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MARGARET SCULLY DOYLE

c. 1820 - 1902

We have neither birth place nor date on Margaret Scully though the various census records consistently give her country of birth as Ireland. Neither do we have parental information.

From her tombstone and her death certificate it apears she was born in 1820 but various census records give ages which indicate birth years as 1820, 1825, 1828 and 1830. Time may well prove her to have been older than her husband, Daniel, and her desire to hide the fact may be the basis of all the confusion in both Margaret and Daniel's vital statistics.

Though we have no record of her parents, or siblings there is some basis for the belief that she had a brother Thomas, born in Ireland about 1825, and who came to Le Sueur County. His children likely are those Scullys shown as godparents to some of Margaret's grandchildren.

The first time we have solid information on Margaret is at the marriage to Daniel Doyle at Montgomery County, Indiana on 29 Jan 1854. [note that spelling of her last name on both the marriage license and marriage certificate is "Scullay"] See Daniel Doyle's biography for her movements until 13 May 1894, the date of Daniel's death.

On the 1895 census she is shown as 75 years of age and living in the household of her son, Michael Doyle.(1) Margaret was 75.

Margaret has been described by one of her granddaughters as very lovable and kind to the children of the family. She was always making cookies and other treats for the children but had to bestow her gifts secretly, as husband Daniel was a bit "tight" (economically) such largesse. Of course, remembering the difficult financial problems he had faced throughout his life, his position is understandable.

Granddaughter, Helen Doyle Dyke, remembers that after Daniel's death, Margaret lived back and forth between children, Michael's and Mary's homes.

Helen also remembers walking to school on the day of Margaret's death and hearing the church the bells kept saying "Grandma's dead". She recalls being filled with sorrow.

Margaret died on 28 Jan 1902. Her death was noted by very brief notices in the local papers. The Le Sueur County Sentinel of 1 Feb 1902 read, "Mrs. M. Doyle, widow of the late Daniel of St. Thomas, died on Tuesday and was buried on Thursday. The deceased was 80 years of age."

The Le Sueur County News of 30 Jan 1902 read, "Mrs. Doyle, an old lady of about 80 years died at st. Thomas, Tuesday."   

Margaret is buried next to her husband, Daniel, in the Catholic cemetery at St. Thomas, Minnesota. Their joint headstone reads: Daniel Doyle, born in Co. Kerry, Ireland. Born May 11, 1818 - Died 13 May 1895." (Both dates are questionable per later research.)

"Margaret Doyle, died Jan. 28, 1902, Age 82 years."

We can only add - may they both live eternally in the peace of Christ! What brave and adventuresome people they both were! Certainly, considering the wanderings of so many of the present generation, we must have inherited some of their nomadic genes.

P.s. Since the above was written the 1900 US Census has been opened to Genealogists. For Margaret it shows:
Margaret Doyle, b.Nov 1823 in Ireland, Naturalized, living in Tyrone Township, Le Sueur County, Minn. and specifically in the residence of Denis D. Regan. She is identified as "Mother-in-law".

(1) See appendix page 178, for the 1895 census report

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