James Patrick (Murphy) McAdam (1891 - 1963)

Born 20 Sep 1891 in Townend, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Died 21 Jul 1963 at age 71 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States

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Biography

James (Murphy) McAdam migrated from Scotland to United States in 1914.

Birth

James Patrick Murphy was born on 20 September 1891 in Townend, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland to Unknown Unknown and Elizabeth Murphy (1864-1916). Parents were unwed.

He took the name of Elizabeth's husband Thomas McAdam (1875-1945) when Elizabeth married him on 5 January 1894 in Kirkcudbright, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, United Kingdom. Thomas treated James and spoke of James as his son all of his life. Thomas also shared his gardening skills with James to give him his livelihood.

Immigration to the United States

He sailed with Thomas McAdam from Glasgow, Scotland on the Saturn of the Cunard Line and landed first in Quebec, Canada. I believe he may have been the James McMullen who traveled with Thomas as a cousin. Not certain, but his surname does change from time to time. He was definitely in Olean by June 1917.

James doesn't appear to have married.

Death and Burial

James died on 21 July 1963 in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York, United States at the age of 71. The services were conducted by Reverend Leonard P. Ives, Pastor at First Methodist Church. He was buried on 24 July in the Allegany Cemetery, Allegany, Cattaraugus, New York. Plot: Section S3, Lot 83, Grave 3. Find A Grave: Memorial #119176871 ^[1]

Sources

• Scotland Select Births and Baptisms for James with mother's maiden name.
• 1917 U.S. World War I Draft Registration on 5 June in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. He lived on Madison Avenue. Greenskeeper for Hamilton Country Club in Olean. Broken ankle at the time.
• 1920 United States Federal Census on 16 February in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Page 4A, Lines 32-37. They live a few houses from Cliff Wheeler & Margaret (McAdam) Wheeler.^[2]
• 1930 United States Federal Census on 2 April in Olean, Cattaraugus, New York. Page 1B, line58. ^[3]
• 1942 U.S. World War II Draft Registration on 27 April in Olean, New York. James Kerr is contact given. Employed by Socony Vacuum in Olean and signs James Patrick McAdam. He gives an 1894 birth year. Obviously wants to be considered younger.
• 1953 U.S. City Directory in Olean, New York. James P. McAdam works as a Gauger at Socony Vacuum in Olean and living at 306 Madison Avenue. This is the same address for James and Isabella Kerr on another page in the book.
• U.S. Social Security Death Index
• Find A Grave Index.
• Our family is in possession of his Memorial Card that says on 20 Sep 1891 born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Died on 21 July 1963 in Olean, New York. Services were on 24 July (Wed.) by Reverend Leonard P. Ives, Pastor at the First Methodist Church. Interment at the Allegany Cemetery (which is where Thomas McAdam is also buried).

Footnotes

1. ↑ Memorial Card
2. ↑ 1920: Kerr, James 39, b. Scotland, arrived 1917, private families coachman, head; Isabella 37, b. Scotland, wife; James M. 10, b. Scotland, son; William 8, b. Scotland, son; John 6, b. Scotland son; McAdam, James P. 26, single, b. Scotland, Oil refinery, boarder.
3. ↑ 1930: He's living as a boarder at 40 Madison Avenue with James Kerr 44 and his wife Isabella. They're all from Scotland. James is 38, single, Vacuum Oil Co. Truck driver, alien. He arrived in the country in 1914.