William Melody
Contents
Background
William (Bill Melody) was born in 1828 at Bonnyconnellan, County Mayo, Ireland, the son of Patrick and Mary (nee Kelly) Melody. William emigrated to the Chicago, Illinois, United States of America in 1940 aged 12 years old.[1]
In 1951 21 year old William Melody and his brother seek gold during the goldrush at California.[2]
Goldfields Involvement, 1854
He was said to be in the Eureka Stockade, and a member of the Independent California Rangers. When Captain Robert Burnete cried ”California Rangers to the fence” Bill Melody was the first to obey. [3]
Post 1854 Experiences
In 1857 at Dunolly, Victoria, Australia, William Melody competed in prize fighting match, reputed to be one of the biggest of the day for £450. He did not win the prize.[4]
In 1861 William sails to the Otago goldfield in New Zealand. The following year he is part of Fox's party when the discover gold on Arrow River. The party of 4 reputedly find 40 pounds of gold in the first two weeks. News quickly spread of the strike and by December 1862 there were 1500 miners working along the Arrow Valley.[5]
William appears to use his share as a serial publican owning establishments in Arrowtown, Hokitika (The Spread Eagle) and Westport (Melody’s Hotel) servicing the miners who were drawn to the lower South Island.[6]
In 1868 at Hokitika William Melody is arrested as leader of the Fenians in an Irish Patriots protest. It seems he identifies as more Irish than American at this stage of his life.[7]
By 1886 William And Elia Melody and living in Whanganui, North Island, New Zealand.[8]
In 1899 William Melody falls from his horse while drunk and drowns in the Whanganui River. His body is missing for two weeks before it is found.[9] He was buried at Wanganui Catholic Cemetery, New Zealand.[10]
Family
In 1858 William Melody marries Elizabeth Moran at St Alipius Catholic church in Ballarat East. Their first child born on the diggings at Sovereign Hill.[11]
Children
1. Sarah Marie Melody (b. 1856, in a tent on the Ballarat Diggings.[12]
2. John Patrick Melody (b. 1863, Arrowtown, New Zealand.<[13]
3. daughter
See also
Independent Californian Rangers Revolver Brigade
Further Reading
Corfield, J., Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.
References
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Wickham, D., Gervasoni, C. & Phillipson, W., Eureka Research Directory, Ballarat Heritage Services, 1999.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1899.
- ↑ Research by descendant Lesley Melody, 2022.
- ↑ http://melodynz.blogspot.com/2009/01/william-melody-was-lively-irishman-part_3349.html, accessed 24 June 2022
- ↑ http://melodynz.blogspot.com/2009/01/william-melody-was-lively-irishman-part_23.html, accessed 24 June 2022
