James was born about 1812, according to his two obituary he was 55 years at the time of of his death in 1867. James was a stone mason. First mention of James and his wife, Catherine Murphy (~1814 - 1862), was in the 1839 Buffalo City Directory. Their eldest known son, Peter, was born in Buffalo, NY in July 1838. According to a Boston Pilot news article (1 Jan 1851) James and Catherine were from Kilcullen, Co Kildare and were accompanied by Catherine's sisters, Margaret and Eliza Murphy. The article further stated that Catherine's mother, Catherine Murphy, could be reached in New Hampshire. Their known children were: Peter, Bridget, Mary, Richard, Eliza and James. The first four born in Buffalo, NY before an Irish RC Church was formally established, the two younger children were baptised in Lockport, NY at St John the Baptist RC Church.
The Galbally surname is found in Co Kildare and the Kilcullen region (Gilltown/Yellow Bog Common, etc) although I haven't been able to find birth records for either James or Catherine. Tithe and Valuation records mention various Galbally tax payers and there are several mentions of Galbally in the birth records including Richard Galbally and Bridget Galbally. Murphy also seems to be a common name in this area (and all of Ireland), but nothing specific to either Catherine, Margaret or Eliza. Nothing further is known about Margaret or Eliza in NY or Catherine Murphy in New Hampshire.
In 2017 we were able to visit Kilcullen Bridge and checked the church records there to no avail. We did not have time to visit Old Kilcullen or the surrounding area.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1812 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1867 | |
