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1909-06-16 Nellie Bourke postcard to Frank Ryan - Bridge St and Bourke Residence - Ryan Collection - writing on back18 views Tim Keary, brother of Eliza Bourke married Kate Sweeney. The Bourke residence was named "Woodville" after the town in Galway where the Keary family lived. Tim wrote letters home to the family in Galway from 'Little Eltham' and two of them are in the Sweeney Family book. Nellie has headed this postcard "Woodville" and written "Bourke's Road" at the bottom of the postcard. She writes about last going up to Culla Hill the day John Sweeney was buried in 1909. It is dated 16th of June 1909.

1904 - Kas Sweeney17 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.

1922-04-16 Ellen Sweeney in Mrs Cox's garden Eltham Easter Sunday 192216 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).

1926 - Family photo at Dalton St - Nana (Hooley), Betty and Mary Carrucan16 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.

1838 Marriage Thomas Sweeney Margaret Meehan16 viewsOn the 30th of January, 1838, Margaret Meehan lands in Sydney from the 476 ton barque ‘Strathfieldsaye’ as an assisted immigrant. She marries Thomas Sweeney on the 23rd of April, 1838 at St Mary’s Church, Sydney, and the witnesses are Daniel Meehan and Peter Bodecin. The priest is Father John McEncroe and given that Margaret cannot sign her name he witnesses the cross she makes.

1907 circa - Thomas and Kathleen Sweeney, postcard to Mary and Frank in WA16 viewsThis photo of Kathleen (Kas) and Thomas (Tom) Sweeney was sent as a postcard to older siblings Mary and Frank in Western Australia. It says in part

"Tom Prior took it as we were returning from a ride. You will recognise the hill; our young stock.....Pigs send their love. Only another 3 weeks to live....Tell Frank to try and come home this year. Anxiously waiting for your next letter. Dad's neck is a bit troublesome now. He is making a new fowl house and it is nearly finished. Went for a ride on my own today."

1912 circa St Mary's Catholic Church cnr Main Road and Henry Street Eltham16 viewsSt Mary's Catholic Church, cnr Main Road and Henry Street, Eltham was opened/blessed October 13, 1912. The wooden church was built to replace an earlier brick church also known as St Mary's (1865-1912), which had been situated on the main road near present day Wingrove Park. The church and land cost £1,400 (Evelyn Observer). The wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1961.
Sourced from the Eltham District Historical Society.

1922 Prayer Book Gift 216 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

1999 Cullahill Farmhouse, Parish of Bourney, Tipperary North - taken by Brian Cuffley15 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.

1833 Darling Harbour Sydney National Library of Australia15 viewsHaving obtained a Ticket of Leave dated 29th of November 1831, Thomas Sweeney is increasingly reported in Sydney newspaper lists of coastal trading vessels between Wollongong and Sydney. To sail into Sydney was no mean feat as the captain had to negotiate ‘The Heads’, the entrance to Port Jackson, and then navigate a passage to a selected mooring such as in Cockle Bay (Darling Harbour).

1909-06-16 Nellie Bourke postcard to Frank Ryan - Bridge St and Bourke Residence - Ryan Collection - writing on back15 views Tim Keary, brother of Eliza Bourke married Kate Sweeney. The Bourke residence was named "Woodville" after the town in Galway where the Keary family lived. Tim wrote letters home to the family in Galway from 'Little Eltham' and two of them are in the Sweeney Family book. Nellie has headed this postcard "Woodville" and written "Bourke's Road" at the bottom of the postcard. She writes about last going up to Culla Hill the day John Sweeney was buried in 1909. It is dated 16th of June 1909.

1843 - Michael Connors, Absolute Pardon, 1st of May 1843, 44-9, 36715 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.

Ireland Map showing Limerick Tipperary (inc Clonmel) and Cork Harbour14 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.

1834 - 1867 Thomas Sweeney Signatures13 viewsThomas Sweeney could sign his name and could probably read well enough to survive in business, but he always had a friend or professional scribe write the letters he sent to government departments.

Peter Cuffley has collected a number of signatures from Thomas Sweeney, ranging from 1834 to 1867.

1927 Christmas Card - Mary Ellen (Nellie) Murray13 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

1922 Prayer Book Gift 113 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

1835 Illawarra Lake painting by Conrad Martens, Wollongong Art Gallery12 viewsThe 1835 painting 'Illawarra Lake' by Conrad Martens shows remnant forest including a Cabbage Tree Palm, along with a horse and figures and the lake beyond. Thomas Sweeney was one of those who transported the cut wood from the Illawarra to Sydney in his coastal cutter.

Coastal Map of area from Sydney to Illawarra12 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.

1924 - Frank Sweeney, Perth11 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".

1971 Pioneers and Painters page 108 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.

1986 Ellie Goss, Jim Murray, Noel Murray with wife Marcella and Cath Cuffley8 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.

1847 - Edward Dunn convict 1769-18508 viewsA legal dispute between Thomas Sweeney and one of his employees, Edward Dunn, was reported by the Port Phillip Herald of Thursday 22nd July 1847. Peter Cuffley has investigated the background of Edward Dunn and this information is captured in the attached image.

1842 Campbell's Wharf Sydney by artist John Skinner Prout6 viewsHaving obtained a Ticket of Leave dated 29th of November 1831, Thomas Sweeney is increasingly reported in Sydney newspaper lists of coastal trading vessels between Wollongong and Sydney. This 1842 view of Campbell's Wharf in Sydney illustrates the Sydney docks as Thomas Sweeney would have known them.
Credit: National Library of Australia.

1843 Sweeney Boroondara holding - a modern map6 viewsThomas Sweeney's land in Boroondara occupied under licence by the Sweeneys was basically an alluvial river flat with lagoons, some surviving trees and a stockyard. The alluvial flats with flood enriched soils were generally ideal areas for cultivation and grazing, with timber-getting being a reliable income as long as it lasted. The trees were initially felled by squatters for huts and fences, and wood was always needed for cooking and heating. Floods were a problem for anyone living close to the river and when they were severe, crops had to be replanted, huts repaired and fences rebuilt.
This modern map, to which Peter Cuffley has added words and boundaries, shows exactly how the Eastern Freeway has now cut through Thomas Sweeney's 146 acre Boroondara leasehold. Thomas was keen to buy it in the 1840s, but was not to know it would mostly become reserved land and later be affected by a freeway and the Burke Road on and off ramps.

1970-11-19 Letter from Alan Marshall to Peter Cuffley6 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.

1843 letter of Thomas Sweeney5 viewsAn important insight into the lives of Thomas and Margaret Sweeney prior to taking up their land in Nillumbik comes from a letter written by Thomas in Melbourne on January 27th 1843 to G.S. Airey Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands. This letter is reproduced below.
Sir, this is to inform you that I am a Squatter on the South side of the Yarra distant about seven miles from Melbourne – That there is a Mr Bellfleur a Superintendent for Mr. Walker who is a Squatter upon the lands adjoining me – And he makes a continual practice of driving the Cattle under his Charge over my lands and with all I can do or say he still persists in doing so – That some part of my land being under crops it is of a most serious consequence – It grieves me much to have to make a complaint of this kind, but the Law of self protection induces me so to do. I trust therefore that you will take the matter into Consideration and aid in the procuring the wanted – restoration of my rights – Your kind interference in this behalf will Exceedingly oblige – Your very humble and obedient Servant. Thos Sweeney.’
This letter is reproduced courtesy of the Public Record Office Victoria "VPRS-96.P2, Unit 1".

1971 Pioneers and Painters Front Cover5 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 125 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.

1997-10-19 Pat Sweeney with Peter Cuffley4 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.

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