Foley Family

Sorry, I meant Mount Uniacke.

 

Lynda

Hi Anne, thanks for your note! I will answer some of your questions here in case anyone else can also help or use the info, and I will also send you an email.

The evidence I have that Bridget was born in Castlemartyr is the grave marker in Ontario. I have tried to attach the photo here but if it doesn't work I can send it to you. It says that she was born in 1820 at Castlemartyr, Cork, Ireland. It also says Thomas was born in 1803 at Mount Uniacke, Cork, Ireland.

On the side of the marker, it notes the 3 sons that died at sea in 1856: Dennis (age 13), John (age 11) and Thomas (age 9). These boys and another Foley, Daniel, whose relationship I don't know yet, died on the ship Pallas when it hit the rocks of St. Paul Island near Cape Breton Island. There is an article in the Cork Examiner 2 July 1856 about this wreck.

It appears that Thomas' son Michael did come to Canada. In the 1861 Census of Canada West (now Ontario), there are 2 Foley families living side by side. The first is the family of a Michael who appears to be Thomas' big brother. He a widower age 57. His children are Andrew age 27 (born in Ireland), John age 25 (born in Ireland), Thomas age 23 (born in Ireland), Catherine age 21 (born in Ireland) and Mary Ann age 13 (born in Canada West).

In the house next door is Thomas' family, with Thomas listed as age 55, and Bridget age 40. Their children are Michael age 21 (born in Ireland), Margaret age 19 (born in Ireland), Honora age 10 (born in Ireland), William age 6 (born in CW), Mary Ann age 4 (born in CW), Dennis age 2 (born in CW) and Henry age 1 (born in CW). 

It appears they farmed together on 70 acres of land.

One thing that I cannot figure out is when the family came to Canada and how. The 3 boys were the only children in their family on the ship in 1856, possibly travelling with an Uncle Daniel. But no other Foleys were aboard. Honora was the last child born in Ireland, in 1852. William was the first child born in Canada, in 1855. I wonder why the youngest children would be travelling after the rest of the family? Or maybe they came in small groups, as they could afford it? 

I'll be very pleased with any information you can give me!

Lynda

Anne, I have tried to send you some things via your email, but it says delivery has failed. Is it typed in correctly? Could you send me an email and I will reply to you? Mine is springwagon@gmail.com. Thanks! Lynda

I realize that I made an error regarding the other Foley onboard the ship Pallas that wrecked in 1856. The man's name was Charles Foley, not Daniel.

 

Lynda

Hi, my Michael Mansfield born 1817, married Honora (Norry) Foley in Ardagh, Co. Killeagh around 1841. Michael was a native of Mount Uniacke. They had two girls; Mary b. 1842 and my ggrandmother Catherine b. 1844. Don't have much on Honora, she died around 1846 and he remarried Mary Keeffe. My Mansfields immigrated to NY in 1847. Michael's mother was a Draddy. All of the Draddy's seem to be around Ardagh and Meenoughter. The two girls were born in Cloyne, Killeagh, Cork. So was their step brother William.

I think you're Thomas may have been my Honora's brother.

 

 

 

Hi Anne,
Thank you for the transcriptions, I appreciate it!

Our family name is definitely Draddy. I have birth/death/marriage records, cemetery details and 2 two wills (this is all on the U.S. side), which gave loads of beneficiary information/names, but it does appear to be so close "Graddy vs Draddy" that's what made me wonder if it could be the same.

Ellen I have nothing on, she must have died, but Catherine and William were with Michael and Mary when they immigrated in 1847 and were the same ages. (They showed Catherine as born 1845). 

I have found several records; one a tithe in 1828 for land William Mansfield and John Draddy bought in Meenoughter, and other records which lead me to believe John Draddy is Sean O Dreada the stone carver/scribe/poet. I've got stone carvers in the family in NY. I do know a John Draddy and Anastatia Ohern is my ggg grandfather's cousin's father and mother according to the cousin's will.

I haven't been able to find any Graddy records, but lots of Draddy. I haven't been able to find any other baptism records even close for Mary or Catherine except with Honora being mother. It sounds very probable that Honora could have died giving birth to Ellen. I haven't found a death for Ellen, but it would have to be before 1847. I'm so hoping Honora Foley turns out to be mine and Lynda's Foleys and mine are related.

Again, thank you so much for your help and for checking on whether Lynda got the message!

Sherrie

Hi Anne,

I haven't been able to find any present day Draddy's. I did find a company website for Treacy Milking Machines in Mount Uniacke and emailed him because "Treacy" popped up as nephews and nieces to my Draddys. He wrote back and said he knew Draddy's and would pass the message on but I haven't hread anything.

I would love to share what I have,  I'll email directly to find out what might be of interest to you, the historical group and community. Thanks so much - I hope Lynda answers and that maybe she has taken a DNA test!

Sherrie

Hello, greetings from Canada.

I was doing a Google search and found this site and read the earlier posts with interest.

Mary Anne Foley was my great grand-mother. My research found that her parents were Thomas Foley, born 1803, Mt Uniacke, Cork, Ireland and Bridgit McGrath, born 1820, Castlemartyr, County Cork, Ireland.

I knew Mary Anne was born in Canada but could not find information on how or when the Foleys came to Canada so the information you provided is very helpful.  thanks

Mary Anne, born 1858, married Patrick Gavin in 1886 in Freelton, Ontario Canada. Their family remained in the general area where Thomas and Bridget settled upon arrival in Canada. I grew up in Freelton in the 1950's/60's as did many of my cousins. Thomas and Bridgit's great grand-daughter (my aunt Theresa, 90 years old) still lives there and goes to the church where Mary Anne and Patrick were married. I was also married in that church in 1973 as were many other family members. Thomas and Bridgit Foley are buried in the adjoining cemetary along with many of their decendents. I was just in that cemetary a few days ago for a service!

Here is the link to a picture of their headstone.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106127810/thomas-foley

Thanks again and any other information on my family history is most appreciated.

Anne Waller

 

HI Anne,
Are you by any chance related to Lynda Konrad who also lived in Canada? Her 3x great grandparents are also Thomas Foley and Bridget McGrath. I have Thomas and Bridget's  27 FEB 1838 Catholic parish marriage record.
You might want to contact me at: sherriehardin14@gmail.com

That way I can share with you what Lynda and I have corresponded about.

Sherrie

Hi Anne! How great to meet another cousin! My Great Great Grandmother was Honora, which I think makes me your 2nd cousin 2x removed? Or something like that!

I also grew up in the area - West Flamborough - but we never knew that we had family in the area, even though my parents were also married in the church in Freelton. I would have loved to know you back then, but I am happy to know you now!

I live in Alberta now, but I do visit my parents in Hamilton when I can, and I would love to meet you and your Aunt Theresa next time I get there.

Have you seen my Ancestry page? Maybe some of it will be new to you. Do you have any pictures of our family?

As Sherrie can tell you, I am not too helpful right now because of the end of the school year taking up all my time and energy. But in a few weeks I may be able to talk more with both of you!

Cheers,
Lynda

Hi Again Anne

You may already have this, living in the area, but I thought I would post it anyway just in case. This is the church marriage register of Mary Ann and Patrick Gavin. These records were kept at the church until Joanne retired, but I think when her daughter took over they sent them to the parish.

 

Cheers,

Lynda

And yes, her brother Henry is on the same page! :-)

Lynda

Hi Lynda!

I just took a look at the marriage of Mary and looked at Henry, her brother too. I was really interested in the sponsors names.
There are Mahoney and McKenna that married into my family. As a matter of  fact, there was a James McKenna (born in Canada) buried in the same grave in New York City, as my Mansfield who married Honora Foley! (There was a whole family of McKenna; Dennis, John, James and Dennis' wife and kids, buried in the grave- Dennis McKenna married my 3x great grandaunt (sister to my Michael Mansfield's mother Mary Draddy).

Maybe Anne has taken a DNA test!

Sherrie

Hello

After a lengthy pause, I am back. A busy summer so far. Thanks for your messages.

I have attached a photo, hope it goes through. It is of Thomas & Bridget Foley's children, I am guessing taken in the early 1870's.

The quality is not great, I took this photo of a photo with my phone. (I have since downloaded a photo scan app on my phone.)

In the photo, left to right:

Dante, Michael (known as MS), Honora in back (known as Noe), Mary Ann in front (known as Minnie), Henry, Margaret (known as Maggie), William (known as WC).

The second photo is my grandparent's wedding in 1915. My grandmother (Pauline Gavin Hunter) was Pat & Mary Ann (Foley) Gavin's oldest child and the only of their 7 children to marry. Thus the Hunters are Patrick & Mary Ann's only descendants.

In that wedding photo, Honora (who was my grandmother's aunt) is left of the groom, beside the man holding the hat.

I recently visited my aunt who has a wealth of family photos. She remembers these people, including her Great-Aunt Noe, and has some really interesting stories. My aunt showed me a photo of herself as a child with her mother Pauline and her grandmother, Mary Ann (Foley), who she remembers as Minnie.

My aunt also mentioned that there is a gravestone in the Freelton cemetery for the Foley sons who were lost at sea.  She told a story of their father walking a great distance to meet their ship only to find out that it did not arrive. I am not sure if this is folklore, because that would mean that Thomas and Bridget would have arrived in Canada first(?).  I did not think to ask for more details on this.

If the photos don't go through, let me know.

Anne

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Anne and Lynda,

First, thanks for the photos. I have obtained quite a bit of documentation and also have Honora's baptism record.

I have the image of the headstone and news article for the three little boys who perished and their baptism records. A lot on William; pictures of him/his family, death certificare, naturalization, marriage certificate etc. Michael; his marriage and a biography. Margaret; her marriage, picture and obit. Dante; his marriage record. Henry; his death notice. Mary; her marriage record and her headstone, If neither of you alreaydy have these items, it's too much to post here but I'll gladly share. I already have Lynda's email but not your email Anne.

If either of you have or ever do a DNA test and put it on gedmatch - I'd love to compare our results. I'd say chances are extremely high that my Norry is your Thomas' sister.

Regards,

-Sherrie

Hi Sherrie and Lynda

I have not done a DNA test but may consider that.

I have seen a lot of the info that you have, Sherrie, but may get back to you on some of that. 

I see that the memorial to the boys lost at sea is actually on the side of Thomas & Bridget Foley's headstone. I did not notice the first time I saw it. 

I will see what I can find out about Thomas Foley's siblings to see if your Honora shows up. Apparently, someone did a thorough family search long before the days of Ancestry.com and my aunt has that information in the form of a family tree.

As for Sherrie's earlier comment about the McKenna's, there are still McKenna families in the Freelton area as well.

You can send any emails to gspd1@yahoo.com and I will provide my personal email from there.

thanks

Anne