John Docherty (1864-1916)

John Docherty, father of Patrick Docherty (1884-1956) was born in 1864 in Donegal, Ireland. His father John Docherty (1836-tbc) was a general labourer who married Susan Ferrie Docherty (1845-1921) also in Donegal, Ireland on the 24th November 1861. Going further back, we know that John's grandfather was also named John from Donegal and that this gentleman married Ellen Geachie.

John was one of at least 6 children. His known siblings are:

• Daniel Docherty, born 1st September 1865 in Dumbarton, Scotland. Died 19th December 1916 also in Dumbarton.
• Mary Docherty, born 19th July 1867 in Dumbarton, Scotland. Died 12th May 1927 in Dumbarton.
• Patrick Docherty, born 5th January 1869, Dumbarton, Scotland. Died 4th April 1869, Dumbarton.
• Susan Docherty, born 28th February 1870, Dumbarton, Scotland.
• Catherine Docherty, born 10th April 1876, Dumbarton, Scotland. Died 8th August 1877, Dumbarton.

John's family left Donegal at a time in the early 1860's when huge number of Ireland's population were emigrating to England, Scotland, the US, Canada and Australia, primarily due to the devastating effects of the Potato Famine. Typically, families from Donegal at this time would travel to Scotland on the Derry Boat (actually a cattle boat which also carried passengers) from Derry Quay. Many of the Irish settlers would disembark at Dumbarton and a significant Irish community was established in this area. The journey to Scotland required the passenger to endure 12 hours by night on rough seas, while the cattle lowed in their accompanying discomfort.

John's younger sister Susan moved to America in 1888 and married Thomas James McDonnell in 1889. Susan and Thomas had 8 children - Thomas James, Mary Jane, Agnes, John Francis, Mary Ellen, Stella and Harry. Sadly Susan and Thomas died whilst relatively young with Susan passing away in 1907. We know this from 1910 newspaper details concerning the death of Thomas McDonnell who was hit by a train at a level crossing.

Newspaper report of Thomas McDonnell's Death in 1910		Thomas McDonnell Family Picture		Susan Docherty McDonnell

John married Bridget Toole (1863-1927) on the 20th September 1886 in Dumbarton. Bridget was living with her parents Patrick Toole (1840-tbc) and Catherine Kean Toole (1848-tbc) in Renton at the time.

John profession was a Riveter and this dangerous but highly respected Clydeside profession was handed also handed down to his son Patrick. Patrick's profile on this site provides further details regarding life as a Riveter.

John and Bridget had at least 5 children:

• Patrick Docherty (Circa 1884-1956) - profiled separately in this site.
• Susan Docherty, born 25th July 1888 in Dumbarton, Scotland. Susan married Robert Stenhouse Wright in 1907 at Old Kilpatrick, Dumbarton.
• Catherine Docherty, born Circa 1890 in Dumbarton, Scotland. Catherine married Denis Mallon on the 19th September 1913 in Dumbarton. She died on the 12th March 1924 in Dumbarton.
• Bridget Docherty, born 12th April 1893, Dumbarton, Scotland. Died 2nd March 1942, Dumbarton.
• Martin Docherty (tbc)

John passed away during the 1st World War in the week before Christmas 1916 on the 19th December. He had been ill with cancer for some time. His wife Bridget who lived for another 11 years, was the Informant.

	John's Residence in Dumbarton When Married		The Doagh 'Famine Village' in County Donegal		The Bridge of Tears in West Donegal - Families and Friends of Emigrees Would Bid Farewell at the Bridge

      Family Tree Summary

Forename	Surname	Born	Died	Cause of Death
John	Docherty	1864	19/12/1916	Cancer