Bryan Flagherty

71

Robin Sharkey on 5th July 2022

___________________________________ Bryan Flaherty (recorded as aged 52) and his brother Simon (recorded as aged 60), both widowers, were both on Board the ‘Sir Godfrey Webster’ as convicts. They seem to have committed the same crime, both guilty of pig stealing and given 7 years. A newspaper report of their crime was not found. They were tried at Clare Assizes held at the city of Ennis, in early March 1825 – the city assizes county court assizes were held from 5 March, and the County court Jury was sworn on Tuesday 8 March [Freemans Journal (Ireland) Fri 11 March 1825, p 3.] VOYAGE to AUSTRALIA Both Flaherty brothers were ill and debilitated on the voyage to NSW. They appear regularly in the medical journal of the ship’s surgeon, William Evans (Reference: British National Archives, ADM 101/68/1]. Dr Evans recorded that he objected to several men being taken on board, and in consequence two (Concart and Scott) were returned to the hulk ship. However, “ I also objected to receiving the aged D Keneary (80) and the two Flahertys BUT DID NOT SUCCEED.” [Folios 5-6: 11th July 1825] Folios 13 – 14 “Particular attention was observed with regard to the diet of these persons and I was obliged early on the voyage to issue some of preserved soup and Bouilli, Indeed the lives of John Cahill, D Kenneary (80), Simon Flaherty (64) were preserved as well as several others by the timely issue of Bouilli and the concentrated gravy and vegetable soups, here follows their names …” Eighteen men are listed, including THE TWO FLAHERTYS; the surgeon said Simon was aged 64 and Bryan was 60. . . Folios 15-16: covering about September and October 1825: “For the last five weeks the convicts have suffered much from excessive heat. The cases since the first of last month have been mild forms of scorbutus and dysenteria, some chronic visceral affections of long standing, and some of general debility from old age and requiring attention with nourishment to sustain the powers of life; especially the following, SIMON AND B FLAHERTY …. (and others listed). In NSW: BRYAN survived in NSW for another 14 years, dying in 1840 (or shortly beforehand), with Probate being given for his estate, which means he had some property to dispose of. In 1826 he was initially assigned to Scotsman, Andrew Brown, who had a very large property out near Wallerawang named “Cooerwell”, and was still there at the 1828 Census and probably in 1830 when his Ticket of Leave was granted for Bathurst. However, his brother Simon Flaherty died the same year they arrived (1826), so Simon’s health must have never improved adequately. On arrival, he had been assigned to Gregory Blaxland whose large land grant was called “Newington” in western Sydney.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 23rd March 2021

1830 - 8 Nov. 30/711. Ticket of Leave. Allowed to remain in the district of Bathurst 1832 - 27 Apr. Certificate of Freedom. 32/361. Age; 58.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 23rd March 2021

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. Sir Godfrey Webster - 1826 Indent No; 31 Name; Bryan Flagherty Age; 52 Read & write. Widower - 1 child Native Place; Co Clare Trade or calling; Farmers Lab Trial where & Date; Co Clare - Pig stealing - 2 March 1825 Sentence; 7 years Height; 5 ft. 5 in Eyes; Lt Grey Hair; Dark Completion; Dark Sallow Behaviour on board; Well Assigned; Andrew Brown Remarks; BROTHER; to Simon Flagherty. Indent No; 32. On board UK, Royal Navy Medical Journals, Sir Godfrey Webster - Surgeons notes; I also objected to receive the aged D Keneary & the two Flagherty's but did not succeed in getting them exchanged;