James Milligan (c1831 – 1919) – Obituary
One of the State’s early pioneers in Mr. James Milligan, of Australind, passed to the Great Beyond yesterday morning at his residence. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 89th year, had been a resident of this State for the past 66 years, and his vivid memory could recall many episodes of early pioneering life. He was born at Blaeyemy, in Ireland, and emigrated with his wife to this colony. Mrs. Milligan predeceased her husband 4 years ago.
The following children remain to mourn the loss of their father:— Denis (Collie), Joseph (South Bunbury), John and Mary (Australind), and Thomas (Coolgardie). The funeral takes place this afternoon, when the remains will be interred in the Roman Catholic portion of the old cemetery. A service in the Roman Catholic Church, Bunbury, will be held at 3.30 p.m. – prior to the interment. The funeral arrangements are in the hands of Messrs W. Brittain and Son.
(South Western Times, 18 October 1919)
Mrs Elizabeth Milligan née McShannon (c1836 – 1916) – Obituary
Death of Mrs. Milligan. Kindly and affable, with that true courtesy which always distinguishes the native-born Irishwoman the passing of Mrs. James Milligan, senr. of Australind, last week, at the ripe age of 80 years, will occasion regret in the minds of many who knew and respected her (says the “Times”).
The deceased was born in Kilrea, County Derry, Ireland, and resided with her parents, Mr. and Mrs Denis McShannon, until she reached the age of 20 years, when she married Mr. James Milligan, a stalwart young farmer. Four years later they left Old Erin for Australia, the land of mystery as it was then, and attracted by the plans of the beautiful city that was to be, drawn by fertile minds as located at Australind, they settled on the banks of the Estuary. There they farmed, and raised a large family, spending their old age contentedly in the knowledge that what they had and held was bought, by many years of strenuous pioneering.
Mrs Milligan had that sturdy faith inherited from her Irish forefathers, which counted no sacrifice as too great when the cause of religion was in question. Not only the resident priests, but the visiting missionaries to Australind were received with princely hospitality. Her calm, edifying death was a fitting climax to a life animated by faith, hope and charity.
Mr. Milligan survives his wife, but is of great age also. There were ten children of the marriage. Two sons and two daughters went before their mother. One, Constable Frank Milligan, stationed in Bunbury, had endeared himself to all before his untimely decease. Another daughter was at the time of her death Mother Superior at Northam, and when the sad event became known the bereaved parents received messages of condolence from all over the State. The surviving children are: Mr. Denis Milligan (of Worsley), Mrs. John Fee (wife of Sergeant Fee of the Boulder Police Force), Mr. Joseph Milligan (of the Bunbury Council staff, living in South Bunbury), Miss Mary Milligan (Australind), Mr. John Milligan (Australind), and Constable Thos. Milligan (of the Goldfields Police Force). There are also many grandchildren.
The deceased used to drive in to Bunbury in her sulky, and all she knew received a hearty greeting, and but a few weeks ago she seemed as hale and hearty as ever.
The funeral was very largely attended. Her remains were laid to rest in the old Catholic Cemetery [Bunbury]. The Ven. Archdeacon Smyth officiated at the church, and later at the graveside. The large number of floral tributes sent were in themselves a splendid testimony to the esteem in which the late Mrs. Milligan was held. May her soul rest in peace.
(W.A. Record, 29 January 1916.)
OFFSPRING OF THE ABOVE COUPLE
Rev. Mother Mary Teresa Milligan (1870 – 1915) – Obituary
WEST AUSTRALIA. The death of Rev. Mother Mary Teresa Milligan took place at the Northam Convent on April 27. The deceased, who was a native of Australind, near Bunbury, was one of the pioneers of the St. Joseph Order in Westralia. The news of her death was not unexpected, as Mother Teresa had endured a long and painful illness. The funeral was lengthy, including visitors from afar. The Very Rev. Dean Walsh, of York, assisted by the Rev. Father D. J. Maloney, officiated at the grave.— R.I.P.
(Catholic Press, Sydney, NSW, 13 May 1915)
Miss Mary Elizabeth Milligan (1870 – 1948) – Obituary
The death occurred at St. John of God Hospital on December 14 of Mary Elizabeth Milligan, of Australind. Although in failing health for some time her death came as a shock to her many friends. The late Miss Milligan was the last of one of an old pioneering family. Her late father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. James Milligan, came from Ireland in 1860 and settled at Rosamel. From there they went to “Belvedere,” on Mr. Prinsep’s dairy farm. While there they purchased the property known as “Cowarup Hill,” Australind.
The late Miss Milligan lived all her 77 years on this property. She devoted her life to caring for her parents in their late years and rearing her brother Francis’s three orphaned children. In 1940 the late Miss Milligan leased the farm to Vincent Atherton, Mr. Atherton having married one of her brother’s children whom she had brought up. A great church worker throughout her life the Roman Catholic Church has lost one of its most ardent members.
A Requiem Mass was celebrated on the morning of December 15 by the Rev. Father Gavin. At two o’clock the funeral left St. Patrick’s Church after a short service at which the Rev. Monsignor Hayes officiated. Her remains were laid to rest amidst a large gathering of relatives and friends. The Rev. Monsignor Hayes again officiated assisted by Rev. Fathers O’Grady, Griffin and Gavin. The pall-bearers were Messrs. L. McDaniel, Geo. Rodgers, J. Fowler, D. Rodgers, P. Murphy and R. W. Fisher.
(Harvey Murray Times, 9 January 1948)
Frank Milligan (1875 – 1913) – Obituary
The death occurred at his father’s residence, Australind, at 3 o’clock yesterday morning, of Mr. Frank Milligan from heart failure. During the previous evening, Mr. Milligan appeared in good health, but late in the night he was taken ill, and expired some hours later. The deceased leaves three children, the youngest only an infant and the eldest being of tender years.
Frank Milligan, one of the kindest and best natural man that ever trod Bunbury streets. Ever a cheery word, and smile for all— he was loved by the young and highly esteemed by those older. After his wife’s death — ten weeks ago— Frank never was the same man, and resigned about three weeks ago from the Bunbury Police Force, amidst general regret. Then he went out to his father’s farm, to manage for the aged man. But even his interest in life waned, and it can truly be said that he died of a broken heart, mourning for the dearly beloved one that had gone before. May the Power above be merciful to the three little orphans he has left behind.
(Blackwood Times, 16 May 1913)
Mrs Kate Milligan née Herrick (c1881 – 1913) – Obituary. Wife of Frank.
To Constable Frank Milligan, one of the best liked members of the South-West Constabulary, universal sympathy is extended upon the loss he has sustained by the death of his wife yesterday afternoon. Mrs Milligan had been ill for a considerable period, and all hope had been given up for days past. She leaves three little girls, the youngest a month old.
The deceased was aged 32, and was the third daughter of Mr and Mrs Herrick, of Sellicks Hills, South Australia. She was a School Teacher at Australind later at Wellington Mills, and finally at Ferguson, from which latter place Miss Kate Herrick — as the deceased was then, —was married to Mr Frank Milligan. Her mother and her brother George journeyed over from S.A., before her decease.
The funeral took place at 11 today. The pall-bearers were Sergeant Evans, Constables Buttle, Wilkin, Gee, Smith, Read, and w.p.c. Browning, all in uniform. The chief mourners were the deceased’s husband, and mother, Mrs Herrick; her brother, Mr George Herrick, Mr Jas. Milligan Senr., (of Australind), Messrs John and Joseph Milligan and Miss Milligan (the latter lady having attended the deceased for the greater part of her illness). Many beautiful floral tributes were sent, including those from the Bunbury Police, and Inspector and Mrs Mitchell, also Sergeant and Mrs Evans. Mr. W. Brittain supervised the mortuary arrangements.
(Southern Times, 27 February 1913)