1796. Born.(Dublin Ireland – death certificate) (Dob based on SMH entry of 10 August 1871:
CONYNGHAM.. Death on 9th at his late residenc No. 53 George St. Redfern Patrick Conyngham aged 75 years leaving an affectionate wife and large family. Uncle to Mrs. McMahon wife of Francis Mcahon J.P. Ulladulla. Dublin papers please copy.)But Indent on Phoenix below leads to dob as 1802
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1826 Trial at Dublin City 27 April 1826
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1826 Arrival New South Wales of Ship ‘Phoenix’
Ship 500t. Capt. Anderson ; Surgeon Superintendent Dr Cook RN.
Dublin 27.8.1826 – Sydney 25.12.1826
189 male prisoners Guard Det. Of 39th.
Name Cunningham Patrick
Age 24
Education Reads and writes
Religion Catholic
Marital Married
Family Wife only
Native Place Dublin
Trade or calling Coach body maker
Offence Stealing money
Where tried Dublin
When tried 27 April 1826
Sentence 7 years
Height 5’ 81/2”
Complexion Sallow
Hair Brown
Eyes Hazel
Remarks Good*
*Remarks re others are mainly ‘bad’ ‘indifferent’ or ‘inoffensive.’
[Indent ‘Phoenix’ Fiche 662 Page 144.]
The Australian 27 December 1826:
“On Monday the ship “Phoenix” Captain Anderson from Dublin 27 August. Brings 189 male prisoners. The Guard consists of Lieutenant Cox Ensign Lloyd. 1 corporal and 28 privates of the 39th Regiment. Surgeon Superintendent Dr Cook RN Passenger Rev. Power Roman Catholic Chaplain.”
Sydney Gazette December 27 1826:
On Christmas day arrived from Dublin which she left on 29 August the Ship “Phoenix”. Captain Anderson with 189 male prisoners on board in good health. Surgeon Superintendent Dr Cook RN. The guard comprises a detachment of the 39th under orders of Lieut. Cox and ensign Lloyd. Passenger the Rev Mr Power Roman Catholic clergyman who relieves Mr Therry.
In 1826 902 male prisoners were transported from Ireland (1162 males from GB)
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1826 Assigned on arrival to Mr Alex John McGuigan Wheelwright George St Sydney.
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1827 Arrival NSW in ‘Mary Hope’ Honorah Cunningham*
(*Conyngham) Ship 257t. Capt. Farmer. Liverpool 16.9.1826-Teneriffe–Cape of Good Hope–Sydney 24.3.1827
Valuable Cargo.
Sydney Gazette March 27 1827 page 2:
(Last Saturday) arrived from Liverpool Teneriffe Cape of Good Hope the Ship “Mary Hope” Captain Farmer. This vessel carried home Sir Thomas Brisbane KCB Lady Brisbane and Suite in December 1825 only 15 months ago. The majority of the cargo is consigned to Aspinall Browne & Co. Passengers Mr John Walker wife and child and Mrs Cunningham.”
The Australian 27 March 1827:
(24 March) the Ship “Mary Hope” Captain James Farmer from Liverpool 16 September Teneriffe 7 October cape of Good Hope 11 January. Lading Sundries. Passengers Mr Walker and child. Mrs Cunningham.”
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1827CSIL In-Letter 27/4066 Rec’d 27 April 1827 from Honora Cunningham
To His Excellency Lieut. General Ralph Darling Governor and Commander in Chief.
The Humble Memorial of Honora Cunningham
Sheweth
That Memorialist arrived in this Colony a short time since on the Ship MARY HOPE to join her husband Patrick Cunningham who also arrived on the ship PHOENIX in the year 1826 under sentence of Transportation for Seven Years also who now is an assigned servant to Mr McGuigan Coachmaker Sydney.
That upon the departure of the Memorialist’s husband from Ireland she gave him £200 Sterling for the purpose of meeting her expenses on arrival which sum of money was deposited in the Bank of New South Wales and that Memorialist having been at considerable expense both in coming out to this Colony and since her arrival finds herself obliged to pray Your Excellency will graciously be pleased to allow of her husband being assigned to her to provide for their mutual support for which mark of favour Memorialist as in duty bound will ever Pray.
Attachment:
Sydney April 27th 1827
The Petitioner’s husband Patrick Conyngham is my Assigned Servant since his arrival in the Colony during which he has conducted himself honestly and respectfully on all occasions.
If it suits His Excellency’s approbation to assign him to his wife the undersigned has not the least objection.
Alex John McGuigan, Brickfield Hill.
Marginal Notes in several hands:
- This petitioner appears a respectable young woman and her husband’s conduct since his arrival has been……..and unexceptionable. The sum stated in the petition is in the Bank.
- Cannot be allowed in consequence of the very recent arrival of the parties.
- Informed her personally 4 May 1827. TCH (ot TLH?)
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1827 ColSec In-Letter 27/4978. Not found. The ColSec Index reads “Honora Cunningham letter of 21 May 1827. Husband to be assigned to her. Refer to Mr Hely (Superintendent of Convicts) 21 June 1827
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1827 ColSec Out-Letter 513 of 21 June 1827.
(Reference 27/4978)
Colonial Secretary’s Office 21 June 1827
The (Principal) Superintendent of Convicts is requested in the absence of His Excellency the Governor to report what sum of money belonging to the person named in the margin (Patrk Cunningham Phoenix) is in the Savings Bank.
Alexr McLeay
To (Principal?) Superintendent of Convicts.
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1827 Monitor Article 23 August 1827 The circumstance was used by the Sydney MONITOR to attack Governor Darling. Hall the Monitor’s editor had been bitterly contesting Darling’s efforts to control the press and other administrative decisions:
“About nine or ten months back a Convict named Cunningham arrived by the Ship———- under sentence of transportation. He was being a mechanic assigned to a tradesman living in Sydney in whose service he still remains. His wife a young woman of respectable connections and engaging appearance followed him at her own expense in the ship Mary Hope under the expectation of having her husband assigned to her on her arrival. Here however it was her lot to meet with disappointment the regulations of Governor DARLING allowing not of such an indulgence until a probation has been passed by Cunningham the wife is accordingly denied the privilege of cohabitation until a further period shall have expired.
….convict women who by their vices are condemned to an idle imprisonment and to be supported at the public expense while free virtuous women after following their husbands into exile at their own expense or that of the English public are (after a voyage which on account of its length sufficiently proves their merit as wives and mothers) left alone; not in their native village amongst their friends and relatives but in a strange land. We do not mention ‘a strange land’ however because it is likely to prove a place of starvation to the newcomers. No. But a greater evil than this is to be apprehended. The paucity of our female population renders a connection with free steady woman exceedingly desirable to our more prudent industrious mechanics who cannot bring themselves to marry one of the 323 drunken prostitutes who inhabit our Factory. And the newly arrived free wives finding that the company of their husbands is denied them are at length tempted to live in adultery and to abandon their Convict husbands.
Our object in continually adverting to this subject is to show that the system of reform pursued by the British Government under Macquarie was superior to that recommended by Mr Commissioner Bigge; and which has been adopted by the Governments of sir Thomas Brisbane and general darling. In the Vessel in which we arrived in the Colony seventeen years ago a free woman and children were passengers being sent out to her Convict husband at the expense of the British Government.
Now if the British Government does not choose to incur this sort of expense any longer still it is not good to run into extremes. Yet to refuse to allow the husband of free women to be assigned to them as thrie Convict servants when the latter come out to them at their own expense is an extreme; for we cannot believe it would operate on the married poor in England (when they heard of the indulgence) so as to make them think too little of the evil of transportation. Transportation to an unmarried man or woman is perpetual banishment. This we consider to be a punishment. The Law considers it so. But it appears that such is the unhappy state to which the lower orders of the British people are now reduced that it is no longer found to be a sufficient punishment. But to a man with a wife and family transportation must be an awful catastrophe And hard must be that heart which cannot perceive it to be so. But through an heroic devotion to her husband a free wife raise funds and cross the ocean to share his destiny surely it is a refinement in cruelty seeing the custom obtains in New South Wales of assigning prisoners to free settlers not to assign the man in question to his free wife? It has never been found to be good policy in Rulers to outrage the feelings of human nature. The remedy for crime may be made worse than the disease. We should not do evil that good may come. The distress of the common people of England so far from operating as a reason for adopting severe measures against such of them as are transported ought in our opinion operate in their favour. The English people were in past ages renowned for good eating and drinking and their love of country. Now it seems such is the unhappy situation of British artisans that not merely banishment but transportation is considered (at least so Mr Bigge and his disciples accuse them) preferable to living in their native land. But this so far from being a reason that the laws should be stretched to the utmost severity against transgressors appears to us a reason (justice and humanity considered) for dealing as leniently with them as possible. And we consider that on the same score……(from here he finishes with a plea for more taxes in England on the rich to provide opportunity for the poor with critical references to Bigge Lord Bathurst etc.)
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1827 Sydney Gazette 27 August 1827.
The Sydney Gazette criticised the Monitor in the following terms quoting first from the Monitor article:
“About 9 or 10 months back a convict named Cunningham arrived by the ship Phoenix under sentence of transportation. He was being a mechanic assigned to a tradesman living in Sydney in whose service he still remains. His wife a young women of respectable connexions and engaging appearance followed him at her own expense in the ship Mary Hope under the expectation of having her husband assigned to her on her arrival. Here however it was her lot to meet with disappointment the regulations of Governor DARLING allowing not of such an indulgence until a probation has been passed by Cunningham” etc. Mr Hall in following up his comments in this paragraph says “to refuse to allow the husbands of free women to be assigned to them as their convict servants when the latter come out to them at their own expense is an extreme.” And again” but if through an heroic devotion to her husband a free wife raise funds and cross the ocean to share his destiny surely it is a refinement in cruelty seeing the custom obtains in New South Wales of assigning prisoners to free settlers not to assign the man in question to his free wife.” These are the blessed doctrines which Mr. Hall now advances. He contends that it is a refinement in cruelty not to assign Cunningham to his wife although the man was 9 or 10 months ago assigned to a tradesman resident in Sydney and in whose service he still continues!!! Had the Government forced Cunningham’s master to relinquish his services in order to assign him to his wife will Mr. Hall pretend to say that the measure would have been a just one? We leave him to answer this simple question.”
1827 Despite the logic in the Monitor article surely being consistent with his own view Patrick added his own retort. We learn that they lived together at his employer’s house during which time she was employed in Government House:
“To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette – Sir I humbly beg leave to address you on a subject that has been published in the Monitor concerning my not having been assigned to my wife etc. where the Editor without any communication with me has through some means acquired a knowledge of’ this matter and at once attacks the personage of her protector His Excellency the Governor in whose service she is at present. But I fear much that this prejudiced Editor will increase my affliction by my wife perhaps be1ng censured and discharged. As a proof of our innocence in causing such presumptive insolence to be published and in justice to myself I unequivocally deny having either by wish or command any knowledge of such publication; and I further say that I respectfully submit to any regulations HIS. Excellency may think fit to adopt and shall trust to his clemency.
I remain your humble servant
PATRICK CUNNINGHAM
P.S. With respect to what the Editor says that I am deprived of cohabiting with my wife I can truly deny this as from my master’s goodness my wife is allowed to live in his own house with me as long as I conduct myself properly. “
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1827 ColSec In-Letter 27/11682 Rec’d 20th December 1827
To The Honorable
The Colonial Secretary
May it please Your Honor, I arrived in this Colony in December 1826 per Ship ‘Phoenix’ Joseph Cook Esq Surgeon Superintendent in whose hands I deposited £200 Sterling which sum he lodged in the Savings Bank to my credit. I therefore take the liberty of soliciting Your Honor and humbly hope you’ll be pleased to order me the interest thereon as I am in great need of useful necessaries which I have no other way of procuring.
And have the honor to be Sir
Your Most Obedient Servant
Patrick Cunningham, Assigned Servant to Mr McGuigan, Wheelwright, George Street Sydney.
Marginal notes in different hands:
- I beg leave to recommend the Petitioner as I think him worthy of any indulgence
the Government may think fit to confer on him. — A J McGuigan.
- £198.5.0 is deposited in the Savings Bank in the name of this Petitioner. He has a
wife free in the Colony. His character is (justly?) good.
- What is the amount of interest?
- One year at 7 ½ per cent.
- To be paid.
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1827 ColSec Out-Letter 1145 of 20 December 1827
(Reference 27/11682)
Colonial Secretary’s Office
20 December 1827
Sir
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to inform you that Patrick Cunningham per Phoenix is to be permitted to draw the sum of fourteen pounds seventeen shillings and fourpence halfpenny being the interest of the money belonging to him in the Sydney savings bank and to request that you will make the necessary communication to the Colonial Treasurer accordingly.
Alex McLeay
To F A Hely Esq
Superintendent of Convicts
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1828 Transferred from McGuigan to H M Lumber Yard in about April 1828. (See his letter 29/1061).
The Government lumber yard was situated on the corner of Bridge and George Streets. This was used as the base for public works up until 1833.It accommodated all types of tradesman involved in public works in Sydney and District; carpenters, woodturners, sawyers, wheelwrights, iron and brass founders, smiths, toolmakers.
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1828 ColSec In-Letter 28/3893 Rec’d 14 May 1828
To His Excellency Lieut General Ralph Darling Commanding His Majesty’s Forces Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies and Vice admiral of the same etc etc etc
The Respectful Petition of Honora Cunningham Free per Ship ‘Mary Hope’ March 1827.
Most Humbly Sheweth
That Your Excellency’s Petitioner impressed with the then prevalent report in Europe of her Husband’s being assigned to her at landing in this Colony embarked in said Vessel and paying her passage conceiving by doing so the readier acquiescence of Government to her wishes wherein she caused them no expense.
That her Husband Patrick Cunningham arrived per ship ‘Phoenix’ in December 1826 bringing with him a sum of two hundred pounds Sterling which sum has been taken from him and lodged in the Savings Bank.
That her Husband Patrick Cunningham That the Petitioner tried all the means in her power to have her Husband assigned to her but being contrary to the Law established by Your Excellency until a certain period should elapse when by a Certificate of good conduct by him you would be graciously pleased to assign him to Petitioner.
That for the time past he has conducted himself creditably and still continues to do so Petitioner has no doubt of his continuance and by so doing ultimately obtain the object of her anxious wishes. That until the arrival of that distant period Your Excellency’s Petitioner is destitute of the means of support having expended the little all she came possessed of in expenses which her ignorance of the Colony rendered doubly severe.
Under those circumstances Petitioner most humbly solicits Your Excellency being graciously pleased to order the said sum of £200 Sterling to be given her or any part Your Excellency may deem …. to enable her to embark in some business by which she can earn an honest livelihood until the proper time arrives when her husband can be assigned to her.
Aware of the General exercise of Your Excellency’s humanity to all Petitioner with the greater confidence presses the object of her prayer entreating with all due deference and respect Your Excellency’s kind consideration
And Your Excellency’s Petitioner as In duty bound Will ever pray.
Sydney 14th May 1828
Marginal notes in different hands:
- Let me know ….. of this case – May 14.
- After what period generally have the prisoners been allowed to be off the stores with their wives – These are very well conducted people. – 14
- Cannot be complied with at present.
- 20 June 1828. Honora Cunyngham (sic) informed (accordingly?).
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1828 ColSec In-Letter 28/4697 Rec’d 16 June 1828.
Sydney 14 June 1828
Honrd Sir
I had the honour of handing a Petition to His Excellency the Governor nearly five weeks back and not having received an answer may I beg leave Honrd Sir to solicit your having the kindness to inform me has it been disposed of? And what answer His Excellency is graciously pleased to favour me with.
I have the Honour to be Sir Your very Obedient Servant
Honora Cunningham, Government House
The Honorable Alexander McLeay, Colonial Secretary.
Marginal notes in different hands:
- 28/3893 For permission to draw the whole or part of £200 from Savings Bank is open.
- Where is the original application?
- 28/3893 – to draw a sum of money from the Savings Bank.
- This is (obviously?) answered in the negative.
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1828 ColSec Out-Letter 28/432 of 21st June 1828
(References 27/4066 28/3893 28/4526)
Colonial Secretary’s Office
21 June 1828
Sir
I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to inform you for the purpose of being communicated to the Parties interested that the undermentioned applications cannot be complied with viz Honora Cunningham’s Petition dated 14 May last to receive all or portion of the money deposited in the Savings Bank at the credit of the prisoner named in the margin her Husband. (P Cunningham per Ship Phoenix 1826.)
……………Hannah Taylor………………
I have the Honor etc Alex McLeay.
To F A Hely Esq
P S C (Principal Superintendent of Convicts)
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1828 The November 1828 Census lists Patrick Cunningham of Phoenix ship at Hyde Park Barracks Sydney. Note that by this time Patrick had moved to the Lumber Yard so the joint living arrangements during his assignment to McGuigan no longer applied. Was Honora accommodated at Government House?
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1829 ColSec In-Letter 29/370 Rec’d 14 January 1829
To His Excellency Lieut General Ralph Darling
Captain General Governor and Commander
in Chief in and over His Majesty’s Territory
of New South Wales and its Dependencies etc etc etc
The Humble Petition of
Patrick Cunningham Wheelwright
Employed in H M Lumber Yard
Sheweth
That your Petitioner arrived in this Colony per Ship ‘Phoenix’ in the year 1826 Alex Anderson Esq Commander under sentence of transportation for seven years. That your Petitioner begs leave most respectfully to state that on his arrival in the Colony the sum of £200 Sterling was in the possession of the Surgeon Superintendant and given over by that gentleman for the purpose of being deposited in the Savings Bank; That petitioner begs leave to state to Your Excellency that in consequence of his good conduct when he made an application on last year for the Interest on the £200 for 12 months which Your Excellency was pleased to sanction and as Petitioner’s conduct since his last application is unblemished humbly solicits that Your Excellency will again be kindly pleased to allow Petitioner to receive the Interest of this year on the £200
And Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray
Patk Cunningham
Sydney 17 December 1828
Marginal notes in different hands:
- For interest of money in Savings Bank.
- I beg to recommend the prayer of this Petition the applicant conducting himself very steadily.
Wm Dumaresq Dir (Engineering?)
- March 1st 1827 Three days (TW?) being absent from his service one day. March 23 1827
Six days (TW?) being drunk and absent from duty. Jan 7 1929.
- Amount as entered in Savings Bank Ledger £198.5.0.
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1829 ColSec Out-Letter 29/28 of 17 January 1829
(Reference 29/370)
Colonial Secretary’s Office 17 January 1829
Sir, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to inform you that Patrick Cunningham per Phoenix a Wheelwright is to be allowed to receive Sixty Pounds from the amount deposited on his account in the Sydney Savings Bank if he has not already received a similar sum and to request that you will make the necessary communication to the Colonial treasurer accordingly.
I have the honor etc Alex McLeay
To F A Hely Esq
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1829 ColSec In-Letters 29/1061 Rec’d 9 February 1829 [NSWSR 4/2016]
His Excellency Lieut. Genl Darling, Governor in Chief of New South Wales.
The Humble Petition of Patrick Cunningham now in Government Employ
Sheweth – That Petitioner arrived in this Colony on the Ship “Phoenix 2” under sentence of Transportation for seven years; That on Petitioner’s first landing he was assigned to Mr McGuigan Wheelwright of George Street where Petitioner remained sixteen months and was then returned by him to Government without complaint.
That Petitioner’s wife came free to this Colony paying her passage on the “Mary Hope” for the purpose of joining Petitioner and as Petitioner has been in the Colony 2 years and upwards ventures to appeal to Your Excellency for the indulgence of a “Ticket of Exemption” in order that petitioner may be enabled to support himself and wife in a creditable manner that Petitioner being a Mechanic and fully competent to support her provided Your Excellency accedes to Petitioner’s prayer.
Petitioner is therefore induced to hope in consequence of his good character since landing for a compliance and as in duty bound will ever pray.
Lumber Yard Sydney 4 February 1829.
Attachment:
The applicant has conducted himself steadily & with satisfaction since his being employed in this Dept And has according to the accompanying Certificate from his overseer rendered himself to every part of his trade as a Wheelwright.
Wm Dumaresq Dir (Engineering?) 5 February 1829
I certify that Patrick Cunningham is fully competent as a Wheelwright to make Carts Drays and Wheels in a (preeminent?) manner.
William Bassage, Overseer of Wheelwrights, H M Lumber Yard, February 5 1829
Marginal notes in different hands:
- March 1st 1827 Three days (TW?) being absent from his service one day. March 23rd 1827
Six days (TW?) Drunk and absent from duty. – Feb 6 1829.
- Generally well behaved. – 6 Feb 1829
- Ticket of Exemption.
- Mr Hely Blank Cover 14 Feb 1829 (Note: Hely was Superintendant of Convict. This suggests
the file was sent to him for comment.)
- Patrick Cunningham per ‘Phoenix’ (31 was tried at Dublin City 27 April 1826 per muster sentenced seven years.) Exemption Ticket No 29/44.
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1829 ColSec In-Letter 29/1732 rec’d 5 March 1829
To His Excellency Lieutenant General Ralph Darling Captain General and Governor in Chief in and over the Territory of New South Wales its Dependencies etc etc etc
The Humble Petition of Patrick Cunningham
Respectfully Showeth That Petitioner came to this Colony in the Ship PHOENIX under sentence of transportation for 7 Years by trade Wheelwright That Petitioner some time back memorialised Yopur Excellency for the Indulgence of a ‘Ticket of Exemption’ in order that he might be enabled to support his wife in a creditable and honest manner that Your Excellency was graciously pleased to grant Petitioner the said request in consequence of the unexceptionable character that the Petitioner bore.
That Petitioner on first landing deposited in the savings Bank the sum of 200 Pounds; That as Your Excellency deemed Petitioner a fit subject to employ himself off the Stores in any lawful occupation he intends commencing the Trade of “wheelwright” that he therefore solicits the privilege of being allowed to withdraw from the said bank the sum of 60 pounds in order that he may purchase tools for the purposes above applied for.
And Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.
24th February 1829
Marginal Notes in different hands:
- March 1st Three days ..(TW?).. for being absent from his service one day. March 23rd 1827 Six days …(TW?) being drunk and absent from duty. Signed Feb 28 1829.
- Amount in Savings bank £198.5.0
- Has a Ticket of Exemption. Now living with his wife.
- Allowed £60 if ………..with sum has not been already advanced to him.
- Note on separate sheets:The sum of £200 is deposited in the savings bank at the credit of Honora or Patrick Cunningham. Permission to draw the interest was given on 15 January 1829 See Nos 27/4066 27/370. (In different hand) She will apply again Mr Nye? Give me papers respect of Honora Cunningham. (Different hand) No 28/3893 28/4697 29/870 herewith. —31 January 1829.
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1829 Margaret only child of Patrick and Honora born NSW
Margaret married Everett SUMMONS in Sydney in 1849. She died in Sydney on 3 March 1887.
They had one daughter Elizabeth Mary SUMMONS born 4 October 1849. She married Henry HILL in 1867 and they had a son Arthur Henry Hill and possibly other children. Elizabeth died in 1913 while Henry died in 1920.
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1829 Patrick’s brother Edward arr Sydney from Dublin on the “ANNE” 8 July 1829.
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1830 ColSec In-Letter 30/2767
Rec’d 3rd April 1830
To His Excellency Lieutenant General Ralph Darling Governor of New South Wales etc etc etc.
The Humble Petition of Patrick Cunningham
Humbly Sheweth That your Petitioner arrived in the Colony in December 1826 under sentence of seven years Transportation in ship Phoenix J Cook R N Surgeon Superintendent. That Your Petitioner deposited the sum of Two Hundred Pounds Sterling with the said Surgeon Cook which was on arrival deposited in the Savings Bank by the Principal Superintendent of Convicts bearing interet at 7 ½ per cent per annum which Petitioner regularly received when applied for in consequence of his good character.
That your Petitioner does most gratefully acknowledge Your Excellency’s goodness in granting Petitioner a part of the said sum viz Sixty Pounds together with a Ticket of Exemption which Petitione still holds unblemished for twelve months past.
That your Petitioner is a Wheelwright by Trade which business he continues to follow but being under a very heavy rent is obliged to solicit Your Excellency to grant him a further Sum of Forty Pounds together with the interest on the principal Sum for the year past and now due which will be the only and principal means to enable Petitioner to embrace a favourable opportunity that now offers to purchase a small but permanent dwelling for himself and family and likewise unburthen Your Petitioner from the extortionable claims of a Landlord.
And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray
Patrick Cunningham
Marginal Notations in separate hands:
“One year’s interest due from 1st January to 31 December 1829 on the sum of £138.5.0
– £10.7.4 ½……(Now) Less £40 – £98.5.0”
“Petition submitted February 7th 1829.”
“See Petition submitted March 4th 1829.”
“As this man has obtained a Ticket of Exemption to live with his wife a free woman it would be as well to let him have his money. I believe he works at his trade Wheelwright. – JAW? 30th.”
“Order accordingly.”
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1830 ColSec Out-Letter 30/277 of 7 April 1830
(Reference 30/2767)
Colonial Secretary’s Office
Sydney 7 April 1830.
Sir
I have the honor by direction of His Excellency the Governor to request that you will make the necessary communications to the Colonial Treasurer to enable the individual named in the margin (Patrick Cunningham Phoenix) to receive Forty Pounds from the money now in his name in the Sydney Savings Bank together with the Interest on the whole of the year ending 31 December 1829.
Signed TCH
To F A Hely Esq
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1830 ColSec Out-Letter 631? —T C Harington to F A Hely No date.
P.S I avail myself of the opportunity to return to you also the Tickets of Leave and Exemption submitted in your letters of 6th Instant (August?) altered as follows:
…….
Patrk Cunningham Phoenix No of Ticket of Exemption 30/22 altered from Sydney to Penrith.
…………
Signed TCH
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1831 ColSec In-Letter 31/1628 Rec’d 5 March 1831.
To His Excellency Lieutenant General Ralph Darling Governor and Commander in Chief of the Colony of New South Wales
The Humble Petition of Patrick Cunningham a Prisoner for Seven Years
Most humbly sheweth That Petitioner arrived in Sydney in December 1825 per Phoenix and holds a Ticket of Exemption for the last two years – Petitioner is now in the employment of George Cox Esq Mulgoa and cannot at present be spared from the service of his master. Petitioner therefore most humbly prays that His Excellency will be graciously pleased to allow petitioner’s wife now in Sydney and whose health is very much impaired to receive the interest due on the £100 belonging to petitioner in the Savings bank.
And Petitioner as in duty bound will pray.
______________
Marginal Notations in different hands:
“Balance now in Savings Bank £98.5.0. Received one year interest on £138.5.0 to 31st December 1829.”
“Vide Petition submitted 31st March 1830.”
“Allowed if this be actually his wife but this unsigned paper is our authority.”
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1831 ColSec Out-Letter 31/196 of 9 March 1831
Margin Ref 30/2767 31/1628 31/1629 31/1720.
Colonial Secretary’s Office
Sydney 9 March 1831
Sir
I am directed by his Excellency the Governor that you will make the necessary communication letter to the Colonial treasurer to enable………………………………….. Patrick Cunningham per Phoenix the interest now due on the amount belonging to him also in that (Savings Bank) Institution.
As the latter has requested in his Petition that his wife may draw the interest of his money it will be necessary that the woman applying must prove that she is so.
Signed TCH
To Superintendent of Convicts.
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1831 ColSec In-Letter 31/3243 Rec’d 7 May 1831.
To His Excellency Lieutenant General Ralph Darling Governor General and Commander in Chief of the Colony of New South Wales
The Humble Petition of Patrick Conyngham a Prisoner of the Crown now holding a Ticket of Exemption
Most Respectfully Sheweth That Petitioner arrived in this Colony in the Year 1826 per ship “Phoenix” sentence of 7 years. That in the year 1827 petitioner’s wife Honora Conyngham came to the Colony “Free” and Petitioner was by your Excellency’s goodness allowed to join her in 1829 with a Ticket of Exemption for the district of Sydney afterwards altered to that of Mulgoa. That Petitioner’s wife has been for a length of time labouring under a most severe illness and was removed about three months since from Mulgoa to Sydney for the purpose of receiving medical assistance.
That she has since her arrival in Sydney been attended by Dr Fattorini[2] and is now most dangerously ill as will appear upon reference to the accompanying Certificate. That Petitioner has been compelled to leave Mulgoa on pass for the purpose of rendering her such assistance as she is in need of but owing to the expense which has been already incurred for medical aid the Petitioner is unable from his finances to procure a continuance thereof.
That Petitioner has the sum of £98.5.0 standing in his name in the saving bank which he is desirous of withdrawing. And most humbly prays your Excellency will be graciously pleased to allow Petitioner to withdraw the said sum of £98.5.0 or such part thereof as to your Excellency shall seem …(merit?).
And your Petitioner will ever pray as in Duty bound
Patrk Conyngham
Attached Certificate:
“31/3243 At the request of Mr Cunningham I certify that his wife is now very dangerously ill in Sydney.
Sydney 18th April 1831 (Dr)…Fattorini”[1]
Marginal Notations in different hands:
“Balance in Savings Bank £98.5.0”
“Vide Petition submitted 2nd March 1831”
“Has not this been already advanced?”
“£40 and the interest on £138.5.0 unto 31 December 1829 was ordered to be paid to him on 7 April 1830 – No 30/277 Page 430 – There now appears to remain £98.5.0 to his credit.”
“Whatever it may be ….(give it?)… without further delay.”
31/3243
Sir Having submitted a petition to His Excellency the Governor on the 4th May last for leave to be allowed to withdraw my money from the Savings Bank on account of the illness of my wife and not having been made acquainted with His Excellency’s pleasure thereon may I take the liberty of calling your attention thereto as she still continues dangerously ill and I am unable to procure for her the attendance she requires.
I am Sir with great respect your most Obedient servant
Patrick Conyngham, Ship Phoenix, Arrived 1826.
The Honorable Colonial Secretary.
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1831 ColSec Out-Letter 31/382 of 12 May 1831
Colonial Secretary’s Office, Sydney 12 May 1831
Sir, In reply to your letter of 9th Instant No 30/269 I have the honor by direction of His Excellency the Governor to request that you will make the necessary communication to the Colonial Treasurer to to enable the individual ………………
The (other) prisoner named in the margin (Patrick Cunningham Phoenix Ticket of Exemption) has also applied for the sum held at his credit in the above Bank. I am directed to inform you that the same has been approved and to request that you will make the necessary communication accordingly.
Signed T C Harington.
To Mr F A Hely,(Superintendent of Convicts.)
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1831 Page 25 Reel…..
ColSec Out Letter 31/ of 12 May 1831.
Reference 31/3291? or 31/3295?
Colonial Secretary’s Office Sydney 12 May 1831.
Sir, I have the honor by direction of H E the Governor to request that you will permit the individuals named in the margin to receive the money deposited in their names respectively in the Savings bank on producing the necessary documents.
I have the honor Sir, for the Colonial Secretary ,T C Harington.
To Robert Campbell Senr Esq.,Treasurer of the Savings Bank.
Named in margin: “Pat Conyngham Phoenix”.
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1831 Honora Cunningham/Conyngham died 31 May 1831.
V1831387 127/1831 CUNNINGHAM MONORA (sic)
V1831333 128/1831 CUNNINGHAM MONORA (sic)
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1832 Reel 589 SRNSW
Certificate in lieu of No. 30/32 2 Jany 1830 Surrendered and Cancelled
Exemption from Government Labor
No. 32/136
Date 2 January 1832
Prisoner’s No. –
Name Patrick Cunningham
Ship Phoenix (3)
Master Anderson
Year 1826
Religion Catholic
Native Place Dublin
Trade or Calling Coachbody Maker
Offence –
Place of Trial Dublin City
Date of Trial 27 April 1826 per M roll
Sentence Seven years
Year of birth 1801
Height 5 feet 9 ½
Complexion Sallow
Hair Dark Brown
Eyes Hazel
Remarks A mark on the bridge of nose and two small scars on the outer corner of left eyebrow
District Penrith with his wife Honorah free per Mary Hope
- The story of Italian born, France raised, Dr Fattorini, who arrived in NSW in August 1829 is interesting in itself. , His family history – the unproven claim the he was an illegitimate son of Napoleon -, and his dubious qualifications – was two years training in Edinburgh enough to claim he was a qualified surgeon – have puzzled history researchers for years. See J C Gill’s paper “JEAN BAPTISTE CHARLES LAMONNERIE DIT FATTORINI, Late of Port Macquarie, N.S.W”. at https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/data.↵