Person:Michael Roney (22)

Michael Gabriel Roney was born on the 30th April 1872 in Diggora, Michael was born eighth of twelve children to Peter Roney and Sarah Brookman.

On 17th April 1895 in St James Church Michael married Olivia. Michael and Olivia had four children.

Michael can be found in old newspaper reports along with his brother George and a Frank Thompson for stealing two draught horses, however there appears to be more to the story.

The horses were the property of a Mr Walter Dunlop and the reports indicate that Michael was working for him and left after disagreeing with the manager at the work site.

Mary (McCormack) South relays the story that there were extenuating circumstances with Michael stealing a horse. He had been working on a station for 6 months and, being something of a drinker and hell raiser, his employer saw fit to sequester all his wages, so he took a horse in lieu.

In July 1904 Michael ended up being Sentenced to 2years and nine months hard labour.

There is another possible twist in the story because Michael's wife Olivia had a sister named Mary and she was married to a man called Walter Dunlop, the same name and it appears to be the same person who owned the horses.

Michael died on the 16th December 1946 aged 72.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Roney Family Bible.