Harneys from Kill Parish County Waterford

Searching for information on my immigrant ancestors to the United States in 1864, Thomas Harney and Margaret O'Brien. Thomas was born about 1841, from Kill Parish in County Waterford and worked in the Textile Mill in Port Law, County Waterford before moving to Stalybridge, Lancashire, UK to work in the Cotton Factories there. He married there Margaret O'Brien (Bryan) daughter of Mathew and Sarah O'Brien (Bryan) born 1843 in Tipperary County, Ireland. Mathew O'Brien formerly worked also at the Textile Mill in Port Law, County Waterford.

Thomas Harney was the son of Thomas  and Bridget (O'Brien) Harney. His father Thomas Harny was believed to be a tailor who travelled around the area to make clothing for folks while put up in their homes till finished.

Thomas Harney and his wife Margaret appear in the 1861 UK census living at 3 Catherine Lane, Stalybridge, Cherchire County, Civil Parish of Dukenfield, Ecalesiatrical Parish of St John, Registration District Ashton Under Lyme. At that time he is listed as age 20 and Margaret is age 19 and they have a son James, age 6 months who was born in Cheshire, Stalybridge.Thomas' occupation is listed as Cotton Card Stripper.  It appears also in the 1861 UK Census that Thomas' mother Bridget Harney is listed also at 3 Catherine Street as head of household, as widow, age 48 (ba 1813) working as a ?Throttle Spinner Cotton Mill. also living with her is a daughter Bridget, Age 29, same occupation, a daughter Ann, age 22, same occupation and a daughter Ellen, age 18, occupation ???? Winder Cotton Mill. There is a lodger there, age 7 by nmae of John andrew, occupation Cotton Pieces in Cotton Mill.

Thomas Harney and his wife and son emigrated to the United States from England in 1864, probably due to the Cotton Famine experienced there as a result of the American Civil War cutting off the supply of cotton from Southern US plantations. His sisters Ann and Ellen also emigrated to the US probably at that time. It is unknown if his mother emigrated to the US and may have died there in the UK.

Also in the 1861 census, for Stalybridge, UK, is his In-Laws Mathew Bryan, head age 40, Cotton Factory Hand and his wife Sarah, age 35, Housekeeper and their son Patrick, age 7, Cotton factory hand. It is believed that they also emigrated at the same time. All are listed in the census as born in Ireland except for Thomas' son James who was born in Stalybridge.

Upon emigrating to the United States they lived in Easthampton, Massachuesetts where they worked in the Textile Mills there. Thomas Harney's wife Margaret (O'Brien) was to die in Easthampton Massachusetts in 1887 whereupon he moved with his children to New ebdford, Massachusetts which at that time had become one of the largest Tectile Maufacturing Cities in teh United States. He was to die on 15 Dec 1897 in New Bedford, Massachusetts and be buried with his wife un Northhampton Catholic Cemetery.

Thomas and Margaret Harney were to have another son, John J Harney, born on 3 Sep 1862 in Stalybridge UK and 8 other children (4 boys and 4 girls) born in Easthampton, Masachuesetts. Among their children was my grandmother Mary Elizabeth Harney who married a John Francis Mc Donnell, 29 Jan 1895, in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

I would very much like to establish further information on Thomas Harney and his parents Thomas and Bridget Harney and their location in Kill Parish, County Waterford. I would also like to extend the line back from Thomas and Bridget (O'Brien) Harney.

Thank you,

John Donnell Bowen

613 Chichester Lane

Silver Spring MD 20904