Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Bill

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Echo9er Hospitalman Luis E. Fonseca Jr.On August 11, 2004, Navel Hospitalman Luis E. Fonseca, Jr. was awarded the Navy's second highest decoration. The Navy Cross, which is awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States and must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk, was awarded for his actions while serving with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Task Force Tarawa, II Marine Expeditionary Force.On March 23, 2004, Fonseca, Jr.'s unit were trying to take the Saddam Canal Bridge. Five Marines were injured when their vehicle was hit by an RPG. Fonseca, while still being fired upon by machine guns and RPG's, pulled the Marines to safety and established a casualty collection unit inside his own medical evacuation vehicle. After his vehicle was hit once again, Fonseca organized litter teams and directed the movement of four of the Marines, while personally carrying one wounded Marine over open ground to another vehicle. On November 15, 2004, Seaman Fonseca was awarded the "Grateful Nation Award" from the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs for his actions."I was doing my job," said Fonseca. "I wish I could have done more."These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People LivedThis post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.-- Indian Chrishttp://rightwingrightminded

Valley Green Inn "History"

It is rumored that the Valley Green Inn was established in 1683. Well, almost...

The Valley Green Inn is built on land that was part of a several hundred acre tract purchased from William Penn in 1685. It had absentee owners in England and Ireland until 1791 when it was bought by the Livezey family who ran a large grist mill downstream.

In about the year 1850, Thomas Livezey rented to Edward Rinker about three acres of land on the Wissahickon Creek below and adjoining the stone arch bridge. He was to build a house and had the privilege of having boats on the stream to accommodate picnics. He paid two years rent January 2, 1852 of $50.

Rinker may have first built a smaller dwelling and then soon after built a larger building he named the Valley Green Hotel. There followed a succession of innkeepers throughout the nineteenth century, all who no doubt served catfish, waffles, and chicken dinners; the popular fare of other Wissahickon establishments.

The Valley Green Hotel was built during 1850-51 at the same time as the Wissahickon Turnpike (Lincoln Drive) was being completed. The turnpike brought recreational visitors into the Valley by carriage and horseback to view the lovely scenery.

In 1868, the newly created Fairmount Park Commission appropriated the creek and its banks, including the turnpike, and they improved the condition of the road and removed the toll gates. The Livezeys then sold the hotel to the Park in 1873.

In 1899, the chief engineer of Fairmount Park recommended the building be demolished; it was in disrepair and the Park did not have the funds to renovate. Fortunately the building was saved by a local committee, headed by Charles W. Henry, which raised $1228 for the restoration.

In 1901, a committee of women, arranged by Lydia T. Morris, was given permission by the Park to manage the newly restored Valley Green Hotel. They served light refreshments and afternoon tea to riders, pedestrians and wintertime skaters. These women managed the popular Valley Green Hotel in this manner for many years. At this time, the restaurant became officially known as the Valley Green Inn.

In the mid-1930's, the Friends of the Wissahickon, a large group dedicated to the preservation of the Valley, became interested in the Inn. Restorations were again necessary, and, under the leadership of the Friends and Park Commissioner, Samuel Fleisher, new foundations, a new roof and timbers were added. The Inn was re-dedicated at a ceremonial dinner in 1937. The Inn has been under the joint care of the friends of the Wissahickon and the Park Commission ever since yet remains a privately run business.

Throughout the years, the Inn has been the focus of numerous paintings, postcards and writings, as well as the setting for many special occasions. T.A. Daily wrote in 1922 that, "The charm of Valley Green varies not only with the seasons, but with the day of the week and the hour of the day."



Timeline of The Valley Green Inn

1685 Charles Hartford of Great Britain purchases land from William Penn

1714 Hartford sells land to Thomas Wilson of Ireland

1791 Wilson’s great grandson sells land to Leonard Dorsey of Philadelphia & John Livezey of Roxbury Township

1795 Dorsey conveys his half of tract to Livezey family.

1850 Edward Rinker leases land from Thomas Livezey for $50 for two years.

1857 Lease extended four years to Francis Rinker (Edward’s brother) Edward Rinker is said to have run off with a buxom Dutch girl leaving a wife and several children.

1858 Francis Rinker sublets Valley Green to Simon Markley, who ran the place for some years. Marley sold to a man named Leon (a noted caterer) who got frightened at a great freshet (quick rise of water) on the Wissahickon and sold out to Abraham Stone.

1867 Fairmount Park was created by an Act of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. By April of the next year, the boundaries were changed to include the entire Wissahickon up to Bell’s Mill’s road. (formerly Thorp’s Lane)

1869 Toll gates removed from the Wissahickon turnpike (Forbidden drive)

1871 Abraham Stone leases 5 more years from Livezey @ $600 per year.

1872 Livezey sells Valley Green and 66 acres to City of Philadelphia for $75,000.

1873 Stone tenders lease to Park Commission in 1873 for $5000. His offer was declined and he stayed on as Innkeeper to approx. 1881.

1881 John Hentz, Jr. leases Inn and was a tenant to approx. 1893

1893 (approx) Hentz put out for "selling whiskey in the park"

1899 Park commission recommends demolishing Valley Green at expiration of current lease "is so old that it could not be placed in good condition without an unreasonable

1900 The Committee on Superintendence and Police of Fairmount Park Commission agree to retire the old landmark. A number of citizens in Germantown and Chestnut Hill were interested in seeing the house restored. A group of citizens headed by Charles W. Henry raised $1228.59 for this.

1901 A group of prominent Philadelphia society women, noting that the inn had been "so prettily and correctly restored,"… asked "the Fairmount Park Commission to allow them to have charge of the management of the Inn…/with the intention of making the Inn a favorite stopping place for anyone who wishes to rest and partake in light refreshment"

1901-07 Valley Green known as "Valley Green Hotel" and "Valley Green Inn" and names used interchangeably.

1907 Officially known as Valley Green Inn

1937 A group of patriotic citizens held a dinner at the Inn for the purpose of "turning over the Valley Green Inn to the Friends of the Wissahickon for its care and upkeep under the authority of the Commissioners of Fairmount Park" a committee of public spirited women of Germantown and Chestnut Hill… under the leadership of Miss Lydia T. Morris. The yearly rent paid by the Friends to Fairmount Park…. $1.

1964 Wissahickon Valley declared national landmark.

1966 Wissahickon Valley dedicated as National Historic Landmark

1999 Hurricane Floyd leaves his mark on the Wissahickon Valley. (another "freshet"... current Innkeepers are not frightened away)

2001 Tropical Storm Allison leaves her mark on the Wissahickon Valley. (yet another "freshet"... current Innkeepers have second thoughts, but stay anyway)

2001 Historic renovation project set to begin.

2002 Renovation begins January 7, 2002.


Information taken from Valley Green Inn Website History

Wednesday's Hero

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Sunny KayCol. Cyril Richard "Rick" Rescorla 68 years old from New York City, New York16th Air Assault Brigade, Parachute Regiment (England)Platoon Leader of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) (U.S.)September 11, 2001Col. Rick Rescorla is a multiple time hero. In 1957 he enlisted in the British Army and began training as a paratrooper with The Parachute Regiment of the 16th Air Assault Brigade. He went on to serve with an intelligence unit in Cyprus, a paramilitary police inspector in the Northern Rhodesia Police (now the Zambia Police Service). When his military career ended in England he joined the Metropolitan Police Service in London. But he found the paperwork too boring and quite at the behest of a friend who encouraged him to join the United State Army. Which he did.In 1963, Rescorla enlisted, with his friend, in the United States Army. After he completed basic training he attended officer training school and was assigned as a platoon leader in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile).He was shipped to Vietnam and participated in the Battle of la Drang. While in Vietnam, he was given the nickname "Hard Core" by his men for his bravery in battle.In 1968, Resorla became a U.S. citizen and continued his service in the Army Reserves until 1990 when he retired. In 1985 he joined a financial services firm, located in the World Trade Center, as security director.In 1993, when the WTC was bombed, Rescorla was instrumental in evacuating people from the building. Afterwards, he enacted a policy in which all employees of the firm practiced evacuation drills every three months.September 11, 2001. Rick Rescorla was supposed to be on vacation getting ready for his daughters wedding. Instead he was at work covering a shift for one of his deputies so that he could go on vacation. When American Airlines Flight 11 hit Tower 1, Rescorla ignored officials advice to stay put and opted instead to put his evacuation drills to use. While evacuating the 3,800 employees of his firm in Towers 2 and 5 he kept reminding them "be proud to be an American ...everyone will be talking about you tomorrow" and sang God Bless America over his bullhorn. When Flight 175 struck Tower 2, Rescorla had already evacuated most of the employees from his firm as well as many others from other floors. He then went back in, despite being told he needed to evacuate himself. The last known words anyone heard him say were, "As soon as I make sure everyone else is out". Tower 2 collapsed with Rick Rescorla last seen heading to the 10th floor looking for more people to help.As a result of his actions that day, all but six employees of his firm made it out alive. One of those being him and three others being his deputies who followed him into Tower 2, Wesley Mercer, Jorge Velazquez, and Godwin Forde.These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero. We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll.

If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.--

Lough Swilly In Letterkenny County Donegal Ireland, Homeland Of The McCafferty/McCaffery

http://www.geographyinaction.co.uk/Issues/Lough%20Swilly.html


Donegal is a place I need to visit. I do not know the exact town our Gallagher ancestors are from in Donegal but I do know that our McCaffery ancestors are from the town Letterkenny. From What I know about Letterkenny is it is the largest town in Donegal that sits at the mouth of the Lough Swilly. From what I have researched thus far about Lough Swilly, it is a beautiful place to see. Click on the above link and read a little about it for yourself.

McCaffery Breakthrough

Over the last two months, I discovered two more distant cousins as in "distance", one lives in China and the other lives in Indiana. Bill Siejna (China) is a descendant of Bernard & Mary (Boland) Cafferty and Eileen Dougherty Russo (Indiana) is a descendant of Collum & Catherine McCaffery. Both came across my website during a "goggle" search and contacted me "via" email.

I was able to share a lot of Boland/Cafferty information with Bill. His mother currently lives up in NorthEast Philadelphia and Eileen gave me a ton of information on the McCaffery family. It is because of her that I now know grandmom's father, John McCaffery was Collum McCaffery Sr. younger brother who immigrated from Letterkenny, Donegal, Ireland on May 29th, 1907 on the ship "Columbia" through Ellis Island in New York. I reviewed his ship records myself just yesterday and realized why this family was difficult to trace. The McCaffery family are actually the McCafferty family dropping the letter "T" from their name when they came to America. All this time I have been researching McCaffery and McCaffrey never realizing the proper spelling was indeed McCafferty. Our great grandfather John McCaffery was one of thirteen children with only four immigrating from Donegal to Philadelphia. The four that immigrated were Collum (Uncle Coll's father), John (grandmom's father) and two sisters Ellen and Mary. Collum must have been one of the older of the thirteen children because he came over from Donegal between 1875 and 1878. Ellen came over around 1904. I am not sure when Mary came over but she was Ellen's contact in 1904. And of course our direct descendant John came in 1907 and his contact was Collum who at the time resided at 104 Dawson street in Manayunk. By 1909, John McCaffery was living at 115 Hermit Lane in Manayunk. Of course John McCaffery and Agnes (Bridget) Boland married in 1911 and grandmom (Anna Marie McCaffery Gallagher) was born in 1912. By that time they lived on Cresson Street.

According to John's ship records he was 5 "9" with light brownish hair (most likely reddish) and gray eyes. Our grandmother, his daughter had red hair, green eyes and a ton of freckles. It appears grandmom favored her father more in physical looks than her mother who was blue eyed and black haired.

Another interesting piece of information Eileen had was a copy of grandmom's mother's death certificate and it stated that Bridget died of an intestinal obstruction in the diverticulum which closely resembles the cause of death grandmom told us "appendicitis". It also gave the maiden name of Bridget's mother's as "McCarrick". This is another valuable piece of information because I just recently discovered that Ella (Ellen) was first married to a "Doherty" and even had at least one child named "Michael" before she married John Boland and had four other children. As far as I know, Michael Doherty remained in County Mayo and did not immigrate to Philadelphia.

Some more details just recently discovered; Collum McCaffery Sr. died on March 7th, 1926, twenty-two years after his wife (Catherine) died in 1904. He is interred at Westminster Cemetery along with his daughter Anna Pester and son John Edward McCaffery & wife Gertrude. Collum's wife Catherine is interred at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Norristown. Even though I found an Obit that also listed the daughter Catherine as being interred at St. Patrick's in 1905 at the age of 20 yrs old, this information is "questionable" because the cemetery supposedly does not have that record.

Another valuable piece of information is the name of the parents of Collum, John, Ellen and Mary. It appears their names were James & Catherine. It also appears that we have a ton of cousins still living in Donegal.

Eileen told me she visited grandmom in 1989, a year before grandmom's death and talked to her about her McCaffery side of the family. Eileen will be coming here to Philadelphia on June 10th to spend a few weeks with her parents who currently reside in the area. It is at this time, I along with my mother will meet the McCaffery clan.

And for my first cousins out there on the West Coast, there are McCaffery relatives out there in California....

Stay tune...

Quiet After The Storm

I surveyed my yard, the gardens, the bird feeders. The yard is a disaster. Debris everywhere. There are things in my backyard that blew in from other places in this neighborhood I have never seen. But the birds are happy. They are feasting as never before. The feeders survived and I only had to make a minor adjustment to one out of the three.

The gardens are in a major disarray. But those daffodils have guts because though they looked tumbled upon, they are making their best effort to stand back up.

47 mph winds with a mixture of snow, ice and rain for two entire days. It looked more like winter than spring around here and the temperatures are not suppose to be out of the 40's until Friday.

We got about four inches of rainfall here. Roads have been flooded out by the overflowing rivers and creeks. Trees toppled over from saturated grounds. Six inches of snow fell North of us in the mountains. New England, I understand got hit much harder.

I believe my weekend is already cut out for us around here. We need to clean up the debris out of the yard and gardens. Hopefully, this is the last of the crazy bad weather around here until next winter. Did I say, hopefully?

I am sure I can then return back to writing about family history instead of the weather. But, in the meantime, I was contacted "via" email from a distant McCaffery relative who came across my blog and I asked for any information she may have about the McCaffery clan. It would be especially great if she had information on our great grandfather John McCaffery. Anyway, it appears that this relative was the granddaughter of John Edward McCaffery, son of Collum & Catherine, brother of our Uncle Coll who was cousin to grandmom. For a long time now I questioned whether or not this John was our great grandfather and was really a nephew of Collum & Catherine and not a son. That question was answered with this latest email. If this person was a granddaughter and our grandmother was an only child then there are two John McCafferys, the one listed living with Collum and the one who is our direct descendant. I now wonder if perhaps Collum Sr. and our John McCaffery were brothers? Now that I know that Collum Jr. and our John were not brothers put probably nephew and uncle which meant Uncle Coll and grandmom were indeed second cousins.

At this point, you may be wondering how we came about calling Uncle Coll, uncle if he were a cousin of grandmom? Simple. Uncle Coll married grandmom's husband's sister. So, even though he was grandmom's cousin, he was also an Uncle to grandmom & grandpop's children by way of his marriage to grandpop's sister. Confusing? Yes. It is even more confusing when you realize that grandmom was born Anna Marie McCaffery and when she married grandpop became Anna Marie Gallagher whereas her sister-in-law was born Anna Marie Gallagher and when she married Uncle Coll she became Anna Marie McCaffery. Very confusing? Yes.

Of course this is not the first brother & sister duo marrying. Grandpop's own mother Mary Keller married William Gallagher then Mary's brother John Keller married William Gallagher's sister Sally Gallagher. Mary Keller became Mary Gallagher whereas Sally Gallagher became Sally Keller. I am thinking none of our family got out of the city much for they married each other's cousins, brothers and sisters.

Close family? Huh?

Springtime In Philadelphia

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. Yes, this is indeed snow that is the wet heavy type that weighs down everything including the bird feeders located here in the backyard.

My poor sad spring flowers look as though they were run over by a tractor. The Nor'easter brought such high winds that we were awaken before dawn by the pounding driving howls that smashed sleet up against the bedroom window with such force we thought the windows were going to crack from the pressure.

I have little hope that these flowers will survive this funky storm. It is suppose to be April Showers bring May Flowers not a Windy Spring Ice Storm.

We Are Ready, Maybe

In anticipation of the expected Nor'easter that is in the process of making its way up to our neck of the woods, the flower containers have been brought indoors and the flowers boxes that need to remain outside have been relocated to a safer spot where the expected high winds will not cause as much damage. As far as I know this storm will bring us a cold wintry mix of nonsense generally not seen here in April. The worse part of all this is the weather is not expected to be anywhere near springtime - like - temperatures until the very end of next week.

Highs of 46 is not spring, folks. I say 46 very loosely too for it is still bordering around 35.

Again, what happened to spring? Did spring not receive the email I sent last week, that it is April? You know that particular time of the year when the weather is warmer, the flowers bloom and the birds sing. When the winter coats are stored away and the spring jackets are brought out. The time of year were we wear open toe shoes and Capri pants. I think this part of the country has been forgotten lately. I have a feeling winter is just going to turn into summer and spring is going to be lost this season. My poor poor poor spring bulbs. They may never have a chance to grow and blossom as they are suppose to do.

But then again, things could be worse; http://www.notesfromthetrenches.com/

Hello Spring. We are here awaiting, impatiently. Come out come out wherever you are.

Opportunity

It has been a great ride, a wonderful journey, a destiny fulfilled. Years of research and endless hard work that I have lovingly enjoyed has paid off with a few simple words from a reporter from the Review. He called me a "continual wonder" and "an local history expert". Imagine my surprise when I read those words because the last thing I have ever considered myself was "a continual wonder" or "expert in local history".

I am just a person who loves her family and likes a good story. It has been a labor of love for a family whom I am proud to have descended from. It has been a labor of love for my children to someday know who they are and where they came from. It is work I have a passion and joy for. I love to fill in the pieces of the puzzle called "someone else's life".

What started as a simple family history about my family evolved into a local history of all the folks who lived, worshiped, worked and raised children. How can I write about John Keller without mentioning he lived in a small industrious town called Manayunk? How can I write about him being interred in Bethany without mentioning that this was a small German Lutheran Cemetery filled with 19th century German Immigrants? How can I write about 19th century German Immigrants without mentioning Karl & Dorthea Voigt interred in that same cemetery whose son Henry Charles Voigt fought, died and was buried out at Little Big Horn? How can I write about William Gallagher without mentioning he was my grandfather who lived in that same Manayunk town? Who worked in steel mills? How can I write about working in steel mills without mentioning which two mills he worked at, Pencoyd and Midvale? How can I write about his son John (Uncle Jack) without mentioning the cemetery in East Fall's called Laurel Hill where Jack was good friends with the Proud Family and worked mowing the grounds when Midvale Steel was on strike? How can I write about Laurel Hill Cemetery without mentioning its own unique history?

It goes on and on and on like the snowflake that becomes the snowball that eventually turns into an avalanche of information.

Before, I knew it my simple family history snow-balled into a history about not only them but about the persons, places and things they were associated with. I posted my research and before I knew it others doing the same research found my site and emailed me to ask if I had any information about so and so or about this and that. I answer all my emails and I freely give away any and all information I have discovered because that is what history is all about, the sharing of information, the connecting between people and events, the love of piecing the parts of every puzzle together.

Thank you Bernard Scally of the Review.

Thank you Marijane.

Thank you to everyone who reads this blog.

I really love and appreciate you all.

Family Trivia

Did you know that Uncle Jack and Uncle Billy shined shoes and sold newspapers outside what was once known as Shibe Park then Connie Mack Stadium where the Phillies once played?

Did you know that Uncle Jack once sold a newspaper to Babe Ruth and President Franklin D. Roosevelt at that same stadium?

Did you know that this stadium was located in a Philadelphia neighborhood called "Swamppoodle"?

Did you know that this neighborhood was where Aunt Ann was born and that the older children attended St. Columbus grade school before the family moved to Ridge Avenue?

Did you know that Uncle Billy was an excellent Baseball player in his own right who along with Uncle Gene played on the Midvale Baseball Team?

Did you know I attended some of their games?

Did you know that Uncle Billy was a Paratrooper during the Korean War who received two Bronze Stars and one Purple Heart?

Did you know that there was another local Philadelphia neighborhood called "Paradise" located around 29th & Clearfield?

Did you know that when I was a little girl living in East Falls, my older brother Michael found a stray collie roaming around in Laurel Hill Cemetery and brought him home?

Did you know that this same collie jumped out of the window in my mother's moving car on Germantown Avenue but still managed to find its way home all the way back to East Falls limping the entire way?

Did you know that this same collie wandered off to 29th & Clearfield in Paradise and decided to check himself into the S.P.C.A?

Did you know that this dog layed outside the S.P.C.A. and would not move even though its employees tried to chase him away finally prompting a telephone call to my mother for her to come and pick the dog up?

Valley Green At Dusk

Bill & I took the dog for a walk after dinner last night in Valley Green, a beautiful and scenic section of Wissahichon Park where all my ancestors before me probably took that same exact walk a thousand times.

I cannot remember the last time I walked in Valley Green this time of the day. We generally go down in the late morning or early afternoon with the grandkids to walk the trails and feed the ducks. The last time being when Shaun (age 5yrs) announced he was hunting for bear for dinner. Ahh, to be 5 years old again.

Walking along the trails early last evening with Bill beside me and the dog at hand, I could not help but feel the peace and serenity of this place with the ducks leisurely swimming in the creek below us and the joggers running sporadically pass our way.

As we walked we saw a few folks fishing and I could almost pick out the exact location where my grandfather took me as a little girl to fish in those same waters. I could envision him clearly with pole and bucket in hand looking for the perfect spot along the creek to fish. We always went at the crack of dawn and many times I fell asleep bundled up at his side until the sun rose high in the sky as he sat quietly trying to snag that perfect fish (which by the way was generally catfish). Grandpop never ate the catfish himself but gave it away to those he worked with at Midvale Steel who enjoyed eating that type of fish.

Lately, I have been experiencing a resurge of memories from my childhood some bad but some very very good. I was very fortunate to have two grandparents in my life whom I knew without a doubt loved me unconditionally. How many people can say that today? These two people were instrumental in my development as a human being. Those mornings fishing with grandpop and those evenings sitting on the front steps with grandmom are memories I will cherish forever.

St. James The Less Episcopal Church

Began in 1846 at Mount Peace, home of Robert Ralston. Today Mount Peace is a cemetery.

The edifice of the church was located at Nicetown Lane (Hunting Park Ave) and Summer Street (Clearfield Street). These grounds were donated by Robert Ralston and were once a part of his Mount Peace Estate.

In 1887, the parish house was built by John Dobson, an East Fall's resident who lived in a house on Westmoreland Street and owned the Dobson Mills with his brother James.

The last buildings to be built as part of the church were erected in 1917.

More St. Bridget Church Statistics

It was a mission of St. Stephen's that was run by two priests, Father McMahon and Father Cullen who attended to the spiritual needs of the Catholics in the area because there was no Catholic Church in the East Fall's before 1855.

St. John Neumann who was the Bishop of Philadelphia established that a Catholic Church should be built in East Fall's. St. Bridget's was then built and Father McMahon & Father Cullen were the parish's first two priests. Father Cullen was the first pastor while Father McMahon remained involved at the mission.

Within the first year, 46 baptisms occurred.

3900 Block Of Ridge Avenue

Where the Schroeders then Gallaghers lived was built between 1850 and 1900.

19th Century Water Travel

As of April 13th, 1894, there were four steamboats which travelled from Fairmount Dam to Wissahickon that carried between 700 & 800 people and made stops at Belmont Cottage (Hunting Park Avenue meets East River Drive), Laurel Hill (at the bottom of the cemetery along East River Drive), Wood's Landing, Falls of Schuylkill (East Fall's near the Fall's Bridge) and Wissahickon (where Shurs Lane meets Main Street).

The Mayflower, Volunteer, Vigilant and Defender ran every 30 mins from April til Winter.

East Fall's Baseball Trivia

In the early part of the 20th Century located at 35th & Ridge Avenue was Nunny's Field where the Clearfield AA and the Rosewood Baseball teams played their Home Games.

Average Prices In 1901 In East Fall's

Tea 35 cents a pound

Coffee 30 cents a pound

Butter 25 cents a pound

Flour 59 cents for a 24 pound bag

Cocoa 9 cents a can

Sugar 5 cents a pound

In The Year 1900, These Businesses Existed Between Westmoreland Street, Ridge Avenue, Clearfield and 35th Street

St James The Less Church

Dove & Swam Tavern

Thos Delahanty Marble Yard

John Dobson's House

Renshurn Hotel


In addition, Summer Street was changed to Clearfield Street and Nicetown Lane was changed to Hunting Park Avenue.

19th Century East Fall's Businesses

James Parks
Fruit & Produce
4114 Ridge Ave


Geo MaGill
Haberdashery & Dry Goods Shop
Ridge & Midvale Ave

W.M. Turner
Undertaker
4170 Ridge Ave

Death Of A Sibling

I discovered an old obituary dated September 17th, 1905 on genealogybank.com, a website Bill & I use for research. It appears Uncle Coll had a sister named Catherine who died on September 14th, 1905 at the age of 20 years old.

Catherine was listed in the obit as being the daughter of Collum & the late Catherine McCaffery. She was laid out at 118 Dawson Street (Manayunk), home of Robert Pester. In later Census Records, Collum & Catherine's older daughter Anna was listed as being married to Robert Pester.

Catherine McCaffery's funeral mass was held at St John the Baptist Church and interment was in St Patrick's Cemetery in Norristown.

I suppose you can probably guess that I will be taking a trip up to Norristown to check for McCaffery graves because if she was buried up there in St Patrick's Cemetery then I can guess so were her parents.

My question is, "Why a cemetery up in Norristown"?

At this point in time, I now know that Collum McCaffery immigrated from Ireland in 1875 and was married to a woman named Catherine. So far I have been able to count four children associated with Collum & Catherine McCaffery. The children are Anna, Catherine, John & Collum. Anna married Robert Pester. Catherine died in 1905. Collum married Anna Marie Gallagher and had two children Collum (Buddy) & Mary.

Then there was John McCaffery. Was this John really Collum's son or was he a nephew? If he was a nephew then he was grandmom's father. The long lost father whom I have not been able to successfully trace.

And it is totally strange that in the 1910 Census Records, all four children remain listed in Collum McCaffery's household including the younger daughter, Catherine (Katie) who supposely died in 1905. Though the ery spelling of the name is less common than the rey spelling, there are many McCafferys listed in the Census Records from 1880-1930. The name Collum is very unique.

These McCafferys continue to elude and fascinate me. St Patrick's, here I come.

When I Was Nine Years Old

I used to love to roller skate around in a circle outside my house in the middle of the street.

I used to love to ride my bike around the same circle in the same street.

I used to love to jump rope with my girlfriends. I was really very good at jumping "double dutch".

I used to love to play with my dolls in the backyard of my friend Margie Gallagher's house who lived right around the corner.

I used to love playing in Laurel Hill Cemetery climbing on the headstones and chasing the many stray kittens running in the area.

I had four close friends back in 1969. They were Linda Kenny, Margie Gallagher, Marlene Caruso and Kathy Conboy.

I wonder where they are today.

Easter Symbols

From Our House To Your House, Happy Happy Easter

Eastre (or "Ostara"), the Anglo-Saxon Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility was often accompanied by a hare when represented. The fertile nature of rabbits and hares is another symbol of new life and the rebirth that occurs during the spring season.

Also, German settlers in America are said to have brought over the tradition of a bunny named "Oschter Haws" who would visit houses on Easter eve, leaving colored eggs for children. Easter eggs were painted different colors to represent the sunlight of spring. Christians later used eggs to symbolize the rebirth of Christ.

Another Easter tradition is the eating of Hot Cross Buns. These cakes were marked by the Saxons to honor Eastre, the fertility goddess. The crosses on the buns are said to represent the moon's quarters, while Christians see the cross as a reference to the crucifixtion.

What Was Once The Grounds Of Allenwood Steel

Hey, It's Suppose To Be Spring, Hello?

(circa February 2007)

It poured down rain yesterday and afterwards the cold front complete with its biting winds kicked in and now I hear it is suppose to drop down to 20 degrees tonight with a threat of snow showers. Hello out there dear mother nature but have you not heard, it is SPRINGTIME. The flowers in my garden will not appreciate 20 degree snow showers. So, please knock it off and I mean like RIGHT NOW. Easter Bonnets do not want to be replaced with Snow Caps this Sunday. Really.

World War I Record Of Frank Christian Maier

Frank C. Maier (Dad's grandfather) was born on May 19th, 1888 and had dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and was of medium built and height. Click on to enlarge & view the World War I Military Record.

Frank C. & Mary A. Maier

Click to enlarge & view 1920 Census Record of Dad's grandparents, Frank C. & Mary A. Maier.

Click to enlarge & view 1930 Census Record.

Frank & Fredericka Maier

Click to enlarge & view 1910 Census Records. This is Dad's great grandparents who immigrated from Germany in 1883.

Click to enlarge & view 1920 Census Records.

Maier

Six months or so ago I began to research my Dad's family. And some of the information I discovered was even a surprise to him such as he is not 100% of German ancestry as he once thought but has a little Switz & Irish in the mix from his grandmother's side of the family. There are still many details I still have not discovered such as his grandmother's maiden name but what I have found is as followed;

In the 1910 Census Records, there was a Frank & Fredericka Maier who resided on 886 28th Street in Philadelphia. Frank was employed as a "Watchman" in a Brewery and was listed as being 61 years old. His wife, Fredericka was a "Homemaker" who was listed as being 53 years old.

Also residing in the home were five children. Freda was 28 years old and employed as a 'Shipping Clerk". John was 24 years old and made teeth. Next was Frank (direct ancestor) who was listed as being 22 years old and was employed as an "Electrician". Charles was 18 years old and also made teeth. The youngest child listed was Caroline who was listed as being 15 years old.

In the 1920 Census Records, Frank was still working in the Brewery as a "Watchman" but this record listed him as being born in 1851 and immigrating from Germany to Philadelphia in 1883. It also appears his wife immigrated in 1883 too. Though at this time I do not know if they were married and came together. The only child still living at home was Charles and he was listed as being employed as a "Steamfitter" for heaters & ranges. All three still resided at 886 28th Street.

In 1920, Frank Maier (son & direct descendant) was listed as being married to Mary and they resided at 2307 Laura Street in Philadelphia with two children, Mary (direct descendant) was 5 years old and Rita was 1 years old.

In the 1930 Census Records, I could no longer track Frank & Fredericka Maier.

In the 1930 Census Records, Frank (son & direct descendant) was listed as being 42 years old and was still employed as an "Electrician". This census record listed his parents as immigrating from Germany. His wife was listed as being 40 years old. Her father was listed as immigrating from Switzerland and her mother immigrating from Ireland thus creating the Switz and Irish connection to my Dad. The couple lived at 2315 Myrtlewood Street in the Strawberry Mansion Section of Philadelphia with two nephews, Charles age 10 & Frank age 9, three daughters, Mary(direct descendant) age 15, Rita age 11 and Caroline age 3. There was a granddaughter also listed who was nine months old named Katherine. The Myrtlewood Street house was purchased for 3,000 dollars.

I fine it interesting that Frank & Mary Maier were raising their two nephews in 1930. The boys' parents were listed as living on 1976 73rd Street (unless of course, these were not the boys'parents) and Charles and his wife Emma were employed. Charles was a "Clerk" while Emma worked in a "Spinning Mill". Their house was listed as being purchased for 6,000 dollars.

Frank C & Mary A Maier

My Dad's grandparents' grave at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. I came across this headstone by accident when I was looking for the Bolands' grave. Frank C. was born in 1888 and died in 1949. His wife Mary A. was born in 1890 and died in 1955. (More information on the Maier Family at a later date)

Public Service Message To Jo Schwartz

If you get this message, you will know that I had no way of contacting you. Please post again and leave me an email address so I can contact you. Thanks

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.

Henry B. Ritter Census Records

Henry B. & Mary Voigt Ritter

Click to enlarge & view 1870 Census Record.Click to enlarge & view 1880 Census Record.

And There Once Was A Dog Named Puggles

Never buy a dog that is half beagle and half pug.

REPEAT.

NEVER BUY A DOG THAT IS HALF BEAGLE AND HALF PUG.

Unless you wish to spend the better part of the evening chasing the escapee around in your neighbor's yard.

In the rain.

In the mud.

Slipping and sliding all over the place because the dog is small.

RUNS FAST.

And resists any form of discipline available.

Just ask Bill & Josh.

Beagles and Pugs are the most difficult of breeds to train.

Something, we did not find out until AFTER the dog was given to us by my sister.

If I did not know better, I would have thought she researched these two breeds and gave me this dog on PURPOSE.

YOU KNOW FOR GETTING BACK AT ME FOR BEING THE "GOOD SISTER".

History of Roxborough Memorial Hospital

Opened on June 7th, 1890 under the name of "The Memorial Hospital and House of Mercy of Saint Timothy's Church, Roxborough". By 1896, the name was changed to St. Timothy's Memorial Hospital and House of Mercy, Roxborough" and in 1920 to "The Memorial Hospital, Roxborough". Today, we simply know the hospital by its name, "Roxborough Memorial Hospital".

This hospital has a history within our family. Many of us were born here, Uncles Billy, Jack, Gene and all my siblings including myself to name a few. My great grandmother Mary (Keller) Gallagher and grandmother Anna Marie (McCaffery) Gallagher worked here. In addition, some of us died here such as my great grandmothers Agnes (Bridget Boland) McCaffery, Mary (Keller) Gallagher up to and including my great Aunt Anna Marie (Gallagher) McCaffery.

So it not surprising that I would include the hospital's history in my research.

The hospital was built on land donated by Mr & Mrs. Vaughan Merrick with 10,000 dollars in funds as a tribute to their parents. In the beginning, the hospital was under the control of St Timothy's P. E. Church's rector, churchwardens and vestrymen until 1920 when financial distress necessitated the church cut its ties with the hospital.

Over the years, the hospital expanded its buildings to include a laundry, nurses' residences and steam-heating plant in 1891. In 1894, the Eugene Nugent Ward was opened. In 1896, the Merrick Building was opened. The two buildings then were connected in 1897. The Percival Roberts Ward was opened in 1901. By 1905, the hospital had added a laboratory and isolation ward. In 1914, the hospital began delivering babies in its new maternity ward. From 1890 to 1916, ambulances were horse-drawn carriages. Another extension in the Percival Roberts Ward was completed in 1928.

Today, the above buildings and extensions cease to exist and have been replaced with new structures. Whereas, the corners of Jamestown & Ridge Avenues thu to Houghton Street were once filled with houses are now replaced with physician offices and a parking lot.

The hospital is no longer independently owned and operated but is part of a nation-wide corporation. Rumor has it the hospital is now up for sale.

Schools in Manayunk & Roxborough

Assumption of B.V.M. (St Mary of Assumption) founded in 1867 for the German speaking congregation.

Holy Family founded in 1911.

Immaculate Heart of Mary founded in 1953 and was built on the old Houston Estate of Chestnut Hill.

St John the Baptist Grade School founded in 1878.

St John the Baptist High School founded in 1921 and was located in the old Schofield Mansion. The High School closed its doors in 1956.

St Josaphat was founded in 1912 and was built on the Old Reformed Churchyard/Cemetery in 1912.

St Lucy was founded in 1953 for the Italian speaking congregation.

St Timothy was founded in 1868 for the free education of the children and adults forced by economic necessity to work in the mills of Manayunk. This was founded by the Episcopal Church and the area's first night school.

Andorra School was founded in 1870 also called Shawmont School.

Crease School was founded in 1873 and was built on the Isacc and Patience Rittenhouse Estate.

Fairview School founded in 1878 also called Cook School.

Levering School was founded in 1748.

Manatawna School founded in 1851.

Manayunk School founded in 1844 also called Green Lane School.

Roxborough High School was founded in 1922.

Roxborough Grade School founded in 1846 also called Dickinson Grammar School.

Schuylkill School founded in 1849 also called James Dobson School.

Washington School founded in 1854 also called Charles Thompson Jones School.

Wissahickon School founded in 1888 also called Cook-Wissahickon School.

Yellow School House founded in 1812.

Lutheran Churches of Manayunk & Roxborough

Bethanien German Lutheran Church was founded in 1845 and located at Martin & Pechin Streets. Church records can be researched at the German Lutheran Archive Center and Theological Seminary on Germantown Avenue in the Germantown Section of Philadelphia. Please note that all records are in the German Language.

Epiphany Lutheran Church was founded in 1889 and located on Green Lane & Silverwood Street.

Grace Lutheran Church was founded in 1905 and located on Ridge & Roxborough Avenues.

Roman Catholic Churches of Manayunk & Roxborough

St John The Baptist (Irish Church) founded in 1831 and located at Cresson & Rector Streets.

St Mary of the Assumption (German Church) founded in 1849 and located at Silverwood & Conarroe Streets.

Holy Family ( Irish Church) founded in 1885 and located at Hermitage & Wilde Streets.

St Josaphat (Polish Church) founded in 1898 and located at Silverwood & Cotton Streets.

St Lucy (Italian Church) founded in 1927 and located at 146 Green Lane.

Immaculate Heart of Mary ( no specific nationality) was founded in 1952 and located at Cathedral & Tiona Streets.

Grand Army of the Republic (G. A. R.)

The Grand Army of the Republic was founded as a Fraternal Military Society for the Union Veterans of the Civil War in Decatur, Illnois on April 6th, 1866 in order to preserve the Union, honor the War Dead, provide relief for the Veterans' Children and Widows and to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. It's last member died in 1956.

Post Number 12 was founded in the Roxborough Section of Philadelphia in 1874 by Col. John Harper and John F. Parker. The very first meeting was held in the "Old Fellows Hall" at Lyceum & Ridge Avenues The G. A. R. Hall was then located at 422 Fountain Street on the site of an old fire house.

Our great great grandfather John G. Keller was a member.

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.

A Small World Indeed

3907 Ridge Avenue (red brick house left of the white stucco house) View taken from Laurel Hill Cemetery.

I received the below comments on some of my blog posts from Marijane, a woman who shares some family history background with our family. Not only did her ancestors live in the 3907 Ridge Avenue house as the Schroeders then Gallaghers once did but her ancestor worked at Laurel Hill Cemetery and even lived on the cemetery grounds itself.

It is a small world indeed, is it not?

I am thrilled to have met Marijane "via" interent and when she comes down to Philadelphia to photograph the South grounds of Laurel Hill for her own family records, we hope to meet up.

"I loved your history of East Falls. My ggrandfather raised his kids at 3907 ridge Avenue. He worked at Dobson & his kids went to St. Bridgets. His father-in-law lived and worked at Laurel Hill Cemetery until his death in 1881. Thanks"

"My gggrandfather started to work at Laurel around 1840. He was in charge of the South Gate... While he helped Hugh Scott clear his land he met Drennam who became the first supt. Then his son became the next super. I don't know how it came about that my John Conway ended up living in the house on the grounds. His daughter, Louise Conway Denby, played the piano and organ for the funerals at the Chapel before it was pulled down. I have lots of family buried in the old section.I have to come down (I live in Doylestown) and take pictures of the South gate and the house for my Conway family history.It would be fun to meet you and share the history of the area. Your history is fabulous!! "

The Fountain Inn & Saloon

This was the name of our ancestor Henry B. Ritter's hotel, saloon and stable. As a matter of fact on November 19th, 1870, there was a fire which destroyed the hotel's stable that was caused by an arsonist. The establishment was located on Main Street just below Shurs Lane in the Manayunk Section of Philadelphia.

In the 1870 & 1880 Census records, it appears Ritter & his family lived next to the place of business on Main Street. I will list those records at a later date.

For further information about Manayunk & Roxborough, refer to the book "Bygones, A Guide to Historic Roxborough-Manayunk" by John Charles Manton. On pages 69 thur 81, it lists all the fires in the area from 1870 to 1975. The listing for the fire at The Fountain Inn is on page 69.

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.

World War I & II Records of John Gotleib Keller II

Click to enlarge & view, World War I Record of John G. Keller, son of John & Elisabeth (Voigt) Keller, brother of Mary (Keller) Gallagher and husband of Sally (Gallagher) Keller. Please note that Sally was also known as Sarah (legal name) and Sadie (nickname). Document states home address at time of draft along with physical characteristics and place of employment.

Click to enlarge & view. World War II Record of John G. Keller II. See above for further record information.

Genealogy Update

I know it has been a few a weeks since I researched and/or posted anything about our "family history". I have talked about everything from baby showers to girl's clothing to the weather.

Where is the history?

It is "a coming".

The article in the local neighborhood newspaper was published a week earlier than expected so I need to scan and share it with all of you. The article is about our great great grandfather John Keller and his cousin Henry Voigt.

In addition to the article, I have the remaining history of the Ritter Family to share with you along with the name, address, ect. of the Hotel & Saloon, our ancestor Henry & Mary (Voigt) Ritter owned in Manayunk.

And of interest to all of you, I received a comment from a Marijane who I would love to hear from again because it appears her ancestors lived at 3907 Ridge Avenue before our Schroeder then Gallagher ancestors. Her great great grandfather worked at Laurel Hill Cemetery in 1881. So, if you read this Marijane, please contact me. I would love to know what your grandfather's name was.

Final Segment Of the March Storm For Those Who Are Not Bored Too Tears "7:28pm"

Yeah, it is still raining ice. However, Bill & I decided to spend this March Winter Ice Storm around the corner at our local Irish pub where I ate Ham & Cabbage (one day early) and had a couple of vodka & cranberry drinks.

I was going to take a picture of this latest storm. However, the battery in my camera decided to die so there is not any proof that this storm even existed today.

Just take my word on it. OK?

Bill just informed me that vodka was made from potato juice. Could that be remotely true because I did not know Russia had an abundance of potatoes. True Irish form would have meant that I would have chosen "beer" tonight instead of vodka.

Oh well, tomorrow is St. Patty's Day. I guess I can drink beer tomorrow.

Yet Another Storm Update "3:07pm"

This has got to be a bad joke. It is now "pouring ice", not rain but ice.

Hmmm, is anyone listening up there? Hello?

My flowers are crying as in really sobbing.

My dog will still not go outside.

It is cold here.

Second Storm Update 2:08pm

Oh, the ice keeps "a falling" from the heavens above as to place at least two inches of frozen stuff on the street, sidewalk and most importantly my car thus far. There will be some serious scraping tomorrow, I am sure.

And doesn't God know it is St. Patty's Day tomorrow? That is my day. A day which I watch QVC for the simple fact that I must and I mean must add some more Galway crystal to my collection among other things of Irish. I also enjoy all the Irish folks and music they have on each year. Then there is that simple fact that yes my name is Pat and yes I am Irish among other things like German and Polish.

Tomorrow, Bill & I have a party to attend so listen here "oh rotten weather of mine, knock it off now".

Storm Update 11:55am

This weather is all my son Shaun's fault. He wanted to drive up to Rhode Island this weekend to buy a boat he saw. He decided to buy this boat when the weather was in the high 70's in the beginning of the week.

He jinxed us all. Because he wanted to buy a boat, the heavens decided to play a game and open up to pour an icy mess upon our city today and let me just say so far the sleet has been non-stop. Doesn't God know that my dog will not go outside to do her business in this type of weather, that I must force her little doggy ass outside while she is kicking and screaming, "hell no, I won't go", that she whimpers while clawing the back door just to come in without the benefit of pottying first.

Ok, we get it. You can stop the sleet now and return us to the warm breeze of spring.

It Must Be March

This morning, we are in the middle of an ice storm. Yesterday, it was nice enough outside to wear sandals. Two days ago, the flowers in the garden began to bloom.

I guess they call this March in the Northeast Section of the country.

Did I mention, I cannot wait until summer?

Recovering

Poor Puggles lost her womanhood this past week. However, she got to rest and recover in the comfort of our bed. That is what a few abdominal sutures will get you around here.

This also may be the first and last time, we ever get to see her this calm.

The First Sign Of Spring In My Garden

Neighborhood Newspaper

There was an article in last week's Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhood newspaper about some of the local small forgotten graveyards/cemeteries. The reporter announced he was going to do a series of articles over the next few weeks about these forgotten cemeteries which prompted me to contact this reporter on whether he would be interested or not on an article about some of my own family members especially those who are interred in the tiny German Lutheran Bethany Churchground.

I mentioned writing an article about my great great grandfather John Gotlieb Keller who fought in the Civil War's 24th Pa and 15th Ny Regiments and who survived the Battle of Gettysburg only to die as a result of burns obtained later on in a steel mill accident.

He was interred in Bethany along with his wife Elisabeth, mother Susannah, brothers Jacob & Frederick and their Voigt cousins.

This reporter emailed me the other day and "yes" he was interested in an article that profiled John G. Keller. I wrote the article and sent it "via" email yesterday. Hopefully, we will all be able to see it in print in the next few weeks.

I remember my mother telling me how a reporter many years ago wanted to write a profile about the Keller/Voigt families because of their relationship to the Civil War/Gettysburg/Little Big Horn. He approached my great grandmother Mary Keller Gallagher about writing such an article but my great grandmother was too modest and preferred not to brag about the military histories of both her father (John G. Keller) and cousin (Henry C. Voigt). Needless to say, the article was never written. My great grandmother died in 1959. Therefore, I never had the chance to meet her. However, my grandfather, her son, William J. Gallagher II talked openly and proudly about his family for the many years I did know him and it is his words/memories I shall never forget and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to tell the story of my family because I am so very proud of who they were and how they chose to live their lives.

Today, we hear so much anti-government anti-military talk in the news and in the general conversation of others that I cannot help but think how it must have been for our ancestors during the time of the Civil War, Indian Wars, World War I & II, Korean and Vietnam Wars, all which members of our family served proudly not to mention the current Iraq War which my youngest son served in.

While in Florida, I sat and listened to many conversations all which were very anti-government anti-military. I said and I quote "Unless you served in the military, you do not have an opinion". I really meant that statement because all those who spoke had never served in the military nor even had a father, brother or son who had served.

Seriously, what gave them the right to judge?

I was especially "taken aback" on the comment of the 18 yr old (who shall remain nameless) involved in that conversation when he turned around and made the following reply to my statement, "Why do you like war? Would you like one of your sons killed in one? "

Wow, how naive and stupid, I thought. I can only conclude that I am glad it was not the character or cowardliness of someone like him whom this country needed to lean on & trust to defend our freedom because if it were we would still be a subject of Britain.

And for the record, I never served in the military and though I may not agree on all the current polices of this administration, I firmly believe that we should have a certain amount of respect for our elected officials because not to do so only reinforces the behaviors of our enemies.

And we must always support our troops.

And that is my two-cents worth of Gallagher Preaching.

1880 Census Record John & Elisabeth Keller

Click to enlarge & view. John G & Elisabeth Keller with their three daughters in a 1880 Census Record. They lived at 128 Walnut while his brother Jacob and his wife also named Elizabeth lived next door at 126 Walnut with their two sons and one daughter.

1860 Census Record for John G Keller & Family

Click to view and enlarge. Take note that John was the second born son of Susanna. As per German custom, he was known by his middle name of Gottleib. He had an older brother by the name of Jacob and a younger brother by the name of Frederick.

John G Keller Civil War Pension Record

Click to enlarge & view. Take notice that John served in both the 24th PA and 15th NY regiments. I have the discharge papers for the 15th NY. His wife Elisabeth (Voigt) Keller received his pension on Nov 4th, 1897.

Ship "British Prince"

Patrick Boland, brother of Martin and John Boland travelled to America from England after leaving Ireland. He arrived in Philadelphia on May 3, 1887. He was 21 yrs old and resided in the East Falls section of Philadelphia.

Martin Boland, brother of Patrick and John Boland travelled to America from England after leaving Ireland. He arrived in Philadelphia on April 30, 1888 and resided in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. He was 35 yrs old.

Thinking Spring While The Snow Is Falling

If you have not guessed by the title of today's post, it is snowing here again. Pretty as it may be I cannot help but wish for the warmer weather of Springtime. So much so that I placed an order this morning for a few things I wish to plant this Spring/Summer from an on-line nursery.

I am a gardener at heart. I love to plant a variety of things in my garden and sit back and watch them bloom. This past Fall, one hundred bulbs were planted in the front and side gardens of my house. It is sort of a hit or miss thing and I will not know my success until they begin to bloom sometime next month.

This morning I ordered three Lemon Grass Plants which I plan to plant in containers in the back yard. Lemon Grass is an excellent source of natural citronella which I hope helps repel some of the mosquitoes we get in abundance during the Summer months around here. They are great plants because they can be placed in either the sun or shade and survive. I can also bring them indoors during the Winter months.

Another thing I ordered was a Blueberry Plant complete with pot and soil which will be a project for my grandsons Shaun and Nikolas. I am going to teach them to plant and grow their own Blueberries this Summer. Shaun loves to eat Blueberries so what better way to eat them then to grow them yourself.

I ordered a Climbing Shell Plant for the shepherds hook in the front yard that proudly holds the Bird-house Shaun made two years ago. I thought the flowers would look pretty climbing up the pole and around the Bird-house.

Of course, I cannot forgot the Cascadia Petunias for the three hanging baskets that will be placed on the front porch. I decided this year I would try the magenta-red blossoms.

Finally, I ordered what it called an Arctic Flame Red Rose Bush to plant in honor of Bill's recently deceased mother because she loved Red Roses. I am not sure where we will plant it yet but I am sure we will find the perfect place. It is one of those Sub-Zero Rose Bushes that is suppose to be hardy in all types of weather and resists most Rose problems. I decided to go with this type because I have other Rose Bushes that seem to have a problem with spots/insects since we moved in this house last Summer. Needless to say, the Arctic Rose will not be planted near these Roses. Hopefully, I will be able to get a handle on these Rose problems this year or I will need to remove them.