Two of Patrick Grace’s sons married two of Thomas O’Shaughnessy‘s daughters (whose brother Thomas O’Shaughnessy Jr was brother in law of my great grandparents). Consequently, my interest is peripheral from a genealogy aspect, though moreso from an interest in local history, including their historic early colonial cattle drive to South Australia, as well as in the the Irish “Men of ’98” story, given the Byrne and Dwyer heritage of the Grace and O’Shaughnessy wives.
Patrick GRACE (1799 – 1872) arrived in New South Wales on the “Countess of Harcourt” on 21 December 1822. He had been sentenced to 7 years in New South Wales in a Co Wexford Court. His ‘crime’ is unknown but the timing and the sentence suggest a conviction under the UK’s Irish Insurrection Act. This is reinforced by his Ticket of Leave in 4 years and complete freedom in 7 years, a usual progress for those sent out under that Act.
Patrick married married Mary Ann Hughes (nee Dwyer) and they moved to the Lachlan River area near what became Cowra, farming on property alongside Thomas O’Shaughnessy. Later, both families moved to South Australia. The full family story is covered in an extract from George Cargeeg’s “The Rebel of Glenmalure. A History of Michael Dwyer”.
The Cargeeg extract includes names etc of later generations, but the first two generations are outlined, with some obituaries, below:
1 Patrick GRACE b: 1799 in Co. Wicklow, Ireland, Arr. Australia: 21 Dec 1822 in “COUNTESS of
HARCOURT”, d: 29 Apr 1872 in Sheoak Log S A
+ Mary Ann DWYER b: 1799 Co. Wicklow, Ireland, m: 04 Apr 1834 in NSW Australia, d: 28 Sep 1869 in Sheoak Log S A
The Late Mr P GRACE.
Death has within the past week deprived us of another well known and respected old settler, who has long occupied a useful and somewhat conspicuous position among the active and enterprising farmers of this neighbourhood. Mr Patrick Grace, who came to this neighbourhood from the old Colony of New South Wales, settled many years ago in the immediate vicinity of Sheoak Log, where he carried on farming on a rather extensive scale, and at times under prosperous circumstances, his operations being however occasionally the subject of adverse results. For several weeks past, he had been laid up with a complaint of consumptive character, under which he gradually sank, when early on Monday morning, the final summons relieved him from all future cares and anxieties. His remains were interred on Tuesday afternoon in the Catholic portion of the Gawler Belt Cemetery attended by a large number of friends from Gawler and his own neighbourhood. The cortege, on nearing Mr Boemke’s, the Gawler Belt Inn was preceded by another conveying from his residence the body of an infant, the third of which Mr and Mrs Boemke have been bereft within nine months. The funeral service of the Catholic Church was separately read over the graves by the Rev Fr Reynolds, who, with most of the persons present, appeared to be sensibly affected by the circumstances before them of the colonist of 73 being interred simultaneously with the babe only permitted to taste of life, and then prematurely withdrawn from its joys and cares, its hopes and disappointments. The funeral arrangements for the interment of Mr Grace were executed by Mr Fowler, Mr Woodman executing those of the infant, with whose parents much sympathy is felt. “
[Extract from the “Bunyip”, or Gawler Humbug Society Chronicle of 4 May 1872.]
…2 James GRACE b: 29 Aug 1835 in Bapt. St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, d: 14 Feb 1904 in Hannan St,
Kalgoorlie, WA
+ Sarah O’SHAUGHNESSY b: 17 May 1842 in Lachlan River NSW, m: 25 Feb 1862 in Gawler S A,
d: 24 Apr 1930 in Karrakatta W A
…2 John Joseph GRACE b: 16 Apr 1837 in Bapt. St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, d: 25 Jul 1901 in
Bengallow, NSW
+ Mary O’SHAUGHNESSY b: 01 Mar 1844 in Lachlan River NSW, m: 24 Apr 1865 in Kapunda SA,
d: 03 Jan 1921 in Boort Vic.
John GRACE Obituary.
“A sensation of profound regret throughout this district, when the news was spread that Mr John Grace, the father of the homestead at Bengellow, a few miles below this town, on the Murray, had passed over the bourne from whence none returneth. The deceased gentleman’s health had been a source of great anxiety to his family for some time and at the end of last year his eldest daughter, who is a trained nurse, returned from West Australia to assist in preserving the life of her loving father. Last summer, Mr Grace’s condition had become so serious that it was necessary to call in medical aid and a doctor was brought from Mildura, a distance of forty miles. Since then, he had the keenest care and attention of his wife and daughters, and about the 16th Ultimo, the doctor was again brought from Mildura, but it was found that his case was hopeless, and after receiving the last rites of the Church, administered by father Shore, he quietly passed away. Mr Grace, who was 64 years of age, was a native of Sydney, where he resided for some time, and afterwards removed with his father to South Australia, where they carried on successful farming operations for some years at Crystal Brook and Freeling.
He then returned to New South Wales and took up his residence at Beninee Lake, whence he finally removed to Bengallow, where he had resided for about twenty years. He was among the earliest adventurers of the regions, having crossed the Darling before the town of Wentworth existed, and he was able to relate many interesting tales of his pioneer days. During Mr Grace’s residence in the district, his kind manner and sterling qualities had won the respect and esteem of all who knew him. He was what is generally referred to as a “white man” and his nature was all of that genuine ring which made one feel at home in his company. He had been for years Justice of the Peace for this Colony and no man has ever been more entitled to that distinction and honour.
At Bengallow both he and Mrs Grace and family have made themselves famous by their hospitality and generous spirit. To know that Mr Grace is a nephew of Michael Dwyer, the great Irish Chief, is proof that his life-blood flowed with true affection for the Catholic Church of which he was a devout member.
He had a wide circle of relations, amongst whom are many of the best Catholic families in Australia. Mrs Grace survives her husband, and with her are left six sons and three daughters, all of whom are grown up.
The funeral took place on Saturday 27th Ultimo, at Gol Gol and was largely attended, the burial prayers being conducted by Rev. Father Shore. “
[Newspaper cutting 17.8.1901 re John GRACE:. EUSTON]
Mary (O’Shaughnessy) GRACE:
“Burned their Wool – A Romance of Early River Settlement.
At Boort, Victoria, on the 3rd of January there passed away Mrs Mary Grace, who had lived many years at “Bengallow” in the district of Euston N.S.W. She was born 74 years ago on the Lachlan River where her father, the late Thomas Shaughnessy, had “Mulguthrie” Station. While she was an infant (born 1847 ) her father decided to try the new wheat growing lands of South Australia. Wool was then too low in price to be worth the expense of carting by teams to Sydney for sale. So Thomas Shaughnessy simply burnt it.
Believing his property to be useless for cultivation, he sold out and made a fresh start. “Mulguthrie” is now part of Burrawong wheat land, and as good as any in the country.
A neighbour, Patrick Grace, having burnt his wool, also decided that the Lachlan was no good. He too sold out. The two families travelled overland together, crossed the Darling River where Wentworth now stands. The Blacks (sic) were friendly and helped with their canoes.
On reaching South Australia the two men took up new land at Sheoak Log and Crystal Brook respectively, and set about wheat growing. They endured all that pioneers endured in those days, and finally were buried, one in Gawler, and one in George-town, South Australia.
In 1864 Mary Shaughnessy married John Grace, her sister having already married his brother James. In the seventies these young men, with their families, came back into New South Wales, recrossing the Darling River at the Town of Wentworth, and settling at Lake Benanee, Euston. Here they remained until 1880, when they took up the adjoining properties of “Bengallow” and “Culpra”, later owned by D.Wickett and J.K. Buxton respectively.
When gold was found in Western Australia, James Grace and his family moved over there. John Grace elected to remain on the Murray River. He died in 1901 and is buried in the Gol-Gol Cemetery. His wife and family eventually sold “Bengallow” and went to live in Melbourne.
Mrs Grace was kind and hospitable to all who came her way, and will be regretted by old friends and neighbours. She has left a family of three daughters and six sons … the Misses Sarah (who was a trained sister) Maud and Elenora, Melbourne and Messrs W.S.Grace “Tara-Downs” Station (Wentworth), T.P. Grace “Norwood” Station (Balranald), J.J. Grace (Boort), M.D. Grace (Deniliquin), S.J. Grace (Euston) and J.M. Grace (Melbourne). Her sister Mrs James Grace (Perth) survives her.
[SUNRAYSIA DAILY 1921]
…2 Catherine Mary GRACE b: 22 May 1843 in Bathurst NSW, d: 26 Jul 1912 in Elliston, SA
+ Bernard FARRELL b: Co Wicklow, IRE, Arr Australia: 08 Feb 1864 in “UTOPIA”, m: 17 Sep 1867 in
Gawler S A, d: 02 Feb 1870 in Sheoak Log S A
+ Patrick COGHLAN b: 1828 in County Clare, Ireland, m: 19 Feb 1873 in Kapunda SA, d: 06 Sep
1916 in Elliston, SA
Death of Mrs Caughlan – A West Coast Identity.
A descendant of Michael Dwyer, the Wicklow Chieftain.
Another old colonist, Mrs Patrick Caughlan, passed away at the residence of her daughter, Elliston Hotel, Elliston on July 20. About twelve months ago, Mrs Caughlan received a paralytic stroke, and since then has been confined to her bed. All through her long illness Father Kelly has been her spiritual consoler and only a few weeks age he administered the last rites of the Catholic Church to her. On Saturday July 27 (1912) her remains were interred in the Colton Catholic Cemetery, close to the graves of her life long friends the late Mr and Mrs Michael Kenny. A large number followed the remails from Elliston.
The late Mrs Caughlan was the only daughter of the late Patrick Grace of the Sheoak Log, and was born in Bathurst, New South Wales in 1843. With her parents and brothers, the late John and James Grace, (well known farmers in the early settlement of Crystal Brook), she came to South Australia in 1849. In 1880 she moved to Bendleby. Where her husband carried out farming until 1906, when they moved to Elliston. Mrs Caughlan was twice married, her first husband being Brian Farrell. She leaves a son and a daughter, Mr Patrick Farrell and Mrs James Dowd. The deceased lady was of a very commanding appearance, being very tall and straight, and of a reserved disposition, but with old friends was bright and cheery. She was most entertaining, being a great reader, with a retentive memory.
The late Mrs Caughlan was the granddaughter of that illustrious Irishman, Michael Dwyer whose fame will live in the history of the annals of Ireland, as one of the bravest of many brave, and to whose memory a monument was erected at Waverley, Sydney by a grateful Irish people in Australia.
[The Southern Cross, Adelaide. Friday 9 August 1912.]