James O'Shannessy

NOTES TAKEN FROM THE DIARY OF JAMES O'SHAUGHNESSY

I left Ireland on 7th May, 1852 for the United States of America with my wife and four female children from the port of Limerick aboard the Nornen

My three sons remained in Ireland with Mary's grandparents.

It was the will of God that my wife Mary died on the passage the 29th of said month

To me that was the most sensitive calamity that could befall me

However on reflection I have and hope that I shall lean to the will of God

My daughters and I landed in New York on 14th June following.

Left New York on the evening of 15th for Albany but there was an unavoidable mistake we went to Troy east. We returned to Albany on the 17th. Left Albany on the 22nd August for Chicago where I arrived on 26th.

Received a remittance from my brothers to enable me to go with my children to the colony of Victoria

I therefore prepared to go to Australia, but not having sufficient funds to pay the passage of all, I was constrained to leave my eldest daughter (Johanna) behind but strongly cautioned her to return to Ireland as soon as possible to her grandfather and that I would have her with me again if possible.

I left New York on 15th July, 1854 in the Clipper ship 'Wings of the Morning' bound for Melbourne. We arrived in Melbourne 22nd October following.

I met John same day with whom my children stayed for some time.

Dan came to town when he heard of my arrival.

Dan paid for the passage of my son's who arrived in June, 1855

Dan returned to Melbourne, went from there to Belfast (Port Fairy)

At a land sale there, Dan bought for himself and our brother John the block of land in Parish of Codrington of 77 acres.

We then shortly after came to Belfast (Port Fairy)

My brothers went to their farm. My children and I doing the best we could for ourselves.

I rented the block of land being north of my brothers from Mr A.V. Suter for 10 years from 15th April, 1857. I then had my children together and lived there during the specified time.

I got Bridget married 14th April, 1863 to William Crowe whose family I know at home.

Rodger got married to Maria the youngest daughter of Michael Malone of Yambuk on 1st December 1866.

James was married on April 14th, 1868 to Ellen Coleman, Yambuk.

I lived with my son James, two years on his farm Tyrendarra. Left him 5th July, 1869 and came to live with my daughter Bridget and her husband William Crowe with whom I hope to spend the remainder of my life.

I have come back to my son James to live with him July 1873.

James died at Tyrendarra on 14th March 1890 aged 81 years from old age and debilities and he was buried at Yambuk cemetery.