Dodds-Devlin-O'Neill

The Devlin line can, as yet, only be traced as far back as John and Mary Devlin, both born in Ireland in the early 19th century, (1811 and 1813 respectively). Not a lot is known about the Devlin’s prior to this, only what has been found on the census records of 1861 onwards when they migrated from Ireland to the UK and settled in the East Gateshead area around Low Fell.

It is difficult searching for genealogical information in Ireland as a whole due to the poor rate of survival of many Irish historical records. The destruction of the Public Records Office of Ireland in 1922 is the main cause of this although there are still some parish records, tithe books and Griffiths Valuations records etc. It is not known, as yet, which part of Ireland Mary and John came from, or the date of their marriage, although with continued research, hopefully more records and information will be eventually uncovered.

In the meantime, all is known is their year of birth, given on the 1861 census record. Other information from the record shows that the Devlin’s, when they first migrated to England, lived at Rhubarb Street in Low Fell. John Devlin, born in 1811, in Ireland, was listed as the head of the house and was aged 50 at the time of the census. His wife, Mary Devlin, born 1813, Ireland, was 48. Their oldest child, Daniel Devlin, was aged 25, Charles Devlin, 23, Patrick Devlin, 21, Sarah Devlin, 19, John Devlin, 16, Bernard Devlin, 14, Henry Devlin, 12, Patrick Devlin, 11 and the youngest, Mary Devlin, was 10.

John, Daniel, Charles Patrick and John jr’s occupations were listed as jobbing labourers, and they were the only workers of the household. Sarah is not listed as having an occupation, though she would have been 19 at the time.

Since the youngest child, Mary, was born in Ireland in 1851 and the family does not appear in any earlier records, it follows that the family probably migrated to England sometime between 1851 -1861.

Patrick Devlin and Catherine O'Neill

Patrick Devlin was born around 1840, though some records show different dates of birth, give or take a few years. Patrick married his first wife, Betty, sometime before 1870. Betty Devlin is listed as having been born in Ireland. The 1871 census records show them living at 1 South Street, Crooked Billet, West Hartlepool. Patrick’s occupation is listed as labourer. His age is given as 29, year of birth, 1842, and Betty’s as 37, born 1834. They had two children together, Thomas Devlin, born 1870, Durham, and Mary Devlin, born 1874, Durham.

The 1881 Census

The 1881 census shows Patrick living in Blaydon, having married Catherine O’Neill, with Patrick's children from his first wife: Thomas, now age 11, and Mary, now age 7. It can be surmised then that Betty must have died between 1874 and 1880, though no death record has yet been found for Betty. In this census, Patrick and Catherine’s address is listed as 26 Townley Street, Winlaton. His occupation is listed as labourer at an Iron works.

The 1891 Census

The 1891 Census sees the family living at 8 Patterson Street, Winlaton. Patrick’s year of birth is listed as 1851, making him 40 when the census was taken. They live here with Thomas, now age 20, occupation listed as Iron Moulder Apprentice. There is no mention of Mary, who would have been aged 17, so perhaps she married or was working away in service. They also have had children together by this time; living with them is Alice Mary Devlin, age 8, born 1883, Blaydon, Peter Devlin, age 6, born 1884, Blaydon, Henry Devlin, age 4, born 1886, Blaydon, and Barbara Devlin, age 1, born 1890.

The 1901 Census

The 1901 census shows Catherine, aged 39, as head of the household, living at 23 Robinson Street, Winlaton/Blaydon, with Alice Mary 19, Peter, 17, Henry, (Harry) 15, and three further children - Francis Devlin, age 10, born 1892, Blaydon, William Devlin, age 8, born 1893, Blaydon, and Catherine Devlin, age 2, born 1899, Elswick. Catherine’s occupation is given as ‘fishmonger’.

There are also 5 boarders, the 'Costello' family, in the household, so it can be assumed Catherine also took in lodgers to supplement the family income. Alice Mary is not listed as having an occupation, Peter’s occupation is ‘coal putter’, and Henry’s is ‘apprentice engine fitter’.

Neither Patrick nor Barbara are mentioned in the 1901 census. Barbara would have been aged 11. Research show that Barbara sadly died in infancy, in 1892, aged 2. The death notice in the local paper reads:

'Devlin – Blaydon, 8 Patterson Street, 23rd inst. aged 3 years. Barbara, beloved daughter of Patrick and Kate Devlin. Beloved by all.

It is not known what Barbara died of, but death in infancy was common at this time, as many childhood diseases, measles, glandular fever, TB, cholera etc. were fatal.

Patrick died in 1899. The notice in the paper reads:

'Devlin – 66 Gill Street, Benwell, September 18th. Patrick, the dearly beloved husband of Catherine Devlin. Interment at Elswick Cemetery, Wednesday 20th inst. Lift at 3.15. Friends accept this, the only intimation. Members of the Henry Clavering Lodge of Oddfellows kindly invited. R.I.P.'

Research of Patrick’s death certificate shows that he died of stomach cancer. As he died the same year as Catherine's birth it can be assumed that the onset of his illness was quite sudden and not protracted. His address is listed as 66 Gill Street, Benwell. The description and residence of 'informant' is listed as Peter Devlin; Patrick and Catherine’s eldest son. It can be surmised then, that the family lived in Benwell sometime between 1891 and 1899, as this is also where their youngest daughter, Catherine, was born, according to the 1911 census.

The 1911 Census

The 1911 census shows Catherine, still a widow, living in Blaydon, at 5 Cuthbert Street, age 49, occupation; ‘wardrobe dealer’. She is living here with son Harry, aged 25, occupation ‘coal hewer’, Frank, aged 18, occupation ‘coal miner putter’, William, aged 16, occ. ‘coal miner driver’, and Katie (Catherine) aged 13 – scholar. Also staying, or perhaps living with them at this time, was Catherine’s granddaughter, Veronica, (Vera) age 1, daughter of Alice Mary.

Catherine remarried in October 1914 to a Mr Grimley and moved to the North East coast, in the Cullercoats/Tynemouth area. She died in ???

Children of PATRICK DEVLIN and CATHERINE O’NEILL

ALICE MARY b.1883 Winlaton

PETER DEVLIN b.1884 Winlaton d. 1914 Great War.

HENRY DEVLIN b.1886 Winlaton

BARBARA DEVLIN b 1890 Winlaton d.1892

FRANCIS DEVLIN b, 1892 Winlaton

WILLIAM DEVLIN b.1893 Winlaton

CATHERINE DEVLIN b.1899 Benwell

The Devlins of Ireland