Bridget Sullivan's Family

[CagneyBT]

I've been researching Bridget Sullivan's genealogy and thought the following might be of some interest.

Bridget’s parents, Eugene “Owen” Sullivan & Margaret Leary, were both born on Dursey Island; Margaret was born in the townland of Tillikafinna. They moved to Billeragh on the mainland shortly after they married. Many of their relatives remained in Dursey, including the Learys. Bridget’s sister, Catherine ("Cait") and her family, lived in the townland of Kilmichael on Dursey Island.

In the 19th century, Dursey was isolated, with few inhabitants, and could only be accessed via boat. It was a treacherous crossing to the mainland. Nowadays, visitors are transferred to the island by cable car.

The following provides an in-depth profile of the inhabitants on Dursey Island in 1881. Notable among the names are Sullivan, Leary, Dudley and Harrington. Michael O’Shea (Shea) was the lighthouse keeper on the island and was Bridget Sullivan’s uncle.

https://books.google.com/books?id=VHgZA ... 22&f=false

https://www.durseyisland.ie/

durseymap.png

• Bridget Leary, daughter of James Leary & Mary Hanley, was Bridget Sullivan’s first cousin. She was born in Tillikafinna on Dursey Island. She married Patrick Harrington, and they resided at 93 Division St., where Bridget Sullivan stayed temporarily after the Borden murders. Bridget Leary Harrington died in 1912 in Fall River. Patrick Harrington then married Mary Holland in 1914. He died in 1932 in Fall River.

• Margaret & Kate Sullivan (daughters of Bridget’s brother Eugene) were two of the nieces named in Bridget’s will. It was Kate who revealed that Bridget was the Borden maid after Bridget’s death in 1948. They are both named in Bridget’s obituary.

• In 1884, Bridget Sullivan is recorded as a sponsor (godmother) to her nephew, Timothy Stephen Sullivan (son of Bridget’s sister, Catherine (“Cait”).

• Bridget Sullivan of 412 Monroe St., Anaconda, Montana, is the contact person for her nephew, Daniel Sullivan (son of Bridget’s sister, Catherine (“Cait”)), on a ship manifest for the Lusitania arriving from Queenstown on April 26, 1908. Daniel is mentioned in Bridget’s obituary.

• Bridget Sullivan’s niece, Mary Sullivan (daughter of Bridget’s sister, Catherine (“Cait”)) was known as “Dursey Mary.” She was named in Bridget’s will. After she was widowed in 1939, Bridget resided in Mary’s household at 112 E. Woolman St. in Butte. Mary is mentioned in Bridget’s obituary.

• Bridget’s nephew, Michael Sullivan (son of Bridget’s sister Catherine (“Cait”)), is mentioned in her obituary. He died two months after his aunt Bridget’s death.

• Eugene “Gene” Dudley, (son of Bridget’s first cousin Bridget O’Shea), was a pallbearer at Bridget’s funeral. Eugene was a cousin of Catherine “Kate” Dudley, who was a servant for Andrew J. Jennings.

[camgarsky4]

Bridget came from a tiny little world. Dursey Island is 4 miles long and a mile wide. Per Wikipedia, mid-1800's total population was ~200 people and has declined to 3 today!

Good news, there is a AirBNB rental to be had if anyone wants to check out Bridget's origins! Only $120 per night and the writeup claims only one other person lives on the island. True solitude.

Cagney -- would you be able and/or mind posting Bridget's will? Thanks!

[CagneyBT]

hi Cam!

Bridget's will can be found in this thread:

viewtopic.php?t=5757&hilit=Bridget%27s+will