JOHN ( COGHILL ) McGrath (U)

Abt 1856 - 1943  (~ 87 years)

• Name	JOHN ( COGHILL ) McGrath (U)
  Birth	Abt 1856	TERMONAMONGAN TYRONE IRELAND
  Gender	Male
  Death	Oct 1943	Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia
  	The Farmer and Settler (Sydney, NSW : 1906 - 1955) Fri 15 Oct 1943 - Page 10 Braidwood's "Grand Old Man" Had Stirring Memories: Braidwood's "Grand Old Man" Had Stiwing Memories KNOWN as the "grand old man" of Braidwood, Mr. John McGrath, Coghlll, died recently. He was born in Ireland 80 yours ago, and came to Australia with his parent in 1865 on a sailing ship, said to be the first iron vessel to come to this country, After spending short periods at Greenwell Point and Corang, the family settled down at Colombo. They were engaged as shepherds, but later acquired a nice property, Mr, J. McGrath struck out for himself 66 years ago when he moved to Coghill. He went in for farming and dairying, but later took on road work and stone work. Braidwood "Review" says that the quality of his work is indicated by the many old stone culverts and chimneys which he built and which are still standing. Foundations con- structed by Mr. McGrath and his brothers for buildings in the town are as sold to-day as when they were put in. Mr. McGrath told many stories of the mining days, the explolts of bush- rangers, floods and droughts. He often spoke of the tribes of aborigines which roamed the district. Colombo had its own particular tribe and king, and big corroboroos were often held there. He often spoke of a bull fight at Colombo, when two bulls joined battle. In a short tlino, cattle from miles around were attracted by either the sound of conflict or the smell of blood. There were no fences in those days. Very soon other fights de- veloped amongst the cattle and several were killed and many maimed. According to Mr. McGrath, the bulls fought for a couple of days and were battered practically insensible. The battle ground presented a scene of dead cattle, trees knocked over and the earth torn and rooted up. Men on horseback endeavored to stop the fight and dogs were brought in, but to no avail. Besides the widow, a family of six sons and two daughters survive. They are Terence, Jack, Patrick, Annie, Joseph, Hannah, Michael and Barry
  Person ID	I142	McGrath Family Tree
  Last Modified	18 May 2026

  
  

  Father	Terence McGrath (U),   b. 1827, Temple Carane, Donegall, Ireland d. 1905, Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia (Age 78 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	HANNAH CLEARY (U),   b. 1832, KILBARRIN DONEGAL IRELAND d. 7 Oct 1904, Braidwood, New South Wales, Australia (Age 72 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Family ID	F103	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart