Looking for ancestors/descendants of Thomas CANTWELL born about 1772 in Clough, County Kilkenny, Ireland. He married Mary FARRELL in Ireland before 1796 and they had at least two known children. It is now known that Thomas CANTWELL born abt 1772 father's name was also Thomas CANTWELL who was born abt 1750 and that our line descends from Sir Hugh de Cantwille late 11th Century.

Issue: 1.Michael Cantwell and 2.James Cantwell.

It hasn't yet been confirmed when Michael Cantwell was born, but it is known that he was 'transported last ship' and came out to Australia on the ship 'Parmelia'. It is thought that his wife and children did not follow.

James Cantwell (my ancestor) was born 1797 Cloneen, County Kilkenny, Ireland and died 27 March 1857 aged 60 at Narrowgut near Morpeth NSW Australia.

NSW BDM Death Registration No. 3339/1857 James Cantwill - parents: Thomas & Mary, District: Maitland.

James CANTWELL (standing number 34-1102, indent number 93) was transported to Australia aboard the “James Laing”, arriving in NSW, Australia on 29 June 1834. He was 30 years old, married and had six children, four male and two female.

James CANTWELL, a Roman Catholic, could read but not write. A native of County Kilkenny, Ireland, he was a coal miner. He was convicted of “unlawful oaths” at Kilkenny on 14 March 1833 and sentenced to life. He had no previous convictions.

James CANTWELL was six feet tall, with a brown complexion and was a little pockpitted. He had light sandy hair and dark grey eyes. His peculiar marks and scars are described as “I†S” back of right hand, same back of left hand.

In the remarks column of the list of prisoners for the “James Laing”, it states that James CANTWELL’s brother Michael CANTWELL had been transported “last ship”.

From: List of Male convicts, by the ship JAMES LAING, date 29 June 1834, Convict arrivals, 1788-1842,
CGS 1150-54, 12188-89 [SR Fiche 614-744] 131 microfiche, NSW State Records

James CANTWELL was a convict transported to Australia on the transport “James Laing” in 1834. He was assigned to the district of Port Stephens.

From: Ticket of Leave, 1834, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia, Ticket no. 45/1627; state records shelf ref 4/4202; state records reel no. 957, NSW State Records

The “James Laing” departed Dublin, Ireland on 16 Feb 1834 and arrived in Sydney, NSW, Australia on 29 Jun 1834, after a passage of 133 days. The ship embarked 201 male convicts and no women, and disembarked 197 male convicts.

From: Charles Bateson, The Convict Ships 1787-1868, Brown, Son & Ferguson , December 1985, ISBN 0851741959

The passage of Michael and Mary BRENNAN to Australia was paid by Mary CANTWELL (nee BRENNAN), whose husband James CANTWELL had been transported to Australia for “illegally swearing oaths” in 1831. After James CANTWELL was transported, Michael and Mary BRENNAN had cared for Mary CANTWELL and her children.

When James CANTWELL was freed after doing his time, Mary CANTWELL and the children followed him to Australia. Michael and Mary BRENNAN then followed the CANTWELLs, sailing in 1862 aboard the Abbyssinian. Michael BRENNAN died of pneumonia during the voyage, leaving his widow with nine children and another born shortly after the family arrived in Sydney.

The CANTWELLs were unable to support the BRENNAN family and the children were turned into service, leading to a break in relations between the two families.

From: Various family sources (both Cantwell and Brennan)

James CANTWILL (sic), a farmer, died at Narrowgut near Morpeth, New South Wales, Australia on 27 March 1857. He was 60 years of age. The cause of death was inflammation of the lungs after an illness lasting 21 days. Death was certified by William BROWN, who last saw the deceased on 20 March 1857. The informant was Thomas CANTWELL, farmer, of Narrowgut - the son of the deceased.

James CANTWILL’s parents were Thomas CANTWILL and Mary CANTWILL, formerly FARRELL. He was born in Kilkenny, Ireland. The death certificate gives no details of his wife or marriage, but lists his children as Thomas, 34 years; Patrick, 30 years (my ancestor); and Bridget, 28 years.

James CANTWILL was buried on 20 June 1857 at the Roman Catholic Burial Ground, East Maitland, NSW, Australia. The undertaker was William Thomas MITCHELL, while the witnesses were Thomas OGLE and Moses MURPHY.

From: NSW Death Certificate, 27 March 1857, Morpeth, NSW, Australia, file number 3339/1857, NSW Register of Births, Deaths and Marriages


All information graciously received. Alison.

Source of Headstone photograph - James Cantwill 1797~1857 from Australian Cemeteries Index