Aylwardstown Glenmore
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From Glenmore to Sheboygan, Wisconsin
A couple weeks ago we received a query about Nicholas Henebery (1818-1891) and his wife Anastatia Dollard (c.1820-1905). The couple emigrated from Glenmore and died in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Last week we featured their eldest son’s survival from the Sea Bird disaster in Lake Michigan in 1868. Today, we are going to present information regarding Nicholas and Anastatia Henebery and their children.
As previously published during the Famine local families often emigrated from New Ross to Quebec and then settled in Wisconsin (See our post of 29 Sept. 2026). We also know that some Glenmore people, including John Dollard (1801-1888), went to the Green Bay area and founded a town called Glenmore, Wisconsin around 1850. (See our post of 17 Feb. 2025).
The Glenmore Wedding
On 21 April 1844, Nicholas Henebery married Anastatia Dollard of Alywardstown, Glenmore. The witnesses to the wedding were James Ryan and Johanna (Oats?). Unfortunately, their fathers were not recorded in the marriage record and there was no indication of what type of work Nicholas performed to support his family. In a Sheboygan newspaper article long after his death he was referred to as “Captain” Heneberry (Sheboygan Press, 12 April 1926) p. 3).
The Glenmore Wedding Witnesses
Johanna Oats is not a local name. We did locate a baptismal record of a Johanna Oats having been baptized in Waterford City on 7 November 1813 the daughter of Daniel Oates and Bridget Neill. A marriage record for this woman could not be located. James Ryan is a common local name. A James Ryan was baptized at Glenmore on 20 June 1820 to Jac Ryan and his wife Bridget Malone of Moulerstown. Another James Ryan was baptized 11 May 1817 at Glenmore to Wm. Ryan and his wife Margaret Casshin of Ballyveria, Glenmore. A third James Ryan was baptised on 5 May 1827 to James Ryan and Bridget Kehoe of Aylwardstown. Given the third James Ryan, and his father, in Aylwardstown it is likely that the third was the witness.
Children Born in Glenmore
The couple had at least two sons while residing in Glenmore. Their eldest child, [1] Edmond/Edward Henebery was baptized on 7 February 1844. The family residence was listed as Aylwardstown. Edmond’s godparents were John Irish and Anastatia Murry. A custom of this era was that children born out of wedlock had the word “illegitimate” or “bastard” recorded in the baptismal record often with the word highlighted to draw attention to it. In fact, several such notations appear in the Glenmore baptismal records in 1844. From the records it appears that Edmond was born in February 1844 and his parents married in April 1844, yet there was no notation regarding his status. Is this an indication that Nicholas was at sea, was their an error in the record or a friendly priest?
Their second child, [2] John Henebery, was baptized on 15 June 1846. The family was still residing at Aylwardstown. John Henebery’s godparents were Richard Heneberry and May Irish. John Henebery’s baptism was the last record of the family in Glenmore.
Children born in the US
In the 1900 US Census of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Anastatia “Annie” Henebery was a 79-year-old widow, residing at 1231 7th St., she emigrated in 1850 and was the mother of 7 children and none were living in 1900. In searching the Census records after 1850 we were able to find more children, but it is not clear where all the children were born or when they died.
1855 Wisconsin State Census
The earliest Census record we could locate in Sheboygan was the 1855 Wisconsin State Census. It does not provide much information, but it does provide that there were 4 males and 3 females in Nicholas Henebery’s family, and three of the family were foreign born. Either John Henebery did not survive until the 1855 Census or the record is wrong there should have been at a minimum four foreign born family members. Subtracting the parents the family included 3 sons and 2 daughters in 1855.
1860 US Federal Census
The 1860 US Federal Census for Sheboygan provides several important names and details. The family lived in Ward 3 of the city and Nicholas (38) was employed as a gardener. He owned real estate worth $300 and personal property valued at $20. His wife, Anty was 37. [1] Edmund (sic) Henebery was 15 and his place of birth was listed as New York. [3] James Henebery was 13 and was also recorded as having been born in New York. [4] Mary Ann Henebery was 11 years of age and was also recorded as having been born in New York. [5] John Henebery was 8 and was born in Wisconsin. [6] Katy Henebery was 5 also born in Wisconsin as was [7] Richard Henebery, aged 2.
It is not clear why the parents listed their eldest son as having been born in New York when he was clearly born in Ireland. We could not locate a birth record for Mary Ann in Ireland or New York.
1870 US Federal Census
The questions were not addressed in the 1870 US Census. The family was still residing in Ward 3 of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Nicholas Hennebery (49) was employed as a day labourer for the post office. He owned real estate valued at $1,000 and personal property worth $300. Mary A. (sic) Henebery, his wife, was 52. [2] James Henebery was 22, born in Ireland, and he was employed as a sailor. It was recorded that James was out of employment for 4 months the previous year. [5] Katie Henebery was 15, born in Wisconsin, and still at school. [6] Richard Henebery was 12, born in Wisconsin and still at school.
1880 US Federal Census
By the 1880 US Federal Census, all of the children save [6] Richard were no longer living at home. However, a granddaughter had joined the household. Nicholas Henebery gave his age as 59. He was employed as a bridgetender. He was born about 1821 in Ireland and was married to Ann Henebery (58). Their unmarried son Richard (22) was employed as a sailor. Their grand-daughter Mary Henebery was just eight years of age. The family lived on Callamus Street, Sheboygan. We never determined who the granddaughter Mary Henebery’s (c. 1872-1901) parents were.
[1] Edmond/Edward Henebery (1844-1870) we do not believe that Edward ever married. For further details concerning his survival from the Sea Bird fire and sinking and his later death from his injuries see our post of 19 October 2026.
[2] John Henebery (1846-?)
[3] James Henebery (b.c. 1848) per the 1870 Census. The only other information we found regarding James was that he was in Chicago in 1891. The Sheboygan Telegram (Fri. 16 Jan. 1891, p. 3) reported that “N. Hennebury is visiting his son James at Chicago.”
[4] Mary Ann Henebery (b.c. 1849)
[5] John Henebery (b.c. 1852)
[6] Katy Henebery (b.c. 1855)
[7] Richard Henebery (1857-1899) was the youngest child of the family. Richard married a woman named Mary. The couple had 7 children, but only three were living at the time of Richard’s untimely death while at work in 1899. The Sheboygan Telegram (Tues. 31 Jan. 1899, p. 8) published the following short obituary. “Richard Henneberry died at St. Nicholas hospital at 3:30 this afternoon from injuries received this morning at the yards f the C. Reiss Coal Co. Shortly before noon he fell from one of the coals bins a distance of nearly 20 feet and was rendered unconscious. He was taken in the patrol wagon to St. Nicholas hospital where he lingered in an unconscious condition until death came. The dead man was about 35 years of age and leaves a wife and family. He was a mill wright by trade.” His widow Mary died in 1924.
Richard Henebery’s Children
[7a] Nicholas E. Henebery (1888- 1963) married Veronica Bushmer on 11 Nov. 1922 (Sheboylan Press Telegram, 17 Nov. 1922, p. 18). Nicholas E. Henebery, 75, of 1217 S. 7th St. died following a lingering illness. He worked at C. Reiss Coal Co. for 47 years prior to his retirement in 1953 due to ill health (Sheboygan Press, Mon. 20 May 1963, p. 14). His widow, Vera died 21 Jan. 1997 at the age of 92.
[7b] Elizabeth Henebery (b. 1896) married Nicholas Gruenek in 1925 (Sheboygan Press, Sat. 16 May 1925, p. 6).
[7c] Katherine Henebery (1885-1962) married Henry Seibold, of Stockbridge (Sheboygan Press, Tues. 12 May 1914, p. 8). She died at St. Nicholas Hospital in February 1962 (Sheboygan Press, Wed. 21 Feb. 1962).
Bridge Tender
In 1926 the Sheboygan Press (23 April 1926 p. 70) published an account of the two bridges that spanned the driver at Sheboygan five decades earlier. One of the bridges was called the Eighth Street Bridge and the other was at Pennsylvania Avenue. The Pennsylvania Bridge because of its high elevation was commonly called the “Shanhai Bridge.”
“Nicholas Henneberry, a pioneer in this county, was tender for both bridges. The structures were pile construction and both were provided with two leaves which could be raised by pulling on the heavy overhead frame with suspended chains. Whenever he had to hoist the leaves the bridge tender had to depend upon volunteer assistance. When a vessel was towed by a tug the passage through a draw required only a few minutes, but sail and ropes were often substituted for the tug.
Whenever the plaintive wail of the ship’s fog horn saluted his ears, Nicholas would have to quickly decide whether the ship or the land lubbers should have precedence. Many times people were rushing to catch a train at the depot which was then located at South Seventh and South Water streets, and this made things very embarrassing to Nicholas. But he was somewhat of a diplomat and he was generally successful in softening the expostulation of the irate captain or soothing the ruffled spirits of a hectic bus driver or someone who was caught at the open draw and missed the train. When the signal was given for the opening of the Shanhai bridge, Nick would hasten over and negotiate that draw.”
In addition to his diplomatic duties Nicholas also appears to have operated a lost and found. “Bridgetender Henneberry has a hat which blew off the head of a woman who was crossing the Eighth Street bridge. If the owner wants to reclaim it she can do so by calling at the bridge house” (Sheboygan Telegram, Sat. 1 Oct. 1887, p. 4).
Just months before Nicholas Henebery died the Sheboygan Telegram (Fri. 24 April 1891, p. 2) published the salaries of city employees. The Chief of the Fire Department earned $700 per annum; the Chief of Police earned $720 and the Eighth St. Bridge Tender earned $420. In June 1891 “The bridge tender of Eighth street bridge lodged a complaint with the police that the bridge had become a hangout for a large number of men and boys in the evening. The bridge was in a shaky condition and the large crowd of loungers on it made it more difficult to open it and increased the liability of a break down. “It is a further annoyance to the women and children compelled to cross it and be obliged to pass through the crowd of loungers..,” (Sheboygan Telegram, Fri. 5 June 1891, p. 3).
Death of Nicholas Henebery & Annie Henebery née Dollard
We found Death Cert 01324 for Nicholas Henebery (1819-1891). He died on 13 Sept. 1891 in Sheboygan of a disease of the liver. He was 71 years of age and employed as a bridge tender. He was born in Ireland in 1820. His wife was Anna Henebery and his parents were Edmund Henebery and Mary Henebery. We located two obituaries that provide more details concerning Nicholas.
The Sheboygan Telegram (Mon. 14 Sept. 1891, p. 3) published that “Nicholas Hennebery, died yesterday morning at his home in the Fourth Ward at the age of 71 years. The immediate cause of death was an attack of jaundice. Mr. Hennebery was an old resident, having come here forty years ago. The burial will be made Wednesday forenoon in the North side Catholic cemetery.”
DEATH OF A PIONEER—Last Sunday morning at 5:30 o’clock Nicholas Henneberry passed away after suffering an illness of about two weeks. His death caused surprise, for it was generally supposed the illness which had confined him to his home was not of a fatal nature. The funeral occurred Wednesday morning from the family residence on Chestnut street and was largely attended. Mr. Henneberry’s career was one that witnessed many strange and sad events in his allotted time of over three score and ten years.
Born in Ireland seventy one years ago he came to Sheboygan in the 40’s and excepting a brief residence in the south, continued since then to make Sheboygan his home. About twenty years ago when Seabird burned a son, Edgar, a bright and promising young man, was one of the two survivors of the ill-fated steamer. But the terrible ordeal was too great, and he only came home to die.
A younger brother who was ill at the time followed to the grave a few days later. Throughout these misfortunes the father bore his grief as became a Christian. He was ever faithful in what he considered duty, and will long be remembered for his faithful care of the Eighth Street bridge, of which he had charge the past twenty years. As kindly hands lowered his remains to their resting place in the North side Catholic cemetery, sorrowing friends said, “Peace be with thee.” [Obit posted on Find a grave without name of newspaper provided. Nicholas is in an unmarked grave in Calvary Cemetery, Sheboygan, Wisconsin. See, Find a Grave .]
We were unable to identify any younger brother who died a few days after Edward Henebery in 1870. We were also unable to identify any other reference to Edward being known as Edgar.
Annie Henebery survived her husband by 14 years dying in 1905. At the time of her death Annie had buried all seven of her children as well as her granddaughter Mary Hennebery (b.c. 1872-1901) who lived with Annie at least from 1870 until her death in 1901. In the 1900 Census Mary was living with her grandmother on 7th Street near to Richard Henebery’s widow (also Mary) and his three children. The following year Mary Henebery died at the age of 29 in the home of her grandmother, Mrs. A. Henebery, at the corner of 7th and Alabama Ave. due to pneumonia (Sheboygan Telegram, Sat. 4 May 1901, p. 3). A short death notice was found for Annie. “Mrs. Hennebery, aged 80 years, died at St. Nicholas hospital,” (Sheboygan Telegram, Tues. 15 Aug. 1905, p. 4).
Thus, Nicholas and Annie emigrated from Glenmore around 1850, and after 55 years and the birth of 7 children and at least 8 grandchildren, only three grandchildren from their son Richard survived Annie.
Nicholas Henebery’s Parents and Siblings
There were several Nicholas Heneberys in the Glenmore area. However, thanks to the information in Nicholas’s 1891 death certificate we know his father was Edmund Henebery and his mother was Mary. Nicholas Henebery was baptized at Glenmore on 8 February 1818 the son of Edmund Heneberry and his wife Mary Delahunty.
[1] Nicholas Henebery (1818)
[2] Richard Henebery (1823)
[3] Ellen Henebery (1825)
[4] Thomas Henebery (1829)
[5] Catherine Henebery (1831)
[6] Edmund Hennebery (1844)
It is not known if any of Nicholas Henebery’s siblings emigrated to Wisconsin, but a Richard Henebery was found in Hale’s Corner, Milwaukee. Richard married Mary Rooney (1834-1877) on 17 Oct. 1853 in Milwaukee. Richard died in 1891.
Anastatia “Annie” Heneberry née Dollard’s Parents
Based upon the lack of children named Anastatia Dollard/Dullard in Glenmore born around 1820, and the traditional naming pattern, there are two contenders. Annie may have been baptized at Glenmore on 29 May 1819 the daughter of John Dullard and Mary Walsh of Ballyveria. However, there was a Catherine Dollard baptized at Rochestown (next to Aylwardstown) on 28 December 1819 the daughter of John Dollard and his wife, Catherine Forristal. Perhaps if a Wisconsin death certificate could be located for Annie we could narrow down her place of birth and parents.
Unusual Newspaper Account
While researching the Henebery family we came across an article from 1934 long after the immediate Henebery family was dead. The Sheboygan Press (Fri. 6 April 1934, p. 7) published a short interview of Mrs. Adelaide Evans née Carr (c. 1859-1944) who was a resident of the Anna M. Reiss Home for the aged. Per her obituary Adelaide and her husband Franklin moved to Sheboygan in 1880 ten years after Edward Henebery (1844-1870) died.
“Mrs. Adelaide Evans a resident of the Anna M. Reiss Home for the aged as a girl was a neighbour to the Henneberry family in this city. Her personal interest in the sinking of the ship is due to her acquaintance with John Henneberry who was on the Lady Elgin when it sank in Lake Michigan after being rammed by a schooner north of Chicago. Mr. Henneberry was saved but died about a year later presumably from the effects of exposure for several hours in the cold water of the lake.”
The Lady Elgin disaster took place on 8 September 1860. It is unlikely that any member of the Nicholas Henebery family was on that ill fated boat. We believe Adelaide confused the Lady Elgin with the Sea Bird.
Please send any corrections, additional information, or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Kate Hephner for contacting us about Nicholas and Anastatia “Annie” Henebery.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The 1920’s postcard of the Eighth St. Bridge of Sheboygan, WI is courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society. The old postcard of St. Peter Clavin, of Sheboygan, WI, featured above is courtesy of Sheboygan History. St. Peter Clavin (1580-1654) was a Spanish priest and missionary who dedicated himself to caring for Africans enslaved. He is also a patron saint of seafarers due to his ministry on the slave ships.
The 1868 Sea Bird Ferry Disaster & a Glenmore Native’s Amazing Survival [Updated]
One of the difficulties of researching persons who emigrated from Glenmore in the early and mid nineteenth century was that surnames and indeed first names could be spelled in a variety of ways. Today, we are going to highlight Edmond/Edward Henebery who was baptized in Glenmore on 7 February 1844 to Nicholas Henebery (c. 1820-1891) and his wife Anastatia Dollard (c. 1820-1905). At the time of his baptism the family was residing in Aylwardstown, Glenmore. At some point between 15 June 1846 and 1858 the family moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where Nicholas eventually became the bridge tender for the Eighth Street Bridge and his eldest son Edward became a sailor. Below is the account of Edward’s survival of what has been deemed the 10th worst maritime disaster on the Great Lakes (Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago). [Update 21 Oct. 2026: Per the 1900 US Census Ann Henebery stated that she emigrated to the US in 1850].
The Sea Bird
The Sea Bird was built in 1859 at Newport, Michigan. Her official number was 22368). The Sea Bird was a wood hull side steamer with 1 cylinder and a vertical beam (walking Beam). She was 191 feet and 6 inches in length with a 27 foot 9 inch beam and a depth of 12feet 6 inches. (Alpena County (Michigan) George N. Fletcher Public Library; Special Collections). She had a 444 ton capacity and was made of riveted oak with two decks. The upper deck had two large cabins, each with about 50 staterooms for approximately 200 passengers. The lower deck was for freight. The sidewheels were 26 feet in diameter (Underwater Archaeological Society of Chicago)
On the morning of 9 April 1868 the Sea Bird caught fire and sank. The wreck is in Lake Michigan a mile off the shore at Waukegan, Illinois. The exact number of casualties is unknown, but it is believed that she carried 75 to over 100 passengers and crew. There were only 3 survivors. (Alpena County (Michigan) George N. Fletcher Public Library; Special Collections). Passenger, Albert Chamberlain, a shop keeper from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, survived by hanging from the anchor chain. He never entered the cold water and was rescued by the schooner Cornelia. He identified some of the other Sheboygan passengers that boarded the ferry with him. Passenger James Leonard dove overboard to escape the fire and floated on debris all the way south to the Evanston, Illinois, shore. Edmund/Edward Hennebury (sic) was the only member of the crew to survive, and he managed by jumping overboard and floating on the gangplank for 3 hours until he too was rescued by the schooner Cornelia. Below is his account published in the Manitowac Tribune (Thu. 16 April 1868, p. 1). Any headings or explanations not in the original newspaper article has been placed in [square brackets].
Edward Henebery’s Survival Account
I got up early yesterday (Thursday) morning—about 5 o’clock. I had been up about and hour and a half, I should think, when I saw smoke arising on the main deck, in the port quarter, and just below the ladies cabin. The smoke I had hardly noticed when I saw a blaze springing up. The fire seemed to have been kindled right on the deck. There was a lot of tubs and some straw lying near, and the fire got among them right away. I at once cried out “Fire, fire!” Several of the crew who were up came hurrying to where the fire was, the bell was rung, and the passengers who were not up before came tumbling out from their births and staterooms.
Instantly there was great confusion, and with this the fire increased so rapidly as made me convinced that it must have been burning a long time before I discovered it. The fire was a long way aft of the engine and boiler, in the port quarter. The flames sprung up, and spread al ost instantly into the ladies cabin overhead, though out the freight on the main deck; it did not seem to take 5 minutes before the after part of the boat was on fire. The fire spead into the ladies cabin so rapidly that I do not think all the women had time to leave it. I heard some one say that some of the ladies and children were burned.
[Lifeboats on Fire]
We all rushed into the forward part of the boat. Back of the engine the boats was all in flames. Some of the crew tried to get at the small boats which were aft. I went with them, but we did not get further than the smokestack. It was no use trying; the whole after part was burning up, and the boats themselves were on fire. I was perfectly cool all the time, I knew the boat was going up and somehow or other I felt that I was all right. So I waited about ten minutes, I think, before I, with the assistance of five or six others, shoved the gang plank overboard. During this times the flames were making great headway, and in five or six minutes after the fire was first seen by me, the engines stopped working. All the passengers had crowded into the bow, and some of them, the women and children especially, were crying and wringing their hands and moaning in a way pitiful to see and hear.
Six or seven of us shoved the gang plank over, just forward of the paddle boxes. I waited until the gangplank had floated past, and then I jumped. I was the first man overboard. I swam to the gang plank, and ten or fifteen others followed me. So many of us on the plank caused it to sink, and we all had hard work to keep it and ourselves up. I got along pretty well, until three or four others, seeing that I was holding my own, got around me and took hold of me. I shook them all off, except a coloured boy, the cook’s helper. He put both arms around my neck, and I could not shake him off.
[Clinging to Debris]
I then helped to get him onto the plank, and one man who was about twenty-five years old, and wore a moustache and whiskers, caught hold of my wrist and drew me on the plank. Johnnie O’Brien I helped on the plank two or three times. He was washed off almost as fast as I could get him on. We all struggled very hard, but there wasn’t a man said a word. I got a hold of one of the gang plank ropes, and I stuck to it until I was picked off. I could see men about me having hold of boxes, chairs, fender, and two men I saw clinging to a bag of wool. We boated past the bag and one of the men said to me—he wasn’t more than ten feet away—“You’re going pretty fast.”
There was a heavy sea, and after we had been in the water fifteen or twenty minutes, a swell lifted the plank and capsized it. All who had hold of it, except me, were washed away, and I did not see any of them anymore. I was chilled through. The water was almost at freezing point. I was just able to climb onto the gangplank after the rest had gone, and I knew that if I stayed in the water I could not last long. So I stood up on the gang plank and steadied myself by the ropes.
I had on all my clothes and these were soon frozen so they were stiff. As I stood on the gang plank by myself , I had no thought of death; the same confidence I had felt in being saved, from the first, still clung to me. I looked around me and though the sea was rolling heavily, I could see the lake’s surface dotted here and there with pieces of the wreck, to many of which men were clinging. About half a mile away I saw one of the boat fenders and a woman was clinging to it. As I was watching her I saw her disappear under a swell I saw the fender afterwards bit she was gone.
[The Quiet Freezing Water]
The boat drifted to the leeward in shore much faster than I on the gang plank. About twenty minutes after I left her I saw a crowd of passengers all gathered on the hurricane deck. Many of the men were stripped to their shirts. Nearly all of them had life preservers or were lashed to doors, table, planks and boxes. This was about the last I saw of the wreck. I did not hear any screaming or cries; the sea made a noise that drowned all that. The last I noticed about the wreck she was burned almost to the water’s edge and the walking beam was just falling in.
I was chilled through and felt myself freezing. I did not dare let go the ropes for if I did I should be washed away. I changed hands although my fingers were soon frozen stiff. About 9 o’clock I saw a schooner bearing south about two miles away under full sail. I know they saw me from on board, and I know they must have seen the burning wreck; but they did not bear down on me. It was freezing just like the winter and I could not have held out much longer, when about 10 o’clock I saw a schooner which had been four or five miles to windward tack about and bear down on me.
[Rescue]
This proved to be the Cornelia. She passed me first and went to the wreck; to the leeward. She sent out her small boat and took off Chamberlain from the forward netting, and then came for me. About 11 o’clock they took me off. I was pretty near frozen I went into the cabin where I took off my clothes and dried them. We arrived in Chicago about a quarter past 4 and I went at once to a doctor who gave me something to take, and something for my hands which were frozen.
Sea Bird Coverage in Waterford Newspapers
[Updated 21 Oct. 2026] Coverage of the Sea Bird Disaster appeared in newspapers across Ireland and England. In Waterford the Munster Express (Sat. 25 April 1868, p. 10) just noted, “the steamer Seagull (sic) has been burnt on Lake Michigan; 50 lives are lost.” A longer article appeared a few days later in the Waterford Citizen (Tues. 28 April 1868, p. 2)—”We regret to report that a fearful accident has occurred on Lake Michigan, attended with great loss of life. The steamer Sea Bird caught fire on the morning of the 9th inst, when about 30 miles from Chicago, and in ten minutes was wrapped in flames. There were about 100 persons on board, all of whom, including the officers, became demoralised, and no attempt was made to maintain order or lower the boats. But two persons were saved, all the others, including twenty women and children, being either drowned or burnt to death. All that is known of the disaster comes from the statement of one of the survivors, and the master of a schooner who saw the burning steamer when five miles off, and sailed towards it. He picked up two who were saved, but found no other living person.”
Although the Henebery family had emigrated in 1850 (per the 1900 Census) no connection was made in these local newspapers with one of the survivors being a native of Glenmore.
Death
Although Edward Henebery beat the odds and survived the fire and sinking of the Sea Bird according to a 1926 newspaper article “Ed Henneberry (sic) of Sheboygan was rescued from the water after many hours of exposure and suffering. He lingered for three years after the disaster and finally died from the effects of the exposure. He frequently gave an account of the burning of the Sea Bird and the icy waters he found himself in on that cold April morning in 1868. Ed Henneberry was buried in the north side Catholic cemetery” (Sheboygan Press, Mon. 12 April 1926, p. 3).
[Update of 21 Oct. 2026–Edward Henebery actually died on 20 April 1870. The Waupun Leader (Thu 28 April 1870, p. 2) briefly announced, “Edward Henneberry, one of the survivors of the Sea Bird disaster, died at his home in Sheboygan, on Wednesday last. The terrible suffering he endured on that fate day, so shocked his nervous system that he never recovered.” A few more details were published in the Manitowoc Pilot (Thu. 28 April 1870, p. 3) “Sheboygan—From the Times we learn that Mr. Edward Henneberry died after a protracted illness, at the residence of his father, in that city, on the 20th inst. Mr. H. was a seaman and served as Mate on board the brig Erie, last season, but shortly before the close of navigation he was forced to leave the vessel on account of failing health. He was one of two survivors of the ill-fated steamer Sea Brid, and never recovered from the effects of his exposure and suffering at that time.”
Albert Chamberlain (c. 1844-1921)
A newspaper article from 1911 provided more details concerning another survivor Albert Chamberlain. In 1911, Mrs. M.L. Chamberlain was in Sheboygan visiting Captain and Mrs. Thomas A. Long. The newspaper article noted that her husband was one of the two survivors of the Sea Bird disaster. Mrs. Chamberlain had previously been a school teacher in Sheboygan and was now living in Topeka, Kansas (Sheboygan Telgram, Thu. 31 Aug. 1911, p. 2). An obituary was located for Albert B. Chamberlain in the Topeka Daily Capital (Mon. 24 Jan. 1921, p. 3). Albert was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, and the couple had moved to Topeka in 1884 making their home on 1151 Washburn Avenue. Albert was 77 when he died in 1921, thus he was born about 1844. He and Edward Hennessey were around 24 years of age in 1868 when they survived the Sea Bird fire and sinking.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photographs to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
For further information on other local families who emigrated to Wisconsin, see, our posts of 29 Sept. 2026 and 17 February 2025.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Plight of Richard Fitzgerald (1793-c. 1860) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Today, we are going to highlight false public accusations made 205 years ago against an Aylwardstown, Glenmore man, Richard Fitzgerald (1793-c. 1860). In order to put the events into context we shall provide background information concerning the magistrates and policing in 1821. We have attempted to utilize the quaint language and spellings published in the 1821 Waterford newspaper covering the events.
Background
In Ireland magistrates were the primary instruments of the law for dealing with the disorder in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s. Under various legislation enacted by successive governments magistrates were given wide powers to search for arms as well as the right to grant or withdraw licenses for citizens to hold weapons. Magistrates were able to search houses if they suspected arms were concealed or if an occupant was absent at night. They were also empowered to question suspects against the threat of unlimited imprisonment. Although such powers allowed ample opportunity for abuse, they “seem to have been rarely used” (Virginia Crossman (1991) “Emergency Legislation and Agrarian Disorder in Ireland, 1821-41,” 21(1) Irish Historical Studies, 309-323).
Magistrates in execution of their duties could call on the army stationed in the countryside. A country-wide policing force, the county constabulary was created in 1822, although not every county was covered until 1825. These officers became the Royal Irish Constabulary. “County magistrates provided the lynchpin of the peacekeeping apparatus. (Crossman, p. 312). In 1822, the Insurrection Act was resurrected after troops and peace preservation police and the opening of a special commission failed to stop agrarian outrages in the south-west (Crossman, p. 313).
“Both the Insurrection Act and the suspension of habeas corpus were tried and trusted remedies in Ireland. Habeas corpus was suspended from 1797-1802 and from 1803-1806, and the Insurrection Act had been in force from 1795 to 1802, and 1807 to 1810 and from 1814 to 1818.” The original sentence for breach of the Insurrection Act was a death sentence for anyone administering an unlawful oath and transportation for anyone taking an unlawful oath (Crossman, p. 314).
The Kilmacow Rumour: The Night of 15/16 December 1821
What appears to have kicked off Richard Fitzgerald’s troubles was a rumour of armed men in Kilmacow. The Waterford Mirror reported “[w]e regret to find the strongest ground for suspecting that last Saturday night, or Sunday morning, there was, at or about Kilmacow, an illegal assemblage, or rather visit or procession, of armed men on foot. It was supposed by many that the men belonged to the police of a neighbouring Barony; but enquiry had completely falsified that supposition” (Waterford Mirror, Wed. 19 Dec. 1821, p. 3). This rumour at the end of the month was refuted by the parishioners of Kilmacow and Dunkitt (Waterford Mail, Wed. 28 Dec. 1821).
The Magistrates’ Search: 17 December 1821
On Monday, the 17th of December, John Snow and Henry Alcock, Esqrs., with a party of the 86th Regiment, made a general search for arms through that part of County Kilkenny, situate between Glanmire (sic) and Bishop’s Hall, by Tory Hill, and obtained six stand, which they lodged in the Tower of Waterford (Waterford Mirror, Wed. 19 Dec. 1821, p. 3). It appears that the two Magistrates were motivated by the Kilmacow rumour to search the local Kilkenny countryside for arms.
In attempting to discover how many arms represents six stand we found two possible explanations. One explanation is that a stand represents the complete kit a soldier requires. Thus, a stand would indicate a firearm, powder and ammunition and a bayonet. Another possible explanation was that it represented how weapons were stored or stood together. This usually reflected a minimum or three firearms. So either six or eighteen (or more) arms were taken in Kilkenny and stored in the Tower of Waterford.
Within a week of their searches the two magistrates sent a letter to the Editor of the Waterford Mirror, dated Christmas Eve. “We beg you will insert, for the information of the Public, the inclosed (sic) Affidavit, made by a disinterested person, who happened to be confined in the Tower the night Fitzgerald was there. This and other information we have on oath, and which we cannot now disclose, respecting the present state of the County Kilkenny, induced us to make a search for arms, knowing it to be dangerous to the peace of the county to have arms in it, which could be easily obtained by improper persons.”
The Affidavit of Anne Fitzgerald: Dated 18 December 1821
“Anne Fitzgerald came this day before me, and voluntarily made Oath on the Holy Evangelists, and saith(sic)—That on Monday morning last, when this Informant was confined in the Tower at Waterford, she was there told by a man of the name Richard Fitzgerald, also confined there, that he had a large faction in County Kilkenny, and that they had plenty of Ammunition. Informant also heard him mention the names of several persons of the very worse character, as being comrades of his. Particularly that noted bad character Captain Grant, who was hanged some time since, and told Informant that he belonged to Captain Grant’s gang, and that he used often to ride with him from Tipperary to Wexford. Sworn before me this 18th day of December 1821. Signed, Henry Alcock and Anne Fitzgerald made her mark” (Saunders’s News-Letter, Thurs. 27 Dec. 1821, p. 3). [For further information on the infamous highwayman Jerimiah Grant (1785-1816) a/k/a Captain Grant see, Grant on Line.]
Richard Fitzgerald wasted little time responding to the allegation made by Anne Fitzgerald. He wrote a letter to the Editor of the Waterford Mirror and attached his affidavit and a character reference. All three documents were published in the Waterford Mirror (Sat. 29 Dec. 1821).
Richard Fitzgerald’s Letter to the Editor of 26 December 1821
“Sir—I have seen in your independent paper of the 24th instant, a paragraph setting forth an affidavit made by a woman of the name Anne Fitzgerald, then confined in the Tower of Waterford, (I believe not for her good behaviour), lest the public might be led to believe it true, I beg you will have the goodness to insert in your useful columns, the annexed Affidavit and Characters, which, I trust will be sufficient to refute any further aspersions thrown out against me by her, or any prejudiced person who may be so infatuated to act as she had done. I remain, Sir, your very humble Servant, Richard Fitzgerald.”
Affidavit of Richard Fitzgerald of Midway House, Glenmore
“Midway House, Dec. 26
County Kilkenny
Before one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for said County. Richard Fitzgerald, of Midway House in said County, farmer and publican, being duly examined and sworn on the Holy Evangelists, deposeth and saith, that he never told Anne Fitzgerald, when confined in the Tower of Waterford, that the Parish of Glenmore (or any other place) was any way disturbed, nor that he knew where there were any arms or ammunition, etc. The he did not tell her any thing respecting that notorious character, Captain Grant, but only this, that she, the said Anne Fitzgerald, asked him if he knew Captain Grant? He, informant, told her he had once seen him, as he rode through the County Kilkenny pursued by the Waterford Constables. Informant farther swears, that he never spoke a single sentence to the aforesaid Captain Grant; that he never rode with him in his life; that he never in Tipperary, and but once in Wexford; that he knows no more of Captain Grant’s adherents than he knew of himself; that the old carbine found in his house he never intended to conceal; that he never knew nor heard of arms or ammunition being in Glenmore, nor any other place, for any disaffected or disloyal purposes. Sworn to before me this 26th day of Dec. 1821. Signed by John Snow and Richard Fitzgerald.”
Character References for Richard Fitzgerald, Midway House, Glenmore
“We the undersigned, do declare, that we have known Richard Fitzgerald, of Midway House, from his boyhood, and that we have always known him to be a sober, industrious, and diligent young man; remarkedly honest in his dealings; never heard or seen anything disaffected or disloyal by him or his family, but always supported themselves by honest industry. Given under our hands, this 26th day of December 1821.” Signed Peter Strange, Landlord; Laurence Strange; P.E. Foristal; Thomas Esmond, Bart; and
John Fitzpatrick, P.P.
The Glenmore Referees
The men who provided character references for Richard Fitzgerald in December 1821 were residing in Glenmore or closely connected to Glenmore.
Peter Strange (c. 1735-1824) of Alywardtown House was the landlord for Aylwardstown. Thus he was Richard Fitzgerald’s landlord. In 1821, Peter Strange was elderly. He died on 23rd of September 1824 at the age of 89 (Weekly Freeman’s Journal, Sat, 2 Oct. 1824, p. 4).
Laurence Strange (c. 1770 -1845) is believed to have been the son of Peter Strange and became the landlord of Aylwardstown in 1824. He was known in 1835 for reducing the rent of his tenants in Aylwardstown. Laurence Strange died on the 4th of February 1845 at Aylwardstown at the age of 75 (Freeman’s Journal, wed. 12 Feb. 1845, p. 4 ].
P. E. Foristal was Pierce Edmond Foristal (c. 1773-1843) landlord of Rochestown, Glenmore. See our post of 6 Nov. 2022 regarding the killing of his tenant Catherine Hanrahan in July 1822, and our post of 15 Dec. 2022 regarding the trial and the testimony of Pierce Edmond Foristal at the killer’s trial. See generally our post of 7 Oct. 2023 regarding the Forristal family.
Thomas Esmond, Bart. At first glance it was thought that this man was the 8th Baronet and husband of Lady Letitia Esmond (c. 1781-1851) of Ringville. However, her husband died in 1803 without issue. The man who gave this reference was likely the 9th Baronet (1786-1868). Ringville had been purchased from Pierce Edmond Forristal’s father by Nicholas Devereux. Letitia was Nicholas Devereaux’s niece and heir.
John Fitzpatrick, P.P. (c. 1758-1835) was the Parish Priest for the combined parish of Slieverue-Glenmore. See our post of 26 Feb. 2026 for further information on Fr. John Fitzpatrick (c. 1758-1835).]
Richard Fitzgerald (1793-c. 1860) Halfway House, Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Thanks to Ann Fitzgerald’s research and help it is believed that the above Richard Fitzgerald was baptized at Ballinaraha, Glenmore on 21 December 1793. This means that he was 28 when he faced the above accusations. Richard was the son of John Fitzgerald and his wife Bridget Brien. Richard was the first Fitzgerald to occupy the Midway or Halfway House of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. It was the midway point on the old stage coach road between Waterford and New Ross. Today, the road is known locally as the High Road or L3429.
On 29 February 1824, Richard married Mary Walsh of Rochestown. The Parish Register records Richard’s surname as Bryan (his mother’s maiden name). Their daughter Bridget Fitzgerald was baptized on the 23rd of March 1825, at Glenmore, and Richard’s surname is correct and the address on the record is “Halfway House.”
Concluding Thoughts
We performed a search to determine why Anne Fitzgerald was incarcerated in “the Tower of Waterford” today known as Reginald’s Tower. We could not locate any information concerning her arrest or detention. It is not clear why Richard Fitzgerald was detained for one night, but given the activities of the Magistrates in searching the countryside and his admission of having an old carbine in his house, it seems likely he was swept up and held until he could be questioned by the Magistrates. Unfortunately, the detained Anne Fitzgerald then provided her statement on the 18th perhaps in an effort to gain her freedom.
We did locate an article that indicated Lord Bessborough and others were offering rewards for the “apprehension and conviction within six months” for a list of acts committed near Piltown on Wednesday the 19th of December 1821” (Waterford Mirror, Mon. 21 Dec. 1821, p. 1). However, this reward was not published until the 21st and it appears that Anne Fitzgerald could not read or write if a reward was her motivation. It is also interesting she referenced Captain Grant who was executed 5 years earlier.
No other references to Richard Fitzgerald or Anne Fitzgerald appeared in 1822 Waterford newspapers (that we could locate), so it appears that the accusations died with the publication of Richard Fitzgerald’s affidavit and character references. As stated above, Richard Fitzgerald married 26 months after the public accusations and got on with his life, and thereby ensuring a Richard Fitzgerald today is still residing in the Halfway House.
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Please send any corrections, further information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Special thanks to Ann Fitzgerald for her help with this article.
The drawing of the Tower of Waterford (Reginald’s Tower) is from The Dublin Penny Journal (8 Dec. 1832, pp 188-189) Stable URL: http://www.justor.com/stable/30002646 . The photo of the Halfway House was taken in 2022.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Interviews of Andrew Heffernan (1893-1975) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Danny Dowling (1927-2021) for over 7 decades interviewed and recorded various Glenmore residents. We have discovered two short interviews that Danny recorded on 28 February 1964 and 28 August 1964. Both took place in Waterford. These interviews address some queries that we received earlier this year concerning the origin of the Heffernan family of Aylwardstown and the relationship between the Kennedys of Dunganstown and Rathinure. Dates of birth and death have been added, and other information not from the interviews has been placed in square brackets [ ]. Andrew Heffernan was able to provide information back to the early years of the 19th Century.
From Haggard to Aylwardstown
According to Andy Heffernan, the Heffernan family came to Aylwardstown from Haggard, Glenmore. The Heffernan family had been evicted from Haggard. They lived in Haggard where John Byrne (1893-1976) was in 1964.
[John Byrne married Mary Aylward (c. 1898-1983) of Haggard on 8 February 1932. Her father was John Aylward (farmer). John Byrne was a native of Taghmon, Wexford. He was the son of Laurence Byrne (farmer). As an interesting aside, (per Thomas Walsh (1908-1992)) John Byrne during WWII drove his horse to either Slieverue or Ferrybank seeking cigarettes. No cigarettes were available, but he heard that cigarettes were available in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. He drove his horse all the way to Carrick-on-Suir and back. For our international readers Carrick is today (via the N24) about 43 km from Glenmore. However, if John cut across country on smaller lanes the journey would have been shorter. We hope and assume it was a successful mission.]
In Aylwardstown there was a farm of about 100 [Irish] acres at the time the Heffernan family moved. This farm was divided among the Heffernan’s, two Morrissey families and the Delahunty’s. They all came to Aylwardstown together. Each family had 25 [Irish] acres [or 40 statute acres]. Later, Delahunty’s bought the second Morrissey place.
Heffernan Glenmore Burials
The Heffernan’s were buried in Kilivory. Andy told Danny to look for the headstone of Tim Heffernan. [Danny did find the headstone and recorded it as follows:
Erected by Tim Heferin of Haggard
in memory of his father Patrick Heferin
who dep’d this life April 7th 1797 aged 60 yrs
Also the body o Bridget Heferin who dep’d this
life March 17th 1797 aged 34 years]
Andy stated that his brother was the first of the family to be buried in Glenmore Cemetery. His brother died 52 years previously [or in 1912]. He came home from America owing to being delicate. [James Heffernan (1882-1912) died on 2 August 1912 at Aylwardstown. He was single, 30 years of age at the time and worked as a draper’s assistant. He died of heart disease, and his sister Mary O’Connor, of Ballyfacey, was present when he died. In 1908, James Heffernan (25, a draper) traveled with James Delahunty (35,farmer) aboard the Adriactic to New York landing on 1 October. The address in the old country was Glenmore, Waterford and they were going to Chicago, Illinois. Both gave James’s brother Richard Heffernan (1889-1947) as nearest relative or friend. Richard James Heffernan (1889-1947) resided in Chicago. ]
Rathinure Link with Dunganstown, Wexford?
Andy told Danny that he was a first cousin to Peter Kennedy (1878-1962) of Rathinure. [Andy’s mother was Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (1854-1947) her father was Pierce Kennedy (b. 1809). Bridget Kennedy married Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) on 12 February 1879 at Glenmore. Their photo is above.] Andy often heard his mother say that the Kennedy’s of Dunganstown used to visit Rathinure regularly. She said that they were related. Andy believed that a Kennedy went to Dunganstown from Rathinure originally. Andy also stated that all the Kennedy families in Rathinure were originally the one family. [It is not surprising that Dunganstown came up in this interview. President Kennedy was assassinated just 3 months earlier in November 1963.] For more information on the Heffernan family see our H surname page. For further information on Dunganstown see The Kennedy Homestead webpage.
[Around 1996 an elderly lady named Mrs. Doyle stopped to ask me directions. She said that her grandmother, Hannie Kennedy, came from Rathinure and married her grandfather, Tom Shanahan, of Dunganstown. I took her to Danny who after asking a few questions started searching his copy of the parish records. He found a marriage that took place on 15 February 1843 at Glenmore between Thomas Shannon (sic) and Johanna Kennedy of Rahanure (sic). A notation in the record noted a certificate was provided by Rev. James Cullen, P.P. of Sutton Parish, Wexford for the groom. He explained to Mrs. Doyle that there were a lot of marriages across the Barrow. Before the automobile it was easier to travel by boat than by road.]
Grants of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Andy stated that the Grants lived where Dick Brien (Fitzgerald) lived. [Per Ann Fitzgerald, Dick Brien was the name Richard Fitzgerald went by. The Fitzgerald family came to Aylwardstown in the early 1800’s from Ballinaraha, Glenmore. They used their mother’s maiden name (Brien) to distinguish themselves from other local Fitzgerald families.]
The last of the Grant’s was a woman. She had a public house there. [We believe that Andy was referring to the Half Way House of Aylwardstown located on the old Stage Coach or High Road.] Jim Dunphy (1855-1943) of Ballyverneen, born over the Rock, gave his life to the Clyde Shipping Company. Jim Dunphy told Andy that a British soldier got a drink in Grant’s public house on one occasion and was leaving without paying for it. The Grant woman told him he would pay or it would be on his soul. The soldier replied, “Will you give me another on my soul?” [Jim Dunphy’s obituary may be read on our D surname page. We are uncertain what “born over the rock” means in this context, but it is likely that he was referring to Jim Dunphy being born on the far side of the Pink Rock.]
The Brien Fitzgerald’s of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
Andy explained to Danny that Dick Brien’s uncle was the present Jim Brien’s father. [We believe that Andy was explaining that Dick Brien and Jim Brien (1896-1979) were first cousins. We were able to verify through parish records every statement made by Andy regarding the Brien Fitzgeralds.] See our F Surname page for further information on the Brien Fitzgerald’s.
Michael Coady of Carrickcloney, Glenmore was married to one of the Brien’s (Fitzgerald’s) of the Half-Way House. [We found in the parish records that Michael Cody married Catherine Fitzgerald of Aylworthstown (sic) on 3 February 1823.]
Pierrie Barron, of Carrigcloney, married into a Mrs. Kirwan née Brien of the Half-Way House. He was her second husband. He came from where Richie Barron had the farm in Carrigcloney. Pierrie Barron was Mikey’s father. [We found where Bridget Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown, married Michael Kiervan (sic) on 29 February 1848 at Glenmore We also found where Peter Barron married Bridget Cervan (sic) on 22 January 1852. Michael Barron was baptized on 26 May 1855 at Carricklony (sic) to Pierce Barron and his wife Bridget Kerivan.]
Uncles Emigrated to U.S.
Andy told Danny that he had grand uncles who went to America in the early part of the last century [ie early 1800’s]. [See our post of 9 February 2025 regarding his grand-uncle James Heffernan (1825-1891). It is not altogether clear if Andy was also referring to John Dollard (1801-1888) who was married to his great-aunt Bridget Dollard née Heffernan (1811-1891) native of Aylwardstown. See our post of 17 February 2025 regarding John Dollard and Bridget Dollard née Heffernan.
Andy also had two uncles who later went to America. They settled near Stone Wall City on virgin territory and called the settlement Glenmore. They also called the church there St. James’s. When Andy’s uncle John first went out first they could only go to Mass once a year on Christmas Day as they lived 40 miles from the nearest church. This man John on one occasion with a man called Brennan rode 40 miles to the Christmas Mass. Andy said that this took place in South Dakota. [We believe based on contemporary documents that these events actually took place in Glenmore, Wisconsin. We were not able to find a Glenmore in South Dakotas, but we did locate an obituary for Andy’s uncle John Heffernan (1842-1930) who was an early settler of Grant County, South Dakota.]
Grant County Review, Thurs. 19 June 1930
[A VALUED CITIZEN PASSED SATURDAY—Pioneer Settler Near Big Stone Victim of Heart Attack Last Saturday
Big Stone township and Grant county lost one of their most honorable citizens with the sudden death last Saturday evening of John Heffernan, a pioneer of this section. Exactly one month and one day previous to his death Mr. and Mrs. Heffernan celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. At that time and since the deceased appeared to be enjoying ordinary health, was about daily and assisted his sons with work about the farm, taking a lively interest and apparently with many years of life and usefulness before him. Saturday afternoon, accompanied by Mrs. Heffernan, he visited the pastures and looked over the stock, and made no complaint of felling ill until about 8:00 o’clock that evening. He then told Mrs. Heffernan that he had a pain in his chest, and went and laid down for a short rest, which was not an unusual procedure on his part.
When the pain persisted Mrs. Heffernan volunteered to apply a mustard plaster or something of that sort. About that time, however, Mr. Heffernan remarked that it had left his chest and gone into his arm, and then without further word or complaint dropped peacefully into that long, last slumber. Mrs. Heffernan was alone in the house at the time, but despite the shock managed to summon her son James, who was about the place, and also just at that time her son John and daughter Alice, who had been to town trading, arrived home. Aid was immediately procured, but the spark of life had fled and all efforts to rekindle it were unavailing.
John Heffernan was born October 12, 1851, at Glenmore, county Kilkenny, Ireland. In 1874, when 23 years of age, he came to America and located at DePere, Wis. In 1879 he came among the pioneers to this county and filed on a homestead in Big Stone township. The following year he returned to DePere and was united in marriage with Miss Mary Shea, his surviving wife. Together they returned to this county and since that time have resided continuously in Big Stone township. For better than a half century the deceased has commanded the respect, friendship and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances in this section in a most unusual manner, and never hesitated to lend his support to any worthy project or enterprise. Religiously he was always a devout and faithful practitioner of the Catholic faith, and his home was truly a model husband and father.
Besides his wife the immediate family members are seven sons and two daughters, namely, James, John, Raymond, William and Norbert, all of Big Stone township; Thomas, Omaha, Neb., and Dr. Bernard Heffernan, Milwaukee, Wis.; Miss Alice at home and Mrs. A. H. Flatley, Stockbridge, Wis. All the children and their families were home to attend the funeral.
During his residence in Big Stone township deceased had served as a member of the school and township boards and at the time of his death was president of the Gib Stone Creamery Association, a position he had filled continuously since the association was organized and the creamery built 33 years ago. It will be remembered also that when the Grant County Telephone Co. was organized in this city many years ago, Mr. Heffernan served it for some time as president and in able and praise-worth manner. During the World War he served faithfully in the Liberty loan drive. He was a member of the Milbank Council, Knights of Columbus, and also charter member of Milbank Camp 1887 Modern Woodmen of America.
The funeral services were held at 10:00 o’clock yesterday forenoon at St. Charles Catholic church, Big Stone City, with a solemn Requiem Mass celebrated by the pastor, Rev. Fr. Estergard, with Fr. Joseph O’Neill, of Danvers, Minn., as deacon, and Fr. P. J. Callanan, of Ortonville, Minn., as sub-deacon. A short but very appropriate sermon was preached by Fr. Estergard at the conclusion of the services, and the remains then taken to the church cemetery and laid at rest. Members of Milbank Council, Knights of Columbus, attended in a body. The pallbearers were John Gowan and Dr. O’Donnell, Ortonville, Minn.: Edward Rourk, Big Stone City, and John Huben, C. W. Martens and W. S. Dolan, Milbank. As a mark of respect and the high esteem in which deceased was held in that community, the business places of Big Stone City remained closed yesterday forenoon.
Other relatives from a distance in attendance at the funeral were Mrs. Ellen Daugherty, Medford, Oregon; Mr. and Mrs. Will Daugherty, Brainard, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Calnan and daughter Marguerite, DePere, Wis.; William Calnan and Miss Esther Calnan, Miss Ella Conley and George Peters, all of Green Bay, Wis.; Mrs. Margaret Irish, Stockbridge, Wis., and Mrs. Carl Coe, Minneapolis.] To view John Heffernan’s grave see Find-a-Grave.
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Special thanks to Ann Fitzgerald for the information on the Brien Fitzgerald’s and texasceltfirl for posting John Heffernan’s obituary.
The featured photo above his Andy Heffernan’s parents, Michael Heffernan (1847-1924) and Bridget Heffernan née Kennedy (1854-1947) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore. A copy given to me in around 1993 by Nellie Doherty (their granddaughter). Nellie thought the photo was taken around 1920.
Please send any corrections, additional information or photos to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Thatched Houses in Glenmore at the End of WWII [Updated]
Danny Dowling (1929-2021) made lists of various local things including: local Irish words, Mass Paths, elderly parish residents and thatched houses in Glenmore at the end of WWII. Thatch was the traditional roof in Glenmore prior to the twentieth century. The Second World War ended in 1945, and it appears that thatch roofs were then in the minority. Below is Danny’s list of the 35 houses identified and their respective townlands. The list is not dated. We note that several townlands are not included. The entire original list with notes from Danny is included. Any comments or additional houses that have been added are is square brackets [ ].
- Jack Forristal, of Cappagh (Bolger’s) [today Frankie Kirwan’s].
- Greene’s, of Jamestown
- Wattie Power, of Jamestown
- Anne Gaule, of Busherstown
- Johanna Closh Walsh, of Busherstown
- Main Gaule, of Busherstown
- Neddie Power, of Busherstown
- Anne Doherty, of Busherstown
- Doherty’s, of Milltown (part of)
- Haberlin’s, of Forristalstown
- Grace’s, of Forristalstown
- Jimmy Doherty’s, of Forristalstown
- Statia Butler, of Ballycroney
- Seamus Fitzgerald, of Ballycroney
- Luke Murphy, of Ballybrahee [See our post of 15 Aug. 2021 for more information on Luke Murphy]
- Dick Power, of Ballybrahee
- Dick Murphy, of Robinstown
- Pat Grant, of Robinstown
- Reddy’s, of Robinstown
- Neddie (Watts) Fitzgerald, of Ballinaraha
- Brophy’s, of Ballinaraha
- Moran’s, of Ballinlammy
- Doherty’s, of Ballinlammy
- Gahan’s, of Rochestown
- Shawn’s, of Rochestown [nickname for 1 of the Forristal families of Rochestown. We believe that this was the home of John Forristal (c. 1838-1915) and his wife Mary née Reddy (c.1851-1917). The couple were married at Glenmore on 31 Aug. 1880 and had five children; Bridget, James, John, Thomas and Patrick.]
- James “Browley” Walsh, of Rochestown
- Larry Walsh, of Rochestown
- Foran’s, of Kearney Bay
- James Phelan “The Walker”, of Ballyhobuck
- Larry Kirwan, of the Shanty [Scartnamore]
- John Kennedy, of Rathinure [Sean Óg where Johnny Garvey lives today]
- Pat Kennedy, of Rathinure [The Faddies]
- John Haberlin, of Aylwardstown
- Jim “Brien” Fitzgerald, of Aylwardstown
- Ryan’s, of Kearney Bay
- Pat Ryan, of Kearney Bay (Cousin of Mike Ryan, went to Ringville)
The following not on Danny’s original list
[37] [Johnny “Billy” Roche, of Rathinure] [Thatched house remained until 1972]
[38] [Holden’s, of Clune, Jamestown]
[39] [Paddy Kennedy, of Newtown]
[40] [John Power, of Newtown]
[41] [Martin Forristal, of Rochestown]
[42] [Paddy Mullally, of Ballyhobuck] [Later Walsh’s of Ballyhobuck]
[43] [Condon’s of Mullinahone (part thatched)]
[44] [Pat & Jimmy McDonald of Ballyfacey]
[45] [Kitty Murphy of Mill Road, Mullinahone (part thatched)]
[46] [John Power, of Newtown, lived in until the mid-1970’s; last coat of thatch by Murty Kearney with rushes.]
[Update of 9 Oct. 2025–Jimmy Roche (1927-2018) of Rathinure often told the story of when he was a young fellow helping to rid the Faddie’s of rats in their thatch roof. A ferret was placed on the roof, and soon rats were attempting to escape by leaping from the roof. Jimmy and a number of young men armed with hurley’s dispatched the rats as they leaped from the thatch.]
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
From Danny’s Files: Rose Strange (1847-1935) of Aylwardstown, Glenmore
As we sort through the vast amount of material Danny Dowling (1927-2021) collected over 7 decades our progress is often hampered when interesting interviews or clippings send us looking for more information. Such was the case of an 1880 Kilkenny Journal article announcing a Waterford Prize winner.
Kilkenny Journal (10 Nov. 1880)
The Proprietors of “Society,” a London publication, announced that they awarded the prize for the best Parody of Sir Walter Scott’s lines, “Breathes there a man,” etc. to Miss Rose Strange, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore, Waterford. (To read the original poem see, Scottish Poetry Library.) The original poem questions whether there exists any man with such an empty heart and dead soul that he has no love for his country. The prize winning parody penned by Miss Rose Strange is:
Lives there a man who once loved sound,
Of echoing horn and baying hound,
When Autumn yellows o’er the plain,
Feels not his soul within him burn,
Feels no bright dreams of youth return,
With Winter’s glorious sport again,
Oh, be there such, whose heart is stealth,
The cities’ toil, the race for wealth,
Has stolen away, or made too cold,
To quicken as in days of old,
When the good hunt came sweeping by,
With all its’ gladsome revelry,
Masters of thousands though he be,
Broad through his acres, poor is he,
Vainly for him good steed shall neigh,
Life’s keenest joy has “Gone Away.”
Who was Miss Rose Strange of Aylwardstown, Glenmore?
We could not locate a Miss Rose Strange born at Aylwardstown. However, we did locate Rose Charlotte Strange who was baptized on 11 August 1847 at Trinity Within of Waterford City. Her father was recorded as Thomas Strange, but her mother and godparents were not recorded. Rose C. Strange was the daughter of solicitor Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) and his wife Mary Strange née Nevins (1821-1909). Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) was born and raised at Aylwardstown. According to Danny, in the 1830’s Thomas and one of his brothers moved to Waterford where they purchased the Waterford Chronicle newspaper. For a history of the Strange family in Aylwardstown see, Danny Dowling (1996) “Cardinal WIseman & His Association WIth South Kilkenny” (Kilkenny Archaeological Society, p. 38).
While Thomas F. Strange went to Waterford and became a solicitor his eldest brother Peter Strange (1805-1872) remained in Aylwardstown. Although Peter did not marry the parish records reveal that he had an illegitimate son also named Peter Strange. The infant was baptized at Glenmore on 4 July 1840. He was born at Roachestown (sic) and his mother was Mary Forestal. It is not known what became of this infant. Peter Strange (1805-1872) never married, and when he died in 1872 he left Aylwardstown to his nephew Thomas Alexander Strange (1856-1907) and Rochestown to his niece Rose Charlotte Strange (Danny Dowling, p. 43). See our post of 9 February 2025 for a letter written in 1873 to James Heffernan of Glenmore, Wisconsin, which provides details regarding Peter Strange’s (1805-1872) death and the refusal of the Glenmore Parish Priest to pray for him or bury him.
We believe that Thomas A. Strange and his sister Rose C. Strange took up residence in Aylwardstown House. The newspapers of the era refer to Mr. and Miss Strange of Aylwardstown House attending many hunts with Lord Waterford and others.
Siblings of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
Thomas Fitzgerald Strange (1812-1897) married Maria Nevins (1821-1909 ) on 9 December 1845 in Holy Trinity, Parish of Brikenhead, Cheshire, England. In addition to Rose C. Strange (1847-1935) and Thomas A. Strange (1856-1907) the couple had 3 more daughters and another son.
[1] Agnes Mary Strange (1850-1947) died 23 October 1947 at East Ferry, Ballincura, Middleton, Ireland. Agnes never married. She apparently liked to travel and went to the US several times. Agnes died of influenza at the age of 97.
[2] Grace or Frances Strange (1854-1946). Grace Strange died on 18 May 1946 at East Ferry at the age of 91. She was a retired nurse and spinster.
[3] Mary Strange (1852-1942) died at Ballincura, Middleton, Cork. In 1913 she sought to become the executor of her father Thomas F. Strange’s estate. Her mother and brother, Laurence C. Strange had commenced the Estate in March 1897, but due to circumstances discussed below the Estate was never administered. Mary Strange, spinster was granted letters. In 1913 the Estate was worth £550 5s. 4d.
[4] Laurence Charles “Charlie” Strange (1858-1902) was baptized 12 August 1858 at Tramore. On the record his mother is incorrectly listed as Mary Burns. He followed in his father’s footsteps and became a solicitor in 1883. The following year, Laurence Charles Strange of 6 Harcourt Row (solicitor) married Letitia Janette Scott daughter of James Scott (gentleman) of 23 Upper Sheriff St. Dublin. The couple were married at St. Barnabas, Church of Ireland on 20 December 1884.
The Aunt, Eliza Chapman née Strange (c. 1807-1881)
Peter (1805-1872) and Thomas F. Strange (1812-1897) had a sister Mary Elizabeth or Eliza Strange. Eliza married Edward Chapman on 28 August 1832 at Glenmore. Edward Morgan Chapman, Esq. of Ringwood, the Rower, died on 18 May 1852 at the age of 48 (Dublin Evening Mail, Mon. 31 May 1852, p. 3). The couple do not appear to have had any children. In 1863, Eliza sought to sell the lands she held at Busherstown (Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 25 Feb. 1863, p. 1).
At some point before her death in 1881 Eliza Chapman née Strange returned to live in her childhood home in Aylwardstown. Eliza Chapman died 18th January 1881 at Aylwardstown. She was a 73 year old widow of a gentleman. Her nephew, Thomas Strange, was with her during her last illness. According to the death register she died of “severe pain probably in connection with curvature of the spine and old age.” When Eliza Chapman died she named her brother Thomas F. Strange as her executor and her secondary beneficiary was Rose Charlotte Strange. (Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1852-1922).
Shortly after the death of Eliza her nephew, Thomas A. Strange began selling Aylwardstown. See our post of 8 January 2024 to learn what happened to Thomas A. Strange after he sold Aylwardstown circa 1883. Thus, just three years after Rose Strange won the poetry contest “life’s keenest joy” hunting went away. Mary Eliza Chapman née Strange is the only woman listed on the Strange family stone in Kilivory Cemetery, Glenmore.
The Marriage of Rose C. Strange (1847-1935)
In the later part of 1889, Rose C. Strange married William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) in Dublin South. They were not married in a Catholic Church. She was William’s second wife. His first wife Clara, died earlier in 1889. At the time of their marriage Rose was 42 years of age and about 6 years older than William Weekes Nevins (1853-1904) . William had a daughter, Gertrude Nevins (b.c. 1874) from his first marriage. Gertrude Nevins, aged 23, married William Charles Seaton (aged 28) on 16 January 1897. His father was Walter Lewis Seaton (gentleman). In 1901 William and Rose were living in Lambeth, London at 39 Electric Avenue. The 1901 census provides that William was born in Canada and listed no profession or trade in the census.
One Tragedy After Another
In the 1901 Census, Laurence C. “Charlie” Strange (solicitor) was a guest at a home in Greystones, Dublin. He refused to provide his religion to the census taker. In Waterford, his wife, Janette Strange was listed as the head of the house on Mary Street. She was 37 years of age. Her sister-in-law (sic) Frances E. Scott, was 39 and not married. Both ladies were Church of Ireland members and born in Dublin. Also living with them was Laurence Strange (cousin) solicitor, aged 30, born in County Kildare. Laurence Strange, cousin, was part of the Strange and Strange law firm of Waterford. We believe that he was the son of Richard Strange, J.P. (1824-1877) another brother of Thomas F. Strange ( 1812-1897). Laurence “Laurie” Strange was baptised on 13 February 1871 at Graney, Rashvilly, Union of Baltinglass.
Death of Laurence Charles Strange (1858-1902)
At the end of the Boer War, Laurence C. Strange was appointed to take a position in South Africa as an Assistant Crown Prosecutor. He traveled to South Africa and shortly after arriving died on 8 December 1902. He was 42 years of age and died of acute nephritis which he suffered with for 8 days. He is buried in the Klerksdorp Old Municipal Cemetery.
Death of an ex-Mayor of Waterford–News reached Waterford on Tuesday of the death at Klerksdop, Transvaal, of Mr. Laurence C. Strange, solicitor, formerly of the firm of Strange and Strange, solicitors, Waterford. Mr. Strange who was, comparatively speaking, a young man, was prominently identified with local, Municipal, and political affairs for many years. He was Mayor of Waterford in 1899. He went to South Africa early last year, and shortly after the termination of the war was appointed Assistant Crown Prosecutor at Klerksdorp (Evening Herald, Thur. 8 Jan. 1903, p. 3).
Death of Laurence “Laurie” Strange (1871-1903)
Twelve months later, Laurence “Laurie” Strange died in Denver Colorado. DEATH OF MR. LAURIE Strange—The death is announced at Denver City, Colorado, of Mr. Laurence Strange, solicitor, formerly of Waterford. The deceased gentleman, who was admitted a solicitor in 1893, contracted a severe cold some time ago, and serious lung trouble supervening, he went to Colorado, thinking that its climate might stay the ravages of the disease. He was cousin to the late Mr. L.C. Strange (Munster Express, Sat. 26 Dec. 1903, p. 8).
Death of Letitia Jannette Strange née Scott (c. 1854-1904)
Laurence C. Strange’s 40 year old widow, Letitia Jannette Strange died in London on 20 January 1904.
Death of Mrs. L C Strange—We regret to announce this evening the death of Mrs. L C Strange, which took place this morning at Somerleyton Road, Brixton. She was widow of the late Mr. L C Strange, solr., ex-Mayor of Waterford. We also announce with regret the death of Mr. William Nevins, the brother-in-law of Mr. L C Strange, solr., which was coincident with that of Mrs. Strange. These dual announcements will doubtless be heard with much regret (Waterford Chronicle, Wed. 20 January 1904, p. 2). It is not clear how the two deaths are coincident, but it is assumed that Janette Strange was visiting her sister-in-law Rose C. Nevins née Strange when she died.
East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork
At some point Rose C. Nevin née Strange returned to Ireland and lived in Cork. Either she joined her three spinster sisters or they joined her. Rose Charlotte Strange (1848-1935) died 15 September 1935 at East Ferry House, Ballincurra, Middleton, Cork. At the time of her death she was an 88 year old widow and her death cert notes she was a “Lady of Independent means.” She was the first of the four sisters to die. Both of her brothers pre-deceased her.
Please send any corrections or additional information to glenmore.history@gmail.com .
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh