Andrew Armstrong

Andrew Armstrong was born on 31 August 1830 in Dromore, County Tyrone, in Northern Ireland. His parents were Thomas Armstrong and Elizabeth Armstrong nee Graham.  He had a younger sister, Catherine.  All members of the family were born in Dromore.

In 1841, when Andrew was ten years old, his family emigrated to New South Wales on the Helen, arriving on 21 July 1841.  They were bounty passengers. imported into the colony by Gilchrist and Alexander.  Andrew's father Thomas was 37 years old, a farm labourer, Protestant, and could not read or write.  Andrew's mother Eliza was 35 years old, a dairy woman, Protestant, and could read.  His younger sister Catherine was nine years old.

On 3 July 1857 Andrew Armstrong married Martha Graham, eldest daughter of John Graham of Avondale near Dapto on the south coast of New South Wales.  

Andrew and Martha had six children:

Margaret Jane Armstrong (1858-1945)

Thomas Francies Armstrong (1858-1934)

Elizabeth Amelia Armstrong (1860-1943)

Catherine Ann Armstrong (1861-1943)

John Charles Armstrong (1864-?)

Martha Neville Armstrong (1867-1938).

Andrew engaged in various agricultural, pastoral and commercial pursuits over his working life.  He had a farm at Mount Keira near Wollongong, New South Wales and was a member of the local municipal council from 1870-1873, 1876 to 1882 and 1886 to 1889, and was elected Mayor for 1877-1880.

Andrew died on 2 January 1900 at Lismore, New South Wales as the result of a serious accident after a severe attack of influenza.