Rosannah (Rose) Galbraith, Hotelier in Victoria, & on the Otago Goldfields

1827 - 1868  (~ 41 years)

• Name	Rosannah (Rose) Galbraith
  	DNA matches show Rose Galbraith and her brother James Galbraith to be descendants of the Protestant Galbraiths of Cappard, near Gort, County Galway - through a son of James Galbraith of Cappard by his wife Rose Power Trench. The DNA matches provide the only evidence we need, but in addition it is interesting to note that: 1. Rose's brother James gave one of his daughters the unusual second name of Lavinia - a Galbraith of Cappard name. 2. The widow of Rose's brother James, named her house Balgair - the Scottish Galbraith property inherited by the Galbraiths of Cappard, Co. Galway. 3. The Galbraith of Cappard who is the putative grandfather of Rose and her brother James was Captain James Galbraith, whose son (John Galbraith, the father of Rose and her brother James) was born at Gibraltar c 1804. Captain James Galbraith appears in muster rolls stationed at Gibraltar 1800 - 1806. It is noted in this regard that Rose's brother bore the first name of James - presumably named after his paternal grandfather.
  Suffix	Hotelier in Victoria, & on the Otago Goldfields
  Born	c 1827	Ballinasloe, Galway, Ireland
  	Birth place as given by Rose on her marriage certificate to James Belliss. A little difficult to read, but I am confident it is Ballinasloe. The baptisms for the Roman Catholic parish of Ballinasloe survive for this period, but there is no indexed entry for the baptism of any Galbraith child. I have manually skimmed all entries in the register from Jan 1826 - end Jan 1829 and there again is no baptism of any Galbraith child. In addition there is no mention of the (unindexed) sponsors at any baptism in this period being either John Galbraith (as expected IF he was a protestant) or his wife Mary Galbraith/Adams. Calculations of the year of birth of Rose Galbraith from available records: Date 21 Aug 1841, Age 17, Birth year 1824/25, Source Passenger list - Rose likely pretending to be older than her age so she could travel as a single female, in order that her father John could travel as a (younger) single male Date 25 Oct 1854, Age 22, Birth year 1832, Source Marriage cert to James Belliss - Rose gave her age as a year older than her husband. Perhaps the truth was that she was more than one year older? Date 11 Feb 1856, Age 25, Birth year 1830, Source Birth cert of dau Ann Belliss - James Belliss as the informant gives his wife Rose’s age as 3 years older than his own. On this basis, as the month was Feb, highly likely that Rose was turning 26 later that year. Date 6 Nov 1859, Age 25, Birth year 1834, Source Marriage cert to William Donnelly - Rose likely recording her age as younger than that of her second husband. Date 28 May 1860, Age 26, Birth year 1833/34, Source Birth cert of son Wm Donnelly - William the father was the informant. Consistent with the marriage cert age. Date 5 Nov 1862, Age 28, Birth year 1834, Source Birth cert of dau May Donnelly - William the father was the informant. Ditto? Date 29 Sep 1868, Age 41, Birth year 1827, Source Death cert - Rose must have given her age as admission to hospital. Rose had nothing to hide and my feeling is that when she gave her age on admission, it was provides us with the best clue to her real age. This is also closer to her age on the passenger list where I feel she was pretending to be older.
  Gender	Female
  Occupation:	1841	Nurse (as listed on the ship passenger list)
  	Nurses: Only the wealthiest houses could afford a nurse. A nurse's function was to take care of the new-born children up to about 2 years six months old. Quite often she was also required to find a ‘wet nurse’ if the lady of the house chose not to breast feed the baby. [Wiki] Seems unusual that Rose could be a nurse at her actual age which was around 14 yrs. On the passenger list her age was given as 17 - likely a fabrication so that both she and her father could travel as bounty immigrants, so perhaps her given occupation on the passenger list was a fabrication?
  Emigrated:	24 Dec 1841	Arrived at Port Phillip (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia from Plymouth, England (sailing from Plymouth 21 Aug 1841) on the "Alexander" as Bounty immigrants
  	Appears to be when John Galbraith and daughter Rose emigrated to Australia, as detailed in the following newspaper advertisement by James Galbraith: NOTICE. IF this should meet the eye of John Galbraith, or his daughter Rose Galbraith, who sailed from Plymouth in 1841, and lived on Lang and Elme's station in 1845, they will hear of their son and brother, James Galbraith, by addressing to J. G., "Argus" office, Geelong. [The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) 12 Mar 1852] The ship Alexander which arrived at Melbourne in Dec 1841 lists a John Galbraith age 30 and a Rose Galbraith age 17 - note that John is an unmarried carpenter native place Gibraltar and Rose is a nurse native place County Roscommon - which borders Ballinasloe, County Galway - might possibly be her. Rose says her father is a carpenter named John Galbraith on one of her marriage certificates and perhaps John could have travelled as single and understated this age by a lot - with Rose pretending she is older - or his age may be a transcription error? False ages may have given them better immigration terms? They were "Bounty Scheme" immigrants and the relevant record shows (not listed together): Single males: John Galbraith, age 30, carpenter, protestant [note], native place: Gibraltar, both (read and write), bounty paid per head of family: 19. Unmarried females - Rose Galbraith, age 17, nurse, protestant [note], native place: Co Roscommon, read only, bounty paid per head of family: 19. I have noted that a widow was ineligible under the Bounty Scheme; the same may have been true for widowers? In addition, describing themselves as protestant (when we know that Rose at least was RC), may have helped. Larger bounties were paid for single men under 40 and for single women over [14]. This could have influenced the misstatement of their ages. See more on the Bounty Scheme and its rules at: https://soc.genealogy.australia-nz.narkive.com/yBYqwAAr/the-bounty-system-1835-1841 Melbourne had only been established in 1835 on the banks of the Yarra River, so Melbourne was, in 1841, in its early years.
  Residence:	1845	Was Rose with her father John at Elms & Lang's station (likely Terinallum Station, near Darlington), Victoria? I think not.
  	This might be inferred from the 1852 advertisement in the newspapers placed by Rose's brother James Galbraith, but I don't feel that would have been the case. The placing of a later advertisement after James' initial advertisement leads me to believe that Rose Galbraith may have answered her brother James' initial advertisement, but placing of the second advertisement suggests that Rose had lost contact with her father after 1848, when we know he left Terinallum Station.
  Residence:	31 Aug 1851	Brighton, Melbourne, Victoria
  	Is this Rose? Quite possibly. General Post Office, Melbourne - List of letters lying unclaimed... Galbruith, Miss Rosa, [c/o?] Mrs Murphy, Brighton [Victorian Government Gazette 1851]
  Event:	31 Mar 1852	Unclaimed letter for Rose at the Melbourne Post Office (assume it is her - I have not seen any other Rose Galbraiths at this period in Victoria)
  	Galbraith, Miss Rose [The Argus (Melbourne, Vic) 1 May 1852] Given the date, I suspect this was a letter to Rose from her brother James Galbraith (see date of his newspaper advertisement trying to locate Rose and their father, John Galbraith)
  Residence:	Oct 1854	Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria
  Residence:	Nov 1854	Five Mile Creek, Woodend, Victoria
  	In Feb 1856 daughter Ann Belliss was born at Woodend, so assume James and Rose were then still living at Five Mile Creek, Woodend.
  Will:	13 Jul 1857	Rose granted administration of the estate of her late husband, James Belliss
  	IN the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria - Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. - In the goods of JAMES JOHNSON BELLISS, of Mr. Joseph Harper's Dairy Station, in the parish of Tylden, in the colony of Victoria, stockman, deceased, intestate. Notice is hereby given to all parties interested that: after the expiration of fourteen days from the date of the publication hereof, application will be made to the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that administration of the estate and effects of Mr. James Johnson Belliss, late of Mr. Joseph Harper's dairy station, in the parish of Tylden, deceased, may be granted to Rosannah Belliss, of the same place, widow of the deceased. Dated this 13th day of July, in the year of our Lord 1857. THOMAS L. JAMES, Proctor for the said Rosannah Belliss. [The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.) 13 Jul 1857]
  Occupation:	Bef May 1859	Rose establishes Bellis's Family Hotel in Kyneton
  	First newspaper advertisement appearing for Rose's hotel in the Kyneton newspaper: BELLISS'S FAMILY HOTEL, Adjoining the Kyneton Athenaeum. MRS. BELLISS BEGS to announce to the public that she has OPENED the above Hotel, for the accommodation of families and others sojourning in Kyneton. She trusts that, by strict personal attention to the general management, particularly the cuisine, as also the supply of the choicest wines, &c.&c., to merit public patronage. Chess and Draughts. [Kyneton Observer 7 May 1859]
  Legal:	Jun 1859	Rose's licence is renewed for Belliss's Family Hotel
  	PUBLICANS' LICENSES. The following got their spirit license certificates renewed:—... Rosannah Belliss, Belliss's Family Hotel, Kyneton. [Kyneton Observer 2 Jun 1859]
  Emigrated:	1867	from Australia (Queensland?) to Otago, New Zealand
  Residence:	1867	(some time in 1867) the Victoria Hotel at Black's (Ophir) gold diggings, Central Otago
  	According to newspaper article stating that Rose had been a resident of Black's. The McKay's Otago Almanacs for 1867 and 1868 both record an R Donnelly of the Victoria Hotel, Blacks. There is no other record at this time of an R Donnelly in Blacks - when there are NO other listings of male Donnellys (both residents and business owners) until a Donnelly appearing much later. Given Rose's previous hotel experience and then her activities at Campbell's Gully, I suspect this may be Rose. Perhaps she rented an established small hotel, which was not a success, triggering her move to Campbell's Diggings. Warden's Court records may have an entry recording a license transfer - if the hotel was licensed and not simply accommodation. National Archives Dunedin office has searched in the Mt Benger/Roxburgh, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell and Blacks Magistrate's Court Judgement Record Books for any mentions of Rose, but nothing was found. Those records contain low level criminal charges (petty sessions) civil cases, liquor licensing and hotel licensing applications. The Magistrate was the Chair of the local Licensing Committee. In the Mt Ida (Naseby) Magistrate's Court Judgement Record Book 1863 - 1869, there were some mentions of a James Donnelly making applications to the Licensing Committee - it may be for the Antrim Hotel? The applications don't always or usually give the name of the hotel. [Archives Reference: AAJH/2125/D560/8a]. Transfers in those records appear to be only transfers of shares in mining claims. The Blacks Warden Court Record Book 1866-1882 was also searched without success in case there were any applications for business licenses.
  Residence:	1868	Campbell's Gully (known as Campbell's Diggings), at around 5,500 ft up on the Old Man Range, Central Otago
  	Rose sold spirits to the miners there, on her own account.
  Medical:	24 Sep 1868	Rose admitted to the Dunstan Hospital at Clyde
  	1868 Sep 24 Donnelly, Mrs Rose, age 41, Campbells [residence], Store Keeper Bronchitis (Ch[ronic]) Patient for 5 days Died 29th Sep. [Dunstan Hospital patient records]
  Died	29 Sep 1868	Dunstan Hospital, Clyde, Central Otago, New Zealand
  	Death certificate: Died 29 Sep 1868 at Dunstan Hospital Rose Donelly, female, age 41, storekeeper Cause of death: Chronic Bronchitis Informant: Charles Shaw MD, Surgeon, Clyde Registered: October 6th Registrar: Vincent Pyke A woman named Rose Donnelly, late of Campbell's Gully, expired rather suddenly, at the Hospital, on Tuesday last. She was suffering from bronchitis, occasioned by exposure to the severe cold at Campbell’s diggings. The deceased woman resolutely passed the whole of last winter in that inhospitable quarter. [Dunstan Times 2 Oct 1868] BLACKS. October 9th. A former resident of Blacks — a respectable woman — lately died from the effects of inclement weather. She died at Campbell's diggings, which are remarkable for having the coldest climate in the Dunstan district. She was the sole female resident of Campbells, and used, to sell spirits to the few miners there. Her mercantile ambition was satisfied, for she died with a competency; but her loss is a lesson to all who would go and do likewise. [Otago Daily Times 14 Oct 1868]
  Legal:	7 Jan 1869	Administrator appointed over Rose's estate and then estate administered
  	ORDER OF JUDGE - IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. In the matter of Rose Donelly, of Dunstan, in the Province of Otago, widow, deceased intestate. UPON reading the Affidavits of Charles Shaw and Alfred Chetham-Strode, I do order that Alfred Chetham-Strode, Esquire, a Curator of the Estates of Deceased Persons, shall be Administrator of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of Rose Donelly, deceased, and that this order be published in the Otago Daily Times newspaper as The Intestate Estates Act 1865 directs. Dated at Dunedin this seventh day of January 1869. [Otago Daily Times 11 Jan 1869] IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND, OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. In the matter of Rose Donelly, of Dunstan, in the Province of Otago, widow, deceased intestate. I, Alfred Chetham-Strode, of Dunedin, Curator of Intestate Estates for the District of Otago, make oath and say: 1. That I have been informed by Charles Shaw, Surgeon to the Dunstan Hospital, and believe that Rose Donelly, late of Dunstan, in the Province of Otago, departed this life on the 28th day of September 1868 at Dunstan aforesaid, intestate. 2. That I have been informed by the said Charles Shaw, and believe that the said Rose Donelly had at the time of her death personal property in the Colony of New Zealand to the value of £235 or thereabouts, consisting of 31 [troy] ozs 7 dwt 12 [grains] of gold [very roughly 964+ grams, or nearly 1kg.] valued at £117 13s 1d [as of Jan 2022, this is approx NZD84,600 worth based on the gold price] and the remainder of the above sum in cash. [TRANSCRIPTION TO BE COMPLETED]
  Religion:	Roman Catholic
  Buried	Clyde Cemetery, Central Otago, New Zealand
  	Clyde Cemetery Burial Book: Warrant no 34 dated 29 Sep 1868, Rose Donnelly, storekeeper of Campbells Gully, died 29 September, cause of death chronic bronchitis, age 41 years, native of Ireland, interred in Block B plot 360, informant Charles Shaw [Transcription note: Plot located by plot 122 on present plan. Anglican section]
  Person ID	I46	Donald
  Last Modified	14 Aug 2022

  
  

  Father	John Galbraith, Stockman in Victoria, Australia,   b. c 1804, Gibraltar ,   d. Aft 1848, Victoria, Australia?  (Age ~ 45 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Mother	Mary Adams,   b. c 1805 - 1807, likely in Co. Galway, Ireland ,   d. Bef 1841  (Age ~ 33 years)
  Relationship	Birth
  Family ID	F18	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	James Johnson Belliss, accidentally killed by a falling branch while riding,   b. c Aug 1832, Eyton, Shropshire, England ,   d. c 17 Feb 1857, accidentally killed (earlier suspected murdered) - body found near Harper's Dairy Station, near Tylden, Victoria, Australia  (Age ~ 24 years)
  Married	25 Oct 1854	St Francis RC Church, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  	Marriage certificate: Married 25th Oct 1854 at St Francis Church, Melbourne. James John Belliss, bachelor, birth place [Shrewsbury?], England, farmer, age 21, residence Five Mile Creek, Woodend, father William Belliss, farmer, mother Harriet Johnson. Rosanna Galbraith, spinster, born [Ballinasloe?], Ireland, age 22, residence Little Lordsdale [Lonsdale?] Street, Melbourne, father John Galbraith, carpenter, mother Mary Adams. I Rosanna Galbraith certify that I am a member of the R. Catholic Church. Married in the church of St Francis, Melbourne. The marriage was solemnized between us (signed) James John Belliss, (signed) Rosannah Galbraith, according to the rites of the R. Catholic Church before me James B Hayes, officiating minister, in the presence of us (signed) Michael Hayes, (X her mark) Sarah Hayes.
  Children	1. Ann (Annie) Belliss, arrived in Otago on the Aldinga 1862 as a child,   b. 11 Feb 1856, Woodend, Victoria, Australia ,   d. Sep 1863, At the home of Charles Hammond, Mt Pleasant, Sawyers Bay (near Dunedin), Otago, New Zealand  (Age 7 years)  [Birth] + 2. James Henry Belliss, Butcher and farmer in Taihape,   b. c 1857, Victoria, Australia (likely in the Woodend area, perhaps at Five Mile Creek) ,   d. Sep 1934, Taihape, Rangitikei, New Zealand  (Age ~ 77 years)  [Birth]
  Last Modified	7 Sep 2021
  Family ID	F17	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	William Donnelly, Civil Engineer and surveyor in Kyneton, Victoria,   b. c May 1827, Ballybricken, Co Limerick, Ireland ,   d. Feb 1866, ?possibly in Jubbulpore (Jabalpur), Bengal, India  (Age ~ 38 years)
  Married	6 Nov 1859	St Francis RC Church, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  	Marriage certificate: Marriages solemnized in the District of Melbourne. Married 6th Nov 1859 at church of St Francis, Melbourne. William Donnelly, bachelor, birth place Co Limerick, Ireland, surveyor, age 28, residence Kyneton, father John Donnelly, builder, mother Mary Herbert. Rosannah Belliss, widow since 1856 [sic], 2 children living and 0 dead from former marriage, born Co Galway, Ireland, Hotel keeper, age 25, residence Kyneton, father John Galbraith, farmer, mother Mary Adams. I do hereby certify that I am a member of the R. Catholic Church (signed) William Donnelly. Married in the church of St Francis, Melbourne. The marriage was solemnized between us (signed) William Donnelly, (signed) Rosannah Galbraith, according to the rites of the R. Catholic Church before me Patrick Madden, officiating minister, in the presence of us (signed) Timothy McCarthy, (signed) Mary Ryan.
  Children	1. William Henry Donnelly, died in infancy,   b. 28 May 1860, Baynton Street (likely the family was living in the Railway Hotel in Baynton Street), Kyneton, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 5 Oct 1860, Kyneton, Victoria, Australia  (Age 0 years)  [Birth] + 2. Alice May (May) Donnelly, Arrived in Otago in 1867 as a child,   b. 5 Nov 1862, Carlsruhe, Victoria, Australia ,   d. 3 Jun 1937, 4 East Avenue, St Kilda, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand  (Age 74 years)  [Birth]
  Last Modified	5 Sep 2021
  Family ID	F16	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		Advertisement by Rose for her Belliss's Family Hotel in 1859
  		Rose's signature as Rosannah Belliss, 1857
  		Rose Galbraith - close up from original ambrotype courtesy of Dorothy Hyndman and photo-shopped by Helen Innes