Mary O'Hara

Mary O'Hara was born on the 3rd of September, 1814. She was baptized on the 2nd of April, 1815. By 1820, her mother leaves to go to Hobart. It is not known why. She may have died by 1820. Mary and her brothers are raised by her grandmother Mary O'Brien and her husband Michael at Seven Hills. Her mother passed away in 1819 at the age of 28.

At Michael O'Brien's property, in 1828, Michael O'Brien is 50, Mary O'Brien is 60, John O'Hara is 18, Mary O'Hara is 14 and Michael Cantwell is 51. Michael Cantwell is Michael O'Brien's brother - in - law.

Arrest and Gaol

On the 11th of February, 1831, Mary, her grandmother Mary O'Brien, step grandfather Michael O'Brien, brothers John and James, James's wife Mary Ann are admitted to the Gaol. Mary is not bailed. Her hat is taken away for evidence.

O'Hara's in Bench of Magistrates Feb 14, 1831.

Gaol Description Book, 1831.

Sentenced to 14 years transportation

Mary's hat was crucial evidence. She is sent with the rest of her family (except her father), for assisting bushrangers Donohue, Weber and Walmsley. The women are sent to Moreton Bay.

Arrival at Moreton Bay

Mary O'Brien, Mary and Mary Ann O'Hara arrive on the 'Governor Phillip' at Moreton Bay, and are noted in the register as having the trade 'farm servant'. They are sent to the female factory on the 24th of September, 1831.

A memorial of mercy to the Colonial Secretary

Written by their lawyer, Roger Therry, on the 3rd of October, 1832, on the girls behalf, pleading for 'the extension of mercy towards them'. It also has a character reference from Father J J Therry. The Col Sec refers to the judge John Stephen who did not recommend mitigation.

Mentioned in a trial at Moreton Bay

In July, 1835, Mary O'Hara is mentioned in a trial at Moreton Bay and it appears that she had been passing notes to Chief Constable Bollington and that she was involved in a black market trade in tea and sugar.

Transfer to the 2nd female factory

She and Mary Ann were sent to the agricultural settlement of Eagle Farm, about six miles from Brisbane. It was converted into the area's second female factory in 1836. The women worked the fields.

Birth of son

Her son George Kennedy was born on 15 December, 1837 in Eagle Farm, Queensland. A child, Francis O'Hara, parents Mary O'Hara Unmarried, was born on Eagle Farm on the 14th of July. He was not baptised. This could be the same as George.

Death of brother

On the 4th of July, 1838, her brother John died in Norfolk Island. Mary was 23 years old.

Pardon

Mary and her sister - in - law Mary Ann O'Hara were pardoned in May 1839.

Birth of daughter

Her daughter Ann was born on 23rd of April, 1840.

Baptism of 2 children

Ann Fowler and George Kennedy are baptised and this is recorded in the St Mary's RC registers.

Mary O'Hara's children Ann and George Baptism, 1840.

Marriage

Mary O'Hara married James Blake in Parramatta, New South Wales, on 10 May 1842 when she was 27 years old. They are both 'of Dural'. The witnesses are James O'Hara and Mary Bentley, both of dural. Married by Joseph Coffey PCC.

Blake O'Hara Marriage, 1842.

Births

Mary Ann was born on the 18th of February, 1843 in Dural, New South Wales.

Her son James was born on the 18th of January 1845 in Kenthurst, New South Wales.

Her son John was born on the 6th of February, 1847 in Dural.

Her son Michael was born on the 19th of December 1848 in Dural.

Her son Michael passed away on the 28th of March, 1850 in Dural, when he was 1 year old.

Her daughter Catherine (Kate) was born in 1852 in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Her daughter Johanna was born on 7 September 1854 in Dural, New South Wales.

Deaths

Her father James passed away on 9th of May, 1867 in Dural, New South Wales, at the age of 74.

Her brother James died on the 11th of October, 1871 in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Her husband James passed away on the 8th of April, 1880 in New South Wales at the age of 79. They had been married 37 years.

Mary O'Hara died on 25 of March 1891 in Kenthurst, New South Wales, from senile decay when she was 76 years old. Her occupation is noted as a fruit grower. The informant son is John. Children of Marriage are Mary Ann, 46, John, 42, Kate, 39, Johannah, 37 living and 1 male deceased (Michael?).

Burial

RC Cemetery Parramatta, on the 25th of March, 1891.

Notes

We know from Mary O'Hara's probate papers that "George Blake", who is listed as her son in her death certificate, is actually George Kennedy.