Ronan, Peter | Ronan, Catherine
SACRED /
To /
The memory of /
PETER RONAN /
Who departed this life /
March the 13th 1837 /
Aged 41 years /
Lord have mercy /
On his soul /
Plot #61:
Brothers Peter and Matthew Ronan came to Nova Scotia about 1825 from Wexford, Ireland.[1] An early map shows the location of the Peter Ronan property located on the road from Malignant Brook (aka Maryvale) to the town of Antigonish. Nova Scotia Archives – Historical Maps of Nova Scotia.
A breakdown of persons living in the Peter Ronan household are found on the NS Census for 1827:
Peter Ronan; Farmer; Dorchester, Sydney Co; 1827; Rel: RC; Males: 2; Females: 2; Total: 4
This census contains agricultural returns for the farm showing that 20 acres of land are under cultivation with 10 bushels of wheat, 15 bushels of other grain, 150 bushels of potatoes and three tons of hay being produced. There are five horned cattle and four swine on the farm.[2]
There is one record of birth / baptism in the extant records for St Ninian parish for a child of Peter and Catherine Ronan–a girl Bridget.
Peter Ronan dies in March of 1837, but unfortunately there is no obituary or death record to provide clarification on cause of death. In the absence of a Will we are unsure as to what happened to the young widow and family. The 1838 NS census has no record of a Widow Ronan listed as head of household anywhere in the province of NS. There is a James Ronan whose identity is unknown but has been a landowner in Antigonish since 1820.[4] It is possible he too may have been a relation to the Peter and Matthew Ronan. Where does the widow Ronan live? We can only guess.
The children of Peter Ronan are identified as John, Thomas, Edward, Anastasia, Mary, Honora and Bridget. John and Thomas leave the district, as does Bridget.[5]
In March of 1862, we find Honora marrying Lawrence Doyle, but they do not remain in the Antigonish district after this marriage.
The first evidence of Edward Ronan having possession of property is on the McAlpine Directory for 1866 – 1867 where he is listed as a farmer residing at North Grant.
The census for 1871 shows three of the remaining Ronan children married, and residing within their households. Somers, Hugh age 58 farmer; Somers Nee Ronan Mary age 45 (estimated birth 1826);
Somers, Catherine age 16; Somers, Hannah age 14; Somers, Thomas age 12; Somers, Mary Ann age 10;
Somers, Peter age 08; Somers, Teresa age 05; Somers, Moses age 03; Somers, George age 40, farmer.[7]
Delaney, Michael age 40 Farmer; Delaney Nee Ronan Annastasia age 40 (estimated birth 1831); Delaney Alice age 13; Delaney, Nicholas age 10; Delaney, Michael age 08; Delaney, Mary age 06.[8]
Ronan, Edward age 38 Farmer (estimated birth 1833); Ronan, Hannah age 27; Ronan, Peter age 06;
Ronan, Thomas age 05; Ronan, Annie age 03; Ronan, Catherine age 02; McIsaac, Catherine age 30 Servant.[9]
It is probable that Catherine, widow of Peter Ronan is also interred in this cemetery. Descendants of Peter and wife Catherine are in this community to the present day.
[1] History of the Town of Antigonish by D.G. Whidden; Page 180-182.
[2] NS Census 1827; RG 1 vol. no. 446
[3] St. Ninian Parish Records – Baptism; 1837 January 27.
[4] NS Property Online; Book 4; Page 95.
[5] History of the Town of Antigonish by D.G. Whidden; Page 180-182.
[6] St Ninian Parish Records – Marriage: 1862 March 2
[7] 1871 Census Antigonish County; Antigonish Division 2; Household # 243
[8] 1871 Census Antigonish County; Antigonish Division 3; Household # 90
[9] 1871 Census Antigonish County; Antigonish Division 2; Household # 221