Abbeygate Street

A narrative of genealogical discovery from within and without the walls of Galway.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

It began with an Australian studio card inscribed with an American address, plucked from a biscuit tin at 46 Upper Abbeygate Street in the 1980s. Both sitter and addressee long-lost. Over the lockdowns of Covid 19 we set out to rediscover both and it became quite the journey.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @GalwayMuseum @HeritageWeek @MoycullenHerit1 Have also traced his career in the Muster Rolls of the various vessels in which he saw action, as well as the holding ships. The Niphon was very active off the Carolinas during his time on board. Incl. the death of the Conf. Spy Rose O’Neal Greenhow.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets featuring in @GalwayMuseum for @HeritageWeek a once forgotten Civil War Blue Jacket, Landsman Richard Barrett. Under the auspices of @MoycullenHerit1: https://t.co/FrzHK157D0

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @GalwayMuseum @HeritageWeek @MoycullenHerit1 Have received his pension records from the National Archives, which confirmed much of my initial research. Would be happy to share with you if you’ve an interest in same. Including a salacious end to his career in the Cavalry at Fort Griffin TX.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @GalwayMuseum @HeritageWeek @MoycullenHerit1 On the grave of a former landsman 1864-1868, served on USS New Berne, Niphon, Wachusett. Then joined infantry and cavalry.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @GalwayMuseum @HeritageWeek @MoycullenHerit1 Have you ever come across this symbol or a variation of same on the tombstones of former bluejackets? If so would you have any idea of a more precise meaning for same?

[Civil War Bluejackets @CWBluejackets]

@AbbeygateStreet @GalwayMuseum @HeritageWeek @MoycullenHerit1 This is a great piece!

[Damian Shiels @irishacw]

@AbbeygateStreet @CWBluejackets The blockade runner they captured then had actually been carrying Irish-made uniforms for the Confederacy as well.

[Damian Shiels @irishacw]

@AbbeygateStreet @CWBluejackets The digitised records for Navy men are second to none for the war, material like this adds greatly to the picture we can paint about individual men.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@irishacw @CWBluejackets @dgleesonhistory Manifests accounting for Richard Barrett’s transfer from the North Carolina to the New Berne to the Niphon Aug 1864, to the Ohio in Dec 1864 and finally from that vessel to the Wachusett on 5 March 1865 before being discharged in 1868.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw And have also managed to track down a hospital ticket from Chelsea Mass, which correlates with his pension files. Contracting pneumonia in Boston in the Winter of 1865/65. Prior to his transfer to Wachusett and adventures in Asia.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets recently retrieved pension records of a great grand uncle Lndsmn Richard E Barrett native of Co. Galway who served in the Union Navy from 1864-1868. After he served in the US Infantry and Cavalry. Saw action in the Blockade on the Niphon and Newberne and in China.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw Synopsis of his career before his transfer to the Wachusett. Which was his final vessel. Discharged in 1868 at NYC have his records from the Irish Emigrants Savings Bank. He completed military service about 1872 and died in NYC from a heart attack on 5 Ave 14 Nov 1911.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw An account of the voyage of the Wachusett has been written. While mainly post Civil War it shows the extraordinary experiences of sailors such as Richard born pre-famine and experiencing Imperial China, Korea and Shogunate Japan. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery NYC. Note cross.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw

[Civil War Bluejackets @CWBluejackets]

@AbbeygateStreet Fascinating stuff, he had some career going through the infantry, the cavalry and the navy! He would have been among an awful lot of other Irish immigrants in all those units. We must keep an eye for him in the Niphon Muster Rolls!

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@irishacw @CWBluejackets Landsman Richard E Barrett served finally on the USS Wachusett which sailed from Boston in March 1865 to track a Confederate commerce raider in the South China Sea. Spent its time in the Far East before returning to the US. Here at anchor in Shanghai.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

He claimed he fell from the rigging to deck during inclement weather rounding the Cape of Good Hope on the return. However the Navy Dept. noted he did so in play with a fellow sailor and so not in line of duty. Spent remainder of return to NYC in cot.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets @irishacw would love to contribute his story to site.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@CWBluejackets his enlistment in the NY rendezvous on 18th June 1864 - 10th entry - and further index cards attached.

[Abbeygate Street @AbbeygateStreet]

@irishacw