QUIGLEY, Thomas ¹

   Cause of his death was debility.

   Another name for Thomas was TWEEDLY, Thomas.²

  General Notes:

In the 1841 census for Wallacetown, Ayrshire, there was recorded a Thomas and Helan Quigley, aged 70 years and 50 years respectively, who may be this couple. Both were born in Ireland and Thomas was an agricultural labourer. The other Helen Quigley, aged 21 years, could be inferred to be his daughter.

In 1851 the census recorded a Thomas Quigley, aged 92 years (older by 22 years in 10 years?), living in the household of John and Helen Mackey and their two sons. He was recorded as 'father in law' of the head of the household ie the wife's father. He was further described as a widower, and a 'pauper formerly labourer', and as having been born in Ireland. Two nieces of Helen, Sarah and Helen Devine, born in Newton on Ayr parish, and aged 13 years and 11 years respectively, were also listed. Both were errand girls. These girls would be the grandchildren of Thomas, by another daughter who married someone called Devine.

A 'Thomas Quigley', aged 101 years, was recorded by the 1861 census living in Kyle Union Poor House at Ayr. Born in Ireland, he was now a widower, a pauper, and had formerly worked as a linen weaver.

The same 'Thomas Quigley' died in the Poorhouse of Kyle Combination at the recorded age of 103 years. He had been admitted there on 1 April 1861 and died on 7 April 1863. The parish to which he was chargeable was Newton. He had resided in the Poorhouse for two years and seven days.
Note:There is no absolute proof that it is this Thomas but the circumstantial proof is convincing:
1 The facts of age in life events match closely
2 The place of life matches closely too
3 The death date fits neatly into what is already known
4 No other Thomas Quigley found yet matches these criteria in this way.

Thomas' son, Michael's marriage certificate of 1866 noted that his father Thomas was a weaver and was deceased.

In 1878 when his son, Michael, applied for parish relief, 'Thomas' was given as his father's name and the fact that his father was dead then was recorded. ^{1 3}

  Research Notes:

POSSIBLE DAUGHTER

In a register of deaths listed at the end of the Newton on Ayr volume of births and marriages 1811-1854 there is an entry which may belong to this family. It records the death of:
MARGARET TWIGLY daughter of T. TWIGLY on 23 November 1823, aged 6 months, of small pox.
Twigly is a variant form of Quigley. Thomas Quigley and his wife were in this part of Ayrshire and the date falls within the time of their marriage.

WIFE CONFUSION

It is possible that this Thomas was also married to Margaret MacWhinnie, as this surname was attributed to Helen, his partner in 1841. There is no evidence yet either way. It may be he had a son Thomas who was married to Margaret.

Thomas married Helen McQUILLAN. (Helen McQUILLAN was born about 1791 and died between 1841 and 1851.)