Peter F. Sullivan (c1838-1896)

This son of Patrick Sullivan (c1794-1876) and Rose Corcoran (c1805-1874) was unknown to me until recently. Last week I was going through old papers that I had collected over the years but couldn't "attach" to the family when I found this death notice from 1881 of a Patrick Sullivan. I initially thought I recognized the "ex-Alderman Michael Sullivan" but I did not recognize Rev. P. F. Sullivan. Also, since the other 8 siblings were not mentioned, I conjectured perhaps this Patrick was not "My" Patrick Sullivan.

But with further investigation, and more knowledge of the family since I initially found the above death notice, I realize that Rev. P. F. Sullivan, pastor of St. Edward's Church in Philadelphia is a child of Patrick Sullivan and Rose Corcoran.

What gave me "proof" was an entry in The American Catholic Who's Who, Vol. 1. Listed was a Francis P. Green. His wife is listed as "Annie Reilly, niece of the Rev. P. F. Sullivan, rector of St. Edward's Church, Philadelphia." Annie Reilly Green is the daughter of Rose Sullivan (c1845-b1915) and Francis P. Green (1872-a1915). AND, Rose is the sister of the above noted Patrick, Michael and P. F.!

I always wondered if there were any children born between Andrew Sullivan (1833-1881) and my great grandfather Philip (1840-1915). Now I have one! Also, when Michael Sullivan c1826-1915 (ex-Alderman) died, his probate stated that Patrick and Rose had eleven children but there were only 10 listed. So, locating this eleventh child solves that mystery too!

I haven't located a photo of Peter F. Sullivan yet, but here is the church in Philadelphia he served as pastor from 1873 until his death in 1896.

The church was consecrated in 1865 and closed in 1993.

In the 1860 US Census, Peter Sullivan is listed as a seminarian living in Philadelphia. It says his age is 22 and he was born in Ireland.

Peter F. Sullivan was ordained on February 27, 1863 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (The Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume XXXII, page 87). Following his ordination, he stayed one month at the Easton parish of St. Bernard's Church. Peter also severed at St. Paul's Church in Philadelphia prior to going to St. Edward the Confessor parish. (Catholicity in Philadelphia; from the earliest missionaries down to the present time, Joseph Louis J. Kirlin author, 1909, J.J. McVey press, Philadelphia).

He died on May 9, 1896 in Philadelphia of a rupture of the heart and is buried in the New Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Now, all the children of Patrick and Rose (Corcoran) Sullivan are accounted for. Yeah!

Additionally, I may have solved another mystery - that of the six men in the photo. See the blog post entitled "Mystery Picture on the Wall."

Life in Drumbarry c1955

Rose Corcoran Sullivan (c1805-1874) lived on a farm in the Townland of Drumbarry, Denn Parish, County Cavan as a young girl. In Drumavaddy School Reunion Committee Denbawn and Drumavaddy Old Schools (Cavan 2007), pages 44-46, it describes a shop in Drumbarry which Teresa Clarke Gaffney worked at in the 1950s. At this time it is not clear if Teresa Clarke Gaffney is related to Rita Clarke Galligan, a friend of the Sullivans, who lived down the road from the old Sullivan farm in Denbawn. And, whom I visited with when I was in Ireland in 2011. Rita was helpful with information on the Sullivans.

The description of a general store, although from the 1950s, is fascinating and probably reflects the type of shops that were in the area in earlier times.

To enlarge the page, click once on the image.

The photo on this page shows Mattie Sullivan (1927-2011) great, grandson of Patrick
Sullivan (c1794-1874) and Rita Clarke (eventually Galligan)

Source: Eileen Sullivan, great, great granddaughter of Patrick Sullivan (c1794-1874) and daughter of Mattie Sullivan (1927-2011) sent me these pages from Drumavaddy School Reunion Committee Denbawn and Drumavaddy Old Schools (Cavan 2007). I am in the process of trying to order the book with the hopes there are more stories and possibly photos relating to the Sullivans and Corcorans of County Cavan.

Occupiers/Owners of Corcoran Farm, Drumbarry, Co. Cavan

Starting with the Griffith's Valuation

Griffith's Valuation, 1857

and following parcel number 15 through the Valuation Revision/Cancellation Books, the occupiers/owners of parcel 15 in the townland of Drumbarry have been:

1857 - Griffith's Valuation - Combined parcels 15 a&b total: 22 Irish Acres; 2roods; 27perches.
15a: Thomas Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders
15b: Thomas Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders

Valuation List/Cancellation Books
1857-1863
15a: Thomas Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders
15b: Michael Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders

1863-1878
15a: Thomas Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders
15b: Michael Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders

1879-1887
15a: Thomas Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders
15b: James Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders

1886-1898
15a: Thomas Corcoran, changed to Bridget Corcoran in 1892; Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders changed to Edward Saunders in 1887
15b: James Corcoran, Immediate Lessor: Richard Saunders changed to Edward Saunders in 1887
Valuation for the two parcels separated in 1889

1898-1918
15a: Bridget Corcoran, Immediate Lessor Edward Saunders; after 1906, property owned outright by Bridget Corcoran
15b: James Corcoran, Immediate Lessor Edward Saunders; after 1906, property owned outright by James Corcoran?, in 1908 the name Michael Corcoran returns to the Valuation list, but it is then struck and the name James McEvoy appears in 1918.

1919-1939
15a: Bridget Corcoran
15b: Michael Corcoran's name is struck; James McEvoy 1918; John McEvoy, 1922

1939-1988
15a: Bridget Corcoran's name is struck; Michael Smith, 1946; Mary Bridget Smith, 1977; John Monaghan, 1980; Adjoins lot of 15b, 1982.
15b: John McEvoy's name is struck; "Old house, no value, 1954; Patrick McKiernan, 1956; Mary McKiernan, 1973; Sean McKiernan, 1982
15: It is assumed that Sean McKiernan has both 15a and 15b, renamed parcel 15 for tax purposes in 1982.  ED A4488.

Total size of property in 1982 for which the rateable annual valuation is recorded: 22 Irish acres; 2 roods; 27 perches -- the same measurement as in 1857.

It is not known if the McEvoys or the McKiernans  are in anyway related to the Corcorans.

Note: a statue (Irish) acre = 4840 square yards; a rood was one-quarter of an acre or 1210 square yards; and a perche was one fortieth of a rood containing thirty square yards.  So 22 a, 2 r, 27 p would equal: 106,480 sq yds + 2,420 sq yds + 810 sq. yds = 109,710 sq yds.  Since one acre equals 4,840 sq. yds, then  parcels 15 a&b constituted 22.67 acres.

Sources: Valuation Lists, No. 17, Co. Cavan, ED Denn, RD Cavan
1857-1862, page 46
1863-1878, page 41
1879-1887, page 57
1886-1898, page 62
1898-1918, page 71
1919-1939, page 64
1939-c1988, page 74
Valuation Office, Dublin, Ireland, viewed and copied July 19, 2011
The dates attributed to each sheet reflect the dates found written in the right hand column of each Valuation Sheet (now Cancellation Book).

Corcoran Farm Land, Drumbarry, Co. Cavan

While in Ireland in July, 2011, we located the farmland that is listed as belonging to Michael Corcoran, father of Rose Corcoran Soroghan, in the 1857 Griffith's Valuation. The "farm" is listed as being 22  acres, 2 roods and 27 perches.  Approximately, 22 and 2/3 acres.

I had the opportunity to video a wide view of the land.

Rose Soraghan's Maiden Name

What is the maiden name of Rose Soraghan, wife of Patrick Soraghan?

Rose was first identified in the probate records of her son, Michael Sullivan, who died in Chicago on January 15, 1915.  In those records, it lists his mother as Rose, with no maiden name, and that she had predeceased him.  However, there are three other separate documents which provide clues to her maiden name, albeit, three different last names.

On her son Philip Sullivan's death certificate it lists his mother's maiden name as McCabe.  Philip died on May 26, 1915.

On her son Michael Sullivan's death certificate #17076 in 1915, it states that his mother's maiden name was Rose Corcoran, born in Ireland.

In Chicago Irish Families, 1875-1925, there is a quote from two newspapers relating a story on Michael Sullivan, real estate owner and at one time Alderman of the old 15th ward.  It states "he was born in Co. Cavan in 1829, one of thirteen children of Patrick and Rose Sullivan, nee Leddy."   May 28, 1904 Source: The New World and  The Chicago Citizen.

So, which one was her maiden name?

Fortunately, much of the 1821 Irish Census still exists for County Cavan.  Knowing Rose's husband Patrick Soraghan was from the Civil Parish of Denn and armed with three last names, I went through the entire census looking for a Rose, last name either McCabe, Leddy or Corcoran, of an appropriate age to marry Patrick c 1827-1828.  The estimate marriage date is based on the birth year of their oldest child.

There turned out to be very few Roses, and only one which met the age criteria: Rose Corcoran.  A Rose Corcoran was located in Drumbarry, Civil Parish of Denn, age 16 in 1921.  That would make her about 22 or 23 when she married in 1827-28.

1821 Irish Census, Drumbarry, Denn, County Cavan, page 33.

On the 1821 Irish Census, it lists the Corcorans living on parcel number 16 in the Townland of Drumbarry.  The household includes:
Michael Corcoran, age 60, farmer
Ann Corcoran, wife, age 50
Michael Corcoran, son, age 20, weaver
Rose Corcoran, daughter, age 16, flax spinner  (giving her a birth year of c 1804 or 1805)
Mary Corcoran, daughter, age 10
Anne Corcoran, daughter, age 7
Bridget Corcoran, daughter, age 2
John Corcoran, son, age 2


The Griffith's Valuation for County Cavan was completed in June 25, 1857.  The page for the townland of Drumbarry, Civil Parish of Denn lists a Thomas and a Michael Corcoran in parcel 15.  It is believed that Michael Corcoran is the same Michael as listed as the son, age 20 in the 1821 Irish Census, therefore, most likely the brother of Rose Corcoran Soraghan.

Griffith's Valuation, Drumbarry, Denn Parish, Co. Cavan

In another post on this blog, Rose Soraghan's death registration is provided.  She is reported as being 70 years old at the time of death, giving her a birth year of c1804. This ties out with the Rose Corcoran in the 1821 Irish Census.  Also, on the death registration, it shows the person who reported her death in 1874 as Michael McEvoy.  It is curious that a James McEvoy and later a John McEvoy were the owners of the same parcel 15 in Drumbarry.  How the McEvoys are related, if at all, is not known.

Given the evidence, i.e., Michael Sullivan's death certificate, Rose Soraghan's death registration and the 1821 Irish Census of Drumbarry, it is very likely that Rose Soraghan's maiden name is Corcoran.

Rose Soroghan Death Registration, 1874

Rose (Corcoran) Soraghan died on July 26, 1874 in Denbawn, the wife of a farmer.  She was listed as being 70 years old and the cause of death was given as Chronic Dyspepsia also known as upset stomach or indigestion and refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is a medical condition characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating.  She suffered from this for six years.  A Michael McEvoy, of Denbawn, states he was present at her death.  It is not know what relation Michael had to Rose.

Since the death certificate states she is married, it would imply that her husband, Patrick Soraghan, is still living, otherwise it would read "widow."  His death certificate has yet to be located.