I'm looking to expand the info that I have on the Gillespie family.
Mainly I'm looking for the exact birth dates of my great grandfather Charles(abt 1832) and my great grandmother Cather Gallagher(abt 1845). Charles father was also Charles and was a cooper, Catherine's father was Patrick and was listed on their marriage registration as a lawyer. I would be helpful if I could find out their mother's names.
All of my great grandfather's children immigrated to the US except for Patrick. I have all the children's birth registrations. They show places of birth either Bogside or Beaugreen. My great grandparents are buried at St Joseph and Conal Church in Bruckless(I have been there and have a picture of the tombstone).
Eddie Gillespie(he was Patrick's youngest child) says that the Gillespie family were orginally tenant farmers working for the family of General Montgomery. The Montgomery family decided to sell the land. They were told to buy or get out. One of the family relatives that immigrated to the US sent the money to buy the property. Eddie said that the local doctor persuaded the Montgomery family to wait until the money arrived. The family home was across the street from St Joseph and Conal Church on N56. Eddie also said that the cornerstone of the church is the orginal tombstone of the Gillespie's The cornerstone had to be replaced after a fire distroyed the church. The Gillespie house is no longer there. Teresa's Cottage was also run by my relatives. I understand that now it is a bed and breakfast. I know that as of 2 years ago Eamon Gillespie still lived in the area.
One big mystery that I haven't been able to solve is my great uncle James he immigrated to the US and married Terresa O'Brien from Sligo but he must have returned to Beaugreen Glebe because he shows up in the 1911 census living with Patrick. I can't find when he died either in Ireland or the US.
Any addditional information that anyone can add would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you ahead to anyone who can expand on this.
Trish McLaughlin Allen
