Arrival 1810 as a soldier in the 73rd Regiment on the vessel "Ann" with his wife and children.

"On Tuesday arrived from England the Ann transport, Captain Clarke, with a part of the 73d Regiment; and 197 male prisoners" The Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser Sat 3 Mar 1810, et al.

NOTE: Anne II refers to the second voyage to Australia of the ship Anne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_(1799_ship)

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Date of death not 1834? Gravestone pic at Parramatta St Patricks Church looks very much like 1837 (see Media).

1837 would fit all the bits of information found, see further below.

Name is transcribed at the cemetery incorrectly as Hugh O'Donald, due to the wear on the stone making it hard to read.

A Memorial Plaque for Hugh O'Donald (which is the incorrect name) has the questionable death date of 1834, based on information from the cemetery which incorrectly transcribed "O'Donald" instead of O'Donnell.

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It's quite possible that Hugh O'Donnell was still alive until 1837; Probate etc was done immediately after someone died in those years:

The Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser Sat 2 Dec 1837

NOTICE.

THE Undersigned cautions the Public from Purchasing, or advancing on Mortgage, on the following Property (no person being in any way authorised to dispose of the same), namely :

One Farm of One Hundred Acres, situate in the Dogtraps, by Grant, to Hugh O'Donnell ;

likewise a House and Premises, situate in Pitt-street, Parramatta, the late residence of Hugh O'Donnell, deceased, the same being held in trust for the benefit of the Heirs by

H. F. O'DONNELL, Executor. November 30th, 1837.

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This could be him, which means he was alive in March 1836, then died by November 1837, above.

The Sydney Herald Thu 10 Mar 1836

On Friday last, Edward Gateby was committed to take his trial for an aggravated assault on Hugh O'Donnell, who was so severely beaten by a parcel of ruffians on Monday night last, that he was carried to the hospital, where he now remains in a dangerous state. The Bench informed Gateby, that as soon as O'Donnell was declared out of danger, he would be admitted to bail.

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He was alive and well in March 1834, writing about his daughter Hannah:

The Sydney Monitor (NSW) Fri 28 Mar 1834

To the Editor of the Sydney Monitor.

SIR,-Observing an advertisement in the Sydney Gazette, signed "JOHN HEALY, jun,", cautioning the Public not to credit his wife (my daughter) on his account; I beg to remark, that it is not likely much credit would be given to the wife of a journeyman tradesman.

(snip)

This was the first instance of any one of my family having been, for a moment, in any place of confinement, which I believe is not the case with Mr. John Healy's.

I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant,

HUGH O'DONNELL. Smith Street, Parramatta, March 17th, 1834.

N. B.-The Court was shocked at the barefaced villainy of such a fellow in the character of a husband; and is it likely a female could attack a whole house, and endanger the lives of her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, husband, and three servants.

The young woman's character and family is too well known, and too highly respected, to be impeached by such a calumnious report (by John Healy).

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Hugh was born at Sligo, a fishing village in the County of Sligo, Ireland in c1768. He married Mary Lakeman, born c1775 in England. With their three oldest children, John born c1799, Thomas born c1806 and (Hugh) Frederick born c1808, they left Cowes Road near Portsmouth at the end of August 1809 and arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 27th February 1810 on the second voyage of the Ann. The Ann was a vessel of 647 tons and had been taken as a prize of war.

Army records show John Northey's father-in-law as Hugh O'Donnel, Hugh O'Donnell and Hugh O'Donald. Hugh O'Donald is shown on his tombstone.

Offical records show Hugh and Mary's eighth baby being registered at birth as Ann Sophia O'Donnel. However, on 6th June 1819 she was christened Nancy O'Donnel in St John's Church at Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia. Click on the birth certificate to the right to see an enlarged version.

On 17th November 1838 she was still Nancy O'Donnell when she married John Northe at St Andrew's Church at Parramatta. Click on the marriage certificate to the right to see an enlarged version.

However, she was Ann Northe in John Northe's Last Will and Testament and Ann Northey (note the Y) on her death certificate.

Another family that sailed on the second voyage of the Ann was the Marsdens. Accompanying the Reverend Samuel Marsden (1764-1838) on the journey was his wife Elizabeth, his four daughters and a son. They also had their servant Mrs Bishop and a present from King George III of five merino sheep from the King's flock at Windsor. On his return to England Samuel Marsden had an audience with the King George III and wore a suit of cloth woven in Yorkshire from his own Australian wool, which impressed the Sovereign.

Samuel Marsden was a Yorkshireman who originally arrived in New South Wales, Australia in 1794 as Second Chaplain, and became Principal Chaplain in 1800. He had gone back to England for eighteen months to recruit clergymen and school teachers to serve in New South Wales, Australia and to recruit missionaries to set up a mission station in New Zealand. The missionaries selected were William Hall and John King. At that time, the evangelical spirit was a powerful force in England, and the desire to "uplift the heathen", and save them from superstition and barbarism, was an irresistible ambition of many people.

Other "passengers" on the Ann were Ruatara, a Maori Chief and 200 male convicts. For most of the six-month journey the convicts were crowded in the hold but on suitable days they were exercised on deck, still in chains, and guarded by soldiers like Hugh O'Donnell, who were going to Australia to join Governor Macquarie's' 73rd Regiment. Hugh had been in the "Black Watch" and then the 102nd Regiment or the "Rum Corps," which was recalled, so he transferred to the 73rd Regiment.

The survivors of the journey included one hundred and ninety-seven convicts, four merino ewes and two of their lambs, plus two hives of honey bees and cuttings of gooseberry and currant bushes taken on board for Samuel Marsden at Rio de Janeiro. Do you get a tingling down your spine when you shut your eyes and visualise men being supervised on a ship's deck exercising to the humming of the bees, baaing of sheep, rattling of chains, squawking of sea birds and roaring of soldiers? Not that life in a penal colony would warrant waiting for, but it could not be any more atrocious than the living hell when Ann was "home" for half a year of the convicts' three score years and ten - if they made it?

In Australia, Samuel Marsden received high praise for his farming skills. In 1796 he was appointed a Magistrate by Governor Hunter but his harsh measures as a Magistrate, earned him the title of "the Flogging Parson". In 1817 Samuel Marsden was named by Governor Macquarie as one of the chief malcontents in the colony and was rebuked by Governor Macquarie who dispensed with his services in 1818. Samuel Marsden was amongst those disciplined by Governor Darling for harsh treatment of their assigned convict servants. Samuel Marsden believed that Australian Aboriginals were beyond human help and said, "They have no wants, they live free and independent, and think little more of tomorrow than the fowls of the air or beasts of the field, and put no value upon the comforts of civil life."

Governor Macquarie also arrived in Australia in 1810, but as Colonel-in-Chief. In 1822 in face of criticism from both the colony and the Colonial Office, he returned to England and presented a report justifying the aims and objectives of his administration and sought a title as a mark of the Sovereign's approval. This was not granted and he died a disappointed man in 1824. The following are extracts from a letter he wrote to Lord Bathurst, the Colonial Secretary, explaining what the colony was like when he became Governor in 1810 and what he believed he had achieved during his twelve years in office.

"I found the colony barely emerging from infantile imbecility, and suffering from various privations and disabilities; the country impenetrable beyond forty miles from Sydney; agriculture in a yet languishing state; commerce in its early dawn; revenue unknown; threatened with famine; distracted by faction; the public buildings in a state of dilapidation and mouldering to decay; the few roads and bridges formerly constructed rendered almost impassable; the population in general depressed by poverty; no public credit nor private confidence; the morals of the great mass of the population in the lowest state of debasement, and religious worship almost totally neglected. . . .

"... That the colony has, under my orders and regulations, greatly improved in agriculture, trade, increase of flocks and herds, and wealth of every kind; that the people build better dwelling-houses, and live more comfortably; that they are in a very considerable degree reformed in their moral and religious habits; that they are now less prone to drunkenness, and more industrious; and that crimes have decreased, making due allowance for the late great increase of convict population; every candid, liberal-minded man, at all acquainted with the history of the colony for the last twelve years, will readily attest."

The Macquaries had had other problems as well.

Between nine and ten on the morning of Saturday 6th November 1820, there was a violent storm in Parramatta. Following a loud blast of thunder, a fireball crashed through the roof of Government House. It rolled along a passage on the second floor, blasting the doors from their hinges before rolling downstairs into the Governor's office and striking His Excellency's chair. Finally it passed through a double brick wall to the outside. The fireball left a trail of damage, including smashed furniture, hundreds of panes of broken glass, and rooms filled with thick sulphurous smoke. Amazingly, the Governor was on tour and Mrs Macquarie that morning had chosen to breakfast with her son in the only room of the house that escaped the fireball's fury.

Even though the Governor and Mrs Macquarie trusted their intuition, life in the colony was not easy for them, the O'Donnels, the Marsdens or anyone else. Sentences of one thousand lashes were used for punishing convicts. Spectators, including children were encouraged to watch executions to frighten them from crime. Prostitution was a crime but because of the imbalance in the number of women and men in the colony, prostitution was rife.

But all was not bad. The children received an education. The O'Donnel children, unlike their father Hugh, learnt to read and write. School was every day except Sunday, and the day began with a prayer at 8.45am. The Government provided textbooks, paper, quill pens, ink powder, slates and soft lead pencils. Corporal punishment ensured strict discipline.

After his discharge from the army, Hugh and his son Thomas farmed 100 acres at Liberty Plains, Parramatta. Hugh and Thomas were the original colonial landholders of the farm.

A cardboard box was found in the Records Office in England and it contained the documents of soldiers discharged to Pension. One document reads:.

"Hugh O'Donnell, private for 32 years

First in 18th garrison, 102nd Regiment and later

New South Wales Veterans Company G

Discharged in consequence of disbandment

Conduct - very good

Signed by mark

About 57 years

Height 5'9"

Dark brown hair

Grey eyes

Fair complexion

Labourer"

Hugh was born a Roman Catholic but at the time he enlisted Catholics were not permitted to join the armed forces, so he claimed affiliation to another faith. Hugh is buried at St. Patricks Catholic Cemetery, Parramatta in Section F, plot number 84. His headstone reads: "Here lies the remains of Mr HUGH O'DONALD who departed this life 28th May 183? (1837) aged 66 years."

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73rd regiment online (referencing someone on Rootsweb/Ancestry):

Hugh O’Donnell, 73rd Regiment of Foot:

Born in Sligo Town, Co. Sligo, Ireland, Hugh O’Donnell’s original occupation is listed as a farmer. He arrived in NSW on the ship Anne on February, 28th, 1810.

He was married to Mary Lakeman, who arrived in the Colony on the same ship. She was born in 1775 in Devon, England. Hugh and Mary had lived in Devon prior to Hugh being sent out to NSW.

They were married in Plymouth, Devon in 1798.

They had nine children, whose birthdates and birthplaces are shown below;

John b: 1799 in Plymouth, Devon, England

Thomas b: 1806 in Plymouth, Devon, England

Frederick Hugh b: 1808 in Plymouth, Devon, England

Mary b: 7 Aug 1810 in Sydney, New South Wales

Hannah b: 11 Oct 1811 in Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales

Elizabeth b: 29 Nov 1812 in Sydney, New South Wales

Elizabeth b: 28 Jan 1817 in Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales

Anne Sophia b: 21 Mar 1819 in Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales

Elenoor b: 25 May 1821 in Parramatta, Sydney, New South Wales

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Colonial Secretary Index: Hugh O'Donnell? There were several children of Hugh who also called for indulgence from the Stores in 1824, so it must have been a difficult times for the family.

O'DONALD, Hugh. Of Royal Veteran Company; of Parramatta

1821 Jan 24 Store receipts of for salt pork at Parramatta (Reel 6051; 4/1748 p.143)

1824 Aug 2 Memorial for indulgence upon the Stores (Fiche 3103; 4/1838B No.732 pp.1229-32)

1825 Oct 5 To be victualled from the Store at Parramatta for six months; with wife, six children and convict servant (Reel 6015; 4/3515 p.386)He became a soldier as an adult, about the turn of the 19th century. Certainly, 1798 found him in Plymouth, Devon, marrying Mary Lakeman. Perhaps joining the army lead to his meeting Mary who was a Devonshire girl, born ca 1775. Three children were born to them while they lived in England; John, Thomas and Hugh Frederick.

The 18th April 1809 found him being transferred from the 18th garrison of the 102nd. Regiment to the 73rd. Foot, 1st. Bn which was stationed at Colwell Barracks on the Isle of Wight. On the 28 August 1809, the 'Anne II' sailed from Cowes Road London. The vessel hove to off the Isle of Wright to take on board members of the 73rd. regiment, including Hugh O'Donnell, his wife Mary and sons, John aged 10, Thomas aged 3 and Frederick Hugh aged 12 months. Hugh was to be part of an escort for convicts to NSW. Army records show him to be 5'9" tall with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fair complexion.

The 'Anne II' was a 647 tonne transport, possibly Spanish built and taken as a prize of war. Captain Charles Clark in command, the vessel also carried 197 male convicts, other members of the 73rd regiment and their families, convict overseers and a crew of 50 men. She was armed with 20 guns.

Other passengers included Rev. Samuel Marsden, his wife Elizabeth, their children and a companion for Mrs. Marsden, Rev. Cartwright together with 2 missionary artisans for New Zealand. The Military Officers aboard were Captain Maclean, Lieutenants Parnell and Drury and Assistant Surgeon Martin. The last three had their families with them. A young maori chieftain, Ruatara was also on board. He had been kidnapped by Captain Cook in 1787 and was teaching the language to the missionaries to facilitate their assimilation in New Zealand. Her cargo also included "5 merino ewes with young" which King George III had presented to the colony of New South Wales and were to be the sole charge of Rev. Marsden throughout the voyage.

The 'Anne II' sailed via Rio, the cape of Good Hope and hence to New South Wales where she arrived on 27th February 1810. The following extract from the Sydney Gazette, March 3 1810, describes the arrival.

"On Tuesday 17th Feb 1810 arrived from England the 'Anne' transport, Captain Chas Clarke with part of the 73rd regiment and 197 male convicts having lost 1 overboard on the passage whose name was Pope. These people are in a healthy state and express the highest satisfaction with their treatment in passage. The military officers are Capt. Maclean, Lieutenants Purcell, Drury and assistant surgeon Martin, the 3 latter gentlemen accompanied by their families. Also have arrived Rev. Samuel Marsden and lady and the Rev. Mr. Cartwright and family."

The colony was barely a dozen years old (ERROR). Governor Lachlan Macquarie had a month earlier, taken over the reins of a settlement in turmoil. The previous governor, William Bligh had been unceremoniously removed by supporters of the New South Wales Corp. (the Rum Corp.) in the Rum Rebellion over a year previously.

Hugh had been many years in the British Army and had transferred to the 73rd. (now the 2nd battalion of the Royal Highlanders - the Black Watch.) only months before his departure for New South Wales.

While Hugh would have seen magnificent coves and inlets with unsullied golden sandy beaches as the 'Anne II' sailed into Sydney Harbour, Sydney town itself presented a sorry sight. Streets were still dirt tracks along which livestock roamed unchecked. Public drunkenness was rife particularly in the Rocks area, site of numerous bawdy houses and grog shops. He would have seen the working parties of fettered convicts shuffling about their daily toil, sullen and resentful. The Rum Corp. had been redesignated the 102nd. and was replaced by Governor Macquarie's 73rd Highlanders.

Over the following months, the Governor transformed the town. Church attendance became compulsory for troops and convicts alike. Work on public buildings became a priority; St. Phillip's church finally acquired a roof, a new hospital, post office, Justice Court and many other buildings were built. Hyde Park was planned and begun. Licensed houses in the Rocks were reduced to about 20 and public drunkenness decreased. The old rows were transformed into 50 foot wide streets, cleared of roots, livestock and renamed. Bridges were widened, markets enlarged and rebuilt.

In 1814, the 73rd Highlanders left for Columbo, Ceylon, to be replaced by the 46th Foot under George Molle. Governor Macquarie formed a Veteran Corps from remnants of the NSW Corp. and any members of the 73rd. who did not wish to return to England at the conclusion of their tour of duty. Hugh availed himself of this offer on 24 Mar 1814. His pay for the previous 90 days was 3 pound 18 shilling and 9 pence. As a member of the Veteran Company, Hugh became eligible for a grant of land.

According to the 'Old Chum' Truth newspaper 22nd November 1918, when Hugh went to receive his grant, the governor was present. When the location and area of land had been pointed out to Hugh, he was totally disgusted. The grant comprised a poorly section of what is now Balmain and Drummoyne.

The governor remarked "This is your land O'Donnell and I trust you are satisfied." "Pooh your excellency" replied Hugh. "It would not keep a goat." "Very well, O'Donnell, if you are not satisfied, select your allotment." Macquarie answered.

Hugh selected 100 acres west of what is now Rookwood cemetery in the suburb of Liberty Plains, now called Concord. The area apparently had a poor water supply and was heavily timbered. The grant was signed and sealed on 30th June 1823, by Governor Thomas Brisbane who replaced Gov Macquarie in 1821. The wheels of bureaucracy ground slow even then!

The 100 acres was actually in the County of Cumberland in the district of Parramatta. A condition of the grant was that Hugh employ one convict to help work the property. The said convict was to be victualled and clothed agreeably to government regulations. This block adjoined land grants given to his sons Thomas and John, both of 60 acres.

Hugh served in Capt. Brabyn's Coy from 1814 until it was disbanded in 1823. The company was reformed in 1825 and again disbanded in 1831. Hugh does appear in the records for this period although he is finally discharged in 1832. The 1828 census shows 20 acres had been cleared and Hugh owned 7 head of horned cattle. He had 2 convict servants by then; 31 year old Sarah Coing and 31 year old William Duffy. Both were free of servitude.

Hugh is noted on several jury lists. Several more children were born to him and Mary in Australia. Hugh was a devout Catholic and because of this was never promoted past private while in the army. He is mentioned as Sergeant O'Donnell in the 'Old Chum' article but this is an error. He and Mary retired to a home in Smith St., Parramatta. Various widowed daughters and other family members lived with them from time to time. This property may have been the "Three Crowns Hotel" of family 'myth'. "Old Chum" in the Truth newspaper of 22 Sep. 1918, speaks of the memories of several old locals. They recalled a Mrs O'Donnell who was owner of the "Three Crowns" but retired before the 1830's and it was then a private house. The article has many errors so this too may be incorrect. Hugh died on 25 May 1837 while living in the Smith St. house.

Hugh O'Donnell, private for 32 years

First in 18th garrison, 102nd Regiment and later New South Wales Veterans Company G Discharged in consequence of disbandment Conduct - very good Signed by mark About 57 years Height 5'9" Dark brown hair Grey eyes Fair complexion Labourer 2

Marriage Information:

Hugh married Mary LAKEMAN, daughter of John LAKEMAN and Mary PEPPERELL, on 24 Jul 1798 in Plymouth, Devon, England 1. (Mary LAKEMAN was born in 1775 in Charleton, Devon, England, christened on 1 Jan 1776 in Charleton, Devon, England 3, died on 11 Jun 1850 in Parramatta, Sydney, N.S.W., Australia 4 and was buried on 13 Jun 1850 in St. John's Anglican, Parramatta, N.S.W., Australia

SOURCES

1828 Australian Census

• O'Donnell, Hugh, 56, came free, Ann, 1809, Catholic, householder, Parramatta
• O'Donnell, Mary 54, came free Ann, 1809, Protestant
• O'Donnell, Frederick 20 born in the colony
• O'Donnell, Hannah, 14 born in the colony
• O'Donnell, Elizabeth 11 born in the colony
• O'Donnell, Ann Sophia 10 born in the colony
• O'Donnell, Eleanor 5 born in the colony

LINKS

• https://australianroyalty.net.au/tree/purnellmccord.ged/individual/...
• https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/odonnell-hugh-29964
• https://thesignsofthetimes.com.au/46/130849.htm
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/O'Donnell-1220
• https://marktanner.com/familytree/northey-history.html
• https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=758111.18
• https://73rdregiment.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles...