Bridget Josephine Murphy (abt. 1855 - abt. 1895)

Born about 1855 in Townland of Bog West, parish of Mayglass, County Wexford, Ireland

Ancestors

Died about 1895 at about age 40 in County Wexford, Ireland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Daryl Murphy [send private message]

Biography

Fintan MURPHY, a friend and correspondent, of Woodtown, Mayglass, Bridgetown, Co Wexford - but not yet established to be a relative - whose family originated in the townland of Courtlands East (which is quite close to Bog West) - emailed me on Monday, 25 December 2006 and said:

'I had heard that there were some descendants, alive in Co Wexford, of the KINGS who were the last inhabitants of the house in Bog West (sic), or rather the furthest back in living or reputed memory, of the house believed to have been MURPHYs, or on the site of MURPHYs.

The names given to me were Nancy KELLY, of Harperstown, Taghmon, and Bernadette DONOVAN, of Rourke's Cross, Deer Park, Foulksmills, Co Wexford.

Anyway, last week I plucked up courage and headed off to both addresses. There was no reply at the house identified as Nancy KELLY's. However, at the other I first met Martin DONOVAN, and explained my errand, and later his wife returned, and I chatted to her. She told me her parents were James KING and Margaret KING (nee FURLONG). She was also able to tell me that her mother's mother had been one Margaret BRADY. She didn't know what her father's (James KING's) mother's maiden name was. She had never heard of a MURPHY connection, but recognised Bog East (sic) as an address spoken about by her late brother, also James, commonly called "Pem", KING, who had died in Canada last year aged 82.

I don't know what age Bernadette would be - mid-seventies I suppose. She referred to another sister, Susan [This should apparently be 'Nancy'], who is I think in Canada also, and said she normally rings up over Christmas, and she would ask her if she would know what her grandmother KING's maiden name was.

Well I just had a phonecall this morning from Martin DONOVAN to say that Susan says their grandmother on the KING side was one Bridget Josephine MURPHY of Bog East (sic).

That was all the information he had for me, but I hope it brightens your Christmas.

I know that Pem KING acted in a play with my father in approx 1948, but the Bossman never alluded to any possible connection to us, unfortunately.

However, while WE may not be related, you can be fairly sure that Bernadette DONOVAN and Nancy KELLY are very likely cousins of yours at some remove.'

[The Irish Family History Federation's Central Signposting Index records a marriage for Bridget MURPHY and James KING in County Wexford in 1883 [www.irishgenealogy.ie/csi/all_counties/csi.cfm].]

Fintan MURPHY later sent to me a marriage certificate for Bridget MURPHY of Bog West (daughter of John MURPHY, farmer) to James KING of Bridgetown for their marriage on 1 Feb 1883 in the Catholic Chapel of Mayglass. The witnesses were John KING and Mary MURPHY.

This is an extract from a listing for Mayglass in Wexford county in the Griffiths Property Valuation index done in 1853:

Murphy William Churchlands Mayglass Wexford Murphy Thomas Loughgunnen Great Mayglass Wexford Murphy James Middletown Mayglass Wexford Murphy John Bog West Mayglass Wexford Murphy Edward Ballydoyle Mayglass Wexford Murphy Denis Randalstown Mayglass Wexford Murphy Denis Coalspit Mayglass Wexford Murphy John Coalspit Mayglass Wexford Murphy John Randalstown Mayglass Wexford Murphy Patrick Churchlands Mayglass Wexford Murphy Nicholas Middletown Mayglass Wexford Murphy Michael Middletown Mayglass Wexford Murphy Mary Randalstown Mayglass Wexford

The 1901 Census of Ireland reveals that the residents of house 5 in Bog West (Mayglass, Wexford) were:

Name Age Relation to Head Occupation Marital Status

James Murphy 55 Head of family Farmer Not married

Mary Murphy 57 Sister Farmers dtr Not married

James King 45 Brother-in-law Cooper Widower

John King 14 Nephew Student Not married

Janes King 11 Nephew Student Not married

This information indicates that Bridget KING (nee MURPHY) died some time between 1890 (when Janes King was born) and 1901 (when the census was conducted).

The 1901 and 1911 Censuses of Ireland reveal the residents of Bog West (Mayglass, Wexford) as follows:

House Number Surnames in House House Number Surnames in House 1901 1901 1911 1911

1 Barry 1 Conlin 2 Roach 2 King 3 Walsh 2 Murphy 3 Whitty 3 Whitty 4 Browne 4 Hughes 5 King 5 Barry 5 Murphy 6 Browne 6 Conlin

The 1911 Census of Ireland reveals that the residents of house 2 in Bog West (Mayglass, Wexford) were:

Name Age Relation to Head Occupation Marital Status

James King 55 Head of family Cooper Widower

Mary Murphy 69 Sister-in-law Single

James King 20 Son Farm lab/r Single

Sources