My ancestors - Kickham - Contents

William Kickham

References:
- Archives of Holy Trinity Church (Catholic), Georgetown, D.C.
  - Have searched entirely for Kickham.
Sources yet to be consulted:
- William Kickham, Naturalization Records of District of Columbia. See 1851 entry for William Kickham in the index. This refers to volume and page nos. of the actual Naturalization Records.

Signature of William Kickham on letter of 1869 to his brother-in-law, George Cashel.

William Kickham,
bapt 4 Apr 1816, Mullinahone, Co.Tipperary.
He might be "William Kickham" who sp bapt of his 1st cousin Elizabeth Kickham at Mullinahone in 1843.
He went to America.
He married in 1849 in Washington, D.C.

He mar 5 June 1849 (apparently NOT 6 May 1849) to Jane Dornin [Jane E. Dornin, born New York city].
She was born 1820 according to age in 1850 census and 1860 census and 1870 census and 1880 census.
[1906 article] says Jane was born 26 Dec 1802. 1900 census says she was born Jan 1804.
1900 census says Jane had 5 children. Assuming some or most of these are natural children not adopted, born after 1849, then such an early birth year for Jane would not be credible.
Jane was dau of --- Dornin (born Ireland, apparently died before 1850 census) and Margaret ---- (born 1800, Ireland).
Jane's parents emigrated from Ireland to America. Jane was born in America. Her father died. Margaret worked as a Governess after her husband died.
William and Jane married in Washington, D.C. See entry on p.372 and p.720 of [Historical court records of Washington, District of Columbia, Homer A. Walker, 1955].

William and Jane lived in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
They are listed in 1850 census as living Georgetown. He is "gardener". Jane's mother Margaret is living with them.
Jane's mother Margaret died 2 Aug 1853. She was bur Holy Rood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
William and Jane are listed in 1860 census as living Georgetown. He is "gardener". Daughter Mary age 7. Their nephew Edward Francis Cashel (arrived from Ireland) is living with them.

William ran a florist/garden business in Georgetown. His business became popular and he became very prosperous.
Lived at 2nd St (later O St), Georgetown in at least 1862 to 1890. The location was between Frederick St and Market St.
He is listed as "gardener", 54 2nd St, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1862].
He is listed as "gardener", 56 2nd St, in [Washington Directory, 1863].
He is listed as "gardener", "Second n Market", Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1864].
Their nephew Edward Francis Cashel again stayed with them in Georgetown 1864 after fighting in American Civil War.
Edward wrote a letter in 1864 from Georgetown.
William is listed as "gardener", "Second n Frederick", Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1865].
See him listed at "66 Second" in [U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists, 1865].
He is listed as "gardener", 54 2nd St, in [Washington Directory, 1867].
William wrote a letter in 1869 from Georgetown to his retired brother-in-law, George Cashel: "I have to thank you for the papers you sent me. Unlike you, with me work is the rule, amusement the exception, and so I expect it always to be."
They are listed in Georgetown in 1870 census. He is "Horticulturer". Daughter Mary age 17.
He is listed as "gardener", 52 2nd St, in [Washington Directory, 1871].
He is listed as "gardener", 52 2nd St, in [Washington Directory, 1873].

The family seems to have two houses on 2nd St (O St):
William's daughter Mary married in 1874 to Rudolph Ullmer. For a time they lived next door on 2nd St (O St).
Jane E. Kickham may be "Joanna Elizabeth Kickham" who sp bapt of Mary's son in 1875. See entry.
William is listed as "florist", 52 2nd St, in [Washington Directory, 1878]. Ullmer family is next door at no. 54.
He is listed at 52 2nd St in [Washington Directory, 1880]. Ullmer family is next door at no. 54.
William and Jane are listed in 1880 census at 52 2nd St. William is a "Florist". Ullmer family is next door at no. 54.
The 2nd St address became O St, Georgetown after a great re-naming and re-numbering of streets and buildings.
William is listed as "gardener", 3225 O St Northwest, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1881]. Ullmer family is at 3327 O St. So Kickham address must be typo for 3325 O St.
It seems clear that the family had two houses on the street. The Ullmer house no.54 is now 3327. And the Kickham house no.52 is now 3325.
However this is confused by the fact that Ullmer immediately leaves O St and Kickham is listed at 3327 for a while (and then later at 3325).

William is listed as "gardener", 3327 O St Northwest, in [Washington Directory, 1882]. Ullmer is no longer living on O St.
He is listed as "gardener", 3327 O St Northwest, in [Washington Directory, 1883].
He is listed at 3327 O St Northwest in [Washington Directory, 1886].
He is listed at 3325 O St Northwest in [Washington Directory, 1889].
He is listed at 3325 O St Northwest in [Washington Directory, 1890].
He is listed at 1313 35th St NW, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1892]. This would be the new numbering (35th St is the old Fayette St) and this is close to his old house. See map and street view.

William's will, 1892:
His will is dated 24 Mar 1892. He leaves property to his dau Mary A. Ullmer and her children.
He leaves Mary a house of his at 1235 "Potomac Avenue", Georgetown. Presumably this is 1235 Potomac St, Georgetown, which is close to his old house. See map and street view.

William dies, 1892:
He died Apr 4, 1892, D.C., age 76 yrs.
Funeral 5 Apr 1892 [burial record, Holy Trinity Church], think NOT 6 Apr 1892.
He was bur Holy Rood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Probate filed 26 Apr 1892.
1906 article describes him as "florist".
Jane is listed at 1313 35th St NW, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1893].
She is listed at 1416 34th St NW, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1894]. This is close to the old house. See map and street view.

Jane's will, 1898:
Her will is dated 8 Mar 1898. See p.1 and p.2 and p.3.
Her will says she has "no known blood relations". Which is true because Mary is adopted.
In her will, she gives to the church and charity, and then provides for her Ullmer grandchildren Jane and Francis and James.
She mentions their mother "Mary Ann Ullmer", "formerly Mary Ann McCarthy", and says she was provided for in the will of her husband William.

She is listed at 3513 O St NW, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1899].
She is listed in 1900 census as staying with the Ullmers at 3304 Prospect St, Georgetown.
She is listed at 3513 O St NW, Georgetown, in [Washington Directory, 1901]. Possibly this is a stale address, dating from before she moved to the Ullmers.
In 1904 she moved into the Stanton house, 3003 O St, Georgetown.

Jane dies, 1906:
She suffered a "stroke of paralysis" on 10 June 1906.
She died 19 June 1906, age 86 yrs, at 3003 O St, Georgetown [Washington Post, 20 June 1906].
Funeral 20 June 1906, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Georgetown.
She was bur Holy Rood Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
[Washington Post, 20 June 1906] claimed she was age 103 at her death, and was "Georgetown's Oldest Inhabitant". It said she was born Dec 26, 1802. But (see above) this seems unlikely. More likely she was born 1820.
Probate filed 21 June 1906.
Her Ullmer grandchildren disputed her will. She left them an inheritance but they disputed all of the bequests to the church and to various charities. See article in Washington Post, 10 Feb 1908. Says that Jane left a large estate of about $10,000. Jane is listed as "a relative" rather than their grandmother. Further evidence they are not blood grandchildren.
William and Jane had natural or adopted issue:

5 children total, Kickham.
According to 1900 census.
It is unclear if these are natural children or adopted children.
Jane's will of 1898 says she has no living relations (i.e. no living natural children).
1900 census says Jane had 5 children, 1 then alive. See entry. The one alive is clearly Mary, who is adopted.

William and Jane had adopted issue:

Mary Kickham,
She was born Mary McCarthy.
She was adopted by William and Jane Kickham.
Her children's baptisms have her as Mary Agnes Kickham or Mary Agnes McCarthy.
Jane's will has her as Mary Ann McCarthy.
She was born at Alexandria, Virginia (N Virginia, close to Washington). This is listed as her birthplace in some of her children's baptisms.
1880 and 1900 and 1910 census say she was born Virginia.
William McVeigh thought she was born "in southern Virginia".
1880 and 1900 census say both her parents were born Virginia.
1860 census and 1870 census say she was born D.C. And some of her children's baptisms say born Washington or Georgetown. But think this is her adopted home not birthplace.
She would be born 8 Sept 1852 or 1853.
Grave says born 8 Sept 1853.
1900 census says born Sept 1852.
1860 and 1870 census say born 1853.
1880 and 1910 census say born 1854.
She mar 10 Sept 1874 [mar record, Holy Trinity Church], NOT 31 Aug 1874, to Rudolph Ullmer and had issue.

Mary Kickham is Mary McCarthy and is adopted

The paper documents are bizarre and incomprehensible, until you realise that Mary Kickham is the same as Mary McCarthy, and is adopted.
We start by considering the baptisms of Rudolph Ullmer's children which show the mother as "Mary Kickham" in 1875-1886 and as "Mary McCarthy" in 1890-1892. At first these look like two different wives.
However we then discovered that Mary McCarthy is the same person as Mary Kickham:

The 1900 census says Mary McCarthy is married 25 years (since 1875). She had 8 children, 6 living. i.e. Mary McCarthy is Mary Kickham.
The 1910 census says Mary McCarthy is married 36 years (since 1874). She had 8 children, 6 living. i.e. Mary McCarthy is Mary Kickham.
No death or burial record or grave was found in 1886-90 for Ullmer's "2nd wife" Mary Kickham. This is because she did not die then.
No marriage record was found in 1886-90 for Ullmer's "3rd wife" Mary McCarthy. This is because Mary McCarthy is Mary Kickham.
It explains Mary McCarthy being so old having the later children.
In William Kickham's will of 1892, he specifically leaves property to Mary A. Ullmer and thereafter her children. He would not do this if it was a new wife and not his daughter. So "Mary McCarthy" is his daughter.
Jane is staying with Ullmer and wife Mary in 1900 census, which would be a bit odd if Jane's daughter was dead and there was a new wife. This is explained by "Mary McCarthy" being her daughter.

Mary McCarthy is identical with Mary Kickham. But why? How could she have two names?
Even more incomprehensible, it seems clear that William and Jane are not her natural parents:

The baptisms of some of Mary Kickham's children say she was born at Alexandria, Virginia, rather than Georgetown.
1870 census has a column for "Father of foreign birth". In the entry for Mary, instead of a tick for Yes it has a question mark. i.e. William is not her father.
1880 census says both her parents were born in Virginia. This is on the same page as William and Jane, where it clearly says they were not born in Virginia. i.e. William and Jane are not her parents.
1900 census says both of Mary's parents were born in Virginia. This is on the same page as Jane, where it clearly says she was not born in Virginia. i.e. Jane is not her natural mother.
1910 census says both of Mary's parents were born in "unknown" place.

Mary's grandson William McVeigh, son of Ruth Ullmer, provides the story that explains everything.
He says Mary was the adopted child of William and Jane Kickham: "I .. remember a conversation I had with my mother .. when she told me her mother's name was Mary McCarthy, that she was born in the southern part of Virginia, and that she was adopted by a Georgetown family." "my mother's mother, a Kickham, was born in southern Virginia and .. she was adopted by the Kickham family of Georgetown".

So this explains the name McCarthy. And it explains why her natural parents do not fit William and Jane.
Mary Kickham was born Mary McCarthy and was adopted by Kickham.
This explains all the above data, and the following:

Jane's will 1898 says she has "no known blood relations". This is explained now because Mary is adopted.

This means that none of the Ullmer descendants are DNA relations of our family.

William Kickham at Georgetown, D.C., in 1850 census.
Jane's mother Margaret is living with them.
See full size.

William Kickham at Georgetown, D.C., in 1860 census.
His nephew Edward Francis Cashel is living with them.
See full size.

Washington Post, 20 June 1906, on the death of Jane Dornin.
See full size.