TO  THE HOUSE OF SINNOTT

THE GAURDIANS

BY  MARY ELLEN    "MAYSIE"    SINNOTT

The early history of a family is the history of the nation from which it came. The stormy history of Ireland, from which both sides of my family came, wasn't much different, in ancient times, from the last few years in Europe. It was a history of disunity at home and aggression and greed also in England.

England had been conquered in 1066, by the Normans of France. In the 1160's, Henry II, the Norman King of England, was planning to conquer Ireland. The opportunity he had been waiting for came when Dermot McMurrough, an Irish prince, asked his aid in regaining lands, which had been taken from McMurrough by a greater Irish king. Henry gave Dermot permission to recruit Norman soldiers, and Dermot promised the Normans a share of the land they were to help him re-conquer. With Norman help, he regained his kingdom in 1170.

When Dermot Mc Murrough died in 1171, Henry chose Strongbow, a man of ruined fortune, needy, greedy and unscrupulous, possessing great military skill and having a tolerably strong following among the knights of the Welsh marshes, to head the invasion of Ireland. So the "Quisling" from within paved the way for the wolf in sheep's clothing to start a protectorate. It had a beginning of a beachhead landing, for an army to clear the way, by every means of cruelty and slaughter, for the settling of Ireland by people from England and France. The king and Strongbow were soon fighting each other in their greed to conquer Ireland. It took 150 years before the island was subdued.

As was customary, the land conquered was given to the soldiers and followers of the conqueror.

"Strongbow's followers settled in the southeast part known as Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Carlow and Dublin along the sea coast. Among the people brought to those parts of Ireland were Esmonds, De La Pores (or Powers) and Sinnotts. The Sinnotts were from Northern France or Normandy. They, at one time, owned the principle part of the lands along the coast between the Bar of Wexford and the Bar of Wicklow. The name, Sinnott, is not Irish, but Norman, French. The Normans were mostly fair-haired and blue eyed and altogether different from the real old Irish who had some mixture of Spanish blood in their veins. They were more given to dark hair and dark eyes and all spoke the Gaelic language. It was not spoken in the countries conquered by Strongbow except in Waterford."

 
 

"The Sinnotts were mostly rural people, farmers, priests, lawyers, doctors, merchants and trades people, but no aristocracy. Only in these counties (named previously) can you find the name of Sinnott in large numbers, in the old records or 'Annals' of County Wexford."
 

After the terrible Cromwellian Wars, in 1649, when conditions such as are found in central Europe today existed in Ireland, all lands including those the Sinnotts had previously gained through confiscation were confiscated and given to Cromwell's soldiers, who occupied the land. They were known as the aristocrats of Ireland. The Irish people were driven out or carried away as slaves to the English colonies all over the world. Some were driven to a certain poor part of Ireland and surrounded by the military and other followers of Cromwell. The Irish never gave up their fight for liberty from the English, although there were some periods of peace. Many Irishmen served in the English army, some willingly and others, recruited in large numbers, by force, in times of war, in other parts of the British Empire.

My father, James Peter Sinnott, the son of Pierrie Sinnott and Madge Carton, was born at Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland, on June 2, 1844. He was educated in a Christian Brothers' school, equal in scope to our high schools. He was a gardener in charge of the estate gardens at Ramsfort, owned by Lord Ram, of Gorey, Ireland. His first wife died, after a very brief marriage, leaving a baby daughter Margaret. He remarried in February, 1882 to Miss Margaret Dixon also of Gorey, Ireland. In March of the same year, they emigrated to America, to Stephen, Minnesota, where his brother, Pierce Sinnott, had settled several years earlier.

My mother, Margaret (Dixon) Sinnott was born at Gorey, County Wexford, Ireland, in November, 1851. She was the daughter of James and Bessie (Dunne) Dixon. Her Baptismal sponsors were William Dixon and Mary Dunne. William Dixon was Mother's Uncle, her father's brother. Two other uncles were her mother's brothers, Patrick and Peter Dunne. All three emigrated to America about the same time. William died somewhere in Ohio. My mother's mother, Bessie (Dunne) Dixon lived to be 98 years old.

I don't know much about my mother's family, the Dixons, except a few names and incidents from letters from my uncle, James Dixon, Mother's brother. He was a well-educated man and had been a soldier in the English army from the age of eighteen years until he retired at sixty years. He fought in Africa, in the Boer War. He also served in Gibraltar and in India for many years. He was a seargent in the Infantry and won the Victoria Cross for bravery while serving in India. That is the highest medal of honor given by the British Government.

Uncle Jim married Margaret Sinnott, the daughter of James Peter Sinnott his first wife). She was much younger than he. She died when their daughter, Lilly was born in 1905, while Uncle Jim was away in India. After he retired, he married again. His second wife's name was Helen.

Margaret (Maggie) Dixon also had a sister, Mary, who married John Deighan. They lived in Scotland and had 6 or 7 children (a family picture of them shows only 6 young adults, but my family tree lists 4 sons and 3 daughters. I don't remember where I obtained those names.) They were Teresa, Bernard, Edward, Charlie (who visited the family in Minnesota several times), BY(only 2 daughters are in the picture. One of them appears to be crippled and is very short. She may have had curvature of the spine).

My parents, James and Margaret(Jim and Maggie) Sinnott had eight children. They were:

Pierrie, who married Esther Nelson, worked for the city of Hibbing, Minnesota, as a caretaker of the city parks. Their children: James, Lawrence,Victor, Donald, Bert and Ted, all World War veterans, and May and Phyllis.

John, a bachelor, worked at Hibbing and other places; died in 1940.

Walter, World War I veteran; married Alice Murphy; railroad freight conductor at Havre, Montana. Their family: Nell, Claire, Rita and Walter, Jr.

Elizabeth (Bessie) and Katherine (Katie) twins; both Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet, of St. Paul, Minnesota. (Sr. St. Norbert and Sr. Stephen, respectively.)

Norbert, World War I veteran; married Myrtle Damman. Their family: Anthony, Theresa, Norbert Jr., Margaret, William and Joseph.

Myself, Maysie,married James A. Whalen. Our family: Mark, Stephen, Philip, Frances, Bette, Danny, Charles and John.

Theresa, unmarried; a teacher.

Iveagh T. P. Baths

Bride Road

Dublin

11th Dec: 1908

(Note at top of letter.) Here's a few old sticky back photos, as they are named here, I just came across taken about 3 years back. Myself & Lisy (?), Katherine K., Felix & Lilly, taken in Glasgow about 2 years back in her play ground back yard. JD

My Dear Katherine,

After a long spell of silence, which I hope you all will forgive, I venture to inquire how all are progressing. I am afraid there's little use of my attempting to excuse myself. I must confess I am not so good a correspondent as you gave me credit for in one of your previous letters. However in self defense, I must state that I made several severe attempts during the summer and autumn to reply to you and Bessie. My intentions were good, but some how at each attempt to carry them into action they were knocked in the head. Something tuning up to stop me. Well that reminds me of what I once heard a man say during my tracks through life. He remarked to a chap who was unfolding his good intentions to him, he said "my man, the Road to 'H---' is paved with them." S you must take it that I am no exception to the rule. I certainly have plenty of writing to do one way or another, and none too much time for doing it. Opportunity is what we all desire, but - throwing all this on the road side, I do feel that I have neglected you and Bessie. Still I trust you will not mind that. I will do my best to make up for it by turning over a new leaf, and commence at the bottom. How will that do? I trust all the young folk at this side of the Atlantic have not been busy tracing your Uncle's little foot prints in the snow in the letter line, for it has been the height of my ambition in the corresponding line to get you all in touch with each other. So if I have succeeded to any appreciable extent, well, I am fairly satisfied. And would be inclined to rest on my oars by leaving it now, all in the hands of the young Folk who are more enthusiastic, and let the old ones drop out. How would that do? I am nearly sure your Father would back me up in that and more especially now that the postage between this country and America has been much reduced.

Well dear Katherine I have had in my possession for a considerable time now a selection of Picture Post Cards intended for the same destination s this letter which will, I trust, reach you all safe for Xmas. Father and Mother will recognize very many of them and they will bring back sweet memories of the past to them and all the old folk who may chance to see them from time to time. And will also help to keep the young in touch with the dear old land of their Forefathers and Mothers. Therefore I want you to give them a place in the Family Album. I numbered them at first but at later periods I picked up others so yourself and Bessie can re-arrange in you leisure hours. I hope they will reach you when all the Boys and Girls are at home for the Christmas.

I do not know if you had any communication from your Glasgow Cousins of late, however in case you may not have had, I must tell you that your Cousin Felix Deighan landed on last Monday in New York. He re-embarks there for Havana, Cuba and from there by rail to his destination to take up an appointment as Head Assistant to the Chief Accountant for the Central Cuban Railway Ltd., a 3 years engagement. If you have not had a line, this will be a surprise to you all. You will no doubt hear from him directly when he gets settled. What I can see of it -- he is very near far off as ever, but there's one thing certain, he is under the Stars and Stripes, so from a national point of view, that's somewhat nearer anyhow. What do you say Katherine? I had several of them over here during the summer. Teresa, Lilly and Edward with some more friends, and Felix was over in September. They all had an enjoyable tie. Spent one week in Gorey and the remainder with me. The weather was all that could be desired during the first trippers visit, but poor Felix fared badly in that line. The weather was wet. Still he was alright, no one but himself so he did not mind. Lilly is growing, a fine girl, going to school every day & takes great delight in learning. Your Aunt tells me she will make a teacher and Irish speaker, as she likes that also, so you may expect a little epistle in the way of a note from her one of these days.
 

Tell Mother that I have been down to Gorey three times this year and only a few weeks back. Your Grandmother is in good health and in great spirits, as I have just arranged for her old age Pension. She becomes a state Pensioner from the 1st of January, 1909. I was asking her if she intended throwing me over now. Oh no, she said, I will treat you the next time you come to see me. All old people who ....... up to 70 years of age will receive it. Its not large with 5s/1 a week but its a welcome boon to poor creatures who have very little to live on. It would not be much in America, but it means a good deal in poor old Ireland. They estimate for Ireland next year 250,000. Well 250,000 5s/1 coming into the country weekly is a goodly against naught

Inform Mother also that Aunt Mary is very well indeed, and I often call to see her. It quite slipped my memory to mention her in previous letters. She is in St. Patrick's Home, Kilmamham. A lovely place, conducted by Sisters (Nuns). They are all old people like herself in the institution. They have to pay a bonus to get into the place. I have also arranged for her Pension but at present there's a little objection on the Sisters part to allow them to accept it, as it will upset some of their existing arrangements, but the public will press them to take advantage of it so I have no doubt they will after a little pressing on the point. They certainly have every comfort in the place, the Pension in addition places them in a more independent position and that's the trouble, but that will right itself in a short time. While down in Gorey hunting up their baptismal certificates, I took a copy of your Mother's which may prove of use sometime. We never know. So just enter it up in the family record Book. Here it is, a true copy:

This is to certify that Margaret Dixon, daughter of James Dixon and Bessy Dunne, was baptized the 29th of November 1851. Wm Dixon and Mary Dunne were Sponsors. The above is a correct copy of entry in baptismal registry kept at Gorey.

(Signed) Walter Roseter P.B. 6408

Wm Dixon mentioned here is your Grandfather's Brother and if you remember I told you in one of my previous letters as far as we know he died somewhere down in Ohio. So in your travels through life when you met any people of that name or Dunne as there are two more grand Uncles of your sent out there about the same time, Patrick and Peter Dunne. There may be some of their families left so just ask them if their Father hailed from North Wexford. You never know what may turn up.

Your Aunt and Uncle Kavanagh, cousin Katherine and May, are all well and reside in Rattnmines not far from here. The weather is fairly mild here up to the present. How are you faring in far Minnesota? I hope not too bad in that line. Kindly remember me to your old friend the Malloy's in Minneapolis when next you see or write them and give them my best. I am sending along the Lady of the House to Bessie. You all will find very interesting reading and old Irish reminders of the past. Now I must dear K. draw to a close for want of more space. How have you got on with the history? A few cuttings enclosed relating to Wexford. Give to one & all dear friends, Father & Mother, brothers & sisters your Uncle's hearts best wishes for Xmas & new year. Accept the same your own dear self and ..... me to be your affectionate