Here is what I have on the brothers so far (I can email a pdf of the document, just send me a pm with your email address if interested in taking a look):
Generation 2 – George Haskett (1827 – 1882)
Big Davey’s son George was born in Ballina, Co. Tipperary c. 1827. At the age of 34, he married Anne Ryan on 12 Feb 1861. It is suspected that George was the only of his family to remain in Ireland after the rest of his family had emigrated. They made their home in Fort Henry, and had sons Michael, Patrick, James, Martin and David. They had one daughter, Mary Ann, who tragically died when she was just 11 months old. There is also some evidence to suggest that there was a 6th son George, but no birth record exists for him.
- Michael born 11 May 1864
- Patrick born 22 Feb 1866
- James born 06 Jul 1868
- Mary Ann born 05 May 1870
- Martin born 1872
- David born 27 Aug 1876
George died on August 25, 1882 at the age of 55 Portroe, North Tipperary His death certificate states the following: “Died suddenly - 2 hours - no medical att - X ****”
Anne was now left on her own to look after the family, all of whom were under the age of 18. The youngest was David, who was just 6 when his father died. Times must have been difficult, and it appears that most of her sons followed in their grandfather’s footsteps, and emigrated to North America, and also Australia. The 1901 census shows Anne living in Ballina, with Martin and David, so that means that Michael, Patrick and James had already left home. It is thought that David & Patrick married 2 sisters, Mary Ann and Bridget Moloney from Killaloe.
Patrick Haskett (1866 - 1908)
Patrick was born in Ballina on 22 Feb 1866. He appears with his wife Bridget in the 1900 US Census, living in San Francisco. The census was carried out on the 5th & 6th of June, 1900. Patrick immigrated in 1893 and Bridget immigrated in 1896. They were married in 1897. Bridget was born in August 1869. He was 33, she was 25. They had 2 children - neither had survived. They were also renting their home. They could read, write, and speak English. I can't make out Patrick's occupation - "Watel.....man"? Patrick and Bridget would have been living in San Francisco at the time of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.
Patrick died 3rd August 1908. He was 42 years old. On his funeral record, he is listed as being a Merchant. Also he has a son Joseph, as well as 2 deceased sons, George and Michael – these look to be the 2 children mentioned in the 1900 Census.
Michael Haskett (1864 - 1911)
Michael or “Mick” immigrated to Queensland, Australia. He sailed from London aboard the ship “Waroonga” on the 10th March 1885, and arrived at Brisbane, 6th May, just 5 days before his 21st birthday. He was a steerage passenger. The ship manifest records his origin as “Tipp” and his profession as “Farm Labourer”. He became a Telegraph Line Repairer when he moved to Australia.
Mick had a few postings as a Line Repairer before being appointed "Line Repairer In Charge" at McDonnell Telegraph Station in August 1896. He was appointed as a Line Repairer in the Queensland’s Post & Telegraph Department on January 1st 1888. In 1892 he was a Line Repairer at Mein, Cape York Peninsular. In 1893 & 1894 he was a Line Repairer at Moreton, Cape York Peninsular. In 1895 & 1896 he held the same position at Normanton, North West Queensland.
After his appointment as "Line Repairer In Charge" at McDonnell in August 1896 he remained in this position until his death in 1911. It appears that Mick was the sole person at McDonnell which was the second last Telegraph Station before the line went by undersea cable to Thursday Island.
The Telegraph Line Went from the top of Cape York to Cooktown via repeater stations including McDonnell. It was a single galvanized steel wire on insulators mounted on steel poles. McDonnell was opened on 28th August 1887. Mick would have played a very important part in keeping the line open in hostile and demanding territory.
His salary was 180 pounds per year. He appears in the 1900 Queensland State Electoral Roll in the Electoral District of COOK, Somerset Division.
Mick passed away on Tuesday 27 June 1911, aged 47. (Death record states parents names as George Haskett & Anne Ryan) In his death notice in the Cairns Post, the following is written:
"Death of Mick Haskett.
Thursday Island. Tuesday - Mr. Michael Haskett, better known as “Old Mick”, who had been for over 20 years in charge of the McDonnell Telegraph Station in the peninsula, died at the hospital here this morning, after a short illness."
