Is Peter Kavanagh (d. 23 Dec, 1879) buried in Old St. Michael's, Athy, my great x2 grandfather?!

Hi All,

I'd love to learn anything about my great x2 grandfather, Peter Kavanagh of Athy. He was a car driver between 1876-1880. He lived on Stanhope St, and Leinster St. I do't know his parents names. I don't have birth information. There was a Miles Kavanagh who was a sponsor/ godparent for one of Peter's children andalso a car driver at this time - close family? FYI - There's another Myles at this time, related to the well known Martin Kavanagh and Alice Kennedy of the Kavanagh Hotel. I still think my Peter may be a relative of their's some how - not a close or important one., however

Peter's wife was Mary Doody, also of Kildare. They had 5 children by 1881: William, Mathew, John, Kate, Mary. Peter first went to USA by1872/3. Had his first son, William born, in US, in 874. He and his wife,Mary, are on the US census 1875. She may also be fromAthy - parents - John Doody and Mary White. Mary Doody b. about 1855. No marriage cert for Peter Kavanagh an Mary Doody anywhere - not in Irelan or US.After a few years of marriage together in Brooklyn, they RETURNED to Athy, 1876. Peter was known to be getting sick from an illness (BENDS/ diving building the Brooklyn Bridge), but is working at this time as a car drive in downtown Athy,according to his children's civil birth records. His children, after William areborn in Athy, dowtnown - Stanhope St, Leinster St, etc. and baptised in St Michaels. Peter is deceased somewhere between mid 1879 - early 1881.

**There is a grave in Old Saint Michaels for a Peter Kavanagh who died 23rd December, 1879. Age 27 years. This could be him. I would LOVE to get ANY information on this Peter buried here. I tried to get info from Elaine at St Michaels but we were nable to locate a death record with the parish. I couldn't find a civil record either.**

FYI - Family story - Maryanne, the youngest daughter, born in Aug 1881, her baptism says "Peter Kavanagh, father deceased before birth." The family story goes that Mary Doody Kavanagh had MaryAnne OUT OF WEDLOCK - so Peter was not the father. He was either deceased, incapacitated (ill/hospitalized), or left/ not around. The story goesthat the family (Kavanaghs, presumabley) shunned Mary and forced her to leave Athy, and return to the US with her children. Mary had a relative (cousin?)back in the US - Bridget nee Doody Williams (Married to Henry Williams inAthy 1867).

I believe Mary went back to the US with her childrenin 1883, possibly with a Patrick Kavanagh (mabe her brother in law?) andher 5 children.

And help shining a light on my Kavanagh family and clarifying the Peter Kavanagh buried in S Michaels who died 23 Dec 1879 would BE GREAT! Thank you, Veronica