Thomas Shea : Short Biography

References

Thomas Shea 1835

Dromod (Kerry) Caher (Kerry) County Kerry

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Thomas Shea was the son of Michael Shea. According to History of the Catholic Church in Indiana he was born 23 December 1834 "near Waterville, County Kerry. Recent information from Griffith's Valuations indicates that Michael Shea, Thomas's father, occupied Lot 8 of Breahig Townland, Dromod Parish, from the early 1830s so it may be the birthplace of Thomas. It is very close to Waterville.

He and his brother James emigrated to the United States, apparently following 2 of his aunts (Michael's sisters.) Michael followed and after a brief stay in Bellefontaine, Ohio, they settled in Indiana. All were blacksmiths. According to the 1900 Federal Census Thomas emigrated in 1863.

Thomas married Mary Kirby, born in Co. Kerry 15 August 1840 who was also an immigrant. They had 7 children: Julia Agnes b. 1868, Joanna b. 1870, Thomas b. 1870, James b. 1876, Tomothy b. 1878 and Mary Claudia b. 1879. A photo of Thomas Shea at age 70 appears in The Indianapolis Star newspaper for Jan 1, 1909 on the occasion of his retirement from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Additional Information
Date of Birth	23rd Dec 1835	VIEW SOURCE
Father (First Name/s and Surname)	Michael Shea

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Comments

Hi,

Is it possible that the Michael Shea (O'Shea) could be the person mentioned in this article ?:

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/115588550

- a piper who played for Daniel O'Connell (the Liberator).

I noticed a message elsewhere on web re Michael Shea having a connection to Daniel O'Connell.

August 1, 2015 at 5:03 am
My great grandfather Thomas Shea, born near Waterville, County Kerry December 23, 1835 (History of the Catholic Church in Indiana (1898) (online) is the son of Michael Shea, who, according to he same source, was born September 29, 1781, also in County Kerry. According to that source he was acquainted with Daniel O’Connell during their school years in Caherciveen. Michael married Joanna Tehan in Ireland and had 5 children, Four children as well as Michael emigrated to...etc UNQUOTE

I am seeking the link between the O'Sheas and Connors . Michael O'Shea is mentioned in the article as an uncle. Also musicians often had other trades such as these Connors , whom i I believe were mostly boot makers by trade as well as talented Irish traditional musicians.

I am happy to be contacted by email. Thanks

Catherine Connor