Hugh's Story-Jerseyville-1863 Mortgage for Hugh Allen Farm

Children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney of County Meath- Thomas Allen 1841 Summerhill- 1920 Jerseyville

 

Thomas Allen was the seventh son born to Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney. The seventh son was thought by some to hold special powers; the seventh son of a seventh son was though to be a healer. (We don't know Thomas' father Richard Allen's birth order!)

Hugh was seven years old when his brother Thomas was born. We can only imagine the tiny cottage full of little boys; the eldest child, Mary, now 15 years old, was the only girl to help Margaret when this new baby was born.The family was predominantly boys; Frank 12, John 8, Hugh 7, Patrick 6, Peter 4, and Richard 2. 

The baby was baptized at the church at Dangan on November 22, 1841. His baptismal sponsors were Thomas McCan (likely his uncle- the husband of Mary Sweeney, his mother's sister) and Christine Fitzsimons (also likely Sweeney relations- Catherine Sweeney, another of his mother's sisters, had married Andrew Fitzsimmons.)

On the 1900 census, Thomas reports immigrating in 1864. But we see no records for him for the civil war draft.

 However, we do know that on New Years Day in 1872, Thomas married Bridget Burnes/Byrnes at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. Richard? and Anna Burns were the witnesses.

In 1880 they were living at 251 Tea Street in Jerseyville.

There were no children born to the union, and we can only assume that Bridget died young. Her burial record shows she  died Sept 28, 1887. She was buried in St. Francis Cemetery.

In 1900, Thomas was 59 years old, living and working on the farm of newlywed John J. and Catherine "Kate" Maloney Quinn and their family, including John's parents- 76 year old Thomas Quinn and 64 year old Ellen Kinsella Quinn (my great grandparents), who note their immigration date as 1855, and Richard Quinn, John J. Quinn's brother who was born in 1869 and would die that year.

In 1910 he is listed as 65 (again, ages seem to be vague to this generation of Allens- according to his baptismal record he was 69) and living with his nephew, 39 year old Thomas Allen (my grandfather) and his 38 year old wife Nellie Quinn (the daughter of Thomas and Ellen Quinn above) and their family.

         My grandparents- Nellie Quinn and Thomas Allen as newlyweds

He was still with them in 1920, when my mother, Pauline Allen, was 4 years old. His age is now listed as 80, which would be close to correct.

My mother never knew her grandparents; they all passed away before she was born. So her great-uncle, Thomas Allen, was the closest thing she had to a grandfather. She remembered him very fondly; he would often sing and play games with her. As the youngest child in a large family, she was the "baby" of the family, and he was the eldest member, so they enjoyed their special time together. Her oldest sister, Mary, would write letters for him back to John Allen, his brother who still lived on the old family farm in Summerhill Ireland, and read the letters to him that came back, written by John's niece.

                  Pauline Allen and her great-uncle Tom Allen

One day Tom was helping in the garden, burning grass, when his trousers caught fire and he was badly burned. He must have suffered terribly; the burns were so severe that he died several days later. My mother lost one of her dearest friends.

He died on the last day of March in 1920 and his funeral was held at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. This would have been the first time my mother experienced the funeral of someone she loved, although another Allen death would come just a month later- the sudden death of her 47 year old uncle, Hugh Allen, who lived on the farm just across the road from her home. Both services were held by Father Clancy, a priest who would serve Jerseyville and the Allen family for many, many years to come.

He was buried at the cemetery at St. Francis, next to his wife, Bridget. 

He was the last of the children of Richard Allen and Margaret Sweeney to pass from this world.

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 4- Frank's daughter Delia Allen Aylward

 Photo from book by Jody Allen

I feel sure I would have liked Delia. She was a strong and remarkable woman.

She had a rough start. She lost her mother before she was seven years old. She lost her father when she was eleven. A few years later her 2nd step-mother remarried and they moved from her home on the farm in Jerseyville to the city- East St. Louis. We don't know if Delia stayed with her step-mother or was raised by a guardian, whom Mary Fahey paid to care for her. We don't know what Delia's relationship was with her half-sister, Maggie Allen, but we can guess that Maggie, who tragically died of typhoid fever in 1889, was her mother's favorite. But when she turned 18, Delia moved out on her own. On August 20, 1879, she married John Aylward at St. Francis Xavier Church in Jerseyville. 

Ancestry.com. Illinois, Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield Sacramental Records, 1853-1975 [database on-line]

                      photo from book of Jody Allen

John Richard Aylward was a handsome young man, whose parents had also come from Ireland. He was a car mechanic- an exciting occupation in those early days of automobiles. Later in his life, he would work as a brick mason.

The young couple soon started a family. Their first son, born in 1882, was named Francis Thomas (after both their fathers) and called "Frank." There would be seven children; Frank, Mary Ellen "Ella," James Francis, Katherine Agnes "Kate," John Richard, Margaret Lydia, and Cecilia Elizabeth born in 1897. They lived on Maple Avenue in Jerseyville. 

At some point in his life, John Aylward began to struggle with alcoholism. The newspaper story below, tells the sad tale of his final days.

Source: book of Jody Allen

 A later biography tells how Julia survived with seven children after the death of her husband.

 "When Mr. Aylward died, Mrs. Aylward was left with a family of children. In order to comfortably support them she entered upon an unusual line of work for one of her sex, paper hanging, and was so successful in it that by 1915 she was one of the leading inside decorators of Jerseyville and vicinity. She is a lady of remarkable force of character and ability, and is held in the very highest esteem by all who have the honor of her acquaintance, for they appreciate the determination and pluck that is required to enable her to enter what was then regarded as exclusively a man's field, and to "make good" at her work, and to all times command respect and confidence."

Source: Biographies from the History of Jersey County, 1919 Oscar Brown Hamilton

In 1910, Delia was 48 years old,  living in Jerseyville and renting a house on 618 East Carpenter Street. Three of her children, John 18, Margaret 16, and Cecilia 13, were still living with her.

Year: 1910; Census Place: Jerseyville Ward 3, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: T624_295; Page: 7A; Enumeration District: 0052; FHL microfilm: 1374308

In 1930, she was 69 years old, and living at 306 Maple Ave. with her daughter Katie Aylward Atchison and her family.

Year: 1930; Census Place: Jerseyville, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: 522; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0008; Image: 119.0; FHL microfilm: 2340257

In 1940, she was 78 years old, and living at 719 East Carpenter Street. Her 47 year old son, John, was living with her and working on a project with the W.P.A. This census tells us that, like many women of her time, Delia never went to school past the sixth grade. 

Year: 1940; Census Place: Jerseyville, Jersey, Illinois; Roll: m-t0627-00817; Page: 9A; Enumeration District: 42-8

Yet, orphaned and widowed, in a time when women were not expected to have a career,  she began and built a flourishing business while raising seven children. Three of her sons served in World War I.

Delia passed away at age 92, on October 12, 1953. She was buried next to her husband, John, in the Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville.

Delia Allen Aylward's children were:

Francis Thomas "Frank" b Sept 10, 1882. Frank served in WWI. He died April 13, 1957 and is buried at St. Francis. 

Mary Ellen "Ella" b Jan 19, 1884, married Clarence A. Hughes in 1904 but was widowed by 1920. Ella lived at 407 Maple Ave. in Jerseyville. She died Jan 28, 1976 and is buried at St. Francis.

James Francis- b Dec 2, 1886, helped his mother with painting and paper hanging in her business. He served as a cook in the 110th mortar battery, 60th Field Artillery Brigade, 35th Div. in WWI. He died Feb 8, 1948 and is buried at St. Francis.

Katherine Agnes "Kate" b April 5, 1889, married William H. Atchison in 1908. William was a barber in Jerseyville. They lived next door to Ella at 409 Maple Ave. Kate died March 14, 1977 and is buried at St. Francis.

John b Aug 23, 1891, worked on an ambulance in Co. 334 during WWI. In 1940 he was living with Delia at 719 East Carpenter street in Jerseyville. He died Jan 15, 1968 and is buried at St. Francis.

Margaret Lydia b June 12, 1894, married Harry Oakes Taylor in 1915. They lived in Nameoki, East St. Louis, Madison, Illinois. Margaret died March 30, 1981.

Cecilia b March 23, 1897 married Earl Birkenmayer, a farmer in Jerseyville. Cecilia died Oct 31, 1986 and is buried at Oak Grove Cemetery in Jerseyville.

 

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