People of Canada
James Cummiskey and Martha McDermott
James Christopher Cummiskey of Otonabee Township, was born 5 May 1853 in Ingersoll, Ontario. His father was Christopher Cummiskey, born in 1820 in County Meath, Ireland. Christopher died in 1882 in Hamilton Township, Northumberland County, Ontario. Margaret Graham was the wife of Christopher and mother of James. Margaret was born in Ireland about 1820 and died at Cobourg, Ontario in 1894. She and Christopher rest in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery at Cobourg, Ontario.
Headstone for Christopher Cummiskey at
St. Michael’s Cemetery, Cobourg
Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey
James Christopher Cummiskey, was the third son in a family of four girls and three boys born to Christopher and Margaret. On 4 March 1878 in Ashburnham, Peterborough County, James married Martha McDermott. Martha was born
9 February 1858 in Otonabee Township, Peterborough County. Her father was Andrew McDermott and her mother, Ann McDavid.
In 1881, James and Martha lived in Asphodel Township, Peterborough County. They had two little girls by this date. Elizabeth Ann was born in December 1878, in Otonabee Township. Margaret Emma was born 17 July 1880 in Otonabee Township. Charlotte was born 3 July 1885. James Jr., was born in 1887, Edward born and died in 1889 and Andrew in 1890.
Family of James and Martha Cummiskey
James Christopher Cummiskey died at Birdsall, Asphodel Township, on 19 August 1915. He was laid to rest in St. Mark’s Cemetery, in Otonabee Township. Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey died 21 May 1916 in Otonabee Township. She rests beside her husband at St. Mark’s Cemetery.
Lifetimes of the Children
Elizabeth Ann, daughter of James and Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey, grew up to marry George Henry McWilliams. Their wedding took place at Toronto, Ontario on 19 October 1898. George was born in December 1872, at Ashburnham village. He was a son of George and Elina (Wilson) McWilliams. Elizabeth and George later moved to Seattle, Washington where they both died. George McWilliams died in 1939. Elizabeth died in February 1967.
Margaret Emma, daughter of James and Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey, was born 17 July 1880 in Otonabee Township. As a young woman, Margaret married Alfred Wood on
16 January 1907 at Peterborough, Ontario. Margaret and Alfred had two sons, Aubrey and James Henry, before her untimely death on
12 June 1910.
Charlotte, daughter of James and Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey, born in 1885, became the wife of Peter Joseph Clarkin on
18 February 1905 at Toronto. They had a family of nine children, but two of their little boys died in infancy. Seven of their children, five sons and two daughters, grew to adulthood. Peter died in October 1957. Charlotte (Cummiskey) Clarkin, died 27 December 1967.
James Jr., son of James and Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey, was born in Otonabee Township in September 1887. He grew up to marry Elsie Jane Rebecca Grandy. Their wedding took place in Manvers Township, Durham County on 30 March 1910.
Andrew, son of James and Martha (McDermott) Cummiskey, was born in Otonabee Township in August 1890. He grew up to marry Margaret Stewart Cameron. She was born in May 1889, a daughter of Donald and Elizabeth (Miller) Cameron. Their family eventually included four sons and two daughters. Andrew Victor Cummiskey died in Asphodel Township on 9 April 1966. Margaret (Cameron) Cummiskey died in Asphodel Township on 4 July 1973. They rest in Cameron Cemetery, Asphodel Township.
Discover the Fife Family who also had ties to Otonabee Township.
