Hi Charles,
My great, great, grand-father is John McCauley. Born about 1805 in County Sligo, Parish of Kilmorgan, Branchfield townland. Using Griffith's valuation and the Tithe Applotment book I gleaned that relatives remained in Ireland. The surname in these documents is "Cawley". John re-capatured the prefix "Mc" some time after immigrating. I don't know the exact year but he indicates 1830 on his naturalization papers as when he left Ireland. I know he went to Montreal, Canada first from the obituary of his eldest son, Patrick. (This Patrick stayed in Bradford County, PA his whole life.) John married Bridget Gillan 5 Jan. 1836. There first child was born 25 Dec. 1835 and was christened the very same day in Burlington, Vermont. The marriage witness was Patrick Gillan and the God parent for the christening was Michael Gillan.
John and Bridget settled in Susquehanna county, PA between 1840 and 1850 after living for a few years in Vermont. They had 11 children, 5 of them born in Vermont and the rest in Susquehanna county, PA.
There was a Patrick McCauley (wife Bridget) who also was lived in Susquehanna, County in the 1850 census. I am 90% sure this was John's brother because "Patrick McCauley" was a character witness on John's naturalization papers, AND John McCauley is mentioned in Patrick's will. Patrick and his wife Bridget died in 1858 leaving their young children orphaned.
I have traced most of John and Bridget's 11 children. There first was a Patrick and as I mentioned he stayed in Brandfor, County ( right next to Susquehanna.)
I know names were used over and over again by Irish families so it is likely there is a connection in our trees. There were also quite a few "Cawley's" in County Sligo in the 1800's.
Have you had a DNA test done? That would help tremendously if you have.
I have other details but too much to type on this page.
Feel free to contact me at my personal email:
grayb6060@gmail.com
Beth McCauley Gray
