Mayo folk to settle in Pittston,Wilkes Barre & Scranton

[Duffy C]

Looking for families from Mayo that settled in the coal regions of Pennsylvania around Pittston, Wilkes Barre, and Scranton. O'Boyles, Quinns, Judges, and others are my main interest, but may be able to help researchers from outside of US with census help if necessary. Thanks in advance, Bob

[illingworth]

Hello

One of my relatives - Ellen Regan settled in Scranton - she was originally from Mayo.  She emigrated around the 1880's or 90's.  She married in !900 and had 6 or 7 children.  Her husband Edward Jackson ( on the 1920 census) died between 1920 and 1930 - can't find out when. She died after 1930 as she was on the 1930 census. I can't find out what happened to her or the children. The last address was Ferdinand Street Scanton.

Eva

[rpal20001]

Hello
Michael Reap came from Ballycastle, Mayo - arrived in US abt 1840 and in Pittston abt 1843. Became prominent merchant and eventually mayor of Pittston.
He was married to Honora Connor from Mayo who died after 2nd child. Children John 1845 and Michael 1847 born in Avoca, and Pittston PA. 2nd wife was Mary Bolin/Bolen/Bowlen from Ireland but no info on where. They married in the US and had

Patrick Neville emigrated to Little Meadows, Susquehanna, PA. HE was married to Honora Reardon/Riorden/Rierdon. Have no proof they were from Mayo yet.

Their daughter Ellen Neville (1844) married Cornelius Donnelly (1840) born Ireland and son of James Donnelly and Bridget Felihee.  His Brother Dennis Donnelly (1826) Ireland, married margaret Heavey (1834) Ireland though I believe they were married in the US.

IF any of this sounds familiar, I am happy to provide the source materials. I am looking for them in Ireland so we can exchange info if you have any.
Good luck!
Ro

[gjdavids]

Do you know of a connection between this Michael Reap and an Anthony Reap?  Anthony was born Ireland ~1868, married Catherine Conlon, and they immigrated to the US about 1890.  They settled in Avoca which is adjacent to the Pittston which you mentioned.  Thanks!

[rpal20001]

Hello
I am sorry but I know of no direct connection. It is entirely possible that they were related (ie cousins) in Ireland however I have no Irish family info to base that upon. Avoca is indeed close to where they were and it is logical that a relative would have settled close to Michael since he was well to do.

I will re-check the city directories that I have to see if Anthony is mentioned in connection with Michael in any way and respond again shortly.

Do you have any info on the Reaps in Mayo? I only know Michael and Catherine - but have no other info on family there, parents, etc.....so any information would be greatly appreciated!

Good luck!

Rosemary

[gjdavids]

Rosemary. 

Thanks for the prompt response.  I’ll continue on the hunt.  I feel there is a connection of some sort - Pittston’s just too small a town – and maybe it will turn up eventually.  I'll certainly let you know.

Insofar as my Reaps are concerned, I have no Irish history at all.  That said, I have a pretty good handle on the US side of the family from the mid-1800s on.

I have also, by the way, picked up along the way some source materials on “your” Michael Reap which you may or may not have.  If you’d like to send me your email, I can forward those to you.  Attached, fyi, is an obit from the Wilkes-Barre Times of May 16, 1878

Regards. 

George

[rpal20001]

Hello George
Thank you for that Obit! I do have several obits but somehow missed that one so it was much appreciated!

I am actually living in Paris, FR at the moment which is ahead of the US by 6 hours so your patience with my response time is appreciated! My son is a diplomat with the State Dept and stationed here for the next 2 years so I had the opportunity to join their family here and assist with my 2 grandchildren. It has been marvelous and since my mother was born in France and I have many French relatives, I am especially looking forward to getting more direct info on that side of the family.

I did see that there was an Anthony Reap listed in Luzerne with an earlier birth
date than yours...perhaps a relative? Ballycastle, Mayo is a small town, even then it was only several thousand people so I am sure they must all be related in some way.

Have you tried tracing them in Ireland? If you have I would love to know what worked as I am hitting a lot of brick walls there. While I have found a lot of Reaps on Griffiths Valuation, I have no way to know who might be the 'right' ones.....

Best wishes and I do appreciate any info you can send. If you send your tree, I will see if I have any info for your folks as well.
warm regards
Rosemary





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[gjdavids]

Hi Rosemary,

Your email address needs to be sent to me via the site's PM system.

Best

George

[JohnMB]

My Grand Father's brother, James Joseph Purcell (1886-1940) left Ballycastle, Mayo in March 1914 with his newly acquired wife, Catherine Healy (1877-1933) and moved to Scranton, PA. James worked as a bus driver with the Scranton Transit Authority. At least one of Catherine's two brothers, Pat and John had moved to Scranton before her. James and Catherine had 3 sons, John F. Purcell (1916-1944), Joseph Purcell (1917-1972) and James Purcell (1919-1976). John who was known as Frank to his friends died in July 1944 when his submarine sank while engaging in sonar exercises off Hawaii. John parents are buried in the Cathedral Cemetery, Scranton.