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, 1880 US Census


The 1880 US Census places the John Thomas family living at 2626 Portland Avenue, Chicago.  Living with John and his wife Bridget are their sons James, age 20 and Martin, age 17 and their youngest daughter, Lizzie (Lillian) age 11.  Their oldest daughter, Bridget, married in 1878 and Mary Ellen married in 1877.  Their son John, born in 1867, died on January 1, 1879, the year prior to the census.

John Thomas is still listed as a laborer and Bridget is listed as keeping house.  James and his brother Martin are both working in a packing house, most likely in or near the Chicago Stockyards. Lizzie is currently attending school.

There are two other "families" living at 2626 Portland leading one to believe the Thomases are living in and renting in a two or three flat building.


Images courtesy: Elaine M. Beaudoin
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