LARKIN Pioneer Families
Ireland to the Ottawa, Canada area, 1830's
The 1829 McCabe List shows a Patrick Larkin from King's County, Ireland.
Patrick, Michael and John Larkin were brothers who were in Bytown early. I'm not
sure if the Patrick from King's County was related to them. They settled
in Gloucester Township although some went also to Nepean and Goulbourn.
1. Descendants of John Larkin
1 John Larkin 1825 -
.. +Ellen Malone
....... 2 Thomas Larkin
....... 2 Daniel Larkin
....... 2 Mathew Larkin
....... 2 Margaret Larkin
....... 2 Frances Larkin
....... 2 Elizabeth Larkin
Descendants of another John Larkin
1 John Larkin 1824 - 1911 bur. Vis. #231
.. +Mary Mears or O'Meara 1833 - 1908
2. Descendants of Michael Larkin
1 Michael Larkin 1830 - 1882
.. +Mary Ann Birt 1840 - 1916 (could be BRITT)
....... 2 Maggie Larkin 1881 - 1887
....... 2 Agnes Larkin 1883 - 1887
....... 2 Minnie Larkin 1876 - 1919
....... 2 Kate Larkin 1861 - 1901
........... +M. J. Delaney
....... 2 William J. Larkin 1870 - 1929
....... 2 O. J. Larkin 1864 - 1933
April 4, 2005:
Hello,
I've recently found my gggrandfather and family on the 1881 census. I then
proceeded to the OCFA to locate their gravesites, which mostly were at Our Lady
of the Visitation in South Gloucester. It was of utmost hope that upon finding
these gravestones, I would find an inscription of where in Ireland they came from,
but of course, that wasn't the case. So, lives on the mystery.
I've found a few of the family members on the Bytown or Bust site and their spouses.
I was hoping that perhaps someone who has information regarding these Larkins
would know where they hailed from. My greatgrandfather was Matthias Larkin married
to Bridget Collins. (see photo below, dated January 23, 2006).
On the 1881 Census, he was 1 year old and was listed as
being born in Ireland. I've emailed Kevin Collins and he's not aware of their
origins, but did have a picture of my greatgrandparents!!
If anyone may know, could they please contact me at dinsdale@sympatico.ca
With much appreciation of your site,
Dinsdale Raddatz
______________________
I'd appreciate it very much if you could add my email to the site.
My grandfather's youngest brother is still living and I've just recently spoken
to him and he told me the old homestead was on Limebank Rd. he said even the
outbuildings are gone now, so he's not exactly sure of even which piece of land
is the correct spot.
He did say that my greatgrandfather, Matthias, worked for the City of Nepean
(perhaps called Township back then) in the summers as he'd use his horses and a
mower to cut all the grass in the ditches. He also said they had lived in Westboro.
At one point, they had moved out to Ashton Station, the house is still standing,
and occupied, but not by the family.
I'll look forward to hearing more about my family.
Many thanks,
Dinsdale Raddatz
____________________
Here is a burial at Our Lady of the Visitation:
Mathias Larkin 1880-1956, husband of Bridget Collins, 1885-1968
... Al
April 7, 2005:
Dinsdale,
I was just searching the bytown.net site and found that you have a Kate
Larkin (1861 - 1901) marrying M. J. Delaney. This may be a common
connection and I'm wondering if we could compare notes. Here's what I
know...
Matthew John Delaney was my great grandfather, born 1868 in Sarsfield, Russell County,
Ontario. I don't know too many facts really, but my grandfather (son of
Matthew) was born in 1903 in Syracuse, NY, USA. So I've been trying to
connect him to the Delaney's in Ontario for a while now, but can't seem
to prove anything. I have info from a marriage record of a Matthew
Delaney marrying a Catherine Larkin in 1892. Parents of Catherine are
listed as Michael and Mary Ann Larkin. Parents of Matthew listed as
Thomas & Ellen Delaney.
When searching census records in NY State, I've found a Matthew and
Catherine Delaney on the 1900 census living in Syracuse. By the 1910
census, there's no trace of Matthew and Catherine, but I see my family
listed in Syracuse - Matthew and Martha Delaney with kids including my
grandfather. Not all dates are matching perfectly though.
You have Kate Larkin as dying in 1901... do you know where she died? NY
perhaps?
I'd love to compare notes and see if we can figure anything out.
Thanks,
Bob Delaney
January 24, 2006:
From Mary Quinn:
Hi Mike - When visiting you before Christmas you were trying to find out some
information about Matt Larkin. Please see below from my Grandmother's scrap book ~
she wrote "Jan 24/56" at the top. I am trying to index this scrap book to make it
more easy to find someone. I was also able to find a picture of Matt in her
wonderful collection. The photo is below.
B.M. Larkin
Farmed in Gloucester for 50 Years
Bernard Matthias "Matt" Larkin, of 208 Nepean Street, well-known farmer in the
Gloucester district for 50 years until his retirement 13 years ago, died in
hospital on Tuesday after a short illness, at the age of 75.
Father of 14 living children - five sons and nine daughters - Mr. Larkin was
born at South Gloucester and was a son of Matthew Larkin and his wife, Margaret
O'Brien (see posting dated November 22, 2006).
He was married at South Gloucester in 1904 to the former Bridget Mary Collins
who survives.
Mr. Larkin attended St. Patrick's Church in Ottawa and was a member of the
Holy Name Society.
Mr. Larkin leaves, besides his widow: Five sons, Patrick, Guelph, Ont.;
Matthew, Almonte; Arnold, Ottawa; Raymond, Vancouver; and Donald, Ottawa;
nine daughters, Mrs. Thomas Stackpole (Pearl), and Mrs Joseph Sheko (Marjorie),
both of Detroit, Michigan, USA; Mrs. Dalton Teske (Claire), Buckingham,
Que.; Mrs. Ted Meier (Rita), Detroit; Mrs. Lloyd Martin (Marie), Ottawa;
Miss Lola Larkin, Ottawa; Mrs. Eddie Cecchetto (Phyllis), Sudbury, Ont.;
Miss Lillian Larkin, and Mrs. Douglas Van Deusen (Jean), both of Ottawa; and
one sister, Mrs. Joseph Meagher, of South Gloucester.
The funeral will be held Friday at 7:55 a.m. from McEvoy Brothers Funeral Home,
235 Kent Street, to St. Patrick's Church for requiem mass at 8 a.m. Interment
will be in St. Mary's Cemetery at South Gloucester
... Mary
______________________
and from Michael Daley:
THANKS ,
Mary i forwarded your info to Dinsdale. Al this was in regard to a decendant of the
Gloucester Larkin family REQUEST WAS where did they they come from Ireland?
as this WOMAN wanted to visit her brother in IRELAND , I THINK I WAS ABLE TO
VERIFY THEY CAME FROM COUNTY LONGFORD.
... Michael
Bernard MATTHIAS LARKIN
November 22, 2006:
Margaret O'BRIEN
Dear Al,
My name is Christopher Muller and I am the great great grandson of Margaret (Marget)
O'Brien. My sister is Dinsdale Raddatz. I was wondering if you had any information
on the ancestors of Margaret? I have found her in the 1901 census widowed and
living in Gloucester with some of her children but I have been unable to ascertain
for certain who her parents are. According to the 1901 census she was born
approximately 1838 (I believe in Ireland).
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Chris Muller
November 24, 2006:
Hi Everyone .
This is some info and pic of the Larkin family. I have more photos.
I am related thru the Marriage of John Larkin [son of Patrick grandson of John]
and Margret Lennon [my great grandmother sister] Their daughter Eliza was my
grandmother's closest friend
... Ernie Kilroe
LARKIN family: Ellen, John, Joe?, Margaret, Patrick
September 18, 2007:
Hello:
My name is Cheryl Larkin. Margaret O'Brien and Matthew Larkin were my great-grandparents.
My grandparents were Bernard Mathias Larkin and Bridget Collins, who had 14 children.
My mother was one of those children. (Of the 14, only one is still living.)
My mother married and moved to the Detroit area, USA, where three of her eight sisters,
Pearl (Stackpole), Marg (Sheko), and Rita (Meier), were already living. I am the
youngest of five children. My mother passed in July 2005, and I legally changed my last
name to Larkin to honor her memory.
I was thrilled when one of my sisters found the Larkin Brothers website, as I am
planning to take a trip to Ireland next spring and am trying to find some family
history. I would love to find some living Larkin relatives in Ireland. My aunt Jean
visited Ireland many years ago and was able to find old family gravesites there.
I'm presently trying to track down the research she had on the family. We have had
several Larkin reunions (with the 14 children and their families) and can probably
add a lot of photos and history to your website. Here is a story (it's rather long,
but I thought you might enjoy reading it) that was passed on to us about how the
Larkins came to Canada (this was written by Harry and Olive Walker in Carleton Saga):
In 1845, the year of the Irish Potato Famine, an O'Brien family was among the
unfortunate emmigrants to sail from the Tipperary / Limerick region for Canada.
Like cattle they were crowded into the hold of a filthy ship to endure six weeks
of terrible sickness and near-starvartion. Then, in terrible condition, they arrived
at the quarantine station on Grosse Isle outside Quebec City. Great were the three
children's confusion and loneliness for their father had died at sea and their
mother was gravely ill. The mother passed away and the orphans were destitute.
Somehow, the children got separated. Margaret was ten and the authorities gave
her to a family at Fallowfield as a servant girl. Her brother and sister were sent
to the States, possibly to Boston.
In fear and loneliness, Margaret arrived at a beautiful home in the midst of the
wilderness. It had been built in 1827 and still stands (1982) as a heritage house.
I have a picture of it given to me by Mary Bea Martin, and I have seen it. As I
stopped to gaze on this place, visions of the lovely white-haired lady whom I knew
as Grandma floated all around, but she was a little friendless child back in 1845.
I visualized her washing heavy clothes in a tub of cold water with no soap. For a
moment, I vicariously experienced her chills as she tried to sleep in her unheated
room. Pangs of heartache for her stirred for the first time within me as I
recollected all the tales she told me of her two years in that house, for now I had
lived enough to understand fully.
So she ran away. But to where? To Richmond through a bush for several miles. Here
she found warmth and understanding wit the family Des Les Hares (see below).
Richmond had been established since 1818 so she could find work and keep herself.
Twenty years earlier, 1825, John Larkin born 1787 and his wife Margaret McCormack
set out from County Longford, Ireland, for the forbidding shores of Canada. Their
fourth child, John, made his first unsteady steps on that boat. No doubt, they came
by way of the Ottawa River, then called The Grand, to Richmond Landing at the
Chaudiere. Then on through the forest on the road to Richmond where they applied
to the "Land Board" for a 200 acre lot of land. It was poor land, sandy and full
of stones. But little by little they cleared the land, built a shanty and struggled
to survive. Two more children were added to the family. It was too much for the
young wife and mother, and like many other pioneer women, she died before her time.
In those times, it was impossible for a father to carry on alone, so John married
Catherine McCormack / McCormick, either a cousin or sister to his first wife. Seven
more children were added to the family. Today a plaque to this John Larkin lies
flat on the ground in Richmond Cemetery.
Sons in those days had to do as their fathers had done before them. To get a
little money some would to to the lumber shanties in winter. One member tells
how he, on having his pay cut from two dollars a day to one dollar changed bosses.
The new boss gave him three dollars a day to carry a bag of flour on his back from
a mill 30 miles away. So, day after day he walked the 30 miles to earn his three
dollars. With their money they would get a grant of land, marry, and start their
own lives. So the three eldest Larkin boys, Matt born 1821, John born 1824, and
Michael born 1830 trekked some 10 miles through the bush to the Rideau River.
I wonder how they crossed for the first bridge was not built until 1854, three
years later. Possibly on a raft with their meager supply of bare necessities.
Then ten miles more through a bush trail to their three lots, where after many
years they would establish prosperous farms.
But this was a happy group full of hope, for Matthew had his bride with him.
Sixteen-year-old Margaret O'Brien was starting on the second great adventure of
her life. On arrival she found the shelter which Matt had previously built of
boughs, her first home, completely flooded. That day she cooked for the three men
on the stump of a fallen tree. At once all set to work. They slashed the underbrush,
cut down trees, and pulled stumps with levers until they had a clearing for the
first log shanty. Then on they went to the brothers' lots, for time was precious.
The first shanties had to be built before the winter came. Margaret worked by her
husband's side day after day.
They worked the land with only a spade, and scattered the seed by hand. The
precious grain was harvested and carefully ground into flour in a hollow tree
stump. How well off they felt when they got their first oxen and some sheep. Then
they could make moccasins from the untanned leather and clothes from the coarse
homespun wool. The oxen would pull their stumps.
Ten children were born to this marriage. Our mother, Bridget Mary, was the second
youngest. But the lack of communication and the hardships seemed to strengthen their
family ties. When the three brothers received word that their brother Patrick in
Richmond had died, they put their axes over their shoulders and walked the 20 miles
back home. For a week they chopped and piled wood from daylight until dark. At
least the young widow and her fatherless children would be warm that winter. When
Matthew and Margaret had three children, around 1860, a weary stranger walked along
the trail toward their shanty. It was Margaret's loving brother who had come from
Boston. He had perservered and at last he found her. Likewise in 1900 her long lost
sister and niece walked from the nearest railway station so they could have two
glorious weeks together. It was the only visit they ever had.
For many years the priest came to each area once a year. Then a mission was
established about 10 miles away at South Gloucester. They carried the children
through the bush to be baptized. "Not each time," Grandma told me, "for we would wait
until there were two." Grandma lost her husband when she was 48. But their farm
was all cleared and in place of the shanty was a new home. She died in this home
in 1930 at 94 years of age. Her son Matthias and his wife Bridget Collins carried
on the family tradition with their 14 children.
Quite a story, isn't it? I haven't been able to find any information about the
O'Brien brother and sister who supposedly settled in the Boston area. That part of
the family history remains a mystery.
As I mentioned earlier, we have a lot of old pictures of the Larkin family. In fact,
a large portrait of Margaret O'Brien is hanging in my home. I admire her strength
and courage every time I look at her picture. I've copied my four siblings on this
message, so please reply to "all" if you would like to communicate further.
I think it would be fun to put all of our "stories" and facts together and see if we
can put the puzzle pieces together.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Cheryl Larkin
cherlarkin@nuvox.net
__________________________________
Hi, Al:
You are very welcome. I knew you would find the story interesting. It
really shows the strength and perserverance of our ancestors, doesn't it?
Of course you may add my e-mail to your website and use me as a contact
name for other Larkin researchers.
I will go through all of my mother's old pictures this weekend, and will
scan and send you whatever I can. I know we have pictures of the family on
the farm (they grew potatoes and tapped maple trees for syrup) and of my
grandfather with his big, beautiful horses.
Can you explain to me how you fit into the Larkin family? Are we cousins?
As you can imagine, with my mother having 13 siblings (scattered all over
Canada) and my father having 5 siblings, I have many first cousins that I
have never met. I probably can't even count the number of second or third
cousins!
I hope to hear from you again soon.
Thanks,
Cheryl
_______________________________
Hi Cheryl:
My mother was a Burns, born on a farm on the Manotick Station Road
in Osgoode Township. Living next door to them was another Burns family. I
don't think that the two Burns families were related to each other, although
they used the similar naming patterns for their children. I have a picture
of a Mrs. Danny Burns, mother of a Mary Burns. Mary Burns was married to a
Patrick Larkin.
The photo shows my Grandmother, Catherine THERESA BURNS, nee CHRISTOPHER on
a horse-drawn buggy with Mrs. Danny Burns. The photo was taken, I believe,
during the 1920's. My mother said that this Mary Burns died in childbirth.
My ancestors attended St. Mary's Church (now Our Lady of the Visitation) at
South Gloucester. There are many Larkins buried there as well.
However, there were Larkins, O'Briens and Collins families across the Rideau
River in Goulbourn Township some of them may have been related.
I'm going to look into the "Des Les Hares" family at Richmond. I might have
some info on them. I think that the head of this family was a retired Spanish
soldier, first name Valentine or Valentino. The priests and census takers
had trouble spelling his last name over the years. Here are Valentine and Margaret
O'Brien in some church records at Richmond:
21 August 1853
Baptism of Alexander, born 17 June last of the legitimate marriage of
Alexander McNally and Matilda Ennis or Innes. The sponsors were Valentine Delassero
and Margaret O'Brien.
... Al
September 22, 2007:
Hi, Cheryl:
Thought you might be interested in this old photo of a picnic at the home of
Patrick Collins and Sarah Reynolds. Bernard Mathias Larkin is at the left
end of the back row. The two little girls in the front row are Pearl and
Marjorie Larkin.
http://www.web.net/~kcollins/Collins/Pat%20Collins%20Group%20Large.html
... Kevin Collins
November 15, 2007:
Hello Larkin people,
I am trying to find information on my great grandmother Ellen Larkin (July 2, 1862 -
February 26, 1941). She was married to my great grandfather Thomas Bowes (1849-1930).
I can't seem to find anything about her. I have attached a newspaper clipping from
when she died and it states that she was a daughter of pioneer district settler.
It makes no mention of her parents.
If anyone can tell me anything about Ellen (Larkin) Bowes, I would very much
appreciate it!
Thank you.
... Wendy Bowes
Good morning, Wendy:
Thanks for your e-mail regarding Ellen Larkin.
The following 1881 census records show two Ellen Larkin, aged 19 and aged 18
in 1881:
1881 Census Place: Gloucester, Russell, Ontario, Canada
Source: FHL Film 1375865 NAC C-13229 Dist 104 SubDist E Div 4 Page 47 Family 192
Sex Marr Age Origin Birthplace
Mathew LARKIN M M 57 Irish Ireland
Occ: Farmer Religion: Catholic
Margarett LARKIN F M 43 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Margaret LARKIN F 23 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Mary LARKIN F 21 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Ellen LARKIN F 19 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
John LARKIN M 17 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Catherine LARKIN F 15 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
William LARKIN M 13 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Elisabeth LARKIN F 11 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Patrick LARKIN M 8 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Bridget LARKIN F 5 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
Mathew LARKIN M 1 Irish Ireland
Religion: Catholic
____________________________
All of the above children were born in Ireland, including one year-old Mathew, so
this family would seem to have come to Canada in 1881. However, there were many other
Larkin families in the Ottawa area at that time.
This family's next door neighbours in 1881 were the family of John Larkin, who
also had a daughter, Ellen, whose age is given as 18 in the 1881 census:
1881 Census Place: Gloucester, Russell, Ontario, Canada
Source: FHL Film 1375865 NAC C-13229 Dist 104 SubDist E Div 4 Page 46 Family 191
Sex Marr Age Origin Birthplace
John LARKIN M M 57 Irish Ireland
Occ: Farmer Religion: Catholic
Mary LARKIN F M 46 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
John LARKIN F 26 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Annie LARKIN F 29 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Ellen LARKIN F 18 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Elizabeth LARKIN F 16 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Mary LARKIN F 14 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Martha LARKIN F 10 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Bridget LARKIN F 8 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Tressa LARKIN F 6 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Lavina LARKIN F 4 Irish Ontario
Religion: Catholic
Florence LARKIN F Irish Ontario
Religion: Church of England
Born: Dec; *
All of the children of John Larkin were born in Ontario, so this family was in
this region much earlier.
... Al
November 16, 2007:
Hi Looked up marriage Ellen Larkin and John Bowes Married june 25 1889 She was born
in Gloucester abt 1862. She is from the 2nd list of Larkins. Checked by Looking up
Marriage of John Malone to a Larkin. James malone Married Martha Larkin [born abt 1871],
June 25 1894.
Both Larkin Girls had the same parents JOHN LARKIN and MARY MYERS (Mears / O'Meara?).
Do you want copy of marriage record got off Ancestry.ca
... Ernie Kilroe
November 18, 2007:
Wendy;
Your Larkin family is in the 1881 Gloucester, Russell, Ontario census:
John, 57, born Ireland
Mary, 46, born Ontario
John, 26
Annie, 29
Ellen, 18 (married Thomas Bowes 25 June 1889, son of John Bowes and Jane McGuigan).
Elizabeth, 16
Mary14 (Mary Jane, married Michael Cavanagh in 1900)
Martha, 10 (married James Malone in 1894)
Bridget, 8
Tressa, 6
Lavina, 4 (Vina, married Andrew Sabourin)
Florence, born Dec 1880
Note: All children were born in Ontario, All of the family is listed as Roman Catholic with the exception of baby Florence who is listed as Church of England.
________________
Died: Mary Larkin (her maiden name was Myers, Meers / Mears)
3 March 1908 at 74 years. Lived on Lot 21 Con 2RF (Rideau Front)
Died: John Larkin, born June 1823 in Ireland, died in Gloucester 24 April 1911,
widower. John was a son of John Larkin and Margaret McCormick. Informant was John
Larkin. Residence was same as that given for wife Mary.
Hope this helps,
... Sue
E-mail Dinsdale Raddatz, Bob Delaney, Michael Daley, Mary Quinn, Chris Muller, Ernie Kilroe, Cheryl Larkin, Kevin Collins, Wendy Bowes and Al Lewis
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