Felix O'hare

54

Phil Hands on 21st May 2017

Tried and convicted at the Edinburgh Court of Justiciary 14th July 1814 of obstructing and deforcing the officers of the Revenue with co-accused Felix ONeill, they were both sentenced to transportation for 7 years. Left England on 25th august 1816. Ship:- the 'Fanny I' sailed with 174 male convicts on board of which 3 died during the voyage. Arrived on 18th January 1816. Felix was in the employ of Mr Caddy as a servant. He applied for permission to marry Bridget Murray on 2nd March 1818, they married on 28th June 1818, they had 3 children between 1819-1823. Citation details: No 605 Felix Hare, prisoner age 30, per Fanny of the parish of Parramatta and Bridget Murrey, prisoner age 28 per Canada of ditto were married in this church by banns this 29th day of June 1818 by me Samuel Marsden. Both Felix and Bridget made their X marks in the register in the presence of Henry Armstrong who made his X mark and Mary Walsh who signed the register. 14th April 1823 (Age 29) Felix Hare was tried in a court of criminal jurisdiction and acquitted of highway robbery but convicted of assault on Michael Byrne. He applied for mitigation of his sentence and held in gaol awaiting payment of his fine of five pounds. On 15th August 1823, he was released from gaol. This period (June to August 1823) is likely to be the period for the commencement of co-habitation between William Purnell and Bridget Hare (Felix's wife). In the 1825 General Muster, Felix was listed as a landowner of Parramatta living with his three children john aged 6, Thomas aged 4, and Felix aged 2. In the same muster, his wife Bridget is recorded as 'lives with Purnell' at Bringelly. 22nd January 1827 (Age 33) Felix petitioned the Archdeacon to make his wife Bridget return to his marital home. Bridget by this time had left him and took up with William Purnell and had had two children by him. William Purnell was however at this time in gaol for stealing from his employer and Bridget has also been petitioning the Archdeacon to free him. Honourable Sir I beg leave to state to you that I hear my Wife Bridget Murray alias Hare is making application to your Honour and His Excellency the Governor to get William Purnell out of Prison Who Was lately Convicted of having some property of Mr Jonathan Hassells in his possession which he was convicted of having Embezzled Said Mr Purnell is living in adultery with my Wife Bridget Murray or Hare after bearing three Children to Me two of Whom I Keep at School at Prospect and the other she keeps against my inclination with her, We were Married more than Eight years ago by the Reverend Mr Marsden at Parramatta; Sir she has also two Children by said Purnell and is continually with him in the Prison Which is contrary to all Laws Human and Divine that such adulterous intercourse would be permitted, She and he has resided thirty miles from where I reside so that the Inhabitants of the Cow pastures who signed her Memorial thought her to be his Wife I beg of your Honour to Command her to show her Marriage Lines wherein you Will find what I say to be true. Which I pray you make known to his Excellency. Sir with great Respect I am your obedient Servant Felix Hare Prospect, January 22nd 1827. Felix died on 4th June 1876 at Camden, his death certificate records him as 88 years old. His father is listed as '- O'Hare', father occupation not known, mother's maiden name not known. The informant was Felix O'Hare, son, at Hardwick, signed with his mark.

Felix became a landowner/farmer at The Oaks near PIcton NSW. He is buried in the church yard there. He was 89 years old when he died.