Frank Allen Part 2- What happened to Frank Allen's family after his death?

About ten days after Frank's death, his widow, Mary Durney Allen petitioned to be the executor of his estate, and a probate was filed, with Hugh Allen and Michael Powers signing as securities. The estate was valued at about $1700 with Frank's heirs being Mary (Durney) Allen, his wife, and Adele (Delia) and Margaret (Maggie) Allen, his children.

                                  Source: Probate Records Vol. B-D 1877- 1906, Jersey, Illinois

Two months later, in January, 1873, the estate was settled. There were claims paid to Frank's brothers, Richard and Patrick. A public sale of personal property was held, and Patrick Allen bought a stallion for two hundred dollars- quite a sum at the time.

Three years later, on August 16, 1873, Mary Durney Allen married John Fahey.

                         Ancestry.com. Illinois, County Marriage Records, 1800-1940

Mary amoved to St. Louis, Missouri with her husband.

On August 20, 1879, eighteen year old Adelia Allen married John R. Aylward at St. Francis in Jerseyville.

Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

 A confusing note in the family history notes that in February, 1885, Mary Durney Allen Fahey submitted bills to the probate court for the care of Delia and Margaret and these funds were forwarded to St. Louis.  S.H. Bowman was listed as guardian of the girls and there was a claim for board and keeping in the amount of $1,416 for the years up to June 1875. So Mary had borrowed $1500 on the estate. In any case, the farm in Jerseyville was sold to settle the accounts. (Source: book of Jody Allen)

John Fahey died and Mary was listed as a widow in the St. Louis directory. Maggie, was living with her mother at 2228 Clark Ave. in St. Louis when in September, 1889 she contracted typhoid fever, and tragically died at age 19. 

Ancestry.com. Missouri, Death Records, 1850-1931 [database on-line]

There was a packed funeral at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. But Maggie's step-sister, Delia, is not mentioned in the announcement.

Source: book of Jody Allen

Maggie Allen was buried with her father, Frank Allen, at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Source: findagrave

Mary Durney Allen Fahey moved back to Jerseyville, living in the upstairs apartment of an orange building on East Pearl Street (near where the Stadium Theater is standing today. (source:book of Jody Allen)

She is shown here on the 1900 and 1910 census. The 1910 census shows her as 84 years old. Mary died in 1913. Her funeral expenses were paid by Hugh Allen and Thomas Allen. (source:book of Jody Allen)

 

Next Post: But before she died, Mary Durney Allen Fahey wrote a very unusual will...

Frank Allen Part 3- The interesting 1912 will of Mary Durney Allen Fahey (3rd and last wife of Frank Allen)

In 1912, Mary Durney Allen Fahey wrote her will. She named her nephew, Hugh Allen, (my great grandfather) as her executor.

Probate Records; Author: Illinois. County Court (Jersey County); Probate Place: Jersey, Illinois

 Probate Records, Vol D-G, 1901-1922

This will is significant for our Durney genealogy. We very limited Parish baptismal records for this family from Ireland to prove relationships. But here Mary notes her relationship with nieces and nephews in the community. They are listed as:

John Powers- nephew, East St. Louis (son of Bridget Durney Powers who died in 1905)

Laurence Powers

Katie Powers

Priscilla Powers

Anthony Powers

Josephine Powers

Cora Powers

grandnephews and nieces, Jerseyville, Illinois (children of James "Shug" Powers who died in 1907/grandchildren of Bridget Durney)

John Durney

William Durney

Richard Durney

Annie Durney

Michael Durney

Nephews and nieces, address unknown (children of Thomas Durney)

Bird Powers

Mary Powers

grandnieces address unknown

Thomas Durney

John Durney

James Durney

Mary A. Herget

Anna Schlagel

grandnephews and nieces address unknown (children of Michael Durney)

and Bridget Fitzgerald - Jerseyville Illinois (daughter Michael Durney)

Richard Allen

Margaret Allen

Rose Allen

Thomas Allen

Hugh Allen

nephews and nieces- Jerseyville Illinois (children of Margaret Durney Allen who died in 1884)

So- despite the lack of baptismal records, here we have a document connecting Mary Durney, Bridget Durney, Thomas Durney, Michael Durney, and Margaret Durney as siblings.

Here is another interesting thing about the will. Despite naming 24 heirs to her estate, including those she had no idea of where they might live, Mary left out one very important person.

She left out her stepdaughter, Delia Allen Aylward, who she raised from the age of seven. Family histories note that Delia's children visited Mary, and referred to her as grandma. Delia received nothing from her father's estate. But she sat with her step-mother as she lay dying. Here is a note she wrote to her eldest son, Frank.

From the book of Jody Allen

Next Post- The remarkable story of Delia Allen Aylward.

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath- Frank 1829 Summerhill - 1872 Jerseyville Ill. Part 1

                              Francis "Frank" Allen- Hugh's eldest brother 

                                               (Source: picture from book of Jody Allen)

Hugh was no doubt very close to his eldest brother, Frank. They may have emigrated together; if not, Hugh soon followed Frank to America and was living with him in Macoupin County, Illinois in 1860. (see previous blog) In 1860, Frank was a young man of 31 years (the census says 27 but we have his baptismal record!) and had married Rachel Reece on January 15, 1859. They had an 8 month old baby, David, named for Rachel's father. 

(Source Year: 1860; Census Place: Township 12 Range 7, Macoupin, Illinois; Page: 188; Family History Library Film: 803206)

In 1861, their first daughter was born; Bridget Ellen "Adelia" Allen. By July 1863, the family had moved to Jersey County, where both Frank and Hugh registered for the draft for the civil war. (Neither went to war)

                                   Frank Allen's farm in Jerseyville 

                                            (Source: colored map from book of Jody Allen)

 Frank lived about a mile north of Jerseyville. According to a family story, he raised race horses on his farm. On March 19, 1864, Rachel gave birth to a third child, named Richard after his grandfather in Ireland. It was thought that Rachel died soon after his birth. Family histories say that her daughter, Delia, was still very young ("still in a crib") when her mother died. She was believed to be buried in Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville. No burial records for St. Francis were found.

The baby survived and was baptized on April 6, 1865- a year after his birth- at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. His baptism took place just 4 days after the baptism of Hugh Allen and Margaret Durney's son, who was also named Richard after his grandfather. 

                   (Source: Diocese of Springfield Illinois Sacramental Records, St. Francis Xavier)

As was typical for widowers with small children, Frank remarried a respectable year later. On April 9, 1866, he and Margaret Black/Blake were wed in Jerseyville.

                Source: Document from the Family history notebook of Helen and Margie Allen

Once again, Frank was struck by tragedy. Less than a year later, his second wife Margaret died at age 40, childless. She was buried at St. Francis.

                                             photo source: P. Meado  find-a-grave

Undaunted, Frank married for the third time, again one year later, on February 25, 1868. This time he married Mary Durney, the sister of his brother Hugh's wife, Margaret Durney. At 44, Mary was not a young bride and was, in fact, six years older than Frank, although on the 1870 census, she notes her age as 37. (This differs from her baptismal certificate.) However, Mary gave birth to a daughter on January 27, 1870 whom they named Margaret and called "Maggie." Maggie was just one month younger than Hugh Allen and Mary Durney's son, Thomas (my grandfather.)

Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

The 1870 census clues us in to more tragedy in Frank's life. The two sons born to Frank and Rachel apparently did not survive. In 1870, Adelia Allen was 9 years old and Margaret 8 months old. Frank's farm was prospering, the land valued at $7,000 and his personal property at $2220.

Source: Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 8 Range 11, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M593_233; Page: 706A; Image: 629; Family History Library Film: 545732

But as we have seen, health in those times could be precarious, and according to a family history, Frank's health was failing. Numerous doctors came to visit the family, resulting in mounting bills but little improvement to his health. Despite their tonics and remedies, by June 1872 Frank was reportedly too ill to even sign his name on a bank note. He died five months later on the 13th of November, 1872, at only 42 years of age.

 (Source: genealogy records of Jody Allen)

                                         (Source: Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records)

His burial record notes that he was born in the Parish of Dangan, County Meath. He was buried in the cemetery at St. Francis Xavier in Jerseyville.

                                                                Photo source: findagrave

Next post: What happened to Frank's family after his death? 

Hugh's Story- Jerseyville- Family timeline for Margaret Durney 1840-1884 and Hugh Allen 1834-1891 with documents

Timeline for family of Margaret Durney 1840-1884 and Hugh Allen 1834-1891

1834- March 3- birth of Hugh Allen, Great Umberstown, Summerhill Parish, County Meath Ireland

1840- January 1- birth of Margaret Durney, Garryduff, Templeorum Parish, County Kilkenny, Ireland

1863- April 20- Hugh Allen gets a mortgage for his 120 acre farm in Jerseyville for $1000 due in five years with 10% interest

Source: in possession of cousin Hugh Allen, Jerseyville

1863- July 1- draft registration for Hugh Allen 25 and his brother Francis 30

Source: p 22, Illinois 10th, vol 1-National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau

1864- April 25- Marriage, Jerseyville

Source: Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, St. Francis Xavier, p 343

1865- birth February 28/baptism April 2- son Richard Allen, sponsors Michael Durney ad Anna Byrns at St. Francis Xavier

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1865- July 3 Illinois State Census- Jerseyville

Source: p. 72 Illinois State Archives; Springfield, Illinois; Illinois State Census, 1865; Archive Collection Number: 103.010; Roll Number: 2177; Line: 1

1867- October 17 birth/Nov 4 baptism- dtr Margaret Allen, sponsors Patrick Allen and Mary Durney at St. Francis Xavier

Note: this record refers to Jos/Jas Allen and Margaret Durney- was Hugh's Christian name Joseph or James?

Source: p. 218, Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1868- August 14 birth/baptism of dtr Rose Anna, sponsors Richard Allen and Bridget Power

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1870- December 21/Jan 5- birth/baptism of son Thomas Allen

Source: Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1870 census-

Note: Hugh is now listed as 40 (despite being listed as 29 five years earlier) and Margaret as 29 (listed as 25 five years earlier.) The farm is valued at $4000, and their personal property at $880. Hugh's younger brother, Patrick Allen, age 29, is living with them as a farm hand. Patrick cannot read or write.

Source: Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 8 Range 12, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: M593_233; Page: 796A; Image: 811; Family History Library Film: 545732 p. 30

1873- March 5- birth of son Hugh Allen
Source: Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths Index, 1916-1947

1874- November 3/December 8- birth/baptism of dtr Mary Anna Allen

Note: This is the first record we have of this child; she did not show on any family records so likely died very early, although no burial record was found- she is not on the 1880 census 

Source: p. 266 baptisms St Francis Xavier-Catholic Diocese of Springfield; Springfield, IL; Illinois, Church Records, 1853-1975

1880 Federal Census- 

Note: Hugh now shown as 45, Margaret as 40. Hugh's younger brother Edward Allen, age 30, is now living with them as a farm hand.

Source p.1 Year: 1880; Census Place: English, Jersey, Illinois


1880 US non-population Census source Selected U.S. Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880

Note: Hugh is the owner of 115 acres of tilled land, 42 acres of pasture, 43 acres of woodlands, valued at $10,000. His farming machinery is valued at $300 and his livestock is valued at $790. Cost of fencing and repairs $450, labor $560. He has 14 acres of mown, 26 acres of not mown grass, and 7 acres of hay. He has 54 acres in corn, some oats, and 55 acres of wheat. He has a 2 acre orchard with 40 trees that produce 80 bushels of fruit. He does NOT grow any potatoes! (see 1880 non population census- very hard to read!

1884 November 11/ November 13 death and burial of Margaret Durney, age 45

Note: Margaret died of consumption. Richie was 19, Margaret 17, Rose 15, Thomas 14, and Hugh Jr. 11. Hugh never remarried.

Buried St. Francis Xavier Cemetery

1891- April 27- burial of Hugh Allen

Source p589- Illinois, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, 1853-1975

Burial St. Francis Xavier

1891 May 4-Probate of Will of Hugh Allen- source probate records Vol B-D. Illinois, Wills and Probate Records, 1772-1999, Probate Records; Author: Illinois. County Court (Jersey County); Probate Place: Jersey, Illinois

Hugh's Story- Jerseyville- Married to an Irish Girl

                                   Marriage

Almost a year to the day after buying his farm, Hugh, now 30 years old, was married. On April 25, 1864, he married Margaret Durney. Margaret had come from Kilkenny Ireland and her family had also emigrated to Jersey County. She had brothers and sisters in the area. At the time of their marriage, she was 24 years old. 

Nine months later, on January 24, 1865, their first child, Richard, was born. Soon more babies arrived; Margaret on October 17, 1867, Rosa on August 13, 1869, Thomas on December 22, 1870, and Hugh on March 5, 1873.

They started out on an 80 acre farm with an existing log cabin. But in time, Hugh built a new house. As his family was growing, so was his farm. Hugh saved and put his profits into buying more land. Eventually the boy who had grown up on a 17 acre rented farm in Ireland owned a 360 acre farm in America.