CARROLL, Martin James

MARTIN JAMES CARROLL, my Great, Great, Grandfather, was born in Loughrea, in County Galway, Ireland. Some family records show him as having been born on 19th October, 1829, and some show him as being born in 1833. I would suggest that the former is correct.


There are no 100% accurate records, per se, though research has been done by Ms. A Canning, the Secretary of the East Galway Family History Society Company Ltd. According to family stories, of which I have no reason to doubt, as to veracity, and records found by Ms. Canning, Martin James Carroll, was indeed, the sixth son of James Carroll and Bridget Burke. The letter to Gloria Carroll, from Ms. Canning, dated 11th August, 1996, includes the following:

"... Based on the details provided in your letter of 11 March 1996, we are confident that we have located the family of Martin James Carroll. Again, I must stress that Martin is the sixth child, of seven registered to this family, making the possibility of him being illegitimate extremely unlikely. The possibility that his ring came from his mother, Bridget Burke, is the most likely explanation.


A number of Burke families who were Catholic landholders lived in the Loughrea area..."


This latter part of the story will explain an intriguing part of Martin's past. In short, Martin was a well-bred, erudite and artistically inclined man. His formal education had included musical training, in singing, in Italy, and he had studied for the Priesthood, leaving just before taking his vows. He also wore a Gold ring, on which was the Heraldic Burke Family crest. I mention here, that to obtain any Heraldic, or 'genuine' Family Crest you must provide the formal pedigree etc. There are only slight differences, however, though the authentic claim is genuine.

The ring, from his mother, who was believed to have been related to the Clanricarde family, was, most probably, a member of the Church of Ireland, which would also be a major reason for Martin's entry into Ecclesiastical studies. His legitimacy, at birth, would also, perhaps, account for his wealth in later life. Why he came to Australia is not known, as he appeared to be an extremely private person, in regard to his past. The $60,000 question is, why wouldn't he speak of Ireland, hisyouth, his story, so to speak? Mmm, strange.


There is a record; Ref: 313:614/2 from the Mortlock Library, Adelaide, of a 'Martin Carroll', aged 30 yrs, arriving aboard the 'Utopia', ex Plymouth, ex Cork, on the 8th February, 1864. This would fit in with his appearance, around that time, in New South Wales, and especially Hexham, where he met the family of John (Walton) Hannnell, and married John's daughter, JANE ELIZABETH HANNELL, on the 28th February, 1866.


Jane Elizabeth HANNELL. b. 16th April, 1839. Hexham.

Martin seemed to have been largely self employed as a Wine Merchant, and travelled for short time, to country NSW. Once married though, he and Jane stayed at the family home in Hexham, and produced seven children.

The Hexham House, on the property known as, 'RIVERVIEW'.

The first child born was my Great Grandfather, JOHN HANNELL CARROLL, on 18th April, 1867. The other children were HENRY BRADSHAW (called Harry), b. 1869, MARTIN JAMES (Jnr), b.1870, MARY CECELIA, b. 1872, ROGER BEDE, b.1874, JANE ELIZABETH (Jenny), b. 1876 and JOSEPH ARTHUR, b. 1878.

This group Family Photo, taken around March, 1901, shows, from left to right, Back row - Jane Elizabeth (Jenny), Roger Bede, (John's wife) Margaret (née Phillpott) and John Hannell - (my Great Grandfather and Grandmother), Mary Cecelia. Front - Martin James Carroll, Joseph Arthur, and Jane Elizabeth (née Hannell).

Tragedy struck the family, on the 23rd August, 1889, when Henry (Harry) Bradshaw, and Martin James Jr. were killed, both hit by a train, on the Great Northern Rail Line, near Tarro. There was a 'blind' piece of track, and the train was upon them too quickly. This event, naturally, took a great toll upon the famly, but seemed to affect Jane and her father, to a greater depth. Jane appeared to 'withdraw' somewhat, and began writing very melancholy notes and poems, in her diary. 'Grandfather', John Hannell, pined away, and died suddenly, in 1891.

It was through this tragedy, that John Hannell decided, prior to his death, to build a 'Family Vault' on land bordering the Hunter River. This project was completed soon after, but the two boys remained buried at the Tarro Cemetery. John Hannell was interred for a short time at Tarro, but was then exhumed and placed in the newly completed Vault, at Hexham.


Martin died on 19th February, 1913 and Jane Elizabeth followed on 29th August, 1915.


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