Taghmon, Wexford History

The Connors, in various documents, state they are from County Wexford and it is believed that it was the Taghmon area.  Taghmon is what is written in the bible that  was held by Philip M. Sullivan and then his son Joseph Sullivan.  Here is some information about Taghmon, County Wexford.



ST MUNN 
St. Munn, also known as Fintan Munnu, the son of Tulcanus and Fidelma, was brought up as a Christian, in the North of Ireland. He presented himself as a candidate for admission, as a disciple, into the community of St. Columba/Columcille on the island of Hy, also known as Iona. Columba had died before Munn arrived. His successor told Munn, that it was Columba's wish, that Munn return to Ireland - and had prophesied that he would 'be the leader of a great people there'. On his arrival in Ireland, Munn travelled southward. 'He came to a rich and sloping plain. Here he rested. Pleased with the situation and finding a gentle and docile people, he erected a humble tabernacle to God's glory' Later he built a monastery in the vicinity, Teach Munna - the House of Munn - known to-day as Taghmon. Ever since the end of the sixth century the people of Taghmon have endeavoured to have a dwelling for God to live among them. The present Church of St. Fintan is a worthy testimony to their faith, fidelity and generosity.

ST. FINTAN'S CHURCH 1869 - 1971 
There are three main events in the development of the Church, spanning a century. The building of the Church - organised by Rev. William Murphy P.P. (1866-1896) The improvement and beautification projects during the administration of Rev. Thomas Scallan P.P. (1925 - 1956) The renovations and alterations undertaken on the occasion of the centenary of the Church by Rev. James Murphy P.P. (1966-1972).

THE LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE 
On May 9, 1869, the foundation stone of the new church of Our Lady of St. Munn, was solemnly blessed by Bishop Thomas Furlong, and laid, with the prescribed ceremonies, in the north eastern angle of the building. Though the morning was heavy the attendance was large, and all seemed to be impressed with the importance of the occasion. His Lordship complimented the people of the parish on the contributions they had already made towards the erection of their new Church, and felt satisfied, they would continue to co-operate with their Pastor in what they had so liberally begun....In the conclusion of his Lordship's address, he paid a marked compliment to the architects and also the contractor and assured the people they might rely on them for the satisfactory execution of the work in hand. Having blessed the spot marked out by a wooden cross, as the site of the future altar, he proceeded to bless the foundation stone, in which a zinc box, containing the date, name and coins, usual on such occasions, had been inserted, and finally he blessed the foundations themselves, after which an Indulgence of Forty Days was announced, as imparted by His Lordship to all present at the ceremony. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed the functions of this interesting day'.

PENAL LAWS 
The Penal Laws, which had deprived Catholics of civil and religious rights were recent history. 'On March 10, 1744, William Hore, Portreeve of Taghmon, (an agent who collected rent for a landlord) reported Fr. Patrick Redmond as a "Popish clergyman in the Mass-house of Taghmon, residing at the house of his brother, James Redmond of Harveystown". Hore locked up the Mass-house and "allowed" as he writes, "no admittance into it, in the shape of the popish (or any other) worship'. The Irish referred to the community as 'an pobal' and to their place of worship as 'teach pobail' (people's house) or 'teach De' (God's house).

BARN CHURCHES 
From the mid 18th century onwards the Penal Laws were relaxed and Catholics began to build churches or chapels, as they were called. These were basic in design and construction. They had no spires or towers, just a small belfry at the gable end. Built of local stone, covered with lime plaster, they had clay tiled floors and plain windows. Many had thatched roofs and, being like barns, are often described as 'barn churches'. In these modest buildings Catholics practised their religion quietly and unobtrusively. In the diocese of Ferns, during the 1798 Rebellion, thirty four of these 'chapels' were burned or destroyed. The parish of Taghmon escaped. In 1831, Samuel Lewis writing in his Topographical Dictionary describes Taghmon; 'the church is a small but handsome edifice with a square embattled tower: the chapel is a spacious and handsome edifice, partly concealed by some fine beech trees; there are chapels also at Trinity and Caroreigh, and at Forest, about a mile from the town is a place of worship for the Society of Friends'.

CATHOLIC EMANCIPATION: AUGUSTUS WELBY PUGIN 
In 1829, due to Daniel O'Connell's relentless campaign, an act granting Catholic Emancipation was passed. This coincided with the arrival in Wexford of Augustus Welby Pugin, a convert to Catholicism, who was 'art architect' of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, and a renowned church architect. His patron, the wealthy Catholic Earl of Shrewsbury, was connected by marriage to the Talbot family of Castle Talbot, Blackwater. They introduced Pugin to the diocese of Ferns. He came to an Ireland which was experiencing an upsurge in Church building. There was a spirit of triumphalism - grandeur could now displace discretion. Pugin introduced the Gothic Revival style and developed a close professional relationship with Richard Pierce, who became his principal associate in ensuring the successful execution of his designs.

REV. JOHN SCALLAN (1815 - 1849) 
Rev. John Scallan was Parish Priest of Taghmon from 1815-1849. During his pastorship two new churches were built in the parish, Trinity in 1838 and Caroreigh in 1843. Before Fr. Scallan could turn his attention to the church in Taghmon the Famine 1845-1850 intervened. Taghmon was not spared.

CHOLERA 
In 1849, Taghmon, then a thriving little town of 1500 inhabitants, was visited by a dreaded disease that claimed almost 300 of its residents. Cholera, at that period, was prevalent throughout the land and levied a heavy toll on human life. During the terrible visitation, the two priests of Taghmon, Father John Scallan, P.P. and Father Peter Warren, C.C. were constantly engaged in ministering to the sick and dying. The strain of duty and daily scenes of death and misery, told upon their weakened conditions. Fr. Scallan was the first to fall a victim, passing away on May 1 1849, aged 71. Fr. Warren survived him a few months. He died on September 3, 1849, aged 36. The parishioners were deeply grieved by the deaths of their two beloved priests.' Two monuments to their memory were erected in the old chapel. At the time the old church was demolished these were taken down and not reinstalled in the new church. The old tablets can be seen on the boundary wall at the back of the Church and there is a new tablet in their memory in the present church. FAMINE The famine brought distress and poverty. Catholics had been relying on voluntary contributions for their building projects. These ceased almost entirely and building came to a halt. Those who could afford to give, diverted their donations to the relief of the hungry and bereaved.

Source: Rita Curtis' St. Fintan's Church, Taghmon 1869 - 1971.  Complete Entry at http://taghmon.com/vol1/14rita/14rita.htm

James C. Connor - Mini-Biography

In the newspaper clipping files, with information by street, at the Evanston History Center, Evanston, Illinois, there were two small pieces of paper which had mini biographies of James C. Connor, son of James Connor, immigrant.  They were cut or torn from some other documents, but those documents were not identified.  Although it is known that all of the information is not correct, i.e., James C. Connor was born in Ireland, not Evanston, the majority of the information is believed to be accurate.

The only item that has not been proved is that he was the builder of St. Mary's Church in Evanston.  In a history of St. Mary's Church, it states that Michael Foley, a resident of the parish, was the builder.

The two typed clippings read:

• 1220 Maple Ave.  Home of James C. Connor for many years.  One of Evanston's pioneer builders.  Village trustee in 1876.  Built St. Mary's Church.  Founder of Connor Hardware store, first at 618 Davis, later at 624 Grove.  He was born in Evanston in 1850s.  Early pioneer family here.

• 1220 Maple Ave.  Home of James Charles Connor, one of Evanston's pioneer builders for more than 40 years.  Son of pioneer James Connor who came to Evanston from Ireland in 1855.  Founder of Connor Hardware store, early and important hardware store here.  Was the builder of St. Mary's church.  A village trustee in 1876.

 Source: Evanston History Center, accessed February 17, 2012

St. Mary's Church History, 1900

On December 8, 1900, an article on St. Mary's Church History was published in the Evanston Index.  The newspaper article mentions the Connor family several times.

• Mr. and Mrs. James C. Connor, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Connor, Mr. and Mrs. John Connor...all settled in Evanston in the early 50s or before.
• The fine memorial windows were given by .... Mrs. J. C. Connor in memory of Mr. J. C. Connor....and Father Donahue, who gave a window in memory of Mrs. Margaret Connor, who owned the house adjoining the church and devoted a greater part of her time to acts of piety.

These mentions are highlighted with red arrows above.  To enlarge, click on newspaper image.

Source: Clipping from Evanston History Center, viewed February 17, 2012.

Tablet with Founders of St. Mary's Church

This newspaper article about the plaque hung in St. Mary's Church, Evanston, appeared in the Evanston Index on June 24, 1939.

Additional information on the plaque can be viewed on this blog at: Plaque Rubbing and Plaque Transcription.  To enlarge newspaper clipping, click on image.


Source: Evanston History Center files, accessed February 17, 2012