William Patrick O'Connell, 1916
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
FatherMichael O'Connell b. c 1830, d. 28 Oct 1912
MotherEllen O'Halloran b. c 1839, d. 1 Jun 1896
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

William Patrick O'Connell was born on 30 August 1865 in Campbell's Creek, Victoria.1 
He married Mary Elizabeth Milovitch, daughter of Thomas Milovitch and Eliza Meagher, on 25 January 1893 in Mooroopna, Victoria.2,3 
He died on 13 June 1952 in Camberwell, Victoria, at age 86.4,5,6 

Family

Mary Elizabeth Milovitch b. 10 Sep 1867, d. 23 Jan 1919
Children
ChartsMilovitch, Thomas, descendant chart
O'Connell, Annie, pedigree chart
O'Connell, Michael, descendant chart

Story

Twins Edmond and William were born in Campbell's Creek, near Castlemaine on 30 August 1865. They were the fourth and fifth children of Ellen and Michael. Edmond was the older twin. Their births were registered in Castlemaine ten months later, to Michael and Ellen Connell.7,8,9
 
Marriage and Family
Mary Elizabeth Milovitch and William Patrick O'Connell were married at 'RC church' (later St Mary's) in Mooroopna on 25 January 1893. They had eight children between 1893 and 1909 with two dying in infancy.

Witnesses to the marriage were Patrick and Korizo Milovitch, Mary's brother and sister. William's present and usual address is East Trentham (Mooroopna is written then crossed out). Mary's present and usual address is Mooroopna.2
 
After they married, the couple lived in the Trentham area where the first two children were born, Peter in 1893 and Thomas in 1896.

By 1897, the family had moved to Shepparton and were living in a house attached to a wine shop in Wyndham St.

By early 1898, when son Michael was born, they were in a house attached to a wine shop in Fryers St. The next two children were born in Shepparton, Mary Elizabeth Ellen (born and died in 1900), and William Joseph in 1901.

The last three children were born in Mooroopna, Mary Ellen in 1903, Annie in 1906 and James in 1909 (he died the same year).

For most of the six children's childhood and early adult years, they lived at the back of the Mooroopna wine shop.
O'Connells: back: Will/Billy, Mick, Tom, Peter; front: Annie, William (snr), Nell (Mary Ellen); c. 1922
Image: Val Williams
Wine Shop in Shepparton
William had a number of connections to wine throughout his life.

Shepparton rate records show him as a tenant in a wine shop between 1897 and 1902. For the first two years it is shown as Wyndham St, east side, but for the others Fryers St, north side. In 1902, he is also shown as the owner of the property.10
 
It was officially the Excelsior Wine Depot, but known as Darveniza's Wine Shop, and in Fryers St was 'opposite Paddy's Market'. When the building (not the business) was put up for sale in May 1898, the description said the house contained eleven rooms, had recently been renovated, was in good order, and was doing a steady business. It was also stated there was a cottage on the Edward St frontage.11
 
A May 1898 advertisement spruiks the Excelsior Vineyard wines, and states the wine depot has moved from Stotts old building to new premises in Fryers Street.

The advertisement also has WP O'Connell at the top but just P O'Connell at the bottom. A March advertisement has P O'Connell top and bottom. It is not known who the P O'Connell is or his relationship, if any, to William. It could be William's brother Patrick. It could also simply be a typographical error.12,13
Excelsior Wine Depot advertisement, William Patrick O'Connell proprietor, May 1898
Elizabeth St Property
William's mother-in-law, Eliza Milovitch had purchased a property at 9 Elizabeth St Mooroopna. It eventually passed to her daughter, Annie Fortin.14,15,16
 
In 1921, when Annie Fortin and her sons left Shepparton, the title for this property passed from Annie to brother-in-law, William Patrick O'Connell.17
 
Wine Shop in Mooroopna
In the early 1900s, William and Mary moved into the wine shop in Mooroopna, west of the hospital. This was established and originally operated by Mary's parents, Thomas and Eliza Milovitch.

Eliza had died and Thomas was now in his 70s, and William (and possibly Mary) took over its operation.
 
After Thomas died in 1910, the wine licence was transferred to Mary.

She held it until she became too ill.18,19,20
 
In December 1918, an Australian wine licence was transferred from Mary Elizabeth to William Patrick O'Connell by the licensing court at Shepparton.21
 
Wife Mary's Illness
In 1918, Mary became quite ill.
 
As the holder of the wine licence, being unable to work would have made it difficult for the family.

Added to this, the First World War had been going for four years, and the two eldest sons, Peter and Thomas, were on active service.
 
Mary made a will on 11 September 1918, appointing husband William as sole executor.

To son William, she leaves the piano (this is not her mother's Bord piano, but one she purchased from her own savings). To daughter Nellie (Mary Ellen), she leaves the sewing machine. To husband William, she leaves the balance including the wine licence and interest in the Elizabeth St property held jointly with her sister, Annie Fortin.

Mary also gives William the right to draw money for their sons Peter and Thomas while they are serving abroad.22,21
 
Mary died in Mooroopna hospital after a long illness and is buried in Mooroopna cemetery. She was 51 and left behind a husband and six children of which the youngest, Annie, was 12.23,24
 
William, Licensee
William continued to run the wine shop, now as licensee, and son Billy became more involved.
 
Day in court: In December 1925, William senior and Billy were required to front court, charged with having the bar door open during prohibited hours. Billy claimed the senior constable came in just as he was getting some soft drink from the bar, and that no alcohol was served. They were fined £5 and required to pay 7/6 costs.25
 
In November 1926, William had his first licensing breach.

At the Mooroopna Court on Tuesday, before Messrs H McDonald, PM, and J Thompson, William O'Connell, the holder of an Australian wine licence, was charged with disposing of liquor during prohibited hours on November 20. Two further charges of allowing persons on his premises, and failing to keep his lodger's book properly entered up were also laid.

Inspector Nolan prosecuted, and defendant pleaded guilty. The inspector withdrew the latter two charges, and defendant was fined £2 on the charge of disposing of liquor during prohibited hours. It was the first offence.26

 
On licensed premises: Two young men, Vincent Milovitch and Eric Noble, were then charged with having been unlawfully on licensed premises. Sen. Constable WG Baker said on November 20 he found the two men at O'Connell's wine saloon. They admitted having a friendly drink, one being a nephew of the licencee. They were not lodgers. The Bench - For a first offence the fine will be 10/- each, with costs.26
 
In June 1928, liquor licences state wide were being reviewed, including the need for two wine licences in the relatively small town of Mooroopna. Both O'Connell and O'Loughlin put their cases to the licensing court, but ultimately William O'Connell's licence was withdrawn. In December 1928, he was awarded £350 compensation for being deprived of his wine licence.27,28,25
 
The shop became a combined cafe and mixed business to be run by Billy.29
 
In November 1926, Annie O'Connell married Roy Williams in Yarraville where Michael Patrick O'Connell and his family were living. This photo was taken then at their home.
O'Connells: standing: William Patrick (Mooroopna), unknown (head only), unknown, Mollie (Yarraville), Leo (front, Yarraville), unknown (back), William Joseph (Mooroopna), unknown; seated: unknown, Elizabeth (Yarraville), Gertrude (Yarraville), wedding of Roy Williams & Annie O'Connell (Mooroopna), Yarraville, Nov 1926
Image: Val Williams
Electoral rolls from 1903 to 1937 show William as residing simply in 'Mooroopna'.30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40
 
In 1942 and 1949, he is shown at Elizabeth Street, Mooropna.41,42
 
William Patrick O'Connell died of heart failure at Nazareth House, Cornell St, East Camberwell on 13 June 1952, aged 86. He was buried at Mooroopna cemetery on 15 June 1952. He was buried with wife Mary.4,43,6
Tombstone of Mary (Milovitch) & William O'Connell, Mooroopna cemetery
Image: Ken Haddock

Citations

  1. [S63] William Connell (O'Connell), birth registration no. 7190, 30 August 1865.
  2. [S64] William Patrick O'Connell and Mary Elizabeth Millovitch, marriage registration no. 800, 25 January 1893.
  3. [S65] William Patrick O'Connell and Mary Elizabeth Millovitch, marriage certificate no. 26, 25 January 1893.
  4. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, William Patrick O'Connell entry, death registration no. 8282, 1952.
  5. [S201] 'Death notice: O'Connell', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 17 June 1952, p. 10, viewed 4 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172852132
  6. [S470] William Patrick O'Connell, death registration no. 8282, 13 June 1952.
  7. [S63] William Connell (O'Connell), birth registration no. 7190, 30 August 1865, birth registered June 1866.
  8. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Edmond Connell' entry, birth registration no. 7189, 1866.
  9. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'William Connell' entry, birth registration no. 7190, 1866.
  10. [S233] Shepparton Shire & Town Rates Index, 1885-1939/1941, computer file, Shepparton Family History Group, O'Connell entries.
  11. [S436] 'Sale by auction: Wine shop property', Euroa Advertiser, 1884-1920, newspaper, J West, 13 May 1898, p. 1 of supplement, viewed 17 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/6475399
  12. [S436] 'Notices: Excelsior wine depot', Euroa Advertiser, 1884-1920, newspaper, J West, 13 May 1898, p. 1, viewed 19 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65529347/6475399
  13. [S436] 'Business Notices: Excelsior wine depot', Euroa Advertiser, 1884-1920, newspaper, J West, 25 March 1898, p. 4 of supplement, viewed 19 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/65528808
  14. [S345] 'Elizabeth Milovitch', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 69/654, probate, 14 November 1898.
  15. [S347] 'Elizabeth Milovitch', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 121/621, probate, 11 September 1911.
  16. [S338] 'Thomas Milovitch', VPRS 7591 Wills 1853-1992, will, 13 March 1899.
  17. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, certificate of title, vol. 1404, folio 280681, Mooroopna, 1882-1921.
  18. [S18] 'Shepparton licencing court: Renewals granted', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 9 December 1915, p. 4, viewed 4 October 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article121145254
  19. [S18] 'Annual licensing court: Mooroopna district', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 14 December 1916, p. 4, viewed 17 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/8583742
  20. [S18] 'Licensing court: Mooroopna', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 19 November 1917, p. 2, viewed 17 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/129958647
  21. [S430] 'Mary Elizabeth O'Connell', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 163/157, probate, 1919.
  22. [S81] 'Mary Elizabeth O'Connell', VPRS 7591 Wills, 163/157, will, 11 September 1918.
  23. [S220] 'Deaths: O'Connell', The Argus, 1848-1957, newspaper, Argus Office, 24 January 1919, p. 1, viewed 4 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1421945
  24. [S440] Mary O'Connell, death registration no. 3219, 23 January 1919.
  25. [S201] 'Mooroopna', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 3 December 1925, p. 8, viewed 18 July 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/173264725
  26. [S201] 'Licensing breaches', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 27 January 1927, p. 9, viewed 4 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190010703
  27. [S201] 'Licensing court: Mooroopna wine licenses', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 4 June 1928, p. 10, viewed 20 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179174017
  28. [S220] 'Compensation awards: Premises deprived of licences', The Argus, 1848-1957, newspaper, Argus Office, 10 November 1928, p. 17, viewed 20 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3968384
  29. [S201] 'Rodney health matters: Health inspector's report', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 7 March 1929, viewed 25 June 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186945897
  30. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1903.
  31. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1908.
  32. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1912.
  33. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1915.
  34. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Rodney, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1924.
  35. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Rodney, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1925.
  36. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Goulburn Valley, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1927.
  37. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Goulburn Valley, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1931.
  38. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Goulburn Valley, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1934.
  39. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Commonwealth division of Echuca, Victorian division of Goulburn Valley, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1936.
  40. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Indi, subdivision of Shepparton, 1937.
  41. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Indi, subdivision of Shepparton, 1942.
  42. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Murray, subdivision of Shepparton, 1949.
  43. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, Mary O'Connell entry, death registration no. 3219, 1919.