Barracree

Barracree – at the base of the mountain – a cold place in winter.

John Beresford.  (1821-1889)

John was the eldest son of Thomas and Margaret Beresford of Annestown, born in 1821. John was married twice. Firstly to Miss Hearn, (possibly Ellen Hearn 1828-1849), between 1840 -1850, with whom he had a son Maurice. His wife died young. In 1852, at the age of 31, John went by ship to Melbourne. Leaving his son Maurice at Annestown? He joined the Ballarat gold rush, which started in 1851. He found some gold and in 1858 he returned to Ireland.

He married Bridget Power of Barracree (parish of Seskinan, Dungarvan) in Waterford in 1859. The Deed of Marriage Settlement dated 8 june 1858 says:

• John Power has 600 acres of land at Barracree as yearly tenant of Lord Baron Cremorne at a yearly rent of 114 pounds. In view of the upcoming marriage of John Beresford to his daughter Bridget, John Power would convey and assign the land, stock and possessions to John Beresford, at a consideration of 325 pounds to be paid by John Beresford.

Signed and sealed on 8 june 1858, in the presence of:    Henry Beresford (this is Johns brother) 

Over the next 20 years, John and Bridget farmed at Barracree and raised a large family.  However, farming was difficult and stock losses worth 900 pounds had occurred in the years 1877-9. John was insolvent and petitioned for a creditors agreement.  See attached document. The farm went into the administration of his creditors.    (The farm was later acquired by his sister Anne/Tom Hickey)

1879 – Back to Melbourne.

John and wife Bridget and 10 children emigrated. In 1879, most of the family took a boat from Dungarvan to Glasgow and travelled on the “Loch Sloy” to Melbourne, with John working his fare. Eldest daughter Mary Ann and son Maurice went to Melbourne in 1882 on the ship “Garonne”.

John worked in the rail yard at Spencer Street station. This next part of Johns life turned into a disaster. He son Thomas worked at the rail yard at Seymour, 50 miles north of Melbourne. Thomas was drowned nearby in the lake at Marysville on 31 Dec 1887, aged 26.

His eldest son Maurice died next, in an accident on 31 March 1889.

John died on 21 Dec.1889 aged 68. He was hit at work by a shunting train inside Spencer Street station.  His leg was amputated in the accident and he died next day. A widely publicised inquest was held into the circumstances of his death. I have a copy of the inquest.

John and Bridget’s descendants in Australia.

His two younger sons, Henry and John married, but did not have children.

Bridget died in Melboure in august 1914 and her children are listed on her death register as:

Mary Ann, born 1860                                                                      Kathleen/Catherine born 1861

Thomas born 1863                Margaret born 1864-1944             Alice Loise born 1866.

Annie born 1876                                                                                Bridget born 1876

Henry born 1878                                                                               John born 1880 in Melbourne.

Maurice is not listed as a child of Bridget.

Johns daughter Margaret Beresford Hogan born, died 1944, passed on much of the detail and feel of the family circumstances. She was 25 when her father died, and states that Maurice was her half brother. See photo.  Margaret had Hearn relatives in Melbourne that she used to visit.