Children of Patrick and Hannah Dougherty Gallagher Marriage Years

Grace Gallagher married James Silverthorne in 1899
Mary Gallagher married George Cannon in 1900
William Gallagher married Mary Keller in 1905
Sarah (Sallie) Gallagher married John Keller in 1905

Grace Gallagher Silverthorne

Grace was born to Patrick and Hannah Dougherty Gallagher in Scotland April 20, 1880 (though death certificate states the birth year as 1881?). Grace was married to James Silverthorne. On January 31, 1930, Grace was admitted to Hahnemann  Hospital where she underwent two surgeries on February 25, 1930 and March 18, 1930. Grace died at he hospital on March 20, 1930. The procedure listed was a Nephrostomy. The final cause of death is listed as Chronic Myocarditis. Grace was interred at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery on March 24, 1930. 

Genealogist Update

I came across some burial records for both Leverington and Westminster Cemeteries. A few things caught this genealogist's attention. Graves were reopened and relocated much more often than I expected and August 1900 was a horrible year for Diphtheria as there was an epidemic that hit through Manayunk and East Falls. What stood out to me was a family at 3339 W. Clearfield Street where four members of that family died from Diphtheria in a single day. The Flu Epidemic in 1918 resulted in hundreds of deaths and it appears the median age in Philadelphia was those under ten years old especially those under two years old. My journey began when I came across information for the Silverthorns. James Rowley Silverthorn died in 1942 and was interred at Leverington which I thought was strange as his wife Grace Gallagher Silverthorn who died in 1930 was interred at St. John the Baptist. It makes a person wonder why the wife was interred in one cemetery while the husband was interred in another cemetery. Did St. John's run out of space? I know James and Grace had five sons, two whom died as infants in 1906 and 1911 so were they interred at St. John's? Is that why there was not room for James twelve years later? I will probably never find the answers because there were no personal journals written or saved. We can only go by the official records. Some information was verified on Grace Gallagher Silverthorn and some additional information discovered such as Grace was born in April 1880 in Scotland and the exact location was Camghouran. My question is "why did Patrick and Hannah leave Donegal, Ireland and how did they end up in Camghouran, Scotland? Why did they leave Scotland in 1882 and come to Philadelphia? As far as I know, they came to America on their own without other family members. Forget about ever finding the exact year Patrick was born. I cannot find one single record that verifies his birth or even the age he was when he died in the summer of 1910. No age is indicated. Weird. So Gallagher! On the other hand, I can find the age of Hannah. When she died in 1926, she was listed on the records as being 65 years old. Another person of interest was from the Boland Clan. I am not sure if it was 1897 or 1900 but I came across the nephew of John Boland. Edward Boland died as a baby and was interred at Westminster. His father was William Boland who lived on Laboratory Hill. Years later I would come across several Bolands living on or around Laboratory Hill and one of them was my great-grandmother's brother and John's son, John Boland. John would reside on Laboratory Hill with his wife and children and my great great- grandparents until my great great grandmother died in 1926 (Ellen) and their relocation to Germantown.

Baby Gerald J. Silverthorn

Gerald J. Silverthorn was born on May 10, 1911 and died on September 23, 1911 and was interred at Leverington Cemetery on September 26, 1911. He was the son of James and Grace Gallagher Silverthorn. John McCarron was the undertaker.

Baby James Silverthorn

James was born premature at 71/2 months gestation and lives seven hours and 10 minutes on May 6,1906 and died at 1030pm. He was the son of James and Grace Gallagher Silverthorn. He was interred in Leverington Cemetery. Address listed was 3908 Terrace Street. Isaiah J. Ryan was the undertaker.

My Great Great Grandfather Patrick Gallagher

Born December 24, 1867 and died of Apoloxy on June 29, 1913. Parents listed were Patrick Gallagher and Grace Harkins. Husband of Hannah Gallagher, father of Grace Silverthorn, Mary Cannon, William Gallagher and Sarah (Sally) Keller. Patrick was a mill hand in a textile factory and lived at 127 Seville Street at time of death. Patrick was interred on July 2, 1913 at Westminster Cemetery. Coroner was William R. Ford.

Child of James and Grace Gallagher Silverthorn

Name: James Silverthorn
Death Date: 06 May 1906
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 7 hours
Estimated Birth Year:
Birth Death: 06 May 1906
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pa.
Marital Status: Single
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: James Silverthorn
Father's Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pa
Mother's Name: Grace Gallagher
Mother's Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pa.
Occupation: Infant
Street Address:
Place of Residence: Philadelphia, Pa.
Cemetery:
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 07 May 1906
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 1319443
Digital Folder Number: 4008815
Image Number: 153
Reference Number: certificate # 12144
Collection: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915

Child of James and Grace Gallagher Silverthorn

Name: Gerald J. Silverthorn
Death Date: 23 Sep 1911
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 5 months
Estimated Birth Year:
Birth Death: 10 May 1911
Birthplace: Phila.
Marital Status: Single
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: James Silverthorn
Father's Birthplace: Pa.
Mother's Name: Grace Gallagher
Mother's Birthplace: Scotland
Occupation:
Street Address:
Place of Residence:
Cemetery: Leveringtion Cem.
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 26 Sep 1911
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 1405448
Digital Folder Number: 4009211
Image Number: 68
Reference Number: cn 23060
Collection: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803-1915

A Great Prize

Bill came across an old book written in 1918 called "The History of the Church of St John the Baptist" located in Manayunk known as the Grand Souveuir 41,ooo dollar campaign.

According to the book, in 1918 the church was in debt, and they organized a fundraiser with the expectation of collecting 30,000 dollars, half of the total debt the church owed its creditors. In the end, the parishers gave Father Murphy 41,000 dollars to help cover the costs incurred in building a new church, church hall and school between 1894 & 1906.

What was interesting about this particular fundraiser was the amounts of money those who belonged to the church gave. Yes, there was a list of who gave & how much. Yes again, if you wondered if any of our relatives were on that list in this book dated 1918.

Grace Silverthorn & Sally Keller gave a total of 50.00 dollars. Address of residence listed in the book was 3886 Terrace Street, which was the home of James & Grace Gallagher Silverthorn. John & Sally Gallagher Keller lived with Grace & James at the time. Daniel & Katherine Boland Malervy gave 5.00 dollars and they resided at 17 Osborne Street at the time. George & Mary Gallagher Cannon gave 10.00 dollars and resided at 137 Kalos Street at the time. William & Mary Keller gave 10.00 dollars and resided at 143 Seville Street at the time.

To donate 50, 10 or even 5 dollars to the church in 1918 was a lot of money for a Manayunk factory and/or Iron worker. Again, it says a lot about our ancestors' character and their devotion to church and community. The above residences were not houses our ancestors' own but houses they rented. It would be several more years, before they own their homes.

Bill discovered this little treasure in an used book store near a train station located in Mt. Airy. I guess you never know what you can come across at any given time. My husband, the flea market/yard sale/used book store junky.

Fun Facts For Silverthorn

Life Expectency is 77 years old.

Most immigrated from Liverpool & Queentowns.

Most immigrated from England.

Most immigrated in 1869 to the states of CA, MI, OH, PA & NC.

Most were farmers.

4 Silverthorns fought for the Confederates and 29 Silverthorns fought for the Union during the Civil War.

Origin Of The Surname Silverthorn

English (mainly Bristol and Gwent): of uncertain origin, apparently a habitational name from some lost or unidentified place deriving its name from Old English seolfor ‘silver’ + þorn ‘thorn bush’.

Charles Silverthorn

Grave Site at Leverington Cemetery in Roxborough.
Charles served in 119th PA Infantry in the Civil War.

James Silverthorn's Census Records

1930

1920

1910

1900, Click to enlarge & view all records individually. Please note the 1900 record is difficult to read.

James Silverthorn

Born in the state of Pennsylvania in the year 1878, he married Grace (Gallagher) and had three sons, Charles, Raymond and Edward.

According to the 1900 Census Records, his wife Grace was born in Scotland. (Grace was the eldest child of Patrick & Hannah Gallagher) She was born in route from Ireland in Scotland before immigrating with her parents to Philadelphia in 1880.

According to the 1910 Census Records, James was listed as a Crane Operator in an Iron Mill (most probably Pencoyd).

In the 1920 Census Records, John & Sally Keller (Grace's brother-in-law & sister) lived with the family.

The latest Census Records available to date are the 1930 records which lists James living with sons Raymond & Edward on 3925 Terrace Street in the Manayunk Section of Philadelphia. Grace died in 1930 before the Census was taken.

Future posts will include the 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 Census Records of James Silverthorn.

James & Grace (Gallagher) Silverthorn's Three Sons

Charles Silverthorn was born July 16th, 1900 and died February 1972. Charles was a resident of Lafayette Hill, Pa. at the time of his death. His wife Mary was born November 29th, 1899 and died November 1972 and was also a resident of Lafayette Hill, Pa. at the time of her death.

Raymond Silverthorn was born August 15th, 1902 and died December 1966. He was a resident of Roxborough at the time of his death. He was also a very good friend of my grandfather William Gallagher II as well as a cousin.

Edward Silverthorn was born July 3rd, 1909 and died January 1988. he was a resident of Roxborough at the time of his death.

All three sons were born and raised in Manayunk. At this time I do not know if Raymond or Edward were married.

Records Of Charles Silverthorn

1880 Census Record

1870 Census Record

Civil War Pension Record

Click to Enlarge & View

Charles Silverthorn

In the 1890 Special Census of Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Widows of the Civil War in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania lists Charles Silverthorn (e) as being in Company A, 119th Pa. Infantry.


Charles Silverthorn was born in Philadelphia Pa (1826), son of Charles & Rebecca Silverthorn. He was married to Elizabeth (Chayner). According to the 1870 Census Records, he lived with his wife and seven children along with his mother-in-law, (Ann Chayner) in the Manayunk Section of Philadelphia. His children were listed as Kate, Charles, Elizabeth, Maria, Joseph, Rebecca and John. In the 1880 Census Records, he was listed as living at 218 Fountain Street with his family, the previous census record (1870) did not have an address listed.

World War I & II Records Of William Joseph Gallagher I

Click to enlarge & view. World War I Record of William J. Gallagher, son of Patrick & Hannah (Dougherty) Gallagher, brother of Grace (Gallagher) Silverthorn, Mary (Gallagher) Cannon and Sally (Gallagher) Keller, husband of Mary (Keller) Gallagher, father of William J. Gallagher II and Anna Marie (Gallagher) McCaffery, grandfather of William J. III, John, Eugene, Mary and Ann Marie. Record indicates home address, place of employment, next of kin, date of birth, date of draft and physical characteristics.

Click to enlarge & view. World War II Record of William J. Gallagher I. See above for further information in regards to the record.

William Joseph Gallagher I

I came across the military records of my great grandfather William J Gallagher I recently. Though he did not serve in either World War I or II, he did register for the draft. Therefore, I was able to view some personal information about the man who was my grandpop's father.

William Joseph Gallagher was born June 29th, 1884 to Patrick and Hannah (Dougherty) Gallagher. He was their only son. William had three sisters Grace (Silverthorn), Mary (Cannon) and Sarah "Sally" (Keller).

According to the World War I Draft Records, William had blue eyes and light brown hair. He was 5 "7" with a ruby complexion and was of medium built. When he signed up for the draft on September 12th, 1918, he lived at 143 Seville Street in the Manayunk Section of Philadelphia. Occupation was listed and this was in 1918 "folks" Electrical Machinist for Midvale Steel at 4201 Wissahickon Street.

On April 27th, 1942, he signed up for the World War II Draft. He was still 5"7" and 150lbs with blue eyes, gray hair and a ruby complexion. He was also listed as being employed at Allenwood Co., Ivy Rock Plant in Conshohocken. He was also listed as living on 317 Roxborough Ave. This is in the year 1942.

Monsignor Eugene Murphy

Father Eugene Murphy was pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in the early 20th century during the period in time the Bolands, Gallaghers, McCafferys and Silverthorns were parish members.

Father Eugene Murphy was godfather to Mary (Keller) Gallagher when she was baptized into the Catholic religion. Mary was born and raised in the Lutheran faith and converted as an adult.

Father Eugene Murphy was also the reason Collum Eugene Gallagher (Uncle Gene) was given his middle name of Eugene.

Father Eugene Murphy was a notable force behind the building of the new church, parish school and St. John the Baptist High School. Father Murphy strongly believed in the education of children and believed girls as well as boys should be properly educated. He also encouraged the parents of his parish to keep their children in school until high school graduation because he felt children had a better chance to succeed in the world if educated instead of placed in factories at young ages.

Father Eugene Murphy was against the war in Europe and when our country entered into World War I, he marched against it. When the men of his parish were drafted, he held a banquet in their honor (Sept 23, 1917) then said a 6am mass the morning afterwards before he marched with them to the 13th police district to where they were to meet to be sent off to training camps. One of those men was Charles Silverthorn.

Father Eugene Murphy died in May 1938 and the evening of his viewing, Anna (McCaffery) Gallagher was in labor with her fourth child. Her mother-in-law Mary (Keller) Gallagher told Anna she was not to have that baby until her return. Mary Louise Gallagher waited until the return of her grandmother before she entered into the world.

Father Eugene Murphy is buried in St. John the Baptist Churhyard located on the parish grounds.