John Neville ¹

  General Notes:

In April 1822, John and 49 other Irishmen were convicted at a Special Sessions in Limerick under The Insurrection Act to 7 years transportation. He arrived in Sydney on the "Mangles" 8 Nov 1822. A number of other convicted at the same time bought land in the Milburn Creek area where John settled. All convicts landed from the "Mangles" were dispatched into the charge of the Resident Magistrate at Parramatta." John was sent to the Evans District where he was assigned to John Ryan. Edmund Markham was assigned to John McHenry at Castlereagh. Thomas Shaunessey went to James Byrne at Appin..John was re-assigned to John McHenry 18 Jan 1825 and by 1828 he was head stockman for McHenry at Native Dog Creek with another convict Jamse McCarthy who had come out on the "Boyne" with John's brother Daniel. On 20 May 1829 John gained his Certificate of Freedom and 13 Nov he applied for a land grant. In 1835 Thomas Shaunessey is said to have formed 'Tom and Bill" station for him. It is interesting to note that a James Neville from that Oroperty married Agnes Charters in 1850.Thomas Higgins who was also once in the employ of McHenry had made money from hotels in Sydney and bought land at Milburn Creek to graze his animals.When he decided to return to Sydney he sold his 996 acres to John who had been working for him. Soon after Higgins was killed in a fall from his horse.John was an executor of his will.
On 18 Jan 1837 applied for a pasturing Licence No 114. At 3 Sept 1838 he was farming 996 acres at Milburn Creek - 40 were under plough and he had 3 convicts in service and applied for 8 more.By Sept 1839, 50 acres were under plough, he had 14 convicts and applied for 9 more. On 28 May 1847 another Licence to Depasture Stock was granted at "Mickeygunnagal".A Patrick was also granted a Licence for "Mulyan" Whether this was Patrick of "Alta Villa" or Dan's son is uncertain.
Dec 17 1836, he was living on the Lachlan, possibly on Thomas Higgin's property. At this time he applied for and was granted a depasturing licence. Edward Neville was looking after the 220 cattle and 7 horses.Around this time he had a station called "Tom and Bill".
On the 1841 census, John was living at Milburn Creek and there were 13 people at his place.- 10 single males between 21 -45. Nine males were shepherds 5 of whom were assigned,2 arrived free and 3 were also free (probaby gained Tickets of Freedom etc). There were 3 females1 born in colony and 2 arrived free.These may have been Daniel's wife Johanna, daughters Johanna and Margaret.
John's death was a little strange in that he left Bathurst to visit his property and then his brother at Fish River.He left Fish River 19 June 1853 and two days later his saddled horse was found wandering between King's Plains and Carcoar. His brother Patrick offered a reward of 50 for the discovery of his body. Patrick related a strange story of a dream about his disappearance and a number of articles appeared in the Bathurst paper and the Sydney Morning Herald about it. A subscription was taken up towards a reward as foul play was suggested. By 19 July 228/5/0 had been pledged. However the disappearance had fuelled much fanciful speculation and eventually his body was found and showed injuries caused by being thrown fron his horse.
In April 1853 he was issued with a Publican's licence

  Death Notes:

Fall from horse

  Noted events in his life were:

• He worked as a Farmer. Innkeeper.

• He was Catholic.

John married Honora Harnett on 19 Aug 1843 in Sydney, Cumberland County, New South Wales. (Honora Harnett was born before 1828 and died after 1855 in <New South Wales>.)

  Marriage Notes:

St Mary's Wit Patrick Harnett & Margaret