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John McCarty (c. 1758–1846)

We have to-day to record the now unusual occurrence of the death of "a First-fleeter," an old man named [John] McCarthy [McCarty], upwards of 100 years of age, who arrived in the colony in the capacity of a sergeant of marines, with the first detachment sent out from England, for the purpose of establishing a settlement at Botany Bay. McCarthy removed from Sydney to Norfolk Island on the formation of a settlement there, and on its being broken up he accompanied the other settlers to Van Diemen's Land, and had, consequently, the rare distinction of being among the first settlers of both colonies. The old man passed his 100th year at Christmas last, but up to the time of his death he betrayed few of the failings of age, being able to read the smallest print without the use of spectacles, and retaining the full possession of his faculties until within ten minutes of his death, which did not take him by surprise, for he remarked, on going to his bed a short time before, that he was going to lie down and die. McCarthy died on Friday last, at the residence of Mr. W. H. Budd, Kinlochewe, who married his great grand daughter, and with whom he has been living for nearly eight years.

Original publication

Citation details

'McCarty, John (c. 1758–1846)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/mccarty-john-30222/text37506, accessed 7 November 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • McCarthy, John
  • Macarthy, John
Birth

c. 1758
Killarney, Kerry, Ireland

Death

24 July, 1846 (aged ~ 88)
Kalkallo, Victoria, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Military Service
Key Events