Michael Mullally
Overview
Michael Mullally (20 May 1849 – 7 January 1890) was a member of the Irish-Canadian Mullally family of Souris, Prince Edward Island.
He was the son of James Mullally and Anastasia Fennelly, who were among the earliest settlers in the Souris area. His brother, John Mullally, inherited the family farm.
Michael married Mary MacDonald in 1877, and they had four children, including Emmett James Aeneas Mullally, who later became a physician in Montreal.
Michael died in 1890 at the age of forty, leaving Mary with four young children.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 May 1849, Souris, Prince Edward Island |
| Parents | James Mullally and Anastasia Mullally |
| Siblings | John Mullally, among others |
| Occupation | Bookkeeper or related clerical work, according to family recollection |
| Spouse | Mary MacDonald (married 9 January 1877) |
| Children | Four, including Emmett James Aeneas Mullally |
| Died | 7 January 1890, Souris, Prince Edward Island |
| Burial | 9 January 1890, St. Alexis Roman Catholic Cemetery |
Early Life and Family Background
Michael was born on 20 May 1849 in Souris, Prince Edward Island, into the Mullally family, whose history in the region extended to the early years of settlement.
A published history of the Mullally clan identifies Michael among the children of James and Anastasia Mullally. His brother John inherited the family farm.
Marriage and Family
Michael married Mary MacDonald on 9 January 1877 in Prince Edward Island.
The couple had four children, including Emmett James Mullally, who was still a child when his father died.
Following Michael's death, Mary was left to raise their children. According to family recollection, Michael had held a life-insurance policy valued at approximately $1,000, which may have provided some financial support to the family.
Mary subsequently remarried, reportedly to Thomas Kickham, a member of a neighbouring family.
Financial Difficulties and the Family Property
According to family stories, Michael worked as a bookkeeper or in a similar clerical occupation and was regarded as one of the more educated members of his family.
At some point, Michael reportedly signed a promissory note on behalf of another individual, who subsequently failed to fulfil the financial obligation. Michael was then left responsible for the debt.
Unable to repay the amount immediately, he reportedly had to devote part of his earnings toward repayment.
Transfer of the Family Property
According to the same family account, the Mullally family's Prince Edward Island property was transferred into the name of Michael's young son Emmett.
The reported purpose was to protect the family home from creditors seeking repayment of Michael's debt.
This account may explain why Emmett appears in the property's ownership history at an unusually young age.
The circumstances of the debt and property transfer have not yet been independently verified. Surviving land records may help establish when the transfer occurred and the legal circumstances surrounding it.
Death
Michael died on 7 January 1890 in Souris, Prince Edward Island, aged forty.
He was buried on 9 January 1890 at St. Alexis Roman Catholic Cemetery.
View source: Prince Edward Island Vital Records
Family Recollections Concerning His Illness
It is understood in the family that Michael died relatively young, possibly from tuberculosis.
It's believed the financial difficulties surrounding his debt, and the demands of working to repay it, may have contributed to his declining health.
At this time, Michael's surviving burial record does not identify a cause of death.
Outstanding Questions
- When was the family property transferred into Emmett Mullally's name?
- Can the circumstances of the property transfer be confirmed through PEI land records?
- Can Michael's suspected tuberculosis be corroborated by other contemporary sources?
- What was the date of Mary MacDonald's subsequent marriage to Thomas Kickham?