Joseph Cunningham 1858-1859
Joseph died at sixteen months of age. He was the son of James Cunningham and Bridget McShane who were married at Woodburn Inn, Richmond, Tasmania. Their first children were born in Van Dieman’s Land and their youngest, Emily, was born at Melton. James died in 1878 in Melbourne and Bridget died at Darley in 1896.
Joseph’s grandfather was Edward Cunningham who was born in 1779, at Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Edward married Margaret McCullagh in 1802 in Co Tyrone, also the birthplace of Margaret. Margaret was the daughter of Charles McCullagh and Catherine Keenan.
This family has an interesting convict history. Edward was convicted of robbery and burglary at Omagh in 1817. He was described as being five foot nine and a half inches tall with black hair, hazel eyes and pale complexion. He received his ticket of leave in 1846 and sailed into Port Philip Bay in 1847. He died at Douglas Farm, Melton, in 1862. Edward’s wife, Margaret, was the daughter of convict, Catherine Keenan. Catherine had married Charles in 1802 and was tried in Dublin for larceny of coats and goods. She was sentenced to seven years transportation. Margaret and Edward’s son, Patrick, also served time in Tasmania. He married a fellow convict.
HOPETOUN CATHOLIC CEMETERY 