C9 L 20/21 The Keanes (Cains) from Brigown to Douro to Galway……
For the 2024 Irish Emigrants eager to start a new life in Canada, their journeys began within a substantial distance of the harbour where they would board ships to set sail. Brigown is in Mitchelstown in County Cork, Ireland. What takes 45 minutes by car, today, would have taken days or even weeks to traverse in 1825, and that was only the beginning.
The Keane (Cain) family consisting of Michael (35), his wife Ellen (30) and John (16), James (14), Margaret (11), Michael (5), Mary (2) made this trek to meet their futures. According to the ship’s doctor, Ellen stepped onto the ‘Fortitude’ four months pregnant. She miscarried on the voyage.
The Keane’s (Cain’s) were settled in Douro Township by the late summer of 1825. Like all of the Peter Robinson Settlers, they were provided with a log cabin, daily rations and essential provisions, including pork, flour, a cow, farming tools, household utensils and seeds for planting. They appear on the 1861 census there. Little Michael (5 in 1825) is now 40 or 41 years old. By 1881, they have relocated to Galway Township. Michael Cain Sr. is reported as being 70 years old in 1871. But according to the ships’ records he should have been 80 years old. There is a discrepancy with Michael’s 2 wives listed on the censuses. 1861 says Bridget b. Ireland and 35 years old. In 1871, wife is Judy (Julia) b. in Ontario in 1834. The research continues.
Michael Cain died on October 25, 1892, on Concession 9, Lot 20/21 Galway Twp. He is buried in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery on Galway Road but there is no marker or headstone for him.
Head to trentlakesheritage.ca for ongoing research and findings for Michael and other Peter Robinson Descendants.
