Source
Source for: Cecil Francis Fegan, 30 JAN 1908 - 5 FEB 1983
Index
Name source: S173Page: Database online.
Name source: S150Page: Database online.
Name source: S519Page: Database online.
Residence source: S150Page: Database online.
Birth source: S519Page: Database online.
Death source: S519Page: Database online.
Death source: S262Page: Death - 3201/1983 FEGAN CECIL FRANCIS FRANCIS SIDNEY EMILY
Residence source: S150Page: Database online.
Name source: S173Page: Database online.
Name source: S150Page: Database online.
Name source: S519Page: Database online.
Source
Source for: William Dillingham, ABT 1591 -
Index
Name source: S130Page: Wynnette GREER
Page: Wynnette GREER
Text: 2008-05-29
Name source: S108Text: 2008-05-29
Name source: S130Page: Wynnette GREER
Page: Wynnette GREER
Text: 2008-05-29
Name source: S108Text: 2008-05-29
Source
Source for: Mary Jane Mackey, 1 MAY 1827 - 5 NOV 1889
Index
Name source: S1Name source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Name source: S560Page: Mary Jane Mackey Smyth - Cheryl Evans Fromm 2015-11-15 (written 2014-11-23)
Text: Mary Jane Mackey Smyth: Her life story contains all the ingredients necessary for a classic English novel
· 23 November 2014 · 0 Comments
My (Cheryl Evans Fromm) 2nd great grandmother Mary Jane Mackey Smyth's life story is far from typical for a women born in 1827. Her story contains all the ingredients necessary for one of those classic English novels. As a child, I was captivated by Lawrence Smith Evans' paragraph written on June 1939 on the back of her genealogy sheet. He told her story fragments passed down through his mother Eveline Smyth Evans. His facts provided a direction for the internet and the internet provided the wings for her life story.
YOU MIGHT SAY MARY JANE MACKEY SERVED IN THE BRITISH MILITARY FOR THE FIRST 27 YEARS OF HER LIFE.
Mary Jane Mackey was born into the British Military on 01 May 1827 in Glen, Monaghan, Ireland. You might say she served in the British Military for the first 27 years of her life. First she served along side her father, Edward Mackey in the 63rd Regiment a foot. The family was stationed at: (1) Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's (Tasmania), Australia, (2) Madras, India (3) and Burma. Mary Jane's mother Ann Taylor dies in Madras. Edward was released from the Military but died returning from Burma and was buried at sea on 02 February 1840. This led to Mary Jane and her 2 sisters (Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth) being dropped back at Madras. She was the oldest and was 11 years old. They were "reared and trained" at the Military Orphan Asylum in Madras, India. She returns to England briefly. Then she married into the 62nd Regiment a foot through her husband Robert Devlin Smyth. She returns to India with the regiment for the Battle of Aliwah and the Battle of Sabraon. Mary Jane Mackey Smyth was not released from the Military until 02 Feb 1854 then her husband was officially discharged. The British Military definitely sculptured and governed her path through childhood and early married life.
MARY JANE MACKEY SMYTH
Mary Jane Mackey Smyth's life story has soul. It generates an enticing spirit that binds you to her. Her life story is not typical for a woman born in 1827. An Irish farm girl's destiny was basic and simple. Her life path would have been centered around the farm and remaining local with no chance for an education. Instead there was a twist to this Irish girl's destiny, her father belonged to the British Military. From the cradle, she started living in exotic countries. She traveled the oceans in old wooden ships and crossed the equator 8 times before the age of 21. She was given a series of insurmountable events. She saw the death of her mother, Ann Taylor Mackey, in Madras. Returning from Burma, Mary Jane and her sisters watched her father's, Edward Mackey, burial at sea. Orphaned at sea, Mary Jane and her sisters were returned to Madras. That is to the Madras Female Orphan Asylum. She was the oldest and approximately 11 years old. The girls affectionally called the orphanage "Castle Comorin", there they received a gift and were educated. She returned to England briefly. The girls separated. Mary Jane married into another round of the British Military with Robert Devlin Smyth and returned to India. While her sisters go home to Monaghan, Ireland where they end up at Stephany Cootehill workhouse. They were one of the lucky ones sponsored by the workhouse and gained passage on the Irish Potatoe Famine Death Ship "John Knox" back to Australia.
Mary Jane's married life also held much drama. Married and back in India, she returned to the Sikh Wars. She experienced her husband being in the Battle of Aliwah and the Battle of Sabraon. There she sat waiting on the results of two battles. Could she hear the percussions of the cannons along with the cries of battle and see the smoke rising in the air? If the British lost the Sikh enemy would come for her. The Sikh army left no survivors. Oh, did I mention she was pregnant and delivered her first child 10 days after the battle. She buried her son in India and returned to England. Robert and Mary Jane were discharged from the British Military. No longer being governed by the Military, they started a new adventure on the other side of world. They joined the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and sailed to America. Waiting on the docks of Liverpool other Saints coming to America must have had a variety of fears about the voyage. Not Mary Jane, she knew exactly what to expect. She was no stranger to the old wooden ships and the storms of the ocean. She knew their fear were valid and justified. Her fate at sea had many variables. She boarded the ship "Marshfield" pregnant with her husband and her 3 year old and 21 month old sons. Fate did not spare her the loss of 2 children while crossing the plains to Utah. There are so many defining moments throughout her life. Mary Jane Mackey Smyth's story has transcended through almost two centuries and still produces a compelling curiosity and fondness for her.
THE DETAILS OF MARY JANE MACKEY SMYTH'S LIFE JOURNEY
1827-1828
Mary Jane Mackey was born to Edward and Ann Taylor Mackey on 01 May 1827 in Glen, one of the townlands of the county Monaghan, Ireland. Record wise: Aghabog is the parish for Glen and it's poor laws are governed by Cootehill. Her father was stationed in Thomar, Portugal at the time of her birth. Her father's 63rd Regiment a foot had been deployed from Ireland to Portugal in December of 1826. The Regiment's mission was to be "part of the army of occupation and to take part in the raid of Portugal". Because of the Army's presence nothing materialized. The regiment sailed back from Belem, Portugal to England on April 1828.
1829-1833
Father Edward Mackey is deployed to Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's Land (modern day Tasmania), Australia. The family starts traveling with the 63rd Regiment a foot. Very few wives and children traveled along only one family per 100 soldiers. The regiment serves as guards aboard the convict ships to Australia. It took about 2 months and 3 weeks to travel to Australia. Mother Ann was pregnant and Mary Jane was about 2 years old. Her father was a Sergeant and had garrison duty at the legendary Sarah's Island. He was also involved in the "blackline" movements of the Aborigines and keeping peace with the Aborigines. Two sister were added to the family during the Macquarie Habour era. Sarah Emelia was born in 1829 (Immigration ship records in 1850). Elizabeth was born on 07 March 1831 in Macquarie Harbour, Diemen's, Australia. (Birth Records, Christening Record-V18311756 162A/1831, death records, and Immigration ship records).
1833-1838
The 63rd Regiment a foot was deployed in February of 1833 and stationed at Fort St. George, Madras, India. Mary Jane was 6 years old, Sarah Emelia was 4 and Elizabeth was 2. Ann Taylor passes away on 07 September 1836. She was buried by St. Mary's Church in the courtyard. (Burial record #5211842) This is a major event for the girls- a military family to be motherless. They are 9 7, 5. Edward is still a Sergeant.
1838-1840
The entire 63rd Regiment boarded the ship "Resolution" and is transferred to Moulmein, Burma. From Moulmein detachments were based at Tavoy and Mergui. Edward applies for discharge. He and the girls embark for discharge at the Regimental Depot in Madras. But Edward dies at sea leaving Burma on the 2nd of February 1840 (WO12/7272-Military muster rolls for the 63rd). Others soldiers leaving with him arrived and are discharged on the 30th of May 1840. Mary Jane, Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth experience him being buried at sea. The girls are officially orphans. Mary Jane was the oldest and approximately 11 years old. The girls are dropped off at the Madras Female Orphan Asylum. The girls call the orphanage "Castle Comorin". The structure is large and located just north of Cape Comorin. The girls aunt and uncle are caretakers for the orphanage. At the orphanage the girl received a benefit, they are educated. (There are strong clue fragments of information that suggest Edward Mackey's 3 sisters, Margaret, Mary and Rachael, married military men that were also serving in India and Australia. I would bet that the Aunt and Uncle that were caretakers at the Orphanage Comorin were Rachael and her husband Alfred William ????).
Briefly before 1845
The sisters return to England from India. The sisters separate directions. Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth return to Monaghan, Ireland. They end up at Stepney, Cootehill Union Workhouse as a result of the Great Irish Potato Famine of 1845-1850. Ireland was starving due to the failure of the potato crop. They were forced to seek food and shelter at the workhouse as a means of survival. The workhouses were legendary places of much suffering. The government developed a plan, the Earl Grey Scheme. It relocated 4,114 Irish orphaned girls to Australia. Among the 2,253 orphans that went to Sydney, Australia were Sarah Emelia and Elizabeth Mackey. The migration of orphaned girls were to reduce the numbers in the workhouses, provide domestic servants, and correct the imbalance of single men in Australia. Elizabeth and Sarah were sponsored through Stepney Cootehill. They sailed on the Irish Famine Death ship "John Knox" on 06 December 1849 to Sydney, Australia. Information on the ship log states: They were 19 and 21 years old, Both were born at Macquarie Harbour, Van Diemen's, Both parents Edward and Ann were dead, They belonged to the Church of England, They came from Stepney, Cootehill workhouse, They were house servants, They could read and write, They had relatives in Sydney- An Aunt and Cousin Ann Gilroy. They arrived in Sydney on the 29th April 1850 after 51 days at sea. (Elizabeth Mackey has a beautiful genealogy site on Ancestry.com and Australian sites) Sarah becomes lost record wise. Either she died or probably got married and changed her name. Maybe something will surface). As for Mary Jane Mackey, she meets Robert Devlin Smyth and marries into the 62nd Regiment and returns to India.
05 May 1845
Mary Jane Mackey and Robert Devlin Smyth meet in Chatwin, England. She marries into a second round of the British Military. "In Chatwin I saw Mary Jane Mackey- who became my wife" (Robert Devlin Smith autobiography). Robert and Mary Jane are married 05 May 1845 In the Parish of Chatham, County of Kent, England. (Marriage Certificate 006528/65. information on certificate: Robert is a corporal in 62nd Regiment a foot, his residence is in the barracks, his father is Alexander Smyth and his father is a farmer. Mary Jane Mackey information: She is a spinster of 18 years, she lives on Middle Street in Chatham, father's name is Edward Mackey and her father was a Sergeant in 63rd Regiment a foot.
1846
Robert Devlin Smyth's regiment is deployed and stationed to India. Mary Jane returns to India for the Sikh Wars.
28 January 1846
The Battle of Aliwah: The British were out numbered 12,000 British soldiers and 30 guns to 30,000 Sikh warriors and 67 guns. The 62nd Regiment a foot wore Red Coats and blue trousers with shakos and white covers. The Sikh were required by religion to wear the five "Ks". The "Ks" required the men to not cut their hair or beards and to wear a turban. The traditional weapon, one of the "Ks", is a Kirpan: a curved sword kept razor sharp. They also had other weapons. In battle the Sikh a foot at the first opportunity would abandon their muskets and engaged in hand to hand combat with sword and shield. Which made for a horrific bloody feature of warfare. The British won with only 2,283 casualities to 9,000 Sikh.
10 February 1846
The Battle of Sobraon: The British were out numbered 15,000 soldiers to 40,000 Sikh warriors. But this time the British had 108 guns to 67 guns by the Sikh. Robert Devlin Smyth writes: "Went to the East Indies was in the Battle of Aliwah and the Battle and the Battle of Sobraon. There in Sobraon I got my boots, pants, and drawers riddled with bullets. A ball (cannon) struck me on my right thigh-Did not enter into the flesh. It was quite a miracle." (Robert Devlin Smyth's Autobiography}. Robert was Color Sergeant in both battles, In charge of the flag for the 62nd a foot. The British won. I wonder if Mary Jane could hear the thunder of the guns, feel the ground shake from the concussions of the cannons, see the smoke rise in air from the battle, even hear the cries? Reality for her: If the British Military lost, the enemy would come for the soldiers families. Sikh left no survivors. There was no where to run or ship to board to escape. Mary was pregnant and ready to have a baby 9 days after the battle.
19 February 1846
Birth of a Son: Robert Smyth 9 days after the Battle of Sobraon in Frezopore, Punjab, India. He also died in Frozepore. "My 1st son Robert died in a place called Frozepore" (Robert Devlin Smyth's autobiography).
18 July 1847
Birth of a Daughter: Ann Jane Smyth in Bury, Lancashire, England.
1848
Anne Jane Smyth dies in Bury Lancashire, England: "In the year 1848 in Bury, England my oldest daughter died" (Robert Devlin Smyth's Autobiography).
09 Nov 1850
Birth of a Son: Alfred William Smyth in Liverpool. ( some say Mulengar, Ireland).
15 September 1851 and 27 September 1851
Baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Robert Devlin Smyth's baptism on the 15th and Mary Jane Smyth's baptism on the 27th.
13 November 1852
Birth of a son: Joseph H Smyth in Liverpool, Lancashire, England.
1853
Birth of twin sons: Edward and Brigham Smyth. (Family Bible that Viola Bidgood inherited through her mother Nora).
08 April 1854
Immigration from Liverpool, England to New Orleans, Lousianna, United States of America then on to Salt Lake City, Utah. At the docks of Liverpool, Mary Jane was not your typical immigrant. She was a veteran of the old wooden ships and ocean travel. She knew your voyage was at the mercy of the wind, weather, disease and the universal problem of sea sickness. She knew fear was valid and justified. Still she (28) boarded the ship "Marshfield" pregnant with her husband Robert (33) and 2 sons-Alfred William (3) and Joseph H. (1) on 05 May 1854. They arrived at New Orleans, Louisanna on 29th of May 1854, a 51 day voyage. They have 2 boxes, 2 bags and 1 barrel for luggage. At New Orleans they boarded steamboats to travel up the Mississippi River. Robert Devlin Smyth writes in his autobiography: "Crossed the plains in Wm. Taylor Company and He was sick all the way. I had charge of the guards and herding the stock. Never rode one mile from the Missouri River till I came to Salt Lake. My son Joseph died and a girl baby." Fate did not spare Mary Jane the lost of her little one year old Joseph. She also had and lost a baby girl named Rachael.
1854
Birth of a daughter: Rachael Smyth. She was born and died while crossing the plains to Utah.
June of 1854
Son Joseph H Smyth dies while crossing the plains.
1855
Robert Devlin Smyth is hired by Heber C. Kimball to be Watermaster in Salt Lake City, Utah. In a desert environment water is precious and must be bought and regulated.
21 November 1855
Birth of a daughter: Kathleen Smyth in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
1856
Robert Devlin adds to his Watermaster job that of City Jailor.
1859
Birth of a daughter in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
24 July 1857
Birth of a daughter: Nora Jane Smyth in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah
10 November 1860
Birth of a daughter: Vilate Smyth in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
13 July 1861
Daughter Kathleen Smyth dies at the age of 5 years. in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
29 March 1862
Birth of a daughter: Martha Ellen Smyth in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
14 September 1867
Birth of a daughter: Eveline Smyth in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
05 November 1889
Mary Jane Mackey Smyth dies at the age of 62 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
"Her life story never ceases to amaze me."
Cheryl Evans Fromm https://familysearch.org/photos/stories/11778373
Birth source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
AFN S260 Megan Tilley and others, WebSearches - LDS, RootsWeb, etc, Web/Internet, Date of Import: 27 Nov 2005.
Burial source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Residence source: S519Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Event source: S123Page: Emails between 2005-05-20 and 2010-07-05 concerning Pete's research at the National Archives, KEW during that period
Text: Pete Lawton
Attachments - 05/07/2010
Have been down to the Archives again and found out a bit more for you. Most of it really just puts detail on what you already knew.
Edward Mackay did indeed die in transit to England; this was on the 2nd February 1840. No details of what killed him, but I believe he was on board a ship called ‘Diamond’, which incidentally, was the ship John Cassidy went out to India on (very possibly on its return trip).
I’ve attached photos of:
Muster Roll WO12/7272: (runs from April 1839 to March 1841)
WO12/7272 shows him ‘Embarked for England’ in October and then ‘Died at Sea 2nd February’ (oddly this is in the November 1840 column – presumably when they arrived in England)
WO12/7272 (2) is at the end of the quarter section of the Muster Roll, here there is a separate listing for new recruits and those who have left the regiment – including those died. This has details of when he enlisted (8 September 1819); where he was born (looks like Currins – Currin is a civil parish in C. Monaghan – ref. www.irelandgenweb.com/monaghan/) and his job on enlistment (labourer).
WO25/1947 is the entry in the 63rd Casualty Return (1838 – 1842) – reiterates what was in WO12/7272. Unfortunately there are no other associated documents in the Casualty Roll (some men have details of will and possessions attached, but Edward isn’t one of them – bugger).
WO25/1947 (2) is just a close up of this.
Next time I’ll have a scout round to see if there is any more to be found, but I think that may be it. I asked about records of his family and they may be in one of the WO25 embarkation and disembarkation documents – will check these.
As for James Bird he did die at Guznee – but this was 1839, not 1837 as you thought. I couldn’t find him in the 1837 casualties, so I looked in the Muster Rolls and he was alive and well and on guard duty July/August 1837.
By the time I’d got him it was closing time (what is it with your relatives, they only leap out of the pages when the place is about to shut)
Anyway he’s in:
WO12/2046: Muster Roll for 2nd Foot (Queen's Royal) 1839 – 1840. He’s sick at Guznee in the July Muster and died in the August Muster (died on 31st July)
WO12/2046 (2) is at the end of the quarter section of the Muster and shows him just as ‘Died’, those either side of him are marked as ‘Died of Wounds’, so I’m assuming that he didn’t die of wounds from battle. I’ll go back and check out the WO25/1514 (2nd Casualty Return) next time, unfortunately when I looked at this earlier in the day I was looking at 1837, not 1839. I’ll also see if I can trace when he joined which may show where he enlisted/was born.
Anyway that’s it for now, will be in touch. As I say, this really just confirms what you know, but hope it’s of use.
Event source: S560
Page: Ship "Marshfield" (1854): from Liverpool 8 April 1854 to New Orleans 29 May 1854: Robert Smith Family: list laddress and financial facts.
https://familysearch.org/photos/images/17078560?p=3598852
Death source: S519
Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Death source: S560
Page: Record of the Dead: Mary Jane Mackey Symth/Smith: Nov 5th 1889: Cause Paralysis: last entry on the page
https://familysearch.org/photos/images/18741822?p=3852729
Residence source: S519
Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Page: Warner Family Tree 2015-07-11
Text: Record for Edward Mackey http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=6276283616&indiv=try
Event source: S560
Page: Robert Devlin and Mary Jane Smith: Ship Log for "Marshfield".Children: Alfred 3 and Joseph H. 1 3/4 Baggage: 2 Boxes, 3 Bags, 1 Barrel.
https://familysearch.org/photos/images/11602252
Residence source: S560
Page: Marriage Registration - 1845 May 5 - Robert Smyth & Mary Jane Mackey provided by Cheryl McKell Frome
https://familysearch.org/photos/images/11351220?p=3852729