Sweeney Family

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1922-04-16 Ellen Sweeney in Mrs Cox's garden Eltham Easter Sunday 192214 viewsThis photo shows Ellen Sweeney in Mrs Cox's garden in Eltham on Easter Sunday 1922. The writing on the back is as follows

Jackson St Casterton Aug 18. 23
Dear Girls, I was very pleased to receive your nice letters with news of your doings in Eltham. You put Casterton S.A., so your letters were a long time reaching me. As I hope to see you all very soon I shall just send a p.c. of me taken in Mrs Cox’s garden Easter Sunday 12 months ago. The river here has been in flood twice and people who lived along its banks had to move. I believe the Eltham PS is greatly improved. Betty says I shall get lost there now. Casterton is on the Glenelg R. in Vic so you will remember that next time. Best wishes to you all.
From E. Hooley

Ellen Sweeney was a former student of Eltham State School in the 1880s, She became a teacher at the school from 1891-1898. She returned in 1915 until her marriage to William Hooley of Casterton at St Marys, Eltham, Tuesday, April 24, 1923. see the following 2 articles, recording her wedding (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56655781) and her death (http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57491650).

1922 Prayer Book Gift 213 viewsThe small prayer book 'The New Key Of Heaven' had been originally presented to Mrs Foley from her sincere friends the Bayswater Altar Society in October 1912. She gifted it to her little niece Betty Carrucan, Christmas 1922. At that time she was living in Western Australia. Her words to her niece: Pray for me sometimes dear Betty.
Mrs Foley was Annie Cecile Sweeney (1969-1947),the eldest child of John Francis Sweeney and Ellen Mary Kenney.
Erickson Collection

1922 Prayer Book Gift 111 viewsThe small prayer book 'The New Key Of Heaven' had been originally presented to Mrs Foley from her sincere friends the Bayswater Altar Society in October 1912. She gifted it to her little niece Betty Carrucan, Christmas 1922. At that time she was living in Western Australia. Her words to her niece: Pray for me sometimes dear Betty.
Mrs Foley was Annie Cecile Sweeney (1969-1947),the eldest child of John Francis Sweeney and Ellen Mary Kenney.
Erickson Collection

1923 Frank and May Ryan with Sheila Kitty and Ellie on their way to Eltham on motorbike and sidecar for Ellen Sweeney's wedding41 viewsFrancis Michael "Frank" Ryan (1887-1965) was one of the children of John Francis Ryan (1855-1921) and Ellen Sweeney (1845-1932).

He married Mary Ann "May" Smale in January 1916.

Frank and May are shown on their motorbike with children Cecelia Mary "Sheila" (born 1916), Catherine Ellen "Kitty" (born 1917) and Eileen Margaret "Ellie" (born 1919). They had one further child, John Francis "Jack" who was born in 1924. At the time of this photo, there were only the 3 older daughters.

1924 - Frank Sweeney, Perth16 viewsFrank Sweeney, who was born 26 May 1882 and who died 18 August 1952, was a grandson of Thomas Sweeney. He relocated from Eltham to Perth somewhere around 1904. In the 1906 Electoral Roll, he is a driver living in Park St, Subiaco. He and his wife Ellen (Sullivan) had 7 children, born between 1912 and 1925.

This photo shows him at work in his carrier business. The photo is captioned "With Compliments, Autocars (1924) Ltd. The tray is painted "CARRIER FRANK SWEENEY SUBIACO".

1924 - Frank Sweeney, Perth7 viewsFrank Sweeney, who was born 26 May 1882 and who died 18 August 1952, was a grandson of Thomas Sweeney. He relocated from Eltham to Perth somewhere around 1904. In the 1906 Electoral Roll, he is a driver living in Park St, Subiaco. He and his wife Ellen (Sullivan) had 7 children, born between 1912 and 1925.

Thanks to Frank Sweeney for this photo shows him at work in his carrier business. The tray is painted "CARRIER FRANK SWEENEY SUBIACO".

1926 - Family photo at Dalton St - Nana (Hooley), Betty and Mary Carrucan14 viewsOn the front porch at the Dalton St Eltham farmhouse circa 1926. Mary Carrucan (nee Sweeney) is back right and her daughter Betty is back left. Mary's sister Ellen (Nana) Sweeney is seated.

1927 - aunts at Eltham - Annie Smith, Ellen Hooley, Nessie Sweeney35 viewsThere was a constant flood of visitors to Dalton Street on weekends from the now far flung clans. The old aunts were especially formidable with their lilting Irish brogue and their strong personalities and independent ways.
A bevy of aunts - Annie Smith (1860-1934), Ellen Hooley (1874-1943) and Nessie Sweeney (1869-1955).

1927 Christmas Card - Mary Ellen (Nellie) Murray12 viewsCard signed "Sincerely Yours,Nellie, Xmas 1927
Nellie Murray, Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia"

The AGE of Wednesday 3rd August 1938, p14, reported

DEATHS: On August 2, at a private hospital, Albert Park, Mary Ellen, beloved and only daughter of James and the late Julia Murray of Eltham, and beloved sister of James, aged 30 years, RIP

1930 circa at Culla Hill - Nellie Sweeney, Nellie Oliver, Nellie Murray and Nellie (Nana) Hooley nee Sweeney - Nana owned Culla Hill at this stage27 viewsA wonderful 1930 photo showing 4 Nellies on the front verandah of the Culla Hill homestead.

Ellen Mary (Nessie) Sweeney (1869-1955) - daughter of Patrick Carrucan and Mary Fitzsimons
Ellen (Nellie) Oliver nee Smith (1885-1956) - daughter of Jack Smith and Annie Sweeney
Ellen Mary (Nellie) Murray (1907-1938) - daughter of James Murray and Julia Brennan
Ellen Irene (Nelly) Hooley nee Sweeney (1874-1940) - daughter of John Sweeney and Ellen Kenney

A note on Ellen Mary (Nessie) Sweeney. She never married and worked at the Foy & Gibson factory in Collingwood. In later life, she lived with her niece Nelly Oliver so to save confusion people called her 'Nessie'.

I notice in lots of old references that people used both spellings, Nellie and Nelly. Patrick 1838-1919 calls his sister Ellen 'Ellie'. so that's another variation!

1970-11-19 Letter from Alan Marshall to Peter Cuffley5 viewsThe following letter from writer Alan Marshall to Peter Cuffley, dated 19th November 1970, acknowledges Peter's contribution to his book "Pioneers and Painters" and generally discusses Thomas Sweeney. His letter ends with the words "What you should do is later on write a book dealing with the Sweeneys. It would be most interesting."
It took Peter another 55 years to fulfill that request, with The Sweeney Family of Culla Hill Eltham finally published in February 2025.

1971 Pioneers and Painters Front Cover4 viewsIn the years leading up to 1971, the centenary of the Eltham Shire's birth, the Council felt that the publication of a Shire history would fittingly mark the century of achievement. Well known author Alan Marshall, who was an Eltham resident, took on the task and the end result was the wonderful Pioneers and Painters book. As part of his research, Marshall reached out to many people including Peter Cuffley (who was his source for information on Thomas Sweeney) and my uncle Jack Carrucan (who was also very knowledgeable about the early days of the Shire).
Front Cover
Pioneers and Painters is a wonderful history of the early settlement of Eltham and the surrounding towns - Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown, Panton Hill, Christmass Hills, Yarra Glen, Kinglake. It is still generally available for purchase at second hand bookshops and via online vendors and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book is also the first to acknowledge Thomas Sweeney's early footprint in the Eltham district and his pioneering settlement at Culla Hill.

1971 Pioneers and Painters page 106 viewsIn the years leading up to 1971, the centenary of the Eltham Shire's birth, the Council felt that the publication of a Shire history would fittingly mark the century of achievement. Well known author Alan Marshall, who was an Eltham resident, took on the task and the end result was the wonderful Pioneers and Painters book. As part of his research, Marshall reached out to many people including Peter Cuffley (who was his source for information on Thomas Sweeney) and my uncle Jack Carrucan (who was also very knowledgeable about the early days of the Shire).
Front Cover
Pioneers and Painters is a wonderful history of the early settlement of Eltham and the surrounding towns - Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown, Panton Hill, Christmass Hills, Yarra Glen, Kinglake. It is still generally available for purchase at second hand bookshops and via online vendors and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book is also the first to acknowledge Thomas Sweeney's early footprint in the Eltham district and his pioneering settlement at Culla Hill.
For completeness, here are the 2 pages in 'Pioneers and Painters' that refer to Thomas Sweeney.

1971 Pioneers and Painters page 124 viewsIn the years leading up to 1971, the centenary of the Eltham Shire's birth, the Council felt that the publication of a Shire history would fittingly mark the century of achievement. Well known author Alan Marshall, who was an Eltham resident, took on the task and the end result was the wonderful Pioneers and Painters book. As part of his research, Marshall reached out to many people including Peter Cuffley (who was his source for information on Thomas Sweeney) and my uncle Jack Carrucan (who was also very knowledgeable about the early days of the Shire).
Front Cover
Pioneers and Painters is a wonderful history of the early settlement of Eltham and the surrounding towns - Kangaroo Ground, Queenstown, Panton Hill, Christmass Hills, Yarra Glen, Kinglake. It is still generally available for purchase at second hand bookshops and via online vendors and I would recommend it to everyone.
This book is also the first to acknowledge Thomas Sweeney's early footprint in the Eltham district and his pioneering settlement at Culla Hill.
For completeness, here are the 2 pages in 'Pioneers and Painters' that refer to Thomas Sweeney.

1973 Cullahill Farm outbuildings, Parish of Bourney, Tipperary North - taken by Brian Cuffley16 viewsPhoto taken by Brian Cuffley in 1973, when the Guider family were still in residence. Photo shows the barn and outbuildings at Cullahill, Tipperary.

1986 Ellie Goss, Jim Murray, Noel Murray with wife Marcella and Cath Cuffley7 viewsThis photo, of cousins Ellie Goss, Jim Murray, Noel Murray and wife Marcella, and Cath Cuffley, was taken at the Murray property, Laurel Hill, Etham North in 1986.
James Eugene ‘Jim’ Murray lived until 1993 and always welcomed cousins to the old house on the hill.

1997-10-19 Pat Sweeney with Peter Cuffley3 viewsThis photo shows cousins Pat Sweeney and Peter Cuffley.
It was taken in 1997 when Pat Sweeney was visiting Victoria from his home in Western Australia.

1999 Cullahill Farmhouse, Parish of Bourney, Tipperary North - taken by Brian Cuffley14 viewsBrian Cuffley returned in 1999 and captured the Cullahill homestead in this photo. This is the same homestead that Thomas Sweeney tried to burn down. In those days, it would have had a thatched roof which would have easily caught fire.

Coastal Map of area from Sydney to Illawarra9 viewsAfter a number of years as an assigned convict within the confines of the NSW Colony, Thomas Sweeney became master of a succession of coastal traders transporting goods between Sydney and Wollongong. The first such reference is in the Sydney General Trade List of Thursday the 22nd of October, 1829.

1820s Cork Harbour showing the prison hulk Surprise17 viewsOn the 14th of May 1823, Thomas Sweeney and Michael Connors left Clonmel Gaol and under armed escort were transferred to the Convict Depot at Cork. From there they were later taken by steam packet to the Cove of Cork (Cobh) and placed on the Prison Hulk Surprise. This former Royal Navy frigate, built in the shipyards in Milford, Wales in 1812, was modified as a hulk in 1822-23. This 1820s print shows the 'Surprise' in Cork Harbour.
Collection Peter Cuffley

Ireland Map showing Limerick Tipperary (inc Clonmel) and Cork Harbour13 viewsMichael Connors and Thomas Sweeney were charged under the Whiteboy Act for a felonious assault on the house of Patrick Guider, at Cullohill, south of Roscrea in Tipperary, and with having set said house on fire. Being found guilty in Clonmel, their death sentences were commuted to life transportation to New South Wales. On the 14th of May, 1823, Sweeney and Connors left Clonmel Gaol and under armed escort were transferred to the Convict Depot at Cork. From there they were later taken by steam packet to the Cove of Cork (Cobh) and placed on the Prison Hulk Surprise in Cork Harbour.

1960s - Irish Photo43 viewsWaiting for further details on this one.

1904 - Kas Sweeney23 viewsThis photo shows Kathleen A Sweeney (Kas), the youngest of 10 children born to John Sweeney and Ellen Kenney. She was born in October 1884. I guess this photo was taken when she was about 20 years of age. The photo is currently with Brian Carrucan, her grandson. I am still to get a good copy so this is just in interim attempt. Kas married Frank Carrucan in 1915 but died in 1916 soon after bearing her first child Ken.

1904 - Kas Sweeney16 viewsThis photo shows Kathleen A Sweeney (Kas), the youngest of 10 children born to John Sweeney and Ellen Kenney. She was born in October 1884. I guess this photo was taken when she was about 20 years of age. The photo is currently with Brian Carrucan, her grandson. I am still to get a good copy so this is just in interim attempt. Kas married Frank Carrucan in 1915 but died in 1916 soon after bearing her first child Ken.

1843 - Michael Connors, Absolute Pardon, 1st of May 1843, 44-9, 36714 viewsThomas Sweeney and Michael Connors arrived in Port Jackson on the Convict Transport Isabella (3) in December 1823. Connors received a Ticket of Leave dated the 15th of December, 1832 which allows him to remain in the District of Bathurst. He was subsequently granted an Absolute Pardon dated May 1 1843. ‘Captain Rock’ had certainly come a long way since that historic night in 1823 at Cullahill, Parish of Bourney, Barony of Ikerrin, County Tipperary.

1900s - Margaret Katherine (Tissa) Ryan (1883-1960)38 viewsMargaret Katherine (Tissa) Ryan (1883-1960) was one of the children of John Francis Ryan (1855-1921) and Ellen Elizabeth (Ellie) Sweeney (1845-1932), one of the daughters of Thomas and Margaret Sweeney. She was born in Coromandel, New Zealand, and lived her life there.

1910 - Sisters Annie Mary Sweeney and Mary Ellen (Nellie or Nessie) Sweeney37 viewsAnnie was the eldest child of Patrick Sweeney and Mary Fitzsimons. Born 25th May 1860 at Eltham, she married John Francis (Jack) Smith in May 1884 at St Brigid's Catholic Church, North Fitzroy. She died on 4th April 1934 in North Fitzroy.

Mary Ellen (Nessie) was youngest child of of Patrick Sweeney and Mary Fitzsimons. She was born on 26th May 1869 at Mt Pleasant in Eltham. In the 1909 Electoral Role, she is living at 51 Bennett St, North Fitzroy, with her father Pat Sweeney. She died on 21st March 1955 in North Fitzroy. She never married.

Peter Cuffley recalls visiting 'Nessie' and her niece Nelly Oliver (Smith) at 577 Rae St, North Fitzroy, with his mother Cath Cuffley, in the late 1940s. It was a weatherboard house with stables out the back and a large walnut tree.

The photograph is inscribed "To Dear Aunt Ellie, with love from Nell, April 10th 1910." Aunt Ellie was Ellen Ryan of Waiki, New Zealand.

1910 approx - Culla Hill original hut - Ellen and Kathleen Sweeney and Michael Carrucan32 viewsNana (Ellen Sweeney) and Cassie (Kathleen Sweeney) proudly pose in front of this humble structure, the first hut built by Thomas Sweeney, possibly as early as 1843. John Francis Sweeney was probably born therein. Mick Carrucan (who married Mary Sweeney in 1910) is also in the picture.

This photo was no doubt taken by Joseph Rance Douie during a weekend visit to Eltham somewhere around the 1910 period or slightly later.
Joseph says on the back of the photo "It is many years since I took this photo ..."

These two photographs of the hut at Culla Hill are also prefect illustrations of the Sweeney family’s use of bush timber. Not only is the hut made split palings, split shingles and hand whittled slabs, the picket fence in the background is again made of split hardwood. We must make the best of these photographs to show how hard-working pioneers like our ancestors could turn the timber on their land into materials for their needs rather than purchase the products of commercial mills. It was the kind of ‘make-do’ ingenuity which bespeaks their humble Irish origins.

1910 approx - Culla Hill original hut - Ellen (Nana) and Kathleen (Cassie) Sweeney with Michael Carrucan and Michael O'Heare34 viewsNana (Ellen Sweeney) and Cassie (Kathleen Sweeney) proudly pose in front of this humble structure, the first hut built by Thomas Sweeney, possibly as early as 1843. John Francis Sweeney was probably born therein.
The two other figures are Mick Carrucan (who married Mary Sweeney in 1910) and Michael O'Heare, a well known local solicitor who was one of the groomsmen at Michael Carrucan's wedding in 1910.

These two photographs of the hut at Culla Hill are also prefect illustrations of the Sweeney family’s use of bush timber. Not only is the hut made split palings, split shingles and hand whittled slabs, the picket fence in the background is again made of split hardwood. We must make the best of these photographs to show how hard-working pioneers like our ancestors could turn the timber on their land into materials for their needs rather than purchase the products of commercial mills. It was the kind of ‘make-do’ ingenuity which bespeaks their humble Irish origins.

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