Timothy Galvin- A Most Fascinating Irish School Master Part I

     In 1795, a young man of  just 19 years, named Timothy Galvin emigrated from Ireland and settled in the East Deering Village.  Sometime after his arrival, on March 12th of the same year he took a bride, Joanna Illsley, one of the nine children of Jonathan and Dorcas (Ingersoll) Illsley, and granddaughter of Capt. Isaac Illsley, Jr.,a prominent land owner and distinguished military man. 

     In 1796, Timothy Galvin added his support, along with other notable citizens of East Deering Village,  to an historic action, the building of the first school house for the children of the settlement.  Only here in America for a very short time, Tim  wasted no time in impacting his newly adopted home and fellow citizens as a school master, mathematician and surveyor.
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     Although, what we know of Timothy Galvin and his family is limited, his story is important to the history of East Deering and the city of Portland.  At our recent Dedication, Matthew Jude Barker, noted genealogist and Irish historian was unable to be present, but he graciously allowed me to post his speech. I'm sure, all of you who follow this blog will appreciate reading it, as it gives us further insight into  the question: "Who was Timothy Galvin ?"

Matthew Jude Barker

     Is a resident  historian and genealogist at the Maine Irish Heritage Center in Portland.  Matt has authored many historical articles and been contributing writer to several books including:
     They Change Their Sky:  The Irish In Maine (2004) and John Ford In Focus (2008).
In 2014, Matt's book:  The Irish of Portland, Maine was published.

Matt has recently completed  a major history of Portland Irish during the Civil War, and on December 2nd, will deliver a presentation at noon at the Maine Historical Society.

  Here in whole, is Matthew Jude Barker's speech about Timothy Galvin.

    

    I will complete the story of Timothy Galvin at a later date, and include some of the documents we have been able to find so as  to continue to add a face to those early settlers interred at the Grand Trunk Cemetery. I am grateful to Matt for contributing his own research, and as he said: 'The Search Goes On!'