Patrick died in 1890, and according to the Karori Cemetery Burial Register was buried in this plot in December 1909 …
Patrick was born in Kerry, Ireland in 1841. He married firstly Nora Brosnan in 1859 and they had two sons before Nora died in 1873. The following year he married Hannah Kelly in London and shortly after they set off for New Zealand. Eight children were born in Wellington and all lived to adulthood.
Patrick worked for the Wellington Corporation for many years, latterly in the Yards. On 31st October 1890 he returned to his residence at Tinakori Road and complained to his wife of feeling unwell, having pains about his body and so went to bed. Later that evening Dr Cahill was sent for. He attended at 5am and found that Patrick was dead. Mr Cahill made a post mortem examination and at the inquest said he believed death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart. Patrick was buried at Mount Street cemetery.
By 1893, Hannah had opened a store on Tinakori Road which later also served refreshments. The location was described as ‘Orangikaupapa at the Botanic Gardens’. It also served as a polling station and a venue for public meetings. She also rented out several properties along Tinakori Road, many described as being near the Botanic gardens gate.
In 1897, Hannah remarried to Michael O’Shea, a labourer, but in 1902 she was granted an order of separation with protection from him.
Hannah died on 11th November 1909 at her home in Tinakori Road. She was 59 years old. Her funeral was held on 13th November at the Sacred Heart in Hill Street and then at Karori Cemetery where she was the first interment in this plot.
On the day of Hannah’s death, her son and daughter John and Hannah Kearney wrote to the Minister of Internal Affairs requesting that their father be disinterred from Mount Street and buried with Hannah at Karori Cemetery. The required warrant was granted and on 7th December 1909, Patrick was buried with Hannah.
According to FindaGrave, the relationship of the other six interments in this plot are:
* John Joseph Kearney (a son 1880-1925)
* Michael Patrick Kearney (a son 1886-1946)
* Hannah Kearney (a daughter 1889-1974)
* Arthur Edward Kelly (a grandson, from daughter Christina Julia, 1908-1911)
* Dorothy May Kearney (a granddaughter 1916-1918)
* Kenneth Edward Kearney (a grandson 1918-1919)
We were lucky to find several photos of the family and their businesses online to share with you.
Plot: *ROM CATH/H/40
By Julia Kennedy
Group portrait of the Kearney family taken on Christmas Day, 1899. From left to right they are, back row: Wm (William?) Bowden, May Bowden, unidentified, unidentified. Second row: Julia Kearney, Hanna Kearndy, Len Kearney, Mrs O’Shea, Mick Kearney, Mr O’Shea, Jack Kearney and Eddie Kearney. Courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library. Tiaki Reference Number: 1/2-067529-F
The Kearney family, in front of their shop on Glenmore Street, Thorndon, Wellington, in the 1890s. From left: Julia, Len, Mrs O’Shea (formerly Mrs Kearney), Hanna, unidentified, Mary. A sign in the wondow advertises Cadbury’s Cocoa. Photograph taken by W Farrell & Co. Courtesy of the Alexander Turnbull Library Tiaki Reference Number: 1/2-067530-F
Botanical Refreshment Rooms, Glenmore Street, Wellington. Ref: 1/2-122098-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22900947
Kearney plot