John Connell was born in Drogheda, Ireland. It is unclear when he came to Geelong, but it was some time between 1840 and 1858. He then set up trade as a carpenter and joiner, a trade which he had learnt in Ireland. At some point he met John Murray. He probably worked for John at his blacksmith and wheelwright shop at Clifford. Sometime in 1873/74 a decision was made to take up land, which was up for selection in the Pyramid Hill area of Victoria. It is uncertain whose idea it was, but John Murray, his wife Mary Ann, John Connell, 2 brothers of Mary Ann along with John Murray's older sister Catherine, her husband William Shaw and their 3 sons James, Patrick and John, all shifted to the parish of Mincha West, where they staked claims to land. It was part of the agreement of selection that a hut or dwelling be erected and lived in on at least 3 nights per week and, as John Connell lived with John Murray's family, and did for the rest of his life, William and Catherine Shaw operated the farm on John Connell's block of land. This was not a very successful venture as the farm didn't provide for them as well as they had hoped. | The two Johns built a house and set up a forge. Some family stories suggest that the two Johns were partners but I can't find any evidence of this. John Connell died of influenza on 3 December 1899 at the home of John Murray. His death certificate gives his age as 70 years. He had never married and had no family at the time of his death and left his estate which consisted of a 147 acre farm to John Murray. |
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