Delia Teevan was born on 12/26/1860 to Bernard Teevan and Bessie (Brady) Teevan of the Townland of Cullentragh, Parish of Castleterra (Castletara), in County Cavan. Bernard initially made a living as a tenant farmer, but eventually he owned his farmland. Per Griffith's Valuation, the Lessor of Bernard's farmland while the Teevans were renters was Rev. Arthur Knox.
Delia had at least 7 siblings: Thomas, born ca 1855; Catharine, ca 1857; Rose 1862; Mary, ca 1863; Andrew 1864; Annie 1867; and Bessie, ca 1870. Six of the eight siblings emigrated from Ireland to the United States living in Mobile, Alabama; Richland Center, Wisconsin; and the Boston, Massachusetts, area. Since Roman Catholic County Cavan records are missing between the years of 1809 and 1862, we have been unable to obtain documents about many vital events surrounding this family. The implementation of Irish Civil Registration in 1864 allowed us to confirm some dates for events that occurred after 1863.
Delia probably emigrated from Ireland between the years of 1869-1874 and settled in Mobile, Alabama, near the Gulf of Mexico. She may have been cared for there and mentored by an aunt who was also of Irish descent. The aunt was Margaret (McHugh) Kehoe, who immigrated to Mobile, Alabama, in the 1840s, along with several of her siblings. Margaret’s Irish county of origin has not been determined. In Margaret’s will, where she bequeathed property to Delia, Margaret refers to Delia as her niece. Due to missing Irish records, that is the only confirmation we have of the aunt-niece relationship. In the U.S., Margaret acquired wealth through astute business ventures and she mentored Delia in the millinery profession.
In the 1880s, Delia moved to the area of Richland Center, Wisconsin, and lived near Margaret’s sister, Anna (McHugh, Masterson) Bock. There Delia married Frank E. Lewis in 1886 and opened a millinery shop that prospered for 54 consecutive years with Delia or her daughter (Nellie Margaret Lewis) as proprietors. Delia also had a son, Teevan Lewis, but he died in 1890 when he was less than three years old.
The Boston, Massachusetts, area became the home of Delia’s immigrant siblings Andrew, Bessie, Catharine, Mary, and Annie. Family dynamics were such that there was minimal communication between Delia in Wisconsin and the Boston-area Teevans.
Delia died on 9/2/1932 and is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Richland Center, Wisconsin.
Despite our having learned much about Delia, she remains an enigma. She was reticent about her Irish heritage and many details of her life are still unknown.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 26th Dec 1860 | |
| Date of Death | 2nd Sep 1932 | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Bernard Teevan | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Bessie Brady | |
| Names of Siblings | Delia had at least 7 siblings: Thomas, born ca 1855; Catharine, ca 1857; Rose 1862; Mary, ca 1863; Andrew 1864; Annie 1867; and Bessie, ca 1870. | |
| Place & Date of Marriage | Keyesville, Wisconsin USA, October 6, 1886, to Frank E. Lewis | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Frank E. Lewis | |
Just in case it is helpful to your research, Delia is a nickname for Bridget.
A baptismal record for Delia's sister follows.
Name:Anne TeevanDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:25-Jan-1867
Address:CullentraParish/District:CASTLETARA
Gender:FemaleCountyCo. Cavan
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard TeevanMother:Elizabeth Brady
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Michael Brady
Sponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Mary Brady
Notes:
Please feel free to email me at glanvil3@aol.com. Patricia
