William Meehan was born in 1845 in Limerick, Ireland and came to Rutherglen as a boot maker in 1867. Bridget Walsh was born in 1851 in Kilkenny, Ireland, and arrived with her sister (assumed) Ellen Walsh, in 1870. She worked as a serving woman at the Star Hotel in Rutherglen. Bridget and William were married in Rutherglen on the 28th November 1874 by Reverend Father Scanlon and had nine children.
William was Mayor of the Rutherglen burrough for three terms, 1885, 1887 and 1892. In his last term he hosted the Governor of Victoria, His Excellency Earl Hopetoun and Lady Hopetoun on their touring visit to Rutherglen. William also served as a Justice of the Peace and Magistrate for the Rutherglen area.
When William retired, he lived on his property near Kings Road Rutherglen where he farmed and managed a vineyard. The Meehan’s, like so many families, suffered heartbreak during WW1 with the loss of a son. Another son, Thoman Meehan, returned from the war however he also died shortly after. 103 years after his death, the Meehan family was able to discover Thomas' burial location at Forbes Cemetery in NSW. A war grave has been installed at his final resting place.
Bridget was described as a quiet and retiring person by nature, and in later years did not keep good health and was confined to home. She passed away at 65 years of age in 1916. William passed away in 1923.
Bridget and William are buried in the Roman Catholic section of Carlyle Cemetery.
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