Thadeus Kelly : Short Biography

1. THADEUS

b.c.1835 Co. Tyrone   ?bpt. 4 Nov. 1838 Crossmolina, Co. Mayo- s. of Edmund & Winnifred (O’Hara) Kelly
m.c. 1863 SARAH DORAN (b.c.1842 Co. Tyrone, d. Sept. 1915 Clogher Dist., Tyrone)
d. influenza epidemic 1918

“Kelly - Ó Ceallaigh (The derivation of Kelly is uncertain: the most probable suggestion is that is from ceallach, strife) The most important and numerous sept of this name is that of the Uí Maine. Kelly is the second most numerous name in Ireland. In 1890 less than one percent of them had the prefix O but this has been to some extent resumed.”(3)

In Catherine’s baptismal record it says at the end “sub conditione”  The Latin phrase sub conditione was used when the parents were of mixed marriage (mix mar) when the child might be of an age where the priest considered it possible the child may have been baptised/christened in the religion of the non-catholic parent. Most Catholic born children were baptized within a few weeks of birth but in some cases with poorer uneducated parents the baptism was delayed and when parents were asked if the child had been baptized they couldn't remember so again sub conditione was applied. The term was also applied if the non-catholic partner, children of a mixed marriage or persons of another faith converted to the RC religion as they probably were baptized/christened into their own previous faith.

Mixed marriage in past times were considered to be a marriage between a Roman Catholic and a Protestant e.g. Church of England or Methodist. Before such a marriage could take place the non-catholic partner had to undergo several weeks of instruction into the Roman Catholic faith before they were allowed to marry in a Catholic church. Any mixed marriage where they married in the non-catholic partner's church or, heaven forbid, in a Registry Office, the marriage was not recognized and the children of such a union were considered illegitimate in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church.  In Catherine’s case I suspect it was due to either Thadeus or Sarah belonging to another church.

Ship "John Bright" arrival date (NYC) 28 Aug 1854/ port of departure Liverpool England

Joseph Gervis born abt 1837

Robert Gervis born abt 1846

John Green born abt 1842

Thomas Green born abt 1844

Thadeus Kelly born abt 1836

http://www.cotyroneireland.com/ships/tyrone-to-newyork.html

Griffith's Valuation of 1855 lists two Thaddeus Kellys, one living in the townland of Clarehill, Clare Abbey, Ennis and the other on the Islands of Fergus, Killadysert.(2) Thadeus and Sarah were listed in the 1901 census for Kilskerry along with his daughters Ellen and Margaret. He was listed as being a farmer and they were living in the townland of Relagh.(1)

COUNTY TYRONE

THE TRILLICK MURDER CASE

Yesterday the hearing of the Trillick murder case was resumed by Mr. Justice Andrews in the Crown Court of the County Courthouse, Omagh.  The court, including the ladies’ gallery, was densely crowded, and the case was apparently of great interest, the evidence being followed with much eagerness.  Over one hundred witnesses are summoned, of whom not one half have as yet been examined…  James Armstrong, re-examined, stated that he had a conversation with the two prisoners on the 10th March, the day after the murder.  He met them at the cross, and told James that he had heard his voice and what passed between Funston and himself the previous night.  James said that it could not have been him.  Thomas Maguire was standing close by at the time.  James said that it was a terrible case, and wondered how it could have occurred.  Witness asked James where he had left Funston on the previous night.  He said at the cross-roads, facing towards Trillick.  Witness said if Funston had gone that road he would be all right.  Witness asked them what road they went home, and James replied, “Down past Kilskeery Bridge”.  Witness told them that the inquest would be held at Funston’s house next morning at nine o’clock.  He saw Thady Kelly at the Tempo cross-roads.  He heard him saying to Jas. Maguire that he (witness) would come hard or tight on the Maguires.  James was telling Kelly all that passed between them and witness.

Cross-examined by Mr. Patchell- It was about 110 yards from where he was standing in the field to the spot where Funston’s body was found, and near where he heard the voices on that night.  It was a fine night, and the voice of a man speaking like Funston could have been heard at 100 yards distance.  There was nothing to prevent witness from going towards where Funston and the two men were standing… Samuel Smith, farmer, said… he heard old Funston’s voice.  He knew it well.  He noticed that he was speaking in an angry tone.  He could not hear what Funston was saying, as the voice stopped suddenly.  He never heard it again… He heard Armstrong shout twice.  He was a good distance off him.  The second time Armstrong shouted, “Come on out of that, Funston”, the deceased man must have heard him.  Deceased was not deaf.  He was a strong, healthy man, about five feet ten in height, and eleven stone in weight.  He was well able to look after himself.  Witness did not hear what Funston said- he was speaking too quickly.  Witness was about a hundred and seventy yards from Funston… Francis Farry said that he remembered the morning of the 10th March… he was riding and… had to pass through Kilskeery.  When he got to the rectory gate the mare he was riding jumped to one side and he saw the body of a man lying on the left side of the road… The deceased man was lying with his head bent over his knees.  He saw the top of his head, and noticed that he was bareheaded.  It was about an Irish mile from his house to the spot where he saw the body.  That was quite close to James Armstrong’s house on the other side of the field… Thomas Brunt, examined, said he lived in the townland of Derry.  The road from Kilskeery to Trillick passed the townland.  Witness lived partly on the roadside.  He remembered the evening of 9th March.  He was ploughing that evening.  He knew Thady Kelly’s, and was there that night.  He left Kelly’s about ten o’clock and went home… Kelly accompanied him… (4)

THE TRILLICK CASE

The trial of James and Thomas Maguire on the charge of having robbed William Fuston near Trillick on the 9th March, 1896, was resumed yesterday in the Crown Court, Omagh… The court was again crowded with interested spectators, while hundreds of people remained outside awaiting with intense anxiety any bit of evidence that might tell for or against the accused…

THE TRILLICK MYSTERY

The Fourth Trial

This morning… Lord Justice Fitzgibbon sat in the Crown Court and the hearing of the charge against James Maguire… was resumed.  The indictment charged the prisoner with having on the 9th March, 1896, stolen £60 and a purse of the goods and chattles of William Funston, cattle dealer… at the Tempo road, Kilskeery, near Trillick.  The prisoner and his brother, Thomas Maguire, were twice tried for the murder of Funston, who was found dead on the roadside, and at the second trial in Belfast were acquitted.  They were tried together at the last assizes in Omagh, and the jury disagreed.  James Maguire was put on his trial alone at the present assizes… Thady Kelly deposed that he passed the Tempo road late on the night of the 9th and saw no dead body there.  One side of the road was shaded…(5)

The Maguires were not found guilty of killing or stealing from Mr Fuston.  This case must have been the talk of the town especially since it seemed to go on forever!

It’s estimated that over three million Irish women came to America in the 19th century and they made up more than half of the domestic servants in parts of New England with 80% of these immigrants working as servants.  Irish women were unique in being as likely as men to immigrate and usually did not travel with their families, but alone or with friends or siblings.  The average Irish girl coming to this country was single and age 21.  The reason for so many single Irish girls coming here was simple, work.  They weren’t interested in working in the mills, but, were interested in the ready market for servants.  After The Famine in Ireland, marriages were arranged between men with land and women with money. Poor women, like the Kelly girls, couldn’t bring together enough money for a dowry so their marriage prospects were poor.  Besides, these girls could marry who they pleased in America and avoid an arranged marriage.  Also, opportunities for employment in a rural area like Kilskeery were limited whereas in America servants were paid relatively well and given room and board.  The money saved often allowed these young women to save enough to be able to help their families in the old country or help pay passage to America for other family members, as happened with the Kellys. (6)

Thadeus and Sarah are found in the 1901 census for Kilskeery, ages 66 and 59, farmers and belonged to the Catholic church.  Living with them were their daughters Ellen, age 19, and Margaret, age 14.  The property owned is also described in this census and states that they lived in a house made of stone or brick with a slate, tile or metal roof and had three or four rooms and four windows in the front of the house.  It was considered a second class home.  Under the heading of "No. of Rooms occupied by each Family", they stated six.  One has to wonder how you could occupy six rooms in a four room house (perhaps they included the outhouse and barn?).

By the time of the 1911 census Thaddeus and Sarah were now 80 and 74, still farming in Relagh, in Kilskeery, and we learn that they were illiterate.  They had been married for 40 years and had ten children, nine of whom were still living.  Makes you wonder who was giving the information to the census taker given the fact that the family information doesn't agree with the primary sources found elsewhere (and with with Aunt Margaret told about the family).  The description of the home was the same as in 1901.

Issue- all born in Kilskerry, Co. Tyrone

·  I. John- b. 27 Apr. 1864 Tempo, Fermanagh

·  II. Peter- bpt. 1 July 1866 (b. 27 June Tempo)

·  III. Patrick- b. 28 Feb. bpt. 7 Mar. 1869, m. Annie ______ (d. 11 Aug. 1955), d. 29 Apr. 1961 Relagh, Kilskeery. Admin. Belfast 8 June 1961 to Edward Kelly, farmer.  Inv. Amounted to £921. 10s.

·  2IV. CATHERINE- b. 28 Dec. 1870, m. JOHN ELDRIDGE (b. 18 Aug. 1875 Kennebunkport, Maine, d. 31 Jan. 1951 Kennebunkport), d. 8 June 1936 Kennebunkport, Maine. Katie emigrated from Eire in 1888 either on the "Samaria" in Oct. 1888 or in Apr. 1888 on the "Scandinavian".

·  V. Sarah Anna- b. 26 May 1873

·  VI. Isabella- b. 26 Mar. 1875

·  VII. Bridget- b. 11 Aug. 1877

·  VIII. Eleanor- b. 1 Mar. 1880

·  IX. Ellen- b.c.1882, remained in Ireland

·  X. Mary Ellen- m. James McNabb of Kennebunkport, moved to Chicago.

·  XI. Margaret- b. 15 Aug. 1888, m. 1912 Bernard F. Warner of Kennebunkport, d. Apr. 1980 Kennebunk, Maine

Ref:

(1) 1901 Census Kilskerry, Co. Tyrone- Barony of East Omagh, townland of Relagh- PRONI
(2) Griffith's Valuation 1855

(3) Top 100 Irish Last Names Explained- Bryan Fitzgerald- Irish Central, 18 May 2014 at: http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/top-100-irish-last-names-explained2-1…

(4) The Belfast Newsletter- Friday, 7 July 1896

(5) The Belfast News-Letter- 11 Mar. 1897, The Freeman’s Journal- 13 July 1897

(6) Researching Irish Domestic Servants- Marie Daly, American Ancestors- Vol. 14, pp. 34-6 (Fall 2013)

Kilskerry Parish Records
"Coast Pilot"- 13 July 1977, pp.4-5
Maine Bureau of Vital Statistics- 8 June 1936

The Irish Bridget: Irish Immigrant Women in Domestic Service: 1840- 1930- Margaret Brennan, Syracuse Univ. Press, 2009

Erin’s Daughters in America: Irish Immigrant Women in the Nineteenth Century- Hasia Diner, Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1983