Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath - Peter Allen 1837 Summerhill -1905 Nebraska

 We don't know much about Peter Allen.

He was baptized on June 28, 1837 at the church in Dangan. His father was listed as "Dick" Allen and his mother as Margaret Sweeney. His baptismal sponsors were Pat Sweeney (his uncle) and Cath McCan. 

                      Ireland, Selections of Catholic Parish Baptisms, 1742-1881

The only census we have for him is the 1900 census. On that document, he reports that he arrived in the U.S. in 1881. So, Peter was one of the last Allen siblings to immigrate from Ireland.

We notice in the Allen documents and especially in the census records that there is a lot of discrepancy about birth dates and ages. Peter clarifies this for us by simply stating his birth date on the census as "Don't know." This is despite the fact that he states that he can read and write. Birth dates were apparently not all that important to the Allen's in Ireland, and since many could not read and write, they were not readily recorded. It is a good thing that we have the church baptismal records!

In 1900, Peter was a naturalized citizen, and owned his own farm, adjacent to that of Mary Allen, his brother Edward's widow. With 6 children under the age of 15, Mary was probably very glad for Peter's help on the farm. Edward had only died 3 years earlier.

Year: 1900; Census Place: Plum Creek, Pawnee, Nebraska; Page: 4; Enumeration District: 0131

Peter died 5 years later, on January 5, 1905. He was 67 years old. He was buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Burchard, near his brother Edward. His grave gives us a great clue as to where the Allen family lived in County Meath. It is inscribed "Aged 61 y. born in Umberstown, Ireland."

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for Peter Allen (20 Jun 1837–5 Jan 1905), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33061916, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

We know now that Umberstown is the tiny townland where the Allen family farm was located- near Dangan, where they attended church in Summerhill Catholic Parish in County Meath.

 The inscription on Edward's grave says " born in Summerhill Parish, Meath Co., Ireland." His birthdate on findagrave is given as March 14, 1844 and his death date as May 27, 1897- aged 53. 

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for Edward Allen (14 Mar 1844–27 May 1897), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33302035, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

Mary (Bryan) Allen would also be buried there in 1932,  as would her son, John J. Allen, buried in 1966.

There is a puzzle in the Burchard Cemetery as well-

James Allen, b 1888, died May 25, 1897 (two days before Edward)- age 9.  Edward's son James was still listed on the 1900 census as 12 years old. He did not die until 1930. So- who is this child?

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 August 2020), memorial page for James Allen (1 Jan 1888–25 May 1897), Find a Grave Memorial no. 33302068, citing Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burchard, Pawnee County, Nebraska, USA ; Maintained by LoNe Searcher (contributor 46845051) .

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney County Meath- Patrick Allen 1835 Summerhill- 1910 Nebraska

 

Hugh and his younger brother Patrick were close in age- just one year apart. Patrick was baptized at the church in Dangan on June 5, 1835. 

He had joined his brothers in Jerseyville by 1874, when, on April 8, he married Catherine "Kate" Burns at St. Francis Xavier Church. His brother Hugh was a witness for his wedding.

Their first son, Richard, was born on January 27, 1875 and baptized at St. Francis Xavier church in Jerseyville.

Shortly after his birth, the couple moved to Beatrice, Gage Nebraska, where their first daughter, Mary Ann was born.

By 1880 Patrick was living in Mud Creek, Gage Nebraska. Patrick was farming, and they had four children.

In the 1900 census, Patrick noted that he immigrated in 1870, so had been in the U.S. for 30 years, and was a naturalized citizen. He owned the farm they are living on.

The couple lost their eldest son, Richard, in 1890. He was only 14 years old. He was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Beatrice, Gage Nebraska.

In the winter of 1909, Patrick became ill. He was diagnosed with pneumonia. Just after Christmas, on December 29, his 27 year old son, Frank, died suddenly. Patrick died just days later on January 2, 1910. 

Catherine stayed on the farm for a time, but by 1920 she was living at 429 6th Street in Beatrice. The census showed her as 72 years old. She later moved to Vermillion, South Dakota. She died on November 20, 1926, and was buried with Patrick at St. Joseph Cemetery in Beatrice.

Patrick and Catherine Allen's children were:

Richard b January 27, 1875 Jerseyville, died 1890 Nebraska age 14

Mary Ann b Sept 7, 1877, Beatrice married Lawrence J. Houlton in 1897. Lawrence was a farmer in Vermillion, South Dakota. He and Mary Ann had nine children. Mary Ann lived until age 92, dying in November, 1969.

Thomas was born January 1879. Thomas remained single throughout his life, and at age 41, was living with his sister, Cecilia Allen Reddon and her family on Gage St. in Potsdam, Nebraska, working as a stock buyer. By 1930 he owned a farm in Green Valley, Nebraska. He later moved to Stuart, Nebraska, where he died in August, 1941. He was buried at the cemetery in Beatrice.

John A. b Oct 6, 1880 married Dora Mae Olds in 1905. John was a farmer, worked at Dempster Mill, and helped build the first Catholic church in Crab Orchard, Neb. He was living at 918 S. 6th street in Beatrice, when he died at age 89. He was buried at St. Joseph's cemetery in Beatrice.

Frank Allen born 1882 died 1909 age 27.

Cecilia Allen b Aug 15, 1884, married Charles J. Reddon August 5, 1903 in Beatrice. They had 7 children and lived in Blue Hill, Nebraska. Charles died in 1937. In 1940, Cecilia was living with two of her daughters and providing nursing care in a private home. She died in 1965 at age 80 and is buried at Blue Hill cemetery.

Bernard Charles Allen b September 22, 1886 married Ellen Shaughnessey in 1912 in Axtell, Kansas. They had 8 children. Bernard was a farmer. He died in 1945 at age 58.

Edward Robert Allen b March 11, 1889, married Rose Murray in 1910. They had 7 children. In 1940 they were living at 428 North 6th St. in Beatrice. Ed was driving a truck for a refinery. He died in 1964 at age 75.