John O'Keeffe 1833 : Short Biography

John was born in Cork city - reoutedly baptised in the oldest Catholic church in Cork (family knowledge and 1911 census, but no baptism found at St Finnebar's South Parish).  According to his marriage certificate of 1867, he was the son of Richard Keefe, miller deceased. Much research has been done to find a suitable Richard O'keeffe, miller with no success.  John's name "John O'keeffe" and the date 24th April 1854 is inscribed in a book published in Dublin.  His obituary of 1915 says he came to the area 60 yrs ago and was the first school master of the Catholic school at Egton Bridge.  Andrew McCartney was priest there when John arrived, and I wonder if contact with Andrew or the RC church was what brought John to Yorkshire. 

In 1858 "J Keefe of Egton Bridge" was among those "particularly observed" attending the opening, by Cardinal Wiseman, of the new RC Church in Scarborough, Yorkshire.  

On 7 April 1861 "John O'Keefe" is given as age 28, school master, lodging with a Catholic family - Egton Bridge being a recusant stronghold.   He was secretery of the Egton Bridge Flower Show and involved in very the first show.  He married 18 May 1867 at Egton Bridge.  Elizabeth was at least 10 years younger, born 1846, and in 1871 John's age is given as 35, ELizabeth's as 25.   

The RC Archives informed me that John helped collect money towards the building of the new St Hedda's church (built 1878-9) in Egton Bridge. 

In 1893 he appears in Kelly's Directory under China, Glass and Earthernware Dealers: John Keefe, Carr End, Glaisdale - presumably a part-time occupation, perhaps managed by his brother-in-law.   

John performed penny readings and played the violin, which is believed to be Austrian.

Possible Relative.  There are mentions of a Peter Keefe and P Keefe connected with John in newspapers, e.g. P keefe and J Keefe were in the choir performing in the St Stephen's Day concert reported in papers 2 Jan 1886, but no P or Peter Keefe has ever been traced.  There is a Peter Keefe bap Portlaw, Waterford 1811, married Bridget Sullivan in 1835 Portlaw, the family living in Staffordshire in 1851 when Peter is given as Milwright & Fitter, and 2 of his sons are potters.  In 1861 he is an Engine Fitter, with sons in potter jobs, 1871 Millwright, 1881 Engine Fitter.  In 1881 his grandson Wm Rowley Keefe is a student at Cotton Hall, and by 1891 is Priest at Stoke-on-Trent, then at Cannock.   In 1893 his son Joseph emigrated to New York, and his wife died 1913 Pensylvania.   Peter died early in 1877 age 77 in Burslem district, Staffordshire.   This family could be connected - the name, the milwright and pottery links - but there is no evidence he was.  We do have John's YDNA from his Great Grandson Peter O'keefe 1928-2019, but no matches yet.

John and Elizabeth had 10 children: Mary Anna 1868, Helen 1870, George 1871, Joseph 1873, Eliza 1875, Elizabeth 1877, James 1880 died age 3, WIlliam Barker 1882, Frances 1886, Agnes 1888.  Only Joseph and WIlliam had children who survived, but only Joseph has descendants living today.  WIlliam's daughter Monica became Sister Emmanuel - serving in Rhodesia, and later teaching piano in a London RC school, and his son John was ordained in 1960 in Grenada, having serving in WW2, but sadly died 3 yrs later age 43.    None of the daughters had surviving children, and Hannah Mary and Agnes were Sisters of Nazareth. 

Part of John's obituary published in the local paper states: "After 25 yrs of service, the Railway Company generously gave him a pension for the rest of his life.  In all his dealings with the public, it can truly be said that he never said a word to hurt the feelings of anyone.  Kindly disposed and generous, he was a character who will be missed."