Mary Agnes Cleary
Mary Agnes Cleary, born in Miltown Malbay on born 21 October 1863. She was the daughter of Matthew Cleary and Sarah (Sally) O'Brien. The family emigrated to North Queensland in Australia; they sailed from Glasgow on 20 July 1883 aboard the Eastern Monarch and arrived at Townsville on 23 October 1883.
Mary married Alfred Henry Cooper (born Orange, New South Wales) at St Marys Catholic Church, Cooktown on 9 June 1888. According to the marriage certificate, Mary was a laundress, age 21 yrs, while Alfred was a miner, age 25yrs. They moved around and family legend is that they managed cane farms in the north : in Charters Towers in 1893; then in Townsville in 1913 and at least until 1922. Their children were :
- Kathleen Bridget Sarah Cooper, born 26 June 1889; married as Sarah Agnes (called herself Cissy) to Heenan Adelaide Dwyer on 4 December 1907. From letter written to the War Department regarding her brother's death, it is known that the Dwyers were living at Stannary Hills, an old mining town in North Queensland, between June 1918 and July 1920. Heenan died on 13 February 1940. Children were :
- Ruby Agnes Dwyer (born 5 April 1908; married George Frederick Robson on 27 August 1927 with a child, possibly named Ruby Agnes, being born and dying on 19 December 1927. Ruby died on 28 October 1941); and
- Muriel Veronica Dwyer (born 15 January 1919; married Doyle).
- Mary Cooper, born 21 February 1891; married as Violet Mary to Frank Casey on 3 February 1912. Children were :Francis George Casey born 9 June 1913; Harold Daniel Casey born 1 July 1916; Raymond Francis (date of birth not known); and George Henry Casey (date of birth unknown).
- George Henry Cooper, born 24 July 1893. Born and educated in Charters Towers. Enlisted in Townsville where he was a labourer. Sailed on the Demosthenes for England on 23 December 1916. Sailed for France in May 1917. Killed in action 25 April 1918 during the retaking of Villiers Bretonnaux.
- Maud Inez Cooper born 27 November 1895; married William James Murray in Townsville on 16 March 1922. One son, George Noel Murray was born 4 July 1922; George was married for a short time during World War Two; he died on 14 March 1957 in Newtown, NSW. Maude died 3 March 1938 in Brisbane.
- Isabella Muriel Cooper, born 31 January 1898; married John William Abbott on 28 December 1917. Children were Rita Muriel Abbott (born 29 July 1918 and married Kevin Inness O'Malley on 22 September 1939) and Myrtle Irene Abbott (born 1 December 1919).
- Arthur Lesley Cooper, born 5 September 1900; thought to have married Ena Violet Mindham in approx. 1938. Arthur died in Brisbane on 19 August 1971
- Rose Adeline Cooper, born 1 December 1903, married Kenyon Francis Victor Fry on 9 July 1935. Mother of one son, Kenyon Fry, born 1936. Rose died 1969.
- Alfred Henry Cooper, born 26 July 1906; married Elizabeth Campbell on 6 July 1935
- Daniel Cairns Cooper, born 13 August 1907 in Cairns; married Ivy May Smythe on 4 April 1931. Children were : Donald George Cooper (born 5 November 1931); Barry Alfred Charles Cooper (born 2 September 1935); and Cynthia Ann Cooper (born 25 January 1940; married Noel Brady). Daniel enlisted into the RAAF in World War Two from 16 July 1942 to 18 March 1946 and served his time as a clerk general. Was a clerk in the Customs Office in Brisbane. Ivy died of acute leukemia.
Mary died in Brisbane on 18 December 1934 and Alfred died on 15 September 1936, also in Brisbane.
Thanks to Lyn Williams for providing much of the above information.
Lyn's husband, Terry Williams, is a descendent of Matthew Cleary
