The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #66885   Message #2877728
Posted By: GUEST,Dave
01-Apr-10 - 07:13 PM
Thread Name: DTStudy: Bold Jack Donohue
Subject: RE: DTStudy: Bold Jack Donohue
Jack Donohue was transported on the 'Ann & Amelia' in the company of another Irish convict James Kerwin. Kerwin was a horse groom and unlike Donohoe, became successful as a jockey, horse breeder and publican upon gaining his freedom. Kerwin's early nickname on the Turf was "The Milkman" and was later known as "Jemmy the Jockey". He leased the old Half Way House Hotel on Parramatta Road Homebush and re-named it "The Horse and Jockey Hotel".
It's entirely possible that Donohoe visited Kerwin during his bushranging days. Interesting that directly after Donohoe was killed, his two partners were next reported conducting a holdup within sight of Kerwin's hotel. Also a few years later Kerwin named one of his racehorses "Jack Donohoe". Kerwin died in 1855.
The Horse and Jockey Hotel is still trading although it has been re-built three times. The original hotel was next door to the current building, and was timber and 'wattle & daub" with a shingle roof and extensive acerage with many outbuildings and stables.