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Killalea State Park

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Shell Cove

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Killalea

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NameKillaleaDescriptionEdward Killalea was born c.1816 Galway Ireland. On 17th March 1836, he was sentenced for life for manslaughter at Galway. He was transported per the Captain Cook 3 and arrived to the Colony on 13th November 1836.

Edward was issued a ticket of leave on 11th January 1845, and on 15th July 1847 married Maria Molright/Campbell at Jamberoo NSW. Maria was born c1832 Dublin Ireland. On 10th July 1850, Edward was granted Conditional Pardon. (ref excerpt Killalea by Southern Skill publication).

Edward became one of the pioneers of Shellharbour and an enterprising settler on the Bassett/Darley Estate. He was one of the committee to form the Shelllharbour Steam Navigation Company (excerpt from Kiama Exaniner 7 March 1860.)

In 1868, Edward became involved in a gold prospecting venture at Killalea Beach with Thomas Henry, a machine maker who had returned from gold mining in New Zealand. The enterprise eventually failed and Edward carried on farming. Thomas Henry left for the goldfields at Nerriga NSW and settled in that area. (Ref. Thomas Henry family history Dorothy Gillis).

Edward was elected an Alderman on Shellharbour Municipal Council 1870-1872. Edward and Maria’s home of slab, where they had a leasehold on the Bassett/Darley Estate, near the now named Killalea Beach and Killalea Lagoon.

On the 17th August 1872, Edward died suddenly in Wollongong at the Commercial Hotel. His inquest revealed his death was the result of drinking strychnine.

Edward was buried at the Shellharbour foreshore cemetery. Maria lived to a grand age of 86 years and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery NSW Roman Catholic Section.

A plaque was placed by the Killalea family on the site of the slab home on 4th November 1997 by the Killalea descendants, who gathered for a re-union and unveiling.

The Killalea family compiled a full history of Edward and Maria Killalea foundation members of the Killalea Family. Written and compiled by Leanne Kellalea (her chosen surname spelling) the history was donated to The Tongarra Museum and Heritage Society in 1996. Terry Hore-Killalea also donated a framed poem relating to his ancestor Killalea.

Members of the Killalea family held another reunion Sunday June 8th 2009. A large family gathering of some 70 descendants of Edward and Maria Killalea attended at the area of their ancestor’s home site. ‘The Farm’ and ‘Mystics Beach’ popular surfing beaches at Killalea State Park, has been visited by many surfers far and wide, and on June 8th 2009, joined by the Killalea family, the Killalea National Surfing Reserve Committee placed plaques to The Farm and Mystics Beach, at a dedication ceremony, Killalea State Park New South Wales.

Maria and Edward had 12 children.
Thomas bn.1847 Wollongong married in 1884 at Tumut to Emily Isabella Ada Snodden died 1931 Waverly. they had 10 children.
John bn.1848 Shellharbour married in 1873 at Kiama to Annie Seymore died 1887 Cleveland (near Dapto). They had 6 children.
Edward bn.1851 Shellharbour.
Bridget bn.1853 Shellharbour married in 1873 at Kiama to William Bently. They had 3 children.
Catherine bn. 1855 Shellharbour married in 1876 at Adelong to Robert James King, died 1926 Footscray Victoria. They had 7 children.
Mary bn 1857 Shellharbour married in 1873 at Adelong to John Rowe they had 5 children. Died 1949 Adelong
Michael Patrick bn. 1859 Shellharbour married in 1896 in Albion Park to Bridget Ross they had 9 children. Died 1947 Nambour Qld.
Patrick bn.1860 Shellharbour bachelor. He donated a Baptismal font to Catholic Church at Shellharbour in 1936 in memory of his parents.
Peter Joseph bn 1863 Shellharbour bachelor. His occupation was a valet to a Professor of Law - William Pitt Corbett. Died 1939 Hobart Tasmania.
James bn. 1866 Shellharbour.
Ann Jane bn.1869 Shellharbour married in 1889 at Adelong to Thomas Robert Kennedy they had 2 children died 1898 Sydney.
Agnes bn. 1871 Shellharbour married in 1899 to Edward Clifford Melson in Sydney he died in 1906 in an earthquake in USA.They had 2 children after Edward died Agnes married Henry Street in 1908 in Sydney.

Sources:
Tongarra Heritage Files.

External LinkNotice Peterborough EstateEcclesiastical Jurisdiction - James CampbellDeath of Mr Edward Killalea of ShellharbourCoroner's Inquest James CampbellSuspected Ship Wreck off Killalee's BeachClearing Leases Sale 1857To Let Killalee Farm 1858James Campbell ProbateSocial BallAccidentally Shot 1884Suicide at Dapto 1887Death Annie Killalea 1888

Place

Killalea Beach

Killalea State Park

Seaview - Killalea

Document

Bass Point and Killalea Beach Areas Admission Fee Receipt

Inventory of Memorials in Killalea Regional Park

Object

The Ex Convict Councillor Poem

Myimbarr Wetlands Archaeological Collection

Videos

Killalea Surf Culture

Map or Plan

Part Plan of the Curramore Estate

Person

Seymour, Thomas

Event

Gold at Killalea

Organisation

Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company

Maria Killalea and son - Peter Joseph, or Patrick (unknown which son)

Photo courtesy of descendant Terry Killalea-Hore.

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CollectionFamiliesPlaceKillalea State ParkLocalityShell CoveOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilShellharbour Steam Navigation CompanyFamilyFraser

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Killalea