James Doyle
b. c1825 Ireland [VA Deaths]
d. 29 December 1887 Seven Mile Ford, Marion Dist., Smyth Co., VA
of pneumonia at age 62@[VA Deaths 33991]
buried: Phipps Cemetery, Seven Mile Ford, Smyth Co., VA
| Children | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Jane Doyle | b. 1852 VA | d . | m. |
| James Jackson Doyle | b. Nov 1858 VA | d. 1928 Seven Mile Ford, Smyth Co., VA* buried Phipps Cem., Smyth Co., VA |
1m. Clementine Walton (b. 1855 VA d. 1898*) dau. of Loftin Walton & Nancy 2m. Mollie Fortner 1898 Smyth Co, VA at age 36(b. 1865 NC d. 1957*) father: John Fortner and Elizabeth Swin |
| Sarah Francis Freelove Doyle | b. 21 July 1860 Seven-mile Ford, Smyth Co., VA | d. 25 Sept 1901 Grinnell, Iowa | m. William Nichols Grubb |
| Elmirea Carolyn V. Doyle | b. 1861 VA | d. (alive 1910 Smyth Co., VA) may also be buried in Phipps Cem. but some markers destroyed |
m. Peter Phipps 30 May
1878 Smyth Co., VA(married 31 yrs in 1910) may also be buried in Phipps Cem. but some markers destroyed. son of Hiram Phipps and Catherine Wheeler |
| Mary E. S. Doyle | b. 1863 VA | d. 20 Jul 1868 Southampton, VA, age 10@ |
m. |
| Andrew "Andy" C. Doyle | b. 2 Nov 1866 VA | d. 27 Mar 1911* Smyth Co., VA | m. apparently never marries |
| Eunice M. Freelove Doyle | b. 21 or 23 Apr 1869 VA | d. 29 Sep 1949 Smyth Co, VA* |
m. W. M. Lee (b. 19 Apr 1863 d. 8 Apr 1927*) |
| John C. Doyle | b. 1873 VA | d. 1960 Marion, Smyth Co., VA buried: Pleasant Hill Cem., Smyth Co. VA |
1m. Anne E. Burchall 8 Sept 1899 Smyth Co., VA 2m. Sasanne B. Doyle (1876- 1938) buried: Pleasant Hill Cem., Smyth Co. VA |
| Charles (?Clint) N. Doyle | b. 1876 VA | d . | m. |
Actually, we still don't know much about the origin of James Doyle. He is Irish according to the census records but some researchers have said he came from County Cork and another said that he came from Limerick, Ireland.
Historically the Doyles are centered
in Leinster, Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow according to the Clans
and Families of Ireland. [Clans and Families of Ireland p.
104] We believe our particular Doyles came via Liverpool. We
wondered why they didn't leave from Cork which would certainly be
an easier port to make than Limerick but they could still have
come from Limerick and gone overland to catch a boat from Cork.
Liverpool was a major jump off point for emigrants to America in
the early years of the famine.
1849, May 30 - James Doyle and his brother or cousin emigrate from Ireland.
Although there are perhaps hundreds of Doyles, only so many of these fit the profile of our James Doyle because of his age. The James Doyle (24 laborer from Ireland) that we have identified as the closest fit came to the port of Philadelphia on the ship Saranak on 30 May, 1849 from the port of Liverpool, England. He may have originally come from Limerick Co., Ireland with a possible brother or cousin Martin Doyle (25 laborer) also on the same boat. Only a few passengers away is Bridget Doyle also from Ireland (age 20 no occupation listed) [ship manifests of Phil., National Archives, WA, DC]
Another James Doyle (25 Ireland) comes
over on the Saranak in June, 1851 from Liverpool as well. [Phila.
Passenger lists p5.]
The ship Saranak was part of the Thomas
P. Cope's Line of Packets that ran multiple trips of freight and
passengers between Philadelphia and Liverpool. The Saranak
was one of seventeen ships of the line. The Saranak was 854
tons built in 1844. It made 78 voyages between 1844 and
1878. The line carried 60,000 passengers between 1820 and
1870. Fares were 3.5 to 4 pounds per adult. Children
under 12 were half price and infants were free. [Killick, 6]
 |
 |
|
The Saranak under tow
854 tons and built in 1844 and
sailed until 1878 making 78 voyages
photo from the Historical
Society of Pennsylvania.
|
The embarkation from Liverpool
in 1850 unknown artist, from The Illustrated London News, July 6, 1850 |
On an earlier voyage the ship Saranak
was found to have come from Liverpool. Although the Saranak
was a sailing vessel, it seems that the cost was less from this
port due to the use of steam ships. They could make the
voyage in less time and make more trips than a standard sailing
ship. The Irish would-be emigrants could have found their
way to Dublin where they could have taken a cheaper ferry just
across the Irish Sea to Liverpool. The port was jammed with
folks waiting for passage to America. In 1846 93.3% of all
emigrants to New York went through Liverpool but by 1849 the
percentage had dropped to 69% but the numbers of emigrants had
doubled. Even though the Irish were leaving Ireland in
droves due to famine Liverpool was having its own problems.
Apparently, would be immigrants from Ireland would have to stay
days and even weeks in Liverpool awaiting a ship. In 1849 in the
Irish section of Liverpool also had the worst sanitation. An
outbreak of cholera had affected several other areas of Europe had
also spread to Liverpool. Even more deaths were attributed to
measles, scarlet fever, Typhus, small pox, influenza, and
pneumonia. The Irish had to be lucky when running the
gautlet of risks to settle in America and undoubtedly happy when
they arrived. [Gallman 17] Beyond this the immigrants
were taken advantage of at every turn from being charged double
for meals, baggage, and miscellaneous transportation on ferries,
trains, or for lodging at both ends of the voyage.
"What with shipwrecks, what with deaths from famine, from fever, from overcrowding; what with wholesale robbery, committed upon them at almost every step of their journey, it is matter for great surprise indeed, that even a remnant of the Famine-emigrants survived to locate themselves in that far West, to which they fled in terror and dismay, from their humble but loved and cherished homes, in the land of their father. The Irish race get but little credit for industry or perseverance; but in this they are most unjustly maligned, as many testimonies already cited from friend and foe, clearly demonstrate. If one more be wanting, I would point to a fact in the history of the worn-out remnant of our Famine-emigrants, who had tenacity of life enough ot survive their endless hardships and journeyings. The fact is, the large sums of money which year after year, they sent to their friends - every penny of which they earned by the sweat of their brow - by their industry and perseverance. " [O'Rourke 331]
James apparently had previously received the trade as a gardener
while in Ireland and worked for a "Lady Massie".
"James William did not come directly to Smyth County. He peeled
potatoes in New York. and very likely was in Washington County
Virginia before coming to work for the Prestons of Seven Mile
Ford.
This piece was written about the Prestons of Seven Mile Ford in
Smyth County may give some clue about the relationship that they
must have had.
"Rev. W. V. Wilson conducted services in an outbuilding on Capt.
John M. Preston's place at Seven Mile Ford. A church was
built on land donated by Captain Preston and dedicated on July 4,
1880. The first elders of the Seven Mile Ford Church were
Capt. John M. Preston, Capt. C. H. C. Preston, and William
Alexander. The first deacons were Robert Humphrey and John
A. Copenhaver. Among the minsters who served as supply for
the church are: D. E. Frierson, W. H. Groves, and F. E.
Eversole. Pastors have been I. O. Sullivan, F. T. McFaden,
C. D. Waller, J. McD. A. Lacy, M. M. McFerren, J. M. Sedgewick, G.
A. Wilson, Jr., and John H. Grey.
Capt. John M. Preston, one of the first and for years the sole
elder of the Seven Mile Church, was a lovable and beautiful
character whose life was a benediction to his community.
Mrs. Preston's Christian service, especially in teaching the
children of the community, is a far-reaching influence.
Captain Preston's funeral was conducted in the little church he
loved and served so well, on Sept., 29, 1928, his body was laid to
rest in the historic Preston graveyard in the ninetieth year of
his age. His son, John M. Preston, III, and Gilbert
McCormack, grandson of John A. Copenhaver, of the first deacons,
are now elders." [Wilson pp. 126-127]
1850- We have found a James Doyle as a laborer in Virginia that
could be our James. He is the correct age and
nationality. There is very little information that
truly verify that this is the correct person. He is living
with eighteen other Irish laborers. It is unclear who they
are working for.
US Census, Virginia,
Augusta County, Dist. 2 and 1/2, North. p. 387a. He
is one of over a hundred single males laborers from Ireland
within only a few pages in this census. Within these same pages
are found several blacksmiths, iron masters, forgemen.
It seems to be a work crew, perhaps for the railroad.
There are no Bishops in the area.
James
Doyle
25 m
Laborer
Ireland
US Census, Virginia, Preston Co., 45 Dist.
page 450
James Doyle
30
m
laborer
Ireland
Henson Shront 30
m
Virginia
Mary
"
25
f
"
Charles
"
5
m
"
on the same page
Henry Bishop
51 m
farmer 3000
Maryland
Lydia "
48
f
Penn
Rachel "
30
f
VA
Lydia "
18
f
VA
John H "
15 m
VA
Sarah E "
12
f
VA
Catharine "
10 f
VA
Geo E
7 m
VA
Ezra
"
4 f
VA
next door
Joseph Bishop
24 m
farmer
VA
Matilda "
22
f
VA
US Census, Virginia, Smyth Co., 10th Dist. , page
201
Noah Bishop
69 m
VA
Sarah "
63
f
New York
Samuel "
33 m
VA
Martha "
25 f
VA
Eleana "
19 m (?f)
laborer
VA (I
think we may be missing a male person here)
John "
14 m
VA
Eliza Jane "
12 f
VA
next door
John B Bishop
34 m
farmer
VA
Mary
"
33 f
VA
Martin "
13
m
VA
Francis "
10
m
VA
Martha I "
9 f
VA
Noah
"
7 m
VA
Isaac "
5 m
VA
Sally "
3
f
VA
Samuel "
8/12 m
VA
Mary Ann Bishop 15
f
VA
US Census. Virginia, Smyth Co.,
Dist. 60. page 190
Andrew E. Love 36 m
laborer
VA
Sarah C. "
33 f
N. Carolina
James "
13 m
Virginia
Nancy E "
11 f
Virginia
Harrigan "
8 m
Virginia
William J. "
6 m
Virginia
Rachel E. "
4 f
Virginia
Andrw E. "
2 m
Virginia
next door
Andrw Bishop
38 m
Farmer 1000
Virginia
Mary Bishop
34 f
Virginia
Sen P "
16
m
Virginia
David S "
14 f
Virginia
Rachael E. "
12 f
Virginia
Rhoda Ann "
10 f
Virginia
Louisa M. "
8 f
Virginia
Sally O. "
6
f
Virginia
Mary E. "
3
f
Virginia
James Doyle is said to have worked on the construction of a
railroad from Norfork,Virginia to Bristol, Tennessee shortly after
his arrival. Since the railroad ended in Bristol this is where
they made their home. The railroad didn't get to Chilhowie,
Virginia until 1853 which does not necessarily prove the story.
1850 - US Census,
Virginia, Alleghany, Dist. 1, page 32-33.
1855, Sep 19 - "James Dile" marries "Mary Ann Bishop". He is listed as 25 years old and she is listed as 22 years old. He gives his parents as "William and Mary Ann" and her parents are listed as "Mary Ann Bishop" "father un-none". Elmiera signs her name with an "X" which indicates she is illiterate. In a note on the back of the marriage license states
1860- US Census.VA, Smyth County, VA. roll 1377 p972 has James
Doyle listed, We don't
believe that James is working for the Preston family here.
We think he was still working for the railroad before the Civil
War.
1880 - James Doyle is still living in Marion Township, Smyth County, Virginia. He seems to be living next door to a niece or his daughter with two children and his son James with a wife and daughter.
next door
Doyle,
Jane
w
f
28
sewing
Virginia
Virginia
Virginia
"
Willis
w m 6
son
Virginia Virginia Virginia
"
Jessica
w m 4
dau
Virginia Virginia Virginia
next door
Doyle,
James
w m
21
Farm
Laborer
Virginia Ireland Ireland
"
Clementine
w f
23
wife
keeping
house
Virginia
Walton,
Nancy
w f
65
mother keeping house Virginia
(The mother listed for James
Doyle, Jr., is probably his wife's mother.)
[US Census,1880 #1390 Marion Twp. Smyth, Vol. 30, ED 82, sheet 8
.]
1880 - US Census, Marion Twp., Smyth Co., VA. page 32c (this is
Elmiera C. V. Doyle, just married)
Peter Phipps self m mar w 27 VA
Kate Phipps wife f mar w 17 VA
At some point in his career, according
to a family story, James Doyle had planned a trip to Ireland. He asked
Mr. Preston while planting potatoes, "Who will help you plant your
potatoes next year when I've gone back to Ireland?"
Preston replied, "Jimmy, you're not going back to Ireland."
"Yes, I am, too."
"No, you're not. I'm not going to let you have the money to go... " and
James Doyle never went back. [Records of Joy King, 5 Mar 2002]
1887- 29 December, James Doyle Sr. dies in Smyth County, Virginia. James Doyle's Death Certificate gives the following information.
1896 - Elmira C. Doyle dies in Marion Dist., Smyth Co., Virginia at
age 65. Her mother is listed as Margaret Bishop and her husband
was James Doyle. [Film #339991, Virginia, Deaths and Burial
Index, 1853-1917]
1898, Nov. 26, - James Jackson marries for the second time. This record seems misplaced. He
shows up as widowed in 1900 and with a wife Mollie in the 1910 census.
Doyle, James head w m Mar 1858 (42 years old widow) Virginia Ireland Virginia
Charles son w m Jan 1882 18yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
Mittie S. dau w f Oct 1883 17yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
Nannie dau w f Oct 1886 14yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
James B. son w m Jul 1887 12yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
John C. son w m Jul 1890 9yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
Floyd son w m Jun 1894 5yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
Margaret J. dau w f May 1896 4yrs Virginia Virginia Virginia
On this same estate working as a carpenter is William Nicols Grubb.
A. C. Beatie, the mayor of Chilhowie, VA visited James Doyle and looked
at the bible record in 1942. This document was needed to provide a
birth certificate for Henry Cochran Grubb at age 53 "to qualify for a
new defence job." It is a hand written note about 8.5 x 5.5" apparently
completely by A. C. Beatie.
I A. C. Beatie 77 years old, Mayor of town on Chilhowie VA Do certify on 1st day of April 1942, Went to the Home of John Doyle 7 Mile Ford VA & Examined the holy Bible printed by American Bible Society 1853. Found the Family Record of William Nichols Grubb and Dolly Freelove Doyle. The exact wording "H. C. Grubb was born Aug 26, 1889. I was well acquainted with this family. They lived on my father farm between 1890 & 1897. A. C. Beatey Chillhowie VA
I Notary Public of County of Smyth State of Virginia
Place $1.00 & self addressed stamped Letter by Richmond
I find this paper is not nescessary I make no charges"
[affidavit of A. C. Beatie, 1942]
US Census, Virginia,
Smyth Co., Seven Mile Ford, page 26
Phipps, Peter
head w
m Apr 1813 47 m 22
yrs
Virginia
Virginia Virginia
" ,
Catherine wife
w f Mar 1861
32 m 22 yrs
Virginia Virginia
Virginia
" , Babert
son
w m Nov 1893 16
s
Virginia
Virginia Virginia
" , Anna SF
dau w
f Oct 1886
3 s
Virginia
Virginia Virginia
Doyle, John C boarder
w m July 1872 27 m 3
yrs
Virginia
Virginia Virginia
1910 - US census, [Seven Mile Ford Precinct, Smyth Co., VA p. 57]. Here is the Peter and Elmire Doyle Phipps, dau of James Doyle. He is living next door to John M. Preston, age 71 with his wife, Mary, age 69. Also in the household is her brother Andrew C. Doyle.
His second wife was Miss Mollie Fortner. Their children are:
Elizabeth, "Bessie," Tom, and Edwin. This large family a numerous
connection and broad circle of friends mourn the passing of this
neighborly man. The funeral services were held in the Presbyterian
church of which he had been a member early youth, and the interment in
the Phipps cemetery, where he lies beside those of his won who have
preceded him to the Promised land.
Mr. Doyle wlil be sadly missed in the community. His cherry greeting,
his patience under the afflicting ravages of pain, his ability and his
devotion to his people endeared him to all."
[Records of Joy King, 5 Mar 2002]
In this obituary is stated that James Doyle, the elder worked on the
estate of "Lady Massie" in County Cork, Ireland. So far we have
not found a confirming record of the estate but have found various
Massey family members in Cork considerably before James Doyle left for
the states. We are still trying to confirm that this in
fact was the county of origin for James Doyle.
1940 - US Census, Virginia, Smyth Co., Marion.
Source:
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