1861 Part of Margaret Sullivan's birth certificate
Note: son John was still alive in 1861
Note: son John was still alive in 1861
Margaret Catherine Sullivan 1861 - 1950
11 Jul 1861 Birth of Margaret Sullivan
Denis Sullivan and Margaret McLaren's second daughter, Margaret Sullivan, was born on 11 Jul 1861 at Rochedale Station, between Wandoan and Taroom. She shared her first name with her mother and her grandmother Margaret McQuilkan, and her second name with aunt Catherine McLaren.
Denis's occupation was recorded (after some indecision, "grazier" crossed out) as "carpenter" and he was absent at the time of Margaret's birth. The "informant" to the birth was James Hooke, the same gentleman whose name appeared in the Weranga sheep advertisement. Hooke was the owner of Rochedale and sold the property in 1862 - see newspaper clipping below.
Denis Sullivan and Margaret McLaren's second daughter, Margaret Sullivan, was born on 11 Jul 1861 at Rochedale Station, between Wandoan and Taroom. She shared her first name with her mother and her grandmother Margaret McQuilkan, and her second name with aunt Catherine McLaren.
Denis's occupation was recorded (after some indecision, "grazier" crossed out) as "carpenter" and he was absent at the time of Margaret's birth. The "informant" to the birth was James Hooke, the same gentleman whose name appeared in the Weranga sheep advertisement. Hooke was the owner of Rochedale and sold the property in 1862 - see newspaper clipping below.
Map from Dulacca to Taroom, Rochedale Station centre right
1890 Rochedale Station homestead, 30 years after birth of Margaret Sullivan
1862 Sale of Rochedale Station and mention of Mr J Hooke
4 Nov 1880 Ahrens – Sullivan wedding
Margaret accompanied her mother around the country - see The Sullivans in Court - and then returned to Rochedale after 1874. Around 1877 she moved to Roma where she married Otto Ahrens. Otto was first a policeman and later a publican (Bowen Hotel, Roma) and butcher.
The Bowen Hotel, constructed in 1865 by Otto's father, Charles Ahrens (1837 - 1882), was located on the corner of Bowen and Gregory Streets. It was demolished in 1923.
Margaret accompanied her mother around the country - see The Sullivans in Court - and then returned to Rochedale after 1874. Around 1877 she moved to Roma where she married Otto Ahrens. Otto was first a policeman and later a publican (Bowen Hotel, Roma) and butcher.
The Bowen Hotel, constructed in 1865 by Otto's father, Charles Ahrens (1837 - 1882), was located on the corner of Bowen and Gregory Streets. It was demolished in 1923.
Bowen Hotel Roma:
1. 1866 Charles Ahrens' license
2. 1880 floods
3. 1882 Otto Ahrens resumes as publican
4. 1923 demolition of the hotel
1. 1866 Charles Ahrens' license
2. 1880 floods
3. 1882 Otto Ahrens resumes as publican
4. 1923 demolition of the hotel
Margaret and Otto's children
Margaret bore Otto Ahrens 12 children. Otto died in 1902, survived by his wife and eight surviving children, including three weeks old twins, Gordon and Donald. Note the different surname spellings of the children.
Margaret bore Otto Ahrens 12 children. Otto died in 1902, survived by his wife and eight surviving children, including three weeks old twins, Gordon and Donald. Note the different surname spellings of the children.
1914 Death of Denis Sullivan
Margaret supplied information recorded on her father's death certificate. The original certificate was updated accordingly - see Denis Sullivan.
Margaret supplied information recorded on her father's death certificate. The original certificate was updated accordingly - see Denis Sullivan.
28 Jun 1950 Death of Margaret Catherine Sullivan
7 Jul 1950 Western Star
Obituary. The death occurred on Wed Jun 28 of Mrs Margaret Catherine Ahern. She was born at Rockdale (SIC) Station, Dawson on July 12, 1862 (incorrect - 11 Jul 1861) and came to Roma at the age of 16 years, marrying a short time after arriving. The railway line then was only as far as Blythdale. In the early days Mr. and Mrs. Ahern kept the Bowen Hotel and later followed a butchering business in Roma for many years.
Her husband predeceased her 48 years ago, leaving a large family, the youngest of which were three-week-old twins.
She is survived by five sons: Albert (Brisbane), Walter (Bundaberg), Denis, Donald and Gordon (Roma), one daughter Mrs. Neilson (Ipswich).
Four sons Thomas, Charles, Otto, James and two daughters Catherine (Mrs. Kenrade), and Jenny predeceased her. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
7 Jul 1950 Western Star
Obituary. The death occurred on Wed Jun 28 of Mrs Margaret Catherine Ahern. She was born at Rockdale (SIC) Station, Dawson on July 12, 1862 (incorrect - 11 Jul 1861) and came to Roma at the age of 16 years, marrying a short time after arriving. The railway line then was only as far as Blythdale. In the early days Mr. and Mrs. Ahern kept the Bowen Hotel and later followed a butchering business in Roma for many years.
Her husband predeceased her 48 years ago, leaving a large family, the youngest of which were three-week-old twins.
She is survived by five sons: Albert (Brisbane), Walter (Bundaberg), Denis, Donald and Gordon (Roma), one daughter Mrs. Neilson (Ipswich).
Four sons Thomas, Charles, Otto, James and two daughters Catherine (Mrs. Kenrade), and Jenny predeceased her. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.
Questions and (possible) Answers:
Q1. Why did the Western Star spell her name "Ahern"?
A1. By 1950, “Ahrens” was often spelt “Ahern.” Both spellings were used by her children as well and it was used unhesitatingly on Margaret's headstone.
Q2. Did Margaret employ traditional McLaren or Sullivan christian names for her children?
A2. Margaret named several of her children after members of the McLaren and Sullivan families: Donald, Catherine (first name Margaret), Agnes, Jane and Denis. And perhaps Walter, after Walter Goodman.
Q3. Who was Otto Ahrens?
A3. Albert Otto Ahrens (1860 - 1902) was born in Dalby. He was a policeman, publican, butcher and land owner. He lived in the Dalby area prior to moving to Roma. Otto was survived by 8 of his 12 children. His father, Charles Frederick Augustus Ahrens, was born in Brunswick, Germany. His mother, Catherine Maloney (1836 - 1876), was born in Ireland. Otto had at least 7 siblings and half-siblings.
Q4. When did Margaret Sullivan and Otto Ahrens marry?
A4. They married in Roma on 4 Nov 1880. Otto was 20 years of age and Margaret 19.
Q5. How many descendants of Margaret Sullivan are buried in Roma Cemetery?
A4. Too many to count.
Q6. Was Margaret Sullivan living with her mother Margaret when she died at Retro Station in 1874?
A6. Margaret was 13 years old when her mother died. Her older sister Ellen was living at Weranga Station in 1874. It appears from Margaret's 1950 obituary that between 1868 and 1873, she returned to Rochedale Station and moved to Roma around 1877. Refer my conclusion on Margaret's page.
Q1. Why did the Western Star spell her name "Ahern"?
A1. By 1950, “Ahrens” was often spelt “Ahern.” Both spellings were used by her children as well and it was used unhesitatingly on Margaret's headstone.
Q2. Did Margaret employ traditional McLaren or Sullivan christian names for her children?
A2. Margaret named several of her children after members of the McLaren and Sullivan families: Donald, Catherine (first name Margaret), Agnes, Jane and Denis. And perhaps Walter, after Walter Goodman.
Q3. Who was Otto Ahrens?
A3. Albert Otto Ahrens (1860 - 1902) was born in Dalby. He was a policeman, publican, butcher and land owner. He lived in the Dalby area prior to moving to Roma. Otto was survived by 8 of his 12 children. His father, Charles Frederick Augustus Ahrens, was born in Brunswick, Germany. His mother, Catherine Maloney (1836 - 1876), was born in Ireland. Otto had at least 7 siblings and half-siblings.
Q4. When did Margaret Sullivan and Otto Ahrens marry?
A4. They married in Roma on 4 Nov 1880. Otto was 20 years of age and Margaret 19.
Q5. How many descendants of Margaret Sullivan are buried in Roma Cemetery?
A4. Too many to count.
Q6. Was Margaret Sullivan living with her mother Margaret when she died at Retro Station in 1874?
A6. Margaret was 13 years old when her mother died. Her older sister Ellen was living at Weranga Station in 1874. It appears from Margaret's 1950 obituary that between 1868 and 1873, she returned to Rochedale Station and moved to Roma around 1877. Refer my conclusion on Margaret's page.