Dr Ralph Smith (ca 1828-1911) was the son of Aquila Smith, Esq of Nenagh, Co Tipperary. I believe that he was also the brother of the famous Irish Physician, Dr Aquila Smith (1806-1890). Dr Ralph Smith was my second great grandfather.
In Griffiths Valuation in 1851, Ralph Smith was the Landlord in Fee of a small property in Clareen, Pa Kilmurryely, Ba Clonlisk, Co Offaly. He leased this property to Michael Whittaker. It appears that he may have purchased this property from his brother, Aquila Smith, who owned the same property in 1847.
It appears that Dr Ralph Smith was employed at the Fever Hospital in Shinrone in 1847. He contracted a "dreadful malady while caught in the discharge of his respective duty."
Dr Ralph Smith, Surgeon, left Gravesend, London on the "Santipore" as ship's Surgeon. He arrived in Adelaide, South Australia on 4 Jun 1850.
He returned to Ireland, but arrived again in South Australia on the "Shackamaxon" as an official Assisted Passenger.
Dr Smith was granted land in Yankalilla, South Australia, where he established a medical practice. He advertised the practice for sale in 1854, as he planned to return to Ireland.
However, there are records for Dr Smith in Yankalilla in 1856 and in 1857, he married "Miss Ellen Jones of Bishop's Flat".
Dr Smith had two surviving sons and daughters, Sydney, Amyralda, Amarald and Constancy.
He lost contact with his family in Ireland and on 5 Jan 1885, a message was posted from Ireland in the "Missing Friends and Messages" section of the South Australian Register stating: "WANTED, ELEANOR, Widow, or any of the Family of the late Doctor RALPH SMITH, native of King's County, Ireland, Son of Aquila Smith, and Nephew of Sir Amyrald Dancer, Baronet. Please communicate at once to Daniel J. Moore, General Post-Office, Melbourne."
Sadly, I am unable to find any birth records for Dr Ralph Smith, and his death records are inaccurate. It appears that he may have faked his own death in Yankalilla in 1862. However, there are further records to prove his existence as late as 1911 in South Australia.
Obviously, there is quite a story here and I have attempted for five years to uncover much of it. I would greatly appreciate any assistance with finding further records for him, especially birth records, Alumni for his medical training in Dublin or any newspaper articles in which he is mentioned. I am attempting to write a record for the Australian Medical Pioneers Index, but am lacking important details of his former life in Ireland.
