Sheridan Mystery?

Julia (Bridget McCabe?) Sheridan immigrated to Providence, Rhode Island in c. 1867 after her husband’s death in Ireland. She immigrated with her eight children and set up home in Providence.

The story of why she emigrated is somewhat of a mystery wtih many unanswered questions which have been researched but unsustatiated. The story goes like this: Bridget (Julia) McCabe married a John Sheridan, an organist at the parish in which they both attended. The marriage took place against the will of the Sheridan’s who were a wealthy family who bred horses. They did not want their son marrying a McCabe because they were a poorer family. They had several children, nine in all prior to the decision to emigrate.

Just prior to the family emigrating or upon them emigrating, John Sheridan was shot and killed. It may have been an accident, some member from a faction to which he was friendly, mistakenly shot him as a member of a rival group (I am not sure what all that means whether there is some political or underhanded situation here). Julia continued with plan to leave Ireland.

Three factors led to Julia’s immigration. First, John Sheridan’s family had disowned him and his family. Second, the poorer McCabes could not support such a large family. Finally, there was no work for widows in Ireland at that time, so Julia (Bridget) immigrated to Rhode Island. We can only assume that there must have been a relative, friend or church official in Rhode Island in order for Julia to immigrate there.

Roots Search Launched in Augnacliffe
from the Longford Leader August 1996
-Pearse Daley, Reporting

LAST WEEK a U.S. visitor, Marc Gallagher from Cromwell, Connecticut, spent some of his vacation in the upmarket Castlerosse Guest House at Rossduff, Aughnacliffe, splendidly situated over-looking Lough Gowna and owned by a former Housewife of the Year, Hilda Sheridan.

He told our correspondent that part of his mission was to trace some of his ancestors who left Ireland around 130 years ago, but up to then he had made little progress. We take up the story as told to us, John Sheridan married Julia or Brigid McCabe in 1850 and they had nine children, but he could name only six of them and, they were—Denis, Rose, John, Edward J, Catherine and Elizabeth. Tragedy struck the family when John Sheridan met his death as a result of a faction fight. Consequently, in order to support herself and her nine children she went to America in 1867.

Marc went on to say that as far as he was aware Mrs. Sheridan's parents were Thomas Francis McCabe and his wife's maiden name was Catherine Sheridan (no relation of John Sheridan). He believes that John Sheridan was a native of Legga and that he was 'organist' in the Church. Note: the present Church in Legga was built in 1865, which was around the time that John Sheridan met his death. Previous to that time there was a Church in Moyne, which was erected in 1818 so it is most likely, the Sheridan family attended mass there.

If anyone can be of assistance to Mr. Gallagher they can communicate with him at 12 Springdale Road, Cromwell, Connecticut, U.S.A. 06416 or with this correspondent.

See Catherine Elizabeth Sheridan aka Katie