The Smith family were from Ballyjamesduff in County Cavan, Ireland.
Michael Smith, my maternal great, great grandfather was born in 1832 in County Cavan, Ireland. His father was Patrick Smith (1795-?, a carpenter) and his mother, Annie (1810-?).
Information Source: Helen Smith and Keri Barber notes.
Early Life in South Australia
20 year old Michael Smith arrived in South Australia in 1857 on the ship ‘Marion’ from Plymouth.
He married Mary Maguire (1835-1906) in Mintaro, South Australia on August 15, 1859. Witnesses were Bernard and Honora Brady. Bernard was on the Marion ship with Michael.
Michael and Mary spent their early life together farming at Mintaro, on the road to Farrell Flat (7 kms from town).
Residences
- 1859 Mintaro (time of marriage)
- 1866/72 Farrell Flat (Section 143, Farmer 1870)
- 1873 Black Springs
- 1874/1882 Mintaro
- 1885/1888 Cavanaugh – Leased for 21 years – sections 175-6 Hundred of Cavanaugh, County Herbert (781 acres). Sold land on December 6, 1890 for 75 pounds. Lease was with his son, Michael.
- 1888/1889 Silverton
- 1906/1917 Broken Hill
Farming
Most farms at this time were owned by English descendants with Irish tenant farmers .
1880 A land scheme (around Peterborough and north to the Flinders Ranges) was introduced whereby people could pay off the land at a low price on the basis of being “good and capable workers.” Michael Snr, Mary, Michael Jnr hired purchased 500 acres in 3 lots.
Michael made additional income during the summers 1886 to 1889 by carrying water to the Tee-Tul-Pah Goldfields.
Farmers initially had 2 bumper years then drought hit the region. Many farmers left the land, including Michael Snr, Mary and Michael Jnr, who owed debt but escaped this debt by moving to New South Wales.
Family
Michael and Mary’s children were: Bridget Smith (1860-1886), Patrick Smith (1862-1863), Michael Joseph Smith, my maternal great grandfather (1863-1928), Mary Magdalene (1865-1953), Philip Neri (1866-1902), Catherine (1868-1944), Ann (1870-1910), Charles Francis (1871-1906), Margaret Jane (1873-1957), Theresa (1875-1966), Patrick Joseph (1879-1914), John Baptist (1880-1889).
Their first child Bridget was born at Walkey’s Creek, in Clare, South Australia. All the rest of their children were born at Farrell Flat, South Australia.
Final Residence
Michael’s final residence with Mary was at 325 Chapple Street, Broken Hill. They lived in the 4 room house which they had moved by jinker (and Michael reconstructed) from Silverton. According to Doug Carruthers, this home was purchased from Sir Sidney Kidman.
Mary died on 11 October, 1906 in Broken Hill, New South Wales. She was 71 years old.
Michael died on 17 October, 1919 at 325 Chapple Lane, Broken Hill, New South Wales. He was 87 years old. He is buried in Broken Hill cemetery in the Roman Catholic section Grave No. 42, Row C-, Ref. 15370.
