Mrs F. Kavanagh writes: - In answer to paragraph, "J.M.C.." I landed in June,'40, by the Andromache. It was the first vessel that sailed direct from Plymouth to Port Phillip, as it was then called. I think I can claim to be the oldest colonist living, as I have written recollections of my life in the colony. If you desire further Information by calling at my address. 8 Leeds street. Footscray. I am now close on eighty years of age. (P.3, The Herald, 11-12-1900.)

If this claim about arriving in June 1840 was true, it would be worth boasting about in a family history but there were certain unknowns that made it difficult to find proof. Was F the first letter of her name or her husband's? I gambled that her name was Frances when I read the following.

W. F. Murphy - Lists - Trove
Pertains to William Francis Murphy, son of William Emmett Murphy and Frances (born Kavanagh, 1849, Victorian colony ), daughter of Plenty River publicans, Moses and Frances Kavanagh [born Brady].

Kavanagh's had arrived in the colony early.

They organised Boxing Day races at the Plenty River - a way of encouraging visitors to the business, had a blacksmithy and wheelwright in the backyard (road described by Howitt as a shocker) ran the first district P.O., (Immigration records say illiterate!) and were involved in the Anti- Transportation movement in Victoria.

The family moved to Oxford street Collingwood to the "Oxford Arms". Moses died young.

Moses' will makes a point of directing funds to the education of the children.


A son of Frances and Moses, Moses Joseph, claims to have been the jockey who rode "Tory Boy" to victory in the Melbourne Cup.

The grandmother Frances K [born Brady] was heavily involved in the fundraising for the Abbosford convent, and must have had a substantial role in raising her Murphy grandchildren when their mother, Frances, died with 3 under 6.

PROOF THAT THE LETTER WRITER WAS THE WIFE OF NOAH KAVANAGH.
From:
SAMUEL CAUSE - OOCITIES
https://www.oocities.org/vic1847/c/c13.html
Moses Cavanagh 25 hus, 4 f, Farm Servant Wexford RC neither, came Jun 1840 on the Andromache
Frances Cavanagh 20 wife of Moses, 4 f, Dairymaid Wexford RC neither, came Jun 1840 on the Andromache
Daniel Cavanagh 2 son of Moses, 4 f, Wexford RC, came Jun 1840 on the Andromache
Moses Cavanagh and Frances Brady, baptised Hugh 1841, Catherine died 1844, Moses 1846
Moses Kavenagh - Kavanagh Letters at Post Office Jan 1847

*Moses died in 1856 at Collingwood, aged 42, his place of birth being recorded as WEX and the name of his spouse given as BRADY, Frances Agnes. (The Victorian BDM index gives the details not shown below!)
Event:deaths
Registration number151 / 1856
Family name:KAVANAGH
Given name(s)Moses
Personal detail
Mother's name
Mother's family name at birth
Father's Name:, Daniel

The death notice DID NOT APPEAR AS A RESULT in a search for KAVANAGH 1856 but the Murphy researcher had found it.
On the 7th inst., at his residence, Oxford Arms, Oxford-street, Collingwood, Moses Kavenagh, aged forty-two years ; deeply regretted by a numerous circle of friends. (P.4, Argus, 8-3-1856.)

Frances applied for probate of the will on 20-3-1856

Mrs F.Kavanagh died in 1909.
KAVANAGH Frances, Death
mother:, Unknown UNKNOWN
father: , Brady
place of death:Melb W
spouse at death:
89, 1909, 13548/1909

KAVANAGH.—On the 16th October, at the residence of her son-in-law Mr. M. Bourke, 124 Roden-street, West Melbourne, Mrs. Frances Kavanagh, beloved mother of Mrs S. Bourke, Mrs. Mawson and J.Kavanagh*, aged 90 years. A colonist of 70 years.
Interred privately. May her soul rest in peace. (P.1, The Age, 19-10-1909.)

*J.Kavanagh would be Moses Joseph Kavanagh, the jockey referred to above: A son of Frances and Moses, Moses Joseph, claims to have been the jockey who rode "Tory Boy" to victory in the Melbourne Cup.

Frances had sought information about his whereabouts while running the Oxford Arms at Collingwood. It seems that he was 102 in about 1933, according to an article about the SMITH FAMILY, a charitable organisation supported by a women's group, the View Club, nowadays. He was in N.S.W. at the time and had been at the hospital for 23 years.
SMITH FAMILY'S WORK. DINNERS AND CONCERTS AT STATE HOSPITALS.

THE WEEK IN SYDNEY. One of the finest institutions in our city is that known as the "Smith Family Joyspreaders Unlimited," and
one of its functions is to spread cheer in a practical manner to inmates of hospitals and various other institutions, State-owned and otherwise. Recently a large party, consisting of 30 girls, visited the Lidcombe State Hospital, and all were introduced to the oldest in-mate, Moses Joseph Kavanagh, who claims to be 102, and who said he was born in Melbourne and was the first horse trainer to take racehorses to Tasmania*. He could not give the exact date of his first such venture, though he truly said he had been an inmate of the hospital for 23 years. (P.4, Advocate, Burnie, 18-1-1933.)

* to compete, not to start the breeding of thoroughbreds as might be assumed. James Purves, prominent in Turf circles in Victoria (along with the Yuilles etc.) had probably, with others, started breeding thoroughbreds in Van Diemen's Land before he became an overstraiter in about 1837.