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The physical legacy she left behind, the Victoria Hotel, remains and is solid proof that women played not only
an essential role in the social life of the Top End but also in its economic development.
D E Kelsey, The Shackle: A Story of the Far North Australian Bush, 1975; ‘An Old Man’s Reminiscences’, 1939 (Mortlock Library);
Northern Territory Times and Gazette, September 1890 and various other issues; SA Marriage and Death Records; NT Shipping Records
(NT Geneological Society).
BARBARA JAMES, Vol 1.
RYAN, JEREMIAH (JERRY) (c1841–1874), blacksmith and axeman of Bowden, South Australia and
Palmerston, Northern Territory, was born in about 1841 in Kilfeakle, County Tipperary, Ireland, the son of Jeremiah
Ryan and Alice, nee Dwyer. He arrived at Port Adelaide on 16 July 1857 on Navarino as a free immigrant. He was
apprenticed to a blacksmith, Thomas Cahill, who was later to be best man at his brother’s wedding in 1867.
He married in 1868 to Mary Ambroise Dwyer (c1843–1901), daughter of Denis and Catherine Dwyer.
On completion of his apprenticeship, Ryan apparently joined his brothers John and Edward in the South
Australian Lands Department where they were employed on the south-east drainage scheme, coming under the
notice of the then Surveyor-General of the colony, G W Goyder.
In 1868 Jerry Ryan sailed with his brothers Ned and John as members of the survey party under Goyder to
the Northern Territory. He was member of one of the survey parties of which J W O Bennett was an officer.
When Bennett and the cook, Guy, were attacked by Aborigines and speared, Guy grabbed Ryan’s revolver and
fired it repeatedly to scare them off. Bennett subsequently died of his wounds.
Ryan remained in Palmerston with his brother Ned and some of their workmates after the main party returned
to Adelaide in September 1869. With his skills, he was able to contribute to the material comforts of the residents
living then in what can only be described as primitive conditions. As one instance of this, he assisted Charlie Fry
in repairing the piano of the Government Resident’s daughter, Harriet Douglas. He also assisted Arthur Ashwin to
outfit his gold-seeking party by helping to rebuild a suitable waggon.
Ryan died of diphtheria on 17 July 1874 when only 33 years of age. His widow and two babies eventually
returned to Adelaide, where she remarried. He is buried at Palmerston Cemetery, Darwin, although his grave is
unmarked.
A Ashwin, From South Australia to Port Darwin with Sheep and Horses, 1870–71, 1936; F Clune, Overland Telegraph, 1955; H Daly, Digging,
Squatting and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, 1887; D Lockwood, The Front Door, 1968; Out Letter Book,
Government Resident, Palmerston, 1970–1910, SAA.
J A RYAN, Vol 1.
RYAN, JEREMIAH ALFRED (1867–1936), cook, butcher, farmer and District Clerk of Virginia, South
Australia, was born on 12 November 1867, in Adelaide, the son of John Ryan, labourer, of Kilfeakle, County
Tipperary, Ireland. The sisters of St Joseph of Virginia and Christian Brothers College, Adelaide educated him.
He purchased twenty-four hectares near Virginia in February 1898. His spouse was Florence Martha Mayes
(1872–1961) daughter of Levi Mayes (1849–1919) and Fanny, nee Brooks (1850–1936). They were married in
1893 at St Ignatius Church, Norwood, South Australia.
When seventeen years of age Ryan left his father’s farm at Virginia and signed on as cook with his uncle
Edward Ryan, who was foreman of a government well-sinking party in the far north of South Australia and the
Northern Territory. Ryan stayed with the party for four years and left to return to Adelaide when Ryan’s Well was
completed in September of 1889.
Working again on his father’s farm after his return he eventually took up retail butchering in 1892, serving local
residents from a horse and cart. He bought land opposite his father’s property in February 1898 and then expanded
his business activities to include that of general commission agent, concentrating on agricultural goods.
Ryan took a keen interest in the public life of the Virginia district. He was elected a life member of the
Two Wells Agricultural Society after 40 years continuous association. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in
1906, a high honour at the time. Other activities included the literary society, agricultural bureau, school committee
and the institute committee. Associated with the Munno Para West District Council from 1915 for four years as
a councillor and subsequently as clerk of the council until it merged with the Salisbury Council in 1934. He also
acted as council’s auditor for 20 years, was a member of the local school committee, president of the Virginia
Institute for 10 years and secretary of the local branch of the Repatriation Committee since its inception. He was
also coroner for the district.
Jeremiah died at his home ‘Marylands’, Virginia, in 1936.
Civic Record of South Australia, 1921–24; Virginia, the Garden on the Plains, 1976; Adelaide Advertiser, 1936; Outletter Book, Conservator
of Water, 1883–90, SAA.
J A RYAN, Vol 1.
RYOLA: see RRAIWALA