John Francis Moylan (1862-1924)
Mary Jane O’Neill (1860-1934)

Jump down to the list of their children

Mary Jane O’Neill was the third of twelve children of Patrick O’Neill & Elizabeth Lulham. She born on 28 Feb 1860 in Brookfield where Patrick ran an inn, though he was struggling with that business at the time.

John Francis Moylan was born on 11 Feb 1862 (record 9166) to John Moylan & Ellen Grant. John first married Mary A Foley in 1881 at West Maitland. They had a son, Stephen Lott Moylan, at West Maitland, in 1885 (record 24833). Mary died that same year (record 11599), possibly as a result of complications from childbirth. Stephen married Ethel Honorah Swan at West Maitland in 1916. They had at least one child, a daughter, Mary L Moylan, born at West Maitland in 1917 (record 48553). Stephen died at West Maitland in 1935 (record 10511).

John then married Mary Jane O’Neill on 10 Jan 1887 at West Maitland. John and Mary ran the Carrington Hotel, West Maitland, until 1901 when they moved to Gundy, about 20km north-east of Scone. Mary was clearly an energetic member of the community, a fact mentioned in several newspaper reports of their farewell from Maitland and also later from Gundy, as well as from scores of reports of fetes and sporting events that she supported.

Firstly, from The Maitland Daily Mercury on Tue 21 May 1901:

Presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Moylan

It will be recollected that when Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Moylan, the popular host and hostess of the Carrington Hotel, West Maitland, left the district a few weeks ago for Gundy, where they have established themselves in a similar line of business, a movement was initiated among their many friends to present them with a testimonial as an acknowledgement of the esteem and respect with which they were held. The movement was taken up with enthusiasm and carried to a successful issue. Last night about a hundred ladies and gentlemen met Mr. and Mrs. Moylan, by invitation at the Masonic Hall, when Mrs. Moylan was presented with a handsome gold bangle of chaste design, set with diamonds and sapphires and Mr. Moylan with a purse of sovereigns. The bangle which was obtained from the establishment of Mr. John Hart, bore the following inscription – “Presented to Mrs. J. F. Moylan by her Maitland friends.” The chair was occupied by Mr. Michael Murray, J.P.. Apologies were tendered for inability to be present from the Very Rev. Dr. Hand, and Father McAuliffe, Captain Nicholson, Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. W. Howell, Mr. and Mrs. J. Croyle, Messrs. G. Snape, W. H. Kelly, and Frank Herrmann.

The Chairman assured them that it afforded him very great pleasure to preside on an occasion such as that, called for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Moylan, two highly respected residents, on the occasion of their leaving the town. He referred to the success which Mr. Moylan had achieved in business so early in life, and regretted they were losing such a worthy citizen. Mrs. Moylan, they all knew, had always been foremost in all charitable and philanthropic movements for the good of the town and district. The departure of two such worthy citizens was, in his opinion, a distinct loss to the town, but they could console themselves with the reflection that what was Maitland’s loss was Gundy’s gain.

Mr. Buman then contributed a much appreciated cornet solo, and Mr. W. Chandler gave a finished rendering, of “For Ever and Aye.”

Mr. John Gillies, M.L.A., said it afforded him very great pleasure to be present to make the presentations to his friends Mr. and Mrs. Moylan. He agreed with the remarks that had fallen from the Chairman to the effect that by the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Moylan, Maitland was losing two of its best citizens. He trusted that they would have a prosperous career at Grundy where he understood that Mr. Moylan was not only a hotel-keeper, but also ran a blacksmith’s shop, a bakery, a bootshop, a grocery and drapery business. He was in fact a sort of universal provider in Gundy. He trusted he would go on progressing until he became the Anthony Hordern of the north. They all know that Mrs. Moylan had been for years the leading spirit in all charitable and benevolent movements, that she was ever ready to lend a helping hand when assistance was required and that her efforts in that direction were not confined to class or creed. She had at various times assisted to make bazaars and socials in aid of the Maitland Hospital, the Pierce Memorial Nurses’ Home and the Maitland Benevolent Society, the successes they had been. In fact he considered that Mrs. Moylan’s place in Maitland would be difficult to fill. In conclusion, he said he had much pleasure in presenting Mrs. Moylan with a gold bangle from her Maitland friends and Mr. Moylan with a purse of sovereigns.

Mr. A. A. Wall spoke of the high character borne by Mr. and Mrs. Moylan and wished them success and prosperity in their now home.

Mr. Moylan said he could hardly find words with which to thank his Maitland friends for their presents to his wife and himself. They had not gone so far away that they could not come back again as he looked upon Maitland as his home.

Mrs. Moylan also thanked her friends for the handsome present they had made her, which she assured them she valued very much.

Mr. Tapp contributed “I won’t go out with Riley any More;” Mr. W. Scobie “By the Waters;” Mr. Alfred Pender, “How McDougall topped the score” and “A trip to Port Stephens;” and Mr. B. Phillips “Give me your answer to-night.” Before dispersing the company sang “Auld Lang Syne.” Mr. Royal acted as accompanist throughout.

Before the meeting opened Mrs. Moylan was presented with a beautifully bound copy of “A Manual of Catholic Piety” by Mrs. Herrman, Misses C. M. Herrman, A. Manery, and M. Purcell, ladies who had assisted her in conducting stalls at various bazaars held in the town.

In fact, the licensee of the Northern Miners’ Inn at Gundy was owned by Mary Jane’s sister Hannah O’Neill. Hannah’s husband John Joseph Minch had died in October 1891. She retained the business until late 1926.

After some twenty years in business running Northern Miners’ Inn and other business in Gundy the couple retired to Scone; from The Scone Advocate Tue 13 Jun 1922:

GUNDY.
PRESENTATION TO MR. AND MRS. J. F. MOYLAN.

There was on Saturday afternoon last, a goodly gathering of Gundy, Upper Hunter, and Scone folk, in the Federal Hall, on the occasion of the public tribute paid to Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Moylan, who are taking their departure from Gundy, after a residence of some twenty years. Mr. J. Riley occupied the chair, and the Shire President (Cr. H. L. White) made the presentations. On behalf of the subscribers, Mr. White handed Mr. Moylan a gold watch, suitably engraved, and Mrs. Moylan a silver entree dish, and in doing so, spoke in eulogistic terms of the recipients as worthy, useful, and public-spirited citizens, whom they were all very sorry to lose. Mr. White’s remarks were endorsed and supplemented by a few each from the Rev. Father Kilgallin and Messrs. F. W. Tilse and R. A. Wilson (Scone), and Messrs. W. N. Campbell, J: J. McLoughlin, F. Wilder, and M. Lawrence, who spoke in appreciative terms of Mr. and Mrs. Moylan’s worth both as citizens and friends, and of the manner in which they had conducted the business of the local hotel during their residence of twenty years. Mr. Moylan, on behalf of Mrs. Moylan as well as himself, warmly thanked the donors for their handsome gifts, and those who had spoken, and others present for their appreciative remarks and expressions of goodwill. We understand it is Mr. and Mrs. Moylan’s intention to take up their residence in Scone.

The couple had seven children while living in West Maitland, but in many ways their life was fraught with sorrow: only one of their children, a son, outlived their parents.

John & Mary’s family:

01. Etta E (b. 16 Jan 1888, d. 14 Dec 1889) not quite 2 years old

02. Ethel Regis (b. 15 Jun 1889, d. 22 May 1916) aged 26

03. Cecelia R (b. 15 Jun 1889, d. 30 Nov 1893) 4 years old

04. Reginald John (b. 08 Jun 1892, d. 01 Apr 1895) not quite 3 years old

05. Reta Josephine (b. 27 Aug 1894, d. 04 Aug 1896) almost 2 years old

06. Herbert Francis (b. 01 Oct 1895, d. 1930)

07. Stanley Joseph (b. 14 Aug 1898, d. 12 Dec 1898) 2 months old

Less than two years after retiring to Scone John succumbed to illness. From The Maitland Daily Mercury on S Sat 02 Feb 1924:

Death of Mr. J. Moylan

Information has been received of the death at Scone of Mr. John Moylan, of Gundy, but who formerly lived in West Maitland for many years. He was 62 years of age, and was a native of the district. For a long time Mr. Moylan held the license of the Carrington Hotel here. He was a member of and took a keen interest in the old Maitland Lancers and Hunter River Light Horse. He is survived by his wife and one son.

The Scone Advocate reported on Fri 1 Feb 1924:

OBITUARY
MR. JOHN F. MOYLAN

Following a lingering illness, Mr. John F. Moylan, formerly of Gundy, but latterly of Scone, and widely known throughout the Upper Hunter as one of the leading and public-spirited citizens, passed away at his residence shortly before 3 o’clock this. (Friday) afternoon.

A eulogy appeared in The Scone Advocate on Tue 05 Feb 1924 but unfortunately there is much missing from this particular issue and it is hard to read it. In his will, dated 03 Aug 1922, he left his estate to his son but his life insurance to his wife as well as permanent use of the house at Liverpool St, Scone.

Mary Jane survived another twelve years and died in Scone after an extended illness on 08 May 1934. Her death was reported in several papers, including The Maitland Daily Mercury on Sat 12 May 1934:

MRS. M. J. MOYLAN

Mrs. Mary Jane Moylan, a former resident of West Maitland, died suddenly, on Tuesday night. She had been in indifferent health for a few years but only took to her bed a couple of days before her death. She took a bad turn on Tuesday night and died shortly afterwards.

Mrs. Moylan, who was in her 75th year, was born at Brookfield, in the Dungog district. Her husband, Mr, John F. Moylan, who died ten years ago, hold the license of the Carrington Hotel in West Maitland for some time. In 1901, they went to Gundy, where they conducted the Northern Minors’ Hotel for a number of years.

At Gundy, as elsewhere, Mrs. Moylan made many fast friends, not only because of her warm heartedness, but very largely because of her kind and affectionate disposition, her generous nature, and proffering a helping hand to many and at all times.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, and was very largely attended. Friends and relatives came from distant, parts of the State. Rev. Father Kilgallin recited the last obsequies. chief mourners were Messrs, H. F. Moylan, (Scone) son, P. J. O’Neill (Kempsey), H. W. O’Neill (Taree), J. O’Neill (Merewether), A. O’Neill (Wingham), brothers; Mrs. N, Minch (Scone), Mrs. M. O’Shannessy (North Sydney), Mrs. E. Davis (Wollongong), sisters. Four nephews, Messrs, J. O’Neill (Wauchope), E. Minch (Gundy), and R. and L. Davis (Wollongong), acted as pall-bearers. Other relatives present included Mr. W. Murphy (son-in-law), Mr. M. O’Shannessy (brother-in-law), Mrs. P. Burgess (niece), and Miss Aileen Murphy (grand-daughter). Another brother is Mr. Frank O’Neill (Sydney).

Mr. H. F. Moylan (son) is the last of a family of seven children. He is now the sole survivor of the household.

Generation 2

02. Ethel Regis Moylan married William John Murphy (b. 1878 to Matthew Murphy & Elizabeth Jane Stubbs, d. 17 June 1956 in North Sydney) on 08 Jun 1909; from The Maitland Daily Mercury Wed 2 Jun 1909:

WEDD1NG BELLS.

A very pretty wedding took place in St. John’s Cathedral, West Maitland, on Tuesday, between Mr. William Murphy, only son of Mr. Mathew Murphy, of Morpeth, and Miss Ethel Regius Moylan, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Moylan, of Gundy. The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Peters in the presence of a large gathering of the relatives and friends of the bride and bridegroom. As the bride entered the Cathedral on her father’s arm, the “Wedding March” was played by the organist, Mrs. Jas. McGrath. The bride, who looked charming, was becomingly attired in a gown of French lace over cream satin, trimmed with tulle, passementerie and pearls. She wore a wreath of orange blossoms, with veil, carried a pretty shower bouquet, and wore a gold pendant set with diamonds, the gifts of the bridegroom, and a gold bangle, the gift of her father, while she also carried a handsome prayer bock, the gift of Father Peters. The bridesmaid was Miss Netta Murphy, sister of the bridegroom. She was dressed in cream ninon over glace silk, trimmed with silk medallions, with pink satin hat and roses to match, and wore a gold cable bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. Miss Ruthie Minch, of Sydney, and Master Bert Moylan (brother of the bride) were the train-bearers. Miss Minch was prettily attired in crepe de chine, trimmed with cream satin and lace, and bonnet with chiffon streamers, and she carried a bouquet. Mr. Michael Mullins, of Morpeth, was groomsman. After the wedding ceremony had been performed, a nuptial mass was celebrated by Father Peters, who afterwards addressed a few words to the happy couple and those assembled, in which he offered his hearty congratulations, and on behalf of the relatives and. friends wished Mr. and Mrs. Murphy every joy and happiness in their wedded life. The bride and bridegroom were driven to Cameron’s studio, where they were photographed. A sumptuous wedding breakfast had been prepared in the hall of the School of Arts, and to this 70 guests sat down. Father Peters presided. Among those in attendance were Mr. and Mrs, J. F. Moylan (parents of the bride), and Mr. and Mrs. Mathew Murphy (parents of the bridegroom), together with numerous relatives, some of whom had come long distances. Father Peters proposed “The Bride and Bridegroom,” Mr. W. Murphy responding. Other toasts were: – “The Bridesmaids,” proposed by Mr. E. Newell, and responded to by Mr. M. Mullins; “The Parents,” proposed by Mr. Andrew Burg, and acknowledged by Messrs. Mathew Murphy and J. F. Moylan; “The Visitors,” proposed by Mr. Thos. Moylan, and responded to by Messrs. R. Wood, J. F. O’Brien and Lonsdale (Gundy), and the “Chairman,” proposed by Mr. J. F. Moylan. After breakfast the wedding party visited the Dominican Convent, where they were received by the nuns, and entertained with a bright musical programme by the pupils. They were afterwards driven to the Church-street railway station, where they boarded the Brisbane mall for Sydney, on route to Melbourne, where the honeymoon will be spent. Relatives and friends assembled in great numbers to see the happy couple off, and as the train left the platform they were showered with rice and confetti, and departed with the good wishes of all. The bride’s travelling dress was of nattier blue charmeuse, with Oriental trimming, and hat trimmed with blue satin. The presents were numerous and costly, and included a number of cheques.

Ethel and William lived in Morpeth and had a daughter Aileen Mary Murphy in 1910; she married Patrick Aloysius Timbs. In the 1940s Aileen and Patrick are both listed in the electoral rolls at 128 Walker St North Sydney with home duties, but later Patrick is described as a taxi driver; he was involved in one assault by a passenger in 1954.

Aileen lost her mother when she was only 6 years old. Ethel’s death was reported in The Scone Advocate on Tue 23 May 1916:

Obituary
DEATH OF MRS. M. MURPHY.

It becomes our sorrowful duty to record the death of Mrs. Murphy wife of Mr. M. Murphy, of Morpeth, and only daughter (Ethel) of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Moylan, of Gundy. The deceased young lady had, as was well known by the family’s friends and relations, been in failing health for a considerable time; and latterly her condition had become so serious, that those near and dear to her were fully reconciled to the fact that the end could not, despite all the attention that was given her, be long deferred. Yet, right up to the last almost, the young patient, who bore her sufferings with Christian fortitude, was bright, cheerful and hopeful. She passed away last evening, at the home of her parents, at the age. of 27, leaving besides the bereaved husband, one child – a daughter. By the Gundy folk, the late Mrs. Murphy, who possessed a kind, bright, and happy disposition, win be greatly missed, as she will, only more so, in the family circle. The remains were brought to Scone this morning, and thence conveyed to Morpeth by the midday train, where they are to be interred tomorrow, alongside others of her people. A number of Gundy and Scone people paid their last tribute of respect by following the remains to the Railway Station. The bereaved families have our heartfelt sympathy.

From The Scone Advocate Fri 23 Jun 1916:

Return Thanks.

MR. and MRS. J. F. MOYLAN desire to return their sincere THANKS to all kind friends for the many expressions of sympathy and floral tributes, and to Father O’Donnell and Sisters of the Scone and Aberdeen Convents particularly, for their unremitting attention at the death-bed of their only daughter – the late Mrs. W. Murphy.

Their daughter Aileen passed away on 10 Dec 1986 (record 28896).

06. Herbert Francis Moylan married Gladys Eliza Pinkerton in Scone in 1924. She was born in Scone on 09 May 1896 to John Pinkerton & Emily Batterham. In the electoral rolls between 1930 and 1935 the couple lived in Liverpool St Scone (along with Herbert’s mother Mary Jane, although she died in 1934 so had not come off the rolls). Herbert was listed as a chauffeur. In the 1936 rolls Gladys shows up alone in Hill St Scone. It is possible that she remarried in 1944 to Frederick James Stanley Cox; however in the register (record19041) her name is listed as Gladys Etya: a death record in this name appears in 1982 (record 106031) with parents John & Emily which is consistent.

In fact the marriage had failed within about a year. Herbert succumbed to heavy drinking and neglected his family; Gladys finally sued for divorced, as confirmed in The Scone Advocate on Tue 07 Dec 1943:

IN DISTRICT COURT
UNDEFENDED DIVORCE PETITION.

Issues remitted by the Divorce Court in connection with the case in which Gladys Etza Moylan (formerly Pinkerton) petitioned for a divorce from her husband, Herbert Francis Moylan, on the ground of constructive desertion, were heard before His Honor Judge J. R. Nield in the District Court at Muswellbrook on Thursday last. The case was not defended. The petitioner was represented by Mr. S. C. White (Messrs FitzGerald, Halliday & Co.).

The parties were married at Scone on 16th July, 1924, and there was one child, a daughter, born on 8^th August, 1925.

Petitioner stated that immediately after her marriage she and her husband went to live with the latter’s mother at Scone. The husband owned two farms at Segenhoe, and it was arranged that when the leases expired the petitioner and her husband would live on one of the farms, but when the leases expired, the husband refused to make a home on one of the farms, saying he would continue to live with his mother.

HUSBAND’S DRINKING HABITS

About 12 months after the marriage the respondent, petitioner said, began to drink heavily, and when she asked him to give up drinking, she was abused, and on two occasions he had told her that if she was not satisfied with his conduct, she could leave. The respondent’s drinking habits became worse, and by 1928 he had become an habitual drunkard. The husband sold the two farms and spent from £8 to £10 per week on drink. Petitioner said the respondent did not give her any money from 1927 onwards, and if it had not been for the help given by her father; who kept her, she would have starved. Every time she asked her husband o give up drinking she was abused, and his attitude appeared to be that the did not want her in the home, and resented being asked to stop drinking.

Petitioner said her health broke down in 1929, and she became a nervous wreck. She entered hospital in January, 1930, remaining there for three weeks. On February7, 1930, she left her mother-in-law’s home and took her child with her. Before she left she told her husband she was leaving, and that she was not prepared to continue living in his mother’s home, and allowing her father to keep her. The husband, she said, replied: “Plenty of people do that and think nothing of it.”

Petitioner said she did not see her husband again until June, 1934, following his mother’s death. The husband arranged a meeting at Scone, and she said she would be prepared to go back, provided he made a home for her and gave up his drinking habits. The husband said “The home is shut up; I have made other arrangements and am leaving the district.

HUSBAND DISAPPEARED.

In 1938 petitioner sued her husband for maintenance in the Scone Children’s Court. Before the case was heard, she had had a conversation with her husband, who asked if she would go and live with him again, and she said she would do so provided he made a home and supported her. The husband consented to an order providing for the payment of 20/- a week, but after the court sitting, her husband disappeared and she had not seen him since.

Corroborative evidence was given by petitioner’s sister, Mrs. Lorna Vera McNamara, and Robert Leslie Ward.

His Honor found the issues in favour of the petitioner.. — ‘Chronicle.”

The daughter mentioned was Patricia Clare Moylan, born on 08 Aug 1925. She enlisted during WWII (Service Number – 109920, however her record is not yet available online). She nominated her father as next-of-kin. We believe she married Henry Maxwell Wilton in 1949 at Ashfield (record 100359); the 1949 electoral rolls lists Patricia as a clerk living in Dulwich Hill. She died on 03 Dec 1999.

Herbert certainly owned some land, as this was mentioned in The Scone Advocate during a court case described on Fri 14 Oct 1927:

Herbert Francis Moylan v. Charles William Robbs, insulting language. There was a cross-charge, Robbs v. Moylan, threatening language. Mr. White for Moylan, and Mr. Gaden for Robbs.

The P.M. made overtures to the end of effecting a settlement, but without avail.

The cases were taken together.

Lengthy evidence was tendered, the language alleged taking place on the Scone-Gundy road on the morning of September 12. Robbs was on his way to take delivery of hay from a farm at Segenhoe of which the complainant Moylan was landlord. He was intercepted on the road and advised that the gate leading to the farm had been locked and a man placed in charge.

The defendant Robbs admitted using certain language, but not the words mentioned in the information. He had purchased the hay from a Chinaman, and was annoyed at the turn of events.

Raymond Harper, a maintenance man, supported complainant’s evidence.

The P.M. held that Robbs, on his own statement, had used insulting words, and had not only used them, but got down from his lorry to put them into effect. The threatening words complained of by Robbs were more a statement of intention than of a threat — Moylan had threatened to have him arrested if he interfered with the lock — and he did not think that the words could be construed as a threat according to the Act. The P.M. thereupon dismissed the case against Moylan, and convicting Robbs, imposed a fine of 10/, with a 11s 6d costs; in default, 14 days.

Herbert died in Queensland on 16 Jan 1959( record 1959/C/433).

If anyone can assist with information please email mick@oneillfamily.id.au.