Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

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Sduddy
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Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Mon Sep 14, 2020 10:12 am

Hi Jimbo

I am taking a break from Genealogy for a while.

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Tue Sep 15, 2020 8:24 am

Hi Sheila,

Enjoy your well earned break. Thank you very much all your assistance during the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree. And especially for all your hard work with the transcriptions of so many parish baptism records. I've also taken a break from Irish records, and have spent the last week having a look around Atlantic City. The Atlantic City seashore in New Jersey was the premier holiday destination for Americans in the first half of the 20th century, but is now rather depressing.

For the children of Edmond Walsh (1857 - 1928) and Ellen McKenna, their one uncle and three aunts had immigrated to New Zealand in the 19th century. Not sure what happened to their eldest uncle, Michael Walsh born in 1853, but since their father Edmond inherited the land in Kilnoe, perhaps Michael had died young. Also, no sign of their brother John (born in 1862) or sister Mary (born in 1868). The McMahon family tree of NZ tells of an unknown sister who died in the great San Francisco earthquake & fire of 1906, perhaps this was Mary? For the Edmond Walsh children, if they wanted to immigrate to the United States they appear to have had no uncles or aunts to use as contacts, but only "cousins".

Patrick Walsh was reported as age 23; of Bodyke, Kilnoe; father Edward Walsh, Kilnoe, Bodyke, Clare; on the SS Adriatic arriving in New York on 23 May 1915. His contact was cousin Michael McMahon of 305 Prospect Place, Brooklyn, New York. The WWI rego for Michael McMahon of 305 Prospect Place stated he was born on 20 November 1874, and he had become a naturalized citizen. His wife Nora McMahon (age 28 in 1910 census) was Nora McInerney. How either could be related to Patrick Walsh is a mystery. Anyways, the entry was crossed out, and Patrick took another ship the next month and had a different cousin as a contact person.

Patrick Walsh was reported as age 22; of Bodyke, Kilnoe; father E. Walsh, Bodyke, Clare; on the SS Saint Louis arriving in New York on 7 June 1915. His contact was cousin Mr Duncan, Continental Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Nine years later, Michael Walsh was reported as age 24; of Bodyke, Kilnoe; father Patrick Walsh, Ballinahinch, Bodyke, Clare; on the SS Celtic arriving in New York on 13 October 1924. His contact was aunt Mrs Duncan, Continental Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Mrs. Duncan of the Continental Hotel was Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, born 1867, the daughter of Patrick Walsh and Johanna McMahon of Ballinahinch, Clare. She was the younger sister of Patrick Walsh (1865 - 1942), married to Anne Tuohy. Hence, Michael Walsh on the SS Celtic in 1924 was the nephew of Margaret Walsh Duncan. Patrick Walsh on the SS Saint Louis in 1915 was not visiting his cousin, but the first cousin of his father, Edmond Walsh. This common link to Margaret Walsh Duncan is evidence that Patrick Walsh (1865 - 1942) and Edmond Walsh (1857 - 1928) were first cousins, and that their fathers, Patrick Walsh (died prior to 1892) and Edmond Walsh (≈1828 - 1900), were brothers. I believe that these two brothers were the sons of Michael Walsh (died in 1847) and Catherine McNamara (living in 1855 GV).

When I read that Mrs Duncan was listed as a contact on the passenger listings with the Continental Hotel as an address, I had assumed that she was likely a house cleaner or other low paying job. When I next determined that the Duncans were the owners of the Continental Hotel, I assumed that she had married a rich American. I was incorrect on both of these assumptions. Previously, I was rather impressed that James W. Halpin, an Irish immigrant, was able to open a newly built grocery in Brooklyn in 1900. This achievement now looks rather small compared to his first cousin Margaret Walsh of Atlantic City.

Margaret Walsh first appears in the 1903 Atlantic City directory as living at 18 S South Carolina Avenue; occupation was "hotel". In the 1905 state census for New Jersey, Margaret Walsh, born in Ireland in April 1870 was reported as a "housekeeper" living at 18 S South Carolina Avenue. Margaret was listed with eight boarders, and that she rented the property. 18 S South Carolina Avenue was the address for the Hotel Brevoort.

Margaret Walsh advertised the Hotel Brevoort in newspapers in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington DC, always with her name as proprietor in bold or capital letters. And she received lots of good press:

Brevoort Hotel, Atlantic City (PA newspaper, 5 May 1905).jpg
Brevoort Hotel, Atlantic City (PA newspaper, 5 May 1905).jpg (95.35 KiB) Viewed 10069 times
The Brevoort, on South Carolina avenue between Atlantic and Pacific avenues, is one of the best moderate-priced hotels here [Atlantic City]. It is conducted by Miss Margaret Walsh, the proprietress, who has built up an enviable reputation for this home.

Evening Star, Washington D.C., 2 April 1905
Below is an old postcard of the Hotel Brevoort on S South Carolina Avenue in Atlantic City. A "Morris L Johnson" was listed on the postcard as proprietor. This is because the postcard was sent by Annie McElhenny to her sister Mae in Centralia, PA in 1909. By 1909 Margaret Walsh had already moved on since the Hotel Brevoort was just a little small for someone with her ambition.

Brevoort Hotel, Atlantic City (1909).jpg
Brevoort Hotel, Atlantic City (1909).jpg (183.86 KiB) Viewed 10069 times
Several important real estate deals were consummated in hoteldom this week. Miss Margaret Walsh, an enterprising hotel woman conducting the Brevoort for a number of years, has purchased the Cumberland Hotel on Tennessee avenue for a consideration of $47,000. After making $10,000 worth of improvements she will open it in December as the New Brevoort.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 25 November 1906
The Duncan family of New Castle, Delaware appear to have gotten an inside scoop on this real estate transaction:
Word was received here yesterday of a large real estate deal at Atlantic City. Miss Margaret Walsh, proprietor of the Brevoort, on South Carolina avenue, south, has purchased the Hotel Cumberland, located on Tennessee avenue below Atlantic avenue [the dividing street between north and south in Atlantic City street], at a cost of $47,000. Miss Walsh, who is well known here, having visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Duncan and other members of the family on numerous occasions, is progressive and will introduce vast improvements at the new hotel. Contracts for an entire new front, making it more attractive, a new dining room and hall, remodeling of the buffet, and other features, at a cost of $10,000, are some of the features. Miss Walsh expects to open the hotel on March 1st. She will not continue The Brevoort, but will name the new hotel The New Brevoort.

The News Journal
, Wilmington, Delaware, 27 November 1906
Most likely after a discussion with her lawyers, Margaret Walsh realized she could not rename the newly purchased hotel on Tennessee Avenue as "The New Brevoort" since that name was already being used a few blocks over on South Carolina avenue. She settled upon the far more grand sounding "The Continental Hotel". Her multiple contracts for the ambitious remodel, budgeted at $10,000, came in at $15,000. Fifty percent over budget— some things have never changed.

Continental Hotel advert, Philadelphia Enquirer, 23 Feb 1907.jpg
Continental Hotel advert, Philadelphia Enquirer, 23 Feb 1907.jpg (76.91 KiB) Viewed 10069 times
The frequents visits by Margaret Walsh to the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Duncan can be explained by this news:
Notices of the wedding of T. Parks Duncan, of this city, and Miss Margaret Walsh, of Atlantic City, at that resort have been received here.

The Philadelphia Enquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 18 June 1907
Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan always retained her maiden name in newspaper advertising for the Continental Hotel. She, not her husband, was listed as the proprietor and owner, as in the below postcard:
Continental Hotel, Atlantic City, M Walsh Duncan, owner and proprietor.jpg
Continental Hotel, Atlantic City, M Walsh Duncan, owner and proprietor.jpg (190.37 KiB) Viewed 10069 times

The Continental Hotel on South Tennessee Avenue was a moderately priced hotel. It looks very nice, but nothing like the grand palace hotels on the Atlantic City boardwalk. Margaret Walsh and T. Parks Duncan had no children. However, Margaret Walsh had numerous nieces and nephews from Ireland who came over to work at the Continental Hotel. In the 1910 census, living with the Duncans at the Continental Hotel were Josephine Walsh (age 17) and Mary Brady (age 17), both had arrived in 1908. In the 1920 census there are four young women reported as nieces working at the Continental Hotel: Mary Brady (age 26), Josephine Walsh (age 27), Mary A Walsh (age 25), and Elizabeth Brazil (age 24).

1910 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKRR-D7V
1920 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4PX-DWY

Atlantic City in the 1920's was the "golden age" of its popularity and it had become a year round resort for tourists as well as conventions. Holiday makers were no longer simply attracted to the beach and boardwalk during the summer months. Since Atlantic City didn't strictly enforce prohibition rules on alcohol, there was year round entertainment. Margaret Walsh Duncan became very wealthy. She died on Monday, 1 October 1928.
Mrs. George Duncan received word today of the death of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Parks Duncan, at her home in Atlantic City, N.J. Mrs. Duncan, who is well known here [New Castle, Delaware], with her husband, operated the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City. She had been in failing health for several months. The funeral will take place from the Duncan residence on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Mrs. Duncan is a sister-in-law of Major S.B.I. Duncan, Miss Susan Duncan, of this city, and George and James Duncan, of Wilmington.

The Morning News, Wilmington, Delaware, 2 October 1928
The Atlantic City newspapers would probably have had more detail. The Duncan family of New Castle, Delaware were Protestants. While I am sure that Mrs. Duncan of Delaware loved her daughter-in-law, she would not have wanted readers to get any ideas that the Duncan family were Catholic. Thus, there was no mention that "Mrs. Parks Duncan" was born in Ireland, or that she was known as "Mrs. Walsh Duncan", Walsh being a very Irish surname, or that the funeral mass would be held at St. Nicholas Tolentine Catholic Church just down the street from the Continental Hotel. However, just a few weeks later, the newspaper reporting of the probate of the will left by Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan would certainly leave no doubt that she was a Roman Catholic:
SHORE HOTEL WOMAN LEAVES BIG ESTATE

Catholic Church to Benefit Largely in $250,000 Bequests

Mays Landing, Oct. 16.—An estate valued at $250,000 is left by Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, owner of the Continental Hotel, Atlantic City, who died October 1 after a short illness.

The will, probated today by Surrogate Albert C. Abbott, creates a trust fund from the bulk of the estate for her husband, T. Parks Duncan, after bequests totalling $25,000 are paid to other relatives and friends.

Two nieces, Elizabeth Brassil and Josephine Tracy, are given $2,000 each while two nephews, Michael Walsh and Michael Russell are similarly rewarded.

Margaret Walsh is another recipient of $2,000 while a $10,000 bequest is made to Mary K. Brady, of Atlantic City. Mary Walsh, another relative, will receive $5,000 from the estate.

At the death of the husband, the will provides that half of his estate will be divided between the seven persons already mentioned, while the other half will go to charity. A $2,000 bequest is made to St. Nicholas Catholic church of Atlantic City, which is to be paid from Mrs. Duncan's estate [this type of bequest is a good indicator where the funeral was held, the church in only one block from the Continental Hotel].

Upon the death of Duncan, St. Michael's Orphanage and Industrial School of Hopewell will get $10,000. The Francescan Monastery of the Poor Clare, Bordentown, will receive $5,000 while the St. Joseph's Home of the Providence for the Aged, Beverly, will be given $10,000.

One quarter of what is left of her husband's estate will then go to the Augustinian College at Villanova, Pa., and the remaining quarter will be awarded to the Apostolic College, at Cornwallis, Pa.

Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, 16 October 1928
It is fascinating to compare the wills of John Harrison of County Clare (page 27) and Margaret Walsh Duncan of Atlantic City. The power had completely shifted from the husband in the relationship (John Harrison, husband of Johanna Walsh) to the wife in the relationship (Margaret Walsh Duncan, niece of Johanna Walsh). Margaret Walsh Duncan was a very savvy business woman and after her death she wanted to ensure that her own Irish relatives were the beneficiaries and that Catholic charities of her choosing would also be rewarded. It is very clear from the will that Margaret Walsh even after her marriage retained ownership of the Continental Hotel.

Margaret Walsh Duncan named seven relatives to receive immediate bequests totaling $25,000, and upon the death of her husband, these same seven relatives would receive one half of the estate, presumably a much larger amount. I was able to determine how each of the seven relatives were related, except for one and a few unanswered questions on another:

1) Elizabeth Brazil ($2,000): a niece, the daughter of Catherine Walsh and Michael Brazil of Tulla (see updated Walsh family tree a few postings back)
2) Josephine Tracy ($2,000), a niece, the daughter of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy, born about 1893 but could not find civil birth record. Also, where was she in 1901 census? Josephine Walsh, of Ballinahinch, daughter of Patrick Walsh, married Timothy Tracy, of Knockavine, son of Patrick Tracy (dead) at St. Joseph's in Limerick City on 12 February 1924.
3) Michael Walsh ($2,000): son of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy; the nephew who arrived on the SS Celtic in 1924, as reported at the start of this posting.
4) Michael Russell ($2,000): reported as a nephew on the probate, but not sure how. Margaret Walsh Duncan had only one unaccounted for sister, Mary Walsh born in 1860. Perhaps her son? This remains a mystery.
5) Margaret Walsh ($2,000): niece, daughter of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy, who was age 8 in 1911.
6) Mary K. Brady ($10,000): niece, daughter of Johanna Walsh and Henry Brady of Scariff (see updated Walsh family tree).
7) Mary Walsh ($5,000): niece, daughter of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy, who was age 17 in 1911.

Margaret Walsh of Ballynahinch arrived in the United States in 1890 according to the 1920 census. She would have been 23 years old. Where did she gain the strong skills in hospitality that led to her success in running hotels in Atlantic City? Speculation, of course, but I reckon she must have worked at nearby Ballynahinch House, the home of Charles George O'Callaghan.

To end with some historical trivia about the Irish rebel leader and editor of the Gaelic American, John Devoy. "On September 21, 1928, Devoy and his friend Harry Cunningham journeyed [from New York City] to Atlantic City. The sea air often invigorated him, but this time he could not shake his assortment of ailments. By week's end he was in bed in his hotel room, and a doctor was summoned. There was little he could do, he told Cunningham. At about 1 a.m. on September 29, Devoy asked to be turned over on his side. He died minutes later." ("Irish Rebel" by Terry Golway, 1998). He was 86 years old and his body was brought back to Ireland for burial. Coincidentally, Margaret Walsh Duncan died on 1 October 1928, just two days after John Devoy who had been staying at the posh Ambassador Hotel right on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:22 am

Captain George W. Duncan, the father-in-law of Margaret Walsh Duncan, was a lighthouse keeper at New Castle in Delaware Bay. His parents were Irish born and he seemed particularly fond of Margaret Walsh as well as her Irish relatives who would often stay at the lighthouse. And Captain and Mrs. George Duncan would often stay at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City. The Lighthouse Digest from 2003 has an article "A Lightkeeper’s Grandson Helps Establish The First Historic Marker for a Delaware Lighthouse", by Bob Trapani, Jr., that includes a short biography and nice photo of Captain George Washington Duncan:

http://www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/ ... ryKey=1772

Although Margaret Walsh Duncan lived in Atlantic City, due to her father-in-law in Delaware and his contributing the latest gossip to his local newspaper, we learn from a Delaware newspaper that her younger brother, Thomas Walsh, was in Atlantic City:
Personal — Parks Duncan of Atlantic City has been a guest of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Duncan, at the lighthouse. Mr. Duncan had as his guest, Thomas Walsh, who has recently been furloughed for four months and who recently left the Philippines. He has served 20 years in the army and will be placed on the retired list within eight years.

The News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, 6 May 1908
If you read between the lines of the above "personal", Thomas Walsh is looking for a wife while on furlough from the army. Like many personal ads, some points were not actually true. In 1908 Thomas would have only served 10 years in the army and had considerably more than eight years to go prior to retirement.

The Irish nieces of Margaret Walsh Duncan who worked at the Continental Hotel would want to be more careful what they told Captain George Duncan of New Castle, as it might make the next day's news in Delaware:
Miss Josephine Walsh, of Atlantic City, a niece of T. Parks Duncan, is in Dr. Bainbridge's sanitarium, Philadelphia. She is recovering from an operation of appendicitis. Miss Walsh has been a frequent visitor here.

The Evening Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, 1 May 1912
The Walsh surname is among the ten most common surnames in Ireland.
Lighthouse Keeper George W. Duncan has received a telegram, announcing Sergeant Thomas Walsh of Troop A, Twelfth Cavalry, U.S.A., shot in the left side in Mexico, and it is feared the wound may prove serious. Two members of the company and two civilians were killed. The shooting occurred on Tuesday. The injured sergeant is known to many persons here, because of his visits to the Duncan home. He is a brother-in-law of T. Parks Duncan, of Atlantic City, N.J., who married a sister of his. The injured man married the head waitress at the [Continental] hotel kept by Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, at Atlantic City.

The News Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, 20 September 1915
Letters have been received by Captain and Mrs. George W. Duncan from their son, T. Parks Duncan of Atlantic City, stating that the report received showing that Sergeant Thomas Walsh, a brother-in-law of the latter, and a member of the Twelfth Cavalry, U.S.A., reported shot, while on the firing line at Texas, refers to another Thomas Walsh in the same company. Sergeant Walsh, who is known to many persons here, and who made himself a great favorite with everybody, because of his genial manner and personality, is not on the firing line, having been assigned to other special duties. The report will be pleasing to many friends of the sergeant.

The News Journal
, Wilmington, Delaware, 16 October 1915
The attack on American troops at the border by Mexican banditos was heavily reported in the press. Most press reports only referred to the wounded soldier as "Sergeant Walsh", so an easy mistake by the Duncan family. One newspaper chronicling the escalation of violence, included his first name, "September 13.—Privates Anthony Kraft and Harold Forney killed and Sergeant Joseph Walsh wounded during battle with Mexicans at the Galveston ranch. Mexicans surrounded the place at night and fired upon soldiers while they were asleep." (The Houston Post, 29 October 1915). Sergeant Joseph Walsh was in Troop A, Twelfth Cavalry. Sergeant Thomas J. Walsh had fought for Troop C, Second Cavalry. While the initial Delaware news regarding Thomas Walsh was incorrect, at least we learn that he had success in finding a bride. And he didn't look past the Continental Hotel marrying the "head waitress" who most likely poured his coffee every morning during his Atlantic City stay.

Thomas J. Walsh of Ballynahinch would have a long 37 year career with the U.S. army. This included fighting in Cuba during the Spanish-American War; in the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection; along the Mexican border; and finally in France during WWI. In 1934, to receive a one-time benefit ($200 maximum) that assisted WWI veterans during the Great Depression, Thomas Walsh completed a "Veteran's Compensation Application" that detailed his long career.

The 1934 application, which has typed answers, stated that Thomas James Walsh was born in "Sabren Ireland" on March 18, 1875, parents Patrick Walsh and Josephine McMahon. Thomas Walsh was born in Ballynahinch, County Clare, why did he report "Sabren" which according to google does not exist in Ireland? He was baptized on March 24th, so his stated birth on March 18th appears reasonable. His birth on the civil registration was reported as April 7th, clearly incorrect based upon his baptism, and made to avoid any penalties since he was registered late on May 13th. Throughout his long military career he would report a birth year reflecting 1875, when, in fact, he was born in 1869. When Thomas Walsh enlisted at Philadelphia on 17 May 1898 , he had been working as a nurse at the Norristown State Hospital, an insane asylum, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The 1898 U.S. Army Register of Enlistments provides his physical description as blue eyes, black hair, fair complexion, and 5'8"+ height. Again, the enlistment record provides his birth as a very mysterious "Sabren Ireland". There were many enlistments from Norristown on 17 May 1898, including a "John T Walsh", a grocer clerk, born in Philadelphia. His parents were John T. Walsh and Mary Devereaux, both born in Pennsylvania. Walsh is a common surname, but both Thomas J. Walsh and John T. Walsh would ended up in Troop C of the Second Cavalry, so perhaps they were distant cousins?

1898 USA Register of Enlistment: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-ZDPY

The "War with Spain" was during the final year of the "Cuban War of Independence" (1895-1898); the USA became involved after Spain sunk the USS Maine in Havana Bay. A brief history of the 2nd Calvary, from a wikipedia article, "The troopers and horses of Troops A, C, D, and F boarded transports in Mobile, Alabama and set sail for Cuba, . . . . These four troops quickly found that they were the only horse-mounted cavalry units in Cuba, and soon began working for General William Rufus Shafter. Joining Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders [who had no horses], the 2nd Cavalry fought at the Battle of El Caney, the Battle of San Juan Hill, the Battle of the Aguadores, and the Siege of Santiago."

The "splendid little war" of 1898 did not last very long. And at the end of the war, due to yellow fever among the troops, the 2nd Cavalry evacuated quickly to Huntsville, Alabama, where Thomas J. Walsh was discharged on 24 January 1899. The "remarks" on the far right of the 1898 Enlistment Register state that he was a "very good private".

Thomas J. Walsh, re-enlisted with the 2nd Cavalry, Troop C, on 17 February 1899 in Philadelphia. Occupation "soldier", his birthplace was an informative "________, Ireland", and he now was 5'9" with a ruddy complexion. His age was reported as 24 years, 11 months, when, in fact, he would turn 30 years old the following month of March 1899.

1899 Enlistment Register: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-D459

From the "remarks" in the 1899 Enlistment Register, the 2nd Cavalry would return to Cuba, where Thomas J. Walsh was discharged on 16 February 1902 at Matanzas. The next day, Thomas enlisted with the 2nd Cavalry for the third time:

1902 Enlistment Register: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-FWVV

From the "remarks" in the 1902 Enlistment Register, the 2nd Cavalry would go to the Philippines, where Thomas J. Walsh was discharged on 16 February 1905 at San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines. "The 2nd Cavalry Regiment was sent to the Philippines during the Philippine Insurrection soon after their tenure in Cuba. From 23 January – 18 July 1905, they participated in the Cavite Campaign, working to root out insurgents and secure the surrounding countryside" (wikipedia). Thomas Walsh had been promoted to Sergeant and "excellent" was the final word written for his name on the register. On 17 February 1905, Thomas J. Walsh, born in "Clair Co. Ireland", enlisted with the 2nd Cavalry for the fourth time:

1905 Enlistment Register: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-VY9Z

From the "remarks" in the 1905 Enlistment Register, Thomas J. Walsh was discharged on 16 February 1908 at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. The final remark was "excellent h+f" which might stand for "health and fitness". On 17 February 1908, Thomas Walsh enlisted for the fifth time at Fort Des Moines.

1908 Enlistment Register: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJD5-G193

1908 is when Sergeant Thomas Walsh was given a four month long furlough and went to visit his sister Margaret Walsh Duncan in Atlantic City. The "head waitress" at the Continental Hotel was Mary T Cummins (sometimes spelt Cummings). She was born in County Mayo around 1883, so about 14 years younger than Thomas. She appears to have hesitated on any marriage proposal from Thomas. Or perhaps Margaret Walsh Duncan didn't approve of the marriage since it didn't take place in Atlantic City. Thomas J. Walsh and Mary T. Cummings married on 15 October 1908 in Polk, Iowa which is a short distance from Fort Des Moines. Iowa has excellent marriage records, but the bride and groom supplied little of the requested information, only that their place of residence was "Philadelphia, PA". Most couples reported their place of birth, father's name, mother's maiden name, occupation, age etc:

1908 Iowa marriage: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJFS-765

Thomas Walsh and Mary T Cummings had one daughter, Mary J. Walsh, on 15 August 1909 at Fort Des Moines. Since the 2nd Cavalry was sent to the Philippines, the Walsh family may not have had time to report to the county registrar, and a "Affidavit of Birth" (delayed birth record) was submitted in 1937 to the state of Iowa. It was signed by Mary Cummings Walsh, mother. In this record "Thomas Joseph Walsh ("Thomas James" in his 1934 application) was born in County Mayo; and "Mary T. Cummings" was born in County Clare. She's swapped their counties of birth.

In the 1910 USA census for overseas military, the young Walsh family is living at Augur Barracks, Jolo Island, Philippines. Thomas J. Walsh reported his age as 36 years old, "Sergt 2nd Cavalry", year of immigration as 1890, and surprisingly his naturalization status was still "Papers". His wife, Mary J. Walsh is 27 years old; and daughter Mary J. is only nine months. "On 14 February 1910, the troopers of the 2nd Cavalry fought in the Battle of Tiradores Hill on Mindanao Island. Their next clashes were during the Moro Rebellion on Jolo island. They fought in the Battle of Mount Bagoak on 3 December 1911, and the Battle of Mount Vrut from 10–12 January 1912. The regiment continued patrolling and security operations until they arrived home in June 1912" (wikipedia). On 22 January 1911, their second daughter, Margaret G. Walsh, was born on Jolo Island. Also during the Moro Rebellion, Thomas J. Walsh enlisted on 17 February 1911 at Augur Barracks for a fifth time:

1911 Enlistment Register: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJDR-5NVT

"When they returned to the US in 1912, the 2nd Cavalry was sent to the border of Mexico to enforce border laws and prevent raids by banditos. The regiment's sector extended from El Paso, Texas all the way to Presidio, Texas, a stretch of 262 miles. The troopers were busily engaged in the duties of border surveillance and border security" (wikipedia). Thomas J. Walsh was discharged on 17 February 1914 at Fort Bliss, Texas. According to the 1934 Veteran's Compensation Application, Thomas Walsh reported that on 18 February 1914, he enlisted with the "Eighth Cavalry & Q.M.C.". Thomas and Mary Walsh would have an additional three children in Texas — see updated Walsh family tree on page 27. It was during this time that the Duncan family of Atlantic City / Delaware reported incorrectly that Thomas Walsh had been injured at the Mexican border.

Thomas J. Walsh remained with the Eighth Cavalry until the start of WWI when he became a commissioned officer. He departed Hoboken, New Jersey, on the SS City of Poona on 26 May 1918 for Montreal, not sure how they made it to Europe. Thomas was reported on the transport listing as a "2nd Lieutenant QMC NC" with Company E of the 108th Ammunition Train, 5th Division (residence: Fort Bliss; spouse: Mary Walsh). During WWI, Thomas J. Walsh reported that his engagements with the American Expeditionary Force included Chateau Thierry, St. Mihiel, and Muese Argonne. Thomas J. Walsh, rank First Lieutenant, left Brest, France on the USS Iowan and arrived in Brooklyn on 30 August 1919 (residence: Fort Bliss). His military unit was reported as the 304th Field Remount Squadron, Quarter Master Corps.

A Field Remount Squadron was responsible for supplying horses to military units. In 1921, Thomas J. Walsh transferred from Fort Bliss, Texas to Fort Reno, Oklahoma. His title was Warrant Officer and he appears to have been responsible for the remount depot at Fort Reno.
FORT RENO WILL FURNISH HORSES FOR CAVALRY UNIT
To Supply 60 Animals for Oklahoma Military Academy at Claremore

Fort Reno will furnish 60 cavalry horses for the Oklahoma Military Academy at Claremore, it was learned today. . . A cavalry unit is being added to the school at Claremore this year, through permission granted by the United States Congress. . . This cavalry unit will mean a great deal to the academy as well as to the state, in that there is only one other state-owned military academy in the United States, the one at Rosewell, New Mexico. . . . Thomas J. Walsh, W.O. U.S.A., of Fort Reno, recently sent the following to Col. Downs:

"A telegram from the 8th Corps has been received by the commanding officers, asking depot to furnish sixty (60) riding horses for the Military Academy uses. He replied that the depot could furnish horses purchased in this zone.

"Having been stationed here for a number of years in charge of shipping all horses sent from this depot, I'm familiar with the type of horse that passes through Ft. Reno and concur with the commanding officer's statement.

"I am personally interested in good horses that will be a benefit and a credit to the academy, as my son, Sammy Walsh, is one of your students.

"The officers here and myself are convinced that we can purchase a more suitable type in our zone (Oklahoma and Texas) that elsewhere in the United States, and for that reason we are pleased that the Corps Areas have given us this assignment."

The El Reno Daily Tribune, El Reno, Oklahoma, 11 June 1930
The Walsh family must have used "Sammy" as a nickname for their son Thomas J. born in 1913 to avoid confusion with the father (or perhaps nickname was "Tommy" and the newspaper made an error?). Thomas J. Walsh, Jr., was a Lieutenant Colonel during the Korean War and his 1955 obituary included "Colonel Walsh was an expert polo player, and gained considerable attention in that sport while at OMA and later at OU, where he graduated in 1935."

Thomas J. Walsh, born in Ballynahinch on 18 March 1869, died in Oklahoma on 24 January 1939, just a few months shy of 70 years old. He is buried along with his wife and two children in El Reno cemetery:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/331 ... s-j.-walsh
ROSARY SERVICES PLANNED TONIGHT

Walsh To Be Buried At El Reno Thursday

Rosary services for Thomas J. Walsh, El Reno resident who died early Tuesday will be conducted at 3 p.m. tonight in the home, 639 South Miles avenue.

His body will lie in state at the residence until time for the funeral which will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday from the Sacred Heart church with Father Victor Van Durme, pastor, officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be made at El Reno Catholic cemetery under the direction of Benson funeral home.

Mr. Walsh, 63 years of age, died at his residence from uremic poisoning and complications. He had been in poor health several years and was seriously ill 24 hours before his death.

Mr. Walsh was a native of Ireland, but served 37 years in the United States army. He was transferred from El Paso, Texas to Fort Reno [Oklahoma] in 1921, and he remained at Fort Reno until his retirement as a warrant officer in 1935 when he moved to El Reno.

Mrs. Walsh died four months ago.

Survivors include three daughters, Miss Mary Walsh of El Reno, Mrs. Jim E. Smith [Margaret] of Union City, and Miss Betty Walsh of Halstead, Kansas, and two sons, Tom Walsh, Jr., of El Reno and Jack Walsh of Oklahoma City.

He is also survived by a brother, Patrick Walsh, and a sister, Mrs. Joehanna Brady, both of County Clare, Ireland.

The El Reno Daily Tribune, El Reno, Oklahoma, Wednesday, 25 January 1939
Initially, I thought it would be impossible for any Thomas Walsh descendant to trace their ancestry backwards to Ireland. Until I saw the obituary that included his siblings Patrick Walsh and Joanna Brady in County Clare, then it seemed so simple. But with such a large gap in years between when Thomas Walsh reported his year of birth as 1875 and his actual birth in 1869, and being so consistent in doing so, it would still be very difficult. Plus, Walsh is an extremely common surname. If Thomas had reported his birthplace as Ballynahinch, instead of Sabren, the task would be much easier. His wife Mary Cummins Walsh died in October 1938, and her obituary stated that she had a brother Thomas Cummins in County Mayo. Cummins is a common surname in County Mayo and finding the correct Thomas Cummins in the Irish census and civil records might be a little tricky for when a Walsh descendant stumbles upon this posting.

The parents of Thomas J. Walsh born in 1869 in Ballynahinch were Patrick Walsh and Johanna McMahon. In his 1934 Veteran's Compensation Application, Thomas stated that his parents were Patrick Walsh and Josephine McMahon. This little discrepancy is unimportant, but did provide a clue to the small mystery of the missing civil birth record for Josephine Walsh, the eldest daughter of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy, and niece of Thomas J. Walsh. The Tulla registration district has the birth record as Joanna Walsh, daughter of Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy of Ballinahinch born on 9 December 1892. This also provides a likely explanation for another mystery — where was Josephine Walsh in the 1901 census? In 1901, the "head of family" who signed the census form was the widow Johanna Walsh (age 70 in 1901, but who died in 1905 at the age of 80). The census enumerator was a young constable named Hugh Collum from County Longford. There appears to have been a communication error between the two, since daughter-in-law Anne [Tuohy] Walsh was reported as Johanna Walsh (age 31). And granddaughter Johanna Walsh (age 7) was not recorded. For the 1911 census, Johanna "Josephine" Walsh was in Atlantic City with her aunt Margaret Walsh Duncan. Why Patrick Walsh and Anne Tuohy of Ballynahinch reported in the 1911 census that they were the parents of 9 children and only 6 were living is another mistake as they were the parents of 7 living children in 1911.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... h/1087281/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... ch/370409/

The paternal grandparents of Thomas J. Walsh born in 1869 in Ballynahinch, I reckon with increasing confidence, were Michael Walsh (died in 1847) and Catherine McNamara Walsh (reported in 1855 Griffith Valuation). The long military career of Thomas J. Walsh with the Second Cavalry Regiment reminds me of the military career of Miles McNamara (see page 14) who enlisted with the Madras Royal Horse Artillery and served 18 years in India including the Indian Mutiny of 1857. After his discharge in 1865, Miles McNamara married Margaret Fitzgerald in 1869, the daughter of James Fitzgerald and Catherine Halpin of Kiltannon. Thomas J. Walsh also appears to have had a Halpin connection, as I believe his aunt was Johanna Walsh Harrison who married James W. Halpin of Quin Gardens in 1859. Upon returning from military service, Miles McNamara would work as a herdsman at Corbally House (Stacpoole-Mahon family) which is about 9 miles due west from Ballynahinch House (Charles G.O. O'Callaghan) on the main road between Ennis and Bodyke. Not a significant distance if travelling on horseback. I suspect Thomas J. Walsh of Ballynahinch would have had a fair bit of prior experience with horses when he enlisted with the 2nd Cavalry in 1898. According to the 1910 census, he arrived in America in 1890. I wonder if Thomas Walsh would have known of Miles McNamara (who died in 1914) and his stories of the Royal Horse Artillery in India. Could Miles McNamara of Corbally even be related to Catherine McNamara Walsh of Kilnoe?

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Thu Oct 08, 2020 8:19 pm

Captain George W. Duncan, the lighthouse keeper at New Castle in Delaware Bay, was the likely source of the below article in the Wilmington Delaware newspaper that tells the story of another brother of Margaret Walsh Duncan:
There comes a somewhat peculiar story from Atlantic City. It is to the effect that Edward Walsh a brother of Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, wife of T. Parks Duncan, of this city, has gone under a successful operation which is remarkable in medical science.

Mr. Walsh is probably the only living person with only one jugular vein, the greater portion of the other having been removed through an operation to which he submitted fifteen years ago.

In the latter part of February, Mr. Walsh became seriously ill, and an operation was decided to be the only thing to save his life. Following the operation the patient bled slowly from the incision made for the removal of his jugular vein years ago. Every means to stop the bleeding which was slowly sapping the life of the man away was tried in vain. Finally it was decided blood infusion alone would suffice and three robust men were picked out of those volunteering.

Each of them on two separate occasions gave eight ounces of their life fluid. Saline solutions given to keep up the vitality of the patient prevented for a time the coagulation necessary for the success of the operation, but within the last two days this difficulty has been overcome, and the chances of recovery by Mr. Walsh are excellent.

The Evening Journal, Wilmington, Delaware, 5 May 1913
From the above article, Edward Walsh had an operation "15 years ago". In the 1900 census, he was most likely the Edward Walsh, born in Ireland in February 1874, who was a patient at the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Edward J. Walsh was a teamster in Philadelphia and president of the United States Express Mutual Relief Association.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M37Z-V2P
Expressmen Ready for Annual Ball

Although in existence but three years, the United States Express Mutual Relief Association has done much good in assisting the sick and disabled. The annual ball, which will be held on Friday evening next at Musical Fund Hall, is the social feature of the organization to which the members look forward with anticipation. This year it is in charge of a committee of which Charles Monk is chairman, and R.J. Forbes, secretary. The floor arrangements will be looked after by D. Johnson. Edward Walsh is president of the organization, F.J. McGinnis, secretary and treasurer, and C.G. Rust, general agent, acts as adviser.

Philadelphia Enquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 10 January 1904
At the January 1904 annual ball, Edward Walsh met Margaret M. Murphy, who was born in Pennsylvania of Irish parents. They married three months later, on 14 April 1904 in Philadelphia. The marriage certificate states that Edward J. Walsh was born in Clare, Ireland on 6 April 1876; Margaret M. Murphy was born in Lewisburg, PA on 26 February 1876. Sadly, their two children both died young (see updated Walsh family tree on page 27). Edward and Margaret Walsh were living at 2015 Bainbridge Street in Philadelphia in the 1910 census.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ4-H9FY
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MG7H-3TK

Captain George W. Duncan was not always the most reliable source of information involving the Walsh family, but other newspapers reported the illness of Edward J. Walsh and his relationship to Margaret Walsh Duncan of the Continental Hotel:
SAVED BY FRIENDS' BLOOD
[Special to the Newark Star]

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., May 5.—Kept alive only by blood transfusions from a relay of friends who volunteered for the rare operation to which he submitted at the University Hospital, Philadelphia, during the past week, Edward Walsh, brother of Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, of the Hotel Continental, this city, is reported today as considerably improved. Hope is now held out for his recovery.

Newark Evening Star and Advertiser, Newark, NJ, 5 May 1913
Sadly, Edward Walsh did not recover from his illness and died the following month. His PA death certificate states that Edward Joseph Walsh was born in Ireland in 1877; occupation, "Boss Teamster"; wife Margaret M. Walsh; father, Patrick Walsh, and mother, Josephine McMahon of Ireland.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDRN-JMR
WALSH.—18th inst. EDWARD J. husband of Margaret Murphy Walsh. Relatives and friends, also Philadelphia Council No. 196 K. of C. [Knights of Columbus]; members United States Expressmen Association and Progressive Assembly No. 4; A.O.M.P. [Artisans Order of Mutual Protection] invited to funeral. Saturday 7:30 A.M. residence 2015 Bainbridge St. Solemn requiem at St. Charles, 9 A M. Internment at Holy Cross.

Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, Friday, 20 June 1913

Jimbo
Posts: 591
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Mon Oct 19, 2020 1:15 am

The Edward Walsh who died in Philadelphia was baptized as Edmond Walsh in Kilnoe parish on 17 February 1873. The baptism sponsors were reported as "Ned and old Mrs. Walsh". "Ned Walsh" was likely either the child's uncle Edmond Walsh (≈1828 - 1900) or his first cousin Edmond Walsh, Jr., (1857 - 1928), both of Ballynahinch. Edmond Walsh, Jr., would have been 15 years old in 1873 which was old enough to be a baptism sponsor as discussed in the posting "Minimum age for baptism sponsors" here:
http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewto ... f=1&t=3670

But who was the other baptism sponsor "old Mrs. Walsh"? I reckon she was the grandmother of Edmond Walsh. I believe she was Catherine McNamara Walsh, reported in the 1855 Griffith Valuation in Kilnoe townland, in plot 2, as "Catherine Walsh". When her daughter Johanna Walsh married John Harrison in 1853 in Kilnoe Parish, she was the same "Mrs. Walsh" of Ballinahinch recorded as a marriage witness. Twenty years later in 1873, this "Mrs. Walsh" became the baptism sponsor "old Mrs. Walsh".

I had previously listed five women named Catherine Walsh who died in Scariff and Galway districts (death records not yet available) as possibilities to be the widow Catherine Walsh of Ballynahinch. Including, from Scariff district, CW died in 1871, at age 60. And from Galway district: CW died in (a) 1869, age 80, (b) 1873, age 74, (c) 1872, age 65, (d) 1875, age 65. If my theory is correct, then Catherine McNamara Walsh, "old Mrs. Walsh", must be the Catherine Walsh whose death was reported in Galway distsrict in 1875 at the age of 65, born so about 1810. The other possibilities had died prior to 1873.

But did grandmothers act as baptism sponsors in Ireland? In trying to identify how baptism sponsors were related to the parents, especially if sharing the same surname, I never considered a grandparent as a possibility. I'm assuming it was not that common. Perhaps that is why the priest of Kilnoe parish wrote "old" for Mrs. Walsh? I searched the transcribed Kilnoe parish records (via Excel search) as well as Tulla and Scariff for any other "old" baptism sponsors and "old Mrs. Walsh" was the only one. Which, of course, does not mean that she was the only grandparent who acted as a baptism sponsor in these parishes.

The topic "Grandparents as Godparents in Early 1800s?" was a discussion on Roots Chat here:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.p ... c=769206.0

A few comments highlighted that the role of the "Godparents was if anything was to happen to the parents the child would become the responsibility of their Godparents" and thus "would need to be around the same age as the parents."

My view is that given that one baptism sponsor for Edmond Walsh in 1873 was Ned Walsh, and he was either his uncle of 45 years old or a first cousin of 15 years old, it was okay to have as a second baptism sponsor a grandmother who was around 65 years old.

Researching the Walsh family of Ballynahinch has provided an important clue. Going forward in the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandree will need to consider that a grandparent could act as a baptism sponsor. And perhaps even go back to prior research on McNamara families of Tulla parish to identify any other such possibilities.

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Wed Oct 21, 2020 11:35 pm

There was another Edward Walsh living at the Continental Hotel on 15 Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City in the 1910 census. This Edward Walsh was age 53, married (but not with family), born in Connecticut, both parents born in Ireland, working as a bartender at the Continental Hotel. This census record was the last entry in the enumeration district; Edward Walsh was not reported with Margaret Walsh Duncan, her husband, and two nieces. The census taker has clearly gone back to the Continental Hotel to double check who was living there. In doing so the census taker appears to have counted Edward Walsh born in Connecticut twice in the 1910 census. As a bartender on South Tennessee Avenue; and with family members on North Massachusetts Avenue:

1910 census, Tennessee Avenue (late entry): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MK18-P3S
1910 census, Massachusetts Avenue: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKR5-2T8

The Edward Walsh on Massachusetts Avenue was reported as having the occupation of "buffer" at a hotel? Besides the fact that he was living with his wife and one child on Massachusetts Ave, the only differences between the two entries are a one year age difference, and Edward's mother was reported as being born in Connecticut, and not Ireland. The Edward Walsh on Massachusetts Avenue can be traced back to Connecticut, where his mother was reported as born in Ireland in both 1860 and 1870, so we are only left with a one year age difference. Most surely the two Edward Walsh hotel employees in Atlantic City are the same person.

Was Edward Walsh born in Connecticut related to Margaret Walsh Duncan who had several Irish born nieces working at the Continent Hotel in 1910 and 1920? The fact that Edward Walsh was a bartender at the Continental Hotel, does increase the likelihood that he was also a relative of Margaret Walsh Duncan, but does not prove it. Below is what is known of his Connecticut origins:

In the 1860 census, Patrick (age 35) and Jane (age 25) Welch, both born in Ireland, were the parents of four children, including son Edward J Welsh (age 2), in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, Connecticut. In the 1870 census, Patrick (age 46) and Jane (age 34) Walsh, were still living in Bridgeport, Fairfield County, and the parents of an additional three children. Patrick Walsh was a tailor. No information on their marriage. Both are buried in St. Michael's cemetery in Fairfield County. Per headstone, Jane Walsh died on 19 May 1873 at the age of 38 years; Patrick Walsh died on 17 December 1892, at the age of 83 years.

1860 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH5T-KB1
1870 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MN73-XHP
1880 census: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFCD-D3J
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/927 ... rick-walsh

The maiden name of Jane Walsh was not easy to discover; Connecticut death records are not as good as the records from Pennsylvania. Their son Edward Walsh died in New York, but his mother was only reported as "Jane". The birth records for the children of Patrick and Jane Walsh might include her maiden name, but I cannot find Connecticut civil birth records online. Fortunately, in the 1920 census household of George McCarthy and Elizabeth [Walsh] McCarthy of Iranistan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT, was reported a "Thomas McMullen", born in Ireland, age 80, captain, relationship "uncle". He was the uncle of Elizabeth Walsh McCarthy, not her husband. "Captain Thomas McMullen, 80, for many years connected with the marine service, died yesterday at the home of his niece, Mrs. George T. McCarthy, 929 Iranistan avenue after a long illness. He was for a number of years employed by the New York, Fall River and Boston Steamboat Co. and later captain of the Strain line of New York and New Haven. He was widely known in marine circles. For the past five years, he has resided with Mrs. McCarthy in this city. (The Bridgeport Telegram, Bridgeport, CT, 15 April 1920). Captain Thomas McMullen was a steamboat captain in a very competitive transport industry and a participant in the "Steamboat Wars" of the 1880's. A very interesting story, but I don't believe the McMullen's were from County Clare as there were none in the 1901 Irish census.

Patrick Walsh appears to have done quite well as a tailor in Bridgeport and left a sizable sum to his children. His only son Edward received just $100, and the remainder, including real estate valued at $5,000, was split between his four surviving daughters; his son-in-law George McCarthy was the executor. Patrick Walsh (≈1809 - 1892) and Jane McMullen (≈1835 - 1873) of Bridgeport were the parents of seven children:

1.0 Mary J. Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 6; living in Bridgeport in 1860 census. In the 1892 Bridgeport city directory, Miss Mary J. Walsh was a dressmaker living at 140 Stillman Street, the same residence as her father Patrick Walsh, tailor. Married Irish born Michael McDermott in 1893 (per 1900 census); family lived in Bridgeport. A Michael McDermott died in Bridgeport on 9 December 1932 (per CT state library index).
............ 1.1 John Walsh McDermott, born in Connecticut on 28 April 1894 per WWI registration (age 6 in 1910 census). Married Catherine Hartnett on 16 February 1918 in Bridgeport.
............ 1.2 Maria McDermott (age 4 in 1910 census)

2.0 Ann E. Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 4; living in Bridgeport in 1860 census. Died 9 December 1867, age 11 years and 2 months, per headstone at St. Michael's cemetery, Stratford, Fairfield County.

3.0 Edward J. Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 2; living in Bridgeport in 1860 census. Married Elizabeth Blanche Hounslou; family living in Bridgeport in 1900 census. Living in Atlantic City in 1910 census in household of wife's nephew. Appears to have also been reported in 1910 census living at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City as a bartender. In the 1915 state census, "Edwin Walsh" (born February 1857) was living with his wife Blanche and son Stanley at Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City; occupation bartender. Edward James Walsh died on 23 April 1917 in Forest Hill, Long Island, NY, at the "home of his daughter Mrs. J. Elmer Kline" in his 61st year, surviving were daughter and three sons (as below). NY death certificate states born in Connecticut on 20 February 1857; father "Patrick Walsh" born in Ireland; mother "Jane" born in Connecticut (she was born in Ireland per 1860 and 1870 census).
............ 3.1 Edna Walsh (age 12 in 1900 census)
............ 3.2 Charles Hounslou Walsh (age 7 in 1900 census)
............ 3.3 Edward Jay Walsh (age 7 in 1900 census)
............ 3.4 Stanley Atkinson Walsh (age 0 in 1900 census). Living with parents in Atlantic City in 1910 and 1915.

4.0 Jane Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 2 months; living in Bridgeport in 1860 census. Not listed in the 1870 census or in father's 1892 will and probate.

5.0 Catherine Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 9; living in Bridgeport in 1870 census. Married Eugene Kessel in 1896 (per 1900 census); couple lived in Bridgeport.

6.0 Elizabeth "Louisa" Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 7; living in Bridgeport in 1870 census. Married George McCarthy in 1883 (per 1900 census); family lived in Bridgeport. In the 1920 census, Thomas McMullen, age 80, born in Ireland, was living in the same household, he was an uncle to Elizabeth Walsh McCarthy.
............ 6.1 Jane Elizabeth McCarthy (age 12 in 1900 census)
............ 6.2 George Thomas McCarthy (age 7 in 1900 census)

7.0 Emma L. Walsh, born in Connecticut; age 5; living in Bridgeport in 1870 census. Married Edward Buckley in 1888 (per 1900 census); family lived in Bridgeport.
............ 7.1 Catherine Buckley (age 7 in 1900 census)
............ 7.2 Clifford Buckley (age 5 in 1900 census)

There don't appear to be any USA records that state that Irish born Patrick Walsh was from County Clare. A descendant of Edward Walsh (1857 - 1917) has traced their Walsh ancestry to a Patrick Walsh and Jane Crosby who married in County Carlow in July 1857, and then goes back a further two generations to other Irish counties. But how could Patrick Walsh have gotten married in Ireland in 1857? In the USA census of 1860, he has a 6 year old daughter born in Connecticut.

Was Edward Walsh (1857 - 1917), the bartender at the Continental Hotel in 1910, related to Margaret Walsh Duncan (1867 - 1927), the owner of the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City? Both of their fathers were named Patrick Walsh, so they were not first cousins. Patrick Walsh of Bridgeport died in 1892 at the age of 83 years old, so born about 1809. If this Patrick Walsh was related to the Ballynahinch Walsh family, I reckon he was most likely a younger brother to Michael Walsh (who died in 1847). Since Patrick Walsh (≈1808 - 1892) of Bridgeport appears to have married late and was nearly 50 years old when his son Edward Walsh (1857 - 1917) was born, it does shift the cousin relationships by several decades.

Edward Walsh (1857 - 1917) of Bridgeport / Atlantic City would have been a first cousin to Patrick Walsh (who died prior to 1892) of Ballynahinch, the father of Margaret Walsh Duncan. The evidence that Patrick Walsh (≈1809 - 1892) of Bridgeport and Michael Walsh (died in 1847) were brothers is only circumstantial:

1) The son of Patrick Walsh (≈1809 - 1892) of Bridgeport was working as a bartender in 1910 at the Continental Hotel, owned by a granddaughter of Michael Walsh (died in 1847) of Ballynahinch.

2) The eldest sons of Patrick Walsh (≈1809 - 1892) of Bridgeport and Michael Walsh (died in 1847) of Ballynahinch were both named Edward Walsh. Although, which of the sons of Michael Walsh was the eldest still needs to be proven once more Irish death records become available on-line. However, Edward Walsh who had a first born child in 1853, is likely to have been older than his brother Patrick Walsh who had a first born child in 1859. It would have been interesting to see if there was an "Edmond Walsh" recorded in the 1827 Tithe Applotments of Kilnoe Townland (adjacent to Ballynahinch) in Kilnoe Parish, but unfortunately there is only one entry for "Cornelius O'Callaghan, Esq", and the note states "And Tenants".

3) Bridgeport is located in Fairfield County, Connecticut which appears to have strong connection to County Clare. James W. Halpin (1861 - 1943), the son of Johanna Walsh Halpin, and I believe a first cousin of Margaret Walsh Duncan, became a U.S. citizen in Bethel, Fairfield County. His reported first cousin was Andrew Halpin (1872 - 1932), the son of Michael Halpin, both hatters of Bethel, Fairfield County.

The obituary of Patrick Walsh of Bridgeport in 1892 might provide information on where in Ireland he was from — I could not locate one. The Catholic baptism records of the seven children of Patrick Walsh and Jane McMullen might include a baptism sponsor who was a Walsh relative — and perhaps they might be easier to trace back to Ireland. Probably the best way to confirm the circumstantial evidence that the Walsh family of Bridgeport was related to the Walsh family of Ballynahinch would be through DNA testing. To compare the DNA result of, say, the descendants of Thomas Walsh of Texas / Oklahoma, with the descendants of Patrick Walsh of Connecticut.

With so many County Clare families settling in Fairfield County in Connecticut, I had a search for any McNamara's in Fairfield County. There were several. One of particular interest, was a John McNamara and his wife Anne Hickey McNamara buried in St. John's cemetery in Norwalk, Fairfield County. The index on findagrave.com states that they are from Tyredagh Upper which is in Tulla Parish:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119 ... n-mcnamara

Anne Hickey must be the daughter of Matthew Hickey and Honora Clune of Doonane townland in Tulla Parish baptized on 20 August 1873. Age is off by four years, but I reckon John McNamara was the son of William McNamara and Bridget Clune of Tyredagh townland baptized on 15 April 1871.

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Thu Oct 22, 2020 2:28 pm

Hi Jimbo

Although I’m taking a break from genealogy (i.e. sitting too long at the computer), I continue to read your postings with interest, and think you may not know that some more death records have become available recently. Claire Santry’s site (https://www.irishgenealogynews.com) is a good place to check for any new developments and she announced on 8 October that the death records for 1871-1877 had become available online (Tulla Union is still under Galway). We must wait another while for the 1864-1870 death records, alas.
Also of interest to some researchers is that the British Newspaper Archive (https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) has digitized two more Co. Clare Newspapers:
(1) Kilrush Herald and Kilkee Gazette, 1879-1880, 1889-1899, 1901-1919, 1921-1922.
(2) Clare Freeman and Ennis Gazette 1855-1884.
(The Clare Journal and Ennis Advertiser has been available for some years).

Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Mon Oct 26, 2020 12:34 am

Hi Sheila,

Thank you very much for letting me know that additional death records for 1871 through 1878 are now available. And also the availability of Clare newspapers in the British archive. 102 McNamara's died between 1871 and 1878 in the Galway registration district which includes Tulla parish. I didn't search for any specific McNamara, but instead looked at the death records for any McNamara that was over 60 years old or so. Not sure how thorough this initial search was, but I did find a few McNamara's of particular interest:

Michael McNamara (1785 - 1874) from Upper Glandree, Griffith Valuation Plot 3:

Michael McNamara, widower, age 89 years, farmer, died on 1 July 1874 in Upper Glandree; informant Thomas McNamara of Upper Glandree. This confirms the land records whereby Michael McNamara of Glandree Plot 3 in around 1863 passed land down to his son, Thomas McNamara. Michael McNamara would have been about 78 years old in 1863. Through land records, death records, as well as USA passenger listings (pages 11 to 13), we had determined that the below four McNamara's were siblings; the 1874 death record confirms that their father was Michael McNamara (1785 - 1874):
1) Pat McNamara (1810 - 1901) & Catherine Corry (1820 - 1905)
2) Kate McNamara (1816 - 1896) & Michael Jones
3) James McNamara (1819 - 1909) & Anne Rodgers, of Cloonagro
4) Thomas McNamara (1826 or 1829 - 1915) & Bridget Hayes. Thomas McNamara died in 1915 at the reported age of 89. Possibly, he might be the Thomas born to Michael Mac and Mary Cusack of Glandree in 1829? Hopefully, his mother was recorded in the death records 1864 through 1870 that are not yet available on-line.


Matthew McNamara from Uggoon, Griffith Valuation Plot 13 (adjacent to Kilmore townland)

Mary McNamara, married, age 67 years, farmer's wife, died on 10 January 1877 in Uggoon; informant Matthew McNamara of Uggoon. Matthew McNamara was researched on page 18 as one of the many children of Patrick McNamara of Kilmore. Matthew had just one known son named Patrick who was married to Bridget Connors, and they were the parents of nine children. The 1877 death record means that Matthew McNamara of Uggoon could NOT be "the Matthew McNamara who died in Tulla in 1868 at the age of 70" (civil record still not available online) as had been suggested as a possibility on page 18 . Both Matthew and Mary McNamara were still living in Uggoon for the birth of their first three grandchildren. When Matthew, the first born son of Patrick McNamara and Bridget Connors of Uggoon, was baptized on 17 May 1873, he was not only named after his grandfather, but I reckon the baptism sponsor "Matthew McNamara" was his grandfather.

Here is another Roots Chat discussion on the topic "Grandmother as Godmother", the response by "Cell" is very good:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.p ... c=277738.0

The civil death record for the widower Matthew McNamara of Uggoon should have been an easy find, but even assuming he could have reached a grand old age, I could not find a death record that was a good match. As discussed on page 18, a "Martin McNamara", age 81 years, farmer, widower, of Uggoon, died on 11 November 1878; informant Patrick McNamara of Uggoon present at death. There is no other record of this "Martin McNamara" having resided in Uggoon. He does not appear in Griffiths Valuation for Uggoon or in any baptism or marriage record as residing in Uggoon. On page 18, I had tried to match him with the Martin McNamara and Mary O'Dea who had a son Patrick in 1819, with a residence what appears to be Glandree. But never found any further record in Uggoon for the Patrick McNamara born in 1819 in Glandree. The known Patrick McNamara of Uggoon, who was married to Bridget Connors, died in 1941 — so definitely two different people.

The only explanation that makes sense to me is that the "Martin McNamara" of Uggoon who died in 1878, was actually the widower "Matthew McNamara" and his son Patrick McNamara (husband of Bridget Connors) of Uggoon was the informant. I reckon the registrar, James Molony, made a simple mistake for this entry.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/ ... 190599.pdf

There are still open issues for the Matthew McNamara family of Uggoon:
1) the birth of Matthew's son Patrick McNamara: age 53 in 1901; age 71 in 1911; died in 1941 at the reported age of 84. According to this evidence, Patrick could be born any year between 1840 and 1857. His first born child with Bridget Connors was born in 1872 — so the age per the death record is clearly understated. If born in Tulla Parish, I reckon he could have been born in 1843 which has a missing baptism page. But no other children born in Tulla to a Matthew McNamara and Mary (unknown surname)? Was he an only child?
2) Civil or Catholic marriage record for Patrick McNamara and Bridget Connors around 1870? both Sheila and I searched and could not locate.
3) If Patrick McNamara was born in 1843, then his father Matthew McNamara (born in 1797 if he was the Martin McNamara who died in 1878), would have been about 46 years old. We might find Matthew McNamara in the British military records with a 20 year career in some distant British colony.

This does free up the Patrick McNamara born in 1819 to Martin McNamara and Mary O'Dea of "Gl?", likely Glandree. He was possibly the Patrick McNamara of Glandree who was married to Kate Foley in 1846? See page 14. This Patt McNamara died in Glandree on 29 May 1906 at the age of 85 years. "Martin" was a popular name for his descendants. Many of the children and grandchildren of Patrick McNamara and Kate Foley would move to Washington DC. Coincidentally, the same American city as many of the children of Patrick McNamara and Bridget Connors of Uggoon.

I will need to take a more systematic approach in researching the newly on-line death records. Catherine McNamara, married, age 78 years, wife of a labourer, from Liscullane, died on 16 July 1877; informant Catherine Slattery of Liscullane. Initially, it didn't register that this Catherine McNamara was the husband of Edmond McNamara, as referenced below (from page 25). The informant was her granddaughter, Catherine Slattery, who would marry Stephen McNamara, his third wife.
Edmond McNamara (≈1797 — 1883), was a laborer and does not appear on Griffiths Valuation. Edmund McNamara, from Killuran, widower, labourer, 86 years, died at Tulla workhouse on 6 June 1883. Edmond's wife is unknown. However, based upon Mary McNamara Slattery naming her first born daughter, Catherine, there is a good chance that Edmond's wife was named Catherine. The early Tulla death records are not yet available online; the Catherine McNamara who died in 1877 at the age of 78 is very promising to be the wife of Edmond McNamara. They had at least two children: . . . .
Had less success with the Walsh family of Ballynahinch/Kilnoe. From Scariff registration, Anne Walsh, married, age 36 years, wife of a farmer, from Kilnoe, died on 2 July 1871; informant Edmond Walsh of Kilnoe. This was anticipated.

Patrick Walsh of Ballynahinch, husband of Johanna McMahon, died between 1872 (birth of last child) and 1892 (marriage of son). He was not any of the four men named Patrick Walsh who died in 1875. I will need to expand this search through 1892. Walsh is an extremely common name in the Galway reporting district.

Similarly, the Catherine Walsh deaths reported between 1871 and 1875, none were a good match to have been the Catherine Walsh of 1855 Griffith Valuation or the "old Mrs. Walsh" of Ballynahinch/Kilnoe recorded as a baptism sponsor in 1873. She could have lived well into the 1890's or even 1900's, so need to expand this search. Also, "old Mrs. Walsh" might be a Margaret or Bridget etc. Walsh is an extremely common name in the Galway reporting district.

But will need to take another break from researching Irish civil records and go back to Atlantic City. I had speculated that Margaret Walsh Duncan, owner of the Continental Hotel, had perhaps gained hospitality experience by working at Ballynahinch House. But there is a more important question. How was Miss Margaret Walsh able to purchase the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City in 1906 for $47,000 and then pour another $15,000 into refurbishment? That was a lot of money in 1906.

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Tue Nov 03, 2020 7:34 am

The Continental Hotel, on South Tennessee avenue, with its central location near to the Pennsylvania steam and electric depots and the Reading station, and in the midst of Atlantic City's shopping and amusement district, yet but a step from the Boardwalk, has rapidly forced itself to the front as one of Atlantic City's leading hotels under the ownership and management of Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA, 26 March 1911
In researching the connections of the Walsh family of Ballynahinch to Atlantic City, I was a bit slow to pick up that the streets and railroad stations of Atlantic City were used in the board game Monopoly, at least in the original American version created in 1935. The Continental Hotel on South Tennessee was a medium-priced hotel, just like in Monopoly, and only a short distance from Pennsylvania railroad station, and south of Atlantic avenue. Margaret Walsh Duncan bought a home in Ventnor City (Ventnor Avenue in Monopoly), a well-heeled suburb just south of Atlantic City. John Devoy, the Irish Fenian leader, died at the Ambassador Hotel located on the Boardwalk, where, along with Park Place, the most expensive hotels were located in Atlantic City. Now there are hundreds of Monopoly versions, but I believe outside of North America the British version based upon London would have been most popular. Tennessee Avenue is Marlborough Street in the British version.

A new discovery for Margaret Walsh Duncan: a more detailed obituary from 1928 in a New Jersey newspaper was one result of a search using "Continental Hotel"; this obituary does not come up when searching using her name for some reason.
MRS. MARGARET WALSH DUNCAN

Atlantic City. Oct. 2 — Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, one of the resort's prominent hotel women, died yesterday at her home, 105 South Cambridge avenue, Ventnor City, following a long illness. She was 58.

Mrs. Duncan had been proprietress of the Continental Hotel for 22 years. She was treasurer of the Travelers' Aid Society here, and was chairman of the board of trustees of the Catholic Daughters of America when the Stella Maris home was built. She was also a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, the auxiliary of the Spanish American War Veterans and the World War Veterans.

She is survived by her husband, T. Parkes Duncan, three brothers, Thomas J. Walsh, Michael P. Walsh and Patrick Walsh, and two sisters, Mrs. Kate Brassill and Mrs. Josephine Brady.

The funeral will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday from the Continental Hotel. Mass will be conducted at 10 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church. Interment will be in Pleasantville Cemetery.

Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, 2 October 1928
The obituary provides new information in that her eldest brother, Michael Walsh born in 1859, was still living in 1928. And that her siblings, Maria born in 1860, and John born in 1863, had died prior to 1928. I suspect, since Patrick Walsh (born in 1865) inherited the farm from their father, that Michael Walsh may have also immigrated to America? If so, a city location in the obituary would have been helpful. America is a big place and Michael Walsh is a very common Irish name.

Margaret Walsh Duncan's membership in "the auxiliary of the Spanish American War Veterans and the World War Veterans" was interesting. She did have a family connection to both veteran groups through her brother, Sergeant Thomas Walsh of the Second Cavalry. The Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) was an American Civil War veterans group. Could Margaret Walsh Duncan have possibly had an uncle who fought in the American Civil War? Her father, Patrick Walsh of Ballynahinch, in the family as currently constructed (page 27) has only three siblings — rather small for an Irish family. Did any uncles of Margaret Walsh immigrate to America and enlist with the Union during the American Civil War?

Or perhaps as the owner of a hotel, Margaret Walsh Duncan's membership in the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic was simply a good business decision. Atlantic City was a popular destination for their annual reunions known as "encampments" (although the elderly veterans stayed in hotels and not in tents). In 1909, the New Jersey state G.A.R. reunion was held in Atlantic City, and the veterans from the Camden post made their headquarters at the Continental Hotel. Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan received accolades for her preparation:
BIG RECEPTION FOR VETERANS
Atlantic City in Gala Attire in Honor of G.A.R. Encampment

Atlantic City will be gay with bunting to-morrow in response to Mayor Stoy's proclamation requesting everyone to decorate in honor of the G.A.R. veterans of New Jersey, who will assemble for their annual reunion and encampment. Department Commander Foran is already on the ground and has established Department Headquarters at the Chalfonte.

The Camden Posts' headquarters will be at the Continental Hotel on Tennessee avenue just below Atlantic avenue and in sight of the Pennsylvania railroad depot. Mrs. Margaret Walsh Duncan, proprietress, has made every preparation to give the Camden veterans and their friends a royal welcome. The hotel has been elaborately decorated, the work being done by Mr. James Walsh, the well-known expert decorator of the city.

The feature of the veteran's parade that takes place tomorrow afternoon, will be the famous Filipino military band of eighty-six pieces, which will head the line of march by courtesy of Captain John Young, of the million-dollar pier. The big social event of the reunion will be the "camp-fire" to be held on Young's new million-dollar pier to-morrow night. The encampment will close on Friday with the election of officers.

The Morning Post, Camden, New Jersey, 19 May 1909
The 44th G.A.R. National Encampment was also held in Atlantic City the following year in September 1910. The Spanish War veterans encampment was held in Atlantic City in 1912. For each of the reunions, the activities would include a parade where the veterans would march wearing a specially designed medal with ribbon made just for their "encampment". These are now collector's items; the Atlantic City G.A.R. encampment medals incorporate a lighthouse inside a seashell and are very attractive (and expensive, about $100 to $150 on ebay). Amazing to consider that Margaret Walsh Duncan, although born in Ballynahinch in 1867 after the end of the American Civil War, through her ownership of the Continental Hotel and membership in the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, would have met hundreds of Civil War veterans during her lifetime. I reckon many of these veterans would have also been born in Ireland. Could one of the Irish veterans in attendance at the 44th G.A.R. encampment of 1910 in Atlantic City have been the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree?

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Nov 15, 2020 6:27 am

So, how was Margaret Walsh, a single 39 year old Irish immigrant, able to purchase in 1906 the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City? Did Michael P. Walsh provide assistance to his younger sister? As mentioned in last posting, Michael Walsh (born 1859) appears likely to have immigrated to America since his younger brother, Patrick Walsh (born 1865), inherited the farm. There are hundreds and hundreds of Irish born men named Michal Walsh in the USA. But Michael P. Walsh would have very likely settled in Philadelphia. The same location as two of his younger brothers. Thomas J. Walsh (1869 - 1939) enlisted with the U.S. Cavalry at Philadelphia. Edmond J. Walsh (1873 - 1913) also lived in Philadelphia where he was a teamster. Plus, much of the hotel investment in Atlantic City, New Jersey originated out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, only about 60 miles away. And if any further evidence is required, the opening lyrics of Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen highlight the strong links between the two cities :
Well, they blew up the Chicken Man in Philly last night
Now they blew up his house too
Down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready for a fight
Gonna see what them racket boys can do


Atlantic City (Nebraska album, 1982):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eu1gW ... rt_radio=1
It is very fortunate that the obituary for Margaret Walsh Duncan states that her brother was "Michael P. Walsh". In the 1886 City Directory for Philadelphia, there were 15 men named "Michael Walsh", but there was only one "Michael P. Walsh". His occupation was "special officer" and home residence was the "Continental Hotel" owned by the Kingsley family. The Continental Hotel (1857 - 1924) was the most famous hotel in Philadelphia and where president-elect Abraham Lincoln gave a speech in February 1861 prior to his inauguration on 4 March 1861. The Continental Hotel was demolished in 1924 and replaced by the Benjamin Franklin Hotel.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Franklin_Residences

Michael P. Walsh was a "special officer" at the Continental Hotel of Philadelphia in both the 1886 and 1887 City Directory. Margaret Walsh may have also been working at the same hotel, but, typically, the only women to appear in a city directory during this time period were widows. In 1906 when Margaret Walsh purchased the Cumberland Hotel on Tennessee avenue in Atlantic City, she renamed it the Continental Hotel. The below postcard of the Continental Hotel in Philadelphia looks rather similar to the postcard Margaret Walsh Duncan had made up for the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City:
Continental Hotel of Philadelphia, circa 1910.jpg
Continental Hotel of Philadelphia, circa 1910.jpg (175.54 KiB) Viewed 9022 times

The occupation of Michael P. Walsh as a "special officer" appears to have been what we would now call a "bouncer" at a bar or club. A very long article complaining how the mayor of Philadelphia protected the saloon keepers of the "low concert dives" included a good description of a "special officer". The main worry expressed by the newspaper was the impact of alcohol on the young, "They are places where foolish and ignorant boys and girls are lured ostensibly to listen to music, but really to learn to drink beer." And, "The road from the concert saloon to the Magdalen Asylum, the House of Correction and Potter's field is short."
The principal concert dives are located in the territory which includes the block bounded by Eighth and Ninths and Race and Vine streets. It is known as the "coast". The concert dives have pianos, violins, cornets and tenors as the principal attractions. Between acts the tenors shuffle bad beer and vile whisky. Every dive has a "special officer," who is sworn in by the Mayor to preserve peace in the dives. These "special officers" wear uniforms and tin badges with "Special Officer" stamped on them. The officers mostly wear moustaches dyed black. They carry canes with which they rap on the tables when there is an unusual amount of boisterousness and shout: "Order, gentlemen."

The "special officers" look very fierce. They are mostly broken-down pugilists. If a customer gets very drunk and complains that the beer shuffler didn't give him the right change the "special officer" preserves peace by throwing the customer out into the street.

The Times, Philadelphia, 3 December 1886
Michael P. Walsh was most likely a "special officer" at the bar located in the Continental Hotel, a hotel for the elite, and not at a "concert dive". "Old Time Drinking Places of Philadelphia" stated that the Continental bar at Ninth and Chestnut, then under the control of the Kingsleys, was for "men about town". https://www.ushistory.org/philadelphia/ ... places.htm

Michael P. Walsh married Daisy B. Fox in Philadelphia in 1887 per a PA marriage index. Their marriage coincided with a new address, 1525 Cherry, in the Philadelphia city directory of 1888 and 1889, occupation of "police" and "clerk", respectively. From 1890 through 1899 the directory states that Michael P. Walsh was living at 2214 West Norris street. His occupation was a "porter", possibly still at the Continental Hotel. He owned this home as would put it up for sale in 1920: "2214 W. Norris St.—seven rooms, good condition, moderate price. Apply Walsh, owner, 2100 Market St.".

Their one daughter, Daisey, was born in Philadelphia on 17 July 1888. In searching Family Search for this record, I've learned that "Daisy" is a nickname for "Margaret", due to Marguerite, the French version of Margaret, is also a French name for the oxeye daisy (wikipedia).

In 1899, Michael P. Walsh would obtain a liquor license for a saloon across the Schuylkill River in West Philly, at 4412-14 Lancaster avenue. Philadelphia, a city founded by Quakers, was quite strict with their liquor licensing, restricting the total number of licenses granted, and issuing fines or revoking licenses for infractions such as selling liquor on Sundays. The Sunday restriction on alcohol was why so many of the blue collar workers of Philadelphia would enjoy their weekends in nearby Atlantic City. And also why we can track Michael P. Walsh's movements across Philadelphia:
LIQUOR CHANGES
Many Transfers Were Granted Yesterday by License Court Judges

At yesterday's session of the License Court Judges Wiltbank and McCarthy disposed of an unusually large number of applications pertaining to liquor license matters. There were in all eighty-three cases on the list, sixty-nine retail and twelve wholesale.
Retail Granted:
34th Ward: Christian Hoehn, 4412-14 Lancaster avenue to M.P. Walsh

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 November 1899
In the 1900 census, Michael Walsh, his wife Daisy E. Walsh (age 35), and daughter Daisy E. Walsh (age 11) are reported as living at 4410 Lancaster Avenue. His occupation was "saloon keeper" who rented the property. Michael Walsh was reported as age 41 and born in Ireland in February 1859 — amazingly accurate as his baptism was on 20 February 1859.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3W2-MMQ

Typically the saloons of Philadelphia were simply known by the owner's name, such as "Walsh's saloon". I suspect that Walsh's saloon had none of the images of leprechauns and shamrocks that are common place in a modern Irish pub in America. But Walsh's saloon did have a shuffle board. Apparently, shuffle board was very popular in America since the colonial period. And in Pennsylvania it was considered a game of skill and not chance, and thus legal. Shuffle-board championships were very popular and reported in the newspapers. Michael Walsh likely knew Joseph H. Fanning (1840 - 1900), an Irishman and vice president of the Hotel and Saloon-keeper's Union, who was the "undefeated champion of Pennsylvania, and willing to make a match with any man in America, for any amount of money, at any time or place."
WANT YOUNG MAN to attend shuffle board in saloon some experience preferred. M.P. Walsh. 4412 Lancaster avenue.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8 December 1900
Michael Walsh appears to have hired a young Irishman named Joseph Quigley, quite possibly from County Clare. We can't be sure of Michael Walsh's reasoning, but he decided to sell the shuffle board only about one year after hiring Quigley.
A SINGLE SHUFFLEBOARD in good order, for cash. Address 4412 Lancaster ave.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 February 1902
While Quigley had the job at Walsh's saloon, he tried to put some money away, but he had debts that no honest man could pay:
FOUND NEAR THE SAFE
Saloonkeeper Discovered Former Employee in His Place of Business

Discovered on Thursday evening in a room over the saloon of Michael P. Walsh, 4412 Lancaster avenue, Joseph Quigley, a young man of Cherry Street, below Sixteenth, fought desperately to escape. He was formerly employed at the place and the police charge that he went there for the purpose of committing robbery. In the room where he was found was a safe containing nearly $1,000.

The saloonkeeper went to the room about 6 o'clock in the evening to deposit the day's receipts in the safe, and after doing so he heard a noise, which resulted in the discovery of Quigley. The latter, after pleading with his former employer to allow him to go, fought for freedom and he and the saloonkeeper were rolling over each other on the floor when the bartender, attracted by the scuffle, reached the room. A policeman was summoned and he arrested Quigley, who was committed to jail yesterday by Magistrate Thornton pending another hearing.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, 29 November 1902
Michael Walsh appears to have struggled in hiring good employees for his saloon. His sister, Margaret Walsh Duncan, would hire their many Irish born nieces from three separate families to work at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City. But I doubt these same Irish families would allow their daughters to go to America and work at a saloon. Therefore, Michael Walsh had to frequently place want ads in the Philadelphia newspapers and you can sense his growing frustration:
WOMAN—Wanted, steady woman: plain cooking and downstairs work in saloon; small family; steady place; good wages. Apply 4412 Lancaster Ave.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 June 1903

HOUSEWORK—Wanted, competent steady woman to cook and general housework in saloon; small family; steady place and good wages; references. Apply Monday, 4412 Lancaster ave.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 19 March 1906
In June 1906, Michael Walsh obtained a new liquor license for a property at 2100 Market Street in the Ninth Ward. He would leave West Philly behind — in looking up his old address at 4412 Lancaster Avenue on google maps, this was a very wise decision.
LIQUOR LICENSES
OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS.
Philadelphia, June 26, 1906.

The following petitions for transfer of liquor licenses have been filed in this office...
RETAIL
Ninth Ward—Boyle, Michael. S.W. corner 21st and Market streets to Michael P. Walsh.
Thirty-fourth Ward—Walsh, Michael P.. 4412-14 Lancaster ave. to Michael J. Fay.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 June 1906
In the 1910 census, the Walsh family was living at 2100 Market Street. His daughter Daisy was reported as "Nox". The occupation of Michael Walsh was reported as "hotel proprietor + owner". He was a saloon keeper. Did he report to the census taker that he was as a hotel proprietor and owner because he had invested in 1906 with his sister Margaret Walsh to purchase the Hotel Continental in Atlantic City for $47,000?

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGCD-KGY

Michael Walsh is renting at 2100 Market Street in the 1910 census. In 1914 he would purchase the property:
Other Central Transactions

Record was made of the sale of the saloon property and three-story residence at 2100 Market street by Henry McGee to Michael P. Walsh for $39,000. There is a one-story brick shop in the rear. The property occupies a lot, 20 by 125 feet, at the southwest corner of Twenty-first and Market streets. The assessed value is $32,000.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 2 August 1914
The building at 2100 Market Street, now over a century old, has been remarkably well taken care of and the ground floor is now a Dunkin Donuts. The three-story building looks very similar to the two-story corner shop of James W. Halpin of Brooklyn, who, I'm fairly certain, is a first cousin of Michael P. Walsh (see page 27).
SW Corner of 21st and Market Streets, Philadelphia (google street view).jpg
SW Corner of 21st and Market Streets, Philadelphia (google street view).jpg (120.83 KiB) Viewed 9022 times

In city directories for Philadelphia throughout the 1910's, Michael P. Walsh was listed as "liquors, 2100 Market". Prohibition in the United States began on 17 January 1920. In the 1920 federal census, the Walsh family was still living at 2100 Market Street (owned, mortgaged), but his occupation was now "Merchant".
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF1H-53H

Surprisingly during Prohibition in Philadelphia, the retail and wholesale liquor merchants as well as breweries still had to pay for a liquor license under the state's Brooks License Law. However, under the federal Volstead Act, they were meant to only sell beverages of less than one-half of one percent alcohol, or "near beer". Any license transfers continued to be reported in the newspapers. In January 1922, Michael Walsh, who was 62 years old, would transfer the liquor license for 2100 Market to Michael McKane; he would retain ownership.

In the 1921 Philadelphia Business directory, Michael Walsh at 2100 Market Street was one of around one thousand merchants listed under the category "Soft Drinks". The "soft drink" business appears to have been fairly profitable for Michael Walsh. His daughter, Daisy Walsh, could afford a nice holiday to Bermuda in July 1921 to escape the summer heat of Philadelphia. And then from 20 March to 16 April 1922, the entire Walsh family took a West Indies cruise on the Megantic out of New York which included stops at Havana, Jamaica, Panama Canal, Venezuela, Windward and Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JNPQ-FJX

By 1921, the Walsh family has moved from living above their "soft drink" business to a home on 4522 Locust street in the Spruce Hill neighborhood of West Philadelphia.

What should not come as a shock to anyone, Michael P. Walsh was selling more than "soft drinks" at 2100 Market Street:
BREWERY OFFICIALS FACE ARREST WHILE POLICE RAID BARS
Surprise Drive Against Saloons in City Centre Yields Much Liquor

Criminal prosecutions were launched yesterday by Federal prohibition authorities against forty-one officials of ten breweries now under seizure. . . .

While this action was being taken by Federal officials, police were making one of the most comprehensive drives so far attempted on downtown saloons. Beginning at 7:30 A.M. a squad of thirty-five men kept at work most of the day, visiting more than a score of places and confiscating huge quantities of alleged liquor. Detective Beckman directed the raids.

The police raids came as a complete surprise to all the saloon owners and their patrons. Even when they were in full swing the news seemed to travel slowly, or else the "tipsters" thought each visitation would be the last. As a consequence the raiding party found plenty of customers as spectators at each place visited.

Long before noon patrol wagons loaded with barrels of alleged beer and cases containing all varieties of hard stuff were rolling toward Fifteenth and Locust streets station, which is one of the district headquarters abandoned under Director Butler's redistricting plan. Within a short time this looked like a wholesale liquor house, and passing motorists and pedestrians sniffed the air with a far-away look in their eyes.

The places raided by Detective Beckman's squad include the following:
(list including). . . Michael P. Walsh, Twenty-first and Market streets; . . .

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 30 August 1924
24 PADLOCK WRITS SOUGHT BY POLICE
Dry Goods and Cigar Stores, Several Restaurants and Saloons Are on List
Called Common Nuisances

A dry goods store, a cigar store, several restaurants, and saloons, are affected by the new petitions. The police department seeks to close these places on the ground that they have violated the common nuisance clause of the Snyder act, the State prohibition law. . . . Under the legal requirements, the owner of the establishment is given an opportunity to show cause at an open hearing why the padlock petition should not be granted.

The places named in the petitions are: (list of establishments)

John J. O'Malley, saloon, Twenty-first and Market streets; Thomas Daly, employee; Michael P. Walsh, owner.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 4 January 1925
That same month, "The American Stores Company has taken a ten years' lease on the first floor and basement of the premises 2100 Market street from M.P. Walsh". (Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 January 1925). He also sold two of his properties. A three-story dwelling, at the southwest corner of Twenty-first and Commerce streets, to S. Kravitz for $31,000, which was $14,000 in excess of the assessed valuation. (18 January 1925). Also, a two-story brick building at 2039 Ranstead Street was sold to J.J. Murphy for $26,000, which was also $14,000 in excess of assessed valuation (28 April 1925).

In late May or early June of 1925, the Walsh family took a trip to Ireland. On 17 July 1925, Michael P. Walsh (age 66), Daisy F. [Fox] Walsh (age 55) and their daughter Daisy E. Walsh (age 33) arrived in New York on the SS America from Cobh, Ireland. Michael Walsh would have had two sisters and one brother still living in County Clare. The Walsh family provided their address in Philadelphia as 6115 Columbia Avenue — they had moved once again.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX99-YJR

Less than one year after returning from their trip to Ireland, Daisy B. Walsh, married to Michael P. Walsh, died in Philadelphia on 6 June 1926 at the reported age of 51 (or about 1875). She was born in Ireland, and father reported as John Fox. Michael Walsh and Daisy Fox had married in 1887, so Margaret "Daisy" Fox was likely born closer to 1865, her age reflected in the 1900 census.

The 22 August 1926 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that "One of the leading deals in central city realty was the reported sale of the Michael P. Walsh estate property at the southwest corner of Twenty-first and Market streets. The buyer and consideration were not made public, but the property had been held for sale at $180,000. It is opposite the site of the proposed new Forrest Theatre, and is assessed at $62,000. The lot, which is 21 by 125 feet is improved with a three-story building."

The sale appears to have fallen through. Michael P. Walsh was still living at the time of the attempted sale, despite the seller being identified as "Michael P. Walsh estate". He appears to have hired an estate planner and administrators to look after his only daughter Daisy in the event of his death. Similar to how Margaret Walsh Duncan in Atlantic City had set up a trust fund for her husband.

In the 1928 Atlantic City directory, Michael P. Walsh and his daughter Daisy had moved to 7 South Swarthmore Avenue in Ventnor City. About a twenty minute walk from his sister Margaret Walsh Duncan at 105 South Cambridge Avenue. Michael Walsh (age 69) and his daughter Daisy (age 40) were still living a 7 South Swarthmore Avenue in the 1930 census:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X487-G2V

Most likely Michael P. Walsh died prior to the sale of his property in 1936. "2100 Market St., ground rent in principal sum of $125,000 on said premises, has been sold by Herbert F. Diener & Co. for the Fidelity Philadelphia Trust Co., James McG. Mallie and Daisy E. Walsh, executors and trustees of the of the estate of Michael P. Walsh to the estate of Thomas Potter, Jr. The property has a frontage of 20 feet on Market st. and a depth of 125 feet along 21st st. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 December 1936).

In the 1940 census, Daisy Walsh, a school teacher at a private school, was renting an apartment at 111 Marston Avenue in a six-story apartment building right on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The same apartment address was often reported as 111 South Cambridge Avenue. It is only three or four houses from where Margaret Walsh Duncan was living when she died on 1 October 1928 .

Michael P. Walsh was not one of the three surviving siblings reported in the obituary of his brother Thomas J. Walsh of Oklahoma who died in January 1939. Most likely he died prior to 1936, but I cannot find a death record or his obituary. "Michael P Walsh 1859 — " shares the same headstone as "Daisy B Walsh 1868 — 1926" at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Montgomery County, just outside of Philadelphia.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155 ... el-p-walsh
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/155 ... sy-b-walsh

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Mon Nov 23, 2020 7:41 am

On 17 July 1925, arriving in New York on the SS America from Cobh, Ireland were Michael P. Walsh (age 66), Daisy Fox Walsh (age 55) and their daughter Daisy E. Walsh (age 33). Their trip did beg the question if Margaret Walsh Duncan (1867 - 1928) was also ever able to return to Ireland to visit her two sisters and one brother still living in County Clare.
Mr. and Mrs. T. Parks Duncan, proprietors of the Continental Hotel, have sailed for Europe for a three-month tour of England, Ireland, France, Italy and Spain. They will not return before Easter.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 27 December 1925
Arriving back in New York on the SS Leviathan out of Cherbourg, France, were T. Parks Duncan and Margaret Duncan. Their last permanent address was the Hotel Continental, Atlantic City, New Jersey. T. Parks Duncan (age 54) born in New Castle, Delaware on 8 August 1871. Margaret Duncan (age 56) was a U.S. citizen by marriage; passport #132241.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXL7-DM5

The SS Leviathan arrived in New York on 27 January 1926, it was 36 hours late due to an Atlantic storm. The ship had left Cherbourg on 19 January 1926. T. Parks Duncan and Margaret Walsh Duncan had returned to America early, possibly spending less than two weeks in Europe. Very tragic that Margaret Walsh Duncan was so close to her native Ireland, but, I reckon, would not have had the time to go there. If they had gone to Ireland, they would have more likely left on a ship from Cork and not Cherbourg. Perhaps illness was the most likely explanation? Her father-in-law, Captain George W. Duncan, had died the prior year in January 1925; but perhaps they or another Duncan relative had become ill, necessitating an early return? Margaret Walsh Duncan, who had provided excellent hospitality to her guests at the Continental Hotel in Atlantic City over decades, was not able to enjoy her three month Grand European Tour. Incredibly sad.

Although Margaret Walsh Duncan would never make it to Italy, by returning early on the SS Leviathan, she might have caught a glimpse of a 30 year old Italian by the name of Rodolfo Guglielmi.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXL7-ZTL

The fact that Margaret Walsh Duncan had planned a three-month Grand European Tour, has made me reconsider the "trip to Ireland" made by the Michael P. Walsh family in 1925. An important clue that there might have been more to this trip than simply visiting relatives in Ireland, can be found in my stamp collection. Italy issued a series of six stamps in 1924 — see below. The six "Anno Santo 1925" stamps were to commemorate the upcoming Holy Year 1925 pilgrimage to Rome. They depict the four basilicas that Catholic pilgrims were required to visit; one stamp of the Pope at the beginning of the Holy Year taking a silver hammer to break open the sealed "holy door" at one of the basilicas; and finally one stamp of the Pope at the end of the Holy Year using a silver trowel to seal up a "holy door" at one of the four basilicas.

Italy stamps, 1925 Anno Santo (Holy Year).jpg
Italy stamps, 1925 Anno Santo (Holy Year).jpg (226.76 KiB) Viewed 8859 times

Millions of Catholic pilgrims attended the Holy Year of 1925. Many of the Irish Americans going on the pilgrimage to Rome would likely have included a trip to Ireland before returning home to America. Philadelphia would send a very large number of Holy Year pilgrims to Rome in 1925:
500 ROME PILGRIMS START VOYAGE AMID TUMULTUOUS ADIEUS
Thousands Throng Pier as Holy Year Tourists Depart on Ohio
By Richard J. Beamish

Old Glory mingled with the gold and white Papal flag at 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon as two bands played their mightiest, and as thousands of relatives and friends shouted farewells to more than 500 Catholic pilgrims Romeward bound for a visit to the Vatican in devout observance of the Holy Year.

As the Royal Mail steamship Ohio swung into midstream from its berth at the foot of Washington avenue [Philadelphia], every inch of space along the pier that would give footing became alive with waving flags. The Ohio, fairly beaming with vari-colored bannerets, called a hoarse good-bye through its big-throated siren. The bugles of St. Monica's cadets sang golden notes across the stream. The band of St. Philip's Boys' Battalion on the ferry boat Haddonfield, chartered by the Philadelphia Tourist Club, sent the blood tingling with a merry air. The noonday sun vied with the white and gold of the myriad Papal flags as Monsignor Nevin F. Fisher, spiritual director of the pilgrimage, stood bare-headed at the stern, and let the voyage in a parting cheer.

Many From Other Places in Party
For the most part, the pilgrims came from Philadelphia, but some came from up-State towns and even from other States. Shenandoah, Mahoney City, Tamaqua and other Schuylkill county towns were especially represented. A number of dignitaries of the Church were in the party and a large representation of priests and nuns.

The Tourists Club, with James A. Freeman and John A. Crowley at its head, accompanied the Ohio to the Pennsylvania State lane at Chester where the ferryboat broke out a final salute of flags and a last salvo of cheers. By that time the pilgrims had found their steamer chairs, their cabins and had made their dining room seating arrangements for the long voyage. The seasoned ocean travelers had aided the neophytes to make themselves comfortable.

Cardinal to Present Party to Pope
Several of the lectures will concern the life and works of the Carmelite nun, known to the Catholic world as "The Little Flower" whose canonization as Saint Therese, of Lisieux on Sunday, May 17, in St. Peter's will be witnessed by the pilgrims.

Cardinal Dougherty, who sailed last week for Rome, will present the pilgrims to Pope Pius XI. They also will have the good fortune to witness and hear the participation by the Cardinal in the canonization ceremony for the Saint to whom he has a special devotion.

Steamer Sets River Record
The Ohio, as it left the pier, was the heaviest-laden ship ever to make the trip down the Delaware. It is of 19,000 tons burden. Under the direction of Captain W.H. Parker the departure on the scheduled minute was accomplished smoothly and without untoward incident.

Former State Senator John J. Coyle, a papal chamberlain, is president of the pilgrimage. He will lead visits to the four basilicas in Rome set apart for devotion during the Holy Year. These are St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Paul's Outside the Wall and St. Mary Major.

The first stop of the pilgrims will be at the island of Madeira on May 5. An opportunity will be given for a brief trip through the beautiful town. Gibraltar will be the next stop, on May 7, and there will be an excursion ashore. There will be another break in the voyage when the Ohio calls at Algiers on May 9. The pilgrims will say good-bye to the ship on May 11 when Naples is reached.

After two days sightseeing in Naples and its magnificent environs, a train will be taken May 13 to Rome. Visits to the four basilicas and the audience with the Pope will follow a schedule to be worked out after Msgr. Fisher shall have conferred with Cardinal Dougherty.

Cardinal Devoted to Saintly Nun
The Cardinal's devotion to "The Little Flower" dates back to the time when he was Bishop of Jolo in the Philippines. A Carmelite nun there requested him to bring a message to a sister of the same order in Philadelphia. His visit to the Philadelphia convent resulted in a conversation about the young nun who died November 30, 1897, at the age of 24, in Lisieux, France. So impressed was he with her saintly character that he placed a collection he was about to be placed under her protection. The success of that undertaking was prodigious. He interested the Pope in the remarkable career of Therese. The Cardinal's argument was to such good purpose that he was called to celebrate mass in the Lisieux convent on the occasion of the beatification April 29, 1923.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%A9r ... nonization
https://www.littleflower.org/therese/life-story/

Pope's Invitation Inspired Trip
The pilgrimage goes to Rome in response to this invitation by the Pope:
"Nothing remains to us now, beloved children, but to ask you all most lovingly to Rome, that you may profit by the treasures which Holy Mother Church holds out to you. And do not delay, in these times when all are hastening after material gain, to hasten also for faith and duty of conscience . . . (another four paragraphs) . . .

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 April 1925
Holy Year pilgrims would arrive in Rome throughout 1925 from all over the world. Philadelphia did appear to have had a large number of pilgrims compared to other U.S. cities. The "special devotion" of Cardinal Dougherty of Philadelphia to the canonization of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux on 17 May 1925 likely led to the high number of Philadelphians going to Rome.

Below is a photo of about 200 or so Holy Year pilgrims on the deck of the SS Ohio taken on 2 May 1925. The source is the website of the Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:
https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show ... 1%2C0.4156

Philadelphia Pilgrimage to Rome, SS Ohio, 2 May 1925.jpg
Philadelphia Pilgrimage to Rome, SS Ohio, 2 May 1925.jpg (47.97 KiB) Viewed 8859 times

The digital image on the website allows you to zoom in on the individual passengers. But even if we had a photo of Michael P. Walsh and his wife and daughter to compare to, I have some doubts that the Walsh family was part of this official pilgrimage to Rome. Michael P. Walsh was a saloon keeper. His saloon at the corner of 21st and Market streets had been raided by the police in August 1924. And then in January 1925, his saloon was closed under the "common nuisance clause". Would Michael P. Walsh have been welcome to join the Rome pilgrimage tour group out of Philadelphia?

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sat Feb 20, 2021 9:00 am

The Irish Post Office did not issue any postage stamps for the 1925 Holy Year pilgrimage. However, they did so for the 1933 Holy Year and 1950 Holy Year, as below:
1933-34 Holy Year stamps of Ireland.jpg
1933-34 Holy Year stamps of Ireland.jpg (41.55 KiB) Viewed 8075 times
1950 Holy Year stamps of Ireland.jpg
1950 Holy Year stamps of Ireland.jpg (113.45 KiB) Viewed 8075 times

Regarding whether the saloonkeeper Michael P. Walsh would be welcome to attend the Philadelphia pilgrimage to Rome in 1925, I've considered this question more thoroughly. There are two separate questions, (1) would he be welcome? and (2) did he join the Philadelphia pilgrimage?

Firstly, the Catholic Church, both from Rome and the American bishops, viewed Prohibition as a political matter and took no official view. However, the "unofficial attitude of the Catholic people, clergy and laity alike" was unfriendly and skeptical of prohibition. This was from an old pamphlet "Prohibition, Yes or No!" (1930) by the Rev. John A. Ryan. His views had changed such that by 1925 he thought the prohibition was injurious to public welfare, and that the "noble experiment" was a complete failure.

Prohibition pamphlet by Rev. Ryan, source: Catholic Historical Research Center of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: https://omeka.chrc-phila.org/items/show ... 0&s=0&cv=0

Secondly, Michael P. Walsh had by January 1925 given up the saloon at 21st and Market streets. He leased the ground floor and basement to American Stores Company, a large and expanding grocery chain in Philadelphia. The prohibition pamphlet by Father Ryan didn't attack the saloon keepers. But even if he had, the central goal of the pilgrims going to Rome was to obtain a Jubilee indulgence.

Thirdly, the Michael P. Walsh family appears to have been socially well connected, not with "Old Philadelphia", but certainly within the Catholic community of Philadelphia. The evidence for this is that daughter Daisy Walsh was a student at Villa Maria Academy, a top Catholic school, run by the sisters of the Immaculate Heart. Located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, about 25 miles west of Philadelphia, Daisy Walsh would have been a boarding student. She graduated in 1907:
MEDALS AWARDED AT VILLA MARIA

WEST CHESTER. June 25.—The closing feature of the annual commencement of the Convent of the Immaculate Heart, Villa Maria, in this place, last evening, was the awarding of medals and other tokens of appreciation to those selected for the honors.

The following young women, having reached a term average of 96 or more, were entitled to draw for the General Average Medal awarded in the Graduating Class: Miss Daisy E. Walsh, Miss Gladys Wilbraham, Miss Edith Meade. Medal was won by Miss Daisy E. Walsh, Philadelphia.

The following young women were entitled to draw for the gold medal in Christian doctrine: Miss Daisy E. Walsh, Miss Katherine Hastings, Miss Gertrude Caldwell. Medal was won by Daisy E. Walsh.

The following young women were entitled to draw for the gold medal in mathematics: Misses Daisy E. Walsh, Gladys Wilbraham, Edith W. Meade. Medal was won by Miss Gladys Wilbraham, Chicago, Illinois.

The following young women were entitled to draw for the gold medal crayon drawing: Misses Daisy E. Walsh, Katherine Hastings, Regina Sullivan, Edith Meade, Gladys Wilbraham, Marguerite Campbell, Regina Flannery, Ada Arundel, Helen Carsley, Gertrude Caldwell, Elizabeth McGrath. Medal was won by Miss Ada Arundel, Philadelphia.

The following young women were entitled to draw for the elocution medal: Misses Daisy E. Walsh, Marguerite Campbell, Ada Arundell. Medal was won by Miss Daisy E. Walsh.

. . . (other medals awarded, that Daisy Walsh was not entitled to the drawing, included "Spencerian penmanship", "ornamental pen drawing", and "amiability, politeness, and correct deportment") . . .

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 26 June 1907, page 3
The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart had an interesting method of awarding medals, for most categories they picked the top three students and had a drawing to choose the winner. Daisy Walsh got very lucky and won three medals. Was surprised that crayon drawing had already made it into the curriculum as crayola crayons had only been invented in 1903. It would be interesting to compare the American and Irish curriculum for girls during the early 20th century. Daisy Walsh was 18 years old when she graduated in 1907 from the Villa Maria academy. Her Irish cousins back in County Clare appear to have been "scholars" through 16 years old according to the 1911 Irish census. Her 17 year old cousin Josephine Brady was a "monitress" in 1911 which sounds like it may have been associated with the national schools.

Another indication that Michael P. Walsh was socially well connected in the Catholic community of Philadelphia were the frequent cablegrams that were sent home during the Holy Year pilgrimage. George W. Crowley, the lay organizer of the trip, would send cablegrams to his son, John A. Crowley, the president of the Philadelphia Tourist Club. The Walsh family, like many middle class Philadelphians, had moved out of the central city in the early 1920's to the suburbs. Their residential unit on the second and third floors at 2100 Market street was rented out to John A. Crowley, as noted in the below cablegrams:
PILGRIMS AT MADEIRA
Cablegram Announces Safe Arrival of Philadelphia Holy Year Party


The Philadelphia delegation of Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome to take part in the Holy Year celebration, reached Madeira on the steamship Ohio on Tuesday, according to the cablegram received from George W. Crowley, 1237 North Sixtieth street, secretary of the Lay Papal Dignitaries Committee.

Mr. Crowley cabled his son, John A. Crowley, 2100 Market street, of his arrival. The cable read "Arrived safely at Madeira. Had a wonderful visit. Leaving for Gibraltar. Everything running smoothly." The pilgrims expect to reach Rome on May 12. They left this city April 27.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 7 May 1925, page 8
PILGRIMS REACH PARIS
One Group to Tour Ireland, Other Sails for Home June 6


According to a cablegram received by John Crowley, 2100 Market street, from his father George W. Crowley, secretary of the Philadelphia Pilgrimage to Rome, the party of 270 Philadelphians arrived safely in Paris yesterday noon. Mr. Crowley said the party intended dividing itself into two units, one unit to make an extended trip to Ireland, the other to set sail for home June 6. The latter party is expected to arrive in this city June 16.
The Philadelphia Inquirer, 3 June 1925, page 7
George W. Crowley would leave Cherbourg on the Orca on the 6th of June, and not continue to Ireland.
120 MORE PILGRIMS BACK FROM ROME
Philadelphia Catholics Profoundly Impressed by Visits to Famed Shrines
Last of Company to Sail from Queenstown Sunday, After Touring Green Isle


"An appreciation of the glory and the grandeur of the Catholic Church was far and above the most significant impression of our Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome."

This was the comment of George W. Crowley, secretary of the lay papal dignitaries' committee in charge of the pilgrimage which left Philadelphia on the S.S. Ohio, on April 27, on his return yesterday morning on the Royal Mail packer Orca and arrived in Philadelphia yesterday afternoon.

By a special dispensation, the local pilgrims were permitted to complete their visit in Rome in seven days, instead of ten, and spent the remainder of the time visiting famous old cities of Italy and France, stopping particularly at the famed cathedrals. . .

Mr. Crowley admitted that the maitres d'hotels, the guides and the shopkeepers had their own prices for their cousins from the Western Hemisphere, and they were not reduced ones. . .

The remainder of the pilgrims, who are now touring England and Ireland, will sail from Queenstown on Sunday night, on the Orduna, and will arrive at New York late next week.

The Philadelphia Inquirer, 17 June 1925, page 9
The Orduna did indeed arrive in New York the following week on 23 June 1925:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX9M-RPH

The Michael P. Walsh family arrived back in New York on the SS America one month later on 17 July 1925. While they could have spent extra time visiting relatives in Ireland, it is looking very unlikely that the Walsh's were traveling with the Philadelphia Holy Year pilgrimage tour. In looking on the passenger listing of those who visited Ireland and returned on the Orduna on 23 June 1925, they were most nearly all American born Irish-Americans. But the real clincher was taking a second look at the passenger listing of the SS America returning on 17 July 1925, where it states "passport taken out Washington, 14, May, 1925" for each Walsh family member. They could not have been with the Philadelphia pilgrimage tour group that left Philadelphia on the 27 April 1925.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX99-YJR

However, I reckon that the Michael P. Walsh family did go to Rome on a Holy Year pilgrimage, but they just went independently one month later. It is possible that the Walsh family only went to Ireland, I suppose, but given their wealth, I think a larger European trip was more likely. In 1904, when Henry McNamara (1876 - 1909) left Pittsburgh to return to Ireland (see page 14, and page 18), we know he only had $200 to his name. And both his parents, James McNamara and Margaret Bowles, were still living. So, of course, Henry McNamara only went back to Ireland to visit family. However, the Michael P. Walsh family had loads of money having just sold two properties and signed a new lease for the 2100 Market street property. While Michael Walsh had three siblings remaining in County Clare, his widowed mother had died in 1905. His wife Daisy Fox likely had some relatives in Ireland. But would they spend two months or so visiting relatives back in Ireland?

Especially thinking of their daughter, who, I reckon, would be very bored if spending months visiting relatives in Ireland. Ballynahinch townland had no electricity in 1925. Daisy would have wanted to go to the Continent like the rest of the Philadelphians on the Rome pilgrimage, and she may have felt confident enough to travel there without joining a large tour group. Daisy had already taken a Grand European Tour in 1913 with three friends and a chaperone, so she would have been a good tour guide for her parents. The Philadelphia Inquirer of 28 June 1913 reported: "Off for Europe: Sailing on the Red Star Line steamer Lapland from New York for Antwerp today are the following from Philadelphia." A listing of about 40 names included Miss Agnes J. Kelly [age 45], Miss Daisy Walsh [age 23], Miss Carrie Meyer [age 23], Miss Martha Raleigh [age 19]. Their ages were as recorded when the Lapland arrived in Dover on 6 July 1913 per the UK Incoming Passenger listings. After touring around Europe, Daisy Walsh and friends left Naples on the Saxonia and arrived in New York on 13 September 1913.

When the 1925 passport applications become available on-line, the mystery of whether or not the Michael P. Walsh family went to Rome on a Holy Year pilgrimage will be easily resolved.

The American born Daisy Walsh certainly appears to have been a bit spoiled compared to all her Irish born cousins from County Clare. A trip to Bermuda, a West Indies cruise with her parents, two lengthy trips to Europe. For Americans who had to read The Great Gatsby in high school, it is difficult given the Roaring Twenties era not to be reminded of Daisy Buchanan; but F. Scott Fitzgerald doesn't appear to have had any connection to the city of Philadelphia or to Daisy Walsh.

On the passenger listing for the SS America returning to New York on 17 July 1925, directly above the Walsh family were Irish born Elizabeth McNamara (age 35), and her two American born daughters Eileen (age 9) and Regina (age 8 ). Elizabeth McDonough had been a nurse in New Jersey and treated her future husband Reggie McNamara when he had broken his leg in a bicycle accident soon after arriving in the United States. They married in 1913. Reggie "Iron Man" McNamara (1887 - 1971) was born in Australia and one of the top riders in the six-day bicycle tours of the 1920's and 1930's. His grandparents were born in Ireland and immigrated to Australia. They were from County Tipperary (according to an Australian family tree / Australian records) and thus appear to have no connection to the missing Civil War soldier Thomas McNamara of Glandree or even to County Clare.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_McNamara

Sduddy
Posts: 1826
Joined: Sun Sep 26, 2010 10:07 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Sun Feb 21, 2021 11:30 am

Hi Jimbo

I came upon this item in the Clare Journal of Thur 15 Aug 1867. It reminded me of your posting, on page 2 of this thread, about Patrick Keane, who led Company C on a procession to a pic-nic, Buffalo, July 1869. It appears the pic-nic continued to be an annual event (for a while, anyway):

Clare Journal, Thur 15 Aug 1867 (source not given):
American Soldiers tried for Fenian Sympathies. Buffalo, N.Y., July 30. – By order of the Secretary of War the following officers have been detained on court-martial duty at Fort Porter: Colonel Hamilton, First Artillery; Captain Huxford, Forty-second Infantry; Captain Thying, First Artillery; Lieutenant Stewart, Fourth Artillery; Capt Payne, Forty-second infantry, Judge Advocate. The court assembled this morning, when 17 privates of Battery M, Fourth Artillery, were arraigned for parading in procession with a body of Fenians at their pic-nic. The prisoners are charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline. In the specification they are charged with joining, without authority, a Fenian festival, and discarding the uniform, or parts of the uniform, of the United States soldier, and dressing in the uniform, or parts of the uniform of a Fenian association; that they paraded with said association under arms, said Fenian association being an institution reported to be in armed hostility to the Government of Great Britain and Ireland, with which the United States is at peace – all this at Blackrock, New York, and on the 17th of July. These charges and specifications are signed by John Mendenhall, Brevet Colonel, Fourth Artillery.
Sheila

Jimbo
Posts: 591
Joined: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:43 am

Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Jimbo » Sun Feb 28, 2021 5:33 am

Hi Sheila,

The court martial of 17 privates of the Fourth Artillery at Camp Porter for attending a Fenian picnic in July 1867 was heavily reported in the USA, and also in Canada and the United Kingdom. Fifteen of the men were found guilty on the 5th of August and sentenced to 18 months, and the two others received only a reprimand. About two weeks later, the punishment was reduced to a forfeiture of $20 of their pay. "The Court expressed itself as being thus lenient in consideration of this being the first offence of the kind yet committed, and of the probability that the soldiers did not appreciate the gravity of the offence." I reckon this generosity was more likely due to General John E. Wool, a famous Civil War general, perhaps retired, attending a Fenian picnic in Troy, New York, on the 12th of August in the full uniform of his rank, and reviewing the Fenian soldiery. As one Buffalo newspaper reported, "What is sauce for the private goose is sauce for the shoulder-strapped gander, and Gen. Wool should be held to strict account." Instead, the soldiers who attended the Buffalo picnic received a lenient sentence.

There was a second event in July 1867 involving the Fenian Brotherhood of Buffalo that received the same international press; often reported together. This was the funeral of a Fenian named John Lynch who had been wounded during the 1866 Fenian invasion of Canada and died in Buffalo on 27 July 1867.
Fenians and the Church—Funeral of the Fenian Sergeant Lynch—Father Gleason Refuses to Administer the Last Rites in the Cathedral
[From the Buffalo Express]

Sergeant John Lynch, of Captain Grace's company of Fenians from Cincinnati, who was wounded in the groin at the battle of Limestone Bridge, June 2nd, 1866, died in the Hospital of the Sisters of Charity last Saturday morning

Yesterday afternoon an uniformed body of Fenians, designated as the Seventh Regiment, I.R.A., assembled at 1 o'clock in No. 41 Pearl street, for the purpose of burying the body with military honors. The troop left the armory between three and four hundred strong, accompanied by Young's Brass Band, and marched to the Hospital, where the body was placed in Mr. Crowley's hearse by six Fenian sergeants. The regiment then reformed and escorted the remains down Main street to Court street, thence to Franklin street, halting in front of St. Joseph's Cathedral, at about 3 o'clock.

It is said that a committee of Fenians, consisting of Messrs. [Frank B] Gallagher, Walen [James Whelan], and [William] Clingen had waited on the Rev. Father Gleason, the Administrator of the Diocese, last Saturday evening, when they were given to understand that the funeral service could be performed in the Cathedral. [Gallagher and Whelan appear on the 1866 receipt for Fenian uniforms on page one]

In accordance with this understanding, the bearers, under the direction of the Sexton, conveyed the corpse into the church, Mr. Crowley then announced to Father Gleason that all was in readiness for the final prayers for the soul of the dead. The Prelate informed the Sexton that he could not perform the last rites unless the men in green uniforms should first leave the church.

On this answer being made known to those having the funeral charge, the pall bearers were at once ordered to take up the coffin and leave the church. They did so and were followed out by a large number of the friends of the deceased, and the uniformed portion of the Brotherhood who were present. The remains were placed in the hearse, after which the column proceeded along the Terrace to Main street, down Main to Ohio, out Ohio street towards Limestone Hill Cemetery as far as the Plank road, when all returned to the city but the party detailed to fire three volleys over the grave, and a few friends. The prayers at the grave were read by a layman, all present kneeling around the grave with uncovered heads.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, 1 August 1867, page 2
Two of the Fenians in Buffalo, F B Gallagher and James Whelan, we've already discovered at the start of the search for the missing Thomas McNamara of Glandee — see page 1.

Father William Gleeson of Buffalo was also reported in the 1870 federal census (see census on page four) as one of three Irish born Catholic priests in the household of American born Bishop Stephen Ryan. The other priests included Father Edward Quigley (age 61), who was ordained in Charleston, South Carolina in 1838 (see page four), and was on the same ship Emerald Isle in 1856 as Thomas McNamara (age 20) of Tullacrag, Tulla Parish (#10 on my listing of Thomas McNamara's of Tulla on page one). Father John Tuohy (age 63) was the brother of Jeremiah "Darby" Tuohy, the classical teacher of Killaloe who is discussed extensively on the forum here: http://www.ourlibrary.ca/phpbb2/viewtop ... f=1&t=6916

However, the story of the remaining Irish born priest in the 1870 census, Father William Gleeson (age 42), was a bit of a mystery.

Now I appreciate that the Catholic hierarchy, in both Ireland and the United States, was not supportive of the Fenian movement or to secret societies. But the Rev. William Gleeson appears to have had an extreme hatred of secret societies lasting decades:
FIRST WARD GIRLS
Monsignor Gleeson Tells Them it is Not Nice to Join Oath-Bound Societies


A number of young ladies are in a flutter over some remarks made by the Rev. Monsignor Gleeson in St. Bridget's pulpit last Sunday.

The Monsignor said it was not a nice thing for young Catholic girls to join an oath-bound society, and this was quite an interesting statement to several who have recently joined the Equitable Aid Union, a fraternal society that started a branch in the First Ward.

"I was in the church at the time," said John J. Hynes, "and heard the Monsignor, and of course everybody knew that he meant the Equitable Aid Union, for the names of several young Catholic ladies have recently been printed as officers of the society."

"Did he demand that they withdrew?"
"Oh, no. He simply said it was not a nice thing for them to join a secret, oath-bound society."

"The church does not countenance secret societies?"
"No. Of course labor organizations are exempt, and in reference to fraternal societies that is a matter that all the Bishops are not agreed upon. It is a matter for their individual judgment. In one diocese a Bishop might advise against joining such societies, and in another it might be countenanced."

"Did the Monsignor advise all against joining the Equitable Aid Union?"
"No, he said nothing about the men."

"Is there anything of a religious nature about the society?"
"No. It is non-sectarian."
. . .
Buffalo Evening News, 27 March 1889, page 1
Why was Father Gleeson so obsessed with secret societies? I reckoned there must have been something in his childhood in Ireland that led Father Gleeson of Buffalo in 1867 to ban a Fenian funeral from taking place in a Catholic Church and twenty two years later in 1889 to discourage young Catholic women of the First Ward from joining what would appear to be a rather harmless fraternal aid society (one that obviously allowed women). But what?

Monsignor William Gleeson, Vicar General of the Buffalo diocese, died on 2 December 1895. His lengthy obituary in the Buffalo Courier of 3 December 1895 stated the "he was born in 1828 in Tipperary County, diocese of Killaloe, Ireland". "One brother survives Father Gleeson, a rich merchant in Thomas Street, Dublin. Another brother, a physician in Athlone, won wealth in weaving mills which he built in that town, and died some years ago" (in fact, Dr. Edward M. Gleeson died in Athlone on 26 August 1895, only some months prior).

While the obituary failed to mention any sisters, his last will dated 14 August 1892 left the "balance of my property to my sisters Ellen and Ann Gleeson, who reside in Ireland" and did not mention his two wealthy brothers or their descendants. The will first provided that "five dollars to each and every priest, who may attend my funeral, to say one mass for the repose of my soul" and also several Catholic charities.

Unfortunately, his sister Ann Gleeson had died on 2 July 1895, "late of Kilcolman" per Irish probate, and the will of Monsignor Gleeson had not been updated to reflect her death. This meant, according to New York probate law, that all surviving relatives (any siblings not named in the will, also nephews & nieces of deceased siblings) could participate in the estate. They were listed out in detail in a Buffalo newspaper article entitled, "Msgr. Gleeson's Will" (Buffalo Morning Express, 3 March 1896). This detail allowed the origins of Father William Gleeson to be traced back to Kilcolman townland in Youghalarra Parish in Tipperary.

His surviving sister Ellen Gleeson in the 1901 Irish census was age 82, living in Kilcolman townland:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... n/1700110/

Monsignor Gleeson's brother, "the rich merchant in Thomas Street, Dublin", was reported in the "Msgr Gleeson's Will" article as "Patrick M. Gleeson, brother, No. 28 Thomas Street, Dublin". 28 Thomas Street is currently "Arthur's Pub" and their website has some nice photos and history: https://www.arthurspub.ie
In the 1901 census, Patrick Gleeson was a wine merchant and living on the Glenegeary Road in Dublin:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... d/1321469/
In civil records his home was called "Kilcolman House", obviously named after Kilcolman townland in Tipperary. A neighbor, Andrew Wrenn, on the Glenegeary Road was a fellow Thomas Street merchant, and they lived in "twin" homes built by the same architect. "Name That Building", a blog by Aisling Dunne, an archivist at Irish Architectural Archives, has done extensive research on these two homes and their architect. Unfortunately, "Kilcolman House" was demolished, the modern development is called "Kilcolman Court", but there are nice photos of the surviving twin house on the very interesting blog.
https://iarc.ie/name-that-building/

The five surviving children of Dr. Edward M. Gleeson and Harriet Simpson also became eligible to partake in the Monsignor William Gleeson estate. Dr. Edward Gleeson had founded the Athlone Woolen Mills in County Westmeath in 1859 and died in 1895 a very wealthy man. His English born daughter was Evelyn Gleeson, who along with Elizabeth Yeats and Lily Yeats, founded the Dun Emer Press in 1902.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Gleeson

The wikipedia biography states that Evelyn Gleeson was the cousin of "T. P. Gill", but this is only accurate under a very loose definition of "cousin". Thomas Patrick Gill was the editor of the Catholic World newspaper in New York and later became the MP for South Louth. His brother, Robert P. Gill, was married to Margaret Mary Stephens, the daughter of Patrick Henry Stephens and Honora Gleeson. Evelyn Gleeson was a first cousin of Margaret Mary Stephens who married the brother of T.P. Gill, but was not his first cousin. The children of Honora Gleeson Stephens, who died in 1891, were listed as relatives in the "Msgr Gleeson's Will" article as they became eligible to partake in Monsignor Gleeson's estate due to the death of his sister Anne.

The resolution of the estate of Monsignor William Gleeson in Buffalo became a bit of a hullabaloo — exactly how many Catholic priests attended his funeral to receive five bucks? It was not settled until 1902, the year that Evelyn Gleeson founded the Dun Emer Press.

When Dr. Edward M. Gleeson died in 1895, his estate, valued over £100,000, bequeathed £5,000 to each of his four daughters, an annual payment of £1,000 to his wife, and the residue of his property, including his share in the Athlone Woolen Mills to his only surviving son, Gerald W. M. Gleeson (The Guardian, 26 November 1895). Gerald Gleeson has a connection to County Clare as he purchased Tinerana House in Ogonnelloe Parish which had been owned by the Purdon family. Gerald William Moloney Gleeson, of Tinerana, gentleman, married, age 40 years, died on 28 October 1906 (Scariff registration). His widow, and two children were living at Tinerana House in the 1911 census.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/p ... ry/367946/

In the 1855 Griffith Valuation, a Michael Gleeson of Kilcolman townland, Youghalarra parish in County Tipperary occupied Plot 1a; house, offices, and land, amounting to 43 acres with a valuation of over £43; lessor was "Reps. of Mrs. W. Finch". He sublet Plots 1b,c,d to three neighbors consisting of a house and garden. Michael Gleeson was the father of the Rev. William Gleeson. Evidence being the English marriage record of Edward M Gleeson, surgeon, age 38, of Knutsford, who married Henriette Simpson in 1854 at the Catholic cathedral in Manchester; his father was reported as Michael Gleeson, gentleman.

William Gleeson, the future Vicar General of the Buffalo Diocese, was about 18 years old in 1846.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY—TIPPERARY—The threats of a "coercion act" have as yet produced no effect on the old race of agrarian disturbers. Every day's report from the midland counties produces new proofs of this established point. In the Nenagh paper of this morning, there are the following records on this subject.—

On Sunday evening last, about the hour of six o'clock five armed men, with their faces blackened, entered by rushing into the house of Mr. Michael Gleeson, of Kilcoleman, within four miles of Nenagh—they then placed all the inmates on their faces upon the floor—some of them remained in the room as sentries—others went through the house searching for arms, in which they were successful, having got two guns and some powder, which they carried off, firing shots on their departure.

The Morning Post, London, 20 February, 1846
In the House of Commons of 30 March, 1846, the "Protection of Life (Ireland) Bill", a coercion act, was discussed in length after objections by several members. William Smith O'Brien, then MP for Limerick, wished to postpone the measure as "it was bad policy, when the people were starving, to press such a measure forward with so much haste." Discussion of the coercion act went ahead, including a large number of examples of crime in Ireland, including the attack on the Michael Gleeson family:
. . . I shall trouble the house [of Commons] with one more case. This is a remarkable case, which shows in the strongest light, and under circumstances the most atrocious, the fear which pervades every member of the family attacked, and which prevents each from giving any evidence against the persons guilty of such savage acts. At 7 or 8 o'clock on a morning in February, a party of men, all armed with bludgeons, entered the house of Michael Gleeson, who was in bed, as also were the rest of his family, except a daughter of his, who opened the door. The party entered, and drew him out of his bed, and inflicted two wounds on his hand. Gleeson had a son, who slept in the same room, and on hearing the uproar, the latter got out of bed, and was immediately attacked on his opposing the ingress of the party. Mind, this was at eight o'clock in the morning. The son offered some resistance; but, after some struggling, the party forced their way into the room, and treated him in a manner similar to that in which they treated his father, inflicting three severe cuts on his head. They then made an attack upon the house, and destroyed all the furniture. The cause of this was, that Gleeson, three years ago, came into the possession of land, of which a man was dispossessed for non-payment of rent. This [the Gleeson's] was a house inhabited by a father with his five sons. Though the five [Gleeson] sons were present, not one of them informed the police of this occurrence, though, as the informant states, the daughter and one of the sons could have given sufficient evidence to convict the parties concerned. The resident magistrate (Mr. O'Hea), in speaking of these matters, says "Such is the system of terror in this district that my belief is, that if the gang had murdered old Gleeson, not one of his family would have ventured to point out the offenders, or would have come forward to vindicate the law." (Hear, hear). . . .

The Daily News, London, 31 March 1846, page 4
There was a discrepancy between the two newspaper accounts whether the Gleeson attack of February 1846 occurred at 6 o'clock in the evening or else 7 or 8 o'clock in the morning. I'd of thought an evening attack more likely. Also, that Michael Gleeson had five sons home at the time? More likely, that he had five sons and daughters home during the attack? His son, Edward M. Gleeson, was already living in Knutsford, Cheshire, England in the 1851 census, where he was reported as born in Ireland, 34 years old, single, and "Member of the R.C.S. London . . .". Most likely already a doctor by 1846 (or a medical student) and thus unlikely to be living in Kilcolman townland when the attack occurred.

There were further attacks in 1846 that Father Gleeson of Buffalo would also have been surely aware. In the 1855 Griffith Valuation for Kilcolman townland, "Reps. of Mrs. W Finch" was reported as the primary lessor for not only Michael Gleeson of plot 1, but for each of the five plots of the townland. Mrs. Finch of Kilcoleman was attacked in 1846 coming home from Nenagh church:
IRELAND.
The accounts from the North Riding of Tipperary show no symptoms of improvement, the local papers, as usual, furnishing a fearful catalogue of agrarian outrage of every kind, save the actual commission of the worst crime. The following is the account of the attack on Mrs. Finch, of Kilcoleman, as supplied by the Tipperary Vindicator

As Mrs. Finch, of Kilcoleman, was proceeding home, from Nenagh Church on Sunday, her carriage was met at the cross of Solsborough by three men, one of whom was armed with a pistol; the others were without arms. The coachman, perceiving that they were approaching, quickly drove on, when one of the fellows went to the horses' heads, and another to the windows of the carriage, whilst a third stood at a short distance looking on. Mrs. Finch was accompanied by her sister, Miss Parker. The man who went to the carriage window said he had a notice for Mrs. Finch to turn away Quinlisk, her steward, and handed in a paper. Mrs. Finch immediately rejected it, stating that she would not be dictated to as to what she should do with those in her employment. It appears that she had been more than once warned before to dismiss the steward, who, we have heard, is a faithful servant. The notice was then handed to Miss Parker, in order, it is supposed, that she would retain and give it to Mrs. Finch to read; but Miss Parker determinedly threw it out of the window, and in the meantime the coachman made every effort to drive on the horses, most spirited animals, when the man at the horses' head fired of a pistol at the horses. One of the slugs with which it was loaded penetrated the coachman's leg, whilst others of the slugs went through his coat. No further injury was inflicted but Mrs. Finch and Miss Parker, very naturally, were greatly frightened. There were many persons on the road at the moment. Immediate chase was given to the three fellows, two of whom were returned in the direction of Nenagh, and one of whom actually went through the town, passed one of the police stations, and was taken in one of the most crowded thoroughfares by the police. Another was pursued by Mrs. Finch's herd's son and the coachman. In going over a wall in a field belonging to Mr. Kilkelly, he fell and fractured his ankle, which was subsequently reduced by Dr. Quin, the physician in the county gaol, where two of the prisoners, namely, Joseph Spain and John Hogan, both of whom were very drunk, had been lodged. We understand that Spain's brother was tried at the last assizes for appearing in arms by night, and was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. Hogan, we are assured, has been frequently in custody upon suspicion, and many charges brought against him, but none have been proved. The third person has not yet been discovered, but the police are in active search for him.

The Ipswich Journal, Suffolk, England, 7 November 1846, page 3
John Hogan pleaded guilty. A jury found Joseph Spain guilty in March 1847. Both were transported for fourteen years, presumably to Australia.

Now everything makes perfect sense why Father Gleeson would not allow a Fenian funeral at the Buffalo cathedral in 1867, and why Monsignor Gleeson warned against joining secret societies in March 1889. Monsignor Gleeson would return to Ireland in August 1889 and his comments upon his return to Buffalo are very telling:
Monsignor William Gleeson, of Buffalo (who was born in Nenagh, county Tipperary), has arrived in Ireland on a visit to his friends, after an absence of forty years.
The Freeman's Journal, Dublin, 26 August 1889
"One thing that impressed me greatly in Ireland," Monsignor Gleeson said to me in a chat about his trip to his native land, "was the great scarcity of tilled land. The fields looked as green as an emerald, and everywhere I went I saw grazing lands." Father Gleeson, who is Vicar-General of this diocese, went abroad 3½ months ago, suffering somewhat in health and considerably with his eyes, and I am very glad to note that he is quite recovered. He told me that another thing that came under his observation and which gave him great pleasure was that there is much more fraternal feeling among the people of Ireland now than there was when he left there 41 years ago.

The Buffalo Sunday Morning News
, 17 November 1889
Monsignor Gleeson's comment in 1889 how Ireland had a "much more fraternal feeling" was set against a very low bar given that the Gleeson family of Kilcolman townland and their neighbor Mrs. Finch had been attacked in 1846.

What I found most interesting was Monsignor Gleeson's comment about the Irish landscape. Very few Irish immigrants who left for America at the time of the Great Famine would have the opportunity, or perhaps desire, to return to Ireland. And fewer still would have documented observations about their trip. I suspect that few modern day visitors to Ireland, descendants of famine immigrants, appreciate that the lush green Irish landscape, used now almost exclusively for grazing, would not be familiar to their Irish ancestors who tilled the land.

Back to 1867, when the funeral of John Lynch was not allowed by Father Gleeson to take place at St. Joseph's cathedral in Buffalo, the funeral party made their way towards Limestone Hill Cemetery. Ironic that John Lynch was wounded at the Battle of Limestone Ridge (also known as the Battle of Ridgeway) in 1866 and was buried at the Limestone Hill Cemetery in 1867. The cemetery in Lackawanna was a considerable distance out of Buffalo; and from the obituary, most of the funeral party didn't make it that far. Perhaps many had stopped at Patrick Kane's saloon at 286 Ohio Street (see photos on page 1) which was along the way. There were two cemeteries at Limestone Hill, one for paupers called "Howard Cemetery" and "Limestone Hill Cemetery", which was later named Holy Cross Catholic cemetery .

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175 ... john-lynch

After the burial of John Lynch, the Fenian Brotherhood of Buffalo did not hide their displeasure at the conduct of Father William Gleeson:
At a meeting of the Fenian Brotherhood of Buffalo, held at their hall, 41 Pearl street, on Wednesday evening, July 31st, preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted, expressive of the indignation of the members of the Brotherhood, at the conduct of Rev. Wm. Gleason of St. Joseph's Cathedral, in refusing to perform the funeral services of the Church over the remains of Sergeant John Lynch.

The Buffalo Evening Post, 2 August 1867, page 2

Sduddy
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Re: Information is wanted of Thomas McNamara, of Glandree,

Post by Sduddy » Tue Mar 02, 2021 12:04 pm

Hi Jimbo

Thank you for that interesting story, so well set out, explaining the Rev. Gleeson’s aversion to secret societies. And for explaining why the 17 men who wore parts to the US army uniform got off lightly - on account of sauce for the goose being sauce for the gander.
That sauce for the goose has gone a long way over the years - best sauce ever made - the pot can be drawn on again and again and never empties.

Sheila

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