James Gallagher
From MouserAncestry
Immigrant "late 18th or early 19th century"
James Gallagher was born in Ireland, County Donegal, in about 1780 or 1781. He came with his parents John and Margaret Gallagher to Butler County, Pennsylvania around the turn of the century and lived with them in Muddy Creek township for some years. He subsequently settled on a farm in what became Franklin township where he spent the rest of his life.
His first wife was Sarah "Sally" Forrester, and they had three children, the third being William H. Gallagher , born in 1822. The birth dates for children George and Margaret are not known, but if the three children were born a couple years apart, the wedding date could have been around 1816 - 1818. James would then be in his late thirties. Sally Forrester may have died at William’s birth in 1822.
James remarried no later than 1829 when daughter Nancy was born. His second wife, Mary Albright, would have been only 19 or 20 years old in 1829, while James was forty-eight. A birth date is unknown for their oldest son, John; in the 1850 census Nancy is 22, John is not listed in his parents household. If he is older than his sister Nancy, born perhaps in 1827 or so, then Mary Albright would have been even younger at marriage. In any case, barely out of her teens if that old, she immediately became the step-mother of three children, the youngest of whom was seven in 1829.
(click here to read the full biography of James Gallagher)
| Date | Location | Notes | Sources | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1780[3][44] or 1781 [8] | County Donegal, Ireland | [3][4][6][8] | |
| First Marriage | To Sarah Forrester | [5] | ||
| Second Marriage | To Mary Albright | [5] | ||
| Death | 21 Feb 1863 | in Franklin Twp., Butler Co., PA | [8] | |
| Burial | Emanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery, Prospect, Franklin Twp., Butler County, PA | [8] |
Ancestry chart segment
Generation 5 Generation 6 Generation 7
+-- John Gallagher
| (176?-183?)
+-- James Gallagher --+
| (1781-1863) |
Nancy Gallagher --+ +-- Margaret [unknown]
(1828-1904) | (????-????)
+-- Mary Albright
(~1809-1884)
Sources: [5][6][7]
Children
(children with Sarah Forrester )
| Name | Gender | Date of Birth | Birthplace | Spouse | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Gallagher | M | [6] | ||||
| Margaret Gallagher | M | George Elliott | [6] | |||
| William H. Gallagher | M | expect born 1810-1815 (one son of James Gallagher is between 15-20 yrs. in 1830) |
[6] |
(children with Mary Albright)
| Name | Gender | Date of Birth | Birthplace | Spouse | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Gallagher | M | ~1825 | [5][6] | |||
| Nancy Gallagher | F | 13 Feb 1829 | PA | Lot Wilson | Direct line | [3][6] |
| James A. Gallagher | M | ~1832 | PA | died June 17,1898 on San Antone Creek, Calaveras Co., CA |
[3][6][10] | |
| Mahala Jane Gallagher | F | Feb 1834 | PA | Samuel Burnside | [3][6] | |
| Amelia Cratin Gallagher | F | 27 Oct 1835 | PA | Dinwiddie McCullough | [3][6][8] | |
| Sarah A. Gallagher | F | William Rose | [6] | |||
| Matilda E. Gallagher | F | ~1838 | PA | James Dunn | [3][4][6] | |
| Robert S. Gallagher | M | ~1840 | PA | [3][4][6] | ||
| Washington Gallagher | M | ~1842 | PA | [3] | ||
| Henry H. Gallagher | M | 10 Nov 1843 | PA | Louise [unknown] | Henry died 10 Nov 1893 | [2][3][5][8] |
| W. Harrison Gallagher | M | 1848 | Eleanor A. [unknown] | Harrison died 1936 | [9][10][11][13] | |
| Jefferson C. Gallagher/Courry T? | M | ~1852 | [4][13] |
Places of Residence
| Location | Dates | Notes | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Donegal, Ireland | born early 1780 | [3] | |
| immigrated to U.S. with parents | after 1783 | [3] | |
| Muddy Creek Twp., Butler Co. PA, with parents |
1797; -1840? | [1][3] | |
| Franklin Twp., Butler Co. PA |
1850- | [3] | |
| Muddy Creek Twp., Butler Co. PA | 1860- ? | [4] | |
| Franklin Twp., Butler Co. PA |
? - till death | [6][8] |
Photos
Gravestones at Emanuel Lutheran, Prospect
Gravestones at Prospect Presbyterian
Sources
| Ref. Num. | Description | Image of original |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1830 United States Federal Census, Muddy Creek Twp., Butler Co., PA, page 1. Census not dated. Family headed by James Gallaher: 1 male <5, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 2 females <5, 1 female 20-30. The location is logical, and ages for adults correspond well to James Gallagher, age ~50, and Mary Albright, age ~20. The children's ages correspond less well to what we expect. See "Source Notes" below. John Gallaher (in his 40's) is listed three places away. |
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| 2 | 1840 United States Federal Census, Muddy Creek Township, Butler County PA, Ancestry.com page 5. James Gallaher with males 11010001, females 212001. 1 male under 5yrs (Robert S.); 1 male 5-10 yrs (James A.); 1 male 15-20 yrs (John); 1 male 50-60 yrs (James C.); 2 females under 5yrs (Mahala J., Matilda E.); 1 female 5-10yrs (Amelia Cratin); 2 females 10-15 yrs (Nancy, (Sarah A?)); 1 female 30-40 yrs (Mary Albright). See source notes. |
 |
| 3 | 1850 United States Federal Census, Franklin Township, Butler County, PA, Page 243, lines 17-26 lists James Gallaher, 70, married to Mary Gallagher, 40. They are listed as living with eight children: daughter Nancy Gallagher, 22; son James Gallagher, 18; daughter Mahala Gallagher, 16; daughter Amelia C.[L?] Gallagher, 15; daughter Matilda Gallagher, 12; son Robert S. Gallagher, 10; son Washington Gallagher, 8; and son Henry Gallagher, 6. The elder James is listed as a farmer and as having been born in Ireland. The remainder of the family is listed as born in PA. James is listed as unable to read or write. All of the children except Nancy are listed as having been in school that year. |  |
| 4 | 1860 United States Federal Census, Muddy Creek Township, Butler County, PA, Page 14, lines 32-38 lists James Gallagher, 80, married to Mary Gallagher, 53. They are listed as living with four children: daughter Matilda Gallagher, 20; son Robert L. Gallagher, 19; son Henry L. Gallagher, 15; and son Courry T. Gallagher, 8. Also present is William Wilson, 27. James is a farmer and William is a farm laborer. Everyone was born in PA except for James, who was born in Denegal, Ireland. James cannot read or write. The children all attended school within the year. The census is dated 8 Jun 1860.
The previous entry on this census page is that of William's sister, Tamson and her husband James Cratty, Jr.. The following entry on this page is that of William's brother, Lot Wilson and his wife Nancy Gallagher (daughter of James). Thus, William is living in the home of his brother's in-laws, with his brother on one side and his sister on the other. |
 |
| 5 | 1895 History of Butler Co., PA, Brown & Co., p. 1262 John Gallagher biographical sketch: "John Gallagher, Sr., one of the pioneers of Butler county, was a native of Down county, Ireland, and settled in Muddy Creek township, late in the Eighteenth or early in the present century. ...The eldest son, James, was twice married, his first wife being Sarah Forrester, and his second, Mary Albright. He died in Muddy Creek township, as did also his brother William." | |
| 6 | 1895 History of Butler Co., PA, Brown & Co., p. 1262 James Gallagher biographical sketch: "James Gallagher", eldest son of John Gallagher, Sr., was born in Ireland, and came with his parents to Muddy Creek township, Butler county. He subsequently settled on a farm in what is now Franklin township, where the remainder of his life was spent. Mr. Gallagher was twice married... |
(Complete text James Gallagher sketch, 1895 Hist. Butler Co.) |
| 7 | 1895 History of Butler Co. PA, Brown & Co., p. 1277: "Lott Wilson... was married in 1854, to Nancy Gallagher, a daughter of James Gallagher, to which union have been born five children..." | (Complete text, Lott Wilson sketch, 1895 Hist. Butler Co. PA) |
| 8 | Gravestone transcriptions, Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Prospect, Butler Co. PA. Transcriptions 1988 from photos by H. Staiger. Gone Before, Jas. Gallagher Sr. died Feb. 21, 1863 Aged 82 years. Asleep in Jesus, Mary wife of J. Gallagher died May 21, 1884, aged 77 years. At Rest, James A. Gallagher died June 18, 1838 aged 86 yrs.
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| 9 | Gravestone transcriptions, Prospect Presbyterian Cemetery, Prospect, Franklin Twp., Butler Co. PA, June 2007 by Elizabeth Wilson Williams. *"GALLAGHER Henry H. Gallagher Nov 10, 1843 - Nov 10, 1893; Louise Gallagher Feb 20, 1851 - Feb 22, 1919" *"GALLAGHER W. Harrison 1848-1936, Eleanor A. 1848-1919". |
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| 10 | Notification of death of James A. Gallagher in Calaveras County, California June 17, 1898; via letter from attorney F. J. Solinsky to Harrison Gallagher, Esq., Prospect, Butler Co. Penn. " As I have already informed you by telegram, your brother, James A. Gallagher, died yesterday..." | Complete text |
| 11 | Butler County Cemetery Inventory Vol. 2, United Church of Prospect, Franklin Twp. Gallagher, W. Harrison born 1848, died 1936 Gallagher, Eleanor A. born 1848, died 1919. |
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| 12 | Personal correspondence from Elizabeth Wilson Williams. | N/A
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| 13 | Manuscript of John T. Wilson researched 1975-1985, including personal knowledge and interviews of McDeavitt cousins and of his aunts Stella Wimer (McNeese), Lizzy Wimer (McDeavitt), Meda Wimer (McDeavitt), and Mary Gahagan. John T. Wilson lists the children of James Gallagher and Mary Albright as
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| 15 | Personal Correspondence from Elsie C. Segura, descendant of James Gallagher through daughter Amelia Cratin Gallagher McCullough.
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Source notes
- In the 1830 census, children's ages are problematic. One male <5 yrs., is possibly son John, born ~1823, age ~7. One male age 15-20 should be one of the sons of the first marriage: George or William H. Both would have been born before ~1822 when the first child of the 2nd marriage was born, so ages older than ~8 years. One of these two sons is not enumerated here, so possibly died young. Two females under age 5 : Daughter Nancy (b. 1829) was ~age 1 yr. Daughter Sarah's birth year is unknown. Her birth order per the 1895 History of Butler County puts Sarah between John and Nancy, so on that basis her age would be between 7 yrs and 1 yr. Daughter Margaret of the 1st marriage would be older than ~ 8 years; she appears not to have been enumerated. She is listed as having a spouse, so did not die young.
Emanuel Lutheran cemetery, at Prospect, did not indicate infant or children's stones. Children of 1st wife Sarah Forrester Gallagher would likely have been buried with her; her grave has not been located. - In the 1840 census, the age of James Gallagher at 50-60 yrs. would agree with a birth year of 1780, as calculated from the 1850 and 1860 census. It disagrees with the birth year calculated from his gravestone (1781) by one year. The age of wife Mary Albright agrees with what we know, as well as the ages of the first 8 of his children with Mary Albright, given that we don't know the birth year of daughter Sarah A. Gallagher. The 3 children with his first wife Sally Forester would be in their late teens or their twenties by 1840, and their not living at home is reasonable.
- 1820 census for Muddycreek lists both James and John Gallagher and 1810 census for Muddy Creek lists two J. Gallahers with ages consistent with these individuals. The 1800 census lists a John Gallagher in Buffalo Twp. These census records do not add any other information beyond what we get from the 1830 census.
Conjecture
- When John T. Wilson researched the Gallagher family in the 1980's he listed 11 children of James Gallagher, 8 by his 2nd wife, Mary Albright. These eleven included the nine who are listed on p. 1262 of the 1895 History of Butler County, plus two more: Jefferson C. Gallagher, and Harrison Gallagher. (A twelfth child, Washington, appears on the 1850 census, but not the 1860, so may have died young.) Jefferson C. Gallagher possibly appears in the 1860 census as Courry T. (J.?), age 8. Harrison Gallagher however, has not been found in the census as a child of James Gallagher.
John T. Wilson obtained copies of the legal papers regarding the death in California of James & Mary's son James A. Gallagher. Among these is an attorney's letter addressed to Harrison Gallagher regarding the death of his "brother" James A. Gallagher. There is a gravestone for a W. Harrison Gallagher at United Church of Prospect cemetery. Perhaps W. Harrison Gallagher is the same person as William H. Gallagher, a half-brother of James A. and the rest, by James Gallagher and his first wife, Sally Forrester. Or, it is possible that W. Harrison is the same person as Henry H. Gallagher,( as possibly named for William Henry Harrison, elected U.S. President in 1841). The gravestone for W. Harrison Gallagher indicates he was born in 1848.
W. Harrison Gallagher's wife was Eleanor per their gravestone; Henry's wife was Louise per the 1895 History of Butler Co. This would argue against their being the same person. - Per the Butler County Cemetery Inventory Vol. 2, at Mt. Zion Baptist Cemetery in Franklin Twp., two graves for children of J. & M Gallagher are transcribed. "Gallagher, Hyeram G., died 07-27-1849, aged 1 yr, 2 mos, 19 days, son of J. & M. Gallagher" and "Ida Gallagher died 03-01-1875 aged 12 yrs, 11 mos and 1 day, dau of J. & M. Gallagher." The span of years between them brings the transcription accuracy into doubt. It isn't known whether they were children of James and Mary Gallagher; no one else from their family is known to be buried at Mt. Zion.
- A Crayton family, relationship presently unknown, migrated from Harford, Maryland (a township immediately NE of Baltimore) to Cambria Co. PA, then to Franklin Twp., Butler Co. PA. In Cambria Co. PA, one Joseph Crayton was born 18 April 1827, baptized 3 June 1827 at St. Michael's Loretto; sponsors were a Frances & Mary Gallagher. The Craton family is currently being researched for possible connection to the Gallagher family. See above source, Elsie Cratin Segura.
Research Wishlist
- Grave site of Sarah Forrester Gallagher; any Gallagher children who died young.
Research
- 1850 Census Prospect Borough (Franklin Twp), Butler Co. PA 7 Aug 1850, Pg. 1 (ancestry.com), line 24: John Gallaher, age 21, cabinet maker, born VA. Living with Henry (Mirvse?) age 60, cabinet maker, born Germany, & wife Mary (b. PA); also with Samuel White age 20 & Mary White age 18, both born PA. Note: This could be the son of James Gallagher. There's a slight age difference, & the VA (West Virginia?) birthplace is problematic.
