Michael Sheedy and Margaret McIntyre.
Preface by Jenny Fawcett Note: This information is still under research and should not be accepted as strictly accurate unless confirmed by official references.We are greatly endebted to Mr John McInerneyof Cowra for his kindness in supplying family material. Michael Sheedy was born c1824 in the Kilfinane region of Limerick,Ireland, the son of John Sheedy (per Mangles) and Mary Dinan. (Mary is incorrectly named as Mary Faraday by some family researchers.) It is generally accepted that he is the same Michael who arrived in New South Wales in 1834 per Andromeda with his sisters (Ellen & Mary) and mother Mary (nee Dinan), family of John Mangles Sheedy (one of the alledged 6 bros transported to Australia).Michael's brothers,John, Thomas and Roger arrived a few months after Michael,they came per Blenheim. Michael's father John had been transported to Australia in 1826 on being convicted for forging papers. John Sheedy petitioned the Governor of NSW in 1828, for permission to have his family join him here, but this was denied him at the time.Instead the entire family arrived in 1834. Michael's occupation and whereabouts pre 1849 have not yet been established. He married at Yass in 1849, and was in Victoria (Woolshed region) by 1859, when his first wife Margaret McIntyre died through injuries after being kicked by an assailant. We are awaiting further information on the nature of her death, and will include the details when available, but Margaret Sheady [sic] death certificate states that she was married to Michael Sheedy at Yass N.S.W when about 17 years of age.Margaret was born in Caven,Ireland the daughter of John McIntyre [Farmer] and Margaret [unstated]. She was 24 years old at the time of her death, and residing at Woolshed. She was buried on the 3rd of September 1859 at Beechworth, and two children are noted on her death certificate Michael [age 6] and John [age 18 months],oddly the third son, Roger Sheedy, is not named, yet he was the informant in later years on his father's death certificate.Information given on Margaret's death certificate stated she had been in NSW for ten years and in Victoria for six years, possibly placing her and husband Michael Sheedy in Victoria since c1853.(Roger was born in Yass in 1854, so it probably at this time that the family arrived at Victoria) unless the family was moving between the two places. Perhaps Yass was their permanent residence. Michael Sheedy has been described by some descendants as a "bit of a rogue" and they stated that Michael at one time worked for James White (the first settler in the area) transporting gold from Young to Yass to be assayed. Michael was alleged to have been one of the first to find gold in the region and with new information supplied by Mr John McInerney, the family story is now able to be substantiated (see 1860 below in the TimeLine). Michael's son Roger Sheedy,generally referred to as Rody, was lightheartedly claimed to be the Last of the Bushrangers. Family members claim that Rody rode/and or had a photo taken,with Ben Hall,which was donated to a history/archives centre, and which cannot now be located.Rody would have been only nine years old when Ben Hall was shot and killed near Forbes,so it may perhaps be his father Michael who had associated with Hall. Rody was also known as a "bit of a rogue" and extended family members have related stories in relation to Rody, his family, and uncle John at Frogmore. " Michael Sheedy had a brother who lived at Frogmore who ran a Grog Shanty in the early days..when Rody went to visit this uncle [c 1870's ?],there were two men there that Rody didn't know, after they left his uncle said to him .. "..those men were never here - understand ?..". The uncle who ran the "grog shop" at Frogmore is probably John Sheedy m Bridget Shea who lived at Frogmore In 1870 John Sheedy,uncle of Rody, was the first to mine for copper there and in August of that year was reported to have been offered £2000 for his mining lease which was the most promising in the area at the time. In 1875 he opened another mine and by 1877 he had 40 men working the deposit. He had leased the mine out by 1878, when it became known as Bensusan’s mine. In that year he gave land and a generous contribution in cash for the building of the Roman Catholic Church in the village, which was opened in September, 1879. He built the hotel in about 1875 and it was run by his daughter Bridget and her husband Henry O’Neill. Stories of Rody Sheedy were told to Mr John McInerny by two men who knew Rody in their earlier years.Rody was a family friend and stayed with them when he was in the area.He was a great favourite of Bryce and Ross McInerney's aunt Bridget.The McInerney's had family connections to John Sheedy at Frogmore,but may have been unaware of it at the time.John's wife, Bridget Shea, had a brother John Shea, who married Margaret Godfrey, and their son married Anne McInerney, hence the family connection. Bryce and Ross McInerny considered that Rody was the "last of the bushrangers" as he was always in trouble with the law. Rody was alledgedly sentenced to 23 years jail for his various crimes over his lifetime. He was supposedly shot by the police in a gun battle at Forbes at one stage. He claimed to have been born in a tent at the Lambing Flat goldfields, [now Young, NSW]. Rody's alledged last appearance in a local court of law was at nearly 80 years of age. He was returning from Forbes in his sulky after finishing a saddlery job, when a car roared past and ran over one of his dogs. He was so incensed that he drew out his shotgun and let the fast receding car have both barrells. A few pellets went through the back window, but no real damage was done. His court appearance resulted in his having his guns taken from him, but he avoided jail because of his age. Rody died in April 1942, whilst Bryce and Ross were in the army.When lowering him into the grave it was found that the coffin was a very tight fit, and the inevitable comment was that "Rody had been in some tight spots in his life so he would be used to it." There has previously been some confusion as to the marriage[s] and children of Michael Sheedy. Michael's death certificate in 1880 was filled in by his son ROGER SHEEDY, who stated that Michael married Margaret McIntyre and that there was only two sons surviving,and no other wife is mentioned. And yet,in 1861, a Michael Sheedy, widow, married at Yass in the St Augustine's RC Church, to a Bridget Doyle (widower). They had married on the 29th of August, Michael was then a farmer at Binalong and Bridget a housekeeper at Pudman's Creek. Is this the same Michael who had previously married Margaret McIntyre? And if so, why did Rody Sheedy not include these details on his father's death certificate? A death notice appeared in the Yass Courier in 1865, which appears to be for Bridgt Sheedy formerly Doyle. "Yass Courier, May 20th 1865. "Died, on the 15th inst (of May),at her residence BACK CREEK,Burrangong, BRIDGET, the wife of Mr Michael Sheedy, leaving a husband and ten children to deplore their loss.". If this is Bridget Sheedy/Doyle, then the ten children are either all Doyle in surname, or a mix of the Sheedy/Doyle children.(The Sheedy's of course being Bridget's stepchildren.) And oddly, why is Rody Sheedy not listed on Margaret Sheedy nee McIntyre's death certificate? The death certificate of Margeret Sheedy,nee McIntyre,was filled in by an undertaker and states that she was 1.married in Yass to Michael Sheedy 2. had sons Michael [age 6] and John [age 18 months] No ROGER is listed on her death certificate. It is possible?that Michael was known as Roger ? Michael Sheedy born c: 1824.Ireland. [src: *death cert] Kilfinane ? Ireland [father's petition] parents: John Sheedy & Mary unknown. [src:*death cert] John Sheedy & Mary Faraday [src:Syd Sheedy] probably John Sheedy & Mary Dinan [father's 1828 petition] religon: roman catholic. occupation: ?.1851.Butcher, Binalong. literacy: death: 1st June 1880. Young. New South Wales. [*death cert] age 56 years. informant. son- Rody Sheedy burial: 3rd of June 1880.Young Cemetery. witnesses - A.Hood. and E.Williams. shipping arrivals: c 1833.New South Wales. [*death cert] probably Michael Sheedy who arrived per Andromeda 1834,with mother Mary Sheedy. ? arrived Victoria c 1853 with wife Margaret. married twice. 1. 1849.Yass.New South Wales. [no v1849 224/96] 2. 1865.Yass.New South Wales [no v1861 003/207*] spouse 1 : Margaret McIntyre. Margaret was born in c1835 in Cavan,Ireland the daughter of John McIntyre [Farmer] and Margaret [not stated on death cert] Margaret's death certificate states she had spent 10 years in NSW and 6 years in Victoria, so she probably arrived in NSW c 1843,aged c8yo so her parent [s] were possibly located in NSW. Margaret died on the 30th August 1859 at Woolshed, Victoria, after being kicked in the side by an assailant who was committed for manslaughter. we are still awaiting those details. Margaret's death cert stated she was 24 years old, and she was buried at Beechworth on the 3rd of September 1859.She was the mother of two children Michael [6] and John [18 months] [src:cert no no 6855] spouse 2? Bridget Doyle formerly? Bridget was born c1817.maiden name not ascertained as yet. she died in 1865 at Back Creek, Burrangong, Yass, aged 48 years of age.Her death age is incorrectly given as 78 on the death INDEXES but the her death CERTIFICATE states 48 years of age. Family Timeline 1834 Michael Sheedy arrived NSW per Andromeda with mother Mary (nee Dinan) and sisters Ellen and Mary. Brothers Roger, Thomas and John arrived shortly after per Blenheim 1849 Michael Sheedy married at Yass. NSW to Margaret McIntyre 1851 Warrant issued for arrest of Michael Sheedy of Binalong On the 6th of October 1851,it was reported to the Binalong Police office that a Michael Sheedy of Binalong, butcher by trade, had sold a stolen heifer to 'Martin the Publican of Yass'. Patrick Keily (shoemaker) of Binalong was the owner of the heifer and he reported the matter John Fitzpatrick Chief Constable of Binalong. Michael Sheedy was discribed as: "Michael Sheedy, a native of Ireland, about 5 feet 10 inches high: very dark hair and complexion, good features but rather thin faced; slightly pockpitted; nose straight and sharp but well formed; when speaking shews his teeth more than most men; he is well known in the Yass and Boorowa Districts; holds a butcher's license for Binalong". It has not yet been established if Sheedy was committed for trial, research still under way - JF1852 son Michael born Yass. NSW. [no v1852 956/69] 1854 son Roger (known as Rody/Roady) born Yass. NSW. [no v1854 2091/71] c1857 son John (Jack) born . 1859 Death of Mary Sheedy nee McIntyre The Hamilton Spectator, 17th Sept 1859 carried a report in regard to an article previously published in the ARGUS, in relation to an inquest held upon the advent of Margaret Sheedy's death: General News. Shocking Case at the Ovens. The inquest that took place at the Woolshed,Ovens, on Friday last, on the body of Margaret Sheady who was supposed to have been murdered by a man named Hugh Smith, was resumed on Wednesday. Mr Robert Hecker a medical practitioner in the district, gave evidence to the effect that no external injury had caused death, but that it had been produced by violent inflamation of the stomach, the deceased being in the family way at the time. Another medical man, Dr Dempster,expressed a similar opinion, and stated that a person might receive a blow on the stomach without the marks of that blow being visible externally. From the evidence of the two female witnesses, it appeared that the deceased,while in a state of liquor, struck the prisoner: the testimony of others went to prove that deceased complained of having been severely kicked by the prisoner in the stomach and side. The Jury returned a verdict of "Guilty of Manslaughter" with a recommendation to mercy on account of great provocation. Bail was refused: ARGUS The death certificate of Margaret Sheady (sic) reads: 1859. Deaths in the District of Beechworth in the Colony of Vic. no 142. 13th August 1859.Woolshed. Margaret Sheady (matron).female aged 24 years. cause of death:killed by a kick in the side ? by Hugh Smith, the ? committed for 'Manslaughter' on Verdict of (?Coroner/Magist?) parents: John McIntyre, famer, and Mary McIntyre. informant: A.R.Noble, Undertaker, Beechworth. Registered by William Walder, 8th Sept 1859, Beechworth. buried: 3rd September Beechworth, by A.R.Noble. Minster/Witness to burial: S.G.King and M.Jayne. where born: Cavan, Ireland. how long in colonies: 10 years in NSW and 6 years in Victoria. where and when married: at Yass, NSW,age 17y, to Michael Sheady. issue: Michael (6 years) and John Ormond (18 months). note by J.Fawcett...where is Roger? 1860 The Yass Courier reported on the 1st of Augst 1860: GOLD FROM LAMBING FLAT Mr Michael Sheedy called at our office on Monday last for the purpose of showing us a very excellent sample of gold, weighing 7 and a half ounces, procured from Lambing Flat. Lambing Flat is 32 miles from Binalong and about 20 miles from Murrumburrah and is situate on Mr. James White's squattage. Mr. Sheedy says that it is about 4 weeks last Friday when he and several other persons were out looking for horses: they camped at this station. An American who acted as cook, and who was familiar with the appearance of many other gold- fields, was struck with the appearance of the place; he washed a few spadefulls of the surface earth and succeeded in getting a good prospect of gold... There were about 50 persons at this place when Mr. Sheedy left on Sunday last, but some had come badly supplied with tools and provisions and had been compelled to leave to procure them. The sample shown us was procured by a party of four, in 3 feet sinking, in the creek. Gold is also found by surfacing." Note by J.McInerney Michael must have been with Denis Reagan's party,when,according to Sarah Musgrave, their American (Negro?) cook recognised the area as gold bearing and found the first traces of gold there. Going on Michael's account above this must have been Friday 29 June, 1860. Dispute over claim for reward: "After the gold discovery Aleander the Yankee negro cook left the area for some unknown reason. In his absence Michael Sheedy made a claim for the reward offered by the Government" (src: John McInerney - who was able to locate newspaper articles in relation to Michael Sheedys claim.According to John, a correspondent to the newspaper disputed Michaels claim, stating that he wasn;t even in the area the day of the discovery. He stated that the men with Alexander the Yankee were Frank Smith and Robert Hunt and that they were due the reward. Many letters were published disputing Sheedys claim including one from Denis Regan who owned the land and horse-yards on Lambing Flat.Regan said the reward was due to Alexander the Yankee. He also claimed that Sheedy offered him fifty pounds to sign Michael's petition supporting his claim for the reward.) There is a supposition that Frank Smith didn;t claim the reward as he was really the bushranger Frank Gardiner. When Gardiner was banished from Australia in 74 he ended up in California operating a bar there under the name of "Frank Smith'.Gardiner had a long association with the Yass/Lambing Flat and Goulbourn district. IN 1861 (May) Gardiner (alias Jones) was arrested at Lambing Flat on suspicion of cattle stealing, so was certainly in the region at the time. 1861 a Michael Sheedy married at Yass to Bridget Doyle
1865. Bridget Sheedy formerly Doyle died at Back Creek, Burrangong, Yass. "Yass Courier.May 20th 1865. Died, on the 15th instant, at her residence Back Creek, Burrangong, BRIDGET, wife of Mr Michael Sheedy,leaving a husband and ten children to deplore her loss." 1880 Michael Sheedy died at Young, NSW death certificate of Michael Sheedy reads: NO: Died: 1880 June 1st. Place: Young , N.S.W. Name: Michael Sheedy Occupation: Laborer Sex and Age: Male aged 56 yeras. Cause of Death: Heart Disease. Duration: 2 weeks Medical Attendant: Dr Hutchins Last seen by hime 1st June Father: John Sheedy Mother: Mary unknown. Informant: Rody Sheedy, son, of Young. Buried: June 3rd 1880.Young Cemetery. by Millard (undertaker) Witnesses: A Hood and E.Williams Born: Ireland In the Colony: 47 years Place of Marriage: Yass Age of Marriage: 26 years. to Whom: Margaret McIntyre children of marriage: 2 males living. note: NO BRIDGET DOYLE LISTED AS 2nd SPOUSE 1893 a Rody Sheedy was born, son of Rody Sheedy and Mary ? 1895 a Mary Sheedy was born, dau of Rody Sheedy and Mary ? died 1895 as infant. 1914 Feb 16th.Forbes Police Court "ALLEGED FORGING AND UTTERING. Roady Sheedy was charged with forging and uttering, but on the application of the police the case was adjourned till Wednesday " (src: Forbes Times, Feb 17th 1914) Feb 1914. ALLEGED FORGING AND UTTERING FORBES POLICE COURT Remanded to Bogan Gate. Roady Sheedy alias Jack Sheen, aged 62, was charged by warrant at the local police court on Wednesday before Mr.W.G.Dowling JP,with forging and uttering a cheque for £9.10.6 purporting to be drawn by one J.Tomlinson on the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney,Bogan Gate branch in favour of Jack Mullaney. Constable Coleman deposed: "On Saturday night last I saw the defendent in the back yard of Lawsons hotel, and said to him There is a warrant out for your arrest at Bogan Gate for forging and uttering.". Accused replied:"I have been expecting that". I then brought him to the lockup and charged him,in reply he said:"I did not forge the cheque, but I cashed it and bought 2 pair of boots". This morning I received this warrant (produced) from the Bogan Gate police, I now pray for his remand to that centre, where the principal witnesses reside. Accused asked no questions, and was remanded to the Bogan Gate police court till Friday 20th instant. Bail was not applied for: " notes: The above information was kindly donated by net angel Jean Little. She records that Bogan Gate is about 45kms from Forbes and closer to Parkes. 1908 Electoral Rolls.N.S.W. Division of Calare, Subdivision of Condobolin. Rody Sheehey Wilga. Condobolin. Labourer. Note: this is not confirmed as Roady Sheedy as yet. 1909 Electoral Rolls.N.S.W. Division of Calare, Subdivision of Condobolin. Rody Sheehey Wilga. Condobolin. Labourer. Note: this is not confirmed as Roady Sheedy as yet. 1913 Electoral Rolls.N.S.W. Division of Calare, Subdivision of Condobolin. Rody Sheehey Wilga. Condobolin. Labourer. Note: this is not confirmed as Roady Sheedy as yet. 1915 Electoral Rolls.N.S.W. Division of Calare, Subdivision of Condobolin. Rodhie Sheehey. Majuba.Tinda Tank. labourer. Note: this is not confirmed as Roady Sheedy as yet. 1916 Electoral Rolls.N.S.W. Division of Calare, Subdivision of Condobolin. Rodhie Sheehey. Majuba.Tinda Tank. labourer. Note: this is not confirmed as Roady Sheedy as yet. Children: of Michael & Margaret Sheedy Spouse1. Michael Sheedy b.1852. Yass.NSW. [no v1852 956/69] listed on mother's death certificate [6yo]* died 1941 at Young, NSW (alias known: William Emmett) married: Emily Sherwood surviving issue: Robert Sheedy & Richard Sheedy Roger Sheedy b.1854.Yass.NSW. [no v1854 2091/71] not listed on mother's death cert and yet was the informant on father's death cert and signed as Rody Sheedy.* (*used alias: Jack Sheen (1914)age then 62 so b1852) d.29th April 1942.Cowra.NSW [no 8787] parents as Michael and Margt Sheedy. buried.Morongla cem. John [Jack] Ormond [Holman?] Sheedy b c 1857. listed on mother's death cert.age 18 months.* as John Osmond?Ormond?[second name difficult to read] m.1875.NSW. Susan Whybrow. [no 4555 & desc] issue: 1.Mary b 1876 2.John Thos. b 1877. m Sarah McDonnell 2.1 John Holman Roy Sheedy m Monica Callaghan 2.2 Bert Sheedy m Dorothy ? .lived at Young 2.3 Margaret Isobel Sheedy m Arthur Daly. issue.-4 sons. 2.4 daughter 3.Rody Wm b 1879. nm 4.Sarah b 1882. m Dennis Gill 5.James b 1885. d 1886 6.Eliza b 1887. d 1893 7.Henry b 1890. d 1914 8.Bertie b 1891. 9.Edward b 1884. d 1884 10.Alfred b 1893. d 1893 11.Charlie b 1895 d 1895 12.Frank b 1892 13.Francis b 1893. Family Researchers: Mr John McInerney COWRA NSW 2794 Phone: (02) 6341 1999 jcm@allstate.net.au Descendant: Michael Sheedy. 34 MIRO ST YOUNG 2594 New South Wales Notes * = sighted original record. Descendents of John [Jack] Sheedy m Susan Whybrow have confirmed knowledge of Rody, as brother of John. Either Rody/Roger is Michael,and his age and name were incorrectly stated on his mother's death certificate, or something is incorrect. Roger definitely filled in his father's death cert, stated that two males were living, is confirmed by John's descendents [and John is a confirmed child of Michael and Margaret McIntyre]. What happened to Michael or is he Rody.
