NameAlcorn, Sarah (Nee Keys)Date of Birth1822Date of Death1898Place of ResidenceClear HillsBiographySarah Keys was born in 1822 in Omagh, Tyrone, Ireland to Thomas and Mary Keys. She married William Alcorn and they came to Australia in October 1851 aboard the 'Kate' with their son, Robert. A daughter was born on the journey.
Sarah's cousins, Eliza and John Keys lived in the Wollongong area at the time. It appears Sarah and William may have lived with them, as Sarah gave birth to another three children in Wollongong.
William and Sarah entered into a 10 year lease with Richard Denniss.
The family then leased land from Captain Darley on the Bassett-Darley Estate, at called 'Clear Hills' (Killalea State Park area today).
Sarah and William had six children:
William James born c.1846 Omagh Tyrone Ireland. In 1878 William James married Catherine J Gray in Shoalhaven, N.S.W. He Died 10 September 1916 and his death was registered in Berry.
Robert born c.1849 Omagh Tyrone Ireland. Died 28 July 1911.
Agnes born July 1851 at sea married Daniel Harris in 1873 and died in Candelo 1874
Mary Jane born 12 September 1853 Berkeley married Samuel Alexander Anderson. Died 3 March 1916 at Jamberoo.
Sarah born 3 August 1857 Mt. Pleasant Dapto. She married Robert Lenton Died 10 April 1937.
Thomas born 2 May 1860 Dapto
William Alcorn died in 1884, but it would appear that Sarah continued to live at the farm, as records show she continued the lease into 1885.
In 1885, the Kiama District Landowners Police Survey shows Sarah Alcorn at 'Clear Hills', and in January 1894, the Shellharbour Borough Report stated Mrs. Alcorn had 41 cows with the premises clean and tidy.
Sarah died on the 22 March 1898, after drowning in Saltwater Creek, Clear Hills.