http://alison-stewart.blogspot.ie/2011/08/richard-williams-and-geraldine-omoore.html
Richard Williams and Geraldine O'Moore Creighton were my mother's great-grandparents.
It is said that Thomas Barnardo, the Dublin-born founder of the Barnardo Childrens' Homes and a friend of the Williams family, had given the young Willis a pet white rabbit when Barnardo left Dublin to train in London.
According to his daughter, Eliza Willis Williams, Willis spent some time at a boarding school in England when he was a child. This was confirmed by the 1871 UK census, which showed the young Willis as a boarder at the school of Benjamin and Henrietta Ellis at 56 and 57 St. Mary's Road, Camberwell, South London. Willis was aged either 14 or 15; whoever wrote out the census return wasn't sure about this.
He was a sporting individual - on 7th August 1875, aged about 21, he won first prize for a three-mile walk in the O'Connell Centenary Athletic Sports. The following year he won second prize in the four-mile open walking race of the D.U.A.S. (Dublin United Athletic Society.)
In 1876 he took part in the Three Mile Walk at the Landsdowne Road Athletics Meeting. The following year he took part in the walking matches at the Rotundo Skating Rink.
In 1879, Willis Creighton Williams of Dundrum applied for a dog licence.
He married Kate O'Neill on 3rd March 1881 at Birkenhead, Cheshire (Liverpool) - at the time they were living at 12 Queen Street; the following year they had moved to 53 Clarence Grove, Everton. The marriage was witnessed by A.J.Gregory and L.B. Gregory, who seem to be Arthur James Gregory and Lilian Baxter Gregory, aged 17 and 19 on the 1881 UK Census, who were the children of Peter Gregory and Emma Ann Baxter - Peter Gregory was an accountant/clerk to the Board of Guardians; in 1881, this family were living in Birkenhead at 19 Hamilton Square, Birkenhead. Hamilton Square runs directly onto Argyle Street which swings around into Queen Street where Willis C. Williams and Kate O'Neill were living at the time of their 1881 marriage, so perhaps the two families were most likely friends with each other.
Both addresses are close to the Liverpool Docks and family tradition has it that Willis Creighton Williams worked for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company like his father, Richard Williams, before him, although later family members may be confusing Willis with his father, Richard. Charles Wye Williams himself had lived in the same city - he had chosen Liverpool as a location for the company because of its harbour which was, in the 1820s, far superior to Dublin Port.
Following their 1881 marriage, the UK census captured the newly-weds living at 4 Kirkdale Road, Merseyside, Liverpool, where Willis was recorded as a house agent and tea dealer. The census transcribed his name as Willie B. Williams; Kate called herself Katie. There were no children present in the household, which is peculiar, given that their eldest son, Willis Creighton Williams, had been born in Liverpool in about 1875.
Kelly's Directory for Liverpool listed Willis Willams of 4 Kirkdale Road as a grocer in 1881. The family were still in Liverpool when their second son, David Creighton Williams was born on 31st May 1882.
By 1886, Willis Creighton Williams and Kate O'Neill had returned to Dublin - they lived firstly at 50 Park Avenue, Sandymount; 13 Park Avenue, Sandymount; 38 Grosvenor Square, Rathmines.
The Family of Kate O'Neill:
Kate O'Neill had been born to a farmer, Henry Neill or O'Neill in Carrawaystick, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, on 29th August 1858 and was baptised in Rathdrum Catholic Church by her parents, Henry and Maria or Mary Neill. The family name was 'Neill' at that time, although by the time of the 1901 census they seem to have preferred 'O'Neill'. Other spellings of the name include 'Neil' or 'Neille'.
It is said that Thomas Barnardo, the Dublin-born founder of the Barnardo Childrens' Homes and a friend of the Williams family, had given the young Willis a pet white rabbit when Barnardo left Dublin to train in London.
According to his daughter, Eliza Willis Williams, Willis spent some time at a boarding school in England when he was a child. This was confirmed by the 1871 UK census, which showed the young Willis as a boarder at the school of Benjamin and Henrietta Ellis at 56 and 57 St. Mary's Road, Camberwell, South London. Willis was aged either 14 or 15; whoever wrote out the census return wasn't sure about this.
He was a sporting individual - on 7th August 1875, aged about 21, he won first prize for a three-mile walk in the O'Connell Centenary Athletic Sports. The following year he won second prize in the four-mile open walking race of the D.U.A.S. (Dublin United Athletic Society.)
In 1876 he took part in the Three Mile Walk at the Landsdowne Road Athletics Meeting. The following year he took part in the walking matches at the Rotundo Skating Rink.
In 1879, Willis Creighton Williams of Dundrum applied for a dog licence.
Both addresses are close to the Liverpool Docks and family tradition has it that Willis Creighton Williams worked for the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company like his father, Richard Williams, before him, although later family members may be confusing Willis with his father, Richard. Charles Wye Williams himself had lived in the same city - he had chosen Liverpool as a location for the company because of its harbour which was, in the 1820s, far superior to Dublin Port.
Following their 1881 marriage, the UK census captured the newly-weds living at 4 Kirkdale Road, Merseyside, Liverpool, where Willis was recorded as a house agent and tea dealer. The census transcribed his name as Willie B. Williams; Kate called herself Katie. There were no children present in the household, which is peculiar, given that their eldest son, Willis Creighton Williams, had been born in Liverpool in about 1875.
Kelly's Directory for Liverpool listed Willis Willams of 4 Kirkdale Road as a grocer in 1881. The family were still in Liverpool when their second son, David Creighton Williams was born on 31st May 1882.
By 1886, Willis Creighton Williams and Kate O'Neill had returned to Dublin - they lived firstly at 50 Park Avenue, Sandymount; 13 Park Avenue, Sandymount; 38 Grosvenor Square, Rathmines.
The Family of Kate O'Neill:
Kate O'Neill had been born to a farmer, Henry Neill or O'Neill in Carrawaystick, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, on 29th August 1858 and was baptised in Rathdrum Catholic Church by her parents, Henry and Maria or Mary Neill. The family name was 'Neill' at that time, although by the time of the 1901 census they seem to have preferred 'O'Neill'. Other spellings of the name include 'Neil' or 'Neille'.
Although the 19th century church and civil records link my O'Neill family to Carrawaystick in Rathdrum, they may only have been farming there for a number of decades and may have originated in a completely different area. By 1901 the only member of the O'Neill family living there was Mary Kavanagh, the daughter of Nicholas Neill and Rose Byrne. Nicholas Neill was the supposed brother of our immediate ancestor Henry Neill.
The earliest mention of the Neill family in conjunction with Carrawaystick occurs in the Rathdrum parish register. On 24th March 1826, Joseph Neill and Ann Byrne were the sponsors at the baptism of Hester Byrne, the daughter of Michael and Margaret Byrne of Carrawaystick.
Also, on 29th November 1819, Thomas Neill and Caty Farrell were the sponsors in Carrawaystick of Margery Headon, when she was baptised by her parents, Thomas Headon or Heaton and Winny Byrne.
The Tithes Applotments of 1825 noted Patt and Thos. Neill, John Neil with William Fleming, Thos Snell (their landlord), and Michael and Matthew Fleming all farming in Carrawaystick.
Griffiths Valuation of 1854 showed our immediate ancestory Henry Neil at Carrawaystick, Knockrath, Ballinacor South, Co. Wicklow, farming 75 acres along with Nicholas Neil and William Shannon. In the same townland was an Edward Neil.
Also, on 29th November 1819, Thomas Neill and Caty Farrell were the sponsors in Carrawaystick of Margery Headon, when she was baptised by her parents, Thomas Headon or Heaton and Winny Byrne.
The Tithes Applotments of 1825 noted Patt and Thos. Neill, John Neil with William Fleming, Thos Snell (their landlord), and Michael and Matthew Fleming all farming in Carrawaystick.
Griffiths Valuation of 1854 showed our immediate ancestory Henry Neil at Carrawaystick, Knockrath, Ballinacor South, Co. Wicklow, farming 75 acres along with Nicholas Neil and William Shannon. In the same townland was an Edward Neil.
A recent DNA test with Ancestry confirms me as a close relation of Nicholas Neil of Carrawaystick. Nicholas Neil might possibly be the brother of my own Henry Neil, both being closely related and contemporary with each other.
Edward Neil of Carrawaystick married Anne Grogan in Rathdrum on 26th September 1852; this was witnessed by Margaret Grogan and John Doyle. This might be the Edward Neill who was farming in Carrawaystick townland in 1854.
Kate's older brother, Patrick Neil of Carrawaystick, Rathdrum, married, in Greenane Church on 21st January 1883, Catherine Farrell of Corsilla, Rathdrum, the daughter of Bernard Farrell; the marriage registration certifcate noted that both Henry Neil and Bernard Farrell were still alive in 1883. The witnesses were Patrick Byrne and Mary Farrell. Patrick Neil and Catherine Farrell had a son, Henry, in Carrawaystick on 29th July 1885. On 24th May 1889, they also had Bernard Neile in Glenmalure; grandmother, Bridget Farrell, was present at Bernard's birth.
 |
| The House of Nicholas Neil at Carrawaystick, courtesy of his descendant (and my DNA match) Margaret Flood |
The Neill's home was situated to the left of the waterfall's base - this charming cottage would have belonged to one of their immediate neighbours in Carrawaystick townland.
The Neill's homestead was situated in the green field to the left of the red-roofed cottage - all that remains now of their house is a pile of rubble.
Nicholas Neill of Carrawaystick married Rose Byrne in Rathdrum on 28th January 1833; witnesses were James and Mary Fahy.
Son Patrick Neil was baptised on 5th June 1836 in Rathdrum - sponsors were my immediate ancestor, Henry Neil, and Mary Farrell. (Did this Mary Farrell later marry Henry Neill, I wonder?)
Mary Neil was baptised by Nicholas and Rose Neil in February 1838 but she must have died young.
A second Patrick was baptised by Nicholas and Rose Neill on 4th July 1840 in Carrawaystick - sponsors were John Hyland and Mary Doyle. The first Patrick must have died.
Mary Neil was baptised on 3rd December 1843 - her parents were of Glenamalure and the sponsors to
the baptism were James and Bridget Byrne.
On 11th July 1868, the daughter of Nicholas, Mary Neill of Clornee, married Christopher Kavanagh, the son of Mathew Kavanagh and Margaret Lambert of Drumgoff. The witnesses were Jacob Kavanagh of Carrig and the bride's sister Margaret Neil of Knockrath. In both 1901 and 1911, Mary and Christopher Kavanagh were living in Carrawaystick.
On 1st October 1846 Nicholas and Rose baptised their daughter, Sarah Neill of Glenmalure; sponsors were Bernard Farrell and Elizabeth Wall. Sarah Neill married Mathew Flood in Rathdrum on 9th October 1875. Mathew Flood was living in Ballinabarney and was the son of Patrick Flood, while Sarah was noted as living in Ballintonbay Lower at the time of the wedding. The witnesses were Sarah's younger sister, Margaret Neill, and James Kinshella.
Sarah Flood would die in Ballinabarney, Greenane, Co. Wicklow, on 12 May 1923 - a Matthew Graham was present when she died. We have a strong DNA match to her descendant, Margaret Flood, who kindly shared her black and white photo of her Nicholas Neill's home in Carrawaystick.
Margaret Neill of Carrawaystick was baptised by Nicholas and Rose on 22nd April 1851; sponsors were Thomas Neill and Elizabeth Donnelly.
On 19th January 1880 Margaret Neil of Ballintonbay married George Farrell of Killystown, the son of Bryan and Bridget Farrell. The witnesses were Mathew Farrell of Corsillagh and Eliza Byrne of Ballinabarney.
Edward Neil of Carrawaystick married Anne Grogan in Rathdrum on 26th September 1852; this was witnessed by Margaret Grogan and John Doyle. This might be the Edward Neill who was farming in Carrawaystick townland in 1854.
By 1858 he had moved north to Brockagh where, on the 5th May 1858, he and Anne Grogan baptised their son James Neille in Glendalough Church.
Edward Neill must have died at some stage between 1858 and 1865 - on 26th November 1865, the widowed Anne Neil of Laragh, daughter of Patrick Grogan, remarried. Her second husband was the shoemaker Peter Cullen of Laragh, the son of farmer Christopher Cullen. The witnesses to this second wedding were Michael Keely and Sarah Toole.
Peter Cullen and Anne Grogan had a daughter Mary Cullen on 18th November 1865.
My mother and I have numerous DNA links to the descendants of Patrick Neille and Hannah Malone. Was this Patrick the man who was recorded as farming in Carrawaystick in 1825? The multiple DNA matches confirm him as a relation of our immediate ancestor Henry O'Neill of Carrawaystick.
This Patrick Neille married Hanna Malone in Rathdrum Church on 21st June 1831; this was witnessed by John and Martha Cullen. Patrick and Hanna subsequently settled in Churches/Brockagh townland in Derrylossary parish just north of Laragh and Griffith's land survey of 1854 record Patrick farming 35 acres here.
The baptisms of the children of Patrick Neille and Hannah Malone are recorded in the Glendalough baptismal register.
Mary Neil was baptised on 29th March 1835 (sponsors were John Neill and Honora Byrne).
Thomas Neil was baptised on 3rd November 1839 (sponsored by James Doyle and Ellen Cullen).
John Neil of Churches was baptised on 3rd February 1842 (sponsored by George Neil and Elizabeth Reid).
Anne Neil of 7 Churches was baptised on 18th May 1843 (sponsored by John Byrne and Anne Doyle).
Laurence Neil of Churches was baptised on 13th August 1844 (sponsored by John and Catherine Byrne).
Peter Neil of Churches was baptised on 13th January in the famine year of 1847.
Martin Neil of Churches was baptised on 2nd July 1848.
Hannah Neil was baptised on 20th January 1850 (sponsored by Joseph and Anne Malone).
Francis Neil of Brockagh was baptised on 2nd April 1853 (sponsored by James and Mary Farrell).
On 6th November 1865 in Glendalough parish, James Neill of Brockagh, son of the farmer Patrick Neill, married Jane Mahon of Knockfin, the daughter of Richard Mahan. The Roundwood parish register name Jane's parents as Richard Mahan and Elizabeth Doyle. James Neill and Jane Mahon had a daugher, Elizabeth Neill, in Rathnew on 20th August 1870. They also had a daughter, JaneNeil, in Rathnew on 21st January 1876 - James was named as a publican when they registered the birth of their daughter.
DNA links us once again to Patrick O'Neill who had been born in 1868 to James Neill Ison of Patrick Neill of Brockagh) and Jane Mahon and who emigrated in 1884 to New York and then to Pennsylvannia where the 1910 census recorded him working as a miner. He had married Mary Martin on 8th April 1896 in Manhattan before having children in Pennsylvania, amongst them Richard O'Neill who was born there in 1904 and whose descendant is a DNA match to myself and to my mother.
Yet another DNA match links us to John O'Neill who had been born in Co. Wicklow in about 1798 and who married Honor Keating. This couple baptised a son, Thomas Andrew O'Neill, on 24th February 1868 in Rathdrum parish, before emigrating to Baltimore, Maryland.
Thomas Neil of Brockagh, the son of farmer Patrick Neil and Hannah Malone, was a shoemaker who married Anne Nolan, the daughter of James Nolan, on 24th July 1866 - this was sponsored by the groom's brother, Peter Neil, and by Eliza Nolan. My mother and I match strongly with US-based descendants of this couple.
Their children was also baptised in Glendalough church and the records survive and are free to view online via the National Library of Ireland's website.
The children of Thomas Neil and Anne Nolan were:
John Neill was born in Brockagh on 20th March 1867 - sponsors were Michael and Bridget Nolan.
Patrick Neill was born on 8th June 1868 - sponsors were Francis Neil (the baby's uncle who had been born in 1853?) and Elizabeth Nolan.
Hannah/Joanna Neill was born on 8th July 1869 - she was sponsored by her paternal grandparents Patrick and Hannah Neill.
Maria Neill was born on 9th January 1871 and was sponsored by Michael Nolan and Maria Neill (was this our immediate ancestor who was the wife of Henry Neill of Carrawaystick?)
James Neill was born 25th March 1872.
My mother's paternal grandparents were Willis Williams and Kate O'Neill. Kate's parents, Henry and Maria Neill married in Rathdrum Church on 1st October 1855; the witnesses were Thomas and Elizabeth Neil.
The children of Henry and Maria Neil were christened in Rathdrum.
The children of Henry and Maria Neil were christened in Rathdrum.
- Patrick Neil was born on 17th March 1856 and baptised on the 19th; the sponsor was James Neill.
- Our great grandmother, Catherine Neil was born on 29th August 1858 and baptised on 1st September; her sponsors at the baptism in Rathdrum were John and Catherine Fleming.
- Maria Neil was born to Henry and Maria on 15th May 1860 and was baptised on the 19th; she was sponsored by Pat Nolan and Elizabeth Neil.
- Thomas Neil was born on 19th September 1862 and baptised on 23rd september 1862; the sponsors were John Byrne and Martha Fleming.
Kate's older brother, Patrick Neil of Carrawaystick, Rathdrum, married, in Greenane Church on 21st January 1883, Catherine Farrell of Corsilla, Rathdrum, the daughter of Bernard Farrell; the marriage registration certifcate noted that both Henry Neil and Bernard Farrell were still alive in 1883. The witnesses were Patrick Byrne and Mary Farrell. Patrick Neil and Catherine Farrell had a son, Henry, in Carrawaystick on 29th July 1885. On 24th May 1889, they also had Bernard Neile in Glenmalure; grandmother, Bridget Farrell, was present at Bernard's birth.
The Farrell Family of Corrasillagh:
The Farrell family of Corsilla/Corrasillagh in Rathdrum recur in this Neill genealogy. Henry Neil's son, Patrick Neil of Carrawaystick, as already noted, married Catherine Farrell in 1883. She was the daughter of Bernard Farrell - a Bernard Farrell had earlier witnessed the baptism of Sarah Neil, the daughter of Nicholas and Rose Neil of Carrawaystick in 1846.
A Bernard Farrell of Corrasillagh, who was married to Bridget Byrne, baptised three children in Rathdrum - Maria Farrell was born on 20th August 1864, Bridget on 2nd June 1866 and Bernard Farrell on 3rd June 1874.
Another Bernard Farrell of Corrasillagh, the son of James Farrell and Mary Byrne, married Ellen Byrne, the daughter of Michael and Bridget Byrne of Clohernagh, on 22nd June 1876. Was this second Bernard Farrell a cousin of the first one?
On 14th December 1851, James and Mary Farrell of Corasilla baptised their son, James Farrell, in Rathdrum.
On 10th January 1873, George Farrell, the son of George Farrell and Maria Case (?), married Susanna Mernagh, the daughter of Michael Mernagh and Susannah Kennedy.
The children of Kate O'Neill and Willis Creighton Williams were as follows:
Willis Creighton Williams II, born circa 1875?
David Creighton Williams, born Everton, Liverpool on 31st May 1882.
Eveline Nina (Dolly), born June 1883.
Gerald O'Moore Williams, born circa 1884 - 1885.
Jessie Muriel, born 25th April 1886; she died 25 days later.
Kathleen Willis, born circa 1887 - 1888.
Richard, born May 1889. (Our maternal grandfather.)
Eliza Willis (Lil), born July 1890.
Muriel, born 11th September 1891.
John, born circa 1892 - 1893.
George Willis, born circa 1899 - 1900.
Willis Creighton Williams II, who the children regarded as their older brother and who died of typhoid fever aged 25. It is believed by earlier members of my mother's family that Willis had been adopted at an early age by Willis and Kate. I have no idea if this is true or not. It appears that he had been born about 1875 - 6, several years before his parents' marriage although this in itself doesn't signify adoption. His date of birth was worked out from information on his death certificate and it's important to state that few people at this time actually knew what their real date of birth was. Whatever his date of birth, he bears a striking resemblance in the above photo to one of our maternal Williams uncles. Perhaps he had been born prior to the marriage of his parents, which might explain why Willis and Kate hadn't married at home in Dublin; alternatively, he may have been born to one of his paternal or maternal aunts and have been adopted later by Willis and Kate. I can find no record of his birth, but the 1901 Census states that he'd been born in England somewhere.
The younger Willis Creighton Williams worked in the Bank of Ireland in Limerick and then in Dublin, as did so many members of the Williams family. (My grandfather Richard Williams also worked for the bank as did his brothers John, David Creighton and Gerald O'Moore. On the 1911 census, they describe themselves as 'gentlemen' bank officials.) He was an enthusiastic musician and taught music; it is said he used a dummy piano to practice on.
The 'Dublin Daily Express' of 27th August 1894 noted W. Creighton Williams as Registrar of Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. This job concerned finance rather than medicine, and this would be an appropriate position for a bank clerk. This W. Creighton Williams was either the son, born 1875, or the father.
Later, the 'Dublin Daily Express' of 21st December 1898 reported that the London College of Music had held its Dublin exams in Molesworth Hall, Dublin, and that, in its senior section, W. Creighton Williams Junior, a pupil of W. Creighton Williams, had received an Honour. In the elementary section were pupils of Miss Bolton, Miss Williams and Miss Creighton, relations who ran a school, Kenmare House in North Great Georges Street.
In 1901 Willis Creighton Williams Junior was a boarder at 16 McMahon Street and, interestingly, gave his religion as Church of Ireland - the rest of his immediate family were Plymouth Brethren baptists. He died, aged 25, on 26th September 1901 in the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, of typhoid fever and is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.
The Williams family were staunch members of Merrion Hall, the meeting place in Merrion Square of the Dublin Plymouth Brethren. Although Kate O'Neill had most likely converted from Catholicism, she was remembered as a mother who was keen on teaching the bible to her children. The family would walk from their home in Sandyford to attend religious services in Merrion Hall, now the Davenport Hotel.
In 1910, the family were living at 50 Park Avenue, Sandymount. On the 1911 Census, under 'occupation', Willis described his profession as 'gentleman bank official', while the working boys were described as gentlemen clerks etc.
Kate O'Neill died at home - 38 Grosvenor Square - from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis on 17th February 1920, aged about 60 or 61.
After his wife's death, Willis Creighton Williams continued to live on at the family home along with several of his unmarried children, but eventually succombed to senile dementia and ended his days in a nursing home called 'Bloomfield' in Donnybrook. He died on 22nd October 1932, aged about 75 or 76. He is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery:
'Family Burial Place of Willis Creighton Williams
Jessie Muriel Williams (Junr) died 20th May 1886
Willis Creighton Williams (Junr) died 26th September 1901
Emily Williams died 8th October 1914
Kate Williams died 17th February 1920
Willis Creighton Williams died 22nd October 1932
John Williams Killed in France October 1918'
Kate's father, Henry Neil/Neill/O'Neill of Carrawaystick, was charged in the Petty Courts on 4th May 1882 with refusal to pay the Guardians of the Poor of the Rathdown Union for seed. He made no appearance and I can find no further record of him online.
Kate's brother, Patrick Neil of Carrawaystick, was later charged on 29th November 1883, with poaching a rabbit on the Clohernagh property of Michael Farrell. Following the birth of Patrick's son, Bernard, in 1889, I can no further record of this family either.
The children of Kate O'Neill and Willis Creighton Williams were as follows:
Willis Creighton Williams II, born circa 1875?
David Creighton Williams, born Everton, Liverpool on 31st May 1882.
Eveline Nina (Dolly), born June 1883.
Gerald O'Moore Williams, born circa 1884 - 1885.
Jessie Muriel, born 25th April 1886; she died 25 days later.
Kathleen Willis, born circa 1887 - 1888.
Richard, born May 1889. (Our maternal grandfather.)
Eliza Willis (Lil), born July 1890.
Muriel, born 11th September 1891.
John, born circa 1892 - 1893.
George Willis, born circa 1899 - 1900.
Willis Creighton Williams II, who the children regarded as their older brother and who died of typhoid fever aged 25. It is believed by earlier members of my mother's family that Willis had been adopted at an early age by Willis and Kate. I have no idea if this is true or not. It appears that he had been born about 1875 - 6, several years before his parents' marriage although this in itself doesn't signify adoption. His date of birth was worked out from information on his death certificate and it's important to state that few people at this time actually knew what their real date of birth was. Whatever his date of birth, he bears a striking resemblance in the above photo to one of our maternal Williams uncles. Perhaps he had been born prior to the marriage of his parents, which might explain why Willis and Kate hadn't married at home in Dublin; alternatively, he may have been born to one of his paternal or maternal aunts and have been adopted later by Willis and Kate. I can find no record of his birth, but the 1901 Census states that he'd been born in England somewhere.
The younger Willis Creighton Williams worked in the Bank of Ireland in Limerick and then in Dublin, as did so many members of the Williams family. (My grandfather Richard Williams also worked for the bank as did his brothers John, David Creighton and Gerald O'Moore. On the 1911 census, they describe themselves as 'gentlemen' bank officials.) He was an enthusiastic musician and taught music; it is said he used a dummy piano to practice on.
The 'Dublin Daily Express' of 27th August 1894 noted W. Creighton Williams as Registrar of Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital. This job concerned finance rather than medicine, and this would be an appropriate position for a bank clerk. This W. Creighton Williams was either the son, born 1875, or the father.
Later, the 'Dublin Daily Express' of 21st December 1898 reported that the London College of Music had held its Dublin exams in Molesworth Hall, Dublin, and that, in its senior section, W. Creighton Williams Junior, a pupil of W. Creighton Williams, had received an Honour. In the elementary section were pupils of Miss Bolton, Miss Williams and Miss Creighton, relations who ran a school, Kenmare House in North Great Georges Street.
In 1901 Willis Creighton Williams Junior was a boarder at 16 McMahon Street and, interestingly, gave his religion as Church of Ireland - the rest of his immediate family were Plymouth Brethren baptists. He died, aged 25, on 26th September 1901 in the Adelaide Hospital, Dublin, of typhoid fever and is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery.
The Williams family were staunch members of Merrion Hall, the meeting place in Merrion Square of the Dublin Plymouth Brethren. Although Kate O'Neill had most likely converted from Catholicism, she was remembered as a mother who was keen on teaching the bible to her children. The family would walk from their home in Sandyford to attend religious services in Merrion Hall, now the Davenport Hotel.
In 1910, the family were living at 50 Park Avenue, Sandymount. On the 1911 Census, under 'occupation', Willis described his profession as 'gentleman bank official', while the working boys were described as gentlemen clerks etc.
Kate O'Neill died at home - 38 Grosvenor Square - from chronic pulmonary tuberculosis on 17th February 1920, aged about 60 or 61.
After his wife's death, Willis Creighton Williams continued to live on at the family home along with several of his unmarried children, but eventually succombed to senile dementia and ended his days in a nursing home called 'Bloomfield' in Donnybrook. He died on 22nd October 1932, aged about 75 or 76. He is buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery:
'Family Burial Place of Willis Creighton Williams
Jessie Muriel Williams (Junr) died 20th May 1886
Willis Creighton Williams (Junr) died 26th September 1901
Emily Williams died 8th October 1914
Kate Williams died 17th February 1920
Willis Creighton Williams died 22nd October 1932
John Williams Killed in France October 1918'
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.