Sunday, November 7, 2021

KELLY'S FAMILY HOTEL

Kelly's Family Hotel, right  ca 1872
Source: SLNSW
Click here to see zoomable image

Mayne Street looking west from the corner of Herbert Street Gulgong 1872
Kelly's Hotel can be seen in the distance
Source: SLNSW

In the early 1870s, Kelly's Family Hotel was located on the corner of Mayne and Medley Streets, Gulgong, on the location of today's Ten Dollar Town Motel.
Source: Note supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (July 2006)

Ambrose Kelly, licensee, was born in Ireland in about 1835 to Robert Kelly (a farmer) and Ellen Moore. In 1855, at the age of 20, Ambrose came to Australia. He appears to have moved between the goldfields of Victoria, Grenfell and Gulgong.

Kelly's death record says he married Margaret Moon in Bendigo in about 1857 but Margaret's cemetery listing says she was born in Gulgong and her father's name was Denis. The latter seems unlikely as there was no "Gulgong" in 1839 when Margaret was born.

Ambrose and Margaret's children were: 5 males, 3 females (living); 2 males (deceased) and included:
  • James Kelly - born 1858; died 17 Jun 1885 aged 27; buried Gulgong
  • Ambrose Kelly - born 1863; died 8 Jul 1885; buried Gulgong
  • Johanna Kelly - born 1870, Binalong
Ambrose Kelly Snr died in 1873. The cause of death was "organic disease of the heart". He was 38 years old. He is buried at Gulgong Cemetery. Margaret Kelly, his widow, took over the running of the hotel.

NEWS ITEMS before GULGONG
1868 - BUSH INN, 7-MILE. 
AMBROSE KELLY BEGS to inform his numerous friends and customers that he has obtained a License for the above House at the 7-Mile, and has furnished everything necessary for comfort and convenience, The Wines and Spirits, Ales, &c., are of the best quality, and the most approved brands. A. K. solicits a share of patronage.

  • In June 1871, Messrs. Joseph M'Connell, David Pyne, and Robert Hill, of Grenfell, storekeepers, sued Mr. Ambrose Kelly,  licensed victualler, also of Grenfell, over failure to pay for a billiard table they had bought on his behalf. The jury found for Mr Kelly, that he had wanted a "first class" billiard table and when that purchased did not suit him, the gentlemen had it returned to them.
    Source: Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Wed 7 Jun 1871  Page 2
 
NEWS ITEMS in GULGONG

1871 - IRISH NEWS
... a nice little office has been erected in Medley Street (next Kelly's Family Hotel), where the Irish Citizen may be had immediately after the arrival of the mail on Saturday evenings.

1872 - [ADVERT - KELLY'S FAMILY HOTEL]
Queen and Medley Streets, GULGONG. A KELLY begs to inform his friends and the public generally that, having completed the erection of the above commodious Hotel, he is now prepared to accommodate all who may favor him with their patronage.
The above, from the central position, respectability, etc., offers especial inducements to visitors from New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, and other parts. The bar is replete with the best brands, and the domestic arrangements such as to enhance comfort. The Stabling is excellent.

 

1873 - SUICIDE.
An inquest was held by T. A. Browne, Esq., coroner, and a jury, at Mr. Ambrose Kelly's Family Hotel this afternoon touching the death of Patrick Shannon, a butcher, in the employ of Mr. Walker, Herbert-street; Mr. S. S. Moses was chosen foreman of the jury.
Mr. Ambrose Kelly, the proprietor of Kelly's Family Hotel, corner of Queen and Medley streets, died, after a few hours illness, on Saturday morning. The deceased formerly had a hotel at Grenfell, and came here two years ago. He has maintained a large business connection, and his death, at the early age of 38, is deeply regretted by a large circle of friends. The funeral took place on Sunday afternoon, the procession extending more than half-a-mile in length, and containing between six and seven hundred persons. Mr. Kelly leaves a wife and family of children.
Ambrose Kelly Headstone, Gulgong
Source: Austcemindex

1878 - ALLEGED MURDER NEAR GULGONG.
Margaret Kelly, landlady of Kelly's Hotel, Gulgong, gave evidence showing that deceased [John Goodwin] stopped at her house ten days, during which time she had the care of two £5 notes which belonged to him, after settling up with her and purchasing articles for his own use, he left as servant to her son and his mates who were traveling, taking with him £6 and some silver; arriving at Tallewang, they were overtaken by the storm, and her son, James Kelly, with Samuel Wright and Thomas Connor, returned for forage and remained in the hotel until Mr Peterson informed them on Saturday of the tragedy; during their absence Goodwin was left in charge of the horses, drays, and camp. [Full story at link]
 
1884 - John Holden became Licensee of Kelly's Family Hotel

1899 - DEATH
KELLY.—December 29, 1899, at her residence, A.J.C. Hotel, Randwick, Margaret Kelly, late of Gulgong, aged 60 years. R.I.P.

1900 - Death of an Old Gulgongite.
Mrs. Kelly, who was a well known figure in public business at Gulgong, owning Kelly's hotel (now W. Norris) passed away on Friday last, at her residence, at Randwick, where for some time past she conducted the Randwick Hotel. The funeral on Sunday last was largely attended, prominent identities of the metropolitan turf being in attendance, including Mr. Humphrey Oxenham, Mr. Tom Payten, &c. Friends from this side were present to pay their respects to the remains of the good old lady. Amongst those who followed the cortege in cabs were Messrs. Richard White and Percy Webb. The interment took place in the R.C. portion of Waverley cemetery.
Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Tue 2 Jan 1900 Page 2

1900 - Gulgong Property Sale
Mr. S. T. Bishop, auctioneer, Gulgong, reports having sold the property known as Kelly's Family
Hotel, situated in Mayne and Medley streets, Gulgong. Mr. Joshua J. Davis, of Barney's Reef, was the purchaser, the price being £525 cash.

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