Call it a clan, call it a network,
call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it,
whoever you are,
you need one.”
– Jane Howard.

So many years have passed since I started looking into the lives of my ancestors, not once did I ever think I would actually be able to trace my Irish roots, let alone be able to share their stories.
There were two main reasons to why I started looking into my family history.
The first was to try and learn more about my Dads family.
I knew so very little about them, in truth I knew Jack diddly squat about his family and my dads childhood. (Sadly I still feel I don’t know much about his early life, I wholeheartedly wish I knew more.)
With my dad gaining his angel wings way too young, I was left with this emptiness and a gut wrenching feeling of loss, not just for Dad but the knowledge he would have shared throughout our lives.
I also felt dread that I had left it to late, as well as this overwhelming longing, to connect with his family, his heritage and the understanding that comes with the blessings of knowing the lost souls, whom gave my darling dad life, who’s personality’s and life skills were embedded in his dna and mine also.

The second reason was to learn all about my Irish heritage. Growing up I was immensely proud of my Irish roots, I still am.
My Great-Granny Eileen O’Connor aka Granny Cuddles, was such an inspirational, kind loving, selfless woman, who I loved fiercely. She was by far one of my favourite people. She was beyond special and extremely wise. Once again, she was gone before I was old enough to ask questions about her life and family. How I wish I could have sat on her knee, snuggling into her, while she told me her stories, her memories and all about her family and their lives in Ireland.
What was the reasoning behind them packing up their belongings and leaving Ireland. Had something happened to make them leave? Had the potato famine played apart? Or was there a deeper meaning to their leaving. Had the troubles between the North and South, played a part? Or were they following a dream, a dream of a better life? Sadly these questions can never be answered but finally after many, many years, I am now on the road, to finding out about our Irish ancestors lives, their struggles, their loves and the puzzle pieces is starting to form a picture of whom our Irish ancestors were. 🧩
And I’m over the moon to be able to share one of their life stories with you, the life of my 4th Great- Grandmother Honora Carroll. Honora is John Cornelius O’Connor’s Grandmother.

Before I share what I have discovered about Honora’s life, through documentation, let’s have a look at her surname, Carroll but also the name Honora.

Honora is sometimes treated by name books as being simply an elaboration of Honor, but in reality it has a rich history of its own.
Honora started life among the Anglo-Normans in the Middle Ages. Its origins lie with one of the following Latin names (or perhaps a bit of all of them): Honoria, Honorata and Honorina.

According to Withycombe, Honora was a common name among the Anglo-Normans in England, and it occurs frequently in records from the 12th-14th centuries in the spellings Honora, Onora and Annora (the latter being the most common spelling). The name was brought over to Ireland by the Anglo-Normans and became well-established there.
An early example of an Irish Honora is Honora (d. 1383), the daughter of William Burke and wife of O’Meagher, who is mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters, an account of medieval Irish history. The Irish Gaelic form of the name is Onóra.

Records show that Honora was among the most common women’s names in Ireland during the early modern period.
The name is found in a variety of spellings and forms in 16th- and 17th-century Irish documents, including Onora, Honor, Onor, Onoria and Onory.
Honora was also used in England during this period, though not as commonly as it was in Ireland.

Honora’s popularity in Ireland is demonstrated by the fact that it established a variety of nicknames and vernacular forms, including Nora/Norah, Nóirín (Anglicised as Noreen), Nonie, Nóinín (Irish for “daisy”), Daisey and Nanno/Nano.

The short form Nora/Norah (both spellings were used in 19th century Ireland) was so popular that it took on a life of its own and eventually eclipsed Honora in popularity. Nora(h) was subsequently exported to the rest of the English-speaking world.
Nora(h)’s ascendancy can be seen in the Irish census records of 1911.
Norah was the nineteenth most common name for women and girls overall, and the thirteenth most popular name for Irish baby girls in 1911. Honora, however, did not appear among the top forty names of 1911 (in any spelling).
In Ireland during the 19th century, Honora was Anglicised variously as Honor (in Omeath) and Hannah (in Derry), so it is possible some of the women recorded as Honor or Hannah on the 1901/1911 census may have actually been named Honora/Hanora. (Hannah was used to Anglicise a variety of Irish women’s names, including Honora, Áine and Siobhán, which helps to explain why it was so common in historical Ireland.)

One interesting thing about the name Honora in Ireland is that different pronunciations seem to have been used at different times. In Romance languages such as French, the letter H is (normally) silent, as in English words such as honour and hour. Therefore, it is likely that the H in Honora was originally silent.
The Irish Gaelic form Onóra and the alternative forms of the name that were recorded in early modern Ireland (such as Onoria and Onory) provide further evidence for the theory that the H was originally not pronounced.
However, it does seem that by the 19th century, many Irish families did pronounce the H in Honora. Hence, why Hannah was used an Anglicised form of Honora. The common alternative spellings Hanora and Hanorah also suggest that the H was indeed pronounced.

The Carroll / O’Carroll surname, of Irish origin, is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic ‘O’Cearbhaill’, meaning ‘warlike champion’ or ‘valorous in battle’. 
The O’Cearbhaills were prominent in the Province of Leinster. There were six separate O’Carroll clans in Ireland, in Counties Kerry, Offaly, Monaghan, Tipperary, Leitrim and Louth. Carrolls of Northern origin descend from the MacCearbhaill clan who were located in Ulster particularly near the town of Derry. There is also a MacCarroll family (anglized to MacCarvill) from the province of Ulster. 
In 1014, after constant war and invasion by the Vikings, Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, enlisted a powerful army to fight them in battle at Clontarf. A division of Boru’s army, the Eilians, was led by the Prince Cearbhaill of the Carroll race. Brian Boru’s principal confessor throughout his reign was Maolsuthian O’Carroll, who never left his side. In 1005 Brian Boru visited Armagh and had O’Carroll write into the famouse ‘Book of Armagh’.

The Coat of Arms most associated with the Carroll name is on a silver shield two red lions combatant supporting a sword erect in pale proper in the dexter chief point a black cross flory, the Crest being on the stump of a tree a falcon rising billed proper charged on the breast with a black cross flory.

Without further ado I give you,

The Life Story Of,
Honora Carroll
1827- 1872,
Through Documentation.

Welcome to the year 1827.
George IV was on the throne.
Robert Jenkinson, 2nd Earl of Liverpool (Tory) (until 9 April); George Canning(Coalition) (starting 10 April, until 8 August); F. J. Robinson, 1st Viscount Goderich (Coalition) (starting 31 August) We’re all Prime Minister for a short while during the year.
George Canning (until 30 April) and John Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley (starting 30 April) were Foreign Secretary.
It was the 8th Parliament.
Public theological were debated in Dublin between Revs. R. T. P. Pope (Protestant) and Thomas Maguire (Roman Catholic).
Ordnance Survey staff surveyed a Lough Foyle baseline for their survey of Ireland.
Catherine McAuley opened an institution for destitute women and orphans and a school for the poor in Dublin.
The British Army established Beggars Bush Barracks.
British, French and Russian naval forces destroy the Turko-Egyptian fleet in Greece, in the Battle of Navarino (Greek War of Independence). This was the last naval action to be fought under sail alone.

And Honora Carroll, daughter of Daniel Carroll, was born, in Ireland around the year 1827.
The 1851 census gives her birth year and location as, 1827, Kerry, Ireland. The 1861 census as, 1825, Ireland and the 1871 census as, 1821, Ireland.

Very little is known about her childhood years, but we do know that she had a sister called Margarita Carroll, also known as Margaret, who was born around the year 1824 in Ireland. I plan to share her life’s story with you soon.
And she possibly had a sister called Sarah Carroll, born around 1817 in Ireland. At present we are not entirely sure what Honora, Margarita and Sarah’s relationship was, Sarah could’ve been a cousin or their sister, but we do know for sure they were related somehow.

Unfortunately Honora is hiding pretty well right up until the 1851 census, however we do know a little about her before this time. 😀

Honora married Thomas Connor, we believe before 1843, possibly in Ireland but in reality it could’ve been anywhere.
I will keep you posted in our future discoveries.
However it’s important to note that, specifically catholic records are relatively few in number compared to many protestant denominations in England and the UK.
The number of catholics themselves in England dwindled following the Act of Uniformity, and remained low from the 17th to the 19th centuries.
Furthermore, between 1754 and 1837 it was a legal requirement to marry in the Church of England and though many Catholics were still married illegally according to catholic rites, registers for these illegal marriages were not generally kept since it might have been dangerous to do so.

From the 1851 & 1871 Census we know that Honora and Thomas, had a Daughter, named Ellen, who was born around the the year 1843.
The 1851 census shows that Ellen was born in Kerry, Ireland and the 1861 as Ireland.

They also had a son, whom they called, Patrick John O’Connor/Connor.
Patrick John O’Connor/Connor was born around 1849, going off his age given on his death certificate.
But going by the birth of his brother Daniel, it more than likely would have been slightly earlier.
The 1851 census gives his birth year and location as, 1846, Kerry, Ireland. (See above image.)
The 1861 census as, 1847, Ireland (See above image.) and the 1881 census gives his birth location as, Ireland and year as 1849.

Lots of Ancestry family trees, have Patrick John/John Patrick, born in 1833 in Londonderry, Ireland.
I am not sure where this information came from. No sources are linked to the Ancestry family tree’s. I wonder where the birth year 1833 and location of Londonderry, Ireland, came from?

Patrick John, is my third Great Grandfather, Husband of Ann Arter, whom you can read about here, and the Father of John Cornelius, Annie and Rosina O’Connor, whom you can read about here, here and here.

By 1849, Honora, Thomas, Ellen and Patrick had left Ireland and took up residence in Woolwich, Kent, England. I very much wish I knew the reasons behind their move. Were they seeking greener pastures, aka better livelihoods? Had they been forced out by their landlords or land owners? Or maybe they were following other family members? Where is that crystal ball or time machine when I need it. 😉

Honora gave birth to their second son, whom they named, Daniel Connor.
Daniel was born on Friday the 24th of August, 1849, at Woolwich, Kent, England.
At present we haven’t from him in the birth index’s.

Woolwich is a district in southeast London, England, within the Royal Borough of Greenwich.
The district’s location on the River Thames led to its status as an important naval, military and industrial area; a role that was maintained throughout the 16th to 20th centuries. After several decades of economic hardship and social deprivation, the area now has several large-scale urban renewal projects.
Woolwich has been inhabited since at least the Iron Age. Remains of a probably Celtic oppidum, established sometime between the 3rd and 1st century BCE, in the late Roman period re-used as a fort, were found at the current Waterfront development site between Beresford Street and the Thames. According to the Survey of London (Volume 48: Woolwich), “this defensive earthwork encircled the landward sides of a riverside settlement, the only one of its kind so far located in the London area, that may have been a significant port, anterior to London”. A path connected the riverside settlement with Watling Street (Shooter’s Hill), perhaps also of Iron Age origin. Sandy Hill Road may be a remnant of this early path.
It is generally believed that the name Woolwich derives from an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “trading place for wool”. It is not clear whether Woolwich was a proper -wich town, since there are no traces of extensive artisanal activity from the Early Middle Ages. However, in 2015 Oxford Archaeology discovered a Saxon burial site near the riverside with 76 skeletons from the late 7th or early 8th century. The absence of grave deposits indicates that this was an early Christian settlement. The first church, which stood to the north of the present parish church, was almost certainly pre-Norman and dedicated to Saint Lawrence. It was probably rebuilt in stone around 1100.
From the 10th till the mid-12th century Woolwich was controlled by the abbots of St. Peter’s Abbey in Ghent. This may have been a result of a gift of 918 from Ælfthryth, daughter of King Alfred and Countess of Flanders, in that case the first recorded grant of English lands to a foreign ecclesiastic institution. As a result of this tenure Woolwich is not mentioned in the Domesday Book; it is thought that the 63 acres listed as Hulviz refer to North Woolwich, which was then uninhabited. Some of the Ghent lands passed to the royal manors of Dartford and Eltham as early as 1100; the larger part of the parish, referred to as the manor of Woolwich but in effect not a full manor, became an Eltham dependency in the 14th century. Not included were a riverside quay held by Holy Trinity Priory, Aldgate, a wharf held by St Mary’s Priory, Southwark, and land around Plumstead owned by Bartholomew de Burghersh, 2nd Baron Burghersh, later referred to as the Burrage Estate.
Medieval Woolwich was susceptible to flooding. In 1236 many were killed by a flood. Woolwich Ferry was first mentioned in 1308 but may be older. Around Bell Water Gate some private shipbuilding or repair may have existed in the 15th century. A windmill was mentioned around 1450. Several pottery kilns have been discovered north of Woolwich High Street and Beresford Street, testifying of a perhaps unbroken tradition of pottery production from at least the 14th century until the 17th century.

Honora and Thomas, baptised Daniel, on Sunday the 2nd of September 1849, at St Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.
His Sponsors/Godparents were, Luke & Catherine Coyne.
He was baptised as Danielis Connor.

St Peter’s Church is a Roman Catholic church in Woolwich, South East London.
It is situated between Woolwich New Road and Brookhill Road, the main entrance being on Woolwich New Road.
The church was designed by Augustus Pugin in 1841–42 in the style of the Gothic Revival and is one of only three Pugin churches in London.
Pugin’s design remained unfinished as the projected tower and spire were never built. 

In the late 18th and early 19th century, Catholic emancipation gave Catholics in Britain and Ireland more freedom to worship and establish schools and churches.
Early on, the Catholic mission in Woolwich mainly served the needs of Catholic prisoners held on prison hulks moored in the Thames near the Royal Arsenal.
In 1793 the mission consisted largely of poor families, some of them employed at the Arsenal, as well as Irish soldiers stationed at the Royal Artillery Barracks and other Woolwich barracks. At first, the mission used a small chapel in Greenwich; from 1816 an unauthorized chapel in Sun Alley (now Sunbury Street) in Woolwich.
By then, the Woolwich congregation had its own priest: Father James Delaney.
In 1818 a former Methodist chapel opposite the current Woolwich Arsenal station was rededicated. It had a capacity of 400.
Ten years later a Catholic school was established. In 1838 a young priest named Cornelius Coles, London-born but probably of Irish or Belgian origin, was stationed in Woolwich. His principle tasks became establishing a new church for the growing congregation (estimated at 3,000 in 1841) and a school for its children which even in 1855, according to Coles, suffered persecution in the barrack schools.
In February 1841 a plot of land on Woolwich New Road, next to The Gun public house, was made available free of charge to the Woolwich Catholics by the Board of Ordnance.
In September of that year the commission for the design of the new church was given to the young architect Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1812-1852). It is possible that Coles knew Pugin from his previous post at Holy Trinity in Bermondsey, where the architect had built a monastery in 1838.

The following year, Honora gave birth to a Daughter, whom they named, Mary Ann Connor.
Mary Ann, was born on Sunday the 29th of December 1850 in Woolwich, Kent.
Mary Ann’s birth doesn’t seem to be in the birth index’s either, even though from the 1st July, 1837, every birth and death occurring in England and Wales had to be registered by the local registrar. 
However study’s show, an increase in the number of baptisms just before the introduction of civil registration, suggesting that people thought baptism was equivalent to registering a birth.
There’s a good deal of controversy about what percentage of births remained unregistered after the Act came into effect on 1 July 1837. Some suggest as many as 10% of births were missed, rising to 15% in the cities. 

Honora and Thomas, baptised Mary Ann, on Sunday the 5th of January, 1851 at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, England.
Her godparents were Thomas Cotter & Mary Connor.
She was baptised as, Mariam Connor.
Mary Ann went on to marry Richard Hunt.

The year 1851 saw a good few historical events, while Queen Victoria was on the throne.
Palmerston was dismissed as Foreign Secretary for sending a congratulatory telegram to Napoleon III on his recent coup d’ėtat.
Henry Edward Manning was received into the Roman Catholic Church.
The first international chess tournament was held in London, organised by Howard Staunton.
Sir Edwin Landseer‘s painting of a Scottish stag, The Monarch of the Glen, was first exhibited, at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.
The banker David Salomons attempts to occupy the seat to which he has been elected in the House of Commons but was prevented from doing so since, as a Jew, he is unable to take the oath in the prescribed form.
The first protected submarine telegraph cable was laid, across the English Channel.
The New Model Union the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, Machinists, Smiths, Millwrights and Patternmakers was formed.
The Royal School of Mines was established, as the Government School of Mines and Science Applied to the Art.
Labouring Classes Lodging Houses Act permitted local authorities to appoint commissioners to erect or purchase houses for the working classes, but was little used.
The 1851 Census was taken on Sunday the 30th of March, 1851. The United Kingdom Census 1851 was the first to include detailed ages, date of birth, occupations, and marital status of those listed. The population of the UK is revealed to have reached 21 million. 6.3 million live in cities of 20,000 or more in England and Wales and such cities account for 35% of the total English population. Uniquely, this census also counts attendance at places of religious worship. As part of the legacy of the Great Irish Famine, the population of Ireland has fallen to 6,575,000 – a drop of 1.6 million in ten years.

The census also shows that Honora, was residing at, Number 5, Shorts Alley, Woolwich, Greenwich, London & Kent, England, with her husband Thomas and their children, Patrick aged 5, Ellen, 8, Daniel, 1 and Mary, 0.
Thomas was working as a labourer in the dockyard.

Honora and Thomas, welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth O’Connor, into their home, hearts and family, on Sunday the 11th of April 1852.
Elizabeth was born in Woolwich, Greenwich, Kent, England.

Honora and Thomas, baptised Elizabeth, on Sunday the 18th of April 1852, at St. Peter The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.
Elizabeths godparents/sponsors were, Patrick Jaquet and her aunt, Margarita (Margaret) Cook nee Carroll. (Honora’s sister.)

Sorrowful, Honour was present when her 3 month old niece Catherina Connor’s draw her last breath.
Baby Catherine Connor sadly died, on Wednesday, the 8th of September, 1852, at Honora and Thomas home, number 5, Shorts Alley, High Street, Woolwich, Greenwich, London & Kent, England.
Baby Catherine died from consumption.
heartbreakingly she had no medical attendance.
Honora made the harrowing journey into Woolwich Arsenal to registered Catherina death the same day. Not an easy task for anyone, especially when it was/is a death of a newborn/child.
Honora stated that Catherina was the daughter of Patrick Connor, a Labourer. She left her mark.

If loosing your niece wasn’t bad enough, Honora and Thomas‘s, 10 month old daughter, Elizabeth Connor, sadly died on the 28th January 1853 at their home, number 5, Shorts Alley, Woolwich, Greenwich, Kent, England.
She died from convulsions. I dread to think about how traumatic that would have been to watch. I sincerely hope Honora was able to hold her close and cradle Elizabeth in her last few moments of her life.
Honora once again made that harrowing journey into town and registered her baby girl, Elizabeth’s death, on the 29th January 1853. No parent should ever had to register their child’s death. My soul weeps for her Honora, Thomas and their family.
Honora gave her husband Thomas, occupation as a Labourer and their abode as 5 Shorts Alley.
She left her mark.

Thomas and Honora, laid their Daughter, Elizabeth Connor, to rest, on Tuesday the 1st of February, 1853, at Woolwich Cemetery, Woolwich, Plumstead, Kent, England.
How they found the strength to stand at her grave and watch the tiny coffin being lowered into the Earth. It is way beyond my comprehension, my heart sincerely breaks just thinking about it. 🥺

Woolwich cemetery is a cemetery in southeast London, situated south-east of Woolwich, in Kings Highway, Plumstead, on land that was formerly part of Plumstead Common. The first cemetery, which is sometimes referred to as the Woolwich Old Cemetery, was opened in 1856 by the Woolwich Burial Board and the 12-acre site was almost full within 30 years; in 1885, a new cemetery was established on adjacent land to the east. The latter site is still in use, and contains graves of those who died in explosions at the Royal Arsenal, plus a World War I memorial with the names of 14 casualties; in total the cemetery has 96 World War I and 81 World War II Commonwealth war graves.
The cemetery has been used as a film location for The Krays (1990) and Harry Brown (2009).

I am so very thankful to say, that Honora and Thomas soon had a reason to smile again, when they, welcomed a baby girl into their growing family on Thursday the 6th of April, 1854.
They named her Eliza Connor.
Eliza was born in Woolwich, Greenwich, Kent, England.
Eliza was also known as Lizzie.

Honora and Thomas, baptised Eliza, on the 16th April, 1854, at St Peter The Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.
Her Godparents/sponsors were Phillip Naughton and Eliza Cotter.
She was baptised Elizae Connor.

I’m sure the following months mustn’t have been easy, with the fear of loosing another child, thankfully there wouldn’t have been time to deal on the what’s if’s and their fears, as there was no rest for Honora, because she was once again, carrying and nurturing a brand new bundle of love in her womb.
Honora gave birth to a Son, on Monday the 27th of August, 1855, at Number 7 Coleman Street, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich, Greenwich, Kent, England.
They named him Thomas Connor.
Honora made her way to Greenwich, to register his birth on Saturday the 1st of December, 1855.
She signed with an X.

Honora and Thomas, baptised Thomas, on Sunday the 9th of September, 1855, at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.
His sponsors/godparents were, Joanna/Jane Connor, his aunt, the wife of, John O’Connor.

Two years later, Honora and Thomas, welcomed another baby boy into the family, on Wednesday the 28th January 1857.
They named him John Connor.
He was born at their home, Number 7, Coleman Street, Woolwich Dockyard, Woolwich, Greenwich, Kent, England.
Honora once again left her mark, when she registered his birth on Tuesday the 10th of March, 1857, on Greenwich.

Honora and Thomas, baptised John Connor, on Sunday the 1st March 1857, at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.
Johns Godparents/Sponsors were, Michael Lynch and Eliza Cottar.
He was baptised as, Joannes Connor.

Honora Connor nee Carroll and John Gallaghan became Alexander Samuelis Lindsay, godparents at, St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England, on the 31st July 1859.
Alexander’s parents were Alexander Lindsey and Mariae Lindsey nee Connor (Mary). Mary was Honora’s sister In-law.

Jumping forward a year to 1861, the year of the census.
Queen Victoria was holding her own, sitting proudly upon the throne.  
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (Liberal) Was Prime Minister of the 18th Parliament.
The first steam-powered merry-go-round was recorded, in Bolton.
American Civil War broke-out, leading to Lancashire Cotton Famine (1861–1865).
HMS Warrior, the world’s first ocean-going (all) iron-hulled armoured battleship was completed and commissioned.
The last execution in Britain for attempted murder took place.
The British Empire established bases in Lagos to stop the slave trade.
And on Sunday the 7th April, 1861, the United Kingdom census was taken.

It shows, Honora, her husband Thomas their Children, Ellen, Patrick, Daniel, Mary Ann, Lizzie, Thomas and John residing at, 16, Godfrey Street, Woolwich, Greenwich, London & Kent, England (now Godfrey Road), with her brother In-law Patrick Connor, his wife Ellen (nee Collins) and their children, John and Kate.
Thomas and Patrick were working as labours. Patrick, Daniel, John were scholars.
The census also shows that, the population has more than double that of 1801.

Honora and her brother In-law John Connor, became Godparents to Lucy Lyndsey/Lindsay, daughter of Alexander Lyndsey and Mariae (Mary) Lyndsey nee Connor.
She was baptised at, St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England, on the 16th February, 1862.
She was baptised as, Lucia Lyndsey.

Once again, Honora and her brother in-law John Connor, became Sponsors/Godparents to Patrick Alexander Lindsay, son of Alexander Lindsey and Mariae/Mary Lynsey nee Connor.
He was baptised on the 7th April, 1867, at St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Woolwich, Kent, England.

Heartbreak followed a few years later when Honora’s husband, Thomas O’Connor died on Friday the 25th of February 1870 at Number 2 Lower Pellipar Road, Woolwich Dock Yard, Woolwich, Kent, England, when he was 50 years old.
Thomas died from Bronchitis.
Thomas’s brother, John O’Connor, of Number 3, William Street, Woolwich, was present and registered his death the same day.
John gave Thomas occupation as a Labour Pensioner at Woolwich Dockyards.

Honora laid her husband, Thomas, to rest on Friday the 4th of March 1870, at Woolwich Old Cemetery, Woolwich, Kent, England, in section X, grave 778.

I can’t begin to imagine the heartbreak Honora must have felt at loosing her soulmate, the love of her life and father to her children. How does anyone ever begin to move forward with their lives after such a loss?
Life no matter the circumstances or situations, goes on, even in the deepest of grief, Honour had a family to care for, mouths to feed, bodies to clothe and bills to pay. She had no choice but to get on with life.

Stepping forward a to the year 1871, Queen Victoria is still monarch. William Ewart Gladstone(Liberal) Is Prime Minister of the 20th Parliament.
The disestablishment of the Church of Ireland by the Irish Church Act 1869 came into effect.
J. P. Mahaffy was appointed to the Chair of Ancient History at Trinity College Dublin at the age of 32.  
Nine Hours Strike began on Tyneside in favour of a shorter working day; employers capitulate after 14 weeks.
The native-bred red kite became extinct in England.
Ormeau Park was opened to the public by Belfast City Council.
The Westmeath Act was enacted allowing arrest and detention without trial.
And the census in the United Kingdom was taken.

It shows that, Honora and her sons, Thomas and John, were residing at, Eleanor Road, St Mary, Woolwich, London & Kent, England, on the eve of the 1871 census, which was taken on Sunday the 4th April.
The 1871 census was the first to record economic and mental status.

They say, when love is in the truest of forms, that LOVE is one soul inhabiting two bodies and when one of those body fails and dies, it isn’t long until the other half of the soul, needs to join the other, so the soul can once again be whole.
I wholeheartedly believe this to be the case with Honora and Thomas, as just over a year later, Honora passed away and was reunited with her soul mate, Thomas.

Honora died at her home, number 16, Eleanor Road, Woolwich, Kent, England, on Sunday 22nd September 1872.

She died from Typhoid Fever.
Honora’s sister, Margaret Cook nee Carroll, of Artillery Place, Woolwich, was present and registered her death on 29th September 1872.
Margaret gave Honora’s age as 45 years old, and stated that Honora was the widow of Thomas Connor, a labourer.

Honora’s death was registered under the name Honna Connor.

Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a disease caused by Salmonella serotype Typhi bacteria. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several days. This is commonly accompanied by weakness, abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, and mild vomiting. Some people develop a skin rash with rose colored spots. In severe cases, people may experience confusion.Without treatment, symptoms may last weeks or months. Diarrhea may be severe, but is uncommon. Other people may carry the bacterium without being affected, but they are still able to spread the disease.
It was one of the most prolific diseases of the Industrial Revolution. There was a palpable public anxiety aboutthe disease in the Victorian era, no doubt fueled by media coverage of major outbreaks across the nation, but also because Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, died of the disease in 1861. Their son and heir, Prince Albert Edward, contracted and nearly succumbed to typhoid a decade later in 1871.
It was commonly referred to as the Filth Disease.

Honora was laid to rest on Thursday the 26th of September 1872, at Woolwich Cemetery, Kings Highway, Woolwich, London, SE18 2DS, England, in grave X/778.
She was buried with her husband Thomas and Parrick Bradley.
Honora was buried under the name, Norah Connor.
At present we are not sure who Patrick Bradley is or if he is connected to Mary Ann Bradley, the first wife of John Cornelius O’Connor, Honora’s grandson (my great great grandad).

The Woolwich Burial Board laid out Woolwich Cemetery in 1856 on the edge of Plumstead Common and it was full within thirty years.
The cemetery stretches up the side of a hill opposite Bostall Woods.
It doesn’t look like a cemetery.
There aren’t many gravestones and those which do exist are spaced in the lawns. Some gravestones rest against the south east wall. 

“The soul can rest in peace when it finds its true home.”
Honora Connor nee Carroll.
1827-1872

I very much hope to visit Woolwich and the old cemetery this year and pay my respects to all my O’Connor/Connor, Carroll and Lindsay ancestors whom rest there.
Woolwich, the dockyard and the Artillery, are a massive part of our history and I long to walk the streets where Honour and the Connor/O’Connor’s lived out their lives.

Unfortunately the streets of Woolwich, Plumstead, Canning Town and Greenwich, hold a good few tragedies, especially for Honora’s sister In-law, Mary Connor, whom I hope to share her heart wrenching life story with you next. It’s truly a grief-stricken tale. 😢

Researching Honora’s life has been such an overwhelming privilege. She has touched my heart on so many levels and it’s an absolute honour to call her family. I just wish I could have met her, Thomas, their siblings and their children.
I’ve learnt so much about them and also the history of Woolwich, I never knew how much history surrounded the dockyards and the streets of Woolwich.
I will never forget their names, their hardships and their lives.
These wonderful souls paved the way to my existence, and I am indebted to them forever.
May they never be forgotten and have eternal peace.

If you are a descendant of our Honora Connor/O’Connor nee Carroll, or the other Connor/O’Connor‘s mentioned, please feel free to join our Facebook group, “Descendants Of John O’Connor”.
You can find it here.
We would love to see and hear from you there.  

Until next time,   
Too-da-loo for now.

🦋🦋🦋

I have brought and paid for all certificates,
Please do not download or use them without my permission.  
All you have to do is ask.  
Thank you.