IRELAND ; SEYMOUR DISTRICT, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Thomas MAHER

Catherine COSTIGAN

Children

1. Ann MAHER b. 1863 Lancefield, Vic. ; d. 1930 Brighton, Vic. ; m. 1883 Vic. – Thomas CANTWELL (b. 1863 Tas. ; parents Thomas William CANTWELL & Catherine JACKSON ; d. 1932 Brighton, Vic.) – 12 children

2. Catherine MAHER b. 1864 Lancefield, Vic. ; d. 1931 South Melbourne, Vic. ; m. 1889 Vic. – William Bain McLEOD (b. Ross Shire, Sco.) – 3 children

3. Mary MAHER b. 1866 Lancefield, Vic. ; d. 1938 West Melbourne, Vic. ; buried 20 Oct 1938 Fawkner, Vic. ; m. 1889 Vic. – Walter MORLEY – 4 children

4. Roderick (Rody) MAHER b. 1869 Lancefield, Vic. ; d. 18 May 1951 Kilmore, Vic. ; m. 10 Feb 1902 South Melbourne, Vic. – Annie BUCKLEY (b. 1879 Forbes, Vic. ; parents Patrick BUCKLEY & Anne Theresa HUNTER ; d. 4 Oct 1907 Springfield, Vic. ; buried Kilmore, Vic.) – 4 children

5. Johanna Elizabeth MAHER b. 1872 Goldie, Vic. ; d. 1933 Seymour, Vic. ; buried Seymour, Vic. ; never married

6. Patrick MAHER b. 1875 Goldie, Vic. ; d. 1966 Fitzroy, Vic. ; buried 18 Mar 1966 Fawkner, Vic. ; m. 1902 Vic – Annie BATT (b. 1877 Seymour, Vic. ; parents Thomas BATT & Anne MURPHY ; d. 1948 Melbourne, Vic. ; buried 6 Dec 1948 Fawkner, Vic.) – 5 children

7. Ellen MAHER b. 1877 Springfield, Vic. ; d. 1921 Alexandra, Vic. ; m. 1902 Vic. – James McGRATH (b. Ballarat, Vic.) – 3 children

8. Bridget Frances MAHER b. 1880 Goldie, Vic. ; 4 Feb 1940 Echuca, Vic. ; buried Echuca, Vic. ; m. 27 Aug 1903 Seymour, Vic. – Alexander COLVILLE (b. 1 Apr 1866 Springfield, Vic. ; mother Margaret COLVILLE ; d. 20 Jul 1951 Wangaratta, Vic. ; buried Echuca, Vic.) – 7 children

9. Hanora MAHER b. 1881 Goldie, Vic. ; 1948 Fitzroy, Vic. ; buried Melbourne General Cemetery, Vic. ; m. 1903 Vic. – John CURRY (buried Melbourne General Cemetery, Vic.) – 7 children

10. Sarah Ann MAHER b. 1882 Springfield, Vic. ; d. 1936, Seymour, Vic. ; m. 1908 Vic. – Christopher Stephen RYAN (b. Richmond, Vic. ; parents James RYAN & Mary Ann BRADISH ; d. 1933 Melbourne, Vic.) – 4 children
Obituary

11. Margaret Alice MAHER b. 1888 Goldie, Vic. ; 1935 Moonee Ponds, Vic. ; m. 1918 Vic. – Edward RYAN (b. 1881 Seymour, Vic. ; parents James RYAN & Mary Ann BRADISH ; d. 1944 Fitzroy, Vic.) – no children

Thomas and Catherine originally lived at Lancefield, then farmed at Goldie/Springfield near Kilmore.

Only a short distance from the Bridge Inn, on the opposite side of the road, Thomas Maher and his large family lived for many years. Rody Maher, our whilom mailman, is the elder of the two boys in this family. There were nine daughters, most of whom were well known at Kilmore and Seymour in later years.
From 'Reminiscences of an Old Road' by James Alipius Maher, Part 2.
(Kilmore Free Press, 9 Mar 1939, p.3)

Thomas and Catherine for a time ran the Post Office Hotel, Kobyboyne, having purchased the license in 1903 from James and Mary Ann Ryan. Kobyboyne was between Seymour and Yea, and very little of it remains today.

Mr J. Ryan, licensee of the Kobyboyn Hotel, has disposed of his business to Mr Maher, of Kilmore.
(Yea Chronicle, 16 April 1903, p.2)SEYMOUR.-The transfers of the Railway Hotel, Tallarook, from William Fox to Margaret Fox, and the Post-office Hotel, Kobyboyn, to Catherine Maher, from J. Ryan, were granted at the Seymour Licencing Court on Tuesday.
(Argus, 2 Jul 1903, p.7)

They retired to Seymour where they lived in William Street and took custodianship of their grandchild Roderick John (Jack Maher) after the death of his mother in 1907. After Thomas’ death in 1914, Catherine and her daughter Johanna ran a boarding house in Goulburn Street Seymour. In 1917 there were floods in Seymour which affected the boarding house:

Uncle Jack Maher said of Thomas and Catherine, ‘They had no luck, they were flooded three times and burnt out twice.’

Obituaries – Thomas Maher

MAHER. – On 27th September, at his residence, William Street, Seymour, Thomas, beloved husband of Catherine Maher. Aged 81 years and 9 months. R.I.P. - - -

Bereavement Notice: MRS MAHER and FAMILY desire to THANK their many friends for telegrams, letters and kind expressions of sympathy in their recent sad bereavement, also Dr. Morton, Rev. Fathers Considine, Kavanagh and Goldspink for their kind attention.
(Seymour Express, 2 Oct 1914, p.2)

MR. THOMAS MAHER
We regret to record the death of Mr Thomas Maher, an old and respected resident of Seymour and Kobyboyn, who died on Sunday night, at the advanced age at 82 years. The deceased had been ailing for some time and his death was not unexpected. He leaves a Widow and grown up family. His remains were interred in the Seymour cemetery on Tuesday, at which there was a large attendance. The Rev. Father Cavanagh officiated at the grave, and Mr G. Diggle satisfactorily discharged the funeral arrangements.
(Seymour Express, 2 Oct 1914, p.3)

SEYMOUR. SUDDEN DEATH.
The death took place suddenly on Saturday morning of Mr Richard Jones, one of the oldest residents of the district. Mr Jones was about as usual In the morning and on returning home from a walk collapsed and died in a few minutes. He was in his 71st year. and had lived in the district for 70 years. In the last week, four old colonists--Messrs C. A. McKenzie, Thomas Maher, Denis Ryan, and Richard Jones have died, their ages aggregating 291 years.
(Ballarat Courier, 5 Oct 1914, p.5)

Mr Thomas Maher, an old resident of this district, a gentleman who for some time past has been located at Seymour, died on Sunday last at his residence, William street, in the town named. Mr Maher, who bore his age exceedingly well, was in his 82nd year. He was for many years a respected resident of Springfield, where his old neighbors and many friends will bear him in kindly memory. Mr Rody Maher, of Kilmore, is one of the surviving members of the bereaved family and deceased also leaves a widow to mourn her loss.
(Kilmore Free Press, 1 Oct 1914, p.3)

Death Notice – Catherine Maher

MAHER. —On the 5th October, at her residence, Goulburn street, Seymour, Catherine, the relict of the late Thomas Maher, aged 88 years. –R.I.P.
(Argus, 6 Oct 1930, p.1)

Obituary – Sarah Ryan nee Maher

MRS A.S. RYAN
The death took place at her home Moyle street, Seymour, after a short illness, of Mrs Sarah Ann Ryan, relict of the late C. Ryan, on the 27th ult. Deceased, who was in her 60th year, was the fifth daughter of a family of eleven, her parents being the late Thomas and Kathleen Maher, Lancefield, and well-known in the Kobyboyn district, where they conducted an hotel in the early days. The late Mrs Ryan spent practically the whole of her life in the Seymour district, where she was highly respected. She leaves a son and daughter. The funeral took place at the local cemetery, the pall-bearers being Messrs P. Maher, H. Jarvis, S. McNaughton, T. Zoch, L.. Eaton, J. Hawkins, E. Corboy and J. Mangan; coffin-carriers, Messrs J. Maher, E. Ryan, J. Walsh, C. Shields, W. Owens J. Howard. Rev. Father O'Connor read the burial service and Mr G. Diggle supervised the funeral arrangements.
(Kilmore Free Press, 14 Jan 1937, p.1)

Obituary – Nora Curry nee Maher

The many friends of the Curry family, of 202 Park Street, South Melbourne, were deeply shocked on Sunday at the unexpected death of Mrs Nora Irene Curry, which occurred in hospital early that morning. Born in Springfield, near Romsey, 66 years ago, she was the tenth child of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Maher, and in her youth won prominence as a noted horsewoman, meeting with outstanding success at district shows. In 1902 she married Mr John Curry at St Mary's Church, West Melbourne, and from there went to live in Kilmore, where they settled on the land. A few years later, following bad seasons, they moved to South Melbourne, taking up residence in Bank Street and later moved to Park Street, where they resided for nearly 40 years, and where five of their seven surviving children were born. The deceased lady was a staunch worker for Sts Peter and Paul's Church, and later Our Lady's, Park Street. She is survived by her husband, Mr John Curry, an old employee of Johns & Waygood, and children - Molly (Mrs T. Allan), Jack (well-known hairdresser, of Park Street), William, Reginald, Betty (Mrs E. Grattidge), Brian and Paul. Requiem Mass at Sts Peter & Paul's Church on Tuesday was celebrated by Rev Fr T. Power, PP and was largely attended, as was her interment at the Melbourne Geneal Cemetery, Carlton, later in the day, at which Rev T. Mulligan read prayers at her graveside.
(Emerald Hill Record, 4 Dec 1948, p. 2)

Memorial Seymour Pioneer Park Cemetery

Marriage of Margaret Alice Maher and Edward Ryan

MAHER-RYAN A quiet but pretty wedding was celebrated at St. Mary's R.C. Church, Seymour, on Wednesday week, when Miss Maggie, the younger daughter of Mrs Maher, of Seymour East, was married to Mr Edward Ryan, son of the late Mr and Mrs James Ryan, of Kobyboyn. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Dolan. The bride, who was given away by her brother, looked charming in a becoming gown of crepe de chine, with hat to match. She also carried a silk horseshoe. Miss Kathleen Furey, of Melbourne, was bridesmaid, and was attired in a frock of silk poplin, biscuit color. Mr Jack Walsh acted as best man. After the ceremony an adjournment was made to the residence of the bride's parents where the breakfast was laid. The usual toasts were honored and good wishes expressed for the happy couple, who left for Sydney amidst showers of confetti, in the evening, where the honeymoon is being spent. The bride's travelling dress was of a navy twill costume. The presents were numerous and handsome, including a number of cheques.
(Seymour Express, 1 Nov 1918, p.3)

I have found no documentary evidence of her parish of origin, but Griffith's Land Valuation 1850 records a Patrick Costigan as a tenant of seven acres in the townland of Borrahaun, Parish of Rathsaran, Barony of Clandonagh of which the immediate lessor was Richard Mills. In the same parish, Patrick Costigan occupied a house in the townland Craigueavallagh, leased from William Creagh. Since these were the two family names of Catherine (i.e. Costigan and Creagh, I think it is a reasonable assumption that she came from the Parish of Rathsaran.