FINIAN BROTHERHOOD CONNECTION
04/27/2010 Bruce Costello to Roy
"I recall a website for John Taylor that stated he was a 'Scottish Minister'.
Taylor is a common name in Scotland as in England. Nonethess, there may well be some Irish connection there.
One of the things either cousin Carrie or her husband Luke Humber told me was that ggm Caroline had an
Irish Grandfather and that he got in trouble in Canada for being an agent for the Irish during the Fenian
incident c. 1866/67. Thus the family had to leave Ontario and go to Michigan, and the Grandfather lost
his small steel mill. No way to verify this though. * I did get one thing hand-made by William Taylor;
a little wooden shelf, which I subsequently passed on to my niece Colleen as a family heirloom." -BC
Amazing how an overlooked email may yield a tip. There are [10] pages on Google about this incident. Look for John.
I think "Foundry" was mentioned about John Slimmon, Roy
The Fenian Raid and Battle of Ridgeway June 1-3, 1866
The above URL gives some background on Fenian. Following up on Bruce's tip, Roy is searching Fenian and John ...
Slemins or Slimmons
"...Although James Stephens proclaimed that Irish independence was more important than the forced restoration of the American Union
and should take precedence among Irish-born Americans, the Fenians were enthusiastic
about Irish participation in the war. They suppressed their desire to come to grips with Britain because they believed that
participation in the Civil War would season them for the great test to come with England...."
11/13/2011 8:56 PM
Bruce Costello to Roy
Good detective work. Did your source say where Isabella was born, or her father?
This links to the Arundel archivist. A phone and email address are provided;
http://www.arundelcastle.org/_pages/11_archives.htm
JAN 18, 2012, Roy finds this of great interest based on Bruce's memory. Here we have William Taylor, 'a grandson of an English
Gentleman' marrying a daughter of John, who many have been expelled from Canada for involvement
in "The Fenian Brotherhood", who was Irish.
Excerpt of E-Mail to relatives from Roy
"William [Stewart] Taylor's branch goes to England, which stops with his grandfather; George Taylor [of Bristol ENG].
William's wife goes to Ireland (Isabella) and I found Michael Coney's tree which had many family listed.
I never did find him or his connection. I believe Richard Taylor, father of John and William,
that his mother-in-law was possibly a Jane LESLIE Jones of Scottish Nobility [Possibly connected to the family in Leslie Castle].
It is said that William Taylor was born at the Arundel castle, while his mother was visiting family
after having been ex-communicated, and a relative of the then Duke of Norfolk, which were based near Bristol.
Caroline Taylor considered herself a Scotswoman, according to Bruce and Lorie's mother, Lil,
all posted online, and perhaps your relative, Jane TAYLOR Hearn did also.
I contacted the castle and they wanted more information. According to Mary Hearn,
William was born there before 1831, "William and his mother returned to Barbados in 1830 or 1831."
...redacted... MRS. TAYLOR -- her name may have been Jane --- is said to have been a big
hthe youngest was Wm. Taylor, my Grandfather. He is said to have been born in Arundel Castle,
the home of the Duke of Norfolk, where Mrs. Taylor [Jane] had gone on account of her health and not climate. .. . End excerpt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Norfolk_family_tree.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Norfolk
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/a/Mary-C-Hearn-Clinton/index.html
Just found info on Richard L. Hearn and an Alfred Hearn which matched a son.
December 04, 2011, Hot on the trail of the Slimmons family again having come across Bruce's comments.
The site below mentions a few and coorborates the mix up in the name.
This would explain why Sig and Hank were writing variations.
Forum talking about the name variations and people Roy will research [1]
http://www.houseofnames.com/sloman-coat-of-arms
12/07/2011: spoke to Hank Christopherson this morning. Notes on Barbados;
Taylors, Bridgetown, raised Surgar cane. Had many slaves and released them before to emancipation. He visited Bridgetown,
Barbados with a New York couple. Looked through the Phone Book, many descended worked for the Taylors. Visited Bridgetown for three days.
Twice in the Museum, where the bindings on the books were so old they were rotting away. In the book, many sent to Barbados had committed crimes,
Englishmen and Scots and their punishment was to serve as a White slave.
On Williams page is mention that he was born in Arundel Castle. Roy has yet to find proof, however, there are many indications that he
may have. He was born in England and the other siblings in Barbados.
Visit the new Christopherson.net Census page.
Here is a page on Arundel castle. At the bottom is mention of Sue who would undertake research for a donation (2nd link)
Would be cool to have her look up Jane Jones, or whomever was William Stuart taylor's mother to verify birth in the castle.
Alas, Roy has no funds for such a thing.
http://www.arundelmuseum.org.uk/family.html
http://www.arundelmuseum.org.uk/downloads/donationform.pdf
Gimli Community Cemetery
While Roy has no kin there "to his knowledge", since this is where Sigurdur 1st settler, posting the link for future reference.
Hold on, possibly Jonina Arason...
Roy to Matthew Christopherson...
Happy Saint Patrick's Day family and cousins,
You now have more reason to celebrate this day, since not only are
we about 50% Celtic (pronounced Keltic) from our Icelandic side via
Viking Age and before, but also only as far back as our 2nd Great
Grandmother Isabella Slimmons [a.k.a. Isabella Sleaman, Elizabeth,
Isabella Slemins], wife of William Taylor, and mother of Caroline
Taylor
A document by a Hearn (related by marriage) confirms all this,
"WILLIAM TAYLOR - married a young Irish woman named Slemins,
[Isabelle Slimmons] she had probably come out from Ireland during
the time of the famines; [C.W.= 'Canada West', Daughter? of John Slimmons]
she was young and bright and red headed.
Isabella said such things as "men are either cross or crazy".
End Page 4 of 6"
http://www.christopherson.net/genealogy/familytree/Taylor/TaylorWilliam.html
From what little information passed down within the family, it seems that Isabella was born in New York in 1835, this would mean her father had left Ireland before the 1840s.
Cousin Greg Keller posted this link to
the Potatoe Famine in Ireland, or as this website points out, the deliberate starvation of the Irish by the English. This webmaster has yet read over the link's content.
http://www.irishholocaust.org/britain%27scoverup
Looking over IMG_3677 Taylor Family Tree, Roy spots Wm. Taylor married ? Slemins. SLEMINS
Chief Constable Charles SLEMIN of the Brantford Police Force . Relation?
Fenian Brotherhood Commemoration
Politics.ie
Press Release
You are invited to attend a commemoration in honour of the founder of the Fenian Brotherhood, John O’Mahony, which will take place on the 28th May 2006 at 2pm by his grave in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin.
Click photo to view - image from >>here
The commemoration is organised to coincide with the 130th anniversary of the first Fenian Raids on Canada in which several Irish patriots died for the cause of Irish freedom. It will also recall all the members of the Fenian Brotherhood, Irish Republican Brotherhood and Clan na nGael who died in the many actions in Ireland and England in their fight against English Crown Forces. The main speaker of the day will be Tommy McKearney, a former IRA Hunger-striker who will give an oration on the brutal prison conditions that Fenians had to endure under English rule. Several noted Fenian leaders died from the severity of the conditions imposed, while others were murdered in their cells after long incarcerations. Amongst those killed were the famous Edward Duffy, the young Fenian martyr James Cody, William Meagher, Richard J. Stowell along with Fenian commanders John Lynch and Brian Dillion from Cork, to mention a few. The commemoration will also remembers Fenians such as Captain Mackey as well as his brother and also John Fleming who died trying to blow up London Bridge, along with Stephen O’Donoghue and Thomas Farrell who died fighting near Tallagh during the Fenian Rising. John O’Mahony who had taken part in the 1848 Rising along with John Mitchel and James Stephens, was exiled first to France and then to the US. He founded the Fenian Brotherhood in 1860 with the object of freeing Ireland; naming it after the army of the great heroic cycle of Finn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna. He became a Colonel in the 69th Regiment during the American Civil War and during that period expanded the Fenian Brotherhood in the US to over a 100,000 men. With the failure of the Irish Republican Brotherhood to rise in 1865, O’Mahony helped organise the first Fenian invasion into Canada in an attempt to provoke the English into war with the US. He eventually died the following year in 1897 and his body was returned home to Ireland to be buried in Glasnevin. While the most famous Fenians of the period were the Manchester martyrs, whose song ‘God Save Ireland’ was the Irish national anthem till the writing of Amhran na bhFíann, there were hundreds of other Fenians such as Thomas Clarke, Charles J. Kickham, O’Donavan Rossa etc, who were the inspirational force that kept the Fenian spirit alive for another generation, eventually helping to inspire the 1916 rising. A booklet of 33 rare Fenian poems/ballads, written by martyrs such as Brian Dillion, Charles J. Kickham and O’Donavan Rossa is available to purchase as part of the fundraising for the commemoration and can be attained for €5. Look forward to seeing you there on the day.
Organised by Craobh Gál Gréine
Irish Cultural Society
craobhgalgreine@yahoo.ie
Source: http://fenian32.blogspot.com/2006_04_23_archive.html
The Irish Republican Brotherhood, 1882-1907
Young Irelander Rebellion of 1848. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Irelander_Rebellion_of_1848
Roy has not found any connection to the Fenians. Also Bruce said Agent, so possible he left before being murdered by the British, clad in irons then killed off, or high enough in the Fenians to become publicized.
Roy has found another Captain.
Capt. William Taylor was born (date unknown).
Spouse: Elizabeth Hamilton. Elizabeth Hamilton and Capt. William Taylor were married . Children were: Hannah Taylor, Catharine Taylor, Dorcas Taylor, Mary Ellen Taylor, Margaret Jane Taylor, George W. Taylor, William H. Taylor.
A cartoon from 1887 by John Fergus O'Hea - Weekly Freeman, July 1887 to mark the occasion of Queen Victoria's golden jubilee. After eighty seven years since the Act of Union, Ireland was said to be "distracted, disloyal and impoverished." ."
JUNE 22, 2012
Roy had the following under Caroline Taylor's data file which he rediscovered while looking at her sisters connection to the Hearn family.
Roy is now unable to locate this record.
this might be a lead
Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s
Name: Susan Slimmons
Event: Married
Province: Ontario
County: Frontenac
Place: Kingston
Source: William D. Reid, Marriage Notices of Ontario, Hunterdon House, Lambertville, NJ, 1980.
Volume_Page: 210
Note: The province and county are associated with the location of the record source and in some cases may not be the same as the place where the event occured.
Source Information:
Genealogical Research Library, Ontario, Canada. Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.
Original data: Compiled from various family history sources. See source information provided with each entry.
From Bruce Costello 06/24/2011
I know from my own surname "Costello" that Irish names often have unusual origins and many variations in spelling.
For example, in Ireland one finds "Costello2, MacCostello, O'Costello, Castillo" and so on.
Here's what I found after a brief search on the name Slimmons:
(Surname database: URL - http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Slimmon
This most interesting and unusual surname has two possible derivations. Firstly, it may be of Old Scandinavian origin, from the Old Norse "slaegr", Middle English "sligh", skilful, clever,
cunning, expert, and was most probably a nickname denoting someone who was cunning or crafty, with the Olde English suffix "mann", man, hence "slighman", a crafty man. Secondly,
the surname may be of early medieval English origin, from the Middle English "sleze, sleye, slay(e)", an instrument used in weaving to beat up the weft, a weaver's reed or shuttle, and
the suffix "mann", and may have been an occupational name for a maker or user of the instrument. Hence, the surname is a variant of a name deriving from either of these two sources.
Other surnames from this source include Sleemmonds, Sliman, Slimming, Slimmon, Sleeman, Slyman, and Slemming. The surname first appears in the late 13th Century (see below),
while Auicia Scleyman is recorded in 1327 in the Subsidy Rolls of Cornwall. One Thomas Sleman, of St. Hillary, aged 18 yrs., was one of the early settlers in St. Christopher's, the Barbadoes,
having embarked from Plymouth in March 1633. John Slyman married Elnor Stenlake on January 20th 1553 at Modbury in Devonshire, while Anna Slimon, daughter of John and Ann Slimon
was christened on April 24th 1703 at St. George's, Shillingford in Devonshire. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas Sleman, which was dated 1277,
in the "Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield", Yorkshire, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as "The Hammer of the Scots", 1272 - 1307. Surnames became necessary when
governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Slimmon#ixzz1Q3QCKp7H
Best;
BC
Another name which for some reason sticks out at Roy during searches is Ms. Hanna Hoiles. Not sure why.
Aug 1, 2012
Researching Isabella's Father, John Slimmons or Sleaman
Finians
both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century.
named the American wing of the movement after the Fianna
Fianna (singular fian) in English Finn McCool, were small, semi-independent warrior bands in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology, most notably in the stories of the Fenian Cycle, where they are led by Fionn mac Cumhaill.
War cry and mottos The Diord Fionn was the war-cry of the Fianna
Search: "William Slimmons" and fenian and ireland -simmons
"John Slimmons" and fenian and ireland -simmons
John Slimmon and fenian -salmon
No Hits
William SLEMAN and fenian -salmon: lots of hits now are any a match? NO MATCH
John SLEMAN and Isabella and fenian -salmon
M a y,1 2 19 3 6
A banquet win be held tomorrow
night la Drummond Hill Presbyterian church ball given by the Young
Women's sectional of the Niagara district Presbyterlal church. The speakers will be Miss Armstrong, president
of the Hamilton Presbyterlal. Mrs.
John Taylor, Young Women's secretary for the Hamilton Presbyteral and
Mrs. Daniel Strachan, of Toronto,
treasurer of the Women's Missionary
society.
Seems one in the family was named Armstrong. Believe it was a married name, not maiden. Delete upon confirmation.
Interesting, in ...thfs redacted...has William, not John as the father of Isabella
FENIAN DEMONSTRATION.
Yesterday, in Cork, at the funeral of Mr.
James Mountain, who is supposed to have been
prominent in the Fenian organization, » procession ot over 8,000 men and women followed the
remains to the cemetery. Mr. Mountain formerly resided in the United States, and was a delegate to the Fenian Convention in Chicago in November, 1868.
source: New York NY Evening Express 1868-1869 - Old Fulton History
Related?
Name: SLIMMONS, W
Age: 39 Date of Arrival (YYYY/MM/DD) : 1898/05/06
Port of Arrival: Quebec, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec
Ship: PARISIAN
Reference: RG 76 Microfilm: C-4541 .
View Image
View Section of Image at christopherson.net
Search: John SLEMAN and Isabelle and fenian -salmon
Just downloaded
To the Fenian Brotherhood of America of icial Report of the Investigating Committee of the Department of Manhattan, Fenian Brotherhood
First term searched on
"CAMPO BELLO" FIZZLE
Title: Troublous Times in Canada A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870
EXCERPT: "...For some time previous to the year 1865 the leader of the revolutionary movement in Ireland was James Stephens. He was a man of considerable
influence among his compatriots, possessed of good executive ability, and had great capacity for organization along revolutionary lines. Being an energetic worker
and a forcible speaker, he quickly enlisted the cooperation of other "patriots" in promoting the establishment of the Fenian Brotherhood, of which he was chosen
the "Head Centre" for Ireland...."
Where was Isabella's father during the period of the Fenian Raids?
"Between 1866 and 1870, the Fenians launched attacks in New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario. Most of these were successfully repulsed by combinations of
British regular troops and Canadian militia, except for the Battle of Ridgeway in 1866 on the Niagara frontier where General John O’Neill, civil war veteran,
staged a successful two-day operation. He then withdrew to Buffalo, having served his goal of undermining Canadian military defences and self-confidence.
This same O’Neill turned up in 1871 in Pembina as a supporter of W. B. O’Donoghue...."
"...After the war [American Civil War] finished in 1864, many of these experienced veterans [Irish immigrant men] were unemployed...."
"...In the United States, the Irish Fenians were perceived as heroes pursuing a republican dream for their homeland...."
"...The British Government (when dealing with Fenian activities in Ireland and England), and consequently the Canadian Government, considered them traitors, even though they were naturalized Americans and no longer British, and many were charged with treason...."
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/mb_history/39/unequaljustice.shtml
We have 1866 to 1871 above for Raids that might have lead to Isabella's father having his Foundry taken for involvment with the Fenians, and leaving for USA. She was born in NY,
that would have given him a wider knowledge and connections. He was Irish, which supports the family stories of Fenian connection.
In 1866, Isabella would have been 31, she died at 30 and married with 5 young girls.
For idea of what products this Foundry might have made, visit this page of another
foundry in Kingston.
Excerpts from the Book "The Fenian Brotherhood Of America OFFICAL REPORT Of The INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Of The DEPARTMENT OF MANHATTAN, FENIAN BROTHERHOOD"
published by Forgotten Books.org
Debacle of Campo Bello Island
(Page56 - 57*)
STATEENT OF CAFT. COLSON, amER OF THE SCHOONER HAl-EDTHE
"TWO FRIENDS" USED AT EASTPORT, AND EVENTUALLY SCUTTLED.
I was employed by B. D. Killian to be ready at all times to transport, men, arms, "c., and for which I was to receive $10per day. This pay for the use of my
schooner, one. man and myself. I was paid up to the 18th of April. Then 1^. Killian left and I received orders at headquarters from Mr. P. A. Sinnott and others to
continue and be prepared to transport some men and provisions to Lubeck. I got ready, and on the night of April 22d, fifty to sixty men came down the wharf with
several cases of muskets. When I saw this I Jumpedon the wharf and refused to go.
At this time it was a dead calm. A pistol was put to my head, and I was forced on board.
The men put the muskets, provisions,"c., on board, then ordered me to steer for the island of Campo Bello. I endeavored to comply, but there being no wind we
drifted towards the British fleet, at anchor a few miles below. The men kept below and remained very quiet. We drifted past the British fleet, but so close to them
that the watch on deck could look down on us and see everything on the deck of my schooner. This was a trying moment for the brave men below, and, although my
schooner was forced into this service, I made up my mind to sink with them before I would be captured by the English fleet. After we had drifted past, I observed more
English vessels a distance below. Not wishing to run any unnecessary risk, I went below and consulted with the men. They concluded that it was best to get over into
American waters. I got one of the men on deck, and we used three sweeps and pulled
until we got out of British waters.
We then ran to Allan's Island. The men sulted conamong each other and they determined to capture Campo Bellofif every man
should lose his life in the attempt. We then sailed from Allan's Island with a fair wind, but was soon apprised that the English war boats were in pursuit of us.
We then strained every nerve to keep ahead, but they gained on us rapidly. After we had rounded a point of land we saw a large schooner under full sail coming up the
bay. The men ordered me to lay along side of her. I did so. They sprang on board.
revolvers in hand,,and captured the schooner. I then asked them to let me depart, but I was told to get on board the large schooner, I refused. A
pistol was put to my breast. I had to obey.
Some men went on board of my schooner and sunk her, I could not tell why they sunk her but afterwards I saw it was to deceive the British
boats in pursuit of U3, for they passed us and hailed the man at the wheel and asked if he saw a small schooner going towards Campo Bello. He
said yes; she had Just rounded a point of land two miles below. They passed on; we put on all canvas and made for the American side, where we
arrived safe, saving arms, provisions, "c. My statement will be vouched for by all the men, I worked 13 days at $10 per day, forwhich I received but
$20 leaving $110 due me at present. I lost my schooner, which cost me $500,which was every dollar I was worth in the world.
I am now without a dollar to pay my way home, nor have I anything to support my family. I now come to you, asking you to consider my embarrassment
and remunerate me for the loss of my vessel.
(Signed)
GAFT. COLSON,
Owner of the Schooner,"Two Friends,"
New York Irish Republic (Fenian Brotherhood) as found in the April 1866...Fenian headquarters (Moffatt Mansion) Union Square, New York PG 22
"THE REPORT.
At the Convention of the Fenian Brotherhood of the Department of Kanhatten represented by the officers of 132 circles of the said Department, held at their Hall,
8U Broadway, April 29, 1866."
(Ten men were chosen as a committee to investigate the Jenian Government at Moffat Mansion on Union Square. The ten men
gave the following report.)
:
"Brothers your Committe appointed to examine into the affairs of the F. B,, as conducted at Headqiiarters, 32 East 17th street, would most respectfullyreport, that
after a diligent inquiry and searching investigation, they find that the general
(page 48)
administration of affairs has been conducted in a most reckless and criminal manner."
"I never heard of the Campo Bello movement until it took place. The Campo Bello or any other Canadian movements
were not discussed or alluded to at the Military Convention of which I was the chairman, % plan was to dispatch one vessel
to the north, commanded by myself, to the north of Ireland, and the H. C. was to go to another point in Ireland
in a second vessel both to be supplied with plenty of arms.
" (GeneralMullen new talks about the Central Council)"
"I sent a requisition for $39,000? to carry out this plan, but I never heard from it again. 'Mr. Killian tried to be Secretary
of War as well as Secretary of the Treasury. '
The Central Council also tried their hands at military matters. I then sent in my resignation as Secretary of War
of the F. B.." --General Mullen then presented to the Committee a copy of his letter of resignation." PG 6 The book appears to be a collection of documents
You are invited to attend a commemoration in honour of the founder of the Fenian Brotherhood, John O’Mahony, which will take place on the 28th May 2006 at 2pm by his grave in Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin. 
