March, 2024
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The Letters of the Donovan’s of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Today, is the third anniversary of our founder Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) death. If Danny was still with us he would be pouring over the University of Galway’s recently launched digital repository of thousands of Irish emigrant letters from the late 17th century to the mid-20th century. These letters and documents were collected by Kerby A. Miller. Known as the IMIRICE project it is an on line archive of correspondence and documents to and from the Irish diaspora in North America. Kerby A. Miller, similar to our own Danny Dowling collected the letters and documents for over five decades. Professor Miller donated his collection to the University of Galway Library.
The Library is now seeking contributions of other emigrant letters, in particular those written in Irish, and letters and memoirs written in any language by emigrants from the Gaeltacht. So if you have old letters, cards etc. from emigrated kin in North America please consider providing a copy to the University of Galway Library.
Glenmore Letters
Placing Glenmore in the search feature on the site revealed three letters:
1. 3 May 1878—Bridget Donovan née Sheehan of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa.
2. 3 October 1884—Mary Donovan, Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehy [Sheehan], Fort Dodge, Iowa.
3. 28 March 1895—Maggie Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her cousin Edward [Philip Edmond] Sheehan, US.
James Sheehan/Sheehy (1837-1892) native of Deerpark, Mullinavat
In addition to the letter itself the archivist recorded information provided by the letter donor. James Sheehan (1837-1892) was the son of Philip and Mary Sheehan, born on 15 Feb. 1837 at Deerpark, Mullinavat. Additionally there are 19 others letters to James Sheehan in the collection that were written by his parents, cousins and friends. James was apprenticed into the coopers’ trade (barrel maker) at an early age. James emigrated c. 1858 first to Newfoundland where he remained for 4 years. He moved to Boston in 1862, where he had relatives at Ipsich. He then went to Albany, New York. In 1868, he went to Dubuque, Iowa to another cousin and on to Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1871. [Fort Dodge was established as a town in 1869.] On 25 November 1873 James married Catherine Loftus of County Mayo, and the couple reared five sons. He died in Fort Dodge in April 1892 and is buried in Corpus Christi Cemetery of Fort Dodge.
Glenmore Authors
What we are going to focus on today are the Glenmore authors and the information provided in these letters concerning the Donnovan family of Gaulstown, Glenmore. We have attempted to maintain the spellings and punctuation of the IMIRCE transcriptions of these letters, however this has proven challenging with auto correct. Please refer back to IMIRICE. It is a wonderful resource.
Bridget Donovan née Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Letter 1 dated 3 May 1878. The author of this letter if Bridget Donovan née Sheehan/Sheehy (c. 1829-1902) of Gaulstown, Glenmore to her brother James Sheehan, Fort Dodge, Iowa. The body of the letter is 287 words, and reflects the struggles Bridget was experiencing in Glenmore. Although Bridget lived through the Great Famine she wrote in 1878, “Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland.” “I never knew what it was to be in want until now.”
Notwithstanding the information supplied by the donor of the letter, the Mullinavat parish records reveal that James Sheehy was baptised at Mullinavat on 27 January 1837. He was the son of Philip Sheehy and Mary Maddigan of “Park.” Interestingly an identical baptismal record is in the Kilmacow parish records. We were unable to find a baptismal record for his sister Bridget Donovan née Sheehy/Sheehan (c. 1829-1902) or their brother Edmond Sheehy.
We did find Bridget’s marriage record. Bridget Sheehy married Patrick Donovan (c. 1817-1900) of Gaulstown, Glenmore on 12 February 1861 at Mullinavat. Witnesses were Edmund Aylward and Nancy Sheehy. In a letter dated 4 September 1861, their father Philip Sheehy, of Deerpark, Mullinavat wrote to James “I wish to tell you that Bridget is happy and her husband Patrick Donovan is as kind a man as you could wish your sister to be married to … I wish to tell you that Bridget lives within a mile and a half of Glanmore on the road between Ross and Waterford & in Gaulstown about 6 miles from Deerpark.”
Thus, at the time Bridget wrote to her brother James in 1878 she was about 49 years of age and had been married 17 years. Interestingly, in the 1901 Census although Bridget recorded that she could speak Irish and English and could read, she declared that she could not write. Who wrote the letter for her and why did her father in his own letters to James state that “his sister” would be writing to him?
Glenmore Letter 1
Dear Brother James;
After a long, long silence I again chance this letter to you, hoping it may find in good health. I often wonder at how you would not write to me, as you cant but know what comfort a letter from you would give me. I trust you will answer this when you receive it, and let me know how you are going on. I am sure you would like to know how myself and family are, but I regret to say that I have no cheerful account to give you. My poor husband is always delicate; the pains are continually tormenting him. You are aware that our family is large and helpless. Last year was about the worst I ever remember in Ireland. The crops had little produce—the potatoes were an entire failure. By great struggling we got to put down the crops this year bit I don’t know how we can live util harvest time. My brother has my eldest girl, and he helps me with a horse but that is all he can afford to do. I just thought if you were aware of our great poverty you would in charity try to send me some relief. God know my poverty, and He would reward you abundantly if you would kindly assist me. May God help us. I never knew what it was to be in want until now. Oh, my dear Brother if this letter reach you don’t be unmindful of your poor sister’s distress if you can help me. We join in love and prayers for you, and hope to hear from you soon.
I remain your fond sister Bridget Donovan. We send our love and wishes to your mistress.
Family of Patrick and Bridget Donovan of Gaulstown, Glenmore
We know that Patrick and Bridget Donovan had 7 daughters and 1 son perhaps the large number of daughters is what Bridget referred to as her family being “helpless.” We were able to locate birth records for 5 of the children: [1] Mary Donovan (b. 18 Feb. 1862); [2] John Donovan (b. 24 Oct. 1863-January 1905); [3] Alice Donovan (b. 13 Feb. 1870); [4] Johanna Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) and [5] Margaret Donovan (b. 5 April 1872) twin to Johanna.
Glenmore Letter 2
Letter 2 dated 3 October 1884. Written by Mary Donovan (b. 1862) Gaulstown, Glenmore to her uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa. Mary was the eldest daughter of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan née Sheehy. The body of this letter is 326 words. Based upon the letters in the collection, Mary did not have the writing and spelling skills of her grandfather Philip Sheehy or her mother or the person who wrote for her mother.
Dear uncle I take the liberty of sending you these few lines hoping to find you and your family in good health as those lines lave me and my Mother and Father and Brother and Sisters at present thank God for his mercy to us all dear uncle I am treting with a long time to rite to you for my Mother often speaks of you and she would like to hear from you and your wife and to now how you are getting on in the world or have you any family for herself has her family all reared the youngest is ten years we are gone on well in the world now thank God but she got her one share of the world while she was rearing us for Father was very delicate but now my Brother is able to take his part he is as big a man as is in one parish with him. John is his name. She have only one sun and seven daughters. I am the eldest cald after your mother and the second is with her uncle Ned [Edmond Sheehy, Bridget Donovan’s brother in Deerpark, Mullinavat] he have no family there is another serving her time to be a dress maker and fore gone to school my Mother is wering very well and my uncle also there is no one in Park but himself Pat is gone to Australia about two years ago I will tell you all about Park in my next letter.
Dear Uncle the land lague is gone on very strong now in Ireland we had a grate meeting in Mullinat on Sunday dear Uncle don’t think that it is expecting any thing from you that I am only a letter and send me that if you please and let me now have you any family my Mother wish to be remembered to your wife no more at present from yours true nees Mary Donovan, Gaulestown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny rite soon if you plase.
Glenmore Letter 3
Letter 3 dated 28 March 1895. This letter was written by Maggie Donovan, the second youngest child of Patrick Donovan and Bridget Donovan (McDonald) (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore, to her first cousin (eldest son of her Uncle James Sheehan of Fort Dodge, Iowa). The body of the letter is 406 words. Maggie in this letter provides that out of the 8 children she is the sole child at home. All of her sisters emigrated to the United States. She provides the married names of her four married sisters and reveals that her brother John had to be institutionalised after falling ill.
March 28th 1895
Dear Cousin Edward,
I suppose you will be surprised to get a letter from me. I am your Aunt Bridget’s daughter and I had a letter from my Uncle he sent me your address and tol me torite to you. I was very sorry to hear of your Father’s death the poor man did not hold long. My mother wishes to now all about his death how he took sick and what happened to him. Please rite when you receive this note and let me know all about your family how many are there and how is your mama. Our family consists of eight. Seven girls and a boy. Six girls in America. Four married two in Brooklyn Mrs. James O’Keeffe, and Mrs. Edward Dunphy, one in New York Mrs. F.C. Donnely, and the other married girl has a farm of 170 acres in Florida. She live their in winter and in New York in summer her name is Mrs. T.C. Huntington they all have family my other two sisters are working in New York. I had but one brother he went to America also and staid only 8 months he came home got sick and lost his mind he is very bad in the Asylum 2 years next June he was a heart brake to us all they are no one at home only me out of all. I live with my Father, Mother, and Aunt and we have a little farm and is doing the best we can to keep it for Brother as we have hopes he will be home soon with the help of God. My Father is a man of 76 years, Mother is 64 and Aunt is 74. So you see they are three old feeble people I have on my care. I am the second youngest of the family. I am twenty years last mounth. Unkle expect a letter from you every day he is very well all my friends are well and war sorry for your Father’s death may he rest in peace. Will you please rite by return of post and let me know all about yea. My Mother wishes to get a picture of you if you have any one taken please send it in the letter. I will send all our pictures as soon as I get them taken. I will expect a letter by the last of next month please don’t riting.
I remain Dear Edward your cousin Maggie O’Donovan (Gaulstown, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland, via Waterford). Please excuse my scribbling as I am in a hurray. Goodbye XXXXX
Margaret “Maggie” McDonald née Donovan (1872 -1951) of Gaulstown, Glenmore
Maggie’s brother John Donovan (1863-1905) does not appear to have ever left the Asylum from when he entered circa 1893. He died of TB in the Kilkenny Lunatic Asylum on the first of January 1905. His age at death was recorded as 40, his marital status was bachelor, and he was listed as a farmer from Mullinavat rather than Glenmore.
The delicate Patrick Donovan died at the age of 82 on 14 November 1900 at his home in Gaulstown, Glenmore. His widow, Bridget Donovan née Sheehy died on 21 June 1902 at the age of 71. Five months later their daughter, Margaret “Maggie” Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore married John McDonald (c. 1869-1945) of Slieverue on 17 November 1902 at Glenmore. John McDonald was the son of William McDonald (deceased farmer).
John McDonald and Maggie McDonald née Donovan, of Gaulstown, Glenmore had at least four children: [1] Alice McDonald (b. 7 Jan. 1904); [2] Patrick McDonald (b. 28 Aug. 1906); [3] Catherine McDonald (b. 8 Aug. 1908); and [4] Bridget McDonald (b. 6 Oct. 1910).
Margaret McDonald née Donovan lost her husband John McDonald on 15 January 1945. John McDonald was 76 when he died. Margaret died on 28 November 1951, aged 78.
For further information on members of the McDonald family see our M Glenmore surname page.
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Please send corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. For further information regarding Fort Dodge, Iowa see, fortdodgehistory.com. The featured photo above is an old post card of Fort Dodge, Iowa c. 1900.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
More Glenmore Fishing
Fifty years ago this past week, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Denis Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore (DD Notebook 31, Interview 6 March 1974 at Doherty’s of Milltown). Denis Murphy was a lifelong resident of Milltown, never married and worked as a labourer and fisherman. See our earlier post of 18 July 2020 for other information concerning Glenmore fishing and weirs.
Denis “Dinny” Murphy (1901-1986) of Milltown, Glenmore
Denis Murphy was the son of John Murphy (labourer) and Catherine “Kate” Merrigan (1859- ? ) who married on 21 April 1893. Kate was the daughter of Michael Merrigan (c. 1820-1891) and Mary Merrigan née Morrisey (sic) (c. 1823 -1885) of Milltown. See our M family surname page for further information on the Murphy families. See our post of 21 May 2020 regarding the Merrigan family of Milltown.
Denis Murphy was known as Dinny. During his 1974 interview Dinny recalled 26 cot crews salmon fishing on the River Barrow during one season about 58 years before his interview (i.e c. 1916). Dinny explained that there were four men in each crew, thus there were 96 men salmon fishing locally during that particular season.
The 26 cot crews fished from the following locations:
New Ross—15 crews
Ling Voor—3 crews
Gap—4 crews
Shanbogh Stocks—4 crews
Dinny reported that in the early 1930’s “he sold gilíns (pale)” to the locals at Ballygurrim cross. A gilín or pale are terms for young salmon. The price of gilíns was low. The price then went up to 6d. per pound, and Dinny bought some gilíns to sell at this price. The locals bought his supply but told him not to bring anymore at that price because the price was too high.
Local good cot makers were identified by Dinny as Ned Grace of Forristalstown and Patsy Aylward of Shanbogh.
Dissolving a Fishing Partnership
Dinny’s grandfather, Mikey Merrigan (c. 1820-1891) of Millstown, and Bill Roche ( c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown (Main Roche’s father) bought a cot together. “Bill Roche was a most contrary and cantankerous man and a bully.” On one occasion the crew in which Roche and Merrigan were members got into a dispute over a salmon they caught. Roche got contrary and told Merrigan that they would have to dissolve the partnership. As they owned the cot together Merrigan decided that either one or the other should buy out the other’s share.
The cot cost £12. This sum included the timber, fittings, and the making of it. “When it came time to pay the other off, Roche refused to agree to anything except that the cot had to be sawn in half. The cot was thereupon sawn in half.” Mikey Merrigan sold his share, or half of the cot, to “one of the Shivawns in Forristalstown who made a cattle trough out of it.” Does anyone know which family in Forristalstown had the nic-name Shivawns?
In 1979 Danny interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) who told a similar story concerning Bil Roche insisting on a jointly owned cot being cut in half. In Nicky the Miller’s version the other party was Patsy Hennebery (Mártín) of Jamestown. They fished together for at least one season and Patsy Henneberry decided to go with another crew. He asked Roche, “How will we settle about the cot? Roche replied “we can do nothing with her except cut her in halves.” No matter what Henneberry suggested, Roche would not agree, in the end Henneberry, rather than see it cut in halves, left it to Roche.
Bill Roche (c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown, Glenmore
William Roche (c. 1814-1894) of Jamestown married Mary Murphy on 27 June 1844. The couple had 8 known children. The oldest four were born at Forristalstown and the last four were born at Jamestown. [1] William Roche (b. 1845); [2] William Roche (b. 1850); [3] John Roche (b. 1854); [4] Mary or Main Roche (b. 1855); [5] Patrick Roche (b. 1858); [6] Patrick Roche (b. 1860); [7] Anastatia Roche (b. 1863) and [8] Ellen Roche (b. 1866).
Main Roche married Thomas Walsh (aged 26) of Haggard on 21 January 1886. Thomas was the son of Edmund Walsh (labourer). There is a section of a Glenmore road still known locally as Main Roche’s hill. If you exit Glenmore on the Cappagh Road the incline you encounter as you pass the turn off to the new Glenmore N25 roundabout is Main Roche’s hill. Main Roche would have travelled along this road coming and going to Glenmore. Does anyone know why this stretch of road became known as Main Roche’s hill?
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The feature print above is a cigarette card depicting a salmon. The drawing of Annagh’s Castle is courtesy of the Dublin Penny Journal (30 Jan. 1836, available at https://www.jstor)org/stable/30003343) and two cots are depicted in the drawing. Annagh’s Castle is located on the River Barrow half way between New Ross and Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Natives in San Francisco
On the 16th of December 1969, Danny Dowling (1927-2021) interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) regarding Nicky’s father’s siblings. In this interview Nicky identified four Glenmore natives that emigrated to San Francisco. Three remained in San Francisco and one returned to Glenmore (DD Notebook 2). Today we are featuring Jack Raftis (1862-?); Laurence Forristal (1863-1906); Bridget Forristal née Dowling (1860-1929); and John Forristal (1865-c. 1915). See our previous post of 14 January 2024 for other Glenmore natives who emigrated to San Francisco.
Jack Raftis (1862- before 1925) of Rochestown, Glenmore
Jack Raftis was the son of Robin Raftis (c. 1826 -1908) & Bridget Raftis née Mullally (c. 1827-1881) of Davidstown, Glenmore. Robert “Robin” Raftiss (sic) married Bridget Mullally of Davidstown, Glenmore, on 4 February 1856. Robin was a native of Burkstown, Mullinavat. The couple reared six known children in Davidstown including: (1) Patrick Raftiss (sic) (b. 1857; (2) Richard Raftis (b. 1860); (3) John “Jack” Raftis (b. 1862); (3) William Raftis (b. 1864); (4) Mary Raftis (b. 1865); (5) Bridget Raftis (b.1868); and (6) Margaret Raftis (b. 1870).
According to Nicky the Miller Forristal, Jack Raftis as a young man went out to San Francisco and worked with Nicky’s uncles Larry Forristal and John Forristal.
The San Francisco Years
Jack Raftis went to San Franciso and worked with Larry and John Forristal on the docks. “He was not able to stick it.” Jack then took a job working for a farmer who lived 3 or 4 days by horseback from San Francisco. There were only a few roads and they were really only rough tracks. Jack’s day started at 4 a.m. and he worked till 10 p.m. He worked a four horse team pulling a double sodded plough. The fields he ploughed were 5 or 6 miles long (DD Notebook 2).
If Jack showed up five minutes late for breakfast at 4 a.m. he would be abused by the farmer. He spent 4 or 5 years with this farmer and saved his money which was £60 per year. Jack found it easy to save his wages as he had no way to spend them. There was no Mass to attend nor could he meet friends. Jack was only able to get into San Francisco about once a year. He came home in the 1890’s with about £300 (DD Notebook 2).
Nicky described Jack Raftis as a big, able man. His brother Pat was called Pod and farmed the home farm in Davidstown (DD Notebook 2).
Return to Glenmore
After Jack returned to Glenmore he married Catherine “Kate” Gahan (1859 -1925) of Rochestown on 27 February 1900. The bride’s father was Joseph Gahan (c. 1814-1896) of Rochestown.
Jack and Kate farmed the Gahan farm in Rochestown. Kate was known for her temper and was also known for placing curses on neighbours who annoyed her. Kate is also locally remembered for how she handled her husband Jack’s death. Jack died before 1925 in their home in Rochestown. Jack’s brother Pod (Patrick) came down from Davidstown to cut the corn. Kate never told her brother-in-law that his brother was dead in the house. Pod worked that day within sight of the house where his brother laid dead and only learned of his brother’s death later.
Laurence Forristal (1863-1906) & Bridget Forristal née Dowling (1860-1929)
Nicky the Miller Forristal’s uncle, Laurence “Larry” Forristal married Danny Dowling’s great-aunt, Bridget Dowling of Jamestown, Glenmore. Nicky described his Uncle Larry as a big man and he emigrated to the USA right after getting married.
Laurence Forrestal married Bridget Dooling of Jamestown on 7 June 1883 at Glenmore. Laurence was the son of Patrick Forrestal (farmer)(Ballyverneen) and Bridget was the daughter of Patrick Dooling (farmer). Laurence was baptised 30 Oct. 1863 at Ballyverneen son of Patrick Foristal and Ellen Kennedy. Bridget Dowling was born 6 January 1860 at Jamestown the daughter of Patrick Dowling and Biddy Neddy Coady. For further information on the Widow Dowling (Biddy Neddy Coady (1831-1916)) see our post of 7 November 2021.
1900 in San Francisco
No records could be located indicating how the Glenmore newlyweds journeyed to San Francisco. The first US Census that survives containing the newlyweds is the 1900 Census. This Census provides that Larry and Bridget were living at 25 Bryant St., in San Francisco. Both reported their ages as 35 although we know from the Glenmore baptismal records that Bridget was 3 years older than her husband. Larry reported that he was born in December 1864 and Bridget was born in October 1864. The couple had 13 children but only 6 were alive in 1900. They were married 19 years, and they had been in the US 19 years. Larry worked as a Long Ironworker.
Their six surviving children were: (1) William Forristal (b.c. 1882); (2) Mabel Forristal (b.c. 1883); (3) Edward Forristal (b.c. 1888); (4) Laurence Forristal (b.c.1889); (5) Patrick Forristal (b.c. 1894); and (6) Catherine Forristal (b.c. 1896).
Larry’s brother, John Forristal (1865-c. 1915) was the youngest of the Ballyverneen Forristal family. Nicky the Miller Forristal described his Uncle John as a big man. John attended St. Kieran’s College in Kilkenny City. “His father was thinking of making a priest out of him.” John instead emigrated to San Francisco and joined his brother Larry working on the docks (DD Notebook 2).
John Forristal in the 1900 Census was aged 34. He reported that he was born in August 1865, and lived as a boarder on Howard St. He emigrated to the US 13 years earlier and was naturalized. John worked as a longshoreman and in the previous year he was out of work for 6 months.
John Forristal never married and died in San Francisco when he was 50 or 60 years of age according to his nephew Nicky the Miller Forristal. We were not able to find a death record or obituary for John in San Francisco.
San Francisco 1906
The 1903 City Directory lists John Forristal residing at 48 Federal St., and Lawrence (sic) and his family living at 47 Federal St. In 1905 young Patrick Forristal was 13 and employed with other boys to clean a boiler on a steamship in the harbour. The boiler exploded and Patrick was injured, but managed to drag one friend to safety. An inquiry ensued regarding why young boys were exposed to such dangers and the newspaper noted that the employer said that Patrick was big for his age (The San Francisco Examiner, 10 Dec.1905 p. 1). We know from the 1940 Census that Patrick left school to go to work when he was about ten years of age.
Lawrence Forristal died in March 1906, a little over a month before the earthquake that destroyed the city. He was aged 43 years and six months old. He was survived by his wife Bridget and his six children: Edward; Lawrence; William; Patrick; Katie and Mabel. His death notice stated that he was a native of County Kilkenny and was a member of the Riggers and Stevedores’ Union (The San Francisco Examiner, Mon. 12 Mar. 1906, p. 6). Larry was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery and his grave has no marker.
The Kilkenny People (Sat. 28 April 1906, p. 5) noted that over 100 people from Thomastown were residents of San Francisco when the earthquake struck. Many Thomastown families anxiously awaited news after the earthquake. Rev. Thomas Comerford, sent a cable to his brother Edward Comerford stating “all well here..”
Given that Patrick Forristal was working at age 10 it appears that the family finances were difficult even before Larry’s death. Undoubtedly even with the help of John Forristal, the Widow Forristal struggled after her husband’s death. The 1909 City Directory lists Bridget as a widow living at 553 Texas St., Edward and Laurence lived at home and were working as stevedores. Her brother-in-law John was residing at 311 Main St. However, by 1920 Bridget owned her home on Texas St. Unfortunately prior to her death in 1929 she buried her son Laurence in 1925 and watched her son Edward’s marriage fall apart after Laurence’s death.
The San Francisco Forristal Children
(1) William Forristal (b.c. 1882).
Very few records could be found regarding William. We were able to locate records that William was employed in the US Panama Zone from 1910 to 1912. William Forristal entered duty on 22 April 1910 in the US Panama Zone. He worked in the Engineering Department earning $83 per month as a steamship fireman. He was discharged on 3 June 1912.
The 1921 City Directory lists William as living at home at 534 Texas St. and employed as a steamship fireman.
(2) Mabel Forristal (1897-1963) (Sr. Mary of the Angels)
In the 1920 Census was aged 22 and working as a stenographer for a hardware company. The 1921 City Directory provides that she was living with her mother at 534 Texas and was employed as a bookkeeper. Sometime before 1925 Mabel entered the Poor Clare’s Order and became Sister Mary of the Angels. In the 1930 Census, of Oakland Calif., Mabel was residing in St. Joseph’s Monastery of Poor Clare’s, on 34th Ave. Per the California Death Index (1940-1997) Mabel Forrestal was born on 6 July 1897 and died 11 Dec. 1963 at Santa Clara, California. Her mother’s maiden name was Dowling
(3) Edward Francis Forristal (b. 1886)
Edward Forristal married Mary Roche in 1917 (San Francisco Examiner, Thurs 27 Sept. 1917, p. 4). When Edward registered for the WW1 Draft he gave his address as 3454 17th St., San Francisco. He listed his birthdate as 16 Nov. 1886, and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Forristal. He was aged 32, worked as a Rigger and Stevedore, but he did not provide the name of any employer. In late 1925 Mary filed for divorce (The Recorder, 14 Nov. 1925, p. 6). It is not known if the couple had any children.
(4) Laurence Forristal (c.1889-1925)
In the 1920 Census, Laurence was single, living with his mother at 534 Texas and working as a fireman on a steamship. Very little is known about Laurence other than he died at the age of 37. His obituary provides few details concerning his life or death.
The San Francisco Examiner, Thurs. 24 Sept. 1925—In this city, Sept. 22, 1925, Laurence beloved son of Bridget Forristal, loving brother of Edward, William and Patrick Forristal, Mrs. D.W. Allman and Sister Mary of the Angels, Poor Clara’s Convent, a native of San Francisco, aged 37 years.
Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral parlors of Ryan and Carroll, 435 Valencia St. thence to St. Teresa’s Church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, commencing at 10 a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.
(5) Patrick Joseph Forristal (1892-1944)
In the 1920 Census Patrick was living with his mother at 534 Texas, was single, and working as a fireman on a steamship. His WWI Draft Registration Card provides his date of birth as September 9, 1892. He was employed as a Rigger and Stevedore. He claimed an exemption as he supported his mother. Patrick was single of medium build, medium height, brown hair and brown eyes. Patrick served in the military.
In an application for Seaman’s Protection Certificate, PJ Forristal, discharged from the US Army, aged 26 on 3/17/1919 was 5 feet 11 inches tall, and served aboard the American vessel Kinta. He was described as having a ruddy complexion with brown hair and brown eyes. He had a tattoo on his right arm.
In the 1940 Census Patrick reported that he left school after the 5th grade. He would have been about 10 years of age. Patrick’s WWII Draft Registration Card provides that he was aged 50 and residing at 27 Clay St, San Francisco. He gave his date of birth as 17 March 1892, and stated he worked as a longshoreman for Waterfront Employers. His next of kin was his nephew, Paul Allsman, of 2244 Kirkham St., San Francisco.
The California Death Index provides that Patrick Forristal (17 March 1892-17 May 1944) died in San Francisco. His mother’s maiden name was Dowling. Patrick’s obituary was short. The San Francisco Examiner (Tue. 23 May 1944, p. 15)—Forrestal —in this city, May 17, 1944, Patrick J., beloved son of the late Bridget Forrestal, loving brother of Sister Mary of the Angels and Katherine Hagan, uncle of Paul Allsmen; a native of San Francisco, a member of I.L.W. U., Local 110. Friends are invited to attend the funeral Wednesday. Time announcement later from Duggans; 3434 17th St.
(6) Catherine Elizabeth Allsman Hagan née Forristal (1895-1975)
On 14 October 1914 Catherine married Daniel Webster Allsman (1884-1937) a native of Missouri. Their only child, Paul Edward Allsman (1916-1994) was born 10 June 1916 at San Francisco. Daniel Webster Allsman died 19 June 1937 leaving Catherine a widow at the age of 42. Catherine on 30 January 1941 married Willam “Bill” Hagan who died 8 October 1951 in Capitola, Santa Cruz, California (Santa Cruz Sentinel, Wed. 5 Feb.1941, p. 3).
A year after her first husband died Catherine travelled to Ireland with her son. They passed through Ellis Island on 24 July 1938. Catherine recorded that she was 42 and a widow. Her address was 2244 Kirkham, San Francisco. Her son Paul Edward Allsman travelled with her. Paul’s WWII Draft Registration Card indicates that he was a student at the University of San Francisco.
It is not known if Catherine and Paul while in Ireland in 1938 visited their kin in Glenmore.
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo is courtesy of the Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. (1862 – 1963). San Francisco from the bay Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/5e66b3e8-b0eb-d471-e040-e00a180654d7
Dr. Katheen Moore Walsh