Sharp-Healy Family

The Story of the first two Generations

Catherine Healy 1838-1911

This page has the story of Catherine (Cate) Healy, the 4th child and third daughter of Thomas John Healy and Bridget Connell. She was born in Menlo in early 1838 and christened on 25 February 1838 in the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, County Galway, Ireland.

Catherine's father was Thomas Healy, a farmer in the village of Menlough (Menlo), three miles from the City of Galway, with estates in Londonderry, Ireland. Her Roman Catholic christening sponsors were John Healy and Sarah Gormerly. [research by Des Sharp 1996 in Ireland, printouts from Full Birth Query, Castlegar, page 206.] Ancestry.com records list a Sarah Gormerly as being born about 1799 but her relationship to the Healy family is unknown. Maybe she was John Healy's wife. These are the same two sponsors as for her brother Thomas who was born two years later.

Thomas and Bridget Healy had five children that we know of:

Marriage

Catherine (Cate/Kate) married a Patrick Duggan on 6 January 1861 in the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, witnesses were Martin and Mary Francis.

They had the following four children:

(1) John Duggan (1861-1941)
(2) Kate Duggan (1864-1947)
(3) Thomas Duggan (1866- )
(4) Bridget Duggan (1870-1915)

It would appear that Kate and Patrick did not have any more children after 1870 as in 1872 they start to appear in local court records as arguing/fighting in the street, and later in 1896 with other family members. Patrick is listed as living on Fair Hill Road, Kate in Wood Quay.

Court records show the following:

that on 8 July 1872, a Bridget Duggan v Catherine Duggan, of Middle Street, "that defendant did on the 1st and 2nd days of July 1872 at Shop Street in said County unlawfully use obscene language towards complainant on the public street". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 106]

that on 8 July 1872, a Catherine Duggan v Bridget Duggan, of Middle Street, "that defendant did on 2nd of July 1872 at Middle Street in said County unlawfully use threats and menaces towards complainant so as to leave her in bodily dread and fear". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 108]

that on 8 July 1872, a Catherine Duggan v Pat Duggan, of Middle Street, "that defendant did on 2nd of July 1872 at Middle Street unlawfully use threats and menaces towards complainant so as to leave in her bodily dread and fear". Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 109]

that on 15 July 1872, a Bridget Duggan v Catherine Duggan, of Middle St, "that defendant did on the 1st and 2nd days of July 1872 at Shop Street in the said County unlawfully use obscene and abusive language towards complainant on the public street". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 141]

that on the same date, Catherine Duggan v Pat Duggan, of Middle Street, "that defendant did on the 5th of July 1872 at Middle Street in siad County unlawfully use threats and menaces towards complainant so as to leave her in bodily dread and fear". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 142]

that on the same date, a Catherine Duggan v Bridget Duggan of Middle Street, "that defendant did on the 5th of July 1872 at Middle Street in said County unlawfully use threats and menaces towards complainant so as to put her in bodily dread and fear". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 143]

that a Catherine Duggan v Martha Duggan, of Middle Street, "that defendant did on the 6th of July 1872 at Galway in said Gounty unlawfully use threats and menaces towards the complainant so as to leave her in bodily dread and fear." [[Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919 for Catherine Duggan. Galway 1872-1873, record 174]. Penalty Rule of bail for two pounds and two sureties of 1 pound in advance.

that a Kate Duggan, complainant was accusing Bridget Duggan, of Claddagh, "that on the 18th January 1896 at Bridge Street defendant made use of language towards the complainant calculated to lead to a breach of the peace". [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 232]

that on 3 February 1896 Kate Duggan accused Patrick Duggan, of Fair Hill Road, "that on 18th January 1896 at Fair Hill road, defendant did unlawfully assault the complainant and kicked her several times". Adjourned for one month by order. [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 233]

that on the same date Kate Duggan accused Patrick Duggan, "that on the 20th January 1896 at Wood Quay, defendant did unlawfully threaten to take the complainant's life and put him in fear and terror". Adjourned for one month by order. [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 234]

that on the same date, Kate Duggan accused Mary Duggan, of Claddagh, "that on the 18th January 1896 at Bridge Street defendant did unlawfully make use of language towards the complainant calculated to lead to a breach of the peace". Adjourned for one month by order. [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 235]

that on the same date, Kate Duggan accused Bridget Duggan, of Claddagh, "that on the 18th January 1896 at bridge Street defendant made use of language towards the complainant calculated to lead to a breach of the peace". Adjourned for one month by order. [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 236]

that on the same date, Bridget Boyle accused Patrick Duggan, of Fair Hill Road, "that on the 21st January 1896 defendant at Wood Quay did unlawfully assault the commplainant". Adjourned for one month by order. [Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919, Galway 1890-1896, record 237]

Kate Duggan was listed on 2 April 1911 as living in Claregalway, a widow.

She died in December 1911 in Galway at the age of 76 years.

Children

(1) John Duggan 1861-1941

John Duggan was baptised on 24 November 1861 at the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church. The sponsors were Owen Gormerly and Honor Healy.

At the age of 24 years, John married a Bridget Keady (1866-1948) on 14 February 1885 in the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church in the presence of Thomas Francis and Ellen Glyson?. He was recorded as being a Labourer. In 1911, 11 children had been born, with 8 still living, and one more born in 1912. The names of three of the children who had died were reused as was the practice in these times.

(1) Kate Duggan 1887-1970 (b. 13 Feb 1887 Galway, m. 12 Apr 1910 Castlegar, d. 13 May 1970 Galway)
(2) Margaret Duggan (1) 1889-1891
(3) Mary Duggan (1) 1891-1892 (b. Oct 1891, d. 17 Feb 1892, 4 months, convulsions)
(4) Margaret Duggan (2) 1891-1972 (emigrated to Massachusetts, USA; d. 27 Aug 1972, Scituate, Plymouth, Massachusetts)
(5) Mary Duggan (2) 1893 - (emigrated to Massachusetts, USA)
(6) Bridget Duggan 1895-1988 (emigrated to Massachusetts, USA, married Charles Augustine Flynn 1891-1971 and had 2 children)
(7) Sarah Duggan (1) 1898-1898 (b. 22 Jan 1898, d. 22 February 1898, Menlo, 1 month, convulsions)
(8) Patrick Duggan 1899-1914 (d. 16 Feb 1914, 14 yrs, headstone)
(9) Thomas Duggan 1903-1977 (d. 13 dec 1977, 76 yrs, and wife Bridget d. 27 July 1981, 73 yrs, headstone)
(10) Sarah Duggan (2) 1904-1987 (m. Patrick [Padraig] Creaven 13 Jun 1927, Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, Galway, d. 13 Dec 1977 Menlo, bur. Menlo Cemetery, along with Padraig, children Paddy 54, Michael 11 months, John 1.5 yrs, Annie 3 yrs, Catherine 2.5 yrs and infants Sally and Michael John. Remember Nellie who emigrated to America 1949)
(11) John Duggan 1908-1932 (b. 22 Mar 1908 Menlo, d. a Jan 1932, Bushy Park, County Galway, bur Menlo Cemetery, headstone)
(12) Honoria Duggan 1912-? (b. 1 Jan 1912, d. unknown)

The family are recorded on 31 March 1901 as living in Menlough Village, Galway, and all the children were born there.

John Duggan is recorded as dying on 9 January 1941 aged 80 years, in Menlo and is buried in the Menlo Cemetery.

Bridget Duggan died on 14 July 1948 aged 82 years and is buried with her husband, along with son Patrick, who died on 16 February 1914 aged 14 years, son John Duggan who died on 1 January 1932 aged 24 years, son Thomas Duggan who died on 13 December 1977 aged 76 years, and his wife Bridget Duggan who died on 27 July 1981 aged 73 years.

Headstone - John Duggan and wife Bridget, Menlo.

Headstone - John Duggan and wife Bridget, Menlo.

(2) Kate Duggan 1864 - 1947

Kate Duggan was baptised on 24 August 1864 in Menlo and with her sponsors being Thomas Healy and Biddy Francis.

She married a Patrick Creane (or Crean) (1864-1906) on 28 December 1892 at St Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Galway.

They had 7 children:

(1) Thomas Creane 1893-1923
(2) Mary Creane 1895-1968
(3) Patrick Creane 1897-
(4) Bridget Creane 1900-
(5) John Creane 1902-1904
(6) Catherine Anne Creane (1) 1905-1905
(7) Catherine Creane (2) 1906-1907

In 1901 the family is registered as living in Abbey Lane, Galway.

Patrick Creane died on 12 December 1906, and five years later on 6 August 1911, Kate married a Martin Costello (1877-1958). a printer compositor, in the St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church, Galway. On 2 April 1911 the family was registered as living in Presentation Road, Galway West.

Thomas Creane, born 17 October 1893, in Suckeen, is recorded as being buried on 25 June 1923 in Yew Tree Cemetery, Liverpool, Lancashire.

Mary Creane married a John Wilson (1877-1942) on 10 November 1914, and had 8 children:

(1) Mary Josephine Wilson 1915-2000
(2) Catherine Wilson 1917-1996
(3) Patrick Augustus Wilson 1920-1942
(4) Bridget Rita Wilson 1922-2002
(5) Ronald Wilson 1928-
(6) Francis Joseph Wilson 1930-2006
(7) Pauline Wilson 1932-2007
(8) Sylvia Eileen Wilson 1934-2004, St Pancras, London.

The first four children were born in Galway, then the family emigrated to Camden Town, London sometime after 1922 and the remainder were born in Pancras, London. She was reported as living in London in 1939, and died in 1968 at St Pancras. Her husband John died in January 1942 in London. He had served in the Connaught Rangers in World War I as a Corporal and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Apparently on 19th September 1918, caught by surprise and unprepared, the Turkish/German army fell into a disorganised retreat and within 2 days the Turkish HQ garrison at Nazareth was captured. The 1st Battalion Connaught Rangers took an active part in this offensive, on Fir Hill. The citation reads: "for conspicuous gallantry on the 19th September 1918, near Sabieh, whilst commanding one of the leading platoons. Early in the attack half of his men became casualties. He, however, rallied the remainder and kept them up in the front line until the final objective was reached." John Wilson is buried in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Greater London.

Patrick Creane was born on 11 March 1897 but no further information has been found on him so far except that he was listed in 1939 as living in London, single.

Bridget Creane was born on 22 April 1900 but no further information has been found on her so far.

John Creane born 1902 died in 1904 after suffering convulsions for a month.

Kate died in 1947 in Galway.

(3) Thomas Duggan 1866-

Thomas was baptised on 14 September 1866 at the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church. His sponsors were Patrick Healy and Honor Lawless. (Honor Lawless was originally Honor (or Honora) Healy, born 17 July 1834, and sister of Mary, Patrick, Catherine and Thomas Healy, who married John Lawless in 1862).

Thomas, aged 24 years, married a Catherine McDonough aged 22 years on 18 October 1890 at St Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Galway.

They had four children:

(1) Delia Duggan 1894-
(2) Patrick Duggan 1895-
(3) Michael Duggan 1897-1968
(4) John Duggan 1899-

More information on this family is yet to be found.

(4) Bridget Duggan 1870-1915

Bridget Duggan was baptised on 6 May 1870 at the Castlegar Roman Catholic Church, Galway. Her sponsors were Pat Francis and Winny Healy (Winifred).

She married a Patrick Feeney (1858- ) on 28 October 1890 at St Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, Galway. On her marriage listing both his father Michael Feeney and her father Patrick Duggan, labourers, are listed as "dead". Patrick was 32 years of age, a widower, from Water Lane, and she was 21 years old, a spinster from Wood Quay. It appears Patrick Feeney's first wife was a Winifred Healy (1860-1890), married 12 October 1882 in Castlegar - witnesses Edward/Edmond Healy and Mary Gormerly, and they had two children: Nora Feeney (1883-1969) and Martin Feeney (1884-1934).

Together they had five children:

(1) Mary Feeney 1892-1909
(2) Kathleen Josephine Feeney 1893-1974
(3) Patrick Feeney 1898-1978
(4) Bridie Josephine Feeney 1901-1987
(5) Thomas Joseph Feeney 1903-1987

In 1911, the records show that Bridget had 5 children born, 3 living, and that her daughter Kathleen had gone to the USA in 1910.

Bridget Feeney died on 25 March 1915 at O'Donohue Terrace, Galway from TB with her husband Patrick Feeney present, and is buried in Menlo along with her daughter Mary.

It would appear that the remainder of the Feeney children emigrated to the United States, settling in Massachusetts sometime after 1910.

Sources

If you know of any further information about Catherine Healy, please contact Dale Hartle on 021 45 34 24 or email mjhartle at xtra co nz (please correct the email address) or contact me at 171 Queen Street West, Levin, New Zealand 5510.