John Sheedy [McNamara] and? Ellen Gore
Preface by Jenny Fawcett On his convict documents here in Australia John is regularly recorded as John Sheedy McNamara, whereas the newspapers in Cork reported his arrest in 1823 under the name of John Sheehy McNamara. According to Mr Syd Sheedy (Sheedy Family historian) the Sheedys who were transported to NSW (6 brothers) should be properly recorded as Sheehy. (Sheedy is commonly recorded as Sheehy in documents here in Australia..whether by error, or as a deliberate attempt to disguise family connections, it is not known). According to the Connaught Journal (published Galway) John Sheehy McNamara was arrested in 1823 under the auspices of the "Insurrection Act" * and, having been convicted was then transported to Australia. Sydney Sheedy (Sheedy family historian) wrote that John was the son of James Sheedy [McNamara] who was also transported to Australia (per Tellicherry in 1806). According to Syd, John was charged with taking up arms and inciting,and that he had been falsely charged with causing an armed revolt. John Sheedy Mcnamara was transported to Australia as a convict aboard the transport ship Isabella 1. The vessel arrived at Sydney on the 16th December 1823. There was also another John Sheedy McNamara who arrived in New South Wales around this time...he was a soldier in the 40th Regiment.So care needs to be taken that records in relation to these two men of similar name are not confused According to Syd Sheedy,the John Sheedy McNamara who arrived per Isabella had an irish born son known as Michael Sheedy who was known to have later been in Australia. It may be possible that this is the same Michael Sheedy who lived in both Victoria and New South Wales, and as Michael's marriage certificate states that his parents names were John Sheedy and Isabella Gore (and if he is indeed the son of John Sheedy McNamara per Isabella), then the latter's wife was Ellen Gore. So the family unit in Ireland is possibly: John Sheedy/Sheehy McNamara born c 1802 (transported to Australia) spouse: Ellen Gore issue: Michael Sheedy (emigrated to Australia) John's death certificate,(lodged under the surname Sheedy) states he arrived per Isabella. It does not state his date of death but only gives a burial date of of 12th December 1852 John was classed as a Pauper having died at the Liverpool Asylum. Syd Sheedy claims that his family papers reveal that John Sheedy insisted on a paupers burial in defiance of the Government's treatment towards him, and though this caused the family some distress but that they ceded to his wishes. (ie...the family then living in New South Wales - brothers of John Sheedy) con refs: fiche no: 651, file no: 306, shelf no: 4/4009.page 121 John Sheedy [McNamara].died under surname SHEEDY born c: 1802. [src*death cert] parents: unknown religon: roman catholic. occupation: literacy: death: date not stated on death certificate.age 52y. died at Liverpool Asylum.Pauper.[src*death cert] burial: 12th Dec 1852. Parish of St Luke.Liverpool. Co Cumberland. Ceremony performed by Charles Lovat.R.C. [src*death cert] shipping arrival: per Isabella [src*death cert] per Isabella 1 3rd trip.arrived NSW on the 16th Dec 1823. [#] married:possibly Ellen Gore in c 1820? Limk ? spouse : no spouse on death certificate. possibly Ellen Gore. History: 1822 ?Son Michael Sheedy born Bruree/Bruiel/Kilmallock? 1823 May 12th.County Cork. John Sheehy McNamara trialled at Charleville Special Sessions having had his trial previously adjourned from the Mallow court. (newspaper report of trial:) "SPECIAL SESSIONS Charleville, Monday, May 12 This day the Court was opened in this town, pursuant to adjournment from Mallow, for the trial of offenders. About 12 o'clock Mr. Serjeant TORRENS and the Assistant Barrister, with upwards of twenty Magistrates, were in attendance on the Bench. Timothy BUCKLEY, for having concealed arms in his possession, was found guilty, and instantly sentenced to transportion for seven years. John Sheehy M'NAMARA, for being absent from his dwelling after sun-set and before sun-rise, without being able satisfactorily to account for himself,was also sentenced to transportation for seven years. Thomas CASEY was next tried for unlawfully assembling and acquitted. James BUCKLEY and John BUCKLEY, were next indicted for having concealed arms in their possession. They were acquitted. BUCKLEY and M'NAMARA were immediately removed from the Court under a strong military escort, and in the midst of the wealings of their relatives and friends, transmitted to Cork on their way to the Hulk at Cove.They arrived last evening in this city,(Cork) and without waiting a moment, were put on board one of the steam packets, which sailed soon after for Cove. --Cork Chronicle. (src:Old Ireland News) (original source:Cork Chronicle and then republished in 'Connaught Journal Monday, May 19, 1823) INSURRECTION ACT (from Old Ireland News) (original; 'Connaught Journal, published Galway ) Monday, May 26, 1823' By a series of Papers printed by order of the House of Commons, it would appear that there were, for Cork alone, 317 persons indicted under the Insurrection Act, twelve months ago; 112 were convicted; 118 were acquitted; 203 discharged by proclamation. In Clare, there were 48 persons tried for being found absent from their dwellings; of whom three were convicted, and these three sentences executed. To Kilkenny, 34 were tried, and one was found guilty; the crime- "having concealed ammunition." In Tipperary, 658 were tried also at the Spring Assizes of 1822, under the Insurrection Act; of the 658, there were 573 acquitted, and 85 found guilty, two remaining for trial. The return adds that those found guilty were transmitted to Cork for transportation. 1824 John Sheedy On list of convicts mustered in the employ of John Howe of Windsor; NSW CS INDEX (Fiche 3137; 4/1842B No.390 p.515) 1825 Aug 27 John Sheedy On list of convicts employed by John Howe of Windsor; from Jul 1824 NSW CS INDEX (Reel 6064; 4/1787 p.119b) Children: -known - needs verifying. Syd Sheedy claimed that John left a wife and child in Ireland when he was transported.He also claimed that Michael Sheedy who married Bridget Ryan in Sydney was the son of John Sheedy per Isabella.The death certificate of Michael Sheedy who married Bridget Ryan shows that he was married twice..formerly in Vict, and secondly in NSW to Bridget Ryan.A search of the marriages in Victoria has yielded the only possible marriage for Michael, to a Catherine Murphy in 1860. She died the same year. Michael Sheedy born c 1822 Briuel/Bruree.Kilmallock.Limerick [note.Kilmallock is near Kilfinane, only several miles between them, and Kilfinane was noted as the marriage place for the alledged uncle of Michael John Sheedy per Mangles Michael married: 1. 1860 in Melbourne, Vic to Catherine MURPHY 2. 1867 in Sydney ,NSW, to Bridget RYAN. the marriage and death certificates of Michael confirm the two marriages, his birth place and age, and his parents: Family Researchers: Notes * = sighted original record. death certificate no: 1403/vol 6118 #=con. 121/641/306 4/4009
