Author Topic: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873  (Read 6872 times)

Offline eregli_gene

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Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« on: Sunday 11 March 12 10:37 GMT (UK) »
I am interested in Alfred Cluney

Alfred Cluney was supposedly born around 1831 in London, England,
having died in Sydney in 1873 aged about 42.  He had a father
and brother, both called Francis.  There is no obvious record
of him visible in the 1841 or 1851 English census.

It is my opinion that the following newspaper references in
Australia and New Zealand between 1857 and 1874 all refer
to the same individual.

From the "South Australian Register", Thursday, 22 October 1857 :

"Port Adelaide: Wednesday, October 21.
[before Mr R.F. Newland.]
Cluney v. Harper
Allen Harper, master of the Burra Burra, appeared to a summons by
Alfred Cluney, cook, for 14 pounds 8s. wages due.
The defendant pleaded the drunkenness and inattention of plaintiff,
and his having damaged certain steam-pipes connected with the vessel's
galley. Plaintiff whilst in port had several times refused to cook the
dinner for the crew, and had taken articles belonging to the ship.
By Mr Beykett - Plaintiff has been 10 trips in the vessel, at the
rate of 6 pounds a month.  He suited me until the matter occured of
which I complain.  Had about 60 persons on board last time,  but
plaintiff had a soldier and another person to assist him.
A. Vincent, steward, deposed that plaintiff had been drunk on
several occaisions which incapacitated him from doing his duty.
A steam-pipe is missing from the galley, which it would cost one
pound to replace.
Jedgment for 8 pounds 10s. wages and costs, plaintiff having
received on account 4 pounds 10s. and one pound deducted for damage
done, with 8 shillings forfeiture for incapacity to perform his
duty through drunkenness.


From the "South Australian Register", Saturday, 24 November 1860 :

"Port Adelaide: Friday, November 23
[before Mr G.W Hawkes SM]
Disorderlies.- Alfred Cluney was fined 10s. for being drunk and using
obscene language - James Stewart seaman, was charged with being drunk
and disturbing the peace; also with assaulting Police-constrable Stewart
in the execution of his duty. He as fined 10s.


An account appears in the Brisbane Courier of 29 February, 1864.
This account or almost identical ones also appears in
multiple New Zealand newspapers of the same month.

An Otago paper of the 19th of this month, the latest received, says:-
Alfred Cluney, chief cook of the Queen, steamer, was last evening
released from custody.  It will be remembered that he was arrested
on suspicion of being concerned in the death of John Craig, late
chief engineer of the boat,  and that the resident magistrate
remanded him, pending the verdict of the coroner's jury.  He was
present during the inquest on Saturday, and again yesterday, and
at the request of the jury the coroner accepted his own
reconissances for his appearance before the resident magistrate
this forenoon,  when he will,  no doubt,  be formally discharged.
At the sitting yesterday captains Francis and Davidson gave evidence
which showed that if poor Craig was murdered, robbery was not the
inciting cause.  It was suspicious that Craig having received
34 points on the Saturday preceding the Monday when his body was
found,  only 4 pounds 10s. remained in his purse, and that a watch,
which he was known to possess, was not in his pocked.  Captain
Francis proved that a silver watch and 17 pounds in notes was left
in the deceased's berth ; while Davidson stated that the watch
was the only one he had known Craig to possess,  and that the
deceased told him on Saturday night that he had length 10 pounds
to a friend.   But the verdict of the jury was an open one - that
the deceased died from fractures of the skull, there being no
evidence to show how those fractures were caused.  The coroner
told Cluney that, so far as the court was concerned, he left it
without the slightest stain,  and we have no doubt that the
magistrate will, today,  show that he believes what Cluney said
when first brought up, 'You'll find me innocent, sir'.

Craig's body was found in the bay on the first of February.


Alfred Cluney died in Sydney around 13 December 1873.  His funeral was
held in Sydney two days later on Monday 15 December 1873.  

A death announcment for Alfred Cluney appeared in the
Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday 13 December 1873:

Cluney - December 13, at his late residence, 711 George-street,
Sydney, after a short and painful illness, Alfred Blackley Cluney,
native of London, in the 42nd year of his age,  and dearly beloved
son of the late Francis Cluney, Excise Officer of London,  and brother
of Francis Cluney, band-master, leaving an affectionate wife and
large circle of friends to mourn their loss.

Another death notice appeared on Saturday 21st February 1874 in the
Sydney Morning Herald ( 2 months after his funeral ):

Cluney - Dec 13, 1873, Alfred Blackley CLuney, native of London,
aged 42.

His funeral was announced in 4 separate funeral notices
in the Sydney Morning Herald of Monday 15 December 1873.


Offline rutht22000

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 11 March 12 10:47 GMT (UK) »
Hi

It looks a wife was Margaret McFall (daughter of Daniel McFall) and they married at Port Adelaide, SA, on 13 May 1857.  It confirms his father as Francis Cluney

There looks like a lot of records for him on ships manifests as well.  Will post them in a second (dates are arrival dates).

5 December 1864 on board the "Kangaroo" between Hobart & Sydney (as a Cook)

12 May 1869 on board the "Black Swan" between Maryborough & Sydney (as Chief Cook)

26 May 1869 on board the "Black Swan" between Maryborough & Sydney (as Chief Cook)

26 August 1869 on board the "Havilah" between Rockhampton & Sydney (as Cook)

15 September 1869 on board the "Havilah" between Rockhampton & Sydney (as a Steward)

11 October 1869 on board the "Havilah" between Rockhampton & Sydney (as a Cook) (confirms birthplace as London)

28 October 1869 on board the "Havilah" between Rockhampton & Sydney (as a Cook)

Jeacock
Colebourne
Shepherd
Scotter
Sievers
Knowles
Pritchard
Lilley
Hart/Hertz
Woodmansey
Monnington
Thomas (South Wales)
John (South Wales)
Pearce (South Wales)

Offline kmart66

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 11 March 12 10:50 GMT (UK) »
Hi

London birth and baptisms

Alfred Blakely son of Francis and Margaret Clooney was baptised 29 Apr 1827 in the parish of St George, Middlesex, fathers occupation revenue officer, familys address Old Gravel Lane, Alfreds birth given as 15 Dec 1826.

Kevin
Brightlingsea families
Martin, Day, Frostick, Salmon

faber est quisque fortunae suae

Offline eregli_gene

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 11 March 12 10:52 GMT (UK) »
It appears that he married in Sydney, 1869,  Elizabeth Dalzell.   NSW Marriage Reg 217/1869  

The funeral notices say that his father-in-law was John Dazell (sic)  and his brothers-in-law
were Messrs Thomas, John, James and Robert Dazell (sic)


Offline rutht22000

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 11 March 12 11:00 GMT (UK) »
Brother Francis christened at St Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney on 31 May 1829.  Father's occupation given as Excise officer.

No other obvious siblings nor on the census so far

I wonder as well if Francis Jnr went to Australia as well - there is a death on 21 June 1887 in Adelaide of a Francis Cluney, aged 59 which would take us back to him being born around 1828/29
Jeacock
Colebourne
Shepherd
Scotter
Sievers
Knowles
Pritchard
Lilley
Hart/Hertz
Woodmansey
Monnington
Thomas (South Wales)
John (South Wales)
Pearce (South Wales)

Offline eregli_gene

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 11 March 12 11:20 GMT (UK) »
FreeBMD has a Francis Cluney deceased Lambeth 1920 but he was supposedly aged 73 which is about 20 years too young.


I can't find any death or remarriage for Alfred's apparent second wife Elizabeth Dalzell in NSW.  There may be a spelling variation that I missed.   Her four brothers seem to have had a few children in NSW.

Offline rutht22000

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 11 March 12 11:27 GMT (UK) »
I've drawn a blank on the census' no matter how many different spellings of Cluney I can come up with - wonder if the whole family went out to Australia before 1841?   
Jeacock
Colebourne
Shepherd
Scotter
Sievers
Knowles
Pritchard
Lilley
Hart/Hertz
Woodmansey
Monnington
Thomas (South Wales)
John (South Wales)
Pearce (South Wales)

Offline eregli_gene

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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 11 March 12 11:35 GMT (UK) »
Well there is a ship captain John Dalziel sailing to and fro at that time.

Is Dalziel the same as Dalzell ?


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Re: Alfred CLUNEY b. London abt 1831, d. Sydney 1873
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 11 March 12 11:55 GMT (UK) »