Born about 1832 in Dublin, Ireland.
In 1854, Joseph Williams (aged 23) and his brother, John, arrived in Australia on the Lady Ann.
Joseph married Elizabeth* Harrison in Albury in 1866 (NSW BDM 1282/1866)?
* an Elizabeth P Williams died in Gulgong in 1920. Her father's name was Michael. No mother's name was recorded.
Joseph and Elizabeth's children included:
- Margaret - 1866; married Walter C Ellery (NSW BDM 30/1892)
- Christina - 1867
- Mary E - 1869; married John O'Connor in 1893 in Gulgong (NSW BDM 3764/1893)
- John F - lived at Canadian
- Joseph - 1871 lived at Cooyal and/or Canadian
- Thomas J - 1873-1916
- Elizabeth - 1874
- Catherine Alice - 1879, married Martin J O'Connor of Lambing Hill, Goolma
- Georgina - born ____ (died 1942) married Michael Considine/Consadine at Gulgong in 1893. Their children included:
- John J - 1893
- Patrick Thomas 1895-96 (died in infancy)
- Mary - 1897; married Herbert Grimshaw in 1917.
- Michael L - 1899-1900 (died in infancy)
- Joseph - 1902
- Kathleen A - 1903
- Elizabeth E - 1905
- Thomas F - 1909
- Francis E - 1910
NEWS ITEMS
1917 - Weddings. GRIMSHAW— CONSIDINE.
The little Catholic Church at Wilbetree was prettily decorated by girlfriends and relatives of the bride on Tuesday, February 20, when Herbert Grimshaw, son of Mr. Grimshaw, of Reedy Creek, and Mary, eldest daughter of Mr. M. Considine, and granddaughter of Mr. Joseph Williams, an old and much respected resident of Canadian Lead, were married by Rev. Father O'Donnell.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 5 Mar 1917 Page 41920 - Late Joseph Williams. AUSTRALIAN PIONEER AND IRISH PATRIOT
A correspondent at Canadian writes: —
The late Joseph Williams, whose death took place on January 23, at the great age of 88 years, was a native of Dublin, Ireland. When quite a young man he, in company with his brother John, left his native country, and sailed for Australia. When not many days on the water their ship, an old sailing vessel, was caught in a storm, and was driven onto the coast of France. Their boat being badly damaged they were obliged to remain in a French port for several week for repairs. The voyage to Australia took six months to complete, and was full of interesting events and dangers. Their boat was again caught in a storm when nearing the coast of Australia, and was towed into Syd-Harbour in a leaky and dangerous condition.
Landing in Australia in the early fifties the two brothers followed various occupations, working for some time at Dapto, Blacktown and other places. When the gold rush set in the brothers decided to try their luck at gold mining. Crossing the Blue Mountains per bullock dray they visited most of the big fields with varying success. Amongst the fields they worked on were the Lachlan, the Turon, and the Meroo. At the Meroo Chinese were very numerous, and gave the miners a lot of trouble. Many a pitched battle took place between the white miners and the Chinamen.
The brothers resided at Merrendee for a number of years. There they met with a fair amount of success, working in company with the late Mr. James Hollow, of Canadian, (a brother-in-law) and Mr. James Endacott, some of whose family still reside about Merrendee. They secured some fine patches of gold. The party here also raised a fine herd of cattle.
On this field an incident occurred which the late Mr. Williams often spoke of amongst other mining experiences. It was St. Patrick's Day, and the party decided to have a day off, and visited some sports in another part of the field. Whilst they were having a good time taking part in a game of cricket, etc., the claim they were working (being shallow ground, and having a fair amount of excavation) collapsed from the surface. The fall-in buried tools, etc. The men were in the habit of all working below at times, so were supposed to be buried by the fall, the miners not having missed them earlier in the day.
Great was the excitement when the news spread that Williams and party were believed to have been buried alive. Relief parties were immediately hard at work trying to unearth the supposed victims, and it was not till late in the evening, when the party returned to camp, that the miners discovered, to their great joy, that the party were safe and well.
Mr. Williams went to Canadian about 60 years ago [1860ish]. There he took up land and settled down, and remained till his death. His brother John, and his brother-in-law, James Hollow, also settled at Canadian, and the three were amongst the old pioneers who blazed the track. It was at Canadian that the trio met with their greatest luck in gold finding. Shortly after their arrival at Canadian the Gulgong, Canadian and Home Rule rush broke out, and in these fields they met with a fair measure of success — particularly in Stott's paddock.
Mr. Joseph Williams' brother John pre-deceased him by 22 years. The late Mr. Joseph Williams leaves the following family: Mrs. Williams (widow); daughters Mrs. [Margaret] Ellery (Gulgong), Mrs. [Georgina] Considine (Canadian), Mrs. [Mary] John James, and [Catherine Alice] Martin O'Connor, of Lambing Hill, Goolma; sons — Messrs John. Francis. Williams (Canadian) and Joseph Williams (Cooyal). Mr S. J. Williams[??], whose death occurred four years ago, was also a son of Mr. Joseph Williams. His grandchildren number 58.
Mr Williams was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, and was always ready to assist in its advancement. He was also a great patriot and lover of Ireland, and took a keen interest in all matters connected with it. His one great desire was to see the land of his birth a free land enjoying her independence as a nation once again.
1920 - [JOSEPH SNR]
Mr. Joseph Williams, an old resident of Canadian, who died recently at the age of 88 years; was the father of Mesdames John James [O'Connor] and Martin O'Connor, of Lambing Hill [Mary E and Catherine Alice], Goolma. With his brother he came to Australia in the fifties and crossed the Blue Mountains when the gold rushes broke out. After working on the various fields in the West the deceased took up land at Canadian 60 years ago, and resided there until his death.
