| Notes |
- Occupation : labourer
Date Arrived : September 1826 in Australia
Ship Arrived on : " Orpheus "
Rank on Discharge : Sergeant Major
Date of Enlistment : 1st of December 1825 at the age of 37
Where Enlisted : Chatham Kent
Date of Discharge : 1832 Where Discharged : Regiment Prior to Royal Veterans: Dublin 17th Dragoons (Light) he was discharged aged 38 (covering 1806-1825 Died : 30 October 1838
Where Died / Buried : Garden Cottage, Hyde Park, Sydney/ Bunnerong Cemetery C; plot 826, category D
The Curran name, and its variations, are popular throughout Ireland, most particularly in county Donegal in the northern province of Ulster. The name comes from the Gaelic word “corradh” meaning ‘spear’ The surname Curran appears to be patronymical in origin, and is believed to be associated with the Irish, meaning,"Grandson of Corran", a diminutive of "Coiradh (spear). Different spellings of the same name original surname are a common occurrence. Dictionaries of surnames indicate probable spelling variations of Curran to be Corran, Currane, Kirrane, Curreen, O'Currin, Curren, and Coiradh. Although bearers of the old and distinguished Curran name comprise a small fraction of the population, there are a number who have established for it a significant place in history. They include: One of the most famous Irish Curran’s was John Philpot Curran, a barrister and a nationalist, whose daughter was engaged to Robert Emmett. Simon Curran (O'Currin) (d.1302), Bishop of Kiljenora, Ireland. Charles Courtney Curran 1861-1942) American painter of "perfume of the Rose", still hanging in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., "The Breezy Day"' in Philadelphia, and "Mountain Laurel." John Philpot Curran (1750-1817) Irish orator and Judge who was a member of the Irish Parliament in 1783. John Joseph Curran (1859-1936) ordained a priest in 1887, he spent the rest of his life as Curate and Pastor in the coal-mining area of Pennsylvania. He became famous for his support of miners and their unions. Amelia Curran (d.1847) She practiced painting only as an amateur, and her portrait of Percy Bysshe Shelly was exhibited in the National Portrait Exhibition in 1868. Pearl Gildessleeve Curran (1875-1941) American composer who published about forty songs, many of them to her own texts. Her most successful works include," Dawn". The Name Curran begins in Australia in 1826 with The Arrival of John Bury Curran to Botany Bay NSW. Australia 1826 There is no family bible or ancestors with an extensive knowledge of the Curran family history. The descendants of the Curran family in Victoria and NSW has been pieced together from birth, marriage and death certificates and probate records. John Bury Curran is the earliest known descendant. John Bury Curran was a soldier who was posted in India from at least 1819 to 1821. He served in the Dublin 17th Dragoons (Light) he was discharged aged 38 (covering 1806-1825). He arrived in Australia, Sydney in September 1826 on the sailing ship “Orpheus” The New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory of 1833, lists a “Curran, John Bury, who was the Principal Clerk at Brigade Office Sydney he held the rank of Sergeant Major” The Brigade Office was the military office in Sydney under the command of Lt-Col. Snodgrass who was the “Major of Brigade”. His service record in Australia, served in the New South Wales Veterans; 17th Dragoons (Light) he was discharged aged 43yrs covering dates gives the year of discharge as 1832. In Britain during 1826 three companies of veterans were raised to serve in New South Wales and Tasmania. At the completion of two years service the soldiers were allowed to take land grants and settle. One advantage of the Veterans Battalions had over other Regiments was that were able to take heir families with them. Life was made a lot easier for the Veterans then that of Regiment soldier’s. The Veterans duties were made easier to accommodate their age and physical conditions. Never less the Veterans helped mould the country into what it is today. N.S.W Veterans Company was formed in 1825 and they arrived in the Colony on board the “Orpheus” in September 1826. Accompanied by wives and children. On board the sailing ship Barry Hall. On John Bury Curran’s discharge notice the following is stated: to prevent any improper use being made of this discharge, by it’s falling into other hands the following is a description of the said Sergeant Major John Bury Curran’s he is about forty three years of age, is 5ft 91/2 inches in height, sandy hair, black eyes, fair complexion, and by trade or occupation a labourer. It is noted that he served 331/2 years in the army 14 of these years he spent in the India. According to his army records he was born in the Parish of St Mary’s near the town of Dublin. He rejoined at Chatham Kent, 1st of December 1825 at the age of 37 years for unlimited service in NSW. On John Bury Curran’s discharge papers dated 22/11/1825 it states that JB Curran is very respectfully connected being the nephew of the late Mr JP Curran, Master of the Rolls Ireland…… According to his will. John Bury Curran owned property in Smithfield Dublin, which was leased to a Charles Tarrant. He was also granted land at Botany Bay, which he bequeathed in his will as a freehold farm to his eldest son John William Curran. John Bury Curran married Mary Ann Hatton. They had five children (1). John William b.1819 (2.) Mary Anne b.1817 (3.) Maria Theresa b.1821 (4) Matilda Jane b.1826 (5.) Charles b.1825. Mary Ann Hatton died in 1833, John Bury Curran later married Leticia Baxter in Sydney 1835. John Bury died in October 1838. His will, (on which he signed his name) is dated only days before his death. His son, John William Curran, signed the probate records but Leticia had to sign with her mark. John Bury Curran died at Garden Cottage, Hyde Park Sydney. He is buried at Bunnerong Cemetery Sydney. John Bury Curran’s father was a James Curran (Lawyer) younger brother to the famous lawyer, judge orator John Philpot Curran. Therefore their father was James Curran Seneschal of Newmarket, Dublin and mother was Sarah Philpot.
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Abt 1791 - 1838 (~ 47 years)
