IRISH ANCESTORS

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JOHN GILFILLAN
(1860-1934)
came to Australia


One of this family is the well known artist J.A. Gilfillan, who came to Sydney Australia,
following the Maori Massacre, where warriors of the Ngati Haua iwi, instigated by the chief Te Mamaku,
attacked the farm of James Gilfillan at Matarawa, killing his wife and three children in 1847.

Letters written by James Gilfillan in the 1860s indicate he was a close relative
of the Jane Gilfillan Holmeswho married my grandfather's grandfather.
Jane Gilfillan married James Holmes c.1818 at Ballynarig, near Limavady, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Jane Gilfillan of Londonderry and her family are still being researched.

If you happen to know where Jane Gilfillan sits on the GILFILLAN FAMILY TREE - please email me.
John Gilfillan (1860-1934), the son of James [mentioned above] was a solicitor in Kempsey NSW.
John married in 1889 to Louisa G. Thorn (1861-1939).

John and Louisa moved to Chatswood NSW.
He died there in 1934 aged 74, and she died in 1939 aged 78.

Their children: William (1891- died post 1945),
George (b.1893) Enlisted as a soldier (Maitland District) during World War 1 1914-18. George died post 1945.
Susan and Mary (both died 1890)

From the late 1890s JOHN GILFILLAN from Kempsey NSW, corresponded with his uncle John Holmes in Melbourne,
and then with Letitia McAlister (John Holmes' married daughter).
In one letter John Gilfillan wrote:
"I know your grandmother Jane (nee Gilfillan) was your grandfather's second wife,
but who the first wife and family were is beyond my recollection."
CLICK HERE to read these letters.

CLICK HERE to return to The Holmes family story.

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