John James Connell
John Connell
John Connell was born in the Westernport district in 1850, twin brother to William and one of eight children born to Anthony and Mary Ann Connell.
John’s father, Anthony, had arrived in Australia in 1840 aboard the "Himalaya", accompanied by his brother, Simon.
The brothers came from Shandangan in County Clare and after some time at the River Plenty, settled in the Moorooduc/Tuerong area.
Anthony Connell
James Connell
John Connell
Connell Landholdings at Tuerong
Anthony owned an original Crown grants land, bounded by "Three Chain Road" (now Old Moorooduc Rd) and Balnarring Road.
The brothers were signatories to the petition to build a pier at Schnapper Point.
John also farmed in the area, and in 1875, married Ellen Hartshorne, and their son John James was born in 1883.
Sadly, John was seven years old when his father died in 1891, aged 41 years, and ten, when his mother Ellen died, at the age of 46.
Both John and Ellen are buried in the Mornington cemetery.
