John (H.) Donnelly was buried at
Calvary Cemetery, Northfield, Vermont, USA. He was naturalized; Farmer/Teamster. He Based on Death record, he MAY have been born 28/29-Feb-1827, as no 'days' were listed. Either that, or family knew he was born in Feb, but not the day.
Certificate of Death - John Donley 5/31/1901 BK 3 PG 253 (parents on this one are Daniel & Mary (Herlihy?) Donley)
There was ANOTHER John Donnelly b. 1830, d. 1901 at RUTLAND, VT, but that was a different John (the blacksmith). Previous dates listed for him, in error. Current date of death of 31-May-1901, age 74 years and 3 months is from Northfield, VT, certificate of Death for State of Vermont. Middle initial 'H' taken from Vital Records of child(ren). Date from 1900 Census of Feb-1827 matches age on death certificate, as well. As for whether he was christened on 03-Oct-1828 at Newry, County Down, is a very LONG shot, given that record indicates a father named John, whereas John's death record indicates a father named Daniel (though if proves to be David, handwriting on certificate is 'sloppy' enough for such a consideration. He was, by his death record, born in County Cork.
ONE source indicates John Donnelly (who married Sarah Gallagher) was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland (hence listing of baptismal/christening date). Until secondary source is found, am listing these individuals this way, more as a placeholder in case secondary source proves primary to be correct.
The Feb-1827 birth date for 'senior' is taken from the 1900 Census. Earlier and later census records vary.
From Northfield News, 04-Jun-1901:
1. 'Card of Thanks - We wish to thank the neighbors and friends for their kindness during the illness and death of our husband and father; also to the undertakers Chase & Roys for their efficient services - Mrs. John Donley and Family
2. 'John Donley, 73 years old, died Friday evening at 11:30 at his home in this village, of cancer of the stomach. He had been confined to the bed for four months, for a couple of years before he had been in failing health. He leaves a wife, one daughter, Annie, wife of John Cannon and four sons; Daniel of Barnet, M.H. at Montpelier, John of Barre, and Alfred of this place. Also one brother, Michael of Moretown. Mr. Donley was born in Ireland, emigrating to this country while yet a young man; some 10 years since he removed from Wheelock to Northfield, which has since been his home. By occupation he was a farmer. The funeral service was held in the Catholic Church (St Johns) yesterday (3-Jun) forenoon at nine o'clock, and burial was in the new Catholic cemetery.'
The above obituary offers only solid confirmation that Michael and John Donley/Donelly/Donnelly were indeed brothers. Furthermore, it brings the Cronin/Herlihy question into being. It also means, based on Michael's obituary, that he and John had a brother and sister, who remained in Ireland and were living as of 1917, when Michael died ('survived by a sister and brother in Ireland').
There is another Donnelly, 'Ann Donolly' in the 1860 US Census for Northfield, VT. IF, big IF, John came to the US with a sister, she would be a good fit. She was born @1830, a single 'domestic' in the home of William L. Black, a 32 year-old carpenter, b. VT. Michael, the supposed younger brother, did not arrive in US until about 1856/57, and can't locate him in 1860, either. Likely they were in rather mobile states, at least until John settled in Wheelock. Was he first in Boston? It's surely possible. In fact, a Sarah Gallagher, age 18 in 1860 Census for Ward 5, Boston, is a name/age fit (could be another Sarah, but it does offer the remote possibility that the couple may have met and married in the Boston area, and shortly thereafter removed to Wheelock, where it seems all the kids were born. If it ever proves to be the right Sarah, she was living in the home of Ernest and Maria A. Murphy.
Can not recall where the 'H.' came from, though if accurate, could easily stand for Henry. By Census of 1870, lived in Wheelock, Vermont. Value of his real estate was $1500 and value of personal estate was $1018. Census lists family as follows: John ae 38, Occupation-Farmer, Sarah ae 27, Occupation-Housekeeper, Daniel D. ae 7, male, Iverness ae 4, male, John ae 2, male, James A. ae 4 months, male. This could possibly correlate with ONE naturalization record on A John D. born 1835 (not 1832!) in Country Cork, Ireland, Arriving US Oct-1852, Date of Naturalization. It does not, however, correlate with his birth year of 1827.
The date of aforesaid John Donnelly's (Donnally on record) naturalization, is listed as 29 Aug 1867 with certificate # of Vol 2 page 83 (1). It was filed in the Caledonia county court house in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Looking at the 1860 census for both Wheelock and St. Johnsbury, only one Donnelly was found, it was a Joanna d. who resided (at age 22) with the Hastings family. She was listed as born in Ireland (this would put her birth as 1838, a slight possibility she was of the same family as John ?????????
Some John Donnelly possibles...
A John D. Came across on the 'Washington Irving', into Boston, MA. If on the Washington Irving, then he arrived in U.S. on 03-Jan-1850 and was, by ship record, a boot maker, at age 18, and chose to reside in Roxbury, upon arrival, with other Donnellys. John's birth date is most likely late 1820s.
Surely a different one listed in a 'Searching for Relatives' column:
7 June 1851 (looking for) JOHN DONNELLY, from parish Laughgall, townland Ballamagarnedy, co. Armagh, who sailed from Glasgow and landed in New York a year ago last fall. Any information respecting him will be thankfully received by his uncle, ARTHUR DONNELLY, Brunswick, Maine. Volume II: 1851 - 1853
Cedric Arthur Donley seems to remember that the Donnelly and Galleher families emigrated from county Kerry in the 1800's (about 1850) on son Manus' death certificate, was listed as John H. (probably for Henry).
DEATH RECORD:
Be careful. There were at least two John Donnellys who died in 1901. OUR John Donnelly died in Northfield, NOT in Rutland or elsewhere. His Northfield record clearly indicates a birth date of Feb-1827, and death in May-1901.
There is a VERY STRONG possibility that John had a brother 'Michael' as there was one in Northfield/Wheelock area (1836-1917, married to Katherine Meehan 1838-1917) who did a lot of land trading with John in 1858-1863 timeframe. Need to check if two brothers came over in the same ship, John and Michael. This could actually help. Then again, could just be cousins or share a common name?
In 1870 Census for Wheelock, New Caledonia County, Vermont, the following Donnelly family is listed:
John, age 38, Farmer with real estate valued at 1500 and personal estate, 1018. b. Ireland
Sarah, age 27, keeping house, b. Ireland.
Daniel D., age 7, b. VT
Iverness, age 4, b. VT
John, age 2, b. VT
James A, age 4months, b. VT.
1880 US Census for Wheelock, Caledonia, Vermont p. 270a?
John DONLEY Self M Male W 47 IRELAND Farmer IRELAND IRELAND
Sarah DONLEY Wife M Female W 37 IRELAND Keeping House IRELAND IRELAND
Daniel DONLEY Son S Male W 17 VT Farm Laborer IRELAND IRELAND
Mannis DONLEY Dau S Female W 14 VT At Home IRELAND IRELAND
John DONLEY Son S Male W 12 VT At Home IRELAND IRELAND
Alfred DONLEY Son S Male W 10 VT IRELAND IRELAND
Anna J DONLEY Dau S Female W 5 VT IRELAND IRELAND
Believe the 1900 Census provides the most accurate information on this family. It finally gives a years of birth for Sarah of 1842, matching her death record which would indicate Dec-1841 - it even shows that John was born in 1827, not into the 1830's at all. It also gives us their years of arrival in this country:
US Census 1900 - Vermont, Washington County, Roll 1695 Book 1, Page 197a, Northfield Township, Northfield Village, Enumerated the 6th of June, 1900, Supervisor's Distric 274, ED #234, Sheet 4B, dwelling 87, family 103, lines 55-58:
Donley, John, Head, W, M, Feb.1827, 73, M-39, -, -, Ireland, Ireland, Ireland, 1848-52, Na., Teamster, -, -, No, No, Yes, R, -, H, -.
', Sarah G, Wife, W, F, Dec.1842, 57, M-39, 6/5, Ireland, Ireland, Ireland, 1851-49, -, None, -, -, Yes, No, Yes, -----
', John Jr., Son, W, M, Jan.1868, 32, S, VT, Ire, Ire, Painter, -, 0, Yes, Yes, Yes, ----
', James A., Son, W, M, Feb.1870, 30, S, VT, Ire, Ire, Painter, -, 0, Yes, Yes, Yes, ----
From this we know a few things. First, that John Sr. couldn't read or write. That Sarah could read but not write. That their sons could both manage reading AND writing and did not attend school in the past year (hope not!). We now know that John arrived in 1848, at the age of @21, and that Sarah arrived in 1851, at the age of only 9 or 10. However, that fits with her arriving with her father. This may help in later identifying WHERE they originated in Ireland. I think, because of John's inability to read or write, and Sarah's inability to write, we find explanation in the varying listings for dates of birth. On 1870 Census, John is 38, so would have birth year of 1832. On his headstone it reads 1830-1901. My suspicion is that he KNEW he was born somewhere between 1827 and 1832, but not sure. Same might hold true and help explain the 1841-1849 birth year range for Sarah! We also know that, at least come 1900, John was renting a house (R, H). Also, in 1920 Census record for Manus (son), it shows Sarah as arriving in 1857, not 1851, and naturalized in 1861 (not indicated by 1900 Census). IF her actual arrival year was closer to 1857, then PERHAPS the family story of she and John marrying in Ireland, him coming to the US to find prosperous work then sending for her, but her not wanting to wait, coming over on her own... well, if she arrived in 1857, surely she was but 15 or 16, even then. She'd have been one tough cookie!
Although some claim John and Sarah were married in 1860 in Washington County, Vermont, there is no such record at the state archives. Whether or not the local town would have this information is still something to check into. Wheelock, most likely, or possibly even Northfield?
Here is a brief chronology of the Donnelly land transactions in Wheelock, Vermont, From 1858 to 1869:
18-Mar-1839 Abner Bean is allotted lots 109+110 in original land sale.
31-May-1841 Benjamin Bean acquires lots 109+110 from his father Abner
06-Sep-1858 Benjamin Bean sells 109+110 to John Dannaly of St Johnsbury and Michael Dannaly of Wheelock for $1,000 total acres +/- 100. (NOTE - In 1858, John was 'of St. Johnsbury')
06-Sep-1858 John and Michael Donnelly mortgage the lots to Benjamin Bean for $1,000 payable in installments of 200/100/200/100/200/200 dollars, paid in full by 25-Nov-1862 at 1:00 pm.
30-Jun-1863 Michael Donley sells his half of 109+110 to John Donley for $500
14-Jul-1863 a mortgage deed from John to Michael Donley - $500 paid by Michael to John for 'half of all the land that I own'. A note on the bottom indicates that Michael 'discharge this mortgage deed' on 28-dec-1865.
28-Dec-1865 a mortgage from John and Sarah Donely (both of Wheelock) to a Barzilla S. Wheeler (a banker type is my guess) $200.00 for 'one individuals half of what we owe on lots 109+110'... It was paid in full on 03-Feb-1866 at 3:00 pm
20-Nov-1869 sale of land for taxes by public notice indicates that all 100 acres of John and Sarah's land went to a James McGaffery for $1.38 taxes owed upon it. This James McGaffery bought a total of more than 933 acres for around $70.00 that day. The question is, whether it was more of a loan on the part of Mr. McGaffery and whether or not John and Sarah ever got that land back, because in the 1870 census, he had $1500 land and $1018 other for assets.
Name: John Donnelly
Year: 1830-1901
Place: Vermont
Source Publication Code: 5900.10
Primary Immigrant: Donnelly, John
Annotation: Most are time spans between date of birth and date of death; some are just date of death with place of burial. Place of origin, gravestone inscriptions, and name and location of cemetery may also be provided. Extensive historical data is also provided.
Source Bibliography: MURPHY, RONALD CHASE AND JANICE CHURCH MURPHY. Irish Famine Immigrants in the State of Vermont, Gravestone Inscriptions. Baltimore, MD: Clearfield Co., Inc., 2000. 723p.
Page: 355
FYI, in 1870, John Donnelly and family resided next door to Benjamin Bean, b. @1821, VT, and wife, Joanna/Joan, b. @1827, Canada. Wonder how Benjamin related to David? The Wheelock Map shows David Bean on lot 20 (no idea how old map is), in the upper right-hand corner of Wheelock, where the eastern border line (running near due north) just starts to cut northwest.
In 1860 for Benjamin, the family enumerated just before him (as Donnelly was in 1870) is that of David Bean (b. @1817), and his wife, Abigail (b. @1810), and his son, William W. (b. @1845)! (Transcribed as 'Beau')
1850, there are Benjamin, Joseph, and David Bean, all on same page.
ONLY Bean listed in 1840 is Abner Bean, in Wheelock.
Suspect the plot J. Donnelly purchased was same as that on town plot map for David Bean. If so, the town map shows the eastern border of Wheelock goes pretty straight, south - north. Near the top of that border, the border turns northwest. Just as it turns is the location of David Bean's house on lot 20, of whatever year the map was drawn.
Town Map of 1875 reveals the following...
John Donnelly's property in 1875, was on Road 59, which is now Stannard Mountain Road. His property was about 4,000 feet southwest from the intersection that now appears to be a four-way between S. Wheelock Road, Sherburne Road, Blakely Road, and Stannard Mtn Road. From that intersection to Town Highway 38 (or Ida Mtn Rd) appears to be 2,000 feet, and that is roughly the halfway point to J. Donnelly's place, traveling in that direction, away from Wheelock, John's place would be on the right or west side of Stannard Mountain Road. Given descriptions of the terrain, I could only suppose it remains a single property, these days... MAYBE two. There was, at least in 1875, as school at the corner of this 4-way intersection. Be interesting to find out if there still is one there.
-- Stannard Mountain Road, which connects Greensboro Bend with Lyndon. Off Vermont 16 (east of Greensboro) the Stannard Mountain Road winds south of Wheelock Mountain and provides plenty of offshoot dirt roads...
1860, perhaps John Donnelly was still of St. Johnsbury! Record of sales in 1858, indicate he was from there when he purchased, with Michael, lands from Benjamin Bean (who lived on Stannard Mtn Rd. at the TH-38 or Ida Mtn Rd turnoff. Sadly, the only John that seems to fit is John Dea, married to Sarah, he was b. 1830, she was born 1836, had a son, James, b. 1858. Not a likely match, though quite close. Since Sarah lost at least one daughter in 1865, and listed herself as '6/5' in 1900 Census, unless she missed counting the daughter, since she only lived a day or so, and therefore counted this James as the lost child in 1900 Census. Seriously, my educated opinion is that neither Michael OR John was enumerated in 1860 in VT. He was born in February 1827 at
County Cork, Ireland. He was the son of
Daniel Donnelly and
Mary (Cronin or Herlihy). John (H.) Donnelly emigrated from 1847 to 1850 from
Ireland to USA. He married
Sarah Anne (Galleher\Galaher) Gallagher, daughter of
John Galleher, circa 1861 at
Vermont or Massachusetts, USA. John (H.) Donnelly died on 31 May 1901 at
Northfield, Washington County, Vermont, USA, at age 74.