Chapter 1

Robert Anthony (1838 - 1896) and Mary Jane Gibson 1842-1918)

Robert Anthony's Early Life in Tyrone

History is often recounted through grand events, but it's in the personal stories, often lost and forgotten, of those who lived through them that we discover the true essence of human experience. My paternal great-grandfather, Robert Anthony, was born in Drumquin, Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in 1838. He was the son of Robert Anthony and Mary Smyth. My paternal great-grandmother, Mary Jane Gibson, was also born in Drumquin four years later, in 1842, to Elizabeth Wilson and William Gibson. Drumquin was a small town of about 700 people, so the Anthony and Gibson families likely knew of each other. These families lived through one of the most turbulent periods in Ireland's history.

Robert Anthony was born during a period of great upheaval in Irish history. Drumquin was a small village in County Tyrone with a strong focus on agriculture. However, this was not a land of plenty. Most Irish farmers were tenant farmers, working small plots rented from absentee landlords, many of whom were English. Life was hard for the average Irish family, and the glaring inequalities between the wealthy Protestant landlords and the impoverished tenants added to their struggles.

Records indicate that Robert's father was a farmer and also a banker, though the exact nature of his duties is unknown. The family consisted of Robert Anthony, his sister  Mary Anthony (1824-1900), and one brother, William George Anthony (1826-1873). Many families relied on the potato crop and lived in poverty. Catastrophe was often just around the corner.

Impact of the Great Famine and the Great Migration

When the Great Famine began in 1845, Robert was just seven years old. This famine, caused by a potato blight, devastated Ireland. The blight ruined crop after crop, leading to widespread starvation, disease, and death. Before the famine, Ireland's population was estimated to be around 8.5 million. By the end of the famine in 1852, it had dropped dramatically, with over a million people perishing and at least another million emigrating, leaving behind a landscape filled with loss and suffering.

While Tyrone was somewhat insulated from the worst effects of starvation compared to western regions, the population still faced severe food shortages, disease, and mass evictions. Landlords often evicted tenant farmers who could not pay rent, and the countryside was dotted with ruined cottages and abandoned fields. For young Robert, the devastation of the famine would have been deeply formative. He likely witnessed the collapse of his community, the departure of friends and family members, and the ever-present shadow of hunger. Though the inhabitants of Tyrone may have fared better than those in other parts of Ireland, the scars of the famine left a lasting mark on the region and its people.

Most Irish immigrants in the 19th century chose to migrate to North America—specifically, the United States and Canada—rather than Australia. This preference was mainly due to the proximity, existing Irish communities, and economic opportunities available in North America. Between 1820 and 1957, over 4.6 million Irish people emigrated to the United States, with nearly two million emigrating during the decade following the Great Famine alone. In the peak years of Irish emigration, around 81% of Irish emigrants headed to the U.S. (approximately 990,000 individuals between 1851 and 1860) compared to the relatively minor numbers migrating to Australia. In contrast, from 1832 to 1845, only about 30,000 Irish emigrated to Australia, and the number remained significantly smaller throughout the 19th century. The United States, with its growing urban centres, and Canada offered better prospects for employment and community networks than the distant colonies of Australia. Australia was still widely known as a convict settlement and was perceived as lacking the same level of opportunity and infrastructure for new settlers.

Most Irish immigrants to the United States and Canada travelled without government assistance, primarily due to the lack of similar widespread subsidised programs for these destinations. Many Irish emigrants financed their travel by pooling family resources or through remittances from relatives already settled in North America. During the peak period following the Great Famine, it is estimated that up to 90% of Irish immigrants to the United States travelled without government assistance, relying instead on community and family support networks.

The Great Migration was a massive wave of Irish emigration triggered by the devastation of the Great Famine. Millions of Irish people sought refuge and opportunity in countries around the world, leaving a lasting legacy in the nations they settled.

Building a New Life: The Anthony Family’s Migration to Queensland

The migration of Robert Anthony to Australia was not an isolated decision but one shaped by the earlier journeys of his aunt Margaret and uncle William, whose successful settlement in Queensland would have inspired him to seek new opportunities in the colony. Margaret’s husband, William Carson, also played a significant role in establishing the family in the Ipswich region, where he served as a key figure in local law enforcement.

William Carson, born in 1820 in Tyrone, represented the struggles and aspirations of impoverished Irish immigrants seeking a new life. Orphaned at a young age, he migrated to Canada with his brother and two sisters. However, the move appears unsuccessful for William, prompting him to return to Ireland. He joined the Irish Constabulary. In 1849, he married Margaret Anthony, Robert’s aunt, in Dromoyne, Northern Ireland. Together, the couple embarked on a new chapter in Australia, sailing on the Genghis Khan and arriving in Moreton Bay on August 14, 1854. Almost immediately, Carson secured employment with the local constabulary, and by the very next day, he was on duty.

Carson’s influence extended beyond his immediate family. He may have been Queensland’s very first police officer policing the Ipswich area when the region was still part of New South Wales. His role was vital during this time of transition, as Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859, and small district forces managed policing under local magistrates. His position as a sergeant underscored his significance in early law enforcement.

William Anthony, Robert’s uncle and brother to Margaret, also played a key role in encouraging migration to Australia. William Anthony, born in 1825 in Drumquin, Tyrone, emigrated to Australia with his wife Margaret Chittick and their two children, George and Sarah, aboard the Cairngorm in 1855 as assisted migrants. They settled in the Ipswich area in 1856 and became cotton farmers. Their successful farm in the Scenic Rim region led to the area being named “Anthony,” which later became a rural locality in Queensland. The Anthony family left a lasting mark on the region, with a railway station named after them on the Fassifern Railway Line, Queensland’s first branch railway line. The line originally opened on 10 July 1882, running from Ipswich to Harrisville, and was extended to serve the Anthony district on 12 September 1887. Though William Anthony passed away in 1873, his and Margaret’s influence likely played a role in encouraging Robert Anthony to seek new opportunities in Australia. The railway line remained operational until it closed in June 1964.

It is easy to imagine the letters Margaret and William would have sent home, describing their new life in Queensland. The opportunities and stability they found in Ipswich must have been enticing and perhaps even persuasive. Such encouragement may have played a significant role in prompting Robert Anthony to leave the familiar shores of Ireland in pursuit of the unknown opportunities that Australia offered.

Depiction of the cramped interior of passenger ships used to carry immigrants from Europe to Australia in the mid-19th century. Conditions on board were often crowded and unsanitary, with passengers enduring long and challenging voyages in pursuit of a new life.

Mary Jane Gibson's Early life in Tyrone and Her Journey to Queensalnd

Mary Jane Gibson was born in 1842 in Drumquin, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, to Elizabeth Wilson and William Gibson. The village had an estimated population of only a few hundred, and it’s highly likely the Gibsons were well acquainted with the Anthonys. In such a small community, families would often know each other well, interacting regularly at church services, local markets, and various community gatherings. Given the prominence of the Church of Ireland in the region, it is probable that both families were part of the same congregation, further strengthening their social ties.

Mary was still a young child as the worst effects of the Great Famine passed. Growing up in this environment and coming from a farming family, Mary would have experienced firsthand the struggles her family and neighbours faced, many of whom lived on the edge of subsistence. Limited choices and few opportunities marked the stark reality of rural Irish life for a young woman.

While Robert may have been able to learn a trade or find work in the agricultural or manual labour sectors, Mary's options were far more restricted. and young women like Mary were often expected to take on traditional roles within the home. She likely spent her early years helping her mother with household chores. There were few opportunities for personal advancement or financial independence. The possibility of marriage was often the primary way for women to gain some form of security, but even that was fraught with uncertainty given the harsh economic conditions.

Mary's decision to emigrate to seek a better life was momentous. It's possible that letters home from Robert or his Aunt Margaret or stories of life in Australia played a role in Mary's decision. Following Robert to Queensland may have offered her a sense of direction and hope, a chance to reunite with someone from home while also seeking her own independence. By the time she left for Australia in 1864, Mary would have been well aware of the challenges ahead—months at sea, an unknown land, and an unfamiliar society. Yet, her choice to embark on this journey speaks to her determination to seek a different future.

Mary Jane Gibson departed from Gravesend, Kent, England, on April 21, 1864, aboard the Fusilier”, an iron barque of 404 tons. No records indicate that Mary travelled on an assisted passage scheme, suggesting that her family may have paid for her journey. Mary may have travelled with a relative as someone listed as Robert B. Gibson, aged 33, was listed as a passenger. The Fusilier was a more modern vessel than Robert’s “British Empire”, reflecting advancements in maritime technology during the mid-19th century. This would have made the journey to Australia somewhat less gruelling than earlier emigrant experiences.

On her arrival in Australia in 1864, Mary likely lived with Robert’s aunt and uncle in Ipswich. It would be another five years before they married in 1869. Long courtships were common in Irish culture, particularly in the 19th century, where social and economic factors heavily influenced marriage decisions. Even after emigrating to a new country, many Irish settlers would take time to establish financial stability before marrying. Robert and Mary’s wedding took place in the home of William and Margaret (nee Anthony) Carson, following the rites of the Wesleyan Church, with John Gardiner officiating. This extended period allowed individuals like Robert and Mary to secure a stable livelihood, better preparing them for the demands of family life in their new homeland.

An example of the more modern ships used to transport migrants to Australia in the latter half of the 19th century. These vessels offered improved conditions compared to earlier convict and immigrant ships, reflecting advancements in maritime technology and travel.”

William Carson and Margaret Anthony

An early photograph of the Boonah Railway Station on the Fassifern Line, capturing a glimpse of Queensland’s developing railway network in its infancy. This station played a key role in connecting rural communities to larger towns and cities in the late 19th century.

Robert Anthony’s Voyage to Australia 

By the time Robert reached his late teens, Ireland was beginning to recover, but the deep scars of the famine were still visible. Though the blight had passed, the underlying economic challenges remained, leaving little hope for a prosperous future. Like many young men of his generation, Robert experienced firsthand the struggles of rural life, where stability and jobs were in short supply. The assisted emigration schemes introduced by the British and colonial governments offered a possible escape—an opportunity to leave behind Ireland's crowded and impoverished lands for the promise of a new start in the colonies. These schemes represented a glimmer of hope—a chance to escape poverty and build a better life in Australia.

Robert likely learned about these assisted passage schemes from public notices, advertisements, and local gatherings. Word of mouth also played a crucial role—stories shared by friends or relatives who had already made the journey may have given Robert the final push to consider this bold decision. His aunt's example, who had successfully established herself in Queensland, would have been a powerful influence.

Aged just 20 years of age, Robert Anthony made the life-changing decision to leave his homeland and embark on a journey to the other side of the world. He set sail aboard the ship *British Empire,* arriving in Moreton Bay, Queensland, on 7 February 1859. He was accompanied by his 12-year-old sister, Mary. The *British Empire*, built in 1839, was a barque of 649 tons known for transporting assisted migrants from Britain and Ireland to Australia and thereby played a significant role in 19th-century immigration to the Australian colonies.

Sea voyages from Ireland to Australia in the mid-19th century were gruelling and dangerous. Ships were often overcrowded, and steerage accommodations were basic, providing little comfort for the long journey. These voyages could last several months, and passengers endured cramped and dimly lit quarters, limited fresh air, and shared spaces with minimal privacy. Seasickness, disease, and malnutrition were constant threats, and outbreaks of illnesses like typhoid or cholera could spread quickly, claiming lives before the journey's end. Though specific records of the *British Empire*’s voyage are scarce, it is reasonable to assume the conditions mirrored those of similar immigrant ships—overcrowded, unsanitary, with limited access to adequate food and medical care.

Annotated Sources

Evans, Raymond. Colonial Queensland: Perspectives on a Frontier Society. University of Queensland Press, 1988.

This collection of essays provides insights into the social and economic environment of Queensland during Robert and Mary’s settlement.

MacDonagh, Oliver, ed. Irish Australia: Strangers in a Strange Land. St. Martin’s Press, 1986.

This book discusses the cultural heritage that Irish settlers brought to Australia, shedding light on how Robert and Mary may have maintained their identity.

Miller, Kerby A. Emigrants and Exiles: Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America. Oxford University Press, 1985.

This text details the factors influencing Irish emigration, highlighting motivations similar to those faced by Robert and Mary in choosing Australia.

Oxley, Deborah. Single Women in the Nineteenth-Century Emigration to Australia. Clarendon Press, 1996.

This book explores the experiences of single Irish women emigrating to Australia, relevant to understanding Mary’s motivations for seeking independence.

Ward, Margaret. The Role of Women in Nineteenth-Century Irish Society. Attic Press, 1990.

This source examines the limited roles available to women in rural Ireland and the challenges they faced, providing context for Mary Jane Gibson’s decision to emigrate.