Francis "Frank" Cannon (Canning) : Short Biography

Francis Cannon, later spelled Canning, was born about 1842 according to the 1911 census, whereas the 1901 census would place his birth year at 1838.

He married Catherine Farrell on February 10, 1879 in the Roman Catholic Chapel of Aughavas in the Registrars District of Carrigallen in the Union of Mohill in County Leitrim. He was shown to be a "Farmer" and his residence was shown as Drumcoura. He was the son of John Cannon, also a farmer. Francis was of full age - "a bachelor." The ceremony was performed by Rev. Eugene Carney CC and witnessed by Owen Looby and Mary Degnal. Catherine's residence at that time was shown as Drumbshanbo. Catherine was of full age - a "spinster" - who resided in Drumshanbo and was the daughter of Patrick Farrell, a farmer, who was deceased at the time of the marriage. Catherine was born about 1847 according to the census of 1911, whereas the census of 1901 would show her year of birth as 1851.

According to the 1901 census, Francis and Catherine occupied a house and land which passed from William Lauder to Francis's father, John, in 1868. This plot (29a) consisted of a “Herd’s house and land measuring 9 acres, 3 roods and 26 perches.” The plot then passed to Francis in 1884 and in 1915, it was renumbered 30AaB and became a freehold. It is assumed that Francis was able to purchase the farm under the terms of the Land Purchase Act of 1903, which initiated the greatest social revolution in Ireland since the 17th century. By providing generous inducements to landlords to sell their estates, the act effected by government mediation the transfer of landownership to the occupying tenants. George Wyndham’s 1903 statute, by applying British government funds to Irish land transfers, made the sale of smallholdings and even whole estates profitable to landlords while guaranteeing purchase terms that “peasant” tenants could meet. The purchase would have been from George Ralph Charles Ormsby-Gore, the 3rd Baron Harlech.

The census of 1911 indicates that they had a total of 9 children, of which 8 were still living. The census of 1901 lists only 6 children residing with them.

Eldest child, Sarah, was born in 1880. It is unknown why Sarah does not appear on the 1901 Census for the Canning family. Sarah emigrated to Pittsburgh, PA along with her brothers John and Michael. They departed Queenstown (Cobh) Aboard SS Baltic arriving in New York on November 24, 1904. Sarah was listed as a “servant” and her brothers listed as laborers, and they were bound for the home of a McKnight family on Summit Street, Pittsburgh, PA which was apparently the residence of the sister of Lizzy Witlow with whom they traveled. (Lizzy Witlow was the daughter of Elizabeth Farrell. Kate Farrell Canning’s sister.) By 1906, when her brother James emigrated, he shows that she resided at 55 Bawn Street in Pittsburgh, presumably as a servant. It would appear that Sarah returned to Drumcoura around 1908 and would have married and been residing with her husband, John Mc Keon by the time of the 1911 Census.

Son John, was born in 1881 and like his sister was absent from the Census of 1901. John had also emigrated to the United States in 1904, so it is also unknown why he would not have appeared on the census of 1901. Though bound for Pittsburgh with his sister Sarah and brother Michael, he was known to die in New York City in 1953.

Son James, born in 1884, also emigrated to Pittsburgh, PA in 1906. He had been sponsored by his sister Sarah at 5599 Bawn Street, and travelled to meet her there.

Son Michael, was born in 1883 and is believed would apparently be killed in WWI in approximately 1917. Though, since he too emigrated to Pittsburgh, PA in 1904, this may be unlikely unless he too returned to Drumcoura sometime after 1911 since he, too, is absent from the 1911 Census.

Sons Patrick, born in 1886 and Francis, born in 1889 would stay with the farm and it would pass to Patrick in 1932 and prior to the death of his mother, Kate in 1939.

Daughter, Mary Ellen, born in 1891 would emigrate to New York and marry Martin Rogers there.

Bridget Agnes, born in 1893 would leave for the Scotland in 1919 for a number of years where she and her husband, Frank Connolly from up the road in Drumlea would have four children. In 1928, sponsored by her sister Mary Ellen, She and Frank would leave for New York where they would raise three more children. They resided first in Manhattan, but later moved to the Bronx, where Bridget would pass away in 1953.

The youngest child, Catherine, born in 1896 died in infancy just 21 days after birth. Both her birth and death were attended by her older sister, Sarah.

Francis died on November 3, 1915 in Drumcoura. He died from Bronchitis of 9 months, His wife, was present at his death. His age was shown as 73 which supports the estimated birth year of 1842.

Apparently Catherine took an active part in running the farm after Francis’ death, certainly with the help of her sons Pat and Francis. Her granddaughter, Mary Catherine Connolly recalls riding with her in “the cart” as she took a pig into town for sale. Catherine died on January 2, 1939 at the age of 90. Her son Patrick was present at her death. Patrick would later write to his younger sister, Bridget reporting these same facts, and adding that Catherine was laid to rest in the "new cemetery" across from the church in Drumlea. According to her death certificate, and confirmed in Patrick's letter, she had suffered from "senile decay" for a year’s time and was well attended and cared for by her children during her final times.