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(Barents? Catherine Bigley and John MoGpr ni ys. Father. Tailor.by trade, |
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John Bigley, Carrickmore, Dad's Grandfather, léft thhmem sons. shh Three died,
leaving three farms, three homes ang three whdows. Names, John, Frank,
Paddy and James, one daughter Catherine. Farm about 400 acres,
John Bigley married twice, first wife's name Ward, who died having first baby.
Baby, named Barney Bigley went to #ngimd, where he died, leaving three
daughters.
Bigley Clan came originally frosthe North of Ireland and were driven to
Connaught by Cromwell. Their history could be traced back 200 years by
your Father's Mother. Bigleys returned to Tyrone and took over large
farm.
Lots were cast for the three farms later, your Grandmother, won each time,
the cerfre farm and the centre house, which wel the best. This house has been
razed and the new one stands in WHE site.
Your Bether's Grandfather was named Jack McGarrity. His family were descended
from the O'Neill. the great Cyan of the O'Neills. It was your Grandmother
who inherited the farm that she lived in with your Grandfather.
The Widows, married, one to Nugent, a farm-hand and the otherhbto Conlon.
Nugent was a troublemaker, but your Grandmothers family, on Mothers side,
were named Grogan. It was Denis Grogan who helped your Grandmother to get a
fair deal from Nugent and to insist on getting the middle farm, after it
had been rightfully won in the casting of lots.
The Gpogan's were all big men, your Dad's physique came fram the Grogan side.
The big men in the MeGarrity family all had the stamp of tlhe Grogan's. It
is said one of them in trying to get a cow out of a bog, where the cow had
sunk - something like quicksand -gaught the horns and tail and actually helped
to life it out that way. They had superhuman strength. furl yb
Your Grandmother am the Grogan's were also big, generous, hospitable people,
even to a fault. Your Grandfather MeGarrity wame fromthe more *cagey' kind
and four days before his death it is said he wabned Mrs MeGurk%to be Sure and
keep the puthouses lockeé so that nothing would be stolen by outsiders.
Your Grandmother was like your aPad, your Grandfather being very careful with
wordly goods, but this is not to-be const rued he was mean, on the contrary,
he was just the brake on spending. Your timbham was very truéting, your
Grandmother
Grandfather wouldn't trust anyone.
V
MeGarrity family: 14 children. no{'
Mary second
Pat oldest, Michael Hext, then your Daf, followed by Pete, John, Kate,
Annie.
Pete was educated early, with the others by Terry O'Neill, local teacher,
then Pete went to Armagh school and from there to Maynooth. Ann Loughran,
Philadelphia, was great friend of then Archbishop Ryan, so an appointment
for Fr Pete was arranged. He came here June 1900.
All the family dreamed and wahted to come to America from their infancy.
They got their Nationality from: John McConway (an old man), and from the
folloving Priests who lived with your Grandparents, from time to time, as
there was no parochial house: Father Loughran. [Fr O'Nebll and Fr Donlon.
Eevery night’ the Priets would tell stories, your Grandfarents were ver yn