52 Ancestors in 52 weeks - Week 4 - Invite to Dinner

The Week 4 prompt for Amy Johnson Crow's "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks" blogging challenge is “Invite to Dinner”.

Who to invite to dinner? As usual there are so many choices but I have decided that I would like to invite one of my gggg grandmothers - Hanora Flynn (Connor).

I have managed to discover many things about Hanora but there are still so many unanswered questions.

What do I know?

I know that Hanora married Patrick Flynn on 26th February 1811 at Shandrum, Cork, Ireland. 1. At least three children were born in Ireland, Ann, Mary and Thomas. In March 1821 Patrick was arrested in Wexford County and sentenced to transportation for life. 

I know that her husband Patrick applied for Hanora and their three children to be sent out to the colony at the expense of the crown. The Rev. J.J. Therry recommended the application. Hanora lived in the parish of Liscarroll and was known to the Rev Malachy Sheehan, Parish Priest and William Purcell Esq. J.P. of the parish. 2.

I know that Hanora arrived in Australia aboard the Thames with their children Ann (12), Mary (9) and Thomas (4) on 11th April 1826.

I know that just days later, on 18th April, Hanora petitioned the Governor, Lieutenant General Ralph Darling praying her husband Patrick Flynn may be granted to her as her assigned servant as she had three children she was unable to provide for. George Blackett, the Superintendent at Rooty Hill stated that Patrick Flynn had been under his superintendency since 19th December 1823, “during which period I have found no fault in his conduct have been very attentive to his duty and all along demeaned himself in a manner much to my satisfaction.”  3. Hanora’s request was granted.

By October 1829 when Hanora had again petitioned the Governor, they had two more children, Patrick and Ellen. That your Memorialist has now five children viz. 3 female and 2 male whereas 4 of which are now looking to their mother for support. That  your Memorialist on arrival was immediately allowed the indulgence of taking her husband Patrick Flynn off the stores, he then stationed at Rooty Hill Establishment....My husband’s character since his arrival in the colony will bear the strictest enquiry as  your Excellency will see, should your Excellency be pleased to have his character investigated.

That your Memorialist since her arrival and with the industry and help of her husband has obtained 27 head of horned cattle for which with the exception of a few milch cows has to pay for the grazing of the same, not having any land to graze them on. Your Memorialist therefore most humbly solits (sic) your Excellency will be pleased to allow her a certain portion of land for the run of her cattle, for such a period of time as to your Excellency’s wisdom and goodness shall seem meet, which favour will be considered by Memorialists for ever and of infinite service to her infant children......... Hanora Flynn I reside at No 47 Kent Street Sydney.

In her book The Women of Botany Bay Portia Robinson described Hanora as a woman of “persistence and determination.”  4. 

I know that Hanora lived at Pittwater in the 1830s on 40 acres at Little Mackerel Beach. 5. (It's a shame I've lost the photos I took several years ago.)

I also know that 2 more sons John and Michael were born to the family. Michael was baptised on 26 May 1836 at St Mary's  in Sydney.

I know that Hanora died at her residence, Parramatta Street Sydney on Thursday 11th June 1852. 6. 

Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Saturday 19 June 1852 p 2 

But there is so much I don’t know. What would I ask Hanora if I could invite her to dinner?

• How did you survive with 3 young children from 1821 until 1826?
• Why did you leave Pittwater and return to Sydney?
• I wonder why you are called Mary when Michael was baptised?
• Was Ann the only child to have children?
• You died only a few years before civil registration so I would love to know the names of your parents and siblings?  Did any of them come to Australia?
• What happened to your 2 grandchildren, James and William Moylan who were put into an orphanage after their father died and their mother Ann was left destitute?

There would be many more questions but I would also like to thank her for her courage, persistence and determination to bring her family to Australia to be reunited with her husband and their father Patrick Flynn.

My lineage from Hanora Connor

4G great grandmother         Hanora Connor m Patrick Flynn

3G great grandmother         Ann Flynn m Thomas Mylan

2G great grandfather           John Mylan m Matilda Agnew

Great Grandmother              Bridget Mylan m William Dawson

Grandfather                          Donovan Dawson m Elsie Ryan

My mother

Me

References

 1. Irish Family History Foundation, http://irhf.brsgenealogy.com, 15 Mar 2008. 

 2. AO Reel 697 4//163 7 p.236 no. 39

3. AO 4/7084, 19 Apr 1826  - also in Shelagh and George Champion 1997 Manly Warringah and Pittwater 

4. Robinson, Portia, The Women of Botany Bay, p. 226

5. Lawrence, Joan, Pictorial History Pittwater, p. 111.

6.  Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-title67, 19 Jun 1852, p. 2. and NSW BDM 1029/1852 V18521029. Death registered as Hannah Flynn.