19th Century
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A Ballinclare, Glenmore Murder, Part II
In our last post we published the accounts of the arrest of Michael Walsh of Ballinclare, Glenmore for the murder of his neighbour Simon Power by poison in August 1849, his one day trial and the jury verdict of guilty on 24 July 1850. Today, we tell the rest of the story.
Sentencing
After the late jury verdict on Thursday, Baron Pennefather had the prisoner brought back to the court for sentencing on Friday. Before sentencing Walsh’s barrister, Mr. Harris, asked Pennefather what “course he intended to pursue on behalf of the prisoner, with regard to the point raised against the reading of the depositions of Power [the victim] at the trial…” Harris stated that he intended to argue the legality of admitting the depositions before the Court of Appeal.
“The Judge said he did not think there was anything in it, but he would give Mr. Harris any information in his power, if would wait upon him before he left Kilkenny. He would afford the prisoner time for having the point argued in his favour. The officer of the court then informed the prisoner in the usual form of the nature of the verdict against him, and asked him If he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be upon him. The prisoner, who exhibited no external emotion whatsoever, answered in rather husky and smothered accents—”God help me; I gave him the whiskey, but I had no harm in it. The Lord help me; I leave myself on your mercy” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
Judge Addresses Convicted Murderer Michael Walsh
Baron Pennefather replied—”Michael Walsh, you had a very fair and full investigation of your case; you have been ably defended by your Counsel; the Jury have paid the most anxious attention to the evidence, and every point which could be suggested as favourable to you was put forward by your Counsel, subsequently by myself to the jury. They, having considered all the circumstances of the case have come to the full consideration that you were Guilty—that you are guilty of a foul and deliberate murder.”
Addressing his sisters and workmen who testified for him the Judge stated, “You attempted to defend yourself by evidence which the Jury did not believe, and which was palpably untrue to every person attending the trial. The Jury have come to that conclusion which consigns you to the grave, and to which they were compelled to come by the evidence, which, being believed, was irresistible to show your guilt.”
“That the unfortunate Simon Power met his death by poison—by poison of a most deadly kind—poison of a mercurial nature, called corrosive sublimate—has been demonstrated by the opinions of men whose judgment the jury could not fail to rely on, and who expressed their opinion without any doubt as to the nature of the poison, and without any consideration but the assertion of truth. The only enquiry then to be made, was as to who had committed the fatal deed” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
“The jury have come to a conclusion discrediting the story told on your part, being constrained by other evidence to believe your guilt. I feel bound to say that I cannot disapprove of that conclusion, nor can any man who duly reflects on the evidence. The Jury was almost selected by yourself. The Crown did not use its prerogative in putting by a single name, while on the contrary you exercised the power which the law undoubtedly gives you, of putting by numbers of persons. It may then be said that the jury was much more of your own selection, but they were men of understanding and conscience, and they have done their duty by returning a verdict such as they were bound to do by the obligation of their oaths. It now only remains for me to pass sentence upon you” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
Murder Linked to Agrarian Violence
Baron Pennefather was just warming up and told the prisoner, “I have already had occasion this morning to observe on the fatal consequences of the agrarian outrages—they lead from one step to another, and if in the first instances property only be assailed, it comes shortly to this, that life itself is not safe from the attacks of those who desire to hold their land without paying the rent contracted for.”
“Unfortunate Simon Power went as a bailer to make a distress on you. There does not appear to have been any personal enmity between you; he was your neighbour, and you had never quarrelled—but such was the spirit entertained—such was the reckless disposition constituted—such was the wicked purpose conceived, that to strike terror into others—perhaps to defeat the distress made, you did not scruple to take away his life, because he discharged this trifling duty for your landlord, or his agent” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
“Is not this a frightful proof of the extent to which this crime has grown in this County? Is it not proof of the necessity of redressing it by the strong arm of the law, and that those who counsel this interference by attacks on property, be warned of the frightful consequences of proceeding further? You gave way to the plan you had settled in your mind, and regardless of the consequences, administered the deadly drug which produced the death of your victim under dreadful agonies” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
“Can there be any crime greater than this? and can a man who administered deadly poison in this this matter, hope or have the least expectation of receiving pardon in this world; and ought, he not turn his mind that future world to which he must shortly belong? Let me conjure you, then, to turn your mind to your God, and by repentance and contrition, endeavour to make atonement to Heaven for that crime for which your life has been forfeited to the laws of your country, and seek that mercy there, which this tribunal cannot allow” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
The placed the black cap on his head and stated, “It is now my painful duty to pronounce the awful sentence of the law, which is, that you, Michael Walsh, be hanged by the neck till you are dead, and that your body be buried within the precincts of the prison where you have been confined … and may the Lord have mercy on your soul” (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
The prisoner remained unmoved throughout the sentence and communicated with his solicitor for some moments before leaving the dock. We understand that the 23rd November has been named as the day of execution, in order to give time for the appeal (The Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
The Appeal
According to the newspaper account the appeal was taken because Mr. Harris, the prisoner’s barrister, objected during the trial to the admission of Simon Power’s depositions because he alleged them to be irregular. “Mr. Cooke, R.M., went to the dying bailiff, Power, and, in the presence of the prisoner, took down a statement of the administration of poison mixed in whiskey, by Walshe. This statement was not made under oath; and when it was made, Walshe put a few questions to the dying man, which, with the replies, were added to the statement; and as the then stood, the dying man was sworn as to the truth of it—that is he was sworn after the statement had been taken, instead of being sworn before.”
This statement, so sworn to was read at the trial at Kilkenny, on the part of the Crown, against the prisoner. Mr. Harris, Counsel for the prisoner, objected to its admission, but Baron Pennefather allowed the document to be read, except one or two questions. He refused to give the document itself to the jury. The newspaper opined that “… the depositions, its questions or answers, or its post swearing instead of ante-swearing, had no influence except the remotest, in inducing the jury to arrive at a conviction that Walshe (sic) was guilty.”
Before sentence was passed, Mr. Harris, urged that the admission into evidence “of the informal deposition was illegal, and consequently a ground why Walshe should not be sentenced. Baron Pennefather, after some discussion, took a note of the objection on the record under which counsel might bring the question before the judges of criminal appeal.”
Murder Conviction Overturned
Three out of the five justices hearing the appeal that, “as the dying man was sworn after he made the statement instead of being sworn before, the deposition was bad; and should not have been used against prisoner; consequently, as illegal evidence had been received on the trial, the conviction should be reversed” (Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literary Advertiser, Wed. 20 Nov. 1850, p. 1).
On Saturday the 17th of November, just a week before Walsh’s execution date, Mr. Robins, the Governor of the County Gaol, “communicated to Michael Walshe the (to him) agreeable intelligence that he was to walk forth again a free man…Walshe, accordingly, left the prison, where, it was confidently presumed he would have been executed” (Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literary Advertiser, Wed. 20 Nov. 1850, p. 1).
The newspaper concluded, “And so it has been; and Walshe is now upon his farm once more! It is stated, on good authority, that since his conviction he confidently reckoned upon being set at liberty; and it is also the impression of many who have considered the circumstances of the case, that the poison was administered to the two bailiffs, one of whom suffered only temporarily, not with a view to their death; but only to lay them up for a few hours, or for a day perhaps, in order that, in their absence, some of the property distrained might be removed.”
Who Was Michael Walsh, of Ballinclare, Glenmore?
With no hint of his age it is difficult with any certainty to identify the prisoner Michael Walsh. We did locate Michael Welsh (sic) who was baptized on 25 September 1803 at Ballinclare, Glenmore, the son of John Welsh and Ellen Doherty. If this is the correct Michael Walsh he was 46 when he poisoned Simon Power. From the newspaper accounts there is no mention of a wife or children, just his two sisters. His sister Mary Power, who testified that she drank the whiskey may have been the Mary Walsh who married Robert Power of Ballinclar at Slieverue on 14 July 1837. Michael Walsh was one of the witnesses.
Another Michael Walsh (1803-1868) was baptized on 28 September 1803 at Ballinlammy, Glenmore, the son of Patrick Welsh and Catherin Shee. We were able to find that Michael, of Ballinlammy died 26 March 1868 aged 64. He was a married, farmer and Johanna Walsh (c. 1798-1870) was present at his death. This Michael (Ballinlammy) had a sister, Margaret Walsh (bapt. 5 April 1808).
Who Was The Victim, Simon Power?
The provision of his children’s names in the newspaper account of the trial aided in the tracking of Simon Power. The victim Simon Power was married to Mary Savage. When Walter Power was baptized at Glenmore on 27 February 1828 the family was residing at Ballyinguile. His sister, Catherine Power was baptized 9 October 1829 at Gaulstown, Glenmore. Another brother, Michael Power was baptized at Ballyinguile on 24 December 1826, but he was not mentioned in the newspapers and may not have survived infancy.
In 1831, Simon Power, of Ballihibuck (sic), Glenmore married Mary Walsh of Ballinclar, Glenmore on 14 February. To this union, three children were born: James Power (bapt 22 March 1834 at Ballanguile); Joney Power (bapt. 21 Dec. 1835 at Ballanguile) and John Power (bapt 10 June 1837 at Ballanguile). It is not known if this Simon Power is the victim as none of these children were named in the newspaper accounts of the trial.
1901 Census
We could find no marriage record for Michael Walsh, of Ballinclare, nor could we locate a death record. However, death records only began being kept in the 1860’s. We do not know if Michael Walsh, of Ballinclare, remained in Glenmore or left the area. Perhaps as more of Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) notebooks are transcribed we will learn how Michael Walsh, his sisters and workmen were treated after the trial and his release. We do know that by 1901 there were no persons named Walsh in Ballinclare or Ballinlammy, Glenmore.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For a list of persons executed in Ireland from 1835 to 1899, see, Richard Clark.
A Ballinclare, Glenmore Murder
Several years ago when Danny Dowling (1927-2021) was talking about the killer Henry “Bounce” Walsh he mentioned another murder that occurred in Ballinlammy and concerned the poisoning of a bailiff. Danny believed that the killer lived where Irish’s are today. We were never able to locate a Ballinlammy murder, but did come across a case where Michael Walsh of Ballinclare, Glenmore was charged with murdering his neighbour Simon Power by poison in 1849. According to Paddy O’Connor (his mother was Bridie Aylward of Ballinclare) a Walsh family once lived at the Ballinlammy Cross where Ballinlammy and Ballinclare meet.
September 1849–Poisoned Whiskey
The Kilkenny Moderator (Sat. 15 September 1849, p. 2) published a short article that Michael Walsh, residing at Ballinclare, in the Barony of Ida, was committed to the Kilkenny County Gaol, by W. R. Croke, Esq., R.M. Walsh was due to stand trial at the next Assizes, for attempting to murder by poisoning.
Two local men were hired as bailiffs or “keepers” and placed in charge of Walsh’s crop which had been distrained for rent. Their names were James Murphy and Simon Power. Walsh asked the bailiffs to take some whiskey, and they accepted the invitation and received some liquid from a bottle, which caused them to become deadly sick. Power, who took more of the liquid than the other, was reported as being in a dangerous state. Dr. William Boyd who treated Simon Power, declared that corrosive sublimate had been mixed with the whiskey.
It was reported that Michael Walsh absconded, but was arrested in Waterford through the exertion of Acting Constable Smullen of the Glanmore police station. Smullen is not a Glenmore name. A quick check of the Glenmore parish registers revealed the first name of the RIC Acting Constable Smullen was Patrick. Patrick Smullen was married to Margaret Macmanus. The couple had three known children which provides a bit of insight into where Patrick was posted. His daughter Mary was baptized in 1841 at Tulloroan, Kilkenny. In 1843, his daughter Catherine was baptized at Ballycallan/Kilmanagh, Kilkenny, and his son Laurence was baptized at Glenmore on 4 April 1849.
Dying Declaration
Before Simon Power died, William Cooke, Esq., R,M. went to his house early in September. Cooke found the victim, Simon Power, stretched upon a pallet. The prisoner was there in custody. Cooke first took the information from the deceased and told the prisoner he had a right to examine the dying man. Cooke took down the questions the prisoner asked the dying man and the answers he received.
Arraigned for Murder
Michael Walsh was arraigned for the murder of Simon Power, committed on the 13th of August 1849, at Ballieclare (sic). The indictment set out at great length that the prisoner had, with malicious intent, mixed in a “naggin of whiskey two drachmas of a deadly poison,” termed mercurial salts, which he induced Simon Power, to drink, and in consequence the deceased languished from the 13 August to the 14th of September, and then died.
When the case came before the Kilkenny Assizes in July 1950 and it “excited considerable interest.” It had been tried at the previous Assizes, where “the jury disagreed,” and a new trial became necessary. The newspaper reporters wrote that prisoner, Michael Walsh, “was a man apparently of the class of comfortable farmers.” The Counsel for the Crown was Mr. Scott QC and counsel for the defence were Messrs. Harris & Armstrong. The trial judge was Baron Richard Pennefather (1773-1859). For further information regarding Pennefather see our previous post of 24 July 2021. Michael Walsh’s trial for the murder of Simon Power took one day.
The Murder Trial–July 1850
The Kerry Post, (Wed. 31 July, 1850, p. 4) has the clearest printed account of the trial which was held on Thursday the 24th of July 1850. It has been supplemented with facts reported in the Kilkenny Moderator. “Michael Walsh, a farmer of respectable appearance, was indicted for the wilful murder of Simon power, on the 30th of August 1849, at Ballyclare (sic) by administering to him a deadly mercurial salt in whiskey. There were 17 challenges on the part of the prisoner prior to a jury being empanelled” (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
Testimony of James Murphy
James Murphy—I was placed last August as keeper over the land of the prisoner. The deceased, Simon Power, was another keeper. I lived near the prisoner. It was on Tuesday morning we went, and we remained night and day on the grounds. On Thursday morning the prisoner told me and Power to go up to the house and warm ourselves. We went up. We refused at first, as the women would not be satisfied with our going into the house. He said they were not up. When we got into the house the prisoner took a bottle off the dresser. He went into the yard and brought back a tea cup. He brought me then to the inner room and filled the cup with whiskey which I drank.
Power was not in the room with me when I took the whiskey. I went back to the kitchen and was there about 10 minutes when the prisoner from the inner room called Power. Power went up to the room and remained about two minutes. Power returned to the kitchen. Power went out of the house, and after a few minutes the prisoner and I and a man named Lennan, the landlord’s man, went out of the house. The deceased was at the gable end of the house. He was vomiting. He went with me a quarter of a mile to his own house, and still continued sick.
I also became affected when I got 40 perches away. I left Power at home in his house. He had been well for the two days before that morning. The distress was subsequently canted. About a naggin of spirits was in the bottle after I got a drink.
Cross Examination of James Murphy
During cross-examination James Murphy stated that Lennan had told the prisoner that if he went to Mr. Sherlock, and paid his rent, it would be all right. He testified that he drank about half a glass. “We had taken nothing that morning. The door was open between the kitchen and where the prisoner remained after I got the whiskey. The prisoner’s sister, Mary Walsh, came down after I got the whiskey, but not before the deceased was called into the parlour. Both of us got the whiskey before she came in. I felt a pain in my stomach after the drink. The prisoner and the deceased were very good friends. I saw Power walking on three different days after he was sick, and remained one day as a keeper. I did not see him sick after those occasions. Power complained to me that he was sick.
The jurors were allowed to ask questions of James Murphy.
The second day after that Thursday Power was at the prisoner’s and remained about three hours. When asked if there was anything put into so small a quantity of whiskey would it not have left a disgusting taste, James Murphy responded, “I did not feel that there was anything remarkable about it.” If he had been offered more, he believed he would have drank it. However, if offered it half an hour after, he would not have taken it (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2). Lastly, James Murphy was asked if “after the deceased was placed as a keeper, did the prisoner manifest any unkindly feelings towards him.” James Murphy testified, “He did not.”
The Testimony of Anastatia Power
Anastatia Power, the daughter of the deceased Simon Power testified that her father came home at 6 in the morning with James Murphy. Her father had been keeping at the prisoner’s. Her father was vomiting. He went to bed and “he continued very bad during the whole of that day.” When he came home his cheeks were yellow. After some time his tongue and cheeks swelled and turned red. The middle of his tongue was white but the borders were red. He would start up when asleep, and bawl as if in fright. The first week his feet were warm and sore, and they got cold the second week.
The vomiting continued until he died fifteen days afterwards. Dr. Boyd attended her father a week after he was ill. He was very often sick and vomiting during that week. He was very sore and not able to go a out his business. “His mouth was sore and scalding, and the flesh inside his mouth would come away when he was spitting. I could pull out the flesh and it was black. His teeth were also black. The odour of his breath was most offensive. The water from his mouth was green and thick. It was often coloured bloody. He complained of pains cutting him in the bowels, and of pains in his head. Before he died lumps of lard like came from his stomach.”
Cross Examination of Anastatia Power
On cross examination Anastatia Power stated that her father on Wednesday night ate a supper of peas. He never went about his business after that Thursday and he never had any of these symptoms before. The newspaper noted that Anastatia’s brother and sister were examined, but no record of their testimony was provided in the Kerry Post. The Kilkenny Moderator note that Walter Power, testified that he took his father’s place at the prisoner’s farm as his father was not able to attend. His sister Catherine Power also stated that their father was too ill to work (Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
Testimony of Dr. William Boyd
Dr. William Boyd testified that he attended the deceased on the 6th of September and prescribed “for him on the 3d for a sore mouth.” He found the deceased lying on the ground in bed with a profuse flow of saliva from his mouth with a disagreeable odour. The deceased’s tongue was swollen and protruding, indented at the sides and thickly coated. His gums were ulcerated as was the palette behind the teeth. His face was swollen and re and he had great difficulty swallowing and talking.
“His pulse was excited. I got him out of bed to examine his body to see if he had been rubbing his body with ointment. I could detect nothing. I asked if he had been taking medicine. He said not, but that that day week he got something from the prisoner in whiskey which was not right—that immediately after getting the whiskey he became sick—that he was not able to remain that day…That on swallowing the whiskey it had a very queer burning taste, and he felt a burning in his mouth and throat. That about the third day his mouth became salivated and continued. He had a pain in his stomach. The chief pain he complained of was his mouth and head, and he never used any mercurial preparation, except four years earlier when he was in fever. He frequently drank whiskey without any ill effects from it, and he was in rude health immediately before he took the whiskey. “
The doctor visited the deceased on the 8th, 10th and 13th. “From the symptoms I perceived, I think he died from the effects of mercury. Corrosive sublimate is a sort of mercury. It could have been administered by an ointment rubbed to the body, or by its being given by a drink. I considered it must have been administered to him in a drink from what he said.”
“Corrosive sublimate is soluble in whiskey, and would not colour the drink, or have any smell. It would have a dry, caustic taste, like as if a man got a taste of lime when in a kiln. From the symptoms, and from what the man said, I believe his death was from corrosive sublimate…It is a deadly poison.” The doctor then described the body parts he collected from the post mortem and sent them in jars to Dublin for further examination.
In response to further questions, the doctor explained that the deceased died from weakness, the corrosive sublimate interfered with the digestive organs. On the 13th the deceased was aware of his approaching death. Dr. Boyd told the deceased that there was no hope. The deceased sent for his priest. “When I first saw him I did not consider him dying. I knew him to be in a dangerous way.”
The Cross Examination of Dr. William Boyd
On cross examination the doctor agreed that both cholera and dysentery were prevalent in the area. He said that the deceased was a stout, strong, well built man, not likely to be affected by dysentery. He attended the deceased for mercurial salivation. “The deceased described as accurately as any medical man the effects which would follow the taking of this poison, and I was confirmed in my belief of what he had taken by finding an ignorant man describe day by day with the utmost accuracy what symptoms should follow the administration of corrosive sublimate.” He disputed that this was not a simple case of bad whiskey containing bluestone and Verdigris. Verdigris has no mercury. Just three grains of sublimate can kill. “One may take as much of the poison and escape from death that would kill three others. Some are more susceptible than others of the influence of poison.” The doctor stated if sublimate was in powder he would not expect it would be dissolved in ten minutes (The Kerry Post, Wed. 31 July, 1850, p. 4).
Defense Objected to Deceased’s Dying Deposition
When the Crown attempted to read into the record the deposition of the deceased the defence council objected and a mighty row broke out. Judge Pennefather ultimately decided to admit the deposition into evidence.
The Defence
The defence put on several witnesses. From the newspaper accounts all were relatives of the prisoner or worked for him. Mary Power née Walsh,, the prisoner’s sister, stated that she was present when her brother gave whiskey to both men at the same time. She herself had a glass as did two workmen, William Bryan and Patrick Dwyer. She later had a bit of a headache but wasn’t sure if it was from the whiskey. Another sister Ellen Walsh testified that she was the deceased working the rest of the week and noticed thereafter that his son Watt Power replaced him. Both workmen testified that they often started the day with Michael Walsh treating them to a drop of whiskey. Both indicate that there was no upset over the local men acting as keepers for the landlord. It was better to have neighbours than strangers about (Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 27 July 1850, p. 2).
Jury Deliberations
According to the Kilkenny Moderator, “Baron Pennefather delivered a most luminous and impressive charge.” The jury retired at 8 p.m. and after thirty minutes the foreman came out and said that there was no chance of a verdict. Pennefather sent them to deliberate more. At half past ten the jury returned a verdict and notwithstanding the lateness of the hour the courtroom was packed.
Our next blog we will discuss the verdict, the sentence and appeal as well as information concerning the victim and his family. If you were on the jury how would you have voted?
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
For further information see, Kilkenny Journal & LCL Advertiser, Wed. 31 July 1850, p. 1
From Danny’s Files: The Manslaughter of Catherine Fitzgerald of Glenmore, Waterford
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) spent a considerable amount of time in the Waterford Public Library searching old local newspapers for news articles regarding Glenmore. Danny recorded that in the Waterford Mail of Saturday, the 21st of July 1838, Cornelius Fitzgerald was transported for 15 years for the manslaughter of his wife Catherine Fitzgerald, at Windgap, the 25th of March.
It is not apparent from his notes, but it is likely that Danny realized quickly after reading the article that the Glenmore where the Fitzgeralds lived was located in County Waterford. We are featuring the Waterford manslaughter case today because of the insight it provides to crime and justice in the early 19th century. It also serves as a useful contrast to the 1822 manslaughter of Catherine Hanrahan (c. 1798-1822) of Rochestown, Glenmore which we posted on 6 November 2022. Catherine Hanrahan was pregnant and shot in the back by a Waterford bailiff who was sentenced to 6 months for her manslaughter.
Bridget Fitzgerald née Mulcahy (?-1838)
We were unable to locate baptismal or marriage records for Bridget Mulcahy and her husband Cornelius Fitzgerald. We know from the newspaper accounts, of Cornelius Fitzgerald’s trial for the manslaughter of his pregnant wife, that the couple were married about 1833. We were able to locate baptismal records for three children born to the couple: (1) James Fitzgerald was baptized on 10 November 1833; (2) Catherine Fitzgerald was baptized on 11 September 1836, and (3) Cornelius Fitzgerald was baptized on the 22 April 1838. All three of the children were baptized in the parish of Dungarvan, Co. Waterford. According to testimony at his father’s trial, Cornelius the youngest child, only lived 4 days. It is not known if either of Bridget’s other known children survived her.
Waterford Assizes July 1838
Some of the convictions of the Waterford Assizes of July 1838 are outlined below. There is a lot of concern today regarding violent crime, but it seems apparent that in 1838 society was very violent. In one month in Waterford there were two convictions for murder, one conviction for manslaughter and a conviction for what today would be an aggravated assault on an elderly man.
At the County Waterford Assizes at the end of July 1838, the following convictions were recorded: Cornelius Fitzgerald, for killing his wife, when in a state of pregnancy, was sentenced to 15 years’ transportation; John Fitzgerald, of Cappa, was convicted for harbouring and maintaining the notorious Connery’s, convicts and prison breakers; William Merman, carpenter, for the murder of his apprentice to be hanged the 4th of August; Martin Kelly, for shooting at, and grievously wounding the late Mr. John Keeffe (who was aged over 80); and John and Patrick Connery, goal breaking, were senteced to 15 years’ transportation (Kerry Evening Post, Wed. 25 July 1838, p. 1).
At the Waterford City Assizes, Andrew English was convicted of stealing sheep and sentenced to 15 years’ transportation. Thus, Cornelius Fitgerald received the same sentence for killing his wife as another man received who stole sheep and two other men received who broke out of prison. Lastly, Thomas McCarthy was convicted of the murder of his wife and sentenced to hang on the 4th of August (Waterford Mail, Sat. 21 July 1838 p. 3). Thomas Carthy (sic) was granted a “respite until further orders” for the murder of his wife. He was recommended to “mercy on account of imbecility of mind” (Waterford Mail, Sat. 4 August 1838, p. 2).
The Trial of Cornelus Fitzgerald
Although the results of his trial were reported widely, the details of the trial were only reported in two Waterford newspapers: The Waterford Mail (Sat. 21 July 1838, p. 2) and the Waterford Chronicle (Sat. 21 July 1838, p. 7). We shall utilise the slightly longer Waterford Mail and place any additional facts or information from the Waterford Chronicle in parentheses.
Cornelius Fitzgerald was put forward, charged with the manslaughter of his wife, Bridget Fitzgerald, at Windgap, on the 25th of March 1838.
The Testimony of Mary Keily/Keife
Mary Keily was sworn and examined by Counsellor Dixon. (The Chronicle reported that Mary Keife, not Keily, was sworn and examined through an interpreter, Mr. Dixon.) It seems likely that all the witnesses and probably the defendant only spoke Irish while the trial was conducted in English. However, the reference to an interpreter was only made regarding the testimony of Mary Keily/Keife.
Mary testified that she knew “the prisoner at the bar” for the last 20 years, and she knew his wife, Bridget Fitzgerald. She explained that the prisoner and his wife lived near her at Glenmore. She stated that the prisoner and his deceased wife were “5 years married.” Before her death the deceased “was in the family way.” Mary stated that Brigid died on “last Easter Monday.” Easter in 1838 fell on Sunday the 15th of April which suggests that Bridget Fitzgerald died on the 16th of April and did not die on the 25th of March as her husband was charged.
Mary testified that she often saw the prisoner strike his wife, but she did not see him strike her for some time before her death. Mary saw him kick his wife and beat her with a rope and an iron back band. Bridget Fitzgerald only lived a short time after her lying in. Mary saw bruises on Brigid on the Good Friday before her death. She also had a cut on her head and blood on it. Mary washed Bridget’s head twice (and both times there was blood in the water.) She saw Brigid’s black back only at the inquest.
Cross Examination of Mary Keily/Keife
Mr. Hassard conducted the cross examination. Mary stated that it was the prisoner that called her to attend his wife during her confinement. He did not go for Bridget’s mother although her mother had been with her the week before her death. The prisoner and a little boy went for the priest, but when the priest arrived Bridget was insensible. The child Brigid bore lived four days after his birth. Mary could not tell at what time Brigid was struck with the backband.
The Testimony of Mrs. Bridget Mulcahy
Bridget Mulcahy was sworn, and examined by Counsellor Scott, Q.C. Bridget testified that she was the mother of the deceased, and that she had been with the deceased a week before her death. When she arrived at the house she went into the room where her daughter was lying, and found her “like a beehive” at the foot the bed. Her daughter told her to look at her head, and “said that she did not consider the pain in her head to be compared with her back.” She told her mother that “she was killed on the Friday before Good Friday,” when struck with bellows that the prisoner threw at her. Her daughter went on to say that “the blood coming from her head made her heart break and that it was her husband that killed her.” Mrs. Mulcahy testified that her daughter was delivered before she died in the week after Good Friday. Mr. Hassard cross-examined this witness, “but nothing material was elicited.”
The Testimony of Doctor Travers
Dr. Travers was examined by Counsellor Porter, Q.C. Dr, Travers testified that he performed a post mortem on the deceased about a week to ten days after she was buried. (He could not recall the date in early May). He found there was an open wound on the head about one inch and quarter long. The wound might have been given the week before the examination. He noted that there was also blackness about the abdomen and on the back. Dr. Travers said “he rather thinks that the wound was occasioned by violence.”
He also stated that there were “no evident marks to occasion the death of the deceased.” While the wound on the head was open, a blow on the abdomen, or on the spine, would be of great injury to person in the state the woman was in. He did not find any coagulated blood on the wound on the head. The doctor opined that the injuries might have brought on premature labour. In the doctor’s opinion, from the state of the womb, the wounds would have caused death. (The Waterford Chronicle reported that the doctor stated that death was caused in his opinion “from all of the circumstances, was, that violence was the cause.”)
(In response to a question from a juror the doctor stated that he thought the injuries caused premature labour.)
The Cross Examination of Doctor Travers
Cross-examined by Mr. Hassard the doctor testified that the midwife could have a better knowledge of the state of the woman because he had not seen the body until seven or ten days after interment. (If he had seen the blackness on the body before burying, he might say that they were not the cause of violence.) (The doctor also stated that if two ignorant women had been attending a person in her confinement, it is not unlikely that there would be more danger in that case.) (In response to another question from a juror the doctor stated that he believed that the woman who attended as a midwife was not usually employed in that way.)
The Verdict & Sentence
The defence did not put forth any witnesses. Mr. Hassard addressed the jury on behalf of the prisoner (spoke to evidence, and said that the case was one of very considerable doubt at least. The learned gentlemen proceeded to speak at great length, and with much eloquence on the evidence. )
Mr. Hassard “dealt with the Crown Counsel with some severity for not having brought forward a person of the name of Shea who had been instrumental in ‘exciting’ the prosecution.” This “occasioned some warm expressions between him and Mr. Scott.” The matter was only settled when Mr. Scott explained “the cause for not bringing Shea forward.” The judge having charged the jury, they retired, and in few minutes found a verdict of guilty. (In contrast the Waterford Chronicle reported, the judge charged the jury at very considerable length, who retired for some time, and returned a verdict of guilty).
Cornelius Fitgerald was sentenced to be transported for 15 years.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The featured photo above is courtesy of wikimedia and depicts the 19th century connvict ship The Neptune. For further reading on transportation see generally, Allingham, “Transportation as Judicial Punishment in 19th Century Britain.”
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
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