 1324
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH 15th June 1877, Burragorang
NAME AND DESCRIPTION: John Sheehy. Farmer.
SEX AND AGE: Male. 77 years.
NAME AND OCCUPATION OF FATHER Patrick Sheehy. Farmer.
NAME AND MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER unknown Cronan
INFORMANT P.Taylor. Farmer.
WHERE/WHEN BURIED: 17th June 1877. Burragorang.
UNDERTAKER W.TAYLOR
NAME AND RELIGON OF MINISTER No Minster
WITNESSES TO BURIAL R.W.Crawfield and John King jnr
WHERE BORN Co Kerry, Ireland
HOW LONG IN AUST.COLONIES 55 years
PLACE OF MARRIAGE Parramatta
AGE WHEN MARRIED unknown
Spouse: CATHERINE BROWN
CHILDREN OF MARRIAGE Living: Roger (37), Sophia (34) Mary Jane (31)
Deceased: Four males.
*note.Susannah has been left of the list.
The Convict Indents (kindly supplied by Peter Mayberry) also confirm that
John Sheehy Keane was from Kerry, (John Keane is shown consistently as being
from Co Tipperary)
Name: John Sheehy Keane John Keane
aliases: Sheehy/Keane Kean/Cain/Keen/Cane/Kain/Kane
Birth year 1798 1801
Birth Place Kerry Tipperary
Ship: Brampton. Brampton.
Year Arrived: 1823 1823
Trial Date 1822 1822
Trial Place: Kerry Co Tipperary Co
Sentence 7 years 7 years
Occupation/Trade Carter/Reaper Buttermaker/Reaper/Ploughman
John Sheehey or Kean John Keane
Where convicted: Co Kerry Where convicted: Co Tipperary
When: Special Assizes 1822 When: Special Assizes 1822
7 years 7 years
Native Place: Kerry Native Place: Tipperary
Calling: Reaper & Carter Calling: Ploughs Reaps Makes Butter
Age: 25 Age: 22
Height: 5'6.5" Height: 5'5.5"
Complexion: Fresh Freckled Complexion: Fresh
Hair: Brown Hair: Dark Brown
Eyes: Grey Eyes: Grey
TL : 27-666
(From SRNSW Fiche No 649 fiche 2 of 5
1822-1823 (4/4008) page 303 Page 301.)
Catherine Sheehy nee Brown's death details,from her certificate, are as follows:
CERT NO: 9062
DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH 4th July 1878. Burragorang
NAME AND DESCRIPTION: Catherine Sheehy. Farmer's Wife
SEX AND AGE: Female. 64 years.
NAME AND OCCUPATION OF FATHER Patrick Brown. Farmer.
NAME AND MAIDEN NAME OF MOTHER Catherine ?
INFORMANT Roger Sheehy. Son.Burragorang.
WHERE/WHEN BURIED: 7th July 1878. Burragorang.
NAME AND RELIGON OF MINISTER No Minster
WITNESSES TO BURIAL John King and William Taylor
WHERE BORN Dublin Ireland.
HOW LONG IN AUST.COLONIES 44 years in New South Wales
PLACE OF MARRIAGE Parramatta NSW.
AGE WHEN MARRIED unknown
Spouse: John Sheehy
CHILDREN OF MARRIAGE Living: Roger (36), Sophia (34)
Susananah (30) Mary Jane (28)
Deceased: Four males
TIMELINE
1822 May.John Sheehy tried at Tralee.
1823. April 28th. John Keane and John Sheehy Keane amongst
those convicts landed from the Brampton at Sydney.
John Keane was sent to Bathurst and John Sheehy Keane to
Minto.
(src:Index to Colonial Secretarys Papers AONSW)
John Keane
1823 Apr 28 On list of convicts landed from the "Brampton" and
forwarded to Bathurst for distribution (Reel 6010; 4/3508 p.196)
John Sheehy, aka Keane,
1823 Apr 28 On list of convicts landed from the "Brampton" & forwarded
to Minto for distribution (Reel 6010; 4/3508 p.196)
1824 Musters show John Sheehy Keane living still at Minto
John Sheahey/Shehea,(sic) aka Keane
1824
On list of assigned servants mustered in the employ of William Howe
of Minto; in 1824. Appears as Sheahey (Reel 6062; 4/1781 p.393b)
1824 Sep 25 Servant of William Howe. On return of punishments ordered
& inflicted at Campbelltown Court; appears as Shehea
(Reel 6023; 4/6671 p.28)
1825 Musters show John Keane (not Sheehy) living still at Bathurst and
John Sheehy Keane petitioning for family to be brought to NSW.Note..
John Sheehy Keane living at Macquariefield, near Liverpool.
John Keane
1825 On list of convicts mustered in the employ of Thomas Hawkins
of Bathurst in 1823 and 1824 (Fiche 3135; 4/1842A No.367 p.379)
1825 Aug 25 Convict in the service of Thomas Hawkins of Bathurst
at the last two musters (Reel 6015; 4/3515 p.212)
John Sheehy, aka Keane
1825 Nov 7. Of Macquariefield, near Liverpool. Petition for free passage
for his wife Honora Carroll & family
(src: AONSW Fiche 3287; 4/1112.1A pp.333-5)
"TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR THOS BRISBANE, K.C.B,
CAPTAIN GENERAL AND GOVERNOR IN CHIEF OF THE TERRITORIES OF
NEW SOUTH WALES & TS DEPENDENCIES.
The Humble Petition of John Sheehy
That your Humble Petitioner was tried at Tralee in May 1822 and
received sentence of Transportation for 7 years, and arrived in
this colony per ship Brampton in April 1823.
That your Excelleny's petitioner wsa not guilty of any crime or
misdemeanour since his arrival in this colony, intends to become
a resident of the colony and is ? of being enabled to support
his family independent to Government, hopes your Excellency will be
graciously pleased to allow petitioner's wife and child he left
behind him to come out to this colony and for such an act of
your Excellency's petitioner as in Duty Bound Will Pray
JOHN SHEEHY
Macquariefiled, near Liverpool.
The attachment to John's petition reads:
Honora Carroll - petitioner's wife.
married by the Revered Thomas McDonough K.C.C.
The Revd John Wickson Rector of the Parish
Maurice Fitzmaurice J.P
Ballylongford - Parish
Listohill - post town
Kerry - country
Ireland.
The statement of memorialist is in my opinion, correct.
7th Nov. 1825. John Joseph Thomas. R.C.C.
and then a notation by the Govt:"In List sent home 23 March 1827"
1827 John Keane (no Sheehy) granted a Ticket of Leave.
Last name: Keane First name: John
Ship: Brampton Year: 1823
Native place: Trade or calling:
District:
Ticket no.: 27/666
State Records shelf ref: 4/4065 State Records reel no: 910
1829 August 27th.John Sheehy Keane granted Certificate of Freedom
Name: KEAN John SHEEHY
Date of Ticket and no. 29/0847 27 Aug 1829
Ship: Brampton 1823
State Records Shelf Ref: 4/4299 985
(src: CERTIFICATES OF FREEDOM INDEX AONSW)
August 31st. John Keane granted Certificate of Freedom
Name: KEANE John
Date of Ticket and no: 29/0858
31 Aug 1829
Ship: Brampton 1823
State Records Shelf Ref: 4/4299 985 TL 27/666
(src: CERTIFICATES OF FREEDOM INDEX AONSW)
The Sydney Gazette (edition date Sept 19th 1829) confirms the
Certificates of Freedom issued to both John Keans;-
" Public Notice
The undermentioned Persons have obtained Certificates of Freedom
Brampton - John Sheehy or Kean
- John Keane.
(c thirty other ex convicts also mentioned)
(src:J.Fawcett collection.)
1832 LIST OF ALL FEMALE CONVICTS ASSIGNED AND TRANSFERRED FROM THE
1st TO THE 31st OCT.1832. SG.Dec 20th 1832.
1595.CATHERINE BROWN. Palambam.Dairy. to Phillip Keefe.Burragarang.
1833 Catherine Brown,convict per Palambam,aged 22 ,life sentence,
bonded servant applied for permission to marry John Keane . (sic)aged 32,
per Brampton, 7 years. Free.to be married at Parramatta by Revd Marsden.
marriage confirmed: 1834. St Johns Church of England, Parramatta,
Cert no V18341091/18
1877 John Sheehy dies at Nattai River,Burragorang.(burial place was
covered by the Warragamba dam) NSW
(source: Family Notes)
is he John Sheehy, died Picton 1877, son of Patrick.
cert no 8324
1878 Catherine Sheehy nee Brown dies Burragorang Valley,NSW
(src:family notes)
I am particularly interested in John Sheehy Kean per Brampton, as a Mary Sheedy (aged
50 and alledged widow of Patrick Sheedy/Sheehy,convict per Marquis of Wellington and one of
alledged six brothers transported to NSW for political offences) married a John Guinane,
also from the Brampton, and I suspect there is a family connection between Mary and
John Sheehy.But then again..there was a Patrick Sheedy AND a Patrick Sheehy on the Marqis
of Wellington which need sorting out !!
Family Researchers/Informants:
Notes
* = sighted original record.
*FS = family sources.[various family members]
information not yet confirmed by J.Fawcett via official records.
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