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Settlers III: Patrick Devanney


The Devanney Family Homestead
Taken in the 1930s
Photo courtesy of Charles Devanney

Patrick DEVANNEY was one of the original Irish settlers to come to Sullivan Co. When he was a young man, he came with his family to Berwick, PA, having been married in Ireland to Mary Boland.

In 1849, he came to Cherry Twp., Sullivan Co.,Pa. and settled on a farm on Eagle Rock Road(Cook Hill, Cherry Mills). Mr. Devanney died in 1879 at about 75 years old. Patrick is buried in St. Basils, Dushore (Sec. AA,Blk. 10). He came to the US in 1848 or 1849, probably because of the potato famine (1845-1847). He made his mark "X" on deed records. He may have had brothers named Martin, Cornelius or James Devinney. A sister, Bridget, may have followed Patrick to Sullivan Co. Martin was a native of Carrowmacbrine (Carrowmacbryan) Parish of Easkey, County Sligo, Ireland.

Patrick came over on one the infamous "Coffin" ships, and is very likely to have lost family on the way over. There are deed records of Cornelius owning land in Cherry Twp. (Deed DB 4P 343 ,10-1-1856).

Martin is buried as Martin Devaney (died 13 Oct 1870, age 60), in St. Basil's (Sec. AA, Blk..3) and is listed in the 1870 census as Patrick Devany, 65 years, with Real Estate Value=$440, Personal Value=$150(11 July 1870).

Household members as of 11 July 1870:
  • Patrick-65years
  • Mary-53 yrs.
  • Mary-23 yrs.
  • Owen-28 yrs.
  • Mary-1 yr.
  • The youngest Mary was the only one born in PA; all the rest were born in Ireland. She is quite possibly a grandchild.
  • Here is a picture of Owen Devanney and his wife Mary (Cuff) taken late in life in Dushore. The contributors are Tom and Sandy Crossett.


    Owen and Mary (Cuff) Devanney
    Son and Daughter-in-law of Patrick and Mary (Boland) Devanney
    Approximately around 1900
    Photo courtesy of Tom and Sandy Crossett

 
Bridget DEVANNEY Conner, from County Sligo, Ireland, (Patrick's sister?) came to America in 1851, married to John Conner, also a native of Sligo and they resided in Forks Twp. A John Connor was listed as a hotelkeeper in Dushore, age 44 at death (56-1894 in death registrar at the Sullivan County Courthouse). Bridget's daughter married a Mr. Wright of Forks Twp. Found this information at the Sullivan Co. Hist. Society. Could this be Patrick's sister or some other relation?
Phelim (Latin for Phillip) could be Patrick's father. Luke could be a brother. (see Griffith's Valuation)
  • Birth Date: 1804
  • Birth Place: County Sligo, Ireland(Inniscrone)
  • Christening Place: County Sligo, Ireland (Parish of Kilglass)
  • Death Date: 16 Nov 1879
  • Death Place: Cherry Mills, PA (Dushore, PA)
  • Burial Place: Dushore, Pa.
  • Occupation: Farmer -Woodsman
  • Religion: Catholic
 
 
Christening: Parish of Kilglass
Burial: St. Basil's
Research:
Sullivan County Newspaper, March 25, 1976
Northumberland Church of Latter Day Saints
County Sligo Heritage and Genealogy Society
Sullivan County Historical Society, Laporte, PA
 
Mary BOLAND Devanney is buried at St. Basil's (Sec. AA, Blk. 10). A native of County Sligo, Parish of Castleconner, she was 71 years and 6 mo. at death. An infant son died but is not named on her monument. Listed on 1870 census as "keeping house" ,53 years old.
 
An old family story states that on the ship to America the weather became very cold. While on the ship's deck, a strong burst of wind blew Owen's cap into the sea. Mary commented "Poor Owen, now he'll be so cold." (story related to Charles Devanney by Mark White,Texas)

Here is another picture from the Crossetts of Thomas Devanney (1878-1900) at about the time of his death from a logging accident at Ricketts. It is the only known picture of this son of Owen and Mary (Cuff) Devanney.


Thomas Devanney
Approximately around 1900
Photo courtesy of Tom and Sandy Crossett

 
Christening: Parish of Castleconner
Burial: St. Basil's
Marriage Date: 1837
Marriage Place: Castleconner, County Sligo, Ireland
Children:
  • Owen
  • Alice
  • John
  • Birth Date: 1809
  • Birth Place: County Sligo, Ireland
  • Christening Date: See Notes.
  • Christening Place: County Sligo, Ireland (Church of Castleconner)
  • Death Date: 21 Nov 1880
  • Death Place: Dushore, PA
  • Burial Place: Dushore
  • Occupation: Housewife
  • Religion: Catholic
 
Contributor:
Charles Devanney
crd@dejazzd.com

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