Thomas William Halligan (1866 - 1890)

Born 10 Nov 1866 in Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand

Ancestors

Died 11 Sep 1890 at age 23 in New York, United States

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Biography

Thomas was the eldest child of of Alexander Halligan and Elizabeth McCarthy.

Thomas William Halligan, born at Market Reserve, Hokitika on 10 November 1866, was the eldest son of Alexander and Elizabeth. Thomas grew up in Wanganui and was apprenticed as a cabinet maker. He later became a seafarer. Thomas Halligan and was tragically killed when he fell from the mast of the Barque Loch Ranza in the Port of New York on 11 Sept. 1890. He was 24 at the time of his death. There is a memorial to Thomas Halligan in the Old Wanganui Cemetery in Heads Road where his parents are buried.

The following article appeared in the Wanganui Chronicle, 18 July 1891: "News has been received of the death by accident, at New York, of Thomas Halligan, a young fellow who was well-known in Wanganui, having grown up from childhood to manhood in this town. A friend of Halligan's has just received a letter narrating the particulars of the sad event; which we here give. "Barque Loch Ranza: I am sorry to inform you that your friend Thomas Halligan is no more, he met his death this morning by being knocked down from the foretopsail yard. The poor fellow suffered little as he was stunned in the first place. His shipmates are sadly cut up about him, as he was a general favourite with us all. A young fellow whom to know was to love and respect. The writer goes on to ask the recipient of the letter to forward the name of the mother of their deceased shipmate, as they would like to write to her." The letter is signed by one of the A.B.'s John Lewis. The mate of the vessel Loch Ranza adds a postscript to the following effect. The above is given me by the men in my watch, of which Tom was one of the A.B.s, a very respectful, and nice fellow, and a general favourite, his untimely end was a severe shock to me; if you could oblige me with the address of his mother I should like to write to her. (Signed) H, Cossentine, Mate Barque Loch Ranza. " Young Halligan served his time to the cabinetmaking with Mr D. Ross, but some time ago took to a seafaring life. We extend our sympathies to his bereaved mother, Mrs Halligan of St. Hill Street, for the loss she has sustained."

Sources

• Birth - Births, Deaths & Marriages New Zealand Birth cert 1866/25403
• Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 11323, 18 July 1891, Page 2