PATRICK WALSH – KIKIAMAH
By 1851, Patrick Walsh had left Dunderaligo to his brother William while he took up land near Grenfell, which he later named Kikiamah. Patrick and a number of workmen built a rambling slab dwelling near a creek. This was later replaced by a substantial home. A third daughter (Bridget) was born on 4 October, 1853 and was baptised by Father Murphy of Carcoar with John Nowlan and M. Maley (Mallon ? his sister) as sponsors. In 1856 there was much rejoicing when twin sons (Patrick and Thomas) were born, and after a break of six years the youngest daughter (Ellen) was born in 1862[1]
On 23 February,1866, tragedy struck Kikiamah when daughter Sarah, aged 15 years, died as the result of an accident on her way home from school in Goulburn. She was buried beside her grand-uncle John McNamara in Yass cemetery.
Kikiamah was newly appraised in 1866 and the rental increased from ₤40 to ₤52 and the Government Gazette of 1866 lists the run with an area of 28,000 acres, carrying 640 head of cattle. A two mile steeplechase had been erected and the fame of the blood horses from Kikiamah was widespread. A new home had been erected and on 4th and 9th September, 1867, Bishop Lanigan stayed at the Walsh home during his first visitation of the Diocese of Goulburn.
Mary, (Sr M.Theresa), daughter of Patrick Walsh, became one of the early postulants to join the Goulburn Sisters of Mercy in 1869. On 27 December, 1872, Matthew McNamara, the second uncle who had befriended the Walsh family on arrival in Sydney, died at King’s Plains, Blayney. In February 1874 the twin sons (Patrick and Thomas) aged 17, were enrolled as foundation students at St Patrick’s College, Goulburn, having previously been educated at home by tutors.[2]
The move to Kikiamah on the old Young-Forbes Road meant that the Walsh families came into contact with early settlers in the Cowra district. Thomas Walsh and his niece (Catherine Hartigan) married into the Scots Presbyterian family of Middlemis, while Bridget, Margaret and Ellen married into pioneering families from Milburn Creek near Darby’s Falls such as the Markham, O’Shaughnessy and Neville families who were originally from Co. Limerick and may have known the Walsh family there. The Irish families travelled many miles on horseback or by horse and buggy over rough bush tracks to attend dances, musical evenings, Masses, weddings, baptisms and funerals at the various homesteads.
In 1878 Sara (Walsh) O’Dea wrote to her brother (Thomas Walsh) from CastleErkin Farm:
“Castle Erkin,
May the 16th 1878
My dear brother Thomas,
Received your note of the 25th April with foto and thoough memento could not be more welcome, I did not know you. There was such a change. I was sorry to the heart to hear that you were so unwell – and lightly to leave your young family who should so deeply feel your absence. And leave us all who loved you so deeply. For my part I suppose I will never see you again at this side of the grave.
You may still live much longer than you expect and if you do not you must be satisfied. I hope that God who clothed the birds of the air will not forget your little children or for their sake you may get a longer day – Some 25 years ago I thought I would be the first of the family who would leave this world and now though I am 64 years of age I was never in better health.
I was sorry also that brother Patt sustained such a great loss. I believe we were all born subject to disappointment. I suppose by this time you are aware of the death of my son John, after a long and weary illness. If he lived he would be an ornament in the family. He was promising to be one of the best scholars in this county. He got a pain in the hip at 13 and died when he was 19 years of age.
Six weeks after that we were attacked with law by a young man from whose father we purchased a piece of land some eight years before. The law lasted 18 months and though we gave in all ₤300 for it and had a new lease of it – we were forced to give it to him with ₤ 300 more cost. The land was worth from ₤600 to ₤700 so in all I calculate we lost ₤1000 and what trouble we got by it was more than all. We lost more by the farm in Kilteely but this is worth us ₤150 a year clear gains. We pay but ₤90 a year for it and we get ₤250 from the dairyman. We have the grass of 37 cows and a pair of horses still and we have them on it.
We lost ₤350 more by Robert to complete his profession. He is out in England this way and in good health. He is assistant doctor in a large establishment and is considered very smart — You see by this what an amount of money we have laid out for the last 9 years. But for our friends we would not stand this last shock. We were so hunted for money after all we lost before – However I hope we will soon be all right again. I have as good and industrious a family as ever a mother reared –
I fear brother Patt has not pleasure after all his wealth – It was a pity he to get such a companion – The sooner he get his children married the better it is for him and theThere is never any pleasure with her equals whatever riches she may have – she willnot be satisfied.
Remember me to your Mrs. I am happy you met such a partner. Present her with the best wishes of your sister and if anything should happen to you my dear brother tell her not to forget writing to me. And least I may not get the opportunity of writing to you again I send you the best wishes of a sister a thousand times over – and pray that God may not take you from your little family until they will be better able to sustain the shock.
I never got a letter from brother William since he left, but one, which I consider very unkind of him. Still I am happy to hear that he is doing well and in good health himself and family – Poor sister Kate so lively. I am glad to hear that my brothers and sisters went on so well since they left – Give them all my love. The love of a fond sister and their children. Ask them all why they do not write to me or what have I done to merit such coldness-
Write as soon as you get this – Hoping you will have better news.
I remain your sister,
Sarah O’Dea.
In 1881 another tragedy struck the Patrick Walsh family. The Sydney Mail reported that on Saturday, 7 May 1881, Margaret, wife of Patrick Walsh of Kikiamah Station, Grenfell, was killed in a buggy accident while returning to Kikiamah from Cowra. About dusk the horses became fractious, left the road and the buggy overturned. Mrs Walsh was thrown into the water and the horses bolted. Mr Walsh was also injured – sustaining broken ribs. Mrs Walsh was carried a few miles to a neighbouring house where she expired shortly afterwards. She was buried in Grenfell cemetery at the age of 60 years. Her obituary and the notice of the accident:
Cowra Free Press 13.5.1881 “The late Mrs Walsh who died from the effects of injuries received near Grenfell on Saturday evening last, was returning home from Cargo where she had gone to pay the last tribute of respect to a deceased relation[3] , when the journey was interrupted by so sad a result. The deceased lady was well known in this district where she leaves a large number of sorrowing friends and relatives. We deeply sympathise with the family in their hour of sorrow and bereavement.
Sad and fatal Accident. On Saturday evening as Mr and Mrs P Walsh were returning from Cowra in a buggy, the former, who was driving, contrived to get off the road, and in endeavouring to retrace his steps the horses crossed a deep gutter over which they dragged the buggy with such violence as to precipitate the occupants with considerable force to the earth. Mrs Walsh sustained injuries of such a severe and serious nature as to terminate fatally. Mr Walsh, besides receiving some internal injuries, had three of his ribs broken. Mrs Walsh was a very old resident and well known and highly respected in this and the Cowra districts, her many virtues endearing her to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. The funeral, which took place today, Tuesday, was very largely attended by the townspeople and a considerable number of friends and relatives from a distance.
Patrick Walsh built homes for each of his daughters: Bridget, Margaret and Ellen on the selections of Straun, The Pines and Tara. Bridget married Patrick Cullinane on 20 April 1887 but they left Straun and built a hotel in Main Street, Grenfell. Margaret married Patrick McGrath and Ellen married John Cullinane.
Patrick Walsh Jnr. married Bedelia Kennedy and they resided at Kikiamah where they raised six children: Mary (b.1884), Helena (b.1886), Joseph (b.1888), Delia (b.1889), Anne (b.1890) and Frances (b.1892). After the death of his first wife, Patrick Walsh Jnr. married Mary Toohey, the governess to the children of his first marriage. They also had six children: Mary, Patrick, Thomas, Leo, Monica and Justin.
Patrick Walsh Snr remarried in 1892 to Mrs E.P. Agnew, widow of the former manager of the Old Oriental Bank at Grenfell. Patrick Snr. died in Sydney on 11 December 1892 and was taken back to Grenfell cemetery to be buried in the family vault.[4]
Obituary Notice – Grenfell Record – Saturday, 17.12.1892
Mr Patrick Walsh Snr.
News reached town last Saturday of the death of Mr Patrick Walsh Snr. of Kikiamah. The deceased gentleman, who was in his seventy-sixth year, succumbed to an attack of bronchitis.
Of late, Mr Patrick Walsh resided in Sydney whither he removed shortly after his second marriage. He, with two brothers and three sisters, landed in Sydney on 1.8.1844; of that party one sister and two brothers survive, there being also another sister still living in the old home in Ireland.
The brothers came to Bowning near Yass where they commenced squatting on a small scale, renting a cattle station at Illalong where they remained three years, when the cattle became too numerous and they then rented part of O’Meally’s station on Tyayong Creek. Two years afterwards Kikiamah was purchased from Mr W.R.Watt Snr; this was about 1851 and the station has been in the hands of the family ever since
The deceased, his brother Mr Thomas Walsh, the late D.C. McGregor, Mr Watt Snr. Mr J.B.Wood, Mr B.Boland and Mr Caldwell were the pioneers of this district. Mr Thomas Walsh afterwards went to the Lachlan, residing at Goolagong for 13 years and then removed to Cowra where he still is. Mr W.Walsh, the other brother, is at Forbes. By his first wife, Mr Patrick Walsh had two sons and four daughters; of the former Mr Patrick Walsh Jnr is now Manager of Kikiamah; one daughter a professed nun and highly accomplished lady died in the Goulburn Convent, another who was on her way home from the Convent died at Yass where she is buried; a third daughter (Mrs John Cullinane) died at Grenfell some three years or more ago. The surviving daughters, Mrs P.M. Cullinane and Mrs D. McGrath reside still. It is well remembered that the first Mrs Walsh met her death through an accident on the Cowra Road just outside Grenfell. Mr Walsh married again recently, his second wife being the widow of the late E.P. Agnew at one time Manager of the Old Oriental Bank at Grenfell. The writer of this notice and many other old residents of Grenfell can testify to the lavish hospitality of Kikiamah in the days when Grenfell was a place worth living and not the extinct volcano it (socially) is at present.
Mr Walsh possessed a good heart and right genial nature, and although he had all, but reached the alloted span of life and had for along time suffered from the effects of a severe accident, his decease was somewhat unexpected. The body was brought from Sydney for internment in the family vault at Grenfell. Around the grave were many old friends from a distance.
In 1897 Thomas O’Dea of Scart, Kilteely, wrote to his cousin Maggie, daughter of Thomas Walsh. Sarah (Walsh) O’Dea, sister of Thomas Walsh had died at CastleErkin in 1890 at the age of 76 and was buried in Kilteely churchyard.
Thomas O’Dea wrote[5]:
“Scart, Kilteely,
Oct 31 1897
Dear Cousin Maggie,
I received your note of 13 Sept. I was happy to hear from you Maggie and my dearUncle Tom and family and all my Australian cousins – in good health and progressing.
If my mother lived I should have written more regular. As it is I do not forget you, especially Uncle Tom and family, as he appear to have retained the old love for home and friends better than any of the others, and like my mother in most ways I should think especially that gift of friendship. I am glad to learn that your sister is going to business. It is wrong for a family of boys or girls to remain at home together until they are too old. It is impossible that every man could make a pile of money. But if people could take out a business or profession there is room for improvement. The world is going ahead and with a reasonable share of industry we are sure to go on. It appears to me Uncle Patt was not as wealthy as I thought. His property must be involved. I got no account of his family lately. Uncle William’s daughters appears to be well educated. What business has he in hands now? What are his boys doing? Did any of them take a profession? This is a good business Aunt Ellen’s boys are engaged in, a saw mill in that country ought to be profitable if well worked up.
Now about your relations at this side of the globe – I am in good health myself and wife and seven children, two boys and five girls. They are all going to school except one – the eldest boy. He will be fifteen years at Christmas. He was a forward scholar, spent three years in sixth class. I wanted him home. I am not very strong. I like to have him trained in business should anything happen to me. I am doing very well – as well as any of my name. I keep over 20 cows, we have all the new stile for making butter, churning mashine and separater, of my own, and everything requissite – I get top price for the butter, we have milk, creams and butter about the house the same as usual, never lost the old way of doing business. We rear from 18 to 23 calves. I make over ₤80 a year of calves. I can compete with the Dutch butter in the English market and beat Cork firsts ten shillings a cwt. The prices are not much more than half what they were twenty years ago. There was a lot of farmer smashed and they are breaking still. In most cases it is their own fault – They have no industry and are not satisfied to live within there means. As for crops oats & etc – it does not affect this country very much. There are very little under tillage. Butter and beef are the principle produce — crops in general are bad – potatoes especially
My brother Patt and his wife are in good health. He has two children boys, but he is a poor man at present – and it is his own fault. He turned on drink and nothing would stop him. While my mother lived for eight years after my marriage I gave what I made but I saw it was no use – he was getting worse.
About the Walshes of Abington — Father William is still living. He is parish priest in the town of St Louis, America, for nearly fifty years. He is still a fine man. John and Michael are both dead. John got married in Cappamore and was doing well. He had no family. Michael left 4 children after him and a wife – a most amiable woman but she fell in love with a young doctor, supplied him with money to finish his profession, got married to him and went to live with him to a dispensary district in the county Tipperary. She took the eldest girls with her. The farm in Abington is neglected. Michael was a most industrious man – it is a pity he did not live longer to uphold his name and home – which he so well earned. Such Is Life.
Paddy Berkery of Castle Erkin and his wife are both dead. They had three children, two boys and one girl. The girl went into the nuns. The boys living in the home farm both are unmarried – they milk about 22 cows – they did not do as well as I expected. The two boys are into an ugly case now and are both returned to stand trial for perjury and seduction.
All the old neighbours round Castle Erkin are dead and buried except Paddy Laffin and Dranoe Moor. There children are living there still, no man there did much by the land but they kept the old spots and have them. The rents in every case were cut down very much by the Land Commissioners but still it would never make up for the loss in prices—there is any amount of competition in the English market — America, Australia, Russia, Denmark, in fact the produce of every country in the world
The O’Dea family of Miltown — my three uncles are living still. Michael, Terence and Tom. Michael purchased a farm near Oola – he has seven children. Milks 23 cows and doing well. He is 82. Terence is 80 years and very strong. He has seven children – three of the girls are married and one of the boys in America. There are two boys and one girl at home unmarried. Terry gave over ₤ 1500 to his three girls. He milks 23 cows. Tom is about 77 years. He had seven children also. He had the best farm of the lot and a nice gentle man. Still he made no money. He milks 22 cows. All the O’Dea family are doing well and none of the twelve families of the O’Deas lost a sod of earth during the trying times of the last 20 years.
Now Maggie I have written a lot for you so that you will have news for your dear father. I am glad he is so strong and well in his 77th year. I will be 53 years next month. I have asked my daughter Bridget to write. She has but another year to give at school, she must then stay at home with her mother who is not strong. She got a great fit 4 years ago and was for 2 years sick. I left nothing undone for her and thank God I was successful. She is not strong but able to do her business and attend to her children which is no easy task. If she went that time I do not know what I should have done Hoping this will reach you in due time and find you in good health I remain dear Maggie your ever affectionate cousin,
Tom O’Dea
PATRICK WALSH DESCENDANTS
….. 1 Patrick WALSH b: 1817 in Castle Erkin, Caherconlish. Co Limerick, IRE, Arr. Australia: 31 Jul 1844 “St Vincent”, d: 10 Dec 1892 in Nth Annandale NSW
….. + Margaret CURRY b: 14 Aug 1819 in Kilcoolen, Co Limerick IRE, Arr. Australia: 20 Oct 1841 “Livingstone”, m: 11 Jul 1846 in Sydney NSW (St.Mary’s), d: 07 May 1881 in Grenfell NSW
……….. 2 Mary WALSH b: 17 Oct 1847 in ‘Dunderaligo’ Yass NSW, d: 28 Apr 1874 in Goulburn NSW
……….. 2 Sarah WALSH b: 21 Aug 1851 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 23 Feb 1866 in Goulburn NSW
……….. 2 Bridget Mary WALSH b: 11 Nov 1852 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 15 Jul 1935 in Petersham NSW
……….. + Patrick Michael CULLINANE m: 20 Apr 1887 in Young NSW
……….. 2 Ellen M CULLINANE b: 1888 in Young NSW, d: 1889 in Grenfell NSW
……….. 2 Cecily Margaret CULLINANE b: 1890 in Grenfell NSW, d: 1952 in Petersham N.S.W
……….. + John WALDRON m: 1918 in Grenfell NSW
……….. 2 Reginald Patrick CULLINANE b: 23 Jan 1893 in Grenfell NSW, d: 26 May 1957 in Burwood NSW
……….. + Christina Ivy McINNES b: 28 Apr 1897 in Middle Arm, NSW, m: 05 Sep 1918 in Condobolin N.S.W, d: 29 Apr 1977 in Burwood NSW
…………….. 3 John Neil CULLINANE (Bishop), b: 1920, d: 13 Aug 2000
…………….. 3 Reginald Patrick CULLINANE b: 30 Oct 1921 in Parkes NSW, d: 03 Aug 1974 in Lewisham, NSW
…………….. 3 Eileen CULLINANE, (Sr Vincentia), b. 1924, d. 03 Feb 2003 in Greenwich Hospital, Ryde, NSW
…………….. 3 Cecily Mary CULLINANE
…………….. + Robert Max J JONES m: 1956 in Burwood N.S.W
…………….. 3 Thea Margaret CULLINANE, b: 1925, d: 04 Oct 2007 in Burwood N.S.W
……….. 2 William R CULLINANE b: 1895 in Grenfell NSW, d: 1895 in Grenfell NSW
……….. 2 Margaret Mary WALSH b: 25 Jan 1855 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 29 May 1925 in Grenfell NSW
……….. + Patrick MCGRATH m: 16 May 1882 in Grenfell NSW
……….. 2 Patrick Joseph WALSH b: 04 Sep 1857 in ‘Kikeamah’ via Young NSW, d: 27 Aug 1909 in ‘Kikeamah’ via Young NSW
……….. + Bedelia (Delia) KENNEDY b: 1861 in IRE, m: 16 May 1882 in Grenfell NSW, d: 01 Jun 1893 in ‘Kikiamah’ Young NSW
…………….. 3 Margaret Mary WALSH b: 1883 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 1919
…………….. + Edward C AGNEW m: 1905 in Annandale NSW
………………….. 4 Frances GRACE AGNEW b: 1905 in Annandale NSW
………………….. 4 Daisy Agnes AGNEW b: 1907 in Annandale NSW
…………….. 3 Anne WALSH b: 1884 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 17 Feb 1963 in Young NSW
…………….. 3 Helena M WALSH b: 1886 in ‘Kikeamah’ nr Young NSW, d: 1962 in Lake Cargelligo NSW
…………….. + George T COTTLE m: 1916 in Annandale NSW
………………….. 4 Delia M COTTLE b: 1917 in Wyalong NSW
………………….. 4 Edward (Ted) COTTLE
………………….. 4 Lilian COTTLE
………………….. 4 Monica COTTLE
…………….. 3 Joseph Patrick WALSH b: 01 Feb 1888, d: 1961
…………….. + Florence Pearl (Flora) McDONALD b: 1890 in Goulburn NSW, m: 17 Aug 1910 in Young NSW, d: 23 Dec 1924 in Young NSW
………………….. 4 Florence Ann WALSH b: 19 Nov 1910 in Grenfell NSW, d: 2007
………………….. + George W HAYDEN m: 1932 in Reg. Coonamble NSW, d: 29 May 1944 in Goulburn NSW
………………….. + Charles Herbert NAPIER b: 1891, m: 1951 in Parkes NSW, d: 27 Mar 1967 in Bimbi NSW
………………….. 4 Margaret Josephine WALSH b: 01 Jun 1913 in Grenfell NSW, d: 16 Aug 1992 in Dubbo NSW
………………….. + William (Bill) HAYDEN m: 1934 in Parkes NSW
………………….. 4 John Joseph WALSH b: 04 Aug 1915 in Grenfell NSW, d: 22 Sep 1992 in Temora NSW
………………….. + Dorothy Agnes GRACE b: 26 Feb 1925 in NSW, m: 17 Mar 1946 in Grenfell NSW, d: 26 Oct 1997 in Temora NSW
………………….. 4 Thomas Patrick WALSH b: 24 Oct 1916 in Grenfell NSW, d: 26 Nov 1986 in Young
NSW
………………….. + Phyllis BARNES b: 20 Jan 1924 in Sydney NSW, m: 17 Aug 1946 in Grenfell NSW, d: 19 May 1997 in Grenfell NSW
………………….. 4 Cathleen Mary WALSH b: 03 Aug 1919 in Grenfell NSW, d: 27 Jul 1986 in Parkes NSW
………………….. + James AMOR b: 25 Aug 1921 in Forbes NSW, m: 12 Feb 1947, d: 03 Sep 1975 in Tullamore NSW
………………….. 4 Delia Mary Frances WALSH b: 24 Sep 1921 in Grenfell NSW, d: 21 May 1993 in Boorowa NSW
………………….. + Ronald MITCHELL b: 11 Mar 1920, m: 12 Feb 1942 in Yass NSW, d: 07 Dec 2006 in Boorowa NSW
………………….. 4 Edwin Vincent WALSH b: 04 Jan 1923 in Grenfell NSW, d: 03 May 1992 in Canberra ACT
………………….. + Thelma Ellen NOLAN b: 22 May 1934, m: 17 Feb 1953 in Bribbaree NSW
…………….. 3 Delia WALSH b: 1890 in ‘Kikeamah Young NSW, d: 1972 in Ryde NSW
…………….. + Edward (Ted) FITZPATRICK
………………….. 4 Margaret FITZPATRICK
………………….. + ? PRIESTLEY
…………….. 3 Frances WALSH b: 1891 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: Auburn NSW
…………….. + Aeneas Christopher McDONALD b: 1883 in Goulburn NSW, m: 1939 in Waverley NSW, d: 23 Jan 1941 in Grenfell NSW
…………….. 3 Josephine WALSH b: Apr 1893 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 23 Nov 1894 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW
……….. + Mary Ann TOOHEY b: 13 May 1870 in Dalton NSW, m: 17 May 1894 in ‘Kikeamah’ via Young NSW, d: 22 Dec 1939
…………….. 3 Mary WALSH b: 1895, d: 27 Jan 1986
…………….. + Raymond Arthur JOHNS
…………….. 3 Patrick J WALSH b: 1896 in Young NSW, d: 1952
…………….. 3 Vincent T WALSH b: 1900 in Young NSW, d: 07 Dec 1900
…………….. 3 Leo F WALSH b: 1901 in Young NSW, d: 30 Mar 1978
…………….. 3 Thomas E WALSH b: 1904 in Young NSW, d: 1952
…………….. 3 Monica E WALSH b: 1907 in Young NSW
…………….. 3 Justin James WALSH b: 13 Apr 1909 in ‘Kikiamah’ nr Grenfell NSW, d: 29 Jan 1986 in Goulburn NSW
…………….. + Eileen Mary WHITE b: 02 Feb 1904, m: 26 Oct 1935 in St. Francis Xavier RC Gunning NSW
………………….. 4 Barry James WALSH b: 30 Nov 1938 in NSW
………………….. + Mary P HEFFERNAN m: 12 Jan 1963 in St Brigid’s RC Gurrundah NSW
………………….. 4 John Patrick WALSH b: 30 Jan 1940 in NSW
………………….. + Mary Ann MAHER b: 09 Jul 1945, m: 06 Nov 1965 in St Peter&Paul’s RC Goulburn NSW
………………….. 4 Terrence Justin WALSH b: 19 Oct 1944 in NSW
………………….. + Helen M PEARSON b: 28 Nov 1947, m: 06 Jan 1968, d: 18 Apr 1994
………………….. 4 Child WALSH d. infant
……….. 2 Thomas WALSH b: 04 Sep 1857 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 09 Jun 1944 in Young NSW
……….. 2 Ellen Mary WALSH b: 1862 in ‘Kikeamah’ Young NSW, d: 18 Aug 1889 in Grenfell NSW
……….. + John CULLINANE m: 01 Oct 1888 in Young NSW
….. + Margaret (AGNEW) KENNEDY m: Aft. 1881
To return to Walsh INDEX page, click here.
To go to Chapter FOUR, click here.
- V. MacNamara, Beyond the Early Maps, p.126↵
- ibid. p.127↵
- Catherine (Walsh) Hartigan, sister of her husband, Patrick. ↵
- ibid. p.129↵
- Original made available by the late Nell (Ryan) Pepper, Cowra, (1989) ↵