Honora O’SHEA

Story

Honorah was born in Cork, Ireland, the daughter of John & Norah O’Shea nee O’Mahoney. She had 3 brothers John, Daniel & James and 3 sisters Margaret, Catherine & Bridget. Honorah’s father John had a dairy farm 5 miles out of Cork where the family lived.

Catherine & Honorah O’Shea were the only members to settle in Australia.

Honorah’s brothers Daniel & James wanted to settle in America but they came to Australia with the Honorah & Catherine in Sept 1876 as the family did not want the girls travelling alone. When Daniel & James had settled the girls with Irish friends in Grey St, St Kilda the brothers left for Sydney en route to America where they settled.

The girls made their living taking in dressmaking. They were expert needlewomen being taught at home by their mother to make all their own clothes.

Catherine married John Dargan late in 1877. (they met through Irish friends the girls lived with). John had the Star Hotel in Rochester, Victoria, with his brother Thomas, having built the hotel in 1861.

Honorah met John Tehan while staying with Catherine. He was a widower of 3 months with 2 young sons. six months later Honorah & John were married on 12th October 1878 at St Mary’s Church, Echuca.

Shortly after Honorah’s marriage Dargans sold the hotel & went to Warrnambool, Victoria, where they opened a Drapery & Produce Store. Catherine & John had no family and they both died long before Honorah.

Honorah & John Tehan had their 1st child on 23rd January 1880 at their home ‘Quarry Park’, Nanneella. Their family grew to 2 daughters Mary & Catherine & 5 sons John (jnr), William, James, Patrick & Joseph. One son James died at 9 months. Honorah also reared Michael & Thoma Tehan, John’s 2 surviving sons from his first marriage to Catherine Slattery. John died 24th April 1897 and Honorah died 8th May 1931 aged 80 years.

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