Martha Jane Kirkland (abt. 1830 - 1902)

Born about 1830 in Druminure, Tandragee, County Armagh, Ireland

Ancestors

Wife of Thomas Copelin — married 2 Aug 1853 in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland

Descendants

Died 25 Sep 1902 at about age 72 in Tallawang, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

This profile is part of the Kirkland Name Study.

Martha Kirkland was born in about 1830 at Druminure, in the Tandragee district of County Armagh, Ireland. She was the daughter of James Kirkland and his wife Jane Hart. Her father, James Kettleton, later began using the surname of Kirkland.

In 1853, Martha married Thomas Copelan (Copelin) at Banbridge Registry Office. On the marriage record, it states that Martha Kettleton was from Druminure, and was a weaver, and her father's name was recorded as James Kettleton, a farmer. Thomas Copelan, of Druminure, was also a weaver, and his father's name was recorded as John Copelan, a weaver. ^[1]

In 1855, Martha and Thomas Copelan travelled on the vessel "Wacousta" to New South Wales, Australia. On the shipping record it states that Thomas Copeland (Copelan) was a farm labourer, aged 28, from Tandragee, in County Armagh, and that his parent's names were John and Margaret. Martha's name was recorded incorrectly as Margaret. The shipping record states that she was 23 years old, and that her parents were James and Jane Kettleton, living at Druminure. It also states that she had a relative, Robert Hart, residing in the colony. This was her mother's brother who resided at Colac, in Victoria.^[2]

Martha and her husband Thomas had a large family. On most of the New South Wales birth records of their children, born between 1855 and 1872, Martha's maiden surname was recorded as Kirkland.

Mrs Martha Copelan passed away in 1902, at Tallawang, near Gulgong, in New South Wales, Australia. ^[3] Martha was buried at Tallawang Cemetery.^[4]

The following year, her son James Copelin inserted a notice in the local newspaper. ^[5] "In sad but loving remembrance of my dearly beloved mother, Martha Copelin, who departed this life on the 25th September, 1902, aged 73. Inserted by her loving son James Copelin."

Sources

1. ↑ Ireland Civil Registration Marriage, Year: 1853, Volume: 2, Page: 690, Registration District: Banbridge, FHL Film: 101244, Thomas Copelan and Martha Kettleton.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com, New South Wales, Australia, Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1828-1896, Ship: Wacousta, Year: 1855, Passenger: Thomas Copeland (Copelan).
3. ↑ New South Wales, Australia, Death Registration: 9449/1902, Martha Copelan, Year: 1902, Registration District: Gulgong, Father: James.
4. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/242114583/martha_jane-copelin
5. ↑ National Library of Australia, Archived Australian Newspapers, Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954), Published on Thursday 8 October 1903, page 10. In Memoriam-Martha Copelin.