Catherine Donovan

342

Maureen Withey on 16th March 2020

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Catherine Donovan, age 19, per Brothers (2) 1827, tried at Wexford, 1826, sentence – Life, offence- firearms, Whiteboy rebel, single, trade – nurse maid. Native of Sligo, DOB 1808. ___________________________________________________ ADM 101/13/7 . Medical and surgical journal of the Brothers convict ship for 13 August 1826 to 15 February 1827 by James [Toncster?], Surgeon and Superintendent, Folios 7-10: Catherine Hennessy or Donovan, aged 19; case number 7; disease or hurt, colica ending in hysteria. Put on sick list, 26 November 1826. Discharged 9 February 1827 to the hospital. ------- Brothers 2 1826, 26th November 1826 - Catherine Hennessey or Donovan. Slight little girl aged 19. Attacked at 10pm with violent spasmodic pain in the abdomen. Had been very dejected since embarkation. Remained unwell the entire voyage. https://www.jenwilletts.com/convict_ship_brothers_1827.htm -------------------------------------------------- The following was published in The Australian (Sydney), 24 August 1827: To the Editor of The Australian. George-street, August 18th, 1827. Sir, The enclosed is a copy of an official letter, received last night by the Rev. D. Power, R. C. C. The subject alluded to originated as follows. The couple particularly specified in the letter, were married some time since, by the Rev. J. J.Therry, without permission of the Government having been first obtained for the female, who is bond, and the assigned servant of a Mr. Bradley, of Sydney. Of the want of leave from Head Quarters the Rev. Gentleman was ignorant, as also the couple, the mistake having arisen with the clerk who usually applies for the governor's consent to the matrimonial union of prisoners of the Crown. This, however, I regard as a matter of no moment, since the marriage was celebrated by the permission, and in presence of, her mistress, who is, or ought to be, the only person solicited on the occasion. It was not till a few days after their union that the parties themselves discovered the sanction of the government had not been solicited through the inadvertence of the clerk in omitting their names in his report to the Colonial Secretary, and that in consequence the transfer of the young woman to her husband's service would not be made. To obviate the difficulty, application was made, as will appear by the accompanying copy of the list of banns, but merely pro forma, without any intention of availing themselves of his Excellency's permission to be RE-united in marriage, as is suggested; for such a ceremony could not be performed by any minister of the Roman Catholic Church without incurring its severest censure. It is therefore evident that the illegality advised to be remedied exists only in the mind of the suggestor, and has a tendency to invade the right of Mrs. Bradley to dispose of the property in her assigned servant, with which Mr. Peel's Act invests, her. I have troubled you with the statement of this case in order that you may, with your usually well directed observations upon uncontroverted points affecting the public interests—undeceive the government in this, as I am sure they act from ignorance, and not from a design to violate our just and indefeasible rights; for it is only fair to suppose that those who are so tenacious; of their own privileges, would not wittingly infringe those of others. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, * * * * * * "Colonial Secretary's Office, Aug. 16, 1827. (COPY.) 27— 7686. No. 228 "Rev. Sir— " In transmitting to you the accompanying permission of the Governor, for publishing of banns between the several parties named in your application of the 12th instant, I am directed by his Excellency, to point out, that Daniel O'Brien and Catherine Hennessy are the parties respecting whom I had the honor of addressing you on the 12th ultimo, as having been married by the Rev. J. J. Therry, and to observe that, as that marriage, was not legal, it is proper that they should be married again. "I have the honor to be, Reverend. Sir, "Your most obedient servant, (Signed) 'ALEXANDER M'LEAY.' Rev. D. Power. R.C.C.— Entered, P. B." List of persons applying for the publication of banns, at Sydney, in the Roman Catholic Church, 12th August, 1827; Daniel O'Brien - 37-free— Catherine, Donovan or Hennessy— 19— bond Thomas Hackett—36— ticket-of-leave—Bridget Dwyer— 24— bond Joseph Read- 20-free—Mary Ann Mooney—23—bond. (Signed) D. POWER, R. C. C. Approved.— (Signed). R. DARLING. Mr. Powers' List returned, approved by the Governor, with the exception of D.O'Brien and Catherine Hennessy— 16th August 1827. --------------------------------------------------