Michael Crowley

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DescriptionMichael Crowley was born in Rosscarberry, County Cork, Ireland. He sailed from Scotland to New Zealand with his friends James and John Goode about August 1865. They took up mining with William Phillips and William Manley who were already established.

In May 1869 Michael, along with William Phillips, set up a claim about a quarter mile below the Waipori Schoolhouse on the north side of the river.

On 23 November 1870, Michael married 22 year old Julia Kennedy. Julia, originally from Galway, Ireland arrived in New Zealand in July 1869.

Michael and Julia built their home at the foot of Maiden City Hill, Waipori. It was thought the hill got this name due to the Crowley family having so many young maidens. However, it was actually named by miners from Derry, Ireland - Derry was known as the Maiden City as it's fortification walls were never breached.

Michael and Julia raised a family of nine, six girls and three boys. Michael, known as 'the poet,' had nicknames for each of his children.

The Crowley children got up to lots of antics which occasionally resulted in injuries. One boy broke his arm when he attempted to fly, and another broke a leg when he fell off a plank at Cox and Clifford's damn.

Michael dabbled in mining, however, he primarily worked as a surfaceman for the Tuapeka County Council. For a time in the early 1890s, he also worked as the ranger for the Waipori Commonage.

Michael loved trees and planted many around their home.

On New Year's day 1894, Julia Crowley died aged just 42. Michael died in 1924 aged 79. He is buried in the Waipori Cemetery with Julia, and two of their daughters, Annie Delia Cook 1880-1919 and Elsie Maria Crowley 1887-1937.

They Crowley family were among the last of the Waipori families to leave Waipori as the lake waters rose. You can read more of the Crowley family on pages 94-95 of 'Gold Beneath Dark Waters | The People of Waipori,' by David Still.
Photographer1910-1924DateUnknownRightsThis item is out of copyright. ContributorWaipori Goldfields Charitable Trust

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SubjectsInfrastructurePeople and FamiliesGoldminingPlaceWaipori Goldfields

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Michael Crowley