Follow-up to my original post, "I am my own great-great grandfather," and added information:
I heard from my first cousin, William Leamy, who shared with me some of the material he has accumulated. The packet included a blurred copy of the obituary for James Joseph Leamy, my great-grandfather who was born in the village of Drom, Tipperary. I include it to show how family oral history, passed from generation to generation, can vary from events recorded when they occur. Compare this transcription from the newspaper in Ottawa, Canada, to the generational account I received from my aunt:
...CITIZEN SATURDAY MORNING NOVEMBER 8, (1862)
(?) Death of James Leamy, Esq.
It is our painful duty to report the death, in a shocking manner, of one of our oldest and most esteemed citizens, James Leamy, Esq., early on Monday morning. Mr. Leamy was busily employed in collecting the men whose services he had engaged for the winter in his (?) lumbering business on the Ottawa. About 5 o'clock, a.m., the stage containing a number of those men was about to start from the Hotel of Mr. (Longway?), St. Patrick Street, and one of them, a hewer named Crickway, who was, it appears somewhat intoxicated, and who carried a loaded gun which he was taking with him to the woods, was getting into the stage, when Mr Leamy, seeing his helpless condition went to assist him to mount. At this juncture, Crickway slipped or staggered, when, and to relate, the gun which he held in his hand went off, discharging its contents (duckshot) into Mr. Leamy's head, scattering the unfortunate gentleman's brains about the side-walk and over the front wall and windows of the Hotel. The occurrence has cast a gloom over the whole city, as Mr. Leamy was universally respected, and was prominent in every undertaking where public improvement or the benefit of his fellow-citizens was concerned. For many years he was a trusted representative of our city as alderman for By-Ward in the City Council, and he was identified with every measure of public utility for the last 15 years. He was also an influential laborer in the cause of charity, ans was prominent in the organization of a Conference of St. Vincent de Paul Society in this city, two years ago, of which institution he was elected the first President. The deceased gentleman leaves an estimable wife and four young children to mourn his untimely death, and thousands will escort his remains to their last resting place with heart felt sorrow and with deep sympathy for his afflicted family. The melancholy affair, it will be observed, is another commentary on the dangerous indulgence of intoxicating drink, together with the criminal carelessness... (article cut off).
Michael Leamy
Astoria, Oregon, USA
