I am searching for the parents of James Patrick O'Reilly, born 15 October1836 in Milltown, Drumlane parish, County Cavan, Ireland. He left Ireland (presumably) during the mid 1850's. The first evidence of James Patrick O’Reilly in the United States is found on 3 March 1859 in Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama when he married Susan Jane Hindon by the Catholic circuit rider for this area. For him to marry this woman, I conclude he would have had to have been in the vicinity of Huntsville, Alabama at least one year prior to the marriage making his arrival in this area ca 1858.
He died on 15 August 1886 in Huntsville AL.
Information provided by my grandfather, Charles Benedict O'Reilly, stated James was one of four brothers who came to the United States, landing somewhere in the north, with James being the only one to come south. The four brothers names were James, Charles, George, and Robert. The accuracy of this information is in doubt. No evidence has been found of the these brothers, Charles, George, and Robert.
My research, based on family bible records, has identified a brother, Terrence O’Reilly, who came to the United States in 1865 , most probably through the port of Philadelphia. He married Margaret Woods on 7 September 1862 in Ireland. His sons, Daniel, John, and Phillip, were all born in Pennsylvania, Daniel probably in Philadelphia, and John and Phillip most probably born in the town of Elizabeth in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
From the evidence gathered to date, the following conjectures can be made. James Patrick O'Reilly was named after either his father, grandfather, or both. One scenario would give his father as James O'Reilly and his grandfather as Patrick O'Reilly. Another scenario is his father or grandfather was Charles O'Reilly since he named his first son Charles. However, I have found no Charles O'Reilly in the area surrounding Milltown during the period. If Charles is in the family line, then he may have been a brother or great grandfather of James Patrick's father. Correspondingly, his mother's name could be Mary since he named his first daughter Mary Susan, when his wife's name was Susan Jane. With the evidence of a James and Terence Reilly living in the townland of Milltown and Patrick Reilly living in the townland of Drumherriff in conjunction with Arthur Woods, the only Woods found the parish of Drumlane, the possibility exists that the James and Terence Reilly of Milltown townland are the sons of Patrick Reilly of Drumherriff. Or, they could be the sons of the Patrick Reilly of the village of Milltown and the townland of Money
The Tithe Applotment Books (ca 1830) lists the following O'Reilly's in Milltown - John Reilly, Widow Reilly, Thomas Reilly
Griffith's Valuation (ca 1850) lists the following O'Reilly's in the townland of Milltown, Terrence Reilly, James Reilly, and Hugh Reilly . Patrick Reilly and Hugh Reilly are found in the village of Milltown. Patrick Reilly is found in the townland of Money. Hugh Reilly, Terence Reilly, Thomas Reilly, Edward Reilly, and Bernard Reilly are found in the townland of Derrygeeraghan.Patrick Reilly, John Reilly, and Phillip Reilly are found in the townland of Drumgesh.Terence Reilly is found in the townland of Kilnacrangh.Hugh Reilly is found in the townland of Gartbrattan.James, Michael, and Hugh Reilly are found in the townland of Creeny.Alice, John Patrick, and Michael Reilly are found in the townland of Uragh.Patrick Reilly and Arthur Woods are found in the townland of Drumherriff.
Griffith's Valuation (ca 1850) lists the following O'Reilly's in the Parish of Drumlane; Hugh Reilly, James Reilly, Patrick Reilly, Owen Reilly, John Reilly, Thomas Reilly, Margaret Reilly, Michael Reilly, Catherine Reilly, Myles Reilly, Philip Reilly Sr., and Philip Reilly, Charles Reilly, Edward Reilly, Terence Reilly, Farrell Reilly, Garret Reilly, Bridget Reilly, George Reilly, Laurence Reilly, Thomas Reilly, Jr., Rose Reilly, Francis Reilly, Anne Reilly, and Bernard Reilly
To date, I have not been able to identify the parents of my James Patrick O'Reilly
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 15th Oct 1836 | |
| Date of Death | 16th Aug 1886 | |
