October 1987 The McGovems Page 25

1liE Me GOVERNS Of HOCKESSIN

by Donn Devine

The McGovern! of HockessIn, Delaware, are mentioned In local histories as

lII10ng the early famllles of that 19th-century clay-quarrying community, and
their Imprint remains In the names of McGovern Road and of businesses carried
al by descendants. Todays McGoverns might readily have misidentified their
three Immigrant male ancestors as "three brothers who came to America" so
OOrtlmon In many famJly accounts, but one ltvlng granddaughter preserves the
tradition that they were In fact cousins, whleh Is consistent with the
documentary evidence.. f-bwever t their exact relationships have not been
determined, nor has a record or memory of their place of origin In I rei and been
preserved.
The Hockessin McGoverns' experience Is qUite representative of the pattern of
early famlne..,ra Irish Immigration to the Ullted States--unmarrled young men or
women from the same small Carmtng community, often In Uts ter, coming alone or
sometimes In pairs to a single locality In America. Here they continued what
their non-l rlsh neighbors called their "clannish connections" and attracted
others bound by the same ties, In many cases paying for the later passage of
siblings or parents with money sent back from their meager earnings. Their
attitude of contInuing responsibility toward the family and community they had
left was In marked contrast to the Individualism of contemporary Immigrants
from other cultures like the English and Ge~an, and which critics of the Irish
consIdered a value better suited to America.
The Hockessin area. however, was very untyplcal of the usual Irish-American
settlement, because It offered both Industrial and agricultural opportunities to
die newcomers. The limestone quarrIes and, after 1872, the "clay pits" (kaolin
quarries) of the area, whJch were the economic base for Hockessin's growth and
development, provided the unskIlled Industrial Jobs the Immigrants needed on
arrival. AvailabIlIty of reasonably priced farm land In the Immediate area gave
them an early opportunity to return to theIr tradItional farming pursuits without
disrupting the family and community ties that sustained them during thetr flrst
3
years In Amerlca.
The result was a community cohesion among the Irish of fbckessln that lasted
from the mid-19th century until World War ". As will be seen, the McGoverns
and their close neighbors the Laffer ties bought farmland In the area, probably as
soon as saVings from their wages permitted. and several generations cont1nue~
farming until 20th ceotury suburbanlzatlon of the area overtook them. In spite
of this unusual stabUJty in one location. however, today's McGoverns, like
descendants of most famlnerera Irish immigrants, have no records or tradJtlons
of their ancestors' place of orIgIn In Ireland, and only one branch has preserved
a Bible record of vital events after arriving In the U.S.
The Hockessin McGoverns are so typical of the broader patterns of Irish
migration that the family provides a cas&-study In the micro-demographics of the
Page 26 Delaware Genealogieal Society Joumal Vol. 4
•
famIne era.. Their story-pJeced together from census, land, church, and
cemetery records and vital records registrations, with help from several
descendants--shows how readily Irish-American families may be traced through
the sources commonly used in American genealogy. The name McGovern and the
two maternal family names Identified are less corrunon ones, so it was also
lXlsslble to pinpoint the family's probable place of origin In [reland. The
"Householder Index" to the family names [n Griffith's Valuation, the 1848-02 land
assessment of Ireland, was used to locate the one place where all the family and
given names of parents occur together--the Parish of Desertmartin, near
4
Drapers town , In Derry, now one of the six counties of f\brthern Ireland.
The ~k'essln McGovern! descend from three couples representing four
Immigrant McGovern ancestors--Edward McGovern (ca 1835-1921) and his wife
Sarah Hagan (1838-1896); John F. McGovern (1837-1906) and his wife Catherine
(1837-1912), also a McGovern by birth; and Daniel McGovern (1849-1928) and
Ijs wife louisa Denning (1855-1934). [n addition, ties to the family of John
J, McGovern lca 1833-1912) of WIlmington and his wife Marla (ca 1840-1908) are
suggested gy their cemetery lot adjoining Edward's [n Cathedral Cemetery,
Wilmington.
Earliest /"lcGoverns In Hockessin
The first McGoverns of record In what Is now the I-kK:kessln area were
Daniel, laborer, and EJlza, who appear In the 1850 U.S. Census, age 30 and 20
respectively, with Mary Ann, age I, and a John Shayary [?J age 60, also a
laborer, living with them, all except Mary Ann having been born In Ire[and. They
were IJI the house next to John and Mary Lafferty, both 32 and also Irish, and
their five children, ages 4 to 10. This Daniel McGovern Is probably the Daniel,
age 49, "works In Lhne Quarry,· recorded In the household of WIlliam McDo~ell
In the 1870 Census, but nothJng more is known about him or any descendants.
Four houses further on, In the household of John G. Jackson, leading citizen
of lixkesstn, developer of Its Jlmestone quarries and kUns and later chief
engIneer of the WIlmington and Western RaIlroad, was a David [or Daniel]
McGovern, 50, quarryman, born in I reland,. forerunner of other McGoverns who
In future censuses wOUld be found 8S dcmesUcs In the Jackson home, but he has
7
not been Identified, and no further record of him has been found.
Although the Irish origins of the McGovern and Lafferty famJlles listed In 1850
aren't known, their adjoinIng dweJllngs anticipate the future closeness, In
housing, marriage, and eventually burial, among later arrivals of those names,
and strongly suggests famtly connections. Even earlier, 8 Dan Lafferty was
listed In 1827 as one of the Iipew holders In the newly enlarged (to 14 pews)
Catholic church at Coffee Run.
The later-arrivIng famlly of James and Mary (Rogers) Lafferty were to
develop the closest associations with the McGoverJ's. From the birth dates and
places of their chlIdren, they immigrated ca 1865-71, settling In Kaolin, Just
across the Pennsylvania line from John F. McGovern's farm at Southwood. They
'orlglnated like the McGoverns In tbe Draperstown area. James was the son of
 October 1987 The McGovems Page 27
(
Patrick and Mary (Conners) Lafferty. of Keenaght townland In the small civil
parish of Kilcronaghan, within the same Roman Catholic parish of Desertmartin
9
where the McGoverns probably orlginated.
The famUles of James Lafferry and of his brother MIchael Lafferry. who
arrived ca 1872-73 with his wife Mary Magdalen (Kelly) and first chUd Peter and
also lived In KaoUn, were representative of a less common post-famine
lmmlgratlon 18attern-famllles wIth ~hUdren comIng as a group. rather than
IndivIdually.
No record of the other McGoverns lis ted In the 1850 Census has been found
eIther In New Castle Counry or adjoining Chester Counry PA. and there are no
gravestones recorded for them at Coffee Run cemetery In the WPA Historic
Records Survey. made In 1939. The Lafferty family. without Mary. appears In
1860 In the same relationshIp to the Jackson house.
Progenltors of Present-Day McGoverns
E:dward McGovern came to the U.S. In 1853 and John F. McGovern the
following year. according to the 1900 Census. E:dward Is undoubtedly the
Edward, age 15, accompanied by Mergt, age 12, both listed without occupations
as arriving In Philadelphia on the ship Tuscarora from Uverpool. probably via
Derry, on 12 March 1853. John may be the John. listed as age 13 although his
aetual age would have been 17, who arrived on the Tonawanda 24 April 1854.
since no other John Is found In the PhUdelphla Index for that year. 11
Catherine Mc Govern also came to the U.S. In 1854. according to the 1900
Census; she may be the Catherine, no age or occupation Hsted, who arrived on
the Wyomlnll. on 24 Oct 1854. On II Nov 1855. she and John McGovern were
witnesses when Edward McGovern married Sarah Hagan, prob8blYl~t St. Mary's,
Coffee Run. although recorded at St. Joseph's-<ln-the-Brandywlne.
The log church of St. Mary of the Assumption at Coffee Run. Delaware's nrst
Catholic parish. became a missIon of St. Joseph's-<ln-the-Brandywlne In 1841.
Attended by priests from that parish. It was the church of the [rlsh quarry
""rkers of HockessIn until St. PatrIck's at Ashland was established In 1880. and

I
St. John's In Hoekessln. originally as a mission of Ashland, In 1882. Records of
the preseot St. Mary's of the Assumption parish. Hoekessln. begin in 1881. wIth
the openIng of St. Patrlck's.13
Catherine McGovern marrIed John F. McGovern on 19 Sep 1861. also probably
at Coffee Run although recorded at St. Joseph's-on-th~Brandywlne. Edward
McGovern and "Catherine McGovern.· who has not been Identified but Is perhaps
an error (or Sarah, Edward's wtfe, were witnesses. No dispensation Is noted,
so Joh,i relationship to Catherine must have been more distant than second
cousin.
She Is almost certaInly the Catherine McGovern recorded. age 20. together
with Mary McGovern, also age 20, in the 1860 census as servants in the John
G. Jackson household. with her future husb8nd John McGovern. 23. a
quarryman. boarding with the MIchael McKenna family only five dwellings away
P:lge 28 Delaware Genealogical SocietyJournal Vol. 4

from the Jackson house; the- Lafferty house. two houses from JaCkson's, is
between. N::>te, however, the slight Inconsistency with Catherine's age as.
reported In 1870, when both she and John are Usted as age 33, and in 1880 as
15
43.
John F. McGovern also had a sister Ann, known from famlly tradition but not
Identified in records, who married and moved to California, but was never heard
from arter the San Francisco earthquake and was presumed a victim by the
famlly. Jnhn F. McGovern's cemetery lot at Ashland is shared with his Lafferty
16
and Baldwin sons-tn-law; aJJ three names are on 8 large central monument.
Among the other seven boarders Usted In the McKenna household in 1860 was
another Jo~n McGovern, quarryman, age 25 (perhaps the John J. McGovern born
ca 1833 who later lived In Wilmington, but possibly a duplicate entry for the first
John Usted) and Daniel McGovern, 17, teamster. He Is probably the same
Daniel, age 23, who was a blacksmith in Red Lion Village, Red LIon Hundred, In
1870 and who married In 1871 (bond dated 25 March) louisa Denning, daughter
of Michael Denning, Irish-born shopkeeper of Red Lion, Village, Red LIon
I-klndred, and his wife Bridget. Daniel and louisa remained In Red Lion until
1884, when Louisa purchased a lot In HockessIn for $140. 17 , 18
Although Daniel, blacksmith and husband of louisa, was 23 In 1870 and born In
Aug 1849 accordIng to the 1900 Census, and so four to six years younger than
Donlel the teamster as reported in 1860, such a conflict with the Information
given the 1860 census-taker about a workIng child boarder would not be
unusual-partlcularly wben John's possible duplicate entry with different ages Is
found In the same Ust of boarders. As noted in the 1900 Census, Danlers age
50, Aug 1849 birthdate, 1856 immigration and 44 years residence In the
19
U.S. would place his age on arrival at seven.
WhIle no direct evidence for a relationshIp of the Hockessin McGoverns to
John J. McGovern of WilmJngton has been found, such a relationship might be
Inferred from the fact that Edward and John J. bought adjoining cemetery lots In
the then recently opened New Cathedral Cemetery In WilmJngton--John J. to bury
a 24-year-old daughter who died In 1893, Edward to bury his wife Sarah In 1896,
as noted In the cemetery records cited earlier. Most other Hockessin
•
McGoverns (inclUding one chlld of Edward, his son Edward S.) are burled in
St. Patrick's Cemetery, Ashland-Including Daniel and Louisa, who had removed
to Kennett Square PA-
I rlsh Origins
According tll, their death certificates, the parents of the immIgrant McGoverns
were as follows:
Edward McGovern-John McGovern and Nancy McElwee; John, undoubtedly the
father of Edward, appears In Edward's household In 1880 as a laborer, age 70,
born in 1reland. Edward probably brought both his mother and father to the
•
U.S. between 1870 and 1877; the gravestone of Nancy McGovern, died 4 Mar
1877 age 55 years, was recorded In the WPA 1938 survey of Coffee Run
cemetery. Her age, however, may be understated, since it places her bIrth
•
 ..... .. ....... ..,. _..-
~

only 16 years befor~Oher son Edward's birth date of January 1839, as recorded
, In the 1909-Census.
John F. McGovern--Neal McGovern and Alice , father's name confirmed In
1869 deed from James C. Jackson to "John McGovern of the same [Mill Creek!
21
Hundred son of Neely McGovern."
22
Catherine McGovern--Phlllp McGovern and Annie ",.cGuckln.
Daniel McGovern (b. 1849)-John 1I<lcGovern and Sarah _ _ .23
24
John J. McGovern (of Wllmlngton)-Fergus W.cGovern and Catherine _ _•
The Index prepared by the National LIbrary of Ireland for surnames In
Griffith's Primary Valuation of the Lands and Tenallents of Ireland. sometimes
called the "H>useholder Index," provides 8 means for zeroing in on 8 small area
where all the family names Identified may occur. The valuation of County Derry
was made In 1859, so the likelihood of finding the parents as occupants of real
estate Is high. The names McGovern, ~1cGuckln and McIlwee are not among the
more common Irish surnames, and they occur together only tn the parish of
Desertmartln, where 5 to 18 of each are found, along with Hagans and one
Lafferty; additional McGucklns, Hagans, and Laffertles are found In the adjoining
civil parish of Kllcronaghan, which Is part of Desertmartln Roman CathoJkc
parish. The old Hockessin family name of Gormley Is also found In the parish.
Among occupants of the 40 holdings In TIrgan town/and are found Neal, John
and Phlllp McGovern--names of three of the known fathers of the lnunlgrants-as
well as four other McGoverns-Brldget, Patrick, Daniel and Bernard-and four
Mcllwee families. While there are no McGucklns In TIrgan, 13 are found In the
immediately surrounding townlands, along with six more McGoverns, including
another Neal, and three McIlwees.
Of the known McGovern parents, only Fergus and one John--probably Daniel's
father-are not found In TIrgan, and both identifIed maternal surnames can be
found there or close by; the evidence strongly points to TIrgan as the Irish
home of the McGoverns of Hockessin.
(The concluding Installment In the next issue w1ll smmnarlze what Is now
known about Edward, John F., and Daniel McGovern, together with their
children and grandchildren.)
I.
N=
Rev. Anthony F. DiMichele et al., Coffee Run 1772·1960 (Hockessin: 1960), pp. 32-33 (hereaher
Coffee Run); C. ~ Weslager. 100 Yeer, Along Old Public ROlle!, In Mill Creek Hundred. New
Castle CountY. Del. (Wilmington: H1.,torlc Red Clay Valley, Inc., 1960), p. 22; Joseph R. Lake,
Jr., Hocleuln - A Pictorial Huory (Hockeuin: Bicentennial Conunlulon. 1976). pp. 143. 151;
Interview. with Sarah Mc:Covern Smith, Wl.lmlngton. DE, 9 Mar 1980 and 23 Feb 1987.
2. Kerby A. Miller. Einlsrants and Eilles, Ireland Bnd the Irish Exodus to l'«:Irth America (New
York: Oxford lhiv. Prest, 1985). p. 273 and AppendiX, Table. 4, II, 12 and 14; Hasla R. Diner,
Erin', DaUBjhters In America lBeldmore: Johns l'bpklnl Urlv. Preas, 1983), pp. 36-37.
3. J. Thoma. Scharr. History of Delaware 1609~1383. (18M; repro Port Wuhlngton N.Y.: Kennlkec.
Press 1972), pp. 927. 929 (bereefter Scharf).
<t. National library of Ireland, Index to Surnames of Householders In Griffith's PrimarY Valuation
and TIthe Aeplotment Books, typescript (Dublin: 1969); Sir Richard Griffith, Primary Valuation 0(
the Lands and Tenements or Ireland (Dublin: 134&-1864). hereafter Griffith's Valuation, both
repro 1973 In mJcroflche by Irish Microforms, Dublin.
5. Cathedral Cemetery, Wilmington, DE, Burial Records, Sect. &-B. Lots 31 and 33. In cemetery
•
Page 30 Ds:laware Genealogical SocietyJournal VoL 4
6. 1850 U.S. Cen.u., l'eW' Ca.tle County. DE, Po 3SO (Mill Creek I-bndred), dw. 70. 71. National
Archive. Microfilm M-432 Roll 53 (hereafter 1850 Cen.us); 1870 U.S. Census, New Castle
County, DE. p.600, dw. 6-42, Nltlonal Archive. Microfilm M-S93. Roll 120 (hereafter 1870
Cen.usl.
7. 1850 Cen.us, p. 3SO, dw. 75i Scharf. pp. 928·930.
8. Coffee Run, p. 29.
9. Mildred Ha.ke. AnNpoll. MD, Lafferty family lenealoclu. unpublished COfI"IIlunlcation to author.
clUne OesertmlinJn parish re&J.tera. with copies cI certlflcete. luued 1981. and Draperstown
Dlltrlct dum rellUtluon•• with photocopied utrecu.
10. Hilke, Ibid.; Miller •• upr., p. 352.
11. 1900 U.S. Census, Ne.... CaatJe County, DE. Subdlvblon 27. FnumeratJon District 5-4. Mill Creek
Ji.lndred, Sheec: 9, NKlona) Archive. MJcrollbn T123 lherufter 1900 Census); Index to
Philadelphia Pau8ncer Anlval Record•• 1800·1906. on Niltlonal ArchlYe. Microfilm M·360.
12. 1900 Cen.u •• supra; Marrlaae AeaJster In church otnce, St. Joseph's-<ln-the·8randywlne C81hoUe
Church. Creenvllie DE. certificate 111 poueuton 01 author.
13. Coffee Run, p. 32; Diocese d Wllminlton. C81holk: Directory 1918, p. 97; letter. Rev. J. runels
McOonouah. pastor. St. MIirY d the Auumpdoo Church, to author. 9 Aua 1977.
14. Mlrrlaae Repster, St. Joseph's, ~ certine-te In pouenlon of author.
15. 1860 U.S. Census, New C.. t1e County. DE. p. 305. ctw. 28, 30, 33, National Archive, Microfilm
M~53 Roll 97 (hereafter JS60 Censu.); 1870 Cen.u., p. 595 line II; 1830 U.S. Censu., New
Castle CountY. DE. P. 138 dw. 25, National Archive. M1cronbn T-9 Roll 117 (hereafter 1880
Census ).
I
16. &lrah McGovern Smith. supra; aravenone, St. Patrlclt's cemetery. Ashland. (Note that the
Tatnall tombstone record transcription 111 the Delaware Hall of Record. Incorrectly record••on
John J. McGovern, <!Jed 1 Dec 1897, as "II&e 81-ln.tead of 31 as It appear. oa the monument.)
17. 1860 Censu•• p. 234 (Red Lion Hundred) dw. 609; 1870 Census. p.627 dw. 28 (Red lion Vlllagel;
p. 713 dw. 471 (Red lion HeI., PO Delaware City); SoundeJ. Inde,,; to 1880 Census, National
Archives Microfilm T-741 (hereafter 1880 Soundexl. Red lion Village Sheet 2 Line 43; Indenture
dated 23 Jul 1884 between William B. Jackson of Hockenln. Mill Creek ~".Lndred and Louisa A.
DennJng of the same place for 8 3/10 acre lot on the south side of the Lancaster Pike at Kent's
tane, New Castle County Deed Record (hereafter Deed Ree.) ~13 p. 206 In Office of Recorder of
Deeds for New Castle County, W1lmlnaton DE.
18. AJthough Louisa'. 1934 death certlncate (4 Sep 1934. PA 182879), for which her son Edward wa. \
Informant, lI,ts James Denney (sic) and Emma 8. Powell as her parents, It I. clear from census
record. that her father wa. Michael DeMlne; her mother was varlou.ly Brlgget In 1860. E'1nma In
1870, and Brld&;et In 1880. when she appears a. mother-In-law In DanJel and lout.a's household
with her YOWlle.t children lI.ted a. -sl.ler In law· and 'brother In law ll to Daniel; It Is
rea.onable to conclude- th. her maiden name wa. Finma 8rldl;et Powell. In 1870, Daniel
McGovern, stili unmarried. wa. re.ldtns In Red Lion YllIale with the famUy of a Jame. Dennina.
who may have been J brot.ber of Michael. and wife Mary. Mlchae" early death, and the knowledl;e
of some femlly relatlon.hlp to Jame•• may have led to the erroneous Information provided for the
death certlne.te.
19. 1860 and uno Censu., .uprai Soundex IndeJ: to 1900 Censu., National Archives Microfilm T-I037
(hereafter 1900 SoundeJ:l. hili Creek Hd. Sheet 9.
20. Death Certtf•• Edward McCovern Sr•• 30 Aua: 1921, DeL '2067; 1880 Cen.us p. 139 dw. 26;
... toric Records Survey. WPA, -Inventory of • • • Coffee Run Cemetery • • • -, to1ay 1939.
type.crlpt til Hall of Record•• Dover DE., '35.
21. Death CerUf., John r. McGoverll, 2 Mar 1906, Del. 173611; Deed Ree. D-9, p. 196.
22. Death CerUf•• Catherine McGovern. 22 Feb 1912, Del. 171."
23. Death CerUf•• Daniel 8. McGovern, 7 Mly 1927. ".. 150800.
2-4. Death Certlr., John J. McGovern, 25 Mlr 1912. Del. '86629
25. I'bte 4••upra.
•
April 1988 The McGoverns Page 49

TIlE Me GOVERNS OF HOCKESSIN

by Donn Devine

(continued from Vol. 4 No.2)

Genealogical publication has two advantages, other than the obvious one of
preserving and disseminating the results of research. First. It may bring new
data sources to light, and second. It lets the author correct erroneous
conclusions. based on either the new data or sound criticism by other
lIOnealoglsts. Part I of this article In the last Issue has already produced both
these beneficial effects.
"" a result, the conclusion In Part 1 that the Immigrant McGoverns of
Hock.essln--Edward, John F., and Daniel-were all cousins must be corrected,
based on new Information from Ruth Johnson Glllan of Kennett Square, PA, a
granddaughter of Edward who had not been Identlfled earlier. I t Is now clear
that Daniel was a younger brother of Edward, Bnd both were first cousins of
John F. McGovern, and also of John J. McGovern of Wilmington, to whom a
relationship was only suggested in Part I. Other siblings of Edward who came to
the U.S. have also been Identified. 26
The new Information from Edward's granddaughter demonstrates how essential
personal recollections are to tracing Irish-American famllles, and how Important
It Is to search out all such recollections that stili survive In the memories of
older family members.
"" descrIbed In Part I, John F. McGovern's granddaughter recalled that the
three immigrant young men were cousins (the other two were In fact first
muslns of her grandfather) and her recollection appeared to be confirmed by
documentary evldenc~Danlel's 1927 death certlflcat~whlch showed his parents
as John '1'rGovern and Sarah, while Edward's were known to be John and Nancy
McElwee.
ThIs Is a case where the docwnentary eVidence, being secondary, Is less
likely to be reliable thlll! oral evidence that Is primary, or based upon flrst-hand
knowledge. The death certificate of an adult Is not prImary evidence for the
parents' identIty. because It is recorded long after the person was born, and Is
based on answers from an informant who usually lacks first-hand knowledge and
may be under the stress of bereavement.
Here the oral account Is from a reliable wItness who knew the parties and
whose curiosity caused her to Inquire about their relationships. Her continuing
interest in the subject matter gives further assurance that her current
recollection Is more accurate than the Information on Daniers death certificate,
even after the passage of many years. •
•
To a possible objection that her knowledge Is mere hearsay, It should be
noted that hearsay evidence about one's own family relationships Is accepted In
courts as an exception to the usual rule that rejects hearsay testimony in favor
of witnesses who actuallv saw an event. The reason Is that none of us know of
our own relationships other than by being told about them by other family
•
members, and this knowledge can be relled upon because people don't readily let
themselves be misled about such an Important matter.
Mrs. GlIIan also offered non-hearsay evidence, In her recollection of the titles
of respect she heard her mother use toward the older generation of
McGoverns-"Uncle" for Daniel, but "Cousin" for Jobn F. McGovern. She also
recalled that her mother's godfather was the son of another fiut cousin of her
grandfather, John J. McGovern of Wilmington, whose connection to the Hockessin
McGoverns was only suggested In Part I. Her account Is supported by her
mother's baptismal record, which shows the godparents were Franctscus
(Francis) McGovern and Helena (Helen or Ellen) Hyde; the only Francis of
record In either Hockessin or Wilmington at that time was John J. McGovern's
19-year-<lld son. 28
Two other granddaughters-<>ne of Edward, the other of Daniel-as well as
Daniel's surviving daughter-tn-law t have also been Interviewed. Their
Information helped complete Identlflcatlon of the McGovern descendants, some of
whose children dIed young and !§ther were not recorded, or were recorded
erroneously In cemetery records.
Finally, former Delaware Genealogical Society president Harry DIehl brought
Part I to the attentIon of one of his genealogy class students who Is descended
from John J. McGovern of WIlmington, She made available additional information
about that branch complied bylWllllam M. McGovern, grandson of John J., from
baptIsmal and marrIage records of St. Mary's, St. Paul's and St. Thomas's
Catholic Churches In WIlmington, and used here through hls klndness. 30
The McGoverns In Ireland
The relationships among the four Irish forebears (Generation A; NI to N4
below) have been Inferred from the relationships among their children, both from
documentary sources and as recalled by Ruth Gillan, granddaughter and
grandniece of two of them. No documentary sources bearing directly on the
forebears' relationships have yet been found.
Three of the Irish ancestors are almost certainly those recorded as tenants
of the Worshipful Company of Drapers at Tlrgan, Oesertmartln Parish, County
Derry, In 1859; not only do the names match precisely, but no other parish In
Derry or Tyrone has more than two McGovern households listed. The Tlrgan
McGoverns all held 10 to 30 acres, placing them In the cia.. described by Miller
as "middling fanners," as contrasted with "strong farmers· with over 30 acres,
or the "smallholder" of 2 to 10 acres, liVing usually on the edge of poverty.31
All of the children of the four who have ao far been Identlfled came to the
U.S.; no research has yet been urxlertaken to Identify others who may have
remained In Ireland.
A
I. John McGovern, born In Ireland ca 1810, married !'Boey McElwee. He ·Is
probably the aame John recorded as holding a house, outbuildings and II acres I
•
rod 5 perches of land In Tlrgan townland, 1859. John and Nancy were brought to
 April 1988 The McGovt:ms Page 51

J the U.S. by their son Edward after 1870. Nancy died 4 Mar 1877 and was buried
at Coffee Run; John was recorded as a laborer t age 70, In Edward's household In
1880. Since he is not found In the 1900 Census, It was probably his death that
was recorded at tbckessln 24 Mar 1893, with his parents named as (another)
John McGovern and Mary. l-bwever t his age, given as 95, exceeds by 12 years
his age based upon the 1880 Census. Place of burial is not given. 32
Known children (birth order not certaln):33
+ 5. Edward, b. ca 1835.
6. Catherine, b. ca 1840, m. Wllilam Keily, lived
Landenburg PA. Children:
I. Catherine, unm.
iI. Mary, m. Ryan; son William.
iii. Daniel, unm. t
7. Margaret, b. ca 1840. (Marg , 1853 Passenger List) m. 1st "Old"
Owen O'NeIli, m. 2nd Ryan.
8. HJgh, m. flynn of Hockessin, moved west.
+ 9. Daniel, b. 12 Mar 1848.
2. NealA McGovern, brother of John, probably the same Neal recorded in 1859
as holding a house, outbuildIngs, and two parcels of land totaling 20 acres 3
rods 35 perches In TIrgan in 1859.
Known chlldren: 34
+ 10. John F. McGovern, b. Mar 1837.
11. Ann McGovern, m., removed to CA.
3. FergusA McGovern, probably an older brother of John and Neal. He Is not
listed as a tenant In Desertmartln ParIsh In 1859, nor in any other parish In
countIes Derry or Tyrone; if not already deceased by then, he may have been
living In the household of another son. ,
Known child:35
+ 12. john J. McGovern, b ca. 1833.
4. PhilllpA McGovern, probably a cousin of john, Neal and Fergus and listed
as holding a house, outbuildings and two parcels totaling 17 acres I rod 35
perches In TIrgan, 1859.
Known child:36 •
13. Catherine, b. ca 1837, m. John F. McGovern (#10).
The First American Generation
5. Edward l McGovern (Jobrt) was born In 1835 or 1836 based on the 1880
census and his age at death, probably at TIrgan, Des er trnar tin , County .Derry.
Although the 1900 Census shows him born In Jan. 1839, this would have made
him only 16 at the time of his marrIage. He arrived In the U.S. 12 Mar 1853 on
the Tuscarora from Liverpool to Philadelphia, with his age recorded as 15 and
i accompanied by "Marg t ", probably his sIster, age 12. 37
I He marrIed Sarah Hagan on II IIbv 1855, probably at St. Mary's, Coffee Run,
I although recorded at St. joseph's-on-the-Brandywlne, with cousin john F.
McGovern and Catherine McGovern (most likely his cousIn, since his •
sister
CatherIne probably hadn't yet come over) as witnesses. Sarah's malden name Is
 •
Page 52 Delaware Genealogical Society Journal Vol. 4
known from the death certlflcate of her daughter Sally; her own death certificate
is silent as to her birthpl~ce and names of her parents. From her age of 58 at
her death on 23 Sep 1896, her birth was about 1838. She was born In Ireland
according to the 1880 Census, but her age, recorded as 39, only 14 years older
than her eldest daughter, Is probably understated there. A granddaughter
recalls that the Hagans originally settled farther north, perhaps around New
York, some years before they carne to li:>ckessln, and thought Sarah may have
been born In the U.S. The other Hagans removed to Kentucky and were not heard
38
from afterward.
Edward has not been found In the 1860 Census for either New Castle Co.,
Del., or Chester Co., Pa., but appears to have lived Just across the state line
In Chester County at least from 1861 to 1867. An 1860 move to Pennsylvania
after the census enumeration there but before the Delaware count would explain
his absence from the lists for both states. Hs chlldren were listed as born In
Delaware up to 1859, but In Pennsylvania between 1861 and 1866. He Is
described as "now or late of New Garden Township, Chester County, Pa." (just
across the state Une from Hockessin) at his 25 March 1868 purchase of 23.29
acres on the north side of the Newport and Gap [Lancaster] Turnpike, Just west
of a private lane that was later opened as McGovern Road. In the 1870 Census
for New Castle County he Is Usted as a farmer. By 1880, although st!1I at that
location, the Census gives his occupation as quarryman, Indicating that farming
was not his principal source of income. His first nine chJldren are listed In the
1870 Census, and 12 of the 14 total In 1880~90ne had died young before 1880, and
the youngest was not born until after 1880.
Edward's McGovern Road property was the first of several McGoverrrowned
plrcels in that Immediate vicinity; his cousin John F. bought six acres just to
the east. across McGovern Road. a year later. and in 1898 Edward's younger
brother Daniel bought the 10 acres adjoining on the west-a parcel that would
eventually pass through all three branches of the famlly.40
Although small parcels were sold off from Edward's original 23 acres starting
In 1883, most of the property remained In the possession of Edward's
descendants until the'1987 death of his granddaughter Marjorie C. Meany, who
had worked the farm with her twin brother Jay; after Jay's 1973 death she sold
the farm. but retained a life interest in the house. where she lived until her
41
death.
Edward's fortunes prospered sufficiently for him to Invest in several other
pieces of real estate between 1883 and 1888, Including 151 acres of farmland
along the pike for $14,123; 60 acres of farmland on the north side of Old
Wilmington Road opposite McGovern Road for $4,666; two lots In Hockessin on
either side of the turnpike, and a 59' by 44' lot on Grant St. In Hockessin, which
he sold In 1899 to Lodge No. 4 of the Colored American Protective Association •
•
This may have been the site where his daughter Mary taught school for the black
chlldren of the area, while his daughter Kate taught In the white school on
Valley Road; a granddaughter recalls that Mary taught In a building her father
42
owned.
 ,
April 1988 The McGoverns Page 53

By 1900, Edw.rd, listed .galn .s • f.rmer. h.d only his 21-ye.r-old d.ughter
Sus.n living .t home with him. but the family of his son Edw.rd, listed .s •
l.borer, Is In the next dwelling. and m.y h.ve been helping on the f.rm. The
senior Edw.rd died 30 Aug 1921 .ged ".bout 87," .nd Is burled In his plot .t
43
Cathedr.1 Cemetery. Wilmington.
44
Children of Edw.rd .nd S.r.h (Hag.n) McGovern:
45
+ 14. S.r.h C. McGovern, b. DE 1857, m. James F. Meany.
15. Anne R. McGovern, b. DE 1857 (twin of -S.rah C')'.i\; unm.
+ 16. Mary A. McGovern. b. DE 1859, m. John A. Cllnlff. 47
+ 17. Ell. (Nellle) McGovern. b. PA 1861. m. Thom.s N. FI.nnery.
18. John C. McGovern. b. PA 1863, d. unm. Chester Co. PA 22 Feb 1934.
+ 19. J.mes H. McGovern, b. PA c. 1864, m. 1st Mary A. McGinty 24 Feb
1897, m. 2nd Lizzie Dougherty 19 Jun 1913.
20. Kate S.• b. PA 1866. d. unm. 9 !'bv 1894.
21. Ellz.beth. b. PA 1868, d. unm. Mar 1902.
+ 22. Edw.rd S•• b. IS Jul 1870 DE. m. Marie C.therlne Roser.
+ 23. louIse, b. 1872 DE, m. W.rren Clinelf.
24. Fr.nk, b. c. 1874. d. before 1880 of. bee-sting.
+ 25. Marg.ret. b. 1876 DE. m. Cornelius Flnneg.n.
+ 26. Sus.n, b. Jul 1879 DE. m. 1st fbward Johnson. 2nd Elwyn A. GlII.n.
27. Phillip. b••fter 1880. drowned In • qu.rry Jul 1893.
9. Daniell McGovern OohnA ) w.s born In Irel.nd 12 Mar 1848 according to
his 1927 de.th certlflc.te. prob.bly at Tlrg.n. He came to the U.S .•bout 1856.
b.sed on the 1900 Census, where he Is listed .s • bl.cksmlth ••ge 50, born
March 1849••nd In the U.S. 44 ye.rs. He Is probably the D.nlel, te.mster,
age 17, recorded .t Hockessin In the 1860 Census ••Ithough hIs .ctual .ge would
h.ve been only 12. By 1870 he w.s living In the household of J.mes Denlng [sic],
b.rtender ••nd his wife Mary In Red Lion VlII.ge. Red Lion Hundred, listed .s •
bl.cksmlth ••ge 23. 48
In March 1871 he married louis. Denning. born In Del.w.re 7 M.r 1858
.ccordlng to her 1934 de.th certlfic.te. but in 1856 .ccordlng to her .ge In the
1860 Census. She w.s the d.ughter of Mlch.el Denning (prob.bly • brother of
James, with whom D.nlel lived) .nd the former Emma Bridget Powell of Red
Lion. both n.tlves of Irel.nd who .rrived In the U.S ••bout 1847-1849, from the
bir thpl.ces of their other children. Mlch.el w.s listed .s • shopkeeper In 1860
.nd • f.rmer In 1870. In 1880, D.nlel bought. lot In Red LIon VlII.ge with.
frontage of 28 feet on the north side of the Red Llon-tn-Chrlstlan. Road ••nd
extending 32 feet deep.49
They rem.lned there until 1884. when they sold the lot In Red Lion to James
W. Denning, prob.bly Louls.'s brother but possibly her uncle, .nd Louis. w.s
recorded •• purchaser of. 3/10 .cre lot In Hockes.ln .t the southwe.t corner
of (Old) Lancaster Pike and Kent'. Lane. In 1898 they bought in Loul •••• name
for $1.000 the Io-acre f.rm just we.t of, and adjoining. Edward McGovern's,
.Ithough Daniel w.s stili employed prlnclpally .s • bl.cksmlth in 1900. This 10
.cres w.s eventu.lly to p.ss through .11 three branches of the famBy: In 1915
 6<1
Page 54 Delaware Genealogic.u Society Journal Vol. 4
•
Kennett Squ.re PA, ..here Daniel died 7 May 1927 and Loul•• 7 Mar 1934.
Le..I.'. . .Ido. . .old the Hockessin f.rm In 1923 to Edw.rd'. .on Edw.rd
S. McGovern, ..ho.e gr.ndchlldren .tIll own it. 50
51
Children of Daniel .nd Loul•• (Denning) McGovern:

+ 28. Mary (Mollie, 1900 Cen.u.), b. DE Apr 1875, m. WillIam Jenne•••

29. Albert (Jame. A., 1880 Cen.u.), b. DE c. 1878, m. Mrs. Jame.
McEvilly, d. PhI1.delph. PA. No children.
+ 30. fr.nk, b. DE Jul 1880, m. Ell. Peirce.
+ 31. Saille, b. DE Aug 1883, m. francl. J. Ro.er
32. Grover, b. DE 9 Apr 1885, d. unm. 1902 of .carlet fever.
+ 33. Pre. ton, b. DE Jun. 1887, m. Cl.r. E. McC.rthy.
-
+• 34. Edw.rd J. (Ed..ln, 1900 Cen.u. & 1914 f.rm Journ.1
Directory), b. 18 jun 1890, m. Julia McT.gue. 52
+ 35. »J... rd D., b. DE 2 Oct 1892, m. Helen E. Mor.n.
36. E1..ood, b. jul 1898, d. 1902 of .c.rlet fever.
10. john f. I McGovern (Ne.lA) .... prob.bly born .t Tlrgan .bout 1837 .nd
c.me to the U.S ••nd »Jcke•• ln In 1854, the ye.r after hi. cou.in Edw.rd'•
• rrlv.l; he I. likely the John McGovern, li.ted •• 13 .lthough .ctually 17, .. ho
.rrived In Phil.delphl. 24 April .bo.rd the Ton....nd.; no other John McGovern
of an .pproprl.te .ge I. Indexed •••rrivlng .t Phil.delphl. th.t ye.r. 53
He ..... wltne••• t the II Nov 1855 marrl.ge of Edw.rd McGovern .nd Sarah
Hag.n, .nd In the 1860 Cen.u. I. lJ.ted ••• qu.rryman, age 23, bo.rdlng ..Ith
the Mlch.el McKenn. family, two dwelling.....y from John G. J.ck.on'. hou.e
..here C.therlne McGovern (113), John'. future wife, .... employed • • •
54
servant.
He m.rried C.therlne McGovern (PhillipA), • cou.ln of undetermIned
rel.tlon.hlp, 19 sep 1861, prob.bly .t St. Mary'., Coffee Run, .1 though recorded
at St. Joseph's, of which Coffee Run was a mission at the time. The witnesses
55
were Edward McGovern and his sister Catherine, their cousins.

They lived in Penn.ylvani••t the birth. of their first three childrel1, On 26

j.n 1869 john bought. 6-.cre parcel to the e•• t of Edw.rd'., .cross the l.ne
that became McGovern Road, midw.y hetween Old Wilmington Ro.d .nd Lanc•• ter
Pike. Since be I. recorded in 1870 ••• bricky.rd employee .nd In 1880 ••
....orks In c1.y pits," thI• • teeply .Ioplng 5~lli.lde .... prob.bly u.ed only for
pasture to supplement his Industrial wages.
In 1884, John f. McGovern bought. hou.e on two lots with • 99-£oot frontage
on the ..e.t .Ide of Valley Ro.d, 273 feet .outh from the center of (Old)
Lancaster Pike, but It Is not clear whether the famlly lived there, because he
didn't .ell the McGovern Ro.d property untll t ..o ye.r. I.ter ..hen he bought.
f.rm ne.r South..ood. 57
On 22 Mar 1886 John bought from Thom•• Reardon. 33-acre f.rm extending
north .nd .outh from South..ood Ro.d; this .... to •be the family home until 1912•
Three d.y. I.ter he and C.therlne .old to Reardon the .Ix-.cre p.rcel on
McGovern Road. The South.. ood property .... bounded on the ..e.t by the old
bound.ry of Letltl. Penn'. Manor of Stennlng (. continu.tlon to the .outh of the
 April 1988 The McGovems Page 55
I~ lIne between New Garden and Kennett Townships In Pennsylvania), and was about
600 feet In width along Southwood Road. It extended northward from the road
some 800 feet, and southward about 1,700 feet; the Landenburg branch of the
Wilmington and Western Railroad ran across the southerly part. It was a true
farm and provided John's principal occupation from then on, althou~~ other
members of the household continued to work in the clay or brick works.
John McGovern, listed 8S a farmer In the 1900 Census, died at Southwood on
26 Mar 1906, leaving a life Interest In the property to his wife Catherine, who
died 22 feb 1912. After her death, their son lewis P. McGovern bought the
•
property from the other heirs and kept It until 1915, when he bought the Daniel
59
McGovern property on Lancaster Plke.
Children of John f. and Catherine (McGovern) McGovern: 60

37. James Simon (James G. In wllI), b. PA 5 Oct 1862, d. uom. Jan

1912.
+ 38. Anna Mary, b. PA 3 APr 1864 m. John A. Lafferty.
39. John Joseph, b. PA 30 Jun 1866, d. unm. 1 Dec 1887.
+ 40. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Teresa, b. 20 Oct 1868, m. Pratt J. Baldwin.
41. Joseph C., b. DE 12 NJv 1870, unm., drowned in Delaware River ca
1927.
+ 42. lewis P. (louis In Bible record), b. 7 May 1873, m. 1st Irene L.
McCarthy, m. 2nd Jennie C. tbopes.
+ 43. Charles A., b. DE 25 Jun 1875, m. Clara Skelly.
44. Ella Bell (NellIe In Census), b. DE 28 Jul 1878, d. unm. 2 Mar
1906.
I
12. John J. McGovern (fergusAl, was probably born at T1rgan November
1836 and emigrated to the U.S. through Baltimore In 1849; he may be the John,
age 16, who arrrived on the Georgia In July 1849. He married Marla McCullough
at St. Mary's, Wilmington, probably shortly after the parish was organized in
January 1858, but before the church was built. Although the marriage was not

~:dtal;e;~~:r~~:~:t:e~:::r~a~;le~~no~;s~8h:8rc~.~tISgj of their first child Is

Where John J. McGovern spent his early years In the U.S. Is not yet known.
He Is first of record in Delaware In 1857, when he appears In the Wilmington
DIrectory as a shoemaker, householder at 47 Walnut Street. (ThIs was before
the adoption of decimal street numbers; the house was later numbered 233, and
was acro.. the street from Asbury Churcb.)
Described variously as a shoemaker, cordwall\er and watchman, John worked
most of his life In the leather Industry. The family moved from the East Side to
117 Bird St., off Maryland Ave., In St. Paul's Parish, where the children born
after 1869 were baptized. In 1886 and 1889, living at 105 S. Monroe, he was a
watchman at Harlan & tbllIngsworth. By 1899 he was a watchman at f.
Blumenthal, a tannery, and living at 9 S. Dupont St., his home for the rest of
his life. Marla died 27 feb 1903, and John on 23 Mar 1906. 62
Children of John J. and Marla (McCullough) McGovern:
+ 45. francis (frank) J., b. 23 Oct 1858, bap. St. Mary's, WIlmington,
•
m. Ellen M. Scully.
 lJeJaware Genealogical Society Journal VoL 4 510
46. James B•• b. J5 Mar 1860. bop. St. Mary's., unm., livIng 1922 In
household of brother-In-law I-bward L. Guy. 63
+ 47. Marla, b. 23 feb 1862, bop. St. Mary's, m. I-bward L. Guy.
48. Catherine, b. 18 Mar 1864, bop. St. Mary'., d. unm. Apr 1895,
reportedly of grIef over death of her sister Sara.
49. Sara, b. 1867 t cfgarmoker; d. unm. jul 1893 or skin cancer.
50. Henry McGovern, b. 26 Sep 1870, bop. St. Paul's Cath. Church,
Wilmington, d. 20 Dec. 1882, age 12.
+ 51. John J., b. 19 Sep 1872, bop. St. Paul's, m. Eugenle C. Jackson;
Wilmington City Councilman, 11th Ward, 1903-1911.
+ 52. Ellen, b. 18 Jun 1875, bop. St. Paul's, m. Martin Shannon.
53. Margaret, b. 21 Sep 1877, bap. St. Paul's; d. unm. !'bv 1948.
+ 54. George Henry, b. 22 feb 1880, bop. St. Paul's, m. 1st Mary Gilkey
Heeney, m. 2nd Mary C. Mclaughlin; developer of Cleland HeIghts
and Woodcrest.

(To be concluded)
NOTES
26. Interview with Ruth Johnson GlUan. ~nnett Square PA, 8 Jan 1988.
21. Death Certificate., Supu. note. 20 and 23.
28. Beptl.m or SUlao McGovern, lui 1879, bapti.mal resister I St. }o.eph'l, lupn.
29. Interview. with Serah rinne,.n Carter, Hamorton, PA, 28 IUD 1987 and a J.n 1988; Elizabeth
McGovern Rittenhouse. Chrl.tJ.n. PA, 8 Jan 1968; and Julia McTague McGovern, 21 ]un 1987.
30. William M. McGovern, Wllmln&ton, DE••nnot.ted M•. chart 01 descend.nu of John J. McGovern.
u.ed with permlilion.
31. Griffith', V,IUIUon , Won of Mqhermelt p. 175; Miller, pp••9-51.
32. 1880 Censu•• Inventory Coffee Run Cemetery. ~. note 20; neath Certlr., John McGovern, 2-4
Mar UI93, Del. '44838.
33. Glllan,.!!!2!.!.
34. Death CerUf. and Deed Rec., IUPn, note 21; Smlth,..!!!2!!.- note I.
35. Death Cerar., .upre. note 24.
36. Death CerUf.. IUPn, note 22.
37. Pauenger Arrival Records, PhIladelphia. Nadonal Archlvel Mlcronlm M425.
38. Marriage ReSister, .upn, note 12i Death Certlr., Sarah McGovern, 23 Sep 1896. Del. '52667;
1870 • IBM Cenluli Gillan.
39. 1870,. 18ao Cenlul; Deed Rec. lJ..S, p. .fo52; Wellaser,..!.!:£t!., note 1; Gillan .
•
.foO. See reference., Infra, ror John and Oantel McGovern .
.fol. Deed Rec.. P-12, Po 335i v.f.O, Po 206; G-68, pp. 60S, &07; R-94, Po 138; obituary, Wllm. Mornlnl
Ntw., 6 Apr 1987 .
.fo2. Deed Rec. Q-12, pp. 13.fo, 136; U-13, p. .fo76; C-14, p.51S; M-18, p. 81; Gillan. Lake, p. 55,
credits Mary McGovern al the nut teacher or Hockeufn bleck atudenu, although he notes th. a
loS Ichool4lou1. for black ltudents d the area wal opened under Quaker au.plcel In 1829 .
.fo3. Census; Death CertU., Edward McGovern, Sr., 30 Aul 1921. Del. '2067 .
.f..C. 1870 • 1880 Cenlus; unless otherwise indicated, marrlales from Gillan, ~ and Interv......
with Sarah FInnegan Carter, another sranddaughter, of Hamorton PA, 28 Jun 1987.
45. Vital event card index, Del. Dlv. or Archlvel, HaJI of Recorda. Dover (hereafter Event Index) .
•
46. IbId.
47. Ibid.
 lilt: IVU.;\JUVt:n~

48. Deeth Certif., .upra, note 23; 1900, 1860 and 1870 Cen.u., supra, note 17.
49~; Marrlase Bond 25 Mar 1871, Yol. 52 p. 31, Hall of Record., Dover: Indenture, jame.
B• .-enr,. 5: wife to Daniel McGovern, Deed R«:. &-12 p. 12.
SO. 1880 Census; Indenture, Denlel McGovern 5: wife to james W. Denning, Deed Rec. 6-12 p. 532:
Deed Rec., supra. note 17; Indenture., john ONeill • Elizabeth bts wJfe to Louisa McGovern, 22
MIIrch 1898, Deed Rec. Q-J7 Po 43; 1900 Centu.. Mill Creek I-lmdred, SO 27, ED 54 Sheet 9,
HIH 182; Indenture, LouJsa McGovern 5: Daniel B. her husband to Lewis P. McGovern, 26 June
1915, Deed Fmc. R-25 p. 218j Death Certlflcates, supra, notes 19 5: 23.
51. Children were InJdally Identified from the 18ao and 1900 Censuses, sYRra, and the burial records
or St. Patrlck's Cemetery, Ashland. Inconsistencies In the census Ilsanls and errors In the
burial records hBVe been corrected (rom Inform.tlon furnished by Jull. McTal\le McGovern of
Br.ndywlne li.mdred, widow of Edward S., In an Interview, 29 June 1987.
52. Delth Certlf., t-bward D. McGovern, I Apr 1957, PI. '32281.
53. Indo, PhIla. Pin. Arrivals, sUP", note 11.
54. 1860 Census, supn, note 15; Marrlase Register, St. josephl., lupra, note 12. '
55. Mlrrlale Register, supra, note 14.
56. Indenture, JmteS C. jachon of Mill Creek Kindred and Amelea S., his wife, to John McGovern
01 the slme JiJndred, son of Neely M::Govern, $490.00, 6 9/100 ecres bounded lenerally on the
west by lands 01 Edward McGovern, on the south 01 f-bward L. Guy (Joceted alons the north side
d Lancaster PIke), on the e.st of John Mitchell, and on the north of John Hyde and Daniel Hyde
(alone the lOuth side or Old Wlbnlngton ROIIcO, Deed Rec. 0-9 Po 196; 1870 and 18ao Census,
supra DOte 15.
57. Indenture, Jasper C. Way 5: .tfe of Kxkessln, Mill Creek Hundred. to John McGovern of the
..me tlIndred, 14 Jan 1884, $800, Deed Ree. X-12 p. 372.
58. Indenture., lboma. Reardon 01 the City of 'MImIDJton to Jobn F. McGovern of Mill Creek
tlIndred, $2,550, Deed Rec.. P-13 p. 527; John F. McGovern and Catharine (sle; but signature Is
"Catherine"] his wlle to lboma. Reardon, $1,200, Deed R«:. N-13 p. 386.
59. Death Cerdncues, supra ootes 21 &: 22; Obituary, Wlbnlnlton Every Evenlns, 2 Mar 1906; WIll
01 John F. McGovern, 14 Mar 1905, proved 9 Mar 1906, File' 15).4, Reellter of WlUs, New Castle
County; Indentures, Lewis P. McGovern. Exec., to Joseph C. McGovern !!. aJ., 19 Mey 1913,
$3,500, recltlDJ purch.se .t public sale IS Oct 1912 pursuant to will, Deed Rec, P-74 p. 71;
Joseph C. McGovern .!lA!.. to Lewis P. McGovern, 20 May 1913, $3,500, Deed RtJc. P-24 p. 25;
lewis P. M:::Govern, widower, to John Raymond Frederick, 1915, Deed Rec. S~25 p. 27.
60. Family Record In Bible published by Jolm Smtth, PhlIL. no date; from Incumbencies of bishops
wbole approYais are listed. publ1shed)S60-IS63, now In possession of Sarah McGovern Smith of
MlmlllltoDj Will. .upra. Baptlsml 01 JOleph, Lewi. and Nellie are recorded at
St. Josepb'I-on-dte-Brandywlne. Deaths of James, ooted oaly a. "Jan.". and Anna Mary, without
d.te, follow Mrl. Lewll McGovern's 8 Dec 1913 death In the bible record; cemetery records give
1912 ror both. Neither J. .s DOr aDy heirs of hll were amone thole who took part In the 1913
property settlement, altbou&b he wal named In the will as a reslcliary heir; John laffeny,
widower, pertJcpated as Anu Mary's belr, Deed Rec • .!!!2!!..
61. Since publication ol Put I, reladonshlp 01 this Wllmtneton family to the Hx.keuln McGovern. bas
been established: Gille, lupra. Infof'D'LMloD on the John J. McGovern famUi, except as otherwise
noted, hal been prOVided by ...'lIIam M. McGovern of WUmlnpon. baled on his research, and I.
Uled with his permlulon. His principal sources were baptismal rellsters or St. Mary's,
St. Paul's and St. 1bomas'. Catholic Churches. Wilmington; 1860. 1810, IMO, 1900 and 1910 U.S.
Cen,ules, and the Nattonal Archives Index to Baltimore Pa..enler Arrival Records. See also
Donn Devine. 'Mlllmn P. Frank, Church of St. Marx.!!! J!!. "'maculate Conception. J85S-19M
(WIlmJnlton: 1958).
62. Wllmlneton City Directories, 1857, 1886, leS9. 1899: Death CertU•••upr. note 2•.
63. t-bward L. Guy 1n 1S68 held land In Hockeuln on the north side of Lancaster Pike adJolnill8 that
of Echrard McGovern and John F. McGovern, .upr., note 56.

•
October 1988 • The McGoverns Page 73
'--"

TI-iE Me GOVERNS Of HOCKESSIN

by Donn Devine

Continued from Vol. 4 No. 3

TI-iE SECCl'ID GENERATI Cl'I: BOON IN AMER ICA

14. Sarah C. 2 McGovern (Edward l , John A ), b. DE 1857, m. James f. Meany
64
6 feb 1888, d. 4 feb 1936 at I-k>ckessln DE age 78. Children:
Edward Meany, d. unm, about age 25. •
John, m. Elizabeth Spawn, 4 children,
Gertrude Meany, d. young, about age 6.
Twins:
Jay Meany, b. ca 1898, d. unm. 1973. 65
Marjorie J. Meany, b. ca 1898, d. unm. 3 Apr 1987.
16. Mary A. 2 McGovern (Edward l , John A , b. DE 1859, m. John R. Clineff 30
Apr 1895. Chlld: 66
Marguerite Clineff, m. Leo Spawn, 3 children.
A
17, Ella (Nellie)2 McGovern (Edward 1, John • born DE 1861, m. Thomas
N. flannery 26 Jan 1891. Child: 67
Sarah Flannery, m. John Spawn, no children.
2 l A
19. James H. McGovern (Edward , John , b. PA ca 1864, m. 1st Mary A.
McGinty, 2nd Lizzie Dougherty 19 Jun 1913. Children, by Mary ~Ginty:68
Margaret, m. Roy Bonsall, dau. Doris d. y. .
Mary, d. in childhood,
22. Edward S.2 McGovern (Edward I , John A , b. DE 15 Jul 1870, m. Marie
Catherine Roser, dau, of Matthew and Mary Roser, 12 feb 1895, bur. 31 Jan
1933 St. Patrick's, Ashland. Chlldren: 69
John M•• b. Aug 1896, m. Helen Pierson, bur. Ashland, 3 children.
Marie Catherine, b. Aug 1898, m. Aloysius P. Dolan, 4 children.
Blanche, b. 1 Jun 1900, m. Charles Taylor, 2 children.
Mildred, b. 9 feb 1902, m. Arthur W. O'Neill, d. 1975, 2 children.
frances U., b. 9 feb 1902, d. 1983, unm,
Helen G., m. Richard Taylor (unrelated to Charles, supra), 1 child.

23. Loulse 2 McGovern (Edward l , JOhnA, b. DE 1872, m. Warren Clineff,

bur. St. Patrick's, Ashland. Child: 70
Maude Cllneff, d. y.
25. Margaret McGovern (EdWard~ John , b. DE 1876 (but see note),
2 A
m. Cornelius finnegan, d. 22 feb 1915. 1 Child:
Sarah, m. Charles C. Carter I 2 children.
2 A
26. Susan McGovern (Edward l , John , b. 28 Jul 1879 (but see note) m. 1st
in Wilmington, 1904, Howard Johnson (b. 10 Apr 1882, d. 26 May 1915, West
Chester PA), m. 2nd Elwyn A. Gillan" d. 25 Apr 1952/ 2 Children:
Ruth Johnson, b. 7 feb 1907, m. Elwyn J. Gillan (son of Elwyn A., supra,
by his 1st Wife).
Edward Johnson, b. 19 Apr 1910, m. 1st Susan IrVin, 2nd Marjorie Bush.
Howard Johnson. b. 6 feb 1913. d. '"f> 5 1/2.
Pagc74 Delaware Genealogical Society Journal VoL 4 1<J
A
28. Marl McGovern (Daniell, John ) (Moille, 1900 Census, 1944 burial
rec.I, b. Red Lion DE Apr 1875, m. William Jenness (d. 1934), d. 1944.
73
Chlld: .
Shockley Jenness, b. ca 1915.
2 A
30. frank McGovern (Daniell, John ), b. Red Lion DE Jul 1880, m. Ella
74
Peirce who d. ca 1918, d. Phlla PA ca 1926. Children:
Louise, b. Cain PA 29 Sep 1905, d. 1971
Elizabeth, b. Cain PA 24 Oct 1907, m. Earl M. Rittenhouse 1937, 2 ch.
John E., b. Cain PA 7 Nov 1904, m. Eleanor Nixon, I child.
frank A., Jr., b. Cain PA 2 May 1912, m. twice, I child.
2
31. Sallle McGovern (Daniell, John A), b. Red Lion DE Aug 1883, m. 17 Nov
1904 francis J. Roser, son of Matthew and Mary Roser, bur. Longwood PA Cern.
75
Chlldren:
Gladys Roser
Harold Roser
Francis Roser, Jr.
2
33. Preston McGovern (Daniell, John A ), b. Hllf[essln DE Jun 1887, m. 15
Jun 1910 Clara E. McCarthy 0889-1974). Children:
Richard
Alta C., m. Robert E. Weeks (1917-1947). 2 children.
J. Robert, m. Marie.
2 A
34. Edward J. McGovern (Daniell, John ) (listed as Edwin, 1900 Census,
1914 farm Journal Dir. New Castle Co.), b. 18 Jun 1890, m. 20 Apr 1920 at
Kennett Square PA ~ulla McTague (b. 7 Hb 1894), d. 19 feb 1957 Kennett
Square PA. Children: 7
Paul, b. 28 Dec 1923, d. Mar 1925
Edward f., m. Dorothy Taylor 1957. 5 children.
2 I A
35. Howard D. McGovern (Daniel , John ), boo Hockessin DE 2 Oct 1892,
78
m. Helen E. Moran (ca 1899-14 Apr 1978). Chlldren:
James
Raymond
Mary I m. Daniel Torello
Elizabeth
Helen
William
I
38. Anna Marl McGovern (John f. , NealA), b. PA 3 Apr 1864, m. 10 May
1883 Ashland DE John A. Lafferty (2 feb 186~13 Nov 1925, son of James J. and
Mary M. Rogers Lafferty). d. 24 Jul 1912 Kaolin PA. Children. all born Kaolin
79
PA:
James Erven Lafferty. b. 8 Apr 1884, d. 15 Aug 1884.
Elizabeth Veronica Lafferty. b. 4 Mar 1885, d. 13 Mar 1858. unm.
John Joseph Lafferty, b.7 Mar 1887, d. 29 Jun 1937. uom.
Mary (Marie) Ursula Lafferty, b. 23 May 1890. m. tOMey 1916 Josepn"C;
lloeLaughlin (21 Oct 1892-18 Aug 1949), son of Bernard and Ellen Daley
Mclaughlin). d. 23 Dee 1961. 6 children.
Harold Aloysius Lafferty, b. 8 Mar 1901, m. 15 June 1922 Grace E.
Whitelock. d. 27 Apr 1963 St. Petersburg fl. 2 children.
2 l
40. Elizabeth Teresa McGovern (John f. • NealA) (Lizzie, marr. ree.).
b. DE 20 Oct 1868, m. 8 feb 1893 Hockessin DE Pratt J. Baldwin (4 Mar
•
October 1988 The McGoverns Page 75
•
80
1862-17 jun 1945), d. 12 Dec 1898. Children, all b. Kaolin PA:
joseph Ellsworth Baldwin, IS Dec 1893. m. 15 jun 1920 Wilmington DE
Sarah McDermott, d. Wilm. 4 jun 1958, 8 children.
Anna Mary Baldwin, b. 13 Oct 1895, m. Charles Woolery, d. Elkton MD
18 Aug 1970, 1 child.
john Miles Baldwin, b. 9 Apr 1897, d. 12 feb 1898.
42. Lewis P. 2 McGovern (john f. t , NealA), b. DE 7 May 1873, m. 1st 20 WI8Y
1907 Irene L. McCarthy (d. 8 Dec 1913), Tn. 2nd 3 May 1916 Jane (jenny)
C. (Eastburn) Hoopes, d. 3 jan 1919 Hockessin DE. Children, all by 1st
marrlage: 81
Sarah, m. Harold W. Smith, 3 children.
I rene Catherine, m. Charles McKInley, d. 1979, 3 children.
•
2 t
43. Charles A. McGovern (john f. , NealA), b. DE 25 jun 1875, m. Sep t900
Clara Skelly (8 Apr 1875-6 Aug 1955), died Wilmington DE II Jun 1935.
Chlldren: 82 .
Raymond james, b. 3 Dec 1903, m. frances john, d. Richmond VA 7 jun
1976, no children.
Eleanore. m. Harry L. flanagan, no children.
Elizabeth (Betty), d. 17 Sep 1942, unm.
Gertrude, m. Robert J. Jones, 5 children.
Mary Vincent, m. Harry f. Ballin Jr., 2 children.
45. francis (frank) j.2 McGovern (John J. I , fergusA), b. Wilmington 23 Oct
1858, Tn. Ellen M. Scully (d. 1916). He Is burled Cathedral Cem., Wilmington,

::::1: ~W::da:~:Sveh:~ ;:~)e:: t~: ~:S~~rt~h~I:~et::~3of his father's presumed

louis, b. 20 Oct 1883, m. Anne , d. Sep 1916, 4 children.
Julia, b. 6 Oct 1886, m. Eugene Short, d. Jun 1944.
George O'Bryan, b. 26 Sep 1889, m. SadIe , d. Mar 1943. I ch.
john, b. II Aug 1895, m. 1st Agnes Connell, I ch., 2nd Virginia
Taylor (d. Mar 1929), d. Mar 1943.
2
47. Marla McGovern (John j.I, fergusA), b. Wilmington 23 feb 1862, m. 23
Apr 1892 Howard L. Guy. He is another link between the Wilmington and
Hockessin McGoverns; a Howard L. Guy, probably his father. In 1868 owned land
In Hockessin ad~~ning that of Edward McGovern ('5) and john f. McGovern
('10). Children:
Edward McGovellT Guy, b. i'bv 1886 (stepson).
John Guy, b. Aug 1894
Sara Guy, b. Aug 1896, m. Harry B. Sawdon
Marla Guy, b. Aug 1898, m. Cosgrove
2 . I A
48. John j. McGovern (john J. , fergus ), b. Wilmington 19 Sep 1872,
m. Eugenle C. jackson; Wilmington City Council member 1903-1911. Children: 85
John J., jr., m. Laura Barris, I child.
Elizabeth, m. francis G. Gentleu, 7 children.
2 I
52. Ellen McGovern (John J. , fergusA), b. Wllmingtog 18 Jun 1875, m. 2
Sep 1897 Martin Shannon (23 i'bv 1873-Sep 1949). Children: 6
Martin Shannon, d. jun 1967, unm. •
John Shannon, m., d.
Joseph Shannon, m., d.
Paul Shannon, m.
Page 76 Delaware Genealogical Society Journal Vol. 4 1-..,
Twins: George Shannon. m•• d.
Ellen Shannon
Leonard Shannon? m.
Catherine Shannon, m., d.
1
54. George Henry2 McGovern (John J. • fergusAl. b. Wilmington 22 feb 1880,
m. 1st Mary Gilkey Heeney, 2nd Mary C. Mclaughlin. A contractor, he was the
developer of Cleland Heights and Woodcrest, and served as City Clerk of
Wilmingtog 1909-1911. He died 2i Jun 1936 at Ventnor NJ. his summer home.
Children:
t
Geraldine, m. 1st James M. Dugan, 2nd Clifford Ward.
Bernard J.
Henry C.
George H., Jr.
Robert J.
Charles C.
William M.
Phlllip
Joseph B.
(conduded)

NOTES

64. Carter. (supra), note 26.

65. Obituary. Wllm. Morning News, 6 Apr 1987.
66. Gillan. supra, note 26.
61. Ibid.

68. Ibid.

69. 1880 Census; Event File, s'uprs, note 45; Carter, supra, note 29; bur. fee. , supra, corrected
note 51; and gr. stones,
10. Carter. JMg.
11. 1880 Census; Carter, ibid. The 1880 Census lists Margaret as age 4, so born In 1876, but Mrs.
Carter. who prOVided the death date, recalls clearly that her mcKher's age at death was 35, so
born ca 1880.
72. 1880, 1900 Census; CilIan, Carler, supra. corrected note 44. A birth date of 1886 Is indicated if
she were 18 at her 1904 marriage.
73. 1900 Census; Rlttenhouse, supra, note 29; bur. ree., supra, corrected nOte 51.
74. Rittenhouse, ibid.
75. 1900 Census; Marriage Certlf., Del '39642; Rittenhouse, Ibid.
76. 1900 Census; Event File, supra, note 45; Intervtew with J. Robert McGovern of Yorklyn DE, 20
Jun 1987.
77. Julia McTague McGovern, supra, note 29.
78. Death Certlf, f-bward D. McGovern, Pa. '32281; Obituary. Helen Moran McGovern, Wllm.
Morning News. 11 Apr 1978.
79. Marr. Certif., St. Patrick's, Ashland; Haske, supra, note 9.
80. Bible Record, John F. McGovern, supra. corrected note 60; Elizabeth Baldwin Devine family
record In possessIon of author.

•
October 1988 The McGoverns Page 77
•
81. Bible record, Ibid; Sarah M;:Govern Smith. supra, note I.
82. Interview with Miry McGovern Betdn, Bellefonte, Wilmington DE, I feb 1988.
83. William M. WicCovern. lupra, note 61; burial records, Cathedral Cemetery.
84. William M. M::Govern. ibid: 1900 Census (Wilmington, 7th Ward) v. 3 ED 3G-A, dw. It 12;
Indenture, supra, note 56.
85. William M. McGovern, Ibid.; Records of City Clerk's Office, Wilmington.
86. William M. McGovern, ibid; Family record of Linda Shannon, copy In possession of author.
87. William M. McGovern, ibid; City Clerk's Office, supra.

CORRECTED NOTES
Corrections of !'bees to Part 2, pp. 56 and 57.

28. B8pUsm of Susan McGovern. 3 Aug 1879, baptismal register, St. Joseph's, supra: Baptism,. of
francla McGovern, b.23 Oct 1858, baptismal register, St. Mary's Church, Wilmington. Mrs.
Gillan, ho....ever. recalls the name of her mother's godfather as James, another son of John J.
McCovern; James was a drinker, and her mother was teased about her Iodf'ather's habit .
• 2. Deed Rec. Q-12, pp. 13•• 136; lJ-13, p. 416; C-14. p. 518; M-18, p. 81; Gillan, supra, note 26;
Lake. supra, note I, p. 55, who ldentlfles Mary M:Govern 81 che rJrst teacher In the Hockessin
school for black swdents. nus probably refers to the public school, since he notes that a 108
school-house for black students of the area W8S opened under Quaker auspices In 1829.
·44. 1810 &; 1880 Census, supra, note 39; unless otherWise Indicated, marriages from Gillan, supra, note
26, and Carter, supra, note 29, both of whom are granddaughters. The 1880 Census shows
Marlaret, age 4. so born about 1816, ~ her age on her 1915 ~ath certificate was liven as 35,
IndlcatlR3 a birth date about 1880. Susan1s age II liven In the 1880 Census as 1112. alreelnl With
her July 1879 birth date as shown In the 1900 Census and with her baptismal record, corrected
note 28; nowever, Mrs. Gillan distinctly recalls that her mother said she was 18 at her 1904
marriage to Howard Johnson. who was 22" Indicatlnl a birth date of 1886 for Susan; Margaret and
Susan were described as close to each other a, well as close in ale. Baptismal records at
St. Mary of the Assumption, t-bckessln. have not yet been checked for possible post-1880 births of
a second Marlaret and Susan. Phillip, whose funeral on Sunday 16 Jul 1893 and burial at Coffee Run
are recorded on a printed funeral notice In Mrs. Gillan's. possession, was the youngest child of
~ard and Sarah.

SI. Children were Initially Identified from the 1880 and 1900 Censuses. supra, and the burial records of
St. P~rlck's Cemetery, Ashland.. Inconsistencies in the census listings and errors In the burial
records have been corrected from Inform. Ion furnished by Julia McTague McGovern of BrandyWine
~ndred, widow of Edward S., in an interview, 29 June 1987. The record for Daniel's cemetery lot
showed "Mrs. Daniel McGovern" buried 1933. with "Louise McGovern, buried 9/9/193." not:ed
erroneously as a possible alternative f"or'" after L.ewls P. McGovern, burled 1/7/1919. In the
record for the lot bought by the latter's widow. Two of the three children In Daniel's lot were
recorded with Incorrect•dates: son Grover, who died 1902. "about 192.... and grandson Paul, who
died 1925, as "1902." Elwood, whose 1902 burtal was recorded correctly, was listed In the 1900
Census as "Edward," the name later used by his older brother. born 1890 and listed as Edwin.
Cemetery Information was prOVided throulb the kindness of Mr. Leonard farmer, the volunteer
manager of the ~tery for St. Mary of the Assumption Parish. He notes that the early records
have emissions. Some of the. errors probably resulted from attempts to supply mlsslnl Infonnation
at the time of later Interments.
60. Family Record in Bible published by John Smith. Phila., no date; from Incumbencies of bishops whose
approvals are listed, published 1860-1863, now In possession of Sarah McGovern Smith of
Wilmington; Will, supra. Baptisms of Joseph, Lewis and Nellie are recorded at
St. Joseph's..cn-the-Brandywlne. Deaths of J.nel, noted only as "Jan.·, and Anna Mary, without
date. follow Mrs. Lewis McGovern's 8 Dec 1913 death In the Bible record; cemetery records give
1912 for both. Neither James nor any heirs of his were 8I11'0ng those who took part in the 1913
property settlement, although he was named In the wllJ as a residuary heir; John Lafferty,
widower, and his two children participated as Anna Mary's heirs, Deed Records. supra, note 59.