Personal Notes 21 (Notes Pages)

Individuals marked with a red dot

are direct ancestors of Robert Lynn Craycroft
For privacy reasons, Date of Birth and Date of Marriage for persons believed to still be living are not shown.

Bresnan, Cornelius E. (b. 1871, d. 1939)

Source: (Death field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery, Dora Township, Illinois

Reference: 201

Note: According to Margaret Doolan, Cornelius lived for a time in Salt Lake City, Utah. According to Gertrude Brown he also lived in Wyoming at one time.

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Bresnahan, Edward (b. 16 SEP 1815, d. 23 AUG 1895)

Source: (Name field)
Title: Tipperary Heritage Unit, Tipperary Town, Ireland
Media: Church Record

Source: (Birth field)
Title: World Family Tree Vol. 4, Ed. 1
Author: Brøderbund Software, Inc.
Publication: Release date: August 23, 1996
Media: Family Archive CD

Note: Customer pedigree.
Page: Tree #1671
Data:
Text: Date of Import: Apr 21, 1998

Source: (Birth field)
Title: Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society
Author: Moultrie County Historical & Genealogical Society
Publication: Vol. XIX, No. 3, August, 1991
Media: Book
Page: http://www.354.com/DaltonCity.htm

Source: (Birth field)
Title: World Family Tree Vol. 9, Ed. 1
Author: Brøderbund Software, Inc.
Publication: Release date: March 31, 1997
Media: Family Archive CD

Note: Customer pedigree.
Page: Tree #2856
Data:
Text: Date of Import: Dec 26, 1999

Source: (Death Field)
Obituary, Decatur Herald Dispatch, 8/25/1895

Source: (Death field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Occupation: Place: Farmer, stock raiser

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isidore's Church Cemetary, Bethany, IL

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois

Source: (Individual field)
Title: Oral history via Theresa Anne Lariviere

Immigration: Date: BEF. 1851
Place: New Orleans, Louisiana

Reference: 202

Note: It is reported the Edward and Mary emigrated from Ireland in 1850 and first settled in Kentucky. (Steve Harms, e-mail,5/27/1997)

The first settlements in Dalton City were made in 1852 by Harvey and Madison Walker. Edward Bresnan settled in 1858 on Section 2. Edward was from Ireland, and many Irish immigrants moved to the area. After 141 years, relatives of Bresnan still live in the Dalton City area. (Dalton City History, Moultrie County Historical & Genealogical Society) (November, 1999)

The following narration was written by Mary Alice Heneberry --

The Bresnan's first settled in Kentucy, Bath County, where Edw. Sr. received naturalization papers in 1851. He came from Ireland earlier (date unknown) and worked (for the Stoner Family) till he saved enough money to send for his wife, Mary (Twohy) Bresnan and their 5 children. John, Bryan, Mary (later to marry John Kinney), Kate (Mrs. Jack Doolin, Bement) and Margaret (Mrs. Dan Tueth). Edward, my father, and Lucy (Mother Teresa) was born in Kentucky.

This whole family came to the St. Isidore area in 1858, according to an old newspaper clipping. Of course, there was no church at that time, but a sort of "Irish Settlement" as that area was called. Apparently, the Stoner family had come to Ill. earlier and always kept in touch with the Bresnan's. At any rate, Edw. Bresnan, Sr., was instrumental in getting the St. Isidore parish organized. The first Mass in Moultrie Co. was said in the Bresnan home in 1863.

An interesting note here, a William Twohy, brother of Mary (Mrs. Edw.) Bresnan made the trip across the ocean with her and the children. Sailing vessels were used and people were weeks, even months on the sea. Evidently William remained with the family till his death. His name is on the family marker in St. Isidore cemetery.

While erecting their log house, the Bresnans lived with the Delahunty family (grandparents of my husband) who also had 7 children. Hospitality huh?

The family attended "American" school, a one-room structure northeast of Bethany. Writing school was held at night to encourage adults and older boys to add to their meager education.

Some years later Bryan Bresnan left home at 16, according to information I got from Annie Nolan. He lived with a Dr. at Mt. Auburn, drove the horse buggy transportation for the Dr. who encouraged Bryan to acquire more learning. At any rate he, Bryan, wrote a flowing hand, learned and memorized poetry, studied history, etc. and always bought (and gave away) books. He became an unlicensed "horse doctor" and actually developed a cure for fistula prevalent among work horses, an ugly open sore on the shoulder of horse, when the collar rubbed.

He had many a run-in with veterinarians and was able to defend himself in court when they sought to stop him. He had the sharpest wit of anyone (illegible) ever met. On Memorial Day I copied these dates from the Bryan Bresnan monument

Bryan 1845 - 1913
Kate B, his wife 1845 - 1885
Teresa (Brady) 2nd wife 1846 - 1913

Bryan lived only a few months after the death of his second wife Teresa. He called Aunt Tressie and she was so proud of the fact that she came from Saratoga, NY. I'd love to know where they met or how she was enticed to the West and a ready-made family.

P.S. I neglected to say they were from County Limerick Ireland. I found no such name in the phonebook in Limerick when I was there in 1971. One Bresnan listed in Dublin but I was unable to reach them.

Also I remember distinctly Grandma Bresnan who lived to be nearly 90. She was born in 1814 (Ireland) and made her home with Tueths. Grandpa Bresnan died in 1896 before I was born.

Mary Alice Heneberry
(Mary Alice is Mary Alice Bresnan Heneberry, daughter of Edward, granddaughter of Edward Sr.)

According to the 1870 Census of Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois, Edward owned $6400 in real estate and $1000 in personal property.

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 9, Ed. 1, Tree #2856, Date of Import: Dec 26, 1999]

Record per the family sheets of J. David Polys, in file.

The following is a transcript of documents provided to me by Theresa Anne Lariviere, the granddaughter of Mary Alice Bresnan Heneberry.

(Page 1)

State of Kentucky
Bath Circuit Court (illegible)

Patrick Carroll Edward Bresnan and John Carey came personally into Court and produced certificates showing that they had heretofore to wit. The said Patrick Carroll and Edward Bresnan on the 16th day of July 1851, in the County Court in this County and the said John Carey on the 3rd day of May, 1852 in this County Court for the County of Montgomery in this state made the necessary declarations of their intention to become citizens of the United States and having this day declared on oath that they will support the Constitution of the United States. That they dot absolutely and entirely denounce(?) and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince potentate state or sovereignty and particularly Victoria Queen of the United Kingdoms of Great Britain England Ireland and Scotland whereof they were citizens or subjects and promise being made in open Court and the Court being satisfied from the proof that they and each of them men of good moral character and attached to the principle of the Constitution of the United States and well disposed to the good order and happiness of the same whereupon the said Patrick Carroll Edward Bresnan and John Carey are each of them hereby admitted and declared to be citizens of the Unites States

(In the copy I have of this document the bottom is chopped off, but it appears that it may be signed by one or more of the men named in the document. I can make out what appears to be the top of the signature of Edward Bresnan.)

(Page 2)

State of Kentucky
Bath Circuit Court (illiegible)

John A Turner Jr. for Clerk of the Bath Circuit Court do certify that this foregoing (illegible) is truly copied from the Record in my office

In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand as Clerk aforesaid this 9th day of June 1856.

J.A. Turner Jr.

I received an e-mail from David Moloney on March 10, 2000, with evidence that Edward's name was orignally Bresnahan. This was supported by a list of the names of siblings and parents who all bore the name of Bresnahan. It is quite probable that when Edward arrived in America at New Orleans, for whatever reason, he changed his name to Bresnan. At this time I have no idea what that reason may have been. (Robert L. Craycroft)

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Touhy, Mary (b. 8 SEP 1814, d. 24 MAR 1904)

Source: (Name field)
Title: Tipperary Heritage Unit, Tipperary Town, Ireland
Media: Church Record

Source: (Birth field)
Title: Death Card for Mrs. Mary Bresnan
Data:
Text: A native of Knock Derk, County Limerick, Ireland, who died in Moultrie Co., ILL, March 25, 1904, Aged 89 years, 6 months and 17 days.

Source: (Birth field)
Title: World Family Tree Vol. 4, Ed. 1
Author: Brøderbund Software, Inc.
Publication: Release date: August 23, 1996
Media: Family Archive CD

Note: Customer pedigree.
Page: Tree #1671
Data:
Text: Date of Import: Apr 21, 1998

Source: (Birth field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Source: (Death field)
Title: Obituary in Bethany Echo, Friday, April 1, 1904
Data:
Text: Miss Mary Twohy was born in Limerick, Ireland Sept. 8, 1814. When twenty-four years old she gave her hand to Ed Bresnan. In 1857 they left their native land and came to United States and settled in Kentucky. They afterwards moved to this county and settled in a half mile of where she died. She died last Thursday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Tueth, where she had made her home for many years. The funeral was held at St. Isadore's Saturday morning and was in charge of Father McGuire of Dalton City. Her husband died in Aug. 1895. She was the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living. She has thirty-six grandchildren and thirty-three great-grandchildren. Six grandsons acted as pall bearers at the funeral.

Source: (Death field)
Title: Death Card for Mrs. Mary Bresnan

Source: (Death field)
Title: Obituary
Media: Newspaper

Note: Primary
Page: Decatur Herald Dispatch, 8/25/1895

Occupation: Date: 1870
Place: Housewife (1870 Census)

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isidore's Church Cemetary, Bethany, IL

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois

Reference: 203

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Brady, Teresa (b. 4 OCT 1846, d. 22 MAR 1913)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery, Dora Township, Illinois

Reference: 204

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Bresnahan, John (b. 1 APR 1843, d. 3 JUL 1925)

Source: (Name field)
Title: Tipperary Heritage Unit, Tipperary Town, Ireland
Media: Church Record

Source: (Birth field)
Title: Transcript of entries in bible
Author: "Copied from my old bible, January 20, 1892" (signed) Edward Bresnan, May 22, 1892
Media: Book

Note: Unknown

Source: (Birth field)
Title: World Family Tree Vol. 9, Ed. 1
Author: Brøderbund Software, Inc.
Publication: Release date: March 31, 1997
Media: Family Archive CD

Note: Customer pedigree.
Page: Tree #2856
Data:
Text: Date of Import: Dec 26, 1999

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois

Reference: 205

Note: [Brøderbund WFT Vol. 9, Ed. 1, Tree #2856, Date of Import: Dec 26, 1999]

Record per the family sheets of J. David Polys, in file.

I have a photocopy of a quit claim release from E.B. Hale of Cleveland, Ohio, dated December 27, 1884. It releases title, apparently, of some property in Moultrie County, Illinois, to John Bresnan. I assume it is this John as no other I am aware of would have been the correct age to own property in 1884. Mr. Hale held a mortgage from John for $600, recorded November 9, 1876, in the Recorder's Office of Moultrie County, Illinois, in Book Eleven, page 109. (Robert L. Craycroft, December 8, 2001)

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Conlin, Catherine (b. 1848, d. 1928)

Census: Date: 1870
Place: Dora Township, Moultrie County, Illinois

Reference: 206

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Bresnan, Bernard Henry (b. 31 AUG 1872, d. 1 SEP 1941)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Occupation: Date: 28 SEP 1897
Place: Farmer

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isidore's Church Cemetary, Bethany, IL

Source: Title: Moultrie County Election List, 1899-1914

Reference: 207

Note: According to the December, 1929, Decatur telephone directory, B.H. Bresnan lived at 949 W. Decatur, Decatur, Illinois.

From: Decatur Herald & Review: 1941
Bernard H. Bresnan, 69, Dies.
Requiem high mass for Bernard H. "Bun" Bresnan, 69, retired farmer and horseman and earnest Democratic party worker, was celebrated at 9 a.m. Wednesday in St. Patrick's church in Decatur. Burial was in St. Isidore's cemetery. Mr. Bresnan, who lived in Decatur, had been in failing health for several years. Sunday, his condition grew alarming and he entered St. Mary's hospital where he died at 9:15 a.m. Monday.

Keenly Interesed in Horses.
Born in Dalton City, Aug. 3, 1872, a son of John and Catherine Bresnan, he developed a keen interest as a youth in horses and over livestock and during his many years as a farmer in the Dalton City neighborhood won a reputation as a keen judge of the values and marketing possibilities of livestock. He bought great numbers of horses and mules for the Allied armies in the first World war.

In the 16 years that he lived in Decatur, much of time in semi-retiremant, his fondness for horses remained. Where there was a horse or mule sale, he usually could be found, and he always was ready for a trip to any Central Illinois race meeting that friends might suggest. As an ardent Democrat, he aided in accompllishing a series of party victories in Macon county and was rewarded by appointment as a deputy game warden, a position he held until his health started to fail.

On Sept. 28, 1897, he married Mary Agnes Henneberry. He leaves his wife; three daughters, Mrs. Edward Cahill and Miss. Dorothy Bresnan of Decatur and Mrs. T. L. Sheehan of Dalton City; one son Bernard J. Bresnan of Decatur; two grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. G.W. Halliburton of Wichita Falls, Texas.

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Henneberry, Mary Agnes (b. 27 JAN 1877, d. 6 JAN 1942)

Source: (Birth field)
Title: Henneberry Family website

Source: (Birth field)
Title: St. Isadore Catholic Cemetery Inscriptions
Author: Mrs. Irene McGrath and Mrs. Violet Taylor
Publication: July 2, 1969
Media: Book

Note: High

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isidore's Church Cemetary, Bethany, IL

Reference: 208

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Bresnan, LaVerna Teresea (b. 23 JUL 1899, d. DEC 1981)

Source: (Death field)
Title: Henneberry Family website

Reference: 209

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Cahill, Edward (b. 4 DEC 1899, d. 7 JAN 1977)

Source: (Name field)
Title: E-mail from Cynthia Salvador
Media: Electronic

Source: (Birth field)
Title: E-mail from Cynthia Salvador
Media: Book
Data:
Text: Edward Cahill was born in Fairfax, Linn Co., Iowa to John Cahill (5/10/1868 - 4/21/1923) and Charlotte "Lottie" Fagan (2/14/1870 - 7/29/1938). John was born in Fairfax, Iowa and Lottie was born in Belfast, Ireland.

Source: (Individual field)
Title: Henneberry Family website

Event: Type: Buried at
Place: St. Isidore's Church Cemetary

Reference: 210