Dairy of James Burke-Gaffney

.... detail to be added ...

Mothers sister, Aunt Helen, married her first cousin, Walter Burke, an uncle of Joe Burke of Alabama. They had four daughters, I believe.  I only slightly remember one of them, Mary, who visited us when I was a very small boy. We younger ones had an idea that brother Tom was very much in love with this cousin, but on account of the too-close kinship, her parents being first cousins, neither of the families would consent to any closer ties between them. Uncle Walter was in the British Navy and became paymaster-in-chief of the Navy and ranking senior Admiral before he died, at some years over ninety. He lived in Plymouth, England, the latter part of his life. Cousin Mary married an Englishman, an officer in the Army, I do not remember his name. He became Catholic before marriage on account of a most fortunate escape from death by a bullet striking a medal of the Immaculate Conception, which Mary had sewn inside the lining of his uniform coat, together with an Agnus Dei, before he left with his regiment for India. They were engaged to be married at the time. On his return the wedding took place. Brother Tom and sister Mary were best man and bridesmaid respectively. It was said after the reception was over and the happy pair were leaving on their bridal tour the Groom put his head out of the carriage and said to Tom: "Pray for me, dear fellow". Tom, probably not too happy on seeing his loved Cousin leaving, the bride of another said, "Oh, go to the "-------------". The groom was so shocked he pulled in his head too suddenly and banged it against the top of the carriage door. 

I have never learned of the fate of my other cousins of this family. Mother's other sister Maria married a Mr. McGowan, an assistant of Father's. They had but two children, John and Amelia, who were left: orphans early in life, and were reared in our family, but before my time. I cannot now recollect what became of them. I have an idea that John turned out a wild young man, and had to leave our home, fearing the bad example he might give my brothers. Mothers sister Louise married a Mr. Gavagan, another of Fathers assistants, and left an only child, a son. He too was left an orphan, entered the British Army in early life and rose to high rank for special bravery.  He was living when I last heard of him through his brother John. John did not seem to think much of him because he designated him a "cad" notwithstanding his distinction in Army rank.

Before leaving the members of Mother's family I must mention a characteristic of our Grandfather Burke who I am sure has brought untold blessing on his children and children's children, no doubt. If the sins of parent are visited on their children for generations, why should not their virtue be rewarded in kind?

 John Burke of Bekan and his good wife were a very pious couple. Grandfather died early leaving six young children, Mother being the youngest and little more than a baby. Grandfather much desired that one of his sons, preferably Joseph, would enter holy orders.  Neither of the boys having any vocation for the priesthood, it struck him that a right young man, a son of one of his tenants, might make a good priest, as he had known him in his youth. He had him educated accordingly and had the happiness to see him ordained. This inspired him to educate others until he had several young men at College, sometimes two or three together, all sons of his tenantry, and he lived t.o a ripe old age. He always insisted that these young men should live as members of his fami1y during their vacation days while going through college. My Mother being the youngest of the family and the most cherished by her father, became the pet of these young students and ever after her dearest friends throughout life. Year after year they made pilgrimages, as it were, to our home and mother was a younger sister to them through life.

After I came to America I was introduced to an old priest, a Father 0'Toole, at a friend's house in Brooklyn, N.Y. After looking at me earnestly a few moments he said: "Gaffney -- Gaffney" as if recalling a forgotten name. He then said, "For Gods sake, young man, can you say you are the son of Bee Burke of Bekan, I know you are, for you are an ugly picture of her" and by that time he had me folded to his bosom, and actually cried as he told me he was one of the early beneficiaries of my grandfather's bounty and had spent several summers in his house while studying for the ministry.

Chapter 6

This dear old soul was then in his declining years and was chaplain of a convent in Brooklyn where he died shortly afterwards. In the meantime we exchanged visits several times a week, and my dear brother was then living and I had to send many kind messages from one to the other every time I wrote home and received letters from there. How many mementos must not these good priests have offered for my grandfather and his family. My Mother I feel had a good share in their prayers. My Grandparents, Burke, are buried under the sacristy of the Church of Ballyhaurn's in the county of Mayo, in a vault closed by an iron door with steps leading down to it.

Now I hope to be more definite as to the immediate members of my family -- brothers, and sisters. Mary being the oldest must take precedence. She was considered very bright from her earliest childhood, being the first, of course, had received most attention. She was a pet of Daniel O'Connell, the Great Father Matthews, the Apostle of Temperance, the Patriot William Smith O'Brian, a brother-in-law of my father's by his first marriage - John Blake Dillon of "Young Irelander" fame a relative of my Mother's - and father of the present John Dillon, the Irish Nationalist - and many others of that bright circle of young men of the times. My father being in a high government position never took any active part in opposition to the Crown, as he always held he was a servant of the Kingdom of Ireland - as an Irishman loving his own country and serving her interest to the best of his ability. Never the less he was the friend indeed of many of these young patriots who loved their country if not wisely - certainly only but too well for their own personal interests. From our home John Dillon escaped to France disguised as a priest. It was nothing unusual to have priests visit our house, as I mentioned before, as so many had known my mother from her childhood and girlhood days. Dillon remained some days in the garb of the clergy, and was smuggled off from our summer home on the Island of Ross-beg in the harbour of Westport in a fishing boat across to France.

I can remember William Smith O'Brian, before referred to, after his return from Van Dieman's Island in far-off Australia where he had been exiled for the part he took in the little insurrection of 1848. On his return, he visited our home. Josephine, Walter and I were the youngsters then, when we were brought in, I suppose dressed in our best for the occasion. We had pockets in our dresses of which we were very proud. Father said they should have something put in them for good luck and accordingly put some pennies in Josephine's and Walter's pockets. Telling me to open mine he took a fire shovel –  they had been sitting around the hearth - and poured some ashes into my pockets. Tears filled my eyes with disappointment, and immediately, Uncle O'Brian, as we called him, took me on his lap, emptied the ashes out and put a handful of silver and pennies in greatly to my joy and complete satisfaction of the injury done my feelings previously, I am sure this memory of O'Brian fixed him indelibly my mind as otherwise I might have no recollection of him.

I have wandered off a long way from sister Mary.  She grew up a very talented young lady, accomplished in languages and music, especially. For a few years, to about her twenty-second year, she was in delicate health and it was feared she was threatened with consumption - so prevalent in Ireland then. She was sent to visit our relatives in the South of England for a while and returned in good health. She became engaged to brilliant young Irishmen who had spent a few years in America, and returning went to France where he became the private secretary of one of the great Rothschild Bankers of European fame. He was afterwards made manager one of their banks and became very wealthy.  Redmond Mannion was his name; he had only his mother and one sister, Marion.  His mother died during the period of their engagement in the Spring; their marriage was fixed for the latter part of October, and in the intervening summer Marion and Mary visited him in France, where they were entertained most hospitably by members of the Rothschild family.  Mannion died after a short illness of pneumonia early in October leaving his estate equally divided between his sister and fiance.  Marion soon followed him, and she left her half to Mary.