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Photo Album: Cummings Coalminers

By Brendán Cummings, Contributor
October / November 2004

October 1, 2004 by 4 Comments

1890: Jackson’s Patch, Pennsylvania.

℘℘℘

In this picture, Patrick Cummings of Loan in Clogh parish near Castlecomer in County Kilkenny sits with his wife Margaret Crennan, also of Loan, on the front porch of their house in Jackson’s Patch surrounded by their sons. Areas of settlement near the mining shafts were called ‘patches’ and Jackson’s was near the Maple Hill Mine, not far from Mahanoy City in the coalmining region of Pennsylvania. The photo was taken in 1890, not long after the labor unrest and violence of the Molly Maguire period had begun to subside.

The four sons behind are, from left to right: Lawrence, William, John, and Phillip. John, a member of the Pioneer Temperance Corp., was later killed in a mining accident by the fall of top rock. Lawrence and William worked the mines as well, but Phillip became a tailor. Their home was used to celebrate Mass prior to the completion of St. Canicus in Mahanoy City, which was named after the Irish saint from Kilkenny (Cill Canice).

Patrick came to Pennsylvania with his wife in 1860, following his brother and sister, Phillip and Brigid, who emigrated in 1854. Phillip moved to Richmond Furnace in Massachusetts and became a farmer. Phillip is my great-great-great-grandfather. ♦

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Elaine says

    February 5, 2019 at 3:35 am

    Hi Brendan
    Do you have any more info about Margaret Crennan who married Patrick. Her parents, siblings etc.
    Thank you
    There was a group of Crennans who also settled in Pennsylvania – famine emigrants

    Reply
  2. Catherine Gladney-Gross says

    March 1, 2022 at 8:08 pm

    My great grandparents emigrated from Ireland to Jackson’s Patch Mahoney City. My great grandparents were Andrew Louis Brennan (b1832 Ireland d 1881 Jackson’s Patch) and Mary Brennan (Keating) b 1832 Ireland d 1882 Jackson Patch) Grandfather Louis A Brennan b 1869 Jackson Patch d 1943 Riverton NJ

    great grandmother Catherine Toohey b 1855 Jackson Patch ? d 1926 Riverton, NJ
    She was briefly married to John Mac Lyndon (spelling), but he died in a coal mining accident Grandmother Mary Catherine McLyndon Brennan (she married Louis) b 1876 Jackson Patch d 1957 Cinnaminson, NJ

    Is there a way to find out about coal mine deaths?

    Reply
    • Rick Porvaznik says

      November 26, 2023 at 11:16 am

      You could try ancestry.com for info

      Reply
  3. Rick Porvaznik says

    November 26, 2023 at 11:15 am

    My .Mother’s (Jean McHugh) Grandfather Christian Schlemmer lived in Jackson’s Patch. If anyone one
    has information of her or the Schlemmer’s please let me know at rickporvaznik@gmail.com

    Reply

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