The O'Leary's

The name "Leary" or "O'Leary", the Anglicized version of the original Gaelic patronym Laogaire or Laoghaire, is one of the oldest names in the Irish tradition. We can trace our O'Leary ancestors back to the 1700's when Timothy O'Leary I and his wife, Catherine, were born.

Writing the storied O'Leary Family history is one thing. Understanding it is another. Timothy O'Leary, is more than just a common family name. In our family history there are seven of them that we can identify. This author has chosen to use Roman numerals as is common for people who share the same name across generations. Not all of the Timothy O'Leary's have the same middle name but the Roman numerals are used here nonetheless. There is no evidence that the various Timothy O'Leary's ever used this designation to distinguish themselves in such a manner. The Roman numerals are only being used to assist the reader.

The O'Leary's of Inchigeela

The O'Leary family has always been identified with County Cork in the province of Munster in southern Ireland. At the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion in the 12^th century the O'Leary Clan fled inland to the headwaters of the River Lee in the southern foothills of the mountains separating Cork and Kerry. Their settlement was named Eveleary and included the towns of Inchigeela and Ballingeary and the area around Macroom, just 6 miles away on the road to Bantry.

Samuel Lewis, in his 1837 publication entitled A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, describes the ancient parish of Inchigeela or Eveleary, with its "majestic amphitheatre of mountains", in vivid detail. Inchigeela has been home to the O'Leary's for over a 1,000 years.

The story of our O'Leary clan starts in Inchigeela. Inchigeela, also spelled Inchigeelagh, is a Gaeltacht, which means an Irish-speaking area. It is an ancient and magical place where fairy mounds can be seen everywhere and local Catholics can be seen at holy places still praying the Rosary beads while walking in circles around the holy place. Those who pray the Rosary while walking around the holy place are said to be "doing the round".

To avoid inbreeding in the closely circumscribed society in the small parish of Inchigeela, O'Leary family relationships were traced by branch names or nicknames. Some of those nicknames have been lost with the passage of time. However, our branch nickname and two other branch nicknames are mentioned here.

Our O'Leary branch nickname is 'the O'Leary Galic', meaning 'the Irish Leary's'. Another O'Leary branch name was 'the O'Leary Kipper's (or 'Kippur's), meaning 'the sticks or the fighters". Another branch name is 'the O'Leary Reagh', meaning 'the swarthy or gray haired'.

Within the parish of Inchigeela is the Lake of Googane-Barra. The River Lee has its starting point at Googane-Barra. The ruins of an ancient church erected by St. Finbarr can be found there. It was at that spot in August of 1982, that this author, Mark Lawton; his father, James Lawton; his father-in-law, Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary; and, Michael Creedon, attended Mass celebrated by the visiting Cardinal Manning from Los Angeles. The Cardinal's sister ran the small hotel, 'Cronin's Hotel', situated on the lake at Googane.

Our ancestors,Timothy O'Leary I and Catherine O'Leary were born in the 1700's. We know that Catherine was born in 1791, as she died a "farmer's widow" in the townland of Augheras, on December 10, 1871, at the age of 80 years. Obviously, our ancestor, Timothy O'Leary I, died before 1871. (Augheras has also been spelled Aharas, Aharass and Augeris.)

It is assumed that Timothy I and Catherine married before 1814, as their son, our ancestor, also named Timothy O'Leary, was born in 1814. Timothy II, as he'll be referred to in this family history, was born and raised in the very same Augheras farmhouse that many generations of O'Leary's would call their home from at least the 1600's to the early 1700's. It is part of the O'Leary oral tradition that the O'Leary's had resided in Inchigeela from the 12^th century on.

The Famine: 'The Great Hunger'

The potato arrived in Europe about 1565 and flourished in Ireland, where wet weather and soil conditions made it the staple crop. Half of the eight million Irish population of 1842 subsisted on potatoes and buttermilk, especially those families who resided in the province of Munster, including the O'Leary's of Inchigeela.

Beginning in 1845 and lasting for seven years, a fungus destroyed the potato crop throughout Ireland. The spores of the fungus that caused the blight, apparently originated in Mexico's central highlands. The spores ultimately reached New England before spreading to Flanders and Belgium. Wet, gloomy weather, unusual even for wet, gloomy Ireland, propagated the blight with stunning effect, and the starvation was on.

The late syndicated Boston Globe columnist, David Nyhan, in his last column, wrote, "The thing I'll miss most is the chance to shine a little flashlight on a dark corner, where a wrong was done to a powerless peon". Nyhan, chose "The Great Hunger" of 1845, as a favorite topic. Some of his commentary on "The Great Hunger" is set out below:

For every square mile of Irish sod, 30 peasants lay buried, weakened by starvation, finished off by what was collectively known as famine fever -- louse-borne relapsing fever and especially louse-borne typhus, whose victims give off a characteristic, awful smell in the last stages before they die.....The Great Hunger of 1845 lasted seven years, killed 1 million Irish people, prompted another million and a half to flee in the notorious 'coffin ships'. Ireland is the only country in Europe to have fewer people today than it had 150 years ago.....the fungus 'Phytophthora infestans' caused the blight of the potato in Ireland, but it was the injustice that caused the famine.....The British government allowed merchants to continue exporting food from Ireland to paying customers elsewhere even as thousands perished from want. The powerful grain merchants' lobby persuaded Parliament to ban the import of grain to help the Irish.....The Irish wouldn't have commandeered Boston the way they did, or captured the politics of New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia, had it not been for the tiny fungus spores that made their way from this country to the Auld Sod in the dank hold of a potato-bearing sailing ship. Jack Kennedy might have been naught but a Dublin publican's son, or an Irish dandy coaxing favors out of the Bloomsbury set, were it not for the migrate-or-die imperative spawned by a spore.

The O'Leary's witnessed their friends, neighbors and family members die during "The Great Hunger", or during what the Irish would say in their native language -- 'An Gorta Mor'. Many of the O'Leary children were born during the Famine years, including our ancestor, Denis O'Leary, who was born in 1853.

Finding the O'Leary ancestral home

The ancient O'Leary farmhouse was still standing, although vacant and in disrepair, at the time that Jim Lawton, Mark Lawton, 'Snub' O'Leary and Mike Creedon visited the townland of Augheras in August of 1982. While searching for the Augheras townland that August, the visitors from Brockton, Massachusetts, encountered Neilius (short for Cornelius) O'Leary, cutting peat with his son, Jeremiah. The site where they were cutting peat overlooked Gougane Barra. Neilius, happily gave the vistors from America (the Yanks) directions to the O'Leary ancestral home in Augheras.

In entering the townland of Augheras on Renairee Road, you descend into a culdesac at the bottom of which the ancient O'Leary farm house is located. The only other farmhouse in Augheras at the time, was Daniel Kelleher's. The Kelleher's and O'Leary's had lived in Augheras, next to one another, since at least the 1600's or early 1700's -- probably well before then.

Dan Kelleher, remembered attending school in Ballingeary with James O'Leary. They were both born in Augheras in 1893. James, was one of the nine children born to Timothy O'Leary III and his second wife, Margaret (Ryan) O'Leary (See below). James O'Leary, would later emigrate to America and settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

The Tailor and Ansty

In 1942, the Eric Cross book entitled The Tailor and Ansty was published by the Mercier Press of Dublin and Cork. It is a book that was initially banned by the Irish government as being "obscene". It was then "unbanned'. For that we are the richer.

The Eric Cross book captures life in the whitewashed cottage of Garrynapeaka, occupied by a remarkable and colorful old couple -- the Tailor and Ansty. Garrynapeaka, is a small townland in the parish of Inchigeela. Our ancestors, the Daylor's and the O'Leary's, also of Inchigeela, lived within walking distance of that small cottage when it was occupied by generations of the Buckley family, including the Tailor and his wife, Ansty, an abbreviation of Anastasia.

It is a revelatory book which pulls back the curtain on Irish life in the later part of the 19^th century and the early decades of the 20^th century -- life in the same Inchigeela neighborhood which our ancestors called home. Our ancestors spoke and acted as did The Tailor and Ansty and most assuredly with what we Americans would now consider -- comedic eloquence. If you ever wanted to go back in time and actually listen to our Irish ancestors from one hundred to two hundred years ago, just read the Eric Cross book. Below are only a few paragraphs from this wonderful Irish book:

For many, many years, Ansty has worn, on weekdays, the same clothes, until she has become, as the Tailor describes her, "more like a blessed bush at a holy well than a woman", so tattered are her clothes. Yet the Tailor vows that she has a goodly stock of clothes upstairs -- "the grandest museum of clothes you ever did see. There'll be a great auction at her wake, for some of the dresses are so old that their like no longer exists in the world today. They are so old that they have been in and out of fashion twice already."....."Did you ever know how dust came to be invented?" asks the Tailor, after he has been disturbed innumerable times. "Well I'll tell you the reason. When God made women they straightaway got into mischief. You see, He forgot to give them any sort of brains, and it was too late to do anything about it then. So He had an idee. He invented dust so that they should be all day sweeping it from one end of the house to the other. Bit it wasn't a great success. They still manage to get into mischief.".....During the campaign for the election, the Tailor went into a public-house, where two young men were discussing the rights and the wrongs of voting over a pint.

One was arguing that he saw no sense in voting a man into a good job when he had never seen the man, and that what did we want a government for, anyway? And further still -- until he had worked himself up into a temper.

The Tailor listened and finished his drink. As he passed out, he touched the local anarchist on the shoulder.

"You were wondering what the hell we need a government for at all. Do you know that I am inclined to agree with you? The only use of governments, so far as I can see, is to govern people who can't govern themselves -- such as yourself.".....War and politics can affect him (the Tailor) little. He is both wise and rich. Wise because he knows that life is too short for a long face -- and it may all be a joke. Rich because he knows that there are few things worth the effort of gaining. He has all that the world has to offer, in essence. "A man can only sleep on one bed at a time. There is nothing makes food so good as hunger. Treat the world fine and aisy and the world will treat you fine and aisy."

Timothy O'Leary I and Timothy O'Leary II

As a child and an adolescent, Timothy O'Leary II, would help his father, Timothy O'Leary I, work the rented farmland. Their chief crop, as it would be throughout County Cork, was the potato. Ancient Irish records, referred to as 'House Books', also indicate that in addition to the small house they rented, the O'Leary's rented a 'Cow House' and a 'Turf Shed'.

On February 23, 1841, just a few years before the beginning of the Great Famine, farmer Timothy O'Leary II, now age 27, married 25 year old Catherine Cotter, of the townland of Corrohy, in Iveleary Parish. (Corrohy has also been spelled Currihy and Currihey.) The couple would have married at Cotter's rented farmhouse which was the tradition at the time. Timothy Leary and Jeremiah Cotter, were witnesses on their wedding day.

There were seven children born to Timothy O'Leary II and Catherine (Cotter) O'Leary: Ellen (DOB: 12/19/1841), Timothy III (DOB: September 1843), Daniel (DOB: 2/14/1847), Joanna (DOB: March 18, 1849), James (DOB: 4/01/1851), our ancestor Denis (DOB: 8/15/1853) and Catherine (DOB: 5/1/1856). The baptismal sponsors for our ancestor Denis O'Leary, were Richard Cotter and Norry Lyhane.

Farmer Timothy O'Leary I, had plenty of sons to help with the cows

and planting of their potato crop. As his oldest child, a son, also named Timothy O'Leary, was now learning to farm, the leased farmland would be ready to be taken over by him one day as was the tradition in the old Irish families. That day would arrive when young Timothy O'Leary II, was 28 years of age.

Our ancestor Denis O'Leary, had no real future in Augheras, nor was there room for him. There were many children to feed. Ireland was still reeling from the potato famine that devastated his country. Denis' older brother by ten years, Timothy O'Leary II, was being groomed to take over their leased farmland.

Denis O'Leary, in April of 1862, emigrated to the United States of America with his older brother, James, then only eleven years of age. Denis, was only nine years of age. They left Ireland as farmers. In America they became shoe workers, laborers, and masons.

The O'Leary farmhouse in Augheras, suffered great change and sorrow in the five months between December 10, 1871 and May 24, 1872. On December 10, 1871, our ancestor, Catherine O'Leary, the matriarch of the O'Leary family, who was born in 1791, would pass away at the age of 80. Her death certificate indicated her cause of death as "Debility of age, four days sinking." Only 8 days later, on December 18, 1871, in the same small Augheras farmhouse with an earthen floor, Catherine's daughter-in-law, Catherine (Cotter) O'Leary, died at age 55 years. Her death certificate stated that the cause and duration of illness was "stomach disease, two years delicate."

Timothy O'Leary II, on May 24, 1872, only five months after losing both his mother and his wife, would himself die. He had been "four days ill." Timothy was only 58 years of age.

Within a period of only five months, 28 year old Timothy O'Leary III, lost his grandmother, his mother and then his father. It was time for Timothy to take control of the O'Leary leased farmland. He was also raising a large family as well.

Timothy III, had married Ellen Casey. They had three children before Ellen died. Timothy III, then married Margaret Ryan. They had 9 children between 1885 to 1902.

Timothy III, died on February 9, 1916, at age 72 years and is buried in the Inchigeela churchyard cemetery at the right entrance to the church.

The O'Leary's in America

In April of 1862, 11 year old James O'Leary of Inchigeelah, County Cork, arrived in the port of Boston with little 9 year brother, Denis O'Leary, our ancestor. They left behind a starving Irish population and a land offering no opportunity.

James O'Leary of Inchigeela and Boston

James O'Leary, who was born on April 1, 1851, arrived in the port of Boston in April of 1862. He was only eleven years of age. His baggage was little nine year old brother, Denis O'Leary. They lived in the Roxbury and West Roxbury sections of Boston and somehow survived. James eventually took up the carpentry trade. Denis, became a laborer.

On December 29, 1881, in the City of Boston, James O'Leary, at age 28, married 26 year old Irish immigrant Katherine 'Kate' Callahan. The Rev. Arthur T. Connolly performed the wedding ceremony.

James O'Leary and his family stayed in Boston. Younger brother, Denis O'Leary, headed south for the City of Brockton. James would continue to work in the carpentry trade. Denis, a young Irish laborer, eventually took up masonry.

James and 'Kate' O'Leary had six children. One child, John O'Leary, died in his infancy. Three additional sons were born to them: James, Thomas and Timothy O'Leary. They also had two daughters. Katherine M. O'Leary, an auditor with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, would die on March 11, 1946, at the age of 63. Her younger sister, Mary O'Leary, a bookkeeper with the Boston Mutual Insurance Company, would die on June 19, 1953, at the age of 63.

'Kate' (Callahan) O'Leary, who was born in Ireland, died in Boston on February 22, 1926, at the age of 77. Her widowed husband, James O'Leary, died on July 17, 1930. They were residing at 75 Clement Avenue, in the West Roxbury section of Boston at the time of their deaths. James O'Leary, was 79 years of age.

Denis O'Leary of Inchigeela and Brockton

Shortly after James O'Leary's marriage to 'Kate' Callahan, in 1881, Denis O'Leary, moved to Brockton, Massachusetts, where he met Irish-born widow, Bridget Buttomer. Brockton, a bustling manufacturing center employing thousands of European immigrants, was known as the "Shoe Capital of the World."

Denis T. O'Leary married Bridget (Minnehan) Buttomer, in Brockton, on January 19, 1886. The Rev. John McGrail, a newly ordained Irish born priest, married the couple. Rev. McGrail, only 29 years of age when he married Denis and Bridget, was younger than both the bride and groom.

Denis and Bridget O'Leary, had four children together. Timothy A. O'Leary IV, our ancestor, was born on October 22, 1886, in Brockton. Their sons John P. O'Leary, Dennis J. and James H. O'Leary, would follow.

At the time of the O'Leary/Buttermore marriage in 1886, Denis was a 32 year old laborer and mason tender. Bridget, was a 33 year old domestic worker.

Denis O'Leary, found work as a mason tender with William H. Donnelly, a successful Brockton mason. While Denis was busy supporting his expanding family in Brockton, his older brother James O'Leary, who at age 11 escorted 8 year old Denis to America, was practicing the carpentry trade in Boston.

On December 4, 1895, Denis and Bridget purchased a home at 61 South Skinner Street in Brockton, from Wallace and Angie Flagg. It was on South Skinner Street where the Irish couple had hoped to raise their children.

Tragedy visited the Denis and Bridget O'Leary household after only 10 years of marriage and only 4 months after they proudly purchased their first home. On April 10, 1896, at the age of 43 years, Bridget O'Leary died suddenly of "cerebral apoplexy." Their oldest child, our ancestor, Timothy A. O'Leary IV, was only 9 years old at the time of

his mother's sudden death. Bridget O'Leary's sudden death also left behind three other small children: John P., Dennis J., and James H. O'Leary.

Bridget (Minnehan) (Buttomer) O'Leary, was the daughter of John Minnehan and Julia (O'Leary) Minnehan. Bridget, was buried with the Buttomer Family at the St. Thomas Acquinas Church Cemetery, located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The Buttomer's, had immigrated to America in the 1840's from the parish of Kilmichael, in County Cork, Ireland.

After his mother's death in 1896, young Timothy O'Leary IV, learned the masonry trade from his father, Denis O'Leary. When he was old enough he leased a small apartment on 16 Addison Avenue, on Brockton's East Side. During this time Timothy met an Irish born woman, 5 years older than he, who was living on Cottage Street in Brockton - Mary F. Daylor.

Timothy A. O'Leary IV, at the age of 22, married 27 year old waitress/domestic, Mary F. Daylor. Their wedding took place at St. Patrick's Church, located at 277 Main Street, Brockton, on November 26, 1908. The Rev.William E. Tierney, performed the ceremony.

Mary F. Daylor, came from the same town and parish in Ireland as her father-in-law, Denis O'Leary - Ballingeary, parish of Inchigeela, County of Cork.

Tragedy again would visit the O'Leary household. On Wednesday, August 22, 1912, 58 year old Denis T. O'Leary, the mason tender from Inchigeela, County Cork, who arrived on the shores of Boston at the age of 9, was struck and killed by a freight train along with his horse at Commercial Yard in Brockton Massachusetts.

The Brockton Enterprise newspaper on Friday, August 24, 1912, ran the following story about the well-known Irishman from Brockton. The article was headlined: Employer Was One Of the Pallbearers; At the Funeral of Dennis T. O'Leary, Who Was Killed Wednesday. The Enterprise article continued:

The funeral of Dennis T. O'Leary, who was killed at Commercial yard Wednesday morning, falling beneath the wheels of a freight car while making a brave attempt to save his horse from being struck, was held this morning from the home of his son, Timothy A. O'Leary of 44 West Park Street, at 8:30 0'clock, with high mass of requiem at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church at 9. The mass was celebrated by Rev. Patrick H. Walsh.

The pallbearers were William H. Donnelly, who had employed Mr. O'Leary for years and five friends of long standing, Michael McLean, John Leary, Fred Jones and Michael McGauley. Many friends attended the services and a large number of floral tributes attested the esteem in which he was held, these including: Large pillow, "Father," from children; standing cross, James O'Leary, his brother; panel of asters and roses, Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Buttomer; standing wreath of galyx leaves and roses, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Donnelly; standing wreath of asters and roses, Brockton Court, M.C.O.F.; standing wreath of purple and white asters, Mr. and Mrs. E.F. O'Connor; panel of gladiolas, Nora and Margaret Twomey; panel roses, Catherine, Anna and Nellie; panel purple asters, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Moran and family; panel of purple and white asters, Marie, Anna and Lucy; panel of purple and white asters, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Danehy and Mrs. Fleming; spray of purple and white asters, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Buckley; spray of purple and white asters, Mary, Agnes and Catherine Smith; spray of asters. Mrs. Mary Degnan and Mrs. Lizzie Hayden; large pillow of lilies and roses, B.M.P.I.U., Local No. 5. A delegation from Brockton Court, M.C.O.F., and the union attended the last rites.

Timothy A. O'Leary IV, who had lost his mother Bridget, when he was only 9 years of age, now had lost his father, Denis O'Leary. Timothy was only 25 years of age.

Timothy IV had to assume legal guardianship of his youngest brother, James H., who was a minor at the time of their father's death. His younger brothers, John P. O'Leary and Dennis J. O'Leary, had already left their South Skinner Street home to find their fortunes elsewhere. John P. O'Leary had moved to the town of Visalia, County of Tulare, California, 190 miles north of Los Angeles. Dennis Joseph O'Leary, headed West to work on the Boulder Dam (Hoover Dam). James O'Leary, ultimately traveled to and settled in Arizona. They never returned home again.

At the time of Denis O'Leary's tragic death in August of 1912, his oldest son, Timothy O'Leary IV and his family were living on 44 West Park Street in Brockton. Timothy and his wife, Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, already had two children. Joseph Francis O'Leary, our ancestor, who would one day be known as 'Snub' O'Leary, was born at 44 West Park Street, on November 13, 1910. Joseph Francis, wasn't quite 2 years of age. Thomas Finbar O'Leary, who was also born at 44 West Park Street, on July 31, 1912, was only 3 weeks old when his grandfather was killed.

It was in the front parlor at 44 West Park Street that 58 year old Denis O'Leary was waked, on Thursday, August 23, 1912. Children, Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary and his baby brother, Thomas Finbar O'Leary, had to be cared for by others on the evening of their grandfather's wake, to avoid the crush of those coming to pay their respects at 44 West Park Street.

After Denis' death, Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, would give birth to George O'Leary, who would die at age 9 months; Evelyn Marie O'Leary, who was born on West Park Street on March 31, 1914; John Vincent O'Leary, who was born on West Park Street on November 14, 1916; and, Timothy O'Leary V, who was born at 20 Winona Street, on December 28, 1918.

On February 1, 1917, Timothy IV and Mary O'Leary, purchased their first home at 20 Winona Street, in the Ward Two section of Brockton's West Side. The O'Leary's, took title to the Winona Street property from Mary A. Hewitt, widow of Cassander W. Hewitt.

Palpable anti-Irish sentiment existed in Massachusetts and elsewhere in the 1800's and into the early 1900's. Evidence of that sentiment is the October 15, 1891 quit-claim deed to the 20 Winona Street property from Thaddeus E. Gifford and his wife, Phebe E. Gifford, to Cassander W. Hewitt, whose widow, Mary A. Hewitt, eventually conveyed the Winona Street property to the O'Leary's in 1917.

The last sentence in that 1891 quit claim deed read: "This conveyance is made subject to the restrictions namely, that said grantee, his heirs and assigns, shall never place any building on said lot nearer to said Winona Street than fifteen feet, and shall never convey said lot to any Irish person."

In 1891, Thaddeus and Phebe Gifford, never would have imagined that a family from Inchegeela, Ireland, would be moving into their neighborhood. But, it would have been sheer heresy to believe that Irish Catholics, like Timothy O'Leary IV and his wife, Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, who was born and raised in Ballingeary, parish of Inchegeela, County Cork, Ireland, would be sleeping in their very bedroom only 25 years later.

On October 6, 1931, fourteen years after purchasing his home on Winona Street, bricklayer Timothy O'Leary IV died. He was only 44 years of age. His oldest child, 'Snub' O'Leary was only 20 years old. His youngest child, Timothy V, was only 12 years of age. His widow, Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, would die on February 25, 1964, at the age of 83. She would be a widow for the next 32 years.

Timothy and Mary (Daylor) O'Leary's children

Snub O'Leary, never left Brockton. He stayed and joined the Brockton Police force. Thomas Finbar O'Leary, died a bachelor. George O'Leary, died at age nine months. Evelyn Marie O'Leary, married Lt. Alfred Craig Evans, of San Antonio, Texas, during World War II. Fr. Joseph Kenney, of St. Patrick's Church in Brockton, married the young couple.

Evelyn and her husband, known as Craig Evans, had three children: Sam Evans, Mary (Evans) Wilson and Richard Evans. Craig Evans, died in 1964. Evelyn (O'Leary) Evans, died in Sun City, Arizona, on March 15, 1993.

John Vincent O'Leary, who was known as Vinny, throughout his lifetime, served in the United States Army during WWII. Vinny, married Barbara Jean Nickerson, of Braintree, Massachusetts. They married in the chapel of Fort Warren, in Cheyene, Wyoming. Vinny and Jean had one son: Brian O'Leary, who became a prominent dentist in the Granite Bay area of California.

The youngest of the six O'Leary children, Timothy O'Leary V, was born Timothy Leo O'Leary. Known as 'Leo', throughout his lifetime, he was born on December 28, 1918. Aside from working every day, he never left the O'Leary homestead, located at 20 Winona Street, in Brockton. He died there on October 3, 1983.

In the summer of 1958, nine year-old Mark Lawton, moved into the O'Leary neighborhood with his family. The Lawton's lived at 398 Ash Street. Young Mark, shoveled Mrs. O'Leary's snow during the winters. He occasionally ran errands for Mrs. O'Leary to the Belmont Cash Market on the corner of Ash and Belmont Streets, for items like bread and milk.

On April 19, 1975, Mark would marry Mary (Daylor) O'Leary's granddaughter, Patricia Ann O'Leary, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brockton.

'Snub' O'Leary

No one could write a history about the O'Leary Family of Brockton, Massachusetts, from the year 1910 forward without making Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary a big part of that history. And, no one is capable of adequately telling the story about 'Snub' O'Leary. He was larger than life. As those from Ireland who had the good fortune of meeting 'Snub', they universally referred to him as "A Real Paddy", the ultimate compliment for an American-born Irishman.

Stanley Bauman, the nationally recognized photographer, grew up with Snub in Brockton. Bauman, captured with his lens, every iconic moment of the undefeated Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano's storied career. Bauman, loved "The Brockton Blockbuster', as did everyone in Rocky's hometown of Brockton, Massachusetts. But, Bauman, was also captivated by the rugged and lovable Irishness of Snub O'Leary.

Joseph Francis O'Leary, was only six years old when his four siblings and his mother and father, moved into their new home at 20 Winona Street in February of 1917. It was a neighborhood where few Irish people owned property at the time. The property would stay in the O'Leary family until Timothy Leo O'Leary's (Timothy V) death in October of 1983.

It was in that Brockton neighborhood that Stanley Bauman remembers Snub, "borrowing an apple pie or two from the back porches where their creators placed them to cool off." Bauman, also remembered Snub O'Leary as gifted an athlete as Marciano, both of them from the Ward Two section of Brockton.

Snub, graduated from Brockton High School in 1929. He played football at Brockton High for each of his four years there. After high school, Snub played football with the original West End Club, the Brockton Okos, the Bush A.C. and the Colonial A.C.

After graduating from Brockton High School in 1929, Snub, started to date Anna Marie Clifford, of 1 Mulberry Place, in 'The Tipperary' section of Brockton. Anna Marie, known as Marie Clifford, throughout her lifetime, graduated with Snub in 1929.

Marie, was born on May 6, 1912, the daughter of William Clifford and Hannah J. (Burke) Clifford. She was the oldest of the eight Clifford children. Marie Clifford, was as popular as her high school classmate, Snub O'Leary. After graduating from Brockton High School, Marie, became the recording secretary of the Massachusetts Catholic Women's Guild. She also became a junior supervisor at the telephone company. She proudly was known as one of the 'Telephone Pioneers' -- the first wave of women hired to run the switchboards at the telephone company.

The O'Leary/Clifford engagement lasted a little over one year. It was capped with two showers for Marie. Both showers were put together by her fellow workers from the telephone company. The March 15, 1938 edition of the Brockton Enterprise newspaper, stated in part: Miss Marie Clifford of Mulberry Street was pleasantly surprised Monday evening by a party tendered her in honor of her approaching marriage. The party was arranged by the members of the Sec Tel Club.

An Enterprise news story from March 26, 1938, ran a story about Marie's second shower. The first paragraph of the news article read, Miss Marie Clifford, 1 Mulberry Place, was tendered another shower Thursday evening at the home of Miss Mildred Grimes of Wyman Street by more than 60 of her girl associates at the telephone company. Miss Clifford will become the bride of Francis O'Leary of Winona Street, Easter Sunday at St. Edward's Church.

Anna Marie Clifford, married Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary, on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1938. Fr. Leo O'Leary, performed the ceremony at St. Edward's Church in Brockton. Pearl Clifford, Marie's sister, was the maid of honor. Thomas Finbar O'Leary, 'Snub's' brother, was the best man. The bride was given in marriage by her father, William 'Bill' Clifford.

Driving a horse and team throughout Brockton, Snub, delivered Bond Bread house to house. He also worked as a salesman for Dawson's Beer and later still for Ballantine Ale & Beer. At the time of his marriage in April of 1938, Snub worked as an insurance salesman for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company.

Snub and Marie, would have three children. Timothy Francis O'Leary, was born on April 5, 1940. William Michael O'Leary, was born on October 9, 1941. The youngest of the three children, Patricia Ann O'Leary, was born on January 29, 1951. Tim and Bill were born while the O'Leary Family was residing at 398 Moraine Street, in Brockton. Patty, was born after the family moved to their new home at 17 Tilton Avenue. (There are many photos of Snub and Marie O'Leary in the accompanying 'Family History Photo' album.)

The world goes to war again

The world was percolating with conflict during the first year of Snub and Marie's marriage. On September 1, 1939, seventeen months after their marriage, Germany invaded Poland. The new global conflict that would come to be known as World War II, had begun. The world would change forever.

The United States declared war on the Empire of Japan on December 8, 1941, one day after that country's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States declared war upon Germany on December 11, 1941, hours after Germany declared war on the United States.

Snub and Marie O'Leary's second child, Bill O'Leary was born in October of 1941, two months before America issued declarations of War against the Empire of Japan and Germany. Snub's age and the birth of his two sons prevented him from heading to combat in Europe so he immediately volunteered to work in the defense industry at the Fore River shipyard plant in Quincy, Massachusetts. He worked there until after the war ended. The Allies accepted Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945, just one week after Adolph Hitler committed suicide. Japan formally surrendered on August 15, 1945.

In June of 1944, Snub, announced his candidacy for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. The legislative district was the old 'double district', made up of Wards 1, 2, 4 & 5. Billy Deehan, of 540 Crescent Street, Brockton, was Snub's campaign manager.

Snub, wasn't successful in his run for political office but it wasn't for want of his popularity. It was still difficult in 1944, for an Irish Catholic Democrat to win elective office. Just 30 years later, however, in 1974, he helped engineer Mark Lawton's successful run for that same legislative seat. Mark, would marry Snub's daughter, Patricia O'Leary, the following April.

Law enforcement was always Snub O'Leary's goal. While still working in the defense industry and raising his three small children, he was hired by the City of Brockton as a reserve police officer. On June 23, 1957, Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary, was appointed full time by Brockton Chief of Police Joseph C. Wright. The City Council approved Snub's appointment shortly thereafter. He retired from active police service on October 31, 1972.

The law enforcement career of Snub O'Leary was colorful to say the least. Families with small children would line the streets to watch him direct traffic. One of those people who would get a car ride to wherever Snub was directing traffic was Paul Lawton, younger brother to Mark Lawton. Snub, entertained adults and children alike.

Directing traffic wasn't always the safest of jobs. On March 2, 1963, Snub, was badly injured while directing traffic in front of West Junior High School on West Street in Brockton. The Brockton Enterprise newspaper on March 5, 1963, ran the first of several articles about Patrolman O'Leary's accident. It read:

The condition of Patrolman Joseph F. O'Leary, 52, of 17 Tilton Avenue, is "good" today, according to officials at Brockton Hospital where he was taken after being struck by an automobile while directing traffic Saturday night.

O'Leary, who reportedly sustained several fractured ribs, a fracture to a small bone in his left leg and multiple lacerations, was standing at the intersection of West and West Elm Sts., directing traffic, when a vehicle went into a skid on the icy road, crashed into another car and then struck the patrolman.

On April 7, 1985, Snub and Marie O'Leary, spent Easter Sunday with their daughter, Patricia (O'Leary) Lawton, her husband Mark Lawton and their three children: Patrick, Timothy and Molly, at their Thorny Lea Terrace home. It was a day described by all as "wonderfully peaceful and relaxing." Snub, spent the day recalling events from his childhood. At the end of the day, Mark drove Snub and Marie home to their Tilton Avenue home. Snub went to bed and never woke up. It was Easter Sunday. Snub and Marie were married on Easter Sunday, exactly 47 years earlier.

On Wednesday, April 10, 1985, the Brockton Enterprise ran an obituary with the headlines, 'Retired Brockton policeman Joseph 'Snub' O'Leary dies.' A few of the relevant paragraphs from 'Snub's obituary are set out below:

When Our Lady of Lourdes was located on Boylston Street in Brockton, he was the Head of the Holy Name Society. He dressed and acted as Santa Claus at the children's Christmas parties held during the early years of the parish. He also served as assistant coach of the Rotary Little League team as well as Dunnington's Pony League team.....During his 15-year career as a police officer, Mr. O'Leary was known for his affable personality and histrionic style of directing traffic.

The day of Snub's funeral was a social event -- in typical Snub style. Congressman Brian Donnelly, flew in from Washington to say goodbye to his friend. Governor Edward J. King, landed his helicopter at the Brockton Fairgrounds to attend the funeral Mass. Fifty or more Brockton Police and State Police cars escorted snub's casket from Conley's Funeral Home to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, where Fr. Tom Lawton, Mark's uncle, waited to celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.

Joseph Francis 'Snub' O'Leary, was unique. He was "A Real Paddy."

Marie (Clifford) O'Leary, was never the same after Snub's death. She would die at Madalawn Nursing home in Brockton, on Saturday, February 12, 1994. Marie, was 81 years of age. Fr. Tom Lawton, was the chief celebrant at Marie's funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Wednesday, February 16, 1994.

Snub and Marie O'Leary's children and grandchildren

The oldest of Snub and Marie's children was Timothy Francis O'Leary (Timothy VI). Tim, was born on April 5, 1940, in Brockton, Massachusetts.

Timothy O'Leary VI, was the All-American young man. He was President of his Brockton High School class of 1958. He was the starting quarterback his senior year, in arguably the most storied high school football program in Massachusetts history. Tim's high school yearbook described accurately what his reputation would become: "Always calm, always collected. Well liked by all, by all respected." Tim, was also voted by his high school classmates as "the most likely to succeed". Tim O'Leary, was popular and focused. Most importantly, he was blessed with his father's affable personality. Later, during his chosen career as a member of the Massachusetts State Police, he was given the appropriate sobriquet of, "The Monsignor". (There are several photos of Timothy O'Leary, in the accompanying 'Family History Photo' album.)

Not long after entering law enforcement, Tim met and fell in love with Mary Ann Zeoli. Tim and Mary married at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Walpole, Massachusetts, on April 17, 1966. They lived in Walpole after their marriage before moving to Foxboro, Massachusetts where they raised their children.

Mary (Zeoli) O'Leary, the daughter of Joseph Zeoli and Genevieve (Bonito) Zeoli, was born in August of 1931, the oldest of two children. Her brother, Joseph, was born in 1943. After Mary's father died, her mother married, Gregory Napolitano. Their child, Gilda Napolitano, Mary O'Leary's half-sister, was born in 1947.

Mary's son, James, was 6 years of age when Tim and Mary married in 1966. James, was born in September of 1959. Two children would be born of Tim and Mary's marriage: Timothy Francis O'Leary (Timothy VII), was born in January of 1967; and, Janine O'Leary, was born in February of 1968.

James O'Leary, would marry Wayne Oulette. They lived in Wareham, Massachusetts as of 2016. James, worked in the real estate industry. Wayne worked in the retail industry.

Timothy O'Leary VII, worked briefly for Barros Electric in Foxboro. He continued the O'Leary family tradition in law enforcement by being hired by the Foxboro Police Department, starting in 1986.

On October 8, 1995, Timothy VII, married Gail Verderber, in Walpole, Massachusetts. They had two children: Abigail O'Leary, who was born in June of 2000 and Michael O'Leary, who was born in July of 2003.

On June 1, 2007, Janine O'Leary, married Jeffrey Krula, of Franklin, Massachusetts. They had two children: Rachel Krula, was born in August of 2008. Ryan Krula, was born in February of 2011.

On December 23, 2015, after a lengthy illness, Timothy F. O'Leary (Timothy VI) passed away surrounded by his family at the Epoch Senior Health Care of Norton, Massachusetts. Tim's funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Mary's Church in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The second oldest of Snub and Marie's children, was William Michael O'Leary. William, known as 'Bill' throughout his lifetime, was born on October 9, 1941. Bill was born while his family was living at 329 West Elm Street in Brockton, just prior to their moving to 398 Moraine Street in Brockton.

Bill, graduated from Brockton High School in 1959. He enlisted in the United States Army after graduation and proudly served three years before being honorably discharged.

Bill O'Leary, married Rose Ann Iagatta. They had two daughters: Kimberly and Laurie. Laurie married Scott Gibbons on October 27, 1990. Three children would be born to them: Stephanie, Matthew and Zachery Gibbons. Laurie and Scott raised their children in Salem, New Hampshire.

Bill O'Leary, passed away on November 7, 2006, after a long struggle with cancer. He worked for the Brockton School Department for many years. Prior to working for the City of Brockton, Bill worked in the real estate industry, successfully running real estate auctions with his best friend, Louis Tartaglia.

Bill, was the best friend of his younger sister, Patricia (O'Leary) Lawton and was devoted to her three children: Patrick, Timothy and Molly Lawton.

The youngest of the three O'Leary children, Patricia, known as 'Patty'

throughout her lifetime, was born on January 29, 1951, in Brockton, Massachusetts. She attended Brockton Public Schools, graduating from Cardinal Spellman High School on June of 1969. Patty, graduated from Emmanuel College, with a B.S. degree in 1973.

Patricia O'Leary and Mark Lawton marry in 1975

In October of 1972, Mark Lawton, of Brockton, who was then in his second year of law school in Boston, asked Patty out on a blind date. They attended a Harvard-Brown football game in Cambridge. The football tickets were provided by a Lawton neighbor, Dorothy Dale.

It was also the start of a courtship that would culminate in their marriage on April 19, 1975.

Mark entered electoral politics in 1974, only one week after his law school graduation. He followed in his father's footsteps by running for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Mark won a decisive victory on September 10^th of that year by besting fourteen year incumbent, Paul Maurice Murphy. Mark would be elected to four more terms to the Massachusetts House, the same as his father, 'Jimmy' Lawton.

The Lawton campaign was waged with the help and assistance of long-term friend and campaign manager, Richard Ashodian; Mark's girlfriend and future wife, Patty O'Leary, who herself would enjoy great political success; Patty's father, Snub O'Leary; Mark's four younger brothers; and, a long list of volunteers.

Also in September of 1974, Patty O'Leary, started her first teaching job as a sixth grade teacher at the Hancock Elementary School in Brockton. Mark, started studying for the Massachusetts Bar Exam which was held in February of 1975, only one month after he began his first term in the Massachusetts House. Patty and Mark, were also planning their wedding to be held in April of 1975. They were also trying to find an apartment to rent after their wedding. They two of them were busy.

On April 19, 1975, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Brockton, Patricia A. O'Leary and Mark Lawton, married.

The Rev. Thomas Lawton, Mark's paternal uncle, performed the marriage on April 19, 1975. Richard Lawton, Mark's brother and Ellen Conlon, Patty's college roommate, were the witnesses. The church was filled that day with wedding invitees and between sixty and seventy students and their parents from the Hancock Elementary School, in Brockton, where Patty taught the sixth grade. Patty, was a popular teacher.

Mark and Patty Lawton, first resided in a second floor apartment at 103 Belcher Avenue in Brockton. They later moved to a second floor apartment at 76 Morse Avenue, before finally purchasing their first home, a small Dutch Colonial, at 67 Winifred Road in Brockton. All three addresses were within 300 yards of one another.

The three Lawton children would all be born while residing at that the 67 Winifred Road address. Patrick O'Leary Lawton, was born at the Brockton Hospital, on October 6, 1979. Timothy Clifford Lawton, was born at the Brockton Hospital on July 30, 1981 and Molly Burke Lawton, was born at the Brockton Hospital, on May 17, 1984. Only months after Molly's birth, the Lawton Family moved to their last Brockton address at 19 Thorny Lea Terrace in Brockton.

Governor Edward J. King, appointed Mark as an Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Trial Court in January of 1983, only two days after being sworn in to his fifth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives and only minutes before Governor Edward King walked out of the State House to be replaced by the incoming governor, Michael Dukakis. Mike Dukakis, in 1988 would become the Democratic nominee for President of the United States.

Mark and his father, Jim Lawton, now formed the only father-son combination on the Massachusetts Trial Court.

Mark Lawton, was famous for boasting about his wife, Patricia (O'Leary) Lawton, that "Patty is the best politician in the family." In spite of an unspoken bias that women had to overcome in gaining elective office, Patty had great political success.

In 1988, Patty, ran for the office of Plymouth County Commissioner. She ran against a plethora of well-known men, as well as a long-time incumbent, Matthew Striggles. In November of 1988, she became only the second woman to become a county commissioner in Plymouth County, which at that time had been in existence for 303 years.

Plymouth County was created by an act of the colonial legislature on June 2, 1685, when the colony of New Plymouth was divided into three counties: Plymouth, Bristol and Barnstable.

In 1992, Patty, ran for re-election as a Plymouth County Commissioner. Sadly, a central issue in her campaign for re-election was her new residence. In January of 1992, Patty and her family moved from their Thorny Lea Terrace address to 225 Grange Park in Bridgewater. The Brockton Enterprise newspaper actually ran a front page story in 1992, entitled 'Politically active couple to move from Brockton.'

A Massachusetts state statute prohibited more than one of the three county commissioners from residing in the same town. Patty had been elected with a Brockton address in 1988. Now she was living in Bridgewater which was also where incumbent Matt Striggles resided. Patty would have to top the ticket in order for her to retain her seat. She did just that.

Not only did she top the ticket, she garnered more votes than anyone who had ever run for that office. She did so while handily defeating the popular John Buckley of Brockton. Patty, came in first with 94,708 votes, to John Buckley's 73,622 votes, to 72,040 votes for Matt Striggles, one of the three incumbents. The Republican, Larry Novak, received 49,382 votes.

One of Patty's initiatives and achievements as Plymouth County Commissioner was construction of the new Plymouth County Correctional facility in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The cost of construction was $110 million. It was a 1,140 bed prison complex that housed federal, state and county prisoners.

In 1996, Patty, embarked into an area where no woman had every gone before in Massachusetts politics. She ran for the office of Sheriff. Her candidacy received a lot of media attention. Her primary election victory on September 16, 1996, was a resounding success. On September 17, 1996, newspapers throughout southeastern Massachusetts and elsewhere carried headlines similar to the one that appeared in her hometown newspaper, 'The Bridgewater Independent' -- 'Lawton in a Landslide'.

Patty Lawton, took 66.1% of the Plymouth County vote on the way to defeating her Democratic primary election opponent, Charles Lincoln, for the Democratic nomination for the office of Sheriff of Plymouth County. Patty, became the first female in Massachusetts history to be nominated by any political party for the office of Sheriff.

Patty, was favored to beat incumbent Sheriff Peter Forman in the 1996 November final election. Peter Forman won a narrow victory. 'Patty' Lawton, ran a memorable campaign.

In addition to being a political trailblazer for women, her other accomplishments were varied if not eclectic. Having earned her B.A. degree at Emmanuel College, in Boston, she taught 6^th grade in the Brockton Public School System before she left to give birth to her three children: Patrick, Timothy and Molly. In 1998, she went back to education, but not the classroom. Between 1998 and 2003, Patty, was Supervisor of Attendance for the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School System. Patty, helped found BI2 Technologies in 2004, a company that develops and sells biometric systems. In 2010, after her husband, Mark, left the bench, she developed a lobbying group, called 'The Lawton Group'.

Patty Lawton's community involvement was legendary. From 1981 to 1983, she was Chairman of the Cardinal Spellman High School Development Fund Drive. From 1984 to 1989, she served as a Trustee for Brockton Hospital. With her husband, Mark, she helped found the Brockton Boys and Girls Club, working on the project between 1988 and 1991. The club opened for business in 1991. Patty, was a Trustee of the Advisory Council for the Massachusetts Hospital Association, from 1993 to 1994. She was Chairman of the Board at the Cranberry Specialty Hospital from 1993 to 1996. For several decades she was a volunteer and fundraiser for the Guild of Catholic Charities Food Pantry.

After having been elected President of the Guild of Catholic Charities in the 1970's she was elected again in September of 2018 to be President of the Guild. As of 2016, she was a member of the Steering Committee for the Capital Campaign for a new Cancer Center at the Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, in addition to serving on the Foundation Board of Governors for the Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital, Inc. On September 20, 2016, at the State House in Boston, Governor Charles D. Baker, swore Patty in as a member of the Plymouth, Massachusetts 400^th Anniversary Commission.

Patty and Mark Lawton's grandchildren

On Saturday, June 13, 2015, Molly Burke Lawton, married Travis Manning Kaylor, of Connecticut, on Nantucket. Family friend, Fr. Jim Chichetto, married the couple at St. Mary of the Isle Catholic Church. Timothy Lawton, stood up for his sister. Brendan Kaylor, stood up for his brother. The wedding reception was held at the Nantucket Inn.

Molly Kaylor, gave birth to Patty and Mark Lawton's first grandchild, on Monday, August 14, 2017, at 2:19 pm, at Sinai West Hospital in Manhattan. The new addition, Vivian Oakes Kaylor, was born on what would have been her paternal grandfather Brian Kaylor's 70^th birthday. Vivian, weighed 7lbs and was 20 inches long. Molly, gave birth to their second child, Quinn Frances Kaylor, at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts, on May 14, 2019. Quinn, weighed 8lbs and was 21 inches long. (There are several photos of Vivian and Quinn Kaylor, in the accompanying 'Family Photo History' album.)

On Saturday, October 22, 2022, Tim Lawton and Dawn Giel, married at Rainbow Ranch Lodge, located on the banks of the Gallatin River, in Big Sky, Montana. The celebrant was Sean King, a friend of the couple. Tim's siblings, Patrick and Molly (Lawton) Kaylor, stood up for their brother. Dayna Giel, stood up for her older sister.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, the newest member of the Giel/Moore/O'Leary/Lawton Family was born. His name -- River Cillian Lawton; 7.9 pounds and almost 21 inches tall. River, became the youngest cousin to the 2^nd President of the United States, John Adams; the youngest descendant of 'Winthrop's Fleet' which established the City of Boston in 1630; and, the youngest descendant of tenant-famers from County Cork, Ireland.

The O'Leary and Creedon Clans

It's not unusual for family, friends and neighbors to move or migrate from one town in a foreign land and resettle together in their new country. Familiarity, comfort and the existence of an immediate economic and cultural support system are the reasons for such a familial resettlement.

One such migration and resettlement that has kept the same families together for the better part of a millennium is the one from the parish of Inchigeela, County Cork, Ireland, in the 19^th century. It involves the emigration of the O'Leary, Daylor and Creedon families from the parish of Inchigeela in Ireland, to Brockton, Massachusetts. The Daylor's will be the topic of the next chapter. The unique and continuing relationship between the O'Leary and Creedon families, however, requires a special mention here within this family history.

It has been understood within the Irish neighborhoods of Brockton, Massachusetts, that the O'Leary and Creedon families were 'cousins'. That may be a common frame of reference within many ethnic groups. The Irish are far more cautious and circumspect in the use of such references, however.

For several generations, the story of Maura Hugh (Twomey) Creedon, has been a topic of conversation within the Creedon family. It is that same conversation that allows family oral history to continue from one generation to the next. It is through Maura Hugh Twomey and her mother Mary Leary (O'Leary) that so many families of our Irish resettlement are tied together.

Maura Hugh Twomey is born in 1837 in Inchigeela

Samuel Lewis, in his two volume work entitled the Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, first published in London in 1837, describes the place of Maura Hugh's birth -- Inchigeela. His description is set out below.

Inchegeelagh, or Eveleary, a parish, partly in the Western Division of the barony of East Carbery, but chiefly in the barony of West Muskerry, county of Cork and province of Munster, 6 miles (w.s.w.) from Macroom, on the road to Bantry, containing 5783 inhabitants....This place derives its name, Eveleary, from the ancient family of the O'Learys, who were lords of the adjacent territory....In this parish are the lakes of Googane-Barra and Lua and the mountain pass of Keminea. Googane, which is situated in a romantic and sequestered spot in the lofty chain of mountains between the counties of Cork and Kerry, covers an area of 800 acres and is surrounded by a majestic amphitheatre of mountains, from whose rugged declivities descend numerous streams, forming interesting cascades, by which it is constantly supplied; towards its northern extremity is an island, richly planted with thriving ash trees, on which are the picturesque ruins of an ancient church, supposed to have been erected by St. Finbarr, who made this beautiful and sequestered glen his place of retreat.

Maura Hugh's parents, Hugh Twomey and Mary Leary (O'Leary), had married on February 14, 1832, in the townland of Dirreenabourky (also spelled Derrnabourka and Dirrinnabourky), parish of Inchigeela. A townland in Ireland is the smallest rural division within a parish.

The witnesses at the Hugh Twomey and Mary Leary wedding in February of 1832, were Jeremiah Leary and Michael Twomey. It is most probable that the young Irish couple were married inside the Jeremiah Leary farmhouse in Dirreenabourky, as was the custom.

Maura Hugh Twomey (also spelled Toomy and Twomy), was born on February 12, 1837, one of the seven children of Hugh Twomey and Mary Leary (O'Leary), of the parish of Inchigeela. Maura and her six siblings were all born between 1834 and 1855: Catherine (DOB: 1834), Mary or Maura Hugh (DOB: 1837), Cornelius (DOB: 1840), John (DOB: 1841), Michael (DOB: 1847), Joan (DOB: 1852) and Hugh (DOB: 1855).

The leased farmhouses of the Irish at the time, had but one window, an earthen floor and little or no furniture. Farm animals, if there were any, resided inside the one room Irish homes as well. Things were tight.

Catholic (popish) baptism in Ireland was referred to as 'Baiste urlair' (the baptismal resting place of a wild animal), because the religious ritual of Catholic Baptism was performed by outlawed Roman Catholic priests on earthen cabin floors. Most poor popish Irish could not afford beds. Maura Hugh and her siblings, were born and baptized in a similar manner. Maura Hugh Twomey, was the product of a social system that produced hunger and injustice for she and her family,

The Famine -- 'An Gorta Mor'

History would note that the 'Great Hunger', or as the Irish referred to it as - 'An Gorta Mor', began in 1845 and lasted for seven years. It was during this perilous time of national famine that Maura Hugh and her six siblings were born and raised.

Two of the Creedon brothers, Senator Robert Stanton Creedon and Judge Michael Connors Creedon, sons of Robert Creedon, grandsons of Daniel Creedon and great grandsons of Maura Hugh (Twomey) Creedon, were friends with the late syndicated Boston Globe columnist, David Nyhan. In his last column, Nyhan wrote, "The thing I'll miss most is the chance to shine a little flashlight on a dark corner, where a wrong was done to a powerless peon". Nyhan, chose "The Great Hunger" of 1845, as a favorite topic. Some of his commentary on "The Great Hunger" is set out below:

During the Famine, British troops forcibly removed and seized from Ireland's producers, tens of millions of head of livestock; tens of millions of tons of flour, grains, meat, poultry and dairy products, enough it is estimated to sustain 18 million people - at the same time the blight was hitting the Irish potato crop.

Dave Nyhan, was correct when he stated that, "it was the injustice that caused the Famine". The Public Record Office in London, has records entitled 'Deployment of the Army', that indicate the names and locations in Ireland of British Army's 'food removal regiments. Those regiments were deployed throughout Ireland but only where local resistance proved too much for the British Constabulary and Militia.

Maura Hugh Twomey, was only eight years of age in Inchigeela, when the Famine began in 1845. As she watched her neighbors starve to death she also watched the British Army's 12^th Lancers, encamped in the nearby town of Macroom, seize their food for shipment to England. The stolen food and produce was then ferried to England by the British Excise Steamer, the Warrior.

We know that Maura Hugh, suffered as a child, as did members of her family. That suffering did develop in Maura Hugh, a sense of empathy and social justice. Evidence of that are those same qualities being reflected in her great grandchildren -- the Creedon brothers of Brockton's East Side: Bob Creedon, John 'Jake', Michael, Kevin and Brian. As the late entertainer and jurist, Jimmy Lawton, often stated about "the Creedon family and their willingness to help others -- it's in their social DNA to do so."

Branch nickname: 'the O'Leary Galic'

Maura's parents gave her the name of Maura Hugh, to keep alive a custom used by the old Irish to avoid inbreeding in a small closely circumscribed parish like Inchigeela. Family relationships were also traced by the use of branch nicknames like 'the O'Leary Galic', which our family oral tradition has long held was the O'Leary branch from which Maura Hugh's mother, Mary Leary (O'Leary), descended.

In August of 1982, Mike Creedon, drove Judge Jim Lawton, Mark Lawton and Snub O'Leary, to the parish of Inchigeela to locate Snub O'Leary's ancestral home. They first stopped to talk to John Creedon, proprietor of Creedon's Hotel and Pub, located in Inchigeela. Upon learning that Snub's grandfather was Denis O'Leary (DOB: 1853), son of Timothy and Catherine (Cotter) O'Leary, of the small townland of Augheras, town of Ballingeary, John Creedon confirmed that the Augheras O'Leary's were from the 'O'Leary Galic'. He also confirmed that the Mary Leary (O'Leary), who married Hugh Twomey of the townland of Dirreenabourky in 1832, was also from the branch of 'the O'Leary Galic'.

John Creedon, knew of thirteen different branch nicknames within the O'Leary families of Inchigeela. He could only say that this oral history went back many hundreds of years. In addition to 'the O'Leary Galic', meaning 'the Irish Leary's', he named many others, only two of

which are recounted here as examples: 'the O'Leary Kipper's' (or 'Kippur's), meaning 'the sticks or the fighters'; and, 'the O'Leary Reagh', meaning 'the swarthy or gray haired'.

People like John Creedon, of the Inchigeela Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area), were repositories of local oral history and local family genealogy. Every culture since the beginning of recorded history had a John Creedon. The British attempts to 'stamp out Irishness' and their destruction of ancient Irish ecclesiastical (church) records, required this ancient tradition to continue in Ireland into the 20^th century through a seanchai (a storytelling keeper of Irish heritage, pronounced shan-a-key) like John Creedon. Those conditions made people like John Creedon necessary. He was the 5'1", cherubic, leprechaun-like "keeper of the flame".

It is Maura Hugh Twomey's mother, Mary (Leary) Twomey, of 'the O'Leary Galic', who is the link between the present day O'Leary and Creedon families who left Inchigeela and relocated to Brockton, Massachusetts. It is through her that we all share a common ancestry.

Snub O'Leary's mother (Mary Daylor) and his paternal grandfather (Denis O'Leary), both came from the parish of Inchigeela. Snub O'Leary's family were 'the O'Leary Galic'. Snub, always knew the "Creedon's are our cousins". The Creedon's of Brockton, knew the O'Leary's were cousins.

The Creedon's of Ballyvourney and Inchigeela

The Creedon's are a family that have left a large footprint wherever they have set down their roots, whether it be the parish of Ballyvourney, the parish of Inchigeela or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

At the St. Gobinet (also spelled Gobnait and Gobnata) Old Cemetery in Ballyvourney, as well as within the interior of the ruins of St. Gobinet's Church in Ballyvourney, the Creedon family name is just as visible as it is in the contiguous parish of Inchigeela. One only has to walk "over the high road" as the locals say, to get from Ballyvourney to Inchigeela.

Samuel Lewis, in his two volume work entitled the Topographical Dictionary of Ireland, describes Ballyvourney as follows:

Ballyvourney, a parish in the barony of West Muskerry, county of Cork, and province of Munster, 8 miles from Macroom....St. Abban, who lived to a very advanced age died in 650, founded a nunnery at this place, which he gave to St. Gobnata, who was descended from O'Connor the Great, Monarch of Ireland. The parish, of which the name signifies "the Town of the Beloved", is chiefly the property of Sir Nicholas C. Colthhurst; it is situated on the river river Sullane....Fairs are held on the 10^th of May, July, September and November.... The ruins of the conventual church are very extensive and interesting; in one of the walls is a head carved in stone, which is regarded with much veneration. Near these ruins is a holy well, much resorted to on the 11^th of February, the festival of St. Gobnata, the patroness, and also on Whit-Monday; and near the well is a large stone with a circular basin or font rudely excavated, the water from which is held sacred.

On January 30, 1828, Michael Creedon was born in Ballyvourney, the son of Daniel Creedon and Brigid Murray. The child's baptismal sponsors were Tim Creedon and Kate Ryan. Two other children were born to Daniel and Brigid (Murray) Creedon: Mary Creedon (DOB: 1829) and Timothy (DOB: 1831).

Maura Hugh Twomey marries Michael Creedon in 1858

On April 13, 1858, at the age of thirty, Michael Creedon, married Maura Hugh Twomey, inside the Twomey farmhouse in the townland of Dirreennbourky, parish of Inchigeela. Their witnesses that day were Jeremiah Leary and John Leary. The couple had four children born to them between 1859 and 1871: Bridget Creedon (DOB: 1859), Daniel Creedon, (DOB: 1861) our ancestor, Timothy Creedon (DOB: 1867) and Michael Creedon (DOB: 1871).

The Creedon's begin their American journey

Daniel Creedon, the 20 year old ancestor of the present day Creedon's of Brockton, Massachusetts, arrived in Boston Harbor, on May 8, 1881. Dan, had sailed from Queenstown, Ireland, only weeks earlier on the S.S. Batavia.

Daniel Creedon, was processed on the ancient wooden docks at Long Wharf on Boston's waterfront and began his journey to Brockton, Massachusetts. Daniel Creedon, never returned to his native Ireland.

At the time of Dan Creedon's trip to America, emigrants traveled by sailing ship with an average voyage lasting 43 days at sea. Living conditions on board were primitive. Passengers slept in narrow, closely packed bunks located below deck.

Disease killed many Irish emigrants. Typhus, cholera and dysentery were some of the biggest threats. In 1853, 10% of Irish emigrants died at sea due to cholera.

After Daniel arrived on American soil, he settled in Brockton, Massachusetts and worked as a mason tender. The one hundred plus year connection between Brockton and the Creedon's began.

By 1900, the City of Brockton had 432 factories, 91 of which manufactured shoes. Hundreds of immigrant Irish worked in those factories. Those same Irish factory workers, laborers, carpenters and masons, lived in boarding houses. One such address was the Crimmin's Boardinghouse, which was located at 147 Centre Street in Brockton. Dan Creedon, was a boarder there. It was located in what Brocktonians called 'Factory Village'. It was only a few hundred yards west of 'Factory Pond'.

The 1900 federal census shows the large number of Irish who also resided at that address. Hannah Crimmin, who was 46 years of age, ran the boardinghouse. Her 16 year old son, Philip and 13 year old daughter, Arline, resided at 147 Centre Street. Also residing at 147 Centre Street were 29 year old William Heffernan, 31 year old James McGovern, 32 year old Thomas Kenney, 63 year old Michael Dunn, 41 year old Michael McCarty, 27 year old Mary McCarty, 36 year old George Reardon, 24 year old Clarance P. McSweeney and 33 year old John F. Murphy.

The 1900 census showed Catherine Murray, age 27 and her 36 year old sister, Mary Murray, also residing at 147 Centre Street. Just four years later, on September 22, 1904, Dan Creedon, would marry young Catherine Murray, at St. Patrick's Church, on Main Street, in Brockton.

Daniel Creedon and Catherine (Murray) Creedon, had four children: Daniel, John, Robert and Mary Creedon. The next to youngest child of Daniel and Catherine (Murray) Creedon, was Robert 'Bob' Creedon (1910-1974). Robert, or 'Bob', as he was known throughout his life, married Kay (Connors) Creedon (1911-1980), in October of 1941, at St. Colman's Church, in Brockton.

The young Creedon couple became the parents of five well-known and successful Creedon sons: Robert Stanton Creedon, John 'Jake' Creedon, Michael Connors Creedon, Kevin Patrick Creedon and Brian Creedon. Bob Creedon and his wife, Kay (Connors) Creedon, raised their five sons at 24 Draper Avenue before moving to 386 Crescent Street, both streets within St. Colman's Parish.

Bob Creedon, who was the son of Daniel Creedon and grandson of Maura Hugh (Twomey) Creedon, fondly remembered listening to his father talking in his native tongue (Gaelic) to Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, for hours on end. Dan Creedon, was residing at 69 Addison Avenue on Brockton's East Side. Mary (Daylor) O'Leary and her husband, Timothy O'Leary, were also living on Addison Avenue. The O'Leary's, had married at St. Patrick's Church in Brockton, on November 28, 1908.

Dan Creedon and Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, were both born in Inchigeela: Daniel, was born in 1861; Mary (Daylor) O'Leary, was born on Christmas Eve 1877.

Daniel Creedon, was from the O'Leary Galic, through his mother, Mary Hugh (Twomey) Creedon and his grandmother, Mary (Leary) Twomey. Mary (Daylor) O'Leary's husband, Timothy O'Leary, was also an O'Leary Galic. Mary (Daylor) O'Leary and Timothy O'Leary, were the parents of Snub O'Leary and grandparents of Patricia Anne (O'Leary) Lawton.

Creedon cousin Patricia O'Leary marries Mark Lawton

On April 19, 1975, Patricia O'Leary, the only daughter of Snub O'Leary, married Mark E. Lawton, the oldest of the five sons born to Jimmy Lawton and Jeanne (Cashman) Lawton. The ceremony took place at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, in Brockton. On that day in 1975, the link was made between the Lawton's and the O'Leary and Creedon families.

The relationship between the Creedon, O'Leary and Lawton families was extensive. Kevin and Brian Creedon, attended Coyle High School in Taunton, Massachusetts, with Mark and Thomas Lawton. Mark Lawton, was recruited by Kevin Creedon, to campaign for his brother, Robert S. Creedon in 1968, when Rob, ran for a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Robert and his four younger brothers (Jake, Michael, Kevin and Brian), had assisted Mark's father, Jimmy Lawton, in his political campaigns, in the 1950's and 1960's. Mark Lawton and Rob's brother, Michael C. Creedon, served ten years together in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. They also served as justices on the Massachusetts Trial Court after their political careers had ended.

The Creedon support system; 'The Creedon Machine'

The sons of Robert and Kay Creedon, all excelled socially, academically, athletically and politically. Their success allowed the family to develop great social and political influence in Brockton and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the second half of the twentieth century and in the early decades of the 21^st century. Members of the family were elected to the Brockton City Council, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. They served as Clerks of the Superior and District Courts. They were well respected teachers and members of the Bar. They were able to help thousands of individuals and families and they did so.

Massachusetts Governor Michael S. Dukakis, who served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with Robert S. Creedon, was elected Governor with the help of the five Creedon sons. At the Democratic Convention in Atlanta in 1988, Mike Dukakis, was nominated to be President of the United States. Mike Dukakis, lost that November 1988 Presidential election to George H.W. Bush.

In the earliest stages of the Creedon success story, Brockton Enterprise reporter B.F. Smith disparingingly referred to the Creedon family as 'the Creedon Machine'. 'The Machine', consisted of the immediate Creedon family members and hundreds of people who admired them, like the Leach's, the Wetterholm's, the Hogan's, the Dorgan's, the Mattolli's, the Spillane's, the Delaney's, Kate Murphy, the Cutting's, the Holmgren's, the Saba's, the O'Leary's , the Lawton's and so many others. The Creedon's never apologized for their popularity and their success.

The five Creedon sons

Robert Stanton Creedon, was elected to the Massachusetts House in 1968 and later was elected to the Massachusetts Senate before being elected as Clerk of the Plymouth County Superior Court. His brother Michael Connors Creedon, was elected to the Massachusetts House in 1974, before moving to the Massachusetts Senate. Governor William Weld, appointed Mike, to the Massachusetts Trail Court, where he served with distinction for many years. Robert S. Creedon's wife, Geri, served on the Brockton City Council before being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives during Rob's years in the Senate. Brother John 'Jake' Creedon, served for many years as an Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County and thereafter served on the Brockton City Council, while operating a successful law practice. Brother Kevin Patrick Creedon, was appointed by Governor Edward J. King, as Clerk-Magistrate of the Brockton District Court, becoming one of the longest serving Clerk-Magistrate's in Massachusetts judicial history. Kevin Patrick Creedon, was also referenced by many within the Massachusetts Judiciary as the 'Gold Standard' because of his competence, his fairness and the humility with which he carried himself. Youngest brother, Brian Creedon, became Water Commissioner in the City of Brockton. Brockton, was the most water-starved city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Brian, was somehow able to keep the water flowing in a city of 95,000 people for over three decades.

In 1988, Creedon cousin, Patty (O'Leary) Lawton, became only the second woman in the then 303 year history of Plymouth County to become a Plymouth County Commissioner. All of the Creedon's were there to help Patty sweep the county in two elections.

The Quabbin trips

Every Creedon, O'Leary and Lawton, between the ages of 3 and 23, camped together at the Quabbin Reservoir in Western Massachusetts, with many other Creedon invitees, for over 25 years, starting in1981. Jake Creedon, who served on the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife Board for many years, was responsible for the annual August camping experience. Mike Creedon, before his years in the Senate and then on the Massachusetts Trial Court, spent many years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, several of those years as Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. From that lofty perch he ran most of Massachusetts state government. 'The Chairman', was very generous to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. As a result of that legislative support, those state officials were more than happy to allow the Creedon Clan full usage of their property along the Swift River that flows out of the Quabbin.

During those camping years, Jake, Rob, Mike Creedon, Mark Lawton and other father's, heard the recriminations from most of the mothers - that their children would "come back from the Swift River campsite, having learned how to smoke, drink and repeat Rob Creedon's jokes. The accuracy of those reports coming from the Quabbin camping trips were never questioned. The paternal supervision of those children has been questioned for years, however.

The Creedon support system was most manifest during the time of great loss. Within hours of Snub O'Leary's death in April of 1985, Geri Creedon, was at Patty (O'Leary) Lawton's home at Thorny Lea Terrace in Brockton, with food, a heart-felt condolence and an offer to "take care of the children". The day following Geri's passing in October of 2022, Patty Lawton, was at the Creedon home on West Elm Street with food and a heart-felt condolence.

Judge Michael Creedon's wife, Linda Creedon, suffered for many months before her death on October 30, 2016. The Creedon's, O'Leary's, Lawton's and many other families, rallied around Linda in her final days; and, around her family after her passing.

The strength and breadth of that familial support system was never more manifest than it was at the untimely passing of law student Mark Creedon, in 2012, the oldest child of Brian and Andrea (Pratt) Creedon. That tragic occasion reflected the popularity and affection that Southeastern Massachusetts had for the descendants of Maura Hugh (Twomey) Creedon, her son Daniel Creedon and her grandson, Robert Creedon and his wife Kay (Connors) Creedon.

The Creedon Cousins

There's not enough room to list all the descendants of Maura Hugh (Twomey) Creedon. The names of Bob and Kay (Connors) Creedon's grandchildren have to be mentioned, however, as they're destined to become as famous as their accomplished parents. Rob and Geri Creedon's children are: Rob Creedon and Jennifer Creedon; Jake and Shirley Creedon's children are: Jack, Meg, Will and Kellen Creedon; Michael and Linda Creedon's children are: Michael, Katie and Edward 'Ned' Creedon; Kevin and Sue Creedon's children are: Brendan, Sally and Patrick Creedon; and, Brian and Andrea Creedon's children are: Adam, Matthew, Elizabeth, Seth and the late Mark Creedon.

Maura Hugh Twomey, who was born in 1837, was only a child during 'An Gorta Mor'. At the age of eight, she watched her neighbors suffer while a foreign government 'removed' her food to feed a foreign people. One and a half centuries later, her great grandchildren were helping run the three branches of the oldest state government in American history. Such has been the Creedon journey.

In an August 1982 trip to Ireland, the group of Mike Creedon, Rob Creedon, Mark Lawton, Snub O'Leary and Jimmy Lawton, visited Killeagh, County Cork, the small Irish village the Lawton's had emigrated from, as well as Inchigeela, County Cork, where the Creedon's and O'Leary's came from. The group then drove to see Kathleen 'Kate'(Fitzgibbons) Murphy, at the Fitzgibbons farmhouse in the townland of Glenacunna, town of Ballyporeen, County Tipperary. Kate, who ran the elevator at Brockton City Hall, was on a month-long holiday to Ballyporeen, to see her brother Michael Fitzgibbon, who was in ill and failing health.

Sitting in the Fitzgibbons farmhouse, Jimmy Lawton, stated to all tightly assembled while drinking a very warm Guinness, "You know, I think we're all related." Mike Creedon and his older brother Robert Creedon, quickly responded, "Let's drink to that." And that they did.

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