Old King John's Castle

Old King John's Castle
A view of King John's Castle from the River Shannon. Behind the castle turret is the end of Convent Street where Bridget and John's daughter, Mary, was born in 1865, just before Bridget left for America to join her husband John. Photo July 2011.

About John Thompson (Thomas) and Bridget Reidy

About John Thompson/Thomas and Bridget Reidy

John Thompson/Thomas was born in Ireland c 1831 and married Bridget Reidy (Riedy/Ready) c1851 in Ireland. Bridget was born in Ireland c1831. They used the Thompson and Thomas surnames interchangeably, but settled on Thomas prior to coming to America. In 1866 the family immigrated from County Limerick, Ireland, to Chicago, Illinois. They had eight known children, six born in Ireland and two born in Illinois. Bridget [Madigan/Thompson Genealogy] the oldest was born 1852 in or near Limerick City, County Limerick and died in Chicago in 1935. The other children born in Limerick include: Mary Ellen (c1855-1906); Patrick (1857-b1866); James (1860-1932); Martin (1862-1898); and Marian/Mary (1865-b1866). The two youngest children John (c1867-1879) and Lillian Marie (1869-1928) were born in Illinois, most likely, Chicago. The mother, Bridget, died of heart failure and pneumonia on May 3, 1900. Father, John, died of pneumonia three years later on May 21, 1904. They are both buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois

Monday, July 26, 2010

John Thomas, 1900 US Census

Over the twenty years since the 1880 US Census, John's wife, Bridget, died  (May 3, 1900); his son James was married in 1893; and, his son Martin died (May 7, 1898).  Even though his youngest daughter, Lillian, married in 1886, by 1900 she is again living with her father and now has a son, William Vallely, age 13.  On the census, her last name is listed as Thomas, which might be an indication she is divorced.

The family is living at 3802 Parnell Street, Chicago.  John is still listed as a laborer.  As in the 1880 US Census, it states that John cannot read nor write, i.e., he is illiterate.  His birth date is given as August, 1831 and that the home in which they live is rented.  Also, on John Thomas' entry, it states that he immigrated in 1865 and that he is a Naturalized Citizen.  I have not yet located his naturalization papers.

Lillian does housework, perhaps in the home and her son, William, is a messenger boy.

1900 US Census
Image courtesy: Elaine M. Beaudoin

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