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William W Irish
Family tree▼ (edit)
m. 21 Sep 1806
(edit)
m. Bet 1850 and 1855
Facts and Events
Born May 14, 1834 in Fort Ann, Washington, New York to Amos Irish and Vina Harris of Fort Ann. His parentage is confirmed by a Marriage Record filed in Lapeer County on 10 Aug 1901 where he lists the names of his parents. (The book, Descendants of John Irish, The Immigrant, lists his parents as David Irish and Sally Phelps, but we now know that is incorrect) He married Henrietta Phelps, daughter of Reuben Gibson Phelps and Mary Crossett of Fort Ann in Kingsbury, Washington, New York by 1857. On his military pension application paperwork he listed this date as 1842, which is obviously incorrect, as he would have been only 8 at the time. In the 1850 Census he was living with Amos and Vina Irish without a wife. So perhaps he meant 1852. His first child was born abt May 1855. (Albert on the 6/13/1855 New York State Census for Fort Ann as 1 month old; apparently died young, does not appear on any future census) On the 1855 New York State Census for Fort Ann he and Henrietta are living with his parents, Amos and Vina. By the 1860 census he and Henrietta are living within a few households of his in-laws, Reuben G and Mary Phelps in Davison, Genesee, Michigan. On 12/14/1861 he is living in Fairgrove, Tuscola, Michigan where is listed on the Tuscola County marriage record of Henrietta’s aunt Sarah Rebecca Phelps; “I do hereby certify that on the fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty one at the house of William Irish in the Township of Fairgrove Joseph O. Shultz aged twenty three and Sarah R Phelps aged sixteen years both of the Township of Fairgrove” On 22 Aug 1864 William Irish joined the 29th Michigan Infantry to serve in the War of the Rebellion. He was a private stationed in Cowan, Tennessee. After prolonged exposure to an ice storm, while guarding a railroad bridge, he fell ill and spent the rest of his life with lung and digestive problems. He was discharged from the Army for medical reasons on 06 Sep 1865. On the 1870 and 1880 census he is still living in Fairgrove with Henrietta. His wife, Henrietta died, 5 Oct 1887. Her gravestone which is next to Williams in Moreland Cemetery in Fairgrove, Tuscola, Michigan says; “Henriette Wife of Wm. Irish Jan 28, 1835-Oct 5 1887”. On the 1900 Census he is living in Ellington, Tuscola, Michigan with his daughter Sophronia. William remarried 10 Aug 1901 to Laura Murna, daughter of Julius Balwin and Lucinda Pierce, both of NY . She died about 1906-1907. We know no more about her. It is on this Lapeer County Marriage record where we find our only known record of his parents names. On the 1910 census he is living in Almer, Tuscola, Michigan with his daughter Sophronia. He died on 14 July 1913 in Caro where he was living with his daughter Ida. His gravestone in Moreland Cemetery, Fairgrove reads; “William Irish Pvt 29th Mich Inf July 14, 1915”. The year on the gravestone is obviously incorrect as his military pension records clearly show he died 7/14/1913, the Tuscola County death ledger shows 7/14/1913 and a probate file was opened in Tuscola County on 8/14/1914. Willis Irish in his book has William married to Polly by 1855 and only marrying Henrietta, his housekeeper after Polly dies. That is incorrect. His military pension file shows he married Henrietta Phelps in Kingsbury, New York. We have Tuscola County birth records for two of their children, Mary and Ida which both show Henrietta as the mother. We have the marriage record for his son Alfred which also shows Henrietta as the mother. A form to obtain burial reimbursement from the bureau of pensions filed by his son-in-law after his death lists Henrietta as his first wife and Mrs. Murna as his second wife. The wives are numbered first and second and Polly is not mentioned. The 1855 New York state census lists Polly as a child of Amos. It is obvious that Polly is a sister to William. William’s date of birth varies from 1830 to 1834 on the census records. He also supplied at least 3 different years of birth during his pension application process. The bureau of pensions finally accepted 1832 as correct. This would conflict with the 1850 census by two years, which is the earliest census record where his age is listed. (P130) Civil War Pension File- NARA 2/15/1909 affidavit of William Irish- I make the following declaration, to correct a statement made by me on March 3, 1907 in which I stated I was 77 years of age born May 14, 1829. That was an error. I was born May 14, 1832 and am past 76 years of age. There is no record public or private of my (birth). (Ever) since I could remember I knew my birthday was May 14 and that I was born in 1832. My memory is not as good as when I was younger and when making the statement called on gave 1829 when I should have said 1832 which I am positive is the correct date. Signed with his mark (Note: we know from census info that neither William or Henrietta could read or write) Witnessed by N E Tallmadge John Abell Notes:(Nathaniel E Tallmadge is the husband of his daughter Sophronia Irish) (John Abell is the husband of his daughter Ida Irish) It should be noted that age has a bearing on the amount of pension paid. At age 62, age 70 and age 75 the rates go up. So there is an incentive for the pensioner to pad his age. William Irish’s earliest age record would be the Oct 1850 census where he was listed as 16. That would translate to a year of birth of 1834, which would make him younger and pay him less pension money. The book “The Descendants of John Irish” lists him at 1834. A listing of census dates, ages and translated years of birth recorded before the pension application is as follows: Oct 1850 Census 16 1834 August 1860 Census 28 1832 June 1870 Census 39 1831 June 1880 Census 50 1830 So it would seem that every 10 years he aged 11 or 12 years! I would say that as the years went by he probably forgot his year of birth and the earlier entries listed are more likely to be correct. 1834, which was the earliest entry used would probably have the most likelihood of being correct. The Tuscola County Birth Ledger entry for his daughter Mary Udora Irish lists William and Henrietta as both being born in Fort Ann, New York. The other birth, death and marriage records only list New York. William’s military pension application lists Washington County, New York as his place of birth. Children of William Irish and Henrietta Phelps: Albert b abt May 1855 apparently died young Vermilla b.1857-58 New York Alfred b. Feb 1860 Michigan m. Mary T Gelisse 19 Apr 1892 Reese, Tuscola, Michigan Julius b. 23 Apr 1861 Fairgrove d. 11 Feb 1940 Sandusky, Sanilac, Michigan m. Mary McCarthy 26 Feb 1884 Lapeer, Lapeer, Michigan Sophronia b. Mar 1868 d. 1937 m. Elias Bills 4 Jul 1883 Flint, Genesee, Michigan m. Nathaniel Eugene Tallmadge 10 Dec 1892 Lapeer, Lapeer, Michigan Mary Udora b. 19 May 1870 Fairgrove m. Alfred Ralston 4 Oct 1886 Caro, Tuscola, Michigan m. Samuel Wedge 22 Feb 1905 Bay City, Bay, Michigan Nellie (Nettie) b. Jun 1872 Fairgrove m. William E Gillett 3 Jun 1894 Grand Blanc, Genesee, Michigan Ida b. 14 Aug 1876 Fairgrove m. John Abell Sources: Tuscola County Birth Records: Ida Irish, Mary Irish Tuscola County Death Records: William Irish, Henrietta Irish Tuscola County Marriage Records: Alfred Irish, Ida Irish, Mary Irish, Sarah R Phelps Genesee County Marriage Records: Sophronia Irish, Nellie Irish Lapeer County Marriage records: Sophronia Irish, William Irish Bay County Marriage Records: Mary Irish Military Pension Records File (NARA): William Irish US Census Records: 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 Descendants of John Irish The Immigrant 1629-1963 and Families by Willis Luther Irish And Stella Bertha (Putnam) Irish 1964 Some notes on his Civil War Pension file from NARA: Verifies most of the info we already knew about William. The major exception is that nothing about his parents is stated. Added info about a 2nd wife later in life. As part of the pension process the government asked for statements from people who knew him and served with him in the army. There are 21 handwritten statements, some 3-4 pages long. The only name we have heard before is Samuel Fairbanks. Also statements from doctors paint a picture of a sickly man who had many difficulties as life went on. Amazing that he made it to 82 years of age. I find fascinating the statements from his fellow comrades in the military. In the winter of 1865 he was involved in guarding a railway bridge in Cowan, Tennessee. He was exposed to a violent sleet storm during a 6 hour guard shift. His corporeal who relieved him of guard duty said he was coated with ice. He got very sick, very bad cold, coughing and basically the rest of his life, slowly got worse. Coughing and lung problems never went away. Constant bouts of severe diarrhea throughout his life. Everyone who knew him stated that when he came back from the service he was constantly coughing. One said he came back half the man he once was. Medical conditions are catarrh and catarrah of the head, lung problems, kidney problems, partial deafness, intestinal problems. Some of the forms say 5'10" some 5'7". Weight from 115 lbs to 125 lbs. A doctor who examined him in 1885 (note-this was before Henrietta had died) stated emaciated, unable to walk around but for short distances, unable to work. More Notes: (P117-118) William Irish died July 14, 1913 per John Abell, his son-in-law, with whom he was living at the time at 214 E Goarty St (on numerous bureau records) (John Abell wrote in hand 214 E Grant St)(P99) in Caro, Mi. Buried in Moreland Cemetery. (in 1900 and 1910 he was staying with Sophronia, but in 1913 when he died he was staying with Ida). (P128, P123) (William Irish stated he was born in Washington County, New York.) (P117) 1st wife was Henrietta Phelps who died about 10/5/1888 (note: we show 10/5/1887 per cemetery record) 2nd wife was Mrs Neuezna (Neuersna?Neuerna?Neuerma?) first name unknown died about 1906 (this was per John Abell on Application for Reimbursement Form on April 18,1914)(must have been married after 1900, cause not show up on any census) (Unusual that the children did not know her first name) (P106) Married 1842 in Kingsbury, Washington County, New York. He stated never previously married. Per Pension form filled out June 4, 1898 by William Irish. Note:(obviously incorrect date, he would have been 8 at the time. Another reason why we have problems with dates) (we know from the census it would be after 1850. 1st child born 1857) (Kingsbury is just south of Fort Ann on the map) (P137) Original pension application filed May 16, 1888. (This would have been after Henrietta had died) (this appears to be the earliest form) (P6) Sept 10, 1890-pension application form-not the first application. (P12) July 27, 1888 bureau of pensions requests records from war dept (P37) Nov 27,1890-deposition of Wm Irish explaining his illness. Witness Miss Nettie Irish and James E. Hoye (James E Hoye was an employee of the Bureau of Pensions in East Saginaw.) (P97) Another document witnessed by Miss Nettie Irish. This shows us that Nettie is the going name for his daughter Nellie (who would have been 18 at the time) The two references I had earlier come up with for Nettie Irish who I believed could be William’s daughter, now I am sure that they are his daughter. (P111) casket receipt $91 How do we know that William Irish of Fairgrove Township is the son of Sally Phelps? Most of our basic information comes from the book by Willis L Irish, “Descendants of John Irish The Immigrant 1629-1963” The full contents of this book can be accessed online at: <http://lthome.com/john-irish/> According to Willis Irish, Sally Phelps married David Irish; they had 12 children and in 1837 moved to Groveland Township in Oakland County, Michigan. Eight sons and 2 daughters came with them. William was the 10th of 12 children, born 1834 in Fort Ann, New York. According to Willis Irish, William was married to Polly. They settled in Fairgrove Township and had the following children: Alfred 1862, Sophronia 1867, Mary 1870, Nellie 1873 and Ida 1876. Willis Irish notes that he later remarried to Henrietta between 1876 and 1880. We know that Willis was incorrect on the Polly marriage. A simple review of the census records for 1860, 1870 and 1880 shows William was married to Henrietta. Birth records of Ida and Mary on file with the Tuscola County clerk show Henrietta as the mother. I have not yet found birth records on the other children. The census records for 1850, 1860 and 1870 do show a Polly Irish living in the same household with William. It also shows Polly as 22 years his senior and not as his spouse. My suspicion is Polly is an older sister. Willis does list a Polly born 1832 as a child of David and Sally Irish, but to match with the census information Polly would have to have been born in 1812. Polly remains a question mark, but she very definitely was not Williams’s wife. But in spite of the Polly Irish error all of the information in Willis Irish’s book matches our William Irish. Sally’s last two children being born in 1843 and in 1846 when Sally was aged 57 and 60. Herb Phelps (a Phelps family researcher) reports that David and Sally were divorced on November 15, 1847 and that she died in Groveland Township on February 17, 1879. The 1850 Census shows David Irish married to Delilah Irish and there are no children living with them. I do not find Sally on the 1850 Census, although I do find her on the 1860 and 1870 Census living with her son Liberty B Irish. Sally is most likely the person referenced in the quintuplets story. Here is a quote from a Herb Phelps message board post: “(There was an article in the The Washington Post of March 10, 1808; "The wife of David IRISH of Westfield (Now Fort Ann, Washington Co. NY.)was delivered of five children, two sons and three daughters. They were alive when born , but died in a few hours. They altogether weighed seven pounds and five ounces." Note of this event was also made in the 1810 Census of Queensbury, Warren Co. NY.) David's wife was Sally PHELPS daughter of Norman PHELPS Sr. of Fort Ann, Washington Co. NY. born July 31, 1785 in Hebron, Tolland Co. CT. They moved to Michigan in 1837 and David & Sally were divorced on November 15, 1847. Sally died in Groveland, Oakland Co. MI on February 17, 1879” Another reference: “David Irish, with a wife and three children, was the last family listed in the 1810 census of Queenbury, Washington County, New York. At the bottom of the page, the census-taker wrote a footnote concerning David's wife as follows: 'This woman is 24 years old and has had 10 children, 5 of which were born at one and the same time.' This may be the first instance of quintuplets recorded in this country." Printed in National Genealogical Society Quarterly, June 1965, Vol. 53.” I have attached an image from the 1810 Census, with an asterisk in the David Irish column and a note below which says exactly what the above reference stated. Some more references concerning this event: The number of children caught our eye, so we looked at the family. The note is really there, and does appear to be marked for David. The Irish families living in Queensbury in 1810 are: Amos Irish Andrew Irish Benjamin Irish David Irish Jonathan Irish There is an extremely well presented website for the Irish family at: http://lthome.com/genealogy/ We copied the following information from there: Benjamin Irish Birth , 16 Mar 1749/50 , S. Kingston, Washington, RI Father , Joseph Irish, b. 20 Apr 1724, S. Kingston, Washington Co., RI Mother , Dorcas (Irish) Group Sheet , F0918 1. Andrew Irish, b. BET 1765 AND 1784 2. David Irish, b. 23 Jan 1783 3. Amos Irish, b. 1786, Amenia, Dutchess, NY 4. Jonathan Irish, b. 27 Jul 1789, Warren or Washington Co., NY This looks like the family. It should be noted that though the census says that Mrs Irish had 10 kids, only 3 are living with them. If this is true that Sally had ten children by 1810, only 1 of the children listed by Willis Irish in his book was born before 1810. That would mean 21 children!!!! With the last born at age 60. It seems only fair to ask a few questions. Was Sally really the wife who had the quintuplets? Was Sally really having children at age 60? I cannot answer the first question, but I can answer the second. Job Irish born in 1843 is listed as the 11th child in Willis’s book. He is given id# 3493 in the book. But, reviewing the book we see that Sally’s son Liberty B had a son, also in 1843, also named Job who is id#3499 in the book. It seems odd that the same name would be duplicated not only in the same generation, but in the same year by close relatives living in the same Township. We have not seen this in the family before. The census records for 1850 show only 1 Job Irish and he is living with Liberty B Irish, not David or Sally. I have found the Oakland County Death Record for Job Irish. He died January 19, 1871 at the age of 27y 11m 6d, which would give a DOB of February 3, 1843. The death record shows he was born and died in Groveland Township of consumption. It lists parents of Liberty B and Jane Irish of Michigan. Based on the above information I conclude that Willis Irish was incorrect and that child number 11 was actually a grand child, the son of Liberty B and Sarah Jane Irish. Norman Irish born in 1846 is listed as the 12th child in Willis’s book. He is given id# 3494 in the book. Willis lists the following information for Norman P: born 7-29-1846 died 9-9-1856, son of J.R. and S.J (we will see what this means, shortly) a footnote states buried in Ortonville Cemetery, Groveland Township, Oakland, Michigan. Reviewing the book we see that Liberty B Irish also had a child Norman P id# 3500 born in 1844 and died in 1915. Again, I find it odd that close relatives living close together would reuse the same name so quickly. A review of the Census records shows only one Norman Irish and he is living with Liberty J. We consult the Ortonville Cemetery Inscriptions copied by Merle Perry Jr in July of 1964. We see only one Norman buried there. The listing reads Irish, Norman P s/o LB & SJ died 9/9/1856 age 10y 1m 10d. s/o means ‘son of’ according to the books abbreviation guide. The age translates to DOB of 7/29/1846. The DOB and DOD match with Willis’s listing for Norman P, son of David and Sally. But, s/o LB & SJ means son of Liberty B and Sarah J. Willis had by some kind of typo translated LB to JR. Based on the above, I conclude that child number 12 was actually a grand child, the son of Liberty B and Sarah Jane Irish. Therefore, William was the last child of David & Sally Irish. Unfortunately his death record does not list his parents and I have no source records to show Sally as William’s mother. So for now, we must rely on Willis Irish to show William’s parentage. I have also ordered the complete Civil War pension file records of William Irish from the National Archives. We know he applied for a pension, but we do not know if he received one. If he did, there should be some interesting personal information on file. NARA (the National Archives) says 60 to 120 days to receive anything, or nothing if that is the case. References
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