Cahill Family of Dargo
,,,Readers will be aware that we have been posting much on Jack Gilruth and his wife Maud (nee Cahill, of Dargo).
So we thought it time to have a closer look at the Cahills. We would very much welcome contact from any descendants, or anyone who has more knowledge of the family. In the 1990s we received a large quantity of photographs (about 170 of them), two autograph books and a bridal head-dress from the Estate of Ernie Cahill, Maud's brother. Most of the photographs are un-named, although a small number have been identified.
The head-dress is said to have been worn by seventeen brides - and possibly Maud was one of them. This is her sister Elsie, wearing it in 1920, although with a different veil to the one we now have.
You can see the full photograph HERE.
Thomas Cahill, the father, was born in Melbourne, and his wife, Alice Mary Kenny, in Port Albert. They married in 1874, and lived first at Grant and then at Dargo. (Dargo, for those who do not know it, is an alpine goldfields town that survives today. There is nothing left at Grant). Thomas was active in community affairs, and member of the mining board.
Alice Mary Kenny died at Dargo in 1935, and we have not yet found a death record for Thomas. There is no headstone for them in the Dargo cemetery, and we last know of him alive in 1909. He was apparently deceased by 1915.
Their children were:
Edith Ellen, b. 1875 Grant, [Edited: mar. 1902 to Frank Fugill, died 1905 (Dec?) at Waihi hosp in NZ, leaving husband and "a very young child".] [Surviving child was a daughter, Maud Frances Fugill, born 1904 NZ, mar 1926 to Eric Lawrence Roberts.]
William Walter, b. 1878 Grant, died 1879 Grant, after drinking acid for soldering.
Alice Maud, (known as Maud) b. 1879 Dargo, married 1911 to Jack/John Gilruth, died 1928 at Newtown in Sydney. [Had one son, Jack, b. Sydney May 1912]
Thomas John, b.1881 Dargo [apparently died 1934, possibly Sydney] [Was in Auckland in 1907, later in Philadelphia]
Georgina Grace, b. 1883 Dargo, died 1957 [Edited: possibly at Stratford], did not marry
Ernest Morris, b. 1885 Dargo. Worked in mills at Powelltown. [there in 1935] [Died in Bairnsdale in 1980 aged 94]
Sydney Percival, b.1883 Dargo. [Edited: enlisted in WWI in 1915, received gunshot wounds to the head in 1918, invalided home, received a full pension. In Brisbane by 1935, in 1952 family were attempting to find him, having not heard of him for many years. Last in Brisbane]
Rubina Kathleen, b.1890 Dargo, died 1969 Traralgon. Did not marry. [Edited - long-term postmistress at Dargo]
Leslie Leonard Bernard, b.1893 Dargo [Edited: died 1951 at Sale]
Amy Mary, b. 1895 Dargo, died 1977 Traralgon, did not marry
Elsie Elizabeth, b 1895 Dargo, mar. Thomas Garrett Donovan 1920, died 1974 Maffra.
[Amy and Elsie are possibly twins]
So if anyone can help with any further details, it would be much appreciated.
So we thought it time to have a closer look at the Cahills. We would very much welcome contact from any descendants, or anyone who has more knowledge of the family. In the 1990s we received a large quantity of photographs (about 170 of them), two autograph books and a bridal head-dress from the Estate of Ernie Cahill, Maud's brother. Most of the photographs are un-named, although a small number have been identified.
The head-dress is said to have been worn by seventeen brides - and possibly Maud was one of them. This is her sister Elsie, wearing it in 1920, although with a different veil to the one we now have.
Thomas Cahill, the father, was born in Melbourne, and his wife, Alice Mary Kenny, in Port Albert. They married in 1874, and lived first at Grant and then at Dargo. (Dargo, for those who do not know it, is an alpine goldfields town that survives today. There is nothing left at Grant). Thomas was active in community affairs, and member of the mining board.
Alice Mary Kenny died at Dargo in 1935, and we have not yet found a death record for Thomas. There is no headstone for them in the Dargo cemetery, and we last know of him alive in 1909. He was apparently deceased by 1915.
Their children were:
Edith Ellen, b. 1875 Grant, [Edited: mar. 1902 to Frank Fugill, died 1905 (Dec?) at Waihi hosp in NZ, leaving husband and "a very young child".] [Surviving child was a daughter, Maud Frances Fugill, born 1904 NZ, mar 1926 to Eric Lawrence Roberts.]
William Walter, b. 1878 Grant, died 1879 Grant, after drinking acid for soldering.
Alice Maud, (known as Maud) b. 1879 Dargo, married 1911 to Jack/John Gilruth, died 1928 at Newtown in Sydney. [Had one son, Jack, b. Sydney May 1912]
Thomas John, b.1881 Dargo [apparently died 1934, possibly Sydney] [Was in Auckland in 1907, later in Philadelphia]
Georgina Grace, b. 1883 Dargo, died 1957 [Edited: possibly at Stratford], did not marry
Ernest Morris, b. 1885 Dargo. Worked in mills at Powelltown. [there in 1935] [Died in Bairnsdale in 1980 aged 94]
Sydney Percival, b.1883 Dargo. [Edited: enlisted in WWI in 1915, received gunshot wounds to the head in 1918, invalided home, received a full pension. In Brisbane by 1935, in 1952 family were attempting to find him, having not heard of him for many years. Last in Brisbane]
Rubina Kathleen, b.1890 Dargo, died 1969 Traralgon. Did not marry. [Edited - long-term postmistress at Dargo]
Leslie Leonard Bernard, b.1893 Dargo [Edited: died 1951 at Sale]
Amy Mary, b. 1895 Dargo, died 1977 Traralgon, did not marry
Elsie Elizabeth, b 1895 Dargo, mar. Thomas Garrett Donovan 1920, died 1974 Maffra.
[Amy and Elsie are possibly twins]
So if anyone can help with any further details, it would be much appreciated.
posted by Linda | 9:55 PM
7 Comments:
Is there a connection between the Cahills of Dargo and Briagolong Linda? One would think there might be
Hi Janne,
I have had a look at that once before, and wasn't able to find one. Any connection would be back in Ireland, if at all.
Both interesting families though!
Gippsland Times, 28 December 1905
Quite a gloom was cast over Dargo last Saturday, when the sad news came from New Zealand of the death of Mr T. Cahill's eldest daughter, Mrs Fingal. The deceased lady was born in Dargo, and was much esteemed and respected by all who knew her. There was to have been a social that night, but the lights were immediately turned down in sad and deep sympathy for the sorrowing parents and family. Solemn mass was offered up on Monday morning by the Rev. Father Hayes. Strange to relate, he not long ago performed the double mar- riage service here between Mr D. Long, J.P.,and Miss Norton, and Mr Fingal and Miss Cahill, and both brides have been called to their heavenly home. May their souls rest in peace.
Gippsland Times 21 November 1904 - this is possibly one of the brides wearing the head-piece.
The bride's parents are quite practical with their present - sewing machine and house linen!
DARGO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Nov. 17. WEDDING. An excedingly pretty wedding in which considerable interest was evinced, took place at St. Patrick's Church, Dargo, on the 14th inst., when Mr Richard Patrick Ryan, eldest son of Sergeant Ryan, of Richmond, was married to Miss Margaret McCarthy, second daughter of Mr J. McCarthy, "Riverview," Waterford. The Rev. Father Hayes was the officiating clergyman. The church was beautifully decorated by girl friends of the bride, the space before the altar being spanned by an arch, from the centre of which was suspended a white floral bell. Mendelssohn's wedding march was played by Miss McKirney at the conclusion of the ceremony. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a charming gown of soft white silk, made with a long court train, The bodice had a round transparent yoke of Mechlin lace and ruched satin rib- bon, with wide graceful sleeves of accordeon pleated silk. The skirt had duel of lace with ruched ribbon and lovers knots of ribbon embroidery above. Over this hung a long bridal veil embroidered with lover's knots, with a coronet wreath of orange flowers and buds. The bride carried a white prayer book, gift of her sister. The bridesmaid (Miss Mary McCarthy), sister of the bride, wore a pretty gown of white silk, the bodice having a transparent yoke of lace, finished with a deep frill of lace and shirred satin ribbon, wide pleated sleeves finished with a deep frill of lace; she had a black picture hat trimmed with crush rosettes of chiffon and ostrich feathers. She wore the bridegroom's present - pearl dagger and crescent. Mr M. McCarthy acted as best man. After the cere- mony a number of friends partook of the wed- ding breakfast, which was held in the Dargo court house, when the usual good wishes for the future welfare and happiness of Mr and Mrs Ryan were given voice to. The same day the happy couple left for Melbourne, where the honeymoon is to be spent. The bride travelled in a dark blue voile, picture hat trimmed with blue chiffon rosettes. Presents:-Bridegroom to bride, a pearl crescent and star with pearls; bride to bridegroom, gold links; bridegroom to bridesmaid, pearl crescent and dagger; sister of bride, white prayer book; parents of bride, sewing machine and house linen; brothers of bride, pearl star pendant and vases; and a number of other valuable and costly presents. In the evening the guests were invited to a dance in the Mechanics' Hall.
Gippsland Times 13 May 1909 - another Dargo bride with orange blossom in her hair
A pretty wedding was celebrated on Wednesday. 21st April, in the Catholic Church at Cassilis. The contracting parties were Mr Walter McHenry the third son of Mrs McHenry, of Cassilis, and Miss Mary Nolan, third daughter of Mr D. Nolan, of Dargo. The "Omeo Standard" says the marriage was very quietly celebrated by Father O'Brien, only a few friends being present. The bride was charmingly dressed in a soft silk dress, trimmed with point-lace applique, with veil and wreath of orange blossom, and carried a boquet of cloth of gold roses. Miss Ciss. Nolan acted as bridesmaid and was simply dressed in white muslin and white chifon hat. The bridegroom was supported by Mr R. Nolan.
This one is both Dargo bride (the Trill family) and a Dargo groom, but at 1939 it may be a little late.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63263898
Ruby Cahill is attending to the telephone (which appears to be a private party line) at no pay in 1910
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65310618
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