Margaret Blaney and Michael Monaghan

Margaret2 Blaney (Thomas1, DanielA) was born in Ireland c. 1827, a date consistently supported by the census records. [1] Her tombstone in Twin Mountain, Coos Co. NH gives her age at death in 1911 as 88, suggesting a birth year of c. 1823. [2] This would have made her a ripe 26 years of age in 1846, when she was described in her marriage record in St-Sylvestre as "a minor daughter." [3] She may, like so many Blaney women, have lied to the census taker, but it is unlikely that she lied to her parish priest.

Margaret married Michael Monaghan on 29 February 1846 in St-Sylvestre, Lotbinière Co., Québec. The bride was about 19 years old, and the groom about 24. Mickey's brother John was a witness, as was a cousin of the bride, Mary Ann Blaney. The groom signed the record, indicating that he was literate. [4]

Mickey was born in Ireland c. 1822. [5] He was the son of Patrick Monaghan and Ellen Gallagher, who remained in Ireland. At the time of their 1856 wedding Ellen was still living there but Patrick was deceased. [6] His great-granddaughter, Edna Agnes Monahan Kenny, was told by her grandfather Pat that Mickey grew up near the river Barrow some 45 miles from Dublin and would walk barefoot to the Dublin fair. He and his brother James immigrated to Quebec c. 1833 when Michael was eleven years old and lived there with cousins. [7]

Mickey and Margaret had a farm in St-Sylvestre, where Margaret last appeared as a widow in the census in 1891. [8] She was known as an excellent weaver, spinner, and seamstress, according to her great-granddaughter. [9]

Mickey died 7 August 1888 in St-Sylvestre and was buried in the churchyard there. [10] The grave was lost when the cemetery was regraded so he is also remembered by a tombstone next to his wife's grave in St. Margaret's Cemetery in Twin Mountain, NH. Margaret moved to Twin Mountain in the mid-1890's and died there of bronchitis on 28 May 1911. She was buried from St. Patrick's Church.[11]

Michael Monaghan and Margaret Blaney had the following children:

+ 9 i. Patrick "Pat" Monaghan, the eldest, was born in Québec. [12]
+ 10 ii. Thomas Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 25 April 1848. He was baptized on 26 April and his maternal grandparents served as sponsors. [13]
+ 11 iii. Eleanor Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 22 February 1850.[14]
12 iv. James Monaghan was born on 9 January 1852 in St-Sylvestre. Jimmy was baptized there the next day. [15]
13 v. Mary Jane Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 23 October 1853. She was baptized the next day; her godparents were her uncle, Owen McGoldrick. Bridget Blaney, probably her maternal aunt, was the godmother. [16]
+ 14 vi. Michael Monaghan was born on 13 June 1855 in St-Sylvestre. He was baptised on the 17th and his maternal aunt Elizabeth Blaney served as godmother. [17]

15 vii. John Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 6 March 1857. He was baptized two days later. Bridget Blaney, probably his mother's sister, served as godmother; a William Monaghan as godfather. [18] John died in St-Sylvester on 21 August 1864 at the age of 7. A Patrick Monaghan was a witness. [19]
16 viii. Daniel Monaghan was born on 25 March 1859 in St-Sylvestre. Dan was baptized two days later. Bridget Blaney, probably his mother's sister, served as godmother and a William Monaghan as godfather. [20]
17 ix. William Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 8 February 1861. Bill was baptized at home on the 14th. His uncle, John Monaghan, and a Mary Monaghan were the sponsors. [21]
+ 18 x. Hugh Monaghan was born on 5 April 1863 in St-Sylvestre. He was baptized the next day. James and Mary Monaghan served as sponsors. [22]
19 xi. Edward Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 21 May 1865. He was baptized the next day; his sponsors were his maternal aunt, Catherine Blaney, and her husband Thomas Monaghan. [23]
20 xii. Joseph John Monaghan was born on 9 May 1867 in St-Sylvestre. Joe was baptized two days later. William Monaghan and Michael's sister Catherine Monaghan were the sponsors. [24]
21 xiii. Theresa Marcella Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 8 April 1869. She was baptized the next day. Her paternal aunt and uncle, Catherine and John Monaghan, were the sponsors. [25] Theresa died 9 days later on 17 April. [26]
22 xiv. Robert Monaghan was born on 6 August 1870 in St-Sylvestre. He was baptized on the 6th. The sponsors were William Monaghan and his wife, Ellen O'Neill. [27] Robert died in St-Sylvestre on 5 July 1880 at the age of nine. His sister Mary Jane and brother Edward were witnesses. [28] According to family stories, at the time his death was believed to have been the result of being pushed against a desk at school. Later they came to believe it might have been appendicitis. [29]
23 xv. Cornelius "Con" Monaghan was born in St-Sylvestre on 4 July 1872. [30]

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