John Darrah

     John Darrah was born circa 1834 at New Brunswick; The 1881 census gives John's age as 50 (1831), so the range is likely 1831-1834.¹ He married Rebecca Jones on 4 December 1860 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; Witnesses were Henry McKay and Eliz. Ann Stackhouse, and the marriage was performed by James Bennett of St Johns Presbyterian Church.
At the time of their marriage, John and Rebecca were both of Portland. John signed his last name Darough and Rebecca could not write.² A bond for the marriage of John Darrah and Rebecca Jones was signed in 1860 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.³ John Darrah died on 11 March 1899 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.⁴ He was buried on 13 March 1899 at Church of England Cemetery, Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick.
     Trying to locate the parents of John Darrah has not been easy. Since he was born in New Brunswick, we know his parents were there as well, but where? He might possibly be the John Derrah, born c1835 who was living with parents Alexander and Mary Derrah in 1851 in Brighton, Carleton County. Further research is needed.⁵ As of 1860, John Darrah was also known as John Darough. As of 1860, John Darrah was also known as John Darragh.⁶ City Directory of 1863-64 lists a George J. Darragh, laborer, with a house on Main, near Charles. Our John "Darragh", caulker, was living on Main near Hazen. Hutchinson's Directory of 1867-1868 lists a John Darrow, "caulker" residing Simonds Street, in Portland. The 1865-66 does not list a John Darrow, but does list in Portland the only two Darraghs: Goram, a boat builder, living on Straight Shore near Simond in Portland, and Robert, a teacher, on Chapel near Acadia in Portland. The 1869/70 city directory of Portland shows John Darrah with a house on Millidgeville. Lovell's Directory of 1871 shows John Darrow of Milledgeville, Saint John was a ship carpenter.The directory of 1890-1891 has him listed as shipcarpenter on Marsh Road, along with sons William and Albert.⁷ John Darrah was also known as John Darrow.⁸ He appeared on the census of 1881 at Wellington Ward, Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; John Darry, 50, b. NB, Rebecca, 50, b. Ireland, Ellen, 19, William, 15, Albert, 13, and Mary, 9. All belonged to the Church of England, except Rebecca, who was Presbyterian. He and son William were ship carpenters.¹ As of 1881, John Darrah was also known as John Darry. He appeared on the census of 6 April 1891 at Saint John, Saint John Co, New Brunswick; Rebecca Jones Darrah was listed as a widow. Since John Darrah did not die until 1899, it is not known where he was at this time. All four of their children were residing with Rebecca Darrah in 1891, as well as Ellenor's husband, John Nesbitt, and their daughter, Ella May. The Darrahs had listed their religion as Presbyterian, while John Nesbitt, wife Ellen and three your old Ella were Baptists.
The last time John appears to have lived with his family was in 1890/1: the directory of Saint John shows him in a house on Marsh Road, along with his sons, William and Albert. This was the last time he is listed with his family. In 1892/3 there was a John Darrah, carpenter, living on Wall Street, but his wife is listed as Rebecca, "widow of John", living on Rock Street.
The burial permit was written that he was John Derrah, aged 65 years, married and a caulker. He died of pneumonia at the General Public Hospital, and was buried at the Church of England Cemetery. The arrangements were made through Chamberlain's Funeral Home, which no longer exists.⁹ As of 11 March 1899, John Darrah was also known as John Derrah.⁴