The Twohig's and Long's

Edward MacLysaght's, "The Surnames of Ireland", notes that the name Twohig, is a variant of Tuohy when found in County Cork.

The name Long, is numerous in County Cork and Donegal. It may either be of Norman origin (de Long) or English origin (Long).

Our Long ancestors can be traced back to Nathaniel Long (born 1834) and Susan (Goodman) Long (born 1832), parents of Catherine 'Kate' (Long) Twohig. Our Twohig ancestors can be traced back to Thomas Patrick Twohig and Margaret A. (Reardon, also spelled Riordan) Twohig, parents of Thomas P. Twohig.

The Long Family

Nathaniel Long, was born on January 12, 1834, on Fishamble Lane, in Cork City, Ireland. Susan Goodman, was born on January 10, 1832, in Blackpool, County Cork. Nathaniel, age 21, married 23 year old Susan Goodman, on February 19, 1855, at St. Anne's Church, also known as the Shandon Church, a Church of Ireland Church. At the time of their marriage, Susan was a hat and cap designer at O'Gorman's in Cork City.

Nathaniel Long, who for many years was known as a competent and skilled cabinet maker and upholster, established his own Billiard and Snooker table manufacturing business in 1878, at the age of 44. His business was located at 26 & 27 Cook Street in Cork City, eventually moving to Washington Street in Cork City.

The ability of Nathaniel Long (born in 1834), his son, Nathaniel Long, Jr. (born in 1859), and his grandson, Nathaniel Long (born in 1892), to build the finest Billiard and Snooker tables, was legendary. 'Long's', was known throughout all of Ireland.

Nathaniel Long, died on September 25, 1890, at 38 Gould Street, Cork City, at the age of 56. He's buried at St. Joseph's Cemetery, in Cork City. His son, 31 year old Nathaniel Long, took charge of the family business which continued to flourish.

Nathaniel Long and Susan (Goodman) Long, had seven children. Those children were: Michael Long, born in 1857; Nathaniel Long, Jr., born in 1859; Mary Ellen Long, born in 1861; Thomas Long, born in 1864; Catherine 'Kate' Long, our ancestor, born in 1866; Susan Long, born in 1868; and, Henry William Long, born in 1872.

Our ancestor, Catherine 'Kate' Josephine Long, was born at 8 Hanover Street, Cork City, on January 29, 1866. She was the fifth oldest of Nathaniel and Susan Long's seven children.

The Twohig Family

On June 3, 1865, at St. Finbarr's, in Cork City, 20 year old Thomas P. Twohig, married 18 year old Margaret Reardon, also spelled Riordan. Thomas Twohig's family were living at 21 Douglas Street in Cork City. Margaret Reardon's family were residing at 12 Quarry Road in Cork City. The young groom, Thomas P. Twohig and his father, Thomas Twohig, were working as laborers and victualers in Cork City at the time of his 1865 marriage.

Immediately after the 1865 Twohig marriage at St. Finbarr's, the young couple left Ireland for America. They sailed from Cobh Harbor and arrived in Boston, seeking employment. Thomas, was able to find work as a day laborer.

Thomas and Margaret's first child, Thomas Patrick Twohig, would be born in South Boston, Massachusetts, at 62 Cottage Street, on July 6, 1866. When their son, Thomas Patrick Twohig, was only 3 years of age, they decided to return to Cork City, Ireland.

After the Twohig's returned to Cork City, Margaret (Reardon) Twohig gave birth to two more children: Jeremiah Twohig, who was born on September 11, 1871 and Margaret 'Meg' Twohig, who was born on February 23, 1876. Their older brother, Thomas Patrick Twohig, was attending the Christian Brothers School at the Quay, in Cork City.

For the popish Irish, also referred to as papists, which meant they were Roman Catholics, there were economic ceilings that were an everyday reality. The discrimination against the Irish Catholics was palpable.

When Tom Twohig's daughter Margaret, was born in February of 1876, he was still struggling and hustling as a day laborer and victualer. Thomas was then 31 years of age. His in-laws, the Reardon's of Quarry Road, in Cork City, were only market gardeners.

Kate Long weds Tom Twohig

Twenty-two year old Catherine 'Kate' Long, the daughter of Nathaniel Long (born in 1834), married twenty-two year old Thomas Patrick Twohig, at the Church of St. Finbarr, on Dunbar Street, in Cork City, on June 3, 1888. They were married by the Rev. John Fahy. The witnesses were Jeremiah Twohig and Bridget O'Connell.

Thomas Patrick Twohig, who had studied with the Christian Brothers, was fortunate to enjoy some clerical school education in Cork City. He was able to maintain a steady clerical position with various Cork City businesses as a result.

Nine children would be born to Thomas and 'Kate' (Long) Twohig, of Cork City, Ireland: Margaret Twohig, known as 'Marty', was born in 1889, at 38 Gould Street, Cork City; Thomas Twohig, was born in 1891, at 38 Gould Street, Cork City and died of Meningitis in 1893; Susan Mary Twohig, was born on February 7, 1894, at 38 Gould Street; Catherine Twohig, known as 'Kit', was born on January 23, 1896, at 59 Gould Street.

Christine Twohig, our ancestor, the fifth child born to Tom and Kate, was born on December 20, 1897, at 51 Gould Street, Cork City. Christine, was baptized on Christmas Day, 1897, by the Rev. P. O'Leary, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Finbarr's West, with Joseph Griffin and Ellen Kelleher as her God-parents.

Mary Emilly Twohig, was born on January 6, 1900; Nathaniel Twohig, was born on January 26, 1902, at 16 College Road, Cork City; Winnifred Twohig, known as 'Winnie', was born on October 23, 1904, in Cork City; and, Thomas Twohig, was born on August 26, 1906, at 82 Tower Street, Cork City. (Photographs of the entire Twohig Family from 1912 and 1917, can be found in the 'Family Photo History' album.)

The 82 Tower Street address where Tom Twohig was born in 1906, was the residence of Kate (Long) Twohig's sister, Mary Ellen (Long) O'Sullivan and her husband Daniel O'Sullivan. The O'Sullivan's had eight children. Things were very very tight.

After Thomas Twohig's birth in 1906, his father, forty year old Thomas Patrick Twohig, took a passenger ship from Cobh Harbor (pronounced Cove) to America. Thomas was accompanied by his sister, Margaret 'Meg' Twohig.

Kate (Long) Twohig, who had just given birth to her ninth and youngest child, didn't make the first sojourn to America with her husband, as she waited in Ireland with her children. Her husband Thomas, had to find lodging for the large Twohig/Long Family as well as a job to support them. Thomas 'Tom' Twohig, immediately settled in Brockton, Massachusetts, then known as the 'Shoe Capital of the World'. He secured their first home at 56 East Ashland Street, in Brockton, Massachusetts.

In the Fall of 1906, Thomas and Kate Twohig's children: Marty, Christine, Nathaniel, Emilly, Sue and Catherine 'Kit' Twohig, arrived in Boston by ship. Their cousin, George Reardon, also made the trip.

The matriarch of the Twohig family, Kate (Long) Twohig, would arrive in America a few months later with her two youngest children: 'Winnie' and three month old, Thomas. Kate and her children, left Queenstown (Cobh), aboard the steamship, the S.S. Cymric, on November 3, 1906 and arrived at the Port of Boston, on November 11, 1906.

Kate and her children were processed on the ancient wooden docks at Long Wharf on Boston's waterfront and began their journey to Brockton, Massachusetts -- their American journey. Tom and Kate, never returned to their native Ireland.

Ten year old Christine Twohig, our ancestor, made the boat trip to America with her only possession - her violin. That violin would be handed down from her son, Jim Lawton, to Christine's oldest grandchild, Mark Lawton.

The Twohig Family's first American address was 56 East Ashland Street on Brockton's East Side. The large Twohig/Long Family soon moved to 266 East Ashland Street, before moving to North Montello Street, Battles Street and in 1918, to 455 North Main Street in Brockton.

Thomas Twohig, lived almost forty years in Ireland. He resided in his adopted country of the United States for forty-six years. He spent many of those years working as a shoeworker with the W.L. Douglas shoe factory. Thomas 'Tom' Twohig and his wife, Kate Twohig lived a hard life as did all immigrant Irish. They left an impression in their new homeland, however, that would last for generations.

Robert A. Kane, in his book, "The Brockton Irish, volume II, From the Tip to the Bush...And Back!", writes affectionately of the well-known Irish families residing in the Irish neighborhood around the "Tip": 'At the north end of the "Tip" is Cary Hill and at the base of the hill were four Irish families, the Sheas, Hinckleys, O'Connells and Twohigs, who lived at 266 E. Ashland Street.'

The Twohig Family was well respected and admired, not because they lived in the "Tip", but because of the many tragedies that befell them, the grace with which they accepted those tragedies, the popularity of their grandson, "Jimmy" Lawton; and, the years of service and selfless volunteerism by their matriarch, Catherine Kate (Long) Twohig.

It was said by many that Kate (Long) Twohig, "brought half of the City of Brockton into the world." In addition to helping her daughter, Christine (Twohig) Lawton, raise her seven children after her son-in-law, Fred Lawton's tragic death in February of 1931, 'Kate' volunteered her services as a mid-wife to the large immigrant Irish community in Brockton, for whom hospital care was not available. 'Kate', for many years would walk from three-decker to three-decker volunteering to help deliver Irish children.

Kate (Long) Twohig, was born in the 19th century (1866), but well into the twenty-first century, families who were touched by Kate Twohig's kindness and generosity still talked about, "How Mrs. Twohig helped our family" and how, "She delivered my grandfather into this world."

Fred Lawton and Christine Twohig meet

In 1918, a brief introduction would result in a merger of two well-known Irish families who had immigrated to America from County Cork, Ireland. Christine Twohig's older sister, Katherine Twohig, known as 'Kit', introduced the ashblonde and artistic Christine Twohig, to the six foot two inch, blue-eyed, 24 year old Army Sargeant Fred Lawton, of Winter Street in Brockton. The Twohig Family was then residing at 455 North Main Street in Brockton. The Lawton Family was living at 230 Winter Street in Brockton.

Within twelve months the young Army Sargeant asked 49 year old, Tom Twohig, for his daughter Christine's hand in marriage. Permission was soon granted.

On June 30, 1920, Fred Lawton and Christine Twohig, were married at St. Edward's Church, located on East Main Street, in the Montello section of Brockton. The Rev. Thomas F. Brannan, performed the ceremony. Fred's best friend, Brockton City Councilman John J. O'Donnell and Cathleen Kavanaugh were the witnesses.

Fred and Christine lived at 23 Martland Avenue, Brockton, where their daughter Marguerite was born, before moving to 30 East Battles Street, Brockton, where their son Jim was born and then to 50 Cherry Street where they last resided with their six children: Marguerite (DOB: July 13, 1921); Frederick (DOB: April 11, 1923); Thomas (DOB: August 13, 1924); James, our ancestor (DOB: October 20, 1925); Mary (DOB: January 28, 1928); Sheila (DOB: October 30, 1929); and, Richard (DOB: August 22, 1931).

The day everything changed

The day of February 15, 1931, was a day of great tragedy for the Lawton/Heaphy/Twohig/Long Clan of Brockton, Massachusetts. Fred Lawton, only 38 years of age, father of six children and about to be father of seven children, was run over and killed in a hit-and-run auto accident.

Fred's widow and seven children had no money, but the greater Brockton community raised money for the purchase of a small farm house located at 118 Summer Street in Brockton for Fred's family. Christine needed assistance raising her seven children. Who better to help but her own parents, 64 year old Tom Twohig and 65 year old 'Kate' (Long) Twohig. They moved into the Summer Street home to help their daughter and grandchildren. The seven Lawton children didn't have a dad, but as so many friends and neighbors observed, "they never lacked for love".

Eventually, Tom and Kate Twohig moved into the home of their youngest daughter, Winifred Twohig, who resided at 21 Wendell Avenue in Brockton, across the Street from St. Colman's Church.

Kate, would die on January 30, 1948, the day after her 82nd birthday. Tom, would die one year later, on January 5, 1949, also at the age of 82. They would be married for almost 60 years.

Jim Lawton, son of Fred Lawton and Christine (Twohig) Lawton, then a 22 year old Brockton City Councilor and 20 year old Jeanne Cashman, were married on October 16, 1948, at St. Colman's Church, located at 54 Lyman Street, Brockton. Fred Lawton, older brother to Jim, was the best man and Geneva Cashman, older sister to Jeanne, was the maid of honor.

Jeanne's parents, John and Beatrice Cashman, were present for the marital ceremonies. Jim's parents were not. Fred Lawton had been killed in February of 1931 when Jim was only five years of age. Jim's mother, Christine (Twohig) Lawton, had died from a brain aneurysm, on September 1, 1947, only thirteen months earlier.

Catherine (Twohig) McCaig -- Aunt 'Kit'

It was 'Kit' McCaig, who introduced her sister, Christine Twohig, to Fred Lawton. It was also 'Kit', who became the matriarch of the Twohig/Lawton Families after her own mother, Kate (Long) Twohig, died on January 30, 1948.

'Kit', was born on January 23, 1896, at 59 Gould Street, in Cork City, Ireland, one of the nine children born to Thomas Twohig and Catherine 'Kate' (Long ) Twohig. At the age of ten, she arrived on her steamship with five of her siblings and set foot onto Long Wharf on Boston's waterfront. The Twohig family first resided on Brockton's East Side, at 56 East Ashland Street, before moving to 266 East Ashland Street.

As noted above, Robert A. Kane, in his book, "The Brockton Irish, volume II, From the Tip to the Bush...And Back!", couldn't avoid referencing the well-known Irish families residing in the Irish neighborhood around the "Tip" and the impact they had on Brockton's East Side: 'At the north end of the "Tip" is Cary Hill and at the base of the hill were four Irish families, the Sheas, Hinckleys, O'Connells and Twohigs, who lived at 266 E. Ashland Street.'

On November 24, 1921, at the age of twenty-five, Kit, married iron worker, Francis W. McCaig, at St. Edward's Church, in Brockton. Fr. Thomas Brannan, performed the ceremony. Frank McCaig, was twenty-nine years of age.

"Kit' deserves special mention within these pages because she was 'special'. She gave birth to wonderfully accomplished children, Katherine Bravender Sviokla and John 'Jack' McCaig. 'Kit', was blessed with six grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren.

Aunt Kit's grandchildren are: Jean Rommel of Falmouth, Scott McCaig, of Carver, Douglas McCaig, of Hingham, Dr. Sylvester Sviokla, of California, Francis Sviokla, of East Bridgewater and Dr. John Sviokla of Newton, Massachusetts.

She lived to be 105 years of age. It wasn't so much her ability to outlive all of her friends and relatives that made her an icon, it was what she did with all that time. In 1996, her son, Jack McCaig, invited the entire town of Marshfield to his mother's 100^th birthday celebration at 'Heaven the Restaurant' on Plain Street, in Marshfield. The party was attended by more than 800 people and 'Kit' shook the hand of every one of her guests.

Aunt Kit, lived through both World War I and World War II. She was the first woman guard to be hired by the Fore River Shipyard in 1942. The Fore River Shipyard churned out hundreds of battleships that defended America during the war years.

Aunt Kit played the piano. She took dance lessons, took needlepoint classes. She volunteered reading to first grade classes at the Daniel Webster School in Marshfield, at least one day each week. She was recognized for her twenty years of volunteer work with the 'Talking Information Center', a radio reading service for the blind and print disabled.

She wrote a popular cook book entitled, "Catherine's Cook Book Nook". She played an active role in the parish life at St. Ann's By the Sea Church in Marshfield, where she was a daily communicant. She prayed the Rosary every day of her adult life. One of her proudest accomplishments was mentoring several of her grandchildren through Tufts University and Harvard College.

Catherine 'Kit' McCaig's impact on the world also manifested itself through her devotion to the Holy Cross Father's Retreat House in North Easton, Massachusetts, located on the Stonehill College campus. Aunt 'Kit', ran the kitchen that fed the hundreds of retreatants who attended the Retreats and Cursillos held there. Those who passed through the Retreat House during those years had their faith impacted in some positive way by 'Kit'. Her devotion and love for every participant during those years helped make it the most unique religious retreat program in New England.

Her nephew, Fr. Tom Lawton, served as Executive Director of the Retreat House for 39 years. Fr. Tom's mother, Christine (Twohig) Lawton, was a younger sister to Aunt 'Kit'.

Catherine 'Kit' McCaig, was the 'renaissance woman' in the true sense of the word. Aunt 'Kit', who lived in three different centuries, passed away on June 23, 2001, at the age of 105.

For an extensive continuation of the merged histories of the Twohig, Long, and Lawton families, refer to 'The Lawton's'