Hi Christie,
Congratulations, your research in Dublin last year sounds like it was a great success!
The letter from Michael Walsh mentioning his elderly father wanting to see James Whelan, his favorite nephew then confined in Kilkenny Jail, was most interesting. The “Earl Spencer” who the letter was addressed to was John Spencer, the 5th Earl Spencer. As Lord Lieutenant of Ireland he arrived in Dublin on 5 May 1882, just one day prior to the Phoenix Park Murders. His marriage was childless, and he was succeeded by his half-brother, Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer, who was the great-grandfather of Diana, Princess of Wales.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Spen ... rl_Spencer
Christie, I’m very curious how you came across this letter and other documents for James Whelan, the Coercion Suspect. When at the National Archives, did you discover this using their catalogue or did a librarian assist? Any ideas if there are files for every Coercion Suspect? Any helpful hints gained from your research at the National Archives?
From the information in the letter, it was easy to find that the uncle of James Whelan mentioned in the letter was Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen. I had previously researched (and been confused by) two men named Michael Walsh, both married to McNamara women. (1) Michael Walsh, of Ballynahinch, the land steward murdered in 1847, who I’m fairly certain was married to Margaret McNamara (later the 2nd wife of James Whelan (2) Michael Walsh, of Kilnoe, married to Catherine McNamara. Both men were dead prior to 1855 Griffith Valuation and their widows listed as tenants. I still need to go back and fix the mistakes I made in the Walsh family tree made back in September 2020:
viewtopic.php?t=6965&start=390
I researched Stephen Walsh for any clues on whether or not he might be related to either Michael Walsh of Ballynahinch or Michael Walsh of Kilnoe. Most of this research was done last year (it was difficult to pick up again after procrastinating a few months). Ten minutes into my research (a search for “Stephen Walsh” in the newspapers archives), I stumbled upon the shocking murder of his grandson, Michael Walsh, in 1898.
SHOCKING OCCURRENCE NEAR ENNIS.
Ennis, Thursday.
Intelligence has just reached here of a terrible occurrence at Kilkishen, a remote village about ten miles from here towards the Limerick side. It appears that on Tuesday night a number of young men, amongst whom were Michael Walsh, junior, Stephen Walsh, his brother, and Thomas Turner were amusing themselves playing cards, singing, etc, at the house of John Faul, Kilkishen. A dispute arose between Turner and Michael Walsh. After some time Turner and Stephen Walsh left the house, and meeting each other outside, Turner is alleged to have said to Walsh—“Your brother Michael thinks himself a great man,” adding “but I don’t care a d----- for him, or for you, or for anyone belonging to ye.” Walsh replied in similar language, where upon, it is alleged, Turner raised a spade handle, with which he struck Walsh on the head, knocking him to his knees, and while in this position it is alleged he struck him several other blows. On getting up Walsh ran to Faul’s house and told his brother Michael what had occurred. Both immediately left in search of Turner so as to have “satisfaction.” Michael being about seven yards in advance of Stephen. When the former was passing a gate-way Stephen states he saw Turner rush out behind him and deal him a terrific blow on the head, knocking him to the ground and rendering him unconscious, in which state he remained until he died at 1 o’clock yesterday. Acting Sergeant Keane, Kilkishen, arrested Turner on the charge of having seriously assaulted Michael Walsh. He admitted, it is alleged, having struck the blow, and stated that he was sorry both brothers were not in the same condition. Yesterday, after Walsh’s death, Turner was brought before Mr. Brady and remanded to Limerick Gaol. Mr. Coroner Frost held and inquest touching the death of Walsh. A respectable jury found that death was caused by fracture of the skull, produced by a blow from some blunt instrument, and that said blow was inflicted by Thomas Turner.
Freeman’s Journal, Friday, 21 January 1898
The Kilkishen Homicide.
At the Clare Assizes on Thursday, a young man, a carpenter, was put forward charged with having killed Michael Walsh, at Kilkishen, Co Clare, on the 17th January. Messrs M J Burke, QC; and Edward Murphy, BL (instructed by Mr John Cullinan, C T), prosecuted. Mr Patrick Lynch, B L (instructed by Mr Thomas Lynch), was for the defence. After evidence the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter, and the judge sentenced the prisoner to three years’ penal servitude.
Flag of Ireland, Saturday, 12 March 1898
Christie, on the other thread “Tragic circumstance…” you provided the passenger listing for when your great-grandmother, Annie Whelan, arrived in New York in 1910 going to her sister, Maggie Whelan of 2029 Valentine Avenue in the Bronx. You also mentioned that “Patrick Cline” listed directly above Anne Whelan on the passenger listing was also going to Maggie Whelan, and reported as his “cousin”. This was Patrick Clune, a grandson of Stephen Walsh, and thus the second cousin of your great-grandmother Annie Whelan, and her sister Maggie Whelan.
Sadly, Michael Walsh was not the only grandson of Stephen Walsh to be murdered.
Special thanks to Sharon for her transcription of the O’Callaghan Mills parish records, and Sheila for transcribing the Quin-Clooney and Tulla parish records, their strong efforts made the below research possible.
1. Stephen Walsh (1800? 1815? – still living in 1882)
The first child of Stephen Walsh and Mary Cunneen to appear in the O’Callaghan Mills parish baptism was their son Michael in September 1836. The baptism register starts in January 1835, so it is possible that other children were born prior to Michael but there is no evidence in subsequent records. Stephen Walsh and Mary Cuneen likely married prior to the January 1835 start of the O’Callaghan Mills marriage register.
As part of school’s collection in the 1930’s, Stephen Clune of Quin stated that his grandfather, Stephen Walsh, took the temperance pledge from Father Mathew. No year was given. Stephen Walsh may have taken the pledge in 1840 when Father Mathew visited Tulla and 12,000 people were noted to have taken the pledge (Limerick Chronicle, 15 February 1840). Or in 1844 when Father Mathew visited Quin and administered the pledge to 3,000 people (Tipperary Vindicator, 1 May 1844).
Old Recollections [by his grandson, Stephen Clune of Quin].
Dan Corbett ,Ballykilty ,Quin relates how the old people used to point out a large stones in the "furzy crag" which is situated in Pat Sammon's Farm, Ardsollus , Quin. It is said that Daniel O Connell on his way to Ennis in the year 1828 addressed a large meeting of Tradaree men from this stone. They also say that
Father Mathew delivered a Temperance sermon from this stone also and administered the Temperance Pledge to thousands of people on the same occasion including my own grandfather Stephen Walsh, Kilkishen, Co Clare. At this time there was a small village in Ardsollus .. .
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0596, Page 134; © National Folklore Collection, UCD.
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5177641/5175699
At Griffith Valuation for Clonlea townland in the parish of Clonlea, Stephen Walsh leased a house and land from lessor Robert A. Studdert. The amount of land leased was less than 3 acres and valuation of £3 and 5 pence; house valuation of £1 and 5 pence. Stephen Walsh also leased a small garden in Teeronea townland in Clonlea parish.
In February 1855, Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen was one of 50 or so signatures announcing an upcoming “Tenant Right and Civil and Religious Liberty” meeting to be held in Tulla on 11th of February “for the purpose of petitioning Parliament for the adjustment of the relations between Landlord and Tenant, and for the removal of the Religious disabilities affecting the Catholics of this Empire” (Limerick and Clare Examiner, 7 February 1855).
On 13 August 1867 at the Sixmilebridge courthouse,
Stephen Walsh, steward at Kilkishen was a complainant against Margaret Gallagher of Kilkishen stating that on the 6th of August she had assaulted him and used abusive language. There were three separate complaints filed at the same time by Thomas Studdert against John Gallagher, Terence Gallagher, and Michael Gallagher for stealing a quantity of turf. Stephen Walsh was a witness for Thomas Studdert at these complaints. The defendants were found guilty and had to pay a fine (Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919). Stephen Walsh appears to have been the steward for Thomas Studdert, a wealthy land owner.
Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen (or “Clonlea” for a few years) appears in the Irish dog license register starting in 1867. His last dog license, for a male terrier with brownish coloring, was paid at Sixmilebridge court house on 22 March 1881. While at the courthouse, Stephen Walsh also filed a complaint against Daniel Moran of Kilkishen to take possession of a dwelling house (presumably Moran failed to pay rent).
In a letter dated 3 June 1882 to the Earl Spencer, Michael Walsh pleads for the release from prison of his first cousin, James Whelan. In the letter, Michael noted that his father (not named, but Stephen Walsh), was seriously ill and wanted to see his “only nephew of whom he is so fond”. See prior posting by Christie Whelan.
Based upon the Irish dog register and the 1882 letter, Stephen Walsh likely died not long after June 1882. But even with an expanded search of the civil records, I could not locate his civil death record. The civil record would have also told us if Stephen was married or widowed at the time of death, and thus help also find the civil death record for his wife, Mary Walsh (a very common name). I checked the graveyard transcriptions for both Clonlea and Killuran graveyards, but with no luck.
Stephen Walsh and
Mary Cunneen of Kilkishen were the parents of at least seven children:
............ 1.1 Michael Walsh (1836 – 1918), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 4 September 1836; sponsors Thomas Walsh and Bridget McNamara (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
Michael Walsh, age 30, farmer, residence Kilkishen, son of farmer Stephen Walsh, married
Eliza O’Grady, age 26, residence
Ballynacally, daughter of farmer
Michael O’Grady, on 9 February 1869 at the Catholic chapel at Ballynacally by the curate James Vaughan; witnesses John McNamara and Lucy Reidy (Killadysert registration). Elizabeth from Ballynacally was born prior to the 1846 start of the Clondagad and Kilchreest baptism register. However, two of Elizabeth O’Grady’s younger siblings, who were sponsors for her children, were reported in the baptism register (George in 1848 and Anastasia in 1860) and their parents were
Michael O’Grady and
Catherine Flaherty of Ballynacally.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 191817.pdf
Michael Walsh, of Kilkishen, in a letter dated 3 June 1882 to the Earl of Spencer, requested a parole for his cousin, James Whelan, then a coercion suspect in Kilkenny Jail so that James could visit his uncle (Stephen Walsh). See letter transcribed by Christie in prior posting.
Michael Walsh, of Kilkishen, age 82 years, widower, farmer, died on 22 August 1918; informant was his daughter, Winifred Boyle of Kilkishen (1919 Scariff registration). Winifred Boyle was also the executor of his will according to the Calendar of Wills at the National Archives. The index incorrectly states date of death as “8 October 1918” when the actual index card states that this was the grant date. I could not locate the civil death record for Eliza O’Grady Walsh between the 1911 census and Michael’s 1918 death.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 422171.pdf
https://www.willcalendars.nationalarchi ... 1700511465
Michael Walsh (1836 – 1918) and
Eliza O’Grady (≈1842 – after 1911, prior to 1918) of Klkishen were the parents of seven children, two surviving as of the 1911 census.
<Teeronea, Kilkishen, House 16; Kilkishen Town, Kilkishen Town, Kilkishen, House 16.2>
........................... 1.1.1 Mary Walsh (1870 – 1917), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 2 April 1870; sponsors Stephen Walsh and Mary Walsh were likely the child’s paternal grandparents (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880).
Mary Kate Walsh, age 25, daughter of farmer Michael Walsh of Kilkishen, married
Terence Gallagher, age 33, son of Terence Gallagher (deceased) of Kilkishen, on 30 January 1895, at St. Saviours in Limerick City; witnesses John McNamara and Eileen Reddan (Limerick civil registration). Terrence was the son of
Terrence Gallagher (≈1824-1886) and
Margaret Reilly of Kilkishen who were among the defendants in 1867 when Mary’s grandfather, Stephen Walsh, got into a legal spat over stolen turf as well as an assault and abusive language charge.
Terrence Gallagher (≈1850 – 1946) and
Mary Kate Walsh (1870 – 1917) were the parents of no children. Terrence Gallagher was a plasterer and slater according to census reports.
<Clonloghan, Clenagh, House 7; Newmarket-on-Fergus, Newmarket, House 14> Mary Kate’s sister, Winifred Walsh Boyle, was the informant on both of their civil death records (Scariff registration).
........................... 1.1.2 Bridget Walsh (1871 – unknown, prior to 1911), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 27 August 1871; sponsors George O’Grady (child’s maternal uncle) and Mary Carr (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880).
No later records discovered. There were only two surviving children reported by her parents in the 1911 census (Mary and Winifred), so Bridget appears to have died prior to 1911.
........................... 1.1.3 Ellen Walsh (1872 – 1872), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 13 December 1872; sponsors Stephen Walsh (child’s grandfather, her uncle Stephen was already in San Francisco) and Bridget Walsh (child’s aunt) (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880). Ellen, child of shopkeeper Michael Walsh, died at just three days old.
........................... 1.1.4 Stephen Walsh (1874 – 1908), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 18 January 1874; sponsors James Grady (child’s maternal uncle born prior to 1846) and Anastasia Grady (child’s maternal aunt) (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880). In the OCM baptism register, the father was reported as “Stephen Walsh”; the civil birth record accurately reported father as “Michael Walsh”.
<Teeronea, Kilkishen, House 16; Kilkishen Town, x>
Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen, a bachelor, died on 15 February 1908; informant was his father, Michael Walsh.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 541383.pdf
........................... 1.1.5 Michael Walsh (1875 – 1898), of Kilkishen, was born on 30 June 1875; father Michael Walsh reported as “farmer” (Tulla civil registration). I could not locate the baptism in O’Callaghan Mills Parish records.
Michael Walsh was killed in Kilkishen on 18 January 1898 (see news articles above).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 653053.pdf
........................... 1.1.6 Anastasia Walsh (1877 – 1884), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 31 May 1877; sponsors John McNamara and Kate Roughan (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880). Anastasia, child of a shopkeeper, died at just 7 years old; the informant was her mother Eliza Walsh (Tulla civil registration reported in Galway in error).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 812915.pdf
........................... 1.1.7 Winifred Walsh (1880 – 1949), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 8 February 1880; sponsors Patt Walsh (child’s uncle) and Margaret Fawl (child’s paternal aunt) (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1851-1880).
<Teeronea, Kilkishen, House 16; Kilkishen Town, Kilkishen Town, Kilkishen, House 16.2>
John Boyle, a policeman, residence Broadford, son of farmer Bernard Boyle, married
Winifred Walshe, residence Kilkishen, daughter of publican Michael Walshe, on 6 February 1915 at the Catholic church in Kilkishen by the parish priest P. Quinn; witnesses John J. Hogan and Mary Josephine Walsh (her cousin, daughter of Patt Walsh); Scariff registration.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 560027.pdf
Constable John Boyle of the R.I.C. had been in County Clare since September 1901:
On Friday, 8th Instant, the following constables, having completed their training at Depot, were transferred on location to the counties named to fill vacancies:—To Clare—Constables John Boyle and Francis Rooney, No. 3 Company, and Peter Donnellan, William Healion, and James Moran, No. 4 Company. To Cork . . .
Weekly Irish Times, Saturday, 14 September 1901
Upon their marriage, John Boyle of the R.I.C. could not remain in County Clare since this was the birthplace of his wife.
The Constabulary Gazette of 27 March 1915 under a “Transfer” listing of some 30 or so names, included “vice Constable John Boyle, Clare to Cork W.R”. County Cork would not have been the safest place to be during the Irish War of Independence.
Constable John Boyle, born in 1874, received an annual pension of £96 and 4 shillings, which commenced on 2 March 1921 and was paid at Six Mile Bridge (R.I.C. Pensions, 1873-1925, per ancestry website).
Winifred Boyle was the informant on the civil death record when her father Michael Walsh died in 1918. Also when her aunt Margaret Walsh Faul died in 1926, Winifred Boyle, niece, was present at death in Kilkishen as well as the informant. She was also the informant when her sister, Mary Kate Gallagher, died in 1917.
According to the obituary collection at Limerick Local Studies, John Boyle and Mrs. Winifred Boyle died on the same day in 1949 and are buried at Clonlea Cemetery in Kilkishen. John Boyle, “a shopkeeper from Kilkishen”, widower, age 73, died on 5 January 1949 at St. Patrick’s Nursing Home in Limerick City (Limerick civil registration). Could not locate the civil death record for Winifred Boyle, but according to the brief bio on findagrave she died at the Stella Maris Nursing Home on 5 January 1949:
https://limericklocalstudies.ie/obituaries/
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 199770.pdf
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/196 ... fred_boyle
............ 1.2 James Walsh (1838 – 1893 in San Francisco), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 29 June 1838; sponsors Michael Fealy (sic) and Bridget Moloney (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
“James Welsh”, age 30, was reported in the 1870 census as living at 338 Spruce Street in Philadelphia with his Irish born wife, Mary (age 25), and two young children (age two and six months). His wife, Mary Hartery, was born in County Waterford according to her obituary, so they likely married in Pennsylvania about 1867. James Walsh likely immigrated to the USA after the American Civil War as he appears in no veteran records.
1870 census in Philadelphia:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZPM-DHP
1880 census in San Francisco:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6PD-LYK
WALSH—In this city, June 14, James, beloved husband of Mary and brother of Stephen C. Walsh, a native of Killkischen, County Clare, Ireland, aged 56 years.
☛ Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend the funeral tomorrow (Friday), at 8:30 o’clock A.M. from his late residence, No. 1606 San Carlos avenue, near Eighteenth street; thence to St. Francis Church, Mission Dolores, where a solemn requiem high mass will be celebrated fro the repose of his soul, commencing at 9 o’clock A.M. Interment, Mount Calvary Cemetery.
The San Francisco Examiner, 15 June 1893
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175 ... ames-walsh
WALSH— In this city, December 16, Mary, dearly beloved wife of the late James Walsh and loving mother of Stephen, James, Thomas, Harry, Catherine and Nellie Walsh, Mrs. John J. Chambers, Mrs. Walter D. Burke and Mrs. Charles W. Davis and loving sister of James Hartery, a native of County Waterford, Ireland, aged 71 years. Remains at her late residence, 14 San Carlos avenue. Notice of funeral hereafter.
The San Francisco Examiner, 17 December 1914
James Walsh (1838 – 1893) and
Mary Hartery (≈1843 – 1914) were the parents of ten children, three born in Philadelphia, and seven born in San Francisco. Based upon the birth years and locations, the Walsh family likely took the newly opened trans-continental railroad to California in late 1872 or early 1873.
........................... 1.2.1 Stephen Walsh (≈1868 in PA – 1871 in PA), first born son named after his paternal grandfather.
1871 death register:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VKZL-Y2N
........................... 1.2.2 Mary Walsh (≈1870 in PA – 1953 in San Francisco) Mrs. John J. Chambers
........................................... 1.2.2.1 Marie E. Chambers (age 2 in 1900)
........................................... 1.2.2.2 Ethel V. Chambers (age 9 months in 1900)
........................... 1.2.3 Stephen P. Walsh (≈1872 in PA – 1931 in San Francisco)
WALSH—McHUGH—Stephen P. Walsh, 36, 14 San Carlos ave., and Margaret McHugh, 23, 1315A Natoma st.
The San Francisco Call and Post, 9 November 1909
........................................... 1.2.3.2 Aileen M. Walsh (age 8 in 1920)
........................... 1.2.4 Margaret T. Walsh (≈1873 in CA – 1949 in San Francisco) Mrs. Walter D. Burke
........................................... 1.2.4.1 Walter A. Burke (age 13 in 1910)
........................................... 1.2.4.2 Genevieve Burke (age 12 in 1910)
........................................... 1.2.4.3 George Washington Burke (age 11 in 1910)
........................................... 1.2.4.4 Lester Burke (“late” child in mother’s 1949 obituary)
........................... 1.2.5 Catherine H Walsh (≈1875 in CA – 1965 in San Francisco)
........................... 1.2.6 Ellen “Nellie” A. Walsh (≈1877 in CA – 1962 in San Francisco)
........................... 1.2.7 Alice M. Walsh (≈1879 in CA – 1976 in San Francisco) married
Charles Wesley Davis, who was the great grandson of William Anthony Richardson (1795-1856), an English sailor and early California settler influential in the development of San Francisco, who in 1825 married Maria Antonia Martinez (1803-1887), the daughter of Ygnacio Martinez (1774-1848), commandant of the Presidio in San Francisco.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_A ... Richardson
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ygnacio_Mart%C3%ADnez
........................................... 1.2.7.1 C. Wesley Davis (age 15 in 1920)
........................................... 1.2.7.2 James Torres Davis (age 13 in 1920)
........................... 1.2.8 James W. Walsh (≈1882 in CA – 1955 in San Francisco)
........................... 1.2.9 Thomas J. Walsh (≈1884 in CA – 1958 in San Francisco)
........................... 1.2.10 Harry F. Walsh (≈1887 in CA – 1965 in San Francisco)
............ 1.3 Margaret Walsh (1840 – 1926 in Kilkishen), of Kilkishen, was baptized in August 1840; sponsors John Conneen and Bridget Lorgus (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850). The baptism entry for the first name is very dark and illegible and thus transcribed by Sharon as “too dark”. A Margaret Walsh, daughter of Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen, married in 1873 and her baptism entry was not reflected in the transcriptions. I examined the “too dark” baptism entry and can just make out the “gt” in “Margt” (the same name as the more visible entry above it). Margaret Walsh Faul was age 72 in the 1911 census reflecting her 1840 birth.
1840 baptism, page 26, bottom left:
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 6/mode/1up
Stephen Fall (“Faul” or “Fawl” in other records), carpenter, of Quin, son of carpenter James Fall (and Mary Warrant per 1843 Quin Clooney baptism), married
Margaret Walsh, of Kilkishen, daughter of farmer Stephen Walsh, on 19 February 1873 at the Catholic chapel at Kilkishen by the curate Edward Flynn; witnesses Patrick Corbett of Quin and Maria Roughan of Kilkishen (Tulla civil registration; O’Callaghan Mills marriage register).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 208582.pdf
“Margaret Faul, sister of deceased” was the informant on the civil death record when Patt Walsh died in Kilkishen in 1888.
Margaret Faul, of Kilkishen, widow of a carpenter, age 87 years, died on 18 September 1926; informant was her niece, Winifred Walsh Boyle (Scarriff registration). I could not locate the civil death record for a Stephen Faul/Fall/Fawl after searching between 1911 and 1926.
Stephen Faul (1843 – after 1911) and
Margaret Walsh (1840 – 1926) had no children.
<Teeronea, Kilkishen, House 17; Kilkishen Town, Kilkishen, House 17>
............ 1.4 Thomas Walsh (1843 – unknown), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 26 February 1843; sponsors Jeremiah Glyne and
Bridget Walsh (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
No later records discovered for Thomas Walsh. Possibly died prior to 1864 civil death records? Or did he move to San Francisco with his two brothers and died prior to his brother James Walsh in 1893 (thus not reported in his funeral announcement)?
............ 1.5 Stephen Walsh (1845– 1895 in San Francisco), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 29 June 1845; sponsors
James Walsh and Margaret Cunneen (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
In the 1869 San Francisco city directory, Stephen C. Walsh was a porter with Marsh, Pillsbury & Co (importers of hardware); and his dwelling was at “232 Bush”.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6ZSB-2BWV
In the 1870 census, Stephen Welsh, “age 28”, born in Ireland, was a porter and boarding at Bush Street House, a large boarding house run by the widow Ellen McNamara.
1870 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN6P-BKQ
Stephen C. Walsh was enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Sarsfield Guard, Company F, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, in San Francisco on 4 February 1871. At the St. Patrick’s Day parade on 17th of March in 1873, “Sarsfield Guard, S C Walsh, Commanding” was listed in the parade line-up along with a dozen other state militias and Irish organizations (
S.F. Chronicle, 17 March 1873).
“Stephen
Cunneen Walsh” appears in the California voter register of 1876-1877 as living at 8th and Folsom in San Francisco, occupation “salesman”, and he had become a naturalized U.S. citizen on 28 August 1873 in the California 19th District. S. C. Walsh was very active in Democrat politics in his local ward as noted in many news articles.
“S C Welch” (age 34, Ireland) and Julia Welch (age 30, Ireland) were living at Howard Street in San Francisco in the 1880 census with their three children: “S” (age 8 ), Mary E. (age 6), and Julia A. (age 5).
1880 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6PD-DPD
Stephen and Julia Walsh had a son born on 31 December 1871 in San Francisco, and thus I initially assumed that they married in San Francisco between the 1870 census (taken July 1870) when Stephen Walsh was living in a boarding house through to early 1871. However, a “Mrs. Julia A Walsh” was reported on the “Official Letter Listing” in the San Francisco Chronicle of 6 January 1869 with a letter to be picked up at the post office. And another letter for “Mrs. Julia Walsh” was listed on 26 May 1869. The 1870 census does not report marital status. Did the young immigrant couple have to live apart to enable Mrs. Julia Walsh to earn money as a live-in domestic servant? A “Julia Welch”, age 22, born in Ireland, was working as a domestic servant in the household of American born Charles J. Currier in the 1870 census.
Julia’s maiden name is unknown. What civil marriage or birth records which existed for this period were likely destroyed in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Later death records for their children did not report Julia’s maiden name. Catholic records might be available by contacting the archdiocese.
WALSH—September 2, Stephen, beloved husband of Julia Walsh, a native of Kilkishen, County Clare, Ireland, aged 48 years.
** Friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral tomorrow (Thursday), at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from his late residence, 1424¼ Howard street, between Tenth and Eleventh; thence to St. Joseph’s Church, where a solemn requiem mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul, commencing at 9 o’clock a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.
The San Francisco Examiner, 4 September 1895
WALSH— In this city, November 25, Julia, beloved wife of the late Stephen C. Walsh, and mother of Nicholas, Frank and Rose Walsh, Mrs. W.A. Blakely and the late Stephen and Julia Walsh.
The funeral will take place Friday, November 27, at 10 o’clock, from the parlors of J.C. O’Connor & Co. 767 Mission street; thence to St. Peter’s Church for services at 11 o’clock. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery by 11:40 train from Twenty-fifth and Valencia street.
The San Francisco Chronicle, 27 November 1903
Stephen Cunneen Walsh (1845 – 1895) and
Julia ______ (≈1850 - 1903) were the parents of six children in San Francisco:
........................... 1.5.1 Stephen Walsh (1871 in CA – 1903 in San Francisco), first born son named after his paternal grandfather.
WALSH— In this city, December 31 [1871], the wife of Stephen C. Walsh, a son.
The San Francisco Chronicle, 7 January 1872
WALSH— In this city, November 14, 1903, Stephen, beloved son of Julia and the late Stephen C. Walsh, and brother of Nicholas, Frank and Rose Walsh and Mrs. W.A. Blakely, a native of San Francisco, aged 32 years. The funeral will take place to-day (Monday) at 10:30 o’clock, from the parlors of J.C. O’Connor & Co., 767 Mission street, Interment Holy Cross Cemetery, by 11:30 o’clock train from Third and Townsend streets.
The San Francisco Call and Post, 16 November 1903
........................... 1.5.2 Mary E. Walsh (≈1874 in CA – 1920 in San Francisco) “Mrs. W. A. Blakely” per obituaries of mother in 1903 and sister in 1910.
In the 1901 S.F. city directory, W.A. Blakeley was deputy County Clerk residing at 112 Ellis in San Francisco. In the 1917 S.F. city directory “W.A. Blakely (Mary), Daniels & Blakely”, was residing at 1046 McAllister in San Francisco. In the 1920 census, Mary E. Blakely, was age 45, born about 1875 in California, parents Irish born, a widow, working as a nurse at a hospital and boarding with a family in San Francisco.
BLAKELY—In this city, Sept 1, 1920, Mary E., beloved wife of the late William Blakely, a native of San Francisco. The funeral will take place today (Thursday) at 8:30 o’clock a.m. from the parlors of J.C. O’Connor & Co., 532 Valencia st., thence to Sacred Heart Church, where a requiem mass will be celebrated for the repose of her soul, commencing at 9 o’clock a.m. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.
The San Francisco Examiner, 2 September 1920
........................... 1.5.3 Julia Agnes Walsh (≈1875 in CA – 1900 in San Francisco)
WALSH— In this city, May 29, Julia Agnes, beloved daughter of Julia and the late Stephen C. Walsh, a native of San Francisco. The funeral will take place to-day (Thursday), at 8:30 o’clock a.m., from the parlors of J.C. O’Connor & Co., 767 Mission street; thence to St. Joseph’s Church, where a solemn requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of her soul, commencing at 9 o’clock a.m. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
The San Francisco Examiner, 31 May 1900
........................... 1.5.4 Nicholas Walsh (≈1880 in CA – 1910 in San Francisco)
WALSH— In this city, March 13, Nicholas, beloved son of the late Stephen and Julia Walsh, and brother of Mrs. W.A. Blakeley and Rose Walsh, a native of San Francisco, aged 30 years. The funeral will take place to-day (Tuesday) at 1:30 o’clock p.m., from the parlors of J.C. O’Connor & Co., 770 Turk street; thence to St. Joseph’s Church for services, commencing at 2 o’clock pm. Interment, Holy Cross Cemetery.
The San Francisco Examiner, 15 March 1910
........................... 1.5.5 Frank Walsh (≈1881 in CA – after 1903) was living with widowed mother in 1900 census. He was mentioned in the obituaries of his brother Stephen and mother in 1903, but not in the obituary of his brother Nicholas in 1910. Did he survive the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906?
........................... 1.5.6 Rose Walsh (≈1882 in CA – 1980 in San Francisco), was living with her Walsh cousins, children of James Walsh, on San Carlos Avenue in San Francisco in the 1910 census and when she married in 1913. “Edward D. Lally, 25, 2500 Lake Street, and Rose C. Walsh, 24, 14 San Carlos Avenue” was the marriage announcement in the
San Francisco Chronicle of 29 October 1913.
LALLY, Rose Claire— In S.F., Nov. 12, 1890; loving wife of the late Edward Daniel Lally; dear daughter of the late Stephen and Julia Walsh; a native of S.F.; a member of the St. Brendan’s Altar Society. Private burial Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery. A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Brendan’s Church.
The San Francisco Chronicle, 16 November 1980
............ 1.6 Patt Walsh (1847 – 1888 in Kilkishen), “Batt”, of Kilkishen, was baptized on 30 October 1847; sponsors “Batt” Carney and Catherine Cunneen (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850). In the OCM baptism register, the priest clearly wrote “Batt” for the child and the sponsor “Batt Carney” (as well as for “Batt Clune” as the father in the baptism entry above it on 25 October 1847). All entries should be “Patt” as “Patt Carney” and “Patt Clune” (married to Bridget Mulcanny) were reflected elsewhere in the OCM baptism register. Also, Pat Walsh, son of Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen, married in 1883 and his 1888 civil death record reflected a birth in 1847.
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 3/mode/1up
Pat Walsh, teacher, residence Kilkishen, son of farmer Stephen Walsh, married
Bridget Murphy, teacher, residence Mt Cashel, daughter of farmer Tom Murphy, on 2 July 1883 at the Catholic chapel at Kilmurry by the parish priest Sylvester Malone; witnesses Michael Cunneen or Conway and Mary Agnes Meany (Tulla registration)
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 999665.pdf
Patt Walsh, school teacher, age 41 years, married, of Kilkishen, died on 4 August 1888; informant was Margaret Faul, sister of deceased (Tulla registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 759567.pdf
In the 1901 census, the widow Bridget Walshe, was a 43-year old national school teacher living in Clonlea townland (Kilkishen) with the following (1) her 14-year old daughter, Mary Josephine; (2) her 78-year old mother, Mary Murphy, a widow; (3) and 6-year old niece, Bridie Murphy. I could not locate Bridget Walsh in the 1911 census or her civil death record (quick look only).
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... a/1086309/
Patrick Walsh (1847 – 1888) and
Bridget Murphy (≈1858 – after 1901) of Kilkishen were the parents of one daughter:
........................... 1.6.1 Mary Josephine Walsh (1887 – after 1915), of Kilkishen, was born on 8 February 1887; father Patt Walsh reported occupation was “schoolteacher” (Tulla registration). <Clonlea, Kilkishen, House 5; unknown in 1911>
When her maternal grandmother, Mary Murphy, died in September 1906, “Mary Walsh, grand daughter was present at death, Kilkishen” and the informant on the civil death record (1907 Tulla registration).
1911 Census? Her reported age of 29 years is off by a few years, but I reckon she would be the Mary Josephine Walsh, photographic assistant, living in Kilkee in the household of James Bothwell, age 39, a master photographer born in County Leitrim.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... f_/362065/
Mary Josephine Walsh was one of the witnesses when her cousin Winifred Walsh married in 1915.
Mary Josephine Walsh, teacher, residence Kilkishen, daughter of farmer Patrick Walsh, married
James Conlon, farmer,
residence Scart, son of farmer Martin Conlan, on 27 November 1915 at the Catholic church in Kilkishen by the parish priest P. Quinn; witnesses John O’Neill and
Margaret Clune, not reported but her first cousin (Scarriff registration).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 570539.pdf
............ 1.7 Bridget Walsh (1850 – 1928 in Quin), of Kilkishen, was baptized on 9 May 1850; sponsors Michael Roughan and Catherine Cunneen (O’Callaghan Mills baptisms, 1835-1850).
Bridget Walsh was the baptism sponsor for her niece, Ellen Walsh, in 1872.
Bridget Walsh, of Kilkishen, daughter of farmer Stephen Walsh, married
John Clune, of Quin, carpenter, son of James Clune (and Elizabeth Halloran per 1838 Quin baptism), on 15 February 1874, at Kilkishen chapel by the parish priest Patrick Quaid; witnesses Patt Halloran and Mary Roughan (Tulla civil registration). Could not find the Catholic marriage record in either the transcribed OCM records or the on-line NLI original Catholic marriage record (there were seven marriages reported in February 1874, so not a case of a missing page).
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 117933.pdf
John Clune, age 76, married, carpenter, died in Quin on 26 July 1915; informant his son, Michael Clune. Bridget Clune, age 76, widow of a carpenter, died in Quin on 19 March 1928; informant her son, James Clune. Both Scarriff registration.
John Clune (1838 - 1915) and
Bridget Walsh (1850 – 1928) of Quin were the parents of eleven children, nine surviving as of the 1911 census.
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
........................... 1.7.1 James Clune (1875 – after 1911), of Quin, was born on 7 July 1875; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration). Unlike younger siblings, there is no baptism record in Quin-Clooney parish.
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
........................... 1.7.2 Mary Elizabeth Clune (1877 – unknown), of Quin, was baptized on 8 April 1877; sponsors Patrick Walsh (her uncle) and Bessie Halloran (Quin-Clooney baptisms, 1855-1880).
Probably one of nine children reported as living in 1911 census, but whereabouts are unknown.
........................... 1.7.3 Stephen Joseph Clune (1879 – 1963), of Quin, was baptized on 28 January 1879; sponsors Michael Hennessy and Jane Hennessy (Quin-Clooney baptisms, 1855-1880).
<St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin, House 1; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
In the 1901 census, Stephen Joseph Clune was a 22 year old student at St. Patrick’s College (1875-2016) in Drumcondra, Dublin, which was a training college for primary school teachers. He was living with his parents in Quin Village in the 1911 census and his occupation was “school teacher” (two other siblings were also teachers).
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ ... e/1271857/
Stiofán Mac Clúin was a national school teacher at Dangan National School in County Clare at the time of “The School’s Collection” between 1937 and 1939. In the Dangan collection, the stories told from pages 128 to 139 were collected and written by Stephen Clune, including the story of his maternal grandfather, Stephen Walsh, having taken the temperance pledge from Father Matthew (see above).
https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/5177641?Route=schools
........................... 1.7.4 Margaret Teresa Clune (1880 – after 1911), of Quin, was baptized on 26 October 1880; sponsors Tom Callaghan and Teresa Cunningham (Quin-Clooney baptisms, 1855-1880).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
Margaret Clune was one of the witnesses at the marriage of her cousin, Mary Josephine Walsh, in 1915.
........................... 1.7.5 Bridget Clune (1882 – 1883), of Quin, was born on 29 September 1882; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration). Bridget died at only five months on 21 February 1883 (Tulla civil registration, reported as Galway in error).
........................... 1.7.6 Michael Clune (1884 – after 1911), of Quin, was born on 2 January 1884; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
........................... 1.7.7 Patrick Clune (≈1885 – after 1918), was age 17 in 1901, so born about 1885 or so (could not locate his civil birth record between 1884 and 1888).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
Patrick Clune, age 23, a clerk, arrived in New York on the SS Arabic on 18 October 1910; his Irish contact was his father John Clune of Quin; USA contact was his [second] cousin Maggie Whelan of 2029 Valentine Avenue in the Bronx. He was traveling with his second cousin, Annie Whelan, going to her sister Maggie. They were traveling with Nora Malone, age 28, the daughter of John Malone of Feakle, going to her sister Nellie Malone of 15 86th Street in New York City; Nora was also reported as a cousin (although the passenger listing was not totally clear who they were referring to as cousins).
1910 passenger listing (two pages):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJVV-PPB
Patrick Clune must have only gone to New York for a short visit as by the 1911 census (taken as of 1 April 1911) he had returned from the land beyond the wave and was living with his parents in Kilkishen. Sworn to be free, Patrick would later fight for Erin’s cause come woe or wail.
‘THIS CONCERT”
Sequel to the Castlefergus Riot
SIX MEN CHARGED
(From Our Correspondent.)
Ennis, Saturday.
At a special Court at Ennis to-day, before Mr. George McElroy, R.M., Michael Murray [Newmarket-on-Fergus per other newspaper accounts], James O’Reilly [Clarecastle], James Howard [Mauns], Joseph Brooks [Doora], John Hassett [Moyrush], and Patrick Clune [Quinn] were charged with unlawful assembly at Castlefergus and causing a riot and disturbance on Feb. 24.
Sergeant McSweeney (instructed by Mr. F.F. Cullinan, Crown Solicitor) prosecuted. The defendants were not legally represented.
Defendants, when place in the dock, declined to occupy the seat at the front of the dock, declaring that it was a seat for criminals, and Murray said that they did not recognise “this concert” at all.
Sergeants Brady and O’Mara and Constables Willis, Turnbull, Horan, and Quill were examined, their evidence being a repetition of that given at the Coroner’s inquest on John Ryan, who
RECEIVED FATAL WOUNDS.
It went to show that the crowd who were driving [cattle] presented a threatening attitude, and one man in the crowd called out: “There are only six of them. Let us kill them and take the barracks.” After shots were fired over the heads of the crowd, orders were given to fire at them, and three men fell [John Ryan later died].
Captain Fitzgerald Blood, A.S.C., gave evidence of the ownership of the lands of Castlefergus and the cattle which were driven, and that he had complied with the Tillage Regulations last year.
Defendants were then returned for trial to next assizes for Clare in custody, declining to give bail. Defendants left the dock singing the “Soldier’s Song”.
Evening Herald, Dublin, Saturday, 16 March 1918
The Soldier’s Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIUb6PTvLNU
The Cork prison register of 1918 included five of the six men who were in the court on the 16th of March charged with riot. Patrick Clune was reported to be age 30, of Quin, and his mother was Bridget (his father had died in 1915 and was thus not reported). In the far left it is scribbled “Received from Limerick Prison”. Under the column “Court from which Committed” was written “Cork City Assizes, Hon Justice Dodd, commencing 22 July 1918”. According to a newspaper account of the Cork assizes, the six men all pled “guilty to riotous and unlawful assembly in Co. Clare on the 24th Feb”. Their sentence was 12 months of hard labour. However, Judge Dodd “suspended the execution of it on accused entering into bail for future good behaviour”. This was the same sentence five other Claremen at the same assizes had previously been given with the judge stating “take the olive branch of peace back with you to Clare” (
Irish Independent of 31 July 1918).
........................... 1.7.8 William Clune (1888 – after 1911), of Quin, was born on 28 December 1888; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
........................... 1.7.9 John Clune (1890 – after 1911), of Quin, was born on 28 December 1890; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
........................... 1.7.10 Cornelius “Conor” Clune (1893 – 1920 in Dublin), of Quin, was born on 26 January 1893; father reported as “carpenter” (Tulla civil registration).
<Quin Village, Quin, House 17; Quin Town, Quin, House 5>
One of three men along with Dick McKee and Peadar Clancy killed in controversial circumstances in Dublin Castle on Bloody Sunday, 1920, a day that also saw the killing of a network of British intelligence agents by the "Squad" unit of the Irish Republican Army and the killing of 14 people in Croke Park by the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Source (link has more detail):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conor_Clune
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 405494.pdf
........................... 1.7.11 Unknown Clune, in 1911 census John and Bridget Clune were the parents of 11 children, 9 surviving. “Unknown Clune” was possibly still living in 1911, but the surviving child was more likely to have been Mary Elizabeth born in 1877 (their sister Bridget died in 1883).
2. Margaret Walsh (≈1800? ≈1810? – prior to 1857)
Margaret Walsh and
James Whelan were the parents of five known children; three of whom were reported in the Tulla baptism registers (which has many missing pages). Their marriage was not located in the Tulla marriage register which begins in 1819.
A James Whelan married a Margaret Walsh on 18 January 1835 in Kilworth Parish, Cloyne Diocese; witnesses Edmond Walsh and Batt Woods. Only a possibility, both Walsh and Whelan are common surnames. Their eldest son, John Whelan, married Elizabeth McNamara in Tulla in 1854, and immigrated to Australia in 1855, and these records indicate a birth year of approximately 1833. Ages are often misreported in records, so John Whelan could possibly have been born in late 1835 (making the Whelan/Walsh marriage in January 1835 a greater possibility).
At 1855 Griffith Valuation for Newgrove townland in Tulla Parish, James Whelan leased Plot 5a, from lessor Eliza Browne, house, offices & land; 19+ acres; house valuation of 15 pence; land valuation of £14 and 15 shillings.
James Whelan (≈1803 – likely 1869) and
Margaret Walsh (died before 1857) were the parents of five known children:
............ 2.1 John Whelan (≈1833 — 1910 in Victoria) has no baptism record in the Tulla baptism register.
John Whelan (age 22) and
Eliza Whelan (age 21), married, from County Clare, arrived in Victoria on the
Cairngorm which left Plymouth on 3 June 1855 and arrived in Portland (Victoria) on 5 September 1855 (per Victoria passenger listing, 1839-1923).
WHELAN: - On the 13th August, at his father's residence, Bank Street, Richmond, James, the eldest and beloved son of John and Eliza Whelan, and grandson of the late Mr. James Whelan of New Grove, and the late Mr. Michael Sheedy M'Namara of Fomerla, County Clare, Ireland, in the twenty-fourth year of his age. R.I.P.
Illustrated Australian News, Melbourne, Victoria, 30 August 1878 (source: trove archive)
WHELAN.—On the 19th inst., at her late residence, Bank-street, Richmond, Eliza, the beloved wife of John Whelan, of Her Majesty's Customs, Melbourne, and daughter of the late Mr. Michael Sheedy McNamara, of Fomerla, Co. Clare, Ireland, in her 47th year. R.I.P.
The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria, 20 May 1881 (source: trove archive)
WHELAN.—On the 9th November, at his late residence, 14 Bank street, Richmond, John, the beloved husband of Bridget Whelan [his 2nd wife], and eldest son of the late James Whelan, Ballyhinch, county Clare [and Margaret Walsh per death certificate]; and beloved father of John, Dennis, Patrick, and Charles, late H.M.C., and past C.P., H.A.C.B.S., in his 77th year. R.I.P. By request, no flowers.
The Age, Melbourne, Victoria, 10 November 1910 (source: trove archive)
............ 2.2 Eliza Whelan (1840 — 1922 in Victoria), of Newgrove, was baptized on 1 September 1840; mother reported as “Margaret Walsh”; sponsors Michael Mac and Johanna Mac (Tulla baptism register, 1819-1846).
WHELAN.—On the 14th April, Eliza Whelan, of Vale street, St. Kilda, the beloved daughter of the late James and Margaret Whelan, of Tulla, County Clare, Ireland, and loved sister of the late John Whelan, of Richmond, Thomas, of St. Kilda, and James, Ireland. R.I.P.
The Age, Melbourne, Victoria, 15 April 1922
............ 2.3 Thomas Whelan (≈1844 — 1889 in Victoria) has no baptism record in the Tulla baptism register which has missing pages between May 1841 and July 1841, and between January 1843 and April 1843.
WHELAN.—On the 6th July, at his late residence, Waterloo-street, St. Kilda, after a long and painful illness, Thomas, the dearly beloved husband of Catherine Whelan, second eldest son of the late James Whelan, Newgrove, county Clare, Ireland, age 42 years, late of the Victorian railways. R.I.P.
Leader, Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, 13 July 1889, per trove newspaper archive
............ 2.4 James Whelan (1846 – 1897 in Ballinahinch), no residence reported, was baptized in January 1846; mother reported as “Marg Walsh”; sponsors John Whelan and Mary Whelan (Tulla baptism register, 1819-1846).
James Whelan, of Ballinahinch, married
Sara Callaghan, of Ballinahinch, on 16 November 1871 at Kilnoe Parish; witnesses T. Walsh and Bridget Hussy (Kilnoe parish marriage records, 1832-1883). The civil marriage record cannot be located.
James Whelan was land steward of Charles O'Callaghan of Ballinahinch. Coercion Suspect #824, arrested in March 1882, and released on 28 July 1882. James Whelan (1846 – 1897) and Sarah Callagan (1851 – 1899) were the parents of 12 children born between 1872 and 1895. Children orphaned in 1899; four youngest daughters sent to St. John’s Industrial School in Birr, County Offaly. In 1910, daughter Annie Whelan was traveling to New York with her second cousin, Patrick Clune. See further details on family in Clare Past thread “Tragic circumstances of the Whelan family of Ballinahinch” from May 2021:
viewtopic.php?p=13932#p13932
............ 2.5 Margaret Whelan (1849 — unknown), of Newgrove, was baptized on 10 January 1849; mother reported as “Margaret Walsh”; sponsors John Blake and Lizzie Mack (Tulla baptism register, 1846-1862). In 1922 obituary of Elizabeth Whelan, Margaret was not mentioned as a sister, unlike her three brothers who had died between 1889 and 1910. Margaret likely died young prior to 1864 start of Irish civil death records.
The children’s mother,
Margaret Walsh Whelan, must have died prior to 1857 (prior to the 1864 start of civil death records).
On 12 July 1857, J
ames Whelan married
Margaret McNamara at Kilnoe Parish; witnesses Michael Byrns and Mr. Liddy of Ballinahinch and Dromod; by the Rev. John Gleeson, parish priest of Kilnoe from 1848 until his death in 1878 (Kilnoe marriages, 1832-1883). Only one residence of Ballinahinch was reported, so not sure if this relates to the bride or groom, or possibly both.
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 0/mode/1up
Unlike later civil records, Catholic marriage records do not state the marital status of the bride and groom. However, James Whelan was clearly a widower when he married Margaret McNamara in 1857, who I reckon was likely the widow of Michael Walsh, murdered in 1847. The Catholic marriage record has no mention of a dispensation due to a degree on consanguinity; thus Margaret Walsh Whelan was unlikely the sister of Michael Walsh (see 6.0 discussion below).
The newspaper accounts incorrectly reported the name of the bride and location of the marriage. Given these mistakes, it is not clear if James Whelan was living in Ballinahinch or still Newgrove at the time of the marriage.
Marriages.
In Tulla Chapel, Mr James Whelan, of Ballinahinch, to Miss Eliza M’Namee.
Munster News, Saturday, 18 July 1857
A James Whelan died in the second quarter of 1869, at the age of 63 (Tulla on-line record not yet available). Margaret Whelan, widow of a land steward, died on 29 September 1887 in Ballinahinch at the age of 87 years; informant was James Whelan of Ballinahinch (Tulla civil registration, reported in Galway in error). The relationship of the informant, James Whelan, would typically be assumed to be the deceased’s son. However, when James Whelan was arrested under the coercion acts in 1882, the letter appealing for his release made reference to his elderly step-mother (see Christie’s discovery in last posting).
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civ ... 771261.pdf
3. Thomas Walsh?
A Thomas Walsh was the baptism sponsor for Michael Walsh born in Kilkishen in 1836.
4. James Walsh?
A James Walsh was the baptism sponsor for Stephen Walsh born in Kilkishen in 1843.
5. Other Walsh Siblings?
6. Michael Walsh (≈1800? – murdered in 1847), another Sibling? Unlikely.
£50 REWARD.
WHEREAS on Saturday, the 14th day of June instant, two men, one of whom had his face partially blackened, entered the house of Michael Walsh, Steward on the lands of Ballhynahinch, and forcibly took away two Guns and a Pistol, I hereby offer a Reward of Fifty Pounds, for the apprehension and prosecution to conviction, within Six Months from the date hereof, of one or both of the men concerned in the above outrage.
CHARLES GEORGE O’CALLAGHAN,
Ballynahinch, June 23, 1845
Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser, Monday, 23 June 1845
Michael Walsh, steward to Charles G. O’Connell, Esq., Ballinahinch, while proceeding from his house to Ennis, on Saturday morning last, was shot dead by some assassins concealed in the plantation of Fortanne, and while Walsh lay dead, a party of vagabonds came up and robbed him of £17 10s.
Limerick and Clare Examiner, Saturday, 6 November 1847
There is no evidence in the parish records (marriage or baptism) that Michael Walsh was a married man. However, at 1855 Griffith Valuation for Ballynahinch, Margaret Walsh was leasing Plot 2a from lessor Charles G. O’Callaghan (of Plot 1), a house, offices and land totaling 21+ acres, and a house valuation of £2 10 shillings and land valuation of £9. Margaret Walsh also leased Plot 3, land only totaling 15+ acres and valuated at £9. Margaret Walsh was obviously a widow in 1855 and living in a nice house; the £2 valuation was much higher than her neighbors (10 shillings or less), except of course for the O’Callaghan estate house with a £25 valuation.
On 12 July 1857, James Whelan married Margaret McNamara at Kilnoe Parish by the parish priest John Gleeson; witnesses Michael Byrns and Mr. Liddy of Ballinahinch and Dromod (Kilnoe marriages, 1832-1883). Only one residence of Ballinahinch was reported, but not sure if this relates to the bride or groom, or possibly both.
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls ... 0/mode/1up
It is very unlikely that Margaret Walsh (who had been married to James Whelan) was the sister of the murdered Michael Walsh (whose widow, I reckon married James Whelan). The Catholic marriage register of Kilnoe Parish has no mention of a Catholic dispensation due to a degree of consanguinity which would have been required if James Whelan had married his sister-in-law. Plus, Walsh is a very common surname.
On the other hand, Stephen Walsh of Quin, the known sister of Margaret Walsh married to James Whelan, was the land steward for Thomas Studdert. And Michael Walsh was the land steward of Charles O’Callaghan of Ballynahinch. Their sharing the occupation of land steward would indicate being from the same social class. Stephen and Michael may not have been brothers, but perhaps cousins of some sort.
*******************
Siblings, Stephen Walsh of Kilkishen, and Margaret Walsh Whelan of Tulla, to be continued