This Blog is dedicated to research and discovery regarding my ancestors.
They consist of the McCauley, Brownson, Korn and Glasheen family lines from which I share a biological connection. I will discuss methods of research and share documents with my reactions and suppositions. My intent is to provide a centralized location for my discoveries, share them with other decedents and offer a forum for other descents and interested parties to share their documents, stories, and photos and expertise. I hope this will create a rich environment for the sharing of our research and experiences. The lives of the four Bernards span over 180 years of history.
Together they had ten children. There will be an initial post on each of them with subsequent posts to follow over time.
John McCauley
(6/29/1872 – 7/26/1888)
John McCauley was the fourth born child to Anne Carron (this time spelled Kerrin on the county birth ledger). He might have remained undiscovered if not for the irregularity in the spelling of the second born; that being Catherine vs Katherine. I was working to eliminate a theory that there were two Catherines; one born and given Catherine with a “c”, who died as an infant and the other born later and named Katherine spelled with a “K”. I listed the birth dates of all the children and searched the birth and death records where there were seemingly longer gaps between births. When examining the death records to include the various spellings of McCauley. I came across the death entry for John.
John McCauley died at the age of fifteen from Morbus Coxae and it appeared he had the condition for a year. I looked up the term in medical texts and it appears to have a generalized reference to Morbus Coxae as being osteoarthritis of the hip. While this is typically found in older people, we are not aware of what factors complicated his illness, whether they be environment, nutrition, or the hard life of a rural farmer. The entry indicates that his mother, Anne was present at the time of his death. His older sister Catherine would have been 19 years old at that time and assisted in John’s care. His death may have had a great impact on her and may have been the impetus for her to leave Ireland for America less than two years later. Had it not been for Catherine, I might not have found out about John’s existence. Did her spirit, if you believe in this sort of thing, guide me to find him? After I found John’s death record, I did the math and was able to locate John McCauley’s birth record and he indeed was born in the “Tate”; What is today Newtate Road in Fermanagh County, Northern Ireland.
Together they had ten children. There will be an initial post on each of them with subsequent posts to follow over time.
Patrick Joeseph McCauley(1871-1925)Civil Birth Entry below
Patrick Joseph McCauley was the third born Child of Bernard McCauley and Anne Kerron. His date of birth being September 21, 1871. He emigrated to the United State on June 15, 1893, according to his citizenship application. He would have been Twenty-one years old. His older brother Edward McCauley had already been living in New York for approximately nine years. Patrick was a general contractor and later became President of the Fenlon Construction Company.
The name Fenlon appears to be taken from his wife’s family name. He married Sarah Fenlon in 1897. The Fenlon family have roots in Kingston, NY. The couple went on to have 9 daughters and two sons. Patrick died in 1925 at age 54. His wife passed away in 1973 at the age of 97. This would be a trend for the McCauley men to pass away before their spouses.
This photo essay is based on my visit to Devonish Island in September of 2025. This is an important location for members of the McCauley clan who can trace their lineage through the McQuire clans who resided in this area.
Devenish Island’s monastic site is believed to have been founded in the 6th century by Saint Molaise, a significant figure in early Irish Christianity. Like many monastic settlements of its time, Devenish was established in a remote location, ideal for prayer, study, and reflection. Islands such as Devenish provided both seclusion from worldly distractions and natural protection from potential invaders.
Saint Molaise, also known as Laisrén or Laserian, was an influential religious leader who played a key role in shaping monastic traditions in Ireland. According to tradition, he spent time on Devenish Island, where he established a thriving community of monks dedicated to scripture, scholarship, and religious devotion.
The Augustinian Church, built in the 15th century, is one of the later additions to Devenish Island. This larger and more refined church reflects the ongoing importance of the site in medieval Ireland. Unlike the earlier, simpler monastic buildings, this church features pointed arch windows, a finely carved doorway, and remnants of Gothic-style architecture.
The presence of an Augustinian church suggests that Devenish evolved from its early Celtic Christian roots into a site influenced by broader European religious orders. The Augustinians, known for their scholarly contributions, likely continued Devenish’s tradition of education and religious devotion.
Here are highlights based on the Islands iconic features.
1. The Iconic Round Tower
Round TowerDrawing of the Round Tower Round tower
2. St. Molaise’s House (Oratory)
3. The 15th-Century Augustinian Church
4. High Crosses and Grave Slabs
McGuire grave markerDevonish Island High CrossInside Cross for light Grave marker
5. A Serene Island Escape
There is so much more interesting history about this monastic treasure, and I have provided two additional links that have more festinating information.
In 2021, I received a photo from Cynthia Carraher Minervini. This photo had been passed along to her after her parents, John and Helen Carraher had passed away. Cynthia did not know the…
Agens McCauley (1883-1957) is the ninth child of Bernard McCauley (1st) and Anne Kerrin McCauley. Ever since finding an Enniskillen address in Ellen McCauley Aunchman’s…
Four Bernards & Their Clans 