New Ireland Project - Keough Family

Keough Family

The Keough family that we have researched, lived outside of the small village of Limestone in the southwestern part of New York State. Like most immigrants to this country in the 19th Century, the family sought out others of the same ethnic background. This led them to a small settlement in the Allegany Mountains called New Ireland.

We first picked up on the family circa.1860, when like so many of their Irish brethren they came to America looking for a better life. The year would lead us to believe that they were leaving Ireland due to the continuing effects of the Great Potato Famine. A grandson of Jim Keough has revealed to us that they were from Co. Clare, along with many other families in the New Ireland settlement, and Co. Clare was one of the hardest hit by the famine.

Patrick Keough was the patriarch of this family and came to America after his first wife and child died. When Patrick came to the United States, he met a woman named Bridget Kearns(Carans-this is the spelling on her death certificate)in the port of entry and married her the same day. Bridget also was from Co. Clare. This may have been a case of love at first sight or maybe a feeling of "two are better than one" in facing the challenges this new country would put forth. Patrick was 40 years old according to the 1865 census and his wife Bridget was 32. At this point in time Patrick and Bridget had two sons named James and John. James was 1 year of age and John was a new born child. The Keough's first lived in Irvine's Mills (just outside of Limestone)where Patrick worked in the mills. It is here that he saved the money to purchase the first of the family property in New Ireland. This was a tract of 50 acres that bordered the Spellacy family property. By 1870 the family had grown to 7 with the additions of Ellen age 4, Dennis age 3 and Mary age 2. We also note that Patrick had become a naturalized citizen of the United States. In 1875 the Keoughs purchased more land (another 50 acres), this time from J. Carmody for a price of $400. The western tract supported the home, barns and fields. The eastern section was woodland. The Keough's subsequently donated land to be used for the school to be erected in New Ireland. By the year 1892 the family had grown to 8 with the birth of daughter Bridget in 1875. The sons and daughter's ages then ranged from 17 to 26. A fourth son, Eugene died in 1875, at age 2, of scarlet fever. The children's occupations ranged from laborer to house wife. Bridget died in 1898, and Patrick in 1910. Daughter Ellen eventually married Con Hogan, son of Michael and Bridget(McCarty) Hogan while son Jim married Mary Fall, daughter of Robert and Catherine(Downs) Fall.

The son James can be seen on the Family Album page in several pictures. Mr. James Keough, grandson of Patrick and Bridget Keough, is alive and living outside of Seattle, Washington today. He has been very helpful in compiling the story of the New Ireland settlement. He has also sent us a map of the New Ireland settlement as he remembers it. You may view this on our Map Page. Finally, he has recounted several wonderful memories of the people and times which we have placed on the page entitled Remembrances. See the first page of our website to access any of these pages.

Kathryn Lyons Keough

James Keough

This is a photo of James Keough's wife; Kathryn Lyons Keough on her Confirmation Day. This is James Keough, Patrick Keough's son. Notice that the photo appears to be on a decorative scroll of some sort.

School Land Transfer Document

This Indenture shows that Patrick and Bridgett Keough donated the land for the school in New Ireland. The document also shows the first Trustees of the school were John Spellacy, Micheal O'Laughlin and Patrick Keough.


Dennis and Jack Keough

Dennis Keough at an older age.

Dennis and Jack Keough, two of Patrick and Bridget 's sons. This is Dennis Keough at an older age.

Patrick Keough Family

This is the Patrick Keough Family sitting on their porch in New Ireland. Jack and Ora are on their honeymoon in the picture. We assume that Leo may be from Father Baker's Orphanage, sent to work on the farms in New Ireland.

Back Row: Ora, Jack, Bridget (daughter), Jim, and Leo McCaffery

Front Row: Patrick, Bridgett (wife), Mabel, Mayme, with Baby Edward

Jack and Ora Keough

Mayme and Bridget Keough

Jack and Ora Keough and their daughter Dale. Mayme (Patricks sister) and Bridget Keough (Patricks daughter).

Keough family

Mayme Keough, who married into another Keough family that lived in the town of Limestone. Mayme is the older woman in the bottom left corner. We think that the young lad is Edward, the dark haired girl is his sister Mabel. The older boy might be Leo McCafferty. We are searching for the identity of the young girl wearing the bow in her hair.

Jim Keough 1904

This photo is of Jim Keough in the year 1904.
Jim is standing to the right of the picture. At this time he is 12 years old. The photo was taken on the steps at the front of their uncle Jack's house. Photo Jim Keough 12 yrs old

Jack Keough in West Virginia

Jim Keough's uncle Jack, on the front porch of his house in West Virginia.

Jack as a oil driller traveled to West Virgina following the oil boom.

oil crew This was an oil crew working on site in West Virginia.

Jim Keough Sr

This is a photo of Jim Keough Sr. in front of his barn in New Ireland with his horses and his faithful dog.

Report Card

Grades

Report Card 3

The above three documents are the report cards of James Keough. The top two are the back and front of his Grade 3 report card while the third is for Grade 8. They are from the school that existed in New Ireland. You will also notice that James had Mary Hogan as his 3rd Grade teacher and her sister Anna as his 8th Grade instructor. The Hogans also grew up in New Ireland(see Hogan family).

If you have any further knowledge about the New Ireland Keoughs please contact me at [email protected]


Michael Keough Obit

This obituary was discovered in the November 11,1918 Olean Herald newspaper. We are trying to determine what, if any; relationship Michael Keough had to the New Ireland family of Keoughs. The date he was born in Ireland coincides with the date of most of the early settlers to New Ireland. The location of his funeral and interment (presumably St.Patricks Catholic church in Limestone) also tends to make us feel he is related in some way.


Patrick Keough Death Cert.

This is the death certificate of Patrick Keough issued on April 4, 1910. As you can see it tells of the birthplace of both his parents, his occupation (farmer), and the cause of death (dilation of the heart).


Bridget Keough Death Cert.

The above document is the death certificate of Bridget Keough. Cause of death is listed as rheumatism of the heart. She died on November 14, 1899.




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