Christopher Caffrey

341

Maureen Withey on 10th August 2025

These reports possibly refer to Christopher Caffrey. DISTRESSING ACCIDENT ON Thursday afternoon, between 3 and 4, Mr. Christopher Caffray, a farmer residing about 2-1- miles E. of Armidale, left his home for the purpose of attending the funeral of a boy of Mr. Swanson's. In the dray with him were his wife, their daughter (Mrs Joseph Ince) and her baby. When about 200 or 300 yards from home, a pig at large made a strange noise near the horse, which caused the latter to start off. Mrs. Caffray and her daughter were thrown out, with the child. The latter providentially escaped without hurt, but Mrs. Caffray was severely injured on the head and body, and her daughter on the head, both being rendered insensible from concussion of the brain. Mr. Caffray held the reins, keeping the horse moving in a circle but could not stop him, until the dray upset, and, from the great velocity with which it had been going, turned up again on its wheels This had thrown out Mr. Caffray, but he still clung to the reins, although he was down between the dray and the horse, a powerful brute. The horse kicked him near the right ear while he was in this position, inflicting serious injury on the head and spine. It would appear, from Mr. Caffray's account, that he was then left on the road, and that the horse galloped on without restraint until the dray came against a tree. The concussion was so violent that one of the wheels penetrated the bark to such an extent that subsequently a strong person could shake the dray without moving it from its position. The shafts of the dray breaking, the horse plunged until he freed himself from the wreck and harness, and bolted into the bush. The animal was subsequently found, with scarcely a scratch upon him. A young man named Tomlinson was the first to come up after the accident. He rendered what assistance he could to the women, and then went to Mr. Ince, who had all the sufferers carried home. Dr. Webb was sent for, and immediately attended. Up to Thursday morning Mr. Caffray emained paralysed up to the heart. He was quite conscious. Mrs. Caffray was then, the Dr. considered, out of danger in all probability. Mrs Ince had improved, but was still not free from danger. This shocking accident excited general sympathy, so much so that between Tuesday and Thursday morning several hundred persons called at Mr. Caffray's residence and his son-in-law's, which are close to each other, to enquire as to the state of the sufferers. Mr. Caffray and his wife were removed to their own house, and Mrs. Ince to hers. It was fortunate that the accident had not been still more extensive in its sad effects, for Mrs. Hume and two of her daughters had called at Mr. Caffray's to go also in the dray. But as the dray was delayed they went on, saying it could overtake them. But for this, they would no doubt have been seriously hurt if they had escaped with life.— The Manning River News, 14 Apr 1866. Latest Intelligence. Yesterday Mr. Caffray was still conscious, and his wife and daughter were recovering. The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, 7 Apr 1866. In the Supreme Court of New South Wales, ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION, In the will of Christopher Caffrey, of the Grafton Road, near Armidale, in the Colony of New South Wales, farmer, deceased. NOTICE is hereby given, that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication of this notice, application will be made to this Honorable Court, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, for probate of the last will and testament of the abovenamed deceased to be granted to John Trim and John Galvin, of Armidale aforesaid, the Executors in the said will named.—Dated the 9th day of October, A.D. 1866. ROBERT PALMER ABBOTT, Proctor for Executors, Armidale. Agent—Richard Yeomans, 104, King-street, Sydney. , Published in NSW Govt Gazette, 9 Oct 1866. The following extract was from a report on a case in court, where Christopher Caffray stood surety for two defendants: After some enquiry, the father of the two young men the Forans, and Mr Christopher Caffray, were accepted as sureties for the former. When Mr. C. was first asked by the P.M. if he was worth so and so, he replied, "I'm blest if I know, sir!" at which the Bench could not refrain from a hearty laugh. However, his subsequent statement of his having 200 acres of land, &c., fully met the legal requirements of the case. The Armidale Express, 17 Sep 1864

341

Maureen Withey on 10th August 2025

NSW Convict Index. Christopher Caffrey, per Roslin Castle, 1833, Ticket of Leave, No 44/2352.District: Port Macquarie. Tried, Queens Co. Christopher Caffrey, per Roslin Castle, 1833, Ticket of Leave Passport, 10 Jan 1849. No 49/0022. Ticket of Leave 44/2352; On the recommendation of Commissioner of Crown Lands New England. Christopher Caffrey, per Roslin Castle, 1833, Conditional Pardon, 15 Feb 1849, No 49/568.

341

Maureen Withey on 18th January 2025

QUEEN’S COUNTY ASSIZES, (From the Dublin Times.) The following is an official and correct list of the convictions and sentences at the Maryborough Summer Assizes which have just terminated :— ... Christopher Caffray, assaulting habitation. To be transported for life. … Enniskillen Chronicle, 9 Aug 1832.

341

Maureen Withey on 18th January 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Christopher Caffrey, age on arrival, 19, per Roslin Castle (3), 1833. Tried 1832 at Queens Co, Life, for Assaulting dwelling. Irish White Boy Rebel. DOB, 1814, native place, Kings Co. Single. Catholic. Trade, Brogue maker. Details of numerous colonial offences.