The Sheahan's

The Sheahan Family

Michael Sheahan and Ellen O'Brien are Catherine Galvan's parents and my paternal great great great grandparents. They were married in Doneraile Cork on 2nd March 1829. Doneraile, historically Dunerayl, is a town in County Cork, it is about 12km north of Mallow town.

Doneraile Cork Ireland

Michael and Ellen's Marriage Entry from March 1829

Mallow Castle was built in the 1600's

The journey to New Zealand

Michael and Ellen with members of their family and niece Bridget Mary Dowling immigrated to New Zealand in 1861 on the Bosworth. Michael and Ellen his wife lived mostly in Auckland but did spend a couple of years in Raglan helping their daughter Catherine and her husband Richard build the Galvan homestead in Cliff Street.

March 6th, 1862 the Bosworth notes passengers Michael, Ellen, Ellen and Michael plus a niece Bridget Dowling

The Bosworth

The Bosworth made three journey's to New Zealand, the first in 1857, then in 1859 and again in 1860. The Sheahan's journey departed Gravesend on the Thames on 11th November 1860 and arrived 6th March 1861, a four month journey at sea. Captain Alfred Nicholls skippered their ship. Transcribed in the Daily Southern Cross on 8th March 1861, Page 2 - March 6, Bosworth, Ship, 611 tons passengers Michael, Ellen, Ellen and Michael Sheahan and Bridget Mary Dowling.

From the book "White Wings" about the Bosworth's journeys to New Zealand

Devoutly religious man

Michael had several obituary's written on his passing. This was the most detailed so I have recorded it here.

Mr Michael Sheahan, senior, father of Michael Sheahan JP, the deceased having been a colonist of 32 years standing. He arrived here with a major part of his family in 1861. The most of that time he spent in this city engaged in business except a period of three years, during which he was enegaged with his son in law, the late Mr Richard Galvan of Raglan as a pracitcal colonist, hewing out a home in the wilderness at Raglan where several of his grandchildren are most respected and prosperous settlers. The late Mr Sheahan was a fine old man who was gifted with an excellent constitution which he preserved by a careful, industrious, pious, and abstemious life. To the last moment of his life he remembered perfectly Napoleon's expedition to Moscow and also the illuminations of his native town, Mallow, W. Cork, Ireland, on the occasion of Bonaparte's banishment to Elba, and in honour of Waterloo, in 1813 and 1815 respectively. He was one to dilate with pleasure on his having heard O'Connel speak in 1820. He took the temperance pledge from the Apostle of Temperance, the Rev. Father Matthew, in 1829, and steadfastly kept it till the day of his death. He heard Fergus O'Connor speak at Mallow, and voted for O'Neil Daunb, who was elected for that seat, but unseated on petition in 1843. The deceased was a patriotic Irishman as the above will show, and took part in the stirring event which occurred in those memorable days. He took a marked interest in the affairs of St Patrick's parish in this city, and was always most energetic in religious and charitable work. He was much liked by all who knew him for his neighbourly and genial qualities. He lived to the green old age of 89, and departed this life at his son's residence, Haydn Street, without having made a single enemy, and much regretted by a large circle of relations and friends amongst whom are Messrs J Sheahan of Westport, Michael Sheahan JP of Auckland and Mrs Ormond of Westport. The funeral takes place next Sunday. 

1893 The NZ Tablet

5th July 1893 The NZ Tablet

Ellen Sheahan's Death Notice 1890

Burial and memorial

Michael was born on 29th September 1804 in Mallow Cork and passed away aged 88 on 29th June 1893 in Auckland. Ellen was born in 1811 in Cork and passed away on 24th July 1890 in Auckland. Mallow is a town in County Cork, the southern end of Ireland. They are both buried at St Frances de Sales and All Souls Catholic Church in Devonport, Auckland. The old church is pictured centre, but has since been replaced with the church you see top left. Both Michael and Ellen's deaths are recorded in the memoriam books and every year on the anniversary of their deaths, they are remembered and prayed for in that service. Their grave has withstood time and is in remarkable shape.

The Marble Stele is about 1300mm in height and mounted on a concrete pedestal.
It was once surrounded by a cast iron fence with cast iron corner posts and bent wild steel.
I am grateful the memorial still exists.

I visited the church with my husband John Schade on 5th October 2019 and he took the photo above. Their grave is directly behind the Church of St. Francis de Sales and All Souls. I am very proud to be a direct decendent of this family. I am 6th generation from their line.

St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland

St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland is where both Michael and Ellen's funeral services were held. It was built in 1841. This image reflects the earlier building as it would have been in the mid 1800's. The latter picture is St Patrick's Cathedral modern day.

Michael and Ellen's Children

All of Michael and Ellen's children were baptised at St James Catholic Church in Mallow, Cork, Ireland.

St James Catholic Church Mallow Ireland

Ancient ruins of Mallow Castle built in the 1600's

Timothy Sheahan 1830 - 1895

Timothy Sheahan was born in Mallow Cork Ireland on 9th December 1830. He passed away 9th December 1895 in Westport, New Zealand. He married Sarah Dooley in Victoria Australia in 1861, marriage registration number 2842. Sarah was born in Ireland in 1842 and passed away in Nelson in 1914. Timothy was a man when his parents and younger siblings came out to New Zealand. He went first to Australia and then came to New Zealand settling in the Westport in 1867. Timothy is buried at Orowaiti Old Cemetery in Buller, Catholic plot 2619. It is recorded that Timothy was a well known hotelier in the Westport region, and was proprietor of the Sheahan's Nelson Hotel which was on the corner of Palmerston Street. He also had shares in the Central Buller Mining Company and was on the West Coast School board and the local council. Timothy and Sarah had three or four children.

November 1868 a Ball Westport Times

Timothy Sheahan was a hotelier - this advert was placed in the Westport Times in August 1869

1st July 1869 Westport Times notes the birth of their son John Joseph Sheahan

On the 10th May 1872 it was recorded in the Westport Times that Timothy Sheahan Hon. Sec distributing funds to flood victims in Westport. 

19th March 1875 Westport Times

Timothy Sheahan

Timothy Sheahan Obituary

Catherine Sheahan 1832 - 1873

Catherine is my paternal great great grandmother and this blog is dedicated to her, and her husband Richard.  Richard was born on the 22nd September 1832 and Catherine was also born in 1832 in Mellow, County Cork. They married in New York City in 1852 at the Basilica of St Patrick's Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street. This was the original St Patrick's church. They had 3 children in the USA before embarking on their journey to New Zealand via Australia where they had another 2 children and eventually settled in Raglan where their last 4 children were born. Richard and Catherine would have sailed from New York to Australia around 1859 and 1860. They lived in Melbourne for 2-3 years. It is believed that Catherine was a hat maker (Milliner).  

Ellen Sheahan 1843

It is documented that Michael and Ellen had two daughters named Ellen. One born in 1843, the other in 1848. There are two Ellen's on the ship transcript when they came to New Zealand. I am yet to verify the details of Ellen born in 1843.

Ellen Mary Sheahan 1848-1924

Ellen Mary was born in Mallow Cork Ireland. She passed away on 4th August 1924 and is buried at Waikaraka Cemetery. She married James Ormond in 1878.

Waikaraka Cemetery

Michael Joseph Sheahan JP 1856 - 1935

Michael was baptised on 3rd August 1856 in Mallow. He was involved in Irish nationalist politics, sport, the Catholic Church and was a highly regarded man. He served as Consular for Italy. His funeral and burial was attended by the Prime Minister Mr. Savage and several other politicians. He passed away on 19th December 1935 and is buried in Sandringham.  Michael married Mary Ann Whelan around 1882. They had three or four children.

The Prime Minister attends Michael's funeral in 1935.

Area 1 Block D Lot No 133A Waikaraka Cemetery

Bridget Mary Dowling

Bridget was Michael and Ellen's niece and travelled to New Zealand with them on the Bosworth. She was born on 28 March 1842 or 1843 in Mallow County Cork Ireland. In 1866 she married Samuel Draffin, a Presbyterian born in Scotland but of Northern Irish descent on 20th February 1866 in Hokitika. They lived on the West Coast, then on the Coromandel near Karangahape and then in Ngaruawahia where she passed away in 1912. They had a daughter Catherine Mary Draffin.