Welcome to web site for The John McGarrigle Association. Formed in August 2000, we are a non-profit group of descendants of John McGarrigle committed to preserving family history through genealogy work and to bring the family descendants closer together. Our main focus is placing a burial marker (headstone) at John McGarrigle's gravesite at the Milltown Catholic Cemetery in Milltown/St.Stephen, New Brunswick. Also in the grave site is John's wife Mary McPike and possibly several other children. This site has no marker. We are also available to assist family researchers in gathering genealogy data on the McGarrigle family regardless of connection.
John McGarrigle
Born: abt. 1818 in Ballintra, Co. Donegal Ireland
Married: Mary McPike on November 24th, 1844 in St. Andrews, NB Canada(born abt. 1826/ died Dec. 17th 1894)
Died: March 19th 1901 in Milltown, NB Canada
Children:
Edward (born: 1845/died: 1850)
Mary (born: 1846/died: 1924)
Elizabeth (born: 1848/died: 1901)
married John McCormick; 6 Children
Edward P. (born: 1850/died: 1924)
married Eugenia Hartley; 8 Children
James Edward (born: 1852/died: 1919)
married Catherine Spires; 12 Children
John (born: 1854/died: 1921)
Richard J. (born: 1856/died: 1941)
married Laura "Lottie" Hanscom; 8 Children
Charles Augustus (born: 1858/died: 1938)
married Harriet Hennessey; 2 Children
Hugh (born: 1861/died: ??)
Anne (born: 1863/died: 1893)
married John William McVay; No Children
Michael Thomas (born: 1867/died: 1904)
Isabell Catherine (born: 1869/died: 1952)
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John McGarrigle
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There little known of John McGarrigle prior to his arrival in Canada. He was born in approximately 1817 in the Parish of Drumhome/Drumholm in County Donegal, Ireland. The parish is situated between Donegal Town and Ballyshannon. The largest community in the parish is the town of Ballintra. Ballintra is home to St. Bridget's Catholic Church (built in 1845) and former location of the Ballintra Rail Station (1905-1960). To the west of Ballintra is Foyagh Hill and the earliest known location of John McGarrigle's family. Surrounding the hill are the two former homesteads of the McGarrigle family, sold outside of the family generations ago. From atop the Foyagh Hill, one can look over the rolling hills that rise and fall along Donegal Bay.
John is born into a world where Penal Laws and other restrictions govern the life of his catholic family. Catholics were unable to hold public office, own firearms and strict laws on land use and ownership. It is difficult to confirm the names of John's parent though research suggests that the name of John's father was "Edward". Research further indicates that John had at least two brothers: Edward and James.
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Ballintra (or, Baile an tSratha, in Irish, which translates as 'Town of the Holm') is a village with a population of 217 (1996). It is located on the Ballyshannon to Donegal road about seven miles north of Ballyshannon. A swift stream from the hills has cut its way through the limestone, at some places forming steep cliffs. In other places (The Brown Hall Demesne) the stream disappears into caves and underground passages and again emerges to flow through a meadow. Finally it tumbles into a deep chasm known as The Pullins bounded on each side by precipitous limestone walls. There is an attractive waterfall at Argadullah Mill. In the vicinity of there are prehistoric remains including the fort of Ard Fothadh. A further three miles away on the "Two Mile Stone Ridge" is a recent discovery of pre-historic huts and allied antiquities have been made. (Source: Local Ireland, 1999)
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By the mid-1830s, John graduates "with honors" from Letterkenny College (later becoming part of Saint Eunans College) in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. John's brother, Edward, was a priest and may have attended the same college since secondary education was limited for those in Ireland though not documents confirm this. It would have been no easy task to send a child to school in the early 1800s, albeit a catholic school in those turbulent times in Ireland. Attending a boarding school far away from home was not free and this does suggest that the McGarrigle family of Drumholm may have lived comfortable. Edward went on to become a parish priest in Killybegs and his buried in the Drumholm Parish Cemetery with his brother James.
The young, newly-educated John McGarrigle left Ireland, in all likelihood, from the port of Derry, sometime between 1836-1841. John's obituary states his arrival in Canada as "1836" however, two census reports list his entry date as "1841". Derry was the major port for northwestern Ireland. Not only was the port as source for the import markets of northern Ireland, Derry was exporting the Irish people as early as 1816. During the 1830s, potato crops were failing throughout much of Ireland however the situation grew incredibly worst with the arrival of the potato blight in approximately 1844. John would have departed Ireland before the storm but would have still been aware of the growing number of starving and poor as the crops failed. After a 5-8 week journey across the Atlantic Ocean, John landed in Canada via the port of Saint John. He would have been processed at the Immigration Office on Prince William Street, unless he was ill, then he would have been quarantined on Partridge Island at the mouth of the harbour.
By August 1841, John was teaching in the Parish of Pennfield, less than 50 miles west of Saint John. In February 1843, John McGarrigle petitioned for a teacher's license and/or payment.
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"To His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Sir William McBean George Colebrooke, H.H. Lieutenant Governor of the Province of New Brunswick, etc. etc. etc. The Honorable the Legislative Council and The Honorable the House of Assembly in their legislative capacity convened The petition of John McGarigle of the parish of Pennfield in the County of Charlotte Humbly sheweth That petitioner is a British subject and commenced teaching school in said parish, in the month of August, 1841, but did not apply for a License for some time afterwards, because, at first, he was under the impression that it was necessary for an applicant for a school license to teach six months in the province before he could obtain one, and afterwards he was led to
believe that the inhabitants of the District in which he resided were too poor to remunerate him sufficiently for his services even if he got the Govt. allowance; and, according to the present regulations a License for Pennfield would not answere any other parish to which he might deem it expedient to move. That petitioner and his employers latterly became mutually attached to each other; in consequence of which petitioner determined to remain where he was, and in October last passed a satisfacotry examination before the Board of education in order to obtain a License. That petitioner not from any fault or misconduct but owing to a misunderstanding on his part cannot obtain any public remuneration in the ordinary way for the time that he taught although he faithfully attended to the discharge of his duty and received only a small compensation fromt he people of the District. That petitioner therefore, humbly prays your Excellency and your Honors to grant him the usual allowance for the said term of one year, ending the 16th of August 1842 and as in duty bound he will."
Ever pray
(signed) John McGarrigle
Pennfield
1st February 1843
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An endorsement to John's petition:
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"The undersigned Trustees of Schools for the parish of Pennfield having read over the petition of John McGarrigle do hereby certify that the facts therein stated are true, that he is a young man of good morals and temperate habits, and having examined his school that his mode of instructing youth meets our approbation, therefore, we would most respectfully beg leave to recommend the prayer of the petitioner."
(signed) Barney Bucknam
(signed) Isaac Justason
Trustees
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Near the age of twenty-seven, John married Mary McPike on November 24, 1844 in St. Andrews. Mary was Irish as well; she was born in Co. Tyrone.
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"John P. Magarrigal" married "Mary MacPike" on Nov. 24, 1844 at St. Andrews Church, St. Andrews, N.B. Both were residents of "Pynfield" and their witnesses were Richard and Catherine McPike. John's occupation was listed as "teacher," immigration as "1841," date of death as "March 19, 1901" and Place of Death "Milltown, N.B. Mary was listed as a "spinster" immigrated in "1835". (Source: Diocese of Saint John archives)
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By 1851 and the time of 1851 Census of New Brunswick, John and Mary were still living in St. Andrews. However, they have now added two children to their growing family with the addition of Mary and Elizabeth though their first child, Edward, died as an infant.
In 1854, R. Connolly arrived in the Parish of St. Stephen and erected a school in Milltown, at the present location of St. Patrick's Hall. In the early 1850s, John and his family moved to Milltown and lived near the Catholic Church. The school was the only means of education for children in the area until 1870 when a public/free school was opened in Milltown. John appears in the 1865/66 and 1867/68 Hutchinson Directories where his occupation is listed as a "teacher" and his location is on Main Street in Milltown, near the church. In April 1865, the US Civil War comes to a close while a couple of years later on July 1, 1867, Canada becomes a country.
On January 16, 1871, a St. Croix Courier article states that "there are 124 children in the Milltown school under the direction of Mr. John McGarrigle who teaches classics, mathematics; and Miss Lizzie Ash; both first class teachers." By 1871 and the time of the first National Census of Canada, John's house on Main Street in Milltown is full. He and Mary share their home with their eleven children: Mary, Elizabeth, Edward, James, John II., Richard, Charles, Hugh, Ann, Michael and Isabella. The children's ages range from 24 years to 2 year of age. The two eldest children are working; Mary as a "seamstress" and Elizabeth as a "music teacher". John also appears in John Lovell's 1871 Directory where he is listed as a "school teacher".
In April 1881, John and his family listed in the National Census. All of the children, with the exception of Elizabeth, are still living at home. Elizabeth married John McCormick in October 1876 and has return to John McCormick's native Rhode Island. In October 1882, John's son, Richard, entered Maine bar, after teaching for a number of years in Maine. On July 26, 1883, John McGarrigle of Charlotte County is listed on the Justice of the Peace's appointment registrar. According to a St. Croix Courier notice, "at a meeting of the Catholic congregation of Milltown held in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday, July 13, 1890, Mr. John McGarrigle, Sr., chairman, announced to the members that our beloved pastor, Fr. Doyle, has decided to visit his native land across the water, acting under the advice of his physician". At some point between 1881 and 1883, John and Mary's daughter, Mary, moved to Providence, Rhode Island. One possibility is that she went to live with her sister Elizabeth and her husband who may have been living there. Regardless, Mary made a return to Milltown in September 1883: "Mrs. J. H. McConniche, her daughter, and Miss Mary McGarrigle of Providence have been in town about six weeks, the guests of Mr. J.M. McGarrigle. They left for their home on Monday morning." In the fall of the following year (1884), Richard marries Laura "Lottie" Hanscom in Washington County, Maine. The two fell in love why they were teaching. Richard and Lottie have eight children (two of the eight children did not live past infancy).
In the 1891 National Census, enumerated in April 1891, John's household has shrunk from the full house of the 1881 Census. The only children living with John and Mary are John Jr., Charles, Michael and Isabella. A short time later, Charles and John Jr. move to Providence, which is already home to his sister Elizabeth. Charles marries Harriet A. Hennessey. John Jr. becomes "music teacher". Music must have been a natural talent to the McGarrigle family since Elizabeth was also working as a music teacher at one time while numerous articles and obituaries make mention of the family's musical interest. In April 1891, daughter Ann marries William McVay while over a year later in November 1892, son James Edward, who is now living in the St. George area, marries Catherine Spires. Unfortunately Ann's new take on life is short lived. She dies on August 13, 1893; she is 30 years old.
John's wife, Mary, passes away in December 1894. By the time of the 1896 Calais, St. Stephen and Milltown Directory, John is now listed as a "retired" school teacher. By 1900, the widowed, "retired school teacher" is still living on Main Street in Milltown, near the Catholic Church, likely with his son Michael (working as a "streetcar operator") and daughter Isabella. After a long life, John McGarrigle, passes away on March 19, 1901.
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John McGarrigle died at this residence at Milltown on Tuesday evening. The deceased was one of the oldest and most respected residents of that town, where he has lived since 1852. Mr. McGarrigle was born at Ballantria, Co. Donegal, Ireland, in 1815. After graduating with honors at Letter Kenny College, in that country, he came to St. John in 1836. After a short stay, he went to St. George where, and at St. Andrews, he taught school until 1852 when he removed to Milltown. From that time until 1877 he was principal of the Catholic schools in that town. In that year he retired from active life to study and historical research. In his younger days he was prominent in societies as well as musical circles. He occupied for years the position of organist and choir leader in St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Milltown and, under his efficient leadership, it became second to none on the St. Croix. In 1840 he married Mary McPike of Pennfield who died in 1894. Eight children survive the deceased viz. Mary, who had been companion and housekeeper since the death of her mother; Edward, now of New Hampshire, Richard J., the well known attorney of Calais; James of St George; John, music professor of Providence; Michael, motorman on our street railway; Charles of Providence and Bella who resides at home. Mr. McGarrigle was esteemed by all residents of Milltown, particularly by the many hundred men and women who attended his school and who now occupy important positions in business and social circles in different parts of the country. The deceased was noted for his many sterling qualities of character. His family has the sympathy of the entire community. (Source: St. Croix Courier, March 21, 1901)
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John and Mary's family expanded through not only through Charlotte County, New Brunswick and Washington County, Maine but it also expanded to Rhode Island and Vermont. Today, decendants of John McGarrigle live as far away as California and Florida.
The John McGarrigle Association
Currently, John and Mary McGarrigle's grave is unmarked. They are buried in the Milltown Catholic Cemetery in Milltown, New Brunswick. One of the principal goals of the John McGarrigle Association is to gather donations, purchase a headstone and place it on the grave to mark where our ancestors rest. They should not be forgotten! We are asking all descendants of John and Mary McGarrigle to help contribute. Please download the Donation Form.
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Total Raised= $75.00 (as of November 25th)
The total cost of the proposed burial marker is $650.00 (canadian). The proposed marker is a black, polished granite. It's a sloped marker (measurements 24"x12"x6/3). The design was brought forward by Smet Monuments in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. (Smet Monuments). A smaller is availible at a reduced price of $559 (measurement 20"x10"x6/3). At the present time, there is no deadline set on this project but hope to have this marker in place very soon.
(sample of proposed burial marker - courtesy of Smet Monuments)
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Donation Form  (105kb)
The "Mc Garrigle" Surname
It may be fair to say that the largest number of McGarrigle in Ireland preside in the western region of the province of Ulster, Ireland. Currently, there appear to be four larger groups of McGarrigles in this area: 1) Strabane, Co. Tyrone area 2) Donegal Town, Co. Donegal 3) Ballintra & Drumholm Parish, Co. Donegal 4) Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal ...with many further families around Derry and Letterkenny. The family is spread out around the world. Scotland, northern England have many McGarrigle families. McGarrigle families appear in North America around the mid-1800s. This migration is mainly due due to the potatoe famine in Ireland. Families can also be found in Australia and some parts of mainland Europe. There are two theories on the surname's origin, in large part to the surname's similar sound to several places: 1) The name originated from the "Parish of Carigill" in the County of Perthshire, Scotland 2) The name originated from the "County of Argyll" in Scotland. One of earliest recordings of "Mc Garrigle" appear to have them helping to defend Donegal Castle in the late 1580s. No doubt, we were people of the O'Donnells and no doubt as servants of the clan, family members likely fought and die in some of the battles that the O'Donnells took part in. Unforunately, many years of records were destroyed in the 1920s with the destruction of the Four Courts building in Dublin and therefore it is difficult to track our family previous to the mid-1800s. One might add that there is no "authentic" or "official" family crest or coat of arms, at least none that have been registered with the heraldic authorites in United Kingdom, Canada or the United States (so watch out for those scams promising a family crest and brief family history!)
Last Modified: 13 March 2010
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