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Background
William Cullinan was born in Ireland around 1844, the son of Timothy Cullinan (also Cullinane) and Ellen Egan. So little is known about this branch of the family. Timothy was probably born in County Kerry, but I have not been able to find records to
confirm this. Timothy enlisted in Limerick City on December 9, 1848 with the 64th Regiment of Foot (British Army). A Catholic, he was among many who had to renounce his religious beliefs in order to make a better life for himself. At this time in
Irish history, there was not much a young man could do to improve his position. So Timothy joined the Army. It is possible that he spent time at the Curragh Camp in County Kildare--this was an important British Army base in Ireland. He served in
India and Persia, and no doubt this would have been quite an adventure for a young Irishman, however, he was seriously wounded at Cawnpore during the Indian Mutiny. He received a medal which recognized his service as Sergeant in the Persia (now in
the possession of a family member). His wife Ellen (Egan) Cullinan was left with a young son, William, and little means to support the family.
William Cullinan emigrated to Canada at least before 1870, when his marriage to Margaret Egan was recorded in Montreal, Quebec. They would have eleven children between 1871 and 1890. He worked as a river policeman in the Port of Montreal for several
years. This was an important job, as cargoes had to be protected from looters. At this time, the St. Lawrence River provided an important link between European, Canadian and American ports--huge ships passed through the Port of Montreal, many of
them abrim with raw materials such as iron ore, coal, hardwood and grain.
By 1895, William Cullinan would have been about fifty years old. In the record, he can be found employed, again at the Port of Montreal, but at this time with the Allan Shipping Lines. The following two articles were found in a Montreal paper, and
describe the sad events which were to unfold on a cold fall night in October, 1895.
MONTREAL GAZETTE (Montreal, Quebec: October 22, 1895)
A Watchman Missing - The relatives of Watchman Cullinan, employed at the Glasgow sheds of Allan Line, are anxious as to his whereabouts, as he has been missing since Saturday evening. His overcoast was found hanging in the shed and his
pipe and tobacco on the desk, but there was no trace of the man. As it was feared that he had accidentally fallen into the river, the police of No. 15 Station dragged the Glasgow basin the whole of yesterday, but without finding the body. Cullinan,
who resides on Farm street, Point St. Charles, has a wife and a large family.
MONTREAL STAR (Montreal, Quebec: May 26, 1896)
Cullinan's Body Found - The body of William Cullinan, formerly a watchman on the Allan Line wharf, was found floating in the river on Saturday evening. Cullinan, while in the employ of the Allan Line, disappeared on October 13, last and
had not been heard of until the finding of his body on Saturday. Decomposition had set in, and it was only through the clothing that the body was identified. Coroner MacMahon held an inquest yesterday afternoon. A verdict of accidental drowning was
returned.
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