Michael and Hannah McMahon from Newmarket-on-Fergus in County Clare arrived in Sydney in 1851 with their five children – Honora, James, Matthew, Margaret Mary and Patrick. They settled on a farm at Hilldale near Dungog, called Big Creek. The family later settled at Orara on the Allyn River.
Michael passed away in 1868 and Hannah died in 1883. They were both buried at East Gresford.