Bridget Eustace (1828-1868)

The 1850 US Census for the Town of Saratoga, Saratoga County, New York lists Bridget Eustice age 22 and John Eustice age 17, living in the home of William Carle, age 46, a watchman, born in Ireland and his wife Bridget, age 48, also born in Ireland. Note that in Ireland the surname Carroll is interchanged with Carle and both are pronounced as Americans pronounce the name Carl. Besides William and Bridget Carle, John and Bridget Eustice, ten others lived in the home including Elizabeth (16), Catherine (14) and Mary Carroll (4), apparently children of William and Bridget. As the result of a search through twenty-five years of state and federal census records, these children provide important clues to sorting out a family relationship complicated by early deaths and lack of additional records. 

The next record of Bridget is on the 1855 New York state census where she is listed as the wife of William Carroll. Also living in the Carroll home at the time of the 1855 census were Catherine Carroll age 6 months and John Ustest (Eustice), boarder, age 45, who was a naturalized citizen and who according to the census had lived in the U.S. 13 years. Bridget and her husband are operating a grocery store.

Bridget Eustace; Native of Cashel Parish, County, Longford, she was the daughter of Patrick Eustace and perhaps Catherine Cunningham;

She married first, William Carroll; secondly Patrick Gannon; and finally Thomas Quigley

Born about 1828-30; died 1868; Age 35 years.

Quigley Store at Schuylerville, New York Inventory in 1855

It appears that William Carroll died in late 1855 because his estate was transferred to his widow Bridget Carroll in Saratoga County records on January 7, 1856. Besides the store inventory which is listed in the biographical section on William Carroll, the personal inventory of the Carroll estate provides a glimpse of Bridget’s lifestyle. The probate record states the following:

The following articles are exempt from appraisement and remain in the possession of Bridget Carroll, the widow of the deceased husband to the statute;

1 Table 24/-3.00  ½ dozen chairs 48/-3.00                                     $6.00

1 Stove & pipe & Cookery Utensils                                                 $15.00

1 Tea set with 6 Cups, saucers & plates                                          1.25

½ dozen Knives & forks 4/25-2 Twine @12.00                            $12.25

Also the family Bible and books not exceeding in value $30.00; Family wearing apparel & clothing & ornaments of the widow.

In addition to the above enumerated article exempt from appraisal, the appraisers at the exercise of their discretion pursuant to the Statute let apart the following articles of necessary household furniture and other personal property for the use of the widow & minor children of deceased the same not exceeding the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars;

34 lbs Codfish 4=$1.36      6 ¼ Candles 15 cents=.94                  $2.30

69 Sugar+$4.83                   13 ½ Soap@54 cents                          $5.37

1 Bbl. Mackerel@5.00       1 Barrel Pickles@3                              $8.00

5 Lbs. Java Coffee@13,75

6 Conv. Coffee@10=60    ½ Ton Coal@48=3.00                        $3.60

3 Doz. Tobac@20=60        1 Quintal Codfish@4.50                    $5.10

2 Rocking Chairs@1.50

1 Clock@50

1 accordion@1.00

3 yards carpeting@75 cents; 10/12 Dozens Tumblers@1.00     $1.75

1 Table@1.00; 6 Chairs@2.00                                                         $3.00

Within a few months following William Carroll’s death, Bridget apparently married Patrick Gannon, who was born in Shrule Parish, County Longford in about 1826. (No marriage record has been found.) Based on the oldest child’s birth date, Bridget’s marriage to Patrick Gannon took place in 1856. The marriage was brief as records show that Patrick Gannon died in Schuylerville on January 24, 1859 at the age of 33, and is buried in Victory Cemetery. The Guardianship paper for Mary Carroll and Catherine Carroll processed in 1858 provides important clues to the relationship of members of the family.

Guardianship Record of Bridget Gannon, mother of Catherine Carroll and the mother-in-law of Mary Carroll (Saratoga County, New York-1858).

The record states, Mary is to best information present recollected is 13 years and about 6 months of age that said Catherine was 3 years on the fifteenth of December; the only relatives of said minors residing in the county are your petitioner (Bridget Gannon) and John Uestis (Eustace) who is the maternal uncle to said Mary—that Thomas Uestis and Mary Uestis are Maternal Uncle and Aunt to said Catherine.

Note: Instead of mother-in-law, try step mother or legal guardian; making William Carroll’s first wife a Eustice/Eustace/Uestis. This provides evidence that the first Mrs. Carroll is Bridget Eustace, the aunt of John and Bridget Eustice, mentioned in the 1850 federal census.

Who is the John Uestis/Eustis listed in guardianship records (063/1858) for Mary Carroll and Catherine Carroll? Who were Thomas Uestis and Mary Uestis maternal uncle and aunt of Catherine Carroll? 

The guardianship papers state that said John Uestis was the maternal uncle to Mary Carroll (born about 1846) which could mean that he was a brother to Bridget Eustace the first wife of William Carle/Carroll. This could also make John a brother to James Eustis/Eustace who is buried at Mapleton, Wisconsin. Note that the baptismal sponsor of Bridget Eustace at Ballymahon was a man named John Eustace. A john Eustace is listed in the household of Bridget in census records of 18xx, 186x and 186x, and after her death in 1868, apparently the same John Eustace continues to live with her widower Thomas Quigley. Was Mary Uestis Thomas’ wife or was she a sister? Thus we have an additional group of Eustace/Eustice family members to identify and more research to do.

Bridget Eustice Carroll next appears on the 1860 US federal census as Bridget Gannon, age 27 together with Catherine age 5, Anna age 3 and Bridget age 1. The last names are listed as Gannon, but it is obvious that Catherine’s last name should be listed as Carroll.

In 1865, New York state census, we find Bridget Eustace/Eustis age 30 (married three times) as wife of Thomas Quigley age 30. (Thomas had been married twice—his first wife was Mary Bevin?). In the home are Catherine Carroll age 11, Annet Gannon age 8, Bridget Gannon age 6 and Ann Eustice age 26. Ann is listed as a “sister” but should be listed as a “sister-in-law” since Thomas Gannon was household head. Thomas Quigley appears to have been the son of Barney and Margaret Quigley. Margaret Quigley died October 8, 1877 and is buried in Victory Cemetery.