19th Century
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A Glenmore Dispute: The Location of Leacht Ui Deaghaidh
Today, as our sixth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory,( v. 4 p. 97-100 (1906)) we feature Canon Carrigan’s coverage of his correction of acclaimed Irish scholar John O’Donovan. Carrigan’s correction of O’Donovan was based upon two interviews Carrigan conducted in 1900 of a Ballyrahan, Glenmore native Peter Grant (1811-1902). Although we could not find a headstone or obituary for Peter Grant, he is forever immortalised in Canon Carrigan’s work.
John O’Donovan (1806-1861)
In previous posts we covered various aspects of John O’Donovan’s early life. His mother was from Rochestown, now in the Parish of Glenmore. After his father’s death in 1817 John spent a substantial amount of time with his paternal uncle Patrick O’Donovan, of Donovan’s Mill, at Ballyrowragh, Slieverue on the border of what is now Glenmore Parish. O’Donovan is said to have started his education in a hedge school and then attended the Hunt Academy in Waterford City. His father, Edmund O’Donovan died in 1817, and a few years later at the age of 17 O’Donovan went to Dublin.
For further information regarding O’Donovan’s early life see our post of 9 Sept. 2023.
Schoolmaster O’Donovan
According to Carrigan, John O’Donovan started a school about 1822 “in his native district.” He gathered a number of pupils some were several years older than himself. “Of the alumni of this modest academy the last survivor was blind old Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, Glenmore, whom the writer met on two occasions, in the year 1900, and spoke of his old master, ‘poor Johnnie Donovan,’ with the greatest admiration and affection.” (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 356). If this and other information concerning when he moved to Dublin is correct, O’Donovan was a schoolmaster for about a year. Nothing has been found in any of Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) transcribed notebooks concerning John O’Donovan being a schoolmaster in Slieverue or Glenmore.
Although a place was secured for O’Donovan to study at Maynooth he declined to go there because he did not wish to become a priest. O’Donovan’s first job was in the Public Service Office where he translated and transcribed ancient manuscripts (Munster Express, 10 Nov. 2006, p. 13). From 1830 to 1842 O’Donovan was employed on the first Ordinance Survey researching place names. He was sent into the field and travelled across Ireland. From around Ireland, O’Donovan sent letters to his boss containing descriptions of local lore, traditions and antiquities. These letters were placed in 103 volumes and became known as the “O’Donovan Letters.”
O’Donovan’s Incorrect Birthdate
Carrigan pointed out that O’Donovan incorrectly wrote that he was born in 1809 when he was actually born in 1806. In volume 4 Carrigan printed a copy of the Slieverue Parish Register proving that O’Donovan’s baptism occurred in 1806 (Carrigan, vol. 4 p. 356). Certainly, in that time before passports, driving licenses or even the State registered births and deaths many people provided incorrect ages or years of birth.
We all learn our age and birthdate from our parents. Prior to modern times little importance was attached to birthdates. Also, incorrect dates of birth for persons born in the early 19th century were probably due in large part to the fact that a sizable proportion of the population were unable to read or write. Penal laws were only fading when O’Donovan was a boy.
Notwithstanding Carrigan’s public comment that O’Donovan had utilized an incorrect year of birth, Carrigan failed to check the year of birth of Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, Glenmore. Carrigan had access to the Parish Records, but did not find that Peter Grant was baptized on 30 June 1811. In 1900 Grant was not “over 90 years of age” as Carrigan claimed. Peter Grant was 88 or 89 when he was interviewed by Carrigan twice in 1900. Peter Grant (1811-1902) was the late Jimmy Reddy’s (c. 1926-2011) grandfather.
O’Donovan’s Letter of 30 Sept. 1841
Carrigan reprinted O’Donovan’s entire letter of 30 Sept. 1841 (Carrigan, vol. 4, p. 98-100). There were four sentences that appear to have caused Carrigan concern. After speaking with Peter Grant, Carrigan concluded that O’Donovan was wrong concerning the place where the Leacht Ui Deaghaidh was located.
“In the townland of Scartnamo about a half mile to the north of the Mill of Ballyrowragh and immediately to the left off the old road as you go from Waterford to New Ross, is shown the site of a monument called Leacht Ui Deaghaidh, i.e. the monument of O’Day, whom tradition calls the Ridire O’Day i.e. the Ritter or Knight O’Day. The site of his house is pointed out in a field on the other side of the road not far from the site of his leacht, but in a different townland, viz, in little Gaulestown…(O’Donovan’s Letter, 30 Sept. 1841)
Carrigan’s Location of O’Dea’s House and Leacht
“In the late Peter Grant’s Moon a’ Ridhizha (locally translated, the Baronite’s Bog), low down on the slope of Ballyrahan townland, and close to the old frowning rock of Corriganurra, is shown the site of “the Ridhizha O’Deaw’s house.” Who the Ridhizha O’Deaw, or O’Dea, is not quite clear. If we have to credit tradition, he was lord or owner of the whole Barony of Ida, and gave it the name of the Barony, viz., Ida, Eedeaw, or Ui-Deaghaidh, represents not the name of an individual after the adoption of surnames, but the name of the tribe that occupied it in much earlier times (Carriagan, p. 97).”
“The site of Ridhizha’s house was something more than half an acre in extent, and was covered over with foundations and low mounds, till it was levelled and tilled by the late owner, about 1840. It is now clothed with the greenest grass. The remainder of the field is low lying and boggy, and hence its name, Moon a Ridhizha. There was formerly a well here called Thubber-a-Ridhizha, or the ‘Baronite’s well.’”
“Leachth Ee Deaw, that is O’Dea’s monument bush, or ‘lone bush’ as they call it here, is on the roadside, opposite the Half -Way House in Aylwardstown, one mile and a half north of Moon-a-Rihizha. The bush was formerly surrounded by a little mound or earthen ring, which has been broken down by the trampling of cattle. Here rests ‘Brian O’Deaw,’ sometimes identified by tradition with the Ridhizha O’Deaw, who lived in Moon-a-Ridhizha. The Leachth field commands a view sublime in its extent and variety.”
“O’Donovan incorrectly placed Leachth Ee Deaw on the bounds of Scartnamore and Ballyrahan. There is, no doubt, a leachth, or lone bush on the spot he indicates, but it has never been known as Leachth Ee Deaw. It was planted there a great many years ago by a man named Kierevan, in memory of his deceased mother. The late Peter Grant, of Ballyrahan, when over 90 years of age, assured the present writer that this leachth was never called Leachth Ee Deaw; and that if it had any name at all it should be Leachth Ee Kierevawn or Kierevan’s Leachth, from the man who planted it, and was still living in his own early days.”
Peter Grant (1811-1902) of Ballybrahan, Glenmore
Peter Grant died the 10 August 1902 at Ballyrahan. He was a widower, a farmer, and aged 95, according to the death register. His daughter, Johanna Reddy, was present when he died.
Peter Grant was baptized 30 Jun 1811 at Ballinguile?, Glenmore, the son of John Grant and Bridget Aylward. Sponsors were William Grant and Mary Grant. His sister Anastatia Grant, baptized 10 June 1809, was born at Ballavrahen (sic), Glenmore and his sister Margaret Grant bapt.12 April 1807, the record reflects the address again as Ballinguile.
Peter Grant’s father is found in The Tithe Applotment Books (1829) for the townland of Ballyrahan. Plot 55 was comprised of 18 statute acres and John Grant was the tenant.
It is believed that Peter Grant (1811-1902) married Anne Grace of Glenpipe on 12 Sept 1846 at Rosbercon. Johanna Reddy (daughter of Peter Grant per the death register) married James Reddy on 24 Feb. 1881. Her address was recorded as Gaulestown. Their son John Reddy (1882-1961) married Margaret Hennessey (1886-1970) of the Rower. One of her sisters was the mother of May Roche (c. 1918-2001) of Scart, Glenmore. John and Margaret’s son, James Reddy (c. 1926-2011) married Kitty O’Hanlon of Newtown, Glenmore. Kitty died on 18 July 2021. The couple had no children.
Who Was Correct?
Generally, historians rely upon the earliest reliable written record, yet in this case both O’Donovan and Canon Carrigan were relying upon what they were told. O’Donovan was from the area and was an Irish speaker, and did not indicate where or when he obtained his information. Carrigan was not from the area and did not speak Irish. However, Carrigan found an elderly life-long resident who was about the same age as O’Donovan and provided what he had been told about the lone sceach. Relying on living boundaries or monuments is fraught with difficulties as trees fall are cut down etc. Loose stones are also easily moved or trampled by cattle.
It appears that O’Kelly (The Place Names of the County of Kilkenny Ireland (1969, p. 112)) agreed with or followed Carrigan’s view. It seems unlikely that we will ever know definitively who was correct, if either, but O’Donovan and Carrigan were agreed that the local tradition put an O’Dea house and monument in Glenmore.
For a brief outline of Canon Carrigan’s (1860-1924) early life and work see our post of 17 Sept. 2023
For a brief history of O’Donovan’s (1806-1861) early life see our post of 9 Sept. 2023 and our post of 13 March 2021.
Please send any corrections or further information to glenmore.history@gmail.com. The featured photo above is Donovan’s Mill taken in 2023.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore Emigrants to San Francisco
Prior to the California gold rush, that commenced in 1848, it is estimated that only 1,000 residents lived in San Francisco. By December 1849 the population was approximately 25,000. The growth of the city continued into the 1850’s and rapidly increased again with the Comstock Silver Lode discovery in 1859.
Travelling to San Francisco
Although San Francisco was a far greater journey for Irish emigrants than cities on the east coast of the US they still journeyed to San Francisco. Irish emigration was fueled by the gold and silver strikes, and was aided by the opening of the Panama Railroad in 1855. In approximately 40 days passengers could journey between the east and west coasts of the United States. From 1861-1864, San Francisco also had the lure of being far removed from the Civil War that was raging in the east. In 1869, the Overland Route, the first transcontinental railroad that linked the east and west coasts, terminated across the bay from San Francisco.
The two largest European groups that settled in San Francisco were Germans and Irish. By 1870, 13% of the population were Irish that made up 21% of the workforce. Three years before an Irish mayor was elected. By the turn of the century 75% of the Catholic Clergy were Irish emigrants (Found SF: The San Francisco Digital Archive).
San Francisco 1906
Due to poor sanitation and the port, epidemics flourished in San Francisco. Additionally, earthquakes struck the area in 1864, 1890 and 1898. However, the most famous and destructive earthquake was the San Francisco earthquake that occurred on 18 April 1906. It shook the western seaboard from Los Angelos to Coos Bay, Oregon. The San Francisco City Hall collapsed and cable cars stopped.
A massive fire then destroyed the business district and spread over four days. Rain finally put out the fire that destroyed 500 city blocks covering 4 square miles. The fire destroyed 28,000 buildings with an estimated loss of $350 million. Today, it is estimated that 3,000 people perished between the earth quake and fire. A quarter of a million people were left homeless.
Glenmore Emigrants
Uniquely several 19th century Glenmore emigrants had their birthplace proclaimed in their obituaries. More often in other cities it was merely recorded that the deceased was a native of County Kilkenny.
Mrs. Mary Costello (?-1918)
The San Francisco Bulletin (Sat. 6 April 1918, p. 22) published the following short obituary: Costello—In this city, April 4, Mary, beloved wife of Thomas Costello, and loving mother of May C. Beston and loving grandmother of Imelda Beston, a native of Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. A member of the Third Order of St. Francis of St. Boniface.
We were able to find the death notice of her husband Thomas Costello who died 18 April 1922. Although the obit noted Thomas was from County Kilkenny no further detail was provided concerning his birthplace (San Francisco Journal & Daily Journal of Commerce, Thur. 20 April 1922, p. 12.) We were not able to find a marriage record in Kilkenny or San Francisco for this couple and do not know Mary Costello’s (?-1918) maiden name.
We did find the other family mentioned in Mary Costollo’s obituary (?-1918). Her daughter Mary (May) Beston née Costello (1880-1935) was born in California. Therefore, her parents had to be in California by 1885. Mary’s husband was Thomas Beston (1875-1945). Interestingly, in the 1930 Census May Beston (1880-1935) recorded that she was a widow and worked at the phone company. Their daughter Imelda Beston (1908-2001) married twice and died in 2001.
Miss Margaret Murphy (c. 1841-1912) & Her Siblings
The San Franciso Bulletin, (Mon. 23 Sept. 1912, p. 10) published the following obituary; “Murphy—In this city, September 21, Margaret Murphy, beloved sister of Edward and John Murphy, Mrs. Mary Wall and the late William Murphy, a native of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 71 years.”
Further funeral details and the address of the deceased were published in The San Francisco Call and Post (Mon. 23 Sept. 1912, p. 8). “Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral today (Monday), at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from her late residence 1223 Kentucky street, thence to St. Teresa’s church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of her soul, commencing at 9 o’clock a.m. Interment Holy Cross cemetery.”
James Murphy (1852-?)
Further newspaper searches revealed information concerning Margaret’s brother James. In 1915, “James Murphy, 1223 Kentucky Street, was run down by a jitney bus at Third and Market Streets” (San Francisco Bulletin, Wed. 10 Feb. 1915, p. 4).
John Murphy (1850-1915)
Later in 1915, John Murphy died and the San Francisco Examiner (Mon. 15 Nov. 1915, p. 4) published the a short obituary. “Murphy in this city, November 12, John beloved brother of Edward Murphy, Mrs. Mary Wall and the late William and Margaret Murphy, a native of the parish of Glenmore, County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 65 years. The funeral will take place today (Monday) at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from his late residence, 1223 Kentucky street; thence to St. Teresa’s Church, where a requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, commencing at 9 o’clock, a.m., Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery by carriage.”
Children of Patrick Murphy & Catherine Grace of Davidstown, Glenmore
Armed with the information from the obituaries we believe that Miss Margaret Murphy was the daughter of Patrick Murphy & his wife, Catherine Grace, of Davidstown, Glenmore. The children of this couple include:
[1] Margaret Murphy (bapt. 29 May 1842); [2] Edmund Murphy (bapt 29 April 1841); [3] Mary Murphy (bapt 2 Oct. 1843); [4] Bridget Murphy (bapt 14 July 1845); [5] William Murphy (bapt 26 Dec. 1846); [6] John Murphy (bapt 27 Jan. 1850) and [7] James Murphy, (bapt 22 June 1852).
Luke Murphy (1855-1898) of Balybrahee, Glenmore
In the San Francisco Chronicle (Thu. 15 Sept. 1898, p. 10) the following death notice was published. “Murphy—In this city, Sept. 14, Luke Murphy, beloved brother of Michael Murphy, a native of the parish of Glenmore County Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 36 years.”
Luke Murphy was baptised at Ballybrahee, Glenmore on 5 Aug 1855, but the age provided by the obituary provides that his year of birth should have been about 1862. No Luke Murphy could be located baptized in Glenmore around 1862. Luke Murphy (b. 1855) was the son of John Murphy and his wife, Mary Walsh. They were also the parents of Michael Murphy who was baptized at Ballybrahee, Glenmore on 30 Dec. 1850.]
The San Francisco City Directory, outlines the movements and employment of the Murphy brothers. The 1887 Directory lists a Luke and Michael Murphy working as labourers and living at 213 Perry Street. By 1890, Michael was working for National Iron Works and still residing at 213 Perry. The 1896 Directory provides that Luke was employed as a longshoreman living with Michael at 150 Perry. Michael was a labourer at the Golden State & Miners Iron Works. We believe that this is the correct Luke Murphy because he is not present in the 1899 Directory.
The 1903 Directory notes that Michael was an ironworker with George E. Dow Plumbing Engineering Co. and living at 150 Perry. Michael continued residing at 150 Perry in 1905, but after that date it is not clear where he resided or if he survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Brother Peter Haberlin (1845-1934) of Rochestown, Glenmore
See our post of 24 June 2021, regarding Peter Haberlin (1845-1934) of Rochestown, Glenmore, who resided in San Francisco for a short period of time.
In our next post we will provide further Glenmore natives that settle in San Francisco.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The featured photo is entitled “San Francisco from the Bay” and is courtesy of the New York Public Library, (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).
The Strange Family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Today, as our fifth excerpt from Carrigan’s, The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, v. 4 p. 94-95 (1906) we feature what he published concerning the Strange family of Aylwardstown, Glenmore as well as information that Danny Dowling collected and recorded regarding the last of the family to live in Aylwardstown House.
The Strongs, Strangs or Stranges
They were settled at Waterford, from an early period, and held a foremost place among its citizens. Richard Strong was Mayor of the city in 1484 or 1485; Peter Strong in 1560; Paul Strange in 1597; Thomas Strange in 1607; and Richard Strange in 1634. At least two of them represented the city in Parliament, viz. Peter Strong in 1559 and Richard Strange in 1634. To this stock also belonged the Most Rev. Thomas Strong, Bishop of Ossory from 1582 to 1602, and his nephew, Most Rev. Thomas Walsh (son of Robert Walsh and Anastatia Strong), Archbishop of Cashel from 1626 to 1654.
In course of time the family acquired, probably by purchase, considerable estates in South Kilkenny. About 1560 Peter Stronge held lands to the value of £51, of the manor of Grannagh. Richard Strong, of Waterford, probably his son, is found in possession of the manor of Drumdowney, in 1573, and of the manor of Dunkit, in 1585. Edward Strong of Dunkitt, son and heir of Richard, died June 1st, 1621, being then seised of the manor of Dunkit and of the reversion of the manor of Drumdowney after the death of Thomas Strong; he left issue Richard, his son and heir, then but 12 years old, Thomas, Peter, Joan and Margaret.
Thomas Strong just mentioned, who had been seised of the manor of Drumdowney, and who may have been brother of Edward, of Dunkit, died May 28th, 1625, leaving a son and heir, Laurence, then but 10 years of age.
Another member of the family, Paul Strong of Waterford city, held the fee of several townlands in Inistioge and the Rower. He died Nov. 22nd, 1617, leaving Peter, his son and heir, then aged 39 years. Peter was succeeded, in turn, by Richard, his own son and heir. This Richard appears on the list of those who forfeited in 1653, as do also Peter Strong, of Dunkitt, who was transplanted to Connaght, and Richard Strong, the proprietor of Drumdowney.
Lawrene Strong or Strange, of Drundowney, son of Thomas (who died as above in 1625) is mentioned in one of the depositions of 1641. He was still living in 1661, at which date he was 46 years of age. He was probably the father of Richard Strange, who was appointed a Burgess of Inistioge in 1688, and grandfather of Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown. The said Lawrence Strange, of Aylwardstown, in his Will, proved in the year 1720, mentions his brothers James and Pierce Strange; his brother (i.e. brother-in-law) Nicholas Aylward; his sisters, Ellen Walsh, alias Strange, and Mary Kealy alias Strange; his wife Mary Strange, alias Aylward; his eldest son and heir Richard, then a minor; and his other sons, Patrick and Pierce Strange. Some of the later members of this family are mentioned on their monument in Kilmokevoge.
His Eminence, Cardinal Wiseman’s mother was a Miss Strange of Aylwardstown, probably a daughter of Peter, who died in 1824; her sister, Harriet Strange, wife of Mr. James Butler, of Kilmogar, Johnswell, died in 1858 aged 68. [Fr. Carrigan was correct. “Marriages–On the 2d instant, James Butler. Esq. of Killmogar, County Kilkenny, to Harriet, youngest daughter of Peter Strange, Esq. of Aylwardstown, in the same county,” (Freeman’s Journal, Thurs. 13 Nov. 1823, p. 3)] [For further information on Cardinal Wiseman and his visit to Glenmore see our guest author page or click here.]
In Irish, Strange or Strong is pronounced Sthraoung (a monosyllable). Strang’s Mill, in the parish of Kilmacow, is called by Irish speakers, Mwillin a Straounga, i.e. Muilleann.
Danny Dowling’s (1927-2021) Strange Research
In the 1970’s Danny was corresponding with Professor John Mannion of Newfoundland. From his research he informed Professor Mannion that he believed that the Strange family came to Aylwardstown about 1690, as tenants of the new Cromwellian owners, the Ponsonby family of Kildalton, Piltown, Co. Kilkenny. Danny stated that it appeared that the first Strange that came married a girl of the Aylward family. The Aylward family previously owned the Aylwardstown property before Cromwell (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland dated 10 Dec. 1977).
Danny informed Professor Mannion in 1977 that “some 20 years ago all the Strange family papers were stored in Aylwardstown and burned by a Mrs. Connolly.” Her son Thomas told Danny about the burning in 1975 (DD Notebook 4, Copy of letter from DD to Prof. John Mannion, of Newfoundland, dated 25 January 1977).
Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907)
The last of the Strange family to live at Aylwardstown appears to have been Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907). In Danny’s voluminous records we found a copy of a newspaper auction notice for February 1883.
“Received instruction from Thomas A. Strange, Esq., who is giving up his dairy to sell by auction on Thursday, 1 February 1883, at his farm at Aylwardstown, 30 prime young dairy cows, in and with calf at foot, served by a highly bred bull; 6 three year old heifers in calf; 5 two year old heifers; 3 well-bred yearling bulls; 2 five year old Hunters, well known with hounds may be inspected by V.S. before sale; 2 capital farm mares; one sow/ 12 forward store pigs, 40 tons of prime mangolds in lots; carts, tackling, plough, harrows, dairy utensils. Sale at twelve o’clock precisely and terms are cash.” The auctioneers were Thomas Walsh and Son, The Mall, Waterford (Waterford News & Star, Fri.19 Jan. 1883, p. 2).
Also in Danny’s files was another article which may help explain the auction. In January 1882, Thomas Strange entered into a wager with Mr. W. Power of Williamstown regarding their horses. Strange’s horse Garsfield was to race Power’s Hawk over a 2.5 mile hunting course. The bet was for £25, a large sum of money in 1882. Mr. JP Kennedy of George’s Street held the money (Munster Express, 14 Jan. 1882, p. 6). We could not locate an article regarding which horse won the race, but there are other articles regarding Strange and his love of fast horses and racing.
Lily Strange née Jones (b.c. 1863)
On Halloween 1973, Danny interviewed Nicky the Miller Forristal (1888-1979) who provided another reason why Thomas A. Strange may have held an auction and eventually left Aylwardstown.
“Thomas A. Strange married a girl who worked in one of the Waterford Hotels either the Adelphie or the Imperial. She was a barmaid. He was not long married before they left Aylwardstown. She was either an English or Welsh girl…When Thomas A. Strange left Aylwardstown he brought with him Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh to Liverpool where he lived on the outskirts. He had a jarvey car for hire. He got broke there and had to leave off Tommy Neill and Anty Walsh. Tommy Neill then emigrated to America, Anty Walsh returned home and went to work in Tramore.”
The Strange Children
The first English census where we could locate Thomas A. Strange was the 1891 Census for Cheshire, Birkenhead. Thomas Strange was 34, reported that he was born in Ireland and was working as a horse dealer. His wife, Lily Strange, was aged 28, working as a pork butcher, and reported being born in Wrexham. The couple had two children. Thomas Strange, aged 4, born in Ireland, and Lily Strange, aged 6, born in Wrexham. Also, present were three of Lily’s siblings (whose family name was Jones) and Jane Dargan a 21 year-old general servant, born in Ireland.
We were unable to find a marriage record for Thomas A. and Lily, but we did find a birth record for their son. In Dublin North on the 15th of January 1886, Thomas Alexander Strange of East Pier, Howth, farmer and his wife Lily née Jones had a son that they named Thomas.
By 1901 the family was living at 80 Mozart St., in Toxeth Park, Lancashire, and the family consisted of three people. Thomas Strange, aged 44, was a cab proprietor. Lily Strange was 40, and their son Thomas Strange was 15, and employed as a van driver.
Death of Thomas Alexander Strange (1857-1907)
Thomas Alexander Strange, died aged 51, in Sept. 1907. At the time of his death he was living in the workhouse and gave his profession as cab driver. He was buried in the Catholic Section of Anfield Cemetery, of Lancanshire, in a public grave.
The following year, on 19th of April, 1908, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, Thomas (1886-1959) at the age of 22 married Mary Louisa Douglass, aged 21. The groom was working as a cab driver and he listed his father as Thomas Alexander Strange (deceased). The bride was the daughter of Albert Edward Douglass, storehouse keeper. Young Thomas died on 15 December 1959 at Mill Lane Hospital.
Six years after her father’s death, at the Parish Church of Liverpool, on 5 May 1913, Lily Strange (aged 26) married Thomas Birney (aged 30) of Clare Street. The bride recorded that she was the daughter of Thomas Strange, car driver.
We were unable to determine what happened to Lily Strange née Jones, but are hopeful a reader might be able to shed some light on this.
Please send any and all corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com.
The feature photo above is Aylwardstown House taken in 2004 and is courtesy of the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Interesting Life of Hugh Mahon (1857-1931)
Below is an article written by John Dowling, Danny Dowling’s nephew, concerning the interesting life of Hugh Mahon (1857-1931). Hugh Mahon was the “special reporter” who interviewed the Widow Doolan, of Jamestown, Glenmore, on 8 August 1880 the day that Charles Boyd was murdered. After exposing various abuses perpetrated again the Widow Doolan, and the local men accused of the murder, Mahon also raised funds for their defence. Mahon later emigrated to Australia where he became a politician and to this date is the only MP to be expelled from the Australian Parliament.
For an account of the plight of the Widow Doolan (Bridget Dowling née Cody (1831-1916)) and the murder of Charles Boyd see our post of 7 November 2021 .
Hugh Mahon (1857-1931)
Hugh Mahon was born at Killurin, County Offaly, in 1857, the 13th of 14 children of James and Anna Mahon. At the time James Mahon farmed a sizeable holding in the barony of Geashill owned by Edward St. Vincent Digby. From 1856 onwards there was ever increasing tension between the new Baron Digby and his tenants. James Mahon was caught up in these tensions but increased his lands under rent from 114 acres to 264 acres by 1866. His son Patrick farmed approximately 68 of these acres.
The North American Years
For unknown reasons, James and Anna Mahon and eight of their children emigrated to America in 1869, leaving behind Patrick to continue farming.
The Mahon family arrived in New York in March 1869, but by October they were farming a 50 acre farm close to Toronto, Canada. They lasted less than 4 years in Canada when they moved to Albany, New York.
Albany, at that time, was a thriving rail connection attracting many emigrants looking for work. James Mahon purchased a house for $1900 in May 1873. However, the American dream continued to turn sour for the Mahon family as an economic panic struck America in 1873 with many railroad companies going bankrupt. Also, the construction of rail bridges across the Hudson River reduced rail activity in East Albany.
During this time Hugh Mahon started to learn the printing and newspaper trades, and eventually at the age of 20 started working for himself selling printing materials. However, he was not left with good memories. Later in life he commented in a letter about the long workhours, poor conditions and clients who refused to pay for services rendered.
It is not clear when the Mahon family left Albany but in 1878 their name disappeared from the Albany Directories, and the house they bought for $1900 in 1873 was sold in approximately 1880 for $1000.
Return to Ireland
By 1880, with James Mahon in his 73rd year, he and his wife were facing a very uncertain twilight to their lives. Their fate must also have been experienced by many other emigrants, but the Mahon’s had one option that was not available to others. They still had a son living and farming in Ireland, and at some stage between 1878 and 1880 they decided to return to Ireland with their son Hugh.
In 1880 Hugh Mahon ended up as editor and manager of the New Ross Standard and a reporter for the Wexford People. The owner of both newspapers, Edward Walsh, was an outspoken critic of the local landlords. Walsh served three prison terms for articles that were printed in his newspapers.
The Irish Land league was formed in 1879 and was initially led by Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt. Hugh Mahon became Assistant Secretary of the New Ross branch of the Land League. Mahon was forced to leave Ireland in late March 1882, but in the two years he spent in New Ross he was a considerable thorn in the side of local landlords.
Mahon Involvement in Boyd Murder Trial
Mahon became acquainted with Walter Phelan of Shanbogh in the summer of 1880. Walter made Mahon aware of the situation of the Widow Doolan (Bridget Dowling) of Jamestown, Glenmore. On the evening of the 7th August, Walter Phelan met with Hugh Mahon in his New Ross office and agreed to go with him the following day to meet the Widow Doolan. Hugh Mahon was interested in publishing her plight in his newspaper.
On the evening of the 8th of August after meeting the Widow Doolan, Charles Boyd, nephew of local landlord Thomas Boyd was shot, and died the morning of the 9th of August.
John and Walter Phelan were identified by Evans Boyd as two of the men in the attack. They were arrested, along with ten others, and remanded first to Rosbercon and then to Kilkenny.
Hugh Mahon organised a defence fund to help the two Phelan brothers, Walter and John, who were charged with the crime. He used his newspaper to criticise the police and prosecution authorities, whom he accused of intimidation and coercive practices. He was also an important witness at the trial, providing an alibi for Walter who accompanied him to visit the Widow Doolan on the day of the assassination. The trial of the Phelan brothers was delayed to June 1881 and moved to Dublin due to the tension in the area.
Various witnesses were also moved to Dublin. These included young girls who were working as servant girls in the area. They were taken against their families wishes and held in Dublin and attempts to coerce them in giving damning evidence against the Phelan brothers was carried out (reported by Mahon in The Wexford People, Oct. 16 1880, p. 6). The girls did not succumb to the Crown coercion, nor to the offer of money.
The two Phelan brothers were acquitted in June 1881, largely based on the alibi provided by Hugh Mahon and a lack of credible evidence.
Hugh Mahon was an instrumental figure in the defence of the Phelan brothers due to
- The report of the killing of Charles Boyd, “one of the most atrocious deeds of blood”, [i] which was published on the 11 August 1880 in the Wexford People, was accompanied, on the same page, by his report of the mistreatment of Evans Boyd towards the Widow Doolan and her orphaned family. The reporting of the Boyd killing throughout Ireland and Great Britain was nearly always accompanied by the reference of mistreatment of the Widow Doolan.
- The continual criticism of local landlords by Mahon in his newspaper reports and organised boycotts of local landlords, in particular Thomas Boyd
- The raising of £765 to cover the costs of legal defence
- Providing an alibi for Walter Phelan on the day of the murder, due to both being together to interview the Widow Doolan.
One can start to think how the accused would have fared without the agitation of Hugh Mahon and his fundraising efforts.
Mahon’s Involvement in New Ross Land League
Mahon used his printing skills to print and post boycott notices around the New Ross area. Thomas Boyd was one of the landlords targeted and in September 1881 Boyd wrote to the Under-Secretary of Ireland calling for Mahon to be arrested under the Protection of Person and Property Act. Mahon was eventually arrested on 27 October 1881 and imprisoned in Naas. Mahon was suffering from tuberculosis and the prison authorities were worried that his delicate health conditions could cause his premature death whilst in their custody. He was offered a release based on his commitment to leave Ireland to move to sunnier climes to help his health condition. Eventually in late March 1882 Mahon left Ireland. He eventually arrived in Melbourne on 22 May 1882.
Australian Journalist, Activist & Politician
Upon landing in Australia Mahon quickly resumed his Land League Activist role amongst the Australian Irish. In 1883 he accompanied William and John Redmond on their 10-month tour of Australia, where he organised many of their events.
However, after the Redmond’s left Australia Mahon quickly parted company with the Land League activities to concentrate on his own journalist career, and in supporting his new wife and family.
Gold was discovered in Western Australia in the early 1890´s. Mahon decided to move there to run a newspaper covering activities in the newly formed gold districts in 1895. Over the next 5 years he would run various newspapers providing news to the local miners, expose corruption in mining and government and actively support the miner’s interests. He ran for local government on various occasions but was only successful when the Australian colonies joined together in 1901 to form the Australian Commonwealth. He was elected as the representative for Coolgardie as the Labour Party´s candidate. Over the next twenty years he would serve as Minister on four occasions, including the Minister for External Affairs during the First World War.
Mahon became active again in Irish affairs and was an ardent support of the Irish Parliamentary Party and Home Rule, but his outlook was changed by the events of 1916. The aftermath of the 1916 Rising, and the executions of the leaders was a moment when “All Changed, Changed Utterly” with “A terrible beauty … born.”[ii]
Over the next few years Mahon moved from Home Ruler to Sinn Fein supporter, and by 1919 was president of the Irish-Ireland League of Victoria. When Terence MacSwiney, Sinn Fein Lord Mayor of Cork, died on 25 October 1920, after 74 days on hunger strike, Mahon attempted to have the Irish situation debated in Australian parliament but was refused. At a meeting on 7 November 1920 in Melbourne, Mahon attacked British policy in Ireland,
“Never in Russia under the worst [rule] of the Czars had there been such an infamous murder as that of the late Alderman McSwiney. They were told in the papers that Alderman McSwiney’s poor widow sobbed over his coffin. If there was a just God in heaven that sob would reach round the world, and one day would shake the foundations of this bloody and accursed Empire.”[iii]
Mahon´s outburst came just four days before the second anniversary of the end of the First World War. Australia was still mourning the deaths of approximately 60,000 of its sons and daughters, and its Empire loyal population was not willing to accept such criticism as expressed by Mahon.
The Prime Minister, Billy Fisher, was one seat short of a majority with Mahon´s Labour party in opposition. Seeing an opportunity to secure a government majority he moved a motion, which was successful, to expel Hugh Mahon from Parliament due to his “seditious and disloyal utterances at a public meeting”[iv] and being “guilty of conduct unfitting him to remain a member of this House.”[v]
Mahon failed to win back his seat in the subsequent by-election in December 1920. To this day he remains the only MP ever to have been expelled from the Australian Parliament.
Outside of politics he continued to run the Catholic Church Property Insurance Co. He died on 28 August 1931, eventually succumbing to the lung disease that had affected him during much of his life.
John Dowling
Further reading:
Jeff Kildea (2017) Hugh Mahon Patriot, Pressman, Politician: Vol. 1 The Years from 1857 to 1901, Anchor Books: Melbourne, Australia
H.J. Gibbney (1986) “Hugh Mahon (1957-1931)” in the Australian Dictionary of Biographies, vol. 10.
Frank Sweeney (ed) (2005) Hanging Crimes: When Ireland Used the Gallows, Mercier Press: Cork
[i] Wexford People, 11 Aug. 1880, p. 4
[ii] William Butler Yeats (1997) “Easter 1916” and Other Poems, Dover Publications
[iii] Jeff Kildea (2020) Hugh Mahon; Patriot, Pressman, Politician: Vol 2 The Years from 1901 to 1931, Anchor Books: Melbourne, Australia
[iv] Kildea (2020) supra n. iii
[v] Kildea (2020) supra n. iii
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
Founding of Glenmore GAA in 1887
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