We think James Houlahan was born in the year of 1796, but on his date of birth varies with documentation from 1796-1797-1799.

He was born in the village of Newmarket, near Cork City, County Cork, Ireland.

He married Margaret Stannard in the Catholic Church at Newmarket. They had a son, John, who was born in 1822. John was baptised on the 9th of June 1822.

James was transported aboard the Mangles 2 to New South Wales in November 1822. His crime was ?insurrection and firing on the King?s troops?. James was sentenced by a special commission at Spring Assizes in County Cork. It has been thought by the family that he was a member of an armed gang which attacked Lord Bantry.

In 1828 census, James was reported as being assigned to Captain Francis Allman, Rath Luba, Wallis Plains (now Maitland). His occupation is shown as Dairyman.

An application exists for permission for Margaret to join her husband James in the colony. The application was unsuccessful and Margaret died.

Ticket of leave: 15th of December, 1832 to James, on the condition that he remained in the district of Maitland.

James remarried on 24th of December 1839, at the Presbyterian Saint Andrew?s Church at Singleton, NSW, stating he was now a widower (AO NSW Ref: COD 13). His new wife was Mary Cagney, the daughter of convict Thomas. She had arrived on the ship Roslin Castle as a Free Settler (she had come to join her father).

James and Mary are both shown as living at Patrick?s Plains (now Singleton).

Conditional pardon: 1 July 1939

Children:
Patrick,
Mary, b 18 June 1836 - married Timothy Bowcock, son of convict James
Daniel,
James,
William,
Johanna,
Edward,
Margaret,
John,
Timothy,
Ellen, b 15 October 1858 - married John Smith

James died on 13th of June 1880 on the property Blaxlands Arms at Wollombi. This property was owned by the son of the explorer. He is buried at the Catholic cemetery at Wollombi.

Many thanks to cousins who have provided me with much of the information contained within.