My great-great grandfather, Jeremiah Smith, known as Darby Smith, was born in Ballinasloe, Galway, c. 1818-1822. While he could neither read nor write, he was a blacksmith (https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/1204/images/IMAUS17…) He married Honorah McKeogh (1823-1891) at some time before their arrival in Australia in 1841. The couple came out to Australia on the "John Renwick", "imported" by Nicholas James & Co. Darby was a skilled tradesman. Honorah's occupation was that of a laundress.
The couple settled in Carcoar, New South Wales, which was then something of a boom town. Initially, Darby was an employee, but he soon established his own businesses, including blacksmith's forges and a hotel, the Australian Arms in Carcoar. He was very active in the community, helping to fund the building of the Catholic Church.
He and Honorah had 9 children, all of whom were born in Carcoar.
- Margaret M Smith, 1842–1916
- Bridget Smith, 1842–1933
- John Joseph Smith, 1846–1922
- Mary Jane Smith, 1847–?
- Thomas Joseph Smith, 1849–1926
- Honorah Smith, 1852–?
- Annie Mary Smith, 1853–1916
- Jeremiah E Smith, 1854–1859
- James Joseph Smith,1858–1938
Very sadly, Honorah passed away from influenza on 4 November 1891.
Darby passed away on 11 June 1915. He had continued to work as a blacksmith well into his nineties.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1819 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 11th Jun 1915 | VIEW SOURCE |
