The Children of Timothy and Maria Murray Dillon

Robert Dillon wrote the following on the back of this photo:

           "As near as I can tell, this picture must have been taken in about 1899. Matthias Cuddy, the young man up in the rear, was born in 1877, so he looks the right age. Another photo in this set shows him wearing britches. This indicated, however, not that he was of school boy age, but that he and the two young ladies with big featherd hats were out cycling that day.
            The two mature ladies in the group were spinster aunts of Matt Cuddy, and Bill Dillon, in the derby, was Matt's uncle.
             Nora Dillon, one of the sisters of Bill, has her arms folded in this picture. She was born in 1858 and, being as she was a talented dressmaker in trade and in great demand, she would be modishly attired at any time. The 'leg of mutton sleeves', all the rage in the nineties, and her feathered ladies fedora hat, shown in another shot,can pretty accurately identify the time. See the fedora on the grass!
            Elizabeth Dillon, the other sister, was the baby of the family. Her job was sort of a kitchen slavey, stayed home all the time. She was born in 1866 and died in 1956.
             Another sister, Sarah, appears in none of these photos, so perhaps she was operating the camera. Sarah, whom I alway call "Aunt", not "Aunt Sarah", was the one who was the head of the household, in actuality! The nominal head of the household was their father Timothy, who must have been away that day. Timothy Dillon was born in 1811, when Napoleon was in his prime, and died in 1906, the year the radio tube was patented.
             Bill Dillon's hat seems more the style of ten years previously- I could be wrong about this! - But the sides of the brim seem to be rather tightly curled for 1899.
             These four, Bill, Elizabeth, Nora and Sarah, never married. The oldest sister Mary did. She was Matt's mother. And the other brother, John, married. He was my grandfather. If this is actually 1899, then their cousin Michael J. Dillon was just elected the first mayor of New Rochelle, N.Y.
            I dearly loved the four people, the brother and sisters. But none so much as "Aunt". She died in 1932, when I was 15 and a half, and I was much saddened.
            Tim's children: Mary, 1855-1914
                                     Sarah, 1856-1932
                                     Nora, 1858-1928
                                     Bill, 1859-1935
                                     John, 1861-1945
                                     Elizabeth, 1866-1956"

signed RWD

The Old Homestead home of Timothy Dillon and Maria Murray Dillon

 On the back of this photo, my father, Robert Dillon, had written the following:
                    
                        "The Old Homestead"- Pelham Road, New Rochelle, N.Y. This is the rear
                          view that looked out on the garden, boat yard, dock, outdoor privies and hen
                          house. "The Old Homestead" was the home of Frank Dillon's aunts & uncle.
                          He spent a great deal of time there, though he never lived there. This picture
                          shows the house in 1899. It had been rebuilt, or added to, by Valentine Doern,
                          carpenter contractor, in 1887 (see existing contract in Bob Dillon's possession).
                          House was sold to a stranger in mid-1940's."

I did not find the contract my father references in his notes.

Frank Murray's Civil War letter of 1861

Frank Murray’s letter of 1861, transcribed by Stevie Dillon Weimer with assistance from Laura Dillon Lawson…

Old Pint (point) Comfor (Comfort)
Saterday June the 15 1861

My Dear
Brother (brother-in-law) tim
as I promist you that wan (want) to write to you I now take my pen to do So// hoping fine (find) you and Marrah (Maria Murray, his sister) and the children are good heth (health) as this leves (leaves) me at this time// I would rite (write) to you Sooner only I could not get paper to do So//But now I have these as there was a Bar of tabacco and paper sent to us and I got more sent to me By Sister Sarahs man// tim (I) will tell you a littel about Soldiers life as I have not merited to Send you only old news about the fite (fight)// Well we are in compt (encamped) on old Pint Comfort within one mile of fortress monrun (Ft. Monroe)// there is abought (about) 13 thousand troops men here now// about seven thousand of them is in camps and the others is in the fortress// we are in campt in a field of oats// I never had one whtch (which, meaning one day that...) of my cloak off at nite// our grub is ruff but a nought (enough) of it to satisfy me// we had a brush with the enemy only last monday whtch I suppose you herd (heard) of it long ago// it lasted 3 oures (hours) and was anugley (an ugly) one// we had to march 40 miles on that day// we felt it as the Sun was verrey warm and had no water fit to drink and nothing but crackers// and Same (some) not that// I faired purtey (pretty) well as I was furst out to set fire to a rebel house that fire (fired, shot) at us on our journey// I gots one shot at him and then enterd his house// and I tell you tim I plade (played) thornton on his piano (must be some expression for wreaking havoc) with the but of my musket// and then tuck (took) one ham and a jare of quince preserves// then starting my fire and left// and now Brother Tim the drum is beating for drill// So I will be a good Boy for this time// will right (write) Soone and I will close (enclose) you more news in my next letter// give my respects to Marrah and family// to Celley and family// to James drought and family// Michael Murphey and family and to all you think fit// tim I want you to give my love to John dillon and family in purtickler (particular) and to go to see my mother when you can// this is all at this time from you loving Brother Frank Murry// direct old point Comfort virginia 5 regiment advance geurds Co. G

Frank Murray, Brother of Timothy Dillon's wife, Maria, killed in the Civil War

INFORMATION ON THE LIFE OF FRANK MURRAY, brother of Maria Murray Dillon, brother-in-law of Timothy Dillon…

 In the first few lines where he says "encamped on old Point Comfort within one mile of fortress Monroe." Fort Monroe is near Old Point Comfort and when you read the history of the 5th NY Regiment, this all matches up with the accounts in Civil war history. It is exciting to me to see Frank send his regards to all these family members that I've tracked down in genealogy research. Tim's sister, Margaret married a James Kelly (Celley?), James Drought was married to Bridget Dillon, another sibling; finally John Dillon is Tim's brother. I'm also glad to see that Frank mentions his mother. I wasn't sure if she had come to America. I know that her name was Ellen Whitfield Murray.

Frank Murray was Maria Dillon's younger brother. He lived in New Rochelle also. At the start of the Civil War, he joined the army in the 5th NY regiment. They were known as "Duryee's Zouave's". He became ill a few months after he joined and was in a field hospital for awhile. He was killed in a battle at Gaines Mills and Savages Station. This was a famous battle where over half of his regiment was wiped out by the Confederates. My dad (Bill Dillon) said that Maria tried to have his body sent home but she was told it was not possible. It must have been so sad for the family.

From an email from Laura Dillon  Lawson, November, 2011

Timothy Dillon 1811-1906 Obituary from the New Rochelle paper

·         Lived to be Ninety-Five

Timothy Dillon Peacefully Passes Away

Was the Oldest Inhabitant of New Rochelle

and His Heart Simply Wore Out.

Had More than One Hundred Relatives in this Vicinity

Big Funeral

Timothy Dillon is dead. He was the oldest inhabitant of New Rochelle and perhaps in Westchester County. He passed away at 10:25 Monday morning at his home in Pelham Road quietly and peacefully like a child going to sleep. He had been confined to his bed for just two weeks because the heart which had never ceased beating for 95 years was running down tired and worn out. That expresses the manner in which he died. He had lived to a good old age, his life had been one well spent and he was ready to go yet it was hard for his family to see his life gradually ebb away until the light went out.

Timothy Dillon was born in Birr, Parsonstown, Kings County, Ireland in December 1811 and was baptized on New Years Day 1812. He left Ireland March 17, 1846 and came to New York May 11, 1846 and came to New Rochelle on the following day. His brother John Dillon had preceded him here. He was accompanied by his Mother, Sister, his niece, now Mrs Kerwin and a dozen more relatives. His first employment was with the Coles family in Pelham and later was foreman for the Bartow’s gang; from there to Larchmont to work for EK Collins, president of the Collins Steamship Line. For many years he was gardener at Pelham Priory and also worked for Charles Roosevelt. He lived in the place where he died more than half a century. His ready Irish wit and kindly courteous manner made him a great favorite with all who knew him. His best friends included the families of his employers and neighbors, the Boltons, Roosevelts, Emmetts Keoghs and Schuylers.

When he first came to New Rochelle it was but a little hamlet and the reminiscence of half a century always proved an entertainment to his audience. He often walked to New York and later when the railroad was built as far as Williamsbridge he would walk to get a train to the city.

His wife, who died 15 years ago, was Maria Murray. They were married by Father O’Reilly, the priest in New Rochelle more than half a century ago. Mr. Dillon worked steadily until he was eighty and never knew what a sick day was. Twice since he suffered from pneumonia he was ill only about two weeks before his death. He insisted on working around the place. Only a few weeks before he sawed up a large quantity of wood including a number of locust posts which his son was reserving for future use. This task was remarkable for a man of his age. Two weeks ago he enjoyed an automobile ride with James Kerwin, Superintendent of New York Athletic Club. He went to Larchmont and was sorry when the trip was over.

He was a member of the Irish Benevolent Society, being the last of the founders and the Holy Name Society. He had voted the Democratic national ticket for fifty years but voted as he deemed best in local affairs, although never taking an active part in politics.

He is survived by four daughters, Misses Sara, Nora and Elizabeth Dillon, and Mrs. Michael Cuddy, sons William and John Dillon, one great grandchild, the son of Mr and Mrs. Patrick Cuddy. He had eight grandchildren. Mayor Michael J. Dillon was his nephew and in this vicinity more than 100 relatives.

The funeral was very large held at Church of Blessed Sacrament on Thursday morning . He was devout member of Blessed Sacrament Church. Requiem Mass was sung by Father McLoughlin with deacon Father Hughes subdeacon. A quartet sang “Lead Kindly Light” and “Nearer My Heart to Thee.” In his eulogy Father McLoughlin briefly spoke of his simple honest life of Mr. Dillon, which he said was an example which might well be followed by others. He had attained an age which few of the present generations were likely to reach because of the strenuous life now led.

The funeral was very large there being fifty coaches in the procession. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery New Rochelle.

Biographical Notes on Timothy Dillon by Robert Dillon, 1984

·         Stevie Dillon Weimer

My father, Uncle Bob, Frank and Augusta's first child, wrote this on the back of the picture of Timothy Dillon. It is long but interesting.

"All that remains of Tim Dillon's memory, that I possess, is a couple of documents and a portrait photo of him as he approached his 95th birthday (he didn't quite make it)* and snatches of family lore. Traditionally, he was christened on New Year's Day in 1812, so he must have been born in 1811, say December. When he left Ireland, he wept to leave his old donkey.

His father was a horse trainer who, having had troubles in one of the other counties in Ireland, re-settled in Kings County-Parsontown, to be exact- and married there. Tim arrived in New Rochelle in 1846. He lived there the rest of his life. His mother came over the water to America too, for she lies in an old cemetery on St. Joseph Street in New Rochelle. She warned Maria Murray, when she contemplated marriage with Tim, "Remember, Maria, Tim is not a young man!" They married in 1854.

The man did experience harshness from the Native American Party folks against the Catholic Irish immigrants to the extent that he was refused admittance to certain saloons in New Rochelle in the time before the Civil War. His younger brother wrote to him from Ireland, asking whether the lad should immigrate to America or Australia. Tim wrote in reply, "Go to Australia!" This may well have been during the time of the 'Know Nothings'.

He was an unskilled laborer, without profession or trade. I know he worked some on the railroad, for, one day, while at work, a comrade put a question to him in reference to his son Bill. Bill had travelled off to Chicago in 1879, and had been working for one of the big meat packers- Swift or Armour. The question put to him was, "How is your son making out? Have you heard from him?" Tim proceeded to give him the latest news of Bill, ending with "I guess he's all right." "Indeed, he must be all right," replied his friend," for isn't this himself walking up the tracks, now?" Bill returned, having tired of his work in Chicago. His job was turning on the kerosene lights in the packing house, filling the reservoirs, trimming the wicks, and polishing the glass chimneys. Bill was his (Timothy’s) elder son, born in 1859, and, apart from his immediate family, Dad loved Bill best among his relations. He was closer to his Uncle Bill than to his father, I think.

Mrs. Tim Dillon, Maria (pronounced MAR-EYE-UH) was a direct descendent of the renowned revivalist and impetuous Anglican priest, the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield (1714-1770), who, with the Wesleys, founded the Methodist Church in England. George Whitefield was in America on a visit in 1739 when he conducted a revival in Williamsburg, Virginia, in December of that year. It produced great excitement in the colony."

*This fact seems to be disputed by Timothy Dillon’s obituary.

written by Robert William Dillon, January 24th, 1984