Margaret Meehan was born in Bruree and baptized there on December 23, 1834. Her parents were Margaret Shanahan and John Meehan, Her baptism sponsors were her maternal uncle Timothy Shanahan and Kate Ahern.
I was and still am, to some extent, having some difficulty establishing, without doubt, the parents of James O’Shea due to the lack of documents. Also there seems to be more than one James O’Shea and with addresses like Granagh, Graigacurra etc that seem interchangeable depending on circumstances, it is difficult to be 100% certain about some details below. However, I am going with the theory that his parents were James O’Shea and Margaret Connors. Again, if anyone has information on this I would appreciate an email infosheacollins@gmail.com
On July 27, 1859, James O’Shea, aged 23, married Margaret Meehan, aged 25, in Bruree, County Limerick, Ireland. James was a cooper, a trade that may have connected him to Margaret’s family, who also had ties to the craft. It is possible they met through the cooper’s guild or, like many couples of the time, were introduced through a matchmaker. QUESTION: if James was the son of James O’Shea of Kilmacanearle North, (as I had thought) how did he end up being a cooper instead of a farmer?
Standing as witnesses to their marriage were Daniel Bennett and Catherine Shea, James’ sister.
By the time Patrick, their youngest child, was born in 1884, James O’Shea and Margaret Meehan had already endured immense sorrow. Their journey through parenthood had been marked not just by the joys of welcoming new life but also by the heartbreak of bidding farewell to too many of their children far too soon.
Their firstborn, Daniel, likely passed away in infancy, a tragedy suggested by the fact that they later gave the same name to another child. The fates of both Daniels, as well as a son named William, remain uncertain. Yet, the pain that can be confirmed is already staggering.
Their daughter Hanora succumbed to tuberculosis at just 13 years old—a devastating loss at an age when she should have been blossoming into young adulthood. Their daughter Margaret, barely given a chance at life, passed away at only one year old due to hydrocephalus. And their young son James, a child who likely filled their home with laughter and energy, was taken from them by croup at the tender age of three.
As if the weight of so much loss wasn’t enough, the couple also had to endure the slow departure of their surviving children, not through death but through necessity. The economic and social hardships of 19th-century Ireland pushed them to seek better futures elsewhere. The first to leave was John J., who married in 1888 and soon after set sail for America with his wife in 1889. Their eldest daughter, Mary, also began a new chapter, marrying Martin Chawke. Timothy J. followed the well-trodden path in 1888 at just 18, and in 1892, Mary T. left as well.
For James and Margaret, the pain of burying children was compounded by the ache of watching others walk away, knowing they might never return. Each goodbye was permanent in its own way—either marked by the finality of the grave or the vast, unbridgeable distance of the Atlantic Ocean.
QUESTION: While we can confirm that the later-born Daniel was alive in 1884, the significance of the term “occupier” on Patrick’s birth certificate remains a mystery – occupier of where?
Children of James O’Shea and Margaret Meehan
1862 – Their first child, Daniel O’Shea, was born in 1862 in Rockhill, Bruree, and was baptized on February 24, 1862. Present at his baptism were John Meehan, (paternal uncle or grandfather?) and Johanna Lyons, the wife of his maternal uncle, Tim. There seems to have been another instance of naming a baby “Daniel” in 1867. This suggests the possibility that Daniel, born in 1862, may have passed away during infancy, prompting them to give the name to another child later on.
1862 – Mary O’Shea’s birth is documented in 1862, as indicated in the record. However, upon clicking through the record on any search engine, it directs to the church register for DANIEL, not Mary O’Shea, raising questions about the accuracy or alignment of the records.
It is believed within the family that the Mary O’Shea above is the same Mary O’Shea who married Martin Chawke – however, I am not so sure.
QUESTION: Where is the church baptismal record for Mary?
QUESTION: why were James’ first two children baptised in Rockhill/Bruree and after that in Granagh? Was he living in Bruree? How did they come to live in Granagh?
All the following children were born/baptised in Granagh.
1864 – John J O’Shea’s birthdate was officially noted as December 4th. However, there appears to be a discrepancy, as he was baptized on March 1, 1863. Present at his baptism were Patrick Barry and Catherine Bennett. Catherine Bennett was the sister of Daniel Bennett, who played a role as one of the witnesses at the wedding of James O’Shea and Margaret Meehan. This suggests a relationship between the Bennett and O’Shea families, evident in their recurrent presence at various wedding and baptismal occasions over the years.
John J. O’Shea married Mary (Maria) Shiels in the parish of Ballingarry on April 8, 1888. The witnesses to the marriage were Daniel O’Shea and Maria Broderick.
In 1864, Margaret’s father passed away in Bruree.
1865 – Hanora O’Shea was born on April 24, 1865, and baptized on January 1, 1865. The sponsors at her baptism were Patrick O’Shea , her uncle (who married Mary Hannan), and Hana Barry. Tragically, she passed away at the age of 13 due to phthisis, also known as pulmonary tuberculosis. The registration of her death was made by Margaret O’Shea, presumably her mother.
1867 – Daniel O’Shea was born on October 21, 1867, and baptised 5 days later, on October 26, 1967. His sponsors were John Sheehy & his paternal aunt, Catherine O’Shea.
1869 – Timothy J. O’Shea was born on May 29, 1869 and baptised on March 30, 1869. His sponsors were his maternal uncle Timothy Meehan & Tim’s wife, Johanna Meehan nee Lyons,
Note the registration in the church record says that James O’Shea of Granagh.
In 1869, Margaret received the sad news that her sister Frances Meehan Collopy had passed away in July of that year at the early age of 42, in New York, leaving behind a husband and 7 children, the youngest of whom was only 5 years old.
1872 – William O’Shea was born on June 30, 1872, and baptised on July 5, 1872. His sponsors were Timothy O’Shea & Catherine Bourke
1874 – Margaret O’Shea was born on February 11, 1874, and was baptized six days later, on February 17, 1874, with Thomas Bennett and Bridget Lyons as sponsors.
QUESTION: I would like to know more about Thomas Bennett and Bridget Lyons
Tragically, she passed away in 1875 at just one year old. The cause of death was recorded as hydrocephalus, a condition involving the accumulation of fluid in the brain.
It seems likely that her parents knew she would not survive, as her death certificate notes “21 days,” which may indicate that she had been critically ill for the last three weeks. Additionally, no medical attendant certified her passing. It was Margaret’s mother who registered her daughter’s death.
1877 – Mary T. O’Shea was born on May 12, 1877, in Granagh, Kilmallock, Limerick, Ireland and baptized on May 10, 1877 (I know this is not possible, but those are the dates on the records).
Sponsors were John White & Maria Barry (Maria married James’ first cousin, William O’Shea, in 1866)
1882 – James O’Shea was born on August 5th. John Walsh and Marie O’Shea acted as sponsors at his baptism. Sadly, James passed away on July 7, 1885, at the age of 3, succumbing to croup. His brother John took on the responsibility of registering his death.
1884 – Patrick O’Shea was born on October 7, 1884, in Granagh, which was in the parish of Ballingarry at the time. He was baptised on October 12, 1884.
Sponsors were Ds McInery & Helen Barry. Patrick married Mary Frances O’Connell from Milford.
On October 13, 1885, Margaret Meehan’s mother passed away from natural causes, at the age of 80.
It would seem that from here on, James had some run-ins with the police because of his attachment to alcohol. Perhaps there are other instances prior to 1885 that I have not found so far. Did he feel the need to temporarily escape the sorrows he and Margaret had accumulated? I don’t know. I have no documents or tales to tell me how Margaret coped with the loss of her children both in childhood and in adulthood, but I can imagine how difficult it must have been.
It would also appear that James owned some goats…
QUESTIONS:
- Close inspection of the following documents will show that there are different addresses used for James – so I am only surmising that all these court appearances are for my great-grandfather James O’Shea. When did Granagh become Granagh? Granagh and Ballingarry are ecclesiastical parishes, so perhaps the other places named are more specific, but I am still searching for clarity on these issues. Granagh is on the 1901 national census As for both James and Thomas O’Shea being from Graigacurra – that is a puzzle for me as I have no documents to say they lived in the same house.
1885 – Nov 30 in court, Constable Courtney .v. James O’Shea, Granagh drunk on the street in Croom on November 8. Fined 2/6 + costs 1/6
- Constable Mortimer Kinnane v. James O’Shea Graigacurra having in his house possession of spirts for the purposes of sale—without a license. Fined £2 + costs 8 schillings. In default, one month in prison with hard labor plus six pence in costs if a warrant is issued. Paid in two installments.
- same court sitting Michael Moloney and John O’Gorman, both of Granagh and Thomas O’Shea Graigacurra prosecuted for being found in the house of James O’Shea for the purposes of illegally dealing in liquor, said house not having a license to sell liquor. Each fined 2 shillings and 6 pence plus one shilling costs. In default 7 days in prison with hard labor; 6 pence for costs to be added if a warrant is issued. Fines paid.
1888: Feb 8 Sgt Callaghan v. James O’Shea Granagh drunk on the road at Castletown on January 30. Fined 5 shillings + costs 1 shilling. In default, 7 days of hard labor in prison plus costs of 6 pence if a warrant is issued
On January 3, 1889 Margaret’s sister Ellen Meehan Burns passed away in New York, aged 51, leaving behind a husband and 5 children ranging in age from 10 to 32 years of age.
On July 6, 1898 James’ sister Ellen who was married to William Power passed away at the age of 50. Cause of death was cirrosis of the liver.
On July 10, 1899, Margaret’s brother Timothy Meehan died at Kilmallock workhouse at the age of 63. He had been suffering with a hernia for 2 years, and it appears to me he had an operation to fix it but then had a cardiac arrest. Timothy was a cooper, a storyteller, and had some stories published in the press. He was survived by his wife and 4 children.
1901 Census
QUESTION: Where was 16 – 17 year old Patrick O’Shea? I can’t find him in the Irish census
1900 May 2 in court before Justices Atkinson and Conyers, Timothy Hartigan, receiver of the estate of John Hartigan, v. James O’Shea, said that on March 30, James allowed two goats to wander on Hartigan’s property at Graigacurra. Go forward by court for one month (?)
1901 April 3 before Justices French and Conyers, complaint by Timothy Hartigan Patrickswell v. James O’Shea (cooper) Granagh That on February 3, March 10, and March 15, he allowed his goat on Hartigan’s property. No appearance.
On June 1, 1905, Margaret and James’ son Timothy J. died tragically in New York at the age 35. He had emigrated from Ireland when he was 18. He was run over by a train at 2.45 a.m. near Seneca St. Timothy was survived by his wife, one son, and one daughter.
Some time prior to 1905, James and Margaret had opened a shop in their cottage across the road from Granagh Church.
In 1904, on August 18, Patrick, then 19 years old, embarked on a journey from Cobh aboard the ship Teutonic, destined for New York, with the purpose of visiting his siblings. The sea voyage spanned seven days, concluding on August 25 when he reached Ellis Island. Upon arrival, he made his way to 1095 Perry St., Buffalo, NY, where his brother Timothy resided. Sadly, tragedy struck the following June when Timothy lost his life in a train accident.
I have noted on ancestrydotcom that Margaret Meehan O’Shea passed away in 1912, but I have no documents to substantiate this.
On September 12, 1912, James’ brother Patrick, who had emigrated to New York with his wife, Mary Shields, and their entire family, passed away. He was 77 years old and had valvular disease of the heart.
1916 – Sept 7 before Justices Bennett and Moloney, James O’Shea, Graigacurra for allowing goats to wander on the road on August 21. Fined 6 pence plus costs of one schilling. James was 80 years old and probably past caring about consequences for all these transgressions at this stage.
