Patrick Jennings

Patrick Jennings was born in Pitt Row, Newcastle New South Wales on  July 29th 1867 and was baptised a short time later on 11th August 1867 at St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church Newcastle.

Patrick was the fifth son of Thomas and Bridget Jennings who had come to Newcastle aboard the Sirocco in 1864.  On the voyage, Thomas and Bridget were accompanied by their sons, Jeremiah (1858 - 1944), William(1860 – 1931) and John (1863 – 1911).  A fourth son Thomas was born when they arrived in the colony in 1865 but sadly did not survive infancy, passing away in 1866.  A sister Mary was born and died in 1869 and my great-grandfather Michael (1870-1943) completed the family.

Not much is known about Patrick’s childhood but it is known Thomas was arrested on many occasions and served custodial sentences for drunkenness but it would appear that he was always able to hold jobs as a labourer or a stone breaker.  At some time during his childhood, the family secured accommodation on Adamstown Commonage where we find Patrick at the time of his marriage.

Patrick married Annie Jane McNamara (1870 – 1959) on 10th December 1892 in the Roman Catholic Church at The Junction in Newcastle, New South Wales.     Annie was the daughter of Michael McNamara (1845 – 1905) and Mary Jane Brennan (1850 – 1883).  Together Patrick and Annie had 10 children.

John Patrick 1892 -1893

Mary Betrice 1894 - 1971 married Charles Nolan 1891 -1932

Cecil Bertram 1896 - 1987 married Rita M Collins 1894 - 1989

Katherine Ellen 1900 - 1975

Dorothy May 1901 - 1984 (worked as a housekeeper at the local presbytery for Father E McMahon)

Anastasia 1902 - 1902

Rita Ursula 1906 - 2001  

Iva Ursula 1913 - 1994  worked as a milliner: married John Bede Noel (Jack) Massey  

Patricia Joan 1915 - 1942 was a member of the order of Ursuline sisters - Mother Mary Edward.

It is reported in Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate on Thursday 15th May 1890 that Patrick took legal action against a man called James Flavey as it was alleged that Flavey having received 5 pound, one shilling and sixpence, from the Manager of Newcastle Coal Company, being wages due to Patrick and appropriating for his own use.  Flavey had been arrested on a warrant in Armidale.  Patrick withdrew the charges when it came before the court.   Of interest to note is that one of Patrick’s nephews, Frederick James Jennings 1881- 1971)  son of Jeremiah, married a woman called Anastasia Flavey, daughter of James Flavey.  Further research is necessary to prove or disprove this theory of connection.

In June 1900 Patrick met with a serious accident whilst working at the Newcastle Company pit. The newspaper report states that while working underground he tripped and fell heavily onto the socket end of a machine drill which entered the lower part of his body causing a terrible wound.  He was in the Royal Newcastle Hospital where he was very well cared for some weeks and unable to work for some time. To support Patrick and his family at this time a benefit concert was held with proceeds in excess of 30 pounds were handed over to Patrick (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate, Monday 6th October 1900.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate Monday, March 4th 1907 provides a report of a fire in the home of Patrick and Annie to which the fire brigade attended and were able to bring the fire under control before any great damage was done. The cause of the fire was said to be caused by upsetting a lamp.

Patrick passed away at 10 Wallace Street, Hurlstone Park on 4th April 1940.  His death was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald, Newcastle Herald and Miners’ Advocate and the Catholic Press.  Annie passed away on 30/09/1959 at the same address