Michael Reddigan

Michael married Catherine Whelan Abt 1863. Catherine (daughter of John Whelan and Esther Furlong) was born Abt 1843, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland; died 22 Jan 1915, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 28 Jan 1915, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
The 1921 Newfoundland Census clearly indicates that Catherine was born at Caplin Bay, Newfoundland.

Died:
The Vital Statistic record says this individual was born at Torbay. This is an error since the 1921 Census for Torbay correctly states that Catherine was born at Caplin Bay.

Catherine married William Thorne Abt 1889, Torbay, Newfoundland. William was born May 1863, Torbay, Newfoundland; died Aft 1935, Torbay, Newfoundland; was buried Aft 1935, Torbay, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
According to family lore, this Richard Reddigan was lost at sea while on a voyage. Although no record has been found to support this lore, we know he existed. He is referred to as one of the eldest sons of Michael Reddigan as named in the 1872 will of his grandfather, Richard Reddigan.

Other Events:

• Misc: Caplin Bay, Newfoundland
• Research Overview: Caplin Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Misc:
Evening Telegram (St. John's, N.L.), 1903-11-27.
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ATTACKED BY A LYNX. Last week James Power, of Caplin Bay, was attacked by a lynx while out shooting, and but for the timely arrival of John Reddigan and J. Ryan he would have been torn to pieces. It is a remarkable fact that lynx run away from people in Newfoundland except those living on the Peninsula of Avalon.

Evening Telegram (St. John's, N.L.), 1919-10-30.
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NEARLY DROWNED. During the gale, yesterday morning, Mr. Sebastian Laidwell (sic - Ledwell) was blown by the violence of the wind, into Old Woman's Pond near Caplin Bay and would have had a hard time getting out only for the timely assistance of Mr. John Reddigan who was passing.

Research Overview:
John was a fisherman/farmer all of his life, the traditional occupation for most men of Calvert of that era. He lived in the old house on the land that had been settled by his grandfather in the 1820s. In his grandfather's will of 1872, John is mentioned as one of the eldest sons of his father, Michael, and was slated as an eventual heir of a half share of the old Reddigan homestead along with his brother, Richard.

This Richard, according to family lore was lost at sea, and John's other brothers also died, except for his younger brother, (Big) Mike. Mike was only a few weeks old when his grandfather died, and was not willed any property. However, in the second decade of the 1900s, so the family story goes, John agreed to split the house and land that he had inherited into two equal parts and he gave half of it to his brother, Mike, to "keep peace in the family".

Thereafter the old duplex house was occupied for many years by both families; with John's half being occupied by his son, Tom, until his death in 1984. The old house remained standing, but in an ever declining state of disrepair, until it was eventually demolished in 2005.

Died:
There was no Newfoundland Vital Statistics death record found for John Reddigan, however the attached obituary was found in a Boston newspaper.

John married Bridget Joseph Meaney 29 Nov 1900, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Bridget (daughter of Thomas "Tom" Meaney and Mary Kennedy) was born Abt Mar 1876, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; died 26 Mar 1954, Calvert, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 28 Mar 1954, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
A story told by Tom Reddigan relates that his Uncle Jose died after a voyage to the icefields (i.e. seal hunting). Apparently he had mistakenly taken a clothes bag belonging to someone else and didn't discover this until he was at the icefields. The clothes that were in the bag didn't fit him properly and he caught a severe cold. His death certificate states he died from pulmonary tuberculosis, however it is possible that it may have been that pneumonia or the severe cold hastened his inevitable death from tuberculosis.

Other Events:

• Research Overview: Caplin Bay, Newfoundland
• Baptism: 7 Mar 1871, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Research Overview:
Mike Reddigan was the last of Michaeal and Catherine (Whelan) Reddigan's children to die. He was a big tall man and even at 91 years old, he was only slightly bent by age. It seems that in his younger days, Big Mike, as he was called to distinguish him from his cousin Mike Joe Reddigan, was well known for his pugilistic inclinations and there are a number of stories told at Calvert of his prowess.

In the early 1900s, Mike Shallow of Admiral's Cove, Fermeuse, who had moved with his family to Boston and trained as a boxer, came back to Newfoundland. He eventually became the British Heavyweight Champion. It was said that he spent some time around Calvert (his mother's birthplace) and soon learned to steer clear of Mike Reddigan. This lead someone to quip that Mike Shallow may have been the "official" British Heavyweight Champion but Mike Reddigan was the "unofficial" British Heavyweight Champion.

Another story is told of how a group of young men decided that they would - collectively - take Big Mike down a notch. So they lay in wait one dark night, by the roadside, and pounced on Mike and a companion when they came by. In the ensuing fight, Big Mike and his companion fought hard and, though outnumbered, they eventually put their attackers to flight. Mike's companion mused that since it was too dark to recognize any of their attackers, maybe they should report the incident to the constable at Ferryland and have him investigate. Big Mike's reply to this was "I'll know mine in the morning". The "mine", meaning the ones that he had hit, who undoubtedly would bear the marks of his knuckles for quite a while afterwards.

Michael married Catherine Frances "Kate" McBride 29 Nov 1916, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Catherine (daughter of John McBride and Elizabeth Bridget Ryan) was born 15 Nov 1886, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; died 1975, Calvert, Newfoundland; was buried 1975, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 31 Dec 1872, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
It appears this Alice Anne died as a child since another child with that same name was born in Dec. 1880.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 23 Jan 1875, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 31 Jan 1877, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Immigration: 1903, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Notes:

Birth:
No baptism record was found for this Alice Anne, however the birth date used here was given on her Aug 1963 application for a US Social Security Number, under the name of Alice Ann Pike. It is interesting that her parent's names were given as John (sic) Redigan and Catherine Whelan. The same error in her father's name was also made on her death certificate??

Immigration:
The manifest of the SS Silvia shows that Miss Alice Reddigan (20) and Miss C. Reddigan (18) were listed as sailing from St. John's on Nov. 14, 1903 via Halifax, NS, arriving at New York, NY on Nov. 17, 1903. The manifest indicates that their final destination was Halifax, however this was likely an error since they appear to have traveled on to New York.

Alice married Roger Joseph Pike 27 Nov 1912, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States. Roger was born 14 Feb 1870, Salmonier, Newfoundland; died 7 Apr 1941, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States; was buried Abt 9 Apr 1941, Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford, Massachusetts, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 7 Jul 1881, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
Leo appears to have died as a child.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 5 Oct 1883, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Agnes married Patrick Joseph Ryan 1 May 1905, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Patrick (son of Matthew Ryan and Margaret Hanlon) was born Abt Oct 1876, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; died 7 Sep 1939, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 9 Sep 1939, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Travel: 18 Sept 1924, New York, New York, United States
• Travel: 12 May 1927, New York, New York, United States

Notes:

Travel:
Mary was travelling with her sister "Bridget Frances", (aka Bridie) to Brooklyn, New York. Although she indicated that she was married, her husband's name was not recorded as her next of kin. Based on the 1921 Newfoundland Census, she and her husband, Thomas Reddy, were legally separated.

Travel:
Mary indicated that she was travelling to New York to do housework for Lewis Jacobson, 917 48th St., Brooklyn. On this trip she gave her point of contact in Newfoundland as Thomas Reddy, her "ex" husband.

Mary married Thomas Reddy 5 Sep 1912, Torbay, Newfoundland; divorced Before 1921, Torbay, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 7 Aug 1892, Torbay, Newfoundland
• Travel: 27 May 1926, New York, New York, United States

Notes:

Birth:
The forename recorded in the Vital Statistic records was just Joseph, but it appears this individual was known as Richard (Dick) Thorne.

Travel:
The manifest incorrectly show Richard as single, but on the supporting page it gives his next of kin in Newfoundland as Bride Thorne, his wife. His point of contact in the United States was his sister, Mary "Thorne" at 917 - 48 St., Brooklyn, New York, where she was in domestic service. There is no statement on the manifest as to why Richard traveled to the New York, and where he was staying. Although I couldn't find a record, Richard indicated he had been in the US before, for (a total of?) 7 months.

Dick Thorne did eventually return to Newfoundland and lived at Torbay (per the 1945 Newfoundland Census), with his wife and three daughters. I remember that my father mentioned meeting him at St. John's a number of times. In later years (1980s?) my father first cousin (Joseph Reddigan) lived briefly with Dick's daughters (Veronica and Kathleen) at Torbay.

Richard married Bridget "Bride" Abt 1920, Torbay, Newfoundland. Bridget was born Mar 1900, Torbay, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 26 Sep 1894, Torbay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Buried:
When Annie Maria Thorne was born on 24 September 1894, in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, her father, William Thorne, was 32 and her mother, Catherine Joseph Reddigan, was 30. She married John Samuel Butler on 6 April 1920, in Topsail, Newfoundland, Canada. They were the parents of at least 3 daughters. She lived in Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada in 1945. She died on 19 November 1968, in Foxtrap, Newfoundland, Canada, at the age of 74, and was buried in Foxtrap, Newfoundland, Canada.

Anne married John Samuel "Samuel" Butler 6 Apr 1920, Topsail, Newfoundland. John was born Abt 1896, Foxtrap, Newfoundland; died 6 Mar 1989, Foxtrap, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 8 Mar 1989, Foxtrapl, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 17 Jun 1896, Torbay, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 22 Dec 1898, Torbay, Newfoundland
• Census: 1921, St. John's, Newfoundland
• Travel: 10 Nov 1921, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Immigration: May 1922, Pleasantville, New York, United States
• Travel: 18 Sep 1924, New York, New York, United States

Notes:

Name:
It appears that the immediate family usually referred to her as Bridie but on other occasions she gave her name as Frances. Her headstone records her as Frances B.

Census:
The 1921 Newfoundland Census shows that Bridget (age 24) and her sister Clara (age 22) were both employed as housemaids in the residence of Henry Carter and his family located in the St. John's East District.

Travel:
According to Bridget's travel papers, she was destined for Montreal, Canada to "take up work as servant" for "Mrs. Philip Hood". She wasn't specific about the address of the Hood family, but stated "he is manager, branch of Bank of Montreal and will meet"[me]. Bridie's nearest relative was her "father, Wm. Thorne, Torbay, Nfld".

Immigration:
Bridie's application for admission to the United States indicates that she was traveling to New York to work as a nurse maid for Mr. H.C. McArthur, 22 Clinton St., Pleasantville. Again she gave her next of kin in Newfoundland as her father, William Thorne.

Travel:
The travel manifest is somewhat confusing. It appears two branches of the Thorne family (likely a mixture of female siblings and first cousins?) were all travelling together. From what I can decipher, Bridget was recorded by her second name Frances (spelled as Francis - (sic), even though the individual was noted as being female). Frances indicated she had been in the United States twice before.

Frances' point of contact in the United States was her aunt Mrs. Hirsch, 980 57th St, Brooklyn?? Her sister, Mary (Thorne) Reddy was also going to that same address. Mary's age is recorded incorrectly as 23, should be 33. Both show their next of kin in Newfoundland was their father, William Thorne, who lived in Tor Bay (sic - Torbay). The other three cousins? indicated their father was Richard Thorne of Tor Bay.

Bridget married Michael Joseph Crowe Abt 1925. Michael was born 20 Jul 1894, Torbay, Newfoundland; died Dec 1963, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States; was buried Dec 1963, New Bedford, Bristol, Massachusetts, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Immigration: 22 Sep 1922, New York, USA

Notes:

Immigration:
Clara arrived in the US on the S.S. Rosaland, with a companion, Edna Codner of Torbay. She indicated that her sister, Frances Thorne, had been in the USA for 3 years and was residing at 1469 - 53 Street in Brooklyn, NY.

Clara married John J. Dodd 5 May 1927, Tisbury, Dukes, Massachusetts, United States. John was born 4 Jun 1902, Torbay, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 30 May 1902, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland
• Immigration: 1940, Scotland, United Kingdom

Notes:

Immigration:
Dick was a member of the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit during WW II (Member #2239). He married in Scotland and lived there for the rest of his life.

Richard — Catherine Isabella "Kate" Mackeddie. Catherine was born 1900, Fortrose, Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom; died 18 Dec 1981, Rosemarkie, Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom; was buried Abt 20 Dec 1981, Fortrose, Ross-shire, Scotland, United Kingdom. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 17 Dec 1903, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Martin married Mary Anne Frances "Anne" Carey 1930. Mary (daughter of Thomas Joseph "Tom" Carey and Ellen Frances O' Brien) was born 8 Sep 1906, Admiral's Cove, Cape Broyle, Newfoundland; died 17 Apr 1990, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried 20 Apr 1990, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 10 Jul 1905, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 8 Nov 1906, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Mary married John Kavanagh Abt 1935, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. John (son of James "Jimmy" Kavanagh and Kathleen "Kate" Sullivan) was born 18 Nov 1911, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; died 16 Oct 1990, Calvert, Newfoundland; was buried 19 Oct 1990, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

John married Theresa M. Tobin 24 Jun 1945, Placentia, Newfoundland. Theresa was born Nov 1918, Dunville, Newfoundland; died 6 Mar 1966, Dunville, Newfoundland; was buried , Mount Carmel Cemetery, Placentia, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
Tom never married but lived alone, in the old family home, after his mother died.

Notes:

Jose never married. He served in the Royal Navy - WW II.

Notes:

Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit - WW II - Member #3545

Anthony — Yvonne Gorgerat. Yvonne was born 22 May 1954, Pembroke, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada; died 2020, Pembroke, Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Misc: 25 Aug 1967, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Misc:
Daily News - St. John's - 1967-08-25 - Page 3. Father May Sue Gov't for Harbour Dunking.
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https://collections.mun.ca/digital/collection/dailynews/id/188912/rec/11

Peter — Kathleen Shaw. Kathleen was born Abt 1933, St. John's, Newfoundland; died 8 Feb 2011, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried 11 Feb 2011, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Name:
Her immediate family usually referred to her as Mary.

Mary — Edward "Ed" Crowley. Edward was born Abt 1916, St. John's; died 28 Jun 1991, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried abt. 1 Jul 1991, Mt. Pearl, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1931, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Notes:

Residence:
Somerville High School 1931 Year Book - Page 150 - Sophomore Girls Pike, Catherine F. - 51 Oxford Street

Other Events:

• Residence: 1934, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States
• Military: 1942, Somerville, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Notes:

Residence:
Somerville High School 1934 Year Book - Page 176 - Sophomore Boys Pike, Roger J. - 51 Oxford Street

Military:
US Military Service- WWII

Name: Roger J Pike JR
Birth Year: 1917
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Massachusetts
State: Massachusetts County or City: Middlesex
Enlistment Date: 1 Aug 1942
Civil Life Education: Grammar school
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 70 Weight: 151

Other Events:

• Baptism: 27 May 1905, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 17 Nov 1912, Torbay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Buried:
See: https://www.cauls.ca/obituary/4187166

Veronica — Martin Murphy. [Group Sheet]

Kathleen — Michael Tapper. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
The 1945 Newfoundland Census says Kathleen was born at St. John's - not Torbay.

Bernadette — William LeGrow. [Group Sheet]

Mary married Unknown [Group Sheet]

Cecilia married Sullivan [Group Sheet]

Clara — Herbert L. Lawton. [Group Sheet]

Theresa — Dwyer. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried:
This individual is commemorated on two stones, a family one and a military one. The birth date and death date on the military marker is obscured somewhat by grass but appears to state: MICHAEL JOSEPH CROWE PFC US ARMY - KOREA - Feb 2 1932 ----- Oct 8 2016. Other wording below the grass line.

Michael married Margaret M. Yes, date unknown. Margaret was born 1935. [Group Sheet]

Margaret married McDowell [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
On the family headstone the bottom inscription has been obscured likely by someone using a "grass rub' to try to highlight the lettering etc. Could this be for Gertrude??

Gertrude married Coucci [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
REDDIGAN Black Isle Suddenly, after a long illness bravely borne, John, Dumbrock Road, Strathblane, formerly of Rosemarkie, Cromarty and Dingwall, 75 years, retired baker, licensee manager, Scottish & Country Artist, brother of the late Alice Sutherland and the late Donald Young. Funeral service will be held at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Huntly Street, Inverness on Wednesday, August 1, 2018. Thereafter to Fortrose & Rosemarkie cemetery.

Mary — Hilary Jesso. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Burial: 7 Feb 2019, Marche's Point, Newfoundland

Bernard — Rona March. Rona was born , Cape St. George, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Mary — Peter James Oliver. Peter was born Abt 1939, St. John's, Newfoundland; died 20 Jul 2007, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried 24 Jul 2007, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Kevin — Elsie Elizabeth Burry. [Group Sheet]

Raymond — Esther Curran. [Group Sheet]

Eileen married Raymond Crane (son of Patrick Joseph "Paddy" Crane and Mary O'Toole) [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
Obituary - June 17, 1947 - October 19, 2020

In deep sadness, the family of the late Rita Power (nee Reddigan) announces her sudden passing at the Health Sciences Centre in St.John's, Newfoundland, at the age of 73.

Born in Dunville, Newfoundland, Rita is predeceased by her parents, Theresa (Tobin) Reddigan and John Reddigan.

Leaving to mourn are her husband of 51 years, Derm, her children, Leigh Anne (David) of Gander, Garry of St. John's and Christopher (Kelly) of Mount Pearl. Also missing their Nana are her beloved grandchildren, Claire, Colin, Jane and Joel.

Rita was a devoted friend, sister, volunteer and advocate. She leaves behind sisters Joan, Marilyn, Linda and Maureen, brothers Adrian (Kelly), Jerry and Norman (Pat). Her friends were numerous and dear, especially the sister of her heart, Lucy.

The many dozens of nieces, nephews, in-laws and cousins she leaves behind will carry away memories of fun, hospitality and homemade bread.

Rita was known to all as a woman who spoke the truth, helped where she could and was in many ways larger than life.

Visitation will take place at Maher's Funeral Home in Placentia on Thursday, October 22 from 7-9 and Friday, October 23 from 11:00-1:30.

Colleen — Denis Lauzon. [Group Sheet]

Mary-Ann — Mr. Foster. [Group Sheet]