Hugh & Bridget McNeill

The Family of Hugh McNeill & Bridget McQuade
Hugh McNeill			=	Bridget McQuade
of Antrim				of Pomeroy
1846-				1846-
_______________________________|_______________________________
|	|	|		|	|	|
Patrick	John	Mary		Hugh	Ellen	Sarah Ann
1864-	1865-	1867-		1872-1927	1873-1909	1877-

Patrick McNeill 1864-
Patrick was born on the 19th March 1864 at Pomeroy, Co.Tyrone Ireland. I have not been able to locate him in the 1881 British Census which might be because he did not survive but equally he could have been residing elsewhere, at the time he would have been seventeen years old.

John McNeill 1865-
John was born on 4th November 1865 at Pomeroy in Co. Tyrone Ireland. In 1881 the family were living at Winlaton, Co. Durham and at that time John was employed as a Glassmakers Apprentice.

Mary McNeill 1867-
Mary was born on the 12th September 1867 at Pomeroy in Co. Tyrone Ireland. The following letter would appear to have been written by Mary to her brother Hughie after receiving news of an illness.

Mason Arms
Dearest Hughy
Ive got as big a shock tonight as I did when I got your letter about the Infirmary. I got Susy's letter by 4pm and yours at 7pm, I wrote a letter straight away and it was posted before yours come, I nearly went out of my mind. It was a heavy blow to me I received the next morning and no letter from Susy to tell me anything and unlucky I could not find your letter or I would have wrote at once to you and I would not write again to Susy so I made up my mind to write and send me your address. I had a letter Monday night from Nellie telling me all and she lifted a load off my mind. I am writing this on my back in bed and its 11 o'clock, I got your letter at 7pm. I never been up since Sally died, only the once. What treatment did you get, tell me. Thank God to hear from you again. My arm is very tired I must ....?
Your ever loving Mary.
I can't write more.

I have copied the letter as written which does not at first appear to make sense but a few imaginary full stops and comma's help. There is no date on the letter which would have to have been written prior to 1918 when Susan died and perhaps not earlier than say 1916.

Hugh McNeill 1872-1927
Hughie McNeill was born sometime in 1872 at Consett Co. Durham. He worked as a Carpenter & Joiner and for a time was self employed. He married Susannah Gartland, who was born at Wardley Co. Durham and they had four children: Ellen born on the 9th of March 1902; Hugh born on the 3rd of October 1904; James born on the 9th of July 1909 and Thomas born on the 9th of August 1911.
In 1904 the family were living at 8, Sister Street, Scotswood which was the birthplace of Hugh, my father and they were living there, certainly until 1909. By the time of the birth of their youngest son Thomas in 1911 they had moved to 4C Prospect Terrace, within the Urban District of Benwell. Newcastle upon Tyne.
Hughie, a Journeyman Joiner, had a history of ill health from 1904 and died of an Apoplectic Seizure (stroke) on the 19th of February 1927, at the family home 161 Dolphin Street Benwell, he was 54 years old.
Susannah was the second child and only daughter of James Gartland and Ellen McNicholl of Co. Tyrone, Ireland. She was a school teacher and in 1891 was teaching at St. George's Church School, Bell's Close, Lemington. In 1902, or possibly later she may have been at St. Joseph's School Blaydon. Susan died of Pneumonia at 161 Dolphin Street on the 5th April 1918, at the age of 44 years. She was buried in the Gartland family grave at St James's Cemetery Benwell along with her Father James, Brother John and Niece Ellen.

The Gartland family grave, which had been commissioned by James Gartland after he came into some money, was an elaborate one but was vandalised in the early 60's and there is now no trace of it. Originally it was intended for himself and his three children,Thomas, Susannah and John but John's eldest daughter Ellen died in 1914 at the age of thirteen and was buried in the grave thus taking up the place reserved for Thomas.

Ellen McNeill 1873-1909
Ellen, was born at Consett Co. Durham in January 1873 although a 'Death Card' which was issued by her husband, puts her birth year as c1877. Three letters relating to her death, which occurred on January 16th 1909, are reproduced below and give the only other information we have of her. Her married name was Spence but we only know her husbands initial which was "F" and at the time of her death they were living in York.The first letter dated Dec 19th 1908 reads:-

Coffee House, Walmgate, York
Dear Hugh.
Sorry to have such bad news for you. Nellie has been anointed this afternoon (Saturday) and is very bad. I don't think I would delay in coming for you can never tell how things turn up, she has been up every day until these last two days so I'm afraid she wont last very long. The Dr. says it may be anytime. You have our sincere sympathy in your trouble. Hoping this will find you in good health, With love from Maggie and myself, Jack.

The second is dated 20th December 1908 and sent by Nellie's husband F Spence to his brother who is un-named.

37 George Street, York
Dear Brother,
We received your letter and was pleased to hear from you but sorry to hear of your circumstances. I will get you a pair of Trousers tomorrow so you can be on the look out at Blaydon Station on Tuesday or Wednesday morning. I am sorry to tell you that Nellie is very bad and there is little hope for her. She has been bad now 3 months so you will form an idea [of] the position I am in, she received the Last Rights of the Church yesterday but I am pleased to say that she is a little better today thank God and I have great hopes that she will pull through she has a strong will and will never give way.
I would think it a great favour if you could come if only to stay in the house as I am very badly off for someone, I would send you your fare. I am writing to Hughie by the same post so I would see him if possible. I cannot say any more this time but write by return of post as I shall be anxious waiting for a reply.
I remain ever yours Effectively (sic). F Spence

The third letter was postmarked York Feb.17.09 and reads:-

16 Farrar Street, York
Dear Hugh
I am sending to you 2. Death cards, I do not know if it is the custom in your place to have cards at the Church door but it is here as there is a frame provided for that purpose, I also want you to send me Miss Conways name as I cannot think of it, do you know if she knows of Nellies death or not, let me know and I will write. I hope you are all well. Hugh has settled with my sister very well and I have news of him every few days, you will have to excuse my writing as I cannot settle to write, it seems a trouble to me.
I remain ever yours, F Spence
P.S. The large card is for Blaydon & Stella

This third letter also confirms a remark made to me by my father Hugh McNeill (1904-1985) when he said that he was brought up by an uncle, although I had always assumed that he was referring to John or Tom Gartland.
The letter also contained a card, which read.

†
Of your Charity pray for the repose of the
Soul of
Ellen Spence
(Nellie McNeill)
who departed this life January 16th, 1909
fortified by the Rites of Holy Church
Aged 31 Years
R.I.P.

Sarah Ann McNeill 1877-
Sarah was born at Dungannon, Ireland in 1877 but the only other information we have of her is her residing at Cuthbert Street, Winlaton, Co. Durham at the time of the 1881 census.