Mary (Brennan) McGowan (abt. 1825 - 1903)

Born about 1825 in Gransha, Islandmagee, County Antrim, Ireland [uncertain]

Ancestors

Wife of James McGowan — married 31 May 1847 in 1st Islandmagee Presbyterian Church, County Antrim, Ireland

Descendants

Died 10 Aug 1903 at about age 78 in Bellahill, Templecorran, County Antrim, Ireland

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Biography

Mary was born about 1825, probably in Gransha, Islandmagee, County Antrim, Ireland.

In 1847 she married James McGowan in 1st Islandmagee Presbyterian Church. He was a farmer from Gransha, Islandmagee and she was also from Gransha. The witnesses were S D Stuart Cunningham and William Lindsey.^[1]

In 1901 Mary is living alone in Gransha, Islandmagee and is described as a 75 year old housekeeper and widow, having been born in Islandmagee, County Antrim.^[2]

She passed away in 1903, aged 78, in Bellahill, Templecorran, County Antrim from decay of nature. She is described as the widow of a farmer. Her death is registered by her daughter Mary Connor of Bellahill who was present at the death.^[3] Mary is buried in the family plot in St John's Church of Ireland Graveyard, Islandmagee. She is described as being from The Gobbins.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Ireland Civil Registration Marriage Index https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1847/09331/5378813.pdf
2. ↑ 1901 Ireland Census http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Islandmagee/Gransha/990101/
3. ↑ Ireland Civil Registration Death Index https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1903/05656/4592574.pdf
4. ↑ Gravestone Inscriptions, County Antrim, Volume 1, Islandmagee. Compiled by George Rutherford (1977). Note: the year is recorded as 1893 but there is a death certificate for exactly 10 years later which fits in all other ways except that her age is 74.

   Erected by Mary McGowan, The Gobbins, Islandmagee, in memory of her beloved husband James McGowan who died 22nd March 1875 aged 60 years. Their daughter Ellen who died 19th May 1871 aged 12 years. Their son Henry who died 25th May 1875 aged 19 years. Their son John who was drowned at sea 10th Oct 1876 aged 28 years. The above named Mary McGowan who died 10th Augt. 1893 aged 74 years.

• Research by Bob Powell including gravestones and James McGowan's will.