Bridget (Ginty) Rooney (abt. 1831 - 1924)

Born about 1831 in Roscommon County, Ireland

Wife of William Rooney — married 3 May 1858 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 14 Jan 1924 at about age 93 in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana

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Biography

Bridget was born about 1831. Bridget Ginty ... She passed away in 1924. ^[1]

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Sources

• Jane Leavell, firsthand knowledge. Click the Changes tab for the details of edits by Jane and others.

1. ↑ Entered by Jane Leavell, Jan 25, 2012

The legend says that because Margaret was ill and didn't want to leave Bridget alone in America, she arranged for the girl, wearing her Confirmation dress, to marry an older man named GLEASON or HOGUE. He was to have been a priest, but lacked the money. They had four or five children, but the father died of black diptheria there in the Connecticut area. Bridget didn't speak of this family until, on her deathbed, she saw "Lukie" at the foot of the bed, and called the name "Felix."

LUKE HOGG married BRIDGET GOINTY (could this read "Guinty" in the original record?) on 31 August 1850 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Norwich. The priest was R. A. Kennedy, the witnesses Ellen Murphy and Bernard GOINTY. Then, in Norwich, on 20 February 1853, pastor Daniel Kelly of the Roman Catholic church of St. Mary's married a JAMES GLEASON to BRIDGET HOGG. This marriage was recorded 3 May 1853 by Othniel Gage, town clerk.

Bridget answered an ad for someone to run a boarding house for the railroad at Ratling Run Station, East Hanover Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg. She earned $1.25 a day. In those pre-Civil War days, the railroad was expanding westward, and she lived about 20 miles from Harrisburg. The name "Pine Grove" has been mentioned. The men were laying tracks into the mountains. As she was a young widow, Bernard went with her. It's said he was a big man who lived in that area for some time. It's also said that he was a quartermaster for the Union Army.

Pennsylvania Dutch girls helped Bridget cook over an open hearth in the yard, and the railroad brought her barrels of flour, rice, and so on to cook for the 40 men on the tracks. The pay car came once a month, paying Bridget before the men. She made fairly good wages, kept her own account books, and it is said she loved to read, although she couldn't write much beyond her name.

While there, Bridget met WILLIAM PATRICK ROONEY, a foreman or section boss there. He was 21 when he left Ireland, well-versed in Irish matters, and he was good to her children, who died after their marriage. Will was drafted by the Union Army--almost. They measured him--he was quite short. Then Bridget appeared with $700 in her apron and paid for his replacement. He was drafted a second time and told $500 would take care of it, but managed to get away without paying.

One of Bernard Guinty's children was born at their home, where his wife stayed during the Civil War. Unfortunately, William was a stiff-necked Irishman, and argumentative in his cups. He and Mrs. Guinty quarreled, and she walked out with her children.

Bridget Rooney's death certificate is found in the Indiana Archives and Records Administration; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Death Certificates; Year: 1924; Roll: 01 Name: Bridget Rooney [Bridget Guinty] Gender: Female Race: White Age: 88 Marital Status: Widow Birth Date: 3 Mar 1835 Birth Place: Ireland Death Date: 14 Jan 1924 Death Place: Elwood, Madison, Indiana, USA Father: Edward Luete is how Ancestry transcribes it, but the cursive is definitely Guinty) Mother: Margaret Luete is what Ancestry writes, but it reads "Coughlin" Cause of Death: "The infirmities due to old age"