John Prendergast
John Prendergast was the eldest son of Richard and Mary Prendergast. He was born in Ireland but the year of birth is uncertain. The only reference is the immigration record when the family emigrated to the colony of New South Wales (NSW) arriving on 14 December 1839 on the ship North Britain. It is thought that John was aged either 4 years or 14 years at that time.
On 13 February 1867, John married Elizabeth King on 13 February 1867 at Redbank, Warialda, NSW. John and Elizabeth were the parents of
- John Edward Prendergast, born 1868. Married Charlotte Georgina Clarence on 16 October 1897. Children of the marriage were : Kathleen (born 1898), Joseph (b 1899), Thomas (b 1900), Doris (b 1902), Richard (born c. 1903), Michael Francis (b 1905), Ellen (b 1906), Gladys (b 1908), Ruby (b 1910), Vincent (b. 1911), Grace (b 1913) and Lucy (b 1914 and died as infant), Ambrose (b 1916, died as infant), Sheilah (b 1918), Merle (b 1920).
Michael Francis Prendergast married Ester May Jean Morris in Walgett NSW in 1942 and they were the parents of four children. Michael Prendergast died in 1982 and was buried at Walgett. His widow, Ester, died in 1995 and was also buried at Walgett.
- Joseph Prendergast, born 1875. He had fruit orchard and died c. 1947 at Holbrook N.S.W.
- Mary Prendergast, born 1878. Married name was Brown and she resided at Parkes N.S.W. Had one daughter Rita.
- James Stephen Prendergast, born approx 1881. Became a catholic priest and was known as Father Francis. He was ordained in Rome and spent his latter years in Geraldton, Western Australia, and was known as the pastor of the goldfields.
- Ellen Prendergast, born 1884, was bought up by aunt Jane first in Kiama, and then Mudgee, NSW. It is beleived that aunt Jane was a school teacher. Ellen later married a man named Scully.
- Francis Prendergast, born 1886 at Dog Trap Gully, Inverell, NSW. After his mother died he was sent to Uralla NSW in the care of Lucy Ryan (Hussy). He had no contact with his family until 1907 when he turned up at Maramina Bore, Walgett NSW to be told that his father had died three years earlier.
John died in Walgett in 1904. His death certificate stated his father was Richard, mother not known, and his occupation was blacksmith. The informant was his eldest son John who also lived at Marimina Bore, Walgett.
Thanks to Noeline Prendergast, great granddaughter of John Prendergast and Elizabeth King for providing this information.
