Share This:

Sarah Emma Gallaghers' Australian death certificate (c1822-1894) states she was born at Birr, as does her first criminal conviction in October 1836..Her father is stated as James Gallagher, a tailor. Sarah could read and write and was a Catholic.

The "Pigot & Co., City of Dublin and Hibernian Provincial Directory (1824)" shows James Gallagher, Tailor situated in Main street, Birr, Co Offaly (also known as Parsonstown, Kings County) – Sarahs father?

Sarah Gallagher aged 13, born Birr, a vestmaker, was convicted on 14th October 1836 of stealing 'coating', and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. Three other young women were also convicted of the same crime on the same day and received the same sentence. 
Frances Gallagher aged 18, born Birr, a vestmaker.  
Mary Ann Gallagher aged 27, born ? (looks like Hamshire??), a servant.
Cathie Rae aged 24, born Gorey, no occupation.
(source: MOUNTJOY PRISON GENERAL REGISTER FEMALE 1830-1836) 

Was Sarah in the company of her sisters? She named her first daughter Frances, her second Mary Jane.
Sarah would have been released about 14th April 1837. She would have been free for just 1 month when she was again imprisoned on 13th May 1837.  The prison records have some discrepancies, her physical description being the same but her age is stated as 15, her occupation as capmaker and her place of birth given as Frances street.
(source: DUBLIN-GRANGEGORMAN FEMALE PRISON GENERAL REGISTER 1831-1838 ).

Sarahs second conviction made the news...
                                           _ _ _.
 The Freemans Journal – July 13th 1837.
 SHOP LIFTING.
Sarah Gallagher was indicted for stealing 2 shawls, the property of Mr Thomas Walker of Grafton street..
John Gould, a shopman in Mr Walkers employment deposed that the prisoner came into the shop to make some purchases and that upon her going out he missed the shawls. He followed and searched her when he discovered the shawls concealed under her arm. The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to be transported for seven years.

I wonder if anyone can help find records of the Gallagher family of Birr. I am interested to know what became of James the tailor, and do hope to find some register of a marriage and births of the Gallagher girls. I wonder if there are any school records available of the time?

Alison

alisone

Tuesday 10th Dec 2013, 02:52PM

Message Board Replies

  • Only came across two headstones in Birr cemetery.

    Patricia Gallagher; formerly 18 high st Birr

    22/10/2004 (50)

    her children; Christopher/David/Brenda

    ======

    Brendan Gallagher; (Woodbine)

    17/2/1964 (44)

    ==================

    Jack Mc Donald

    Wednesday 11th Dec 2013, 09:07PM
  • On findmypast.ie are

    James Gallagher; Registration District Birr.

    born-1913

    James Gallagher; (as above)

    born-1928 (mothers maiden name-Molloy)

    James Gallagher; (as above)

    1943 (mothers maiden name-Hogan)

    ======================

    Jack Mc Donald

    Wednesday 11th Dec 2013, 09:26PM
  • Thank you for that information Jack.

    Although quite a difference with the time frame I have used the information to broaden the search, and have now found another convict named Bernard Gallagher who was born in Kings Co Offaly c1823. His parents being Patrick and Bridget Gallagher though. 

    He had settled not too far from Sarah Emmas residence (150km- not far in Australia, but also an area where some of her children had lived at times- and much closer than Tasmania where he was originally landed)

    There was a Bernard Gallagher noted as being in her locality in 1871, wanted by the police! I will look closer for a connection.

    Alison

    alisone

    Sunday 5th Jan 2014, 01:32PM
  • Oh, I've just realised I've misread Brendan and Bernard...

    Never mind, it seems I'm I'm doing Ok with Bernard.

    A

    alisone

    Sunday 5th Jan 2014, 01:37PM
  • I'm new to the site and find this quite interesting.

    James Gallagher bn 1913 is my great uncle, he also appears to be known as Jacob.  My grandfather grew up in High Street Birr, so the address for Patricia Gallagher is likely to be a relative.

    My grandfather is William Patrick Gallagher bn 1911 to Michael Gallagher and Bridget Delaney.  They lives is Fayles Lane and High Street with Michaels parents, Michael and Ellen.  The men were all in the armed forces.

    My grandfather left home young and immigrated to Australia after WW2.  I live in Qld Australia.

    Saturday 19th Aug 2023, 07:30AM

Post Reply