Roman Catholic Parish of Denn, County Cavan

The Soraghan/Sullivans lived in the Roman Catholic Parish of Denn.  The following is  from the Parish of Denn's Website:

 Parish of Denn
Introduction

Welcome to the Roman Catholic parish of Denn. Denn is a rural parish of lovely drumlin hills which is located in the diocese of Kilmore and the county of Cavan in Ireland 

 

The parish is tucked-in between the towns of Cavan and Ballyjamesduff and the two small mountains Slieve Glath and Ardkill. The village of Crosskeys is situated near the centre of the parish.
 
We hope that this website will help you to learn more about our parish. You will learn about our two churches, St Matthew’s in Drumavaddy and St Matthew’s in Crosskeys. You will learn about Mass times and the weekly parish newsletter will keep you up to date on what is happening. You will also learn about the parish personnel - the priests and people on the various parish committees.   
 
We welcome especially all natives of Denn who are living elsewhere in Ireland or scattered throughout the world. We hope that this website will help to keep you in touch with your native parish. We hope too that those whose parents or ancestors come from this parish will learn more about their origins.  This website will direct you where to contact if you wish to learn more about parish records relating to your ancestors. We hope that those too whose parents or ancestors come from this parish will learn more about their place of origin.  

For more information regarding the Roman Catholic Parish of Denn see their website at: http://www.parishofdenn.com/

When I was in Ireland, I visited both Churches.  It is believed the church in Drumavaddy is most likely the church the Soraghans would have frequented as it is closer to where they lived.

St. Matthew, Drumavaddy

St. Matthew,Crosskeys

  Both Churches have been recently renovated.

 Photos: Elaine Beaudoin, 2011

St. Jerome's Stained Glass Windows

Patrick Sullivan (c1832-1881), son of Patrick and Rose (Corcoran) Sullivan, married Elizabeth McKenna/McCanna (1834-1881) in Easton, Pennsylvania c1855.  The Patrick Sullivan family then moved from the east, arriving in Chicago c1860.  One of Patrick and Elizabeth's nine children, Francis P. Sullivan (1867-1926), met and married Susan Sharp (1869-1954) in Chicago in 1892.  The Sharp family, and in particular Susan Sharp Sullivan, was instrumental in backing efforts for a "new" church, St. Jerome's, in Rogers Park on Chicago's north side.

Two of the stained glass windows in St. Jerome's Church, located at 1709 W Lunt Avenue, exemplify the devotion the Sharp/Sullivan family had to their church.

"Memorial to the Parents of Mr and Mrs Francis P. Sullivan"

Thanks to Robert L. Sullivan, great grandson of Francis and Susan (Sharp) Sullivan, for these beautiful photos of the stained glass windows in St. Jerome's.

Sullivans in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois

Three sons of Patrick Sullivan and Rose Corcoran, Andrew, Patrick and Philip, along with members of their families, are buried in adjoining graves in Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois. In addition, sons Michael and James and daughter, Ellen Sullivan Mulvaney, are also buried in Calvary, but at different locations.

Philip and Andrew are buried in Lot 37 and Patrick is buried in Lot 42.

Red X = Lot 42, Block 16, Section N; Blue X=Lot 37, Block 16, Section N

A common headstone serves both grave lots.

Headstone between lots 37 and 42, Block 16, section N

The gravecard, which lists Andrew and Philip, along with family members and other individuals and their date of burial in Lot 37, follows:

Click on image to enlarge

And, Patrick Sullivan and family members are noted on this gravecard of the individuals buried in Lot 42.

In looking at these two gravecards and noting they are abutting plots, it probably had something to do with the first two individuals who are buried in each lot, i.e., Patrick Sullivan buried January 8, 1881 in lot 42, and nine months later his brother, Andrew, is buried in lot 37 on September 14, 1891.

Photos: Courtesy of Elaine McIntyre Beaudoin; grave cards courtesy: Calvary Cemetery, Evanston, Illinois.  Original Lot 42 gravecard courtesy: Robert L. Sullivan.

Soraghan/Sullivan, 1857 Griffith's Valuation

Richard Griffith undertook the Primary Valuation of Ireland in the mid-1800s.  This valuation, which is commonly referred to as Griffith's Valuation, is a unified, country-wide valuation of land and property taken as a result of the Tenement Valuation Act of 1846.  For each county, a "snapshot" was published at a specific point in time between 1848 and 1864, with the date for each county dependent upon the year in which that county was surveyed. (1)

The County Cavan survey was completed on June 25, 1857. (2)  The following is a reproduction of the page which shows the Townland of Dennbane, Barony of Upper Loughtee, Civil Parish of Denn, Poor Law Union (Registrar's District (RD)) of Cavan, Electoral Division (ED) of Denn.  Note the occupier of parcel 24a is Patrick Soraghan (Sullivan).  In addition, parcels 25 and 26 are occupied by Thomas and Andrew Soraghan, respectively.  And, parcel 24b, although occupied by James Galligan, the immediate lessors are Patrick, Andrew and Thomas Soraghan.

A video of the property occupied by Patrick Soraghan/Sullivan can be view at the post on this blog: Soraghan (Sullivan) Farm. Dennbane, County Cavan.  A video of the adjacent property which was occupied by Thomas and Andrew Soraghan (Sullivan) in the 1850s can be view by clicking on Andrew and Thomas Soraghan (Sullivan) Farms, Dennbane, County Cavan.  To enlarge the above image, click on the image.


For a discussion of the Soraghan/Sullivan name, click here.

Note: By the time of the Griffith's Valuation of County Cavan in 1857, at least two of the Sullivan sons are already in America, i.e., James and Michael.

Sources:
(1) Elizabeth Kelley Kerstens, "Tracking Irish generations in land valuation records," NGS News Magazine, July/August/September, 2005, pg. 55.
(2) James R. Reilly, Richard Griffith and His Valuation of Ireland, Baltimore: Clearfield, 2000, Appendix No. 8, page 78.
(3) Video of Thomas and Andrew Soraghan (Sullivan) property, July, 2011, Elaine M. Beaudoin

Patrick Sullivan Heirship Report and Addendum, 1881

Patrick Sullivan, son of Patrick and Rose, died on January 2, 1881 and his will is reproduced in the next post.  Patrick's wife, Elizabeth (McCanna/McKenna), died a few months later on July 22, 1881.  Since Patrick's estate had not yet been probated, an addendum to Patrick's heirship report was completed.  The third and fourth images below are the undated addendum.

What is so useful in this document is each child of Patrick and Elizabeth is identified with current ages as of the birthday in 1883.  So, it is possible to calculate the date of birth.  Since most of the children were born prior to the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, this may be one of the few places a reasonably accurate birth date can be located.

Proof of Heirship, Entered October 16th 1883 Probate #2-2175

The quality of the copies is poor, but readable.  If you click on the image, it will open in a larger window making it easier to read.

Probate records viewed May 2, 2012, Cook County Archives.

Patrick Sullivan Will, November 15, 1880

Patrick and Rose Sullivan's son Patrick died on January 2, 1881 in Chicago, Illinois.  He died of vascular disease of the heart per his death certificate.  It is very likely when he wrote his last will and testament on November 15, 1880, he was well aware of his failing health as it was only six weeks before his death. 

The following is a transcript of his Last Will and Testament: 

Proved and Admitted to record in open court January 13th 1881.  J. Knickerbocker, Probate Judge

In the name of God Amen.  I Patrick Sullivan of the city of Chicago in the County of Cook and State of Illinois being of sound and disposing mind and memory and calling to mind the frailty and uncertainty of human life and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs and directing how the Estate with which it has pleased God to bless me shall be disposed of after my decease, while I have strength and capacity so to do, do make declare and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and making null and void all others and former wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made.  And as to my worldly estate real personal and mixed of which I may die seized and possessed or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease, I devise, bequeath and dispose thereof in the manner following to wit.

First

My will is that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall by my executor hereinafter named be paid out of my estate as soon after my decease as shall by him be found convenient.

Second

I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Sullivan all my household furniture now in my dwelling house in which I now reside.  Also all my stock of groceries in my store now known as  No. 245 West Taylor Street in the said City of Chicago and also my horse wagon, harness and buggy and all other personal property of which I may die seized to have and to hold the same to her and her heirs and assigns forever.  I also give to her the use improvement, income and profit of the house and lot in which I now reside the same being known and described as No. 245 West Taylor Street in the said City of Chicago as long as she shall remain unmarried and my widow, with remainder over to my children as hereinafter mentioned.

Third

It is my will that all money of which I may die seized including government Bonds which I direct my executor hereinafter named, shall after the payment of any just debts and funeral expenses be divided between my children, share and share alike, and I direct my executor to pay to such of my children who may have arrived at lawful age the portion of said money to which he or she may be entitled and to the guardian or guardians of such of my children who may be minors the portion or part to which he or she may be entitled.

Fourth

I give devise and bequeath to any children Rose Anna Sullivan, Michael A. Sullivan, Thomas James Sullivan, Joseph Sullivan, Peter Francis Sullivan, Andrew Sullivan and William Sullivan all the real estate of which I may die seized wherever the same may be situated to have and to hold the same to them and their heirs and assigns in fee simple forever together with the rents, issues and profits thereof except the rents issues and profits of that part of said real estate set apart to my beloved wife Elizabeth Sullivan as hereinbefore mentioned.  It is my wish that all my said real estate shall remain intact and unsold until my youngest child shall have arrived at lawful age.  And it is my wish that the rents issues and profits of said real estate shall be collected by my executor hereinafter named until my youngest child shall come of age and after the payment of all taxes, insurance and repairs on said real estate, to be paid by my executor from time to time to my said children who shall have attained their lawful age the portion or portions to which he or she may be entitled, and to the guardian or guardians of such of said children as shall not have attained their lawful age the portion or portions to which he or she may be entitled to.

Fifth

Lastly I nominate and appoint my brother Michael Sullivan of said City of Chicago to be the executor of this my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal to this my last will and testament this fifteenth day of November A D 1880.

                Patrick E Sullivan (signature) (seal)

                                                                                                        

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Patrick Sullivan as and for his last will and testament, in presence of us, who in his presence and in the presence of each other and at his request, have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.

               James Sullivan (signature) 29 Milton Avenue

               John E. Dalton (signature) 36 [cannot read remainder of address]

 **********************************************************************************

The original copy of the will, filed with Patrick Sullivan's probate papers, is in very fragile condition, with each page broken into several parts.  The original document pieces were photocopied at the Cook County Archives and reconstituted at home.  The pasted together document follows.  To enlarge, double click on the image.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Source: Cook County Archives, Docket 3, Page 245, Box 2, File 2175, Death date January 2, 1881

Andrew and Thomas Soraghan (Sullivan) Farms, Dennbane, Co. Cavan

Andrew and Thomas had adjoining farms to Patrick Soraghan (Sullivan) in 1857.  The video below was taken of the property in 2011. It is not know how Andrew and Thomas were related to Patrick. It is possible they were his brothers, or his sons, or his cousins.



For a look at the video from 2011 of the property occupied by Patrick Soraghan (Sullivan) in 1857 click here.


Source: Elaine M. Beaudoin video taken July 2011.