Mattimoes in England
The earliest reference to a Mattimoe in England which I have so far found is the marriage of Thomas Matimoe to Mary Ann Matimoe at Sunderland on 11th January 1852. Thomas was 26 years of age and already a widower tempting the hypothesis that his wife died in Ireland, perhaps during the Famine. The occupations of the fathers of both Thomas and Mary Ann, John and Patrick respectively, are given as 'labourer'. Others may inform me otherwise but either they remained childless or raised a family of daughters as no further trace has been found of this family.
The next Mattimoe family to arrive in England where Thomas Mattimoe and his wife Ann nee Gaffney who arrived from Carrigeenroe on the border of Co. Sligo and Co. Roscommon Ireland in 1867. Thomas and Ann arrived in Bishop Auckland Co. Durham with their three sons Patrick Mattimoe (b. 1856), John Mattimoe (b.1858) and Thomas (b.1861). Their daughter, Mary (b.1859) had died before they left Ireland and may have been part of the reason for their decision to leave Ireland. If you want to know more about the history of the family in Ireland click on Mattimoes in Ireland.
Thomas and Ann's family grew with the birth of Peter Mattimoe (b.1867), Stephen Mattimoe (b. 1869), Annie Hannon nee Mattimoe (b.1872), Frank Mattimoe (b.1876) and Michael (b.1876). At a time of high infant mortality Thomas and Ann's family were not to escape further tragic loss and their son Thomas died in 1871 and Michael died in 1877. The remaining five children thrived. To find out more about them click on their name.
In 1870 the Mattimoe family moved from Bishop Auckland to the hamlet of Gordon Gill near Ramshaw, Co. Durham. The men became miners and the family continued to follow their Roman Catholic beliefs. The family remained in Gordon Gill, referred to locally as 'Little Ireland' due to the high preponderance of Irish families living there, for forty years. Thomas and Ann's children grew up in the Gill, married and began raising their families in this small hamlet.
Review the book Little Ireland which tells the story of Thomas and his family as well as his ancestors and places their lives in the context of local, national and world events which touched their lives.
The above picture shows Thomas and Ann Mattimoe surrounded by their family in the grounds of St Osmunds Roman Catholic Church, Gainford Co. Durham on the occasion of their daughters confirmation on 27th October 1887. Back row from left to right are Annie Cox or Rose Ann Gaffney (family friend), Peter Mattimoe, Stephen Mattimoe, Annie Mattimoe, Patrick Mattimoe and Frank Mattimoe. Front row from left to right are unknown young boy possibly a Cox, John Mattimoe with his son Stephen on his lap, John's wife Hannah with Patrick's son Stephen on her lap, Thomas Mattimoe, Ann Mattimoe, John's first son Thomas and Patrick's wife Mary Ann.
See more family photographs in the Family Album