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Orphan Number: 851
Orphan: Elizabeth CASSIDY
Mother:CASSIDY, Bridget
Father:,
Mother's ship:Australasia
Father's ship:
Age when admitted:1yr 8mths
Date admitted:24 Nov 1854
Date discharged:12 Aug 1863
Institution(s):Queens Orphan School
Discharged to: mother at Table Cape
Remarks: 1st prize 4th class secular education 1862, needlework prize Jan 1863

The church was packed on Saturday night with around 140 people for a special Mass which was concelebrated by Archbishop Adrian Doyle, current Parish Priest Fr Tony Kennedy sm, assistant Fr Fred Kado sm and former Parish Priests Frs Phil McCormack and Bernie McFadyen sm. Parish musicians led the joyous singing and a special photo of the whole congregation was taken for posterity. After Mass, most of the congregation continued on to the RSL Club for dinner.

Some colourful history is commemorated in a special window of the church. Brigid Cassidy was an Irish convict deported to Tasmania for stealing two quilts in 1849. Her story is a fascinating insight into the times. She was assigned to several properties but frequently ran away and had to face the consequences. She became pregnant but was not allowed to marry the father until she had served her sentence and the child was placed in an orphanage. Eventually she met and married Thomas Brewster, reclaimed her child and had several more children. She died in 1908 at Wynyard aged 79. Her husband died a few weeks before the opening of the new church in 1912. Both are buried in Jenner Street cemetery in Wynyard.

Brigid Brewster had a window of the church dedicated to her memory by her family. Two family members sat by her window in a special tribute at the Centennial Mass.

Source: St Brigid's Church, Wynyard Centennial report
References: SWD6, 28


This orphan has been claimed by: Bernadette Dewhurst-Phillips

My connection to Elizabeth is only by the marriage of her younger half brother, Albert Joseph Brewster.
Albert b. 1859 was the son of Bridget Cassidy (Elizabeth's mother) and Thomas Ambrose Brewster. Albert Joseph Sylvester married Grace Elizabeth Alice Louchlan Blight, her parents were John Louchlan Blight and Ellen Dewhurst.

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This orphan has been claimed by: Catherine Poole

Elizabeth Cassidy is my Gr Gr Aunty, daughter of Bridget Cassidy.

Bridget’s second child Caroline is my Gr Grandmother.



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 Site last updated June 2021