Thomas Dwan was born in Roscrea, Tipperary County, Ireland in December 1827 of an old Irish Baronetage and the son of a civil engineer. Owing to the troublesome times that then existed, his father decided to take the family to America; ending up in Canada. Thomas's primary schooling was attained in Canadian common schools after which his parents sent him to the United States where he attended a notable grammar school called 'Whitehall'; believed to have been in Wisconsin. After graduating, Thomas attended the West Point Military Academy where he acquired a command in the United States Army and travelled all over the U.S. in different capacities.

Thomas participated as a Lieutenant in the United States Cavalry fighting with hostile Indians in the Rocky Mountains, at Salt Lake and in California, and on a number of occasions barely escaped with his life. In 1853 and 1854 Thomas was one of 800 officers with the rank of Captain or higher and was one of only twenty that was offered a commission by Prince Gortschakoff, an eminent Russian general, during the Russian war with Poland and France.

When Colonel Thomas Dwan left the U.S. and arrived in Liverpool to accept his commission and join the forces of General Gortschakoff, however, an armistice had been declared and as a result Thomas returned to the U.S. and underwent various experiences throughout the United States in numerous capacities; such as serving as a school master, a purser, working on the Mississippi River, as the owner of a newspaper, a miner, a saw miller and various other jobs.

He was in San Francisco at the time of the invasion of Nicaragua by General William Walker in 1855 and as Walker offered tempting inducements to regular officers to join his expedition. Thomas Dwan, in common with many others, left Uncle Sam's service and joined the invading army who within a short time effected a landing on Nicaraguan soil at Realeio

He was with Walker's expedition in the siege of Revasm the capture of Granada and participated in the battles of Leon, Viejo, Mannqua and others. He participated in no less than fifteen engagements. Walker was an American filibuster who attempted to conquer several Latin American countries in the mid-19th century. Upon the capture of Nicaragua, he appointed himself President of the Republic in 1856 and ruled until 1857. Walker's army, thinned by anepidemic of cholera and massive defections, was no match for the Central American coalition and on May 1, 1857 Walker surrendered to Commander Charles Henry Davis of the United States Navy and was repatriated. Eventually Walker returned to the region and fell into the custody of Captain Salmon of the British Royal Navy; who turned him over to Honduran authorities, who executed him in 1860. It was whilst serving with General Walker that Mr Dwan had
his left leg crushed by a cannon ball.

After Walker lost control of the country, the larger part of the Corps to which Dwan was assigned, escaped by cutting their way through dense jungle to the Caribbean Sea; fighting as they went. Dwan on several occasions was carried from the battlefield; thought to be dead, but he survived. Eventually Dwan and others were taken aboard a British gunboat and transported to Key West, Florida. Instead of returning to America, Dwan returned to Canada, taking with him his Negro attendant, which he set free upon reaching Canada.

Returning to his home in Ireland, Thomas met and married Miss. Catherine Keeshan, often referred to as Kate, on October 24, 1857 at Minchins Glen in the New Chapel of Rosecrea, Ireland. Services were conducted by the Rev. Father Blake and they had four sons; Alonzo William Dwan born in 1858, Patrick John Dwan who died in infancy in 1860, Thomas Beaumont Dwan born in 1861 and Lamartine D'Keeshan Dwan born in 1865.

Thomas Dwan next followed the lure of gold and on November 30, 1857 Thomas and Catherine boarded the ship "West Australian" at Liverpool, England traveling in 'cabin class' and set out for Australia; arriving at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on March 10, 1858. Despite a tiring voyage of three mionths and ten days at sea, during which Catherine was often very seasick, she managed to teach many of her fellow passangers to read, write, add and subtract.

Upon his arrival, Thomas went into business as a mining speculator, storekeeper and journalist. He also organized and drilled a detachment of the prince of Wales Light Horse in Inglewood and subsequently became a Major. It was in Maryborough, Victoria on December 28, 1858 that Thomas and Kate's son, Alonzo William Dwan was born. He was educated at Nelson College and after graduation went to the west coast and took over the "Charleston Herald". After a few years Alonzo sold the Charleston Herald and purchased the "Waikato Mail". After leaving that job he went to Wellington where he went to work for the "Evening Post" and when his father, Thomas Dwan, founded the "Weekly Herald", he took the position there of 'Sub-Editor'. Tiring of newspaper work, Alonzo became a clerk to Mr. Mowatt, Chief Inspector of Machinery, where he worked for the last two years of his life. Alonzo Patrick Dwan, Alonzo Dwan's youngest son, served with the 3rd Battalion New Zealand Rifle Brigade in France as a Signal Sergeant; being gassed and severly wounded during a battle. All of Thomas and Catherine's sons were born in Australia, prior to their migrating to New Zealand.

It has been said that in early 1861 Thomas Dwan, for what ever reasons, found himself back in the United States, in the State of New York, and with the outbreak of the Civil War enlisted on September 24, 1861, into Co. "D" 77th New York Infantry. When his term ran out, he re-enlisted on December 26, 1863. He was promoted to Corporal and then reduced in rank back to a Private, on June 20, 1864 and transferred from Co. "D" to Co. "A" on November 19, 1864; being was mustered out on June 27, 1865 at Washington, D.C.. On official records is name is recorded both as 'Dwan' and 'Duan'; but both specify his regiment as being the 77th New York Infantry, Company "D". This may or may not be true, as there was a Thomas Dwan that served, but no information in New Zealand has been found to confirm he is or is not one and the same; so speculation has been that he is, since he did attend the West Point Military Academy and acquired a command in the United States Army. Recently a grandmother descendant in the United States related that she has a picture of Thomas Dwan, astride a horse, dressed in his 'Confederate' uniform; and in a letter dated September 23, 1993 from Noel Dwan to his cousin Anthony (Tony) Young, he wrote; "One old Photo I remember was of old Thomas in his Confederate uniform on a white horse, sword and all, rather imposing I always thought when I was a boy." So I guess that negates any further speculation.

Noel John Atkinson Dwan, the Grandson of Lamartine Dwan, was born on May 25,1934, was married to Susan Mary Tobin and lived at Roscrea, Cambridge, South Island, New Zealand. Their children included William Thomas Dwan born December 14, 1962; Andrew Leo Dwan born June 23, 1966; Richard Noel Dwan born February 18, 1974 and Catherine Ann Mary May 31, 1967.

In late 1865, Thomas left the United States, sailed to Australia and then with his family sailed aboard the "Shepherdess" to New Zealand. As they entered Constant Bay, however, their ship went aground on Charleston Bar forcing passengers to go ashore in surfboats. Crossing the rugged Southern Alps by coach, horse back and afoot with three small sons, Thomas and Catherine made their way to Wellington aboard the coastal schooner "Rifleman"; nearly wrecking on Cape Campbell and Pencarrow Head, Catherine had had enough. She said, "Here I am and here I stay, I will never put foot on a deck again". Catherine never again went aboard a ship, but Thomas made a number of additional trips to both the United States and to Australia. When the great Volunteer Militia Encampment was held at Sunbury, Victoria in 1865, at which some 2,400 volunteers attended and was viewed by some 10-12,000 spectators, Thomas was there and was given command of a corps of military because of his prior military experiences, and was complimented by General Schute for the smart appearance and soldier like bearing of his men. Lamartine, Thomas's last son, was born on October 4, 1865, in Victoria

In 1865 gold was discovered in New Zealand and Mr. Dwan immediately, on the termination of this encampment, that same year landed at Hokitika, and soon after engaged in business and journalism. He served as an agent for Spence Bros. of Melbourne, Australia, and was authorised to begin business on their behalf at Hokitika and Okarita.

On one occasion Dwan was transporting a considerable amount of money from Okarita to Hokitika on horseback when he was set upon by the notorious "Maungatapu murders gang", Burgess, Kelly, Levy and Sullivan, while waiting in the darkness for the tide to recede so he could go around a bluff on the coast. He drove his spurs into his horse and headed for the sea to escape.

Later Dwan set up a business at Charleston and Westport and became an auctioneer and merchant. Charleston had seventy-two hotels, two breweries, three schools, one hospital, three banks, several churches, a courthouse, dance halls, and the scattered homes of the diggers. There were no casinos as such after the 'eighties, but in their day they were certainly a highlight in the business of Charleston. The takings of some were said to be one hundred pounds per week. There was considerable rivalry for the dance girls and also for the barmaids. The takings at the hotels were so great, that in some cases the tills were not sufficiently large to hold the money, and in one particular instance it is said that the notes were thrown into a small room opening into the bar. Charleston had a newspaper, too, a journal of high literary value edited at different times by Thomas Dwan.

He remained for a number of years in Charleston and was for a long time a joint proprietor with Mr. R,C. Neill in the Charleston Herald. At one point he was to auction off the "Dublin City Gold Claim", but was warned but its owners he had better be absent on auction day as they were going to blow up the place; which they did. After years on the coast of New Zealand, Dwan decided to again return to America and landed at San Francisco. Thomas Dwan twice contested a seat in the New Zealand House of Representatives, and once for the Mayoralty; but was defeated each time; receiving only 202 votes, losing to Mr. George Donne's 225 votes. As a public speaker he was fluent and sarcastic, and as a press writer he was forcible and sometimes facetious. He finally served as a Justice of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand.

In 1875 Dwan again left the states and returned to New Zealand, permanently settling down in Wellington, where he again became an auctioneer for a number of years. In

addition, he started the 'Weekly Herald' newspaper which he operated until he sold out to a Mr. Haggin; living then a quiet life in retirement.

In 1880 Thomas Dwan's sons, Thomas Beaumont and Lamartine De'Keeshan Dwan stopped working with their father and founded their own business, Messrs. Dwan Bros. Hotel Brokers, Valuers and Financiers'; located on Willis Street in Wellington. It was also in 1880 that Thomas Sr. again ran for the office of Mayor, giving his first speech at Newtown; being nominated by Joshua Heard and William M'Lean. In 1881 he trquests to run for two different seats in the House of Representatives; one in the Te Aro Electorate and another in the Thorndon Electorate. He choose to run for the Thorndon seat. In May 1881 he was appointed as Justice of the Peace for the Wellington District.

In 1882 Thomas Sr. was again nominated for political office and a seat on the City Council in the Te Aro Ward; by Mr. Michael Quin and Josheph Whelan. Then in 1883 he was nominated as a candidate for inangahua. Again in 1884 he was in an election against two others in Thorndon, but was low man on the list and his candidacy dismissed as absurb.Dwan received only 121 of 1,136 votes. It was on Wednesday, August 22, 1894 at 5:30am that Thomas's son Alonzo William died suddenly at 36 years of age at his home on Queen Street in Wellington. He had visited the House of Parliament the previous evening and upon going out in the frosty cold air was attacked by a fit of coughing which resulted in the breaking of blood vessels in his lungs. The cause of death was listed as "haemophysis" which brought on "acute adema" which lasted for two hours after which he died; being attended by Dr. Martin. Alonzo had been employed at the time, as a clerk.

Alonzo's funeral began at 2"30pm and proceed to St. Joseph's Church on Buckle Street in Wellington. The service was conducted by the Rev. Father Goggan. The procession to the burial at Karori Cemetery was one of the largest ever held at the church.

Alonzo's Registry of Death list his father as Thomas Dwan and his mother as Kate Keeshan (nee) Dwan and Thomas at that time was employed as a journalist. Alonzo was buried on August 23, 1894 in Karori, New Zeqaland. Alonzo and his wife, Mary Ann Lyford, had been married in Charleston, Nelson, New Zealand and she was 22 years of age at the time of Alonzo's death. He was survived by his wife and five children.

On September 21, 1899 his other son, Lamartine was married at St. Mary of the Angels Church on Boulcott Street in Wellington, to Miss Eva Sherwood. She was given away by Lamartine's father, Thomas Sr. Thomas Sr. was then a very old man, but a valued member of the church choir. Thomas Beaumont Dwan married Amy Rose Miller of Blenheim.

On June 8, 1900 Thomas Sr. was still in good health and a banquet at the 'Eighty Club' in Wellington was given in his honour as a send-off for his trip to America and Europe. It was attended by 80 people, including Acting-Premier Hon. J.G. Ward. Thomas Sr. had served a head of the Charelston Light Horse, as head of the Fire Brigade, had worked as an auctioneer, a pressman, and was Editor and propritor of the Wellington Weekly Herald newspaper. It was at that dinner that the "Parilement of New Zealand" was first proposed by Mr. E.J. Le Grove.

The Weekly Herald was a penny paper, containing thirty-two columns of closely printed matter, on double royal paper, and had a good circulation in the colony. Copies of the Herald also went to England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Germany, Africa, and America. In politics it was liberal, a staunch supporter of the Seddon Government, of the labour party and it contained a résumé of general, political, commercial, and social information. It was well supported as an advertising medium. The Herald machinery was driven by a small 6 h.p. water engine, consisted of several machines, including a City of London patent double royal machine, capable of printing a sheet 33 1/2 X 43 ½ inches. There was also a large variety of news and jobbing type of the most modern style and design, and other conveniences for a jobbing trade.

Arriving in California Thomas joined the staff of 'Alta-California Newspaper' and eventually again went into business for himself. He was also made a life member of the 'Geographical Society of the United States' and visited great cities like Chicago, Paris, St. Louis and others. On July 5, 1900. the 'San Francisco Call' news ran a short announcement relating to Thomas's trip from California to England. Under the headline of "Personal Mention" it reported:


"Thomas Dwan, a former newspaper man of this city, who has spent many years in New Zealand following his profession, is at the Lick. He, Is on his way to London, England, on 'business bent, and will visit the Paris Exposition."

Thomas Dwan suffered for some time with an internal medical problem after his return to New Zealand, and underwent an operation on November 27, 1906 conducted by Drs. James Fell and M'Lean; dieing several hours later. Thomas Dwan died on Tuesday, November 27, 1906 at his residence, No. 15 Nairn Street in Wellington, at 79 years of age. He had come to Wellington from the west coast of South Island and had lived in Wellington for thirty years.


He was survived by his wife Kate, two married sons, Messrs. Lamartine and Thomas B. Dwan, named after his father, of Wellington and six grandchildren. His eldest son, A.W. Dwan, had died earlier on August 21, 1894 at 35 years of age.


His son, Thomas Beaumont Dwan a hotel broker, born in Inglewood, Victoria in 1864, died on April 1, 1933 at age 69, of 'carsinoma of the stomach' (cancer) which he had for eighteen months. At Lewisham Hospital in Wellington. He was buried on April 3, 1933 in the Taita Old Monumental Cemetery in Lower Hutt, New Zealand; grave MO1.27 which is in the Wellington area. He was married to Amy Rose Miller of Blenheim, having gotten married in 1902; folio number 4298.

Thomas Dwan's funeral was held on Thursday, November 29, 1906 at 2 p.m.. His remains were first taken to St Mary of the Angels Church where the first part of his ceremony was held before continuing on to the Karori Cemetery, 76 Old Karori Road, Karori, where he was enterned; attended by hundreds of influential politicians and the public. He was buried in Area 07, Block B, Row 9, Plot 003. Thomas, his wife Catherine, his son Alonozo and Alonzo's son Francis (Frank) are all buried
in the Dwan family plot; in Section 100 E Roman Catholic Plot enclosed by the wall at the Karori Cemetery.

In June 1908 the Dwan family acquired from Italy a magnificent marble monument which was placed on the grave of Thomas Beaumont Dwan, Sr. On January 28, 1910,

three years after he husbands death, Catherine 'Kate' Dwan, the wife of Thomas Beaumont Dwan, Sr. passed away at 80 years of age.

Buried in the same plot as Thomas Dwan, Sr. are his wife Catherine and grandson Francis Thomas, the son of A.W. Dwan, who died on November 14, 1924 at 39 years of age.

In 1924 Lamartine and Eva Dwan celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in a double ceremony, on the same day that his son Leo was married to Miss. Gwendolen Brown of Wellington, using the same Venerable Archdeacon Devoy who had married Lamartine and Eva a quarter century earlier.

Geraldine Severino, Great Great Grandaughter of Thomas Dwan, Great Grandaughter of Alonzo William Dwan

Alexander Turnbull Library, New Zealand

Archives of New Zealand

BUS Cemeteries, New Zealand  

Evening Post, March 1881, New Zealand

Evening Post, February 1882, New Zealand

Evening Post, May 1882, New Zealand

Evening Post, July 1884, New Zealand

Evening Post, August 1894, New Zealand

Evening Post, August 1902, New Zealand

Evening Post, October 1903, New Zealand

Evening Post, November 1904, New Zealand

Evening Post, March 1908 New Zealand

Evening Post, July 1915, New Zealand

Jason Darwin, New Zealand Electronic Text Centre

J. Gregory, New Zealand

Margaret Hurst, Wellington, New Zealand

Michael Humble, New Zealand

National Library of New Zealand

National Parks Service, Soldiers and Sailors Database

New Zealand BMD

New Zealand Free Lance News, New Zealand

Nick Perrin,  Friends of Bolton Street Memorial Park, New Zealand

Papers Past, New Zealand

Peter Carter, NZ Department of Foreign Affairs

Report of the Adjutant General of New York

The Cyclopaedia of New Zealand, Wellington Provincial District

The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Wellington, September 1939

Thomas Dwan, Death Records, New Zealand

Thomas Beaumont Dwan, Death Records, New Zealand

Timaru Herald, December 1881, New Zealand

Westport Times & Star, 1906, New Zealand

With Walker In Nicaragua Or Reminiscences Of An Officer Of The American

         Phalanx, 1909

77th New York regimental Roster