The McCadden's of Stranass - Denis McCadden (1818 – 1887)

Denis McCadden's name first appears in the Griffith Valuation, which occurred in the middle of the 19th century. The death records show that he died on the 23rd July 1887 and his age is listed as 69 when he died. This would indicate that Denis was born in 1818. Our family information on Denis is that he married Rose Quinn (sometime before 1867). Together, Denis and Rose had seven children – Patrick, Anthony, Denis, Joseph, James, Margaret and Alice. Rose died on 4th August 1910 and is listed as being 81 when she died. This would mean that Rose was born in 1819. As we see from the census returns, by 1901 Denis McCadden’s home has passed to his son, Patrick McCadden.

Patrick was born sometime between 1861 and 1867 according to the various records. He married Ellen Cassidy, the Cassidy’s being another large family in the area. It seems likely that they married sometime in the 1890’s. Patrick and Ellen had a very large family, thirteen children in all. There were six boys and seven girls. Three of the children were already born by the 1901 census (Celia Agnes 1897, Mary Anne 1899, Denis Joseph 1900). By 1911, another five children were born (Patrick 1902, Bridget 1904, Rose Ellen 1906, Joseph Denis 1908, Francis Hugh 1911).
Tragically, Denis Joseph died in 1905, aged only 5 years. The remaining children of Pat and Ellen were born between 1911 and 1922 (John, Anthony, Alice, Nora, Margaret). Pat died on the 21st February, 1951, followed by his wife Ellen on the 4th February, 1953.

Alice McCadden remembers, there were two McCadden families in Stranass, Donegal, Patrick McCadden's and the John McCadden family that lived "on the hill". According to Alice, Patrick McCadden and John McCadden were cousins. There were friendly relations between the families and Alice remembers playing with the girls.

As Pat and Ellen’s children grew up, a large family would once again result in emigration for many of the children. Joseph moved to New York in 1911. Mary Anne and Cecilia Agnes moved to Boston in 1920 and 1921. One puzzling Ellis Island entry is that of James McCadden. The exact record lists him as entering America on 2nd April 1905. However, his address of origin is simply listed as Co. Donegal, that is the townland is missing. In addition, the field listing the relative in Ireland is missing. However, he went to almost the same location as Mary Anne and Cecilia went to in 1920. He also went to the Donohue family, which is the same family as Mary Anne and Cecilia went to. It seems possible that James is another son of Pat and Ellen. If this is the case, it is unknown why he would be missing from the 1901 census. Another possibility is that James is another son of Denis.

Of those who did not move to America, Bridget entered a convent where she took the name of Sister Paula. Margaret actually stayed quite close to home. She married Patrick Sullivan and moved to Cullionboy a neighbouring townland in Donegal Parish.