THE WHEELAHAN FAMILY
This page is one branch of the Wheelahan Family.
Some spelled their name Wheelehan, Whelehan, Whelan, and other variants.
Some say the original spelling was Phalen, which was pronounced Whelan.
In the early to mid-1800's, several Wheelahans came to America from Ireland.
Michael Wheelahan emigrated to New York City aboard the M.V. Patrick Henry, arriving April 25, 1846. His "bride to be", Mary Ann Clarke, arrived in New York City on April 29, 1846 aboard the "SEA KING". They both traveled to New Orleans and were married at St. Patrick's Church in New Orleans on November 26, 1850. They resided in New Orleans the remainder of their lives.
One of Michael's brothers, Bernard "Barney" Whelehan, (he retained the Irish spelling of the surname) remained in Ireland to run the Family Farm in Ullard, Queens County. One of his sons, Christopher Whelehan, emigrated to Australia, accepted the British spelling of the surname (Wheelahan) and was known as Christy Wheelahan. He established a large family which has spread throughout Australia. Later, a nephew of Christy, "Irish Chris" Wheelahan, also emigrated to Australia. The Australian Wheelahans, in October, 2001, held a family Reunion in Kempsey, New South Wales. It was attended by three of their American cousins: For an account of their visit to Australia, click here: CousinsUSA.html Other Wheelahan immigrants from Ireland settled in New York and the New England States. This Homepage , at present, features Michael, Mary Anne, their parents, siblings and descendants. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael was the son of Michael Wheelahan and Mary Dunne. Our Family Bible states that he was born in Ullard, which is not far from Portarlington, Queen's County (now County Laois). He was Baptized on October 28, 1822 in St. Michael's Church in Portarlington, Queens County. Michael had one known sister and 5 known brothers:
The Australian Wheelahans, in October, 2001, held a family Reunion in Kempsey, New South Wales. It was attended by three of their American cousins:
For an account of their visit to Australia, click here:
CousinsUSA.html
Other Wheelahan immigrants from Ireland settled in New York and the New England States.
This Homepage , at present, features Michael, Mary Anne, their parents, siblings and descendants.
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Michael was the son of Michael Wheelahan and Mary Dunne. Our Family Bible states that he was born in Ullard, which is not far from Portarlington, Queen's County (now County Laois). He was Baptized on October 28, 1822 in St. Michael's Church in Portarlington, Queens County.
With the exception of Barney and the first Thomas (who are buried in Ireland), Michael and all his siblings are buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery #2 in New Orleans. Also buried in one of the Wheelahan plots in St. Patrick's is Matthew Dunne, who was a Baptismal Sponsor in 1831 for Thomas Wheelahan.
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Mary Ann Clarke was born in Ireland. She was baptized on September 23, 1827 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Portarlington, Queens County. Her father was Thomas Clarke and her mother was Bess Westmond.
Nothing is known of any of Mary Ann's siblings.
Michael Wheelahan and Mary Ann Clarke had six children:
(all born and died in New Orleans)
Edmond Thomas Wheelahan - born 1851, died 1853.
Elizabeth Ellen "Nantie" Wheelahan, born 1853, died 1922.
John Bernard Wheelahan, born 1856 and died aged 2 months
Thomas Francis Wheelahan, born 1857, died 1888.
Mary Theresa "Mollie" Wheelahan, born 1860, died 1865.
Edmund John Wheelahan, born November 24, 1864 and died June 30, 1912.
None of the above children of Michael and Mary Ann (other than Edmund John), had any children.
In July, 2000, the descendants of Edmund John Wheelahan and Avonia Troyer Wheelahan held a "Wheelahan Family Reunion" in Diamondhead, Mississippi.
Edmund John Wheelahan married Avonia Troyer on May 8, 1886 in St. Theresa
Roman Catholic Church in New Orleans. They had nine children:
For more on Edmund John Wheelahan and Avonia Troyer Wheelahan, Click here
Edna Clotilde Wheelahan, born 1887, died 1887
Edmund Cyril Wheelahan, born 1888, died 1970
Rita Orleana Wheelahan, born 1901, died 1959
Edith Mary Wheelahan, born 1904, died 1995
Emmet Lawrence Wheelahan, born 1911, died 1965