James Cronly

A HISTORY

OF THE CRONLY FAMILY

By Br James Cronly OFM Cap

This is part of the story of the Cronly family of Tullamore, Co Offaly, Ireland and their arrival and story of the settling in Australia and New Zealand.

I would like to ackowledge all those Members of the family who have helped to collect the details. There are representatives from practically every branch of the Family who have helped. My greatest inspiration came from my Uncle Basil Cronly - my Grandfather's Brother and 'Aunt' Mary Walsh, the daughter of Honora (Cronly) Walsh. As a child I used to sit beside her day-bed listening to old stories. She lived with Nora Davern and Mary Forster at 64 St George's Terrace, Battery Point. The house has been torn down now for appartments. A great deal of work has been done by Jack Cronly and John de Joux Oswald (NZ). Also I wish to acknowledge the contribution made by cousins, Tulla (Keating) Brown, Kathleen (Cronly) Millward-Bason, and Mollie (Davern) Phelan and their Families.

It is hoped that this work will commemorate the Family of the past and inspire the younger generations, and fill them with a little Family Pride.

THE EARLIEST TIMES

The Gaelic form of the name CRONLY is O'Cronghaile, with the "gh" being the English transliteration of a special letter which can probably be best expressed by a soft "g". Being a Gaelic Name, there are many varied spellings with or without the prefix "O" - Cronley, or Cranley; O'Cronowlly or O'Cronully; O'Cronelly or Crannelly. Cronly seems to be the spelling adopted by this Branch and that still in Tullamore. One of the forebears spelt, or had spelt for him, the name as Chronly.

The marriage registers at the Catholic Church in Tullamore have recorded the marriage of Peter Chronly with Mary Moor.

History records that the reasons for the loss of the prefix "O" would have been either treason as it was a sign of nobility or option on migration. The form with the prefix is found until the time of the persecutions of Cromwell. During these times Families lost wealth and prestige by remaining faithful to the Catholic Church. There is no proof of this in the Cronly case. Parish registers in Tullamore show that the name used is without the prefix.

Coarbs were hereditary keepers of the crozier, or Bishop's Staff of St Grellan. It was a type of ecclesiastical office. It was the Battle sign for the Ui Maine (O'Kelly). Recently, I found out that it was usual for the coarb to be blood related to the original holder of the office. So somehow the Cronly clan is related to St Grellan.

The meaning of the name or the translation is Cron, which means brown or dark (probably referring to hair colouring) and Ghail, which was a common personal name meaning Valour.

The Cronly Family were an old Galway Family. They were coarbs or comarba of St Grellen. They were a section of the Ui Maine (pronounced High Mainee), the O'Kelly Kings of Galway. By the Sixteenth Century a large number of the Family had crossed the River Shannon into Offaly and Ormond.

References to the Cronly name can be found in the following publications - Woulfe, "Irish Names and Surnames" and MacLysaught, "Irish Surnames"; "More Irish Sunames" and "Supplement to More Irish Surnames".

SAINT GRELLAN

Saint Greallan is the first historical figure associated with the Parish of Kilclooney. It was he who established Christianity in the area and later became the Patron of the Parish and of the Ui Maine of Connaught. His place in the Irish Martyrologies is among the "first order of the saints", that is those who lived during Saint Patrick's lifetime. He was, according to accounts, preserved, personally educated, ordained and raised to the Episcopate by Saint Patrick himself.

He was born in the time of Patrick and during the reign of Lugaidh mac Laoighaire mic Meill. As with many of the Irish saints of those days, legends abound. Legend comes from the Latin "legenda", that is something that must be read. They were written for the edification of the simple, who could neither read or write. They were of a set style, and, while we have difficulty today to accept them, they were part of the understanding of the people in those days. We have to search out the true facts obscured by the "hype".

His birth was heralded by a violent thunderstorm that was heard by all persons in Ireland. Patrick, on being asked the meaning of this, said that it was to mark the birth of a child, who had but six months in his mother's womb. Patrick prophesied that this child would grew up to be a pillar of the Church, a defender of the poor and oppressed, a peacemaker, and an enemy of evil doers. Grellan's father was Cuillin mac Cairbre Cluaisdergh of the Lagin; his mother's name was Eithne. From them and the Cairbre, he received a worthy education during his early years, at the command of Patrick. When he was old enough to leave his native place, Patrick proposed thatbhe take him with him. They journey to Claith Duibh Linne (Dublin) and from then on Patrick superintended young Grellan's education.

The Saint's wooden Staff or Crosier, caleed the Bachall Ghreallain, was preserved over the centuries as a treasured relic of the Ui Maine, and in particular the O'Cronghaile. Legend said that the Ui Maine would never be subdued as long as they carried this Bachall into battle as their Standard. It was encased in bronze and passed through the hands of a long line of hereditary custodians (coarbs), down to the middle of the Nineteenth Century.

In 1837, John O'Donovan wrote the following:

The Crosier of Saint Grellan is still preserved in the little town of Ahascra, lying betwenn this and Castlekelly. It is in the possession of a Sean or John Cranelly, the present hereditary mayor or keeper of the relic of Saint Grellan. The Crosier was described to me today by an old man who often saw it; it was made of brass crooked at the head and nearly the length of my umbrella. It is encased in silk and used in the country to be sworn upon when people wish to clear themselves of theft, on which occasion, if the deponent takes a false oath, the violated bachall turns blue and green and the deponent's mouth turns to his ear, or his neck turns his face to look backwards (siar!). Sean Cranelly, the present owner of the heirloom, never lends it out for any deposit, but visits the parties himself and officially hands the sacred relic of the truth-loving Saint Grellan to the deponent, for which he receives the sum of 2s.6d.

(Quoted by Father Egan in "The Parish of Balinasloe", Dublin, 1960. Now out of print.)

The Bachall is now lost. A Priest, taking a very dim view of a Layman doing such a thing in his Parish, ordered the relic to be thrown into the river.

Thus a treasured relic from the dawn of Christianity in Ireland, though handed down with loving care through thirteen centuries, was in the end put to base use, before finally disappearing from sight, perhaps for ever.

(Father Egan, "The Parish of Balinasloe")

Father Egan relates another legend how the Bachall was shortened. One of keepers, another Cranelley had part cut off, and the part thus cut off flew up and after him and struck him, giving him a severe beating. He and his descendants were lame from then on...

The Feast day of Saint Grellan is probably 17 September. The earliest accounts at Kilclooney give that date as his feastday.

In January 1996, I made my Solemn Profession as a Capuchin Franciscan Friar, and I included St Grellan in the Litany of Saints, as he is undoubtedly the Cronly Patron Saint.

THE FAMILY MIGRATES TO TASMANIA

Patrick Cronly was born in Tullamore in about 1804, and was likely the son of Peter Chronly and Mary Moor. Parish records give the date of the marriage as the 5 October 1803.

We can summise that he had some Brothers and Sisters, for the Parish records are incomplete for that period. The likely Siblings are Edward who married Bridget Flynn on 22 August 1836; they had three Children, Ellicia (Alicia) born 19 May 1837, and who came to Tasmania with the other Cronly Family, Mary, born on 16 June 1839; Patrick born 21 November 1841. There are still a number of Cronly's left in Tullamore, with whom I correspond. Jack and Shirley Cronly visited them on their trip to Ireland, in 1987.

Some years ago I wrote to one James J. Cronley of Brooklyn NY. He stated:

My paternal grandfather ... Frank Cronley ... arrived from Ireland before the American Civil War and settled in Albany NY somewhere around 1850. I regret to say that there were other children in the family of whom I have no knowledge what-so-ever.

He married a young Irish girl named Catherine Brennan in Albany NY. They moved to New York City to live, where he procurred employment on the Second Ave elevated railroad as a motorman. They had four Children, two boys and two girls. The oldest boy, John, never married. The other boy Joseph, who was my father, married a Catherine Wallace. They have five children, three boys and two girls. I am James, the eldest, my two sisters follow. Both younger brothers are married as am I myself. I have two grown daughters, my youngest brother has two daughters and the other brother has one boy and one girl, so we do have some hope of the continuation of our branch of the Cronley name.

(Letter from James J Cronley, Brooklyn NY dated 14 June 1971. He was then 59 years old. I wrote again and recieved greetings at Christmas, then the correspndence ceased.)

According to the Parish Records sent by Father Sean McGearty, there is no Francis Cronly recorded, so whether this is a Family connection or not I am not sure. There have been other mentions of the name in America, including an author whose work was made into a film, and the recoding of the name in the Pearl Harbour Monument, so I have been told.

As I mentioned above, Jack and Shirley Cronly visited Tullamore in 1987. They visited the place where Patrick and Edward were taught the stone cutter's trade. They were shown a ledger with the following written therein:

I, Pat Coffey, do hereby declare, in the presence oF witnesses whose names are undersigned that I shall from the date hereof and forever discontinue to be a member of a Society, namely for the combination amongst my fellow stone cutters which I now perceive to be unjust in principle, opposed to our religion, and destructive of that order and harmony so essential to the peace and happiness of Society. And I moreover declare that, I shall use my best endevours and any influence I may possess over my fellow tradesmen to influence them to follow my example.

Dated this 4th of Feb. 1837

(sgd) Patt Coffey

Daniel Coffey

his

Witness Wm X Doyle

Mark

I hereby undersign to the above declaration

(sgd)

Patt Farrelley

Patt Keegan

Pat Horan

John Keegan

William Coffey

John Horan

Patt Cronly

Mathias Horan

Jim Nagle

Edw Cronly

Peter Horan

William Lyster

Thomas Boland

The "society" referred to is very interesting to try and work out which one it is. Jack is of the opinion that it would be "Freemasonry". However from my background in Industrial Relations, my thoughts went to trade unionism. In 1834, there had been a clamp down on Trade Unions (consider the Tolpuddle Martyrs) and their national bodies broken up. The only surviving one was the National Society of Stonemasons!

But back to Patrick. He married Honoria Cleary about 1830, but records to not exist. Honoria (Norah, Honora are the varied spellings) was the daughter of John Cleary and Anne English.8

All their Children were born in Tullamore, Ireland:

Joseph 1832, Mary 1834, Honoria 1836, Bridget 1840, Catherine 1843, Patrick 1846, and John 1849.

(They were married at Tullamore on 4 July 1802, according to the Parish Records.)

THEIR LIFE IN HOBART

Sometime in 1850's the Family decided to migrate to Australia, and in particular, Tasmania, where a Friend, Bernard Mulloy was already settled. Why they decided to emigrate we do not know, but conditions in Ireland had been bad, not only had the potato crop fail, but the Government in London passed the Corn Laws in 1815 which forbad the importation of corn ntil the price had reached 80s a quarter. This was passed by the people who represented the agricultural interests, but completely overlooked the need of the industrial towns and the poor people without food. People were disposessed in Ireland, with the harrowing sight of Women and Children been thrown out of their cottages in the rain or snow and the roof removed to stop them squatting. The poor were not even considered, protection of property was paramount. It must have been decided to send out Honoria, their eldest girl, with her cousin, Alicia. Mr Bernard Mulloy sponsored their passage. They left Southampton on the "Kingston" on 26 May 1854, and arrived in Hobart on the 26 August - a voyage of three months. The vessel "Kingston" was 843 tons, and the Master was Captain R.L.Weeks.

(Tullamore Catholic Church, Parish Records)

Alicia’s age was given as 23 and she was listed as a general servant. Honora’s age was given as 17 and was listed as a nursery maid.

On I July 1857, Joseph Cronly arrived in Hobart Town on the "Prompt". He was described as being "stout, brown hair, reddish whiskers, broad nose."

Joseph’s age was given as 22 and he was listed as a stone cutter.

(The Hobart Town Mercury, Monday, 30 August 1854, Shipping Notices. Also the Official Immigrant Lists CB 7/12/2 (Book 19) Tasmanian Archives, Hobart.)

Finally, Patrick and Honoria and the rest of the Children left Liverpool on the “David G. Flemming” on 22 July 1859. The Master was Captain Hatfield. They arrived in Melbourne of

5 November 1859. At Melbourne they transferred to the “City of Hobart” a vessel of 618 tons, with the Master, Captain Bentley. They arrived in Hobart Town on 18 November 1859.

The Immigrant Lists of the “David G Fleming” show:

1377 Patrick Cronnelley, aged 49, labourer

Honora Cronnelley, aged 45, wife

Catherine Cronnelley, aged 11, child

Patrick Cronnelley, aged 9, child

John Cronnelley, aged 7, child

1378 Mary Cronnelley, aged 21, spinster

Bridget Cronnelley, aged 19, spinster

But in the lists for the “City of Hobart” the occupations are Patrick, stone mason, his wife, a farm servant, Mary, a dress maker and Bridget, a house maid

(The Hobart Town Advertiser, Saturday Morning, November 19, 1859, and official Immigration Lists CB 7/12/9 p64. Tasmania Archives.)

It would have been a fairly simple matter to get a job as a tradesman stone cutter/mason. The Hobart Town Hall was being built. They settled down in Lord Street, Sandy Bay, which at that time was on the fringes of the Town. He went into partnership with Bernard Mulloy and Joseph was also in the trade. Undoubtedly, young Patrick would be also learning the trade. There are still Headstones around (Cornelian Bay and Back River Cemetery, Magra) with Cronly Hobart chiselled in the side. They also worked in parnership with John Gillon.

The major work, still existant, undertaken by Cronly and Mulloy was the Church of St Augustine at Longford, Tasmania.

The Church of Saint Augustine, Longford

The building is from designs prepared by Mr Henry Hunter of Hobart Town, whose talents in his profession are best exhibited from the really beautiful structures that adorn our fine land. The Contract of stone work was executed by Messers Cronly and Molloy of Hobart Town...

The plan comprises a nave 60 x 22 feet, having an apsidal terminal at the east end. The west end of the nave are simple lancets with cusped heads. The side windows are simple lancets with cupsed heads. The oblique sides of the apse are filled with two light windows, the heads being filled with geometric tracery: the extreme end is blank, and affords space over the Altar for a fine painting or altar piece. The roofs are open to the ridge.

he Tasmania Catholic Standard, November 1867

At this stage Patrick junior would have been 17 years of age. He later went into business on his own.

THE WORK OF THE CRONLY

WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY

There are many references to the Cronly women in the pages of the Catholic Standards. They were largely envovled in the fund raising bazaars. Great-Grandmother Julia is mentioned in connection of raising money for Holy Trinity Church in Westbury. When it came to raising funds for the Sacred Heart Church at New Town, the whole Family seemed to be envolved. The Number Two Stall was run by Mrs Cronly and the Misses Anderson, and raised 155 pounds, Mr Cronly gave a cow, and Mrs Walsh with the help of a friend dressed a doll.

Mention of donation of goods included a drawing room chair from Miss Alice Anderson Alicia's Daughter); a useful chair in green rep from Mr Edward Walsh (Honora's Eldest Son); a painted table from Mrs P Cronly; a chess table painted by Mr John Anderson Alicia's Husband); and other goods from Honora (Mrs Walsh), Catherine (Mrs Macfarlane), Mary (Mrs Keating): Mrs Anderson and Mr John Cronly ran the Refreshment Stall.

Mary Keating was noted for her works of charity, visiting the sick, even upto the time of her death in 1919 at the age of 84.

I can remember my own Grandmother following in that tradition and giving assistance at Fairs for both the Catholic and Anglican Churches.

While we are on the subject of women, it seems appropriate to add here that women were still not equal under law and when Great Grandfather's health failed, Great Grandmother Julia was unable to take over, and the business deteriorated. When he died the whole of the affairs were in the hands of trustees. One old member of the Family told me that there was a persistent rumour that these trustees had milked the funds. This is certainly impossible to verify. It is certainly true that Julia died very near destitute and their sons had to cutairl their studies and go to work, those that were old enough. Uncle Basil was taken by the Daverns and Uncle Grattan was sent to St Joseph's Orphanage.

The debt that is owed to these and other women like them has not been fully recognised.

SOME FURTHER MENTIONS OF THE FAMILY

I have included some general mentions of the Family in this place, other details can be found under the individual Family Members.

The report of the Catholic Pic Nic held on Boxing Day 1869.

(Tasmanian Catholic Standard, January 1869)

The organisers were Messers J.J.Woods, Henry Shirley, Joseph Cronly and E.W.Sullivan.

Among the competitions and entertainments was a four-oared boat race for the Memmbers of the Catholic Literary Society only.

Course from the Arches round the bouy off Saint George's Hill, thence round a boat off Dunkley's Point (now site of the Hobart Casino) and back to the place of starting. Twice round - £2.

The Winners - FAUGH - A BALLAGH, T. Shirley (Stroke), E. Mulcahy, John Cronly, Jas Sullivan, T Finnnerty (Coxswain) - Colours - White and Green.

Another mention of the Catholic Literary Association mentions Joseph among the new office bearers for the year. He was the Treasurer.

At the Association's Annual Pic Nic at New Norfolk, Joseph was the captain of their hurling team against the Saint Patrick's Association. Joseph's team, white with green ribbons, lost.

(Tasmanian Catholic Standard, April 1871)

THE CHINIQUY AFFAIR

One of the most interesting and divisive events in the Colony was the Chiniquy Affair. Pastor Charles Chiniquy was a Canadian apostate Catholic Priest with an axe to grind. He was invited to give a series of Catholic-baiting lectures and sacrilegious demonstrations.

An anti-Catholic lecture tour by a Canadian ex-priest, Pastor Chiniquy, provoked a state of emergency. Armed Catholics, some of whom were bent on dying for their religion rather than allow Chiniquy to speak, were confronted by a volunteer force of over 400, equipped with, amongst other armoury, two 32-pounder howitzers loaded with cannister shot. Bishop Murphy dissuaded the Catholic mob from storming the heavily defened Town Hall but the atmosphere cam close to precipitating major violence. (O'Farrell)

(O'Farrell, Patrick, The Catholic Church and Community an Australian History, Sydney, NSW University Press, 1985.

Also see - Sutherwood, Terry, The Convicts Friend, George Town (Tas), Stella Maris Books, 1989

The Mercury, Hobart, Wednesday Morning, June 25th, 1879and Friday Morning , 27th June, 1879 and The Tasmanian Catholic Standard, July 1879.)

On Sunday, 22nd June 1879, Pastor Chiniquy, a former Catholic Priest, who was lecturing about the Faith he deserted, arrived by express train from Launceston to lecture in Hobart. The Catholics of Hobart were up in arms about this , especially as he was allowed the use of the Town Hall. They attended his lectures to heckle and pin him down on questions.

ONE CRONLY: - " He insulted the Church of England Protectants last night, he ridiculed them for fasting. He says he does not fast. (Laughter). He only wants £ 500 more. His house fell done since he came here. He came here to set us fighting, and puts the money in his pack and clears out (Cheers) .... Mr Webster (the Chairman) once more endeavoured to conciliate the irate mob, and as a result of an interview, with occasional interuptions, with Mr Cronly, it was agreed to submit to the arbitration of a Representative of the Church of England, the question as to whether it was the desire of the majority of that meeting that Pastor Chiniquy should have a hearing. Mr Webster announced Mr Barnard's williness to express his opinions as to the subject .... peace having been restored.

(The Mercury, Hobart, Wednesday Morning, June 25th, 1879)

Those who made up the Catholic Delegation were - Messers Molloy, Dillon, Cahill, J. Cronly, H. Hunter, Doctor Hall, Messers P. Cronly, Shirley, Saunders, Roper, McShane, Hoare, O'Shea, R.G. Fitzsimmons, Ryan, Bradley and Higgins - many of

whom spoke to the Lord Mayor.

All this was to no avail, and the Lord Mayor (Ald W.H. Burgess) said that the Town Hall had been let to the Committee, because it was recommended by so respected a citizen as

Mr R.A. Mather.

About 500 Catholic citizens met in the Domain between 6 and 7 O'Clock in the evening. During the day, however, the Catholic clergy and several Catholic laymen prevailed upon numbers to stay at home.Among those present were His Lordship, the Most Rev Doctor Murphy, the Revs P.O'Reilly, W.J. Dunne, P.R. Hennebry, Messers Molloy, Cahill, Kelly, M. O'Shea, H. Hunter, Bradley, Gleeson, J. Cronly, Fay, O'Brien, Doctor Hall, Messers P. Cronly, Dalton, Donnellan, Kennedy,Farrell, Mills, Stanley, Dillon, Ryan, R.G. Fitzsimmons, Fahy, Tierney, Donahoe, Fitzpatrick and Saunders.

(Tasmanian Catholic Standard, July 1879)

Several of these persons spoke in favour of obeying their Bishop, whilst other quietly talked over the matter. There was a report also, that several Catholics were arrested, but there were no Cronly's among them.

There was a follow-up report in Friday's press:

ROMAN CATHOLIC DEPUTATION TO THE MAYOR

A large deputation of Roman Catholic Citizens waited upon the Mayor at two O'Clock yesterday, to protest against the Town Hall being used by Pastor Chiniquy for his series of Lectures. The Delegation was introduced by Doctor Hall and comprised Messrs Henry Hunter, Fitsimmons, Henry Shirley, J. Cronly, Cahill, Bradley, Dillon, Hoare, Vale, Kennedy, M'Shean, Fay, Malloy, and Shea.

[Several of the deputation spoke, including Doctor Hall, a prominent and learned Catholic and Henry Hunter, the Catholic Architect, who had designed the Town Hall]

Joseph Cronly spoke twice

Mr Cronly said it lay with the Mayor to prevent any serious disturbance and he was sure that his Worship would, under the circumstances, regard prevention being better than cure. Never was there a more united Colony than Tasmania had been, but he feared this unity would not continue. He held the Ministers, who had brought Pastor Chiniquy here, responsible for the altered state of things - for the dissention and quarrelling where peace had once been. The Ministers had no right to bring him here to make him a mouthpiece, and through him to give publicity to the words they had not the courage to use themselves. It was not the wish of the Catholic People to have a row, but they respected their religion. He had been in the City for 22 years, and never had a religious dispute with a fellow citizen, but he would defend himself to the last drop of his blood from religious insult, and in doing so he would be true to himself and loyal to his Queen.

Other deleates spoke and Joseph added

Mr Cronly said that he found himself described in the "The Mercury" as a leader of Malcontents, but he wished to assert that this charge was false. He had advised peace, or it would spoil all and take from them the support of the Church of England, who were as much insulted as the Roman Catholics were. He wanted the people to listen quietly, and had gone to the Hall determined to do so, and meaning to keep out of the way of those who would incite him to violence. He had, on Monday, listened attentively, and had heard the Pastor say that when he was a Catholic Priest he was taught to curse Protestants, which was a most diabolical lie, that man could stand before an audience and assert. Well, notwithstanding all this, he went on Tuesday night with the object of putting this man down, not with violence but with moral force - the voice of the people. A row occurred between him and two prominant men, very able pugilists, and he went between them and prevailed on them to cease rowing. The Pastor came to Hobart for his own benefit, and set them all fighting, and put the money in his pocket and left the country to fight it out.

(The Mercury, Hobart, Friday Morning, June 12th, 1879)

The whole affair eventually blew over, and there were only occasional reports of the Pastors movements in the Tasmanian Catholic Standard.

Patrick Cronly Senior died 1877.

CRONLY.- On the 9th instant, at his late residence, Lord Street, Sandy Bay, Patrick Cronly, aged 77 years. The Funeral will move from his late residence for the Queenborough Cemetery on Sunday next, at a quarter past two o'clock, when friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Requiescat in Pace Melbourne Papers please copy.

(The Tribune, Hobart Town, Saturday Morning, February 10,1877, andThe Mercury, Hobart Town, Saturday Morning, February 10, 1877)

Honoria Cronly died in 1890.

CRONLY.- On the 1st January, at the residence of her Son-in-law, Jas Keating, 91 Harrington Street, Norah, relict of the late Patrick Cronly in her 88th year of age. The Funeral will leave St Joseph's Church at 2.30pm on FRIDAY NEXT. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

Requiescat in Pace.

(The Mercury, Thursday Morning, January 2nd,1890, and repeated January 3rd, 1890)

ALICIA ANDERSON

Now we come to the interesting position of Alicia in the Family, as referred to above. Alicia was always referred to as Aunt, so the idea that she was a sister grew up. Upon further research it was noticed that her Parents were given as Edward and Bridget nee Flynn Cronly and her name was spelt Ellicia in the Baptismal Register. (Records of the Tullamore Parish)

She was born on the 19th May 1837. She had a sister, Mary, born on the 16th June 1839 and a brother, Patrick born on 21st November 1841. This leds us to make some probable solutions, based on the following facts. Firstly there is no further mention of any of this Family in the Parish registers after 1841. Alicia and her cousin (Honora, born 1836) came to Tasmania in 1854, sponsored by a Mr Bernard Molloy. There was little employment prospects in Ireland and there great famine. So I would summise that Edward, Bridget, Mary and Patrick died somewhere between 1842 and 1852. Patrick and Nora accepted her as one of the Family, and so when the old Family friend, Bernard Molloy offered to sponsor them the two cousins came out to Tasmania.

The evidence for this is also in the Tullamore Parish Registers - two Molloys (Anne and Edward) were witnesses at Cronly Marriages; and Willian, Catherine, Mary and Roddy sponsors at Baptisms. {Mary and Roddy were Catherine's Sponsors - 3rd August 1843]

I remember Aunt Mary Walsh telling me (I was just a child with a hunger for Family history) that her Mother Honora and Aunt Anderson were the first to arrive in Tasmania.

Alicia married John Anderson, a widower, and an Englishman from North Shields. I believe that there were other children in the Family. The John Anderson that would fit is the one whose wife and baby died at sea leaving him with five children to look after in the new Colony.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart Town - 11 August 1860

John Anderson, aged 35, painter, to

Alicia Cronly, aged 27, servant, by Rev Father Charles Woods; witnesses B. Malloy and Alicia Allen.

They had one daughter, Alice who was the first born in the colony and the delight of the rest of the Family.

Alice, daughter of John and Alicia (nee Cronly)Anderson, born 9 August 1862, in Hobart,baptised on 7 September 1862 by Rev Father George Hunter, sponsors Bernard Malloy and Alice Allen, at St Joseph’s church, Hobart.

Alice married William Freney and had a very disappointing marriage. She married him on the 1 December 1883 and applied for a Judicial Separation on 6th December 1886. Two months later she died of congestion on the brain. A piece of oral history is that the Uncles and men folk of the Family were so incensed with Freney that they took loaded revolvers to the Funeral in case the blackguard turned up.

There is eveidence that William was a good Catholic and a member of the Hibernian Society, and a good singer. It is sad to think that this could have all been caused by the deterioration in her health caused by the congestion on the brain.

The court hearing was published in the local Paper but it was not general knowledge in Family.

The Mercury, Hobart Town, Tuesday Morning, December 7th, 1886

SUPREME COURT

Sittings in Banco

Monday, December 6th

before

Sir Lambert Dobson, C.J. and Sir Henry Wrensfordsley P.J.

MATRIMONIAL CAUSES

Freney v Freney

This was a petition for Judicial Separation made by Alice Freney, wife of William Freney, Librarian Attendant of the House of Assembly. Mr A.I. Clark (instructed by Clark and Simmons) appeared for the Petitioner, and Mt T.S. Dodds (instructed by Findlay and Watchorn) for the Responant.

The petition set forth that the Petitioner married the Responant on the 1st December 1883, and shortly after her marraige, her husband began to treat her with great unkindness and cruelty, assaulting her several times and using offensive langauge to her. That her husband compelled her to repeated leave her bed and sleep separately, and had frequently threatened to make her live so miserable that she would be glad to leave him and return to her friends. By reason of this treatment her health had ben greatly impaired, and she ahd been complelled to leave her home and seek the protection of her friends, and the petitioner prayed for a judicial separation, with cost incidental to the petition, and such other relief as the Court should seem meet.

The Respondant in his answer denied the unkindness, cruelty, offensive language and other allegations contained in the petition. He also denied that he compelled her to seek the protection of her friends, but alleged that the Petitioner was induced by wrongful interference of her parents to leave home and live apart. The treatment complained of had been condoned of before leaving hame, and that he had been desirous his wife return should return to him, and wrote to her to that effect, immediately after she had left home, but she declined.

............ there followed evidence from the Petitioner, John and Alicia Anderson (her parents) and Doctor Crowther (her Doctor). The Respondent then gave his case. The Court reserved its decision sine die.

ANDERSON.- On February 4th, at Launceston, Alice, dearly beloved and only child of John and Alicia of Montpelier Street, Hobart, aged 24 years. R.I.P.

(The Mercury, Hobart Town, 5th February, 1887)

ANDERSON.- On the 27th January, 1909, at his residence No 79 Argyle Street, John Anderson (native of North Shields, England) aged 87 years. Funeral Private. No Flowers.

(The Mercury, Hobart, 28th January, 1909)

Alicia had died on the 22nd June 1895, aged 64 years.

THE JOSEPH CRONLY BRANCH

Joseph came to Tasmania when he was 22 years old. He sailed on the "Prompt" and disembarked in Hobart in July 1857. He was described in the Shipping Lists as "stout, brown hair, reddish whiskers, broad nose". He was born in Tullamore on 17 September 1832. He married Maria Theresa Mackrill in Deloraine on 21st February 1878. Maria was the daughter of William Mackrill and Bridget Kelly, and was born 2 October 1847 in Launceston.

Catholic Church, Deloraine, on 21 February 1878

Joseph Cronly, aged 41, fruit dealer, to

Maria Teresa Mackrill, - , - , by Rev Father E.F.Walsh, witnesses John Francis Mackrill and E. Avery.

She died at Sandy Bay on 21 September 1886.

CRONLY.- On 21st September, 1886. at her late residence, Lord Street, Sandy Bay, Maria Theresa, beloved wife of Joseph Cronly, aged 42 years. Requiescat in Pace.

(The Mercury, Hobart Town, Wednesday Morning, 22 September 1886)

They had three Children

Maria Josephine, daughter of Joseph and Maria Theresa (nee Mackrill)Cronly, born 12 April 1879, in Hobart, baptised 25 April 1879, by Rev Father Charles Woods, sponsors Edward Walsh and Bridget Mackrill, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart.

Patrick William, son of Joseph and Maria Theresa (nee Mackrill) Cronly, born 5 April 1880, in Hobart, baptised by Rev Father Charles Woods, sponsors John Cronly and Alice Anderson, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart.

Nora Angelina, daughter of Joseph and Maria Theresa (nee Mackrill) Cronly, born 12 June 1882, in Hobart, and baptised 12 July 1882, by Rev Father Charles Woods, sponsors Pierce Keating and Catherine MacFarlane, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart.

Joseph remarried on 18th January 1888 to Elizabeth Susanne Morgan.

Joseph was a prominant member of the Hibernian Society, and a Church warden at St Joseph’s.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE - HIBERNIAN SOCIETY

On December 1, being a summoned meeting, after the usual routine business had been transacted, the Chaplain of the Society, Rev P.R.Hennebry was requested to present the Past President’s sash to Brother Joseph Cronly. The sash was subscribed for by the members as a mark of their esteem for Brother cronly, for his past exertions as an officer in various positions since the formation of the Branch. The Rev P.R.Hennebry said that he had been requested by the members of the Branch to present to Past President Cronly a small memento, to show their appreciation of his conduct as an officer of the society since its establishment in Hobart. The duty, he felt was a most pleasant one, as he knew the recipient was most deserving of the good wishes of his fellow members. He was one of the Society’s first members, in fact one of its first officers, and for several terms watched over it deliberations as President. The present he (Fr Hennbry) had to perform showed that for those services he (Bro Cronly) had gained the good wishes of his fellow members. More, he was sure, the most ambitious man could not desire, for it was a grand achievemnet to deservee and obtain the goodwill, respect and esteem of those with whom he had fellowship. He was quite sure that he was expressing the wish of every member of the Society, when he said he hoped he would live long to wear it on all fitting occasions, and that he (Bro Cronly)would not merely think of the intrinsic value of the present, but rather of the kindly feeling which prompted the members, in a small way, to show their appreciation of him (applause).

The Rev Gentleman here presented the Past President’s sash, a broad green one, richly bordered with gold lace, and fringed with deep fringe of gold, with the emblems of the Society in raised work in gold. Brother cronly said he could not let the occasion pass without heartily thanking the members of their kind appreciation of his poor services. He had done no more than he thought was his duty as it was the duty of every member to do his utmost for the success of the Society. He was thankful, also, to the Chaplain, for the many kind things he had said of him, which, if they had come from any other member of the Society, he might be inclined to think that they had been to Cork and kissed the Blarney Stone, but of the Chaplain, he could have no such thoughts. He thanked the members for the generous offering, and he saud that every time he placed this handsome sash over his shoulders he would think of their generous appreciation of his poor but best services. (applause). The meeting closed with a prayer.

(The Tasmanian Catholic Standard, January 1881 et al.)

Joseph died 7th June 1904.

Sudden Death At Sandy Bay:- Mr Joseph Cronly, who had resided at regent Street, Sanday Bay, died suddenly yesterday, apparently from heart failure. The deceased who was well advanced in years, has recently been under the care of Doctor Sprott.

CRONLY.- On the 7th June, at his residence No 42 Regent Street, Sandy Bay (suddenly) Joseph Cronly aged 71 years. R.I.P. Funeral Private. No Flowers.

(The Mercury, Hobart, Wednesday Morning, 8th June, 1904 - under the heading of Epitome of News and Death Notices.)

The Children all went to New Zealand.

Maria Josephine married Walter Bryce, moved to Western Australia, and had three children -

[1] Lorna Mary Bryce, born 12 April 1913 and married John Gwyon Hunter at Collie in W.A. on 1st May 1937.

[2] William Cronly Bryce, born 25 March 1917 and married Constance Rose Piggot.

[3] James Millar Bryce, born 11 July 1922 and married Rita.

Nora Angelina married Thomas Parker at Te Kuiti (NZ) on 29 May 1913 and had three children -

[1] Erica Nora Parker, born 2 May 1914 and married John de Joux Oswald on 27 June 1950. They have three children

[1] Anne Yvette Oswald born 12 Septemmber 1951,

Robert John de Joux Oswald born 1 June 1952,

Ian Thomas de Joux Oswald born 9 November 1954.

[2] Thomas Alexander Parker, born 5 June 1917 and married Joan Winifred Jay-Austin on 23 July 1945.

[3] Josephine Ann Parker, born 29 June 1920 and married William Salter on 18th February 1944.

They have eight children

Thomas McQuarry Salter born 31 August 1947

Jan Elizabeth Salter born 12 February 1948

Kristine Mary Salter born 26 September 1949

William Morris Salter born 29 January 1951

Patrick James Salter born 13 March 1953

Michael Geoffrey Salter born 21 October 1954

Anita Claire Salter

David Alexander Salter

THE HONORA WALSH BRANCH

As mentioned above Honora came to Tasmania with Alicia in 1854. Besides being cousins, they must have been good friends, they worked for the same employer, Mr Molloy, and they married on the same day.

The Molloy Family lived in lower Liverpool Street, which in those days would have been close to outskirts of the township. Oral History has it that one wild night of wind and rain, there was a knock at the door and Honora went to open it. On opening it she was confronted by a stranger, heavily bearded. Honora slammed the door in his face and ran screaming to Bernard Molloy, that there was a bushranger at the door. Hiding the household under the stairs, he went to the door. There found a very old and dear friend - Richard Walsh.

It was the very same Richard Walsh that Honora later married. Richard was a shoemaker by trade, later he worked as a Messenger for the Court of Requests.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, on 11 August 1860

Richard Walsh, aged 35, shoemaker to

Honora Cronly, aged 23, servant, by Rev Father Charles Woods, witnesses I Austin and Catherine Cronly.

Richard and Honora had one daughter and eight sons:

Edward, 13 May 1861,

Mary, 24 April 1863,

Richard, 9 March 1865,

Andrew, 22 August 1867

John, 10 October 1869,

Joseph Patrick, 11 December 1871,

Charles, 17 September 1874,

Francis, 6 October, 1876,

William Percy, 3 June, 1879.

As a child, my Parents used to take me to see some relatives in Battery Point. There was a little old Lady, who used to lie on a daybed on a spacious verandah. She was Mary Walsh and I used to sit by her bed and listen to her stories for hours.

To date, I have not been able to find the dates of death for Honora and Richard. But I got the impression that Honora died early, probably in child-birth. Mary said that she was in the Convent and called home to look after her brothers. She did not say if she was a nun or a student. Mary died in the 1950’s and I was taken to the funeral by my Father, and introduced to other Relatives, like a grown up. I was very impressed. ‘Aunt’ Mary Walsh was a very special person to me, and I have a clear picture still of this little lady speaking so quietly that you had to lean close to her. She was so gentle and very much a lady. As none of the Walshes married (at least at an early age), this line is now defunct.

MARY KEATING BRANCH

Mary was the eldest of the children who accompanied their Parents in 1859. She was 21 years old at the time, small of stature and with curly auburn hair. In 1866, she married a young furniture maker, who was just beginning to make a name for himself - James Keating. One of her sons became one of the first Senators for Tasmania in the newly founded Commonwealth. The Keating Household has been the focal point of the Cronly Family. This is probably for two reason, the Cronly Mother (Honoria) lived with Mary after becoming a widow, and, the central position of the home. Until recently, many a relation has met up with another long lost relation, under the roof of Pierce J Keating, Funeral Director in Harrington Street.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, on 16 June, 1866 James Keating, aged 30, Carpenter, to Mary Cronly, aged 27, Servant, by Rev Father Charles Woods, witnesses - Robart Howard and Bridget Cronly.

Mary and James had four children, three sons and a daughter.

Pierce Joseph, son of James and Mary (nee Cronly) Keating, born 12 November 1868 and baptised on 29 November 1868, by Rev Fr M. Dunne, sponsors Robert Howard and Bridget Cronly.

James Francis, son of James and Mary (nee Cronly) Keating, born 17 October 1870 and baptised on 2 November 1870, by Rev Charles Woods, sponsors Edward Walsh and Alice Anderson.

John Henry, son of James and Mary (nee Cronly)Keating, born 28 June 1872, and baptised on 26 July, 1872, by Father Hennebry, sponsors Joseph Cronly and Julia Cronly.

Alice Mary, daughter of James and Mary (nee Cronly) Keating, born 10 February, 1875 and baptised on 10 March, 1875, by Father Charles Woods, sponsors Patrick Cronly and Bridget Hill.

In 1937 Senator John Henry Keating wrote a letter to the Family about his Father, James Keating.

“My Father was singularly reticent. Tho’ Irish in many characteristics; his sense of humour, love of Irish History , devotion to Ireland’s cause etc. , he had many of the qualities of the Englishman’s reserve - undemonstrativeness and strong individual independence. He was a boy of nine, when both his parents died within four months of one and another. He was adopted by relatives, but finding them uncongenial, he ran away, to join his brother, who had been apprenticed to a cabinet-maker in Dublin. He walked from Carlow to Dublin, only to find that, lured by the vaunted attractions of the USA, his brother had cleared out. A premium had been paid for his apprenticeship and he lived with his employers. The latter, taking a liking to my Father, offered him his brother’s place. He lived, worked for, and was finally apprenticed to the employer. He failed to trace his brother, who presumabley went to the USA. After completeing his apprenticeship (I don’t know how long after), he went to England and worked for some time in Lancashire, especially in Manchester. He got in touch with another brother (Pierce), who was a colour Sergeant in the ‘99th Regiment”, which was then in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania). The latter had served with his regiment in the New Zealand War and was awarded a grant of land in Tasmania. He returned to England and induced my Father to return with him to take up the land. It was virgin forest - not as it is now, some of the richest apple growing land in the State - and when the brothers inpected it, they decided not to totake it up. To use my Father’s words, “you’d have to lie down on the broard of your back to see the tops of the trees”, so heavily was it timbered. My Father went to Hobart Town, as it was then, and got employment with a Mr Henry Hunter (an Englishmen who was carrying on as an architect and builder). Mr Hunter was a man of highest standing in the Community. He was, I think, from Nottingham or thereabouits, and had come to tasmania with Bishop Willson, Father Hunter and the Ropers and other English Catholics. Tho’ a prominent and active Catholic, his architectural practice owed largely to his work for the Anglican body in Tasmania. Eventually, he confined himself to architecture, and turned over his business generally to my Father, who, in his turn confined himself to cabinet- making. He established a good business, generally, and for Church furniture he had as patrons and customers, many (if not all) of the leading Anglican clergy. His work was always held in high repute. “Keating Made” - “and I can not give a better praise than that”; or “I can not say more” is to this day, not infrequently heard in Tasmanian auction rooms, when the auctioneer is submitting articles of furniture. His apprentices were carefully trained, and his journeymen thoroughly supervised and well, very well paid, especially for those days. When in the Twenties, I stood for the first elections for the Commonwealth Parliament, I found my father’s reputation (widely spread throughout the State) as a dependable man and a “square dealer” with everybody, an unexpected but immensely valuable asset to me. My Father’s brother, Pierce, died soon after the two brothers came to tasmania to take up the land granted to Pierce (some years before I was born). Fram letters I have seen, and from the books and prints included in his belongings of him I have seen, he was evidently fairly well educated and of refined tastes. My Father was self educated. As a youth he used to spend odd hours in all the Four Courts, Dublin, and recalled vividly Chief Justice Wentsides and other leading lights of the Bench and Bar. All his life he was omnivorous, but mostly regarding technical matter or current events. He named me Henry for some reason of his own. It was a name used rarely by the Irish - or rather, the catholic Irish, I know that there was a Mr Justice (or Sir Henry) Keating, of Court of Common Pleas in England. Whether my Father claimed relationship, I could not say. I think he did claim connection with Keatings in England.”

OBITUARY

Mr James Keating

Mr James Keating, a well-known and much esteemed citizen of Hobart died yesterday morning at his residence in Harrrington Street in his 70th year, after having been in failing health for some time. Mr Keating was born at Carlow, in Ireland, and when about 12 years of age he lost both parents who died in the same year. For a brief period he was under the care and protection of relatives, but being of an independent turn of mind, he very early started out on his own account. He went from Carlow to Dublin, where he found employment for some years. Then he went to Manchester, where he learnt joinery and cabinet making, becoming a very proficient tradesman. Then his only brother, who was in the Imperial 99th Regiment, stationed in Hobart; he induced him to come out to tasmania with a view of taking up land there. He arrived in the historic ship “The Great Tasmanian”, forty-nine years ago. Shortly after the deceased’s arrival he obtained a settlement in Port Cygnet. His brother was given twelve months leave of absence and took a trip to the old country, but died shortly after reaching England. This circumstance, combined with finding himself a stranger in a strange land deterred Mr Keating from proceeding with the development of his selection, so he disposed of it and came to Hobart, and resumed his trade in the employ of the late Mr Henry Hunter, who carried on the business of architect and contractor. When Mr Hunter decided to devote himself entirely to the work of an architect, Mr Keating commenced business on his own account as a joiner and cabinet maker, and carried it on until his death. The deceased was well know and held in high esteem by his fellow citizens generally as a man of great integrity and probity. He leaves a Widow, one Daughter and three Sons, one of whom Mr J.H. Keating) is a representative for Tasmania in the Federal Senate. The funeral will leave St Mary’s Cathedral at 2.30pm tomorrow afetrnoon. The Mercury, Tuesday Morning, March 28, 1905.

KEATING. - On March 27, 1905, at his late residence, No 91 Harrington Street, Hobart, James, the dearly beloved husband of Mary Keating, in the 70th year of his age. Requiescat in pace. Friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral which will move from St Mary’s Cathedral at 2.30 tomorrow (Wednesday) Afternoon. No Flowers.

Mary lived on until 1919.

OBITUARY Mrs James Keating

Mrs James Keating, an old and very highly respected resident of Hobart, died at her home in HarringtonStreet, on Saturday, March 22nd. Mrs Keatingwas bornat Tullamore, King’s County, Ireland, nearly 85 years ago, and came to Tasmania with her elder brotherMr Joseph Cronly, in the Proutis in 1857. So pleased were they with this colonyand withthe opportunities and environment it afforded, that they induced their parents to follow them, withthe remainder of their brothers and sisters. The Cronlyfamily of eightchildren were thus unitedin this new world two years later. In1865the deceased lady marriedMr James Keating, who carried on his well-known furnishing warehouse till his death in 1905. Two of the sons, Messrs Pierce and Frank Keating are prominent business men in this city, while the youngest son is Senator Keating, a barrister, who has reperesented Tasmania in the Federal Legislaturesince the foundation of the Commonwealth. Mr John Cronly is the only remainingmember of the family now in Australia, the sole surviving sister, Mrs Captain Macfarlane, being in France. Mrs Keating had onlt one interest outside her own circle of friends, and that was in visiting the sick. she was very active, and to within a few months of her death walked long distances daily in pursuit of her philanthropic objects. May her soul rest in peace! (The Catholic Magazine,March 1919)

They have the name of the ship that Joseph arrived on, which was the “Prompt”, and Mary came with her Parents in 1859, not with Joseph.

KEATING. - On March 22, 1919, at her residence, No 113 Harrington Street, Hobart, Mary, relict of James Keating, and beloved Mother of P.J.,F.J.,J.H. (Senator), and Miss A. Keating, in the 85th year of her age. Requiescat in pace. No flowers. Friends are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of the late Mrs James Keating, which will move from St Mary’s Cathedral at 3 O’Clock, This Afternoon. Alex Clark and Son Ltd.,Funeral Directors. (The Mercury,Hobart, Monday March 24, 1919)

Pierce Joseph, the eldest son married Emilia Teresa Maschelli about 1900, and they had three daughters and two sons.

Kathleen Harriet Mary, daughter of Pierce and Emilia Teresa (nee Maschelli) Keating, born 23 March 1901, and baptised 21 April 1901 by Father Hennebry, in St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors John Henry Keating and Mary Alice Keating.

Mary Shealagh, daughter of Pierce and Emilia Teresa (nee Maschelli) Keating, born 15th December 1902 and baptised 11 January 1903 by Father Hennebry, in St Joseph Church, Hobart, sponsors Francis Keating and Mary Keating,

James Watson Harold, son of Pierce and Emilia Teresa (nee Maschelli) Keating, born 27 June 1904 and baptised 7 August 1904 by Father Hennebry in St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Harold Ashlin and Nora Davern.

Moira Therese, daughter of Pierce and Emila Teresa (nee Maschelli) Keating, born 3 August 1906 and baptised 5 September 1906 by Father Hennebry in St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors M. Borbita and Mary Davern.

Pierce Domenico, son of Pierce and Emilia Teresa (nee Maschelli) Keating, born 8 March 1909 and baptised 4 April 1909 by Father Hennebry in St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Basil Cronly and L. Fahey.

John Henry Keating married Sarah Alice (Lallie) Monks and had two children, John and Tulla Mary Brown.

BRIDGET HELEN DAVERN BRANCH

Bridget Helen was nineteen when she came to Tasmania, with her Family in 1859. From oral history (her Daughters) sge was reasonibly tall, regal in bearing and utterly charming. In 1874 she married a Branxholm farmer, John Joseph Davern. They returned to Hobart some time later and went into the hotel business.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart on 23 November, 1874 John Davern, aged 30, farmer to Bridget Davern, aged 28, dressmaker by Rev Fatther Charles Woods, witnesses P. Cronly and A. Anderson.

Their children were Nora, Mary, Thomas and John, who died as a baby. Nora never married; Mary married Mr Forster and had one daughter, Helen. Thomas Peter married Ivy Violet Duke, the daughter of John Swinnerton and Elizabeth (nee Borley) Duke in Auckland. Thomas and Ivy married about 1904 (Ivy was a nurse at Queenstown, Tas, at the time). They had three daughters: Maria Josephine (Mollie), born 1906, who married Bernard Kirwin Phelan, son of Bernard and Emily (nee Kirwin) Phelan. Mollie and Bernard had a daughter and a son: Rosaleen Consuelo, who was born in Melbourne in 1938, and now lives in England: Michael Hugh born in Hobart in 1943, married to Janet Moreton and has two sons Thomas and Patrick. Bernard died in 1996. I must tell a story about BK. Both of us worked in the Department of Labour and National Service, he as a very high position in Central Office, Melbourne and me a minor clerk in the Hobart Region. BK was a figure of respect, and “worshippped” as god by my Regional Drector. One day, when BK had phoned our Boss on some matter, he asked after me, and sent regards from him and Mollie. My Boss was beside himself, he brought the message and almost genuflected to me. Then about a week later BK rang again and after business asked to speak to me, and I was called to the RD’s office. BK was having a bit of fun at my Boss’s expense. and we did play up to it. It would have made an excellent episode in “Yes Minister”. ( I often wondered if I had asked BK to be my referee in a promotion appeal, whether I would have been favoured!!).

Nora Ivy Bertha, born 1907, married Anthony, second son of John Wren - the well-known wealthy philanthopist and sportsman of Melbourne. They had three children, Anthony died as a teenager, Garda Maria (Jenny), who married Peter Kurg; and Gabrielle. Nora died in 1965.

Elizabeth Helen (Betty), born 1922 and married John Moore, only son of Edney Moore of Hobart. They have three children - Catherine, who married Clyve Radford; Penelope; John Thomas Edney, and Elizabeth who practice medicine in Melbourne.

Bridget died in 1911 and John in 1920.

DAVERN.- On August 2,1911 at her late residence, 64 St George’s Terrace, Battery Point, Bridget deraly beloved wife of John Davern, in her 67th year of age. Requiescat in pace. The Funeral will move from the above address at 2.30 and from St Joseph’s Church at 3 o’clock arriving at the Queenborough Cemetry at 3.35 This Afternoon (Friday). Friends are respectfully invited. (The Mercury, Hobart, Friday 4th August 1911)

PERSONAL

It is with regrest that we announce the death of Mr John Davern, one of the widely and most highly respected of Hobart’s citizens. He was in his 78th year. He had not been in good health for some time, and on Wednesday night suddenly became seriously ill and died in Highbury Hopital on Saturday night. He arrived in Tasmania as a boy from Ireland and later became a farmer and hotel owner at Branxholm and for a number of years was leasee of the All Nations Hotel, on the site where the Commercial Bank now stands (corner of Elizabth and Collins Streets) in Hobart. Wherever he lived he earned the reputation of being a man of upright and stirling character. He was an ardent bowler, and one year was champion and another the President of the Hobart Bowling Club. His wife predeceased him by a few years. He leaves a grown family of a son and two daughters. (The Mercury, Monday, September 6th, 1920)

PERSONAL

The remains of the late Mr John Davern were interred yesterday afternoon in the Queenborough Cemetery. There was a service in the Church of St Joseph, conducted by the Rev Father Fitzpatrick, who read the service at the graveside. the cortege was a very large one, and at the cemetery the mourners were joined by a large number of friends. The chief mourners were Mr Thomas Davern (son), Mr J. Cronly, Mr F. Keating, and Mr W.F. Forster, and among those present were the Ven Archpriest Hennebry, the Hon F. Bond, the Hon E Mulcahy, ex- Senator O’Keefe, Alderman Lord, Mr J.H. Gillies and Mr Mapley (Secretary), Mr E. Hawson (Treasurer) and a large number of members of the Hobart Bowling Club. (The Mercury, Tuesday September 7th, 1920)

DAVERN.- On Saturday, the 4th September 1920, John, second son of the late Thomas and Mary Davern, and late of 64 St George’s Terrace, Hobart, in the 77th year of his age. Requiescat in Pace. DAVERN.- Friends are respectfully informed that thefuneral of the late Mr John Davern will move from St Joseph’sChurch at 4 o’clock This Afternoon, arriving at the Queenborough Cemeteryat 4.30. Pierce J Keating Funeral Director 92 Harrington Street Tel 267. (The Mercury, Monday, September 6th, 1920)

Thomas was a well-known Pharmacist in Hobart. He produced a particularly good quality Imitation Vanilla Essence, that was still, until recently, available in Hobart. His shop was a typical pharmacy of those years, the window was filled with large glass bottles filled with coloured liquids. There were more on the top shelves inside the pharmacy. It was never called a chemist shop. Tom Davern was a balding man with a wonderful pleasant manner and always bent over the counter to speak to us Children. I was about 14 when he died in 1953. The following extract appeared in the Press.

PROMINENT HOBART PHARMACIST DIES

The death occurred yesterday of Mr T.P. Davern, for many years a well known pharmacist of Hobart.

Mr Davern was the son of the late Mr John Davern, and was born at Dunoral. He was educated at St Joseph’s College, Hunter’s Hill, Sydney, and, after qualifying as a chemist, he was associated with the firm of Burroughs Wellcome and Co. He purchased the pharmaceutical business of J.T. Weaver,one of the oldest in Tasmania, about 45 years ago, and retired from business 4 years ago. Mr Davern took a keen interest in racing. He was a foundation member of the Tasmanian Amateur Jockey Club, and some years ago was elected life member of the Committee at the time of his death. He is survived by his wife and three daughters - MesdamesNora Wren of Hobart, Bernard Phelan of Melbourne and Miss Betty Davern of Hobart. Two sisters Mrs Mary Forster and Miss Nora davern reside in Hobart. (The Mercury, Hobart, Thursday December,24, 1953

In a later Paper the following appeared PROMINENT CHEMIST’S FUNERAL Representatives of Hobart’s Business and Sporting Bodies attended the Funeral on Thursday, at Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, of Mr Thomas Peter, a well-known Hobart Chemist, for many years. A Requiam Mass was celebrated at Mount Saint Canice Church by the rev Father J. Halpin, who conducted the service at the graveside. The Chief Mourners were Messrs B. Phelan (Son-in-law), E.J. Balfe (Nephew) and B.D. Balfe (Grandnephew). Among those who attended were Messrs William Arnold (Chairman of the Tas Racing Club), C.C. Boag, Chairman, and R.K. Elliot, Secetary, of the Tas Amateur Jockey Club, of which Mr Davern was a Committee Member, A.J. Miller, J. Miller, L.F. Piesse, Dr J.F. Gaha, Messrs J. Cronly, G. Poulter, A. Geeves, M. Chesterman, E.J. Mc Cann and R. Tracey. Funeral Arrangements were carried out by Pierce J. Keating. (The Mercury, Hobart, Thursday December 24th, 1953)

DAVERN.- On December 22nd, 1953, at his late residence, 20 Manning Ave, Sandy Bay, Thomas Peter beloved husband of Ivy, Loving Father of Mollie, Nora, and Betty, and much loved Grandfather of Tony (Deceased), Jenny and Gravrielle Wren and Consuela and Michael Phelan, Melbourne. Requiescat in pace. Funeral Notice later. Pierce J. Keating Phone B 3267 92 Harrington Street (The Mercury, Hobart,December 23rd, 1953)

DAVERN.- A Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of the late Mr Thomas Peter Davern at Mount St Canice on Thursday (this Day) at 10.15am. Friends are respectfully invited to attend. (The Mercury, Hobart, December 24, 1953).

CATHERINE McFARLANE BRANCH

Kate was the yougest of the girls, only 14 when she arrived in 1859, with her parents. In 1868, she married Captain peter McFarlane, Master Mariner.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, on February 1st, 1868 Peter Macfarlane, aged 31, Master Mariner Catherine Cronly, aged 22, - by Rev father George Hunter, witnesses John Cronly and Bridget Cronly

There were three daughters born to Catherine and Peter

Mary Ann, daughter of Peter and Catherine (nee Cronly) MacFarlane, born 1st September 1869 and baptised 12th September 1869 by Father J. Dunne, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors John Cronly, and Bridget Cronly.

Alice Catherine, daughter of Peter and Catherine (nee Cronly) MacFarlane, born 13th June 1871 and baptised on 12 July 1871 by Father Charles Woods, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Patrick and Honora Cronly.

Norah May, daughter of Peter and Catherine (nee Cronly) MacFarlane, born 8th May 1873 and baptised 8th June 1873, by Father Charles Woods, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Alicia Anderson and pro Mary Hill.

Peter died tragically at sea, and Catherine supposedly died in France, many years later.

TERRIBLE CATASTROPHE Brig “Prairie” put into George Town in Distress Boat Swamped The Captain and six persons drowned

Early yeasterday afternoon the city was htrown into unwanted excitement in the consequence of a rumour being current that the brig ”Prairie”, had founded at sea, all hands were lost. The constant reiteration of the rumour, with various appalling circunstances, gave strong presumption for it accuracy, but after careful enquirues, it was ascertained that the rumour, though slightly exaggerated in detail, was, unhappily, nearly correct in the main, in so far as the loss of life is concerned. It will doubtless be recollected by many of our readers, the “Prairie” left Hobart Town i n April last on a voyage of discovery’ bound for a Queensland port: she subsequently called at Rockhampton and Endevour River, and cleared. From that time she was not heard of until the 23rd June, when she was reported at Port Darwin, all well. The object of the voyage, as was already mentioned, being one of discovery, the crew was larger than usual, and the Master, while left pretty much to his own discretion, was to call along the North West Coast, and also the Islands. and, in obeying these instructions the vessel was off the vicinity of Cape Leveque, George’s Sound. On July 2nd, a boat belonging to the brig was returning from one of these islands, having on board, the Captain, Mr Farr, the chief Officer, Mr Clarke of the Marine Hotel, lower Maurray street, Hobart Town; Hans Martin, Thomas Burgess, and William Harburgh, all seamen, and Charles Johnson and Henry Warby, apprentices. After shoving off from the beach, the boat suddenly filled in the surf, and shortly afterwards was swamped. The Captain struck out for the shore, but owing to the heavy surf, his strength failed him, and he went down to rise no more. Mr Farr, who was with him, was more successful. He managed to cling to a rock and subsequently succeeded in gaining the shore. Nothing was afterwards heard or seen of the Captain, Mr Clarke, or the three seamen and two apprentices ... At a late hour last evening the following telegram was received from Mr Murphy, the Mayor of Launceston - “I presume that you have heard of the loss of the Captain and five hands. The vessel anchored at George Town with only the mate and four boys on board.” The owner, we understand, questioned whether, from the list of those drowned, so many can be on board. The terrible story was the sole topic of conversation last evening. The calamity has carried sorrow and desolation into several families. The Captain, than who a better seaman and faithful servant never trod the deack, has left a widow and young family. So has Mr Clark, who accompanied the expedition, having experience in such matters. Martin, the Seaman, was also married and the father of a family. Harborgh was the son of the boarding officer, and rather than sail in any other vessel, remained idle, waiting for the starting of the ill-fated voyage. we understand that some of the lads were the sole stay and support of their families ... (The Mercury, Saturday Morning, August 22nd, 1874)

MACFARLANE.- On the 22nd July, drowned through the swamping of a boat of the Brig “PRAIRIE”, Captain Peter MacFarlane, aged 38 years, leaving an affectionate wife and children to mourn their loss. (The Mercury, Tuesday Morning , September 1st, 1874)

PATRICK CRONLY BRANCH

Patrick, my great Grandfather, who arrived in Hobart, at he age of 12, in 1859, probably joined his father working in the building trade very soon after his arrival. As mentioned before there was plenty of work in Hobart as the Town Hall was being constructed. However it was not long before Patrick Cronly senior went into business on his own and young Patrick was apprenticed to him. Later Patrick went into business on his own.

Patrick was injured in a accident, being thrown from a horse in Battery Point, hitting his head on the cobbled curbing, probably in Bath Street. Although he physically recovered, there was damage to the brain, and the effects became evident over the six years until his death. His behaviour became erratic and worrying to Julia, who had to have him commited to Royal Derwent Hospital. I wrote to the registrar in the 1970’s and having checked the records said that medical science was not capable of treating this condition in those days, and death was inevitable. As a consequence his business went into decline and he was declared bankrupt on 18 November 1890, and he died on 21st November. There were some Family Members (including Uncle Basil, according to his widow- Millicent) who maintained that the Trustees/solictors had mismanaged the funds. His widow moved home several times and finally died worn out aged 63, at 26 Frederick St, West Hobart.

Patrick married Julia Mulroy, daughter of Anne and Martin Mulroy of Deloraine. One of her sisters married a Mr Gannon and thier daughter wrote to me, at the great age of 95, she was a Sister of Mercy - Sister Mary Ignatius:

... I only met Uncle Pat once as he was not well and Aunt Julia drove in a buggy and pair to our home “Avonmore”. I took a fancy to Uncle Pat as he seemed so kind and gentle. Julia was my Mother’s sister - I am sure that they all enjoyed the country air very much, especially the boys. Dear James, I feel you will be disappointed with my letter as I given you noe information re the Cronly’s ... One thing I can tell you Uncle Pat’s Monument was the very first one in the old cemetery and was really beautiful tower-like and the name on it was Levings. This cemetry has now been destroyed and is now a playground.

Sister Ignatius died in 1980 in her 98th year. She was born on 1st October 1882, so would have been 8, when “Uncle Pat” died. So I found the letter so very important. Here is a first hand contact with Patrick and Julia, and seen from a Child’s point of view. She was the famous Sister Ignatius who prepared the Choir from Deloraine, which won the Commonwealth Jubilee Choir Festival which was held in Melbourne and Canberra in 1951.

Catholic Church, Deloraine, on May 22nd, 1871 Patrick Cronly, aged 23, stonemason, to Julia Mulroy, aged 24, farmer’s daughter, by Rev Father Charles Woods - witnesses John Mulroy and Minnie Keon.

Patrick and Julia had six sons, four of whom survived infancy.

Joseph Allen, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 28th February 1872, and baptised on 26th March 1872, by Father Philip Hennebry at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Patrick Cronly and Bridget Cronly. He died 24th January 1874 from diarrhoea.

John, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 24 September 1874 and baptised on the 11 October 1874, by Father Philip Hennebry, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Edward Walsh and Alice Anderson. He died in infancy.

Julian Patrick, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 20 March 1876 and baptised on 9th April 1876 by Father Dunne at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Edward Walsh and Honora Cronly.

Leo, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 14 April 1878 and baptised on 3 May 1878 by Father Charles Woods, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Laurence Wallis and Bridget Mackrille.

Basil John, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 10 February 1882 and baptised 24 February 1882 by Father Charles Woods, at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors John Cronly and Mary Walsh.

Robin Grattan, son of Patrick and Julia (nee Mulroy) Cronly, born 20 April 1888 and baptised 11 May 1888, by Father Hennebry at St Joseph’s Church, Hobart, sponsors Leo Cronly and Catherine MacFarlane.

THE LATE MR PATRICK CRONLY. - We notice with regret the death of Mr Patrick Cronly, which is recorded in our obituary columns this issue. Mr Cronly was a native of Tullamore, Ireland. He arrived in the colony in 1859, being then in his 12th year. He worked under his Father, the late Mr Patrick Cronly, and Mr John Gillon, in the capacity of builder. About 1871, he married Miss Mulroy, of Deloraine, and commenced business on his own account, and until recently was very successful. Some six years ago, in consequence of a fall, he sustained severe spinal injuries, to which, but for his extraordinary constitutionalstrength, he must have necessarily succumbed. The injury, as the doctors had predicted, worked on the brain, and about fifteen months back softening of that organ set in. Since then, Mr Cronly has been gradually failing, and to his staate of mind during that period must in great measure be attributed his recent failure in business. Though Mr Cronly took a deep interest in the welfare aand progress of the colony, business concerns prevented him from taking an active part in public life. He was always ready to render substantial assistance when necessary, and to his generosity all with whom he had come in contact will attest. He passed away at 9am on Fraday, November 21, and was interred at Cornelian Bay on the following afternoon. May he rest in peace. (The Catholic Standard, December 1890)

Patrick will covered in more detail in a seperate booklet

JOHN CRONLY BRANCH

John was only 9 when he arrived with his Parents and Family. He did not follow the rest of his Family into stone work, but followed the trade of painting. He was a very fine painter, working mainly in detail work. It is probable that he learnt trade from his cousin’s husband, John Anderson.

St Joseph’s Church, Hobart on 5 March, 1889 John Cronly, aged 38, painter, to Mary Ann Sheehan, aged 26, living with parents, by Father Thomas Kelsh, witnesses John Sheehan and Anna Shirley.

John and Mary Ann had four sons and two daughters:

John Edward, born 1 June 1889, and married Ruby Ellen Mason (8 August 1899 - 1994).Died 1 January 1960.

Joseph Michael, born 15 June 1893; died -

Honora Anastasia, born 23 July 1896, and married William Laughlin. She died 26 November 1951.

Margaret Mary, born

Phillip Gerald, born about 1897, and married Beatrice Moody. He died - .

John Edward and Ruby Ellen had 2 daughters and 2 sons: Jacinth born 1921 and died in infancy; John Albert born 16 August 1922, married Shirley Edith Winter, and they have 2 daughters and 3 sons. Trevor Francis born 8 August 1924, married Joan Elizabeth Lanach, and they have 2 daughters. Janice Ruby born 2 February 1932.

Honora Anastasia and William had 3 daughters and 1 son Mary Isobel (nee Laughlin) Newton Brown, born c. 1927. John Cronly Laughlin, born c. 1928 Nora (nee Laughlin) O’Connor, born c. 1930 Margaret Mary (nee Laughlin) Elvey, born c. 1932

Phillip Gerald and Beatrice had 2 daughters and 4 sons Desmond, born c. 1918 June, born c. 1920 Phillip, born c. 1922 Craig, born c. 1924 Patricia, born c. 1926 Dennis, born c. 1928.

PERSONAL

One of Hobart’s oldest citizens, in the Mr John Cronly, died Wednesday. Born in Tullamore in Ireland 1850, Mr Cronly migrated to tasmania with his parents when four years of age. With the exception of a short sojourn in Victoria, he lived the intervening three quarters of a century in Hobart. as a contractor, Mr Cronly, was well-known aand did much Government work. He was an ardent Churchman, and was one of the oldest parishioners at St Joseph’s. In 1888, he married Miss Mary Sheehan. Three sons and two daughters as well as Mrs Cronly survive him. Of a retiring disposition, Mr Cronly, took no part in public affairs, but he was the most intimate friend of the late Hon Edward Mulcahy, who came out from Ireland on the “Mooltan”, which arrived in Hobart, in 1854. The Funeral is to take palce at Cornelian Bay Cemetery this afternoon. (The Mercury, Friday April 19th, 1929)

PERSONAL

The Funeral of the late Mr John Cronly took place at the Cornelian Bay Cemetery yeaterday afternoon. The Rev John Cullen assisting Father Sherrey conducted the burial service. The deceased’s sons, John, Joseph and Phillip with Mr W.N. Laughlin (son-in-law) were the chief mourners. Messrs F.J. Keating, B.J. Cronly, T.P. Davern (nephews), A.E. Mason, Frank Mulcahy, Thos Coates, W.A. Woods, MHA, Ben Watkins MHA, W.N. Hurst, R.J. Quinn, T.J. O’Shea, H. Morey, Wm Murphy, Russell Craw, W. and T. Crane, Noel Monks and many others followed the cortege. (The Mercury, Saturday April 20, 1929)

CRONLY. - On April 17th, 1929, at his residence, No 125 Davey Street, John the beloved husband of Mary Cronly, and the youngest son of the late Patrick and Honora Cronly, aged 78 years. Requiescat in pace. No flowers by request. Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of the late Mr John Cronly, which will move from his late residence No 125 Davey Street, at 2.30 This Afternoon, arriving at the Cemetery, Cornelian Bay at 3.15. Pierce J. Keating, Funeral Director, Harrington Street, Telephone No 267.(The Mercury, Thursday and Friday 18 and 19 April 1929) .

PATRICK CRONLY AND FAMILY

Patrick, my great Grandfather, who arrived in Hobart, at the age of 12, in 1859, probably joined his father working in the building trade very soon after his arrival. As mentioned before there was plenty of work in Hobart as the Town Hall was being constructed. However it was not long before Patrick Cronly senior went into business on his own and young Patrick was apprenticed to him. Later Patrick went into business on his own.

Patrick was injured in a accident, being thrown from a horse in Battery Point, hitting his head on the cobbled curbing, probably in Bath Street. Although he physically recovered, there was damage to the brain, and the effects became evident over the six years until his death. His behaviour became erratic and worrying to Julia, who had to have him committed to Royal Derwent Hospital. I wrote to the registrar in the 1970’s and having checked the records said that medical science was not capable of treating this condition in those days, and death was inevitable. As a consequence his business went into decline and he was declared bankrupt on 18 November 1890, and he died on 21st November. There were some Family Members (including Uncle Basil, according to his widow- Millicent) who maintained that the Trustees/solicitors had mismanaged the funds. His widow moved home several times and finally died worn out aged 63, at 26 Frederick St, West Hobart.

Patrick and Julia had six sons, four of whom survived infancy.

CRONLY.- On the 24th January, 1874, at the residence of his father, Mr Patrick Cronly, Lord Street, Sandy Bay, Joseph Allen Cronly, of Diarrhoea, aged 11 months.

As I have said Patrick was a Builder Contractor and we still have some fine examples of his work, still existing in Tasmania. It is understood that he worked with his Father and Brother on the Town Hall Construction, and also at the construction of Saint Augustine’s Catholic Church, at Longford, as we have described in the other Booklet. The next construction was Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Westbury.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY WESTBURY

“ ... the design is by Mr Henry Hunter, architect, of Hobart Town; it is of early English style, and is being built in blue stone with free stone dressings. The extreme length of the building is 116 feet, the nave being 88 x 31 feet, the Chancel 26 x 23 feet; the full width across the Transcept is 62 feet. There is a tower at the junction of the Transcept and Nave, surmounted by a Spire 100 feet high. The height of the building is to be 60 feet from the floor to the ridge of the roof. The roof will be an open one, and there will be a Gallery across the west end for the Choir and Organ. Seating accommodation for 450 persons is provided. The entire cost of the building is estimated at £3,500 to £4,000. Mr Davern, of Deloraine, took the contract for the foundations, which are of concrete and cube blue stone and cost upwards of £600. The contract for the superstructure is now being proceeded with, and is held by Messrs Davern and Cronly - the amount being, for the stone work only the entire building (except the Spire) £2,100 ...” (The Tasmanian Catholic Standard, March 1870)

SACRED HEART CHURCH - NEW TOWN

“The Church will consist of a Nave 63 x 29 feet; a Chancel 22 x 18 feet; a porch on the North side 11 x 9 feet; and a Sacristy 16 x 14 feet. The Nave walls will be a height of 19 feet high, and a roof open internally to a ridge which will be a height of 41 feet from the floor, supported on principals resting on carved stone corbels. The Chancel ceiling will be panelled in wood works with a view to future decoration. At the north east angle of the nave an octagonal attached turret with open belfry and spire will rise to a height of 68 feet. The style of the Architecture adopted is early English approaching the transition period ... The side windows of the Nave will be single cusped lancet lights; at the west end there are two light windows with traceried heads, and a large geometrical tracery rose window in the centre. There will be ample seating accommodation for 300 when the entire building is erected. Patrick submitted the lowest tender £1,900, and was awarded the contract. (The Catholic Standard, February 1878)

“The contract for the erection of the Chancel and Sacristy of the Church of the Sacred Heart, entered into some months ago with Mr Cronly, for £650, specifies that the works shall not be completed before January 1882.” (ibid, September, 1880)

SACRED HEART CHURCH - NEW TOWN

“ The Altar, in the main, being generously presented to the Church by Mr Patrick Cronly and several masons in his employment.” (ibid, July 1881)

SACRED HEART SCHOOL - NEW TOWN

“The structure will be of stone; dimensions 50 x 24 feet; with a porch at the west end of 10 x 9 feet, contractor P. Cronly. the lowest among the tenderers, contract price £511-9-0. The building is intended to serve as a Hall, as well as a School, and will be a really fine addition to our Diocesan Church Property.” (ibid September 1887)

So well-known was Patrick in Hobart that he was given an entry in the “The Jubilee History Of Tasmania” by T.W.H. Leavitt. This book has no publication details. It would be a good guess that it would have been about 1884. As can be seen from the quotation below, there is mention of 3 sons (Grattan was not born until 1888), this could mean one of two possibilities; firstly, if it was the jubilee of Hobart it could have been 1804 - 1884, or, if the jubilee of Queen Victoria it would have been 1837 - 1887. I would consider the latter more likely.

“ PATRICK CRONLY was born in King’s County, Ireland, and at the age of 10 years came to Tasmania with his Father, with whom he served as an apprentice to learn the building trade. In 1868 he commenced in that line on his own account, since which he has reacted some of the principle buildings in and around Hobart. His premises are in Macquarie Street, where all kinds of monumental works are executed, and employment given at about 40 or 50 hands, who receive weekly wages averaging about £100. The average annual turnover in the business is about £8,000.

Mr Cronly married, in 1871, the youngest daughter of Mr Martin Mulroy of Deloraine, by whom he has three sons.”

CONTRACT AND BUILDING WORK

During my research in the Tasmanian Archives I was able to find a number of references to Patrick Cronly in the Public Works Department. It was then called “Colonial Department of Land and Works”. Some of the references are to successful tenders and few that were not accepted. There was also some correspondence from Patrick to the Department.

¨ 29 December 1879, he was awarded the Contract for General Repairs, was 17 per cent under.

¨ 21 April 1880, Repairs at the New Town Charitable Institution, £58-16-0, taking 8 weeks.

¨ November 1880, Alterations and Additions to the Barracks, £198-0-0, taking 13 weeks.

¨ 29 November 1880, Contract for General Repairs, 22.5 per cent under.

¨ 9 February 1881, Repairs at New Town Farm Buildings, £70-0-0, taking 6 weeks.

¨ 28 December 1881, Contract for General repairs, 10.5 per cent under,

¨ 30 June 1886, Alterations to Pay Office - Treasury, £342-0-0, taking 10 weeks.

¨ Between 1883 and 1888 -

* Completion of Kangaroo Bluff Battery, Hobart

* 30 March 1885, Fencing in front of the Public Buildings, Hobart, £300-0-0, taking 15 weeks.

* 8 May 1885, Alterations to the Verandah of the General Hospital, Hobart, £25-10-0, no time limit given

* Road - Hobart to Kingston

* Alterations to the Pay Office, Treasury Buildings, Hobart

* 18 December 1886, Making and erecting of desks, drawers and back racks at the Treasury Buildings, Hobart

¨ 10 April 1888, Construction of Balcony at the House of Assembly (including Counter and Window), £145-0-0, Tender of Mr P. Cronly recommended, Approved - E. Braddon, Minster for Lands and Works, 16/4/88.

Patrick put in several tenders which were not successful, and the following are a sample:

¨ 1886 - Additions to the Tasmanian Museum, Argyle Street and to provide an Art Gallery - £3,634.

¨ Whitehead Torpedo Shop Landing Jetty, Hobart, £435

¨ Embrasure of Electric Light, Queen’s Battery, £139-13-6

¨ 1888 - Additional Class Room at New Town State School, £254

¨ 1889 - Superintendent’s Residence at Cornelian Bay Cemetery, £89

¨ Erection of the Hobart Technical School, £5000.

¨ 1890 - Torpedo Shop, Lower Macquarie Street, Alterations, £42.

There were also private contracts, with Henry Hunter as the Architect, other than the Churches. The Officers’ Quarters at the Royal Hobart Hospital, 1885, £4890 (as part of the three way share of work by Henry Hunter at the Hospital). Residence in New Town for Mr John Pearce £5702.

The Cartage Contract for the Main Road - 1887

Between Hobart City and O’Brien’s Bridge, and from the “Maypole Inn” to the Risdon Ferry, including the Queen’s Domain. This was awarded to Mr P. Cronly, Builder and Contractor, Macquarie Street, Hobart.

from the Correspondence Records of the Works Department

¨ 13 July 1883, Requesting permission to get sand from the Esplanade, for the Kangaroo Battery works. (this appears to have been after someone had written asking if permission had been granted to the Contractor)

¨ 17 October 1884, Henry Hunter wrote re Cronly’s contract for the Officers’ Quarters etc at the General Hospital; several other letters were written by Hunter re the same thing. Patrick completed this fine building which stood at the corner of Liverpool Street and Argyle Street. This building was torn down to build the Peter Mc Callum Clinic.

¨ 13 March 1884, re the delay in receiving monthly instalments for the Kangaroo Bluff Battery works

¨ 5 July 1884, re applying for an extension of time (end of August) for the completion of the same contract (About this time the Colonies in Australia were worried about the possibility of a Russian Invasion. A lot of money was spent on batteries such as those at Battery Point, Sandy Bay and Kangaroo Point (Bellerive); the guns from the batteries at Sandy Bay and Bellerive completely covered the River and no ship would have been able to get to Hobart.)

¨ 15 September 1888, re work completed at the Deeds Office.

¨ 2 October 1888, Offering £10 per annum for the site of the old Treasury Building.

¨ 18 August 1890, requesting that Patrick Cronly be relieved of the annual contract.

The Hobart Town Corporation and Patrick Cronly

From the Report on the meeting of the Hobart Town Council, held on Monday, March 30, 1885.

On tender of masonry work in Park Street, the Committee reported that as all tenders were above the estimate of the City Surveyor, they could not recommend the acceptance of any of them. Alderman RIDDOCH, in moving the adoption of the report said that the City Surveyor was satisfied that he could carry out the work for himself for his original estimate. Alderman CROUCH said that Mr Cronly, one of the Tenderers thought that he was unjustly dealt with, in, after making all his calculation, nothing being done. His tender was the lowest and he (Alderman Crouch) thought that it should be accepted. He (Mr Cronly) thought it strange that they be called on for information and nothing done. Alderman WATCHORN mentioned the fact that all the private tenders were much lower than the public ones. Mr Cronly being a private tenderer had only himself to thank that his tender was rejected. It looks as if there was collusion between the two sides in the matter. Alderman RIDDOCH read a statement of the City Surveyor in reference to the work. His Worship, the Mayor (Mr J.G. Davies, MHA) thought that it most undesirable aldermen should bring there such statements as they just heard. If any had anything derogatory to say of officials of the Council, he should put it in writing, and it would then be considered by the Council. Mr Cronly waited upon him, and he told him to adopt that course.

Patrick wrote to “The Mercury” and put his case directly to the public. However, it appears that the City Surveyor won the day, but the cost was a high one. I followed the reports of the Council in the press. It was reported in September that the cost to date was £1,200, and they requested a further £400; and then in December in a financial report it was stated that the work had cost £1,500 to that date and an extra £400 was requested. This means

that the work, although not completed had cost £2,000, which was already three times Patrick’s tender! Councils have not changed! (The Mercury, Hobart Town, Tuesday Morning, March 31, 1885)

In 1972, I wrote to the Royal Derwent Hospital, and received a reply on 21 April 1972.

“ We have located one page of notes about your great Grandfather which indicates that he was admitted on 27/10/1890 and died on 21/11/1890. The Diagnosis is given as “chronic inflammation of the pia-arachnoid”. He had a series of epileptic fits just before death. He was admitted to hospital because he consistently wandered about in an aimless way moving his fingers. His wife stated that he had been ill for several months and had gradually got rid of all his property and for some weeks she had been obliged to get a man to look after him during the night because he wandered about. As to the history of a fall, there is no record of this and unfortunately we have no more details of the “chronic inflammation of of the pia-arachnoid”. If this was localised it could possibly be that it was caused by a fall ie blood clot between coverings of the brain.” (J.R.C.Weatherly, Physician Superintendent).

BANKRUPTCY AND DEATH

As his health began to fail, his business started to run down. The Eldest Sons were to young to run the business and as a result a Petition of Bankruptcy was taken out against Patrick Cronly -

In the Supreme Court of Tasmania, in Bankruptcy In the matter of Bankruptcy Petition against PATRICK CRONLY, lately of Macquarie-street, Hobart, in Tasmania, Builder and Contractor, but at present of New Norfolk, in Tasmania.

Upon the hearing of this Petition this day, and upon proof satisfactory to the Court, the debt of the Petitioner, and of the trading and of the

act of bankruptcy alleged to have bee committed by the said Patrick Cronly having given, it is ordered that the said Patrick Cronly be and hereby adjudged bankrupt. Dated this 15th Day of November 1890 By the Court Geo Browne (The Hobart Gazette, November 18, 1890)

THE LATE MR PATRICK CRONLY. - We notice with regret the death of Mr Patrick Cronly, which is recorded in our obituary columns this issue. Mr Cronly was a native of Tullamore, Ireland. He arrived in the colony in 1859, being then in his 12th year. He worked under his Father, the late Mr Patrick Cronly, and Mr John Gillon, in the capacity of builder. About 1871, he married Miss Mulroy, of Deloraine, and commenced business on his own account, and until recently was very successful. Some six years ago, in consequence of a fall, he sustained severe spinal injuries, to which, but for his extraordinary constitutional strength, he must have necessarily succumbed. The injury, as the doctors had predicted, worked on the brain, and about fifteen months back softening of that organ set in. Since then, Mr Cronly has been gradually failing, and to his state of mind during that period must in great measure be attributed his recent failure in business. Though Mr Cronly took a deep interest in the welfare and progress of the colony, business concerns prevented him from taking an active part in public life. He was always ready to render substantial assistance when necessary, and to his generosity all with whom he had come in contact will attest. He passed away at 9am on Friday, November 21, and was interred at Cornelian Bay on the following afternoon. May he rest in peace. (The Catholic Standard, December 1890)

THE CHILDREN OF PATRICK AND Julia

Upon the death of Patrick, Julian and Leo were taken from School and sent to work. The Daverns took in Basil and little Grattan was sent to St Joseph’s Orphanage.

JULIAN

Julian received his education at St Joseph’s Boys School, which at that time was run by Mr Thomas Mitchell. From the reports of Prize Nights, it appears that the Class or Grade numbers ran from the Sixth, being the most junior to the First, which was the Senior Class. It would be interested to know if this was the normal method of numbering classes in that period.

From “The Mercury”, December 23 of the years 1885 to 1887:

¨ Prizes for 1885

Grammar and Geography (Third Class) - Julian Cronly: Reading (Fifth Class) - Leo Cronly: Spelling, History, Euclid, Composition and German (First Class) - John Henry Keating.

¨ Prizes for 1886

Grammar and Geography (Second Class) - Julian Cronly.

¨ Prizes for 1887

Grammar, Catechism, Reading, and Geography (First Class) - Julian Cronly: Regular Attendance (Third Class) - Leo Cronly.

By this stage Julian would have been about 12. It is not known whether he was intended to go to College in Sydney like his Cousin John Henry Keating. From oral history Julian went to work at the age of 14. There is no evidence that he was apprenticed to his Father. In fact, again from oral history he worked on coaches to the Huon, and later worked in Queenstown at the Mount Lyell Company. Eventually he went in the Hotel Business, and was licensee of several Hotels, Kempton, Whitemark, Queenstown and Grand (Zeehan) among them.

MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR

He was elected Councillor on Flinders Island Council, and the Wallahs Almanac (Red Books) mention that fact years 1917, 1918 (Treasurer), 1922.

I had a reply from the Flinders Council, Council Clerk (17 November 1971):

“ Your Grandfather gained a seat on the Council at an extraordinary election dated 8th July, 1916. He replaced Cr Nyman. He first attended a meeting on 5th August 1916.

At the elections held on 27th January 1917, following a resubdivision of the Municipality from four to three wards and all councillors having to retire and face election, he was returned as the second councillor for the Central Ward with 64 votes.

At the meeting on 10th February, 1917 he was appointed Treasurer, without remuneration and held this post until he was defeated at the election on 4th January, 1919.

From perusal of the minutes, it seems that Cr Cronly was very active, both at the Council table and in supervising minor works, investigating rate payers complaints, etc. In those days, the Councillors did a lot of this sort of work because there were no permanent full time officers employed.

I suggest that for any more personal details you contact our Senior Councillor Mr W.G. Holloway at Lady Barron .....

K. G. Worsley, Council Clerk.

I wrote to Mr Holloway who told me that Julian (Jack or JP, as they knew him) sold the lease of the Hotel and bought a dairy farm at Emita. He was also Chairman of the Flinders Island Dairy Co-op and Butter Manufacturing. Mr Holloway said that Grandmother was a great worker and the main stay of the dairy.

I visited Flinders Island in the late 70’s and loved it. I think that the fact that I was introduced to some of the older people, who remembered my Grandparents. The word soon got around and I was welcomed by strangers who said to me that I was not a tourist in their eyes, but Family returned. In those days the catholic Priest only came to the Island once a month and I was invited to the Anglican Church. I was asked to read a Lesson, and Father Peter then told them that it was my Grandfather who gave them a plot of land. They included a Catholic Hymn from the Australian Hymnal, in the Service “just for me”. Later, I was taken by Father Peter and friends to see the block of land, on the west coast of Flinders Island. It was a lovely site, gentle sloping block, with wonderful views, but miles from anywhere! I found out later that Julian Had given a block of land to the Catholic Church, for a Church. If it is the same block, it is right in the town. Grandfather was even handed to both and Grandmother worked for both Churches’ Bazaars or Fairs, a practice

she continued until her death.

MARY JANE GAMBETTA

Grandmother (Nan) was Mary Jane Gambetta (Molly), born in Pleasant creek (later Stawell) Victoria on 20 April 1882 to Pietro and Margaret (nee O’Donnell) Gambetta. Pietro was born in 1842 in Tricino, Corippo, Switzerland. His Parents were Andreas and Lucia (nee Scilaci) Gambetta. Margaret was born in Tipperary, Ireland in 1844; her Parents were Andrew and Mary (nee Barrett) O’Donnell. Grandmother had 4 Sisters and 3 Brothers. Andrew born 1865, Agnes born 1867, Ellen born 1877, Eliza born 1879, Henry born 1882, William born 1885, and Christiana (Auntie Cis) born 1876. Auntie Cis was the only other member of her Family I met. She had married a William Herbsteit. I called to see them in the 60’s and was invited to lunch. Auntie had made a curry just like Nan used to make, she was a small active woman. Uncle Bill was medium height round and sporting a wonderful moustache, he looked, to my eyes Bavarian! They lived at Frankston in Ross Smith Street, where a big shopping centre is now located. They had two children, William and Marion.

Peter was just born and I was about 5 when she died. So as a child, I saw a lot of her, I have written about this elsewhere.

St Joseph’s Church, Queenstown, Tas 23 February 1905 Julian Patrick Cronly, aged 28, barman, to Mary Jane Gambetta, age 25, barmaid

by Father M.J. Regan, witnesses Henry Whittington and Rita Deegan.

They had two Sons, John Patrick, who died in infancy and Patrick Clarence (my Father).

“ An in formal meeting took place this week for the purpose of forming an Amateur Boxing Association to arrange and control a series of tournaments, which will be held in the Gaiety Theatre. A chairman was found in the energetic person of Mr J.P.Cronly, and round table talk ensued, the outcome of which was to form an association and go straight ahead with the preparation for the first tourney on July 25. The secretarial work is also in the capable hands on Messrs Cronly and J.A. Duff, and a strong committee has been gathered.”

(The Illustrated Tasmania Mail, July 2, 1924)

West Coast News

ZEEHAN

Local Sportsman’s Death

Mr Julian Patrick Cronly, well known in sporting circles. especially trotting, passed away in Zeehan Hospital, yesterday morning. The cause of death was internal haemorrhage, which developed on Sunday morning. The Deceased was a native of Hobart and removed to Queenstown over 30 years ago to work for the Mount Lyell Company. The sporting instinct being in him he was not satisfied until a trotting club was started, and it is due to his energy in getting the sport going that the present course at Queenstown is what it is today. Foot running and boxing also claimed his attention, and being an athlete of no mean order, he turned out several good athletes. Hotel keeping then claimed his interest for some years. From Queenstown he went to Flinders Island and carried on business there as a hotel keeper

for some time. His ability was soon known to the Rate Payers, and he became a Councillor. He was afterwards elected Warden. His next Hotel venture was at Kempton, but a few years the lure of the West Coast being too great and the Grand Hotel at Zeehan becoming available, he took charge, and at once threw all his energies into the Sport he loved. The present trotting track would not have been completed but for him raising the funds by bazaars and gymkhanas, the last of which was held on Saturday last. Ill health compelled him to live privately, but the Licensed Victuallers’ Association of which he was President for many years, retained his services as Secretary and Delegate to the Tasmanian Governing Body. He married Miss Gambetta at Queenstown, who with her son, Pat, lives at Zeehan.” (The Advocate,Burnie, Thursday, December 22, 1927

ZEEHAN

“ A much-respected citizen, Mr Julian Patrick Cronly, passed away early Wednesday morning at the Zeehan Hospital after a brief illness. The late Mr Cronly was about 50 years of age. He leave a wife and one son. He was a consistent sportsman, being interested in racing, trotting and homing. During his residence at Zeehan he has given of his best to both sporting and charities. He conducted Hotels at Queenstown, Flinders Island, Kempton, and until recently was mine Host of the Grand Hotel in Zeehan.” (The Examiner, Launceston, Thursday, December 22, 1927)

Mary Jane (Molly) died on 27th October 1943.

CRONLY. On October 27th, 1943, at a private hospital, Hobart, Mary Jane (Mollie) Cronly, of No 7 Meredith Street, New Town, Widow of J.P. Cronly, and loving Mother of Pat.

CRONLY. Friends are respectfully informed that the funeral of the Late Mrs Mary Jane Cronly will move from the Funeral Parlour of the undersigned on Thursday (This Day) at 3p.m., arriving at Cornelian Bay Cemetery at 3.20.

Pierce J. Keating

(L. Goodey, Manager)

Funeral Director.

Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, Burnie, Tasmania - 4 February 1938 Patrick Cronly, aged 28, electrician, to

Phyllis Mathews, aged 20, living with sister,

By Archpriest Patrick Hayes PP. witnesses George Samuel Maskell and Madge Rita Maskell.

Patrick died on 27 September 1987; and Phyllis died on 22 March 1993.

LEO

Uncle Leo placed in work after his Father’s death, with Pierce J. Keating, Funeral Director. According to his Daughter he ‘ran away’. Psychologically, it was not avery good move to place in such employment a lad of 12 who had just lost his Father. He was a good painter and worked as an engineer. He married Lucy Deegan (was it her sister who was witness at Julian and Mary Jane Cronly’s Wedding?)

Leo and Lucy had one Daughter, Kathleen Frances, born 10 January 1904 and died 9 November 1995.

Leo died on 31 January 1946, aged 68, and is buried in the Randwick Cemetery under the name of Leopold Patrick Cronly; his residence is given as 164 Oberon St, Coogee.

Kathleen Married Harold Milward - Bason in St Bridget’s Church, Coogee, on 19th October 1928.

BASIL

I have Uncle Basil to thank for my love in Genealogy. When his father died he was placed with the Davern Family. He worked as an “engineer” (probably a boilerman/ attendant) at Mount St Canice, Sandy Bay. He married Millicent Linnell, a School Teacher. As a child I remember visiting them at 18 Glebe Street, Glebe. Basil died 24th December 1949. In 1900, Basil tried to enlist in the Boer War, as a gunner for three years, he was described as being 5’9” and chest measured 32.5”. He was only 18 (if that) and John Davern intervened and he was discharged. John Davern was like a father to Basil. Basil and Millicent had two daughters, Judith and Patricia and two sons, Roderick and John.

GRATTAN

Grattan and his wife, Florence, lived in Sydney. I met them there and at the latter end of his life I had the pleasure of know my Great Uncle Grattan. After his death, I kept in touch with Auntie Flo, she was a real gem, a truly beautiful woman. They married in Redfern, in 1919. At the time I knew them they lived at 164 Oberon St Coogee. They had three children, Florence, who died in infancy in 1920, Betty and Grattan. Grattan junior married Phyllis Kelly and had one daughter, Megan and two sons, Gregory and Michael.

Grattan died on 19 January 1966, aged 78 and Forence died in January 1990.

Descentants of Patrick Cronly

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