Thomas WALSH

  General Notes:

Thomas related that he was born at "Mount Jennings" County Mayo. Mount Jennings was the family home / estate of the Jen(n)ings family, in the townland of Roos, Kilcommon, Kilmaine, Co. Mayo, Ireland (now demolished, but the footprint is still discernible). He is thought to have been a gardener there before moving to England and settling in Sheffield. It is said that the Jennings family offered to educate young Thomas along with their own son, but his proud father wouldn't accept the offer.

Thomas was a fluent Gaelic speaker and was a youth when he arrived in Sheffield. He married in Sheffield at the age of 19 and the certificate gives his occupation as a labourer in the Ironworks and his address as 25 Sims Croft, Sheffield. He married Mary Henaghen, the daughter of a family also living at 25 Sims Croft. Following their wedding their homes were: 4 Court, 3 House, Hawley Croft (circa 1874 to 1885); 19 Hawley Croft, (circa 1885 to 1900) and 118 Solly Street (circa 1900 to 1930). All these addresses were in what was the Irish quarter of Sheffield following the influx of immigrants. His birth year varies on different records and ranges from 1853 to 1856, although 1854 seems to be the most likely. His Grandson, Denis Howe, had a record of his birthday being 20th August. The census returns and other documents give his occupation as a Builder's Labourer.

Thomas arrived in Sheffield determined to work for the alleviation of his country's ills and threw himself wholeheartedly into any movement that had the cause of Ireland as its object. He founded the Sheffield "Thomas Moore" Branch of the Irish National Foresters in around 1885 (a friendly society that supported those in need, along with pusuing the aims Irish nationalism) and was still the senior trustee at the time of his death. He was a very active and well-known Irish Nationalist. He is known to have been a prominent member of the following successive organisations promoting all things Irish and particularly Home Rule/Independence: the Irish National League, the United Irish League and the Irish Self-Determination League. Both he and his wife Mary were active supporters of Irish nationalism and Thomas' efforts were recognised in a presentation made to him by the 'Nationalists of Sheffield' which included the following commendation:

Presented by the Nationalists of Sheffield To Mr Thomas Walsh We desire to place on record our high appreciation of the valuable services rendered to the cause of Irish Nationality during the many years you have been connected with your Country's cause in Sheffield. Trusting God will spare you to reap your desired compensation - an unfettered Ireland. Chairman John Madden, Treasurer M Judge, Secretary J Judge.

The presentation included a large portrait photograph of Thomas, along with one of his wife. Thomas looks about 55 and Mary about 50 so the presentation may have been made around 1909.

Thomas was a highly esteemed parishioner of St. Vincent's RC Church. He died at 118 Solly Street, Sheffield, aged 75 and is buried at St Michael's Cemetery, Rivelin. His gravestone is decorated with carved shamrocks and bears a Gaelic inscription:

Solas na sνaruidheacta goraibh ar a anam agus ar anam a bhean cιile (Roman alphabet)
(Translation: "May the light of eternity warm his soul and also the soul of his wife")

The Following appeared the Sheffield Daily Independent newspaper on 23rd May 1930:

FORESTERS' FOUNDER
---------------
FUNERAL OF MR. T. WALSH
IN SHEFFIELD
Many members of the Sheffield section of the Irish National Foresters' Society followed the coffin of the late Mr. Thomas Walsh, who was buried at Rivelin, Sheffield, yesterday.
Six members, with their green regalia, acted as bearers. Members of the Roman Catholic Young Men's Society were also present.
Mr. Walsh, who died at his home, 118 Solly Street, on Sunday, at the age of 75, was a prominent Irish Nationalist and founded the "Thomas Moore" branch of the National Irish Foresters' Society. He was born in Ireland.
The funeral was preceded by a Requiem Mass at the St Vincent's Church, when Father Cleary, C.M., and Fathers Banningan, C.M., Comerford, C.M., and O'Leary, C.M., officiated.
The principal mourners at the Mass, which was attended by many friends, were Messrs. John, Patrick and Thomas <actually James> Walsh (sons), Mrs. Mulrennan, Mrs. Howe, and Mrs. Trickett (daughters), Mr Thomas Mulrennan and Mr John Trickett (sons-in-law), and Mrs. W. P. Walsh <?> (daughter-in-law), whilst Father Heron, C.M. and Father Allen, C.M. were present.
Mr. J. Mulvey, secretary of the Sheffield National Foresters, was also present and the bearers were Messrs. E. O'Brien (Chief Ranger), J. Brady, J. Doyle, M. Silk, M. Connelly and P. Lee.
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  Burial Notes:

Grave number Pat U 251

  Noted events in his life were:

• Marriage, 31 May 1874, St William's Church, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 30 Apr 1876, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Born, 7 Nov 1878, 4 Court, 3 Hawley Croft, Sheffield, England.

• Baptism, 24 Nov 1878, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Census, 1881, 4 Court. 3 House, Hawley Croft, tSheffield, Yorkshire, England. Bricklayer's Labourer

• Baptism, 12 Mar 1887, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 4 Sep 1889, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Census, 1891, 19 Hawley Croft, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Builder's Labourer

• Census, 1901, 118 Solly Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Builder's Labourer

• Marriage, 1 Jan 1906, St Catherine's RC Church, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Stone Mason (Journeyman), 118 Solly Street, Sheffield

• Baptism, 28 Jun 1893, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 1 Aug 1880, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 25 Oct 1882, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 12 Jul 1891, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Marriage, 19 Sep 1910, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Baptism, 13 Jan 1895, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

• Census, 1911, 118 Solly Street, Sheffield, England. Builder's Labourer

• Marriage, 10 Feb 1919, St Vincent's Rc Church, Solly Street, Sheffield.

• Death, 18 May 1930, 118 Solly Street, Sheffield, England.

• Burial, 22 May 1930, St Marie's, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.

Thomas married Mary Anne HENAGHEN, daughter of John HENAGHEN and Mary FLEMING, on 31 May 1874 in St William's RC Church, Lee Croft, Sheffield. (Mary Anne HENAGHEN was born on 16 Jan 1858 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, christened on 24 Jan 1858 in Macclesfield, Cheshire, England, died on 8 Jan 1929 in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England and was buried on 19 Jan 1929 in St Michael's Cemetery, Rivelin, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England.)