Mrs Mary McEvoy Snr
Monaro Mercury 1908
Obituary (From our Moonbah correspondent.

I have to record the death of one of Monaro’s oldest pioneers, in the person of Mrs Mary McEvoy senr. Relict, of the late Mr. James McEvoy, of Woollendibbie, Jindabyne, which sad event took place on Thursday night last in her 89^th year. Deceased was the daughter of the late Denis Sheils, of Campbelltown, being born at that place on 20^th February 1820, and was married at Molongla by the Rev Father Therry in March 1836. In October the same year she came to the Monaro, (being the first white woman to cross the Snowy River) and settled at the Boloco Creek at a spot still known as McEvoys crossing, and there her first child (Mary was born, being the first white child born on Moanaro, and who for many years was known by the sobriquet of the "Monaro Queen" or the "Queen of Monaro". After about two years residence at Boloko the deceased lady removed to Woolondibbie, were she resided till the time of her death, a period of 70 years. Mrs McEvoy could relate some interesting tales of the early days, when the settlers had to do their own shoe making, tailoring, milling ect. And of their trips to Sydney when the bullock teams were going down for supplies, and bushrangers were as plentiful as blackberries. She was a splendid horsewoman, and until well past her fiftieth year thought nothing of a ten or twelve mile gallop, day or night, wet or fine, to attend a neighbour in sickness. The writer knew her on one occasion to ride 70 miles in one day, the occasion being on one of Archbishop Podling’s visits to Cooma. Mrs. McEvoy had started for Cooma, but when ten or twelve miles on the road was overtaken by a messenger, who stated that one of her neighbors was ill and needed her immediately. She never hesitated a moment but galloped the horse the whole distance back and did all that was required, afterwards resuming her journey to Cooma, which place she reached that evening. Being kind hearted to a fault, no traveler ever passed her door hungry, and she made many friends and very few, if any enemies.

Deceased leaves nine children, viz three sons, John, Thomas and Peter, and six daughters Mrs. Byrne, Mesdames Geo. and T.D. Pendergast., William and John Freebody and Mrs. M. Gammon, besides 69 grandchildren, 59 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. These together with a large circle of friends, are left to mourn their loss. Three of her children predeceased her, two in childhood and Joy, Mrs Campbell.

The funeral took place on Sunday, where her remains were interred in the R.C. Cemetery at Moonbah alongside those of her late husband (who predeceased her by about 30 years)

And the funeral was the largest ever seen in the district. The cortege, which was half a mile in length, consisted of over 60 vehicles and numerous horsemen. Over 400 persons assembled at the graveside to pay their last tribute to one of Monaro’s oldest and most loved pioneers.

James McEvoy born 25^th Jult 1807 died 2^nd Oct 1877

Descendants of James McEvoy

Recompiled from the new Monaro Pioneers database
after further research by Ian Harvey: 22.09.07

Descendants Report