Alice English

Alice English was born on Tue. 24 Sep 1867 at Mitchilstown, Cos. of Cork & Limerick, in Ireland. In the 1910 Federal Census, it was reported that her age was forty, making her birth year about 1870. Her death certificate cites her birth date as 10 January 1869. It also reports the name of her father as John Rafferty and her mother as Mary English; this information can be discounted since it was given by the undertaker who apparently was not familiar with the family. Alice English was baptized on 22 Sep 1867 at Parish of Kilbehenny and Anglesboro, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, and listed as sponsors were Michael O'Neile and Catherine Murphy. Her unrealistic birth and baptism dates are according to official documents. Place of birth: Kilglass, Kilbehenny in Sep 1867. She immigrated before 1 Jun 1880 to USA. She appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1880 at Elm St., Village of Tallula, Menard County, IL, in the household of her father, Edmond English, and her mother, Mary English. On Tue. 8 Sep 1885, at age 17, Alice English married Michael Rafferty at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Front & Allen, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. Rev. P. J. Dailey presided at the wedding. Witnesses were Patrick McBride and Catherine J. Conway. On Wed. 8 Apr 1896, at age 28, Alice English married John Gleason (age 27), son of Martin Gleason and Joanna Sheehan, at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, Front & Allen, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. Rev. J. Dalton performed the ceremony. Witnesses were Mary English and Michael Gleason. She lived between 1900 and 1910 at 1432 North Twenty-fourth St., Ward 29, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. John Gleason and his spouse, Alice Gleason, appeared on the census of 12 Jun 1900 at 1432 North Twenty-fourth St., Ward 29, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, with her children Edward Rafferty, Mary Ellen Rafferty, Katie Rafferty, Johanna Gleason and Martin John Gleason. According to the census taken on 12 Jun 1900, Alice Gleason had eight children and five were still living. John Gleason and Alice Gleason and their children, Johanna, Martin and Elizabeth appeared on the census of 20 Apr 1910 at 1432 North Twenty-fourth St., Ward 29, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. Also in the household were Alice's children by a previous marriage, Edward Rafferty and Mary Ellen Rafferty. The family owned their home and it was not mortgaged. According to the census taken on 20 Apr 1910, Alice Gleason had thirteen children and only six were still living. Alice English died on 12 Feb 1911 at 1432 North Twenty-fourth St., Ward 29, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, at age 43 years, 4 months and 21 days. Cause of death: Puerperal sepis, with contributory endometritis resulting from pregnancies. She was buried on 17 Feb 1911 in Section H, Range 12, Lot 17, in the New Cathedral Cemetery, Second & Butler, in Philadelphia, PA.

Jackie Harrington, 1 February 2009