Sharp-Healy Family

The Story of the first two Generations

Patrick Healy 1831-1922

This page has the story of Patrick Healy, the 2nd child and first son of Thomas John Healy and Bridget Connell. He was one of the three children of Thomas and Bridget to emigrate to New Zealand (Thomas, Patrick and Honora).

His brother was Thomas Healy, born 1840, who married Margaret Gallagher (see Thomas John Healy webpage). His sister was Honora Healy who married John Lawless (see Honora Healy webpage).

Patrick Healy was born on 22 May 1831 in County Galway Ireland, and baptised a Roman Catholic at the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church. His sponsors were John Connell (his grandfather or uncle) and Margaret Haly (Healy - Menlo) (possibly an aunt).

Thomas and Bridget Healy had five children that we know of:

Ellen Lawless - wife of Patrick Healy. Patrick married Ellen Lawless (the youngest of 7 children) (pictured) on 5 February 1863 in the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, County Galway, Ireland. Ellen was born in June 1842 in Menlo, County Galway, youngest daughter of Stephen Lawless (1802-1868) and Kate Connelly (1806- ). Their son John Lawless (1832-1898) married Patrick and Thomas's sister Honora. She was baptised on 28 June 1842, with her sponsors being Martin Connelly and Honor Haly, Menlo.

The couple had 8 children with the first 3 being born in Ireland and the remainder in Naseby:

(1) Bridget Healy 1864-1871
(2) Catherine (Kate) Healy 1866-1938
(3) Thomas Healy 1869-1933
(4) John Healy (1) 1871-1874 (died on board "Otago" at sea, 4 August 1874)
(5) Patrick Healy 1874-1920 (born on board "Otago" at sea, 16 July 1874)
(6) John Healy (2) 1877-1901
(7) Mary Healy 1878-1917
(8) Michael Stephen Healy 1881-1950

Patrick Healy arrived in Port Chalmers, Dunedin on 28 August 1874 on board the Otago with his wife Ellen, and children Kate, Thomas and Patrick [no passenger list located yet] See transcript of voyage (newspaper article Otago Daily Times 31 August 1874 - pdf).



SS Otago

The death of John was reported in the "Otago Witness" as: Deaths on board the Otago: 4th August - John, aged 2 years 6 months, son of Patrick Healy, formerly of County Galway, Ireland.

The family were probably housed in the Caversham Immigrant Barracks where immigrants were accommodated on arrival, see Hocken photo and PapersPast story: THE NEW IMMIGRATION BARRACKS. OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 3564, 8 JULY 1873, PAGE 7.

The couple then moved to Central Otago where children John, Mary and Michael were all born in Naseby. His occupation was the caretaker of the Government Water Race, and the family lived in Eweburn, just south of Ranfurly.

Mt Ida Water Race

The 108 km Mt Ida Water Race constructed from 1873 to supply water to the Naseby gold mining area that still supplies water to Naseby township and farmers in the area. The Mt Ida Water Race starts at 850m altitude and collects water from numerous small mountain catchments along the Hawkdun and Ida Ranges. By 1881 there was a permanent waterman with hack for inspection work and a draught horse and dray for cartage, plus five men stationed along the race, each looking after about 22 km. Extra hands were employed after slips and after the winter closure of two to three months. For more information see Hamilton, D J, David Hamilton and Associates Ltd - Early water races in central Otago, presented to the 3rd Australasian Engineering Heritage Conference 2009 (pdf).

Today the Mount Ida Water Race offers an enjoyable walk suitable for the whole family, and can be accessed from any number of points around Nasbey (including Coalpit Dam, Hoffman's Dam, and the swimming dam near the holiday park in town). The terrain is fairly similar throughout, with a level and well-maintained trail following immediately alongside the waterway. The trail's ups and downs occur where the water race temporarily disappears into siphon pipes to traverse steeper valleys. An out-and-back to Hoffman's Dam from the holiday park in town makes for a good introduction to this track. See Trail Run Project.

Listing: Wises New Zealand Post Office Directory, 1892-93. Naseby, 92 miles N. from Dunedin. Healy, Patrick, miner.

CHILDREN

BRIDGET HEALY

Bridget Healy was born in April 1864 in Menlo, County Galway, Ireland. Her sponsor for her baptism on 24 April was Winny Healy (Winifred). She was baptised on the same day and in the same church as Bridget, daughter of Thomas Healy and Mary (nee Francis). She died aged 8 years, on 21 July 1871 with her father present. Cause scarlatina, 3 weeks (uncertified, no medical attendant present). Presumed buried in Ireland. (Scarlatina is an old name for scarlet fever which is a bacterial illness that develops in some people who have strep throat. It features a bright red rash that covers most of the body. Scarlet fever is almost always accompanied by a sore throat and a high fever.)

CATHERINE HEALY

Catherine Healy. Catherine Healy (pictured) (also known as Catherine Margaret or Kate) was born on 5 December 1866 [Source: FamilySearch.org] and emigrated to New Zealand with her parents as a child. She married Michael Duloughny on 27 June 1901 in St Joseph's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Dunedin. The couple had two daughters - Eileen Elizabeth Delahunty 1902-2003, and Violet Mary Delahunty 1905-2005, and one son John James Delahunty 1906-1968, and lived in Dunedin West. John James is buried in Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Block 191, plot 31. Violet was in her 100th year and is buried with her mother in Block 143, plot 10, Anderson's Bay Cemetery. Eileen Elizabeth married James Henry Harris in 1932 (Ref BDM 1932/10431).

Kate died on 7 October 1938 in Dunedin Hospital and is buried in Andersons Bay Cemetery, Block 143, Plot 10. Her death notice reads:

DELAHUNTY. On October 7 1938, at Dunedin, Catherine Margaret, dearly loved mother of Mrs J Harris (County road, Roslyn), and Violet and John Delahunty (189 Taieri Road, Roslyn. Deeply mourned. RIP. Requiem Mass at St Mary's Church, Kaikorai, on Monday the 10th inst. at 9 am. The funeral will leave immediately after Mass (9.30 am) for the Anderson's Bay Cemetery. Hugh Gourley Ltd, funeral directors. ["Evening Star" 8 October 1938]

Her husband was born on 17 July 1865 in Carhue, Parish of Kilraghtis, County Clare, Ireland and was baptised on 8 July at the Doora Roman Catholic Church. He arrived in Port Chalmers, Otago on 2 June 1883 aged 18 years on board the "Indian Empire" which departed Gravesend on 2 March 1883. The couple lived in Dunedin. He died on 8 June 1947 at the age of 80 years at Talboys Home, Dunedin, and was buried at Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Block 191, Plot 31-33 on 10 June. His occupation was labourer, resident of 123 Carroll Street. At some stage the surname was Anglicised and changed to Delahunty.

This was the only family to have children in this generation.



THOMAS HEALY

Thomas Healy was born sometime before the official birthdate given of 14 May 1869 as he was baptised in the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, County Galway on 17 April 1869 (or maybe he was born in April and christened in May?). His sponsors were Michael and Bridget Lawless (uncle and aunt). He emigrated to New Zealand with his parents on board the "Otago" arriving on 28 August 1874 aged 5 years. Thomas married Sarah Ann Pullen (1873-1947) on 26 December 1922 (BDM 1922/9002). His occupation was Farmer in Naseby. She was 51 years of age.

Sarah Ann Pullen is listed on the electoral roll Otago - Waihemo in 1896 as being of Naseby, domestic duties, residential, and for Otago - Mount Ida in 1905-06 as being of Naseby, a spinster.

Sarah is listed in the "Mount Ida Chronicle" on 26 January 1900 as having given 5 shillings to the Transvaal War Fund. [MOUNT IDA CHRONICLE, VOLUME 30, ISSUE 9201, 26 JANUARY 1900, PAGE 5]. She was also a supporter of the local hospital in various ways.

Thomas is listed in the 1890 Mt Ida, Otago Supplementary Electoral Roll as: Healy, Thomas, residential, Eweburn, rabbiter.

Thomas died on 3 September 1933 in Dunedin Public Hospital aged 61 years (BDM 1933/1398). His death notice reads: "Otago Daily Times" Monday 4.9.1933 "HEALY Thomas - On 3 Sept 1933 at Dunedin, Thomas, dearly loved husband of Sarah HEALY of Naseby. RIP. The funeral will be held at St Mary's Catholic Church, Kaikorai, Tuesday 5 Sept at 9.00am leaving afterwards for Anderson's Bay Cemetery." He was listed as being from Main Gully, Naseby. He was buried in Anderson's Bay Cemetery. The cause of death was septic pneumonia, after an operation for the radial removal of lower lip and had suffered from epithelioma of the lower lip for two years. There were no children from this marriage

His wife Sarah died on 15 January 1947 at the Little Sisters of the Poor Sacred Heart Home and Hospital, Dunedin aged 72 years. She was buried with her husband in Block 126, Plot 4 (headstone).

Thomas's will made on 4 January 1929 bequeathed all his property to his wife Sarah Ann Healy, and she was his executor. The estate was valued at under 150 pounds.

JOHN HEALY (1)

John Healy was born on 30 December 1871 [FamilySearch.org] and baptised on 2 January 1872 at the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, County Galway, Ireland, his sponsors being Michael Mullin and Bridget Lawless (aunt). John died on 4 August 1874 on board the "Otago" at sea from measles. There was an outbreak of this disease on board the ship en route to New Zealand.

DEATHS ON BOARD THE OTAGO: 4th August - John, aged 2 years 6 months, son of Patrick Healy, formerly of County Galway, Ireland. [OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 1190, 19 SEPTEMBER 1874, PAGE 3]. Burial at sea.

PATRICK HEALY

Patrick Healy was born on board the "Otago" at sea on 16 July 1874, just 2 weeks before his brother John died. He died on 20 April 1920 in Waikari, Dunedin aged 43 years (BDM Ref 1920/468) and is buried at Anderson's Bay Cemetery in the family plot Block 24, Plot 51. Patrick was not married. Occupation Mine Engineer. Headstone. His transcript says: HEALY, on 20 April 1920, Wakari, Patrick second son of Patrick and Ellen Healy, late of Naseby. 44th year. R.I.P. (Otago Witness).

BIRTHS ON BOARD THE OTAGO: 16th July, Mrs Healy, formerly of County Galway, Ireland, of a son. [OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 1190, 19 SEPTEMBER 1874, PAGE 3]

JOHN HEALY (2)

John Healy.

John Healy (pictured) was born about 1877 in Naseby, and was the first of the Healy children to be born in New Zealand. He was named after his older brother who had died on board the "Otago" 5 years earlier on their way to New Zealand. On 8 September 1899 he was admitted to Naseby Hospital with pleurisy. He died on 19 September 1901 aged 24 years in Naseby from acute phthisis (tuberculosis) - duration 5 weeks (BDM Ref 1901/5417). He was buried in Naseby Cemetery (Block II, Section J, Plot 4 and 2) on 22 September. His occupation was miner. No headstone. The Naseby Cemetery transcript says: "HEALEY, John, third son of Patrick of Eweburn, died Hospital. Rev. Father McMullan - burial service." (Mt Ida Chronicle).

His funeral was reported as follows: "The funeral of the late Mr John Healey took place on Sunday afternoon last. There was a large attendance of friends and sympathisers from all parts of the district. The Rev. Father McMullan performed the burial service." [MOUNT IDA CHRONICLE, VOLUME 32, ISSUE 9287, 27 SEPTEMBER 1901, PAGE 3]

See information on Naseby Cemetery from the Central Otago District Council.








MARY GABRIELLA HEALY

Mary Gabriella Healy. Mary Gabriella Healy (pictured) was born on 21 October 1878 in Naseby. She did not marry. She died on 20 July 1917 in Dunedin aged 35 years. "Otago Witness" "HEALY On 20 July 1917 at her parent's residence, 4 Jackson St, Kaikorai, Mary Gabriella, second daughter of Patrick and Ellen HEALY, late of Naseby. RIP." The "Otago Daily Times" published a memorial on 20 July 1918: "HEALY, In loving memory of our dearly beloved daughter and sister Mary Gabriella, who died at Dunedin on July 20, 1917. RIP. A poem was included. Inserted by her loving parents, sister and brothers." There was also a second memorial inserted by her sorrowing brother M S Healy, Roslyn, Dunedin. Mary is buried at Anderson's Bay Cemetery in the family plot Block 24, Plot 51. Headstone. (Note the surname is listed as Healey in Births Deaths and Marriages listing Ref #1917/11464).



MICHAEL STEPHEN HEALY

Michael Stephen Healy, (pictured with neice Eileen Delahunty), the youngest child, was born on 22 April 1881 in Naseby. He was admitted to Naseby School on 27 August 1894 from St Patrick's School, and left on 17 September 1897, in Standard I. When he was 17 years, he was admitted to Naseby Hospital on 4 April 1898 with rheumatic fever. His occupation was government servant or labourer. In May 1917 he was recorded as being a caretaker of the Government water race in Naseby when he was ballotted to serve in WW1. [MOUNT IDA CHRONICLE, VOLUME XLV, ISSUE XLV, 11 MAY 1917, PAGE 3].

In 1905-16 Michael Healy was listed as being an elector in Naseby, a labourer. In 1928, he was listed on the Electoral Rolls as residing in Dunedin West, 4 Jackson St, Roslyn, a labourer. In 1919 he was listed at the same address, a public servant; in 1935, a labourer; in 1938 a labourer.

Michael Healy died on 27 March 1950 (BDM Ref 1950/21798) in Dunedin aged 68 years, and is buried in Anderson's Bay Cemetery in the family plot Block 24, Plot 51. He was not married. See family headstone.

Michael's will made on 4 November 1943 bequeathed his house and land at 4 Jackson St, Kaikorai, Dunedin to his niece Violet Delahunty, and his residual estate in various parts for his niece Violet Delahunty, nephew John Delahunty and niece Eileen Harris. The estate was worth about 4,110 pounds.

Michael Healy and neice Eileen Delahunty.

SPONSOR FOR THOMAS HEALY BAPTISM DETAILS

Patrick Healy and wife Ellen Lawless (sister of John Lawless who married Honora Healy) were sponsors at the baptism of his brother Thomas Healy’s baby Thomas John Healy:

Healy Thomas John; born 9/05/1883; bap 16/09/1883; father Thomas Healy; mother Maggie Gallagher; address Kyeburn; minister John Sheehan; godparents: Pat Healy & Ellen Lawler; Omakau Book 11 (# Bap 1), pg 34/6.

THE BIG SNOW 1895 - BROTHERS CAUGHT OUT

What started with 3 inches to 4 inches fall of snow on Thursday 13 June 1895 and was followed by a continued deterioration in the weather, became the worst snow fall experienced to that time. Inclement weather continued into July, when concern was expressed for the safety of three young men caught out behind Mt Buster. Thomas, John and Pat Healy had been rabbitting and although having some provisions and firewood, a search party was assembled. Twenty-four men took part in the first abortive attempt, which was thwarted half way up Mt Buster by 3 ft to 4 ft of snow in which, not unexpectedly "the horses made a pretty poor showing". Half the party returned with the horses to Naseby, the other half continued next day to the summit, but a reconnaissance of the area had to be abandoned because of blizzard conditions. A later attempt found the party safe and well, still encamped, but down to their last loaf of bread. [Gateway to the Maniototo - a History of Kyeburn and Kokonga Districts, Compiled by N S Mackenzie.)

THREE RABBITERS MISSING. STOCK SAID TO BE STARVING. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Naseby, July 4. Snow commenced to fall here on June 13, and there has never been six hours since that date without snow. It is now snowing heavily, 12 inches of snow having fallen since last night. Great anxiety is felt for the esfety of three rabbiters named Healy. The Healys left here for the Otamatata about May 27. The Otamatata is a branch of the Waitaki river. Tuesday being a fine day, a search party of 25 men left here in search of the Healys. The party got as far as Mount Buster on Tuesday night and started for the Otamatata on Wednesday morning, but were met by a blizzard and had to return to Mount Buster. If the snow continues relief will have to be sent to the search party. [OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 10404, 5 JULY 1895, PAGE 2]

The snowfall in the interior has been very heavy. Twelve inches of snow fell at Naseby on Wednesday. Since June 13th there has not been six hours without snow falling. Fears are entertained for the safety of three rabbiters named Healy. A search party of 25 men left Naseby on Tuesday to look for them, but Wednesday’s blizzard drove them back. [SOUTHERN CROSS, VOLUME 3, ISSUE 14, 6 JULY 1895, PAGE 12]

The search party sent out from Naseby to look for the brothers Healey, the three rabbiters who it was feared had been lost in the snow, found them safe in their camp. [OTAGO WITNESS, VOLUME 11, ISSUE 2159, 11 JULY 1895, PAGE 16]

DEATH - PATRICK

Patrick died on 26 February 1922 in Dunedin, and was buried on 1 March 1922 in Anderson's Bay Cemetery. He was living at 4 Jackson Street, Kaikorai. The details in the "Otago Witness" state:

HEALY, on 26 Feb 1922, 4 Jackson St, Kaikorai, Patrick husband of Ellen Healy, late of Mines Dept, Naseby, in his 89th year. [Otago Witness]

The cause of death was chronic bronchitis and heart failure. He was buried on 1 March in Anderson's Bay Cemetery, Block 24, Plot 51. The record states he was "a mine engineer (labourer)", had "lived 47 years in province", was "born Ireland" and a Roman Catholic.

DEATH - ELLEN

His wife Ellen died two years later aged 80 years on 15 January 1924 at 4 Jackson Street, Kaikorai, and was buried on 18 January 1924 in Anderson's Bay with her husband [Block 24, Plot 51]. Her cause of death was aterioschlerosis and heart failure. The record shows she had "lived 49 years in province" and was "born Ireland".

Her death was recorded in the "Mt Ida Chronicle" on 18 January 1924:"Another old ex-resident of the district died at Dunedin on the 15th inst, viz Mrs Patrick Healey; aged 80 years. Her late husband was one of the caretakers of the Government race, and they resided near his work in the Eweburn for many years. On Mr Healey's retirement from work a few years ago, they went to live in Dunedin." [MOUNT IDA CHRONICLE, VOLUME XLV, ISSUE XLV, 18 JANUARY 1924, PAGE 2]

HEALEY - on January 15, 1924, at No 4 Jackson Street, Kaikorai, Ellen, widow of Patrick Healey; aged 80 years. RIP. [OTAGO WITNESS, ISSUE 3645, 22 JANUARY 1924, PAGE 43]

Patrick's grave is one grave away from Thomas Healy's grave in Anderson's Bay Cemetery.

PATRICK HEALY - WILL

Patrick made his will on 9 November 1911, and appointed Charles Edwin Davey, a solicitor and his son Michael Stephen Healy of Dunedin, Labourer as his executors. They believed the estate to be worth less than 1700 pounds. In his will he requested that he be buried with a suitably inscribed headstone and a railing be erected. He bequeathed all his property to be used by his wife until her death, then divided equally amongst all of his children (they were not individually named). An acknowledgement at the end of the will stated that Patrick was an illiterate person and unable to read or write so he made his mark on the will and had the contents read out and explained to him. (This is in conflict with his occupation as a mine engineer!)

References

Information sourced from:

Notes

AncestryDNA has not yet linked Patrick Healy to Thomas Healy through their descendants. However the dates, names and circumstances on this family match with other information collected by family researchers over the years, especially that of Des Sharp who undertook extensive personal research in April 1997 in Ireland. If you are reading this and can provide definitive proof of the information here, or contradictory information, please let me know. As we know many records from Ireland are online, but some have been destroyed or lost over time. Sometimes names were written incorrectly or changed either deliberately or inadvertently depending on who was doing the writing, and some original handwriting can be hard to decipher. It's also easy to get confused with names as there were several Healy families in the Otago/Dunedin area at the time, including one Patrick Healy who died on 25 February 1922 and is buried at the Southern Cemetery. The names were also spelt variously - Haly, Healy, and Healey. Also some online records are incorrect but it is impossible to update them. With such a common name, it is also difficult to identify the correct person at times.

Contact

If you have any information on this family, or wish to share any photographs, please contact Dale Hartle on 021 45 34 24 or email mjhartle at xtra co nz (please correct the email address), or contact me at 171 Queen St West, Levin, New Zealand 5510.