Numbers in prefixed with ‘A’ are an individual’s ‘GRAMPS’ database identification reference.
Mary Maddock [A0423] was the daughter of James Molyneux Maddock and Annie O’Dowd. Laura Maddock [A0400] married Harry Davies Jnr [A0300] who was our maternal Grandfather. Annie O’Dowd’s father, Edward O’Dowd [A0656] can be traced fairly accurately from his birth in 1865 to his demise in 1949.
See Families in GRAMPS: F0215 F0443 F0461 F0487
Chemical Labourer, Dock Yard Worker, Railway Station Clerk.
This was the time when Brunner Mond was established in Northwich and other areas of Cheshire. It would become one of the largest employers and manufacturer of chemical and related products in the World. See link below.
Edward travelled to the United States as did other members of the O’Dowd family. During his time in England he is recorded in census record as a “Alkali Labourer” and “Chemical Labourer” as are various other people in this research.
Brian Maddock has provided much information on this family as Edward was his Grandfather. A cousin of Brian’s in Australia has also been helpful in filling in gaps in the research.
Patrick is believed to have married a lady called Anne Johnstone [A0967] in 1862 following which they had three children, Mary Ellen[A0968], Edward[A0656] and James[A0969]. Anne’s parents were Edward Johnstone [A1142] and Anne White [A1143]. ‘Patrick Dowd son of Roger Dowd
Marries Ann Johnstone son of Edward Johnstone on 20th October 1862 in Northwich, Cheshire.’
The birth certificates for Edward and James O’Dowd show a father Patrick and a Mother called Anne Johnstone/Johnson.
Edwards’ certificate (1865) states a birth in Leftwich (Northwich) and fathers’ occupation as Railway Labourer.
James’ certificate (1867) states a birth also in Leftwich and a fathers’ occupation of Salt Labourer.
If James was born on 31st December 1867 then his father Patrick was, according to my research and other sources, in the United States, having sailed there on 18th February 1867 on the SS Chicago.
Patrick spent many years in the United States and returned to England occasionally, but is thought to have died 1829 in Sheridan, Wyoming U.S.A.
Folklore has it that is wife Anne travelled to America to find him, she could not, so he was declared dead and she married a man called Higgins and settled in America. It would appear though, that Patrick was still around!
A marriage certificate for Mary Ellen to a James McCormack states her father as being Patrick O’Dowd, farm labourer. The village of Comberbach where Mary Ellen was living at the time fits in with other information.
If we put in the next bit of information, namely a record of a Marriage:
On a marriage of Ann O’Dowd [A0967] to John Higgins [A0981]on 29th January 1881 witnesses are: Thomas Wilson of Comberbach and Maria Helena O’Dowd of Comberbach.
John Higgins’ father is Thomas Higgins [A1199] and Anne (Johnstone)O’Dowd [A0967] is the daughter of Edward Johnstone.
The O’Dowd story has proved to be a challenge and we are most grateful to all who have assisted with this interesting story.
There is a record in the 1939 register at 40 Jubilee Street Northwich for Agnes, Edward, Mary & Sara O’Dowd.
Acknowledgements: Brian Maddock, Sue Byrne, Chris O’Dowd
Brian Maddock has written a book about his life in Northwich and elsewhere. Brian Maddock – Condate