Saturday, December 19, 2015

52 Ancestors No.46: The Morkin House: A Tale of Two Taverns .

This is a follow-up to the Morkin genealogy blogpost that I posted December 11, 2015, about my grand aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin (1902-1945).

The beauty of blogging about your family history is that social media connects you with folks you have never known who then generously share information about the family you are researching.

This was the case yesterday with the Morkin family. Thanks to another genealogist on ancestry.ca, I learned that the Morkins were hotel keepers in London, Ontario and that the London Morkins had a connection to the infamous Donnellys of the day!

This post is a continuation of the Morkin family history back to Tipperary, Ireland, the two London, Ontario hotels owned by brothers Ed and Thomas, and that connection to the infamous Donnellys

The First Clue

A 2011 newspaper article was sent to me, "London history mystery: Quaffing at Morkin’s" with an amazing photograph of the Morkin Hotel and James Reaney wrote, " identified by a family member as Edward Morkin and Edward Morkin Jr."


I knew that Mabel's husband Martin Patrick Morkin was born May 5, 1895, the son of hotel keeper Thomas Morkin and Catherine Toohey (source: Births Ontario 1869-1910; Family Search) so I wondered, how was Martin Patrick related to these two men in the photo?


The Second Clue

The second Morkin clue came from the internet archive copy of "History of the County of Middlesex, Canada: Thomas Morkin" that detailed the life of a Thomas Morkin (born 1837) and now I was REALLY confused.


Sorting It All Out

The naming traditions among the Irish meant that there were several Edwards, Martins and Thomases and I needed to get out a pen and paper and, using the three sources below, draw out a family tree.

It helped me to understand that the two Morkin hotels were owned by brothers. One was at 89-91 King St (the Morkin House) and the other was at  587 Richmond Road.



My handwritten notes on the Morkin Family tree
With this chart, I was now able to start writing a narrative for my distant cousins about their Morkin ancestors. The third invaluable source for the following narrative comes from " The Ontario Numismatist: "The Morkin House 1892-1921" by Len Buth (pp 107-111; 2008) http://the-ona.ca/ON/V47.09-10.Sep-Oct.2008.pdf

The Morkins: 
From Tipperary, Ireland to London, Ontario
1851

The Morkin family immigrated from Barnagrotty, Toomevara, Tipperary, Ireland settling in London, Ontario in 1851. There were thirteen children and two sons, Edward and Thomas, would become hotel keepers in London, Ontario.

The subject of this narrative, Thomas ("Old Tom"), was fourteen (and his brother Edward was thirteen) when they immigrated to Canada.

Thomas ("Old Tom") married Mary Cooney (who was born in 1832 Tipperary, Ireland as well) and they had six sons:
  • John: born 1859
  • Tom ("Thomas J."): born 1860; married Catherine Toohey (9 Mar 1886)
  • Ned: born 1863
  • Martin: born 1865
  • Will: born 1872
  • Joe: born 1873
Thomas ("Old Tom") "worked at different occupations until he decided upon the tannery business, which he followed for thirteen years" before entering the hotel business.



1868

 Thomas ("Old Tom") operated a "groceries and liquor store on the west side of Richmond St., between streets now known as Albert St. and Central Ave."

1871

By 1871, Thomas ("Old Tom") "is operating a hotel at this site, with a street address of 587 Richmond St."

1875

"In 1875, the name of the hotel is shown as the Palace Hotel,.."



1881

In 1881, the Palace Hotel "becomes the Morkin Hotel"

Source:  "The Morkin House 1892-1921" by Len Buth
1890 Directory

1890-95: Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, PG B-25, Cairncross, ca. 1890-1894

In 1893, there were forty hotels in London, Ontario including the Morkin House at 89 King and Thomas Morkin's hotel at 587 Richmond.

1893 Directory

1895 Directory

1896

Thomas ("Old Tom") had worked in the hotel business for twenty-three years when he retired in 1896. He then became a cab owner, operating from the rear of 587 Richmond St.
“Old Tom”, as he became known, drove cab and was known for his ability to swear.’ If I remember, Mrs. Worrall said that Tom and a number of other Liberals were captured and held in a barn in London Township by the Conservatives so until after one the federals. I believe it was in the 1890s. I also seem to recall she mentioning that Tom was one of the survivors of the City Hall disaster (Jan. 3, 1898). He managed to grab onto a window sill and hung on as the floor collapsed under him
1898 Directory



1901

"Old Thomas" aged 65 years is on the 1901 census employed as a hackman. Note that on the census it shows that he immigrated to Canada in 1856 (not 1851 as stated above) and that his wife Mary (Cooney) Morkin immigrated in 1850. Sons Joe and William are still living at home. Both are employed as "stablemen".

Source: .Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2,
London (city/cité), Ontario; Page: 20; Family No: 199

1908

"Old Thomas'" died in 1908

Source: Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1934,
Archives of Ontario; Series: MS935; Reel: 137


Thomas J. Morkin
1886

Thomas J. was born on the 9th of December 1860 son of  "Old Thomas" and Mary (Cooney) Morkin. Thomas J. married Catherine Toohey on the 9th of March 1886 in London, Ontario at 25 years of age,

Source: Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924
Archives of Ontario; Series: MS932; Reel: 54
1891

On the 1891 census, Thomas J. Morkin is a hotel keeper living with his wife Catherine and daughters Stella, Kathleen and Josephine.

Source: 1891; Census Place: London, Middlesex East, Ontario; Roll: T-6352; Family No: 29
1901

The 1901 census shows that two sons have been added to the family. Thomas J is shown as a "teacher"?
  • Head: Thomas J. (born: 9 Dec 1860 )
  • Wife: Catherine (born: 3 Nov 1860 )
  • Daughter: Bella M. (born: 19 Sep 1887 )
  • Daughter: Cathleen E (born: 7 Feb 1889 )
  • Daughter: Josephine (born: 24 Aug 1890)
  • Son: Thomas W. (born: 2 Feb 1895) (census error?)
  • Son: Martin P (born: 9 May 1895)

Source Citation Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2, London (city/cité), Ontario;
Page: 20; Family No: 155
1910 postcard: Richmond St. North, London, Ont
1911 Census

In 1911, the family is living at 66 Palace, London, Ontario:
  • Thomas J. (b: Dec 1860) is employed as an insurance agent
  • Catherine (b: Nov 1860) No occupation
  • Stella (b: Sep 1888) working in a print shop
  • Edna (b: Feb 1890) working as a teller
  • Josephine (b: Aug 1890) working as a saleslady
  • William (b: Feb 1893) working as a shipping clerk
  • Martin (b: May 1895) working as a messenger


Source: Year: 1911; Census Place: 35, London City, Ontario; Page: 22; Family No: 253


1919 Border Crossing

In 1919, Martin P. Morkin was looking for permanent residence in Detroit. He listed his mother Catherine Morkin at 66 Palace, London, Ontario as his nearest relative. He had entered the U.S. on three previous occasions: 5 months in 1914; 5 months in 1915 and 5 months in 1916.

He was 5 feet 8 inches tall and had brown hair and brown eyes and at 23 years of age, he was working as a bookkeeper. He was headed to 86 Spruce St. Detroit, Michigan.

Source: "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKQM-K6VJ : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin Morkin, 1895-1924; citing M1461, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 279, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 1,473,079.

1921 Census

In 1921, the family is living at 66 Palace, London, Ontario: All of the children are shown at home except William
  • Thomas J. (60 years old) is working as a collector
  • Catherine: (60 years old) No occupation
  • Stella: working in a print shop (33 years old)
  • Edna: working as a teller (32 years old)
  • Josephine: working as a saleslady (31  years old)
  • Martin: working as a bookkeeper (26 years old)
Source: Year: Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 71; Census Place: Ward 4, London, Ontario; Page Number: 4

1929 Marriage

In 1929, Martin P. Morkin married Mabel Moynahan and they had three sons. There are pictures and details of this family to be found on my previous blog post "My Grand Aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin - 1902 -1945"


Hotel Business During Prohibition

It appears that by 1921, this branch of the Morkin family disengaged from the hotel business and for good reason.

London in 1870 had some 80 licenced hotels or taverns; 40 in 1893 (see above) and only 35 in 1900. Add to that the temperance movements and the Ontario Temperance Act of 1916, it's no wonder the family decided to find other ways to make a living. It appears they moved to insurance, banking and bookkeeping activities

The Morkin Link To The Black Donnellys

The Black Donnellys were a family of Irish settlers in Ontario. Five were murdered by an armed mob in February 1880 and their farm was burned to the ground.

The feud had its origins in Ireland. Biddulph township was the grounds upon which the ancient feud between Whiteboys, Blackfeet and Orangemen would be rekindled.

In the book "The Donnellys Album" by Ray Fazakas, there is mention that when Robert Donnelly was arrested in 1877, he needed a $200 bond and Edward Morkin provided the money.

"The Donnellys Album" by Ray Fazakas,
But was it Edward or Thomas who gave the money? James Reaney wrote: "indeed it is London taverner Thomas Morkin who puts up $200 bail for a Donnelly. Dad writes these Morkins will hear no ill of the Donnellys to this day. Wow."

Dan Brock  wrote: I believe the Biddulph Morkins were descended from brothers or cousins of Edward Morkin the father of Edward and Tom. One of Tom’s brothers was married to a sister of Nora (Kennedy) Donnelly

The Donnellys frequented the Morkin House and their stagecoach stopped there.

Conclusion

This story is far from complete. Through ancestry.ca I have connected with unrelated distant cousins to the Morkins who promise to send more information in the New Year. I will keep you posted!

The Morkin House hotel in London, Ontario (c 1915)
Sources

Links

Monday, December 14, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

52 Ancestors No.45: My Grand Aunt Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin (1902-1945)

Mabel Morkin (1902-1945) is seated at the far right in this picture dated 1904
Left to Right: Ernest, Mary Aileen, Erlan Raymond, and Mary Mabel
Mabel (Moynahan) Morkin was born on the 27th of September 1902 the daughter of Essex county school teacher John Moynahan and Mary Broderick. The family was living at 297 Talbot Road in Maidstone, Ontario at the time.



Source: Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1913 [database on-line].
Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

I love these photos of Mabel (below) taken in the early years. I have edited them from the family group photos. There is a lovely innocence in her face and I love that her hair was always in ringlets with a lovely large bow.




1927-1929

Mabel Moynahan's 1927 border crossing card says that she was living at 251 Campbell with her father John Moynahan who is also listed as nearest relative and that she was working as a bank clerk.



Marriage 1930

I have been unable to locate a marriage record for Mabel, but I estimate that the marriage occurred between 1929-1930 based on the birth years that I found for her children on the 1940 Michigan census (below).


The married couple Martin P and Mabel Morkin are on the 1930 census at 15858 Snowden, Detroit, Michigan and Martin P is an accountant in the oil industry (Source: "United States Census, 1930", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7S5-VWY : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin P Morkin, 1930.



Eldest Son: Frederick "Freddie" Morkin 
(1931-1994)

Mabel and Martin's first son Frederick (known as "Freddie") was born on March 6, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan.

He would be twenty years old when both of his parents had passed on and he had two younger brothers to care for (aged 16 and 13 years old).

Frederick died in Ipswich, Suffolk, England and is buried in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, USA in 1994 at Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Freddie Morkin

Freddie Morkin

Frederick married and I cannot locate any records on his spouse, but I did have this photo from my grandparents that had "Alice, Freddy and Billy" written on the back.

Close up: Freddy, Alice and Billy

Alice, Freddy and Billy
photographed in my grandparents backyard
(Marentette, Windsor, Ontario)

Fred was struck by a car and killed in 1994 while visiting Suffolk, England.




Evergreen Memorial Gardens
Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, USA

Middle Son: Martin Thomas 
(1935-1988)

A second son was born in 1935, Martin Thomas.


I know so very little about Martin Thomas if it were not for the California Death Index and the U.S. Social Security information. 


Martin died in San Francisco in 1988 at the age of 52. The San Francisco Main Library provides a free, five (5) per month, obituary search service. so I have made a request there. I will update this page if I am successful in obtaining Martin's obituary.

Photo of Frederick (the older child) and his brother Martin Thomas

Youngest Son William (Billy) Morkin

Billy with Gerald Moynahan and Federick Morkin (right)

Billy Morkin

Billy Morkin

The Morkin Family
1940 Detroit Michigan Census

15858 Snowden

In 1940, Martin Morkin and his family were living in Detroit, Michigan (15858 Snowden) where he was working as a credit manager for the Wholesale Oil Company

1940 Census: Detroit (Wayne County) Michigan
Martin (44 years old; born 1896) and Mabel (38 years old; born 1902) had three children:
  • Frederick ("Freddie") 9 years old (Born in Michigan; 6th of March 1931)
  • Thomas 5 years old (Born in Michigan; 1935)
  • Bill (William) 2 years old (Born in Michigan; 1938)

1940 Census: Detroit (Wayne County) Michigan
1942
WW II Draft Registration Cards 
for the Morkin Brothers





Left to Right: Thomas Morkin, Gerald Moynahan, Freddie Morkin, and
Billy Morkin in the front.
Mabel Morkin Dies 1945

Mabel Morkin died on the 19th of November 1945 at the age of 43. Her obituary is in the Windsor Star Nov 20, 1945, and it was not available in the google newspaper archives. Thankfully, a genealogist member of the Essex OGS went to the Windsor Public Library to get me a copy. (Thank you Shayne Dauson Lee Johnston-Trudell !)


Martin Morkin Dies 1951


Martin Patrick  Morkin (1895-1951)
Source: Births Ontario 1869-1910; Family Search

Mabel's husband Martin Morkin was born in London, Ontario the son of hotel keeper T.J. Mokin and Catherine Toohey. We know from his death certificate in Michigan that his father was Thomas J. Morkin and his mother was Catherine Toohy. He died suddenly in 1951.


In 1951, Martin's father T.J. was living in Toronto and his brother William was living in New York. Three sisters were also living in Toronto at the time of his death in 1951: Mrs. Jack Nopper, Mrs. Fred Stanbach and Stella Morkin.

The Morkins of London, Ontario
1901

In 1901. Mabel's husband Martin was living in London, Ontario with his parents and siblings. His father was a teacher.

Source Citation Year: 1901; Census Place: London (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 2, London (city/cité), Ontario;
Page: 20; Family No: 155
The 1901 census shows the following family members
  • Head: Thomas J. (born: 9 Dec 1860 )
  • Wife: Catherine (born: 3 Nov 1860 )
  • Daughter: Bella M. (born: 19 Sep 1887 )
  • Daughter: Cathleen E (born: 7 Feb 1889 )
  • Daughter: Josephine (born: 24 Aug 1890)
  • Son: Thomas W. (born: 2 Feb 1895) (census error?)
  • Son: Martin P (born: 9 May 1895)
Son Martin P. Morkin left London, Ontario to move to Detroit Michigan about 1916 based on the information below:



Source: "Vermont, St. Albans Canadian Border Crossings, 1895-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKQM-K6VJ : accessed 13 December 2015), Martin Morkin, 1895-1924; citing M1461, Soundex Index to Canadian Border Entries through the St. Albans, Vermont, District, 1895-1924, 279, NARA microfilm publications M1461, M1463, M1464, and M1465 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, publication year); FHL microfilm 1,473,079.

This blog post is dedicated to Mabel's youngest son Billy. Merry Christmas!

Links





The Ontario Numismatist