Thomas Maher

Other Events:

• Research Overview: Caplin Bay, Newfoundland
• Residence: 1855 - 1897, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Name:
This surname sometimes recorded as Meagher.

Research Overview:
Although Maher is a fairly widespread surname in Ferryland District, according to his death record Thomas Maher, who settled at Caplin Bay in the mid 1850s, was from Conception Bay. His wife, Bridget Barry, was born at Caplin Bay about 1815, according to her Vital Statistic death record. Thomas and Bridget had at least two sons, James and John. James appears to have left Caplin Bay between 1894 and 1898. John Maher, who was married with several children, also left Caplin Bay between 1904 and 1908. In the Newfoundland 1921 Census, John is shown living in St. John's West, having married for the second time.

We now know for sure that the Maher and Barry family were related but there also appears to have been a fairly close relationship, if not kinship, between these two families and (O')Briens of Caplin Bay. However, no evidence has been found that indicates the (O')Brien family were related.

Nonetheless, two O'Briens are shown as godparents at the baptism of two of John Maher's children and John Meagher is shown as the godfather of one of Michael and Bridget (O')Brien daughters in 1880. According to the late Pauline (O')Brien) Norris, at least one member of the Maher family used to visit her family's home at Calvert, long after they left there.

Residence:
Thomas is shown at Caplin Bay in the voters Lists of 1855 to 1859. He is also listed at Caplin Bay in Lovell's 1871 Directory and McAlpine's 1894-97 Directory.

Thomas married Bridget Barry Abt 1855. Bridget (daughter of Patrick Barry and Mrs. [Barry]) was born Abt 1815, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; died 31 Dec 1891, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland; was buried Abt Jan 2 1892, Holy Trinity RC Cemetery, Ferryland, Ferryland District, Newfoundland, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1921, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Birth:
John's marriage record in 1900 says he was 42. Based on the accuracy of that record he may have been born about 1857 or 1858.

Census:
Based on voters lists and directory information, it appears that John Maher left Caplin Bay between 1904 and 1908. In the 1921 Census, he was living in St. John's West - Ward 5.

1921 Newfoundland Census
256 376 MAHER John M Head Married 1860 No Entry 61 Caplin Bay
MAHER Mary Ellen F Wife Married 1870 No Entry 50 Hbr Grace
MAHER Mary F Daughter Single 1895 May 26 Caplin Bay
MAHER Mary F Adopted Child Single 1905 May 16 Ferryland

Things appear to be somewhat confused in the information recorded for this household.

1/ Although I did not find a death record for John's wife Mary Ann, it appears that John Maher/Meagher of Caplin Bay married Ellen Brennan of Ferryland in 1900. John was noted as being 42 and Ellen was noted as being 50 at that time. However, in the 1921 Census while John is noted as being 61, his wife, recorded as Mary Ellen, was still shown as being only 50 and it says she was born at Harbour Grace. (third wife??)

2/ One daughter shown as Mary F[rances], born in May 1895, was actually born in September 1889 per the Ferryland baptism records.

3/ I was unable to identify the adopted daughter also named Mary F., shown in this record as being born 1905. This entry may be valid but I was unable to verify it.

John married Mary Anne Ryan 5 Feb 1883, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Mary was born , Fermeuse, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

John married Ellen Brennan 16 Oct 1900, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland. Ellen was born 1850, Ferryland, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Residence: 1894 - 1897, Caplin Bay, Newfoundland

Notes:

Residence:
James Maher and his father, Thomas, were both listed at Caplin Bay per the 1894-1897 Business Directory. Thomas died in 1898 and there was no later entry for James since it appears that James left Caplin Bay (for St. John's) about 1894. John Maher was still listed at Caplin Bay in 1898 but it appears he too moved to St. John's between 1904 and 1908.

Buried:
James and Alice Maher, and Bridget and Thomas Crickard are all commemorated on the same headstone in Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's.

Died:
Address given as 31 Cornation St.

James married Alice Fleming 30 Nov 1895, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland. Alice was born Abt 1867, Bonavista, Newfoundland; died Bef 1921, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried Bef 1921, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Baptism: 21 Apr 1887, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 10 Sep 1889, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 22 Sep 1892, Holy Trinity RC Parish, Ferryland, Newfoundland

Notes:

Died:
The Vital Statistic death records show that a John Maher died in 1900, aged 9 years. There is no baptism record for a John Maher born in 1891/1892.We can speculate that John and Thomas were the same person, maybe known as John Thomas or Thomas John.

Other Events:

• Baptism: 26 Oct 1895, Holy Apostles Parish, (Fermeuse/Renews), Newfoundland

Other Events:

• Baptism: 23 Nov 1896, St. John's RC (Basilica) Parish, St. John's, Newfoundland
• Census: 1921, St. John's, Newfoundland

Notes:

Baptism:
Parents address was recorded as Coronation Street, St. John's.

Census:
In the 1921 Newfoundland Census, Bridget, 25, was living alone at 31 Coronation St. in St. John's. (her father had died earlier that year).

Bridget married Thomas Crickard Yes, date unknown. Thomas was born Abt 1891, St. John's, Newfoundland; died Yes, date unknown, St. John's, Newfoundland; was buried Yes, date unknown, Mount Carmel Cemetery, St. John's, Newfoundland. [Group Sheet]