O

OATES, Stephen (1824-25/03/1871). He died in Bunbury and was an expiree. He arrived on 11/09/1856 on the Runnymede. He employed a ticket of leave cook in 1869. He was a timber worker in the South West and died of an accident in a sawpit.

O'BRIEN, James. He married Mary Ann James. Their child was Lydia Sophia (1871-), who was born in Perth and Roman Catholic. He was a tailor in Perth. He employed two ticket of leave men who were tailors at Bunbury in 1874. 

O'BRIEN, Margaret (1834-). She arrived on 24/03/1854 on the Victory. According to Salvado's list, she was in Bunbury in 1854. She was a member of the Roman Catholic Church.  

O'CALLAGHAN, John/Joseph Francis (-1895). He was the son of James Callaghan, an Enrolled Pensioner Guard. He arrived in Western Australia on 15/02/1863 on the Merchantman with his parents. He married Anne Payne in Perth in 1874. Their children were born in Fremantle and Perth and were Roman Catholic. Their children were Mary Elizabeth (1875-), Joseph (1877-), Cecelia Mary Josephine (1878-), John (1879-), Anne (1880-), Francis John (1882-), Clara Gertrude (1884-), Theresa Anne (1887-), Catherine Mary (1889-), Alicia Matilda (1891-), Agnee Harry (1892-), Gerald Patrick (1894-), Magdalene Mary (1895-) and John F. (1895-). He was a teacher at Fremantle Roman Catholic Boys School from 1868 to 1889. He was a principal in 1884 at the Perth hospital. He, his wife, a son and a daughter all visited Bunbury in 1882 and 1883. He was a choir boy at St. Mary's and sang there almost all his life.

Mary Ann O’Connor

On 2 November 1860, Mary Ann O'Connor married Charles Little Hastie in Bunbury. Their first child, Thomas Little Hastie, was born in 1861. Between 1864 and 1871, the couple had five more children, John, Robert, William, Walter and James.

O'CONNOR, Patrick. He married Elien Rorman (1857-) on 20/02/1888 at the Roman Catholic church in Albany. Elien was born in Fremantle and was the daughter of James, an Enrolled Pensioner Guard. He joined the Police Force in 1886. He transferred from Albany to Bunbury in 1887.

O’DELL, James/John. John employed three ticket of leave labourers at Bunbury 1867 and one in partnership with Mullins. He employed three ticket of leave men, including two shoemakers in 1867, 1868 and 1870 at Fremantle. He was a general dealer and bootmaker from 1875 to 1889.

OFFER, Henry (1821-24/08/1913). He was born in England and died in Benger. He was an expiree. He was the son of John/James, and Charlotte. He arrived on 18/10/1851 on the Minden. He married Catherine May Toohy (1833-12/5/1915) on 17/07/1854 at the Bunbury Church of England, and on 13/14/12/1854 he completed the Roman Catholic Rites. Catherine was born in Ireland and died at Bunbury. Her father was Edward and she arrived on 13/1/1853 on the Travancore. Their children were Ellen (1855-1927), John (1857-1911), Edward (1859-1917), Henry (1861-1951), Jane (1863-1937), Charles (1866-1939), Mary (1868-1952), Ann (1870-1949), Thomas (1872-1956) and Elizabeth (1874-). He worked for Marshall WaIler Clifton for two years as a housekeeper. He was a Bunbury farmer in 1868, a Benger landowner and contractor. He employed eight ticket of leave labourers on occasions between 1864 and1877 at Harvey, Blackwood, Brunswick and Bangor. He was part of the Church of England. 

OFFER, Henry (07/09/1861-25/05/1951). He was the son of Henry and Catherine nee Touhy. He married Mary Delaney (26/04/1859-22/01/1943), who died in Bunbury and was the daughter of Thomas Benger from Burekup. 

OLDRAM, John Charles (1833-09/07/1887). He died in Jarrahdale and was an expiree. He arrived on 28/12/1863 on the Lord Dalhouse. He married Kate. Their children were John (1870-) and Mary (1872-). He employed three ticket of leave men in 1870 at Bunbury. He was a carpenter and joiner at Fremantle in 1877 when he signed a petition regarding discrimination against expirees. He was an ex-soldier. His wife applied for poor relief in 1882 when he was in gaol. He deserted his wife, who applied for outdoor relief in 1884. 

OLDAM, William (1833-15/4/1891). He was born in England and was an expiree. He arrived on 31/12/1862 on the York. He married Elizabeth Murphy on 14/2/1870 at the Australind Roman Catholic church. Elizabeth married for a second time to Patrick Xiernan. Their children were an unnamed daughter (1870-), Elizabeth (1872-1886), who drowned at Pinjarra, John (1873-), Mary (1875-), Hannah (1877-), Kathleen (1879-), William (1881-), Ellen Mary (1883-1940), Sarah (1885-) and Rose (1890-). He applied for and was granted relief following a serious accident at Bunbury on 08/12/1886. 

OMMANNEY, Charles. He arrived on 24/12/1844 on the Victoria from the Eastern colonies. He was a school teacher at Bunbury in 1850. He applied for the Bunbury Town Lot 230 on 28/08/1851. 

OMMANEY, Henry Mortlock (1817-17/5/1880). He was born in England. He arrived on 24/08/1830 on the Edward Lombe. He married Elizabeth Capel Bussel (1818-) on 12/3/1839. She was the daughter of Reverend William. She arrived on 27/1/1833 on the Cygnet. Their children were Henry Mortlock (1840-1875), who was born in England, Jane Elizabeth (1842-), Edward (1843-), Capel and Henrietta. He was granted 2,560 acres. He was employed as a surveyor according to the 1836 census. He visited England, departing on 28/5/1836 on the Sally Ann and returning 04/08/1838 on the Shepherd. He set up as an agent in Perth and Fremantle and moved to Bunbury, where he was a Civil Administrator in 1842 at Picton. He was also employed in the Survey Department. He departed with his family in April 1847 on the Unicorn for London. 

O'NEIL, John (1858-). He arrived on the 22/12/1877 on the Robert Horrison from London. He joined the Police Force around 1879 and was posted at Pinjarra in 1880 and transferred to Bunbury in 1881. He went from Perth to Geraldton in 1888 and Perth in 1889.

ONSLOW. Mr and Mrs Onslow had two children and servants. They were listed as journeying from King George Sound to Fremantle on 19/12/1880 on the Rob Ray. They departed on 26/11/1882 to Bunbury or KGS. 

Denzil Onslow (1811-1855)

Denzil Onslow was born in 1811 to Reverend George Walton Onslow and Elizabeth Campbell (reference). His siblings included George Walton (1804-1849), Robert Thorp (1810-), Pitcairn (1813-1894), Edmund (1815-1875) and Arthur Foot (1821-1835) (reference). 

Denzil arrived in South Australia in August 1838 on the Shephard. He also travelled on ships after that, including the Elizabeth. Denzil is first mentioned in a newspaper a year after arriving in Australia on 14 December 1839 (reference). The article was a call for a public meeting to be held in South Australia, which Denzil signed his support for (reference). The petition was successful, so a public meeting was organised (reference). 

By 1841 Denzil was living in the Bunbury area, as on 15 January that year, he was awarded a retail licence at Port Leschenault, which was what Bunbury was first known as (reference). This retail licence was likely for Denzil to be an auctioneer and general commission agent as on Monday 3 May 1841, he auctioned off the wreck of the ship Samuel Wright, including everything associated with the wreck and the remains of the wreck of North America (reference; reference). Other items up for auction included barrels of pork, 400 fathoms of whale line, hemp cable, whale boats, cook stoves, trypots and empty casks (reference). In addition to the ship goods, a house on 115 acres of land on the Preston River three miles from Bunbury was up for auction (reference). Denzil was a member of the Executive Council in 1841.

In 1842 Denzil was living in Australind and working at Belvidere as the manager on the Princep Estate while Thomas Little, who was in India with his wife, seeing Mr Princep, Belvidere's owner (reference; reference). In 1842 Denzil had his written correspondence with the Colonial Secretary, Peter Brown, published in the Inquirer newspaper to express his displeasure at the Secretary's response (reference). The letters reveal that Denzil was residing in York and was a Magistrate (reference). 

"To the Editor of the 'Inquirer' Leschenault 13th December, 1842. Sir, — May I request of you to publish the following correspondence which has taken place between myself and the Colonial Secretary. I accidentally heard for the first time in the beginning of last September, that my name had been struck off the list of Magistrates nearly two years before, and I consequently wrote the following letters to the Colonial Secretary.”

“Fremantle 6 September, 1842. Sir,— Having heard that my name has been struck off the list of Magistrates, may I beg to know whether I am still in the Commission of the Peace or not. I have the honour to be, &c, DENZIL ONSLOW.”

“The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Perth. In answer to which I received the following polite letter. Sir, — I am directed by the Governor to inform you in reply to your letter of the 6th inst., that you are no longer in the Commission of the Peace. You were originally appointed on account of the great dearth of Magistrates in the York district, and because it was understood that you were likely to remain for some time in that district; you would not otherwise have been selected, as it has been an invariable rule with the Governor to appoint only landholders to the Magistracy, except under very peculiar circumstances. Your departure from the district therefore rendered the continuance of your name in the new commission quite unnecessary. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, (signed} PETER BROWN, Colonial Secretary.”

“Denzil Onslow, Esq., Leschenault, Australind, 27th October, 1842. Sir, — I have received your letter in answer to my enquiry whether I am on the list of Magistrates or not, having before received no communication to the contrary His Excellency I think cannot pay so slight a compliment to my understanding as to suppose I can believe the reason offered to be the true one. Eight or ten Magistrates of the colony are landless, and others have removed their residence without being considered disqualified. The office is a gratuitous and not a very pleasant one. I did not seek it, and I think his Excellency had no right to place me in a position which could enable him to offer me the present insult or to do that which may by misconstruction affect my character. I shall feel it necessary for the satisfaction of my friends elsewhere to take the sense of those in the colony, and publish their opinion in the most effectual way I can. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, DENZIL ONSLOW.”

“The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Perth, Having waited for some time, I wrote to know if there was an answer, but no notice has been taken of either of the two last letters. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, DENZIL ONSLOW. (reference)"

Denzil married Clarissa Ellen Mackay (1826-) in Bunbury in June 1845 (reference). One newspaper article mentions that they were married on 17 July (reference). Clarissa was the daughter of John Thomas and Clarissa Mackay who lived in Bunbury (reference). 

In December 1845, Denzil announced his intention to leave the colony in the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal (reference). The following month in January 1846, Denzil and his wife Clarissa visited London on the Unicorn. They returned to Australia in June 1847 on the William Wise.

Denzil was an overseer of the Royal Sappers and Miners and was appointed as the Senior Assistant. In 1848 Denzil was a shareholder in the Western Australian Mining Company (reference). In August that year, he signed his support in calling for a general meeting for the company (reference). As requested, a public forum for the shareholders was held on 14 September 1848 at 2 pm at the Freemasons' Hotel in Perth (reference). 

In 1849 Denzil was awarded a Publican's License for the Rose and Thistle in Bunbury (reference). He was also getting monetary subscriptions from Bunbury residents to get a church built in Bunbury (reference). 

In 1850 Denzil was taken to court at the Quarter Session on 6 April, charged with 'feloniously shooting at, with intent to do grievous bodily harm to an Aboriginal man named Marrin, also known as Maringo, at Bunbury (reference). A sworn interpreter conveyed Marrin's account of the assault against his person during the trial: "I lived with Mr Onslow and kept his cattle. I recollect going to Mr Onslow to take out his cattle on the morning that I was fired at — that was a Sunday; the cattle were in the yard; Mr Onslow was in the house, washing his hands; Mr Onslow name running out with a whip in his hand; I ran away, I saw Mr Onslow coming with a gun; I thought he was in play; the gun was fired, and I threw myself down, but he missed me; I got up and ran away again in a sloping position ; the gun was fired again a second time, and I was hit in several places, partly on my head, partly on my back, and partly on my right thigh and leg; the second shot knocked me down; I had a kangaroo cloak on; I afterwards took two small shots out of my right thigh; the shot was of the size that they kill pigeons with; I run away when I saw Mr Onslow with the whip, because he had beaten me with a whip before that day; there is no shot left in me; the two shots were taken out by my brother the same day I was shot; when the shot which struck me was fired I was a little farther off from Mr Onslow than I am now from the Court-house door; the two shots were fired quickly, one after the other — the second shot was fired immediately after the first; some of the shot passed through my cloak; some of the blood came from me when the shot had struck me on the thigh — very little blood from my back; I heard the shot rattle against my cloak; I do not know whether Mrs Morrison saw the gun fired; I went with her to Mr Onslow when I first went to his house. I was sick for one day only; I never was shot before by any person (reference)."

Edward Hester, the Police Constable in the Bunbury district, gave his account of the event: "I am Police Constable in the Bunbury district. On a Monday morning in the month of February last, I heard that a native had been fired at by Mr Onslow the day before; I saw and questioned the native, the witness Marrin; he confirmed what I had heard, and showed me several marks which he said had been made by shot — he said he was sick; I found Marrin about a ¼ of a mile from Mr Onslow's, at a native fire; Marrin then appeared to me to pretend to be a great deal worse than he really was; the next day he walked as far as Mr Eliot's the magistrate; the marks which Marrin showed me, appeared to me to be very like shot wounds, but they seemed to me to be old marks — I saw no blood about him; he told me just the same account then that he has given today in court (reference)." When Edward was asked if he found any shot in Marrin, he responded: "I did not feel any shot in Marrin's person — he did not tell me that he had picked any shot out (reference)."

Louisa Morrison, a servant who worked at Denzil's house, also gave her version of events: "I was a servant in Mr Onslow's house in the month of February last. I recollect one morning in that month the native Marrin coming to Mr Onslow's to take out the cattle — I saw Marrin in the house; I saw him go quickly out of the house as if frightened or angry; after that I heard two reports of a gun fired outside the house, and heard a noise as of some person screaming; I cannot say how long it was after I heard the gun that I heard the scream; just after I heard the scream I went out of the house, and met Mr Onslow with a gun in his hand; I said to him, is the native shot — or have you shot the native — or something to that effect. In the evening of the same day I saw the native Marrin at a native fire, perhaps a ¼ of a mile from Mr Onslow's; Marrin then complained of pain; but still he did not appear to me to be in much pain; he was lying down; he showed me marks upon him, which he said had been made by shot; the wounds he showed me were small, as if made by the prick of anything — I saw Mr Onslow before Marrin came, and while Marrin was there Mr Onslow did not appear to be angry with Marrin; I told Marrin to make haste with the cattle, as he was later than usual; Marrin said to me, when I saw him at the native fire in the evening, that if Mr Onslow would give him some flour, he, Marrin, would not complain to Mr Eliot. I told that to Mr Onslow (reference)."

When cross-examined, Louisa said this: "Mr Onslow made me some answer when I asked whether the native was shot, but I cannot say what the answer was — I did not hear him distinctly; Marrin is not Mr Onslow's regular cattle-herd — Mr Onslow was in bed when I saw him previously to Marrin's coming; I saw Marrin twice in the evening of that day — once about sundown, the second time about dark — I did not see Mr Onslow with a whip in his hand, or running after the native; Mr Onslow was coming towards his house when I met him with a gun in his hand — I was going towards the kitchen; at the time Marrin came out of the house I saw no other native about the place; I had seen one native before Marrin came, I saw Marrin going out quickly from the dwelling house, and I was myself then in the dwelling-house; when Mr Onslow told me to call Marrin, he was standing at his parlour-door — I did so, and Marrin, who was then in the dining-room, whether from fright or not, instead of going to Mr Onslow, ran out of the house; before that I had told Marrin to take the cattle out — I told Mr Onslow that I could not get Marrin to take the cattle out; I did not tell Mr Onslow that Marrin had threatened me; Marrin talked a great deal about taking the cattle out, which I did not wholly understand; it appeared to me that there was some dispute between the regular native cattle-herd and Marrin; the other native had been shortly before standing at some distance off, outside the house. As far as I could understand Marrin, it appeared that neither of the natives wished to take the cattle out (reference)."

Denzil Onslow provided this as his defence: "there is no evidence that the native was shot by me." Supposedly during the trial, the defendant, Denzil, pointed out several alleged discrepancies in Marrin's evidence which was enough in 1850 to be found 'not guilty of shooting someone, despite all the evidence above (reference).'

Back in Bunbury in June 1850, Denzil supported Marshall Waller Clifton's proposal to accept convict labour in the Wellington district at a meeting (reference). The following month a group of prominent Bunbury residents expressed their displeasure at the Inquirer newspaper's misrepresentation of their meeting by publicly ending their inscription to the newspaper (reference). Denzil was amongst colonists including George Eliot, William Pearce Clifton, John Siffilant, John Scott, John Morgan, Thomas Little and William Forrest (reference). Following this, Onslow received a private letter from the Inquirer, which he preceded to publish in the Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News: 

"My dear Onslow. You will perceive by the Inquirer that I have had occasion to express myself rather freely upon the recent meeting in Bunbury. In making the remarks referred to, I consider I have done good to your district. You will give me credit for all good feeling towards the inhabitants of Wellington, &c. and will perceive that the blow was aimed not at them, but at a notoriously meddling and interfering individual. I say that I consider that I have done good to your district because I believe that any effort that is made to induce the settlers to judge for themselves, will have a beneficial effect. I have lived at Bunbury, and have attended Bunbury meetings, and I know what they are. I have long wished to oppose the domineering influence of the Australind dictator, and his direct attack upon my journal has given me an opportunity of so doing. I maintain that the views attributed to the Inquirer are not according to fact, and I defy the production of proof. That this proof cannot be furnished must be apparent, otherwise it would have appeared in today's Perth Gazette, and there having been plenty of time for the purpose. I do not think it fair or honest to make accusations which cannot be substantiated. I write to you because I know you are equally capable with the framer of the resolutions of superintending any public business that may have to occupy the attention of your district, and infinitely more capable of conducting such business with fairness. It strikes me that the framer of the resolutions passed at your meeting, is answerable to you all and should be held responsible for any inaccuracies that may have appeared, and I hope you will deem it necessary to compel from him an explanation. In conclusion, I must express my sincere regret if I should have hurt the feelings of any, the more especially as you number among you many for whom I have the highest respect, but a severe charge requires a severe answer. If anything that I have said will lead to your henceforth acting independently of the who arrogate superiority, I shall be satisfied. Such men as yourself, the Sillifants, &c, are as well fitted by education, &c. to be the leaders of the district, as the present usurper, and I sincerely trust that now the ball is at your feet, you will not hesitate to kick it. Believe me, My dear Onslow, Ever yours. (Signed) ROBERT SHOLL (reference)." The 'Australind dictator' mentioned in the article above is highly likely referring to Marshall Waller Clifton.

In August 1850, the Annual Ploughing Match was held, and Denzil shared stewardship of said match with George Eliot (reference). The Match was held at John Scott's farm, known as Eelup but referred to in the newspaper article as Koombana Farm (reference).   

In 1851 Denzil was still working as an auctioneer, and on Wednesday 26 March that year he auctioned off Mr A Francisco's stock which included gunpowder, gun caps, snuffers and trays, ostrich feathers and toilet seats (reference). As not everything was sold in one auction, another was held (reference). Before his auction, he announces in the newspaper the continuation of his career as an auctioneer (reference). His job as an auctioneer had him travel to Fremantle to auction items such as bottled ale, wool lashings, doormats, telescopes and coal tar (reference). 

In 1851 Denzil was working temporarily at the Colonial Secretary's Office as a clerk (reference; reference). He was then appointed the Superintendent of a party of ticket of leave men employed completing public works at Bunbury (reference; reference). He then became the Bunbury Depot Senior Superintendent from November 1852 until 1855, when he died (reference). 

On 1 March 1853, Denzil and his wife Clarissa visited Sydney.

Denzil died in Bunbury in December 1855 at forty-four years old (reference). On Wednesday, 19 December 1855, his remains were buried after a funeral attended by over 150 people (reference). Denzil was buried with his brother-in-law, John Siffilant's infant son, who died on 30 November (reference). After his death, all persons that had claims against him had to forward them to Reverend Brown, the Bunbury Chaplain, within two weeks (reference). 

ORANGE, Thomas (1834). He was an expiree. He arrived on 11/09/1856 on the Runnymede. He was employed as a ticket of leave man in 1868 at Bunbury.

O'REILLY, John Boyle (28/6/1844-1890). was born in Ireland and died in the United States of America. He arrived on 10/1/1868 on the Hougoumont as one of the Fenian political prisoners. He joined the 10th Hussars. He was an organiser of the Fenian movement within the British Army in 1865 and was arrested after inducing about 80 troopers to join. During the voyage to Western Australia, he was assistant editor of the shipboard paper '"The Wild Goose". He was sent to the Bunbury in a work party and made his escape on the American Whaler Gazelle in 1869 and helped plan the escape of others on the Catalpa in 1876. He had a distinguished career as editor of the Boston Pilot in the United States of America and published novels.

O'UlLLY, Philip. He arrived as an Enrolled Pensioner Guard. He was formerly a private in the 80th Regiment. He was a shoemaker in Bunbury shoemaker in 1877 and a farmer from 1879 to 1884. On 20/10/1880 he was granted Bunbury Location P62 at Turkey Point. he employed two ticket of leave labourers in 1869. He applied for outdoor relief in 1883.

OUGDEN, James John (27/02/1835-04/12/1871). He died in Western Australia. He was the son of James and Ellen née Thompson. He married Emma Nairn (22/01/1837) on  04/03/1858. Emma was born in Western Australia to William and Mary Ann. Their children were Ellen Amelia (1858 -1943), WaIter Rawlinson (1860-1860), Amy Ann (1863-193?), Charles James (1865-), Edwin George (1868-1869), John Alfred (1869-) and Charlotte Jane (1871-1871). He was a blacksmith in Perth in 1865. He sold his business to Joseph Kenworthy in 01/1868. He was a coach driver between Perth and Bunbury. He died in an accident on the coach run. He was the proprietor of the Shamrock Hotel from 1866 to 1871. He employed twenty two ticket of leave men between 1863 and 1871 at Perth and Geraldton. he qualified as a Juror in 1860.

OVEN, William Lambden (12/03/1861-). He was born in England. His father was William Dent Cliffe. He arrived 13/01/1887 on the Franklin. He married Edith Gordon in 1891. She was the daughter of Stewart of Ireland. He joined the Public Works Department at Perth in 1883. He was elected the Associate Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers. He was a Government Resident Engineer for Northern Districts according to the Government Gazette from 1887 to 1890. He helped complete the tramway between Roebourne and Cossack and supervised the erection of many of the public buildings in that area. He was a warden of the Pilbara District in 1889. He assisted in the preparation of plans for many public works in Western Australia. He visited England in 1903. On his return, he was employed in the Lands Department. He was the Resident Magistrate at Kag and at Bunbury in 1905. He was a major in Volunteers in 1906. He was a Freemason and was active in Anglican Church affairs.