Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Michael Dromgoole

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Descendants of Michael Dromgoole

Generation No. 2

2. JOHN DROMGOOL² (E) (MICHAEL¹ DROMGOOLE) was born Abt. 1823 in County Louth, Ireland, and died 6 August 1897 in Onehunga, New Zealand. He married (1) SUSAN SAVAGE 16 August 1841 in Ireland. She was born Abt. 1823 in Ireland, and died 4 December 1863 in Onehunga, New Zealand. He married (2) MARGARET MCARDLE February 1864 in New Zealand. She was born Abt. 1845 in Ireland, and died 19 December 1920 in Waiuku, New Zealand.

Notes for JOHN DROMGOOL (E):
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

John and Susan Dromgool

When John and Susan arrived in New Zealand the surname was spelt Dromgoole - the name listed of the Shalimar passengers as Drongool (i.e. with 'N' instead of 'M', and on final 'E') was purely accidental, from ignorance, bad printing, or whatever reason. John still used the final 'e' on the birth certificates of his children Elizabeth, Lucy and Thomas, though on the last mentioned certificate in 1863, the name has 'Dromgool' printed in capitals above the original spelling and the 'e' is crossed through. The reason for dropping the final letter was that a legal document was written without it, so that the signature had to be exactly the same. This is the form that has been used by our family in New Zealand ever since, except of course for some obvious spelling mistakes.

In 1868, John Dromgool is listed in Waiuku Highway District Assessment roll for 421 acres, with rates at 1 pound 15 shillings; in 1869 for 654 acres at Fair Valley, Waiuku East for 5 pound 3 shillings and 10 pence at two pence per acre. In Wise's Directory 1875-6 Charles Dromgool is mentioned at Waiuku (p.67). In 1885-6 NZ Post Office Directory lists John Drumgool as farmer, Fair Valley, Waiuku, which we accept as just two printing errors. Cleve's Directory of 1890 shows Thomas Dromgool at Basque Road, Mount Eden; but Patrick (known in the family as Bob) appears at Edwin Street, Mount Eden with the old Shalimar spelling of DroNgool. By 1893, - perhaps the Irish brogue was departing! The Auckland City Electoral Roll got it right: Elizabeth Dromgool, Lower Hepburn Street, home duties, residential; and Russell Dromgool (wife of Patrick), Oliphant Street, home duties, residential. Both ladies were entered in order to have their vote at the first election with women's suffrage.

ASSOCIATION WITH ONEHUNGA

We do not know how soon John took up working on his land at Waiuku. If Elizabeth was indeed born on February 25th, 1860 as recorded in both the family bibles, and also by her niece Nell Lipscombe who, over the years, would surely have celebrated birthdays with her - then it is probable that some weeks or even months elapsed before the family travelled from Onehunga where they had taken up residence. Did John also buy property in Onehunga? Thomas Birth Certificate describes him as farmer - but also gives his address as 'Onehunga'. During the Waikato Wars, the two oldest sons, James and Charles, remained at Waiuku to protect the farm from attack, while their parents and younger brothers and sisters returned to Onehunga. When Susan died in December 1863 she was buried in the Catholic Cemetery, Onehunga. Some members of the family could be interested to look for information along these lines, as there was certainly a strong connection with the locality, which was then a staring off place for journeys
into the Waikato. There was no road so travel to the farm was from Onehunga by boat across the Manukau. Waiuku means 'Muddy Water' and was the traditional terminal of an ancient Maori portage from the Waikato River to the Manukau. The land was then all covered in forest, or fern and scrub, and the soil did not lend itself to good cropping until it had been cleared, well ploughed and top-dressed.

EARLY DAYS AT GLENBROOK

John's first home was built at Glenbrook, an area called Ruakahua by the Maoris, but also known locally by its component parts, Pakington, Waiuku East, or Brookeside. The original house was destroyed in a fire and by now not even the outbuilding remain. Lonely it must have been, with a feeling of impending disaster as tension grew between the natives and settlers and war spread north from Taranaki into the Waikato. By 1863, farmhouses among the clearings were being deserted as farmers withdrew to Onehunga and Auckland for safety. Mrs. Jerram, daughter of Major Speedy, records that her family's home "The Grange", near Mauku Landing, was loop-holed and garrisoned by settlers for defence against the natives in 1863 before a stockade was built at the landing.* For three nights the women and children took shelter there, waiting for the cutter which was to take them to Onehunga The armed settlers kept guard in twos, those off duty lying on the floor in their blankets, their loaded rifles on the table. Trees and creepers close to the house afforded perfect cover for the enemy, so we can imagine the anxiety of our forbears.

1894 Franklin General Roll, Line 803, Dromgool, John, Waiuku East, Farmer, Freehold, Lot 125, Waiuku East.

Listed in a General Roll, Year ?. Row 2190 as Drumgool, John of Fair Valley, Waiuku, East, Freehold, 125 and part of 123; Waiuku East, 280 Acres.

*(reference: Cowan - N.Z. Wars, Volume I, page 306

More About JOHN DROMGOOL (E):
Burial: 1897, Onehunga, New Zealand
Ethnicity/Relig.: R/C
Occupation: Farmer

More About SUSAN SAVAGE:
Burial: 1863, Onehunga, New Zealand
Death Cert No.: 1863, 3224 Auck

More About JOHN (E) and SUSAN SAVAGE:
Death of one spouse: 4 December 1863, Onehunga, New Zealand
Marriage: 16 August 1841, Ireland

Notes for MARGARET MCARDLE:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

Margaret came out as the Nurse/Housekeeper with the 1st Family from Ireland. when Susan, (Johns 1st wife died in 1863, she married John Dromgool in 1864

1902 Franklin General Roll No. 1028
Listed as Dromgool, Margaret, Waiuku, Domestic Duties

1905 - 06 Franklin General Roll No. 1399
Listed as : Dromgool Margaret, Waiuku, Household Duties

More About JOHN (E) and MARGARET MCARDLE:
Marriage: February 1864, New Zealand

Children of JOHN (E) and SUSAN SAVAGE are:

JAMES³ DROMGOOL, b. June 1843, County Louth, Ireland; d. 3 November 1863, Manuka, Auckland, New Zealand.

Notes for JAMES DROMGOOL:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

For James and Charles, remaining to guard the property ended in terrible disaster.

The Southern Cross Newspaper of November 4th, 1863 describes how James was killed:

"ANOTHER BRUTAL MURDER BY THE REBELS"

"Sad intelligence has just been received from the Mauku. Another horrible murder has been committed, within a very little distance of the Stockade. The victim is a highly respectable settler of the name of James Droomgould, son of John Droomgould, now living at Onehunga.
He was a young man of about 21 years of age. I 'm sorry to say the wretches who perpetrated the deed have escaped.

It appears Droomgould accompanied by another man, formerly servant to the late Lieut. Percival, left the cottage where some of the Mauku volunteers are living, in order to get in some horses. Droomgould must have got ahead of his companion, and had captured one of the horses, and was about to proceed to get in the others, when the rebels appeared and shot him. The other man (said to have been Felix McGuire, Corporal in First Regiment Waikatos) made for the cottage and reported that shots had whizzed past him, but he was not aware that Droomgould was killed.

Mr Lusk and some ten Volunteers proceeded at once to the spot, which was on Mr. Walter's land, near a fence between that gentleman's property and that of Mr. Morley's, not 500 yards from Major Speedy's. When they arrived a most horrible spectacle presented itself. The man was shot and fearfully tomahawked When they approached him he was not dead, but of course he was quite insensible. He was breathing very hard, and died shortly afterwards The horse too, was slightly tomahawked on the ribs. He was, no doubt, shot while he was riding, and tomahawked afterwards. The wadding that had been used in the discharge of the piece was still burning when the Volunteers arrived He had evidently made a desperate struggle He was unarmed. The wretches must have made their escape at once, for money was found on the ground, which had fallen out of the unfortunate man's pocket.

After this affair, where are individuals safe? It was never expected that the rebels would have dared to approach so near to the stockade. This painful event will, it is to be hoped, furnish another lesson, and assist in deterring individuals from venturing into the bush, singly and unarmed."

MILITARY GRAVE AT TAIKIHI BRIDGE

James was buried at a small military cemetery near the river at Taikihi Bridge on the Paerata- Waiuku Road. In 1927, the government erected a monument of grey granite to the memory of Pte. Wm. Worthington, our relative James, and Major James Speedy, who had all distinguished themselves during the War around Waiuku.

The date shown for James' death is incorrect on the memorial, but is, as reported correctly in the newspaper account of his death.

For long enough the little cemetery was hidden by gorse and blackberry - but prior to our Reunion, James' step-nephew Noel Dromgool of Waiau Pa had spent much time clearing away all the rank growth, cutting a path with steps down the riverbank to a plank bridge across the water. He had painted the white paling fence. A friend had supplied a white cross with laurel - leaf wreath and poppies, very appropriate for a soldier's grave.
On All Souls' Day, November 2nd, 1986, a bus load of relatives from the reunion were able to visit the grave and decorate it with flowers - just one day short of the one hundred- and twenty-third anniversary of James' death - a splendid tribute to the first of our family to die in New Zealand, and a touching scene, it will remain long in the memories of those who were able to be present.

More About JAMES DROMGOOL:
Burial: 1863, Mil. Cemetey, Manuka, Auckland, New Zealand
Ethnicity/Relig.: R/C
Medical Information:
Military service: 1863, Manku Rifle Volunteers, Private

3.	ii.	CHARLES DROMGOOL, b. 12 January 1845, County Louth, Ireland; d. 27 May 1925, Tuakau, New Zealand.
4.	iii.	MICHAEL DROMGOOL, b. 29 January 1849, County Louth, Ireland; d. 15 February 1926, Hillsborough, New Zealand.
5.	iv.	PATRICK ROBERT DROMGOOL, b. 3 November 1850, County Louth, Ireland; d. 24 November 1907, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
	v.	ANNE DROMGOOL, b. Abt. 1851, Dundalk, Ireland; d. 1851, Dundalk, Ireland.

Notes for ANNE DROMGOOL:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

Anne Dromgool 1851 - 1852

We have earlier mentioned that the infant daughter, Anne, died in Ireland in 1851 or early l852. Anne is buried in Ireland near the town of Dundalk.

As was the custom of the time, when a child died the name of the deceased one was then given to the next child born.

6.	vi.	MARY ANNE DROMGOOL, b. 3 August 1852, County Louth, Ireland; d. November 1933, Waikumete, New Zealand.
7.	vii.	PETER JOSEPH DROMGOOL, b. 20 April 1854, South Ulster, Ireland; d. 6 November 1940, Onehunga, New Zealand.
8.	viii.	JOHN FRANCIS DROMGOOL, b. 17 April 1856, County Louth, Ireland; d. 31 January 1935, Onehunga, New Zealand.
9.	ix.	BRIDGET FRANCES DROMGOOL, b. 28 January 1858, County Louth, Ireland; d. 12 July 1929, Kaniere, New Zealand.
	x.	ELIZABETH KATHERINE DROMGOOL, b. 25 February 1860, New Zealand; d. 4 August 1944, Hillsborough, New Zealand.

Notes for ELIZABETH KATHERINE DROMGOOL:
Elizabeth Dromgool

Listed on the Auckland Register of Birth no. 4724

Lizzie was the first child to be born to the pioneers in New Zealand. She did not Marry.

Great-Aunt Lizzie to so many of us - was born in 1860 soon after John and Susan arrived in New Zealand. Whether it was in February of that year as our Bibles show, or on May 10th as Auckland Register of Births, No. 4724 shows, is a matter of doubt but at least the birth certificate establishes that her father, John Dromgoole (spelt with an 'e') was already listed as "Farmer, Waiuku East."

The Auckland City Electoral Roll of 1893 lists her as 'residential' at Lower Hepburn St. with the occupation 'home duties'. Later she kept an accomodation house in Princes Street, City - a neat little two-storeyed house alongside the Grand Hotel. Then she had "The Oaks" near the top of Wellesley Street East opposite the Technical College, an elegant two-storey bay-window house with wide front steps. how we loved to run down the sloping path from the back door to the gate. We could get up such speed running downhill - a principle we discovered at about age six, which was later to win Olympic Gold Medals for New Zealand as our athletes adopted this idea while training. Auntie Lizzle's place was for many years a 'home away from home' for any members of the family, working or studying in the city, or
coming up to town for a shopping spree. Uncle Patrick lived there while studying for his law degree, and it was here that he met his future wife, May Golding, who was one of the chief sales ladies at John Courts'.

What yummy jam tarts Aunt Lizzie made, and what splendid fruit cake, with whole dates in it. I can still savour the taste.

She visited us often at our home in Ellerslie and sometimes took us to the pictures. Once, we even went to Fuller's Vaudeville show, and this extravagant outing caused us to be reprimanded. We sat in the best seats, chairs padded in red velvet, watching with glee the dancing ladies with ostrich fans and gaudy costumes; the jokes no doubt well beyond our
comprehension. When we got home we were asked what we had like best. Unanimously we agreed, "the fat and thin men boasting" and we proceeded to act it even to mimicking the accents "I bet I have a better memory than you," said the first one. "Nonsense," bragged the other, "I can remember right back to when I was two years old." "Poof" sneered the first one, "That's nothing at all! I can remember in the nursing home when I was born, the matron came in and said, 'Sit up you leetle divvel and have your eyes put in."' We never went to Fullers again!

When Auntie Lizzie decided to retire she bought a house in Ardmore Road, Herne Bay. We often spent some of our holidays with her. If only we had thought to ask her about her childhood and early memories! She was a very determined person and not too tolerant of new-fangled things. She seemed to mistrust buses, preferring the more leisurely way of coming to see us, by tram, though it entailed a long walk instead of catching the bus to our door. When we had persuaded her to at least take the bus on the homeward journey we would cross the road to help her up the bus steps. She would not pay her fare on entry as was customary. The driver would call after her as she went to sit down, "Your fare, Lady."
And her reply ln a clear voice with still a touch of Irish accent, "I'll pay when I've had my ride," A titter behind hands passed among the other passengers as the driver shrugged and let her have her way. But thereafter two of us always accompanied her to the bus, and while the one was assisting her up the steps the other would be reaching along behind her to pass up the fare. She had a nasty fall when she was in her seventies; she had been standing on a chair on top of the table to wash the kitchen ceiling!
Dressed all in black she seemed so terribly old, I thought at that time. But having now reached the same age myself, I often think of her and remember to be a little more careful as I lean out cleaning windows or climbing up to high shelves.
Auntie Lizzie died on the 4th August, 1944, and is buried at Hillsborough

Listed on the Auckland East Roll of 1908: Line 1633 as being a Spinster and living in Grafton Road

Listed on the Auckland East Roll of 1911: Line 2155 as being a Spinster and living at 17 Princess Street

More About ELIZABETH KATHERINE DROMGOOL:
Birth Cert Folio: 25 February 1860, Auckland Register of Birth no. 4724
Burial: Hillsborough, New Zealand
Death Cert No.: 4 August 1944, Hillsborough, New Zealand
Electrol Roll: 1911, Line 2155 Auckland East Roll
Ethnicity/Relig.: RC

xi.

LUCY DROMGOOL, b. 3 December 1861, Glenbrook, New Zealand; d. Unknown; m. ? LEMMEY, Unknown; b. Unknown; d. Unknown.

Notes for LUCY DROMGOOL:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

Lucy married a Mr. Lemmey. It is believed that they went to live in Australia, and all contact with Lucy was lost.

LUCY

Next we come to Lucy, born December 3rd, 1861. Sadly, all we know of her is from Nell Lipscombe's notes to cousin Valerie. "She married a Mr. Lemmy and went to Australia. All contact with her was lost". Indeed it was. Carolyn industriously wrote to all Lemmy's listed in the Australian telephone books, but had no luck. Why did no-one write to her? Why did she go away? Did she die young? Did she have any family? Here is another project some famlly sleuth might like to take up - looklng for Lemmy cousins all over Australla.
The only clue we have is that James Charles has written "(Sydney)" after her name in our bible.
He is known to have visited cousins in Australia in 1908, but I had thought that was in Melbourne.

More About ? LEMMEY and LUCY DROMGOOL:
Marriage: Unknown

10.

xii.

THOMAS JOSEPH DROMGOOL, b. 26 August 1863, Glenbrook, New Zealand; d. 24 November 1940, Hillsborough, New Zealand.

Children of JOHN (E) and MARGARET MCARDLE are:

xiii.

ANNE (POLLY)³ DROMGOOL, b. 1 December 1865, Waiuku, New Zealand; d. 20 August 1904, Waiuku, New Zealand.

Notes for ANNE (POLLY) DROMGOOL:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

ANNE
Anne, known as Polly, was a cripple and lived from December 1st 1865 - August 20th 1904. She is buried at Waiuku Cemetery , which is also the last resting place of her mother, Margaret, who died May 17th 1920.

11.	xiv.	JAMES DROMGOOL, b. 24 March 1867, Waiuku, New Zealand; d. Unknown, Waipipi, New Zealand.
12.	xv.	CHRISTOPHER (CHRISTIE) DROMGOOL, b. 10 April 1869, Waiuku, New Zealand; d. 9 December 1947, Waiuku, New Zealand.
	xvi.	HENRY (KERRY) DROMGOOL, b. 22 November 1871, Waiuka, New Zealand; d. 23 June 1873, New Zealand.

Notes for HENRY (KERRY) DROMGOOL:
[Dromgool - Walsh.FBK]

[Walsh-Dromgool 1.FTW]

[Dromgool.FTW]

HENRY

John and Margaret's fourth son Henry was born on 22nd November 1871, but died on June 23rd. 1873.

13.

xvii.

EDWARD (EDDIE) DROMGOOL, b. 10 May 1874, Waiuka, New Zealand; d. 27 September 1943, Waiuka, New Zealand.

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