It was believed that the Durney family came from Garryduff, near Piltown, Kilkenny.
Bridget Durney married Michael Power, son of James L. Power and Mary Gaul. Came to Jersey County about 1850 and lived on the "Snell Property" 5 miles east of Jerseyville. Children John, James ("Shug",) Mary Ann, and William.
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There was a Bridget Durney baptized on April 7, 1822, in Garryduff, Templeorum Catholic Parish. Her parents were Daniel Durney and Anna Walsh.
Obituary: Jersey Republican 2 Feb 1905-
"Mrs. Bridget Powers, 84 years old, died at home of her son, James Powers, in English Township. Funeral St. Francis Church. Rev. Lee. Leaves two sons, James and John. (This would put Bridget's birth about 1821-1822.)
Bridget Durney married Michael Power on June 8, 1858, in Jersey County.
1860 census: Michael Powers, age 30 (born 1830) laborer with 2000 in real estate and 300 in personal property, born Ireland. Bridget, age 30, born Ireland. (putting her birth as 1830) son John 1 month. James Powers age 62, born Ireland. John Powers 33, Bridget Powers 19, all born Ireland, and James Durney 25, a farmer with 550 real estate value, also born Ireland.
So, according to this, Bridget's brother James Durney, age 25, born about 1835, was living with the Powers family in 1860.
1870 census: Michael Powers age 40 (born 1830), farmer with 8300 real estate value, 850 personal property, Bridget age 40 (born 1830) children all born Illinois- John 10, James 8, Mary 6, William 3, James Powers 76 (cannot read or write) Mary Ann died in 1874 at age 10.
April 7, 1880- Michael Powers wrote his will, leaving his real estate to Bridget Durney Powers, requesting that she continue farming and providing for his children, and dividing the farm between Bridget and his sons when they reached age 21.
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| Tomb of Bridget Durney Powers and Michael Powers at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Jerseyville |
May 20, 1880- Michael died and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. His headstone states that he was was 53 years old (born 1827) and was born in Glenmore Parish, Kilkenny, (townland hard to read- Ki??ollin?- Glenmore Catholic Parish is in Kilcolumb civil parish.
1880 census- Bridget Durney Powers was 54 (born 1826) living with her children John 20, James 18, and William 14. Her father in law James Power was 91, and her brother-in-law John Power 57 was living with them as well as her niece, Mary Durney, age 23, (born 1857) listed as born in Ireland.
Another mystery...
Which of Bridget Durney Power's siblings was Mary Durney's parent? This Mary is surely the one who married John Power. The 1900 census shows her born in 1862 in Ireland and immigrating in 1880. Since she was living with Bridget in 1880, did she come without her parents?
There was a Mary Durney baptized on February 17, 1857 in Garryduff in Templeorum Parish. Her parents were Thomas Durney and Mary Morahan. Margaret Durney was one of her baptismal sponsors.
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September 11, 1882- James L. Power died and was buried at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. His tombstone reads " James Power, native Kilkenny, Ireland, born July 25, 1790, died Sept 11, 1882, age 92 years. James' wife, Mary Gaul, does not show on any records in Jersey County; she must have died before the 1860 census.
February 4, 1888- Son William Power died at age 21, buried St. Francis.
Son John Power married Mary Durney (born February 1862 Ireland) Mary would die in 1913, but John did not die until 1951. Daughters Mary Ann Power died in 1986 and Bridget "Birdie" Power died in 1986. All are buried at St Francis.
In 1900 and 1910 they were living in East St. Louis.
According to her obituary, Bridget Durney Power was living with her son, James Power, in Jersey County, at the time of her death in 1905. She was listed as 67 years old, born in 1833, the mother of 5 children, only 2 living. The census shows that she immigrated in 1855. Also living in the household is John Powers, age 87, the brother of her husband Michael Powers. James Power and his wife Amelia have 7 children.
They are living next to Lawrence Powers, age 80 and his wife Rebecca (Quinn) age 70.
