1860’s
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From Danny’s Files: A Glenmore Bigamy Case
In the voluminous files of Glenmore Historian Danny Dowling (1927-2021) a small newspaper clipping was found regarding an 1866 Glenmore bigamy case. In attempting to find further information in the contemporary newspapers it was shocking the number of bigamy cases that were reported in Irish newspapers in the 1860’s. Perhaps the most famous of all was the cases involved the Honourable William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883) later to become the 4th Viscount Avonmore.
We shall briefly outline this famous case because it caused the law in Ireland to change, and it provides context for some of the questions asked in the Glenmore bigamy case. Most of the following information regarding the Yelverton bigamy case came from an article by Rebecca Gill (citation below).
Thelwall v. Yelverton
William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883) was a major in the British Army and met Maria Theresa Longworth (c. 1832-1881) in 1852 on a steamer between France and London. Theresa, as she was called, had completed her education at a French Convent and was returning home to England after visiting her married sister in France. Her father was a wealthy Manchester silk manufacturer. Yelverton and Theresa corresponded and according to Theresa exchanged vows in Scotland. Subsequently, while visiting Rostrevor, County Down they were married by a Catholic priest on 15 August 1857. Theresa was Catholic, but Yelverton was a Protestant.
Yelverton and Theresa lived together in France until April 1858 when Yelverton was recalled to the Army. He left Theresa pregnant in France. There are conflicting reports, but apparently the child did not survive. On 26 June 1858, Yelverton publicly married a widow, Mrs. Emily Marianne Forbes née Ashworth, in Holy Trinity Chapel, of Edinburgh, Scotland. Emily was the widow of Professor Edward Forbes (1815-1854) the famous Isle of Man naturalist.
In September 1861, Theresa through a friend brought a case against Yelverton in Ireland, alleging that Yelverton was married to her. Yelverton responded that there was no ceremony in Scotland and that the Catholic ceremony in 1857 was merely a blessing to ease Theresa’s conscious. The three jurisdictions of England, Ireland and Scotland had different marriage laws. At that time a Catholic priest could not perform a mixed marriage between a Protestant and a Catholic or legally marry two Protestants (19 Geo. 2.c.13).
After a ten-day trial the jury in Ireland decided in favour of Theresa’s Scottish and Irish marriages. Eventually the case went to the Law Lords who ruled in Yelverton’s favour in July 1864. This case led to the enactment of the Marriage Causes and Marriage Law Amendment Act 1870 which made valid any marriages performed by a Catholic priest subject to the usual provisos of the civil law. The Civil registration of all marriages, births and deaths in Ireland became required after 1 January 1864 (An Act for the Registration of Births and Deaths in Ireland). (Rebecca Gill (2004) “The Imperial Anxieties of a Nineteenth Century Bigamy Case,” 57 History Workshop Journal 58-78: Oxford University Press).
(For further information and details on this famous case and photos see, Morvern French (2018) “The Curious Case of Longworth v. Yelverton” Historic Environment Scotland; Albert Nicholson, “Maria Theresa Longworth (c. 1832-1881),” 34 Dictionary of National Biography, para. 126 and Edward Irving Carlyle, “William Charles Yelverton (1824-1883)” 63 Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, para. 318
The Glenmore Bigamy Case
The Kilkenny Moderator (Wed. 17 January 1866, p. 3) reported that in the Rosbercon Petty Sessions under Resident Magistrate, J. Moore Esq., a considerable amount of time was spent investigating a charge of bigamy made against John Delahunty, alias Keating. The charge was brought by Constable Powell, of the Glenmore R.I.C. station. “It appeared that this man, passing by the name of Delahunty, had settled sometime since at Glenmore, and there contracted matrimony in the Roman Catholic Chapel, with a woman named Bridget Power.” [We believe that Constable Powell was William Powell (c. 1808-1880) who became the first Post master of Glenmore after he retired from the R.I.C., see our post of 24 November 2019.]
The constable reported that he received some information which led him to proceed to the Barony of Iverk and there made inquiries. He was led to ascertain that the same man, then calling himself “John” Keatings, had in the year 1861 in Owing chapel married Judtih Walsh. Soon thereafter “he forsook her” and left the locality. Unfortunately the constable did not divulge or the newspaper did not publish the information that set Constable Powell to investigate the defendant.
The Constable brought forward the two wives, and the two Roman Catholic Clergymen who had officiated at the two marriages. The defendant was identified. Mr. Moore took the information of the witnesses, and committed the defendant to the county gaol to be tried for bigamy at the ensuing county Assizes. “The other business before the court was of an ordinary character.”
Notwithstanding that bigamy was not considered an ordinary criminal case very little detail was revealed in court or at least not in the newspaper accounts regarding the defendant or his two wives.
The Trial of the Glenmore Bigamist
In the Kilkenny Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 March 1866, the bigamy trial against Michael/John Keating alias Delahunty, was held. The Kilkenny Moderator (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2) reported on the trial the following day in one paragraph. Thankfully the Kilkenny Journal (Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2) published a much longer and detailed account of the trial. This longer account was also published later in the Waterford Citizen (Fri. 16 March 1866, p. 3).
Baron Deasy, and a petty jury, tried Michael Keating alias John Delahunty for bigamy. The defendant had been “indicted for that he, having on the 10th of June 1860, married Judith Walsh during her lifetime he again remarried with Bridget Power. The prisoner, who was undefended, traversed.” (Traversed is an old legal term meaning that the defendant was disputing the facts.) The Crown was represented by Mr. Wall, Q.C.
The Rev. Matthew Brennan, P.P., Tulleroan, examined by Mr. Wall Q.C. testified that in 1860 he was curate of the parish of Ooning (sic). He produced the Owning Parish Register which contained an entry of the marriage of Michael Keating and Judith Walsh on 10 June 1860. The entry was in his handwriting, but he told the court that he could not identify the prisoner as the Michael Keating he married in 1860.
John Finnean, testified that on 10 June 1860, he was a witness to the marriage of the defendant to Judith Walsh, by Fr. Brennan. Judith Walsh he stated was still alive.
The Rev. John Delahunty, C.C. of Rosbercon, and formerly of Glenmore, produced a private book which contained a list of marriages he performed in Glenmore Chapel. It contained an entry for the marriage of John Delahunty to Bridget Power, on 1 July 1861. Fr. Delahunty could not identify the defendant as John Delahunty who he had married in 1861..
Patrick Henneberry testified that he was present when the defendant, calling himself John Delahunty was married by Fr. Delahunty on 1 July 1861 to Bridget Power.
Catherine Rourke, also testified that she had been a witness to the second marriage and observed the parties subsequently living together as man and wife.
Bridget Power, the second wife, testified as to the marriage in Glenmore, and having lived with the defendant as his wife. She testified that they had no children and they were both Roman Catholics. She stated that she never knew of the defendant being of any other religion.
The defendant in his attempt at a defence made a “rambling statement to the effect that he was declined to be married to the last witness, and told the priest that he was a married man. However, as they persisted in telling him that he might get married, he thought it was no harm to do so.”
The jury “without hesitation” found the defendant guilty of bigamy, and he was sentenced to penal servitude for five years (Kilkenny Journal, Wed. 14 March 1866, p. 2).
Sent to Mountjoy
Four convicts were transferred from the Kilkenny County gaol on Monday the 26th of March to Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, including: “Michael Delahunty, alias John Keatings convicted at the recent Assizes of bigamy (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 28 March 1866, p. 3).
The Two Marriages
Without a date or place of birth it is impossible to determine much about the defendant. However, we were able to ascertain some facts concerning his known two marriages.
Marriage 1
According to the Parish Register on 10 June 1860 at Templorum, Co. Kilkenny, Michael Keating married Judith Walsh of Curramore. Witnesses to the marriage were John Finacane and Mary Conolly. Then on 20 September 1860 Anastatia Keatine (sic) was baptized at Dunnamaggin to “John Keatinge” and his wife Judith Walsh. Godparents were listed as James Murphy and Catherine Donovan. The address provided was Kiloganny. Thus in the space of 3 months Michael became John, and Judtih Keating née Walsh moved from Curramore north to Kiloganny. The child is not mentioned in the newspaper accounts of the trial. It is likely the child was not alive in 1866 or for whatever reason the birth of the child was concealed from the investigating constable.
Marriage 2
On 1 July 1861, at Glenmore, John Delahunty married Bridget Power. The only information provided in the Parish Register is the names of the witnesses: Patrick Henebary and Kate Rourk.
Thankfully, the surname Rourke or O’Rourke is not a common name in Glenmore. It is generally found in the townland of Weatherstown. Catherine Roork (sic) was baptized on 24 December 1846 at Glenmore, to Michael Roork and his wife, Bridget Bolger. Their address is simply listed as Glenmore. Godparents were James Bolger and Honor Mullins.
We then sought baptismal records for the more common name of Bridget Power looking for girls born about the same time as Catherine Rourke. Bridget Power, of Weatherstown, was baptized 7 February 1844, at Glenmore, to Thomas Power and his wife, Mary Walsh. Godparents were Patrick Fitzgerald and Nancy Fitzgerald. If this is the correct Bridget Power she was only 17 when she married in 1861 and was 22 when she learned her marriage was a sham.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Cursed Ship “Woodstock”
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) for over 70 years recorded what people told him about Glenmore or other places in the Southeast of Ireland. Most of the time he recorded the name of the person who provided information, the date and place of their conversation. Often the notes Danny made were recorded in small notebooks he carried or on the back of documents or on envelopes etc. Danny jotted down notes whenever he encountered anyone who was willing to share information whether it was on the bus, in a pub, in a shop or café or on the street.
One of the notes that Danny recorded concerned “Catherine White” who died on 15 March 1940 at Malgrove Road, Ferrybank when she fell off of a roof. She was aged in her seventies and was married to Paddy Freeman. In September 2025, a Freeman family member contacted us with a correction. Catherine Freeman née White did not die from falling off a roof. Her husband Paddy Freeman died on 6 October 1900 after he fell from the roof of the Waterford Tramore Train Station. He was employed as a carpenter for the railway and was repairing the roof when he fell to his death. See our F Surname page for the newspaper account of his Inquest.
Peter White (1816-1862) and Mary White née Cavanagh (c. 1814 -1881)
This correction led to some of the most interesting research concerning a cursed ship called “Woodstock.” Catherine Freeman née White’s parents were Captain Peter White (1816-1862) of Rosbercon and Mary Cavanagh (c. 1814-1881). Her parents were married at Rosbercon on 21 February 1844. Unfortunately, the marriage record does not provide the names of their parents nor does it provide the address of the bride.
Mary White née Cavanagh (c. 1814-1881)
We believe that Mary White née Cavanagh may have been the daughter of John Cavanagh and his wife Bridget Ribby of Ballyveria, Glenmore who was baptized on 4 April 1815 at Glenmore. If so, she had a brother Patrick Cavanagh baptized 5 March 1811, at Ballyvera (sic) Glenmore.
Known Children of Peter White and Mary White née Cavanagh
Catherine Freeman née White erected a headstone in the Shanbogh Cemetery that provides some information concerning her parents, her husband and her siblings: Martin, Johanna and Mary Joseph. See our Roots page for a photo of the headstone and transcription of the inscription. The other names were obtained from baptismal records and reflect the family moved to Waterford City and then to Slieverue. One of their addresses in Waterford was on Phillip Street off of the Manor (1847 Tithe Applotment Book, The Manor, Waterford City).
[1[ Nicholas White, bapt. 13 Nov. 1844 at Trinity Within, Waterford
[2] Peter White, bapt. 4 January 1847, St. John’s, Waterford
[3] Martin White, bapt. 9 Sept. 1849 at St. John’s, Waterford died 2 July 1882, aged 53 (per the death register Martin White of Rose Lane, died in the Lunatic Asylum of TB).
[4] Mary Joan, bapt. 11 July 1852, St. John’s, Waterford, died young.
[5]Johanna White, bapt. 18 Oct. 1855, Slieverue died 10 Aug. 1893, aged 33.
[6] Catherine Whyte (sic) bapt. 14 June 1858 at Slieverue. Kate White married Patrick Freeman at Slieverue on 28 September 1891. Patrick Freeman died 6 October 1900 aged 38 years. Kate died 15 March 1940.
Capt. Peter White (1816-1862)
Records associated with the British Merchant Navy provide that Peter White was born on 11 March 1816 at Rosbercon. He first went to sea around 1831 or about the age of 15. He obtained a Masters Certificate of Service (No. 48.536) on 1 February 1851 at Gloucester. From newspaper articles and his daughter’s obituary Captain Peter White worked for the William Graves & Sons, shipping company of New Ross, Waterford and Liverpool.
The firm of William Graves and Sons owned and operated ships which traded between U.S. and Canadian ports and those in Britain and Ireland. They carried goods such as timber from Canada and tobacco, molasses and cotton from the United States. During the Famine and other periods of emigration they loaded their western bound ships with emigrants. The usual routine was an eastward voyage from Canada or the U.S. to Liverpool where the cargo was discharged, The ship sailed to New Ross where emigrants were taken on for the return journey. (Jim Rees (2006) “Surplus People from Newcastle and Ballyvolan,” 5 Greystones Archaeological & Historical Society). From 1861 to 1865 the southern ports of the United States were blockaded by the Union Navy as the country engaged in a bloody Civil War. This blockade foiled the shipping of cotton, tobacco and curtailed molasses all southern commodities.
“The Bolivar of Waterford”
While researching James O’Neil (1857-1933) of Rochestown, Glenmore, (who went to sea as a young man), Captain White was the master of a ship called “The Bolivar of Waterford.” It was a barque. [A barque was a sailing ship with three or more masts with the fore mast, mainmast, and any other masts rigged with square sails. It was a popular type of ship because it required a smaller crew.]
The Cork Examiner (10 Oct. 1842, p. 4) reported that emigrant ships “Despatch” and “Boliver” from Waterford arrived at Quebec in September 1842. In 1848, Lloyd’s List (11 March 1848, col. 8) reported on Reports from the Receiver, under the Salvage Act at Ramsgate on the 8th of March. “BOLIVAR (Bark) of Waterford, in Penarth Roads; deposition of Peter White, Master [1485]. This was also reported in the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette (Tues. 14 March 1848). It is assumed that there were queries regarding the condition of this ship, and Captain White was deposed regarding same. In December 1848 the “Bolivar of Waterford,” was put up for auction under the mortgagees. The ship was built at Milford (Prince Island) in 1826.
The brig “Velocity of Waterford”
Four years after leaving the Bolivar, the Waterford News (Fri. 2 January 1852, p. 3) published the following article regarding Captain White and the brig “Velocity of Waterford.” [A brig was a two-masted ship with square sails on both masts. Brigs were popular because of their speed and maneuverability.]
“The brig “Velocity,” Captain Peter White 56 days from Waterford, with 72 passengers (all well), arrived New York on the 9th December. The “Velocity” experienced strong Westerly gales during the whole passage, and had a New York pilot on board several days, unable to get in. Three days previous to her arrival here, she was in Philadelphia river, being forced to run there in a gale of wind. The passengers speak in high terms of the kindness and attention paid to them during their perilous voyage. The “Velocity” is taking in a cargo of wine and rum at this port for Dublin” (Waterford News, Fri. 2 January 1852, p. 3).
The “Woodstock of Liverpool”
The Waterford News & Star (Fri. 20 Feb. 1863, p. 3) reported on the death of Captain White in November 1862. It appears that another ship saw the “Woodstock” and stopped to provide aid. Captain White and a seamen were reported dead, and 14 of the crew were ill with scurvy. The date of the deaths were not reported in the newspaper.
“Caldera, Jan. 4—The ship Swansea, Woods, master, which arrived here on the 25th ult., from Swansea, reports having descried a ship in distress Nov. 29th, in lat. 51 def. S., and long. 70 deg. W.; they bore down upon her, and found her to be the Woodstock, ship, of Liverpool, from Sunderland for Calao, 169 days out, with master (White) and one seaman dead, and 14 others of the crew down with scurvy, only 6 being able to work. Supplied them with potatoes, pickles, and a chart of the Falkland Isles, where the Woodstock intended to fetch.“
“The ship Woodstock, mentioned above, is the property of the Messrs. Graves, of Waterford, New Ross, and Liverpool, and the numerous class of citizens, to whom the late master, Peter White, was known, will read with the deepest regret of the demise, under such melancholy circumstance, of as sterling and upright a seaman as ever sailed over the perilous ocean. Gentle, generous, and humane were the combinations which guided the conduct of his life, and in his death the desolate family which he has left in this city to mourn over his fate, will ever have cause to deplore the loss of a husband and a father of the most estimable and enduring qualities. The deceased had been for about 15 years in command of ships trading from this port and elsewhere to North America.“
The other man who died on the “Woodstock” in November 1862 was William Thomas Hepton, the son of Mr. Hepton, druggist, of Whitby (Yorkshire Gazette, Sat. 18 April 1863, p. 9).
“Woodstock” Placed for Sale
In general, inquests for deaths at sea were held in the home port of the ship. The home port of the Woodstock was Liverpool. In searching for reports of inquests in Liverpool newspapers etc, it appears that the Woodstock never returned to Liverpool. In the shipping intelligence reports published in 1863 and 1864 the ship sailed to New York and then on to Quebec where it was placed for sale. It was for sale from at least September to November 1864.
The sale ad provides a good description of the ship. It was built in Quebec in 1850 of the choicest “Heckmatac.” (sic) It had a coppered clad hull, and held an A1 class in red, of 375 tons. It was 151.7 feet in length; 31.4 feet in breadth and 21.9 feet in depth.
The Demise of the Woodstock
The Woodstock was sold and its home port became Hull in the UK. In early 1868, the Glasgow Evening Citizen (Mon. 20 Jan. 1868, p. 2) (see also Freemans’ Journal, Tues. 21 Jan. 1868, p. 3) reported on the destruction of the ship and the murder of its Captain.
“THE LOSS OF THE SHIP WOODSTOCK. The Eastern Morning News says that this vessel was reported wrecked about three weeks since at Manche d’Epic; that eight or nine men were drowned, including the captain and two mates; and that the remainder had saved themselves on some timber, but were badly frozen. From the following letter it will be seen that the captain’s body has been recovered and that in all probability a cruel murder has been committed. It is very evident that a mutiny had broken out, and that the ship was lost in consequence.”
“Fox River, December 16, 1867.
Wm. Hyman, Esq., J.P., Grand Greem. Dear Sir, –This is to inform you that our men and boat from the wreck Woodstock have brought four wrecked seamen, including the chief surviving officer. All their feet are badly frozen. There still remain two at the place where they were wrecked, one of whom will attempt to come down in about ten or twelve days; but some say it will be some time yet before he can be moved. It appears when the body of the captain was found he had his throat cut, and it is supposed be had a great deal of money about his person. —ln haste, yours, JOHN DE ST. CROIX.”
The Leeds Mercury (Sat. 4 Jan. 1868, p. 11) reported on the loss of the Woodstock and her crew. “The following dispatch was received at Hartlepool on Sunday—’Quebec, Dec. 13—The ship Woodstock, Captain Caswell, from this port to Grimsby, has been totally wrecked near the Magdalen River, Gaspe. Cargo strewn along the beach. Master, two mates and five men drowned. Ten men saved, badly frozen.‘”
The Woodstock, of Hull, was bound from Quebec for Grimsby with a cargo of timber. It was reported that eight of the seamen of the wrecked ship Woodstock arrived at Hamilton, Ontario, from Mount Louis. Five of the seamen had to be left at Mount Louis because they were too ill for removal. People in that neighbourhood are in a state of destitution almost incredible (The Hamilton Spectator (Ontario, Canada), Wed. 15 Jan. 1868, p. 2).
“The names of the men drowned by the wreck of the ship Woodstock, of Hull, are John Caswell, aged 30, master, Hull; William Hallet, 35, mate, Liverpool; John Farr, 29, second mate, Hull; William Currie, 28, steward; William Elliott, 35, able-bodied seaman; R. Davies, 30, able-bodied seaman; L. Foote 17, ordinary seaman and James Kelley, of Quebec” (The Hull Packet, Fri. 3 Jan. 1868, p. 6).
Apparently Captain John De St. Croix’s determination that Captain Caswell was murdered did not lead to a murder trial, or at least one was not reported in the various newspapers that reported on the ship wreck and loss of life.
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Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Gerald Warren for his assistance with this research, and Kieran Cronan of SETU for his assistance with the Wm. Graves and sons archive.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Culliton Brothers of Niagara Falls, N.Y. & Natives of Kilbride, Glenmore
While researching a shipwreck an obituary from a New York newspaper revealed two Glenmore brothers who emigrated to Niagara Falls, New York in the late 1860’s. The name Culleton was long associated with Kilbride, Glenmore although sadly it has become “extinct” in the townland as Danny Dowling (1927-2021) would have said. What Danny meant was that the name was no longer present although there are descendants present. We have found several different spellings of the name Culleton/Culliton/Coleton etc.
In Kilbride there were two Culleton families. Perhaps the families had nicknames to distinguish them. If you are aware of how locals distinguished the two Culleton families please comment below. The oldest located Culleton baptismal parish records reflect two families in Kilbride. Michael Culleton, of Kilbride, was baptized 27 July 1777, the son of Michael Culleton and his wife Eleanor Grant. Eleven years later another Michael Culleton was baptized in Kilbride on 13 January 1788, the son of James Culleton and his wife Mary Haberlin. James Colleton (sic) and Mary Haberlin of Glinmore (sic) were married at Slieverue on 17 April 1784.
Michael Culliton (1843-1907) Native of Kilbride, Glenmore
The obituary that revealed the Glenmore brothers was published in the Niagara Falls News (11 Feb. 1907, p. 1).
Michael Culleton—The death of Michael Culleton, which occurred at the family home, No. 1517 South Avenue, at 2:10 o’clock this morning, removes a highly respected citizen of this city. He was born at Glenmore, Kilkenny County, Ireland, August 10, 1843. He came to this country in 1869, and to Niagara Falls in 1873. He was for many years in the employ of the Erie railroad as a baggageman at Suspension Bridge. He resigned this position and entered the milk business. He was forced to give this up on account of ill health and sold out to the Niagara Dairy company, in which he was at the time of his death a large stockholder. Mr. Culleton has for many years served as a flagman on the Pine Avenue crossing of the Erie railroad.
Deceased is survived by one brother, James Culleton of Buffalo, four daughters and three sons, all of this city, and his death will also be regretted by a large circle of friends. He was a man of unusual intelligence and estimable character. He was a member of the C.M.B.A. The funeral will be held from the Sacred Heart Church Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock. Interment will be made in St. Mary’s cemetery. [To view Michael’s headstone see, Findagrave.]
It is of interest to note that the first horse ever used by the Niagara Falls fire department was purchased from Mr. Culleton.
From the above obituary it appeared that Michael was a widower. However, an obituary from the Niagara Falls Gazette (11 February 1907) revealed that he was survived by his spouse, but the Gazette made no mention of the horse he sold to the fire department.
“Michael Culliton, a resident of this city for the last 40 years died at his home no. 137 South Avenue this morning. The deceased was 63 years old. Besides his wife he is survived by four daughters Alice, C.; Nellie G.; Margaret W. Culliton and Mrs. Daul (sic) Curry and three sons James V.; Thomas F.; and Edward J. Culliton, all of this city. The deceased was for a long time employed by the Erie railroad but of late had engaged in the milk business.“
The 1900 Census
The 1900 Federal Census provided that Michael Culliton was born in August 1843, and emigrated to the U.S. in 1865. His wife, Anastasia was born in August 1850, and she emigrated in 1870. The couple were married 27 years (c. 1873) and 8 children were born, but only 7 children were alive in 1900. The family lived at 1317 South Avenue, Niagara Falls, New York.
Michael Culliton’s Family
From cemetery markers etc. we were able to glean that Anastasia Culliton’s (1850-1919) maiden name was Costello. The children were: (1) James Culliton (1874-1920); (2) Mary A. Culliton (b. 1876); (3) Thomas Culliton (b. 1878); (4) John J. Culliton (1882-1882); (5) Nellie G. Culliton Albright (1883-1950); (6) Margaret W. Culliton Savage (1884-1964); (7) Edward J. Culliton and (8) Joseph Culliton (b. 1887).
For interesting information concerning, Niagara Falls, New York, see “The Movement to Save Niagara Falls,” (2025) on New York Almanack website.
James Culliton (1847-1927) Native of Kilbride, Glenmore
The Buffalo News (Wed. 10 Aug. 1927, p. 29) published the following obituary which highlighted some important events that occurred in Buffalo while James lived there.
“James Culliton—One of the first Buffalonians who had his residence “north of Cold Spring,” has passed from the neighbourhood which was a wilderness when he went to live there 48 years ago. He is James Culliton, who celebrated his 79th birthday a couple of weeks ago on the same spot, 2977 Main Street, where he first settled in Buffalo in 1879.
Born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, Mr. Culliton came to America in 1869 at the age of 19. He first located at Niagara Falls, where he was employed for a time by the New York Central. In a few years, he went to work for the Erie railroad, moving to Buffalo where he continued in that Company’s employ for 51 years. [Editor’s note–Buffalo is approximately 20 miles from Niagara Falls, New York.]
Buffalo’s greatest growth has come during the span of close to half a century during which Mr. Culliton lived here. He saw its population more than double and Central Park Region change from an uninhabited area of woods and fields to one of the principal residence sections of the city. President McKinley’s assassination and the public upheaval which followed were all a part of Mr. Culliton’s memories of earlier Buffalo.
Mr. Culliton is survived by four sons and three daughters, all residents of Buffalo. They are: Edward H.; William C.; Richard J.; Joseph E.; and Miss Catherine M. Culliton; Mrs. Hannah Madigan and Mrs. John Brennan. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 9 a.m. from Saint Joseph’s Church, 3269 Main Street. Interment will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The Rev. Joseph Schemel, pastor of Saint Joseph’s will officiate.” To view James’s headstone see Findagrave.
James was a widower at the time of his death in 1927. His wife, Johanna died in 1918. (The Buffalo Times, Fri 1 Nov. 1918, p. 13).
Mrs. Johanna Culliton—The funeral of Mrs. Johanna Culliton, who died at her late home, No. 2977 Main Street, will be held tomorrow morning at 2 o’clock (sic), from St. Joseph’s Church, Main St. Mrs. Culliton was born in Ireland, and came to this country 40 years ago, residing first at Niagara Falls. She had been a resident of Buffalo for 29 years. She was one of Buffalo’s most respected and esteemed residents and hosts of friends mourn her sudden and unexpected death. She is survived by four sons, William C., Richard, J.; Edward H.; and Joseph Culliton, and three daughters, Mrs. Jeremiah Brennan; Mrs. S.V. Madigan; and Caroline Culliton. Interment will be at St. Mary’s cemetery, Niagara Falls.
Thus, James was buried in Mount Calvary of Buffalo and his wife was buried in St. Mary’s of Niagara Falls, however no grave could be located for Johanna Culliton (c. 1853-1918).
1910 Census
In the 1910 Federal Census, (Buffalo Ward 17) James Culliton was 61 years of age and recorded that he had been married for 40 years. He emigrated in 1870 and was naturalized. His wife was Johanna and she emigrated from Ireland in 1868. They had 10 children and 7 of the children were living at the time of the 1910 census. James worked for a railroad as a section foreman.
James Culliton’s Family
Identifying the children of this family proved difficult because it appears that in different census the children were identified by different names and family members were identified with different dates of birth. For example, in the 1900 Federal Census the father James was reported as being born in September 1850 and his wife Johanna was born in January 1853. In the 1880 Federal Census James was 32 (b.c. 1848) and Johanna was 30 (b.c. 1850). It was recorded that James could not read or write which may explain the different dates given across various records. Known children located in Census and cemetery markers include: (1) James Culliton (b.c. 1871 per 1875 State Census); (2) Mary Culliton (c. 1874) married Jeremiah Brennan in 1902; (3) William C. Culliton (c. 1875-1955); (4) John Culliton (b.c. 1877); (5) Edward H. Culliton (1879-1960); (6) Richard J. Culliton (b.c. 1881); (7) Catherine Culliton (b.c. 1885-1947); (8) Johanna “Anna” Culliton Madigan (b.c. 1886) and (9) E. Joseph Culliton (1886-1935).
The Culleton Families of Kilbride, Glenmore
Michael Culliton (1843-1907) and his brother James Culliton (1843-1927) were baptized respectively at Kilbride, on 11 August 1843, and 9 June 1847, the sons of James Culliton and his wife Mary Murphy. To determine which Kilbride family the brothers belonged we examined headstones for both families as well as parish records.
Family A–Johnny Culleton line
Johnny Culleton (1911-1998) m. Maggie Reid (c. 1918 -2009)
Johnny’s parents: James Culleton (1867 -1962) m. Hannah Grace (c. 1873 -1950)
Johnny’s grandparents: John Culleton (1836-1882) m. Bridget Walsh (c. 1876 -1917)
Johnny’s great-grandparents: James Culleton (c. 1807 -1847) m. Mary Murphy
Thus, Michael Culliton (1843-1907) and James Culliton (1847-1927) were Johnny Culleton’s (1911-1998) great uncles or Johnny’s grandfather John’s brothers.
Family B–Jim Culleton line
Given the names Michael and James it was initially believed that the two brothers were from Jim’s line. We have included this line for completeness. For more information on this line see our post of 26 August 2024 and 8 October 2020 concerning Patrick Culleton (b. 1848) the son of Michael Culleton and his wife Ellen Morrissy.
Jim Culleton (c. 1927-2012 m. Anna Brennan ( c. 1933- 2025)
Jim’s parents: Michael Culleton (1878-1968) m. Alice Hartley (1895-1982)
Jim’s grandparents: James Culleton (1845-1912) m. Margaret O’Connor (c. 1840-1918)
Jim’s great-grandparents: Michael Colleton (sic) m. Ellen Morrissy
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Special thanks to everyone who was contacted today for information including: Michael Roche; Paschal Roche; Mary Doherty née Culleton; Michael Hoynes and Ann O’Rourke.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo of Niagara Falls, New York, is courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “The great cataract of Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.A. [Hand-colored view. 1850-1930]” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/cbe58960-c55c-012f-c5eb-58d385a7bc34
The photo of the tug pulling a ship through ice at Buffalo, New York in May 1869 is courtesy of the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Tug and vessel in the ice, May 1869.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed October 18, 2025. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/cca47580-c553-012f-ee68-58d385a7bc34
Irish Tenant League: Glenmore Attendees 1869
Trying to find information concerning ancestors beyond dates of birth, marriage and death is often difficult. Every once in a while a newspaper article can be located that provides interesting details concerning an ancestor. Today, we are going to feature a list of Glenmore men who attended an Irish Tenant League rally in Kilkenny City in October 1869.
“Magnificent Demonstration”
On the 18th of October 1869 “a truly magnificent demonstration” took place in Kilkenny City. The purpose of the demonstration was the land question and the support of the “fixity of tenure and fair rents.” To put this into context, the Irish Tenant League was established in 1850 and demanded the 3 F’s: fair rent, fixity of tenure and freedom of sale. At the 1869 Kilkenny demonstration several speakers referenced Gladstone’s proposed legislation. The Gladstone Land Act became law in 1870 and provided some protection from arbitrary evictions.
The Waterford Mail in covering the 1869 Kilkenny demonstration wrote, “Kilkenny has spoken, and spoken in accents not to be misunderstood. No uncertain or equivocal sound characterised the splendid demonstration of this day. From all quarters of the county, near and remote…the People the source of all legitimate power, the faithful, industrious people—the cultivator of the soil, flocked in thousands upon thousands until the spacious Parade, flanked by the walls of Ormond Castle, was one dense mass of human beings. Fine, respectable, orderly men they were. No wild revolutionists they. No communistic ideas occupied their thoughts. Their one object, their sole aspiration was Justice! Justice in the complete overthrow of “felonious landlordism.”
Banners held included “Gladstone, Bright and Gray,” “Fair Rents,” and “Fixity of Tenure.” Not less than 60,000 were present according to the newspaper. After several speeches, motions were made and a County Tenants’ Right League was formed. In addition to the politicians named in the article several hundred people near the stage were named including the following Glenmore men. More importantly the newspaper provided their respective townlands (Waterford Mail, Wed. 20 Oct. 1869, p. 2).
Glenmore Attendees
[1] Rev. James Aylward, P.P., Glanmore (sic)
[2] Thomas Murphy, Kearneybay
[3] Wm. Rowe, Ballyhobuck
[4] Michael Cody, Carrigcloney
[5] James Walsh, Rochestown
[6] James Aylward, Rochestown
[7] Peter Kennedy, Rathanure
[8] Nicholas Mullins, Gaulestown
[9] James Irish, Ballinclare
[10] Edmond Aylward, Ballinclare
[11] Robert Raftis, Davidstown
[12] Patrick Walsh, Grogan
[13] R. Dogherty (sic), Coolnaleen
[14] Michael Fitzgerald, Knockbrack
[15] Walter Grant, Haggard
[16] John Aylward, Parkstown
[17] Denis Phelan, jun., Ballyfacey
[18] Thomas Freyne, Kilbride
[19] Wm. Fitzgerald, Wetherstown (sic)
[20] Patrick Hogan, Wetherstown
[21] James Malone, Wetherstown
[22] John Mullins, Flemingstown
[23] Martin Walsh, Ballybahey (sic)
[24] Daniel Dowling, Busherstown
[25] Patrick Forristal, Ballyverneen
[26] Martin Hoyne, Carrigcloney
[27] J. Fitzgerald, Aylwardstown
[28] R. Kennedy of Rathanure
[29] John Walsh, Ballylamy (sic)
[30] Richard Cody, Ballycroney
[31] Richard Phelan, Mullinahone
[32] James Freyne, Kilbride
[33] Luke Roche, Haggart (sic)
[34] John Kirwan, Ballyrahan
[35] Thomas Mullally, Parkstown
[36] Patrick Ennet, Cappagh
[37] Richard Barron, Carrigcloney
[38] Thomas Freyne, Catsrock
[39] Richard Walsh, Ballyfacey
[40] John Merregan (sic), Milltown
[41] James Dogherty (sic), Forristalstown
Further related blog posts that may be of interest to readers:
For further lists see our lists pages.
See our blog post of 11 July 2020 for general Glenmore newspaper articles from the 1860’s.
See our blog post of 30 January 2022 regarding Glenmore’s St. Stephen’s night stabbing in 1864.
For inquests of Glenmore residents in the 1860’s see our posts of 29 August 2021 and 21 October 2021.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Search for Missing Friends, Part II
Last month we highlighted six entries that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) found in a set of books entitled The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot. These books were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston. Today, we are going to highlight several more Glenmore related entries. The original missing person advertisements are in italics and where possible we have listed the baptismal date and parents of the missing emigrant. Readers can access Part I published 13 February 2022 by clicking on the date. Most of the missing emigrants below are from the 1850’s and appear to have fled the famine and lost contact with their family as they attempted to seek opportunities in the US on the eve of the Civil War.
(1) James Roche, native of Ballyfascie (sic), Glenmore, the following advertisement was published in the Boston Pilot on 6 March 1852 (Vol. II, p. 186)
James Roche, native of Ballyfascie, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who sailed from Waterford 1st of May 1849 & landed in Quebec. When last heard from was in Peru, Clinton County, N.Y. Any information from him will thankfully received by William Gaul, North Brookfield, Worcester County, MS.
We located two possible James Roche’s from Ballyfacey. (A) James Roche (bapt. 13 July 1834) son of James Roche and Ellen Costelloe of Ballyfacy, Glenmore, and (B) James Roche (bapt. 23 Sept. 1826) son of Richard Roche and Catherine Mullins of Ballyfacey, Glenmore.
While searching for records on the above James Roche we came across some other Glenmore Roches missing in the US in the 1850’s.
(2) Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, advertisment in the Boston Pilot was published 8 Feb. 1851 (vol. II, p. 16).
Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny who sailed for Quebec in June, 1849, and not heard from since. Any information of him will be thankfully received by his brother, James Roach, care of James Coughlan, South Groton, Ms.
Although we could not locate anything on Martin Roach in the US we did find a James Roach (aged 25) in the 1855 Massachusetts State Census, for Newton, Middlesex, Mass. This James Roach was living with the Lord family who were merchants.
(3) James & Martin Roach, of Ballyfacey, Glenmore, advertisment published in the Boston Pilot on 11 Oct. 1851 (Vol. II, p. 126)
James & Martin Roach, from parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. The first left Ireland 1st May, 1849, in the Lavina for Quebec; the other left 29th June 1849, in the Alert, for Quebec. Any information respecting them will be thankfully received by their brother Patrick Roach, Peoria, Ill.
We did not locate a Martin Roche from Ballyfacey, but we did locate one from Ballyhobuck (bapt. 10 April 1829). This Martin Roche was the son of John Roche and his wife, Catherine Corcoran.
In the 1870 Census for Peoria, Illinois we found a Patrick Roach (aged 33) employed as a miner and married to Johana (aged 31). The couple have a 3 year old daughter Anna. In the 1880 Peoria Census, Patrick is working as a labourer, provides his age as 45 and Johana’s age is also recorded as 45. Their daughter’s name is recorded as Anna Stacey (aged 13), but it is more likely Annastatia.
(4) Martin Malone, native of Glenmore, this advertisment was published in the Boston Pilot on 4 Dec. 1858 (Vol. IV, p. 319)
Martin Malone, a native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, when last heard from was in Albany, New York, 8 years ago. His wife Ellen (maiden name Morrissey) is anxious to hear from him, care of M.O. Grady, Canandaigua, New York.
An Irish wedding record was found for Martin Malone and Ellen Morrissey. The couple were married on 6 November 1847 in Rosbercon. Martin Malone’s address at the time of the wedding was listed as Kilbrahan. A daughter, Ellen Malone was baptized on 30 March 1849 at Rosbercon. According to the advertisment Martin emigrated in 1850 and his wife appears to have followed in 1858.
(5) Margaret Murphy (bapt. 1834) of Ballinlammy, Glenmore, the advertisement below was published in the Boston Pilot on 1 Aug. 1855 (Vol. V, p. 218)
Margaret Murphy, of Ballinlammy, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who sailed from Ireland in 1855, and landed in Quebec, Canada. Any information respecting her will be thankfully received by writing to her brother Nicholas Murphy, Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois.
Danny Dowling’s mother was a Murphy from Ballinlammy. Nicholas and Margaret Murphy were his mother’s aunt and uncle. Per the Glenmore church records Margaret Murphy was bapt. 13 July 1834. For further information on Nicholas Murphy (1836-1917) see our page “Finding Glenmore Needles in US Haystacks” by clicking here.
(6) Thomas Powers of Glenmore, this advertisment appeared in the Boston Pilot on 13 January 1855 (Vol. III, p. 241)
Thomas Powers, of parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who came to this country 3 ½ yrs ago, and when last heard from was in Ohio. Information will be received by his sisters Bridget and Mary, care of Aaron D. Williams, Roxburs (sic), Mass.
There were four Thomas Powers baptized in Glenmore from 1826 to 1834. (A) Thomas Power of Knockbrack, Glenmore bapt. 14 April 1826, son of Maurice Power and Mary Henneberry. (B) Thomas Power, of Glenmore bapt. 3 Dec. 1832 son of Richard Power and Mary Moore. (C) Thomas Power, of Ballanguile (Gaulstown), Glenmore, bapt. 12 Oct. 1834, son of Edmund Power and Joney Aylward. (d) Thomas Power, of Ballanguile (Gaulstown), Glenmore, Bapt. 1 Aug. 1834, son of James Power and Ellen Shea
However, the only Thomas Power who had sisters named Mary and Bridget was the son of Edmund Power and Joney Power née Aylward. Mary Power (bapt. 23 Oct. 1838) and Bridget Power (bapt. 3 Nov. 1836).
Census records revealed that Aaron D. Williams was an industrialist in Roxbury, Mass. It is likely that either Mary or Bridget were working for him in 1855 when the advertisment was placed in the paper.
(7) Margaret Norris, James & Patrick Hartley, of Glenmore, the following advertisment was published on 23 January 1869 in the Boston Pilot (Vol. 6, 1866-1870, p. 430)
Margaret Norris, a native of the parish of Meelinharaga,(sic) Co. Kilkenny, Ireland; when last heard from, in 1861, was in New Orleans, La. Also of James Hartley and Patrick Hartley, of the parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny. Any information will be gratefully received by their cousin, Alice McSweeny (maiden name Alice Norris), daughter of Michael Norris and Mary Hartley. Direct to William Moore, Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Margaret Norris (bapt. 28 May 1835) at Gurteen was the daughter of Michael Norris and Mary Hartly. Her parents were married in Glenmore on 5 Jan. 1822. Her mother, Mary Hartly, was from Weatherstown, Glenmore. James Hartley and another Mary Hartly were witnesses at the wedding.
While looking for information on the above we found the following:
(8) James, John and Margaret Norris, of Gilcugh (sic), this advertisment was published 12 January 1861 in the Boston Pilot (Vol. 2, p. 4)
James, John and Margaret Norris, children of Michael and Mary Norris, of Gilcugh (co. Kilkenny), supposed to be in New Orleans. Information of them or either of them, will be thankfully received by their sister, Alice Norris. Direct to Bryan McSweeny, Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
We located Alice McSweeney née Norris (b. 1835) in the 1860 US Census. She was married to Bryan McSweeney (aged 35) and the couple had two daughters Mary (aged 5) and Ellen (aged 3). The family was living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Both Bryan and Alice were born in Ireland. Alice could not read or write and Bryan was working as a labourer. The 1870 Census provides that Alice was still living in Cape Girardeau and gave her age as 34. With her daughter Ella (age 13) who cannot read or write; John (aged 4) and Alice (aged 1). Apparently, Bryan died before the 1870 census and Alice McSweeney married John Dade on 20 January 1873 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Cape Girardeau is on the Mississippi River about 100 miles south of St. Louis. During the Civil War Missouri was a Confederate State and directly across the river Illinois was a Union State. In 1863 a small battle took place at Cape Girardeau. Alice McSweeney née Norris was living in Cape Girardeau before, during and after the Civil War.
(9) Patrick Doyle, native of Glenmore, the following advertisement was published in the Boston Pilot on 7 January 1865 (Vol. V., p. 436)
Patrick Doyle, native of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, who left Ireland for America about two years ago. His friend in America has neither seen or heard from him since his arrival, save a rumor that he was seen in the city of Newport about ten days ago. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his sister, Mrs. Mary Powers (maiden name Doyle). Direct to her No. 13 Lincoln street, Boston, Mass.
We found a Patrick Doyle (bapt. 30 Jan. 1836) the son of Thomas Doyle and Bridget Brian of Ballyveria, Glenmore. The couple had a daughter Mary Doyle (bapt. 17 Sept. 1840) and the address given at the time of her birth was Darbystown, Rosbercon.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1851). Irish emigrants leaving home — the priest’s blessing Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-37f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 .
The photo of the riverboat “Glenmore” (c, 1904) was taken on the Ohio River at Tell, Indiana. (The original photo is in the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Ohio).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Search for Missing Friends
After Danny Dowling (1927-2021) retired he made frequent trips to various libraries around the country gathering information concerning Glenmore and her people. Recently a small red notebook was found in Danny’s voluminous files where he recorded information he gleaned from a set of books entitled The Search for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in the Boston Pilot. These books were published by the New England Historic Genealogical Society of Boston.
Irish family members emigrating to the United States often travelled at different times and landed in different ports. Communications were difficult and expensive. Often those who were not literate had to rely upon others to write or read their correspondence for them. Thus, family members searching for jobs or opportunities travelled around North America and often lost contact with other family members, particularly during and after the Great Famine (1845-1852) and the American Civil War (1861-1865).
All newspapers of the era published advertisements or notices seeking information or the whereabouts of friends or family, but the Boston Pilot in the 19th century was one of the newspapers of choice for Irish emigrants searching for loved ones. The books containing the advertisements in the Boston Pilot have been Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2014, and volume VII covering 1871-1876 is available on line.
The newspaper advertisements or notices provide a lot of information regarding emigrants and are quite poignant. Danny recorded all references that he found to Glenmore from volumes II through V. We have found a few more advertisements or notices referring to Glenmore and added these to the list. We have also attempted to identify the dates of birth, townlands and parents etc. of the persons named in the Glenmore related advertisements or notices. Today, we will focus on the first six entries in Danny’s notebook and have attempted to retain the spellings as they appear in various records to aid others.
(1) Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822) of Flemingstown, Glenmore [Vol. II, p. 305, published in the Boston Pilot 13 Nov. 1852]
“Martin Butler, ship builder, native of Flemingstown, Parish Glenmore, Co Kilkenny, sailed from Liverpool about 4 years ago, for New Orleans. Last heard of was in Cincinnati. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his brothers Patrick and Thomas Butler, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that John Butler married Catherine Murphy of Ballinlammy, Glenmore on 11 February 1817. The couple had at least 7 children and all but one were recorded as being born at Flemingstown. [1] Thomas Butler (bapt. 11 Jan. 1818); [2] Nicholas Butler (bapt. 7 April 1819); [3] Martin Butler (bapt. 14 Feb. 1822); [4] Bridget Butler (bapt. 20 Jan. 1827); [5] Patrick Butler (bapt. 27 June 1828); [6] Mary Butler (bapt. 31 Jan. 1830, Parkstown] and [7] Catherine Butler (bapt. 15 April 1832).
Of the three known Butler brothers in the U.S. we were able to locate in the Cincinnati City Directory of 1863 a Martin Butler living at Iva Ludlow and 2nd and working as a ship carpenter. We located little regarding Patrick and Thomas Butler in Jacksonville, Illinois. However, a Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was located. According to his headstone in the St. Augustine Cemetery in Ashland, Cass Co. Illinois, he was born in Co. Kilkenny on 20 Mar 1828. Thus, the birthdate is off by 3 months with the Glenmore records. According to the 1900 Census of Cartwright, Sangamon Co. Illinois, Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a married, farmer and aged 72. He recorded that he was born in March 1828 in Ireland. He immigrated in 1851 and married Margaret Kennedy (1835-1913) in 1854. The headstone records that Margaret Butler née Kennedy was a native of Tipperary. The biographies recorded on findagrave provides that Patrick lived for two years in Jacksonville before moving to Sangamon County, Illinois. To view the headstone click here.
In attempting to determine if Patrick Butler (1828-1905) of Cartwright, Sangamon Co., Illinois was from Flemingstown we attempted to locate all Patrick Butlers born in Kilkenny in March 1828. There was a Patrick Butler (bapt 29 March 1828) born at Baristown, Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny to Michael Butler and Bridget Mahon. However, no known children of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) were named Michael and the eldest son of Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was named John. Based on the circumstantial evidence, the fact Patrick lived in Jacksonville when he first immigrated, the advertisment in the Boston Pilot etc. it is believed that Patrick Butler (1828-1905) was a native of Flemingstown, Glenmore.
(2) Margaret Dugan, of Ballanerahee (sic) Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 333, published in the Boston Pilot 7 July 1855]
“Margaret Duggan of Ballanerahee, Parish Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who landed in Boston two years ago, and went to New York, last May 12 months ago. She said she would go to Savannah. Address her husband John Whealon, Whitewater, Wisconsin.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records revealed several possible candidates and no marriage could be located for Margaret Duggan and John Whealon. (1)A Margaret Duggan was baptized 11 Dec. 1823 at Ballinerahe (sic) Glenmore to James Duggan and Nelly Costello. (2) A second, Margaret Dugan was baptized 20 May 1821 to Richard Dugan and Mary Geehan at Ballinarah (sic) Glenmore, and lastly (3) another Margaret Dugan was baptized 21 Feb. 1833 at Ballineraha (sic) to Patrick Dogan and Bridget Sutten.
(3) The Kirwan Family, of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny [Vol. III, p. 175 & 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept. 1854 and on 25 Nov. 1854]
Published 23 Sept. 1854
“Bridget and Alice Kerivan of Weatherstown, Parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, who left home 4 years ago. When last heard from one year ago, were in St. Louis, Mo. Information will be received by their sister Catherine, in care of Malcolm McLoughlin, Roxbury, Mass.”
Published 25 Nov. 1854
“Margaret, Mary, Elizabeth, William and Kate Kerevan from parish of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny when last heard of were in Roxbury, near Boston. Information will be received by their sister Bridget, care of T.J. Fallan, Catholic Bookseller, St. Louis, Mo.”
It is not clear whether the two advertisements were from the same family as the one in September lists Weatherstown. Women are difficult to trace as their name’s changed upon marriage. However, one family seems to fit most of the persons named in the 25 November publication. [1] William Kearvan (bapt. 20 Jan. 1819) to Michael Kearvan and Margaret Hogan was born in Scartnamac (sic) Glenmore. Margaret Hogan was a native of Weatherstown and married Michael Kearvan on 16 Sept. 1817. Other children in this family included: [2] Margaret Kerwan (bapt. 3 March 1837 at Ballahuck (sic); [3] Mary Kirwan (bapt. 5 Feb. 1840) [4] Patrick Kerwin (bapt. 11 Jan. 1825; [5] Thomas Kerwan (bapt. 13 April 1832) and [6] Maurice Kerwan (bapt. 25 Sept. 1822). In 1854 after most of his siblings emigrated to the U.S. Maurice Kerwan married Mary Scanlon and resided at Ballyhobuck, Glenmore.
(4) Philip Kelly, of Rathinure, Glenmore [Vol. III, p. 175, published in the Boston Pilot on 23 Sept 1854]
“Philip Kelly of Parish Glenmore, Rahanewr (sic), Co. Kilkenny, who came to Quebec 4 year ago, and was last heard from in Philadelphia. Information will be received by his sister Mary Kelly, Cazenovia, Madison County, New York”
A Kelly family containing a Philip and Mary Kelly could not be located in Glenmore. A Mary Kelly was baptized with an address of Glenmore on 18 Oct. 1822 to Thomas Kelly and Anastatia English. A few years later another child named Mary Kelly was baptized on 25 August 1825 at Ballyhubuck (sic) the daughter of John Kelly and Catherine Denn. The townland of Ballhobuck abuts the townland of Rathinure. Unfortunately, no baptismal record could be located for a Philip Kellyof Ballyhobuck or Rathinure.
(5) Patrick Delahunty, Glenmore Parish [Vol. VI, p. 546, published in the Boston Pilot on 11 Dec. 1869]
“Patrick Delahunty, parish of Glenmore, county Kilkenny, Ireland, when last heard from seven or eight years ago, he was in Bloomington, Illinois, at that time he had charge of the freight house. Any person knowing his whereabouts will confer a favor on his brother, William, Hoosick Falls, Rensellaer (sic) county, N.Y.”
Little could be found regarding Patrick Delahunty. However, it appears that William Delehanty (sic) continued to reside in Hoosick Falls, New York and died 17 July 1883, aged 68. William is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Hoosick Falls, Rensselaer County, New York. If his age at death was correct he was born about 1815. Just prior to his death William was living at 63 Church St. (Hoosick Falls Village Directory 1882-1882). A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that William Dullehanty (sic) was baptized 3 November 1811 at Glenmore to James Dullehanty and Catherine Crock of Coolaline (sic), Glenmore.
(6) Michael Culleton (1822-1889) of Glenmore, Kilkenny, Ireland [Vol. II, p. 216, published in the Boston Pilot on 8 May 1852]
“Michael Culliton, native of Parish Glanmore (sic) Co. Kilkenny, left home about 4 years since and landed in New York. When last heard of was in Pennsylvania. Any information respecting him thankfully received by his wife, Mrs. Anty Culliton, 28 Mathew St., Chelsea, Mass.”
A review of the Glenmore Parish records reveals that Michael Culleton was married on 19 February 1846 to Anastatia Walsh of Parkstown, Glenmore. Unfortunately, the parish priest did not record the names of the fathers of the couple. However, it is believed that Michael Culleton was the son of Michael Culleton and Ellen Culleton née Mullins of Kilbride, Glenmore and was baptized on 3 August 1822. An immigration records was located that showed that Michael Colleton arrived in New York on 16 May 1848, aged 25. He sailed on the A.Z. from Liverpool, and listed his profession as labourer.
It is not known if Mrs. Anty Culleton located her husband Michael, however it is likely that he joined his wife in the Boston area. On 22 September 1882, Michael Culliton (aged 60) married for a second time in Boston. His second bride was Mary Dunphy (spinster, aged 40). The records reveal that the couple were both born in Ireland. His parents were listed as Michael and Ellen Culliton and her parents were listed as Thomas and Mary Dunphy.
Michael Colliton died 20 May 1889, aged 66 at City Hospital of Boston. His cause of death is listed as pneumonia and exhaustion. At the time of his death, he was living at 26 Terry St.
We hope that you have enjoyed this brief glimpse into the lives of some Glenmore emigrants of the 19th century. Next month we will publish the last six entries from the notebook. Please send any additional information or corrections to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured drawing above is from 1851 and entitled “Irish Emigrants Leaving Home–The Priest’s Blessing.” Courtesty of the New York City Library’s Digital Collection. (Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, The New York Public Library. (1851). Irish emigrants leaving home — the priest’s blessing Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-37f2-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh