Appendix One:

I received a photocopy of a typewritten facsimile of the following letter written by William Morrissy to his Uncle Laurence Morrissy, from Jane Morrissy Allan of Miramichi, N.B., on March 28, 2000. Immediately preceding the letter is a note by Kathleen (Tally) Morrissy, who typed the letter from the original, and which explains something of its history.

Letter written by the late Dr. William Morrissy, May 5, 1866, to his uncle, Laurence Morrissy in Montreal. Original in possession of Mona McWilliam, (it was sent by Laurence to her mother, Rose McWilliam). On Mona's death I assume the letter was destroyed or taken by her heir Lottie Barry, sister, of Chatham. (Mona had promised on several occasions to give the letter to Bill Morrissy great nephew).

Newcastle, Saturday
May 5, 1866

My dear Uncle:
About three years ago, I wrote to you, but as I got no answer, I did not repeat it. Hearing from my friend, Dr. Carter that you were still "alive and well" and wishing to hear from us, I now presume again to address you. I will also write to my sister and make arrangements with her, for opening a correspondence between her and my "Sister of Charity" cousin. Mary is not, as you suppose, in a Convent or anything of the kind, but is teaching a day school in St. John. She went there about three years ago, to go through a course of training that would fit her for a school teacher in Miramichi; but as an opportunity for teaching there, offer by which she could do much better than if she were at home, she very prudently embraced it. As to her entering upon a "Conventional life" I can say nothing. She may and she may not. If she does "May God grant her luck". For my part I would like her to join the "Sisters" but not live in a Convent. As Mary does not know her cousin's address I think it would do best for her to write first to Mary. If you wish Mary to write the first letter send cousin's address, I think it would be best for her to write first to Mary. If you wish Mary to write the first letter send cousin's address to me and I will forward it to her. Mary's address is

Miss Mary Morrissy
Golden Grove
Saint John, N.B.

With respect to your godchild, Kate, she is married to Edward Millea, son of Mr. Millea of Chatham, who, I think, came from near the same place in Ireland that you and father did. They are also living on Beaubear's Island. That small island opposite Nelson Chapel. I suppose you know where it is quite well. She is very happy and I am sure would be very glad to see you on Miramichi. And Dear Uncle, she is not the only one who would be very glad. For we would all be most happy to see you. Father wishes very much to see you. Do come, how it would cheer you up now to visit "Old scenes to memory dear". To visit that darling spot, Miramichi, where I am sure you must have spent happy days. To visit poor dear grandmother's grave. To visit the church where, many years ago, you led a blooming bride to the alter and lastly to see your brothers and sisters and all the young Morrisseys of Miramichi. It will not cost you a great amount to come and live in this wooden county of truck and due bills" after your being so long a resident of the great city of Montreal.

Both of your nephews, that is Uncle Michael's sons have gone to the States, they left last fall when the great "rush" was from the Provinces to the United States. Your two nieces, their sisters, are married and living in the county of Kent. Uncle John and Aunt Mary are still living on the old homestead in Barnaby River. Aunt Mary's husband, as I suppose you are aware, died about five years ago but her family of four children are well grown up and she is, indeed, very comfortable. Your nephews, Michael and James are living on a farm adjoining Aunt Mary's in Barnaby River. They are also very comfortably situated. Michael is married but James is not. There are very few other friends of yours that I know of particularly. There is one, though, who I have heard, worked with you in Miramichi, Peter Kent. He is well: and still knocks about, working as a journeyman, here and there; like the Frenchman's dog. Father and Mother and all our family are well and all wish to be very kindly remembered to yourself, aunt and cousins. Father still works at his trade in the winter and follows the farming in summer. He was on as far as St. John, looking after "stock" last winter. Now, dear Uncle, I suppose you would like to hear something about myself. Well! as you are already aware, I was in College. I remained there for about three years along with my worthy friend who, by the way, speaks very favourably of you. I went there, like him, with the intention secumdum ordinem Melchisadech, but not liking college life, and college life not agreeing with me, I left about six months ago, after taking a cruise schooner to recruit my failing health, I entered the surgery of Dr. J.L. Benson, to prepare myself for entering college, which I intend to do with the help of God next autumn. I do not know yet whether I will go to New York or Montreal. If you come on next summer, perhaps I will go to Montreal. I have four brothers and four sisters living. Kate is married, Mary is in St. John and all the rest are at home going to school, except Frank, who is too young yet. I hope I may receive an answer soon and also a letter from my cousin, not the "Sister of Charity". The names of the members of our family are Kate, Mary, Patrick, Annie, John, Sarah Jane, Edward and Frank and he, who is young, and hoping to receive a letter soon, saying that you will be in Miramichi this summer.

I remain
Your affectionate nephew
William P. Morrissy

To his uncle
Laurence Morrissy Esq.
Vallee Street, no 37
Montreal, C.E.

P.S. Please excuse my bad writing W.P.M.

Appendix Two:

Hugh Morrissy of St. Paul, Minnesota kindly provided me with a photocopy of the original of this letter, addressed to his grandfather Francis Morrissy by John V. Morrissy before he entered a career in politics.

John Morrissy
dealer in
Furniture, Organs, Buggies, Harness
and
Farm Machinery
Newcastle, N.B., June 21, 1899

Dear Frank:
So you are married and to the best little woman in the world. Well, you always had sense and I think it is still sticking to you. No need for me to wish my best wishes, this page would not hold them. I regret to learn of Eddie's pranks. I sent him $50.00 last Christmas he wrote complaining of being hard up about one month after he drew on me for $25.00. I paid it. He then stated he would spend the winter in Newcastle. I thought from the tone of his letter there was something wrong. If he has left his wife he need not come near Newcastle. I have no use for such people. If he goes back and lives with his wife I a willing to help him but if not I draw the line. Bill died of liver complaints and Bright's disease and dropsy or a complication of diseases probably of liver complaint. I am arranging matters of Francis I would have done so sooner but want to get both matters fixed at same time. It will probably be fixed ere you receive this letter. Charlie is home from college. Renaud is not much better. Jack and Molly are [...]. Poor Ive is going around with a stick having broken her bones. Business is good and I am in my office store tonight.

Your brother
Jack

Appendix Three:

Edgar Morrissey wrote this letter regarding the retirement of his aunt, Ethel ('Essie') Sweeney. A letter from H.H. Woodward, President of Tooke Bros. Limited, dated 1 November 1955 was received in response. It stated that 'your aunt has been receiving an average of approximately $26.00 per week and has earned only $8.00 of this $26.00, inasmuch as certain piece work rates were established to allow our employees to earn $1.10 per hour. Your aunt, due to her age, has not been able to earn sufficient to lay aside any money'c9we have had to carry her in a form of semi-pension'c9' They granted her 'the amount of $50.00'c9as we normally give to persons who have been in our employ for 50 years or better.' Her last day of employment was Friday, October 28, 1955, when she was in fact seventy-one years old.

October 31, 1955

Dear Sir:

I should like to bring to your attention the case of one of your employees who, as a result of your operations being transferred from Montreal to Cap de La Madeleine, Que., was obliged to retire after fifty-three years of uninterrupted loyal and, I am sure sufficient service to your Company. I think this is a record not shared by too many of your other employees. The party in question is my aunt, Miss Ethel Sweeny [sic], who owing to her present age of sixty-eight years will find it impossible to secure other gainful employment in that particular type of work which she performed at Tooke's.

As you are aware, Miss Sweeny [sic] left your company last Friday afternoon after such a lengthy association without any pension, and the wages earned throughout these many years did not enable her to build up any financial reserve to take care of her daily needs during the days of her retirement. Added to this is the fact that for a long period she was the sole support of her father and sister. Miss Sweeny is now living with my widowed mother and sister.

The purpose of this letter is to enquire as to the possibility of some consideration being accorded my aunt in the way of a severance bonus which would materially help her before she reaches the age when she can apply to the Government for an Old Age Pension. You may be assured that the only grounds on which this letter is being addressed to you is the fact that Miss Sweeny [sic] gave so many years of her life to Tooke Bros., and the unfortunate position she now finds herself in. On the other hand, you may feel disposed to grant her the usual purse of money which she tells us other employees of Tooke's have received after fifty years of service, and which in her case must have been overlooked by her supervisory officers.

Your sympathetic support of this appeal is most respectfully solicited.

Yours truly,
(Edgar R. Morrissey)

Appendix Four:

Bannon Morrrissy of Miramichi, NB, sent me a photocopy of this letter, handwritten by Lily McCabe, a daughter of Laurence Morrissey and Johannah Meany's youngest child, Margaret McCabe. The letter is addressed to Bannon's aunt, Kathleen (Tally) Morrissy.

June 18th, 56,
Montreal

My dear Tally,

Lucky you, love to be with you! Genealogy has always attracted me wish I had more information. My great [grandfather] Patrick Morrissey---your great great grandfather---came over with sons & one daughter from Carrick on Suir (not on Shannon) Co. Tipperary Ireland.

They must have escaped the worst Famine years, by profession they were Saddlers, Cashel of the King is mentioned also---expect they be the proverbial "mile & a bit" apart. Britten? or Bartley were cousins names, my grandmother was Joanna Meaney of Carrick. Mother had a cousin correspondent in Carrick, in her young days, who was church organist. Is there a record, burial of the death of Mrs. P. Morrissy in Nelson, one of the sons went back to the Auld Sod after a few years. Our Progenitor Patrick went to visit this son after the death of his wife & died at home. When looking up records observe where or if the second e was dropped from the name & if Carrick was ever a "walled town"?

To me you are a real personnage. Your parents were here on their Wedding trip & when Nell came to visit Margaret Deneen, we always saw her. I followed your brother's work on the Gazette for some time, with interest. Molly loved you "wee ones" very dearly, spoke of you often. It is a pleasure to be in touch with you, let me know how your trip goes, I am so interested in your venture.

My regards to all the family. May God Bless & keep you safe. You kindly hoped I had a full life, I would wish it less full at times. This week we celebrate the Golden Wedding of Dr. & Mrs. Mullally at which I was one of three Brides Maids, fifty years [ago]---and I say it without a blush.

Hope you don't see some highwayman or malefactor swinging from the family tree, if you find some millions hanging also---much the better.

Very sincerely

Lily McC.

Appendix Five:

The following letter to my brother, John R. Morrissey is from Eileen Oakes, dated 16 February 1979. Eileen answers my brother's question regarding family history.

Feb 16, 1979.

Dear John

So glad to hear from you, as I often wonder what had become of you and Steven.

Sorry we were away when your mail arrived. However, here is the information you are looking for.

Your great grandfather was Thomas Morrissey. He married Mary Callaghan. They had five sons and four daughters. The sons were Michael, Martin, Thomas, Luke and James. The daughters were Mary Ann, Maggie, Jessie and Nellie. Jessie and Nellie were twins.

My mother Mary Ann married Alexander Clapperton, that's where the name Clapperton comes from. My mother and my two older sisters often visited my mother's aunt Mrs. Morrissey in Newcastle. She had a son a doctor and a daughter who married the local pharmacist. So that should be easy to find out more about them. My mother always claimed that the Honourable John Morrissey of St. John's N.B. was her cousin.

I'm sure if you write or visit New Castle you will get a lot more information.

Not ever in New Castle and my two older sisters now one dead and the other in a nursing home. I am unable to go any further.

By the way your great grandfather's sister was a Mrs. McCabe. They lived on Jeanne Mance in Montreal.

Should you be in Montreal after the Easter holidays we would be pleased to see you, as we will be back home by then. I'm sure I could fill in a lot of little details.

My children have been working on their heritage for quite a while.

Best regards,

Eileen.

P.S. Regarding Laurence Morrissey
never heard of him.

Appendix Six:

The following is also from Eileen Oakes and addressed to my brother John R. Morrissey. Written sometime in 1979, Eileen notates a list of family addresses from Lovell's Directory that my brother sent to her. Among others, she identifies the addresses of Thomas Morrissey and his son John M. Morrissey, and adds the following note at the end of the list.

Your great grandfather Thomas was born in N.B. so we were told. My mother used to mention a place named (Merimashe) the spelling may be wrong, however look it up. It could be a small town. He came to Montreal and worked for the firm of Robert Mitchell in St. Henry. His wife Mary Callaghan came from a very well known family in Montreal. Her father owned a shoe factory. They had three prominent priests in the family. One has a school named after him, Luke Callaghan, he was Rev. Canon Luke Callaghan D.D., also Rev. Martin whom your grandfather is named after and Rev. James Callaghan.

Your [grand] father's brothers Michael held a good position with Canada Sugar, Thomas was in the Canadian Forces. James disappeared, and Luke was a salesman. Your grandfather always worked for the C.P.R. telegraph, in fact he took a stroke in his office and died the same day. He was then living on St. Antoine St. Previous to that he lived on Marin. I remember my mother saying that my grandparents lived in St. Henry when my grandmother died. When the home was broken up my grandfather went to live with my parental grandparents the Clapperton's on Aylmer Ave (downtown Montreal). My sister Kathleen and your Aunt Mable used to go every Saturday to Robert Mitchell's to pick up your great grandfather's pension cheque (I don't think it was a cheque it was paid in cash in those days). It seems funny that Laurence Morrissey lived two doors away from my grandfather on Valee St. and we had never heard of him. It looks as though they were brothers. This must have been before my grandfather was married as they lived in St. Henry during their married life.

Now your [grand] father's sisters: My mother was the eldest, she married Alex Clapperton, he was a clerk in the C.P.R. when they married, afterwards my father changed positions. He was ass. manager Montreal Products, also ass. manager Park Theatre of which he had some shares.

Margaret married James Tansey, he was Plumbing Inspector for the City of Montreal.

Nellie married William Walsh, he was employed at Imperial Tobacco Ltd. on St. Antoine St. at what capacity I don't know.

Jessie married Wm Murphy he had a very good position with Northern Electric.

I could fill you in with regards to the Sweeneys up to a certain point.

Appendix Seven:

I have always been interested in family memories, anecdotes, and history, and have recorded much of what I have learned in a diary that I began in January 1965 when I was fourteen years old and still keep. Below are two entries from my diary. The first entry refers to a visit my brother John and I made to our two great aunts Essie and Edna, at the flat they shared with my grandmother on Girouard Avenue. The second entry was written after visiting my Uncle Alex who was in the hospital at the time.

Monday, December 25, 1967

This evening Johnny and I walked over to see Edna and Essie. It is sad. Essie is completely senile'while poor Edna is still very coherent. Here are the basic facts I picked up. Grandma married in 1896 at the age of 19. Grandma's mother's maiden name was Flanagan. Grandma married Banty Morrissey. His mother's maiden name was Callaghan. One of Banty's uncles was a Monsignor (that is, one of his mother's brothers), the other brothers of the Monsignor were priests. Their names were Luke and Martin. Apparently, the Callaghans must have had some money to be able to educate a Monsignor.

Grandma moved to 2226 Girouard in 1927, forty years ago. Banty died in 1932. Before that they lived on St. Antoine Street. Banty worked for the C.P.R. as a telegrapher. I understand that he was quite the drinker. A stout short man who often said 'Let's not be sober.' Grandma died in 1965.

Grandma's sisters were Essie (spinster), Edna, Clara, a brother in California and possibly one or two others. Banty, her husband, has twin brothers, and I think he was from a large family.

I think the Morrisseys came over to North America in the 1840s around he time of the Potato Famine in Ireland. Grandma's maiden name was Sweeney.

Friday/ May 24/ 1968

Last night we went to the hospital to see my Uncle Alex out in St. Laurent. He looks very well, restless, wants to go home. Full of the Morrissey wit.

Alex tells me that when he was a boy my brother and Uncle Herbie had scarlet fever. So Alex went to live with his grandparents (on his mother's side). One Friday night his grandfather wouldn't let him go out so he snuck out and went home, tapped on the window and told Grandma, she said do as her father told him, she would deal with him later. She did. She called him a 'bugger' and told him off. After that the grandfather never liked Alex too much.

Alex used to go after school to see his grandmother, the same one. He used to be given crusty bread and sugar. He used to go into the parlour and whistle for her. He says that the whistling was most likely rotten, but she would say 'Oh Alex! You're such a good whistler, you're such a good boy to come and whistle for me. What do you call your whistling?' And Alex would think fast and say 'Shawinigan' or some other name. His grandmother always had every hair in place and was dressed impeccably. They lived near St. Antoine Street.

Alex said that my father always used to study, loved to go to school, and couldn't be made to stop; but eventually had to because they were not rich. I think he quit in grade seven or eight. He had blue eyes and Grandma called him 'Buttons' because of this. He had fair red hair, almost blonde. Because he had rheumatic fever he later died of a bad heart.

Alex said that his brother Frank was also very intelligent; he and Daddy were the smartest. But Frank didn't want to go to school. Frank died around 1940. He had a bad heart, rheumatism. He started moving in an older group. He started to drink. He died of pneumonia.

Alex was a terror on a bicycle. He would ride down St. Antoine Street and right up the stairs to the door. He was about twelve at the time. He's about 64 now.

Appendix Eight:

The following is an excerpt of a letter from Edith McAllister of Newcastle, to my brother John R. Morrissey, dated 28 January 1979.

As I am corresponding secretary of our historical society letters of inquiry usually come to me; also I would not be surprised if you are a relative of mine. My great-grandfather, Patrick Morrissy, had a brother Laurence who moved to Montreal and we have relatives there with whom we have lost touch. Their names were McCabe and Clapperton. Do these names sound familiar to you? 'c9I would judge that the Laurence Morrissey who left Barnaby River for Montreal would be your great great grandfather.

Appendix Nine:

Obituary possibly from The Montreal Star, published on 11 June 1915:

LATE FATHER CALLAGHAN

BELOVED PRIEST,
REV. M. CALAGHAN
HAS PASSED AWAY

Formerly of St. Patrick's
Well Known Throughout Province

Good Violinist
And Wrote Music

Authority on Canadian Folklore—Gave Much to Charity

The Reverend Martin Callaghan, former... and [one of the] best known English speaking priests in the Province of Quebec, died last evening at the Hotel Dieu, after an illness of two weeks. He was sixty-nine years old.

Father Callaghan, whose career in the priesthood was long and useful, was born in Montreal, November 1846. He was educated, under the Rev. Father Mayer and the Sulpicians on Sherbrooke Street where after completing his studies he was professor of English for one year, having among his pupils Archbishop Bruchesi of Montreal and Archbishop Langevin of St. Boniface, and many men now prominent in the public life of this Province.

ST MARY'S CURATE

Father Callaghan studied theology under Rev. Fathers Levigne and Colin (?), and was ordained priest by the late Bishop Bourget. He was admitted a member of the Sulpician community in Paris, and began his ministry in Montreal as a curate of St. Mary's under Father Campion. After one year at St. Mary's he was appointed to St. Patrick's under Father Dowd, and afterwards Father Quinlivan, succeeding the latter as pastor of St. Patrick's. He served for a year under the Sulpician regime under Archbishop Bruchesi.

In December, 1907, after four years service as pastor of St. Patrick's, Father ... resigned to be... pastor...

Father Callaghan was well known as a musician. He was a violin pupil of Oscar Martel, violinist to the late King of Belgium. He was the author of many musical compositions, a number of which were rendered for the benefit of Montreal charities at various times. A deep student of Canadian folklore, his lectures on this subject had been enjoyed by thousands. "Father Martin," as he was affectionately known to many, was a true Irishman in warmth of heart and breadth of sympathy. His gifts to charitable movements were countless, and many of his benefactions were known only to himself. The poor and needy always found him a ready listener to the story of their troubles.

GAVE AWAY LAND

A year ago he gave a piece of land in the parish of Lachine, which he had purchased some time before as a site for an English-Catholic college, to the Presentation Brothers, for a novitiate. The land was valued at $50,000. Later he gave the same community a site at Longueuil.

As a missionary priest Father Calaghan met with great success, his converts being numbered by thousands. He took special interest in work among the Chinese of Montreal. In collaboration with the Rev. Father Montanard, now serving with the French army, he prepared a Chinese-English catechism.

His brother, the Rev. Luke Callaghan, parish priest of St. Michael's, was with him at the time of his death, as were his sister Mrs. Farrel, of Lachine, and Rev. Sister Morrissy, and assistants of the parish of Notre Dame.