Susanna Cantwell

Catherine Cantwell was born in Camblin Townland, Roscrea RC Parish, County Tipperary. She was baptized on May 23, 1858. Her parents were James Cantwell and Judith Delahunty and her baptism sponsors were John Maher and Anne Sheehan. Her parents married on February 15, 1844 in Loughmore in the presence of John and Mary Cantwell, and Pat Delahunty. She had 3 brothers – Patrick, Thomas, and James Cantwell – and 4 sisters – Susan, Mary (Molly), Margaret, and Johanna.  James, Thomas, Susanna and Margaret emigrated to Australia. Molly and Catherine emigrated to America. The youngest sibling, Johanna, married James Ryan on August 28, 1884 and remained in Ireland.

James Cantwell born 1855, died in Ballarat, Victoria in 1931.  Thomas Cantwell was one of the prospectors who discovered the Boulder Mine in Norseman (not to be confused with Kalgoorlie). They struck it rich at the end of December 1895 and decided to walk from Norseman to Coolgardie, where they would get their money. Unfortunately, the water bag leaked and the group became lost and dehydrated. One finally made his way to safety but Tom and another mate, Jerry O’Conlan, died of thirst near Sunday Soak in the middle of nowhere.  The police found the bodies but they were too decomposed to move so they were buried on the spot.  Their graves are listed on the “lonely graves” and “outback family” websites and are apparently a common stop for 4WD clubs in the area.

Susanna Cantwell was born January 13, 1845 in Bournea and Corbally, Co. Tipperary. She married Richard Brereton in 1872 in Victoria, Australia. They settled in Miner’s Rest, which today is a suburb of Ballarat, Victoria. They had 6 children. Michael (b. 1873), Bridget (b. 1875), James (b. 1875), Johanna (b. 1877), Susan (b. 1878), and Mary Josephine (b. 1880). Susanna died July 2, 1936, Charlton, Victoria.

Margaret Cantwell was born in 1849 in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. She married Martin Lowry of Holycross Co. Tipperary in Ballarate, Victoria, Australia on August 8, 1874 and they lived in various towns - Miner’s Rest, Corack, and Wycheproof. Martin was born in 1843 in Holycross. They had 13 children. Margaret Cantwell Lowry died in August 15, 1921 at Wycheproof. Martin Lowry died in 1931 at Melbourne South; his parents were Michael Lowry and Johanna Connelly. You can see their gravesite in Corack Cemetery on findagrave.  In an obituary for Mrs. Margaret Lowry, published in the Advocate of Melbourne, Victoria on Thursday, September 21, it mentions that 3 of the sons were in the police force.