John 'Jack' Mattimoe (1858-1922)

 John Mattimoe, known as Jack, was born in Aghacarra on the borders of Co. Sligo and Co. Roscommon north of Boyle.  It is on the north east shore of Lough Key that Jack was probably born at his fathers farm at Carrigeenroe crossroads.

Jack arrived in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham England, with his parents, Thomas and Ann, and his two brothers, Patrick and Thomas, in 1867.  The family soon moved to the hamlet of Gordon Gill just above Ramshaw.

Jack started work in the mines as soon as he was old enough (12 years old) first becoming a trapper or rapper boy.  He progressed to become a hewer, probably after a period as a putter, eventually becoming a Deputy overman.

He married Mary Redfearn Parmley in 1882 but she died a few months later giving birth to their son, Thomas.

He them married Hannah 'Bridget Donlan' in 1884.  They had four children Stephen, Leo, Frank and Molly.

In 1911, with the pits in ramshaw in decline he moved his family to Coronation, near Bishop Auckland, and found began work at Eldon Lane pit.

Bridget died in 1914 and Jack married for a third time in 1915 to Sarah Wilson who died    in 1920.

                                                                   Jack died in 1922.

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