William Twohey, (born 1811) his wife Abinia, (or Abina), born 1812, Nagle (sister of Jeremiah Nagle), and their two (?) children arrived at Nagles Cove on the brig Porter on 28^th May, 1841.

The family had previously arrived in Sydney aboard the Formosa on 14^th July, 1840. (NSW Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists Index - perscom Trish McKay 20/8/08)

 William served as mate on the brig ‘Porter’ according to William Field Porter Junior in his journal. They lived across the bay from her brother Jerry and his family at ‘Glen Twohey’ in Nagles Cove, Great Barrier Island. Two more children were born during the time they resided there.
William Twohey had an extensive career as a master mariner. The family seem to have departed Great Barrier Island in the mid-1840s.

I am indebted to Trish McKay, a descendant of the Twoheys, for much new information. Thanks Trish. More information will appear here on the Twoheys as time goes on.

-Don Armitage 4^th February, 2009.  

 

 

Descendants of William Twohey

 

 

Generation No. 1

 

1.  WILLIAM² TWOHEY  (HUGH¹) was born 1811.  He married ALINIA NAGLE February 10, 1839 in Catholic Chapel St.John, Chester,Cheshire, Eng., daughter of GARRET NAGLE and MARY MEANY.  She was born 1812.

       

Children of WILLIAM TWOHEY and ALINIA NAGLE are:

2.                i.    WILLIAM JEREMIAH³ TWOHEY, b. November 30, 1839, Eldon Place, St.Martin, Liverpool, Lancashire, England; d. August 11, 1898, Newtown, Sydney, Australia..

                  ii.    UNKNOWN CHILD TWOHEY.

                 iii.    AMELIA CATHARINE TWOHEY, b. July 1842, Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand.; d. November 16, 1853, Sydney, NSW, Australia..

3.              iv.    ELLEN MELVILLE TWOHEY, b. Abt. October 27, 1845, Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand.; d. July 15, 1881, Prospect, NSW, Australia..

 

 

Generation No. 2

 

2.  WILLIAM JEREMIAH³ TWOHEY (WILLIAM², HUGH¹) was born November 30, 1839 in Eldon Place, St.Martin, Liverpool, Lancashire, England, and died August 11, 1898 in Newtown, Sydney, Australia..  He married (1) FLORENCE ETHEL MERCER, daughter of WILLIAM MERCER and HARRIET MEREDITH.  She was born 1854 in Lancashire, England..  He married (2) SARAH ANNE POWELL 1862 in Auckland, New Zealand..  She was born Abt. 1835, and died August 28, 1867 in Auckland, New Zealand..

       

Children of WILLIAM TWOHEY and SARAH POWELL are:

                   i.    JOHN⁴ TWOHEY, b. 1862, Auckland, New Zealand.; d. November 26, 1900, Auckland, New Zealand..

                  ii.    ELLEN TERESA TWOHEY, b. 1864, Auckland, New Zealand.; d. November 17, 1915, Rookwood, Sydney, Australia.; m. ALFRED JOHN ADAMS, April 10, 1897, Newtown, Sydney, Australia.; b. 1869, London, England.; d. 1930, Randwick, NSW, Australia..

4.              iii.    ELIZABETH TWOHEY, b. February 21, 1867.

 

3.  ELLEN MELVILLE³ TWOHEY (WILLIAM², HUGH¹) was born Abt. October 27, 1845 in Great Barrier Island, Auckland, New Zealand., and died July 15, 1881 in Prospect, NSW, Australia..  She married HENRY JAMES PIPER April 06, 1874 in St Marys, RC Cathedral, Sydney, NSW, Aust., son of JOHN PIPER and MARY SHEERS.  He was born May 25, 1833 in Bathurst, NSW, Aust., and died August 12, 1912 in Sydney, NSW, Australia..

       

Children of ELLEN TWOHEY and HENRY PIPER are:

                   i.    ROGER B CHALMERS⁴ PIPER, b. 1875, NSW, Australia..

                  ii.    DAVID MYLES CHALMERS PIPER, b. 1876, NSW, Australia.; m. ELLEN G TIGHE, 1914, NSW, Australia..

                 iii.    NEVA R CHALMERS PIPER, b. 1879, NSW, Australia.; d. 1880, NSW, Australia..

                 iv.    CLAUDE HENRY CHALMERS PIPER, b. 1882, NSW, Australia..

 

 

Generation No. 3

 

4.  ELIZABETH⁴ TWOHEY (WILLIAM JEREMIAH³, WILLIAM², HUGH¹) was born February 21, 1867.  She married FREDERICK GEORGE REED July 18, 1883 in Wellington, NSW, Australia..  He was born 1859 in Sydney, NSW, Australia..

       

Children of ELIZABETH TWOHEY and FREDERICK REED are:

                   i.    ALFRED EDWARD⁵ REED, b. April 24, 1884, Brewarrina Station, Narrandera, NSW, Australia..

                  ii.    LUCY EMERY REED, b. February 1892, Junee, NSW, Australia.; d. December 13, 1895, Junee, NSW, Australia..

 

 

 

1850

William Twohey involved in storm and shipwreck in Fiji.

 

WRECK OF THE BRIG " FANNY."

[The loss of the Fanny, has so much local interest that— although the following graphic narrative of the circumstances connected with it appeared in the columns of our contemporary yesterday— we have no doubt that it will be acceptable to our readers that we should repeat it. The brig ‘Fanny’, William Twohey, master, sailed from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, on the 11th of June for Auckland, and nothing particular happened till the 6th of July, when the weather became boisterous, with heavy squalls and rain ; the foretopsail gave way; unbent it, and bent another. The four natives shipped at Honolulu, as able seamen, were of no use, never having been at sea before. At noon, blowing heavy, with rain ; no observation could be taken. Double-reefed the topsails ; in jib and mainsail.

July 6.— At 8 a. m. heavy squalls and rain ; shortened sail accordingly. At midnight, blowing a heavy gale, with a high cross sea; the wind veered to the N.N.W. Hauled the brig to the wind, under low sail.

Morning— blowing heavy, saw the land, bearing S.W, by S. distant about 8 leagues. At 6 ½  a.m. saw a small low island bearing W.S.W. about 3 leagues, and from the mast head saw a reef bearing E.S.E. to west 7 miles. Neither the reef nor the small island were laid down in the chart. I had set the foresail, mainsail, and jib, with double reefed topsails, and stood close on the wind towards the small island— blowing heavy, with a high sea. When nearing the island, we found we could not weather it, and saw a reef extending to the N.W., from the island about one league; tacked and stood to the eastward. When nearing the reef, we could see the breakers bearing N.E. as far as the eye could reach. Tacked to the westward and found we were losing ground rapidly, with only five hands to work the brig— the natives were of no use, even in pulling on the braces. At 9 a. m. the wind veered to the northward; tacked—blowing heavy with a high confused sea, and losing ground on every tack. We could not make out an entrance on any part of the reef. The mainsail split in pieces, and shortly after the jib split, and was blown from the bolt-rope ; the brig would not stay — obliged to wear ; the heavy sea and strong current setting the brig almost bodily to leeward. At noon got the anchors over the rails, bent and ranged the cables, in case we should find any place to anchor. By this time the brig was about 1 1/2  mile from the reef—dangers were fast approaching ; the boats could be of no use, the sea running very high, and nothing but breakers almost surrounding us. About 2 p. m., wore about half cable's length from the breakers, and discovered a narrow place in the reef where the sea did not break so heavily as in other places, and inside of the barrier reef there appeared to be shoal water, with the sea breaking, only in patches : this was the only chance we had of saving our lives, or any portion of the vessel. Had we struck on the eastward reef, not one of us would have been saved. The brig was run for the entrance, the sea breaking dreadfully on each side. Cleared the barrier reef, and struck in 9 feet water dropped the foresail and payed off, not doing much damage. The water became more smooth and shallow, Quarter less 2 fathoms, with black patches and rocks, too close together to anchor; left the topsail on the caps, and conned her through, avoiding the breakers and shoals. Had the anchor been let go, the brig would have struck at once on the outward reef, which was close to, with a heavy sea breaking- In this state we ran about three miles , and discovered a small passage through the reef; we were in some hopes of getting clear when we shoaled the water. About 3 p. m. the brig struck in 8 feet water, the tide ebbing fast and the current setting to the S.W. 3 miles per hour. Commenced to start the fresh water in the hold, leaving enough for

use, and heaving the ballast overboard. At 7 p. m. blowing hard, with rain ; the brig lay on the bilge, only 2 feet of water around her at low water at midnight had about 30 tons of ballast and the water pumped out — the gale increasing and the tide rising ; let go the starboard anchor and cut the topgallantmast away ; the wind veered to the eastward, with very heavy squalls and rain.

July 8. — At 1 a.m., the brig striking heavily, started from the bank ; veered out 70 fathoms of cable, and let go the port anchor— veered out 12 fathoms. At this time the back rollers came in astern, and caused the brig to surge and strike heavily. She had made no water up to this time ; when the rudder broke, and unshipped, we found three feet of water in the hold. As the tide ebbed, the brig lay on the starboard bilge, and the water ran out. The crew were completely knocked up ; Mr. Gould, (passenger) worked as well as any ; all did their utmost to save the brig. At daylight heavy gales and rain ; cut the topmasts and hove more ballast over. At high water she had 8 feet water in the hold, and struck heavily as the rollers came over the outward reef, and broke close to ; the rise and fall of the tide was 6 feet, and the current set constantly to the S.W. Two small islands of the Feejee group bore S.S.W., distant about 8 leagues; Farewell Island, W. N.W., about 7 leagues. The reef extended from N.E, to W.S.W. as far as we could see— the small sandy island N.E., 2 leagues. The remainder of the day was spent in getting water, &c out of the hold, and in getting the boats ready. Midnight — strong gales and very heavy rain.

July 9.— Morning more moderate, hoisted out the jolly boat, and pulled inside of the reef to the small island,  to see if there was a landing-place or fresh water, should the vessel go to pieces, that we might get on the island and remain until the weather settled. At 4 p.m. the boat returned ; hoisted her in. The party landed on the island with some difficulty ; no water on it. There were a few cocoa nut trees. The island was about half a mile round. Set the carpenter to repair the long boat. I thought to steer for Rotuma Island, which was upwards of 300 miles, knowing the character of the Feegee natives that all who fell into their hands were plundered and massacred, even their own natives; we had no arms of any kind to protect ourselves.

July 10. — The weather still boisterous; the tide ebbs and flows into the vessel ; heavy back-rollers breaking around the brig. Carpenter repairing the long boat, or rather patching her up. Some hands making sails for the boats, and putting washboards on the jolly boat. Midnight blowing hard and very heavy rain.

July 11. — The weather still unsettled ; the brig breaking up, and settling down on the starboard side. At noon the boats were ready, but the breakers were too high and the weather too boisterous to venture to hoist them out; and the long boat being very shickery, I made up my mind to venture through the Feegee Group, and get to Vewa to the Wesleyan Mission Station, with the expectation of meeting with the John Wesley, or some other vessel. Vewa is about 180 miles from the wreck. The weather continued boisterous until July 14th, when the wind abated, and the sea became smooth ; midnight calm and clear, all ready to start from the wreck next morning.

July 15. — Morning moderate, fine weather; hoisted out the jolly boat and kept her clear of the roller with lines from the yardarms. We put into the jolly boat bread, water, carpenter's tools, compass, and other small articles. At 8 a.m. left the vessel— in the jolly boat, the second mate, carpenter, and three Honalulu natives — in the long boat, first mate, two seamen, one Honalulu native, Mr. Gould, passenger, myself, and the steward ; across the shallow patches, S S. W., avoiding the breakers. We run in that direction about three leagues, in from six to nine-feet water, cleared the shoals and reefs and steered for the islands, S.S.W. The remainder of the day we had light breezes and fine weather. At 6 p.m. made the two small islands, and steered S.W. Having no chart of the group I found it difficult to ascertain our position amongst the islands, and reefs. The long boat was very leaky, and kept one hand constantly bailing. Midnight— light wind. July 16. — Morning, moderate ; several islands in sight. At 4 p.m. squally and gloomy ; steered for a large island. Midnight— heavy gales and squally ; we were close under the land, but could find no place to anchor; missed the jolly boat during the night.

July 17.— At 6 a.m. the jolly boat joined us ; the  wind light and variable, we were steering through Somosomo Straits. At 9 a.m. several canoes put off from the shore, sailing and paddling towards us ; wind became very light. The canoes sail fast, but do not paddle fast — they were closing on us quickly ; now we felt the want of fire-arms, to protect us. The first canoe came within pistol-shot of us, and hailed us in their own language, asking whether we had any trade. The only chance we had was in pulling away, which we did— the jolly boat towing the long boat, four oars to each ; there was no wind. The sails were of no use to the canoes, which endeavoured to surround us; we headed them, however, and by noon got out of their reach— they, therefore, stood for the land again. Had the breeze continued, we should have been at their mercy, and no doubt they would have served us as they have done others — robbed and murdered us. At noon a fresh breeze sprung up from the S.E. ; we steered S.W. for Goro Island, distant 50 miles. At 8 p.m. strong breezes and squally, with a cross sea : we could scarcely keep the long boat free, as she both leaked and shipped water. Midnight — Goro Island north two leagues; heavy squalls off the land ; steered for Ovaloo Island.

July 18.— Morning, blowing heavy ;— noon, squally with heavy rain and cross sea ; we could scarcely carry any sail on the boats. At 5 p.m. ran into a small bay in the Mokani Island for shelter ; there was only a few natives on this island, and the chief could speak English. We did not let them know we were wrecked. We remained there for three days, during which time it blew heavy, with constant rain.

July 22. — Morning fine, clear weather ; started for Vewa. Noon, gloomy and squally-looking. At 4 p. m. squally with heavy rain. At 8 p. m. blowing strong, with a cross sea and rain; the boats could scarcely be kept free, and no sail set. Midnight we got into shoal water, the sea breaking heavily. The breakers were seen in different places ; a roller broke near the jollyboat and nearly swamped her; every moment we expected to be swamped ; in this state we remained until morning.

July 23. — In the morning, we were to leeward of Ovaloo Island 30 miles; still blowing strong with heavy showers of rain. Everything we had in the boats were soaking wet ; we had nothing but bread and water that we could use. During the night we run and drifted over several shoalpatches, upon which the sea broke. At low water we were obliged to steer for the Rawa coast, as neither ourselves nor the boat could stand it out much longer. — At 3 p. m. when dipping the lug sail a sea broke into the long boat and nearly filled her. This was close to a reef, At 5 p.m. we got into Beatley Bay, and amongst the greatst cannibals in the Fejee group ; but this we did not then know. We anchored the long boat close in and went on shore in the jolly boat : there are only a few natives on the beach. We got some tea and bread having had nothing to eat from yesterday morning, The natives wished us to go further up the bay;

During the night it rained very heavy, we had very little shelter in the boats, and all our clothes was thoroughly wet.

July 21.—This morning the weather still boistrous; with rain ; we all went on shore and got a fire under shelter of a rock, where we had some breakfast. The natives gathered around us in numbers, wanting to see what we had in the boats. In the evening we ran up to a small sandy bay for more shelter, where we had to go on shore to light a fire. The natives were, or appeared to be friendly; but they tried to stop the steward from getting into the boat. They wished us to go up the creek with the boats. Midnight more moderate.

July 25.— There were numbers of natives on the beach ; we purchased a small pig, as we had no meat. They wanted to go on board the long boat. All their plans had been arranged to massacre us the next night this we learnt afterwards ; their intention was to haul both boats up the creek—club the whole of us, and plunder what little we had. Had they succeeded in their plans, not one of us would have lived to tell the fate of the others. At 10 am. a sail was seen in the offing beating to windward ; we ran out towards her in the jolly boat, and hoisted the jack. It was some time before she noticed us. When they discovered us from the mast head, as they always have a look-out amongst the reefs, the stranger ran down towards us and proved to be the Sylph, yatch of Sydney, and now in the employ of Mr. Williams, American Consul. We stated our case to the master, who ran the cutter into the bay where the long boat lay. He had some native chiefs on board, who expressed their surprise that we had not been cooked before. The carpenter and some hands were on the bench. The natives all ran into the bush with the exception of one or two, who told of the plan that had been laid for us. The cutter took the boat in tow, and anchored about fifteen miles to windward and sent the long boat on shore with the native chief to remain in a creek until the weather settled, it being then too heavy for the cutter to take us in tow.

July 28— We arrived at Vewa, in fourteen days from the wreck. Mr. Cousins, master of the cutter behaving very kindly to us during our stay on board The John Wesley arrived from the Friendly Islands and no doubt be the first to sail from these islands to New Zealand, and we hope for a passage in her to Auckland upon her return from her cruise.

We received Captain Twohey's letter— in which he expresses his grateful acknowledgments to the Rev W. Lawry, Captain Buck, and the Officers of the brig John Wesley, for himself and his fellow-sufferers, for the kind, humane, and Christian treatment they received — too late for insertion in this morning's issue. We also acknowledge the receipt of his log book, for which we thank him.

Source: New Zealander 9^th October, 1850. p2.