Mary (O'Brien) McCarthy (1761 - 1875)

Born 1761 in County Galway, Ireland

Descendants

Died 30 Jan 1875 at about age 114 in Back Creek, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Mary (O'Brien) McCarthy was a centenarian, living to age 114.

Mary (O'Brien) McCarthy was born in Ireland.

Mary (O'Brien) McCarthy is Notable.

Mary was born in Galway Ireland and died at Back Creek, near Bendigo, which was called Sandhurst at that time. Her parents were Michael O'Brien and Bridget Nolan. Said to have lived to 114 years of age.^[1]

An Age Record

Can any reader adduce an instance of longevity which will beat the following?

On January 30, 1875, Mrs. Mary McCarthy died at Back Creek, near Sandhurst, at the age of 114. She was born in Ireland in 1761, nine years before Captain Cook visited Australia, and migrated to America in 1799. She remained in the States until she was 99 years old, and then returned to Ireland, coming out to Australia shortly afterwards, and spending the remainder of her life in this second country of her adoption.^[2]

Obituary^[3]Avoca Mail (Vic. : 1863 - 1900; 1915 - 1918) Fri 5 Feb 1875

Mrs McCarthy died at Back Creek, near Sandhurst, on Saturday, at the age of 114. She was born in 1761 in the village of Kiloran, in the county of Galway, her maiden name being Mary O'Brien. She was married in 1798 and emigrated to America in the following year. She remained in that country till she was 99 years of age, and saw four generations growing up around her. At that advanced period of her life, she joined her youngest son in Ireland, walking sixteen miles from the railway station to her native village. Fifteen years ago she emigrated to Australia and resided in Bendigo to the time of her death. The Advertiser says of her " Of late years her memory of events of the past has been very vivid." Forgetful from day to day of passing events, she yet could chat with freedom of those stirring times when it was penal for a Roman Catholic to be found within ten miles of the city of Dublin; and when if a priest rode a horse worth £100, he was obliged to sell it to the first Protestant who demanded it for £5. To the end her faculties were perfect. Her last request, made some four or five days' since, was that she might be buried in Kiloran, her native place. Three or four years since her sight failed her, but she never wore spectacles, and about two years ago it returned as with the renewal of a youth. She was then able to thread a needle at a common tallow candle; and up to almost the latest moment she was capable of hearing even the whispered communications of her son, in whose house she died. For a man of 64 to be able to attend the funeral obsequies at the remains of his mother is given to few ; but such a sight may be seen today (Monday) at Mrs McCarthy's funeral, which will take place at the White Hills Cemetery, The deceased is the grandmother of Mrs Ready, the wife of Mr Ready, of the Rainbow Hotel, Hargreaves street.

Sources

1. ↑ Event: deaths Registration number 4438 / 1875 Family name: MCCARTHY Given name(s) Mary Personal detail Mother's name <Unknown Family Name>, Bridget Mother's family name at birth NOLAN Father's Name: <Unknown Family Name>, Obrien Michael b.galw a.114 s.michael mccarthy
2. ↑ BYGONE DAYS (1939, September 23). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 15. Retrieved November 7, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11248685
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/202697420

• Victoria Death registration #4438/1875;