James (my ggrandfather) is the son of James Gillen & Margaret Thorp (Torp). The source of this information is from the Baptism Cert for James, 29 June 1841. James & Margaret were married 20 Dec 1840 in Cushendall (Parish Variants: Ardclinis, Ballygowan, Cushendall, Cushendall and Cushendun, Layde and Ardclinis). Other children of this marriage, all born Cushendall: Henry, March 1847; Rose, 1851; Ellen (?) & Tom (?). James emigrated to USA 1861 and was enlisted in the Confederate Navy, serving as the helmsman (according to family lore) aboard the CSS Virginia during the famous Civil War Battle of the Ironclads 08 Mar 1862. James & his brother Henry, who also emigrated, settled in Brooklyn, New York. They were both involved in the shipping & tugboat industries. James married Johanna O'Brien (06 Jan 1842 from Enniskeane, County Cork, Parish Darara).
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 21st Jun 1841 | |
| Date of Death | 15th Oct 1915 | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Margaret Thorp | |
