Matthias/Matthew Gallagher

Matthias/Matthew Gallagher, the second son of Mary and Francis Gallagher, was born on Christmas Eve, 1856, in Sweeds Mine, Rockaway Township, in what is presently Dover, New Jersey, USA.

In his late teens and early twenties, Matthias was a bricklayer, a trade that he continued for a time when he and several brothers moved to Rhode Island in search of employment. In 1874, they found work at St. John Church on Atwells Ave. which was under construction. The following year the cornerstone was laid at the place of worship where Matthias daughter, Mary, would later be baptized, and where his grandson-to-be would preside at the celebration of the Eucharist often in the 1970's.

Matthias and his brother, Frank, boarded at 34 Harold Street, Providence until 1877, when the latter set up his family house at 92 Putnam Street. Another brother, Thomas, had been boarding at 100 Putnam Street with friends, and Matthias moved in with them as well. By this time both young men were employed as file cutters.

A third brother, Peter, who worked as a carpenter, Lived with Frank and his new family during 1878 and 1879. For a few months in 1880, Thomas also stayed at Frank's home before relocating to Dover, New Jersey. it appears that Frank, Matthias and Peter remained in Rhode Island and raised families there.

Matthias, who gave his name as Matthew beginning with the year of his marriage to Katie Sheridan, worked much of his life as a file cutter or elevator operator. The Gallagher's bought property in Mantan Heights, lots #257, 258, 259 about 1900, but remained living in Providence. Matthew lived at 82 Hope Street until his death on April 11, 1925.

Download PDF file of descendent tree of Francis Gallagher,
the author's Great-Great Grandfather.