Hi Posters,
This is a new board I requested because so many Irishmen were members of the various militia and their descendants are now world-wide.
My great-grandfather, Patrick DUFF (1808-1886), was a Quartermaster in the Cavan Militia. He was present at the 'Presentation of Colours' with his wife in September 1855 and at the disembodiment of the corps in August 1856. He was a member of a deputation waiting on Mr Patrick CAFFREY to present him with a silver teapot in recognition of his services as a benefactor to their militia in November 1856.
Quartermaster Patrick DUFF'S presence was recorded in the local newspaper as "(late 68th)". I can only surmise this may refer to a Dublin militia. His first wife, unknown name but thought to be (1825-1859), gave birth to a daughter, Catherine Mary (c1849-1936) in Dublin, thus indicating Patrick was in Dublin around 1850. Can anyone confirm this?
The Cavan Observer of May 14, 1859 records the death of the wife of Quartermaster DUFF of the Cavan Militia. The item (transcribed, so possibly shortened), gives her age as 34 and she died at her residence in Farnham Street, but not her name. Does anyone know her full name?
In July 1861 a funeral with full military honours was given for Colour-Sergeant EDWARDS (Staff) of the Cavan Militia. Quartermaster DUFF accompanied the funeral.
Quartermaster Patrick DUFF remarried in 1862 in Cavan to Bridget Mary KELLY and gave birth to a son, James Charles, on 18 August 1863. He was baptized on 22 Aug 1863 and one of the sponsors named on the baptism document is Patrick CAFFREY. Patrick Duff's address is given as 'Cavan Militia' and his rank as 'Quartermaster in the army'.
Patrick DUFF reappears as a sergeant-clerk in the army pensions office at Castle Barracks, King John's Castle, Limerick. His second wife, Bridget Mary KELLY (1838-1874), presents him with a daughter, Agnes Mary, on 14 June 1866 at the Castle Barracks, and another daughter, Amelia Annie, on 6 March 1870. He retired possibly at around the time his wife died (1874) with the rank of Barracks-Master and went to live in the Limerick suburb of Garryowen, where he died in 1886.
Did Limerick have a militia in the 1860s or was Patrick in the legitimate army?
Any feedback on the questions raised and all other comments on the families involved in these militia, and the militia themselves, will be much appreciated.