Patrick William Foley (abt. 1835 - 1905)

Born about 1835 in Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Margaret (Houlihan) Foley — married 14 Jul 1864 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Descendants

Died 15 Apr 1905 at about age 70 in Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand

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Biography

Patrick William Foley was born in Middlesex, England around 1835. He was the son of John and Catherine Foley, who were born in Ireland.

In the 1841 England and Wales Census, he was in a household at Old Pie Street, St John the Evangellist, Westminster, Middlesex, aged 6, with his parents, his brother John, and his sister Elizabeth (and several other families).

He emigrated to New Zealand by June 1858, when he was advertising for plastering work in Christchurch. requesting that orders be left with Mr Whincop, Plumber and Painter, Colombo Street. Christchurch had been founded in December 1850.

On 12 November 1859, his brother John Foley, plasterer and bricklayer, with his wife Elizabeth Ann Foley, and 2 sisters, Mary and Kate Foley, arrived at Lyttleton on the ship Zealandia.

On 14 July 1864, at the Catholic Cathedral in Christchurch, he married Margaret Houlihan. They had at least 10 children.

He was in partnership with John Foley until 1866.

on 12 March 1879, it was reported that he had been charged in Christchurch with deserting his wife and 7 children on 21 February 1879. He was described as English, a master plasterer, age 42, 5 feet 8 inches tall, medium build, dark complexion, black hair, a little bald on the crown, black bushy beard and whiskers, turning grey, with a slouching gait. He was last seen wearing a brown-tweed sac coat, moleskin trousers, and a white-felt hat. His brother was residing in Timaru.

On 15 March 1879, it was reported that he had been declared bankrupt.

On 17 October 1888. he was plastering at the Medical Superintendent's house, Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum, Christchurch, and gave alarm of a fire.

He passed away on 15 April 1905, aged about 70, in Palmerston North, and was buried at Linwood Cemetery in Christchurch, with his daughter Cecilia. His wife was later buried in the same grave.

Sources

• England and Wales Census, 1841 via FamilySearch, household at Old Pie Street, St John the Evangelist, Westminster, Middlesex; John Foley, 35, born in Ireland; Catherine Foley, 30, Ireland; John Foley, 9, Middlesex; Patrick Foley, 6, Middlesex.
• Lyttleton Times, 26 June 1858, Page 6 via Papers Past, P. W. Foley, plasterer from London, requesting orders to be left with Mr Whincop, Plumber and Painter, Colombo Street.
• Passenger list for the Zealandia via archive.org, from rootsweb, sailed from London on 11 August 1859 and arrived at Lyttleton on 12 November 1859; government immigrants, families & children include John Foley, 26, Middlesex, plasterer and bricklayer; Elizabeth Ann Foley, 26; Mary Foley, 17, and Kate Foley, 15, with the latter two transferred to single women, where they are listed as domestic servants.
• New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages search for marriage reg. no. 1864/7410, marriage of Margaret Houlihan & Patrick William Foley.
• Christchurch City Library - Church Register index cards FOLEY 1) marriage of Patrick William Foley & Margaret HOULIHAN m. 14 July 1864 at Catholic Cathedral, Christchurch: ages: 29 / 21: occ: plasterer / Lady. 2) Burials, Patrick William - bur. 17 April 1905, age 72, Linwood Cemetery. b. England, plasterer. 3) Births, 10 children of Patrick William and Margaret are listed.
• The Press (Christchurch) 29 June 1866, page 1 via Papers Past notice of dissolving of partnership between Patrick William Foley & John Foley, plasterers, under the name Foley Bros, June 11, 1866.
• New Zealand Police Gazette, 12 March 1879, Page 46, Deserting Wives and Families, &c. via Papers Past, Patrick William Foley charged in Christchurch with deserting his wife and seven children at Christchurch on 21 February 1879; described as English, a master plasterer, age 42, 5 feet 8 inches tall, medium build, dark complexion, black hair, a little bald on the crown, black bushy beard and whiskers, turning grey, slouching gait; last seen wearing a brown-tweed sac coat, moleskin trousers, and a white-felt hat; supposed to have gone to Timaru where a brother of his resides.
• The Press, 15 March 1879 via Papers Past Patrick William Foley, plasterer, declared bankrupt.
• Lyttelton Times, 31 October 1888 via Papers Past report of a fire at Sunnyside Lunatic Asylum on 17 October 1888. Patrick William Foley was plastering at the Medical Superintendent's house, and gave alarm of the fire.
• Manawatu Standard, 17 April 1905 via Papers Past death of Patrick William Foley, age 72, at Broad-street, on 15 April 1905, interment at Christchurch [Broad Street is probably a street in Palmerston North which has since been renamed to Broadway Avenue].
• Find a Grave 142020416 Patrick William Foley, image of grave, death 15 April 1905, aged 69 years, burial Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, block 38 plot 71. Buried with his daughter Cicily Philomena (Cissie), who died 1 March 1900 aged 21 years. Husband of Margaret Foley.
• Archives New Zealand, Wellington probate files R23025956, probate for Patrick William Foley, 1905, Palmerston North, Plasterer; election to administer by the Public Trustee, Patrick William Foley, late of Palmerston North, plasterer, died on 15 April 1905, intestate, estate value estimated at under 250 pounds.

Acknowledgements

• Person record at FamilySearch GDD2-4YD, Patrick William Foley.
• Article about Mr Francis J. Wilson, which also has details about the Foleys via rootsweb.com, and archive.org.

Research Notes

• Timaru Herald, 30 January 1903, Page 2, Death via Papers Past, death on 29 January 1903 at the residence of Mrs Wells, Rose Street, [Timaru], Elizabeth Ann Foley, wife of John Foley, plasterer, aged 70.
• Press, 3 January 1863, Page 6 via Papers Past, [3rd item] John Foley is secretary of the Ancient Order of Foresters; [4th item], John Foley, plasterer, of Hereford Street East [Christchurch], has removed to Hereford Street, next to Collins's Hotel, oppose the Club House, executing plasterers' work; firm to be known as Foley Brothers. Mrs J. Foley, practical shirt and collar maker (from Piccadilly, London), at the above address.
• Press, 21 May 1868, Page 1 via Papers Past, [6th item], John Foley of Christchurch, plasterer, in bankruptcy.
• Timaru Herald, 20 September 1875, Page 2 via Papers Past, dissolution of the partnership between John Foley and Charles Palliser, Foley and Palliser, plasterers, Timaru, as of 17 September 1875; all contracts to be taken up by Charles Palliser.