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Welcome to the Moylan Family of Ireland and South Philadelphia! I'm Linda Lewis and this site traces my Moylan Family from Cork, Ireland to Philadelphia to the present generations and includes branches at all levels and many related surnames. The site centers around Jasper A. Moylan, Esq. (1757-1812) and begins with his parents and siblings. Jasper, my 5th great grandfather, was a noted Philadelphia attorney and served in the 1st City Troops for the Continental Army and he is my Patriot in DAR. Contact me if you share a family link!
My Moylan lineage, beginning with my Father is William Moylan Lewis (1920-1987) -> Myrtle Olive Moylan Lewis (1900-1941) -> Joseph Hickman Moylan (1864-1941) -> Joseph McK Moylan (1842-1911) -> Jasper Henry Moylan (1809-1854) -> Jasper John Moylan (1786-1871) -> Jasper Alexander Moylan, Esq (1757-1812) -> John Moylan (1705-1791)
Jasper was one of 10 children of John Moylan, a butcher in Cork, Ireland and member of a large, prominent family. The family owned ships with ports of call along the established trade routes of the time, including Spain, Portugal, and India.
John, Jasper's father, was first married to Ann Doran and together they had 5 sons and 1 daughter. After Ann's death, John married Alicia Joyce and had 3 daughters and 1 son. Son Jasper was the eighth of the 10 children. John sent his sons to school in France and Spain. Jasper was first educated in France where he studied for the priesthood, and later he studied the law in Spain.
Stephen Moylan, an elder half-brother, sailed to Philadelphia on his own ship in 1768 to establish his own shipping firm. Three of his brothers, James, John and Jasper, eventually joined him in Philadelphia. All four brothers took an active role in the American Revolution. Stephen, John and Jasper were known in Philadelphia as the "three polite Irishmen."
Jasper left for Spain to study the Law at the Inn in Spain. In 1781, after his education reading the law, he returned to Philadelphia where he raised a family and became an established attorney. Many noted figures, such as William Read (son of George Read the Signer) apprenticed for Jasper to learn the trade. Jasper's name can be found as the lawyer of record on many deathbed wills in Philadelphia from his time.
Jasper and his first wife, Eleanor Barry, were listed as one of the first Catholic families in Philadelphia. Eleanor died suddenly of yellow fever in 1787, leaving one infant son, my ancestor. In 1788, Jasper married Isabel Hoops Mease, the widow of one of his late clients. Jasper and Isabel had one daughter, Maria Moylan Walsh and lived in South Philadelphia.
In 1792, Jasper served as Ensign in the First City Troop in Philadelphia. He was noted for his role as one of the original founders of the Insurance Company of North America, to provide a way to insure shipments that were lost at sea. Though the original company has changed over the centuries, it is still in business today as CIGNA. The portrait of Jasper pictured here commemorates his role in the Insurance Company and is presently displayed in the First City Troops offices.
| Children of John and Ann (Doran) Moylan | |
| 1. | Rev. Dr.
Francis Moylan, 1735 - 1815
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| 2. | Brevet Brigadier
General Stephen Moylan, 1737 - 1811
|
| 3. | Anne Moylan McNamara, 1739 - 1815 |
| 4. | James Moylan,
1741 - 1784
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| 5. | John Moylan, 1745 - 1799
|
| 6. | Denis Moylan,
1748 - 1813
|
Children of John and Alicia (Joyce) Moylan |
| 7. | Mary Louise (Abbe) Moylan Sheehy, 1753 - 1842 |
| 8. | Jasper
Alexander Moylan, Esq, 1757 - 1812
|
| 9. | Bridget Moylan, 1762 - 1842 |
| 10. | Anne Moylan Scully, 1763 - ? |
Jasper John Moylan was born in South Philadelphia to Jasper and Eleanor Barry Moylan and baptized in Old St Joseph's Catholic Church. Sadly his mother passed away the next summer during the yellow fever pandemic. Jasper grew up around ships, became a career sailor and lived in Gloucester Co, NJ when not at sea. Jasper John married Eliza Giffin May 21, 1808 in St. Paul's PE church. As was the customa, the family practiced the religion of the Mother, and this marks the change from Catholic to Protestant for this branch of the Moylan family.
Jasper and Eliza bore at least 5 children from 1809 though 1826, four of which lived to adulthood: Jasper Henry Moylan, Elizabeth Catherine Moylan White, Amanda Moylan Hess and Maria Eleanor Moylan Miller.
Jasper Henry was born to Jasper and Eliza on 29 January 1809, followed by Elizabeth Catherine on 3 July 1811. Both children were born in New Jersey and baptized at St. Pauls PE Church in Philadelphia within of months of their births.
Naval Service
Jasper's service with the US Navy is detailed in 25 additional muster and pay roll records, found in the "Miscellaneous Records
of The Navy Department" on Fold3 in 2019 and provide additional insight into his life and times.
Jasper appears on the NY Muster Rolls as No. 1102, mustered in on board as a seaman on 19 October 1812, and was assigned as a Boatswain's Mate. He appears on the Rolls again 11 April 1813.
Family
Meanwhile, back in NJ, son Edmond was baptized 7 April 1813. Edmond does not appear to have survived long. No other evidence has been found to date.
War of 1812
In NY, Jasper mustered in to Wooster's Battalion Sea Fencibles, NY Regiment as Boatswain on 17 September 1814, and mustered out on 1 December 1814.
Naval Service
On the heels of the Second Barbary War, records for the USS Franklin show that Jasper Moylan, No. 451, was received on the
USS Peacock in Delaware on 3 January 1817. He boarded the USS Franklin in the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 18 June 1817. Jasper
served 18 continuous months as a member of the crew recorded in the pay rolls beginning 1 Dec 1817. According to Wiki, the
USS Franklin was a 90 gun ship and was the first vessel to be "laid down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard". Her first cruise
commenced on 14 October 1817 to the Mediterranean, where she served as part of the Mediterrantean Squadron. And Jasper
was a seaman on her firsst commission.
On 4 November 1818, USS Franklin records show Jasper transferred to the USS Peacock, and on 5 November, USS Peacock received him on board as No. 129. Wiki states that the USS Peacock joined the Mediterranean Squadron in 1816, and began making transit voyages from the Mediterranean to the US and back, beginning 15 November 1818. Jasper returned on the USS Peacock's first transport back to the US and mustered out 29 Jan 1819.
Family
Daughter Amanda was born to Jasper and Eliza on 22 November 1819 in the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
Naval Service
On 10 July 1821 Jasper again mustered in on the USS Franklin. He appeared on board 29 July and was paid through 30 Aug 1821.
Family
Jasper and Eliza's daughter Maria was born on 2 February 1826 at the Philadelphia Hospital. Less than 4 years later, on 17 October 1829, Eliza passed
away and was interred in Old Cole's Cemetery, Colestown, Gloucester Co. Years later Camden County was formed from Burlington and Gloucester Counties
and as a result, the cemetery is located in present day Cherry Hill, Camden Co.
On 7 November 1830, Jasper was admitted to the Philadelphia Almshouse eye ward where he suffered from blindness after sleeping with his face towards the sun on the deck of a vessel. Dr. Parish began treatment for Spinal Irritation in March of 1831 and documents his results in the American Journal of Medical Science, Volumes 9-10, pages 309-310. Jasper's vision was restored and he was released 8 April, concluding a 5-month stay.
Soon after, Jasper and Eliza's son, Jasper, married and by 1832 had their first child. He eventually had 6 children that survived him. Daughter Elizabeth was married in Burlington, New Jersey on 5 Mar 1832 and had 3 children that survived until adulthood.
Naval Service
Additional Navy payroll records are found for Jasper, No. 16, for service as an Oridary Seaman from 1 Jan 1837 - 30 Jun 1837 at the
Philadelphia Navy Yard. On 30 July 1837 Jasper was mustered in on the USS Hudson as No. 7398, and mustered out 30 November 1837 in
Philadelphia. Then on 13 July 1837, Jasper Moylan, No. 249, was recruited for General Service and was received in NY on 19 July and
served until 29 July. Jasper, No. 7398, appears on the USS Hudson rolls on 31 July 1837, and 1 October 1837 through 30 November 1837.
Family
Amanda, third remaining child of Jasper and Eliza, married 12 October 1837 in Moorestown, New Jersey and eventually had 12 children.
Naval Service
Jasper's last Naval service record appears for December 1838 and lists a transfer to Columbia on 12 January 1838 for Jasper Moylan,
No. 328. And the final record found is for the USS Java, a receiving ship in Norfolk, dated 1 July 1838 for Jasper Moylan, No. 402,
who voluntarily reported as unfit on 29 August 1838.
Family
Jasper and Eliza's youngest daughter, Maria, was married around 1846. Her husband passed away, leaving her with one child. She was
married again in the late 1850s and had 4 additional children.
Nothing more of Jasper's life is known until 22 July 1870, when he was enumerated on the Federal Census living with daughter Amanda Hess and family in Townsend area, New Castle Co, DE. His occupation is listed as Retired, former US Navy. In less than a year, on Apr 6, 1871, Jasper passed away in Black Bird, Kent Co, DE. His remains were transported to Philadelphia and interred in Lafayette Cemetery, the same cemetery as his father. The Lafayette Cemetery was later destroyed by development.
Joseph McK Moylan, the youngest son of Jasper Henry and Mary, was born in NJ and lived there until he was around 7 yrs. old. He worked as a welder throughout Philadelphia. On Oct 7, 1860, Joseph married Lydia Louise Wilson in Gloria Dei (Old Swede's) Church in Philadelphia. On Apr 26, 1861, Joseph enlisted as a Private with Company A, 20th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and served for 3 months until Aug 6, 1861. Company A moved to Chambersburg, PA where they were attached to Patterson's Army. From there they marched to Williamsport, MD on June 16 and participated in the occupation of Martinsburg on July 3. They advanced on Bunker Hill on July 15, and Harper's Ferry on July 23. Joseph collected a veteran's pension in later years and after his death his wife, Lydia, collected a widow's pension. Lydia was a founding member of the William Shade Circle of Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic in Philadelphia.
After his return from service, Joseph and Lydia had 5 children: Joseph Hickman (1864-1941), William H (1869-?), Alfred (Albert) Henry (1872-1881), Harry Gross (1875-1901), and Samuel Holt (1886-?), all born and raised in Philadelphia. Middle son, Alfred, passed away in 1881 and as a result Joseph purchased a family burial plot in Fernwood Cemetery. Shortly after the interment of their son, Lydia had her parents removed from their separate cemeteries and interred together in the family plot. In 1907, to celebrate his 65th birthday, the family had a party and commissioned a family photograph. Oct 7, 1910, Joseph and Lydia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Joseph was a member of the Knights Templar and upon his death on Jun 11, 1911, the Knights as well as the Abigail Vare Temple, Ladies of the Grand Encampment, No. 55, paid the undertaker and funeral costs. Joseph was interred with his son and in-laws in the family plot in Fernwood.
Lydia passed on Oct 22, 1912. The Abigail Vare Temple, Ladies of the Grand Encampment, No. 55, and the William D. Shade Circle of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (LGAR) donated to Lydia's funeral costs. Her services were held in St. Elizabeth's P. E. Church at 16th and Mifflin Sts. and she was interred with her husband. The family plot in Fernwood is presently marked with a large charcoal granite monument that memorializes Joseph, Lydia and their son. The other family members interred here remain unmarked.
Joseph Hickman is the oldest child of Joseph McK and Lydia Wilson Moylan, born in South Philadelphia on Feb 22, 1864. Joseph married Mary Smith on Oct 18, 1886. Joseph, being Methodist-Episcopal, and Mary a Catholic, they had a civil marriage in Camden, NJ. Joseph and Mary had 3 children: Alfred b. (1887-?), Ella Cecelia (Moylan) Bakeoven (1889-1970), and Lydia (1893-1893), all born in Philadelphia. The youngest child, Lydia, lived only 4 months before she died of congestion of the brain. Mary tragically passed away on Nov 15, 1895 of traumatic peritonitis from injuries accidentally obtained. Mary is interred in Holy Cross cemetery, located next to Fernwood Cemetery.
Joseph and his two children lived with his parents until Joseph married Anna Louise Gibson on Oct 24, 1897 in Abigail Vare Methodist-Episcopal Church at 3rd and Morris Sts. in Phila. After their marriage, Joseph's parents raised his two children by his first wife, Mary. Joseph and Anna had 6 children: Warren Craig (1899-1985), Myrtle Olive (Moylan) Lewis (1900-1941), Arthur Morrow (1902-1995), Laura (Moylan) Allen (1904-2000), Norman (1906-1968), and Roland Leroy (1908-1975). Joseph worked as a store detective at Wanamaker's Department Store to support his family.
Anna passed away on Mar 20, 1923 when her youngest child was about 15 yrs. old. She saw her oldest two children marry and knew a grandchild from each marriage, one of which was my father. Joseph lived to the ripe old age of 87, when he passed away Jul 9, 1941. Prior to his death, he lived with caretaker Ida Buccino and her children and she is listed as his wife on his death certificate.
Myrtle, my grandmother, was the second child of Joseph and Anna Moylan, born Sep 27, 1900 in Philadelphia. She married William Hall Lewis in December of 1918. They had one child, my father, William Moylan Lewis (1920-1987) and they divorced on June 1, 1925. Myrtle and son lived with her father for many years. Myrtle was a true Flapper for which the name was coined. She worked at Wannamaker's Department Store as a store detective and enjoyed her independence in the speaks during prohibition. She passed away on Oct 12, 1941, barely 3 months after her father, and is interred beside her parents and sister in an unmarked grave in Fernwood Cemetery.
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My dad was born in Philadelphia, the only child of the short marriage of William and Myrtle Lewis. He grew up living with his mother in his grandfather's house, and spent summers on the farm of is mother's half-sister Ella, on Old York Rd in Montgomery Co near Burlhome Park. When he was a teenager they lived with or next to his mother's brother, Norman. My father went to work at the Philadelphia Ship Yarn when he was still in his teens and worked there until he retired.
My dad's mother passed away in 1941, when he was 21 yrs. old. Two years later, on Dec 23, 1943, he was drafted for WWII. On a letter of recommendation, he entered the Army Air Forces where he served until Apr 2, 1946. He met my mother while stationed in Ardmore OK and they married on Oct 27, 1945 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ardmore, OK. From Ardmore they finished his service in Alamogordo, NM. They returned from service to Philadelphia and lived with his father and step-mother, William and Edna Lewis. My father returned to work at the Navy Yard and they eventually moved to an apartment, and then to my childhood home in Fox Chase.
My father retired and my parents moved to Durant, OK in 1978. My father was an active member of the local Elks Lodge, NARFE including State and National offices, and the Presbyterian Church. He passed away in Durant on July 19, 1987 at Southeastern Medical Center.
