Dowlings From Ireland
My 3rd great-grandfather was Patrick Dowling (Doulin/Doolan).In 1799, Patrick and his brother Blake, sailed from Ireland to Newfoundland, Canada.Blake settled in Newfoundland, marrying Mary Shannon, the daughter of a fellow countryman, Mike Shannon, and settled into life in the fishing village.
Patrick did not care for fishing and had long dreamed of having his own farm.He had heard that the land in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, was quite fertile and, in the early 1800's, obtained a land grant of 1000 acres, in River Inhabitants, Inverness County, Cape Breton.He married Isabella and they had two sons, Alexander and John.
I have recently been given a copy of a letter written on January 7, 1818 to my 3rd great-grandfather, Patrick Dowling (Doulin), by his sister Ann (Dowling/Doulin) Molony.
Anne, the wife of Daniel Molony, was writing from Limerick.In her letter she says: "Your letter of 22 October 1808 has been handed my husband, Daniel Molony in Dublin in December 1809 by my brother John ....."
She mentions that their sister, Margaret has been dead for 18 years.
She goes on to say:"My family consists of a son of 15 and a daughter of 14 years of age.My husband has been bred a servant - a business very much (depressed/despised) in this country at present, and in fact has caused my little family to share in the distress of the times .....".
She asks for "a remittance that may enable me & my family to go to you...." but has no idea that he died in 1811, having been lost at sea around Scaterie, Cape Breton, on a return trip from Newfoundland - a victim of the Great Gale of 1811.
She asks that Patrick direct his letter to Mr./Mrs. McGrath, Demark Street, Limerick, Ireland.
I am looking for descendants of Patrick's sisters, Anne and Margaret, and his brother, John.
Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Sincerely ..... Elizabeth