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McNamara Family Queensland

Margaret Irwin - Maryborough Pioneer 1834 - 1895

Maryborough Early Settler

MRS. MARGARET IRWIN, one of the oldest residents of Maryborough and district, died on December 24th, 1895.


Mrs. Irwin, born Margaret Gregory, Sydney, New South Wales, 3 April 1834, was closely associated with the history of the town and district for the past forty-four years, having landed in Maryborough with her sister (the late Mrs. Elizabeth Goodwin), in the year 1841.

High Seas Mutiny

She was cast in an heroic mould, and from earlier girlhood, through a great part of her womanly years, lived in an atmosphere of stirring and romantic pioneering adventures.

On the voyage from Sydney to Maryborough her older sister (Mrs. Goodwin) and herself were the only female passengers on board the small sailing vessel.

The crew mutinied, cast the officers adrift in a boat, and ran away with the vessel and the two girl passengers, eventually landing the latter on the New Zealand coast, where they lived for a time with the Maoris.

The Gregory family were among the first settlers at the Old Township near Baddow and the deceased lady herself was one of the first storekeepers and residents in the present town of Maryborough.




Margaret Irwin 1834 - 1895

Hotel Hostess

Margaret Irwin was noted for her hospitality, kindness and innumerable charitable acts throughout the Maryborough district.

In an era where women were expected to stayed at home she with sisters Elizabeth Goodwin, and Sarah Blue were successful businesswomen running hotels and other business interests.

Photo: "History of Maryborough 1850 - 1895" George E. Loyau


Didcot Death

Margaret Gregory married George Irwin, a noted carrier, and left Maryborough to establish the Didcot Hotel, on the Gayndah road, near Degilbo. George Irwin, host of the Didcot Hotel, died there 29 March 1863 and was interred behind the hotel.

 

After her husband's death, The Royal Oak was sold to William and Margaret Fuller in 1884 and renamed Fullers Rest.

The hotel licence was never renewed and the property continued to operate as a coach stop for twenty one years until the railway did away with the coach in the early 1900's.

Pioneer Passes

Mrs. Irwin returned to Maryborough, and built the Australian Hotel, which she conducted till her death.

The Maryborough Chronicle reported that Margaret Irwin passed away at 7 o'clock, Tuesday morning, 24 December 1895. She left considerable town property, but no family.

Odd Coincidence

In an ironic twist, Fred Fuller, father of William Fuller died in the Australian hotel following a fall from a wagon at nearby Murrays Tea and Coffee House, 3 June 1886.

A Coronial Inquiry was conducted by Maryborough Police Magistrate Henry Reginald Buttanshaw.

And in another odd coincidence, the Australian Hotel burned to the ground, 3 June 1889, exactly six years to the day marking the death of Fred Fuller in the hotel's reception area.