THOMAS ALLEN

Husband to:

1. Mary Ellen (Mary or Ellen) Donahue (Donough, Doughoe, Donoghoe, Donoghue, O'Donaghue) Allen.
2. Mary (Mary Ann, Mary Anna) Massey (Massy) Doran Allen.

SUMMARY:

Part I - (1835-1872) New York Days. Thomas Allen came to the United States from Ireland as a minor. Date unknown. He married Mary or Ellen Donoghue (see various spellings) and they had three known children: Mary Ellen, John Thomas, Cornelius Frederick. Thomas worked in Manhattan as a shoemaker. His wife died about 1872 and Tom took his three children to Pennsylvania.

 

Part II - (1872 - 1893) Pennsylvania Days Thomas tried at least one other location in Pennsylvania before settling in Houtzdale. He married Mary Massey and they had 2 known children: William (who died in infancy) and Peter. His new wife had one child from a previous marriage whose name was David Daniel Doran who died at 66 leaving a family of 15 children. Thomas' daughter Mary Ellen Allen died at sixteen. John Thomas died early at age 43 leaving 8 children. Cornelius lived to be 71 and produced 13 children. Peter was 72 when he died and had four sons.

Part I - IRELAND TO NYC TO HOUTZDALE, PA,

Can we get out of New York and back to Ireland? February 2008 and we are still on the streets of New York.

HOWEVER since our last update in 2000 we have found (at least we think we have found) the 1868 naturalization papers for Thomas Allen.

Also the baptismal certificates for Cornelius & John provide new spellings for Thomas' first wife. On the 1866 certificate she is listed as "Mary Ellen Donoghue" and in 1867 she is "Ellen Donoghoe." A witness gives probability to another possible spelling - O'Donaghue!

Also Thomas & Mary and children have been located in 1870 census - we think. The family is not living together! Also a new possibility for the spelling of Mary Ellen's maiden name - Donough!

Read on!

 

THOMAS ALLEN'S BIRTH DATE (1835?36?) /BIRTHPLACE

 

1868 Naturalization Affidavit - Does not give us Thomas age. He entered the country as a minor.

29 Jun 1870 New York Census - Thomas age is stated as 34.

Note: Thomas' age suggests a 1836 birth year. Born Ireland.

1880 Pennsylvania Census - Thomas age 45, Boot and shoemaker. Born in Ireland.

Note: Thomas' age suggests 1835 birth date.

1893 Pennsylvania Death Certificate -Clearfield County, PA Courthouse -Thomas died Houtzdale, Clearfield Co, PA 29 Aug. 1893. Age 58.

Note: Age suggests 1835 birth date.

Thoughts: 1893 Death certificate gives "58 years" but of course this info is only, at best, the estimate of whichever family member gave it. If Tom came over as a minor and with no family he might not have known his date of birth. The 1880 census gives the same age. (Census stats are always suspect.)

Is there a middle name for Thomas? There is no middle name on any legal documents discovered so far e.g. death certificate, Houtzdale property papers. (See documentation later in this outline.) Thomas died 29 Aug. 1893 a day after his son Cornelius had a baby boy who was named Thomas Augustine Allen. Was the new edition named after his grandfather? Should we consider "Augustine" as a possible middle name for Thomas when researching early records?

THOMAS ALLEN'S PARENTS/ SIBLINGS

1870 NEW YORK CENSUS states parents of foreign birth. 1880 PENNSYLVANIA CENSUS says Thomas' parents born Ireland. Parents not documented on Thomas' death certificate. Naturalization papers say he was a "minor" when he entered the United States. Did he come with his parents or sister? In one Pennsylvania paper it is reported that Thomas moved to Houtzdale to be near a sister. Family lore said he had a red haired sister...or was that his daughter?!

 

THOMAS ALLEN'S AND MARY ELLEN DONOUGH'S ARRIVAL TO THE UNITED STATES FROM IRELAND

Clues for research:

Thoughts on Thomas' ship passage: Did Thomas depart with his family as a young lad or arrive later with the blessing of his family, perhaps apprenticed to a shoe maker? Was he an orphan? Did he cross in only ten days in one of the steam-powered vessels that began replacing the sailing ships in the 1850's? or did he endure the 4-6 week abominable voyage in the 1840's?

Would you like to research ship records? Thomas Allen arrives in the US 1850-1855? If we don't find him in this time period then start before 1850 or after 1855?

There is a Thomas Allen, shoemaker, listed in the NY index of those Irish who came to New York during the potato famine 1846-1852. This Thomas Allen arrived in NY on 29 Apr 1850 and was 22 years old. If 1835 is the correct birth date then our Thomas would be 15 years old. Is this our Thomas Allen? (Research by Susan Allen Gehl 1999, LDS FHC in Mesa, AZ. Index. Name of index?) page 300.) This Thomas Allen, shoemaker departed Liverpool on the vessel Switzerland. Future research - actual record - April 9 - May 14, 1850, film #175443. ) Volume Insert.

Look for Mary Ellen Donahue Allen's family in ship records? We have a small clue on researching the Donough's arrival. (Variations of spelling Dounough must be considered.) In the 1870 census Cornelius Donough, age 21 was born in Ireland and younger brother Thomas, age 14 was born in New York. Look for the Cornelius & Mary Donough family's arrival between 1849 and 1856? Donough known children: Mary Ellen (or Mary or Ellen), Cornelius, Thomas Donough.

Note from Susan Allen Gehl: The LDS Library in Mesa, AZ has a volume of Famine Immigrants book of Ellis Island from 1846 to 1852. Each year has a list of the ships with the Irish immigrants on-board. I went through every year and every spelling of Donohue and did find a close match in 1851. Most of the Cornelius Donohue's' came alone. Some with some families. This one seems to match with a few discrepancies. (SHOW RECORD?)

 

1863 NATURALIZATION PAPERS

( Superior Court Volume #205. Record #8. Petition of Naturalization. Record dated 12 Oct, 1868. #19450.)

Note: An e-mail response from the National Archives to Judy Allen in Aug. 2006 says that the record for Thomas Allen is the naturalization petition and that there is no other documentation available. NYC naturalization records (including Declarations of Intention) filed prior to September 1906, do not usually provide an applicant's place of birth, date of arrival, or the name of the vessel. naturalization records rarely list an applicant's parents. E-mail from Carol Savo, Archives Specialist.

CLUES FROM THE NATURALIZATION PAPERS

The 1868 naturalization papers were received from the NYC archives and present a new puzzle. The street is written as 66 Bridge St. instead of 66 Ridge Street. (66 Ridge is from Con's letter and also the 1867/68 NYC street directory.) Did Thomas Allen write? Could the recording clerk think he said "Bridge"? instead of "Ridge."? (A query was sent to the the NYC Historical Society regarding Bridge vs Ridge address last year but no answer so this address needs research.)

The application states Thomas Allen as "minor." Naturalization law: ...when a person arrived in the United States under the age of 18 he was considered a minor. All that was necessary was for this person to wait the minimum five years and then petition for citizenship. Many of the entries in the WPA index carry the words "minor" after them. This does not mean that the individuals concerned were minors at the dates listed for them. It means that they were minor when they arrive in the United States. (The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine v 36.no.2 1989. Article about WPA Index of Naturalizations regarding Phil, PA Research by Nancy Halli.)

Witness for naturalization papers. Who is this? Thomas S. Boyden. He is "of Vanderbilt & Atlanta St., Brooklyn, NY. Note Brooklyn address. Tom's neighbor? or?

 

Thomas Allen's naturalization record:

New York Superior Court In the Matter of Thomas Allen, On his Naturalization - Minor. State of New York, City and county of New York. Affidavits, &c. Filed Oct 12 1868. Superior Court N.Y.Co. Bundle 205 Record No. 8.

Thomas S (or A?) Boyden (Boylan?) of Vanderbilt on Atlanta St., Brooklyn,NY (this part is hand written and not sure of all the letters)being duly sworn, doth depose and say that he is well acquainted with the above named applicant; that the said applicant has resided in the United States for three years next preceding his arrival, at the age of twenty-one years; that he has continued to reside therein to the present time; that he has resided five years within the United States, including three years of his minority, and that he has resided in the State of New York one year at least, immediately preceding this application; and that during that time he has behaved as a man of good moral character, attached to the principles of the constitution of the United States, and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same; and deponent verily believes, that for three years next preceding this application, it has been the real and honest intention of the said applicant to become a citizen of the United States.

Sworn in open Court this 12th day of Oct 1868, Thomas S Boyden (signature)

James M Sweeney, Clerk.

State of New York, City and County of New York, (there is a bracket and tiny numbers "88") Thomas Allen of 66 Bridge St., New York (hand written and again not sure of all the letters except the B in Bridge does not look like an R) the above-named applicant, being duly sworn, says that he has arrived at the age of twenty-one years; that he has resided in the United States three years next preceding his arrival at that age, and has continued to reside therein to the present time; that he has resided five years within the United States, including the three years of his minority, and that he has resided one year at least, immediately preceding this application, within the State of New York, and that for three years next preceding this application, it has been his real and honest intention to become a citizen of the United States.

Sworn in open Court, this 12th day of Oct 1868 Thomas Allen (signature)

James M Sweeny, Clerk.

I do declare on oath that is my bona fide intention, and has been for the three years next preceding this application, to become a Citizen of the United States; and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever; and particularly to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of whom I was before a subject.

Sworn in open Court, this 12th day of Oct 1868 Thomas Allen (signature)

James M Sweeny, Clerk.

I Thomas Allen (hand written) solemnly swear, that I will support the Constitution of the United States; and that I do absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State of Sovereignty whatever; and particularly to the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, of whom I was before a subject.

Sworn in open Court this 12th day of Oct 1868 Thomas Allen (signature)

James M Sweeny Clerk.

Do we have the right Thomas? What is your guess for his birth date? arrival in the U.S.? If this is our Tom then we can start looking for him on the ships' lists...Ireland here we come?!

 

Where did Thomas spend his years between 1835/6 birth in Ireland and his departure from New York to Pennsylvania? Where was Mary Ellen Donough Allen before the birth of her daughter in 1860?

 

TO HELP US WITH OUR RESEARCH: TIME LINE FOR THOMAS ALLEN & MARY ELLEN DONOUGH

Clues and evidence that place the family in NYC.

LORE; Family stories place Thomas & sons in NYC. Stories of Fulton Fish Market, shoe shop, etc. Of course there is the tale that the family lived under the Brooklyn Bridge but that couldn't have happened...

LETTER; Thomas' son, Cornelius, wrote to his nephew, Victor, that all three children of Thomas were born in New York City and gives the Ridge address. Letter written in Florida, 10 April 1930 when Cornelius was 63 years old. This letter is in possession of George "Al" Allen.

(SHOW LETTER)

THE NYC DIRECTORY, 1870 CENSUS & AFFIDAVIT OF NATURALIZATION, BAPTISM CERTIFICATES FOR SONS all place Thomas in NYC.

What other resources could we use? eg. NYC newspapers? and?

 

1835/6 - Thomas born Ireland? Family lore is that he learned the shoemaking trade as a boy. Census says he was born Ireland but no town given.

1850-1855 - Arrives in US? Look at passenger records for Thomas? Was the point of entry NYC? Or another city?

1853 - age 18?

1856 - age 21?

1853-1860 - Research marriage record for Thomas Allen and Mary Ellen Donahue. Consider all variations of names.

1860 - NYC (?) birth of daughter Mary Ellen Allen. Thomas now age 25? Where are they living?

1861 - Outbreak of Civil War; Lincoln calls for militia to suppress Confederacy. Most citizens of New York are Union sympathizers: one third of the casualties of the Battle of Bull Run are New York soldiers.

Note: If Thomas was living in NYC at the beginning of the Civil War (1861-65) at age 26, he would have seen the mob violence of 1863 that rebelled against the National Conscription (Draft) Act. (U.S. Congress, 3 Mar 1863.) The New York Times carried lurid headlines on 14 July: "Continuation of the Riot - The Mob Increased in Numbers...Large Number of Rioters Killed...Streets Barricaded, Buildings Burned, Stores Sacked, and Private Dwellings Plundered. (NY Times, 14 Jul 1863, p. 1, col.1.) Did these activities deter Thomas from signing up for the Union Army? (SHOW NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT)

There is no family lore that indicates Thomas was in the Civil War. Thomas had no known children between daughter Mary Ellen in 1860 and oldest son John Thomas in 1865. Was he away fighting in the war? Or were there more children that died as infants? Did the family move out of the city during this time period?

John B. Allen Jr. (Thomas, Corneilus, John Sr) had a quote from his father, "You're the seventh son of a seventh son of a seventh son." If Cornelius was a seventh son, that would make John Thomas, his brother, the sixth son. Where are all the other brothers?

1864 - Confederate agents set Barnum Museum and Astor House afire in attempt to burn New York City.

1865 - NYC birth of son John Thomas Allen. Thomas now age 30? Were they living in the Lower East Side at this time?

1865 - Civil War ends May 26.

1867 - NYC birth of Cornelius Frederick Allen. Thomas now age 32? The family is now living on Ridge Street, Lower East Side, NYC.

12 Oct 1868 - Affidavit of Naturalization. Gives Bridge Address.

1867-70 - NYC directories list Thomas, shoemaker, 66 Ridge and then at 68 Ridge. No Thomas, shoemaker before 1867 or after 1870.

1870 Census - Thomas living with Patrick & Mary Nooman. ( The 1870 census does not give relationships.) Many shoemakers listed as neighbors. Thomas's toddler boys John and Cornelius living with Donoughs in Brooklyn. Are the Donoughs the grandparents? Cousins? Aunt & Uncle? Where is Thomas' wife Mary Ellen Allen and her daughter?

Note: Ellen Allen, 32, servant. Born Ireland. Working for John A. Newbold (60). Family: Susan (48), Fanny (28), George (26). NY Census Roll 946 p250 line 12 3rd ward Brooklyn, Kings Co. Is this our Mary Ellen?

March 1872 or 1873 - Ellen Donoghoe/Doughoe (Mary Ellen Donahue) dies in NYC. (Letter from Con to nephew Victor.)

1873 - Financial panic in New York (Sept)

1872-5 - Thomas Allen and children moves out of NYC to PA. Did daughter Mary Ellen move with him?

1877 Thomas is long gone from NYC to PA but we put this note here for pondering...Do the Allens have a connection to Grampian, PA? Why is daughter Mary Ellen Allen (d. 10 May 1877) buried in Grampian, Clearfield County? Search records in this area for more information on Thomas and his first wife and family?

 

CIVIL WAR RECORDS - Old research- redo?:

1890 Special Census (Civil War Veterans) was skimmed. ( Judy W. Allen in 1996.)

The Pension Index recorded two Thomas Allens from NY. There were other Thomas Allens that had widows listed but they did not match with the name of Mary Ellen Donahue. Civil war Records were examined - but no match for our Thomas.(Research by Susan Allen Gehl, 1999.) Redo and look for name of "Ellen Donough? or Doughoe?" The research of the actual records has not been done: National Archives records: R 70 NY inf. Application #3,940 Certification, #57,250 filed on 5 Nov 1862. Also D 152 NY Inf. Application #458, 308 Certification #1,095,893 filed on 26 Aug. 1882. Film #338244

Future research: Are there any 1860 draft registration records? New York records?

 

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THOMAS' FIRST WIFE? Mary Ellen Donahue (Ellen Doughoe/ Donoghoe/ Donoghue/ O'Donaghue/ Donough)

Where and when was she born?

Death Mar 1872 or 1873. Death Date of Mary Ellen Donough Allen: Son Cornelius has given 1872-73 death dates for his mother at different times in his life. (Newspaper accounts and the Cornelius to Victor letter.)

Name The only documentation of the name for Thomas' first wife is on the sons baptismal certificates. The name Mary Ellen Donahue has been handed down verbally. John B. Allen Sr. (Thomas, Cornelius, John Sr.) started a family tree in the late 1960's and her name is recorded as Mary Ellen Donahue. Her name is not recorded in the Cornelius to Victor letter.

Thomas' son John Thomas records his mother's name on his 1889 marriage certificate as "Mary." Perhaps he is considering stepmother Mary Massey Doran Allen and not his birth mother. (Certificate received by Al Allen (Thomas, John Thomas, Victor, George "Al") Ebensburg Courthouse, marriage license 7 Aug. 1889, Summit, PA.)

Possible Evidence 18 Mar 1866 - Maryellen Donoghue (John Thomas' baptism)

17 Oct 1867 - Ellen Donoghoe (Cornelius baptism)

1870 Brooklyn Census - Family name is Donough. Mary Ellen Allen not recorded there.)

Future research: Copies of the record of the baptism certificates for Cornelius and John Thomas signed by Rev. Neil Connolly.were received in 2004 by Nancy Halli. The mother's names are spelled differently. Is this a mistake by the clerk or priest who recorded the information 29 Jul 2004? Should we write again and verify the info?

More research: Sponsors for the baptism of John Thomas are John J. O'Donaghue and Ellen Rollins. Should we consider John J O'Donaghue a possible brother or cousin and look for him in other records? Perhaps Ellen Rollins is a married sister or sister-in-law or cousin. The sponsors for son Cornelius' baptism are John McMahen and Catherine Hurly. Possible relatives?

Note: There is a Catherine Hurly in the Federal NY 1870 Census housemaid born in England age 35 20th Ward, 17 ED - Roll 1008. p. 536. Is this the same Catherine Hurly?

Old research that needs a repeat - 1872, 1873 Manhattan, NY death certificates have been researched twice with no success for Mary Ellen Donahue Allen. Also birth certificates requested twice for Cornelius Allen and two boroughs were searched for the year 1867 - Manhattan and Brooklyn. (Research by Jack Allen, 1993, 94 -NYC Dept. of Records, Municipal Archives)

Research needs to be done again with the name "Mary Ellen (Ellen) Donough, Donoghoe, Donoghue, O'Donaghue, Doughoe," Ridge address and specially the Brooklyn address.

 

CHURCH & SCHOOL RECORDS

Future research - Church/school Records: Perhaps a good place for research to find out information on Thomas & Mary Ellen Allen is in the NYC church records. Cornelius & John Thomas's baptismal records were found at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Ridge at Grand St. but no marriage record. The churches in the Brooklyn neighborhood of the Donoughs need research. Look for marriage record of Thomas and Mary Ellen Donough in the Brooklyn 8th ward area.

Also- there is a Grammar School, no. 34 at Broome between Willett and Sheriff. Are these two institutions still standing and do they have archives? (Information from Nancy Halli.)

Would you like to help with church research? Write for information for marriage, death , baptism?

Marriage: Thomas and Maryellen? Consider all spellings of maiden name. Guess a year? If Mary Ellen is first born and was born in 1860 then the wedding occurred??????

Death of first wife Maryellen (Ellen) - Consider all variations of married name.: Mar 1872 0r 1873 are possible death dates.

Baptismal of Mary Ellen Allen (daughter) b 21 Sep 1860.

Let us know! If we don't get lucky in Brooklyn or the East Side we will try the West Side, etc. If you would like to visit St. Mary's let us know what's happening there and in the neighborhood. St. Mary's, 440 Grand St. NY 10002. 212-674-3266

The following Lower East Side churches were operational in the 1860's:

*Founding dates for churches.

*1855 Immaculate Conception,414 E. 14th St. NY 10009 T - 254-0200.

*1844 Most Holy Redeemer, 173 E. 3rd St. NY 10009. T - 673-4224.

No baptism for Mary Ellen Allen.

*1842 Nativity, 44 2nd Ave NY 10003. T - 674-8590.

*1809 Old St. Patrick's, 263 Mulberry St. NY 10012 T-226-8075

*1867 Our Lady of Sorrows, 213 Stanton St. NY 10002. T- 673-0900

*1785 St. Peter's Church, 16 Barclay St. ( Church St.) NY 10007-2705 (no phone given)

*1848, 1855 St. Brigid's, 119 Avenue B NY 10009. T- 228-5400.

*? St. George, 22 East 7th St. NY 10003. T - 674-1615.

*1827 St. James, 23 Oliver St.NY10038. T - 233-0161

* 1924 St. Joseph, 5 Monroe St. NY 10038. T - 267-8376.

*1829 St. Joseph in Village, 111 Washington Place NY 10014. T- 929-5134.

.*1863 St. Teresa's, 141 Henry St. NY 10002. T - 233-0233.

*1827 Transfiguration, 29 Mott St., NY 10013. T - 962-5157

Note: (CHANGE - not up to date?)

Nancy Halli checked Old St. Patrick's, Most Holy Redeemer, St. Brigid' for Mary Ellen 1860 baptism with no results. Also checked Nativity for the years 1858-1875. She suggested calling Calvary for burial records 1-718-786-8000

NEW RESEARCH IN BROOKLYN: Brooklyn Churchs (1870's Brooklyn churches of the 8th ward). Web address for Catholic Church

 

 

NEW YORK CITY DIRECTORIES

Note: There are at least eight Allens, occupation shoe or boot makers, listed in the NYC directories between 1854 and 1867. One of these could have been Thomas Allen's relative. Is it possible that he was an apprentice to one of them? (Research by Nancy Halli.)

1854-5, Thomas (shoemaker) on 76 Henry

1859-60 - James (shoes) h. 745 W 28th; 1859-60 Hilad (shoes) 49 Cordandt h 745 3rd Bklyn; 1859-60 Hewlett (shoes) 906 Olwich h Bklyn;

1859-60 Andrew ((shoes) n 25-W26th;

1860-61 James (shoes) 191 Seventh;

1860-61 Richard (shoes) 387 Ninth;1863 William T (boots) 377 Bowery.

The Thomas Allen listed in 1854 is still listed in 1866-7 (now boots) at 57 Henry. Wm T is not our Thomas as they are both listed in the 1867-8 directories.

Two NYC Directories place Thomas on Ridge:

1867/68 Allen, Thomas shoemaker h r 66 Ridge

1869/70 Allen, Thomas shoemaker h 68 Ridge

Directories of 1865/66 and 1871/72 have no record of shoemaker Thomas Allen.

(Reminder: Letter of Cornelius to Victor says that John Thomas is born on Ridge but says that daughter Mary Ellen and Cornelius were born NYC.)

Future research of Directories: Brookly City Directories for Donoughs and Allens. Do they exist? Look first for 1865/66.

FEDERAL CENSUS RECORDS ALLENS & DONOUGHS

Research: We need to verify that the Ridge address is in the Manhattan NY 1870 census 6th ward.

1850 & 1860 Census Records: Note from Susan Gehl - 9 Sep 2006. I couldn't find Thomas Allen. I tried every spelling of the Donohues too.

1870 Census in NYC: Thomas Allen, age 34, shoemaker is living with Mary age 24 and Patrick Nooman, age 50, laborer. All were born in Ireland and their parents were born in Ireland. Thomas and Patrick are citizens.Is this our Thomas? 6 District of the 6th Ward in the County of NY, Page 84. Enumerated 29 June 1870. M593-978, pg 363 1mg 304. (Research by Susan Allen M. Gehl on web site Ancestry.com at the Family History Library, Mesa, AZ. Aug., 2006.)

Thoughts on this 1870 census.

If this is our Thomas then where are his wife and children? See Brooklyn Census.

There is another neighbor (#36) with the name Noonam (or Norman?). John is 54 and is a shoemaker and is from Ireland.

Neighbor #31 (living next door?) is a Irish family named Dohue (spelling?) They are from Ireland. Is this another spelling of Donahue? Possible relatives?

 

1870 Census in Brooklyn NY(Enumeration 7 Jul )

Toddlers John Allen, age 4, and Cornelius Allen, age 2 are living with the Donoughs. The census:

Cornelius Donough, age 60, occupation carman, has $3000 in value of real estate and $100 in value in personal property. Living with him is Mry Donough, age 50, occupation housekeeping, and Cornelius, age 21, occupation laborer. All were born Ireland and their parents were born in Ireland. Thomas Donough, age 14 was born in New York and has attended school in the last year. Both Cornelius Donoughs are U.S. citizens. John is 4 and Cornelius is 2. Are the Donough's Mary Ellen's relatives? parents? 8th Ward City City of Brooklyn in the County of Kings in the State of NY enumerated on 7 Jul, 1870. M593_950. Pg 86. Line 172.. Dwelling 1051. Family #1323. (Research by Susan Allen M. Gehl on web site Ancestry.com at the Family History Library, Mesa, AZ Aug. 2006.)

Thoughts on 1870 Brooklyn census:

The ages of John and Cornelius are a good fit so they are probably our kids.

There is a new spelling to add for Mary Ellen's maiden name? Are Cornelius and Mary Donough her parents? Are they looking out for the grandchildren while Mary and Tom work? or is Mary in the hospital? or has she passed away by this enumeration?

What did a carman in 1870 do?

Carman/Charman/Carrier/ Carter/Cartman

Driver of (horse-drawn) vehicles for transporting goods. Carmen were often employed by railway companies for local deliveries and collections of goods and parcels. Modern day van driver. Also sometimes someone who drove horse-drawn trams was called a Carman.

Gareth's Help Page - Occupations

http://genealogy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Frmhh.co.uk%2Foccup.html

1880 Brooklyn Census

What happened to the Donoughs? Are they still in Brooklyn? Follow Cornelius and Thomas

 

IS THE HOUSE ON RIDGE STILL STANDING TODAY?

No, but you could visit the neighborhood (Lower East Side). Take pictures for us! The picture of the neighborhood church St. Mary's on Grand at the corner of Ridge is on the web site.. (We have received info from St. Mary's.) St. Mary's school is at 54-56 Pitt St. Ward School #4 is behind #78-70 Ridge (Not sure the schools are still in the neighborhood.) Take picture for us!

On NYC maps (Hagstrom, NYC 5 Borough Atlas, 1989, 1st Large Scale Ed.) of 1857 and 1885 there are 16 houses with identical front footages on Ridge St. Ridge was above the Williamburg Bridge. 78-54 Ridge look like brick or stone buildings. 52-46 are frame. #68/66 are set apart from the rest by open areas to each side (alley?) Tom probably owned both. #68 has a stone back porch in 1857 which disappears by 1885. #68 may have had a store front on first floor and the footage is approximately 30' by 70'. In 1902 Ridge 46, 50, 54, 72, 76, 80 were still there. "They look like brick houses perhaps 25' wide." (Nancy Halli, 1999.) When the New East Side River Bridge (now called the Williamsburg Bridge) was under construction, a number of houses were demolished in order to construct the approach ramp. Unfortunately 66/68 Ridge are both gone.

Bridge family lore: Cornelius F. "Con" Allen (Thomas, Cornelius) always told tall tales of being born under the Brooklyn Bridge and the exciting times at the Fulton Fish Market. As two small boys, Cornelius and his brother John had to be excited about the beginnings of the bridge. "Soon after ground was broken on January 3, 1870, work on the Manhattan and Brooklyn foundations. The 3,000-ton pneumatic caissons - large, airtight cylinders in which workers cleared away layers of silt in an atmosphere of compressed air underneath the riverbed - were dug 78+ feet below the river on the Manhattan side, and 44+ feet below the river on the Brooklyn side. To expedite the descent of the caissons, dynamite was used for the first time in bridge construction. The foundations took three years to construct."

http://www.nycroads.com/crossings/brooklyn/

Of course the boys were in their 20s by the time the bridge was completed 8 years later and lived in Houtzdale, Pennyslvania..

Nancy Halli suggests and interesting read with lots of Lower East side color: The Alienist by Caleb Carr. "Not a bad tale - a little far fetched but good beach reading.

STAY TUNED for Part II - Thomas Allen and three children move to Pennsylvania. New marriage and new children. Shoe business. Death in Houtzdale, PA.