James and Jane Milligan arrived in Australia as Bounty Immigrants on the "Margaret" arriving on 28 March 1841. They were brought out by A.B. Smith & Co, Bounty Merchant. The "Margaret" departed Liverpool on 23 October 1840.
James was 26 years old and listed as being in good health with the calling of Labourer. His religion was Protestant and he was unable to read or write. He was a native of the townland Edenamohill, Parish Magheraculmoney, County Fermanagh, Ireland being born in 1813. He was baptised on 19th December 1813 at St Marys Church, Ardess under the name James Milliken.
On his immigration papers James Milligan or Mulligan was listed as the son of Sandy Milligan, a Farmer and his wife Margaret Bell, his widow. James and Jane had no children travelling with them, however they had a son baptised on 12 May 1839 named John Mulligan. They married at St Marys Church, Ardess, Co Fermanagh, Ireland on 20th February 1838. Both left Ireland with only their mothers still living as Widows. James’s parents, Alexander “Sandy” Milligan and Margaret Bell married in about 1801. It is believed they both came from Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Alexander being born around 1777 and Margaret 1776. Alexander was a Farmer and a Protestant.
Alexander and Margaret had six children. John born 1802, Thomas born 1804, William born 1806, Alexander born 1809, then James born in 1813 and a daughter Mary Anne born in 1816. Alexander “Sandy” Milligan died at the age of 42 and is buried in St Marys Church Cemetery, Ardess under the name of Alexander Milliken on 17th May 1819.
His mother Margaret Milligan died in 1842 and is buried at St Marys Church, Ardess on 22 March 1842 under Widow Milligan. His wife, Jane, listed as a married female immigrant was aged 23, her religion was Protestant and her health was listed as good. Jane was a native of County Fermanagh, Ireland being born around 1817. She was the daughter of John Wren (Rinn or Rin) a Farmer and Anne Barton, his widow. Jane’s calling was a Spinner. It is believed that they also came from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
The family lived around the Singleton district, with John being born or registered at Patrick Plains and Margaret at Wollombi Brook both old names for areas of Singleton, NSW, Australia. Therefore it is assumed that they were assigned to work on a property in this area after their arrival. The family then moved to the Tocal Estate, Patterson by the time Alexander was born in 1845 and remained there until at least 1856 when the last child William was born. Two children, Mary and William died at Tocal and were buried in unmarked graves at Paterson Anglican Church Cemetery.
James died on 2nd April 1885 at his home at Dunolly near Singleton. He was 68 and the cause of death was Cancer of the Mouth which he had suffered for twelve months. James was listed as a farmer at the time of death. His parents are listed as Alick Milligan and Margaret Bell. The informant was his wife Jane Rinn. James is buried at the Church of England Cemetery (Whittingham) in Singleton in the same plot as his sons Joseph and John. Three children survived at the time of his death, Margaret, Alexander and James. Interestingly he is named as John on his death certificate not James, however James is on his grave stone.
Jane died at the age of 89 on 28th January 1907 at the home of her daughter Mrs Margaret Needham, at “Morningside” George Street, Leichhardt. The cause of death was due to injuries accidently received when falling out of bed according to the Coroner’s Inquest held. Jane is buried at Rookwood Cemetery Church of England section. Only two children survived her, Margaret aged 59 and James aged 53.
