Patrick Geraghty

343

Maureen Withey on 25th July 2021

Married. At the Church of St. Francis Xavier, Wollongong, on Monday, the 15th September, by the Rev. Father Sumner, Mr. William English, of Jamberoo, to Mary, third daughter of Mr. Patrick Geraghty, of Bulli, Illawarra. Illawarra Mercury, 22 Sep 1856. --------------------------------------------------- Married. On Tuesday 23rd, inst., at Jamberoo, by special license, by the Rev Father Young, Owen, eldest son of Mr P. Daly, late of County Cork, Ireland, and now of Jamberoo, to Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Mr P. Geraghty, of Bulli, native of the colony. Illawarra Mercury, 28 Feb 1859. ---------------------------------------------------- DEATH. GERAGHTY —At Lismore, Clarence River, on the 3rd December instant, Patrick Geraghty, beloved father of Mrs. Michael Cawley, of Bellambi, and thirteen other children, all of whom, with their mother and seventy-two grand-children, survive him. The deceased was a native of Ireland, but resided in the Illawarra district during the greater part of his life, which reached 92 years. Illawarra Mercury, 12 Dec 1879. The late Mr. Patrick Geraghty. — It will be noticed by an announcement in another part of this issue that Mr. Patrick Geraghty, who for many years was a resident of this district, died at Lismore, on the 3rd instant, at the advanced age of 92 years. Th deceased arrived in this colony when he was about 25 years of age. Not long after landing, he settled in this district, at North Bulli, in the then wild bush, and with short intervals remained there until within twelve years ago, when he removed, with some members of his family to the Clarence River, where he died on the day stated. Mr. Geraghty leaves a family of ten sons and four daughters, one of the latter being Mrs. Michael Cawley, of Bellambi, all the other members of the family, like that lady, being highly respectable. Mrs. Geraghty, who it may be mentioned was born in the year Mr. Geraghty reached this colony, also survives him. And in addition to the large family stated, not less than seventy-two grand-children have to be counted as descendants of the deceased. Mr. Geraghty's connection with this district was an eventful one, and his name will be handed down to posterity, as one of the landmarks of the Illawarra coast— Geraghty's Creek, where he resided so long at Bulli — has been named after him, and this it may be remembered is officially set down by the Government as the northern extremity of the port of Wollongong as recently proclaimed under the Customs regulations of the colony. One remarkable instance in Mr. Geraghty's connection with this district was that he was the first man that brought a team and dray down the mountain into the seaboard. This he did shortly after the late Mr. C. T. Smith settled on Bustle Hill. The late Mr. Matthew Ryan haying decided to settle down at what is now known as the Figtree, Mr. Geraghty with much difficulty managed to bring Mr. Ryan's "flitting'' from Campbelltown in a bullock-dray. This was the first vehicle that ever came down the Bulli mountain, over which three day coaches now run every week, and a mail coach every day, not speaking of other vehicles. We understand that it is about sixty years' since Mr. Geraghty performed the eventful and historic feat referred to. In the course of his early residence in this district, the deceased, as may be imagined, had much to contend with in one way and other, as invariably is the case with early settlers in a new country. In one instance, a gang of bushrangers attempted to stick him up, and fired at him, wounding one of his hands. He proved too much for his assailants, however, as he shot one of them and captured another. As may readily be imagined, Mr. Geraghty was a man of good constitution, health, and vigor, being capable of enduring many hardships and overcoming difficulties before which persons of less physical powers would quail. And withal he was kind hearted and generous almost to a fault. His house and hospitality, literally speaking, were at the disposal of all who might reach his place in need of shelter or food, so long as he knew nothing against them. As an illustration of the large heartedness and broad Christian qualities which characterised him, we need only mention that his house and the best it could afford were at all times at the disposal of clergymen of all denominations who might travel in that direction in those days, when such Christian generosity was even more valuable in this district than at the present time, when Bulli and Coal-Cliff has not less than seven public-houses for the accommodation of travellers. And like nearly all generous hearted individuals, Mr. Geraghty was brave, and this fact, with the excellent character which he always bore, caused the Government to secure his services in connection with the police force on several occasions, and in many such instances he rendered good service to the country, in hunting down bushrangers or other lawless prowlers which infested the community in those days. Illawarra Mercury, 12 Dec 1879.

343

Maureen Withey on 25th July 2021

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Patrick Geraghty, age on arrival, 23, per Canada (3) 1815, Tried Westmeath Co., 1814, Life. DOB, 1792, native of Westmeath. Labourer. --------------------------------------------------- Westmeath Assizes - Mullingar March 17 - James Fox was indicted, for that he on the 10th of November at Balaslock, in the county of Westmeath, did administer an unlawful and treasonable oath to one Patrick Martin, contrary to the statute. William Cunnyham, Patrick Geraghty, James Geraghty and Michael Fox were indicted for that they on the same day, and at the same place, did aid and assist said James Fox in administering an unlawful and treasonable oath. All were convicted on the testimony of Patrick Martin and sentenced to be transported. Freeman's Journal 16 March 1814 -------------------------------------------------- Colonial Secretary Index. GERAGHTY, Patrick. Per "Canada", 1815 1818 Petition for mitigation of sentence; as Garratty (Fiche 3186; 4/1855 p.102) 1822 Dec 3 Recommending Andrew Lennon for a ticket of leave (Reel 6026; 4/1715 p.119) 1824 Oct 4 On return of grain in the possession of settlers in the District of Appin (Reel 6061; 4/1780 p.301a) 1825 Nov To be granted a conditional pardon (Fiche 3292; 4/6974.1 pp.49, 73) --------------------------------------------------- NOTICE. COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, 26 Nov. 1825. HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR has been pleased to give Directions … That the Individuals named below shall have Conditional Pardons; viz. James Geraghty, Canada (3). Patrick Geraghty, Canada (3). Sydney Gazette, 28 Nov 1825. --------------------------------------------------- GOVERNMENT NOTICE. COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE. 16th DEC. 1828. A REPORT having been transmitted to the GOVERNOR of an Attack made on the Residence of JAMES and PATRICK GERAGHTY, at Illawarra, by Six armed Bushrangers, in the Evening of the 13th November, when one of the latter, after having fired at, and wounded Patrick Geraghty, was shot, by his Brother, James Geraghty, His EXCELLENCY is pleased thus publicly to express his Approbation of the spirited Conduct of both James and Patrick Geraghty on the Occasion, as well as of the Assistance afforded to them by their Government Servant. James Geraghty having applied for the Situation of Constable, in his District, His EXCELLENCY is further pleased, in Consideration of the above Circumstances, to appoint him a Constable accordingly; and also to direct that the Sum of One Pound be paid to the Servant, as a Reward for his Courage and Conduct on the Occasion alluded to. By His Excellency's Command, ALEXANDER MCLEAY. Sydney Gazette, 19 Dec 1828. -------------------------------------------------- 1828 Census Index. Patrick Garraghty, age 32, T.L. Canada, 1813, catholic, Farmer, Illawarra district, has 100 acres of land, of which 25 acres are cleared, and 22 cultivated. Has 1 horse, and 35 cattle. James Garraghty, age 30, T.L. Canada, 1813, catholic, Constable. -------------------------------------------------- Convict Index. Patrick Geraghty, Canada 1815, Conditional Pardon, 11 Mar 1830, Entry No. 31.