Patrick Jnr was born to Patric (Jacobi) James Owens Snr (b 1805 d 17 March 1850) of Balitore, Kildare. His mother, Mary Margaret Dunn, was born in 1816 at Carlow and passed away in June 1881 aged 65 years.
"Patrick James Snr came out of the army and died aged 47 in 1850. The family settled in Balitore, County Kildare prior to his death. Patrick and Mary had four children, 3 boys and a girl. The two brothers John and Michael died in 1881, perhaps in the Irish Wars.
Patrick James Owens (Jnr)
"Patrick James Snr came out of the army and died aged 47 in 1850. The family settled in Balitore, County Kildare prior to his death. Patrick and Mary had four children, 3 boys and a girl. The two brothers John and Michael died in 1881, perhaps in the Irish Wars.
"At the Kildare Library there is a record of a Margaret Owen paying taxes for property in 1852, 2 years after Patric James died. It was is unheard of a woman paying taxes unless she was is a widow and the dates seemed to make sense. Often names were rearranged and surnames left a letter off." Noelene Owens
Patrick Jnr's two brothers and sister were; John (1846-January 1881) and Michael (1850 - March 1881). He also had a sister Mary Ann (-Feb 1899). Patrick James' father was stationed in the Isle of White when Patrick was born.
Patrick Jnr's two brothers and sister were; John (1846-January 1881) and Michael (1850 - March 1881). He also had a sister Mary Ann (-Feb 1899). Patrick James' father was stationed in the Isle of White when Patrick was born.
"Of interest, Patrick’s father, Patric (Jacobi) James Owens joined the 97th Regiment at Foot from 28.5.1827 at Carlow, Ireland. He was 24 years old. He and Mary Margaret
A Military life
"On 18th November 1851, aged just 8 years and 10 months, and along with his brother John, Patrick entered the Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin. This was a school for children of deceased soldiers or destitute families of soldiers serving overseas. The school is now part of St Mary's Hospital in Dublin. It is recorded that when arriving at the school Patrick was 4’2 ½” tall and weighed 63lbs - quite well developed for his age. The school's archivist has informed me that competition for entry was severe and his father had to have had a first-class military record for his son to gain admission. Also, about the time of his entry Bishop Cullen of Ireland was leading a campaign for Roman Catholicism to be included in the curriculum of the School. Up to that time, RC entrants had to learn the catechism of the Church of England. This would have influenced the eventual outlook of student graduates and their religious prejudices". Jess Owens - Australia
Dunn married in 1839 at St James Roman Catholic Church in Hampshire, England. His military career
spanned 21 years to his discharge on 11.07.1848 at Chatham, UK." Noelene Owens
A Military life
"On 18th November 1851, aged just 8 years and 10 months, and along with his brother John, Patrick entered the Royal Hibernian Military School in Dublin. This was a school for children of deceased soldiers or destitute families of soldiers serving overseas. The school is now part of St Mary's Hospital in Dublin. It is recorded that when arriving at the school Patrick was 4’2 ½” tall and weighed 63lbs - quite well developed for his age. The school's archivist has informed me that competition for entry was severe and his father had to have had a first-class military record for his son to gain admission. Also, about the time of his entry Bishop Cullen of Ireland was leading a campaign for Roman Catholicism to be included in the curriculum of the School. Up to that time, RC entrants had to learn the catechism of the Church of England. This would have influenced the eventual outlook of student graduates and their religious prejudices". Jess Owens - Australia
There is some great history about the school, and this link provides a nice commentary of its history https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p02prwfr. Patrick left military school on 28th July 1857 aged 14 years and 6 month and enlisted in the 60th Royal Regiment of Foot where he began a 10 year journey serving in India.
The 60th Rifles, the regiment in which Patrick enlisted, reached Madras in December, 1857, after a passage of 118 days. On account of his youth Patrick did not actually take part in the repression of the mutiny, but he retained a vivid recollection of the horrors associated with it. He was engaged as a soldier in India for about 10 years. At the age of 22 he was drum-major. On one occasion the regiment marched over 700 miles, being on the road for three and a-half months. Mr. Owens was stated to be the youngest drum-major in the British Army at that time. His promotion was rapid. He was a corporal at 19 years of age, a sergeant at 20 and a drum major at 22. Failing eyesight, however, terminated his military career and he shipped home in 1867(c) onboard the tea clipper, The Tweed, a journey that took 78 days. Patrick spent some years of civilian life and it is recorded that he lived at the Boherbee Barracks in Tralee before marrying Mary and moving to New Zealand.
Mary Murphy
Mary was born at Listowel in Ireland in 1855 and died in New Zealand on 3rd August 1893. She had a sister Bridget who was born in Ireland in 1866? and died in NZ on 28th October 1918. Mary's brother John Raymond was born in Listowel, Kerry Ireland on 7th February 1867 and died on 26th January 1946 in Auckland. He married Hannah Mokau Shore (b 10 Jan 1878 d. 10 Feb 1959) in New Plymouth New Zealand in 1907 and they had a son Raymond. John and Hannah are buried at Waikumete Cemetery plot 124 in Auckland. Mary's parents were Margaret Mary (Bridget Raymond) Murphy who died on 15 Feb 1892 in Ireland and her father was William Murphy who died in 1885 in Ireland. The family are connected to the Raymond's of Listowel and Dromin House. It is noted that prior to marriage Mary was living in Strand Street and was employed as a house maid in Tralee.
Marriage and Children
It is possible that Mary and Patrick met in Tralee where Mary was working as a house maid and Patrick was stationed at Boherbee Barracks, Tralee. Following their marriage at St John's in Tralee on 6th August 1874 by the Rev J McCarthy, it was just three months until they set sail for New Zealand on board the ship India. He registered as a pensioner from Boherbee on his marriage certificate and as a labourer, civil servant from Hertfordshire on the ship's lists.
30 year old Patrick James Owens and 19 year old Mary Anne Owens bought 2nd class tickets on the ship The India for their journey to New Zealand . They departed Gravesend on 26th November 1874 and arrived into Auckland on 3rd March 1875. PapersPast has a detailed article that featured in the Auckland Star on 3rd March 1875 of their journey to New Zealand and the passenger list which clearly indicates Patrick Owens 30 and Mary 19.
Papers Past provides some insights into Patrick's career at the Asylum. A dignified gentleman and having lost his wife at the age of 50, Patrick passed away at a good age of 88 from Myocarditis, a heart condition.
Bridget Murphy
The Indian Mutinies
The 60th Rifles, the regiment in which Patrick enlisted, reached Madras in December, 1857, after a passage of 118 days. On account of his youth Patrick did not actually take part in the repression of the mutiny, but he retained a vivid recollection of the horrors associated with it. He was engaged as a soldier in India for about 10 years. At the age of 22 he was drum-major. On one occasion the regiment marched over 700 miles, being on the road for three and a-half months. Mr. Owens was stated to be the youngest drum-major in the British Army at that time. His promotion was rapid. He was a corporal at 19 years of age, a sergeant at 20 and a drum major at 22. Failing eyesight, however, terminated his military career and he shipped home in 1867(c) onboard the tea clipper, The Tweed, a journey that took 78 days. Patrick spent some years of civilian life and it is recorded that he lived at the Boherbee Barracks in Tralee before marrying Mary and moving to New Zealand.
Mary Murphy
Mary Murphy
Mary was born at Listowel in Ireland in 1855 and died in New Zealand on 3rd August 1893. She had a sister Bridget who was born in Ireland in 1866? and died in NZ on 28th October 1918. Mary's brother John Raymond was born in Listowel, Kerry Ireland on 7th February 1867 and died on 26th January 1946 in Auckland. He married Hannah Mokau Shore (b 10 Jan 1878 d. 10 Feb 1959) in New Plymouth New Zealand in 1907 and they had a son Raymond. John and Hannah are buried at Waikumete Cemetery plot 124 in Auckland. Mary's parents were Margaret Mary (Bridget Raymond) Murphy who died on 15 Feb 1892 in Ireland and her father was William Murphy who died in 1885 in Ireland. The family are connected to the Raymond's of Listowel and Dromin House. It is noted that prior to marriage Mary was living in Strand Street and was employed as a house maid in Tralee.
Mary Murphy Baptism Record - left hand side, 13th line it reads Mary - William Murphy and Bridget Raymond. Birth date 1855, Baptism date 23 April 1855, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland.
It is possible that Mary and Patrick met in Tralee where Mary was working as a house maid and Patrick was stationed at Boherbee Barracks, Tralee. Following their marriage at St John's in Tralee on 6th August 1874 by the Rev J McCarthy, it was just three months until they set sail for New Zealand on board the ship India. He registered as a pensioner from Boherbee on his marriage certificate and as a labourer, civil servant from Hertfordshire on the ship's lists.
Journey to New Zealand
30 year old Patrick James Owens and 19 year old Mary Anne Owens bought 2nd class tickets on the ship The India for their journey to New Zealand . They departed Gravesend on 26th November 1874 and arrived into Auckland on 3rd March 1875. PapersPast has a detailed article that featured in the Auckland Star on 3rd March 1875 of their journey to New Zealand and the passenger list which clearly indicates Patrick Owens 30 and Mary 19.
Article - Arrival of the India
The vessel reported by the Captain of the Go-Ahead turned out to
be the ship India, 912 tonnes, Captain McPhail, from London, with 18 cabin
passengers and 193 Government immigrants. The vessel was boarded off Tiritiii at
half-past one o'clock this morning by Captain Burgess, and she made her appearance
at daylight at the Heads. There being no sickness on board, she was brought up
the harbour at once and anchored off the wharf, where she was visited by the
Immigration Commissioners, and after being carefully examined, received a clean
bill of health.
Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1578, 3 March 1875
All of their twelve recorded children were born in New Zealand and are acknowledged in the NZ Births, Deaths and Marriages records. The first three children did not survive infancy.
James William is noted as passing away at 10 minutes old in 1876.
Patrick James is noted as passing away at 11 hours old in 1877.
John Louis is noted as passing away at 6 weeks old in 1878.
William Patrick was born on 12.09.1879.
William Patrick was born on 12.09.1879.
Helena Lilian was born on 25.11.1881.
Raymond Francis (my great grandfather) was born on 29.08.1882.
John James was born in on 19.07.1885.
Margaret Mary Ellen was born on 9.10.1887.
Edward Joseph and Mary Ellen were twins born on 1st April 1890.
Herbert Reginald was born in 14th March1891.
Kathleen May was born on 13th June 1893.
After settling in Auckland, Patrick took up employment dismantling Fort Britomart before spending 23 years working in the Auckland Mental Asylum.
After settling in Auckland, Patrick took up employment dismantling Fort Britomart before spending 23 years working in the Auckland Mental Asylum.
Auckland Lunatic Asylum in Pt Chevalier, now Auckland Polytechnic was where Patrick spent most of his working life in Auckland before retiring.
Mary died of Pneumonia in 1893 just two months after the birth of her last child Katherine - she was just 37 years old. Records show she gave birth to only Katherine, however my mother recalls stories of their being two twin girls. After Mary's death, her sister Bridget Murphy raised the children and cared for Patrick. Young Bridget never married. The home of Patrick was 33 Vermont Street in Ponsonby. A large home that still stands today.
On 17th February 1931 the following appeared in the New Zealand Herald.
My uncle Athol Raymond Owens lead a gravestone restoration project on Patrick and Mary's grave. Athol worked with Friends of Grafton and the Auckland City Council to have the grave repaired. Family members donated to this project and John Charles (Ian Owens) bequested a sum of money to the project prior to his passing.
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| Patrick James Photo from his Obituary |
Bridget was the younger sister of Mary. She migrated to New Zealand around 1894 to care for Mary and Patrick's children. She died of a stroke aged just 52 and is buried with her nephew Herbert Reginald (Reg) Owens and his wife Amy at Waikaraka Cemetery in Onehunga.
