William McCartney

Posted 17 October 2007

This inquiry was sent by Judi Island. If you have any related information, please contact her at ji@bell.net.

My great-great-grandfather, William McCartney, was born in 1822 in Bailiboro, Kilmore, Co. Cavan Ireland. In 1837, when he was 14 years old, William and his sister, Elizabeth, aged 10, were sent to Caledon (then called Cardwell) Ontario, Canada.

William’s father was William McCartney (born 1763) and his mother was Mary McCurdy.

Margaret McCartney, in Perkins Bull Collection, stated:

“Mary had become ill, just before sailing time, preventing her from making the journey, and as the three pounds had been paid for passage, Elizabeth who was 10 years old, and William 14, made the journey in the care of the ship’s captain. Eventually they landed at Tabaco, near Muddy York (now Toronto), and started on foot along the meager trail to the home of a relative Jane Cooper at Cataract. Elizabeth, who was lame, was given a ride by the mailman, riding in front of him on his horse, as far as Silvercreek .."

The distance from Toronto to Cataract was approximately 50 miles.

William had a younger brother, Thomas, who stayed in Ireland and became a policeman in Co. Latherina.

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

Thankk you.
Judi Island
ji@bell.net