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From Danny’s Files: Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976)
Our founder Danny Dowling (1927-2021) corresponded with people from all over the world. Some were people doing family research, others were academics researching specific events or industries, and one correspondent was a sitting member of the Irish Supreme Court, Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976).
Today, we are going to present a letter Danny wrote in 1969 to Mr. Justice Gardner Budd who was seeking apparently information on the Budd’s of Kilmacow. There were apparently other letters, but they have yet to be uncovered in Danny’s vast collection. Carefully pinned by Danny to a copy of the discovered letter was an obituary for Mr. Justice G. Budd which Danny clipped from the Irish Independent (Tues. 10 Feb. 1976, p. 12). The featured photo above is from that obituary.
The Letter from Glenmore
Below is the letter in full and any additional information has been placed in square brackets. The letter is typed, 2 ½ pages in length on thin paper, measuring 8 inches (20 cm) by 10 inches (25 cm).
Justice Budd, Esq.
73 South Hill
Dartry
Dublin 6
30th May 1969
Dear Mr. Justice Budd,
Thanks very much for your letter of the 1st May which I received but am sorry for the delay in replying which was due to the fact that I was in hospital for three weeks.
The Budd family lived in the townland of Blossomhill, in the parish of Kilmacow Co. Kilkenny, until about the year 1881, when the last male member of the family in the locality left the homestead and went to live for a short time with Mr. William Power, of Christendom, in the parish of Slieverue near Waterford. He was William Joseph Poulter Budd. Whilst with Mr. William Power he became ill and was taken to London by his daughter Florence.
According to a letter from this Miss Florence Budd from London, dated the 30th of October 1881, to Mr. William Power her father had died and was buried in London. In this letter she thanked Mr. Power for his kindness to her father and she also stated that she was leaving her father’s furniture etc. to Mr. Power. This Mr. Budd had no male issue—only two daughters. One was married to an English Army Officer—Colonel Free, and the other daughter Florence to a gentleman named Blake, who was a Deputy Lieutenant for Co. Kilkenny. Mrs. Florence Blake had a son Poulter Charles Blake and they lived in London. According to Mr. Patrick Power, the present owner of the Budd property, two sons of the Blakes are living in Culpeper, Virginia, U.S.A.
The Budd residence at Blossomhill is now in ruins but a fine residence nearby, which the said William Joseph Poulter Budd, built but never actually lived in, still stands. Due to some trouble or other, he never put the finishing touches to this fine house but went to live as already stated with Mr. William Power of Christendom. I enclose herewith photographs which I took of the ruins and the aforesaid house which is now a cattle shed.
[Rev. Joseph Poulter (c. 1738-1789) of Dunkitt]
The Budd family is buried in the old Churchyard at Dunkitt and there is a tomb there with the following inscription which is now almost undecipherable:
“Here lieth the remains of Mary Ann Budd, wife of Tobias Budd of Dunkitt Esq.; who departed this live October 6th 1817, aged 35 years”
This Mary Ann Budd (1781-1817) was the youngest daughter and co-heiress of Rev. Joseph Poulter, Rector of Dunkitt, by his second wife, Margaret, daughter of the Rev. William Dennis D.D. of Waterford, and was born on the 12th of November 1781.
On another monument in the same graveyard is the following inscription:
“Sacred to the memory of Mary, wife of Thomas Lewis Mackesy M.D., a daughter of the Rev. Joseph Poulter, who died 18th October 1818.”
This lady was the eldest daughter of Rev. Joseph Poulter and his wife Margaret Dennis and was born on the 11th June 1776. Mrs. Mary Ann Budd and Mrs. Mary Mackesy (1776-1818) were sisters. The Poulters lived in Dunkitt House which is now occupied by a Mr. Porter. The aforesaid Rev. William Dennis was Rector of Kilculliheen, and he died on the 11th of April 1815 aged 59 years. From what I can ascertain the above Rev. Joseph Poulter had only two daughters in his family, Mrs. Budd and Mrs. Mackesy, and he divided his estate between the two of them. [See generally Wiki Family Tree for Joseph Poulter (c. 1738-1789.]
Attached to the Blossomhill residence of William Joseph Poulter Budd was an estate of about 100 acres at the time of his departure from there. As well as farming he worked a white limestone quarry, situated on the lands. He had about 40 men working for him in this quarry.
[Glenmore Landlords]
As far as the parish of Glenmore is concerned, a Tobias Budd, a minor, owned in 1830 the entire townlands of Flemingstown and Weatherstown. This information is from the Tithe Applotment Books of the old Civil Parish of Kilcoan. According to the same document a Mr. Budd is shown as the occupier of 12 acres and 2 roods in the townland of Flemingstown. Whether or not this Mr. Budd lived there I cannot say. In Griffiths General Valuation or Ireland circa 1850, a Mrs. James Budd is shown as the owner of the entire townland of Ballybraghy containing 160 acres and 2 roods and 32 perches. The family of Mackesy were also extensive landowners in Glenmore Parish. [See our post of 3 March 2025 regarding Glenmore landlord Dr. Mackesy].
As a matter of interest, I will now quote two entries from the Catholic Register of Marriages for Glenmore Parish which is now preserved in the Library of St. Kieran’s College, In Kilkenny:
“14th February 1780. Joyn’d in Wedlock by ye Certificate of Mr. James Budd; Mary Brenon of Ballinlammy unto Rich. Wallice of Mullinahone. Witness ye Rev. James Newman, Mr. James Cody and Mr. Patrick Brennon.”
“12th November 1780. Joyn’d in Wedlock by ye Certificate of Mr. Tobias Budd; Michael Mullally unto Mary Murphy both of Nicholastown. Witnesses Michael O’Naile, James O’Naile and William Murphy.” [During this period landlords sometimes provided certificates to regulate the lives of their tenants, manage their estates by ensuring that unauthorized subletting did not occur, and enforce the moral and behaviour the landlord set.]
With reference to the Budd Estate at Ballybraghy in the old Civil Parish of Kilcoan which is now part of the present Catholic ecclesiastical Parish of Glenmore, I would suggest you look up Record No. S. 4931 in the Records Branch of the Land Commission at 24 Upper Merrison St., Dublin.
Any information which you have on the Budd family and estate would be much appreciated by me as I am collecting material for the history of my area. I would also like to get a copy of said Record No. S.4931 and perhaps you could help me in this as well as copies of any old Estate maps which you may have.
When next you visit the area, please let me know beforehand and I will only be too glad to show you where the Budds lived and are buried etc.
In conclusion, I would like to correct the impression which you possibly got from my previous correspondence. I am not a member of the Garda force but a Health Authority employee—a Health Inspector.
Yours Very Sincerely,
Daniel Dowling.
Mr. Justice Gardner Budd (1904-1976)
Mr. Frederick Gardner Orford Budd was born on 11 April 1904 at Ennis Co. Clare. His father, Samuel Duquid Budd (c. 1864-1934) was employed as a bank manager at the time of his birth. His mother, Fanny Beatrice Orford (c. 1865-1955) was the daughter of Dr. Frederick James Orford of Leicestershire, and she was the second wife of Samuel D. Budd. His parents were married on 12 July 1899 in Surrey, England.
Samuel D. Budd married his first wife, Susan West Stuart (c. 1854-1897) on 30 May 1882 in a Church of Ireland in Galway. His father was recorded as James Budd, a merchant and Susan’s father was John Simson Stuart, a Senior R.I.C. Inspector. Susan West Budd, of Bindon? St., Ennis died on 27 January 1897, of albuminuria at the age of 43. She was the mother of 5 children.
Gardner Budd was educated at the Manor School, Fermoy, Co. Cork; Felsted in England and Trinity College, Dublin. He was a scholar of T.C.D. in history in 1925, the year in which he obtained a B.A. (Mod.) in history in 1925 and political science to be followed two years later with an LLD. He was called to the bar in 1927 and to the Inner Bar in 1940. [He married Oonah Blennerhassett in Sligo in 1931 and the couple had four children.] In 1951 he represented TCD on the university panel in Seanad Eireann. Later that year he was appointed a Judge of the High Court, a position he occupied until 1966 when he was raised to the Supreme Court. He retired from the Supreme Court right before Christmas 1975 and died 9 February 1976 (Irish Examiner, 10 Feb. 1976 p. 14). (For a concise outline of his important decisions see, Pauric J. Dempsey, Dictionary of Irish Biography.)
Waterford City Roots
The obituary of Sanuel D. Budd (c. 1864-1934) (Irish Examiner, Mon. 27 Aug. 1934, p. 4) provides some interesting details regarding Justice Gardner Budd’s Waterford City Roots.
“The death has taken place of Mr. Samuel Duguid Budd, a Waterfordman, who reached a very high position in Irish banking circles. He was son of the late Mr. James Budd, of [Waterford City*], and father of Mr. F. G. O. Budd, the well known barrister on the Waterford circuit. After a distinguished career in the Provincial Bank of Ireland, during which time he was for many years manager in Cork, the late Mr. Samuel Budd became Chief Officer of the bank. He retired from this position [in 1919 per the Southern Star (Sat. 2 Aug. 1930, p. 10)] and, was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. D. Bradshaw, the present Chief Officer. The late Mr. Budd was co-opted a member of the Representative Body of the Church of Ireland.” [*per the Munster Express, 31 Aug. 1934, p. 7]
James Budd of Waterford City
Samuel D. Budd (c. 1864-1934) reported in the 1901 Census that he was born in Waterford. Danny in a handwritten note recorded that in the Thomas S. Harvey (1865) Waterford Almanac & Directory for 1866 there were two entries for James Budd in the Directory. The first James Budd was listed as a commercial traveller living on Barker St. A second listing was for James Budd & Company, Guano Merchants on Thomas Street. [Guano was the excrement of seabirds and bats. It was historically prized as a fertilizer and a key ingredient for the production of gunpowder.]
Hopefully further correspondence between Danny and Justice G. Budd is discovered and we shall be able to update this information.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: The Gorman’s of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) often referred to surnames that were no longer found in Glenmore Parish as extinct names. One such name is Gorman or O’Gorman. At one point Danny noted in correspondence in 2001 with Patrick Gorman of Illinois that two Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, Glenmore.
Willie Holden, of Ballycroney, yesterday confirmed that there were Gorman’s in Ballycroney in the past. They lived where Bolger’s once lived and Bernard Walsh lives there now. Neddy Holden, of Clune, told Willie, that P.N. O’Gorman’s people came from Ballycroney. For our international readers P.N. O’Gorman and his wife in 1924 established an auctioneers/estate agents/valuers business in New Ross that can still be found on the Quay today.
Today we are going to review the early Glenmore Parish records to determine how many Gorman families resided in Ballycroney, highlight the two Gorman brothers in Illinois and attempt to determine who went to New Ross.
Review of Early Glenmore Parish Records
Denis Gorman & his wife Eleanor Murphy
A review of the combined Slieverue/Glenmore parish records reveals that the first Gorman we could confirm as being in Ballycrone (sic) was Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. Their son [1] Patrick was born there in 1785 and they had 5 more children the last being born in 1797 just before the 1798 Rebellion. The 5 children include:
[2] Mary Gorman (1787);
[3] Catherine Gorman (1789);
[4] Richard Gorman (1790);
[5] James Gorman (1792); and
[6] Michael Gorman (1797)).
Michael Gorman & his wife Mary Cody
The second oldest confirmed record we could find was for Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. They were married at Glenmore on 13 November 1812, and had 9 children in Ballycrony from 1813 to 1835. The witnesses at their wedding were William Gorman and Walter Bolger. It is not known if this Michael was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy. He would have been just 15 when he married in 1812, thus it is not likely. He may have been a younger brother of Denis, a nephew or no relation at all.
The children of Michael Gorman and Mary Cody include:
[1] Catherine Gorman (bapt. 13 April 1813)
[2] Juny Gorman (bapt. 16 March 1815)
[3] William Gorman (bapt. 8 Dec. 1816)
[4] Denis Gorman (bapt. 1 May 1819)
[5] Patrick Gorman (bapt. 18 Feb. 1822)
[6] Edmund Gorman (bapt. 20 April 1825-18 Nov.1888) Emigrated to Illinois before 1852.
[7] Mary Gorman (bapt. 17 July 1827)
[8] James Gorman (bapt. 24 Aug. 1828)
[9] Richard Gorman (bapt. 4 Nov. 1835-14 Aug. 1914) Emigrated to Illinois in 1867.
James Gorman & Bridget Wallis [Wallace]
The third family we found in Ballycroney was James Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis. They had at least five children from 1826 to 1834.
Their eldest child [1] Denis Gorman was born in 1825. The record states that the father’s name was Denis. However, given that 3 of the other children were the children of James Gorman and Bridget Wallis {Wallace] we believe an error was made on the eldest two children’s baptismal records. The other children include:
[2] (father given as John) William Gorman (1826);
[3] Mary Gorman (1828);
[4] Mary Gorman (1832) and
[5] Ellen Gorman (1834).
It is likely that this James Gorman was the son of Denis Gorman and his wife Eleanor Murphy (born in 1792). The traditional naming patterns of this time holds true. The eldest male child was named Denis after his paternal grandfather. The second eldest girl was named Ellen after her paternal grandmother.
Other Gorman Families in Early Glenmore Parish Records
Carrigcloney, Glenmore
The early combined parish records also provided that one Gorman family resided in Carrigcloney, Glenmore. Richard Gorman and his wife Honor Foley married on 1 March 1810 at Kilmacow. They moved to Carrigcloney, Glenmore and had [1] Michael Gorman in 1811;[2] John Gorman (1814). The family moved to St. John’s Parish in Kilkenny where [3] James Gorman was born in 1816; [4] Patrick Gorman (1818); [5] Edmund Gorman [1820]; [6] Thomas Gorman (1823); [7] Mary Gorman (1825) and [8] Peter Gorman (1827).
Parkstown, Glenmore
Parkstown, Glenmore—Denis O’Gorman and his wife Catherine Donovan had their son Patrick O’Gorman baptized on 17 March 1827. No other baptismal records could be located for this couple.
P.N. O’Gorman of New Ross
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) was the youngest child of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) and his wife Mary Finn (c.1840-1898) His parents were married at New Ross on 10 August 1861. P.N. was baptized at New Ross by Fr. D.J. Gorman on 9 Sept. 1876. William was employed as a cooper, and the family lived on Mary Street, New Ross.
We believe that P.N. O’Gorman’s father was William Gorman (bapt. 11 June 1826) to John (sic) Gorman and his wife Bridget Wallis, Ballycroney, Glenmore. However, we have no definitive record or obituary that gives his place of birth as Ballycroney or provides the names of William’s parents.
The children of William Gorman (c. 1829-1889) & Mary Finn (c. 1840-1898)
[1] Elizabeth Gorman (1862-c. 1888) Died of meningitis, aged 25.
[2] Eleanor Gorman (1863-1920) Ellen O’Gorman, of Mary St., married a widower, Elias Thackery Vickers (c. 1864 -1908) (solicitor from South St.) on 27 April 1897 at St. Mary’s New Ross. She listed her father William as a farmer/merchant. Witnesses to the wedding were James J. O’Gorman & Lizzie Finn. Elias Thackery Vickers died in 1908. Ellen Vickers née Gorman died 16 January 1920, in Haughton Hospital, a widow, at the age of 52 of paralysis. Elias Thackery Vicker’s first wife was Caroline Fegan of Tramore, Co. Waterford. They married in the Church of Ireland on 27 Sept. 1881 at Tramore. His father was Samuel Vickers and her father was William Fegan. Both fathers were retired RIC officials. Reginald George Vickers was born at New Ross on 5 Jan. 1886. He died 20 Feb. 1914 at home on South St. he was a watchmaker (28, bachelor). His step-mother Eleanor was with him at his death.
[3] Fr. Richard Gorman O.S.A. (1865-1921) was an Augustinian priest. He died in Cork.
[4] James Nicholas Gorman (1867-1871) died of Bright’s disease at the age of 4.
[5] Mary Joseph Gorman (1873- 1884) died of enteric fever aged 9.
[6] James Joseph Gorman (1874-? ) per P.N. O’Gorman’s 1947 obit James died in the US.
[7] Peter Nicholas Gorman (1876-1947) (P.N. O’Gorman)
Sometime after the birth of the children the family began to use the surname O’Gorman. William O’ Gorman died 3 Sept. 1889 at home on Mary St, New Ross. His widow Mary was with him when he died. She provided that he was 60 and a cooper. Mary O’Gorman née Finn died the 28th of June 1898 at her home on Mary St. Her youngest son, P.N. O’Gorman, was present when she died. He provided that she was 58 years old and the widow of a butter merchant.
Peter N. O’Gorman married Elizabeth Sullivan ( ? -1959) on 26 April 1922 at St. Mary’s, Haddington Road, Dublin. She was the daughter of Daniel Sullivan (merchant) and from Northumberland Rd., South Dublin. The couple lived in Ivy Cottage, Rosbercon, and shorty after their marriage they established P.N. O’Gorman Auctioneers/Valuers in Rosbercon. The business later moved across the river to the New Ross quay.
Peter O’Gorman served in several public offices. He served as Chairman of the Urban Council which under his chairmanship completed 3 housing schemes , all streets were renovated and the quay concreted. He was a member of the Harbour Commission and served on the Wexford Co. Council during 1917-1919. He was a member of the New Ross Agricultural Society and followed the Kilkenny Hounds under Major McCalmount of Mount Juliet. He was a Governor of Haughton Hospital (New Ross Standard, Fri. 14 Nov. 1947, p. 4).
Peter Nicholas O’Gorman (1876-1947) died 7 Nov. 1947 at Ivy Cottage in Rosbercon. He was 71 years of age. At the time of his death, for his service to New Ross, he was given a public funeral. His widow, Elizabeth died in January 1959.
Gorman Brothers in Illinois
Thanks to Patrick Gorman’s extensive research and correspondence with Danny Dowling we know of at least two Gorman brothers emigrated from Ballycroney and settled in Illinois. These brothers were the sons of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. The Peoria area became the home to several Glenmore families as emigrants tended to go to family or friends already settled in the U.S. See our post of 30 Sept. 2024 regarding the McDonald Family of Ballyfacey, Glenmore in Peoria.
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Edward Gorman (1825-1880) married Ann Morrissey (c. 1825-1893) on 27 April 1852 at Peoria, Illinois. Edward became a naturalized citizen in 1856 in Peoria. In the 1870 Census Edward was employed as a labourer and the couple had 5 children from 16 to 5 years of age.
[1] Mary A. Gorman (1855-1938)
[2] Katherine Burns née Gorman (1858-1935)
[3] Michael P. Gorman (1858-1940)
[4] William M. Gorman (1863-1921)
[5] John Edward Gorman (1865-1947)
By the 1880 Census, Edward was farming in Stark County, Illinois about 35 miles north west of Peoria. Edward died on 19 Nov. 1888 in Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery in Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois and has the most amazing information recorded on his headstone. See Findagrave for a photo of his gravestone.
Edward Gorman died Nov. 19, 1888
A native of Glenmore, Kilkenny Co., Ireland
May his soul rest in Peace.
A husband kind, a father dear, a faithful friend lies buried here.We mourn his loss while here we stay but hope to meet in bliss someday. The photo of Edward Gorman is from Findagrave and was added by Patrick Gorman and he provided the transcription of the marker to Danny Dowling.
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) Native of Ballycroney, Glenmore
Richard Gorman (1835-1914) was the youngest child of Michael Gorman and his wife Mary Cody. It appears that he married twice. His first wife was Catherine Flynn (c. 1844-1884). We located a marriage between a Richard Gorman and Catherine Flynn held on 18 Sept. 1865 at Killea, Co. Waterford (near Dunmore East).
The 1880 US Census for Marshall, La Prairie Co., Illinois reveals that Richard and Catherine were farming and their son Michael Gorman (1870-1956) was 7 having been born in Illinois. Both Richard and Catherine noted that they could not read or write. A farm labourer named William Gorman, aged 16, was living with the family. William was born in Illinois, but both of his parents were born in Ireland.
Catherine Gorman née Flynn died on 29 April 1884 at Camp Grove, Marshal, Illinois. She is buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. See Findagrave. A few years later Richard married his second wife, Bridget Grant, who also may have been a native of Glenmore.
Per the 1900 US Census for Lee, Harmon Co., Illinois, Richard emigrated in 1867 and his second wife, Bridget Grant (c. 1845-1921) emigrated in 1885. In 1900, Richard was 61 and his Bridget was 54. His son Michael Gorman was 27 (b. Dec. 1872 in Illinois) and his daughter Nellie (1888-1965) was 11.
Richard died on 14 August 1914 in Wyoming, Stark County, Illinois. He is buried in St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Wyoming, Illinois with his second wife, Bridget Gorman née Grant. See, Findagrave.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com . Special thanks to Willie Holden for the information on Ballycroney and to Patrick Gorman of Illinois who provided his excellent family research and photos to Danny Dowling.
The featured photo above is an old postcard of Peoria, Illinois.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Finding an Answer Regarding Mother Jones (c. 1837-1930)
Several years ago, I was driving Danny Dowling (1927-2021) to a book fair and inquired if he had read anything of interest since our previous outing. Danny replied that he had read an article about Mary Harris Jones. I did not recognize the name, and Danny expressed amazement that I was not familiar with the greatest labour leader in American history.
After a good bit of teasing centring on my lack of education, Danny began to recite in detail the life of Mary Harris Jones. When he stated that her husband and four children died in a yellow fever epidemic it finally struck me that he was referring to “Mother Jones” an influential organizer for the United Mine Workers of America in the early 20th Century. I don’t think I ever knew her real name. She was always known as Mother Jones and is also known for fighting child labour. She led a march of children to Washington during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency to protest the use of child labour.
I mentioned to Danny that Mother Jones is buried in Mount Olive, Macoupin County, Illinois, just off of Interstate 55 with informational signs on Interstate 55. (I-55 replaced the famous U.S. Route 66 between Chicago and St. Louis). Danny asked why she was buried there, and I had no answer until now. Last week while visiting Southern Illinois, I went to the grave and memorial erected for Mother Jones. I also visited the Illinois Coal Museum, of Gillespie, Illinois, which features several interesting mining displays including one of a life size cut out of the tiny Mother Jones. For a concise biography of Mother Jones’s work see, the AFL-CIO website. For a virtual tour of the Illinois Coal Museum see their webpage.
The Tragic Widow Found a Purpose
After the tragic deaths of her husband and children in 1867, Mother Jones for the remainder of her life dressed in black. It was only at her funeral that she wore a different colour. Mother Jones was laid out and buried in a lilac dress. A few years after her family’s demise her dressmaking business was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. She began to work as a union organizer and travelled the country. She referred to the coal miners as “her boys.” She also mobilized their wives and children to support the miners.
In 1897, she was dubbed “Mother Jones.” She was around 60 years of age. Historians have found her baptismal record in 1837 parish records in Cork, but she often gave her birth year as 1830. It is likely that she may not have known her exact date of birth.
Why Mount Olive, Macoupin County Illinois?
According to a large plaque listing various unions and others who donated to the memorial, Mother Jones asked to be buried with “her boys” who died in the Virden, Illinois, Massacre.
“When the last call comes for me to take my final rest, will the Miners see that I get a resting place in the same clay that shelters the Miners who gave up their lives on the hills of Virden Illinois on the morning of October 12, 1898 for their heroic sacrifice of their fellow men. They are responsible for Illinois being the best organized State in America. I hope it will be my consolation when I pass away to feel I sleep under the clay with those brave boys.”
The Union Miners’ Cemetery has an interesting history. It only came into existence in 1899 as a burial place for the members of the Miners’ Union killed at Virden in 1898. Apparently, the person or family that donated land to the nearby Mount Olive Cemetery objected to a memorial or memorial services for the miners. The Union decided to buy land for their own cemetery and several of the Virden miners were dug up and transferred to the new Union Miners’ Cemetery. For further details see Macoupin County, Illinois, Genealogy Trails webpage.
Although Mother Jones was always buried in the Union Miners’ Cemetery once the monument was built she too was moved to her present resting place. The feature photo above shows the flowers placed on the foot of her grave in the front centre of the large monument.
The Virden Massacre
At the Mother Jones’s Memorial, the Battle of Virden is referred to as the Virden Massacre. It occurred on 12 October 1898, after the Chicago-Virden Coal Co. rejected a nationwide agreement with the United Mine Workers of America. The agreement gave miners a wage of 40 cents per ton. Work was also to be reduced to 48 hours per week (comprised of 8 hour shifts in a 6 day week). The Virden mine was one of the biggest in Illinois; it employed 400 miners.
The Chicago-Virden Coal Co. locked out miners unwilling to accept the 30 cent a ton rate it offered. A strike ensued and an armed stockade was erected around the mine entrance indicating that the company was aware that the situation likely would turn violent. By the time of the massacre most of the local miners had been out of work for over a year.
To break the union and get the mine operational again, the Chicago-Virden Coal Co. hired 105 non-union black Alabama miners at 30 cents per ton. The Chicago-Virden Coal Co. failed to tell the black miners that there was an ongoing strike at Virden. As the Company shipped the black miners north by train members of the Thiel Detective Service Co. boarded the train in East St. Louis, Illinois armed with rifles.
The Company demanded that Governor Tanner send troops to protect the strike breakers and mine property. Tanner responded, to the sheriff of Macoupin County that “as long as the coal company persists in importing labor I will not furnish troops unless rioting occurs.” It was alleged by some newspapers that Tanner did not send troops because he was seeking votes from the labour element (The Daily Review (Decatur, IL) Tues. 29 Nov. 1898, p. 4).
When the train arrived in Virden it was swarmed by about 1,200 armed local miners. Both sides blamed the other for firing the first shot. The gun battle lasted for 15 minutes and left 13 people dead. Eight of the dead were local coal miners, four of the dead were mine “guards” and a switchboard operator of the railroad was killed. There were also a large number of men injured on both sides. It was reported that 30 other local miners were also shot but survived. The black Alabama miners were apparently not harmed and removed from the area. If memory serves me these men were abandoned in E. St. Louis by the Chicago-Virden Coal Co. and had to make their own way back to Alabama.
For further information concerning the Virden Massacre see, the National Public Radio (NPR) Illinois webpage .
Tanner Sends Troops
It must have come as a surprise to the greedy Chicago-Virden Coal Company that Governor Tanner sent several hundred soldiers to Virden and ordered them to stop the unloading of any “imported miners.” The troops were to preserve peace and protect life and property of “bona fide citizens” and disarm every person having arms (The Champaign (Illinois) Daily News, Sat. 15 Oct. 1898, p. 1).
Virgil Bishop, a Virden miner, filed a complaint charging various officials of the Chicago-Virden Coal Co. and their armed guards with conspiracy to murder and murder. It was anticipated that the families of the dead miners and the injured would file personal cases for damages also against the officials. To keep all trains from being stopped and searched the railroad quickly reached an agreement with Governor Tanner that they would not assist the Chicago-Virden Coal Company in further attempts to transport armed men or “imported miners” to Virden (Streator (Illinois) Daily Free Press (Sat. 15 Oct. 1898, p. 1).
Membership in the United Mine Workers of America soared. Within a month the Chicago Virden-Coal Company bowed to public and political pressure and agreed to the terms of the national agreement.
The Death of Mother Jones
Mother Jones died on Sunday, 30 November 1930 near Washington, D.C. The contemporary newspapers gave her age as 100 and just previous to her death she helped celebrate her 100th birthday. “For more than 60 years she was one of the most peaceful and militant personalities with which capital and labor had to deal” (Henderson County Graphic-Reporter (Stronghurst, Illinois)(Thur. 4 Dec. 1930, p. 4). At the time of Mother Jones’s death, Emmaline Pitt, United State’s Commissioner connected with the Office of the Secretary of Labor wrote, “She stood for all that was noblest and best in womanhood, for the defence of childhood believing as Christ taught, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least one of these yet have done it unto me’” (Belleville (Illinois) Daily News Democrat, Mon. 1 Dec. 1930, p. 2).
Pursuant to her wishes Mother Jones was laid to rest in the private Union Miner’s Cemetery at Mount Olive, Macoupin County, Illinois. Notwithstanding it was during the Great Depression of the 1930’s a large memorial was built for the miners killed at Verdin and Mother Jones.
Mother Jones’s Quotations
“Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living!”
“I’m no angel, Get it straight. I’m not a humanitarian, I’m a hell raiser.”
**********************
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos etc. to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
An Unusual Glenmore Grave: The Brereton Family
In 2020, during the COVID lockdowns, two Glenmore History volunteers photographed all existing headstones in the graveyard adjacent to St. James’s in Glenmore Village. We also transcribed the inscriptions which were legible and uploaded the photos and transcriptions to our webpage as well as to Find-a-grave. Recently we have started to update the information and to verify dates of births and deaths with Parish records and the Death Register.
It is surprising how many dates inscribed on the headstones are incorrect. This is probably due to the fact that headstones were often erected years after the recorded death. We were also surprised how many people from Waterford and elsewhere are buried in Glenmore. In most cases their family originated in Glenmore. However, there is at least one headstone with no known family connection to Glenmore. It is the Brereton headstone that is at the back of the Church, about three rows from the back footpath in the centre.
In researching this family we came across some interesting facts with only one being connected directly to Glenmore, namely Margaret Brereton who died on 21 March 1871 in Cappagh, Glenmore. The headstone has her date of death as 15 March 1871. We shall highlight information on all four of the Brereston family members recorded on the Glenmore stone and others in the family which provides insight into an 1897 stabbing in New Ross.
The Brereton Headstone of Glenmore
In memory of Michael Brereton who died Oct 23rd 1887 aged 66 years
Also his beloved wife Catherine Brereton who died January 7th 1888 aged 59 years
Also his daughter Margaret Brereton who died March 15th 1871 aged 20 years
Also their son Michael Brereton who died 14th Feb 1919 aged 64 years
Michael Brereton (Sr.) (c. 1819-1887)
It was easy to learn that Michael Brereton (Sr.), (c. 1819-1887) was a retired R.I.C. officer. In some newspaper accounts he is referred to as a constable and in others he is referred to as a Sergeant. Whatever his rank it does not appear that he was assigned or worked in Glenmore. We have attempted to track his assignments based on where his children were born.
From the R.I.C. records [database R.I.C 1816-1921] it appears that Michael Brereton joined the force in 1839 at the age of 20, and he was born in Tipperary. Thus, he was born about 1819 in Tipperary. Efforts to locate a baptismal record for Michael were not successful, but we note several Brereton baptisms taking place at Roscrea within ten years of his suspected year of birth.
On 21 November 1847 in the Parish of Conna, in County Cork, Michael Brereton married Catherine O’Neill. We believe this to be the correct place of his marriage based on the birth of their children. Michael served in Cork from at least 1847 to sometime before 1865 when he was transferred to Rosbercon, Co. Kilkenny.
While stationed at Rosbercon, Michael Brereton was involved in a few cases involving Glenmore residents. For example, on 29 July 1871, Michael Brereton brought charges against John Hanrahan [1843-1921], of Robinstown, [Glenmore] cooper; William Barry, of Carrigcloney, [Glenmore] labourer; and Patrick Bergin of Millbanks, for committing a breach of the peace by assaulting each other at Rosbercon, Kilkenny.
Retirement from RIC
After Michael retired from the R.I.C. he moved from Rosbercon to New Ross and opened a shop and eventually a pub on the Quay. The Wexford People, (Wed. 27 July 1881, p. 3) noted that “The application of a Mr. Brereton for a licence for the sale of spirituous liquor until the October Sessions was granted.” His permanent license was granted in late October 1881 (Wexford People, Wed. 16 Nov. 1881, p. 8). Soon the corner where his business was located became identified in police reports as Brereton’s corner (Wexford People, Wed. 10 Dec. 1890, p. 7 & Wexford People, Wed. 19 Aug. 1891, p. 7). We believe the business was located at the corner of the Quay and Mary Street.
Michael died on 23 October 1887 and left his entire estate to his eldest son Thomas. No obituary could be located for Michael, but a death notice was located in the Wexford Independent (Sat. 29 Oct. 1887, p. 3). “October 23, at New Ross, aged 66, Michael Brereton late Head Constable, Royal Irish Constabulary. R.I.P.” About ten weeks after Michael died his wife of Catherine died on 7 January 1888 at their home on the Quay, New Ross.
Catherine Brereton née O’Neill (c. 1829 -1888)
The Glenmore headstone merely notes that Catherine Brereton is the wife of Michael (Sr.) and died shortly after Michael Sr. died. Without her father’s name being recorded on the marriage license we were unable to verify her baptism as O’Neill was a common name in the Parish of Conna, Co. Cork. Catherine died on 7 January 1888 at their home on the Quay, New Ross. She was the mother of at least 9 children.
Known Children of Michael Brereton (Sr.) (c. 1819-1887)
[1] Catherine Brereton was baptized at Ballynascurclogy?, Co. Cork on 2 December 1848. She married James Sweeney, policeman of Rosbercon on 12 October 1871 at Rosbercon, about 7 months after her sister Margaret died in Glenmore. Catherine’s first child, Mary Sweeney, was born at Rosbercon on 29 June 1872.
[2] Margaret Brereton (1850-1871) was baptized at Sandrum, Co. Cork on 7 September 1850.
[3] Thomas Brereton (1860-1938) was born in County Cork [1901 Census]. Thomas Constable Brearton (sic) was baptized at Liscarroll, Cork on 15 December 1860 the son of Michael Brearton and Kate O’Neil.
[4] Michael Brereton (Jr.) (1855-1919) was baptized 3 March, 1855, at Churchtown, Co. Cork. Per the 1911 Census he was born at Liscarroll, Co. Cork.
[5] Mary Brereton was baptised 4 April 1858 at Churchtown, Co. Cork.
[6] John Brereton was baptized 2 August 1863 at Churchtown, Co. Cork.
[7] Susan Brereton was baptized at Liscarroll, Co. Cork, on 1 October 1859.
[8] Frances Brereton (1865-1948) was born on 9 March 1865 at Rosbercon, Co. Kilkenny. She is believed to have worked as a schoolmistress and never married. The Irish Press (13 March 1948, p. 14) published the following death announcement: “DEATHS—Brereton (late of New Ross)—March 11, 1948 at St. Joseph’s, Portland Row. Frances Brereton; deeply regretted R.I.P. Funeral from above at 9:30 o’c this (Saturday) morning to Glasnevin.”
[9] Bridget Brereton was born on 20 March 1868 at Rosbercon, Kilkenny.
Margaret Brereton (1850 -1871)
Margaret Brereton (1850-1871) died on 21 March 1871 of inflammation of the bowels at Cappagh, Glenmore. She was ill for two weeks. According to the death register she was employed as a schoolmistress, and at the time of her death Elizabeth Brereton was present. The register does not state what relation, if any, Elizabeth was to Margaret.
Margaret was obviously the first of the family to die and be buried in Glenmore. However, the headstone does not commence with her death. The headstone commences with Michael Sr.’s name. Thus, it appears that one or more of the children had the stone erected after the death of their parents in 1887/1888 at least 16 years after Margaret Brereton’s death in 1871.
Michael Brereton (Jr.) (1855-1919)
Michael Brereton (Jr.) enlisted in the R.I.C. in 1873 in Cork at the age of 18. It is not clear why Michael enlisted in Cork, but he was born at Liscarroll, Cork and it appears that his mother’s people were also in Cork. (R.I.C. Pensions 1873-1925). On 7 September 1885, Michael married Ellen Moran of New Ross at New Ross. At the time of the wedding Michael was stationed with the R.I.C. at Suir Castle, Tipperary. Ellen Moran (c. 1860-1910) was the daughter of Pierce Moran, a New Ross shopkeeper. Michael listed his father Michael as a shopkeeper.
At the time of Michael’s retirement from the R.I.C, in 1899, the New Ross Standard published a short article concerning his career. “MR. MICHAEL BRERETON, NEW ROSS—Not every man on severing his connection with the police force get such a hearty godspeed as did Mr. Michael Brereton, New Ross. Down in Tipperary Mr. Brereton spent the majority of his years in the force, and though during the land war, very strained relations subsisted between the police and people of that county. Mr. Brereton was one of the few members of the R.I.C. who held the confidence and respect of the people. That such was the fact was amply testified by the testimonial which the leading Nationalists of Cashel and Killenaule presented him on his departure, an account of the pleasant little function pertaining to which was published last week” (New Ross Standard, Sat. 17 June 1899, p. 5).
In the 1901 Census Michael was 45 years of age and listed for his occupation that he was an Ex RIC Sgt. and Merchant’s Clerk. He was born in County Cork. From his R.I.C. records we know his last posting was at Carlow and he was receiving his pension at New Ross. In 1901, his wife, Ellen (c. 1860-1910) was 40 and their three sons were: Michael P. Brereton (14); George Thomas Brereton (12); and Terence Henry Brereton (3). All three of their sons were born in Tipperary.
In 1910, Ellen died. A brief death announcement was placed in the Irish Independent, (Sat. 12 Nov. 1910, p. 6) as follows: “BRERETON—Nov. 7, 1910 at her residence Robert St., New Ross, Ellen, the beloved wife of Michael Brereton, ex-Sergeant, R.I.C., deeply regretted.”
In the 1911 Census, Michael was a widower. Only his youngest son, Terence was living with him on Robert St., New Ross. He had three men boarding with him and 1 servant. Michael (Jr.) died 14 February 1919. It is not clear why he was buried in Glenmore rather than with his wife.
School Teachers
We know that at the time of Margaret Brereton’s death in 1871 she was employed as a school teacher. It is assumed since she died in Cappagh, Glenmore that she was employed in the Robinstown National School in Glenmore Village. Through newspaper searches we have found that at least two of her sisters were employed as school teachers in the New Ross Workhouse.
In 1875, the New Ross Union advertised for a Schoolmistress “at the salary of £25 per year with rations and apartment. Candidates who may offer for the above situation must produce Testimonials showing they are at least First or Second or Third class teachers under the National Board of Education, and who are otherwise qualified and competent to fill the office. Candidates personal attendance indispensable” (Wexford People, 23 Jan. 1875, p. 1).
The Wexford People (Wed. 23 Nov. 1881, p. 3) in 1881 published the following article regarding Frances filling in for her sister. “New Ross –a letter was read from the Local Government Board respecting Miss Frances Brereton, whom the Board of Guardians have elected to take charge of the female school of the workhouse during the absence of a few months of her sister, the schoolmistress, at a training school of the National Education Board in Dublin. Because Frances was not more than 17 she was deemed too young to be placed in such a position. The Board’s Inspector, Mr. Hamilton suggested that the schools be amalgamated and placed under the charge of the infant school teacher, during the absence of the schoolmistress, and that Miss Frances Brereton should be employed as monitress. The suggestion was approved.” [Unfortunately we could not locate the name of Frances’s sister who was the schoolmistress for the New Ross workhouse.]
The Brereton Shop & Pub of New Ross
As stated above, Michael (Sr.) left his entire estate to his eldest son, Thomas. Newspapers in the 1890’s identify Thomas Brereton, as a clerk in the employment of Cherry Brother’s brewery (Wexford People, Wed. 13 May 1891, p. 7). A few years later Thomas Brereton was identified as the manager of that establishment and it was noted that he also had a pub on the Quay. On the night of 21 August 1897, Bernard Sweeney assaulted Thomas Brereton by stabbing him with a knife and inflicting grievous bodily harm (New Ross Reporter, Sat. 9 Oct. 1897, p. 3). Thomas Brereton had left the pub and was listening to an open air concert when Sweeney demanded money from him. Brereton refused to give him any money and Sweeney slashed and stabbed him with a knife.
Bernard Sweeney was charged with the attempted murder of Thomas Brereton. Sweeney plead guilty. Dr. Meehan testified that Thomas Brereton was carried in by two men. He was bleeding profusely and had two wounds on the scrotum and one on the inside of his thigh. Brereton’s life was endangered for 3 weeks and he was confined to bed for 1 month. Sweeney was sentenced to 18 months hard labour for the assualt (New Ross Reporter, Sat. 27 Nov. 1897, p. 5).
The 1901 Census reveals that Thomas Brereton was recorded as being 38 when he was actually 41. He was single, a shopkeeper and had three unmarried sisters residing with him. Susan Brereton was 37 and it was recorded that she was a shopkeeper. Frances Brereton (35) and Bridget Brereton (32) were recorded as housekeepers.
No marriage records could be located for Thomas or his three sisters after 1901. They were not found in the 1911 Census. A newspaper search revealed that in 1903 Thomas sold his liquor license. “Richard Doherty of 30 Barronstand St. in Waterford applied to have the license to be transferred to him from Thomas Brereton of the Quay New Ross.” He described the premises as being on the “right hand side of the street leading from the Quay to Mary Street,” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 9 October 1903, p. 7).
Thomas Brereton, late of New Ross, died 17 March 1932, died in County Home, Enniscorthy in 1932 at age 76.
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Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Rev. Fr. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) P.P. of Slieverue-Glenmore
In one of the numerous files of Glenmore Historian, Danny Dowling (1927-2021), was a short handwritten note on the back of an envelope. The note Danny wrote was a copy of a short letter to the editor of the Waterford Mirror (Mon. 18 Oct 1824, p. 3) newspaper. The Letter to the Editor was written in 1824 by Rev. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) the Parish Priest of the combined Slieverue and Glenmore parish. Glenmore did not become a separate parish until 1846.
Parishioners of Forristalstown, Glenmore
” TO THE EDITOR OF THE WATERFORD MIRROR—Dear Sir—Your insertion of the following in your very useful paper, would, we think here, be productive of much good, as an example to others to act similarly.
On Monday night, in the great storm, a lighter, with 400 casks of butter, from Ross for Waterford, was swamped in the river of Ross, at Forrestalstown, in my parish, near Glenmore. All the butter went afloat. By the exertions of the honest poor farmers, some of them having boats, they were all recovered, save six, four of which seen tossing about the County Wexford side; I hope they will be recovered. 100 of the casks were consigned to a respectable merchant in Waterford, who in a note to me acknowledges the receipt of 98 of them, with grateful thanks to the people. His note was read from our Altars this day, with which country people seemed much pleased. I am Sir, with respect, your very humble Servant, John Fitzpatrick, P.P. Slieverue, County Kilkenny, October 17, 1824.“
Rev. Fr. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835) P.P. Slieverue & Glenmore
According to the list of curates that Danny Dowling (1927-2021) compiled from 1770-1904 (available on this website) “Rev. John Fitzpatrick (PP Slieverue) was a curate from June 1799 to beginning of 1806.” From a newspaper article from 1817, we know that Fr. John Fitzpatrick was a native of Deerpark, Co. Laois. He was the son of Patrick Fitzpatrick (c. 1713-1817) who was said to have died at the age of 104 in 1817 (Freeman’s Journal, Fri. 24 Oct. 1817, p. 4). Patrick Fitzpatrick “up to the period of his dissolution, he retained the full and uninterrupted use of his mental facilities, and he was never confined by sickness until within six weeks of his dissolution.” Until this “confinement” he walked regularly to Mountrath to Mass.
We could find no record of Fr. Fitzpatrick’s birth, but according to Rev. William Canon Carrigan’s (1860-1924) authoritative history of the Diocese of Ossory Fr. John Fitzpatrick was 77 when he died on 27 November 1835 (Carrigan (1905) The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory, Vol. 4, Ch. X, p. 212).
“DEAD–At his home Valetta, County Kilkenny, at an advanced age, the Rev. John Fitzpatrick, for many years P.P. of Slieverue and Glenmore, in the diocese of Ossory. For about 40 years, first as Curate and afterwards Priest, he discharged parochial functions in that period with the kindest liberality and the most unwearied zeal. In his intercourse with general society his conduct was equally commendable” (Waterford Mail, Wed. 2 Dec. 1835, p. 3).
We know that Fr. Fitzpatrick did not enjoy the same robust health as his father. Seven years before Fr. Fitzpatrick’s death it was reported that he was unwell and not able to celebrate Mass in the new Ferrybank Chapel. “On last Sunday mass was celebrated, for the first time, in the new chapel, in the parish of Slieverue, county of Kilkenny, opposite the Quay. The Rev. Nicholas Carroll, P.P. of Mooncoin, officiated, in the absence of Rev. John Fitzpatrick, the parish clergyman, who is suffering under indisposition” (Freeman’s Journal, Thurs. 21 Jan. 1830, p.3).
William Canon Carrigan (1860-1924) on Fr. John Fitzpatrick
Thanks to William Canon Carrigan we know where Fr. John Fitzpatrick worked and when he was born and ordained. Carrigan provides that The Very Rev. John Fitzpatrick, was a nephew of the Rev. Edmund Fitzpatrick, P.P. Castletown. Fr. John Fitzpatrick was ordained by Dr. Troy, on 6 March 1784. He was C.C. Upperwoods from 1789 to 1791, and subsequently of Gowran, Thomastown and Slieverue. He became P.P. of Slieverue early in 1806 and was Canon of Tascoffin for many years. “He died 27 November 1835 in the 77th year of his age and 52nd in his priesthood. He is buried in Slieverue chapel” (Carrigan, p. 212). For further information on William Canon Carrigan see our post of 17 Sept. 2023.
John O’Donovan (1806-1861) on Fr. John Fitzpatrick
Ben Murtagh, archaelogist wrote an interesting article “Kilmurry Castle and Other Related Sites in Slieverue Parish,” ((2000) Old Kilkenny Review, p. 100) in which he revealed what John O’Donovan wrote about Fr. John Fitzpatrick. “By the early nineteenth century, the drunkeness and fighting associated with patterns, was becoming a source of embarrassment to the newly emerging Roman Catholic establishment in the country.” John O’Donovan the eminent Irish scholar was born and reared in Slieverue, and his mother was from what would become the Parish of Glenmore. For further information on John O’Donovan see our posts of 18 February 2024 (childhood) and 21 April 2024 (Conawee legend).
Murtagh stated, “John O’Donovan (1841 Letters Re: 1839 Ordinance Survey, Kilkenny (Typescript Bray, 1930, p. 95) tells us that the pattern in Kilmurry was abolished in his own memory by the Rev. John Fitzpatrick, parish priest of Glenmore and Slieverue (1806-35), who was a great admirer of modern civilization and not at all given to superstition unless as far as he could make use of it to make the Rahingure people pay him dues. His predecessors however, who were men of the old school, the Revd. Richard Coady, alias Archdeacon, Dr. Stephen Lower, the greatest ecclesiastic that Ida ever produced, were accustomed to say Mass near this well on Lady Day in August…”
We believe that the Rahingure–where Fr. Fitzpatrick would use superstition to get the people to pay him dues–refers to Rathinure, Glenmore. For further information on Dr. Stephen Lower (c. 1727-1800) the Saviour of Slieverue see our post of 11 November 2020. Lastly, one of the articles that Danny Dowling co-authored is cited in Murtagh’s article and the author thanked Danny and others for their help. .
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The drawing above is from the Slieverue Chaper in William Canon Carrigan’s The History and Antiquities of the Diocese of Ossory (Vol. 4, p. 243).
From Glenmore to Ontario, Canada: Maurice Denn (1825-1873)
Today, we are going to outline the life of a Rochestown, Glenmore man who was born just over 200 years ago. Maurice Denn was baptized at Rochestown, Glenmore on 16 January 1825. According to Danny Dowling (1927-2023) the Denn’s were major local landholders before Cromwell, however Maurice Denn was born into more humble circumstances. We know very little about Maurice Denn’s early life except what can be gleaned from parish records.
Parents & Godparents
Maurice Denn was the son of Morgan Denn and his wife Margaret Mullally of Rochestown, Glenmore. Maurice, and particularly Morgan, are not common Glenmore first names. It may be the case that the names passed down from more affluent times. Maurice’s godparents in 1825 were Patrick Dollard and Catherine Mullally. We believe that Maurice’s godfather was later to become Rev. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868) who went to Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and built St. Mary’s Cathedral. See our post of 23 February 2025 regarding Rev. Patrick Dollard.
We believe that Maurice’s godmother Catherine Mullally, of Rochestown, married Garrett Murphy on 18 February 1828 at Slieverue. The witnesses to the wedding were Daniel Sullivan and Morgan Den (sic) Maurice’s father. Per the baptismal records of their two eldest children, Garret and Catherine Murphy resided at Glasshouse in Slieverue. In 1838, the address for their third child was recorded as Newtown, and Mary Denn was her godmother. The following year their address was Ferrybank. In 1841 their address was Slip, Ferrybank. In reviewing Kingston, Ontario mid 19th Century records all of these surnames are present.
Siblings
Morgan Denn and Margaret Mullally of Rochestown were married on 11 January 11, 1822 at Glenmore. The following children were found in parish records.
[1] Mary Denn, bapt. 11 May 1823
[2] Maurice Denn, bapt 16 Jan. 1825 (mother recorded as Mary Murry)
[3] Elizabeth Denn, bapt. 12 Aug. 1827
[4] Ellen Din (sic), bapt 21 May 1831 (Ellen Denn married Patrick Henneberry & was the mother of Maurice Henneberry (1859-1917). See our post of 14 Dec. 2025 for further information).
[5] Catherine Denn, bapt. 1834
Emigration to Kingston, Ontario, Canada
It isn’t clear when Maurice Denn emigrated to Kingston, Ontario, Canada, but he did marry Ellen Brennan (c.1816-1892) on 5 February 1852 in Ontario, Canada. The priest performing the marriage ceremony was Fr. Patrick Dollard (1804-1868) another Rochestown, Glenmore native, and we believe was Maurice’s godfather. The bride was the daughter of Patrick Brennan (deceased) and Mary Healy from the Parish of Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny.
Although we located Mary Brenan (sic) (b. 1802), at Byrnesgrove, Ballyragget, for this couple we could not locate Ellen. Our date of birth for Ellen is solely based on her published obituary although we note the 1871 Census states that she was 35 or born around 1836. However, the 1871 Census also provides that Maurice was 38 or born in 1833 and we know he was actually born in 1825. The 1871 Census also reveals that Ellen Denn née Brennan could not read or write and this may have hampered her recall of her birthdate and/or age.
Employment
The Kingston, Ontario City Directory 1857-1858 (p. 34) provides that Maurice was employed for a time as a guard at the Provincial Penitentiary and resided on Block Street. There are only three entries for Denn in the City Directory.
Denn, M.H., Brock St.
Denn, Maurice, guard, Provincial Penitentiary, Brock St.
Denn, William, gentleman, 30 Gore Street
In reviewing the 1873-1874 Kingston City Directory and Vicinity (p. 16) it soon became apparent that William and Maurice Denn were not probably related.
Denn, Maurice, res. Bay St., Grocers and Provisions
Denn, William, res Sydenham St., Sexton W.M. Church [Wesleyan Methodist]
William was a Sexton for the Sydenham Street Methodist Church, which was established in Kingston in 1852. By this time Maurice was living on Bay St. and was employed with respect to “grocers & provisions.” Contemporary newspapers report that Maurice Denn owned a tavern (Kingston Whig Standard, Thur. 18 April 1872, p. 3).
1872 Publications
Maurice Denn was 47 in 1872 and the following newspaper articles show one of his interests. This year also represented the last before the family experienced an era of tragedies.
The British Whig (Tue. 16 Jan. 1872, p. 3) reported that Mary Connell was charged with vagrancy and larceny. She admitted that she stole two buffalo robes from the sleigh of Mr. Maurice Denn. The robes were not recovered because the prisoner would not tell how she disposed of the robes.
The British Whig (Mon. 26 Aug. 1872, p. 2) under the title Aquatics reported that a four oared race of three miles for $40 a side was to take place on Monday evening at five o’clock in the harbour, providing the water is till. The strokes of the crews are Messrs. Maurice Denn and John Dacey. The amateurs are practicing up for the contest, with the two outrigger boats lately stored at O’Gorman’s. The course was from Cataraqui Bridge to the buoy off Morton’s Wharf and back.
Death of Maurice Denn (1825-1873) and Ellen Denn née Brennan (c. 1816 -1892)
The following short newspaper death notice was found in The British Whig (Thu. 18 Dec. 1873, p. 2). “In Kingston, Dec. 17th Mr. Morrice (sic) Denn, aged 45 years. The funeral will take place on tomorrow (Friday) afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from his late residence, Bay Street, to St. Mary’s Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend.”
Almost twenty years later Maurice’s widow died. The following death notice was published inThe Weekly British Whig (Thu. 9 June 1892, p. 1). “Denn—In Kingston, on June 1st, Ellen, relict of the late Maurice Denn, native of the county Kilkenny, Ireland, aged 76 years.” At the time of Ellen’s death only her daughter Margaret survived her.
Children of Maurice Denn & Ellen Denn née Brennan
Three children were found in the Denn household in the 1871 Census. Two were born to the couple, and the third child was recorded as adopted. Although recorded as adopted the child retained the surname Burke.
[1] Patrick Denn was born on 30 Oct. 1852 and died from drowning on 3 July 1879 at the age of 27. The British Whig (Fri. 4 July 1879, p. 3) “SAD DROWNING CASE—Last evening about 9 p.m. an accident of a very painful character occurred just after the barge “Minnie” loaded with cordwood had passed through the locks at Kingston Mills. A young man named Patrick Denn, aged about 22 years, was busily engaged in coiling some rope near the cabin; while engaged in pulling the rope it came too suddenly and he slipped, tumbling overboard.”
“A board was thrown from the barge to him, but he was so much exhausted as to be unable to reach it. The barge was stopped and an active search made for the body which was found about an hour afterwards. He was brought to the city and tenderly carried to the home of his widowed mother, on Bay Street. The young man was well known in the city, and was highly respected by his companions. He was formerly employed in Conroy’s store on Market Square. His sister left this morning on the ‘Maud’ for Watertown, and has been telegraphed for.”
[2] Margaret Denn (1854-1892)–On 9 February 1880, William McQuaid and Margaret Denn were married in Kingston. The groom was the son of Wm. McQuaid and his wife, Mary O’Neil. Three years after their marriage, Margaret and William McQuaid were witnesses when her adopted sister Mary Burke married.
In the 1891 Census Margaret and William McQuaid had four children comprised of one girl and three boys. William was employed as a “Miller of Sounding Boards for Pianos.” [2a] Mary McQuaid was born about 1883; [2b] Parnell McQuaid was born about 1884; [2c] Maurice McQuaid was born about 1885 and [2d] John McQuaid was born about 1888. Also in the household in 1891 was Margaret’s mother, Ellen Denn née Brennan, who reported that she was 78 years of age. A fifth child was recorded in the 1900 U.S. Census [2e] Katie McQuaid who was reported as having been born in May 1890.
Margaret McQuaid née Denn died on 2 November 1892 of TB in Kingston, Ontario. Margaret died just 5 months after her mother died. Margaret McQuaid née Denn had in 20 years suffered the loss of her only brother, her father, her sister and her mother. Her husband was left with 5 young children under 10 to rear.
Apparently soon after his wife’s death, William moved with his children to Chicago Illinois. The 1900 U.S. Census provides that he was a 48 year-old widower born in Canada and both his parents were also born in Canada. We know this is not correct. He alleged that his youngest child, Katie was born in May 1890, but the child is not reflected on the Canadian 1891 Census. All four of the other children are present in Chicago, and Parnell, Maurice and William are employed as piano makers. William recorded that the family immigrated in 1892 and he was a naturalised citizen.
William McQuaid apparently died on 7 October 1904 in Chicago and at that time his occupation was saloon keeper. For further information see William McQuaid’s grave information available at findagrave.
[3] Mary Burke (1857-1889) per the 1871 Census, was adopted by Maurice and Ellen Denn. Mary Burke was born at Kingston on 15 April 1857. Her parents were John Burke and Margaret Delaney. Her parents were married on 17 April 1856. Fr. Patrick Dollards performed the marriage and noted that the witnesses were George Russell, James Burke, and Mrs. Ellen Denn (née Brennan). The groom was the son of James Burke (stone mason) and his wife Bridget Brennan and the bride was the daughter of James Delaney and Mary Brennan.
Mary Burke was born one year after her parent’s marriage. Her godmother was Mrs. Ellen Denn née Brennan. Her mother Margaret Burke née Delaney (c.1834-1859) died on 14 July 1859 at the age of 25. Her mother’s death notice states that she was a native of County Kilkenny (The Kingston Whig Standard (Sat. 16 July 1859, p. 2). Fr. Patrick Dollard conducted Margaret Burke née Delaney’s funeral and noted that she was interred in the presence of John Burke, George Russell and Maurice Denn and others. A headstone in St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery of Kingston provides that Margaret Delaney died 14 July 1859 at the age of 25 and was a native of Toor Parish, Ballyragget, Kilkenny, Ireland. See findagrave to view the headstone.
Mary Burke married Patrick McKenty on 16 April 1883. Her parents were listed as John Burke and Margaret Delaney. Witnesses to the wedding were Wm. McQuade and Margaret McQuade (née Denn). Patrick McKenty was 33 years of age and the son of John McKenty and Mary Carr. The groom was born on Amherst Island, Canada.
After only six years of marriage, Mary McKenty née Burke tragically died on 23 June 1889 of Consumption [TB]. She was just 31 years and 9 months old when she died, and we believe she left three small children. The Kingston Whig Standard (Wed. 10 July 1889, p. 2) published a short article. “Much regret is expressed in Kingston circles over the untimely death of Mrs. P. McKenty, (nee Mary Burke) in your city. The deceased lady was not only well known but highly thought of by a multitude of former Kingstonians, now citizens of Chicago.”
Other Family Deaths
In the course of trying to unravel Maurice Denn’s family we came across a two related notices or obituaries.
Margaret Delaney née Brennan (c. 1834-1859) [mother of Mary Burke] The Kingston Whig Standard (Sat. 16 July 1859, p. 2) published “Died—In Kingston, on the 14th of July, Mrs. Margaret Delaney, wife of Mr. John Burke, aged 25 years a native of the County Kilkenny, Ireland. The funeral was held from the residence of Mr. John Burke on William Street.”
Patrick McKenty (c.1847-1912) (widower of Mary McKenty née Burke died 23 years after his wife)The Daily Standard (Mon. 30 Dec. 1912, p. 2) published a short obituary. “The remains of the late Patrick McKenty, who died in Hamilton last week, were brought to this city on Sunday afternoon for burial. The late Mr. McKenty was well known in Kingston, where for many years he resided and where he was accustomed of late to spend his winters. He was 65 years of age and always enjoyed the best of health. His death was quite unexpected. Survived by son John of Hamilton and two daughters. Mrs. V.C. Joyce of Fort William and Mrs. (Dr.) Keating of Chicago.”
Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The feature photo is an old postcard of St. Mary’s Cathedral of Kingston, Ontario.
The postcard of Kingston Market Square is c. 1902 and is courtesy of The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library. “Market Square and City Hall, Kingston, Ont.” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed February 8, 2026. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/9fca5540-c62c-012f-9bb0-58d385a7bc34