Denis Murphy : Short Biography

Dennis MURPHY emigrated from Mayglass, County Wexford, Ireland, with his spouse, Jane Elizabeth MURPHY (nee WHEELOCK), and family on the clipper ship 'Shalimar' arriving in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, on 9 February 1855.

The 'Shalimar', 1467 tons register, the ninth ship of the White Star line, left the Port of Liverpool on 22 November 1854 and was on its first voyage.  It was under the command of captain Amos Robertson.  The 'Shalimar' accomplished the run 'in something under 76 days' (The 'Argus', Melbourne, Victoria, Friday 9 Feb 1855, page 4).

The children who accompanied Dennis MURPHY and Jane MURPHY (nee WHEELOCK), according to the passengers list, were William James (13 years), Mary (10 years), Philip (7 years), James (4 years) and Jane (infant).  The family were accompanied by Christopher JEFFARES/JEFFERS (27 years).  Christopher was apparently a relative of Jane WHEELOCK, his mother's maiden name being Mary WHEELOCK.  Christopher JEFFERS died unmarried at 60 years on 23 Mar 1889 and is buried at the Epping Cemetery, Victoria, in the same grave as William James MURPHY.  Walter MURPHY, aged 30 years, was also listed as a passenger on the 'Shalimar' on its arrival in Feb 1855 but what, if any, relationship exists between him and my MURPHY ancestors is presently unknown.

The reasons why Dennis MURPHY and Jane MURPHY left Ireland in 1854 and came to Australia are not clear.  

Occupation(s):
6 Aug 1858 - carter (as per death certificate of Dennis' daughter, Catherine MURPHY)
25 Apr 1865 - farmer (as per marriage certificate of Dennis' son, William MURPHY)
8 Jun 1865 - farmer (as per marriage certificate of Dennis' daughter, Mary MURPHY)
3 Apr 1882 - cab proprietor (as per death certificate of Dennis' son James MURPHY)
20 Feb 1887 - cab proprietor (as per death cert of Dennis' daughter Jane MURPHY)
18 Nov 1895 - cab proprietor (as per Dennis' death certificate)
17 Jul 1909 - cabdriver (as per death certificate of Dennis' son William MURPHY)
7 Aug 1936 - cab proprietor (as per death certificate of daughter, Mary O'SULLIVAN)