MICHAEL GANNON C1798 - 1881
MICHAEL GANNON c1798 - 1881 © Leonie Fretwell, 2017 Michael Gannon Having spent time in the Lumber Yard, Michael was subsequently assigned as a government servant to Joseph Broadbent, also a carpenter, where he met his future wife, Mary Parsonage who was also a servant in the Broadbent household.1 Born in 1808, Mary was a daughter of Thomas Parsonage, a convict who had arrived on the Hillsborough in October 1798 and his wife Mary Jones, another convict who was transported on the Earl Cornwallis.2. A letter dated 30 July 1824 from the Colonial Secretary’s office notified approval for banns being published for Michael Gannon and Mary Pasonage [sic].3 They were married on 31 August 1824 at St Philips Church, Sydney. The groom was 26 years old and his bride was 18. The witnesses were Maria Parsonage and John Jenkins Peacock.4 For the October 1825 muster they were both still listed (Mary under her maiden name) as servants in the Broadbent household.5 Subsequently Mary petitioned the Governor Darling for her husband to be assigned to her.6 However the 1828 census finds the couple living at Cambridge Street, in the Rocks area, (Michael being recorded as a Government Servant), together with their 4 year old son John, and Michael’s brother James, and one Robert Whitaker, age 15, who had arrived (came free) per the Broxbornebury in 1814, and who was an apprentice to J & M Gannon.7 Michael was given Ticket of Leave number 29/0429 under the condition that he remained in the district of Sydney.
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