Dent family connections
| Rank: Private |
Religion: Protestant |
Eyes, Hair, Complexion: Blue, Sandy, Fair |
Birth Place, Trade, Height, Marital Status, Ship to NZ |
Edward O'Neill was probably 44 or 45 at the time he enlisted as he is believed to have been born in 1819 but like many of the enlisting men he appears to have understated his age to fit the criteria of not being more 40 years. His town grant of one acre was on corner of Galloway and Clyde Streets in Hamilton East.
He married Maria Hampton (b.1824 and they had 5 children who survived birth or infancy (2 sons and 3 daughters). Edward died abt.1867.
Maria, was a mid-wife and from all reports a very efficient woman. When called out for a birth she would wear a red handkerchief on her head and carry another to hold anything she needed to take with her. In addition to her duties as a mid-wife she would take over the running of the household for about a week or until the new mother was able to return to her household chores. This would include the general housekeeping, cleaning, cooking and washing.
In August 1889 Maria was one of the fifty settlers who planted a tree in Sydney Square, Hamilton East, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the militia's landing at Hamilton. She died in 1910.
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The following article refers to an unknown early settler named Mrs J O'Neill. She is not the wife of Edward nor the wife of his son James and it is not known if there is a family connection.
Waikato Times on Tuesday 12 Jun 1888
"Fire at Hamilton East.
Shortly after eight o'clock on Saturday night a glare was observed in the direction of the Convent at Hamilton East, which lit up the whole district on both sides of the river. Proceeding towards the scene it was ascertained that a house belonging to Mrs J O'Neill was on fire. The building was a very old one, and the flames speedily destroyed it. The family were all absent at the time attending the meeting of the Salvation Army in Hamilton West. No one was about at the time, therefore nothing was saved, except a buggy which was taken out of the shed by those who arrived on the spot later on. It appears that, prior to going out, Mrs O'Neill left some clothes airing before a slow fire in the kitchen, and it is presumed that, by some means, they became ignited and thus set the building on fire. The house and furniture were insured in the London and Lancashire Insurance Office for £200."