Conclusions about the Maiden Name and Family Relationships of Mary, Wife of Michael Dyer and John Cox

When I traveled to Nashville, Tennessee last September, I did some research on my 3rd-great-grandmother Mary, the wife of Michael Dyer and John Cox. After examining my findings and doing additional research, I have come to some conclusions about her maiden name and family relationships.

In a deed registered on 25 June 1868, Mary, wife of Michael Dyer, conveyed land to "my Sister Bridget Long wife of John Long". (1) In a deed registered on 19 August 1868, Bridget Long conveyed land to "my Sister Mary Dyer". (2) These deeds establish that Mary and Bridget were sisters.

Bridget Allen married John S. Long on 17 November 1861 in Davidson County, Tennessee. (3) He was not her first husband. In 1860, 22-year-old Bridget Allen and 4-year-old Martin Allen lived in the household of Thomas and Sarah Fagan. (4) Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds had married in 1857. (5) Bridget's first husband was probably Michael Allen, who declared his intention to become a United States citizen on 23 March 1853 in Davidson County, Tennessee. (6) Mary's husband Michael Dyer declared his intention to become a United States citizen on the same date and in the same place. (7) Michael Dyer was from County Roscommon, Ireland. (8) Michael Allen was also from County Roscommon, Ireland. (9) A  Martin Allen also came from County, Roscommon, Ireland. (10) He was probably the brother of Michael Allen and the uncle of the younger Martin Allen. He was probably the father of Michael Allen, the nephew of Mrs. Bridget Long, who died at age 16 on 18 November 1874. (11)

In her will, Bridget left property to her nieces Elizabeth Slowey and Sarah Gatlin. (12) Mary Elizabeth Slowey was the daughter of Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds. (13)  Sarah Gatlin's maiden name was Dyer (14), and she was the daughter of Bridget's sister Mary. (15) Bridget and Mary must have been the sisters of either Thomas Fagan or Sarah Reynolds. Additional sources support that conclusion. A newspaper article on the death of Tom Fagan, the son of Thomas and Sarah Fagan (16), states that Tom Cox was a cousin of Tom Fagan (17); Tom Cox was Mary's son (18) from her marriage to her second husband John Cox. (19) Another newspaper item provides additional evidence. A report of the death of Sarah Fagan stated that Mrs. McDonough was notified of the death of her aunt, Mrs. Sarah Fagan, and that the mother of Mrs. McDonough and Tom Cox had left the courtroom for this reason. (20) Mrs. McDonough was Mary's daughter Nellie Cox (21), who had married Owen McDonough. (22) Although this news item alone does not provide enough information to conclude that Sarah was Mary's sister rather than her sister-in-law, an additional source supports the theory that Sarah and Mary were sisters. Mary's daughter Sarah "Sadie" (Dyer) Gatlin had a son named John R. Gatlin (23); according to John's World War II draft registration card, his full name was John Reynold Gatlin. (24) It therefore seems more likely that Sadie's mother's maiden name was Reynolds. Additionally, John Grenham's Irish Surnames web site shows that the surnames Dyer, Allen, and Reynolds are all found in Boyle Parish, County Roscommon, Ireland; the surname Fagan was not found to be associated with the surnames Dyer and Allen in County Roscommon. (25)

I therefore believe it is likely that Mary's maiden name was Reynolds and that she was the sister of Bridget and Sarah Reynolds.

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1. Davidson County, Tennessee, Deed Book 39: 443-444. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

2. Davidson County, Tennessee, Deed Book 39: 554. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

3. Davidson County, Tennessee, Marriage register, 1861, p. 355, record no. 4254, Jno S. Long and Bridget Allen. Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

4. 1860 United States census, Nashville Ward 6, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, p. 124, dwelling 824, family 956. Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

5. Davidson County, Tennessee, Marriage register, 1857, p. 225, record no. 2698, Thomas Fagan and Sarah Reynolds. Ancestry.com. Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.

6. Davidson County, Tennessee, Declaration of intention no. 148, Michael Allen, 23 March 1853. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

7. Davidson County, Tennessee, Declaration of intention no. 149, Michael Dyer, 23 March 1853. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

8. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, p. 114.

9. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, pp. 373-374.

10. Harris, Ruth-Ann M., Donald M. Jacobs, and B. Emer O’Keeffe, editors. Searching for Missing Friends: Irish Immigrant Advertisements Placed in “The Boston Pilot 1831–1920”. Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1989, pp. 373-374.

11. Death notice, Michael Allen and Michael Dougherty. Republican Banner (Nashville, TN), 19 Nov 1874, p. 4.

12. "Mrs. Long's Will: Leaves Houses and Lots to Nieces, Misses Slowey and Gatlin." Nashville American, 29 March 1907, p. 12.

13. Tennessee Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics. Death certificate no. 1262, Mary Elizabeth Slowey, 1943. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, Death Records, 1908-1958 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

14. Davidson County, Tennessee. Marriage license and return, William M. Gatlin and Sarah C. Dyer, June 1881. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

15. 1870 United States Census, Nashville Ward 6, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, p. 20, dwelling 170, family 196. Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009.

16. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 36, p. 1, dwelling 3, family 3. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

17. "For Killing Tom Fagan." Nashville American, 25 Feb 1896, p. 5.

18. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 43, p. 38, dwelling 288, family 428. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

19. Davidson County, Tennessee. Marriage license and return, John Cox and Mary Dyer, April 1871. Metropolitan Government Archives, Nashville Public Library, Nashville, Tennessee.

20. "Mrs. Sarah Fagan Dead." Nashville American, 14 Feb 1904, p. 12.

21. 1880 United States Census, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, population schedule, enumeration district 43, p. 38, dwelling 288, family 428. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

22. Tennessee, County Marriages, 1790-1950, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X81Z-9ZY : 21 December 2016), Owen Mc Donough and Nellie Cox, 06 Mar 1899; citing , Davidson, Tennessee, United States, Marriage, p. , Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville and county clerk offices from various counties; FHL microfilm 200,300.

23. Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. City Health Department. Division of Vital Statistics. Affidavit for correcting a record, John R. Gatlin. Ancestry.com. Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869-1909 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

24. World War II draft registration for John Reynold Gatlin, serial no. 1326, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. The National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Draft Registration Cards for Fourth Registration for Illinois, 04/27/1942 - 04/27/1942; NAI Number: 623284; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

25. Irish Surnames. <https://www.johngrenham.com/surnames/>

Republic of Connacht

On 31 August 1798, General Jean Joseph Amable Humbert proclaimed the Republic of Connacht (also spelled Connaught), a French client republic. It was established by French Revolutionary Army and the United Irishmen during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. The United Irishmen wanted Ireland to separate from Great Britain. Humbert appointed John Moore as President of the Republic of Connacht.

A Collection of State Papers Relative to the War Against France Now Carrying on by Great Britain and the Several Other European Powers. J. Debritt, 1799. Pages 361-362. Available from Google Books.

The Republic of Connacht only lasted until 8 September 1798, when the French and the United Irishmen were defeated by Great Britain at the Battle of Ballinamuck in County Longford.

Connacht consists of five counties: Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Roscommon, and Sligo. My 3rd-great-grandfather Michael Dyer was from County Roscommon. Although he had not yet been born at the time the Republic of Connacht was established (he was born about 1829), his family may have been in the area.

References
A Collection of State Papers Relative to the War Against France Now Carrying on by Great Britain and the Several Other European Powers. J. Debritt, 1799. Available from Google Books.
Connacht
Irish Rebellion of 1798 
Jean Joseph Amable Humbert 
John Moore (Irish politician)
Republic of Connacht | World Public Library

Surname Saturday: Dyer

According to Irish Ancestors' Surname History, the surname Dyer is an anglicized version of Ó Duibhir (grandson of the dark brown [man]) or Mac Duibhir (son of the dark brown [man]). This variant is found in counties Sligo and Roscommon.

Irish Ancestors also includes information from the surname dictionary Sloinnte na hÉireann. According to this dictionary, the surname Dyer is found in county Mayo, Belfast, and scattered other areas. Dyer is an English occupational name. It is also a form of the Irish name Mac Duibhir, and is also found as MacDyer.

My known Dyer ancestors are:

2nd-great-grandmother: Sarah Claire "Sadie" Dyer
born 8 October 1863, Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennesssee
married John William Morton Gatlin 26 June 1881, Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee
died 20 January 1945, Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois

3rd-great-grandfather: Michael Dyer
born about 1829, Co. Roscommon, Ireland
married Mary
died 3 June 1870, Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee

Society Saturday: New York Irish History Roundtable

The New York Irish History Roundtable was founded on 4 July 1984. It promotes research on and interest in the Irish in New York City and their history over the last 300 years. It publishes an annual journal, New York Irish History.  It sponsors lectures, field trips, scholarships, walking tours, and museum exhibitions. For the last eight years, it has sponsored an Irish-language (Gaelic) mass at the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral.

Today I attended one of the New York Irish History Roundtable's lectures: "The City of Homes - The Irish in Brooklyn" by Dr. Stephen J. Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan's lecture was very enlightening for me, since my Irish-born 4th-great-grandfather Hugh Winters lived in Brooklyn. Earlier this year, I attended another of the New York Irish History Roundtable's lectures' I heard Joe Buggy speak about researching Irish ancestors in New York City.

Links
New York Irish History Roundtable
New York Irish History Roundtable Facebook page

St. Patrick's Day

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, I am posting newspaper items from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle that were published on St. Patrick's Day between 1851 and 1870. My 4th-great-grandparents Hugh Winters and Mary Bennet and their children arrived in New York in 1849 and settled in Brooklyn. Their son John, my 3rd-great-grandfather, left Brooklyn (he was in Tonawanda, New York by 1859), but Hugh and other members of the family remained in Brooklyn. They had come from Leith, Scotland, but Hugh was born in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland, and Mary was also born in Ireland.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 17 March 1851, page 3

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 17 March 1860, page 2

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 17 March 1865, page 2

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 17 March 1870, page 13

Other Irish ancestors of mine are Anna "Ann" Walker and her mother Ann, Mary Nevins, and Michael Dyer (from County Roscommon) and his wife Mary.

52 Ancestors: Week 11 "Luck of the Irish": Ann (Unknown) Walker

None of my Irish ancestors seem to have been particularly lucky; they experienced many difficulties throughout their lives. But I got lucky when I finally learned more about my 3rd-great-grandmother Anna "Ann" Walker and discovered her mother Ann.

When the 1855 New York State Census became available online, I was able to locate the Walker family. They moved from Seneca, Ontario County, New York to Buffalo, Erie County, New York that year, and were enumerated twice. That was definitely a lucky find! The Buffalo enumeration states that the family had lived in Buffalo for 1/12 of a year.

1855 New York State Census, Seneca, Ontario County, population schedule, enumeration district 1, page 20. Available from FamilySearch.

1855 New York State Census, Buffalo, Erie County, population schedule, enumeration district 8, page 50. Available from FamilySearch.

According to the census records, Ann was born about 1811 or 1812 in Ireland. There were four children in her household: her son James, born about 1837 in Ireland; her daughter Ann (my 3rd-great-grandmother), born about 1842 or 1843 in Ireland (according to the Winters family Bible, she was born on 28 February 1842); and twins William and Dora (born about 1851 and 1852).

Since there was a ten-year age gap between my 3rd-great-grandmother and the twins, I wonder if there were children that died. Another possibility is that Ann's husband, who had apparently died by 1855, may have left for North America before the rest of his family.

There is one big discrepancy between the two census records. According to the Seneca enumeration, William and Dora were born in Ontario County, New York, and the family had resided in Seneca for 9 years. According to the Buffalo enumeration, William and Dora were born in Canada.

In 1860, Ann was still living in Buffalo with her children James, William, and Dora. My 3rd-great-grandmother Ann had married in 1859 and was living nearby in Tonawanda with her husband, John Bennet Winters.

1860 United States census, 9th Ward, Buffalo, Erie County, New York, population schedule, page 635. Available from Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. 

Ann's son James is the only member of the household who is listed with an occupation, so he was probably supporting the family. The twins are listed as being born in Canada. I suspect that they were born in Canada, since I cannot locate the family in the 1850 United States census. Perhaps the enumerator in Seneca was told that the twins were born in Ontario and he misunderstood, since Seneca is in Ontario County. 9 years may have been the length of time that the family lived in North America. I have not located the family in the 1851 Census of Canada either, but that census was actually taken in 1852, and perhaps the family left for New York shortly before the census was taken.

Ann probably left Ireland with her family during or shortly after the Great Famine. She may have lost several children. She was likely widowed (unless she and her husband separated, or she was never married). Her husband may have died after the family arrived in North America, or he could have died while she was pregnant, either in Ireland or on the way over on the ship.

I have not been able to locate Ann or her children James, William, and Dora after 1860. Her daughter Ann was in Chicago by 1866, and died in 1872.

52 Ancestors: Week 3 "Tough Woman": Mary (Unknown) Dyer Cox

For Week 3 of the 52 Ancestors Challenge, Amy Johnson Crow's optional theme is Tough Woman: "Who is a tough, strong woman in your family tree? Or what woman has been tough to research?" My 3rd-great-grandmother Mary is both. Although have had some success researching her, I still do not know her maiden name, her date of birth, her birthplace in Ireland, or the date and place of her first marriage.

Mary was born about 1835 according to the 1860 United States Census, the earliest record of her that I have found. Her date of birth varies in records and she seems to have gotten younger as the years passed!

In 1860, Mary lived with her husband Michael Dyer and their baby daughter Mary in St. Louis, Missouri. Another family also lived in their household: Martin and Anne Wallace and their children Sarah, William, Ellen, and James. Martin and Anne were both born in Ireland. Based on the women's ages, country of birth, and the names of family members, I think that Anne may have been Mary's sister. Unfortunately I have not been able to locate the Wallace family in later records.

According to the 1860 and 1900 United States censuses, Michael and Mary's daughter Mary (also known as Mollie) was born in Missouri. However, according to the 1870 United States census, she was born in Kentucky, and according to the 1880 United States census, she was born in Louisiana. The Dyer family may have lived in these states. They were in Nashville, Tennessee by the time that my 2nd-great-grandmother Sarah Claire "Sadie" Dyer was born on 8 October 1863.

In January 1866, Michael Dyer left Nashville, and left his family. Mary placed an advertisement in the Boston Pilot, beginning 6 October 1866, in hopes of locating him. Michael eventually returned to his family. Michael and Mary's son Michael was born about 1868.

On 20 June 1868, Mary was bound over for appearance before Justices Smith and Mathews for using abusive language toward Ellen Foley. The costs were paid on 26 June 1868.

On 21 October 1869, Mary's husband Michael was arrested for badly beating her. On 22 October 1869, Mary filed for divorce. On 25 October 1869, Michael stabbed Mary in the face, breast, and shoulders. She was so badly injured that it was not known if she would recover. A Kentucky newspaper actually reported that she had died! She did not go through with the divorce, but her marriage ended on 3 June 1870, when her husband committed suicide. Later that month, Mary and her three children were enumerated in the 1870 United States census in the household of Jasper Cohen.

On 10 April 1871, Mary married John Cox at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Nashville. They had four children: Nannie, later known as Annie, born about 1872; Thomas, born 6 March 1875; William, born about 1876; and Nellie, born October 1877. In the 1880 United States census, Mary was listed as a widow.

Mary ran a grocery and saloon. On 19 May 1892, she applied for a building permit for a fence.The cost was $20.

Mary outlived all but two of her children. Her son Michael Dyer died from congestion of the brain on 24 December 1895. Her son William Cox died of abscess of the lungs on 2 March 1896. Her daughter Annie Cox died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 19 July 1898. Her daughter Mary "Mollie" (Dyer) Hughes died of uterine cancer on 12 August 1902. Her son Thomas "Tom" Cox was convicted of murder and sentenced to death, but on 3 May 1905, before he could be executed, he committed suicide in the Davidson County Jail in Nashville.

By 1900, Mary was living alone. She died of capillary bronchitis in Nashville, Tennessee on 10 November 1906. Her funeral was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, and she was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Nashville on 11 November 1906.

Nashville Union and Dispatch, 21 June 1868, page 3

Nashville Union and Dispatch, 27 June 1868, page 3

Nashville Union and Dispatch, 23 October 1869, page 4

 Pulaski Citizen, 5 November 1869, page 4. Another example of a premature obituary!

Davidson County, Tennessee marriage license, John Cox and Mary Dyer. 10 April 1871. Nashville, Tennessee: Metropolitan Government Archives.

Davidson County, Tennessee marriage license and return, John Cox and Mary Dyer. 10 April 1871. Nashville, Tennessee: Metropolitan Government Archives.

 Nashville City Directory. Vol. 26, 1890. Compiled by Joel Davis. Nashville, Tennessee: Marshall & Bruce, 1890. Page 225. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Mary Cox death certificate, 10 November 1906. Tennessee City Death Records: Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Memphis 1848-1907. Nashville, Tennessee: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Available from Ancestry.com. Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. 

Nashville American, 11 November 1906, page 17

52 Ancestors: #48 Hugh Winters

My 4th-great-grandfather Hugh Winters was born about 1810 in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland. He married Mary Bennet on 24 January 1831 at St. Mary's Church in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was living in Leith (now part of Edinburgh), but there was no Catholic church in Leith at that time. Their marriage was also recorded at the Church of Scotland in South Leith.

Their first child, my 3rd-great-grandfather John, was born on 19 December 1831. Their second child and first daughter, Sarah, was born on 14 June 1834, and died on 10 September 1834. Their son James was born on 2 October 1835, their son Peter was born on 19 August 1838, and their daughter Mary was born on 27 November 1840.

In 1841, Hugh and his family lived at St Andrews St. No 78, South Leith, Midlothian, Scotland. Daniel and Catherine McKensie also lived with the family. Hugh was listed as a "Clothier Broker & Fireman in Dart." Leith was a port city; Hugh probably worked as a fireman on ships. He may have also sold clothes on the docks. The 26 September 1844 issue of the Caledonian Mercury includes a short item about the Leith docks; Hugh may have been one of the "hawkers of ready-made clothes."

 

Caledonian Mercury, 26 September 1844. Available from British Newspaper Archive. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Hugh and Mary's daughter Catherine (or Catharine) was born about 1843.

Hugh became a member of the Repealers of Leith in 1843. John Finnegan, who became a member at the same time, was one of the baptismal sponsors for Hugh's daughter Mary. The Repeal Association had been started by Daniel O'Connell; its goal was the repeal of the 1800 Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland.

Freeman's Journal, 23 May 1843. Available from British Newspaper Archive. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Hugh and Mary's daughter Margaret was born on 24 January 1848. In 1849, Hugh and most of his family sailed from Glasgow to New York City on the Pursuit; they arrived on 12 June 1849. 

Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Microfilm Publication M237, 675 rolls. Records of the U.S. Customs Service, Record Group 36. National Archives at Washington, D.C. Year: 1849; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 080; Line: 12; List Number: 706. Ancestry.com. New York, Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.

His wife Mary and daughter Margaret did not sail with them, but they were also in New York by 1850, when the entire family was enumerated in Brooklyn, New York in the 1850 United States census. Hugh and Mary's daughter Elizabeth was born in Brooklyn on 12 January 1851.

Hugh's wife Mary had probably died by 1855. That year, Hugh was a boarder in the home of John and Rosey Moran, and none of his children were living with him. His daughter Mary was a servant in the home of John and Mary Blair, and his son Hugh and daughter Margaret were in the nursery in Flatbush, New York. In 1860, he and his son Hugh lived with Martin and Mary Lyn and two children, Mary and Cath Lee. Mary Winters, age 30, born in Ireland, also lived with them. If this is Hugh's daughter Mary, her age and birthplace are incorrect. She may also have been a new wife or a relative.

In 1865, Hugh lived in at 302 Hicks in Brooklyn with wife Margaret. Also listed in the household were sons Hugh and James, but Hugh was in the navy and James was in the army, so they may have been away from home. If James is the son of Hugh Winters and Mary Bennet, his age is incorrect; he would have been 29, not 21. He could also have been a stepson, which would explain why the younger son, Hugh, was listed first. Hugh worked as a laborer.

Brooklyn City Directory for the Year Ending May 1st, 1865. Compiled by J. Lain. New York: J. Lain and Company. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

In 1866, Hugh testified for the defense at the trial of Eugene J. Fergus. Fergus was charged with the murder of Patrick McGuann.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 23 November 1866.

Hugh was naturalized in Kings County, New York on 25 October 1867. His son Hugh was naturalized on the same day.

 

Hugh Winters naturalization index card. Soundex Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in Federal, State, and Local Courts located in New York City, 1792-1989. New York, NY, USA: The National Archives at New York City. Available from Ancestry.com. New York, Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in New York City, 1792-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007.

In 1870, Hugh lived with wife Eliza. Eliza died on 5 April 1874. Hugh's son Hugh died shortly before Eliza, on 26 March 1874. Hugh's daughter Mary died on 12 September 1876.

In 1880, Hugh lived at 22 Atlantic Street in Brooklyn, with James and Mary Feenan. He was listed as blind, and was also enumerated in the 1880 Schedules of Defective, Dependent, and Delinquent Classes.

On Christmas Day in 1881, Hugh was admitted to the Kings County Alms House with a sore leg.

Admission record, Hugh Winters, Kings County Alms House, 25 December 1881. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. New York State Archives; Albany, New York; Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1875-1921; Series: A1978; Reel: A1978:46; Record Number: 5828. Available from Ancestry.com. New York, Census of Inmates in Almshouses and Poorhouses, 1830-1920 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

Hugh died on 7 February 1887 in Kings County Hospital in Flatbush, New York. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn, Section West, Range C, Grave 4, along with wife Eliza, son Hugh, and daughters Mary and Margaret.

Death record, Hugh Winters, 4 February 1887. Town of Flatbush, Kings County, New York, Record of Deaths. Municipal Archives, New York City.

52 Ancestors: #41 Mary Nevins

Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it is a good time to write about my 3rd-great-grandmother Mary Nevins. Mary was born in Ireland, about 1835-1837. She was in the United States by January 1855; she and William Dow Gatlin obtained a marriage license in Davidson County, Tennessee on 2 January 1855, and were married by Rev. C. C. Mayhew on 3 January 1855.

Davidson County, Tennessee Original Marriage Bonds. William D. Gatlin to Mary Nevins. Nashville, Tennessee: Metropolitan Government Archives.

Davidson County, Tennessee Marriage License. William D. Gatlin to Mary Nevins. Nashville, Tennessee: Metropolitan Government Archives.

William and Mary's first child, their daughter Mary Florence Gatlin, was born about 1857. Their next child, my great-great-grandfather John William Morton Gatlin, was born on 23 October 1859 in Nashville, Tennessee. (He is listed as John W M Gatlin in the 1860 United States census; subsequent records list him as William M. Gatlin, William Morton Gatlin, or William Gatlin.) Another son, Clarence Bateman Gatlin, was born in Nashville on 23 December 1862. Their daughter Ida Lee Gatlin was born about 1864. Their son Lee Gatlin was born in December 1867, but died on 7 October 1868. Two more daughters were born: Lillie May Gatlin on 10 November 1868, and Mattie Gertrude Gatlin in February 1870.

In 1874, Mary's husband William was tried for murder. Samuel Haslam had been a boarder in the family's home. It is likely that he and Mary were having an affair. At the very least, he was a good friend to her at a time when she needed one. An article from the Nashville Union and American, 15 September 1874, indicates that Mary was abused by her husband and that Samuel Haslam was going to go with Mary to file for divorce.

 Nashville Union and American, 15 September 1874. Available from Chronicling America.

Nashville Union and American, 15 September 1874. Available from Chronicling America.

Nashville Union and American, 15 September 1874. Available from Chronicling America.

Mary had been hit and kicked by her husband. The next morning, William and Mary's son Clarence found Samuel Haslam lying in a pool of blood. He had been struck with an ax. Clarence ran to get his mother. Mary found her friend and probable lover bleeding to death. She tried to get him to tell her what had happened, but he could not speak, and he died shortly afterward.

William was acquitted due to insufficient evidence, but I believe that he was guilty. He had means, motive, and opportunity.

Mary remained married to her husband for the rest of her life. She was listed as head of household in the 1877 and 1878 Nashville city directories; in 1878, she was listed as widowed. I do not know where William was for those two years. Knowing what he was capable of, I would not be surprised if he was in prison for another crime.

 

Directory of Nashville, Edgefield, and Adjacent Towns in Tennessee, for 1877. Compiled by T. M. Haddock. Nashville, Tennessee: Tavel, Eastman & Howell. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Note: William Gatlin, bookbinder, is Mary's son (my great-great-grandfather). Mary's husband William was a brick mason.

Nashville and Edgefield City Directory for 1878. Nashville, Tennessee: Tavel, Eastman & Howell. Available from Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

By 1879, William was once again listed in the Nashville city directory, and the entire family was enumerated together in the 1880 United States census. Mary was probably too afraid to try to leave her husband again, knowing that he had committed murder and had gotten away with it. She may have feared that she would end up like Samuel.

Mary suffered another loss in May 1881, when her daughter Florence died in the 24th year of her age. On 9 September 1888, Mary died of dysentery. Only in death could she escape her husband. She was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville. When her husband died, he was buried beside her. Their graves are unmarked.

Mary Gatlin death record, 1888. Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1959; Roll #: M-2. Available from Ancestry.com. Tennessee, City Death Records, 1872-1923 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

 

Daily American, 10 September 1888

Celtic Connections Conference, Day 2

I'm back home now after a long day! I started off Day 2 of the Celtic Connections Conference with Sheila O'Rourke Northrup's presentation on Irish immigration patterns. It was a very interesting lecture on an important topic. She mentioned the Erie Canal and its expansion, which is relevant to my family history. I then attended Brian Donovan's lecture "Murderers, Rebels and Drunkards: Your Irish Ancestors and the Law." Considering how many black sheep ancestors I have (and I keep finding more!), I may need this information! I then heard Bill Budde talk about Celtic timelines. During lunch, we heard a performance of traditional Irish songs. I then attended Kyle Betit's presentation on society records, which was of great interest to me because one of my ancestors was a member of the Repeal Association. The day ended with John Grenham's lecture on the reasons we sometimes cannot find Irish ancestors in online records when they are there, and ways to improve our chances. It was a great conference! The next one will be in Minnesota in 2016. I hope I will be able to go: I could combine the conference with a research trip!

Celtic Connections Conference, Day 1

Today was the first day of the Celtic Connections Conference, presented in Waltham, Massachusetts by The Irish Ancestral Research Association (TIARA) and the Irish Genealogical Society International (IGSI). After the introduction and welcome, Brian Donovan spoke about http://www.findmypast.com and its resources for researching Irish family history. I then heard Kyle Betit talk about landed estate papers, and then attended Marie Daly's presentation "Researching Irish Domestic Servants." At lunchtime, Sean Ó Dúill spoke about the Irish Gaelic language. I then heard John Grenham speak about Irish church records. He mostly talked about Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland records, but he also discussed other denominations. Next, I was originally supposed to hear Dwight Radford talk about the Irish who stopped along the way before coming to the United States. I had been looking forward to this presentation, since some of my Irish ancestors lived in Scotland before going to the United States. Unfortunately, Dwight Radford was unable to be at the conference. But at least I have the lecture handout in the syllabus. Instead, I heard Janice Duffy speak about passenger lists for the port of Boston, 1848-1891. The original manifests are not the same as the ones given to the United States government. Some of them have detailed information about passengers which tells their stories. I had no idea that passenger lists could contain so much information and found this fascinating.

I am looking forward to Day 2 of the conference!

Mappy Monday: 1799 Clement Cruttwell Map of Ireland

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I am posting this 1799 map of Ireland, drawn by G. G. and J. Robinson of Paternoster Row, London, for Clement Cruttwell's 1799 Atlas to Cruttwell's Gazetteer.

G. G. and J. Robinson, Paternoster Row, London, for Clement Cruttwell's 1799 Atlas to Cruttwell's Gazetteer. By http://www.geographicus.com/mm5/cartographers/cruttwell.txt [Public domain]. Available from Wikimedia Commons.

Irish Ancestors

Since it's St. Patrick's Day, it seemed an appropriate time to write about my Irish ancestors.

My 3rd-great-grandmother Mary Nevins was born about 1835 in Ireland. By 1855 she was in Davidson County, Tennessee, where she married William Dow Gatlin. Mary had a very difficult life. She probably left Ireland because of the famine, and her marriage was not a happy one. Her husband physically abused her. She became close to a boarder in the family home, Samuel Haslam, and they had an affair. He was going to help her divorce her husband, but then he was murdered in their home, killed with an ax. William Dow Gatlin was tried for murder but was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. However, based on the newspaper articles, he sounded very guilty, and he had motive and opportunity. Mary remained married to him. Her oldest daughter Florence passed away in 1881 at age 24, which must have been a difficult loss for her. Mary died on September 9, 1888 in Nashville, Tennessee.

My 3rd-great-grandparents Michael and Mary Dyer were also born in Ireland. Michael was born about 1830, and Mary was probably born about 1835 (she kept getting younger in records as the years passed!) By 1860 they were living in St. Louis, Missouri, and by 1863 they were in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael had passed away by 1870. The family ran a saloon in Nashville. Mary married John Cox in 1871, and by 1880 she was widowed again, and raising seven children on her own. Mary died on November 10, 1906 in Nashville, Tennessee.

My 4th-great-grandparents Hugh Winters and Mary Bennet were both born in Ireland. Hugh was born about 1810, and Mary was born about 1814. By January 1831 they were in Leith (now part of Edinburgh), Midlothian, Scotland, where they married. Mary’s father, Peter Bennet, was living in Airdrie, Scotland at that time. Hugh was a clothes broker and fireman. Their son John Bennet Winters (my 3rd-great-grandfather) was living in Tonawanda, Erie County, New York by 1859, where he married Anna “Ann” Walker, who was born on February 28, 1842 in Ireland. They moved to Chicago, Illinois in the mid-1860s. Only one of their children lived to adulthood. Two infants lived for 2-3 weeks, and another child died at age 3. Ann died in Illinois on September 19, 1872.