Here is the family of Catherine Dillon who married Bernard Higgins.
First Generation
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1. Patrick Dillon. He was born in Coolcoscreaghan, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, ca 1843. Patrick died in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 4 Feb 1892; he was 49.
Patrick is listed in his father Hugh Dillon’s 1883 will as living in Lisnascreghog on a farm that his father owned.
The Ballymoney Free Press of May 15th 1890 reported the case of Patrick Dillon's application to the Land Commission for the fixing of a fair rent. In the report he stated that the farm was bought by his father from a man named George Mullan about 18 years before, ie about 1872. He said the land was subject to flooding and the crops were partly injured thereby.
Patrick made his will on 25 Jan 1892. He stated he was a resident of Lisnascreghog and mentions his wife, but not by name. He also mentions his daughters, Mary, Catherine and Biddy and son Hugh, not yet 25. William Dillon was a witness to the will. Executors were Hugh Mullan of Coolcoscreaghan and James Quigg of Brockaghboy.
He married Jane Quigg, daughter of Henry Quigg (~1824-1905) & Catherine Mullan (-<1901), on 26 Jan 1874 in Glenullen Chapel, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland. Witnesses, Patrick McCrory, Catherine Mellan (sic). She was born in Brockaghboy, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 6 Apr 1856. Jane died in Coleraine District, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, in 1895; she was 38. Baptismal Sponsor: John Mullan, Rosey Quigg.
Jane Quigg Dillon is mentioned in her husband’s 1892 will but does not appear in the 1901 census for Lisnascreghog. There is a death listed in the 4th quarter of the Ireland 1895 death record index for a Jane Dillon, age 38 years. This is most likely the death of Jane Quigg Dillon, wife of Patrick Dillon.
They had the following children:
2 i. Mary (1876-)
3 ii. Catherine (1878-1947)
4 iii. Bridget “Biddy” (1880-)
5 iv. Hugh (1886-)
Second Generation
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2. Mary Dillon (Patrick1). She was born in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 3 Jul 1876.
3. Catherine Dillon (Patrick1). She was born in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 10 Jun 1878. Catherine died in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 29 Jun 1947; she was 69.
According to the 1911 census, Catherine was age 26, suggesting a birth year of about 1885. Her age is most likely incorrect and she was most likely about 36. Catherine died at the age of 59 years from a cerebral hemorrhage and hypertension. The informant of her death was her son Patrick of Ballintemple.
She married Bernard Higgins, son of George Higgins, on 28 Oct 1909 in St. Joseph’s, Glenullin, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland. Witnesses, Henry Hasson, Mary McNIchol. He was born in 1876. Bernard died in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 1 Feb 1954; he was 78.
Bernard was a resident of Brockagh at the time of his marriage.
They had the following children:
6 i. Hugh (1910-)
7 ii. James (1911-)
8 iii. Mary Jane (1913-)
9 iv. Patrick Joseph (1916-1975)
10 v. Bernard
11 vi. Francis
4. Bridget “Biddy” Dillon (Patrick1). She was born in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 10 Sep 1880.
Research: Possibly the Bridget Dillon who married John McCloskey and had a daughter Bridget born in 1909 in Brockagh.
5. Hugh Dillon (Patrick1). He was born in Lisnascreghog, Errigal Parish, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, on 7 Feb 1886.
Hugh's birth record lists his father Patrick as a farmer. Hugh is listed as “not yet 25,” in his father’s 25 Jan 1892 will. Hugh is most likely the Hugh Dillon, age 20 years, and single who is listed on the ship S.S. Caledonia which sailed from Londonderry and arrived in New York on 16 Apr 1909. He stated that his last residence was Garvagh and his nearest relative was Hugh Dillon of Garvagh. His final destination was Brooklyn, NY to join his relative, sister, Bessie Dillon, at 609 Gates Ave., Brooklyn. Bessie is probably his sister Bridget who was born in 1880. In 1909 at the time of this ship list, the only Hugh Dillon still alive and living in the area of Brockagh, Brockaghboy, and Coolcoscreaghan (Garvagh) as mentioned in the ship list by Hugh, is Hugh Dillon of Coolcoscreaghan, who married Mary O'Hagan. This Hugh Dillon of Coolcoscreaghan would be a first cousin to Hugh Dillon of Lisnascreghog, their fathers being brothers.