resilienceofirishwomen - Tumblr blog

[resilienceofirishwomen]

(1/3)

Charles Stephen McCarthy was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1835. He came to the United States about 1859, and found employment as a house man in Boston. By trade he was a Glass Blower. In the Province of Munster, which includes Waterford, Cork, Kerry, Clare, Limerick and Tipperary, there were, and still exist many glass factories. I really don't know anything about the family background. Any one want to go to Cork?

Kathleen O'Connor came from County Kerry, in the region of The Lakes of Killarney, probably about the same time as Charles. Kathleen's trip to the United States was one never to be forgotten. Another woman and her child traveled with Kathleen. She told Grandma, the seas were so rough, the ship bounced like a cork. They fastened the child in the bunk with a rope, and lashed themselves to the supports with roves, too, to avoid injury, and thus they arrived in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston was their Port of Entry.

The story goes, that when Kathleen and the other girls came down the gang plank, men were lined up, waiting to find a wife. Kathleen was a spirited one, and when one asked to marry her, she told him, "Begone with ye. I didn't come all that way - go thru that trip to marry any old man".

She, too, found employment doing housework. Later she went to work in a shoe factory in Fell River, and eventually met and married Charles. They moved to Springfield, Massachu-

setts. They were married in 1861 or 1862. Anna and Kate were born in Springfield. I believe Jack and Andy were born in Ottawa.

One day in Springfield, Kathleen took Anna and Kate for a

(...)

_____________

The following letters reflect McCarthy lineage. Written by an author who married into the family, he refers to “Grandma” several times in the letter, particularly addressing his wife’s paternal grandmother. The letter is thought to be initially written in the late 1920s but the condition of it required it to be re-typed in the 1960s by an unknown family member.

The following letter describes the conditions of particularly the Irish women in the family- their humor and wit seem to have been talked about for years and exemplify just how memorable they were. Above all, the letters describe the humor and resilience of the Irish people. 

[resilienceofirishwomen]

(2/3)

walk.

A woman stopped her, complimented her"on her lovely children. She asked to buy one, and also adopt the child.

Kathleen sent her on her way, and scurried home as fast as she could go.

In about 1866, Glass Works sprung up along the Illinois River at Marseilles, Ottawa, and La Salle.

The word passed to the Last, and Glass Blowers came West. Whether Charles came first, and the rest of his family followed him is not known. I'm sure they came to Ottawa by train.

Grandma spoke lightly of Ottawa, calling it a One Horse Town.

They settled in the Kerry Patch, an all Irish set-tlement. She said it was picturesque, along the River and The Canal, small tracts of land, and houses with half doors* reminescent of Ireland.

In the summer, the women would visit over their half doors for e. while each morning.

Grandma called it gossiping.

They cared for their children, did housework, and each had a small vegetable gorden.

Most of these women were related,

second of third cousins.

She termed their relationship,

"Thirty-second cousins to the buttonhole".

She spoke of living close to the River and The Illinois and Michigan Canal, with it's mule-draw barges going up and down the Canal.

The Locks of the Canal can still be seen

at Channahon, Illinois, some twenty miles from Joliet.

When Evelyn was here this summer, she mentioned two cute stories told to her by Anna. It seems the McCarthy's had two dogs, who annoyed the neighbors. One of them called the Police. When the Police came, Anna had hidden the two dogs under her floor length skirt, and saved the dogs from . the found. I'm sure they knew.

*The purpose of the half doors, was to keep the chickens and other domestic animals from coming into the house.

[resilienceofirishwomen]

(3/3)

They also had a cow. The cow became sick, and the Vet

came. He told them, he could not help the cow, and would have to shoot her. Grandma stood by and tearfully begged, "Please, Mr. shoot her easily".

She mentioned, once school was out for the summer, shoes were worn only on Sunday, and unheard of on the other days of the week; how hard it was walking on the rocks along the River.

She always hated to have anyone go barefoot, and later always bought the best shoes she could buy and was always well shod.

The children went to St. Columba's school. I don't know

if they were graduated from eighth grade. Because Grandma spoke so little about Ottawa, I always had the feeling life was difficult for Charles, Kathleen, and their children.

[resilienceofirishwomen]

Vicksburg Mississippi, (MIP) July 16, 1864

Mrs. Ellen Keough has permission to build a house for her own use, to use as a Dwelling house for herself & child, & also to keep a small Family Grocery, the house is to be located on Vacant ground, at the SE corner of Washington & South St. At the rear of Mrs. Grady’s House. Guards and patrols will respect this permit.

Abner E. Barns

Major 50th US & St Commissioner

___________

This letter was written by Abner E. Barns, an African American Major for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Barns wrote this letter to ensure that Ellen Keough and her child could leave the south and come through Union lines during the war. At the time this was written, there would still be about another year of war left.

[resilienceofirishwomen]

March 1, 1924

Ellen Keough vs. United States

“Now Catherine Keough Walsh vs. United States”

Supplies furnished by Ellen Keough to US Gov’t for the Northern Soldiers during the years 1863-1864. Supplies consisted of horses, miles, blankets, shovels, picks, & other utensils used in the connection of war. Papers for the case such as notes & receipts are on file in Washington, d.c.

The case has had two readings so far.

Place where goods were purchased was known as Goodridge Landing, Louisiana.

Michael & Ellen Keough were from Chicago, residing on the west side on Randolph St near Des plaines. They were married in old St. Mary’s Catholic Church which was then located on State St. Both were born in Limerick Ireland (old number 173 Randolph St.)

A daughter christened Catherine was born to them in Louisville, Kentucky on the 14th day of June 1861. Ellen Keough moved to Louisville KY when her baby was expected so she could have the proper medical attention. She had contracts to repair the difference levees throughout the southern states which was his reason for moving down south: he nor she were southern people. The horses & tools that the Government purchased from Ellen Keough were things that Michael Keough had used in his business. Michael Keough died July 20, 1862.

After moving back to Chicago, Ellen Keough and her daughter Catherine resided at Polk St. near May St. & rented from an alderman known as Clark for a period of months they then moved to old number 598 N. Ohio St. where they lived until 1895 when Ellen Keough died. Ellen Keough is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Chicago IL. Michael Keough is buried in what was known as Mulligan Bend Cemetery Louisiana (Goodridges Landing LA)

____________________

This letter, written in 1924 by an unknown author, shows evidence that the United States government used resources from widow Ellen Keough for the Union soldiers war effort. The government never repaid Ellen Keough, and one of her relatives attempted to gain justice for Keough but never did. The United States government never repaid their debt to the family.