Mary was born daughter of Anastasia Maher's second marriage at Breaghmore, Seir Kieran Co Offaly.
She was a laundress and left Ireland on assisted passage to Australia on the Sandringham on 9 September 1863 which arrived in Sydney, Australia in early 1864.
She was sponsored by Margaret Sullivan, Banagher, Co Offaly. From family lore (from her descendants in Australia) Mary travelled with her half sister Bridget Murphy.
She was working as a laundress in Queensland when she married John Owen Kennedy a native of Kildorrery Co Cork, who was a coachman. They moved to Teviot Creek, Undallah on 2412/1872 when John "took his selection" John became a successful farmer and was reported to have "bright red hair, an Irish temper and rode a horse wildly" John had arrived in Ramsay as a free passanger on the Ramsay in 1869.
Picture: The Kennedy Farm
Mary and Bridget maintained contact even though Bridget had moved and married in New Zealand. Mary was there on 2/1/1871 at Bridget's son William's baptism. Further family lore states that Bridget travelled to Australia at one time to "assist" Mary. Mary died in 1922 and is buried in Gleneagle Cemetery. Her funeral Mass was officiated at by Rev Fr Steele.
With thanks for information received from descendants of Mary & Bridget: Marie, Wendy and Barry.
| Attachment | Size |
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| John Owen and Mary Kennedy.png (63.65 KB) | 63.65 KB |
| Kennedy Farmhouse .png (104.72 KB) | 104.72 KB |
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st May 1842 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 11th Apr 1922 | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | William Brown | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Anastasia Maher | |
| Townland born | Breaghmore, Seir Kieran (Clareen) Kings County ( Co Offaly) Ireland | |
| Place & Date of Baptism | 10/5/1842 at Seir Kieran R C Church Clareen Kings County | |
| Number of Siblings | 5 | |
| Names of Siblings | Peter Murphy (Half Brother) b 1834 Kyran Murphy (Half Brother) b 1839 Bridget Murphy (Half Sister) b 1836 - See Ancestor Chronicle Edward b 1845 died 12/8/1882 Sub Constable - Unmarried Agnes b 1849 died 18/6/1886 | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | John Owen Kennedy born Kildorrery, Co Cork | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | 11 November 1872 at St Stephens Chapel Brisbane Australia | |
| Number of Children | 5 | |
| First Child | Catherine Kennedy b 2.4.1874 at Teviot, Queensland Australia | |
| Names of Children | Mary Ann Kennedy b 11 March 1876 Arthur John Kennedy b 13 July 1878 Margaret Johanna Kennedy b 27 June 1882 William Kennedy b 31 Jan 1885 All born at Teviot Undallah Queensland Australia | |
| Place of Death | Beaudesert Queensland. | |
| Occupation | Laundress | |
