John McElfatrick LRCS LFPS (abt. 1855 - 1917)

Born about 1855 in Drumlane, Londonderry, Ireland

Husband of Margaret Ann (McKay) McElfatrick — married 8 Jan 1890 in Kilrea, County Londonderry, Ireland

Died 8 Dec 1917 at about age 62 in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, England

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Biography

John McElfatrick LRCS LFPS was born in Ireland.

John McElfatrick LRCS LFPS migrated from Ireland to England.

John McElfatrick was born about 1855,^[1] probably in Drumlane townland, parish of Tamlaght O'Crilly, the son of Archibald McIlfatrick and Mary McCool.^{[2] [3] [4]}

John attended Queen's College in Belfast before undertaking medical studies at Edinburgh and Glasgow.^[5]

On 8th January 1890, he married Margaret Ann McKay in the parish church of St. Patrick (Church of Ireland) in Kilrea.^[2] The Belfast News-Letter noticed the marriage:

McElfatrick–M'Kay—January 8, at the Parish Church, Kilrea, by the Rev. Wm. Irwin, M.A., Rector of the parish, Dr. John McElfatrick, Kilrea, to Margaret, only child of the late James M'Kay, Kilrea. ^[6]

After the couple's move to England, they lived for a time at Mere in Wiltshire, where John was employed as the Medical Officer for the 1st District and Union Workhouse.^[7] Dr. McElfatrick served on the parish council at Mere.^[8] The family left Mere not long after an application made by Dr. McElfatrick for an increase in the salary paid him as Medical Officer at the workhouse did not return a satisfactory result, as recounted in the Western Gazette newspaper: ^[9]

Dr. McElfatrick wrote asking for an increase in salary as medical officer of the Workhouse to £25 per annum owing to the increase in the duties.—A lengthy discussion ensued, in which it was contended that, whilst the present salary of Dr. McElfatrick (£10 per year) as medical officer of the House was inadequate, the salary he received as district medical officer was excessive, it being £105 per annum, especially having regard to the fact that the population of his district had largely decreased in comparison with some 30 years ago, in certain instances by as much as 50 per cent. — Dr. McElfatrick attended before the Board in support of his application.—After Dr. McElfatrick had retired from the room, a motion was made that his salary as medical officer of the Workhouse be increased by £8 per annum, as a compromise to the amount suggested by him, and was met with an amendment in the shape of a direct negative, that no increase be granted.—Both motions were, however, by leave withdrawn in favour of a proposition moved by another member for the appointment of a committee to investigate and report on the merits of the application in reference to a comparison of the salaries received by Dr. McElfatrick with the salaries paid to medical officers in neighbouring Unions, and of the population of his district and the numbers in the infirmary of the House at the present time and formerly. ^[9]

However, John cited his wife's ill health when he tendered his resignation in February, 1899, per this excerpt from the Western Gazette, 10th February 1899:

Dr. McElfatrick wrote resigning his office as medical officer for No. 1 district on account of his wife's ill health.—The resignation was accepted. Some discussion took place with regard to the salary to be paid to the future Medical Officer, and a proposition was carried by six votes to four that a sum of £100 be paid for No. 1 district and £15 for the medical officership of the House. ^[10]

The family removed to Alderley Edge in Cheshire, where Dr. McElfatrick entered private practice.^[11]

On 1st February 1917, their son, John Ernest, died at home, "Stoneycroft Grange," in Alderley Edge, aged just twenty-four years. It was widely considered that John's devotion to his duty as a transport officer for the British Red Cross had contributed to his death.^[12]

Ten months later, Dr. McElfatrick died on 8th December 1917, aged about sixty-one or -two years.^{[13] [14] [15]}

From the Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser: ^[16]

   Funeral of Dr. McElfatrick.

   On Tuesday last the remains of the late Dr McElfatrick were laid to rest amid general manifestation of respectful sympathy by the villagers. The cheery and genial nature of the deceased gentleman had endeared him to a large circle of friends during the last 20 years he has resided in Alderley Edge. He died on Saturday, the 8th instant, at the age of 61, and was buried at the Alderley Edge Cemetery.

   A service was held at St. Phillip's Church, conducted by the Rev. G.H. Cooper. Amongst those at the church and cemetery were:—Dr and Mrs McIlwrath, Dr and Mrs Macdonel, Dr Dowling, Dr Gilmore, Mrs Hutton, Commandant at the Hospital; a detachment of the Soldiers at the Hospital; Mr A.A. Gillies, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Noel Robinson, the Misses Furn[-]va[-]s, Mrs and Miss Hobkir, Mrs Cooper, Rev. William Stewart, Mr and Mrs Pilkington, Dr Hacking, Miss Tinker, Miss Wa[t]son, Miss Porter, Nurse Downs, Nurse Busby, Nurse Griffiths, Mr Sheriff Blades.

   Wreaths were sent from:—M.; Eileen; Dr and Mrs James McIlwrath; Rev. and Mrs G. H. Cooper; Mr, Mrs and Miss Moxon; Lieut. and Mrs Paul Moxon; Mr and Mrs W. North Symonds; Mr and Mrs Johnson and children; Mr and Mrs Edmund Simpson; Mr and Mrs W. A. Holmes and Dorothy; Mr and Mrs Hubert Pilkington; Mr and Mrs Jas. M. Bardsley; Mr and Mrs W. Beresford; Mr and Mrs Edward Ashworth; Mr and Mrs W. Galman; Mr and Mrs Downes; All at Holmacre; M. Dick and Walter Moss; Nurse Busby; Mr Potter, Ellen and Emma; Miss Tinker. ^[16]

Census enumerations

1891 census (England)

• John McElfatrick, head, married, age 36, occupation: registered physician and surgeon, born in Ireland
• Margaret wife, married, age 28, born do. [diito.]
• Eileen S.T., daughter, age 3 months; born at Mere, Wiltshire
• Mary Burlington, servant, single, age 25; occupation: general servant (parlour maid domestic); born in Ireland
• Florence Extence[?], servant, single, age 16, occupation: nurse maid; born at Gillingham, Dorset
• Edgar Bristow, servant, single, age 23, occupation: groom, born at Mere
• census place: Chantry, Gilling Road, Mere, Wiltshire. ^[1]

1901 census

• John McElfatrick, head, married, age 46; occupation: physician and surgeon, own account; born in Ireland
• Margaret Ann, wife, married, age 38, born do.
• Ellen [sic] T., daughter, age 10; born at Mere, Wiltshire
• John E., son, age 8, born do.
• Ann M. Sellers, servant, widow, age 39, occupation: cook domestic; born at Congleton, Cheshire
• Louise Gilliard, servant, single, age 22, occupation: waitress domestic; born at Crewe, Cheshire
• Amy Jane Payne, servant, single, age 26, occupation: nurse domestic; born at Westbury, Wiltshire
• census place: 30 London Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. ^[11]

1911 census

• John McElfatrick, head, age 55, married; occupation: physician and surgeon, own account, at home; born at Tamlaght Ocrilly [sic], Ireland
• Margaret Ann, wife, age 48, married 21 years, 2 children born and 2 living; born at Kilrea, county Londonderry
• Eileen S.T., daughter, age 20, single; born at Mere, Wiltshire
• John E., son, age 18, single; occupation: shipping clerk, worker; born do.
• Mary G. Marrs, cook, age 21, single, occupation: domestic cook; born at Crewe, Cheshire
• Mary H. Fell, housemaid, age 18, single, occupation: domestic waitress, born do.
• census place: London Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. ^[17]

Research notes

• Estimated year of birth:—The McElfatrick family of Drumlane were adherents of the Reformed Presbyterian church, and their congregation met at Drimbolg in the parish of Tamlaght O'Crilly.^[18] Unfortunately, baptismal records survive only from 1895.^[19] Thus, the estimated year of birth was inferred from the age recorded in the 1891 census of England.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} England 1891 Census. Household of John and Margaret McElfatrick, with daughter Eileen S.T. (3 months), and servants, in Mere, WIltshire. Original record: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1891. Archival ref. class: RG12, piece 1627, folio 98, pg. 2, schedule 8; registration and sub-registration districts: Mere, enumeration district no. 9. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} General Register Office, Ireland. Civil Registration of a Marriage. Extract: Margaret Ann McKay, full age, spinster; residence: The Diamond, Kilrea; father: James McKay, merchant. John McElfatrick, full age, bachelor; residence: The Diamond, Kilrea; occupation: physician and surgeon; father: Archibald McElfatrick, farmer. Married on 8th January 1890 in the parish church of [St. Patrick,] Kilrea, county Londonderry, according to the rites and ceremonies of the Church of Ireland, by licence, by the Rev. William Irwin, rector; witnesses: Kennedy McElfatrick, Helen Todd. Archival ref. registrar’s district: Ballymoney, no. 61/05895638/149. Digital image online at Irish Genealogy, hosted by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, www.civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-06-05).
3. ↑ General Register Office, Ireland. Civil Registration of a Marriage. Extact: Archibald McElfetrick, full age, bachelor, occupation: farmer and dealer; residence: parish of Tamlaght O'Crilly; father Archibald McElfetrick, farmer. Mary McCool, full age, spinster, residence: parish of Maghera; father: George McCool, farmer. Married on 11th October 1853 in the parish church of [St. Lurach,] Maghera in the parish of Maghera, county Londonderry, according to the rites and ceremonies of the United Church of England and Ireland, by licence, by the Rev. James Spencer Knox, Rector; witnesses: William Kane, Robert Sloan[?]. Archival ref. registrar's district: Ballymoney, no. 37, 801, 05425737. Digital image online at Irish Genealogy, hosted by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, www.civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-05-18).
4. ↑ General Register Office, Ireland. Civil Registration of a Death. Extract: Archibald McElfatrick, married, aged 72 years, occupation: farmer, died at Drumlane [in the parish of Tamlaght O'Crilly, county Londonderry] on 19th April 1898; cause of death: senile decay, certified; informant: T.A. McElpatrick of Drumlane, son, present at the death; registered 27th April 1898, James Lennox, M.D., registrar. Archival ref. registrar’s district: Ballymoney, no. 308, 110, 04651718. Digital image online at Irish Genealogy, hosted by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, www.civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-05-15).
5. ↑ The Medical Directory, 1890. Transcript: "McElfatrick, John, The Diamond, Kilrea, co. Londonderry—L.R.C.P. Edin. 1887; L.R.C.S Edin., 1887; L.F.P.S. Glasg. 1887; (Qu. Coll. Belf. and Surg. Hall, Edin.)" (pg. 1370.) Digital image online at ancestry.ca (accessed 2022-07-15), courtesy of the Wellcome Trust, England: Collection: The Medical Directory, 1890; archival ref. b21330724_i13765516.
6. ↑ Belfast News-Letter, 11 January 1890 (pg. 1). Marriage notice re: Margaret McKay and Dr. John McElfatrick at Kilrea. Digital image online at ancestry.ca (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-14).
7. ↑ The Medical Directory, 1895. Transcript: "McElfatrick, John, The Chantry, Mere, Wilts—L.R.C.P. Edin. 1887; L.R.C.S Edin., 1887; L.F.P.S. Glasg. 1887; Med. Off. and Pub. Vacc. 1st Dist. and Workh. Mere Union; Certif. Fact. Surg.; Surg. Wilts Friendly Soc., Foresters, &c." (pg. 872.) Digital image online at ancestry.ca (accessed 2022-07-15), courtesy of the Wellcome Trust, England: Collection: The Medical Directory, 1890; archival ref. b21330724_i13765589.
8. ↑ Western Chronicle (Yeovil, Somerset), 22 March 1895 (pg. 7). "Parish Council, Wednesday." Citing an election to replace Mr. Angrave, resigned, at which Mr. McElfatrick received the most votes. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk per The British Library Board (accessed 2022-07-16).
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1} Western Gazette (Yeovil, Somerset), 17 June 1898 (pg. 6). "Board of Guardians and District Council, Friday." Citing an application by Dr. [John] McElfastrick for an increase in salary. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk per The British Library Board (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-16).
10. ↑ Western Gazette (Yeovil, Somerset), 10 February 1899 (pg. 6). "Board of Guardians, Friday." Citing the resignation of Dr. [John] McElfatrick as medical officer. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk per The British Library Board (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-16).
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} England 1901 Census. Household of John and Margaret Ann McElfatrick with children, Ellen [sic] and John E., and servants, in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Original record: Original data: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1901. Archival ref. class: RG13, piece 3318, folio 32, pg. 5; civil parish of Alderley Edge, registration district: Macclesfield, sub-registration district: Alderley, enumeration district no. 9. Digital image online at ancestry.ca (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
12. ↑ Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser, 9 February 1917 (pg. 5). "The Late Mr. J.E. McElfatrick." Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
13. ↑ General Register Office, England & Wales. Index of Civil Registrations of Deaths. Index entry: "John McElfatrick, aged 61 years, died 4th quarter ending 31st December 1917, Macclesfield RD (Cheshire), vol. 8a, pg. 161." Original record: General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. London, England: General Register Office. Digital image and transcript online at ancestry.ca (accessed 2022-07-15).
14. ↑ National Probate Calendar, England & Wales. Index entry: "McElfatrick, John, of Stoneycroft Grange, London-road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, died 8 December 1917; Probate: London, 25 January [1918] to Margaret Ann McElfatrick, widow. Effects £4539 1s. 6d." Original record: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England. London, England. Digital image online at ancestry.ca (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
15. ↑ London Gazette, 19 March 1918 (Issue no. 30586, pg. 3505). Legal notice entitled, "Re John McElfatrick, Deceased." Citing the death of John McElfatrick, late of Stoneycroft Grange, London-road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, physician and surgeon, died 8th December 1917; probate granted to Margaret Ann McElfatrick, executrix; dated 13th March 1918; Hall and Co., 56a, Mosley-street, Manchester, solicitors for the executrix. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1} Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser, 14 December 1917 (pg. 5). "Funeral of Dr. McElfatrick." Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk per The British Library Board (transcript by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
17. ↑ England 1911 Census. Household of John and Margaret Ann McElfatrick with children, Eileen S.T. and John E., and servants, at Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Original record: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1911. Archival ref. class: RG14, piece 21507, schedule 169, RG78 piece no. 1281; registration district: Macclesfield, sub-district: Alderley (no. 6), enumeration district no. 7. Digital image online at FindMyPast.co.uk (extract by Alison Kilpatrick, 2022-07-15).
18. ↑ See transcript of gravestone for the family of John McElfatrick's father, Archibald (d. 19th April 1898), online at Drimbolg Graveyard inscriptions. Transcripts by Denver Boyd; hosted online at Bann Valley Genealogy by Richard Torrens (accessed 2022-07-15).
19. ↑ Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (Belfast). An Irish Genealogical Source: A Guide to Church Records.] (pdf document) "R.P. [Reformed Presbyterian] Drumbolg or Drimbolg." (pg. 351.) PRONI ref. MIC1C/15.