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Written by John Carbonneau “My great Grandfather Michael Hurley and his wife Bridget English (Inglish) Hurley migrated from Peterborough Ontario to Johnville. My Grandfather Timothy and his wife Emma Hurley went there along with brothers and sisters. He moved to New Hampshire and died in Gorham Nolt, 1921. Sister Nolaseo Boyd was a good friend of our family and we kept in close touch with her in Portland until her death. Jim Keenan was also a cousin of ours. Denis Hurley: ‘Early Painters and Engravers in Canada’ by J R Harper (pub. 1970) lists Hurley, Denis (Oct 1875-9) as an artist in Ottawa. Described as a steward in 1876-8. an Artist Denis M J Hurley, flourished: 1880
Artists in Canada An autograph book in the possession of John Carbonneau, Tampa Florida (great grandson of Michael Hurley) contains the following inscription: “Good luck, Maggie, my cousin, Toronto, Ont. with love, July 2, 1882.” The following names are signed: Jos E, George W., James, Bella, Tom, Nellie, D’inz (Maggie was Michael’s daughter and these cousins I assume are her uncle John’s family). These names correspond f or the most part with the family names Denis has mentioned in his letter to his parents from Ottawa. ‘The Scrapbook’ contained two other items to add to the family information. A newspaper clipping dated October 27, 1883 told of the marriage of D. J. Hurley of Hurley Bros. Publishers to Katie McKittrick at St. Patrick’s Church, Toronto. Winnie O’Byrne and Thos. A. Hurley were the attendants. Denis J’s death is recorded on Sept 8, 1887 at his residence 155 McCaul St. A copy of Denis’s Marriage certificate lists him as 33 years of age in 1883 and as having been born in Toronto. The marriage certificate gives Denis parents as John and Catherine. I next made an attempt to verify the above name through the early Directories for the City of Toronto. Denis J., listed as an artist in the 1885 and 1886 directories appear to tie in with a letter in the Public Archives, Ottawa - Call no MG 29, D19, dated Ottawa Feb 29, 1870 and on House of Commons Stationery was written by D.M.J. Hurley to his parents in Toronto. He mentions Nellie, Joe, Jim, Tim Tom and Bill. In the letter he states that he has ‘the best of prospects --first from Hon. J. O’Connor in past office at Toronto and again in the new Museum in Ottawa.’ He is working on a large painting of Sir J. Macdonald to be disposed of in the Library, the proceeds to go to my art education abroad. Some gentlemen have proposed to distribute 250 tickets at $5.00 making over $1200.00. His plans were to sail to Antwerp about June 1 and enter school there. In the 1880 city of Toronto Directory, Denis, Thomas A., Geo W. and Joseph were living at 10 Windsor St, the house being in the name of Thomas A. Hurley. In 1887-88-89, Thos A. is listed as a traveler for Schlist and Field, office Speciality Manufacturing Co. and residing in Ottawa.