Hello, Christopher! I definitely know David and Emily were not Catholic. My understanding is that my great grandfather Edward, David's son, experienced a conversion as such. In his own words as given to my second cousin,
"One of his supervisors, Margaret, took special interest in Edward. When two evangelists came to the town, she encouraged Edward to attend the meetings, which he did. The next day as he stood at the rollers in the mill, he was converted. He left his rollers and went to find Margaret and tell her the good news. That was 20 minutes to 11 on April 17, of 1875. '
He became an itinerant preacher here in the states for awhile. He brought his brother William over in 1907 but there was never much conncection between the cousins. Seems perhaps that William was not church involved. I was raised Methodist as was my father and I know my Aunt was married and attended the Methodist church in Illinois. The Methodist church was the church of choice it seems.
I don't know if this helps. But I am thrilled to have contact with someone who may be able to help fill in the gaps. How exciting. I do not know who Margaret was and I don't know what mill the family worked at.
Thank you.
