John O'Donnell (abt. 1839 - 1879)

Born about 1839 in Augillies, Templecrone, Co Donegal, Ireland

Husband of Frances (Gallagher) O'Donnell — married 17 May 1866 in Letterkenny, Co.Donegal, Ireland

Descendants

Died 8 Sep 1879 at about age 40 in Mount Fyffe, Marlborough, New Zealand

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Biography

John was the second son of John O'Donnell & Ann Gallagher. He was born about 1839 in Donegal, Ireland. On 17 May 1866, aged 28 years old, he married 16 year old Frances (Fanny) Gallagher, the daughter of Hugh Gallagher and Ann Doherty. They were married in the Roman Catholic Chapel of Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland by Charles O'Donnell. The witnesses were noted to be Charles Duddy and Anna Ward. John was noted to be a 28 year old farmer, residing in Agwilly and Fanny was noted to be residing in Iramore Upper. Their fathers were noted as farmers.

John and Fanny emigrated to New Zealand some time between 1869 and 1870. One of their children (a son) was noted to have been born in Ireland - John Francis O'Donnell.

John and Fanny went on to have 7 children: John Francis, James Arthur, Hugh, Anne, Mary Jane, Joseph and Sylvester - aside from John Francis, all children were born in Kaikoura, New Zealand.

On 8 September 1879, two years after youngest son Sylvester's birth, John died of heart disease in Mt Fyffe, Kaikoura. The medical attendant was Dr. James F. Fletcher who had last seen John alive on the 6th. The death certificate noted that John was buried in the Roman Catholic Burial Ground in Kaikoura on 10 September 1879. It was also noted that he was born in Donegal and had been in New Zealand about 10 years. John was 40 years old.

Migrated 1869 to New Zealand. Ship Hydaspes, arrived at Lyttleton New Zealand. Lived in Kaikoura.

Sources

"The O'Donnell's in Kaikoura, New Zealand" - Lindel Buckley 1997

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Amber Clarke for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Amber and others.

• Fay ODonnell