BRIDGET DONOGHUE 1844 : Short Biography

Bridget Donoghue born 1844 was the daughter of James Donoghue (1800-1859) and Mary Murphy (1814-1866)

of Ballynabloun,The Glen(St Finian's Bay) Co. Kerry.She was a sibling of Mary(Mrs Sullivan) b1835, Joseph b1850

and Patrick b1853.Bridget's father died tragically in Nov.1859 and left Mary with no adult to run the farm.It was

decided that Bridget would marry Daniel O'Connell in Feb.1860 and he came as a climhain isteach to Ballynabloun.

He and Bridget ran the farm for a few years with Mary her mother.In June 1864 Daniel decided to join his brother

in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and landed in July 1864.

Three months  later Bridget left for America with two small children,Bridget aged 2yrs and John aged one.

They emigrated on The Hecla and arrived at Castle Gardens, New York on October 19th 1864,.Bridget had

another long journey before she reached Johnstown,Cambria,Pennsylvania where  Daniel had settled.Bridget

and Daniel had six more children in Johnstown and the family can be found in the census of 1870,1880. 1900 and 1910.

John and Catherine(number 1) died young.Daniel and Bridget did well in the U.S.Daniel left a will  in1910. He  left 500 dollars each

to James and Patrick(sons) and three hundred dollars each to Bridget,Catherine, Mary and Annie (daughters) and the rest to his wife Bridget.

Bridget herself died on July 17th 1913 and is buried with her husband and family. A brave and strong woman who worked hard on both sides of The

Atlantic.May she rest in peace.