Philip Keough

Other Events:

• Special Note: 1884, Ferryland, Newfoundland; Bravery Award

Notes:

Special Note:
Philip Keough is best remembered for his bravery in rescuing the crew of a ship from a dangerous reef near the lighthouse at Ferryland Head. He had been appointed Assistant Keeper shortly after the construction of the lighthouse in the early 1870s. On August 4, 1883, the Scandinavian ship, Octavia ran ashore on the reef during heavy seas. The ship's crew managed to get a rope ashore which was secured to a cliff by Keough. Philip, with a another line around his body, then entered the surf and assisted the crew of nine men to safe ground. During the rescue, Philip Keough put himself in grave danger, after the shore rope snapped and the boatswain of the ship was thrown into the sea. Keough "without hesitation plunged in again and at great risk rescued him". On April 2, 1884, Philip Keough was awarded a silver medal and a citation by Chief Justice Sir Frederick B.T. Carter on behalf of the Royal Humane Society. According to family sources, these awards are in the possession of Philip's grandsons (the sons of James Joseph Keough).

While the outcome of this event was a happy one, tragically Philip was beset with great sorrow in the years preceding his memorable feat. In 1878, he lost four of his children in a diphtheria epidemic. He lost two more of his children in 1881 and 1882, again probably to diphtheria.

Philip — Ellen Murphy. Ellen was born Abt 1838, Ferryland, Newfoundland; died 17 Sep 1893, Ferryland, Newfoundland; was buried Abt 19 Sep 1893, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

According to some family sources, this son was lost at sea about 1898. To date details of this person have not been found in any of the records or newspapers.

Notes:

This daughter could not be found in any of the records. According to family sources, she never married and inherited the Keough property at Ferryland.

Notes:

Died:
The headstone says she died on 22 October 1878 and that she was 10 years old, which appears to be the correct age, however, there appears to be some confusion over this child's age in the St. John's newspapers. The record in the Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1810-1890) shows - DEATH 20 October 1878 - Mary Ann Keough - aged "1 yr". Parents shown as Philip and Ellen Keough. Her father was the lighthouse keeper at Ferryland.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 13 Aug 1871, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 16 Oct 1873, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1810-1890) - DEATH 27 Oct 1878 - Nicholas Keough - aged 5 yr. Parents shown as Philip and Ellen Keough, Father was the lighthouse keeper at Ferryland.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 9 Dec 1875, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
The headstone states that the twins Mary Catherine & John Thomas, died 3 November 1878; age 3 yrs. However, the date of death for Catherine was given as 27 October 1878 in the St. John's newspapers.

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1810-1890) - DEATH 27 October 1878 - Catherine Keough - aged 3 yr. Parents shown as Philip and Ellen Keough. Father was the lighthouse keeper at Ferryland.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 9 Dec 1875, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
The headstone states that the twins Mary Catherine & John Thomas, died 3 November 1878; age 3 yrs. However John Thomas was reported to have died on the 29 October 1878 and his age was transcribed as 8 years (which was incorrect).

Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1810-1890) - DEATH 29 October 1878 - John Thomas Keough - aged 8 yr. Parents shown as Philip and Ellen Keough. Father was the lighthouse keeper at Ferryland.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 21 Sep 1878, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland
• Immigration: 1911, New York, Kings, New York, United States

Notes:

Name:
Surname is generally spelled Kehoe in USA records.

Immigration:
According to family sources, Jim Keough emigrated to New York in 1911 where he founded a tug boat company. His sons Martin and Clayton continued to run this business.

James married Jessica L. Memmo 29 Nov 1917, Brandon, Rutland, Vermont, United States. Jessica was born Oct 1889, Leicester, Addison, Vermont, United States; died Apr 1971, Brandon, Rutland, Vermont, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 13 May 1881, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
Births, Deaths, Marriages in Newfoundland Newspapers (1810-1890) - DEATH 8 January 1882 - John "Joseph" Kough - Lighthouse, Ferryland, Newfoundland - aged 8 yrs. 2 mos. Parents given as Philip and Ellen Kough.

My conclusion is that this obit was very likely for John "Stanislaus" Kough whose death date was transcribed as 8 "Jun" 1882 - age 8 mos. There is no record for a John Joseph for this couple in the Holy Trinity RC Parish baptisms.

Martin married Florence Marie Martin Bef 1940; divorced Bef 1960. Florence was born 19 Apr 1917, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States; died 29 Nov 1990, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
According to information on Find-A-Grave website, George's biological parents were Mona (Cross) Bissette and Louis Wasner.