THE DIARY OF JAMES O’SHAUGHNESSY
late of
Shravokee, County Clare.
James O'Shaughnessy whilst not connected to the Lane Family was from Shravokee, County Clare Ireland.
His family farmed next to the Lanes and the Maddens.
However there must have been a very
close business relationship as both families held land together going back prior
to the Tithe Applotment days of 1824.
His diary is included to show some of the trials and tribulations of the people who left Shravokee in the mid 19th Century for a new life in the USA or Australia.
A more detailed website on the OShaughnessy family can be found at -:
http://davidedwardsphotos.com/familytree/davids-family/elizabeth-mary-gallagher/oshannessy-family/
The Diary of James O'Shaughnessy. (note the tables were not part of the diary)
Married to Mary the eldest daughter of Jas. Madden of Anglers Lodge, November 21, 1837. J. O’S
Birth of my children.
Roger O'Shaughnessy born
7th November, 1839.
Joanna O'Shaughnessy born 1st April, 1840.
Bridget O'Shaughnessy born 3rd February, 1842.James O'Shaughnessy Memorandums..
An account of the time in which
Jeremiah Sheehan and family immigrated to Australia and also their different
ages viz-:
Jeremiah Sheehan 48
Mrs. Sheehan 42
Johanna Sheehan 19
Bridget Sheehan 17
John Sheehan 16
James Sheehan 14
Roger Sheehan 11
Margaret Sheehan 5
Patrick Sheehan 3
They took the car in Limerick for
Cork on 18th of January and sailed from Plymouth on the 5th February, 1849 for
Australia.
My brother John parted with me for Cork at Limerick on the 23rd of February and
sailed from Plymouth about the 3rd March, 1849 for Australia. His age then was
24 years.
My brother Daniel left for New South Wales on the 14th March, 1851 but did not
sail from Plymouth until the 28th of May.
I left Ireland on the 1st May, 1852 for the United States of America with my wife and four female children. It was the will of god that my wife died on the passage the 29th of the said month.
To me, that was the most sensitive calamity that could befall me. However on reflection, I have and hope I shall lean to the will of God.
The ship Nornen? sailed from the
port of Limerick on the 7th May, 1852 on board of which my family and I were
passengers.
She anchored the first night at Barchester? and sailed the following morning for
Scatterea?.
Cast anchor at 11 o'clock
Joanna got sea sick, the passengers afraid it was fever. She was better in the
morning after taking a draft from Dr. O'Donnell.
Roll called.
I have Mr. Ryan's children. We remained at anchor that night. Lost sight of land
that same evening.
Joanna quite recovered. The greater part of the passengers got sea sick. The
next day (the 4th). Not many out of 179 escaped. I among the latter.
Change of weather on the night of the 5th, storm the next morning which appeared
frightening to the passengers and also increased the malady of those who were
sick
Most uncomfortable state of the
passengers in consequence of heaving of the vessel, and very often many of the
passengers laid prostate bewailing there sad fate.
The Captain and First Mate and the hands exerted themselves.
We saw a brig ..... on the 9th. Wind North West . Storm partially continued up
to the 13th. That day fair wind, North West. Sailed all that day. Wind and rain
the next day which continued up to the 17th, that day fair. All the passengers
in good health. The Captains cook very sick.
Next day we sailed at the speed of 11 miles an hour. Wind South East . Saw three
vessels one of which saluted us passengers.
19th calm. Saw two vessels one of which was American, a fully rigged ship having
300 passengers aboard, could not know..................... a partial fog.
The night of the 20th very calm. Wind changed about 6 in the evening. 21st
weather fine. We sailed 5 miles an hour. Wind North West. The night calm.
Mary very unwell.
My wife died at 2 o'clock on this morning of 29th May, 1852.
I landed with my children in New
York, 14th June, 1852. Left New York on the evening of the 15th for Albany but
there was an unavoidable mistake and we went to Troy east. We returned to Albany
on 17th where we stayed two months.
Left Albany on the 22nd August for Chicago where I arrived on the 26th.
Stayed there nearly two years.
Received a remittance from my Brothers to enable me to go with my children to
the Colony of Victoria.
I therefore prepared to go to Australia. But not having sufficient funds to pay
the passages for all, I was constrained to leave my eldest daughter (Joanna)
behind but strongly cautioned her to return to Ireland as soon as possible to
her grandfather and that I would have her with me again if possible.
An account of the beds and bedding
which I have at Albany June 25th, 1852.
viz: Beds 6.
Blankets 5 pair.
I left New York on the 15th July,
1854 in the Clipper Ship "Wings of the Morning" bound for Melbourne.
We arrived in Melbourne 22nd October, following.
I met my brother, John the same
day with whom my children stayed for some time.
My brother Dan came to town when he heard of my arrival.
Dan paid for the passages of my sons' who arrived in June, 1855.
My brother Dan and I went to the Goldfields of Forest Creek in November, 1854. We sought our fortunes there and elsewhere for some twelve months.
Dan returned to Melbourne and went from there to Belfast (Port Fairy). At a land sale there he (Dan) bought for himself and our brother John the block of land in Parish of Codrington of 77 acres. We then shortly after came to Belfast.
I rented the block of land being North of my brothers from Mr. A. V. Suter for 10 years from 15th April, 1857. I then had my children together and lived there during the specified time.
I got Bridget married 14th April, 1863 to William Crowe whose family I know at home.
Children of William Crowe and Bridget O'Shaughnessy-:
NAME |
DATE OF BIRTH |
DIED | MARRIED |
James Crowe | March 2nd,1864 | 02-06-1960 | Mary Lloyd |
Hanoria Crowe | February 7th, 1866 | 27-02-1914 | William Lawy Anwin |
Mary Crowe | September 29th, 1867 | 08-11-1955 | Unmarried |
William Crowe | September 27th, 1869 | 21-06-1946 | Alice Connoly |
John Crowe | July 27th, 1871 | 01-04-1906 | Unmarried |
Michael Crowe | December 22nd, 1874 | 04-03-1874 | |
Catherine (Kate) Crowe | December 22nd, 1874 | 30-04-1943 | James William Fenton |
Daniel Joseph Crowe | May 8th, 1876 | 30-12-1965 | Mary Lanagan |
Patrick Crowe | March 13th, 1878 | 26-06-1937 | Mary Brooks |
Roger Crowe | January 21st,1880 | 29-10-1964 | Catherine Lyons |
Martin Crowe | March 13th,1882 | 26-03-1960 | Teresa Lynch |
Ellen Crowe | July 23rd, 1884 | 21-10-1937 | Frank McAllen |
Rodger got
married to Maria the youngest daughter of Michael Malone of Yambuk on the
1st December, 1866.
Children of Rodger O'Shaughnessy and Maria Malone -:
NAME | DATE OF BIRTH |
James Martin O'Shaughnessy | b1867 |
Michael Dennis O'Shaughnessy | b1869 |
Patrick O'Shaughnessy | b1870 |
Mary O'Shaughnessy | b1872 |
Elisia O'Shaughnessy | b1874 |
Roger O'Shaughnessy | b1876 |
Bridget O'Shaughnessy | b1879 |
Catherine O'Shaughnessy | b1880 |
Thomas O'Shaughnessy | b1882 |
John O'Shaughnessy | b1885 |
Daniel O'Shaughnessy | b1878 (Died 47 days later) |
James was married on 14th April, 1868 to Ellen Gorman, Yambuk.
I lived with my son James, two years on his farm Tyrendarra. Left him 5th July, 1869 and came to live with my daughter Bridget and her husband William Crowe with whom I hope to spend the remainder of my life. J.O'S.
I have come back to my son James to live with him July, 1873.
I have sold to my son James my mare for twelve (12) pounds but I kept her
foal. November, 1875. J.O'S.
I have sold the steer to James for five (5) pounds. June, 1876. J.O'S.
For service of a horse to Bess. 1877. £3.3.0
May 18th, 1878.
My son James is
Dr. to me as under.
£ S D
April last for Harmon.
7 0 0
Price of colt.
9 0 0
!879 April.
Pair boots.
9 6
1lb. Tobacco. 5 0
May 6th.
Boots. 11 0
Flannel.
9 0
Sept 14th.
Trousers.
9 6
December, 1882.
Steer and 3 cows @ £2.each. 4 0 0
May 19h 1881
2 shirts. 7 0
July 1st.
2 pair socks. 3 0
July 7th.
1lb tobacco 3 0
October 16th, 1884
Three steers.
8 0 0
1886.
One white cow. 1 10 0
I have sold a two year old filly to my son Roger for £11.0.0.
September,
1873.
One saddle and bridle.
3 10 0
If you can add or correct any of this information
Please email Ray Lane