http://www.nightbeforechristmas.biz/poem.htm
Merry Christmas 2015
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Poor Patrick
I'd been focusing on my 3rd great-grandmother Emily but today, June 21,2015 which is Father's Day, I will think about Emily's husband, Patrick.
Dear Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Patrick,
What happened? You had a family, you had a home... Whatever became of you? Where are you?
My 3rd great-grandfather, Patrick Devine was born in Ireland. He was married to Emily and they had 9 or 10 children. Their daughter, Teresa was my 2nd great-grandmother. My grandmother's cousin told me in a letter the names of a few of Patrick and Emily's children. I added the names I had to my tree and found the other children's names in census records.
The 1860 federal census has Patrick and Emily living in New Paltz (Ulster County),NY with their sons, Martin and John, Ten years later and five more children added to the family, the Devines are residing in Cornwall (Orange County),NY according to the 1870 federal census but I also saw them in Newburgh so I'll have to check the dates that the census was actually taken by the enumerator. What makes me think that these are my ancestors? My 2nd great-grandmother, Teresa was born in Stuyvesant Falls (Columbia County),NY. The Devine family was living about 5 miles away in Stuyvesant according to the 1875 NY state census. I never found this family in the 1880 federal census. There was another child, William, born about 1882, and by 1900 the family was split up. The 1900 federal census shows Emily, divorced and living with their youngest son, William. The older children have married and moved away. I found Patrick down on his luck and living in a poorhouse.
The Ulster County Archives has admission records for the Ulster County Poorhouse which was located in New Paltz,NY. I saw the name Pat Devine in the 1900 listing of admissions. This man was a resident from Jan 2 until Mar 28 in 1900 and then again from Jan 1 until Mar 30 in 1901. I'm 99% sure that this is my Patrick. What makes me think this? Well, there are remarks noted with Patrick's information which state that in case of sickness or death, contact Sam Terwillager of Rifton. Patrick and Emily's daughter, Emma was married to a Simon Terwilliger and they were living in Rifton according to the 1900 federal census. By 1905, Emily was also living with Emma and Simon in Rifton. I'm hoping that I have the correct Devine family. I found the burial place for Simon and Emma and recently ordered Emma's death certificate so I can see her parents' names.
So where did Patrick go when he left the poorhouse? I found a Patrick Devine living as a boarder with a family in the town of Lloyd according to the 1905 NY state census. Lloyd is about 4 1/2 miles east of New Paltz where the poorhouse was. I haven't confirmed yet if the boarder was my 3rd great-grandfather. I seem to have lost him in the poorhouse. I wish I knew where and when he died so I could order a death certificate.
Poor Patrick, I wish I could find you.
Happy Father's Day in Heaven.
Dear Great-Great-Great-Grandfather Patrick,
What happened? You had a family, you had a home... Whatever became of you? Where are you?
My 3rd great-grandfather, Patrick Devine was born in Ireland. He was married to Emily and they had 9 or 10 children. Their daughter, Teresa was my 2nd great-grandmother. My grandmother's cousin told me in a letter the names of a few of Patrick and Emily's children. I added the names I had to my tree and found the other children's names in census records.
The 1860 federal census has Patrick and Emily living in New Paltz (Ulster County),NY with their sons, Martin and John, Ten years later and five more children added to the family, the Devines are residing in Cornwall (Orange County),NY according to the 1870 federal census but I also saw them in Newburgh so I'll have to check the dates that the census was actually taken by the enumerator. What makes me think that these are my ancestors? My 2nd great-grandmother, Teresa was born in Stuyvesant Falls (Columbia County),NY. The Devine family was living about 5 miles away in Stuyvesant according to the 1875 NY state census. I never found this family in the 1880 federal census. There was another child, William, born about 1882, and by 1900 the family was split up. The 1900 federal census shows Emily, divorced and living with their youngest son, William. The older children have married and moved away. I found Patrick down on his luck and living in a poorhouse.
The Ulster County Archives has admission records for the Ulster County Poorhouse which was located in New Paltz,NY. I saw the name Pat Devine in the 1900 listing of admissions. This man was a resident from Jan 2 until Mar 28 in 1900 and then again from Jan 1 until Mar 30 in 1901. I'm 99% sure that this is my Patrick. What makes me think this? Well, there are remarks noted with Patrick's information which state that in case of sickness or death, contact Sam Terwillager of Rifton. Patrick and Emily's daughter, Emma was married to a Simon Terwilliger and they were living in Rifton according to the 1900 federal census. By 1905, Emily was also living with Emma and Simon in Rifton. I'm hoping that I have the correct Devine family. I found the burial place for Simon and Emma and recently ordered Emma's death certificate so I can see her parents' names.
So where did Patrick go when he left the poorhouse? I found a Patrick Devine living as a boarder with a family in the town of Lloyd according to the 1905 NY state census. Lloyd is about 4 1/2 miles east of New Paltz where the poorhouse was. I haven't confirmed yet if the boarder was my 3rd great-grandfather. I seem to have lost him in the poorhouse. I wish I knew where and when he died so I could order a death certificate.
Poor Patrick, I wish I could find you.
Happy Father's Day in Heaven.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Ireland
My mother will be visiting Ireland in about six months. I wish I were going. I've always wanted to visit the land of my ancestors. I want to see the green rolling hills, the castles, look for lucky four leaf clovers and maybe catch a glimpse of a mischievous leprechaun. I won't be kissing the Blarney Stone because I've already been blessed with the gift of gab though I'd still like to take a picture of this famous stone. I don't drink but I can't visit Ireland without stepping into a pub or two and sampling the local brew.
My mother is taking this trip with the senior citizens she went with last year when they toured England, Scotland and Wales. She enjoyed last year's trip and since she'd never been to Ireland she didn't think twice about going. The itinerary includes Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and I don't remember the rest.
I've read quite a few books that take place in Ireland. Among these books were Angela's Ashes written by Frank McCourt and a series of books by Martha Long. Both of these authors wrote about their poor childhood. Martha Long's first book is Ma, He Sold Me For a Pack of Cigarettes and was a bit difficult to read because it was so sad. Martha talks about her poor depressing childhood in 1950's Dublin. I don't know how she survived but survive she did as she talks about her ups and downs, struggles and accomplishments in the series of books that followed her debut novel. Another poor Irish child was Frank McCourt. He was born in New York, U.S.A. to Irish parents who moved the family back to their homeland when he was about 4 years old. He wrote about his poor childhood in a book called Angela's Ashes. I would love to visit Limerick and see the places of Frank's youth mentioned in the book. I wonder if I give my mother a list of my places of interest in Dublin and Limerick would she take a picture for me? Probably not since she's travelling with a group. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait until I can make this journey myself.
My 3rd great-grandparents on my maternal grandmother's mother's side of the family were Patrick Devine and Emily Sheldon. They immigrated to the United States from Ireland. I have no idea what part of Ireland Emily was born in but I hope to find out before my mother's trip. I found a record a few months ago showing a Patrick Devine born in County Mayo. I'm 98%, no make that 99% sure that this is my Patrick. The next blog post will be 'Poor Patrick'. My mother is not visiting County Mayo on her group trip to Ireland but I'll be sure to add this county to my itinerary for my dream trip to Ireland.
I'm looking forward to my Irish adventure in the future but until then I'll have to be content with looking at pictures and brochures from my mother.
My mother is taking this trip with the senior citizens she went with last year when they toured England, Scotland and Wales. She enjoyed last year's trip and since she'd never been to Ireland she didn't think twice about going. The itinerary includes Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and I don't remember the rest.
I've read quite a few books that take place in Ireland. Among these books were Angela's Ashes written by Frank McCourt and a series of books by Martha Long. Both of these authors wrote about their poor childhood. Martha Long's first book is Ma, He Sold Me For a Pack of Cigarettes and was a bit difficult to read because it was so sad. Martha talks about her poor depressing childhood in 1950's Dublin. I don't know how she survived but survive she did as she talks about her ups and downs, struggles and accomplishments in the series of books that followed her debut novel. Another poor Irish child was Frank McCourt. He was born in New York, U.S.A. to Irish parents who moved the family back to their homeland when he was about 4 years old. He wrote about his poor childhood in a book called Angela's Ashes. I would love to visit Limerick and see the places of Frank's youth mentioned in the book. I wonder if I give my mother a list of my places of interest in Dublin and Limerick would she take a picture for me? Probably not since she's travelling with a group. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wait until I can make this journey myself.
My 3rd great-grandparents on my maternal grandmother's mother's side of the family were Patrick Devine and Emily Sheldon. They immigrated to the United States from Ireland. I have no idea what part of Ireland Emily was born in but I hope to find out before my mother's trip. I found a record a few months ago showing a Patrick Devine born in County Mayo. I'm 98%, no make that 99% sure that this is my Patrick. The next blog post will be 'Poor Patrick'. My mother is not visiting County Mayo on her group trip to Ireland but I'll be sure to add this county to my itinerary for my dream trip to Ireland.
I'm looking forward to my Irish adventure in the future but until then I'll have to be content with looking at pictures and brochures from my mother.
Friday, April 17, 2015
Irish History Month
Well, the month of March has come and gone just like the months of February and January. I had wanted this year to be the year that I update my blog regularly. I had moved from New York to South Carolina last November and was busy getting used to my new job and trying to get my house fixed up and ready to move into. My research and blog got put on hold while I focused on my son's schoolwork.
March was the month I was going to devote to Irish research since it was Irish-American history month and my 3rd great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland. I had a few blog posts written on paper but I never went on the computer and updated my blog. I'm going to play catch up since I've made some discoveries. The next few posts will be about my Irish ancestors.
March was the month I was going to devote to Irish research since it was Irish-American history month and my 3rd great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland. I had a few blog posts written on paper but I never went on the computer and updated my blog. I'm going to play catch up since I've made some discoveries. The next few posts will be about my Irish ancestors.
| An Irish Prayer |
| May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer. |
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Irish American Heritage Month
Goodbye February, Hello March!
I wish I could say hello to my 3rd great-grandparents who emigrated from Ireland in the late 1840's and 1850's. I don't know much about Patrick Devine and Emily Sheldon but since it is Irish American Heritage Month I am focusing my research this month on my Irish ancestors.
I wish I could say hello to my 3rd great-grandparents who emigrated from Ireland in the late 1840's and 1850's. I don't know much about Patrick Devine and Emily Sheldon but since it is Irish American Heritage Month I am focusing my research this month on my Irish ancestors.
| An Old Irish Blessing |
| May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours! |
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Goodbye Dorothy, Hello Billy
A child dies... A child is born...
On this day, 29th of January in 1927, my maternal grandmother's youngest brother, William Davis was born. The new baby entered the world the day after his older sister, 3 year old Dorothy left it.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Uncle Billy!
On this day, 29th of January in 1927, my maternal grandmother's youngest brother, William Davis was born. The new baby entered the world the day after his older sister, 3 year old Dorothy left it.
Happy Birthday in Heaven, Uncle Billy!
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Rest In Peace little Dorothy
On this day, 28th of January in 1927, three year old Dorothy Davis went to Heaven. This little angel was my maternal grandmother, Eleanor's youngest sibling. She died from burns caused by the kerosene heater which lit her dress on fire. so tragic...
I had written about Dorothy a few times in the past so I won't elaborate on the cause of her death. For anyone actually reading this who might like to read about Dorothy and see her death certificate, you can check out my blog posts dated 3/20/11, 3/22/11, 6/7/12, and 1/28/13.
I don't have a photo of little Dorothy and sometimes wonder what she looked like. Did she resemble her older sister Eleanor who had black hair and dark eyes like their father Samuel? Maybe she looked like her older brother Daniel who had brown hair and blue eyes like their mother Josephine. I guess I'll never know what Dorothy looked like until it's my turn to meet her in heaven.
A child dies... A child is born... Dorothy's baby brother, William was born the day after she died.
Rest in Peace Dorothy
I had written about Dorothy a few times in the past so I won't elaborate on the cause of her death. For anyone actually reading this who might like to read about Dorothy and see her death certificate, you can check out my blog posts dated 3/20/11, 3/22/11, 6/7/12, and 1/28/13.
I don't have a photo of little Dorothy and sometimes wonder what she looked like. Did she resemble her older sister Eleanor who had black hair and dark eyes like their father Samuel? Maybe she looked like her older brother Daniel who had brown hair and blue eyes like their mother Josephine. I guess I'll never know what Dorothy looked like until it's my turn to meet her in heaven.
A child dies... A child is born... Dorothy's baby brother, William was born the day after she died.
Rest in Peace Dorothy