Research Notes:
Castleconnell is a small village situated in the Parish of Stradbally, Barony of Owneybeg, County Limerick. The village stands on the east bank of the River Shannon and is approximately five miles from Limerick City. In 1837 there were 1313 inhabitants in the village. The place was known in ancient times as 'Carrig-Cnuil', and derived its name from an ancient fortress originally a seat of the O'Briens, Kings of Thomond and in which a grandson of Brian Boroihme was said to have been murdered by the reigning prince. In1199 King John granted five knights fees to William de Burgh, a baron of the family of Fitz-Aldelm with a condition that a castle be erected. This was amongst the first places in Limerick where the English obtained possession. In 1651 a strong garrison was placed in the castle by General Ireton while on his march to blockade Limerick. In 1690 it was also strongly garrisoned by the troops of James II but on the 12th August in the same year it was surrendered at discretion by Captain Barnwell to Brigadier Steuart. On the retreat of the English army it was again garrisoned by James' troops which in the following year defended it for two days against the Prince of Hesse Darmstadt and after its surrender it was blown up by the order of General D. Ginkell. A century later, in 1831, the town contained 178 houses, many of which were handsome villas and cottages.
Early in the 19th Century, Richard Dowling and his wife Catherine (nee O'Halloren), raised their family in the village of Castleconnell the known children of the family being George, Richard, Catherine, John and Ellen. There is the distinct probability that there were others however, verification has been limited to those above. One of those sons, Richard, was born approximately in July 1812 and 26 years later paved the way with his brothers and sisters for a new life in the Colony of New South Wales.
During his early years as a young Irish lad, Richard lived in a society of upheaval and turbulent political times. An uprising known as the 'Rockite (or Whiteboys)' movement began in County Limerick in 1821 and soon spread to other Counties. The uprising was centred around the distribution of land to the people. In 1821 the Viceroy of Ireland, Richard Colley Wellesly, believed that a general insurrection prevailed in the south of Ireland. Wellesly had called for new reforms but, instead the English government introduced the Insurrection Act. Magistrates were given the power to search without warrant, and a night time curfew introduced which brought with it the punishment of transportation if one was caught breaking the curfew. Amazingly history has taught us little to this present day. Popular opinion held at the time that the bureaucracy in Dublin Castle was filled with those who wished to preserve the ascendancy of the Protestants.
Transportation became the standard punishment for agrarian crimes as the period 1820 to 1840 was becoming more liberalised. By 1837 hanging was restricted basically to crimes of murders. Hence between 1822 and 1824 some three hundred agrarian rebels were transported. This was the environment into which a young family was maturing. Did Richard Dowling (Snr) play any active role in the "troubles"?
Some may argue that young Richard did not adhere to the strict Catholic Irish ways for on the 8th August 1837, in St. Marys Cathedral (Church of Ireland) in Limerick City, he married a girl of seventeen years by the name of Margaret Browne, of Scottish parentage and Protestant faith. Was this a sufficient reason enough to emigrate? Before one jumps to any conclusion it must be noted that during those times for a marriage to be considered legal, a couple were required by law to be married in the Church of Ireland. Hence it was common for Catholics to be married in two churches, the Catholic church and also the Church of Ireland.
During the following year, 1838, their first child was born and they named him Thomas James D owling. He was born in the village of Shallee, Parish of Killoscully, Barony of Owney and Arra, Poor Law Union of Nenagh, County Tipperary. Who was he named after? Was it his paternal great-grandfather? When Thomas was old enough he rejoined his parents in a new land. Thomas spent his childhood in the care of his maternal grandparents because, in that same year, in 1838, Richard and Margaret decided to migrate to the Colony of New South Wales.
Why did they migrate to a place so distant from their beloved Ireland? Evidence shows there are several recordings of the names Dowling, O'Halloren, Hunt, Treacey, and Bourke (all related), at Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Was there someone else in the Colony before Richard? There were several people by the name of Dowling, from various parts of Ireland, who were transported to the Colony, were any of them related in some way? Why did history show Geelong to be the main settling place for some members of the family?
The decision to leave one's first born and only son in someone else's care, albeit relatives, was of no doubt a burdensome and heart wrenching one. Was the child of healthy disposition? Other children made such a journey, how did it come to pass that the decision to leave such a small infant was made? Given the high mortality rate for children under seven years of age at that time, Margaret must have had very mixed and sad emotions at tearing herself away from her bonny boy.
The vessel that brought them to their new land was the barque 'Charles Kerr'. On the 16th Se ptember, 1838 the barque set sail for the Colony. The 'Charles Kerr' was by no means a new vessel as originally it was built in Sunderland, England in 1826 and classified as A 1 by Lloyd's of London. The vessel was of 463 tons and mastered by Harford Arnold and owned by Pirie and Company of London. This was not the first nor the last voyage for the vessel to the Colony. In its previous voyage it served as a transport vessel and sailed from Spithead, England on the 8th June, 1837 with a human cargo of two hundred and fifty male convicts, four of whom died during the 123 days voyage. The barque and its human cargo arrived in Sydney on 9th October, 1837.
On the next voyage, 17th September, 1838 the vessel slowly moved down the calm, cool waters of the Shannon River and out into the deep, blue, hostile Atlantic Ocean. The vessel had been berthed at the old port of Limerick, and all fond farewells were made near the old Custom's House before crossing the gang plank to commence a long, arduous journey to what must have appeared as the other side of the world. As the wooden vessel drifted down the Shannon could Margaret, Richard, Catherine and Andrew (a brother of Margaret who decided to accompany them), have known what the future held? How many other friends made the voyage with them? Who was there to farewell them on the arduous voyage? Were there thoughts of returning to the ever green fields of Ireland? One can assuredly guess at the feelings of angst, joy, intrepidation, hopefulness, helplessness and tears for leaving so many loved ones. What keepsakes did they take with them? On board were 226 passengers comprised of 112 males and 114 females, and of this tally 102 were children under the age of ten. Imagine the frustrations of being confined in cramped quarters with all those children! This voyage out took only 114 days for the vessel arrived in Port Jackson on the 8th January, 1839.
Given the time lapse between the two voyages one may only speculate as to the condition of the quarters allotted to the new settlers. Basically time permitted only the re-victualling of the vessel. The journey was a most rigorous one, as were all voyages in those early days, particularly more so for the Surgeons appointed to the vessels. It was a rare occurrence for a Surgeon to make the voyage out to the Colony more than once. The Surgeon-Superintendent appointed in this instance to the 'Charles Kerr' was James Smith, Royal Navy, who replaced John Edwards from the previous voyage. A transcript of the Surgeon-Superintendent's report appears as Appendix A. From the reading thereof, one can easily perceive that James Smith mirrored the common attitude of the English to the Irish race. His contempt for these 'paupers....unable to appreciate the importance of cleanliness in the preservation of health' is obvious and doubts, therefore, may be raised as to his diligent care of the sick and belief in the Hippocratic oath. The Surgeon also maintained a register known as the Surgeon's Sick Book and according to this log there were two entries for Margaret Dowling and one for her brother Andrew Browne. On the 19th November, 1838 she was diagnosed as suffering from 'Obstipatis' (constipation) and later discharged on the 22nd November. The second notation in the record was on the 20th December 1838 suffering from 'Diarrhoea' and was discharged on the 24th December. Margaret was expecting her second child and was approximately seven and a half months pregnant in December; hence the journey must have seemed torturous. Her brother, An drew Browne, was recorded as suffering from 'Catarrah' on the 15th December and was discharged on 19th December.
The official ship's register cites the following information regarding these pioneers.
RICHARD DOWLING
Occupation: Carpenter and Joiner
Age: 26 years, in July 1838
Religion: Roman Catholic
Read & Write: Both
Health: Very Good
Father: Richard Dowling (joiner) of Castleconnell
Mother: Catherine O'Halloren (Kate)
Native Place: Castleconnell
By Whom Engaged: Colonial Government of Sydney for £2 per year
Sister: Catherine Dowling (on board)
MARGARET DOWLING
Occupation: Dressmaker
Age: 19 years
Religion: Protestant
Read & Write: Both
Native Place: Edinburgh, Scotland
Father: Robert Browne (Gardener) now living in Killoscournie (sic) (Killoscully) County Tipperary Ireland
Mother: Margaret Davison (Davidson)
CATHERINE DOWLING
Occupation: House Servant (Unmarried)
Age on Embarkation: 20 on 1st November, 1838
Health: Very Good
Read & Write: Both
By Whom Engaged: Mrs Chambers of Sydney for £7 for six months *
* Mr. H.C. Chambers was solicitor of Pitt Street, Sydney
ANDREW BROWNE
Occupation: Carpenter (Unmarried)
Age: 21 years
Religion: Protestant
Read & Write: Both
Native Place: Edinburgh, Scotland
Father: Robert Browne
Mother: Margaret Daviso
Only a month after their arrival in the new land Richard and Margaret had their second child, a male whom they named Robert, possibly after his maternal grandfather. He was born on the 7th February, 1839 at the Immigrant Building Sydney and baptised in the Roman Catholic Church on the 24th February, 1839 in the County of Westmoreland, New South Wales. Robert was the first Australian born of this Dowling family.
Sydney was not to be the home for Richard and his wife for they moved to a new district known as Port Philip, later to become the State of Victoria. Did they journey via coastal shipping or overland? The village of Melbourne was their settling place.
Given that the first land sale in Melbourne occurred on the 1st June, 1837 the family certainly ventured into a new era and 'unchartered waters'. By the time they arrived in Melbourne, the village had assumed an air of civilisation and was well laid out. Melbourne was in need of skilled workers and this was evidenced as far back as October 1838 when Sir George Gipps asked that an emigrant ship be sent direct to Port Phillip with carpenters, smiths and farm labourers, and that, after a lapse of four or five months, another be sent with the same class of emigrants. Governor Gipps arranged to send from Sydney some of the emigrants who had been landed there, but were willing to go to Port Phillip. Two hundred were sent over by the barque 'Hope' in January, 1839 and, in the following April, the ship John Barry brought two hundred more.
The 16th October, 1840 saw Richard Dowling, in conjunction with Alexander Graham, make his first purchase of land. The details of that first purchase, taken from the Old Law Title, are as follows: -
Memorial Number: 164BU Folio 1248
Date: 16th & 17th October, 1840
Nature: Conveyance
Names of Parties: Thomas Arnold of the one part, Alexander Graham and Richard Dowling of the other part.
Witness: Robert Cadden
Consideration: £28/10/--
Description: All that piece or parcel of ground situated in Allotment No 3 in Section 23 in t he town of Melbourne and County of Bourke commencing on the west side of a sixteen feet right of way from Little Bourke Street to Bourke Street 62 feet 6 inches south from Little Bourke Street and 74 feet west from boundary line of Allotment 4 and 5 in Section 23 and bounded on the east by said 16 feel lane bearing Southward 19 feet on the south by a line at right angles to the last line bearing Westward 50 feet on the west by another 16 feet lane in common to Allotments 2 and 3 Block 23 bearing Northward 19 feet and on the North by a 10 feet way at right angles to the said right of way bearing Eastward 50 feet to the commencing corner being Lot 6 of the Plan of Sale of Allotment 4 in Section 23.
Signed: Thomas Arnold
Interestingly enough, Thomas Arnold, who sold Richard his first piece of real estate, was imprisoned in 1841, under the Insolvency Laws for failing to honour his debts. Arnold was a merchant in Lonsdale Street and had been Acting Commissionary and was also a director of the Pastoral Society. He was thrown into Melbourne's third gaol, located in Collins Street behind the Customs House. Conditions were so bad that Arnold petitioned Governor Latrobe complaining of deteriorating health due to stale air and lack of exercise. This was all to no avail and Arnold was a 'broken man' upon his release brought about by the payment of his debts by friends.
In 1841 the population of the town was still only five or six thousand and had thirteen doctors who were all well employed. During the summer months a perfect epidemic of typhoid fever and dysentery raged for 1840, 1841 and 1842. There were no sewers and the drainage had to cope with the waste generated by 6000 people and stagnated for weeks in the Williams Creek (now Elizabeth Street) with some serious results. Basically, Melbourne was without public facilities. There was no piped water supply, no sewerage system and no lighting or heating. Public works were to be neglected during the 1840's due to an economic depression that bit deeply between 1841 to 1843. It was only in 1844 that the economy showed any signs of slight recovery. Water was provided by enterprising people who carted water from the Yarra river around town, the fee being two shillings for every seventy gallons. The only water fit for consumption was above the 'falls' roughly in line with Queen Street. Water below the falls area was severely contaminated from the abattoirs and wool scouring works from whom all waste was discharged into the Yarra where the tide was expected to clear all pollutants. Melbourne's water problem was permanently overcome by the establishment of the Yan Yean reservoir in 1857.
The new land was as harsh on the Dowling family as it was on all other pioneer families. The year of 1841 was one of both sadness and joy. Sadness, because it saw the birth and death of their third son who was baptised Richard. His birth certificate shows him as being born on the 31st May, 1841 and according to the baptismal register of St Francis Church, he was baptised on the 18th July, 1841. Though the poor infant's date of death is not exactly known, all indications are that he died shortly after his baptism. The joy for Richard in 1841 occurred on the 20th October when the ship Livingston arrived in Sydney, and on board were his brother and sister - John and Ellen. John finally found his way to Melbourne but it is believed that Ellen remained in Sydney. How did John travel to Melbourne? Was it by coastal vessel or overland? Did Ellen marry, and if so, to whom?
The details given in the ship's disposal list are as follows: -
ELLEN DOWLING
Brought Out By: R. Horn & Co
Under Protection Of: Her brother John
Native Place: Castleconnell, Co Limerick, Parents dead
Calling: House maid
Age: 22
Religion: R. Catholic
Read or Write: Can read but not write
JOHN DOWLING
Calling: House Carpenter
Age: 28
Religion: R. Catholic
Read or Write: Both
The above information contains one important piece of information and that is the notation of 'Parents Dead'. Did Richard already have word of this? When, where and how did they die? Were they really dead? To date all attempts at establishing details regarding this event have failed. John Dowling married Mary Walsh on the 25th January, 1846 at St Francis Church Melbourne.
Though Melbourne attracted Richard and his wife and later on his brother John, it was Geelong that gathered in the remainder of the family. On the 12th July, 1841, Catherine Dowling married Martin Treacey in St Francis Church Melbourne and they eventually settled in Geelong.
Richard's profession was that of a builder and indications are that he remained so until 1843 when he obtained a licence as a Licensed Victualler of a tavern known as the 'Lord Nelson ' at 175 Bourke Street East. The 'Lord Nelson' was a one storey tavern on the north side of Bourke Street East opposite the Eastern Market. The tavern contained 15 rooms and had a 54 feet frontage onto Bourke Street and a depth of 156 feet. The land was part of Portion Allotment 7, Section 23. Whilst holding the licence for this colourful tavern Richard was granted permission to supply members of the Tradesmen's Cricket Club with refreshments on the cricket ground at the back of the gaol during the season, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Permission to serve refreshments was first granted on the 18th August, 1847. The gaol is presumed to be the one at the northern end of Russell Street (Melbourne's fourth gaol).
The 'Lord Nelson' had a short history and the licensees were as follows: -
Lewis Pedrana1841/42
James Callaghan October 10, 1842
Evans Lloyd March 3, 1843 Licence renewed April 29, 1843
Moses Cromie July 14, 1843, night licence July 24, 1843
Richard Dowling December 1843 renewed May 5, 1844 and April, 14, 1851.
Richard intimated that the tavern would not be licensed in 1852.
Not only was Richard, but also his brother John and brother-in-law Martin Treacey were making their mark in the new Colony. In the second year of the City Council's existence (1843), tenders were called for the boundary marks, so that the exact boundaries of the Council's jurisdiction might be clear. John Dowling and Martin Treacey were the successful tenderers. Their tender was for the land marks to be put up for £12/15/--: and periodically the Mayors toured the boundaries and reported to Council that they had done the boundaries.
Richard Dowling was a keen business man able to advance his status in the new community. A close scrutiny of his property transactions [full details of real estate purchases from the Crown, real estate purchases from private sellers and other transactions are available from Tony Martin] may conjure up a great deal of conjecture as to the fate and fortunes of the family.
On the 16th March, 1843 a daughter was born to Margaret and Richard, her name being Eliza. Unfortunately her untimely demise came on the 19th December of the same year. The family was not confined to two sons for another infant who was baptised as Richard was born on the 5th August, 1844 - he survived his infant years.
Richard's recognition within the community was evidenced, for instance, by the fact that on the 28th June, 1842, he along with several others, delivered an address at the inauguration of the St Patrick's Society. The Society was formed by Dr. Patterson who was Chief Immigration Officer; Father Geoghegan (the first Catholic Priest of St Francis); the Rev. T.H. Osborne (a Presbyrterian minister and ardent Irishman); and Mr. J.C. King (Town Clerk). The Town Clerk was reputed to "kick with both feet" as he was also an active Orangeman. The objectives of the Society were to 'preserve in this Colony the recollections of their dear native land, and to secure the advantages of a good education to their children'.
The Society was inaugurated in the 'Royal Exchange Hotel'. The entrance fee was levied at five shillings per member and the annual subscription at twelve shillings. Richard was a member of the committee, and as early as 1844, the meetings were held in his tavern the 'Lord Nels on'. The Society was designated as "The St Patrick Society of Australia Felix". The first rule was 'that any person, of whatever political creed or religious denomination, being a native of Ireland, or descended from Irish parents, shall be eligible as a member'.
The first Irish procession was held on St Patrick's Day, the 17th March, 1843. Great preparations were put in place. A pair of green gold-gilt banners had been made to order; green scarves and rosettes bought and the few Melbourne drapers' shops virtually ran out of stock of anything green. The procession commenced with the Town band striking up "St Patrick's Day in the Morning" and hundreds of men, women and children flocked toward the music. The inns and taverns were open and the procession required frequent stops to 'liquor up'. The day was one of good humour with no one recorded on the 'Drunkards List'. At 10: 00am the procession was formally assembled at the 'Royal Exchange Hotel'. In a line of two deep they paraded the streets, and no doubt their minds were cast back to the Shamrock Land of their birth by the much cherished tunes of 'St Patrick's Day; Garryowen; and Faugh-a-Ballagh'. The assembly advanced westward along Collins Street, completed a circuit of St James Church where Rev. Father Geoghegan launched into a public discourse. This was seen as the only blight on the day as it caused an offence to all the non-Catholic members and threatened to split the Society.
In 1846 the elections were held for the Society and a clean sweep was made of the committee. It was the salvation of the Society, according to some. The first step taken was the removal of the place of committee meetings from the 'Lord Nelson to Lanes Hostelry'. The 1846 S t Patrick's Day procession was considered a vast improvement over the previous one, according to Garryowen's 'Chronicles of Early Melbourne'.
"Geoghegan was made President in 1845 and O'Shannassy in 1846.....In the procession of that year "Johnny Fawkner", the 'father of Melbourne journalism', a little limelighting opportunist, wanted to take part, but as he was Irish neither in birth nor sympathy, his request was refused. Nothing daunted, he procured a big green cockade and rosette and trotted alongside the tall leader at the front of the procession. "Little Johnny" soon afterwards quarrelled with "Big Jack" and in his paper sneered at everything Irish, but Melbourne never took him seriously."
John O'Shannassy, originally a draper from Co Tipperary, was said to be an Irish nationalist of the "O'Connell school". He owned a drapery store in Collins Street which proved most successful. His wife Margaret was instrumental in ensuring its profitability. He was to establish himself in Melbourne as a conservative. He had close links with the family and was God-father to Richard Nicholas Dowling Treacey, nephew to Richard Dowling. John died in 1883. During his years in Victoria, he was a Member of the Legislative Council; President of the St Pa trick's Society; Chairman of the Colonial Bank; Member of the Legislative Assembly and Premier of Victoria three times; and Knight of the Order of St Michael and St George.
Another society with which Richard played a role was the Friendly Brothers which was established on 15th August, 1845 by the Very Reverend Doctor Geoghegan to aid all Catholics in need. During the year 1849, some 663 males and 240 females received assistance from the Brothers. The annual report of the Brothers for 1849 acknowledged the assistance of several people. They were (Gipps Ward) Michael Lynch, Peter Murphy, Patrick Bourke, Rody Heffernan and Richard Dowling. (Lonsdale Ward) John Bourke, Timothy Lane, Richard Barry, Thomas Ryan, Richard Brown. (La Trobe Ward) Patrick Purcell, Michael Ryan, Michael Curtain, John O'Keefe. (Bourke Ward) John Dunn, John Cosgrove, James H effernan, Patrick Costello, David Barry. Michael Lynch Treasurer. When one considers these names, history will show that there were links with several of these families throughout the future generations.
In 1847 Richard was appointed by the Council as an Assessor for Gipps Ward. During the same year, a Mr. Dowling made at least two short voyages, one to Sydney from where he returned on the ship Phoebe on the 16th January and then went straight on to Tasmania for the records show him as returning from Launceston aboard the schooner 'Shamrock' on the 21st January. What was he doing? Was it in fact Richard or another Dowling, for example Henry or David? It is more likely to have been Henry.
The following year, 1848 was fairly eventful. The commencement of the year was an extremely sombre occasion for Richard's beloved brother John died on the 20th January, 1848 at the age of 32 leaving a wife and child. It was only in 1847 that John took up the 'Black Boy' hotel in Collins Lane East on the South side. The history of this hotel is worthy of mention for it is one of the few hotels that operated, in different forms, until 1989.
The 'Black Boy' hotel licensees were: -
Gilbert Marshal l15/4/1845 and 1846
John Dowling 1847 renewed 20/4/1847
Mary Dowling 7/3/1848
Fresh recognisances on death of husband in accordance with the Act. Renewed 18/4/1848
Jeremiah Crawley 10/3/1849 ann, lic. 5/5/1852 granted with caution there 17/4/1849; 18/4/1850; 13/5/1851.
Daniel Cronin 1/3/1853 granted 12/5/1858
Henry Swanston 1859 there 24/4/1860. Two applications 24/4/1860 Thos. Wright McDougal withdrawn Henry Swanston (granted house to be put in repair before licence is sued).
[Change of name to 'Garibaldi Arms Hotel']
Pierre de Puw (Pano) 1860 there 16/4/1861 late of 'Joiners Arms' there 1/7/1864
Charles Lee1866 there 25/9/1866
Grace Lee12/9/1868
[Change of name to 'Royal Arcade Hotel']
Charles Lee1869 there 5/6/1869.
The Royal Arcade hotel was still there in 1989 at 303 Little Collins Street, but was demolished in 1990.
The probate record for John's estate reads:
John Dowling late of Collins Lane in the town of Melbourne in the district of Port Phillip and the Colony of New South Wales, Licensed Victualler deceased. Administration granted the 23rd day of February, 1848 to Mary Dowling of Collins Lane in the town of Melbourne the widow of the deceased. Dated March 15, 1848. Goods were not to exceed the vale of £300.
John Dowling was buried in the Roman Catholic Section in the Old Cemetery (later to become the Victorian Market). Other burials in the same grave were three infant children of Richard. (The children were most likely Richard, Eliza and Margaret). Selby, in his book, had John's grave number as 414, by his system of recording and likewise Townsend, in his recordings numbered it 166. The headstone had the following inscription: -
'John Dowling, 1848',
aged 32 years;
also three infant children of Richard Dowling.
May they rest in peace
Amen'.
The old cemetery no longer exists, for in December, 1915, a Bill revoking the Crown Land Grant for the Old Melbourne Cemetery was passed and provided for the exhumation of the bodies. Exhumation began in 1920 with the Jewish Section and in 1922 the other denominations were exhumed. There was a total of 914 bodies exhumed from the Old Melbourne Cemetery and mainly reinterred at Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park where many of the memorials were re-erected in an area known as the Old Pioneers Section. John Dowling's body was exhumed on the 22nd February, 1922 and reburied on the 24th February, 1922 in grave number 387 at Fawkner, seventy four years after he was first buried on that day in 1848. It has been clear that the program of exhumation was not a thorough one as many bodies were uncovered when the sewers were later excavated in the area. No doubt evidence of human remains will emerge if any new building commences on the site because the cemetery at Parkville was commenced because the old one was 'over full'. Quite obviously 914 bodies in no way could fill the ten acres of the old cem etery and hence there must have been hundreds, if not thousands, left in the old cemetery.
In 1848 Richard sought election to the Council to represent Gipps Ward. In those elections he dead-heated with John Stephen, a leading journalist of the Gazette newspaper, and solicitor of the times. Stephen was returned to Office by the casting vote of the alderman Mr. Condell whose own previous election in 1843 led to hostilities between Catholics and Protestants. The hostilities of that year eventually led to the information of an 'Orange Association'. According to other literary works, Mr. Stephen 'left a bit to be desired' when it came to his character. Edmund Finn, from Garryowen's "Chronicles of Early Melbourne' cites the following observation: -
"Stephen, who was a Police Court Advocate and a Town Councillor, was of small account for, except a fine physique, and pliant and plausible manners, he had not much to boast of in the way of principle or ability...... An amusing instance of his unscrupulousness sprang out of his nomination to a St. Patrick's membership. Admission was confined to natives of Ireland, or descent from Irish parents, and Stephen was through father and mother most undiluted Anglo-Saxon. On the question being raised, he met it by a positive declaration that maternally, he was lineally of the posterity of Brian Boru, the great Celtic Dane conqueror at Clontarf, and promised if conditionally received, to procure from Dublin the most conclusive proof of his pedigree. Not a half a dozen present believed one tittle of a statement put forth with a solemn seriousness which even in the Stephen face was irresistibly comical".
No doubt there may have been more than meets the eye as to the outcome of the election.
John O'Shannassy was Premier (Chief Secretary) of Victoria from 11 March, 1857 to 29 April, 1857, 10 March, 1858 to 27 October, 1859.
O'Shannassy Government was instrumental in securing finance from six major local banks early in 1858 to establish a railway system. The east of Melbourne required a railway system and in 1857 John O'Shannassy floated the Melbourne and Suburban Railway Company.
In 1853, John and Margaret paid £1200 for 16 acres in East Hawthorn where they erected a lavish mansion named Tara. In later years, it was renamed "Broughton Hall". O'Shannassy expected the railway to reach the area. The railway line then, and now, curves around to avoid crossing Tara Street.
Also in 1848, on the 24th January the ship Sir Edmund Barry arrived in Melbourne and on board was a Miss Jane Ford who was brought out by Richard. In the same year on the 24th November, 1848, the ship 'Osprey' sailed from Plymouth with yet more relatives of Richard but more importantly than all else, the brig 'General Palmer' set sail from Plymouth on the 21st December, 1848. (Did Richard and Margaret know of the special passenger on board? Was there an air of uncertainty or apprehensiveness?)
The most important event that occurred in 1849 was on the 10th April when the brig 'General Palmer' arrived in Port Phillip. This day was emotionally charged for Margaret and Richard for they were reunited with their eldest son Thomas James, then of the grand age of eleven year s. Young Thomas made the voyage out with his uncle William Browne aged 20. Who could describe the emotional feelings they would feel at seeing their first born son for the first time in ten years! How could one atone for all those lost, special childhood years. Legend has the story that before Thomas left his maternal grandparents in Ireland, he promised that he would adhere to the religion of his mother when he arrived in the new land. His mother on leaving Ireland in 1838, may have been of the Protestant persuasion but by 1849 she was of the Catholic faith and, therefore, Thomas kept his promise to his grandparents and also lived in harmony with his parents. How did young Thomas adapt to having brothers and sisters, Australian by birth?
On the 12th October, 1949, another child was born into the family, this one was named Margare but, alas, like some of the other infants of that harsh era, she too was not to live long, for she died in October of the following year, in 1850.
In 1851, Richard sold the 'Lord Nelson' tavern. It was auctioned and the new owner converted it into a drapery and earthenware store. In later years, it became the site for Clauscen and Foley's furnishing store. Richard then took over the 'Farmers Arms' hotel in Collins Lane, at number 19 on the north side. The details of the hotel according to the R.K. Cole Collection are:
Hotel Description: NW 19 Lt Collins and Cole's Lane, 10 well aired bedrooms and to which is attached a spacious bullock yard and large sheds (from Argus 13 April, 1849)
Jeremiah Coffee 20 April, 1841. Application to Lt. Flinders January 21, 1842 refused.
J. Or Patrick O'Brien April 18, 1843 renewed 20th April, 1847.
P. O'Brien 18th April, 1848.
Michael Curtain 10th March, 1849 renewed 17th April, 1849;
18th April, 1850; 15th April, 1851.
Michael Dowling 2nd December, 1851 (Argus: Michael could be Curtain; Directory shows Curtain).
Richard Dowling 1851; 5th May, 1852, 18th April, 1854; 20th April, 1856.
Michael Henry Graham 9th March, 1858 transfer granted Christina Mozer,
1859, there 17th April, 1860 night licence and Billiard 22nd June, 1859
Louis Cramer 1860 there April, 1861.
Honore Louchet 1861
George Jas. Cope 1862 Insolvent 19th April, 1864.
Thomas Hattee 1864
Sigismund Austin 6th April, 1864 - 7th July, 1864.
Thomas Nottle 26th August, 1864.
Robert Edwell Jacomb
[Renamed 'Kildare Hotel']application transfer to Joseph James 3rd January, 1865.
Andrew Dowling 1865 auction of furniture and fittings and effects
13th January, 1865
Andrew Kavanagh 23rd January, 1866 application for night licence 18th
January, 1867.
[Renamed 'Farmers Arms Hotel']
Thomas O'Brien 18th April, 1868
Andrew Keogh 1868 (or Patrick Keogh)
[Renamed 'Perseverance Hotel']
Samuel Ferguson 1869
[Renamed 'Suffolk Hotel']
Mrs Julia Carrol 1870 there 13th October, 1870
James Kenny 1871
Mark White 1872
John Nolan 1873
Nathaniel Bennett 1874
[Renamed Freemasons Hotel']
William Stillman 1875
Edward Hogan 1877
Joseph Henry Sodon 1878
Miss Florence Neville 1879 and so on.
Also in 1851 John O'Shannassy was nominated as a candidate for representation of Melbourne in the first Legislative Council of Victoria. The Argus reported, on Monday 7th July, a list of supporters in which Richard Dowling was included. Late 1851 saw another child born to Margaret and Richard, who was named John F. Given. This was the first male child born after the death of his brother, John. Is it possible that Richard named this child after him?
The year of 1851 also held another arrival in the now bustling Colony, for on 14th March, 1951, the vessel 'Harry Lorriquer' sailed into Port Phillip Bay. On board were William Meagher (a school teacher employed on board ship and who eventually taught at St. Augustines's Church School in 1853), Anna Maria Hunt and her family. Unfortunately Anna's father, John De Vere Hunt died on the voyage out. The vessel departed Plymouth on 27th November, 1850. The impact of these people on the Dowling family was soon to become ever so clear.
In January, 1854, another son was born, James Dowling who also did not live a long life for he died on 25th April, 1854 at the tender age of three months, two weeks; his cause of death being 'hydrocephalus' (water on the brain). He died at home - 19 Little Collins Street, Melbourne.
Unfortunately for Richard and his young family, fate was to strike a cruel blow, as Margaret passed away on the 23rd February, 1854 at the young age of 34 years. There is no official record of her death, not no doubt her demise was linked to the recent birth of her infant son, James. She was interred in the Roman Catholic section of the Old Cemetery. Richard's Last Will and Testament requested the exhumation and reburial of Margaret and the infants with him in the New Cemetery. There has been no record found of such reburial nor exhumation even though John Dowling was exhumed in 1922. It would appear rather incongruous that there is an official record of John's body being exhumed, yet Margaret's body and those of her children were not recorded when, in fact, she was buried in the same grave after John died. Surely one would have had to come to Margaret's coffin first before John's as it was a single grave! One sincerely hopes she was not condemned to an eternal burial under the asphalt of the Victorian Market car-park. Then again, perhaps it was Margaret's remains that were actually re-interred at Fawkner and John's were left under the asphalt. All in all, Margaret had ten children by Richard, six of them died as infants leaving four boys to survive - Thomas, Robert, Richard and John.
Margaret's demise signalled the end of a very special era, one that saw courage, persistence, sadness, prosperity and a pioneering spirit emerge in all families. The following years were a turn-around of that era and certainly the next few years were ones of confusion, intrigue, and underhandedness. Whilst it is easy to judge the dead on the barest of facts, there looms a spectre of suggestion, or innuendo and at the least a number of unanswered questions.
Richard remarried on the 1st May, 1855 in St. Francis Church Melbourne, most likely an expedient move given the ages of his younger children. His new wife, a young girl of nineteen years, was Anna Maria Elizabeth Hunt. The Irish Hunts also had a considerable family history, which will not be elaborated upon here but suffice to say that the founder of the Irish Hunts was an English Officer descended in the female line from the De Veres - Earls of Oxford. The details from the marriage certificate reveal the following: -
Names Richard Dowling Anna M.E. Hunt
Condition Widower Spinster
Birthplace Limerick Ire. Tipperary Ire.
Profession Innkeeper Confectioner
Age 41 years 19 years
Parents Richard Dowling
Catherine O'Halloren John De Vere Hunt
Catherine Kennedy
Fathers Rank Farmer Gentleman
Witnesses Hugh Hunt and James Mary Agnes Hunt
As Richard's new wife was almost the same age as his eldest son Thomas, it soon became apparent that there was not a great deal of harmony between her and the children of his first marriage, and this was evidenced in Richard's Last Will and Testament.
One of the first matters of intrigue relates to the marriage settlement which consisted of a piece of land on Lower Dandenong Road, Dandenong. The land is directly opposite what wa s known, in 1990, as the Parkmore Shopping Centre', Keysborough. The land was purchased by Richard on the 30th April, 1855 for £321/5/-- from Henry De Carle and William Jones. Richard then 'sold' the land to William Meagher and Hugh Hunt for the 'princely sum' of ten shillings! The property is described as being Dandenong Pt. Portion 53 Lots 46 to 49 and 52 to 55 consisting of 60 acres. On the 7th October, 1873, William Meagher and Hugh Hunt sold 20 acres of this land, being Lots 52 to 55, to David Ogilvie Martin for the sum of £70/-/-. Of even more interest was the sale of the remainder of the land, that is, 40 acres being Lots 46 t o 49, sold on 24th March, 1873, for the sum of £160-/- to none other than one Bernard Kelly. The Kelly family was to be inextricably linked to the Dowling family once Richard's eldest son, Thomas James Dowling married. Though a profit was made by Meagher and Hunt, one cannot help but query why such a premium was paid for the land in the first place. Was the sale of the area, originally touted as "Homes For The Millions", just another land scam, and Richard was one of its victims?
The marriage of Richard and Anna produced one child, a daughter named Katherine Winifred Dowling. One assumes that she was named after her maternal grandmother Catherine Winifred Kennedy. Katherine was to have a very close relationship with her half brothers in the years to follow, for her life during the next ten years was fraught with sadness and upheaval.
On the 29th March, 1856, the Ballot Act was passed and Victoria was the first community to adopt the principle of secret voting. It was immediately employed, for the time was at hand for the elections of the new Houses. When the new Houses met on the 21st November, 1856, the great majority were pledged to speedy reform. A Bill was brought in which conferred the franchise upon 'every male person of the full age of twenty-one', a principle which for the people forgetful of the limitation 'male' in those days dominated "universal suffrage". A slight counterpoise was provided by giving additional votes to property holders. Any one who possessed property to the value of fifty pounds in a district was entitled to a vote in that district, even though he had already voted for the district in which he resided. The Bill was passed and manhood suffrage, which for the previous two years had been inevitable, became law in Victoria.
The list of Burgesses drawn up for the year of 1856 showed Richard Dowling as owning: -
· Farmers Arms' 19 Little Collins Street
· Freehold at Berwick
· 'New Bush Inn' Lower Dandenong Road
· Freehold 210 - 212 Latrobe Street
There is some difficulty in substantiating part of this list as records are few and far between; in particular, the 'New Bush Inn' cannot be established as existing in Lower Dandenong Road, though that does not conclusively prove it did not exist at all! Was it opposite what is now known as the 'Parkmore Shopping Centre'?
The known last major transaction that Richard negotiated was on 1st September, 1857, when he acquired the licence of the 'Empire Hotel' at 81 Errol Street Hotham (North Melbourne). The details of the hotel as per the R.K. Cole Collection are: -
N.E. Errol and Raglan Streets next to the Court House.
John Fitzgerald 6th December, 1853
Richard Dowling 1st September, 1857
Mrs. Dowling 1859 (Richard's widow)
Thomas Dowling night licence 18th June, 1859 (Richard's son)
John Hurley1859
Henry H. Sanson1860/61
Patrick Boylan 1862, there 26th May, 1865. Auction inst. Proprietor's furniture etc. 20th August, 1866, 6 br. 1st July, 1864.
Mrs. Mary Fitzgerald 6th September, 1866 postponed 11th October,1866 granted
Charles Daniels 9th May, 1867 postponed.
Charles L. Shuddall 3rd October, 1867 transfer
Elizabeth Treacey 1868
Dennis Cummins 1871
George Cummins late hotelkeeper Hotham insolvent 19th April, 1872.
John Darcy May, 1872. House situated at Errol Street and known as the Empire containing 7 rooms, dated 17th May, 1872.
Thomas McInerney 1873
John Hyams 1874
M. Dowlan 1876
Mrs. Fitzgerald 1876
Mrs. McInerney 1878
Henry Chapman 1879
George A. Evans 1880
Mrs. M. Tate 1881
R.R. Power 1885
George Clayton 1886
Mark Evans 1887
Chas. Dalwood 1888, 1893
Frederick Wisher 1893 there 1895
George Tootell 1895
Hotel missing from records 1896
The end of an era fast approached for on the 29th November, 1858, Richard passed away. The following day, 30th November he was interred in the New Cemetery Parkville. According to the records at the cemetery, his grave site was Number 20 Compartment F, Roman Catholic Section. The site, a double grave, was immediately outside the Catholic chapel. A new certificate to the grave site was issued by the Cemetery Trust to Mrs. K.F. Martin (great-granddaughter of Richard Dowling), in 1975, after agreements were signed by the then known direct Dowling descendants. In 1985, the new Trust (Springvale Necropolis), decided to issue a further Certificate because the practices of the former Trust and Secretary were held to be in disrepute because of the removal of headstones and over-burials being commonplace during that era of management. In 1985, the new Trust under the management of Mr. I. Mountford, (General Manager), was compelled to be extremely careful and diligent regarding transactions for burials at the old cemetery at Parkville. A new deed was subsequently issued; however during the course of investigation, the site was excavated to a depth of ten feet - with the conclusion that no burial had ever taken place in that grave! The original deed was definitely in Richard's name. Where was he buried in the cemetery? Time may tell, or will it ever? Following Richard's death, the following notices appeared:
HERALD, Tuesday 30th November, 1858
The friends of the late Mr. Richard Dowling are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of internment, the New Cemetery. The funeral to move from his residence Empire Hotel, North Melbourne. This day Tuesday at 3: 00 o'clock p.m. November 30, 1858.
ARGUS, Tuesday 30th November, 1858
On the 29th November at his residence, Empire Hotel, Errol Street, North Melbourne, Mr. Rich ard Dowling aged 47 years. An old Colonist much respected.
Given the time of the funeral being at 3: 00 o'clock in the afternoon, was there the traditional Irish wake beforehand? How many notable Irish personages followed the black hearse drawn by equally black steads bearing the fine black plumage on top of their bridles?
According to the death certificate, the cause of death was Pneumatic Gout, and Inflammation of the Brain, certified by Dr. John Dwyer. As may be seen from the newspaper articles, Richard was considered an old colonist and this fact is further borne out by the evidence of his photograph having a place (number 443) in "Chucks Portraits of Early Pioneers".
The executors of Richard's Last Will and Testament were his son Thomas James Dowling and his faithful brother-in-law Andrew Browne. Probate was granted on the 17th February, 1859 and in the course of applying for probate land was assessed at £500/-/-. The final transaction of land arising from the Will occurred on the 14th August, 1882 - a period of 23 years after Richard's death. Was this indicative of how little was known of Richard by his family?
After his death, the licence for the 'Empire Hotel' was transferred to his young wife Anna Maria. Next year, in 1859, she remarried, at the age of 22, to one John Mooney of Preston, a cattle dealer. Obviously not wishing to forego any inheritance Anna instituted a Supreme Court action against Thomas Dowling and Andrew Browne for money she considered due to her from the Will. The Last Will and Testament contained the clause:
"......And I hereby direct and declare that my wife Anna Maria do reside and live with my ch ildren, but in the case of she and my children disagreeing in any way, then she shall leave my said children and in that event I direct the said Thomas Dowling and Andrew Browne......... do pay to her my said wife the sum of One Two hundred and fifty pounds within two years from the time of such disagreement."
The case came to Court on the 11th September, 1861, but the exact findings of the Court have not been ascertained. Did she actually have a disagreement? Given her remarriage shortly after Richard's death, was it merely an excuse for money? Did her new husband encourage her? Only the past knows!
Again providence played its uncanny, wicked hand, for Anna's life was cut short as she passed away on the 4th July 1863, aged 26. Her death certificate states her death was due to [an] Inflammation of the liver (b) Dropsy (c) Effusion of the brain. She died at Preston and was buried in the Melbourne General Cemetery on the 6th July, 1863, barely thirty yards from Richard's grave site. The death certificate made no mention of the fact that she was married previously and certainly made no statement regarding her child by that first marriage - Katherine. Was Katherine part of Anna's second family or was she raised by someone else? The onl y children's names on Anna's death certificate were Joseph Mooney aged 2 years and Fitzmaine Mooney aged 6 months. Did Katherine live with her half-brothers? John Mooney remarried in 1866 to Barbara Connelly. Anna Maria's final resting place (though not with either of her husbands) was with the Hunt family, in Roman Catholic Section part E, number 140/141. The details of those interred in these plots are:
No. 140
Name Age Burial
Anna M. Mooney 26 years6th July, 1863
Honoria A. Hunt 8 months1st June, 1865
Patrick J.E. Hunt 3 weeks15th May, 1870
Anna M. Hunt 31 years30th October, 1870
Jane A. O'Connor 43 years17th June, 1872
John De Vere Hunt 6 years8th June, 1874
No 141
Name Age Burial
Hugh R. Hunt 7 months6th March, 1882
Hugh R. Hunt 49 years30th March, 1882
Ellen O'Connor 1 day23rd September, 1884
Alice M. Hunt 31 years15th July, 1897
For some years, the Last Will and Testament of Richard Dowling was administered, jointly at first by Thomas Dowling and Andrew Browne, then from 1869 by Thomas alone. On the 31st May, 1869, at the age of 52 years, Andrew Browne, brother-in-law and friend of Richard, passed away. His cause of death being "Decay of Nature" from which he was said to be suffering for 3 years and 2 months. Andrew to all intents and purposes, was always there when needed by Richard and Margaret. He too was a pioneer. Andrew died in Seymour but was buried with his first wife in the Melbourne General Cemetery, Parkville, Presbyterian Section H, Grave number 39. He was born in Scotland and spent one year in New South Wales (Sydney) and 26 years in Victoria. He married Christiana Grant at Kilmore when he was 35 years. Christiana passed away on the 8th March, 1854, merely thirteen days after Richard's wife, Margaret died. Andrew therefore suffered the tragedy of not only losing his beloved sister, but also his wife, a fortnight later. Andrew remarried when we was 44 years to Margaret Corboy, in Melbourne. His death certificate gives his issue as Robert John (dead) and Margaret Anna aged 5 years.
Buried with Andrew in grave number 39 (North & South) are:
South
Name Age Burial
Christiana Browne 36 years8th March, 1854
Rose Browne 2 years8th March, 1856
- Browne stillborn1st November, 1865
Andrew Browne 52 years2nd June, 1869
Mary A. Browne 77 years7th November, 1913
Thomas Browne 76 years3rd January, 1949
Mary J. Browne 48 years5th January, 1915
North
Name Age Burial
Andrew Browne 37 years8th September, 1817
Robert Browne 73 years4th November, 1931
Emily Browne 73 years24th August, 1933
Jane Browne N/R 1st July, 1953
Andrew Browne was also a very industrious pioneer, and whilst it is not intended to elaborate on all his business transactions, it may be of some interest that in 1858 he took over the 'Rising Sun' Hotel in Little Bourke Street. The details of the licensees of the hotel are:
Location of Hotel: NE 31 Little Bourke Street & Blossom Alley removed from Elizabeth Street 5th April, 1845. Was in Elizabeth Street 15th September, 1843.
Michael Lynch Sat 5th April, 1845 renewed 20th April, 1847, 18th April, 1848; 17th April 1849 ; and 19th April, 1850. Michael Lynch erected the first Ball Court in Melbourne commenced in January, 1847 and opened 1st March, 1847.
John Lynch 16th April, 1851 (Michael Lynch application withdrawn) there 5th May, 1852.
William Ryan 6th September, 1853.
Andrew Browne 1858 (night licence 16th April, 1859), and billiard room, licence auction 30t h May, 1867, furniture and fittings.
George Hughes 1867 (Cordial Maker Carlton) insolvent 15th July, 1869.
George Harrison 1869
Benjamin Sayer 1870 there 5.2.1871.
Approx twenty othersThe Hotel closed 31.12.1919.
With the passing of the family's earliest pioneers an era had all but come to a close. Younger members of the family were alive and well and the next generation was about to forge its own destiny
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