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In 1862 Thomas Whelan joined his brothers Michael and James on a sortie to Otago, New Zealand, when they travelled to investigate the new gold fields there. However this brother chose not to settle in New Zealand, as we next find him in Melbourne on the happy occasion of his wedding.
Thomas married Mary
Elizabeth Murphy on 16 July 1871 at the new St. Patrick’s church in Melbourne,
declaring his age as 30, although possibly it was nearer 33.
Mary, who was born in Country Clare, Ireland was aged 21 at the time of their marriage and her profession was dressmaker. Her father’s name was William Murphy, a bootmaker and her mother Mary Ann Murphy (nee Mary Ann Wallace). Both bride and groom lived in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton, Thomas in Rathdowne Street and Mary in Madeline Street.
Thomas was a carter or driver, and he and Mary remained in Carlton where they welcomed four little Whelan boys into the family. Sadly both parents died at an early age. Her two youngest boys were only 8 and 10 years old when in 1887, the 36 year old mother (Mary Elizabeth Whelan) died in the East Melbourne Hospital. Within four years, Thomas left to cope with the family, had succumbed to the terrible disease of ‘Phthisis’ (the tuberculosis so rampant at the time). The 49-year-old father died in the Melbourne General Hospital and was buried the next day in the Melbourne General Cemetery.
The four children of Thomas and Mary Whelan:-
Thomas William Whelan born c.1871, married Letitia Gleeson.
James Francis Whelan born c.1873, married Frances Catherine Sheil.
Michael Francis Whelan born Jun 1875, married Caroline Peskett.
Joseph Michael Whelan born 12 Aug 1877, married Mary Kate Sheil.