ELLEN # SEVEN

Ellen took in her surroundings. It was a large room with two beds. They had views of the boat harbour from their window.The room was much the same size as their cottage. So the seven of us will be living here for the time being. Surely it won’t be long before the Adam Lodge arrives.

“Barney can you go out and see if you can find something to eat? The children are all tired and hungry. The sooner we get them fed, the sooner we can get them to bed. Then we need to talk.”

Ellen organised all the bundles of belongings in one corner. Unpacking one of her bundles she quickly made up a bed for the two eldest boys on the floor with the linen and handmade quilts she had packed. The girls can share the single bed and Cornelius can share our bed as usual.

Barney burst through the door smiling with his arms laden with hot tatties. 

“Oh Barney, they smell delicious, come children sit down on the floor and eat these while they are hot. Wherever did you find them?”

"There is a tavern just around the corner, I got these beauties from there."

“ Oh yum Da.” 

“Where’s mine?” 

“Oh Patrick you stepped on my toe!” came responses from the children. 

“Barney, I hope we will be given the two shillings each day as you said. We should be able to keep our savings for when we get to the Australia, if it is indeed true.”  

"I am sure it is true my acushla, I will go and get our share each day we are here.  Don't worry."

Ellen smothered a yawn, as she wiped her fingers on her spare hanky, also managing to reach the faces of Cornelius and Maria. She was too far away to stop the other children wiping their hands on their sleeves. Oh well I guess those sleeves will see a lot of wipes by the time we finish this trip!

Settling the children for the night in her usual manner, Ellen arched her back in exhaustion. Oh to lay down on a bed. Why am I so tired? 

Barney had gone outside to smoke his pipe and walk around the wharf to meet other Adam Lodge passengers. Finally Ellen gave up waiting for Barney to return seeking the refuge of her bed. 

When entering the room again, Barney was met with the gentle sound of snoring coming from three corners of the room. Getting quietly into bed beside his sleeping wife, he wrapped his arms around her. “Mmmm,” was the response from Ellen.

“Ssh acushla, sleep now, all's well.”

ELLEN #SIX

‘Ah my acushla I shouldn’t have scared you like that. Look here, see what I have.” reaching into his pocket Barney pulled out two gold coins. “Dr Osbourne is giving every family two pounds for accommodation until the ship arrives, as he thinks it will be a few days before we can embark.” [1]

Blinking to clear her vision Ellen composed herself and looked at the gold coins her husband was proudly showing her. 

“But Barney, you may have the coins but do you know where we can stay while we wait for this boat?” 

“Well, that shouldn’t be such a problem should it? I am sure there are lodging houses here somewhere.” 

Ellen tried to push down the rising panic she was feeling at being on the streets with five children, with dusk fast approaching. “I will stay here with the children, while you go and find that lodging house then come and get us,” kissing him on the cheek, she also gave him a look that spoke volumes of her state of mind. 

“Alright then, I will take Patrick and Owen with me and some of the bags and come back for you when I get us a room.” 

Ellen watched Barney and her two oldest boys saunter off down the street with an air of adventure. It was an air she couldn’t muster at this stage, as the enormity of what they were doing finally hit her. Up to now it had been a grand adventure. I am leaving my home to sail to the other side of the world with my family! What made me so sure that life could be any better? Am I daft? How will I manage five children on a boat? Get a hold of yourself Ellen! You schemed for this move, now stop being a coward and look forward to the better life you have been imagining. 

It wasn’t long before she saw Barney and the boys returning. Barney had a grin from ear to ear it seemed. “Just you wait my acushla, we have found you some fine lodgings and the innkeeper has told me we are welcome for as long as is needed.” 

Barney grabbed at Ellen as she swayed again while rising from the seat she had made of her belongings. “There, there acushla, have a care, are you alright?” 

Once again Ellen gathered herself together, if only I didn’t feel so tired.  

“I’m fine Barney,I just got up too quickly. Let’s get the children inside out of this evening air and to bed. I am just tired and could use a bed myself I think.”  

So there is room at the Inn after all, I hope it is more than a stable! 

Picking up her bundle and settling Cornelius on her hip once again, she followed her husband.
____________________________
1. Osborne, Alick. 'Journal of Occurrences Connected with Emigration', 8 July 1836-17 July 1837, by Dr Alick Osborne, p 6. State Library of New South Wales, https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110363233&context=L&vid=SLNSW&lang=en_US&search_scope=E&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,%27Journal%20of%20Occurrences%20connected%20with%20Emigration%27%20%208%20July%201836-17%20July%201837%20%20by%20Dr%20Alick%20Osborne

ELLEN #FIVE

Feeling flustered Ellen disengaged herself from Barney’s lap and arms. She needed distance from him as she gathered her thoughts. Have I done the right thing? I only prayed for it after all. Now that Barney was so enthusiastic about it all, she wondered if it was really what she wanted.  

“Barney I think you need to start at the beginning. Please tell me exactly what has happened today and what you mean by all this. How can it be possible?”  

“Well my acushla, as I said, the Governor of New South Wales has appointed Surgeon Superintendents from the colony to bring immigrants to Australia. He has appointed them to manage the big numbers that will be on the ships. As Dr Alick Osborne has already sailed on the convict ships he has been appointed to offer passages to men with families, as well as single men and single women even, as long as they are travelling with families.” [1] 

“But when…”  

“So tomorrow I plan to go back and sign us up. The ship is due to sail on 14th March, so my acushla, that is about the gist of it. “  

“But how…”  

“It is our new beginning in a new land. A land that will see our children prosper and we will get out of this hell hole of a life that we have now. So what do you think? Can we do it, can we be ready?”  

“A new life. Barney, you know I will follow you to the end of the earth and it sounds like it might just be that! But we will make it work! I know we can make it work.”  

In the following weeks, Barney and Ellen set about making their dream come true. A dream of a better life for their family. 

The day finally came to leave for Londonderry. Their neighbour Jerry was taking them in his cart then driving back. Ellen with their meagre belongings rode in the back along with their five children, Patrick, Owen, young Ellen, Maria, and Cornelius.  

Barney and Ellen both held back tears as they started the first part of this journey to join the other passengers on the ship Adam Lodge. They noticed many other families travelling the same way.  

“Da, how big will the boat be?” asked Owen.  

“It is called a ship son and I don’t really know as I haven’t seen many myself, but I guess we will soon find out.”  

“How many people will be on the boat Da,” piped up young Ellen. 

“Well that I can take a guess at, as Dr Osborne told me when I signed up that I was number 360, so I guess with the ship’s crew it is a bit more than that.”[2] 

The trip to Londonderry was made with mixed emotions. Taking the better part of the day it was a sober group on the road to board the Adam Lodge, which would be their home for four months.  

Londonderry was soon in sight, the children were all agape with excitement, and very eager to see the ship. 

“Where is it Da, where is our boat?”  

“How did they get all that water here?” 

“Now hold your tongues young ‘uns. I need to find the registration tent, to let them know we are here. Ellen can you help Jerry with unloading the wagon, so he can be heading back?”  

“Of course, Barney. Now you children hop down from the cart and stand right there, don’t move.” 

Of course I can help unload the cart, keep five children from running amuck and would you like a cup of tea as well? thought Ellen as she climbed down off the back of the cart with Cornelius in her arms. She quickly got the children settled beside the road with their bags. Turning to help Jerry, she was relieved that he had managed the rest of their belongings by himself.  

“I’ll be off Mrs, I will just have a quick dram at the local before I head home. All the best to you and Barney, Mrs, I hope all goes well for you.” 

Ellen took in her surroundings. Amongst the hustle and bustle of the wharf, there seemed to be numerous boats of various sizes in port, dear Lord please let there be a bigger boat than these somewhere. 

Seeing Barney approaching her, she gave Cornelius to Patrick with a stern look that the children all knew meant business and they should stay put. 

“Barney please tell me that the Adam Lodge is a bigger ship than these ones in the port.” 

“ Ahh my acushla, the Adam Lodge isn’t here yet, we won’t be boarding today, I’m afraid.” [3] 

Ellen felt the blood draining from her face. 

“Not boarding? What are we to do? We don’t have enough money for lodgings for seven of us.” Putting his arm around her waist Barney steadied her as she wobbled on her feet, worry clearly showing on her face.

__________________________

1.  McDonnell, Pat. "The Voyage of the Adam Lodge." Clogher Record 13, no. 1 (1988): 132-37. Accessed March 16, 2020. doi:10.2307/27699282, p133

2. "SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE." The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803 - 1842) 15 July 1837: 2. Web. 17 Mar 2020 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2211932>.

3.  Osborne, Alick. 'Journal of Occurrences Connected with Emigration', 8 July 1836-17 July 1837, by Dr Alick Osborne. State Library of New South Wales, https://search.sl.nsw.gov.au/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=ADLIB110363233&context=L&vid=SLNSW&lang=en_US&search_scope=E&adaptor=Local%20Search%20Engine&tab=default_tab&query=any,contains,%27Journal%20of%20Occurrences%20connected%20with%20Emigration%27%20%208%20July%201836-17%20July%201837%20%20by%20Dr%20Alick%20Osborne

ELLEN #FOUR

“Alright you ragamuffins time for bed, say goodnight to your father.”  

As Barney extracted himself from a wrestle on the floor with his two eldest sons, he was attacked from behind by his daughters giggling with delight.  

He was swamped with hugs from his five children. “Goodnight Da.”  

He wasn’t used to all this attention. The children were usually asleep by the time he got in of a night. 

Quietly tucking the children into the beds they shared, Ellen was besieged with questions and requests.

"What song will you sing tonight Mammy?"

"It's my turn to choose, Mammy?"

"Sing Piper Tim, Mammy, please Mammy." 

"Ssh, my little ones, ssh or Da might choose his favourite!"

Barney closed his eyes listening to his wife Ellen’s lilting voice as she sang… 

'Every person in the nation 

Or of great or humble station 

Holds in highest estimation 

Piping Tim of Galway 

Loudly he can play or low 

He can move you fast or slow 

Touch your hearts or stir your toe 

Piping Tim of Galway [1]

… calming the children down, watching as they each drifted off to sleep.  

Returning to the table she remembered the day. What a grand day, so much fun with the treasure hunt, then Barney coming home early enough that we were able to sit down together for a decent meal. I guess I will find out now why he is looking like the cat who got the cream.  

“Barney are you going to tell me what you have been doing today? Did you get work?”  

“No acushla, much better than that. What say you to starting the year of 1837 with a new adventure and life.”  

Thank you God, it looks like you might have led him to the right place.  

“Barney, stop being daft, whatever do you mean?”  

“Well come sit here and I will tell you about my day.” 

Ellen snuggled into his lap and prepared to sound excited and encouraging. She knew what he had found on the notice board and it suited her just fine. She felt very pleased with herself and her scheming. Things would work out just fine. 

“You will never guess what I found today on the noticeboard in town. The Governor of the new colonies in Australia is looking for men with families to go to the colony of New South Wales on a bounty system.” [2] 

“So if we…  

“Ssh lass let me finish. The government will pay for our passage and guarantee work when we arrive. They are looking for mechanics or farm labourers.[3]  Now seeing as I run this allotment and I am a Stonemason, it got me thinking.”

“Thinking what Barney?” 

“We would need to secure our passage with a deposit but they will give us that back when we arrive. They have just about filled the boat, but if we are quick and put our name down [4]… 

“But…  

“Now let me finish acushla, now where was I? Yes if we are quick getting our application in and can be ready to make our way to Londonderry by the 14th March, we can be celebrating St Patrick’s Day on the Ship the Adam Lodge.”

Ellen felt like her head was spinning. Did Barney even draw breath through all that? Lord this is what I had hoped for, but I hadn’t expected it to be so soon. The 14th of March is only weeks away!

____________________________

1. Galway Piper, Collection of Irish Song Lyrics,https://www.irishsongs.com/lyrics.php?Action=view&Song_id=125, accessed 8 March 2020

2.. McDonnell, Pat. "The Voyage of the Adam Lodge." Clogher Record 13, no. 1 (1988): 132-37. Accessed March 16, 2020. doi:10.2307/27699282, p132

3. McDonnell, Pat. "The Voyage of the Adam Lodge." Clogher Record 13, no. 1 (1988): 132-37. Accessed March 16, 2020. doi:10.2307/27699282., p132

4. McDonnell, Pat. "The Voyage of the Adam Lodge." Clogher Record 13, no. 1 (1988): 132-37. Accessed March 16, 2020. doi:10.2307/27699282, p132

ELLEN #THREE

Sunshine filtered through a crack in the wall, waking Ellen with the promise of a dry day. Barney had already left leaving her and the children asleep. Dear God, please lead him in the right direction. Would he see the notice? What would he think? Well at least it had stopped raining and that would put him in a better mood.

Hearing the baby stirring Ellen threw off the bedcovers determined that today would be a good day. Opening the door letting the sun stream in along with a sneaky breeze, she decided that it was time the children spent the day out of doors.

“Patrick, Owen, Ellen, could you three big children please get dressed and get your boots on, while I get the babes ready. We are going on a treasure hunt after breakfast. Maria and Cornelius come to Mammy, we are going to have such fun today.” Observing the clean table she realised Barney had gone without breakfast again, I hope he is home early for a decent meal. Her stomach growled lustily.  I must eat a bit of porridge this morning.

The older children scrambled to get their boots on, while Ellen dealt with the younger two.

A treasure hunt Ellen? Well I suppose finding a potato might be a treasure, I just hope I can convince the children a potato is indeed a treasure.

After breakfast and a quick wash they all hurried outside, with Patrick and Owen carrying a bucket and a basket. They had been cooped up inside for five days. Five days is definitely four days too long for children to be indoors, Ellen thought.

“Now Patrick, you take the loy and dig in that spot.[1]  If you find a potato before any treasure just put it in the bucket, like a good boy. Owen give me that basket and you can hold the bucket for Patrick and keep an eye out for treasure in case he misses it.”

Ellen walked further down the field with the other three children, Ellen and Maria skipping ahead while she carried Cornelius.

“Mammy, look what I have found!” yelled a very excited Owen who had wandered away from where Patrick was digging, obviously having gotten bored with bucket duties.

Ellen and the other children converged on Owen to see what all the excitement was about.

“You told us not to pick these unless you was around, but are they the right ones Mammy? Are they?” Owen could barely contain his excitement at his find.

Ellen bent over and picked the mushroom, with a satisfied smile on her face.

“My word, yes it is a right one, my young man, what a find and look there are more. So Owen, because you spotted them first you can have the first pick of whatever ones you want, then the others can help you. You all should be able to fill the basket.

Patrick, we really need to dig up some potatoes to go with these treasures for tonight’s dinner. What do you say, do you think you can find a potato treasure?”

Patrick headed back to where he had been digging with a determined look on his face. Within the hour they had indeed found their treasure of four potatoes and the special find of mushrooms.

In the distance Ellen noticed her husband returning home. I wonder what he has found? I hope he has found our treasure too.

From the distance there came the call of “Patrick, Owen, Ellen, Maria and Neil, come help me pull off my boots before I go inside, will you?”

I do wish he wouldn’t call Cornelius that, it is a perfectly good name on its own, why does he need to shorten it?

Ellen brought up the rear after her giggling children, hoping against hope that today would see the beginning of their new lives. 

At least I can cook up an early meal for Barney before we talk.
_______________________________
1. The loy, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spade

Ellen #TWO

Pacing back and forth while Barney ate his supper, Ellen noticed the straw and mud leaving a scuffed trail behind her. Surely there is a better life than this one room cottage. Courage Ellen! Now is your time! Just make it sound like his idea and you might have a chance.

Turning a weary face towards her husband, Ellen drew breath, “Barney McCusker I understand your frustration, but getting riled up about what we can’t change won’t help us and waking the children won’t help either.”

Barney reluctantly put down the bowl realising that it had been empty for sometime. He knew his wife. This would turn into a tiring discussion; one he didn't want to have. It would acknowledge his failure.

Ellen saw the exhaustion clearly marked on her husband’s face in the ragged lines and the dark circles under his eyes. She guessed he was probably still hungry. Claiming her usual spot on his lap, in the hope it would comfort him, she held his cold hands in her own.

“We need to find some other way of surviving, some other way of living. There must be a better life for us somewhere. But we can’t discuss it at this time of night, when you have been in the fields since dawn this morning. Why don’t you go into the village tomorrow to see if there is any work, this week.”

“Sorry my acushla, I didn’t mean to upset you. Yes tonight is not the time to be thinking of it. I am bone tired and in need of my bed. Coming?”

“ I will join you shortly, as soon as I tend the fire and finish cleaning up.”

Rising wearily from the comfort of his lap, she placed a kiss on his cheek, before clearing the table in the hope the noise would hide the fact her rumbling tummy proclaimed she had not eaten any supper in favour of feeding the children.

As she made her way to the door to put the slops bucket out, she noticed the one potato left in her basket.

Grand, one potato! So with the leftover oatmeal from this morning I should be able to set a meal on the table in the morning, she thought grimly, I hope we can dig some more up and that this one is indeed not the last one to be found.

Ellen continued tidying up, putting peat on the fire as she made for her bed and snoring husband. Lying down quietly so as not to wake Barney her thoughts turned to the conversation just finished.

She drifted into sleep with a prayer on her lips. Please God, lead his steps to the bulletin on the noticeboard in the town square tomorrow.

Ellen #ONE

WHOOSH! The door crashed open, letting the rain and wind rush in with the force of an angry animal.

Wiping her red chapped swollen hands on her apron, Ellen moved quickly to take her husband’s coat.

“Oh luv, wherever have you been? I’ve been expecting you for hours, you must be wet through with this storm.” Fussing around her husband as he came inside, she noticed the rain coming down almost horizontally, as night settled over the paddocks.

She and the children had been cooped up inside listening to the incessant rain all day. Five children nine and under is about four too many in this one room cottage, I hope we see some sunshine tomorrow.

Turning to stoke the fire Ellen rubbed her arms trying to bring some warmth to her aching limbs, it looks like I will have to keep the fire stoked again all night. I don’t remember such a long winter.

Glancing towards the sleeping children in the corner she hoped they would remain asleep. At least when they are curled up together in one bed it keeps them warm.

“Barney luv, I have a stew over the hearth for your supper, you sit down now while I dish you up something warm. Then you can tell me what has got you looking so blue devilled?”

Ellen was aware of what was troubling her husband but she felt the need to get him talking. She was worried that he was keeping too much to himself. Why can’t he share his troubles with me? After all I am mother to his five children, asleep over there! 

Turning from the fire with the steaming bowl of stew in her hands, Ellen was surprised to see her husband sitting bowed over, with his head in his hands. He appeared to be silently crying. In all the years they had been married she had never seen him cry before.

“Barney, tell me, what is wrong, you are scaring me.” 

“Ah my acushla, you must know what is happening in our beloved Ireland. I can’t wring a living from land when I don’t have anything to plant. I am a Stonemason but you know as well as I do how long it is since I have had work, there just isn’t any work! How am I supposed to provide for you and the children? 

The farm just isn’t making enough to feed us all. I know that our Catholic clergy need support with tithes but it isn’t fair that I must needs pay for the other churches as well. [1] Where is the justice in that? The talk around the village is that we will be told to pay more in the coming years, I guess it doesn’t matter that the poorer just seem to get poorer! You mark my words Ireland will have workhouses soon for the poor, just like bloody England. I don’t want my family to be living in one of them. Oh lord what is a body to do?” 

Gasping for breath as she took in this tirade from Barney, Ellen tried to gather her thoughts as to how she would respond to her husband. 

I wanted him to confide in me, now I need to comfort him. Oh how do I do that?
_________________________________

1.  About Tithe Applotment Books, http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/aboutmore.jsp. Accessed 11 March 2020

INTRODUCING ELLEN

Ellen McAllina 

Circa 1801 -1884

For this year's Family History February 2020 Writing Challenge,  I chose Ellen as my subject   I didn't manage to write everyday, but I hope to continue writing Ellen's story over the next few months.

Please remember that these stories are Creative Non-Fiction.  Names, places and dates are correct as far as the author is aware.  The accompanying story is where the Creativity comes in! 

I do not have first hand knowledge of Ellen or any diaries of hers.  Some facts in future instalments are indeed fact and will be marked with the appropriate footnote for the source.

As I have said elsewhere in this Blog, I hope to put "meat on the bones" of my relatives, making them more than just names, places and dates.

A little Poem

As I sit in my hospital room which has been my home for the last 20 days, I have been looking for something to occupy my time. I was unfortunate to have a fall on the 16th December which resulted in a break of my arm and pelvis, so here I stay until I can get home. There is supposed to be internet service here, but it is very "iffy"! Sometimes it is there and sometimes it is not.

But I really don't have anything to complain about.   Australia is in the grips of the worst bushfire season I have ever seen. So many towns are under the threat of flames and many are being evacuated to other areas, only to get there and find that they face evacuation again. There have been loss of lives and many losses of wildlife. If you are a person of faith, please add the gift of abundant rain for Australia to your prayer list.

Carrying on from my previous post in regard to my Great Uncle Peter Brandt I remembered that I had received a poem from one of my sisters who is gifted in poetry. I asked back in September 2019 if I could add it to my blog and she agreed. So thank you Kay Isabella Walters for these beautiful words.

PETER ANDERS BRANDT 

4th October 1874 - 10th June 1917

Our unsung heroes of war, why because of neglect, apathy or lack of knowledge of their existence.

This maybe the case of an unknown by me of a great uncle Peter Brandt. Why he was unknown is because of age but he appears to have died, in war, unknown by his family.

Peter's plaque under Eucalypt Tree in King's Park Perth, Western Australia.

Unsung heroes mere unknown

Why & where had time flown

Did anyone grieve?

I like to believe 

That his life did make a difference

Even though we were ignorant

To his sacrifice 

His life’s price

For our ultimate freedom.

When war was won

A price beyond none

An unknown great uncle

Did he ever grumble

At his lot

I think not

Recorded yet not known

Can we hear his moan

Would we have come to his aid

Would we have been as brave

Our unsung hero

Leaving no widow

Yet we now grieve

From his story now weaved

Into our present

His life well spent.

(© Kay Isabella Walters)