Madden Photo Album:The Big Game

1947

 Notre Dame - The Game

Madden Family Photo Album - 1962

Cousins

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Minnesota Visit

Madden Photo Album - 1962

Great Uncle Tom
Lake Tahoe

Mocklershill

Mocklershill, home of the Dunn family in the 1820-30s, lies in the center of the Golden Vale.  It is 424.87 acres (.66 sq mi) in size and is in the  the civil parish of Magorban and the barony of Middlethird in County Tipperary.

The Golden Vale in Winter, in County Tipperary.  

by Sieghean

The Golden Vale ( Machaire méith na Mumhan), an area of rolling pastureland covering parts of three counties, Limerick, Tipperary, and Cork is the best land in Ireland for dairy farming.  At times it has been called the Golden Vein as evidenced by a mention in the 1837 book by Johathan Binns where he states that "the golden vale" (more correctly the "golden vein")"  "The land is of excellent quality, being part of the golden vein of Ireland—a district reaching from Tipperary towards Limerick. The extent of the golden vein is about fourteen miles long, by six or seven wide." 

Wikipedia "Golden Vale"
Ask About Ireland - Golden Vale

MOGORBANE, a parish, in the barony of MIDDLETHIRD, county of TIPPERARY, and province of MUNSTER, 5 miles (E.) from Cashel, on the road from Clonmel to Thurles and Nenagh ; containing 1282 inhabitants. It comprises 6522 statute acres, as applotted under the tithe act, and contains an abundance of limestone. The principal seats are Mobarnan Manor, the handsome and well-planted demesne of M. Jacob, Esq. ; Beechmount, the residence of T. G. Phillips, Esq. ; and Silverfort, of J. Scully, Esq. It is a perpetual curacy, in the diocese of Cashel, and in the gift of the Archbishop, to whose mensal the rectory is appropriate. The tithes, amounting to #230, are entirely payable to the archbishop, who allows a stipend to the curate: there is a glebe-house. The church is a neat Gothic structure, built about 20 years since, In the R. C. divisions the parish forms part of the union or district of Killenaule, and has a chapel at Moyglass, In the parochial school, built on an acre of ground given by S. Jacob, Esq., who also contributed #40 towards its erection, about 40 children are educated ; and there are two private schools, containing about 170 children. Some remains of Mobarnan and Ballyvaiden castles still exist ; and there are several ancient forts... Samuel Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Ireland 1837

National Archives of Ireland 004625697/004625697_00070

The Tithe Allotments were taken in Mocklershill in 1830.  There are fourteen households listed in the tax rolls, including John and Cornelius Dunn

When Griffith's valuations were taken in the 1850s there were about 20 families living in the townland, including British landlord, Sir John Fitzgerald, owner in fee of the entire townland.  There was no Dunn family, but Edward Lonergan leased a house and garden from Michael Slattery.

In 1901 there were 39 people living in nine households. Families names include Bowes, Connell, McNamara, Browne, Roche, Luby, Egan, Dea, and Prendergast.  In 1911 the number had dwindled to 33.

Mocklershill is in the Catholic Parish of Killenaule.  The available  parish registers start as early as 1742 for baptisms and 1812 for marriages.

Best of Show

For the second year in a row one of Maura's paintings has been named Best of Show in the Wash Open Show at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center!!!!  The competition was tough as you can see from the Gallery of Award Winners. 

Maura was surprised at the win, but those of us who are her "biggest fans" just say finally everyone is noticing her wonderful work.  She has added more pictures to her blog, check it out.

A Townland for the Dunns

I have been searching for  Irish ancestors for over thirty years and had all but given up on finding the townlands of Michael Murphy and John Dunn... more on Michael at a later date.  Today I have found the Dunns.

Family tradition, as outlined in Sarah Lonergan's Legacy, said the Dunn(e)s were from the town of Golden in county Tipperary...and as it turns out that was very close and perhaps correct.  What I found in the Irish Parish Registers, which are available on the website of the Irish National Library, are christening records for the seven children of John Dunn and Bridget Lonergan.  The downside is now the story Sarah Lonergan's Legacy must become Bridget Lonergan's Legacy. (1)


The christenings, which are contained in two registers for Killenaule Parish are as follows list the place of residence as Mocklershill(2) (various spellings are used in the records, this spelling is found on today's maps).

• Patrick Dunn was christened 10  Apr 1822(3) sponsors John Dunne and Mary McDonough. Patrick is found in 1851 in Brantford, Brant, Ontario CAN.  He is a wagon maker.  He died in Brant County in 1883.  He married Mary - and they had 7 known children.

• Mary Dunn christened 14 Feb 1824 (3) sponsors Edmund Boc and Ellen Dwyer.  Mary Ann married Robert Kelly. They were living in Perth, Ontario in 1861.  By 1870 they had emigrated to Port Huron, St. Clair, Michigan.  Mary died there in 1906.  They had 8 known children.
• Margaret Dunn christened 26 Jun 1826(3) sponsors Patrick Ryan and Margaret Londrigan (this was the only record where the mother's names was not Bridget Lonergan, it was listed as Bridget Londrigan) Margaret married John Cavanaugh.  They were living in Perth in 1861 and Independence Kansas in 1870. John died before 1900 and Margaret is found in 1900 in Kansas City, MO and in Los Angeles CA in 1910.  No death has been found to date.  Margaret and John had eleven children.
• Cornelius Dunn christened 2 Nov 1828(3) sponsors John Lonergan and Joanna Ryan.  There is a possible census record in Buffalo, New York for Cornelius in 1870, but to date no proof it is the right person and no other records have been found.
• Thomas Dunn christened 20 Apr 1831(3) sponsors William Dunn and Mary Bowes .  I have not found records for Thomas.  Thomas was remembered by his Grandniece Grace as being quite talented. He played seven different instruments.  The family considered him wayward because he wandered from place to place, never settling down for long in one spot.  He would pop in from time to time, always good natured and with a devil may care attitude.  It would be difficult to trace when or where Thomas died.
• Bridget Dunn christened 3 Feb 1836(3) sponsors Pat and Mary Dunn. See more in a later blog.
• Ellen Dunn christened 10 Dec 1840(3) sponsors Michael McGonich and Catherine Ryan.  Ellen was found in one census record with her sister Margaret Cavanaugh, otherwise no records have been found to date.

When she was in Grand Traverse hospital at the end of her years, Bridget, remembered leaving Ireland when she was eleven, but unless she was near a year old when she was christened it seems they must have left earlier.  Mary Ann was married in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, Canada on 25 Oct 1846.  So it would seem the family emigrated sometime between 1841 and 1846.  Bridget also suggested that they lived in Buffalo, NY for a time.  

I have been unable to find John Dunn in Canada or the US in 1850/51 or later.  I also have not found the children who were not married in 1850/51.  I have not seen a copy of Mary Ann's marriage in Brant in 1846 but I did find Patrick in Brant in 1851 which gives credence to the fact that they lived there.  Bridget said that John was a miller, so the next step might be to look for any miller in 1850/51 with the name of John, born in Ireland.  This will be quite a task.

Returning to Ireland, Golden lies within 20 Kilometers of Mocklershill.  I did not find the marriage of John and Bridget in the registers for Killenaula Parish, so perhaps they were married in Golden.  With the christening date  of the oldest child Patrick confirmed the search shouldn't have to cover too many years.

I did find John in the Tithe Applotment listing for Mocklershill which was taken in 1830.  His holdings included a little over 34 acres for which he paid £1-17-9. Also listed is Cornelius Dunn, most likely a brother as his holdings were smaller than Johns at 25 acres.

One other fact became apparent.  There was NO Simon Dunn in the list of children. The christenings found match the list of siblings that Bridget gave the nursing staff at Grand Traverse Hospital. Simon Dunn was connected to Al Smith, and family tradition said he was a brother of Mary Ann and Bridget.  Perhaps he was a cousin?  We do know that he was born in Dublin, not Tipperary so the burden of proof will definitely be upon us if we wish to claim the connection.

Knowing the names of sponsors might also help in finding more on the families.  The search is on.

1. Sarah Lundriken was the name given on the death certificate of Mary Ann Dunn Kelly, the oldest child of John and Bridget.  Daughter Bridget's death record gives the correct name Bridget.
2. A link will be provided to a future Mockershill post, in the meantime you can find a map of Mockershill here.
3. Killenuale Parish Registers, Library of Ireland 

Family Gatherings - 2016

Klamath Falls, Oregon

It was Maura's turn to plan, and after a few great places were turned down by those who didn't want to travel so far, Sean helped locate a resort in Klamath Falls.  We were housed in five condos all on the same street...back porches all led to a common back lawn allowing kids to run back and forth from condo to condo.


The four year-olds thrived on the freedom to wander.

Lunch after Crater Lake

There was golf, including an 18 hole putting green, swimming, tennis and hiking trails on site.


Day adventures included Crater Lake, Klamath Falls

Tater Patch Quilts in Merrill,

wine tasting, the Lavender farm

Crater Lake

Lake in the Woods, and zip-lining.

The Adventurous Crew went Zip-lining 

                     



 Nicholas turned 2......

Klamath Falls Photos

View From Condos

The Elders

The Gangs All Here......almost
Missing  Erich and Heidi who were there for a while
Missing Cavan,  Keltie and family, Mariah, Alex & Emily the no shows!

Missing generations 31 to 41

I've always been fascinated with the ancestry claims of the Irish.  Genealogies trace families back to Adam.  Well, as we know that is a bit suspicious, but.....as the Kelly DNA project grows, the ability to sort out lineages continues.  Our Madden lineage is linked by DNA to the Kelly line.  With the recently completed the Big Y test for Count Walter and the dedicated work of project head Aidan Kelly we are somewhat confident that the break in our lines was no more than 16 generations ago, some 22 generations after Eoghan Finn and Eoghan Buac established the lines that became the O'Kelly's and the O'Maddens. 

The count has a genealogy back 41 generations that is generally considered to be accurate.  So here is our current supposition of our Madden Family Lineage.

1. Maine Mor was born in 350 
2. Bresal was born in Ui Main
3. Dallan was born in Ui Maine
4. Lughaidh was born in Ui Maine
5. Feradhach was born in Ui Maine Ireland
6. Cairpri Crom was born in Ui Maine
7. Cormac was born in Ui Maine
8. Eoghan Finn (Northern Ui Maine) brother of Eoghan Buac (Southern Ui Maine - O'Maddens)
9. Dicholla was born in Ui Maine
10. Diuthach was born in Ui Maine 
11. Fithchellach was born in Ui Maine 
12. Innrachtach was born in Ui Maine
13. Oiloill was born in Ui Maine 
14. Finnachta was born in Ui Maine 
15. Ceallach Chief of Ui Maine died about 874 in Ui Maine. He was progenitor of the family of O'Kelley.  
16. Aedh Mic Ceallaigh
17. Murchadh Ua Ceallaigh was born in Ui Maine. He died in 960. First in Ui Maine to use Ua Ceallaigh
18. Tadhg Mor Ua Ceallaigh (Teige O'Kelly) was born in 955 in Ui Maine. He died Killed in the Battle of Clontarf, Good Friday in 1014.
19. Conor Ua Ceallaigh was born in Ui Maine. He died in battle slain by the men of Tefia in 1030. 
20. Conor Ua Ceallaigh
21. Tadhg Ua Ceallaigh was born in Ui Maine. He died in 1074.
22. Diarmaid Ua Ceallaigh was born in Ui Maine 
23. Conchobar Moenmoy Ua Ceallaigh  was born in Ui Maine.  He was a Chief of Ui Maine for 40 years.  He died in the Battle of the Conors in 1180 in Co Galway.
24. Tadhg Ua Ceallaigh of Tailtean (Co Meath) died in the Battle of the Conors in 1180 in Co Galway Ireland.
25. Domnhall Mor Ó Ceallaigh was born in 1172 in Co Galway.   In 1203 he was a Chief of Hy-Many.  Ancestor of all but four Chiefs who came after him.
26. Conchobhar Mar "Connor Mor" Ó Ceallaigh  was born in 1201 in Ui Maine Ireland. In 1247 he was a Chief of Hy-many which I believe had been made smaller by the English invasion and the ending of the O'Kelley of Bregia in Meath and Hy-Many was now comprised of only Co Roscommon and Galway.1 He died in 1268. Connor Mor married a O'Heyne. 
27. Donnchadh Muimhneach Ua Ceallaigh was born in 1240 in Hy-Many Ireland. In 1297 he was a Chief of Ui Maine.1 Donnchadh died in 1307 in Ahascragh Castle, Co. Galway, Ireland. 
28. William Mac Donnough Moyneagh "Boy" Ó Ceallaigh of Callow Castle was born in 1297 in Co Galway. He died in 1381 in Gailey Castle, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon, Ireland. Boy was buried in 1381 at Kilconnell Abbey.
29. Maeleachlainn Ó Ceallaigh was born  1326 in Gailey Castle, Co. Roscommon. In 1375 he was a Chief of Hy-Many. He died in 1401. 
30. Donnchadh Ua Ceallaigh 1374 Gailey Castle, Roscommon - 1424 buried in Abbey of Rindun.  Chief of Hy Many and 24th O'Kelley in 1410. Slain by arrow from son of William. (7th grandson)  DNA connection to here.
31. unk 1400 
32. unk 1435
    
33. unk 1470
34. unk 1505
35. unk 1540
36. unk 1575
37. unk 1610
38. unk 1645
39. unk 1680
40. unk 1715 
41. unk 1750
42. James Madden abt 1785 m. Mary
43. James Madden @1818 Limerick, Co. Clare - 1894 Albany, New York m. Anna Fitzsimmons
44. Thomas Francis Madden 1854 NY - 1903 MI m. Elizabeth Silbereisen 
45. Francis Martin Madden 1896 MI - 1966 CA m. Isabel Louise Haffey 
46. James Howard Madden 1924 MI - 1998 WA m. Jean Ann English 
47. My siblings and me
48. Our children 
49. Our grandchildren

Participate in the Kelly DNA Project:
Kelly DNA Flyer 2016

Learn More: 

•  Ui Ceallaigh of Eirinn  You will find much more on the above individuals on this website by Rick O'Kelly.  He ties in the DNA research.
•  The Tribes and Customs of Hy-Many: commonly called O'Kelly's Country
• Irish Pedigrees: The Origin and Stem of the Irish Nation

Madden Family Photo Album - 1953

 As I wait for pictures to finish a post on our recent family gathering in Klamath Falls I started sorting through some of the old pictures in the Madden Family Albums.  Among my first finds were pictures of the family journey from China Lake to St. Paul in 1953.

Lake Yosemite

We were a family of five, camping in that little teardrop trailer.  I was the baby and as such slept in the trailer, I think in some sort of hammock hung over the bed.  Maura and Colleen being great grown up girls (4 and 6) slept in the back of the Buick.

Mt. Whitney

I of course do not remember this trip, but the pictures tell the tale of some of the places we visited, including Crater Lake ...

Crater Lake

Mt Rushmore

Grand Coulee Dam

The rest of the Madden Photo Album 1953  can be found here.

Check the Madden Photo Album for pictures from other years

Visit to South Bend

The Main Destination - Lake Owasso

Family Gatherings

1965-6

Forty-five years ago, In 1971, Jim and Jean packed up and moved from Fair Oaks, California to Gig Harbor, Washington. Tim, Sean and Pat, as yet still dependent went along. Colleen, newly married,was living in Oregon. Maura and Cath stayed behind in California.

So the family split apart, never again to all live in the same place.

The original eight member family is now grown to thirty-four strong. We range in age from mid-sixties to two. We are teachers, school directors, software developers, lawyers, analysts, engineers, economists, plant scientists, pharmacists assts, Coffee experts, VPs, CFPs, CFOs, longshoremen, stay at home parents, makeup salespeople, receptionists, artists, students, gymnasts, cloggers, athletes, and a genealogist. Some of the above are very happily retired others just starting out.

Generations begin to blend with some cousins younger than their cousins' children.  The oldest of the fourth generation graduated from high school this year, the youngest of the third generation is starting 8th grade. The twelve year spread of the 2nd generation extended to over thirty years in the 3rd.

1992 - Patrick's Wedding

Most have stayed on the West Coast. One clerked for a US Appellate court judge in Pittsburg (PA) for a couple of years, one is currently at Notre Dame (IN), two lived in Belgium for a short time, and one adventurous soul traveled a bit further, Denmark in High School, Cornell and Tufts and two years with the Peace Corps in Bolivia. We've lost a few members over the years, Colleen in 1976, Dad in 1998, Mom in 2011 and both Greg and Bill in 2015.

But one thing remains a constant,  this family enjoys getting together. Last week over two thirds of the family gathered in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  Missing were two nephews (one with wife and two children), one niece, and a great niece and nephew. As we talked, played, toured and ate we reflected on the fact that this was one of a long list of Family Gatherings. The first was Mom's and Dad's twenty-fifth anniversary in 1972 just a little over a year after the move.  In the early years the gatherings were sporadic, although there were some holiday meals with much of the family that are not included in the list below. Weddings provided an excuse for many a gathering, and there were a few extended family reunions.
When no events were on the horizon the family began to plan shared vacations every few years.

Meaghan put together a list and others added to it.  Hopefully, our memories did not fail in creating this timeline of events.  Watch the changing faces of the family as we relive each of those family gatherings, not necessarily in order, in future posts.

1972 - 25th Anniversary (Gig Harbor)

1973 - Maura & William wedding (Sacramento)

1977 - Tim & Denise wedding

1986 - Ashland - Bike ride  

1987 - 40th Anniversary (Gig Harbor)

1990 - Oregon Coast  

1992 - Madden Reunion - Redwood City 

1992 - Pat & Polly wedding - Seattle  

1994 - Jessica wedding, Belmont, CA 

1995 - Walsh Reunion (Minnesota) - 

1995 - Erich & Heidi wedding (Gresham) 

1997 - Andi wedding, Marin Headlands 

1998 - Dad's Memorial (Gig Harbor)

1998 - Sean & Nikki (San Diego)

1999 - Ireland 

2002 - English Reunion (Green Valley AZ) 

2004 - Jessica & Scott wedding (Hawaii)

2005 - Russian River 

2007 - Alaska Cruise 

2009 - Vancouver, BC

2011 - Sun River

2011 - Big Sur (Mom's Memorial)

2014 - Sun River

2016 - Klamath Falls

2018 - MINNESOTA 

Family Gathering Pictures in Dropbox

Joseph Phillip Haffey

Joseph was born, not in 1853 although he used that date later in life, but in 1847 or 1848 which is corroborated by the 1851 and 1871 census which lists him as a 22 year old college student. That would agree with a 24 Aug 1848 birthdate, the day itself never being in question.

Joseph was the only one of his family to attend college, and although it is never quite stated in any record it seems likely from the path he took that he was intended to be the family priest.  He attended St. Michael's College in Toronto (now a part of the University of Toronto) and after graduation stayed an additional year as a tutor. He then taught at the public schools for two years.

About 1879 he emigrated to Michigan, settling in Ann Arbor where he attended the University of Michigan School of Law.  Graduating in 1882 he joined the law firm Linchner & Porter, eventually becoming a partner in the firm.

He appears to have been aptly named, Joseph coming from the Hebrew Ioseph meaning to give in abundance.  Known for his honesty and integrity,  he gave of himself and did not let the pursuit of power or money take over his practice of the law.

While this earned him the respect of his colleagues, it did not always cushion him from the realities of the practice of law.  He was quick to tell his sons not to follow him into the practice.

Mary was not as respectful of his decision to stay low key and not pursue power and riches.  Perhaps it was the childhood of hearing stories of the mill that should have been in the family, or the poverty she had endured that caused her to always want more.  Discontent did not lead to a happy life and it seems that there was a sad aura over the family.

Joseph was a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.  In the 1894 Bay City Directory he is listed as Vice President of the Bay City chapter

Joseph married Mary Murphy in Port Huron, MI 26 Jan 1888. They had five children, Joseph, Marie, Grace, Thomas and Isabel.


Joseph died on 8 Nov 1917 and is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery in Bay City.

A memorial in his honor was presented to the Circuit Court of Bay City on 30 Nov 1917 with the request that it be presented to the State Supreme Court.


Link to Haffey Documents, News items and Pictures

Adjala

The website The History of St. James Church: Colgan notes "The settling of Adjala (note: named for the wife of Chief Tecumseth) by Catholic homesteaders can be traced back to the vision and experiences of Bishop Alexander Macdonell. In 1826, he became the first bishop of the newly created diocese of Kingston. It stretched from the Ottawa River in the east, to the Detroit River in the west. As part of a series of missionary visits Bishop Macdonell had the opportunity to learn first hand how fared the lives of the earliest pioneers. He travelled through Adjala and being impressed by the land and its fertile resources, he counselled new immigrants to settle there." (1)

Hoog's Map- County of Simcoe, Ont.  1871

The year 1826 is interesting here, however, as James Keenan first received land in the county in 1824 and other family members were not much later.

The History of Simcoe County notes.... " As in the the other parts of this county, settlement in what people formerly called the wilds of Adjala began at the south end of the township."

 In 1993 Adjala was merged with Tosorontio township and today it is known as Adjala-Tosorontio township.

Loretto  (44°03′00″N 79°53′25″W) is one of the oldest communities in Adjala–Tosorontio, and has one of the oldest and most famous taverns in Simcoe County,

• Canadian Digital Atlas - Adjala
• Street View Maps in Adjala-Tosorontio Township
• Map of Simcoe County 1951 - Archives of Ontario
• Simcoe County on We-Relate
• A history of Simcoe County : Volume II, Its pioneers - Adjala pg 51 Keenan & Haffey

Keenans to Adjala

On 2 Jul 1825 John Keenan, his wife and eight of his children were on the St. Lawrence Steamboat Company's 8th trip up river from Quebec.

According to his petition for land, dated 25 Oct 1825, he and his family had arrived in Quebec in June of that year.  The petition states he was from County Tyrone, Ireland and his wife and ten children had accompanied him. He had taken an oath of allegiance and had not applied for land previously.

Over the next year and a half life was not easy for John and family.  On the 9 of Jun 1827 a further communication with the Lt. Governor of Upper Canada indicates that he has not yet improved the land but begs to be allowed to take it up.  Just one month later there is yet another petition.  In this document he explains that he and his family have been sick and had not been able to leave York to settle on the land.



These documents tell us a lot about John.  He came from Tyrone, he has ten children.  He has a brother, a brother-in-law and a son-in-law who have also settled in Adjala, Upper Canada. Of the ten children nine are known including Ann who married James McKenna, the son-in-law who was living in Adjala in 1827.  The other known children are James, Rose, Sarah, Mary, John, Margaret, Robert and Ellen.

John's brother James settled in Adjala in 1824.  Denis Keenan was also granted land in 1824, but did not take it up until after his regiment (the 68th regiment of foot) left Canada in 1828.  It is not known at this point whether he was another brother, but it seems likely.

We do not know who the brother-in-law was at this point, but it seems likely it might have been John Haydon, who's wife Ann Keenan was born in 1798 and died in Adjala in 1887.  More research is indicated.

John Keenan Land Documents

Aghaloo

In 1825 Lt. C. Bailey wrote the following memoir of the Parish of Aghalow & Carnteel (Aghaloo) in Co Tyrone to go with the Ordnance Survey Maps that were being drawn.

"The surface of this parish is very undulating.  It consists principally of small hills separated by valleys or plains.  The hills are generally of the greatest altitude in the north west and become gradually of less elevation towards the south east.  The following are the names of the townlands containing the principal elevations, with their altitudes in feet above the level of the sea:  Rahaghy, 635 feet, Carricklongfield, 608 feet, Bohard, 479 feet, Glendarragh, 412 feet.  The forgoing ar in the north western portion and in the south eastern are Knockaginy, 251 feet Drumess, 298 feet and Mulynaveagh, 258 feet.

"There are several lakes, within and bordering on this parish, the total area of which amounts to 140 acres 26 perches.  Creeve lough is about 1,00 yards long and 330 feet broad and estends over 60 acres, 9 acres of which are in Aghaloo parish.  Mullycarnan lake is 440 yards by 286, area 48 acres.  Rahaghy lake contains 22 acres 2 roods.

"The Blackwater forms the boundary of the parish for 18 miles.  for 12 miles its course is to the south east, to the southern extremity of the parish.  At this point its direction changes to the south west towards Lough Neagh.  there are various nameless watercourses, which serve as feeders to the lakes and are useful to small mills.

"The bog is principally confined to small patches in the valleys or low grounds.  The largest tract is on the north western boundary in Carricklongfield, Rahaghy and Cronghill townlands.

" Calledon is situated in the south eastern portion of the parish, on the high road from Monaghan to Dungannon.  It is 89 miles from Dublin, [blank] from Monaaghan and [blank] from Dungannon.  the ancient name of the town was Kinnard.  It was the site of a castle belonging to Sir Phelim O'Neill.  the town consists of 1 street which presents a remarkably neat appearance.  the public buildings are a church, a Presbyterian meeting house a schoolhouse and an inn.  there is a general market every Saturday, a grain market every Tuesday and a fair on the second Saturday in each month.  A day coach from Belfast to Enniskillen passes through it every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and returns every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"Public buildings: Roman Catholic chapel in Derrygooly......

"The flour mills at Caledon rank among the most extensive of the class in the kingdom.  The water power is [supplied] by a weir across the Blackwater at right angles with the river.  The height of the weir is [blank] feet and the length of the mill-race [blank] yards, giving a fall of [blank] feet.  There is also a subsidiary low pressure steam engine of 25 horsepower.  The average consumption of coal is 4 cwt per hour.  It is procured at [blank] for [blank] per ton and the cost of carriage is [blank].

"The seeds or refuse of the grain is also used as fuel and it is found that 1 ton of seeds is equal to 4 cwt of coal.

"Corn mill in Dyan, corn mill in Drummond.

"The principal road is that from Monaghan to Dungannon through Caledon.  It traverses the parish on the eastern side from north to south for 6 and a half miles.

"Another main road traverses the parish from the south east to north west, leading from Armagh to Omagh through Aughnacloy.  Its length within Aghaloo parish is 9 miles."

This is the land that our Keenans  left in 1825.

Sarah Lonergans Legacy

Oops...newly confirmed name change

Sarah Bridget Lonergan was lace curtain Irish.  She could have been the owner of the Mills of Golden, Co. Tipperary, but instead married poor farmer, John Dunn and had her life disrupted by emigration to Canada.  The poor lady never recovered from the poverty and sadness .... or so my grandmother told me.

Some fifteen years ago I encountered a fourth cousin and sharing notes, the story told by her great grandmother was the same.

As we delved into the story of John and Sarah, reality set in.  There is absolutely NO evidence that Sarah had any claim at any time to any mills in the town of Golden.  At no time did anyone with the name of Lonergan own the mills.  And even more telling, there was no eligible bachelor owner or son of an owner at any time that Sarah might have married. 

Ah, a tradition broken.  But then this is not the story of John and Sarah, but rather the story of the legacy that Sarah left to her family.  A legacy of discontent.  As Ruth and I compared notes a pattern emerged, a pattern of unhappy unsatisfied women, disrupting lives of husbands and children with cries of woe as the world mistreated them.

Bridget Dunn Murphy

Sarah's daughter Bridget was born in Ireland and accompanied her parents and older sister Mary to Brant County Ontario about 1840.  Little is known of her life there until she married Michael Murphy.  Michael, the son of James Murphy and Mary Brien was born in Ireland about 1838-.  Bridget and Michael emigrated to Michigan early in their married life, settling in Port Huron.  There Michael worked as a chauffeur until suddenly the family pulled up stakes and moved to Bay City.  Word is that Michael was in trouble.  Perhaps with the law, perhaps with the family he worked for, perhaps with Bridget.  

Mary Murphy Haffey

It was not too long before Bridget kicked Michael out of the house in Bay City. In the early days Michael sent money home to Bridget, but she would send it back.  And so Michael disappeared into the streets of Chicago, final destination still undiscovered.   Bridget lived on to age of ninety eight.  

According to Ruth's grandmother, Bridget was always unsatisfied with her life and always creating turmoil in the family...Ruth laughed in the telling and said that so she remembered was her grandmother.

Bridget's daughter Mary Murphy was born in Ontario in 1868.  While living in Port Huron, Michigan she met a promising young law student.  

Joseph Phillip Haffey was born in Adjala, Ontario in 1854,  the son of Irish immigrants John Haffey and Margaret Keenan. Joseph attended St. Michael's College in Toronto and then remained as a tutor for another five years.  In 1880, he pulled up stakes and emigrated to the US, to attend the University of Michigan School of Law in Ann Arbor. 

Isabel Haffey Madden

Joseph was an honest and ethical man.  Much as he loved the law, he grew to hate the legal scene, it was a time of corruption at every level and he refused to he corrupt.  Thus the family was comfortable but did not reach the ranks of the wealthy.  Mary lived the life of leisure but longed for the life of the rich, poor Joseph never met her expectations as a provider.

Mary had five children, both sons and one daughter never married.  But the legacy lived on. The eldest and the youngest daughters both carried the germ.  

Isabel, the youngest,  was my grandmother.  Though I loved her dearly,  I can honestly say she was always unsatisfied with the cards life dealt her and she created major turmoil in my family ......

Will the legacy continue..... or will the telling of the tale allow it to be finally at an end.