Patrick Conyngham

My link with Patrick Conyngham is the fact that he is the brother of my great great grandfather, Edward Conyngham.

 

 Herewith Patrick Conyngham Part ONE, the period covering, his transportation, his first wife and their family.

Patrick Conyngham Part TWO, covering his second family is here.

 Patrick’s Outline Descendant Tree is here.

 

PATRICK CONYNGHAM.

by Mary HOLLIS^[1]

Patrick John CONYNGHAM was born 8 Mar 1801 in Dublin, Ireland and baptized on 22 Mar 1801 at St Catherine’s; Roman ‘Catholic Parish, Dublin. The sponsors were Patrick KEMPLE and Mary O’BRIEN. He married Honora Kelly, daughter of John Kelly and Catherine Maher, circa 1821 at Dublin, and the couple’s first child, a daughter, Elinor, was born in 1822.

 

 Patrick stole money in Dublin during the early months of 1826.^[2] He was sentenced on 27 April 1826, in Dublin City, to be transported for 7 years to the penal colony of NSW. He was by trade a coach builder, was Roman Catholic and could read and write. It was further recorded that he was 5ft 8 ½ inches, tall with a sallow complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. He had a mark on the bridge of his nose and two small scars on the corner of his left eye-brow.

 

 

Patrick sailed directly from Dublin aboard the convict transport PHOENIX on 27 Aug 1826. Built at Topsham in 1810, the vessel was rated 500 tons, and E1 for insurance. Her Captain was Alex. Anderson and Jos. Cook was her Surgeon Superintendent caring for 190 male convicts, only one of whom died on the voyage. The vessel anchored in Port Jackson on Christmas Day 1826, 120 days after leaving Dublin.

 

Patrick’s behaviour on board was good and he was assigned to Alexander McGuigan who employed coach builders and wheelwrights and was a wheelwright himself, soon after he arrived in Sydney.  He transferred from McGuigan to H M Lumber Yard in about April 1828. See his letter 29/1061). The Government lumber yard was situated on the corner of Bridge and George Streets. This was used as the base for public works up until 1833.It accommodated all types of tradesman involved in public works in Sydney and District; carpenters woodturners sawyers wheelwrights iron and brass founders, smiths toolmakers.

 

There can be little doubt that Patrick received family support. Unlike most of his fellow convicts, Patrick had a sum of money at his disposal. Some £200 ^[3] had been deposited to his credit in the Convict Savings Bank and plans were made for his wife, Honora, to follow him to Sydney Town. She travelled alone, aboard the MARY HOPE (Capt. Jas Farmer) which sailed from Liverpool on 16 Sept 1826 and anchored in Port Jackson on 24 Mar 1827, only three months after her husband’s arrival. His extensive correspondence in the period 1826 to 1832, re these funds and his and her living arrangements are provided here in these research notes.

 

Meanwhile, Patrick maintained his good conduct with just two exceptions, 1 Mar 1827 ”absent from his service” (3 days penalty) and 23 Mar 1827 ”Drunk and absent from duty” (6 days penalty). No coincidence that these breaches of discipline occurred so close to his wife’s arrival. Further comments on his conduct prior to and during the whole period of his service are worth recording here:

• “Conduct on board Phoenix “Good”^[4]
• “The Petitioner’s husband Patrick Conyngham is my Assigned Servant since his arrival in the Colony during which he has conducted himself honestly and respectfully on all occasions. If it suits His Excellency’s approbation to assign him to his wife the undersigned has not the least objection.”^[5]
• “….and her husband’s conduct since his arrival has been……..and unexceptionable.”^[6]
• “I beg leave to recommend the Petitioner as I think him worthy of any indulgence the Government may think fit to confer on him”.^[7]
• “I beg to recommend the prayer of this Petition the applicant conducting himself very steadily.”^[8]
• “The applicant has conducted himself steadily & with satisfaction since his being employed in this Dept. And has according to the accompanying Certificate from his overseer rendered himself to every part of  his trade as a Wheelwright.”^[9]
• “I certify that Patrick Cunningham is fully competent as a Wheelwright to make Carts Drays and Wheels in a (preeminent?) manner.”^[10]
• “Generally well behaved”^[11].
  
• “That on Petitioner’s first landing he was assigned to Mr McGuigan Wheelwright of George Street where Petitioner remained sixteen months and was then returned by him to Government without complaint.” ^[12]

 

Patrick would have expected the government to assign him to Honora, who was freeborn and had made her way to the colony at her own expense. However, as set out in the newspaper correspondence below, the current rules precluded assignments to spouses until some time had elapsed. Honora had obtained a position in Governor Darling’s household, and this left any such assignment open to criticism were the rules bent.  E S Hall, editor of the Sydney Monitor used this Patrick and Honora situation to mount another attack against Ralph Darling. Hall, the Monitor’s editor had been bitterly contesting Darling’s efforts to control the press and other administrative decisions.^[13]

Hall wrote:^[14]

        “About nine or ten months back a Convict named Cunningham arrived by the Ship———- under sentence of transportation. He was being a mechanic assigned to a tradesman living in Sydney in whose service he still remains. His wife a young woman of respectable connections and engaging appearance followed him at her own expense in the ship Mary Hope under the expectation of having her husband assigned to her on her arrival. Here however it was her lot to meet with disappointment the regulations of Governor DARLING allowing not of such an indulgence until a probation has been passed by Cunningham. The wife is accordingly denied the privilege of cohabitation until a further period shall have expired.

Convict women who by their vices are condemned to an idle imprisonment and to be supported at the public expense while free virtuous women after following their husbands into exile at their own expense or that of the English public are (after a voyage which on account of its length sufficiently proves their merit as wives and mothers) left alone; not in their native village amongst their friends and relatives but in a strange land.

 

The town’s other newspaper, the Sydney Gazette commented:^[15],

Mr Hall in following up his comments in this paragraph says

“to refuse to allow the husbands of free women to be assigned to them as their convict servants when the latter come out to them at their own expense is an extreme.”

And again

” but if through an heroic devotion to her husband a free wife raise funds and cross the ocean to share his destiny surely it is a refinement in cruelty seeing the custom obtains in New South Wales of assigning prisoners to free settlers not to assign the man in question to his free wife.”

These are the blessed doctrines which Mr. Hall now advances. He contends that it is a refinement in cruelty not to assign Cunningham to his wife although the man was 9 or 10 months ago assigned to a tradesman resident in Sydney and in whose service he still continues!!! Had the Government forced Cunningham’s master to relinquish his services in order to assign him to his wife will Mr. Hall pretend to say that the measure would have been a just one? We leave him to answer this simple question”

 

Patrick was no doubt hoping the furore would die down. He explained that Honora lived with him in his employer’s premises from the time she arrived in the colony, that she was employed at Government House and that they were residing at the premises of Patrick’s employer:

 

”To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette – Sir, I humbly beg leave to address you on a subject that has been published in the Monitor, concerning my not having been assigned to my wife, etc., where the Editor, without any communication with me, has, through some means, acquired a knowledge of’ this matter, and at once attacks the personage of her protector, His Excellency, the Governor, in whose service she is at present. But I fear much that this prejudiced Editor will increase my affliction, by my wife, perhaps, being censured and discharged. As a proof of our innocence in causing such presumptive insolence to be published, and in justice to myself, I unequivocally deny having, either by wish or command, any knowledge of such publication; and I further say, that I respectfully submit to any regulations His Excellency may think fit to adopt and shall trust to his clemency. I remain, your humble servant, PATRICK CUNNINGHAM

P.S. With respect to what the Editor says, that I am deprived of cohabiting with my wife, I can truly deny this, as from my master’s goodness my wife is allowed to live in his own house with me, as long as I conduct myself properly.”^[16]

 

The NSW Census of November 1828 listed him as ”Patrick Cunningham, Ship ’Phoenix’ Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney”. The records show that he was not living there at the time but presumably linked for the record ,though he was living elsewhere and “off stores”. He was

 

 

 Subsequently, from 1829, he was employed in the Penrith/Emu Plains area and by 1831 was with George Cox at Mulgoa. On 14 February 1829, three months before the birth of their daughter Margaret, Patrick received a Certificate of Exemption from Govt. Labour “to reside with his wife – Honora, came free ‘Mary Hope’. This certificate enabled him to reside with his wife, but, unlike a Ticket of Leave, not to acquire property or be self-employed. All such tickets required renewing each calendar year.

 

We do not know exactly when Honora first became ill but do know that during the early months of 1831, she was stricken by an unnamed disease, and by the 12 Mar 1831 had returned to Sydney from their Mulgoa home. Her “health was very much impaired” and she sought treatment available only in Sydney Town. Gradually, her condition worsened and a Colonial Secretary’s letter reported that she

has been for a length of time labouring under a most severe illness and was removed about three months since from Mulgoa to Sydney for the purpose of receiving medical assistance

 

 “…had suffered a most severe illness for three months since removal from Mulgoa to Sydney for medical assistance. That she has since her arrival in Sydney been attended by Dr Fattorini   and is now most dangerously ill as will appear upon reference to the accompanying Certificate. That Petitioner has been compelled to leave Mulgoa on pass for the purpose of rendering her such assistance as she is in need of…….” ^[17]

 

By the 18 Apr 1831 Patrick needed money for Honora’s ongoing treatment and sought to have funds released from his account in the Convict Savings Bank. Accordingly, he presented a medical certificate to the Governor in which Dr. Fattorini stated “At the request of Mr. Cunningham, certify that his wife is now very dangerous/y ill in Sydney”. Tragically, Honora died on 28 May 1831 at Sydney, NSW, only five days after her toddler’s second birthday. She was buried in the Roman Catholic Burial Ground, Devonshire Street Cemetery. Her headstone also commemorated her mother’s death.

 

Patrick received his Certificate of Freedom in 1833

 

Six years after Honora died, he married Eliza QUINN on 25 Dec 1837 at St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church, Windsor, NSW. Rev. Fr. John Brady officiated and the witnesses were James Evans, Emu Plains; James Cassidy, Windsor and Maria Burgess, Windsor. Patrick’s second wife was 16 years old, only eight years older than his daughter Margaret. The couple remained in the Emu Plains/Penrith district where the first seven of their fifteen children were born then moved to Sydney and were residing in Parramatta Street (now Road) Sydney when the twins; Emily and Henry were born in 1851. ln 1868 the family’s address was 55 Banks Street. Patrick continued to work as a Wheelwright until his health failed. He died on 9 Aug 1871 at George St., Redfern, Sydney, aged 70; from heart disease and senility. He had been ill for about 12 months and was attended by Dr. Spencer.

 

His Death Notice read as follows:

 “CONYNGHAM, Death on 9th at his late residence No.53 George Street, Redfern, Patrick Conyngham, aged 75 years, leaving an affectionate wife and large family, Uncle to Mrs. McMahon, wife of Francis McMahon, J.P. Ulladulla. Dublin Papers please copy”.

 

Funeral notices were published in the SMH on 10 Aug 1871:

 “The Friends of Mrs. Patrick Conyngham are respectfully invited to attend his funeral to move from his late residence, No 53, George Street, Redfern, This (Thursday) afternoon, at 3 o’clock, and proceed to the Roman Catholic Burial ground, Devonshire Street. J. & G SHYING, Undertakers.”

 

 His elder sons placed their own notice:

 “The friends of Edward, Charles and Ambrose Conyngham are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of their late beloved father, this Thursday afternoon, at 3 o’clock. J. & G. Shying, Undertakers.” ^[18]

 

Patrick was buried at the Roman Catholic Burial Ground, Section F, Devonshire Street Cemetery, in the plot where his baby twins lay. They were reinterred in Botany (Eastern Suburbs) Cemetery in 1901 after Devonshire Street Cemetery and a number of large buildings were removed, to make way for the Central Railway complex.

 

Patrick’s first wife.

 

 Honora KELLY was baptized on 18 Mar 1801 at St Nicholas’ Roman Catholic Parish, Dublin, Ire. The sponsors were Samuel GARDNER and Maria GAHAGAN. The officiating priest was Rev. Fr. G. Stafford. She married Patrick CONYNGHAM and gave birth to their first child on 12 Aug 1822, a daughter named Elinor/Elen’ CONYNGHAM who was baptized on 20 Aug 1822 at St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Parish, Dublin, Ire. The sponsors were Edward Conyngham and Mary Ann Conyngham (presumed to be Patrick’s brother and sister). It is thought that the little one died in Dublin, or remained with relatives when her mother made the brave decision to follow her transported convict husband to New South Wales.

 

Travelling alone, the young woman made the long voyage aboard the MARY HOPE (257 tons) Capt. Farmer, which sailed from Liverpool, England on 16 Sep 1826 and travelled via Teneriffe and the Cape of Good Hope (where quantities of wine were loaded) to Sydney where it docked on Saturday. 24 Mar 1827. Honora’s arrival in Sydney was reported in the newspapers: ^[19]

“Arrived yesterday from Liverpool, ship MARY HOPE. Passengers: Mr. John Walker, wife and child and Mrs Cunningham (sic)” and the Australian: “the Mary Hope, Captain James Farmer, from Liverpool 16 September, Teneriffe 7 October, Cape of Good Hope 11 January. Lading: Sundries. Passengers Mr Walker and child, Mrs Cunningham.(sic)”

 

Also on board were Charles OTHAM, a butler, aged 30 years and two footmen: Etienne MAURICE aged 17 and Robert GREEN aged 35 who were travelling to Sydney under engagement to Governor Ralph Darling at Government House. Honora, described in the newspaper Monitor as being of “respectable connexions and engaging appearance”, would have made a good impression and there can be little doubt that discussion aboard ship led to her employment as a maid in the Governor’s household.

 

Soon after her arrival Honora obtained a position on the staff of Government House and was listed in the NSW Census of 1828 with her fellow employees, twenty-two in number.

 

On 23 May 1829, fourteen months after their reunion, Honora gave birth to their second known child, a daughter whom they named Margaret. The baby was healthy and all should have been well. However, during the early months of 1831, it became obvious that Honora was extremely unwell and by the 12 Mar 1831, she was forced to return to Sydney Town from their Mulgoa home. Her “health was very much impaired” and she sought treatment available only in Sydney. Her physician was Dr. Fattorini^[20]

 

Tragically, Honora died on 28 May 1831 at Sydney, only five days after her daughter’s second birthday. She was buried in the Roman Catholic Burial Ground, Devonshire St Cemetery, her grave marked by a headstone which also commemorated her mother.

 ”Honora Cunningham (sic) died 28 May 1831, aged 26 years, and also her mother Catherine Kelly died 6 November 1830, aged 48 years”.

(Note: her headstone inscription took 4 years from Honora’s age).

 

 Known issue of Patrick John Conyngham and Honora Kelly was as follows:

(1) Elinor/Elenor CONYNGHAM was born on 12 Aug 1822 at Dublin, Ire., Ireland and was baptized on 20 Aug 1822 at St Catherine’s Roman Catholic Parish, Dublin. The sponsors were Edward Conyngham and Mary Ann Conyngham (probably her aunt and uncle — Patrick’s siblings). lt is presumed that the little girl died in Dublin, or remained with relatives when her mother followed her transported father to New South Wales in 1827.

(2) Margaret CONYNGHAM was born on 23 May 1829 at Sydney, NSW. She was baptized on 14 Jun 1829 at St Mary’s R.C. Chapel, Sydney, NSW. She lived on 10 Sep 1843 at Sydney, NSW; with her Uncle Edward’s family when she donated 2/6d to the Building Fund for St Patrick’s Church Sydney. Reported in the Monitor 13 Sep 1843. She married Everitt Richard Summons, son of John Summons and Elizabeth (Eliza) Adams, on 30 May 1849 at Sydney, NSW. She died circa 1861; at an unknown place but possibly the hospital at Tarban Creek. Only one child was born to Margaret and Everitt Summons before she disappeared from the records. From ca 1853 her spouse Everitt cohabited with Sophia Jones who used the name Sophia SUMMONS. Three children were born to them before 1861 when they married (Everitt declared himself a “widower”). lt is thought that Margaret may have developed post partum depression after her baby’s birth in 1849 and subsequently been confined to Tarban Creek where she died. The records of this institution are very poor.

Everitt Richard SUMMONS was born on 5 Jun 1827 at Port Stephens, NSW. He was baptized on 23 Oct 1827 at Christ Church (Anglican) Parish, NSW. On 7 Dec 1848 the SMH reported that the Licensing Court had approved transfer of the Rum Puncheon Tavern, cnr Castlereagh St., and Campbell St., Sydney, from Alexander Elliott to Everitt “Simmons”. Also in Campbell Street was the Beehive Inn, owned by Edward Conyngham. Everitt, aged 21 years, was involved or became involved with Edward’s niece, Margaret Conyngham. They married on 30 May 1849, at Sydney, NSW, a week after her 20^th  birthday, according to the rites of the Presbyterian Church, rather than her Roman Catholic faith.

 

Eleven days before their marriage, Everitt advertised in the populist newspaper Bell’s Life in Sydney & Sporting Reviewer that he intended to hold

“A Ball and Supper… at Mr. Summon’s, Rum-puncheon, Castlereagh Street South, on the 24th May. Single tickets, 2s. 6d. double ditto, 4s. To be had of Mr. King, Dancing Master, and of Mr. E. Summons, Dancing will commence at eight o’clock.”

 Either that first “Ball” was a very successful money spinner or he needed to recoup his outlay and was forced to hold another, for a second advertisement appeared on

“A Ball and Supper Will be held at MR. SUMMONS‘S. Rum Puncheon. Castlereagh-street, South, on MONDAY; NEXT, June 25. Single Tickets, 2s. 6d. Double ditto 4s.- to be had of Mr. King, dancing master, and of Mr. E. Summons. Dancing will commence at Eight o’clock.”^[21]

 

 

 Everitt and Margaret’s only known child, Elizabeth Mary, was born on 4^th  Oct 1849 in Elizabeth Street, Sydney, five months after their marriage, and was baptised into her mother’s Roman Catholic faith. Her god-mother was Edward Conyngham’s daughter, Catherine Mary. We do not know how long the couple remained together. However, we do know that Everitt left Sydney for San Francisco USA and arrived there in 1850. The name of his ship was not recorded and his name was spelled “E. Simmons”. In  Nov 1851  a California newspaper, carried the following advertisement

“SYDNEY — The well known, fast-sailing barque WHITON, 300 tons burthen, will sail for the above port on the 15th November. —This sp/ena barque has been proved to be an exceedingly fast sailer, and is expected to make the best trip of any vessel out of this port. Her accommodations are of a very superior order, and passengers for the above port are particularly requested to examine them before applying elsewhere. No expense will be spared in provisioning her for this voyage, and an experienced surgeon is engaged. For passage only, apply to CAPT. PATTISON, Rose Shipping Office, Pacific wharf – Or to: J. N. SLEDDON & CO., 1-2 Jackson st. wharf.”^[22]

 

Everitt must have been in funds for he booked his passage — as a cabin passenger — and sailed on 15 Nov 1851 aboard the Whiton (of New York) barque 227 tons, Capt. P.L. Smith. The vessel had a crew of 16 and carried 13 cabin, 11 intermediate and 52 steerage passengers. It is possible, but highly unlikely, that Margaret SUMMONS nee CONYNGHAM travelled with her husband to San Francisco, and died there. If that happened — then she must have left her very young child in Australia with family members for there is no mention of Everitt Summons, cabin passenger, with a child.

 

 Everitt returned to Sydney on 18 Jan 1852.:

 “January 18. Whiton, U.S. barque, 227 ton B, Captain Smith, from San Francisco the 21st November, in ballast. Passengers – Mr. Alfred Bransgrove, Mr. Richard M’KeIligott, Mr. Henry Francis, Mr. Everett Simmons, Mr. William Ward, Mr. Daniel M’Beath, Mr. William J S. Dickson, Mr. James Henderson, Mrs. Ward, Miss Anne Ward, Mrs. J. Holt, Messrs. John Wood, Thomas Lacy, William, Murphy, G. J. Screvinen. H. Danicleur. G. Reid, G. Baker, R. Lemoyre, Alexander – Penson, Swainson, and 52 in the steerage.”^[23]

 

 

By June 1852, Everitt Richard Summons had purchased a Ginger beer Manufactory from his step-father Nicodemus Dunn and was residing at the corner of Sussex and Bathurst Sts, Sydney after placing a notice in the Sydney Morning Herald

 “NOTICE OF REMOVAL.– I, the undersigned, having purchased the we/I known and long established Ginger Beer Brewery Manufactory of Mr. Dunn, beg respectfully to apprise the public and my friends, that I have removed my business from Castlereagh-street to the corner of Sussex and Bathurst streets, where all orders shall be punctually and promptly attended to. I also hereby beg to caution W. J. Norris, or any other mercenary ill-disposed person, from going about and making false and calumnious representations, for the base purpose of endeavouring to injure me in my trade. l further take leave to state, that I will honourably compete with anyone in the same business as myself, in providing my patrons with as good Ginger Beer as can be manufactured. EVERITT SUMMONS. Ginger Beer Manufacturer, Corner of Sussex and Bathurst streets. Sydney, June 10. 1852”

 

 

Nick Dunn would rue the day that he had business dealings with step-son Everitt who promptly put the business up for auction (without reserve) and used the proceeds to further his own ends instead of repaying the debt owed to his step-father. Advertisements for the sale appeared in August 1852 :

 

WEDNESDAY, 26th AUGUST.

Stock in trade of a Ginger Beer Brewer. Horses, Spring Carts, Harness, Saddles, Ginger Beer Bottles, Copper, Tubs, &c. PURKIS AND LAMBERT (successors to the late Mr. Samuel Lyons), will sell by auction, on the premises of Mr. EVERETT SUMMONS, at the rear of the Sir Walter Scott Inn, corner of Bathurst and Sussex streets, THIS DAY, Wednesday, the 26th instant, at ll o’clock precisely, without reserve. Two good harness horses 224- lbs. twine Two spring carts bottle baskets, brewing tubs Two sets harness Copper Hogskin saddle and bridle gross ginger beer bottles iron & composition pestles & Jamaica ginger mortars Also – The goodwill of the above business; the receipts of which, during the winter months, have averaged £20 per week, and as the busy season is now coming on, this would be a first-rate opportunity for an industrious man.”^[24]

 

 There is no mention of Everitt’s wife Margaret nor their baby daughter, Elizabeth Mary, and within two years he was cohabiting with Sophia Jones. On 25 Aug 1854 his defacto spouse appeared before the coronial enquiry into the accidental death of their neighbour Mrs. Mary Ann Scholtock. The inquest was held in the Lighthouse Hotel, Bathurst Street and she gave evidence under the surname SUMMONS instead of her actual name: Sophia JONES.

 

 Meanwhile, Nick DUNN was in financial difficulties.

”Nicodemus Dunn: liabilities, £220 3s. Assets— value of real property, £150; of personal property, £15; outstanding debts, £28 10s.: total, £193 10s. Deficit, £26 13s. [MEMORANDUM.—ln the insolvent estate of Nicodemus Dunn.—”I attribute my insolvency to an account of £544 19s. 6d., not accounted for by my stepson Everitt Richard Summons, of Penrith, ginger beer, lemonade, and cordial manufacturer; the said sum being lawfully due to me, and if paid, would more than cover my liabilities.-—NlCODEMUS DUNN. “^[25]

 

Everitt Richard SUMMONS and Sophia JONES married on 26 Feb 1861 at St Stephen Anglican Church, Penrith, NSW, Aust; after some seven years in a de facto relationship and the birth of their first three children. He continued business in Penrith where he opened an account in 1862 with the Bank of New South Wales – the second person in the town to do so. However, Everitt’s financial situation was not as rosy as it should have been. The first public evidence of financial problems appeared in the press when Everitt’s notice advised

”NOTICE-The public are cautioned not to give credit on my account after this date without my written authority, as I will not be answerable for the same after this date. EVERETT SUMMONS. Penrith, September 22” ^[26]

Four years later, another such NOTICE.

“I will not be responsiblefor any Debts contracted in my name after this date without my written order. EVERITT SUMMONS. Penrith, January 13, 1866.”^[27]

 

Everitt Richard Summons was a Leaseholder, Occupation: Cordial manufacturer, when he signed a petition in Aug 1870 for Penrith to be incorporated as a Municipality. However, his occupation was “Innkeeper” when he was Declared Insolvent on 29 Jun 1871 at Rydal, NSW. The official notice re his insolvency was published in 1871:

 “Everett Summons, of Rydal, late of Diamond Swamp, near Bathurst, innkeeper. Cause of insolvency: Pressure of a creditor. Liabilities, £330 1s., Assets, £43. Deficiency, £296 ls. Official assignee, Mr. R. H. Sempill.” ^[28]

 

During the following year Everitt Richard Summons resided at Wallangarra, NSW (Grevilles Directory) where he must have traded out of his difficulties. He was declared to be without debt on 13 Mar 1872. But the marriage was at an end, Sophia took up residence in Windsor with her sister, Elizabeth de Gill, and her youngest son Sydney Alfred SUMMONS. Everitt retained ownership of a Lemonade/Ginger Beer manufactory at Wallerawang between 1880 and 1887. In 1884 he operated a Cordial manufactory at Mitchell (Sunny Corner), NSW and had a Lemonade/Ginger Beer manufactory between 1884 and 1887 at Parramatta, NSW.

 

Everett died from Cancer on 3 Mar 1887 at Sydney Hospital, Sydney, NSW. aged 59. He was buried on 5 Mar 1887 in the Anglican Section EE. Row 9, No. 558, at Rookwood Cemetery. His first-born daughter Elizabeth Mary HILL nee SUMMONS was interred with him in 1913. Everitt’s estate was probated after Apr 1887 at Sydney and the legatees were his sons: Everitt Valentine; Richard Charles and James A. He left nothing to his wife Sophia from whom he became estranged ca.1872, or to his other children, including Elizabeth Mary, his first born.

 

However, he did leave a share of his meagre estate to a Jane Ann Green of Abercombie Street, Redfern who may have been a de facto partner after her husband died in 1877. This Jane Ann nee Mullins had married William Thomas Green in 1855 and had eleven children. Of interest is her last child, a son named Harold Everet (sic) Green born in 6 Jul 1876 at Rylstone, NSW.

 

Known issue of Margaret Conyngham and Everitt Richard Summons was:

(1) Elizabeth Mary SUMMONS was born on 4 Oct 1849 at Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW, and baptised on 19 Nov 1849 in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney. Rev. Fr. W.H. Johnson officiated and the sponsors were: William WALSH and Catherine Mary CONYNGHAM, her mother’s first cousin. Her parents separated and by 1853/54 her father had taken Sophia Jones as his de facto spouse and she was using the name “Mrs. Summons.” Sophia gave birth to three children before 1861 when she married Elizabeth’s father and he claimed to be a widower. No trace has been found of Margaret, his first wife, after Elizabeth was born. Family stories maintain that the little girl was brought up by her paternal grand-mother Elizabeth (Eliza) Dunn formerly Summons nee Adams (who had married Nicodemus Dunn after her husband John SUMMONS died in 1834).

 

 Elizabeth  married Henry Hill, on 29 Mar 1867 at St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Parramatta, NSW. He was a son of two emancipated convicts Samuel HILL and Martha (Matty) HARRINGTON and a farrier by occupation. She died on 25 Apr 1913 at Lister Private Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW. aged 63. She was buried on 26 Apr 1913 at Sydney, NSW in the Anglican Section EE. Row 9, N0. 558, at Rookwood Cemetery, with her father Everitt Richard SUMMONS.

Patrick Conyngham’s second marriage – to Eliza Quinn – and family, is here.

Patrick Conyngham’s 1826 to 1832 correspondence is in these Research Notes.

Patrick Conyngham’s Outline Descendant Tree is here.