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Baptised March 20th, 1820:
James, Margaret, and Bridget Joyce (triplets)
Parents: Michael Joyce and Peggy Coogan
Sponsors: Matt Coogan and John McDonald.
Residence: Corries
There is also a record of the baptism of twin boys, Michael and Patrick Joyce, on Feb. 21, 1825. Parents: Michael Joyce and Margaret Coogan. Sponsors: Mary Byrne & Mary Walsh.
Joyce family members listed as sponsors for Coogan baptisms include Daniel Joice (1830), Mary Joyce (1827), and William Joyce (1844).
Another difficult-to-read record seems to list the baptism of a son William to Michael and Margaret Coogan Joyce on May 20, 1822. Sponsor: Ellen Coogan. Residence: Corries
It may be this "Uncle" William Joyce who had died in the U.S. by the time Bridget Joyce wrote the next letter, to her cousin William Coogan in Harlem, in 1880.
Margaret Coogan Joyce was most likely a sister of Mathew Coogan (1795-1860) and the grandmother of Bridget Joyce, who wrote this and the following letter and who was a "little child" in 1867.
In County Carlow also is this headstone inscription:
Erected by Daniel Joyce, Bagnalstown, in loving memory of his wife, Mary, who died 18th Sept. 1889 at 63 years. And of their son William, who died young. Here also lie the remains of his father and mother, Mr. Michael and Mrs. Bridget Joyce, of Corries. And here also rests the above Daniel Joyce, who died 24th Jan. 1897, in his 85th year., And his grandchild, Norah Mary Joyce, who died 28th Jan. 1898 at 7 yrs. Also his daughter, Margaret Whelen, died 18th Aug. 1907 at 63 yrs. His son Patrick Joyce died 9th Oct. 1914 at 65 yrs.
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Bridget Joyce in Bagenalstown to Her Cousin Hugh in Harlem, 28 Jan. 1879
Bagenalstown Post Office
January 28, 1879
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Names
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My Dear Cousin Hugh,
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Hugh Coogan
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You must be somewhat astonished to receive a letter from the little child you left at home when you were going off [1867]--but my dear father has spoken about you all and about my uncles who have turned out so very cold that they never even wrote a line to him.
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Bridget Joyce
and her father and uncles
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But I hope dear Hugh that you will not forget to drop us a few lines as soon as you can and tell us how your poor mother is and how you all are, including my father's brothers. I wonder none of you ever wrote this long time. Poor Margaret often speaks of you all. We are all living together still in a most comfortable house near the chapel. My father holds very stout still, the best father in all the world he is. Full of good nature and of Corries stories, he attends to the little garden and spends the day happily.
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Catharine Nolan Coogan
William, Reddy, & other brothers of Bridget's father
Margaret Joyce
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My mother is failing fast. Margaret is housekeeping for us and is the life of the house. Patrick is Mr. Ward's corn buyer and accountant, and I am with James Byrne, Telegraphist, for the past 6 years and half. So we are all very happy together, thank God. Father W. Maher came to see us Friday last. He is very well. Mrs. Maher is not well lately. John will soon be ordained priest, and Patrick, the youngest, is in Kilkenny College. They are doing well at Ballyloughan. Margaret Lalor is married and has a young daughter. Tom & Dan are married in the same place, Abbeyleix. All are doing well. I will write you a long letter soon as I hear from you.
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Mrs. Joyce
Margaret Joyce
Patrick Joyce
Mr. Ward
James Byrne, telegraphist
Fr. William Maher
Mrs. Ned Maher
John Maher
Patrick Maher
Margaret Lalor and daughter
Tom and Dan Maher?
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Why I wrote Brother Declan is for your address because my father would be so happy if he heard from you. I had a letter a few days ago from him [Br. Declan].
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Michael Coogan, Brother Declan
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I shall keep you no longer now, only to ask you to give our best love to all friends but especially to your dear mother, self, and Willie.
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Catharine Nolan Coogan, Hugh and William Coogan
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Your most affectionate cousin,
B. Joyce
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Bridget Joyce
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